Hiraeth

Chapter Eighteen

I do my best not to roll my eyes. I still do.

Now I understand why Storm wants me to change clothes because here's the p*****t Death that will annoy me to death. I should have listened.

Instead of saying welcome like people usually do to respond with thank you, he dramatically bows like I am a princess and he's serving me. I cringe. I accept the princess but not the last part. It doesn't feel right.

Still, I force myself to keep cleaning. I don't ask Death to help me because I need to prove that I can do this. The pirates must know that they should respect me the way they respect their co-crews because they need me to clean.

“Ye want help?” he offers, and that startles me a bit. But I realize he has said it for the sake of asking. He's not planning to help me. Death won't pick up rotten food just because I've said it.

“No, thank you,” I say without looking at him. I focus on picking up the rotten food and putting it in the almost full box. “Where do I put these boxes anyway?”

“Throw them,” he casually answers.

“In the ocean?” I ask in disbelief. These boxes are a lot, and it's not good to let them float in the ocean. The ocean isn't a garbage bin.

“Yes.”

But then where the hell are we supposed to throw it when we're literally in the middle of an ocean?

I stop myself from teaching him that we must not throw garbage anywhere. He won’t listen, and we don't have a choice.

“My offer is still valid, North Star.”

That's the time I turn to look at him. He sits at a barrel on the left corner of the kitchen, his one foot is on it, and a hand with an apple rests on his knee.

My brows furrow. “You're the navigator, right? Why don't you just help Captain Arkean navigate the sea? That's why the royal navy has caught you because you don't properly do your work.”

“Navigators don't always navigate, North Star. Captain Arkean is familiar with the way to The Veiled Shore,” he says, then eats the grapes he is now holding. I haven't seen it until he eats it. He’s holding an apple earlier. “And I let them catch me. I told you that.”

“So, you're saying it's your decision to get caught?”

It was our topic the other day, and the reason for it is because it’s his decision, which I don't believe.

When he nods, I ask again. “And why is that?”

“Because no one will do it.” He shrugs like it’s nothing to him.

I close the box. Somehow, talking to Death makes me not realize that I'm overworking.

“So, it's like a plan?” I ask to make sure I'm correct. “Get yourself caught, and then what?”

“Convince someone to turn side.”

“Who?”

“Bones,” he answers with simple directness.

Now I understand it. The pirates want to convince the leader of the royal navy to take their side so they'll be safe with the navy's punishment. It's not an awful plan at all, but they are so ambitious about the part that they can convince someone who's doing his job to take whole different stuff. But there's nothing wrong with dreaming.

“And you didn't succeed,” I say in a matter of fact.

“Yes,” he answers and eats another grape.

“So, what's the next plan? Am I allowed to know?”

If I don't have something to get my attention while cleaning, I won’t talk to him. But I admit he answers well this time. Maybe we're both bored. That's why for the first time, we speak without me cursing him.

“Convince him again.”

Wow! They are something. They won't give up.

“Is he that important?”

I look around and see that there is not much work to do. All I have to do now is sweep the floor and throw all the boxes. Then finally I can take a rest. My back is begging for a bed and eyes for a night of deep sleep.

“He's nothing.”

I raise my eyebrow. “Then why the f*ck you all want to convince Bones to turn side?”

“Nothing but a walking disaster.”

My mouth formed an "o."

“He wants to get rid of all the pirates,” he adds.

“And you all think that when you have gained his trust, he'll leave you all alone?”

He nods.

“To be honest,” I say. “It's not easy to convince someone. Much harder when you have nothing important to a person.”

“Right,” he says. “He's doing what he's doing now to win a woman. If you seduce him, maybe he'll join us.”

“What the f*ck!” I glare. The conversation is going well, but he has a way of ruining it. “There's no way I'm seducing that guy. He's not my ideal type.”

“Same as him,” he says. “His type is someone who doesn't curse.”

I glare even more that I can feel my eyes slipping out of their sockets.

I inhale and exhale in an attempt to calm myself.

“So back to the topic,” I say. “What's the connection of getting rid of all the pirates in winning over a woman?”

“She's the daughter of the governor,” he answers. “To give his blessing, Bones must need to do what the governor promises his people.”

To my understanding, the governor is the one who wants to eliminate the pirates. Then Bones appears, so he takes the opportunity. So this is how valuable Bones is. It’s hard. If his love is shallow, then maybe we, yes we because I am now part of the crew, will convince him.

“So that's the story,” I say, nodding. “But another question.”

“Shoot.”

“What was the discussion earlier all about?”

He sighs. “We've received a message that Bones target The Veiled Shore and kidnap some pirates' families. He's using them to lure us.”

And now I know why the mood is gloomy right now. Even if the pirates don't say it out loud, I know they are worried about their families' well-being.

“What about you?” I ask. “I'm sure your family is also there, right?”

“Speaking of that,” he says. He gets something in his pocket. A hair clip that has a diamond shining on it comes into view. “Give this to my mother.”

I raise my brow. “Why me?”

It's his mother, so I don't know the reason. And I don't know who his mother is. Duh, I can't just take a guess and look at each woman to find someone who looks like him.

“Just give it to her.”

“I don't know her.”

“I'll tell ye.”

“Psh!” I roll my eyes and reach for it. “Throw these boxes as a payment.”

He stands up. “Okay.”

He does carry two boxes all at once and get out of the room. I stay in the kitchen, the hair clip still on my hand.

After a minute, he comes back and carries two boxes again. There are only two more left. I'm still clutching the hair clip because I don't have a pocket to put it in, and I don't want to put it somewhere because I can't trust myself. I might forget it.

Death finishes throwing the boxes when I finish sweeping the floor. I'm concerned about the fish that may suffer due to it. But yeah, I can't do something about it. I might as well forget that it happens.

