H.M.S Valor: Treachery And Triumph: A war time adventure on the high seas by Cal Clement (best contemporary novels txt) 📕

miss, Trina is as hard as they come. By god, it’s damn likely she’s mixed up in the gunfire we keep hearing. Those poor navy men have no idea what they have gotten themselves into in that case.” Chibs said cracking a smile while pointing the stem of his pipe across the water. “I’m afraid she may not leave any for us.”

James paced into the midst of the bow where Lilith and Chibs stood, a wide-eyed excitement plastered his face.

“Do you hear it Chibs? They’re fighting on the deck of the line ship. Can you believe our luck?” James exclaimed.

“Only that I’d seen it with my own eyes Captain. If it were a story in a pub, I’d call the man a liar.” Chibs replied.

“What would the crew size be on a vessel that big?” the Captain asked with a flash of an idea through his eyes.

“Oh, at least two hundred likely closer to three. But who knows, they could be half that now, especially if that’s a mutiny we’re hearing.” Chibs said flatly, unexcited for what was to come.

“That’s perfect. So long as the fighting keeps up, we’ll run right up to her, perhaps we have a chance to take her!” James chimed. Chibs head twisted a bit, Lilith could see he was thinking and judging by the larger clouds of pipe smoke, he was thinking hard.

“I don’t know James. She’s a big brute of a ship, even if we took her, we would be hard pressed to sail her let alone man all those damn guns. We’d be far better off to take whatever we could and scuttle her, a ship like that draws a lot of attention too. There would be no changing names and banners and easing that thing into a port. The Royal Navy would be hunting her down to the ends of the earth!” Chibs argued. This time, Lilith agreed with him. He knew more about sailing than anyone aboard and he certainly knew more about the Royal Navy. The ship did seem gargantuan to her eyes, even from a distance, it looked big enough to get lost inside.

“I wouldn’t want it for long. Just one sortie and I’d scuttle her.” James replied. Both Lilith and Chibs could see, yet again, he had his mind set.

“I suppose Captain, if it’s doable, we’ll do it. I’m with you.” Chibs relented while rapping the contents of his pipe bowl onto the wooden rail. He let a deep sigh go as Captain James departed towards the helm.

“You ok Chib?” Lilith asked as he looked out over the water toward the large ship.

“Oh, I’ll be fine my dear. We’re in for a fight with this one and James won’t have any other way I’m afraid. I’ll follow him to hades gates, even if it’s to talk him out of jumping in. Likely he won’t listen there either, which is fine. But we’ve got some precious cargo aboard and the means to send them on to a prosperous life. Why take chances we don’t have to?” Chibs replied. Lilith could hear a pain in his tone she hadn’t heard before and noticed he was hiding his face from her. She leaned over the rail slightly and saw the starlight gleam from a streak down the sailor’s face.

“Chibs, James wouldn’t attack unless he thought the odds were for us. Would he?” Lilith implored, growing more concerned.

“No miss, he wouldn’t. But why take the chance? Why rescue these people from their fate just to gamble it again? They didn’t ask for any of this and why subject them to any further loss? The doctor was helping me speak to one of the women, she’s lost her husband and her boy had his leg blown to ribbons. What business do we have risking their lives again?” he lamented.

“None of that was done by us Chib and if I recall correctly, you tried to keep me from the boarding party when I first came aboard. These folk will find their sea legs, or leg I guess in Omibwe’s case.” Lilith said placing her hand on his shoulder and hugging his arm. Chibs chuckled when she mentioned Omibwe.

“He fancies you, that boy.” Chibs jested. “Every time the poor sod is on deck it’s all he can do to keep his eyes in his head.” Lilith slapped his shoulder, eliciting a full laugh.

“He does not, don’t be cruel.” She snapped through a broad smile.

“Would I lie to you miss? He is love struck by those gems you have for eyes.” Chibs replied. “Can’t say he’s the only one. I would say the Captain would leave the ship for them, but we both know that is a lie. Just as well though, I’d have you find a gentleman somewhere, a better man than any of us.” Chibs said, getting quiet as he spoke.

“How fatherly of you,” Lilith said, hugging his arm again.

“Well, I haven’t any children of my own. None that I’m aware of I suppose, Kingston perhaps, maybe one or two in India. But I did fish your sorry skirt out of the drink in Port-Au-Prince and I’ve taught you as much as I know of what a father could teach his daughter, I guess.” He drummed his thumbs on the rail in front of him, uncomfortable with the expression.

“How to wield a pistol and saber? Or how to trim the mainsail for broad reach?” Lilith poked.

“These are the things I know girl,” he chuckled.

“You’ll be the only father I’ll ever claim Chibs. You’re leaps better than the one I was cursed with at birth.” She replied rising on her toes to plant a quick kiss on his cheek.

“Alright now.” He said wiping his eye quickly and darting a look around to check for onlookers. “Better get ready miss Lilith. You’re going to be making use of those sword lessons soon.”

“Not going to demand I stay on the Maiden?”

“No, I won’t spare those sailors your wrath miss, but I do have an ask for you