The Admiral

Arden Lexington

The map Elwin sketched of the beach was curious, to say the least, and by the looks of it, the crew of The Dragon has set up a permanent camp.

What bothers me most is that Elwin was even able to get close long enough to draw this. Even the dumbest crew member would know that regular patrols are necessary to keep a camp safe. I don’t imagine Wyatt would ever let himself get so comfortable that he’d overlook such a simple security measure.

I look at Ox and Azizi and slump into my chair, “This is a trap.”

Ox looks at the map, “What do you mean?”

“The men we nabbed in Bridgetown, they were told to give this location should they get caught. This isn’t a real camp, it’s a trap. The moment we go anywhere near that place we’re done for.”

“How do you know?” Azizi asks.

I take the map from Ox, “I’ve seen a camp layout like this before, it was in the journal Phillip Morris left behind. Wyatt must have taken it with him.” I put the map down and pointed to the largest tent drawn on the beach, “There would be explosives placed, here, here and here. The fuse runs under the sand, through the water, and onto the ship. If he’s smart, he’ll have more than one fuse.”

Ox’s brows furrow, “You remember this?”

“Yes, he referred to it as a Butterfly Trap. Wyatt must assume I’ve never seen the journal, otherwise, he wouldn’t use this formation.”

“So, we avoid the beach. We can still take the ship from the water.”

“Why would they leave it out there in the open like that?” I look over at Ufuoma, “Did you see anything out of the ordinary?”

Ufuoma shakes her head, “It was too dark to see anything that may be considered out of the ordinary.”

“And you didn’t see where they took Giddeon?”

“I didn’t see anyone take Giddeon. They went down, went inside the building, and didn’t come out.”

“Boat!” a voice calls from outside, and we all look at one another before rushing topside.

My heart practically lurches into my throat as the different scenarios of what I’ll see out there shuffle through my mind. Five men left, and I pray to who knows what gods for all five to return. I’d never admit it out loud but I’d easily trade four of those live for just one golden-haired man to be rowing back to me in one piece.

Ox looks through his spyglass as Azizi hands me mine. I look through and scan the faces of the men in the boat.

Collins is alive, Elwin is alive, Giddeon is alive but looks a bloody mess, he’s injured. I don’t see Finneus, and James is not with them.

I lower the glass and struggle to take a breath. All the fear that’s been consuming me all night has suddenly become a reality and I’m left with nothing to hold me together.

I grabbed Azizi’s arm and that was all it took for him to hold me up. He took me downstairs out of sight while everyone else stayed on deck waiting for the boat to arrive.

“Thank you Azizi,” I sit down on one of the crates in the cargo hold. We sat there for a long time, tears streaming uncontrollably from my eyes.

Azizi puts his hand on my shoulder, “I say this as your friend, you should retire.”

I look up at him, “Retire? Where did that come from?”

Azizi sits next to me, “I had a wife when I was a much younger man.”

“What happened?”

“Nothing of great tragedy, I simply left. I say had because I have not been there to be a good husband to her. My sons are grown men and with the money I send them, they are able to be free men. I am grateful for the life I was able to give them, but I was not there to see it. I am a stranger to them.”

“You’ve never mentioned your family before.”

“I often think of going back to them, but I don’t know what I would find if I did.”

“You’re not an old man Azizi, I would hate to lose you, but if you want to be with your family, then go.”

“You’re not so old either.”

I nod, “Ah, I was wondering where you were going with this.”

“Believe it or not, The Fleet will continue to survive whether you are Admiral or not.”

“And Wyatt?”

“Fuck Wyatt, there will always be another Wyatt to take his place. Pull out one weed and two more will spring out in its place. Get out while you can.”

“It’s too late-”

“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”

Something in his words strikes a chord with me, he might even be right.

We sit in silence for a long time just listening to the sound of people on deck. I hear Giddeon talking and I’m confronted by the reality that I may have lost James before we’ve even started.

“How am I supposed to survive without him.”

“Let’s not overreact, talk to Giddeon before you come to conclusions.”

We hear heavy footsteps approach and look to the stairs where a tired Giddeon stops to look at us. His arm is in a sling, and he’s spattered with blood.

Azizi heads to the stairs and gives Giddeon’s shoulder a squeeze as he passes him.

Giddeon shuffles over and drops himself next to me. He slumps forward and looks down at the floor, “I’m sorry Arden... Finneus was killed...” Giddeon sits up and looks at me.

I searched his eyes, but Giddeon avoids holding eye contact.

“Tell me Giddeon.”

“Some of us were captured. When we made a break for it, James started shooting, it was thanks to him we made it out. Arden, James was captured and taken prisoner. We were too far away to help.”