Page 26 of Potions & Pints
“Yeah,” Tan said. “What—”
“Out of the way, I need to get to the head. Sweet Sol almighty,” Cap said, shoving Tan aside.
Tan hurried to the helm, relieving the first mate. The man attempted to express his gratitude, but rushed off before getting out a single intelligible word. Tan grabbed the wheel and studied the horizon. Vir came up from below deck and stood beside him.
“Everyone is sick,” he told Tan.
“Everyone?” Tan asked.
“Not me, and not Pili,” Vir said, frowning.
Tan shrugged away the annoyed feeling rising inside him. The fact that Vir and Pili were getting along so well was of no concern to him. At the very least, Tan couldn’t worry about it until they got through this storm.
“If,” he said out loud.
“What?” Vir said.
“That’s it?” Tan said, changing the subject. “What about the other…orcs?”
Vir winced. Tan regretted it immediately. Vir’s curse was a sensitive subject.
“Sorry,” Tan said. “I mean, what about Ogen and Garu and Sori?”
“Oh, they’re fine,” Vir said.
“That’s good,” Tan said, thinking quickly. “Find them. We need to talk. All of us. Anyone who isn’t sick.”
Once they got into the storm there was no need for someone in the nest. Besides, it was too dangerous. Maybe he should order Pili up there.
Stop it,Tan told himself.
You can be jealouslater.Right now, Tan had different priorities. Pili knew his way around the ship. He’d have to be Tan’s second. The past, and for that matter, the present, wouldn’t matter if they all drowned tonight.
Fortunately, after climbing up the mast and taking a look at the storm for himself, Pili agreed. Vir and the others had the knowledge, and most importantly the strength, to raise the sails quickly.
Once everyone assembled, Tan quickly explained his strategy. When the storm got closer they’d have a better idea what direction it was moving. With any luck, they’d aim for the back end. The sea was getting rougher so Tan went back to focusing on the waves. It was imperative to steer into any flat spots, if Tan could find them. The larger the wave, the greater the danger of capsizing.
Pili took Vir and the others to show them the storm sails. Tan kept one eye on the waves and one eye on what he supposed was now his crew. Pili came back alone.
“I showed them the hand signals,” he said.
Tan nodded.
“They need to be lashed down,” Tan said. “They are big, but they aren’t as used to it.”
“They’re working on it. I’ve got Ogen and Sari on the big mast. Garu at the bow. Vir behind you.”
Tan turned. Vir had a rope wrapped around his waist, but looked a little befuddled at what to do next.
“Make sure they are tied properly,” Tan said quietly. “All of them.”
“I will,” Pili said. “Here.” He handed Tan a rope. “If you can’t let go, I’ll tie you. If you trust me.”
“I trust you,” Tan said and meant it.
Soon they were all secure and there was nothing to do but wait. The rain started, and the waves grew in height. A crewman came up to be sick over the side and almost went overboard. Pili went to him and dragged the man back to the hatch.
Tan couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he could tell Pili was yelling at the man to go below and stay there.
