He rolled his eyes helplessly. He shouldn't have brought Christina there. And where was Richard? And everyone, sir? Giles had been gone a long time since the argument started. The situation was chaos.
-Ability? ABILITY? Corner could growl like an animal. - I'm a man!
"Cassie!" Michael begged.
-For it should be more secure in the use of the sword than to boast that it is good only to be a man. -Cassie gasped, her throat burning and hurting. It throbbed. And the anger doubled.
-I'll kill you, you bitch!
-Why, you never beat me with a sword!
Jackie gasped in bewilderment, looking at the men around in amazement. He scratched his goatee and even the women backed away in fear. He pulled slightly on his left leg and only his magnetism among women attracted glances. He adjusted the wide-brimmed dark hat on his head. Also observing the expressions of the serious faces. That was bad. Was she going to take over the helm of the ship? A chill washed over him. It was really bad! Oh heavens! Someone had to change that. It was... it was going to be a catastrophe. The Armada was going to have a woman in command for the first time. Worse than that. The whole situation would end up in court. There was nothing worse than Muir's court in their judgments. summary judgment.
Where the hell was Richard?
By this time a magenta Corner was rubbing his whiskers as if he could pull them off with his hands. Hells!
-Cassie is not serious! – Mike managed to protest.
"And why not, Mike?" Christina questioned.
-What?
-That's right, Michael Morgan!- Cassie turned to her hurt childhood friend.- Cornor could have destroyed the Star from the attack. There wasn't even valuable cargo in their holds... to justify the attack.
-Worthless woman!- Corner cursed.- Still, had time to check this out?
-You could have killed us all! – she became even more inflamed, angry and revolted.
If Richard didn't kill her, surely Zagorra would. Luckily Jackie was a lot more tolerant.
"Please, Cassie!" Michael pleaded. – This is an incoming charge.
Oh, that quarrel was sure to end up in Armada court. He was going to take responsibility. Oh my God! The court was the worst court in Muir.
Silence fell further. If Corner waited for someone there to raise a voice in his defence, that was it. Thalagar is at arm's length to defend you. Little by little the men around returned to complain more irritated.
- Kill that kid? Why are you miserable? I would kill anyone for the pleasure of seeing my sword bathed in the blood of that plague. - He assured grinding the words.
Staggering, Cornor straightened up and with a muffled cry drew the knife deep into his leg.
It was chaos. Everyone screamed at the same time.
-Kassuim, watch out!- Michael fights again to free himself.
-He's going to shoot!- Christina was terrified.- Cassie. Caution.
Corner screamed again as he compressed the wound in his thigh and in excruciating pain. It was the end of his plans. Heavens. It was the loss of a fortune.
-I KILL YOU! - He assured hallucinating.
Suddenly, successive pistol shots rose above the screams.
-I warned you. The cabin boy. You are under my protection, Cornor! The firm, a cold voice thundered authoritatively rumbling like thunder.
Michael smiled as he sighed in relief. Immediately he freed himself with a jerk of the arms that held him. The men around them walk away in silence. He faced Richard who arrived in silence without being able to see the traitor Philip Morgan there. An escort of twenty privateers protected the Commodore. If Cornor didn't kill Cassie, Rick sure would. The brother's rigid countenance stood out in the stone-hard gaze. Richard would shoot Cassie for getting in trouble again.
"Can someone explain to me what the hell is going on around here?" Richard thundered.
Oh, it was definitely bad. A Counselor was with him. How much confusion? He was one of Muir's rulers. The whole situation was catastrophic.
His patience bordered on the limit, at all costs looking at the woman. Or else he would challenge Cornor to a duel himself. The woman was definitely trouble. She seemed determined to defy death.
Damn Rick who always tried to work things out on his own and his way and Philip's lies.
Cassie took a deep breath, ignoring the sudden tremor. She told herself resolutely that Richard Morgan was not intimidating. She didn't even like him. An opportunist and profiteer. But Jackie's eyes burned with fury. The man was furious. Very furious.
And it was a lie. She took a deep breath and ignored the tremor in her body. How long had it been? He hadn't changed at all. He was the same man.
Curse! Hell! What was I doing, goddess?
-Mr. Jones- her voice, despite everything being calm. Her stomach was turning with nervousness. – Gather the men and send the crew back to the Revenge. The party is over. There's a lot of work to be done. The fluty needs repairs and caulking services. Let them know that in alternate shifts we will be doing repairs and keeping watch on the ship. Let's set up camp on land.
-YOU'RE NOT IN CHARGE! – Cornor tried to guide the woman and was stopped.
