Part IV – …If You're Right
There were indeed a couple of spare Sleep Powder blankets available. Jim grabbed the larger of the two for Long John and began walking to the galley. He had to be careful with how he held it, if the blanket ruffled too much the Sleep Powder would shake off and knock him out cold. Unfortunately, the sea had decided to be a bit rougher on the surface today, requiring that Jim watch his balance to make sure he did not fall. The stairs to the lower deck made Jim particularly nervous.
The last time a careful descent was needed, I dropped Mr. Bones, Jim remembered. To put a crewmember, or myself, to sleep is not needed now.
Jim carefully placed one foot on the first step without any issue. He then decided to bring his other foot to the step instead of moving to the next one. It was a good thing he did too; the Mt. Coronet lurched to her starboard side as a wave buffed her port. Jim turned his back to a support beam next to the stairs and leaned against it to keep from falling over.
Sighing in relief Jim descended the next few steps in the same manner; taking each step one at a time in case the Mt. Coronet rolled slightly again. She did a few times, but it was at least not as drastic as the first. When Jim began to finally reach the bottom of the stairs, he was convinced he was in the clear.
"Ahoy, is that you Jim?" the familiar voice of Long John called from the galley.
"Aye, Long John," Jim replied. "I've brought with me the Sleep Powder blanket you requested."
The sound of a crutch knocking on the wooden floor heralded the Cook's approach. Despite his claims of poor sleep, he seemed to be perfectly awake and active. He almost looked more up and ready than Jim did, and he had been sleeping with those sleep powder blankets the entire trip.
"Many thanks, Jim, though I know not why you hesitate to deliver it," Long John said.
"I don't," Jim assured as he put a foot to the floor. "I must simply handle the blanket with care, else—."
Jim did not even get to explain the "else" since it demonstrated itself. The ship took another wave, this time on its bow, raising it upward. Jim suddenly lost his footing and stumbled forward, accidentally letting loose the sleep powder blanket as he did. Long John quickly moved to catch it before it hit the floor.
The only problem was that, in impacting his arms, some of the sleep powder puffed out of the folded blanket and into Long John's face.
Long John suddenly looked quite drowsy and fell over onto the folded blanket he was currently holding. He was snoring in seconds.
"…else, well, that," Jim belatedly finished, even though the sound asleep Long John could not hear him.
Jim knew to not try and awake Long John. Not only would it not work, Sleep Powder had to wear off on its own when humans were affected, but he would likely put himself to sleep trying to move the bigger and heavier man and the blanket he was asleep under. Instead, he gently rolled the sleeping cook over to the side, out of the way of any person coming down the stairs to the middle deck.
Jim was that person throughout the day as he had to perform his tasks and those of Long John. All by himself Jim delivered food to the hungry crew. Most of the meals were thankfully made already, but Jim was still quite exhausted by the end.
As he descended the stairs to the middle deck, he noticed Long John was not to the side where he had left him. The noises coming from the galley provided a pretty obvious clue to where he had gone.
"Are you well-rested, Long John?" Jim asked as he entered.
"Very well," Long John replied. "Never have I fallen so deep into sleep since taking to the sea in my youth. I cannot thank you enough for the blanket."
"You're quite welcome, Long John." Jim leaned against a wood beam as he said that, yawning.
Long John smile. "Fancy this, Jim. You take the rest of the night and all of tomorrow off from your assistance duties. As you carried them for my exhausted self, so shall I do the same as repayment."
Jim tiredly smiled. "Now my gratitude is yours," he said. "With your leave, I think I shall take to bed now."
"Waste no more time, friend Jim," Long John encouraged. "Get your deserved sleep; else you take your turn falling to the floor."
Jim lumbered back up to the top deck and to the quarters he shared with his siblings, Professor Livesey and Salva. He fell asleep as so as he lay down, and not because of the Sleep Powder laced sheets.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Damn that bell! Jim thought as he was suddenly ripped out of his sleep by that familiar and hated sound. He covered his ears to ease the headache he was suddenly gaining, wishing that he could somehow fall back asleep. Through the ringing and his covered ears, however, he could hear a voice crying out. The voice sounded frantic.
