The sickbay remained quiet for hours, no one dared to knock or even ask the progress towards the combatant. The small breathing of the stowaway dominated too little, the noise almost heard but not too ever.
It was difficult to find a wardrobe that would fit her, considering Calev is far bigger than her slim body, and the combatant's closet is only filled with clothes that don't accommodate the necessity of a woman.
However, upon series of rummaging and locating of any considerable choices of garments he could lend, he found one at least. To anyone's expectations, Calev's actions also did sparked the intuition of asking the reasons for such actions he carried.
He understood that he acted without the supervision of his master, yet there were some unexplainable feelings that pulled him to act.
And surprisingly, it felt right.
The woman in the bed remained asleep, it's been hours since Calev had treated her. The rain had stopped and the night has started to deepen. The crew started to disappear into their cabins and map out their slumber. Elijah however still awaited for the progress and end, Calev did not waste any more minutes when he had finally done everything he ought to.
Walking inside the galley, Elijah looks up at him with raised eyebrows as if demanding him to speak without voicing his words out.
"He's dead."
The quartermaster stated, it was a question of course but it came out like a closed sentence.
"Sh—the stowaway is asleep."
He answered shortly, stopping himself from freeing the discovery he made.
There is nothing to be considered about it, it doesn't matter in all honesty, but he felt like not exposing it.
Silence immediately followed both.
Calev looks back to the quartermaster, he sees the authority he holds towards him. He knows what he wants, an answers to his actions that recently defied the captain's word. The unwanted situation has the combatant sighing, he doesn't like to talk much but the quartermaster's eyes demand a whole essay.
And so he speaks; the longest in a while.
"The stowaway has an injury. A gunshot in the leg. It causes the severe fever 'n has few more injury in the body. The head is also injured, enough why to explain why he has no recollection of his memories."
He said in one breath, wanting the conversation to be over immediately.
"I treated the wound but I have no way of doing the bestest. We might need Zeki to gangway for it." He added admitting his lack of skills when it comes to saving lives; he is a combatant after all not a doctor.
Elijah nods although he is not yet satisfied with the reports. His thoughts however turns to the possibility of the stowaway true words on her lips. It's not that the quartermaster is denying that there are cases in which a person can forget their memories, medically explained he does believe it. Furthermore, hexes and other curses can also be a vial to such misfortune, yet he just simply doesn't want to believe the stowaway.
Stating that one had lost their memories is one of the few things that people use as an excuse to hide something. It is clear that he has no intention in believing the stowaway, not one bit.
However, the concept of memory loss is not new to him or to anyone else in the ship. Ironically, despite standing to the belief that such stupor is an act, there is one person in the ship that he trusts and also in a years of unrecalled past.
"And;" Elijah pressed.
"The breathings are getting better as well as the body temperature, sh—he just needs to rest."
He took a seat three tables from the quartermaster and held his head low, almost visiting the tight slumber after the hours he spent treating a stranger.
"Did he say anything, at least."
"No."
His voice was immediate, sounding almost pissed.
"He's unconscious at all times, and besides he is injured to the head. He might be telling the truth because he could have suffered memory loss."
He remembers how the ship's doctor told him about a memory loss that was caused by a head injury a long time ago, reminiscing the time he asked for information. And according to Zeki, memory loss could span for days to a long period of time, some memories come back and some don't. Calev has no more hesitations in lining up the measurement of the stowaway claims, he intends to believe her.
Out of all the people in the ship he at least knows what it is like to remember nothing. The stowaway probably has been bearing honesty, and has to suffer for it and it's all because of this too cautious quartermaster.
Elijah, although still under his guard, decided to drop the issue and told Calev that the captain is waiting for him and to prepare himself from the consequences of his actions. Calev only nodded in return, knowing exactly what he had done.
...
Axel is waiting in his office for the combatant to show himself, it has been hours since then. He sits with his head hung low and frowning eyes, wondering how he is going to maroon the stowaway in such a horrible state.
[ Its been two days. Tomorrow's... ]
The situation has gotten serious, if only he did not let his curiosity get the best of him and immediately discard the presence of the stowaway, he couldn't have to come to this problem. However, Axel is too late to realize its has been two days already—if he can't drop the stowaway somewhere before tomorrow—
" You piece of shit, don't fucking stop me now!"
A deep voice loudly cursed. Being heard from outside of the great cabin's, the person's voice lace with anger that has a biting tone on it. Axel's mind is rushing with thoughts that he did not even realize that someone had entered his office.
