Lieutenant Downs couldn't speak. His outrage had stolen his tongue and he tried to gain control by pacing wildly in his office. Bloode and three of his crew moved well away and even went so far as to keeping a grip on their pistols. When Downs finally stopped he gave them such a dangerous glare they shuffled back toward the door.

"I will double the sovereigns promised when you bring the Pirate Queen Captain's head to this room, and Mel Teacher alive and unharmed."

"It's a big sea, mate. Where are we supposed to look?"

Downs marched right up to Bloode, noses almost touching and he spit out his message through clenched teeth.

"Teacher had a daughter, right? She'll want to get back to her as soon as possible. The Pirate Queen is that fastest way. Is that rooting in that muddy brain of yours?"

Cursing under his breath, Bloode shoved his men ahead of him out the door, taking out his anger on them.

"That's the thanks for savin' his scurvy hide in the harbour."

"He's doubled the price, Captain. That'll ease the day for us."

"Aye, and maybe we'll make it more than double when we have what he's after." Bloode slapped his man on the back and headed back to the harbour.

******

"Captain Hollick, you know you are welcome to stay on as long as you wish. Of course any supplies you require will be provided . . ."

"You have been most gracious and I and my crew are greatly in your debt. But the men have families and we still have a price on our heads to contend with. I wouldn't want to bring any further grief into your lives by overstaying our time."

"Well you'll stay this night anyway. The weather is turning and the sea is starting to swell. No profit in leaving in a possible storm."

Alicia went to the kitchen door and looked up at the sky. Bursts of white cloud framed darker, angrier looking formations. She squinted as the earlier breeze began gusting and dust and sand was drawn into the air. Shutting the kitchen door she told Terry to tell Mister Mullen to get the children back to shore and ready the ship for a possible storm; they would be staying over until the next day.

"You are very kind, a number of the crew will remain on board but there will still be more than a dozen of us to put up."

"Not a bit of a problem at all. The mission hall has a very large but comfortable open space where your crew can bed down. You . . . and your son, if you wish, can stay in our infirmary. There are half a dozen cots to choose from."

Alicia thanked the woman and began itemizing the supplies they would be needing and the amount of payment that would be required. The crew arrived back with a bevy of excited children, all wanting to tell about their experience at the same time.

Mel came into the kitchen with Claire and there was an awkward silence that did not go unnoticed by the other women working there.

"Come and help us over here, Claire." One of the women said, sensing how suddenly uncomfortable the two women were.

"Can I, mommy?"

"Of course, go ahead, dear. Just make sure you do as you are asked."

Alicia turned back to auditing the supplies, her mind racing over the possibility of having to answer Mel if she spoke to her. When she did, Alicia's back stiffened.

"I'm sorry about back there. That was selfish and thoughtless."

Alicia lost count of what she was doing and just stared at her hands for a moment before turning to face the woman she knew was attracted to her son.

"After our talk, Mel, I felt betrayed."

"I know. That's why I'm apologizing." She shook her head and looked away a moment. "I can't help it, Alicia, I really can't. I believe I love Terry."

"Because you do or because you want to? Mel, it's only been what, a week or whatever? Love is not a whim."

"I know that. I saw that with you and his father."

The observation struck home. Alicia felt her neck heat as she recalled the short time she spent with Terry Hollick before they avowed their love to one another.

"Mel- "

"I know what you're thinking. She's old enough to be his mother. Well that's not my fault, or Terry's. And what does age matter if it is love and not your whim?"

Her words came like face slaps and Alicia found herself floundering in a debate she knew in her own heart was insurmountable.

"May I ask, does Terry know how you feel? Really feel? Has he said as much to you?"

Mel raised her chin and her look told Alicia that Terry was unaware just how much of her feelings were apparent.

"He knows very well how I feel about him. I've- I've made it obvious." Now it was Mel's turn to display a blush.

"What has he said to you, Mel? Let's be honest with each other here."

There was a long, considered pause. "He hasn't said- said he loves me, but I can tell-"

"Mel . . . I know that feeling too." Alicia sighed, and there was another pause. "I will ask him myself." She saw the fear and suspicion appear in Mel's eyes and she held up her hand. "I will ask him myself without prejudice. I swear. And no matter what he answers, we will both accept without further discussion."

"You would do that, now, after my earlier behaviour?"

"Yes. Do you believe me?"

Mel nodded, and their talk ended as a huge crash of thunder shook the building.

******

The Black Dog struggled through the rising sea as the storm grew in intensity. Sails ripped and crew fought desperately to salvage what they could as water laced them, driving horizontally across the decks. Falling and crashing into loose cargo, two crewmen went over the side, their screams lost in the howl of the wind and the thunder.

The ship climbed the waves, leaning precariously to the port side, then crashed down into the troughs between, burying the bow under the sea until hurled upward again by the next swell. Sea anchors were deployed but the tossing of the ship made them ineffective. Bloode held the quarterdeck rail in a death grip, bellowing orders nobody could hear. The loud crack of the yards tearing away from the mast made him cower behind the helmsman, who was rigid with fear and simply clutching the wheel, making no effort to steer.

Lines that had come loose or broken, snapped around in the air like whips and the loose cargo rolled about, smashing hatch covers and rail posts. The cannons broke loose from their blocks and battered everything they came in contact with including a few more unlucky crewmen. Below decks, those members of the crew that were off duty, were hurled from their hammocks and banged around as if a bunch of rag dolls. The galley emptied all the cupboards and shelves and food was slopping on the soaked deck from the water pouring in the broken hatches.

It only lasted three quarters of an hour and then the rain and wind abated. The sea swells were still high but activity on the decks and in the yards resumed quickly as the men refastened and replaced as much as possible in the event it started up again. Bloode resumed his position on the quarter deck, hounding and harassing the men with threats and curses.

The Black Dog was crippled but still afloat and the one positive from the event was the storm had carried them much closer to their destination.