Has something happened?
Jim slowly moved his hands from his ears to more clearly hear the near-hysterical cries of whoever was calling out.
"Overboard! Crewmate overboard!"
It took Jim a beat to process those words, but when he had he immediately jumped out of bed and rushed out of Livesey's quarters.
Night had fallen while Jim had slept. The moon was nowhere to be seen, forcing the crew to light lanterns as they peered over the sides of the ship for whoever fell overboard.
"Jim!" came the voice of a familiar professor.
"Livesey! What has happened?" Jim asked. "Who has gone overboard?"
"We have yet to be sure," Livesey replied. "At present, we are accounting for every member of the crew."
"Have you seen Zoey or Ralph?" The concern in Jim's voice was evident.
Livesey seemed to hesitate briefly before replying. "Worry not, Jim. They were adventuring with the Pikachu colony below last I saw them."
Jim was not fooled by the Professor only half answering the question. "You have no proof it wasn't them who went overboard, do you?"
"I did not say such a thing."
"There was no need to."
Livesey sighed. "Jim, you need not worry. I see no reason why either would do anything that risks falling to the sea."
Jim looked down. "I'll search for them then. You know I am safe; there is no reason for me not to."
"I suppose there is not," Livesey agreed. "Though as you search, would you lookout for one of the Sleep Powder blankets? It has vanished somehow."
"Long John wished to barrow it; sleep eludes him when he tries to rest in the galley."
Livesey rolled her eyes. "Though I shan't admonish you for wishing to help a friend, I shall do so instead for making off with a blanket without having asked for it."
"My apologies, Professor," Jim bowed his head slightly.
"Simply retrieve it after you have assured yourself of Zoey and Ralph's safety, please," Livesey said.
Jim nodded and took off towards the hatch that granted access to the lower decks. He noticed one of the longboats was missing from where they were laid in the centre of the top deck as he did.
Has its absence been noted by no one? He thought as he opened the hatch and descended to the cargo deck, though the overboard crewmember was likely more concerning than a missing longboat.
The Pikachu colony below was in a bit of an uproar, with everyone nervously wondering what had happened. Jim began looking through the mass of yellow mice for the two dark-furred bodies when one of the Pikachu emerged from the others.
Jim had to look closer to try and discern any difference from the rest of the electric mice. "Pedal?" he asked.
"Yes," the Pikachu responded. "Jim, what happens on the deck above? We heard the bells ring and shouts of surprise and hurry."
"Someone has gone overboard," Jim explained. "Have you accounted for all your colony?"
Pedal gained a horrified look. "I have not, but I shall with all haste!" She quickly turned to reintegrate with her colony.
"Wait!" Jim cried.
"What is it?"
"Have you seen Zoey or Ralph?" Jim asked with concern and fear in his voice. "They aren't on the top deck. Livesey said they were down here."
"Not recently," Pedal admitted. "But should I see them down here I shall send them to you."
"My thanks, Pedal," Jim said as the Pikachu disappeared into the mass of almost identical yellow mice.
Jim sat on the stairs and waited, listening to the crew above and the Pikachu in front of him taking count of who was still here. Try as he might, he could not pick out individual names from either search seeing as they often blended into each other.
Fortunately, a familiar pair of Pokémon with dark fur quickly emerged from the crowd and rushed for the stairs.
"Jim!" Zoey and Ralph cried together as they jumped into the boy's outstretched arms.
"Oh thank the legends!" Jim said as he held the two as close as a young child would a pair of stuffed animals. "When Livesey said someone was overboard and she had not seen you, the fright was incomparable."
"Well, we are here, Jim," Ralph assured. "Neither of us has fallen to the sea."
"Have you checked the status of Mr. Silver?" Zoey asked, keeping accusation from voice though not from her face.
