Norrington remembered that the next hour had passed uneventfully. He had helped load the remaining cargo and whatever else needed to be done. To his surprise Grey worked by his side rather than departing to do some other task as so many others often did. It seemed that when people met him they always thought him a little too cold and unflinching. That was what he had been told was the cause of his near perpetual solitude. He had never understood this as he thought that those were fine qualities for an officer and a gentleman to have. Thus to see his fellow officer working alongside him was a bit of a surprise. He was even more shocked to see how pleased to do so the young man seemed.
The blonde headed youth whistled a tune softly to himself as he worked; the cheerful smile never leaving his face. He stopped his happy warbling when he noticed that Norrington was staring at him with an eyebrow raised disapprovingly.
"Are you always so… merry?" James asked. He had never met an officer quite like Christian before. During his training all the members of His Majesty's Navy had been much like himself: disciplined, serious, and ambitious youths who were determined to make the grade and become officers. This was a serious profession and none of them would have thought of acting otherwise.
"Well… yes, I suppose I am," Grey said still smiling. "I imagine it's simply that I'm glad to be here," he added after thinking it over. "Aren't you?"
"Of course. It is an honor, but a gentleman and certainly an officer conducts himself with grace and polish at all times." The young lieutenant's tone was rather condescending but whether it was meant to be or not was uncertain. "Is this job not serious to you?"
"Certainly it is," came the reply, "but just because a man appears carefree does not mean that he is always that way. I may have a cheery disposition but I can be very serious if the situation demands it. You needn't worry about that, Lieutenant."
James was still unsure about whether such a display was needed to express happiness. A child claps his hands and laughs with delight but a gentleman merely takes it in his stride. So Norrington was doing.
It wasn't that he wasn't happy. He was. It was just that he was able to keep his composure at nearly all times. It was a lesson that he'd learned as a boy at the end of a switch, but he quickly pushed that thought from his mind.
Still Grey's answer satisfied him well enough that he said no more as they continued their work. Thus, they were both startled when the silence between them was broken by the sound of boots tromping up the gangplank that they were using to carry the cargo to the hold. They both turned around to face a man who was both distinguished looking and intimidating at the same time.
He was of medium height and his skin was bronzed from the sun. He had a slim aquiline nose and nicely chiseled chin and jaw. The man's hair was black with a little silver beginning to show at the temples and rather long, about to where his shoulder blades were. It was tied back in a black ribbon as was the fashion of the time.
He had warm brown eyes that squinted ever so slightly, giving him a somewhat sleepy look. The only trouble was, and this was what was so intimidating about the man, there was only one of them! The other was covered by a patch, which James found odd as there were artificial eyes available. Some of them were even beginning to be made of glass to look more realistic. Why on earth then would anyone want to wear a patch?
The man was obviously aware both young men were staring at his missing eye. He chuckled and said, "You needn't worry about that, gentlemen. It isn't painful at all nor is it all that inconvenient once you get used to it. I lost it in a fight some years ago."
For a moment young Norrington considered asking the question that they were both pondering but he remembered his manners and said nothing. The man's affairs were his own business. Composing himself quickly, he changed the subject. "Terribly sorry. I don't believe we introduced ourselves. I am Lieutenant James Norrington and this," he gestured to the pale young man at his side, "is Petty Officer Grey."
The stranger smiled and stretched out a hand to James and then to Christian. "Pleasure to have you aboard. I imagine you gentlemen are here to assist the governor then," he said amiably.
Grey nodded. "That's correct. If you aren't a naval man then what is your job on this ship?" His good natured smile was still on his face as he waited for a reply.
James had taken that moment to observe the man's manner of dress. As distinguished as his face was (aside from the missing eye), his clothes were surprisingly old and worn. His tan colored coat was worn nearly through at the elbows and shoulders, while his pants were faded in the knee and the leather of his boots was dirty and scuffed. When he then heard Christian's question he answered before the older man had a chance to speak. "One of the crew, a laborer of some sort."
Christian was for once the one to raise an eyebrow disapprovingly at Norrington. He then turned back to face the man. "Please, go ahead sir. What is your position on the ship?"
"Oh nothing too important," was the reply. Before he could continue a shrill whistle was heard. That was the signal that everything was ready and everyone had better get aboard or be left behind. "I'd better be heading up on deck. It appears we're about to set sail and I'm afraid my presence is required."
"Why?" James asked as he looked doubtfully at the stranger.
"You didn't finish telling us who you are," Christian added.
"Captain Henry Lawrence at your service," the stranger said as he turned and walked away.
Grey was silent for a moment and then burst out laughing.
"I don't see anything funny about that," Norrington said crossly.
"A laborer indeed," Christian said still laughing and smiling at James. "You certainly put your foot in your mouth that time, Lieutenant." Norrington simply flushed and hung his head feeling like a fool!