Jackie's eyes roll with impatience. He was seething with rage. He looked at Richard as if he could get his friend to talk some sense into his sister.
-She's his wife. She won't do anything!
-Hell! Can someone here explain all this confusion to me?- Rick growled impatiently.
Finally, his inquiring eyes went to Cassie, noting the rather disturbing detail that she gave orders. He frowned. Revenge men didn't question their obedience. Corner bled holding a wound with open hostility.
She didn't imagine for a moment that she would accept that. It was dangerous and, first, she disobeyed her orders. She'd already thought she'd made it pretty clear that she didn't want Cassie out on the streets without security and definitely the deck of a ship...
-The norms of duelling are clear to the leadership of a ship.- Corner complained.
Do not. She didn't. Richard felt the strangers squirm.
Jackie's stomach tightened. He cleared his throat tensely and took the tobacco in amazement. A good drink. None of that was happening. His smile was bland before the advisor as his gaze was observant.
-Well, for a duel for leadership...- a first mate cleared his throat.
She didn't have the courage. By now the thought was like a mantra in his mind.
It was clear the woman hadn't done it. She hadn't had the nerve!
Richard flared up. He shook his head in amazement.
-And… – he managed to ask indifferently.
I will kill this woman if she had the nerve to do it. Wait till I tell all this to...a... What the fuck, who am I going to tell? Cassie left her family.
Michael scratched his head in dismay as he reached Christina and looked away.
-Rick, the winner remains standing and has not spilt a single drop of blood.
She had done! Richard clenched his fists.
-The Navy code refers to men. Come on, Mr Jones. He is the quartermaster of the Revenge. Are you going to agree to hand over command of the ship to a woman? - Corner was infuriating again.
Rick turned around dumbfounded. There was a glint in his eyes that showed he wasn't going to take the whole situation well. Cassie moaned low. She completely ignored the fury of her brother and their protégé. Adam didn't quite know what to say... And Jackie...
Richard's gaze fixed on her made it clear that he was really, really mad this time.
He was astonished. It was doom. Had they found out that the cabin boy on the Star of Tomorrow was Cassie? He approached them slowly and meaningfully to the woman.
Muir was going to kill him. What the hell! Or he would have to be always on the lookout for his wife's antics. It was remarkable how she seemed like a kind of magnet for getting into trouble. Everything happened to her. There should be limits even for a witch with involuntary and defensive spells. Even controlling her bad mood she couldn't avoid the attention. The woman struggled to maintain her posture without lowering her head.
"I'm a commander." His voice was smooth and very calm. Too calm and Cassie twitched. - Oh, my dear. I believe we need to bring order to this confusion and misunderstanding around here.
Richard spoke in an orderly tone of voice. His face displayed an arrogance that left no doubt about it. He faced everyone with the utmost haughtiness. It was exactly what a commander would do, no matter how bristling with fury he was.
-Of course! Perfectly! – he started to relax. Not even Cassie would have the audacity to challenge Cornor.
- Who?
Kassuim stiffened even more beside him. Mr Jones cleared his throat tensely.
And Michael shook his head. And Mike sighed. Nothing like a family gathering to shake things up.
All admiring eyes focused on Kassuim.
The smile on Richard's face was frozen. The woman hadn't dared with all hell! Lately, it was Philip Morgan who occupied her attention. The limitless pursuit had provoked the limitless woman. He stared at his livid woman. He didn't know who worried him the most. Chris or Cassie? Did they defy death? Did they ever know how to stop? And he still had to explain to the board Mike's decision to marry Christina.
-What the hell are you doing here? – he managed to speak lower. The Navy adviser surveyed the crews. 'Did you challenge Cornor?'
She shrugged.
-Thank damn Philip for his courtesy. she replied in a distant hauteur. I want the rogue away from my ship. Did she know the bastard could have wrecked the deck of the Tomorrow Star?
Jackie was so tempted to wring that pretty neck.
-She is a woman. Solve it now.
-I know that.- Richard spoke tensely.
"You're not going to let my sister take over the Morning Star." Jackie was more decisive.
-Dare to say no, Jackie. Don't tease. Get out of here.- Cassie exploded furiously.
-Solve all the mess, or she alone will lead the war to keep the supreme alpha under protection.
-Well, my dear...- the councillor entered the hall and approached with attentive eyes.- Your father is one of the commanders and nothing more natural that he should come to assume his right to...
-Cassie...- Richard tried to remain calm.
She smiled.
"CASSIE," shouted Richard.
He was finding out he was in trouble and having to explain himself in front of a commander.