“I like that,” Carrion said. “Instead of relying on the crew we hire someone who has no relationship with the ship. Where do we find a surveyor?”
“I know there are at least three in Racine. The harbor master will tell you where to find them. The Captain is staying?”
Tanner and Carrion exchanged looks. Carrion said, “I don’t know. But I have to go see about the surveyor. While I’m doing that, Tanner will speak to the Captain and if they do not come to an agreement, he will either escort him off the ship or throw him overboard by the time I return.”
Fisher laughed, “Things are going to be so interesting, I should give you back this coin no matter what happens.”
“Where’d Devlin get off to?” Carrion asked.
“Over there,” Tanner said, motioning with his head to where the boy was lounging with three others on the far side of the pier where the Far Seeker was tied up. Devlin was talking with three of the crew wearing black, and it drew a smile from both Tanner and Carrion.
“He doesn't want to talk it up with those,” Fisher said.
Tanner said, “He knows. I suspect he’s gathering information without telling them anything.”
Carrion said, “Okay, this is our plan. I’m going after the surveyor, Tanner is going to to Captain, and you’ll go over there and tell Devlin to help you. He’s to clear the ship of any warm or cold bodies. By the time I return we’ll either have a Captain or be looking to hire a new one.”
Fisher said, “Not that it’s any of my business, but it sounds as if you haven’t actually bought the ship. There are strict laws of the sea, and you need to learn them before you get into trouble. Just offering free advice.”
Carrion placed a hand on Fisher’s shoulder. “As the first mate, I expect you to tell me when I may be making a mistake. In this case, the debts the Captain has run up could all be called due months ago. He either pays, or the ship is taken to settle them. That was his bargain to secure the money.”
“And you own those papers. I see,” Fisher said. “Well, let me gather up Devlin and we’ll have the ship cleared before breakfast. As the acting first mate, do you want me to hire any crewmen?”
Tanner nodded. “That cook might be one to start with, but first, get them all ashore and be ready to rescue me if my meeting with the Captain doesn’t go well.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Tanner heard the initial ruckus as Devlin and Fisher cleared the decks. The shouting, yelling, cursing, and heavy feet stamping as they left the ship sounded like music as he headed for the Captain’s cabin. He kicked trash and rotting food from the center of the passage to the sides. He breathed through his nose to avoid gagging.
His anger grew more intense now that he saw the ship in the light of day and considered sailing into the ocean on it. How could a captain allow his ship to fall into such disrepair? While the initial intent had been to refit the ship, keep the crew and Captain, and sail across the sea, Tanner seethed in boiling anger. Carrion wished to keep the Captain and only replace him if necessary. It was the Captain’s ship, and Carrion wanted to be fair.
Fair is one thing.
At the door to the Captain’s cabin, he hesitated, then pounded on the door with his fist. The door swung open, and Captain Jamison stood inside, his hair combed, his uniform semi-neat and reasonably clean. While his pallor was pale and his eyes blood red, he stood with his back straight as he ordered, “Come in.”
Ordered was the correct description. He didn’t ask or welcome. He ordered. Like a Captain. Tanner said, “I will not deceive you in any way. I came here to either relieve you of your duties and put you ashore, or hire you.”
Without an invitation, Tanner walked to the only chair in the cabin and sat, leaving the Captain to stand. The Captain was obviously uncomfortable and weighed Tanner’s words while holding his temper. Captains are not treated like Tanner was treating him, especially on their own ships.
A slight tingle on his back told Tanner a dragon, probably Carrion’s dragon, was near. Hopefully, that did not mean Carrion was having trouble. But he had entered with every intention of removing the Captain and now hesitated. His mind was nearly made up, but he left a portion open, if for no other reason than to be able to say he had been fair.
Tanner turned and faced the Captain. “Are you aware that there are men sleeping on this ship who are not part of the crew? Your first mate sailed on another ship and left you here. Your only officer is so fat he cannot move to allow people he doesn’t know from coming aboard? That I had to kick my way through trash and garbage in the passageway to reach this cabin?”
He had intentionally said this cabin instead of your cabin. Now he waited for the answer, which might end the conversation. The Captain swallowed hard. His face tinged pink before he nodded.
“Do you have something to say?” Tanner demanded.
“Do you think I’ll make excuses or try to place the blame on others? If you do, you’re mistaken. The deplorable condition of The Rose is mine, and mine alone.”
Tanner had not expected a truthful answer. “Explain the things I see on this ship.”
The Captain squared his shoulder before speaking. “What you see is not the ship I purchased and commanded for twenty years. As those at the Anchor Inn will confirm, my ship was considered one of the finest on the water until five years ago. When all travel across the Endless Sea was suspended, trade reduced, and the opportunity for honest profit removed, I did what I could.”
“And?”
“And I managed to hold the financial end together better than any but Captain Brice on that black ship across the pier from us. He’s been after me to sell him this ship for years, but even he had not made an offer that would cover my debts. I reached a point where I could not purchase supplies, the crew revolted when I couldn’t continue paying them. Most departed for better berths on other ships. It became a death spiral.”
Tanner waited for more, but nothing came. But the mention of Captain Brice, and the distasteful manner he’d spoken the name told more than words.
Tanner also realized he had not shared the information with Carrion that the man at the Anchor Inn had shared. Bishop was his name, a first mate. He’d have to remember to pass it on because much of it dealt with their mission.
But back to the Captain. The death spiral he spoke of, was understandable in the circumstances. There are situations where nothing can be done to correct them. Hiding from them in a bottle is not the best way to handle unmanageable financial problems, but who was he to judge? Tanner had never been in a similar situation.
If the Captain had made excuses or was at all belligerent, the decision would have been easier. He had entered the cabin expecting to throw the Captain off of his own ship. Now he took notice of the changes in the man and wondered. There had been more than a few overheard comments in sympathy with Captain Jamison from the other captains at the Anchor Inn.
Tanner said, “Are you aware that we have purchased almost all your debt?”
“My recommendation, had you asked, would have been to save your coin. This ship will suck every thin copper from your purse.”
“There’s no chance of the ship operating at a profit?”
“No, honestly, there is not. The Rose can out sail anything on the water, but who wants to pay for speed?”
The comment caught Tanner’s attention. “Faster than anything? Even military ships?”
“You don’t know beans ‘bout ships if you ask that question. The Rose could race any ship, but that black one tied up next to us and win. Not only win, but sail a circle around the other and still come in first.”