Adverse from his expectations of seeing a certain combatant and his quartermaster, a limping ship doctor arrives. With a tall navigator in his tail as the doctor throws his glares from across the room.
"Zeki, you're still unwell. I will carry you in me arms if you keep on refusin'."
The tall man sounded defeated, almost begging the doctor to return to the cabin and take a rest. The glare is then averted to his way, making him sink in his feet, he hears the chuckle of his captain, obviously amused.
"You're still on your day off."
The captain muses, looking at the two with amusement. Felix only sighed in agreement, not wanting the doctor's attention fixated on him.
"And I told you, injured people are mine to collect not for you to torment."
He said in gritted teeth, Axel did not drop his teasing smile but he is fully aware of the latter's anger.
He still looks like an abused rag prior to the injuries he received two days ago. The doctor is not for the battle, but he knows how to properly defend himself. However, the circumstances that took place on that island was a complete surprise.
It was unfortunate how he just had to be there and receive three gunshots in his thigh that he himself treated with the assistance of Calev. It was a fortunate turn of event however that the so called vice captain was just nearby and immediately finished the man who injured their doctor.
He is still in recovery, but the wounds are getting better and Axel made it clear that he shall have his day off or even days off, it doesn't matter how long it will take. Zeki is an important member to the crew and is valued by everyone in the ship, no one disagrees with Axel's decision on giving the doctor time to rest, well with the exception of the doctor himself as he wanted to treat everyone first before getting the rest he needed.
However he was not informed about a stowaway, injured severely. The worst thing of it all is that Axel tied it up for two days in the mast with little food. He had only heard this when a panicked and drenched shipmate burst to their cabin and informed the quartermaster earlier.
By all means, they now have an angry doctor.
He has always made it clear to everyone, no matter what kind of prisoner it must be, the sickbay is always open; but Axel crossed that line and he knows. He can't look away from Zeki's piercing glare.
It is safe to say that even the captain doesn't want an angry doctor on the ship.
"It wasn't my idea." He quickly surrendered,
"-and I wasn't aware the stowaway was injured."
Axel looks back at Felix who is sinking in his feet, not wanting to have the angry doctor on his platter. The tall navigator eyes widens when he realizes that the captain wants his help to get out of the situation.
As much as he will likely listen to his captain and assist him, his luck won't work on this scary doctor and so he immediately glares back at his captain, his eyes telling him to not let him be part of the trouble.
The captain let out a laugh in disbelief seeing how the navigator and also a battlemaster, who is a front line in every battle and the only person who comes out unscathed to every fight is scared and shitless when it comes to the doctor of the ship.
Well, aren't they all?
"He's here."
Elijah then appears, opening the door widely as a tired yet brooding combatant came to the view as he closes the door with him, accidentally causing a loud thud when he realizes the presence of the doctor in the ship. He feels relieve.
[ Finally a person who could properly help the poor stowaway. ]
Calev looks at the doctor, trying to analyze his state and injuries. He looks fine and well, but the gauzed and bandage limbs make him look frail. Yet the icy glare he has to their captain says otherwise, the look of hesitation in the navigator's eyes, the look of dumbfoundedness and panic in the captain's face brings him to the conclusion.
Zeki found out about the injured person tied in the mast.
Everyone knows Zeki's rule, and his absence was taken advantage of.
"Elijah! Aye, it was his idea."
The captain immediately dismissed. Elijah's eyes bear confusion, unaware of the doctor's seeping anger.
"So that was the argument you had with Draco earlier?"
He sighed, remembering that time when the red haired boatswain entered their cabin and discussed something with the quartermaster.
Looking at the most responsible man in the ship, the most mature one and perhaps more logical than him, he feels betrayed and disappointed.
Considering Elijah knows his passion in healing people. Just remembering how he purposely took Draco out of their quarters earlier this afternoon so he wouldn't have to overhear what is that they are hiding. Zeki just feels disappointed.
"Fuck what's my idea?" He asked genuinely confused.
Everyone stares at him for a moment, until he realizes the eyes that holds him hostage. His eyes disappointed when he looks at the man he is not expecting.
"It was Elijah who told everyone to throw the stowaway out, I just decided to take action so the poor stowaway won't die."
Axel completely passed down the blame to the quartermaster who is currently breaking at Zeki's eyes, slightly laughing but nervously.
"I ordered Calev to tie it up in accordance to the quartermasters barbarous suggestions, he was satisfied and as the captain the crew satisfac—"
"I didn't!"