"I haven't," Jim replied. "You were both the first in my thoughts when I heard the alarm. So I searched first for you."
Zoey smiled and snuggled into Jim's chest.
"Would it have offended you if I had learned of Long John's condition before searching for you?" Jim asked.
Zoey did not answer before the sound of someone carefully walking down the stairs captured their attention.
"Speak of Yveltal," Zoey murmured.
"Glad to see you dry and together," Long John said with a hearty smile. It did not last long.
"What happens, Long John?" Jim asked.
"We've learned who we have lost, Jim," the Cook replied. "'Twas our First Mate."
"Mr. Arrow was the seas victim?" Ralph asked, sounding somewhat disbelieving.
"He cannot be found aboard ship, and there is no place to go but to Kyogre's depths."
The kids nodded solemnly.
"Come topside, the Captain has called for the crew to gather and give him a proper service."
The crew assembled topside and faced the quarterdeck. Captain Smollett stood at the helm, though he was accompanied only by the helmsman who was still steering the ship. Smollett himself looked somewhat bedraggled; he must have been sleeping when the alarm was raised as well. The still tired Dewott composed himself before he spoke.
"Though I have given fewer of these speeches than others," he began, "I cannot think of any captain who wishes to give any. But the sea is a most immoral thing; it cares not for our feelings or desires. For any boon it may grant the fortunate, it will bestow a punishment most harsh just as quickly. Such is what has happened now; the winds have returned, but the sea has taken one of our own as her payment."
Jim briefly looked over the side of the ship. The sea Captain Smollett spoke of was dark and ominous this night. A cover of clouds obscured the moon, preventing its light from illuminating the water and the part of the world they were now in. It was impossible to see much of anything at a distance from a ship.
Jim had a realization. It's almost the perfect night to throw someone overboard with intent. He then turned his attention back to Smollett.
The Captain was still giving his eulogy. "Mr. Arrow was my faithful first mate for many years, added to those we served as common crew; I as an Oshawatt and himself as a Kadabra. I had long looked forward to the day he would join me in retirement, he making it very clear I would be the first of us to do so. Alas, that day shan't ever come now. In its stead, I must bury him at sea. I know he would have wished it so, even if he lived to pass in retirement."
Smollett then briefly looked slightly past the crew towards where the longboats were kept. He blinked before resuming his speech.
"Alas again, for I cannot even bury him," he continued. "He has left us without his body. Further, as we appear to be short one longboat and cannot spare another, he cannot be buried in a more symbolic fashion. So I shall do this instead, and I pray you join me. I offer my prayers to the Original One, my prayers that whatever became of Mr. Arrow and took his life, was painless. He deserved better than that, but he would happily accept such a death over a more torturous alternative." Smollett bowed his head low.
Everyone went silent as they too bowed their heads to join their captain in silent prayer. Jim personally doubted that the Original One had the spare time to grant such a prayer, provided he was not asleep as the Sinnoh legends often claimed, but it could not hurt to try.
Smollett raised his head again. "As a final order, bring the Mt. Coronet to a halt for the night. We will have no one else go overboard this night whilst we are in motion. Make it so."
The crew gave a collective "aye, aye, captain" and got to work.
Jim wondered back into Professor Livesey's cabin with its other residents not far behind him. They all lay in their own sleeping arrangements where the Sleep Powder blankets did their work. Jim was briefly able to fight it long enough to remember his epiphany from the funeral.
Tonight was a perfect night to throw someone overboard.
He could not begin to think of ways someone might have done such a thing before he was fast asleep again.
Jim awoke to an ill feeling in his stomach. It could have been the stress from last night, but the way the ship was pitching up and down on the sea, and jostling his hammock as it did, convinced him otherwise.
One pitch downward prompted a particularly loud gurgle of agitation from Jim's stomach. He moaned in agony.
"Are you alright, Jim?" Professor Livesey's voice asked; she sounded somewhat tired.
