Page 67 of The Lord who Seduced Me
Cabe
Somewhere in the ocean, Dec 1812
Cabe had finally given control of the wheel over to one of his men and went to his cabin, needing some sleep.
He told the men that they all needed rest, and that they would all take turns keeping an eye out for any sign of the Renegade or his ship. Though Cabe knew they were still too close to England. And the Renegade was too smart for that.
It was harder to see his ship, being black as night, but Cabe had made certain that each man was vigilant about keeping watch.
He shut the door to his cabin and looked over at the bed, remembering who had slept there last.
Cabe walked to his big bed and stretched out on it, fully clothed.
He would keep himself vigilant too, by not undressing fully, and being ready at a moment's notice. He shut his eyes and dreamed of Rose and how just last night he was in her arms.
He wanted to count down the days until he was back with her again, but he did not know how long this would take. He could only hope that it would not take weeks or months.
Sleeping hard for a few hours before a knock sounded on the cabin door, Cabe roused.
He rubbed a hand over his face and Nathaniel walked in the cabin.
“The men are ready for a shift change.”
Cabe nodded, “I will be there.”
He walked out of the cabin, not bothering to change his clothes. He would in the morning.
Right now, it was pitch black outside and he needed to get back to the helm.
His leg was stiff this early in the morning and Cabe knew he should have at least taken off his prosthetic when he slept, but he would have to get used to the pain of it. He would take it off for a break later.
Calling out to the men, Cabe walked to the helm and took over. Nathaniel came up beside him, giving him the report.
“Our scouts never saw any ships on the water, and we made certain that all the lights have been kept off so we can see better. And so, we are not found as easily. I have a feeling that we are still too close to England and the trade route for the Renegade to catch us now. But I am still having the men keep their eyes open.”
Cabe nodded, knowing Nathaniel had things well in hand and was doing exactly what Cabe wanted him to do.
Cabe thanked Nathaniel, “Go get some sleep. In the morning we will begin with our training.”
Nathaniel nodded and left, and the few men who were patrolling the ship and the men in the crow’s nest were his only company.
But it was dead silent. Cabe needed it to be so because he needed to hear anyone who might come upon them, and while it was different to sail this way, Cabe would never be caught unaware again.
When the sun rose slowly in the east, Cabe relinquished the wheel to Tristan, his third in command.
While Tristan had the wheel, Cabe called the men and they all gathered, looking up at him.
“We are going to do everything we can to survive the battle that is coming. In fact, if it goes my way, we will come out on top of the battle before they even know we are there.”
The men cheered and Cabe and Nathaniel walked them through their first drill.
Showed them exactly what needed to be done and how it was to be done.
They also showed the men how to fight. Taking all the tricks that Burk and Brooks had taught Nathaniel, and all the things Cabe knew about sword fighting, and knife fighting. They started the men on that as well.
Cabe was proud of his crew. They were hard workers and he could only pray that his plan would actually come to fruition and that he could make it home to the love of his life.