Elijah protested when Zeki's gaze and judgements worsened.
He looks at Axel with bewilderment, unable to comprehend the captain's actions when it came to the doctor.
But anyways, it is Zeki they are talking about.
Don't mistake the captain as a coward or any sort, he is feared after all. The whole crew in the ship knows how Axel still has the upper hand and can and will exert his authority on him. Zeki will follow him as a respect and acknowledgement to the captain.
However, everybody seems to fold when it comes to Zeki and his philosophy of healing and caring for everyone, enemy or not. Elijah knows this and how serious he is when it comes to rescuing people, growing up surrounded by doctors and healers, Zeki valued life.
But of course, in the oppositions of everything else, Zeki has lines that depend on him and his judgment whether it is to be crossed or not. Although he can be a double sided person with his principle, Zeki is serious when it comes to treating people who deserves it.
Such irony when he watches the crew kills their enemies.
" Eli, I'm disappointed."
He spoke. The anger in his voice is no longer present, the softness of his deep voice ironically weakens as he speaks.
" Why would you hide it from me?"
"I..." He tried to look for a way to get out of the situation.
"Axel! How dare you!"
He averts his attention to the smirking captain who finds this situation amusing despite the seriousness in Zeki's part. Felix sighing in relief when the anger in the doctor's eyes left. He feels bad nonetheless on how Elijah's reputation had gotten worse.
The room then filled with noise as the battlemaster coaxes the doctor to go back and return early in the morning, hoping he will listen. Elijah's nagging dominates the whole cabin as Axel tries his best to not strangle the eldest.
He contemplated whether it is worth it to actually sacrifice Elijah to the doctor; if it's better to have Elijah nag him or Zeki's angry eyes.
"At least, I got a clear coast with the devil."
Axel whispered to himself looking at Zeki who is having a discussion with Felix, while Elijah continuously run his mouth beside him.
His eyes travels to the lone combatant, observing the whole commotion, his eyes mostly scanning the doctor himself. It's such an amazement how he remains brooding and stoic even at times like this.
He looks tired, a little out of touch and somehow mind drifting away, Axel peers at the talking quartermaster who is still throwing unheard words while he tuned him out. In an attempt to stop the eldest from injuring his ears, he calls the attention of the combatant.
"Calev, have realized what you did?"
He started, earning the looks of everyone as the noise died down.
Calev nods and walks towards the desk where Axel is situated, already prepared for a punishment to be addressed. Axel searches through his eyes, hoping to earn a few words from him but as always he does not respond unless you order him to.
Zeki and the Felix step in closer to listen to whatever is in front of them, Elijah stops his mouth from running and clears his throat waiting for the captain's next word.
But before Axel could continue, Zeki beats him into it.
" Right! Why in all people here, you also decided to keep this information from?" Zeki's voice came back as a raging tune.
Calev's eyes widens, realizing he has no excuse to Zeki. As he doctor's assistant, he has the responsibility to tell him everything that happens in sickbay. Yet he couldn't tell him, how is he supposed to explain the reason why he never said anything is that his mind is filled with curiosity for the stowaway.
" Sh—he was not a patient in the first place, he was being investigated." He reasoned out.
Zeki has a retort for that, however he was stopped when Axel took the attention of everyone, commanding his presence forcefully—like any captain would.
"I don't remember ordering you to untie the stowaway and treat him. You were only given one job, what you did was not simply disobedience but an act of going against my rule."
He calmly said, yet his commanding tone did not falter which makes everyone shut their mouth as if they are all Calev.
" What has gotten into you? You usually followed my orders well than anyone."
He questioned, confining Calev's thought trying to coax him into talking. The man who would never question Axel'swords, even in his head. The combatant who only listen to Axel, and no one else.
He has no way of answering Axel this time around.
" I just did."
He shortly answered the captain, something Axel had not expected from him.
Although he is uncertain what to say, Calev is not lying. He ha no idea why he did it without any orders from the captain. He still has no clue why he is so engrossed and curious about the stowaway.
It is unusual for him to do such a thing, was it pity, sympathy? But he is a demon as what everyone says, he couldn't possibly care.
But something pulled him.
It is constantly pulling him.
" I have no idea, but I just did." He continued.
Axel observes the combatant, seeing the glint of darkness swimming in his eyes. It is as if those eyes are telling him something else, that even Calev can't tell.
"He is injured." Elijah spoke up when it was clear that the combatant won't say any further.