Jim gave a slight dry-heave before giving his exhausted-sounding reply. "No, Professor. I feel rather ill."
Livesey came over and pressed a hand over his forehead. "Your symptoms?" she asked.
"Only an unruly stomach and more saliva that I am used to," Jim answered.
"'Tis only seasickness again, it should pass in time."
The Mt. Coronet pitched again. Jim's hammock swung again and his stomach made its feelings on such motion very clear.
"Perhaps you should find somewhere else to sleep tonight," Livesey suggested. "It is almost morning, so we must rise anyway."
"I think I shall still sleep, Professor. Long John has given me the day off from assisting him. I may spend the day as I please."
Livesey gave an encouraging smile. "Then, by all means, find a place to retake your lost sleep."
Jim rose from his hammock and exited the cabin, giving a glance to Zoey and Ralph still sleeping contently; Zoey in a dresser drawer she had turned into a den and Ralph in his own hammock.
How have they slept? He wondered.
He then looked out over the crew still sleeping across the top deck. "Where would you recommend, Professor?"
"I have heard that going to the below decks can help with seasickness, and you might find something less movable down there for which to sleep in."
Jim nodded. "Many thanks, Professor."
"You may call me, 'Livesey,' Jim," she said as he moved to the hatch. "There is no need for such formality between friends."
Jim paused briefly and looked back at the Professor. It is akin to Long John, he thought. He gave Livesey as cheerful a smile as he could manage given his attack of seasickness before proceeding to the lower decks.
He could hear Long John still sleeping in the galley; by Arceus, that man could snore. He would be up and moving shortly anyway, so the galley was probably not a great choice from sleeping. The cargo hold was probably not much better, if anything the Pikachu would be even noisier.
That left only the storage hold where all the food, and the brig, was.
Jim was not entirely comfortable sleeping near the three prisoners. But there was a greater chance for silence in there than in the other rooms. He was surprised they had not tried to break out by now; perhaps the bars were stronger than at a first glance.
Then again, where would they go if they did escape?
Jim carefully descended the stairs to the storage hold, trying to be as quiet as possible. He could hear the muted breathing of the prisoners echoing down the storage hold as they too slept soundly. Hopefully, they would not wake up and start bickering; they had been at each other's throats with varying degrees of literalness every time Jim and Long John came to deliver a meal to them. They always ceased bickering whenever the two of them showed up though.
There was a more pressing matter than whether or not the prisoners stayed asleep. Where was Jim going to sleep? The floor was not particularly inviting since he would be rolling around as the ship pitched and rocked on the sea; it would be no different if not worse than the hammock.
He instinctively leaned on a barrel in his exhaustion to think, and it hit him.
A barrel would probably work just fine.
He removed the lid from the barrel he had been leaning on and to his glee he happened to pick one that was mostly empty. Only a few untouched apples were resting at the bottom. Jim carefully entered the barrel, moving some apples to the side as he did, and set himself in a comfortable sitting position.
"This should do nicely," he said quietly to himself. "And a breakfast shall await me when I wake up."
He did regret that he would not be present for one of Long John's breakfasts; the Sea Cook never wasted a morsel of any ingredient. But he was too tired to dwell on it for long; sleep without sickness was what he wanted right now.
He did not need a Sleep Powder blanket to help either.
Jim was still in a deep and restful sleep when the faint feeling of something tapping on his nose began to reach through his slumber. He stirred slightly as the tapping began to pull him back into consciousness. They were easily ignored, however, and Jim felt the welcoming blanket of sleep begin to take him once again.
And then a wet and scratchy tongue licked his cheek.
Jim began to let out a yelp of surprise that his quickly muffled by a pair of paws over his mouth.
"Keep quiet, Jim!" a familiar Rattata insisted in a whisper. "The prisoners still sleep and we don't wish them awakened."
Jim had calmed with the surprise of the tongue having worn off. Ralph released Jim's mouth and the now awake boy turned a very frustrated look towards the Zorua that was also in the apple barrel.