I stretch my body. Some of the bones c***k. I'm not that exhausted, but I am hungry.

“Where can I get food?” I ask him.

He then points to the barrel that he has seated earlier. I get to it quickly and open it in one slide. There you have it—a barrel of bread.

“Can I get two slices?” I ask. Maybe they are saving food after letting lots of food rot.

“Yes.”

I smile and get two pieces of bread as big as my fist.

I start eating.

“And the grapes. Where can I find it?”

“My room.”

“You keep grapes in your room?” I shake my head. “That's bad. You shouldn't hide food from your co-workers.”

“They don't want it.”

I raise my eyebrow. “You sure? Did you ask each of them if they like it? You didn't even ask me when you're here eating it!”

“I didn't ask you because you're cleaning. Go to my room, and you'll have it.”

“Nah! You're just making me enter your room. I reject your offer.” I bite the bread. “I might just eat this one instead of going to your room.”

There's no way. He's dangerous. Yes. I might get out of his room, losing all the things I have. Okay. I might be exaggerating it.

“But if you insist, I'll just stay outside until you get the grapes. Yes?” I clap. “Okay, let's go!”

I start walking. Death follows, chuckling.

It only takes one turn to the left aisle, then tada! We’re here.

Just what I have said, I stay outside. Death enters. Since it's open, I take a peek inside. The place is so tidy, or maybe it’s just so empty. He even has a small couch on the side.

“Here,” he says in a flash.

I do another bite from the bread and reach for the grapes. “Thank you!”

I step away from the door so he can get out. He only closes the door without locking it.

“I don't have anything to put on this hair clip. I might lose this. I suggest you'll give it to me when we're at The Veiled Shore.”

“Wear it,” he says.

I stop and look at him. “This is a present for your mother. You can't just tell anyone to wear it.”

I reach for his hand and give it to him. “Keep it, okay? Just remind me of that.”

When we get above deck, I see the pirates huddling on one side of the ship. They aren't doing anything and just staring at nothing in particular. However, some of them are still doing their work and talking.

I realize that there are different kinds of pirates. Some are like The Ax's men who have done inhumane things and have strengths in people's weaknesses. Some are like this, worried for a girl, so requested another vote, and concerned for their families. They aren't heartless bastards. Though they have fierce features, their hearts are soft. Maybe they are just ashamed of admitting it. That's why they act rude. Everyone has a different love language.

I go to the railings, opposite the pirates. I observe every single one of them. Old Sammy is the only crew aside from Storm and Death that I know. Others are still strangers to me. I want to know them, and for sure I will because I wouldn't let a single day go by without learning one up to five names and talking to them.

And I’ve made up my mind. Starting today, I'll get to know the pirates. It doesn't hurt to try.

“Stop following me,” I say to Death. “Work what you're supposed to do.”

“Keeping ye accompanied is my work today. Captain Arkean is worried that pirates will end up voting for you out again.”

I guess this is Storm's job because he wouldn't go to the kitchen first to check on me. He's maybe guilty for what he has heard. That's why he left. Ha, ha!

“I'm going to learn the pirates' names,” I say even if he doesn't ask.

“What an improvement, North Star,” he jokes.

“Shut up!”

He laughs. “Okay, go. If ye need something, shout.”

I nod and start walking at the first pirate that catches my attention. He's holding a ukulele. However, he's not playing it. He's alone and meters away from the other pirates.

“Hey,” I say.

He didn't lookup. He's still staring at his ukelele. I don't think he hasn't heard it because I’ve said it aloud, and I'm near him. He must be an introvert, or he doesn't like me.

I look at Death, that's still in the place where I’ve left him, keeping an eye on me. I want to know if I will talk to this guy because he might lash out if I disturb him.

Death points his ears and shakes his head. Through that, I realize that this guy, unfortunately, is deaf.

I don't care what he'll do to me for sitting next to him since that’s the only time he sees me, and recognition dawns on his face.

I don't know how to sign language. All I can do is smile. The pirate looks so young for this line of work. He's maybe in his 18's, I guess?

I look at Death again to ask for help. The young man is still looking at me, eyes blinking. I pout, and Death laughs, shaking his head. He walks up to me. When he gets closer, he drags a barrel with one hand and places it in front of the young pirate and me.

“He's deaf and mute,” he says.

And I'm devastated. The young pirate has two disabilities. How the hell does he cope with it? Not to mention that he is working with people who are typically loud.

“What's his work here?”

“He cleans.”

My eyes widen, and I press my lips together. This young man right here cleans, but why the hell is the kitchen a mess? He's not doing his job well. He's deaf and mute, not blind. He can see clearly in his own eyes that one part of the ship is dirty. The kitchen isn't supposed to be messy.

“Wait here,” I say to Death. I don't wait for his response. I run. Some pirates glance at me, but they say nothing. I ignore them and continue running. It only takes a matter of minutes to reach my room and get the pencil and the papers Captain Arkean gives me. I’ve left one piece of paper because I still need to draw Wade for Captain Arkean to recognize him.

I went back to Death and the young man. Death is now holding the ukulele, but he isn't also playing it.

I sit beside Death, panting. I scribble words as soon as I sit down. I'm sure he knows how to read.

What's your name? is what I've written on it.

I gave it to him. He examines it.

“Most pirates don't know how to read,” Death says.

“So, this kid can't?”

“Maybe.”

“How can you all interact with him?”

“We never—”

“No! He knows!”

The kid reaches for the pencil and, in a flash, writes a word.

“Reagan,” I read, then turn to Death. “He can read and write as well!”

I'm so happy that I've found a way to interact with this outcast.

My first try? Success.