"And you said he wasn't." Axel grimaced and gritted his teeth when Zeki threw the both of them a cold look.
Elijah looks back at his captain when he realizes what he said two days ago, and remembers Draco's words earlier.
Now he feels stupid as fuck.
"It's not that I noticed immediately."
He shot back, implying that he has no idea at all hoping that Zeki's gaze would soften.
"You motherfuckers failed to notice an injured person?" Zeki furiously asked.
"Mate, don't be too much. I'm sure Calev here has taken care of it." Felix grabbed Zeki when he attempted to take a step closer to the two oldest.
"Aye." Calev spoke.
Zeki finally turns his attention to his assistant and starts to demand the full information.
" You have so much to report to me, but don't fucking forget I'm fucking pissed you hide this from me."
Calev nods unsurely when Zeki steps closer to him. After all, an angry doctor sure does has an effect to everyone in the ship.
" Now tell me everything."
Calev filled him in with everything, starting from the gunshot to the wound in the stowaway's left side and a severe head injury. He also told the doctor about the head injury as the cause of the patient's lost recollections. The doctor listened intently as the three men with them did the same.
Every information Zeki took, he glanced at the two men and glare at them for failing to acknowledge a wounded patient in the ship, and also didn't forget to scold Calev, his assistant for keeping this information from him, under his medical radar.
That was everything, well with the exception that the stowaway is actually a woman.
He is uncertain what kind of reactions that will bring if he announces that a wench is onboard with them. Although he is also thinking that no one would mind, not even the captain. However he just couldn't bring that up, as if it is something he should do for the protection of the stowaway.
[ Protection? ]
[ Why do I feel like she needed my protection? ]
He wonders in confusion; the image of her swimming in his mind. From the weak face of a tied up stowaway, to the almost dead patient. His mind drowns with the vision of her eyes that was filled with fear, panic, confusion, and tired reflection that anyone could see. His mind buzzed with her frail image, his body jerk tensely, heart heavy, the stoic aura is felt in the room shifting.
" Let me check his condition."
He was pulled back to his senses by the doctor himself when he started to walk to the door, Felix hot on his tails almost dragging him back to their quarters but stopped himself otherwise.
"Before that, Calev is under penalty for his dis—" Axel started but Zeki quickly stopped his captain not wanting to hear anything.
" I accept anything, captain."
Calev interjected, forcing himself to forget what is all in his mind. Zeki had come to the realization about Calev's supposed disobedience he can't help but scoff, he finds it unlogical.
"Well captain, as the doctor assistant he did a good job. I think the punishment is deemed unnecessary."
He bravely told Axel off, determined to save the combatant from any kind of punishment.
"He did not disobey any orders as the combatant, and as the doctor's assistant he just did what I taught him under my philosophical standpoint. Thank you, good sir."
Zeki finishes with a sarcastic tone underlined in his words. The two oldest look at one another contemplating the doctor's words. The captain only sighs in defeat, Elijah understood the situation. It's not that they are too scared of Zeki but what he said makes sense; one must admit.
" However, my word still stands Zeki. Elijah, have a him as your choreboy until we resume to our mission. As of now, you have him." Axel firmly said.
" Captain, as I said—" Zeki assertively objected, however he was stopped this time by Axel himself.
" I get your point, Zeki. We did something wrong by stepping on your principles but I must continue doing my job as your captain. If I see fit that your assistant is ought to be a choreboy, that is final." There is no hint of anger in Axel's voice, just pure power.
There's a loud silence between the five of them, waiting for someone to break them and not push the issue further. Axel can be reasonable but he has his limits. No one wants an angry doctor, but nobody would really wants a even more angry captain.
Zeki understand this.
" I was getting ahead of myself, I apologize."
He breathes out, looking straight to his captain.
" But allow me to at least check the patient, then I'll shall rest."
Axel smirks when he realizes he won against their mighty doctor. Something that shifts the tension in the room, allowing to see everyone how childish their captain can be.
Zeki leaves the room, limping around while Felix is still running around trying to assist the injured doctor. Calev quickly follows him wanting to halt the doctor, but as he sees the two men behind him followed suit he couldn't refuse any more.
There are no excuses that exist to stop them from entering, not even himself can give him an excuse on why he was willing to stop his crew from entering the sickbay and seeing that woman.
" Zeki, must you force yourself for this?"
Felix dreadfully asked, while he followed the limping man.
" Shut up, or I will literally shove every herb I will find down your throat."
With that, the blue haired navigator actually stopped his words, clearly defeated.