Disclaimer: I don't own POTC. But I do own some books.
I know, I know. I took a long time. But I prefer quantity and quality.
Chapter 5
Josh and Will began circling each other. The ship's boy's all climbed into the rigging, watching with eager eyes. A few of the crew not being punished in the mess hall watched with some interest as well. The two boys, Alex and Artie, had given both of them swords, and since both were of the same bad quality, the fight was more fair than the first would have been.
Josh decided to make the first move. He made a quick jab, which Will parried with ease. He could tell that Josh was warming up, trying to see just how good his opponent was. Then he would devise a plan. But Will already had one.
On the next jab, he allowed for the blade to almost catch his sleeve. He grimaced, as if unsure of his movements. Josh's eyes were on him, carefully calculating. All the sword master needed was an opportune moment. And Will would give him one. But then he noticed something. A few more men had come on deck. That meant that the captain and Bo' Sun were almost through with their punishments. The fight had to end before that. But they could still have a good show.
Will blocked another attack, this one surprisingly ferocious. Again, another test. Will dodged, and suddenly he stumbled, his left ankle seeming to roll against his movements. Josh saw it, and lashed out, the swords glinting in the sunlight. For a moment there was a blinding flash, and when the crew took their hands from their eyes, one sword was at a man's throat, signaling the end of the match. Man let out hoots and cheers. Few realized what had happened.
At the last moment, Will had pivoted to the right, and twisted behind the surprised Mr. Clark. As the swords were returned to the disgruntled Marines, Josh shook Will's hand to show that it had been a practice fight, not one of revenge.
"My, my. I thought I was observing you when it was the opposite. Very clever. Next time you won't fool me in such a way," he joked.
"Yes, I'll have to be much more clever in deceiving you," Will laughed. His voice caught in his throat as the whole deck grew quiet. Captain Moyer came out of the door, followed by the Bo' Sun and two men. One was Roger and the other was Gregory Fredrick. Both were quite pale. The captain cleared his throat.
"I want to make it known that there should be no fighting amongst my crew." All eyes turned to Josh and Will, then back to Moyer, secret smiles on every face. "And these two will be the examples set for the rest of you!" He nodded at the Bo' Sun, who drew out a Nine Tails. The quiet seemed to stiffen. No sailor ever wanted to test the wrath of the whip. But then Moyer smiled.
"If either of these men so much as looks at each other with anything less than motherly love, you are to report it immediately. I will not have my ship divided by those that will one day depend on each other for their lives. When we are in battle, it is everyman for the ship. The punishment for theses quarrels will be," he paused, "will be to be tied at the arm and leg to your 'enemy'. And you must do each other's rounds for a full day. Mr. Dane, the rope please."
Mr. Dane came bobbing over, and went to work with the Bo' Sun to tie Roger and Greg together. The two tried to lean apart, but the lines were tightened until they looking like one very wide man with two heads and three legs. Moyer laughed at the spectacle, which broke the tension. Soon all were laughing, except for Greg and Roger, who seemed to want to vomit at the sight of each other and their close proximity.