"Was that entirely necessary?" Jim asked in a harsh whisper.
"You didn't awaken with the tapping," Zoey casually replied.
Jim rolled his eyes. You could not have waited for me to rise on my own? "What do you need?" he asked.
"Well, we wished to speak with you," Ralph explained.
"What about?"
"How it seems you spend more time with Mr. Silver, and not merely because of your place in the crew," Zoey explained.
"Have I been?" Jim asked.
"Aye," Zoey affirmed with budding irritation. "You even left us in the care of Salva while heat exhaustion blighted us a few days past so you could play chef with him."
"Was the exhaustion truly so terrible?" Jim asked with concern.
"I suppose it could have been worse," Zoey admitted.
Ralph cut her off before she could say something ill-advised. "We were simply hurt that you seemed more interested in your time with Mr. Silver than our well-being."
Jim recoiled. "I meant to cause no harm," he said. He then thought for a minute. "I suppose I was a bit distracted by the cake we were attempting to make."
"And then the same day when the prisoners we are so close to attacked us, you were again absent," Zoey added.
Jim looked rather dower at that reminder. Leaving his siblings at the mercy of the mutineers, by accident or not, was definitely not something he was pleased with.
"In fairness, however, what would Jim have done if he were present?" Ralph brought up. "It would be little different from Black Shuck's arrest."
"It's the thought and principle that matters," Zoey insisted. "The mere presence of someone shows a level of care; Jim's presence would display that he cared."
"I do care about the both of you," Jim insisted.
"We had no doubt of that, Jim," Ralph said. "But it is why we wished to speak with you now; to tell you sooner that you haven't done well at expressing it recently."
"Before it turned into a greater mess of misunderstanding that would be of great difficulty to clean up," Zoey added.
"Well, here we are," Jim said. "Let's speak of it. You feel I have been neglecting you, yes?"
"Aye," Zoey replied. "You are excited to finally find friendship with a human, yes?"
"Aye," Jim replied. "You know my neglect was not in any way intentional."
"Of course we do," Ralph answered. "It is very easy to find yourself distracted by something you have sought for years and finally attained."
Jim sheepishly smiled and looked at the side of the barrel. "I suppose it is."
"We ask only that you are not so distracted you forget us," Zoey added.
"And I acknowledge my error in doing so," Jim said. "I shall make an effort to redeem such a mistake."
Jim's two Pokémon siblings gave him happy smiles. Zoey's was especially wide and she did not hesitate to jump into Jim and grab him in as much of a hug as she could with her small form. Ralph seemed surprised but did not wait long before joining the embrace.
"Dear me," Jim said. "You act as though I have been absent for a century."
"Mother did expect us to look out for one another," Zoey remarked. "How can I keep you safe if you run amok with the ship's cook?"
Jim chuckled. "You have the right of that. I would be quite helpless if I were attacked as you were." He then brightened up somewhat. "Your mention of Long John reminds me, he has given me the day off from assisting him. I'm free to do as I please."
Zoey gained an even bigger smile and opened her mouth to say something, only for a grumble from Jim's stomach to cut her off.
"It seems the first thing you should do is eat a breakfast of some kind," Ralph suggested.
Jim nodded. "Well, I did pick this barrel for a reason." He grabbed an apple and quickly bit into it. "Seeing as there are so few left here, I doubt my eating them will be an issue."
"Might we partake in them as well?" Zoey asked.
"Feel free to."
Zoey and Ralph grabbed their own apples and began taking bites of them.
"Perhaps when we have finished Jim, you could assist us with Pedal's colony?" Zoey asked through her chewing.
"I would be happy too," Jim answered. "I have yet to actually meet Pedal or her wards formally."
"Perhaps, as well, you could assist me and Salva with our language lessons," Ralph added.
"Are you in need of another natural speaker?" Jim asked playfully.
Ralph smiled, taking no offence. "Aye, for all her effort Salva is still not yet entirely fluent in human speech. You are much better suited to assist me in teaching the Pikachu."
Surprised, Jim's eyes widened. "You have taken to teaching the Pikachu as well?"
Ralph shrugged. "They asked it of me. Salva's praise of my teaching her was rather convincing." He added that last part with a blush showing through his fur.
Jim smiled while Zoey gave a good-natured snicker.
"And how goes your courtship of the fiery Rabbit Pokémon?" Zoey asked.
"Well, we have acknowledged our mutual interest in each other," Ralph began, "but have chosen to concern ourselves more with the voyage than our potential affections; at least until we return to Galar's shores."
"A sensible option," Jim agreed.
"Though given how eagerly she nuzzles you, I wonder how long such an agreement will last," Zoey added cheekily.
"You can speak for yourself," Ralph replied. "I've seen Pedal nuzzle you with equal eagerness."
"Truly?" Jim turned to Zoey with an eager expression on his face.
The Zorua turned her head; if she was blushing she was doing a very good job at hiding it. "I value Pedal as a friend and nothing more," she said. "Though she is rather comely, I haven't a desire for a more amorous relationship with any Pokémon at present."
"There's pirate treasure to be found after all," Jim remarked.
A greedy grin spread across Zoey's face. "Aye, there is."
Ralph gained a slightly nervous look. "On the subject of the treasure and feeling ignored…" he started.
"Yes, Ralph?" Jim asked, concerned for how dower Ralph was sounding at the moment.
"If I may be honest, I fear you both have been ignoring my fear about this quest," Ralph provided.
"Think you so?" Zoey asked.
"Aye, before we left, I recall making my fears known, yet the allure of treasure alone seemed to make them irrelevant to you," Ralph continued. He looked a bit depressed. "Though I admit, neither I nor you could have imagined the voyage turning to such intensity."
"Certainly not an attempt upon our capture," Zoey agreed.
"Still, I feel as though my concerns were secondary to you after the allure of treasure," Ralph repeated.
Jim and Zoey looked at each other and thought for a moment.
"Perhaps we were so eager to pursue our first chance at restoring the Admiral Benbow," Jim considered.
"As was I, though to pursue the treasure ourselves felt unsafe," Ralph argued.
"A fear proven true by recent events," Zoey agreed. "Still, it's too late to talk us out of going now."
"Aye, but that neither of you gave me the chance before we left; that is what irks me," Ralph explained.
Jim and Zoey nodded. "For that, we do apologize," Jim said. "Right, Zoey?"
"Of course," Zoey replied, sound offended Jim questioned her. "Though, if I may be honest Ralph, I doubt you would have succeeded had you tried."
"I think it better I tried and failed than never try at all and forever ponder the possible outcome," Ralph provided.
Jim and Zoey could see the logic in that and nodded in understanding. Zoey then let out a sigh, as though she had been holding a long breath in her.
"It feels right to have our issues discussed and closed," she said. "Could either of you imagine if we had festered such concerns for too long?"
"I imagine they would surface at the moment of most inconvenience," Jim answered.
"Almost certainly," Ralph agreed. "But Zoey is right. I feel a burden no longer weighs me down, and I'm happy to have such understanding siblings."
They all smiled happily at each other, but the moment was ruined by a yawn that was laced with a snarl. Zoey jumped up to Jim's head to peek over the side of the barrel. She jumped back down very quickly.
"The mutineers have awakened," she growled.
There was a clearer growl from the Perrserker. "We remain trapped in this cell," he said.
"No amount of commenting on the fact shall change it," Eugene the Corphish retorted. "Cease doing it every time we awaken."
"[Have we made it to the island yet?]" the Morgrem asked, sleep still not entirely gone from him.
"Cease asking that question!" Eugene barked. "We shall arrive at some point, and then we'll be freed."
"If that bloody captain and navigator could pick up the pace," the Perrserker commented.
"Well, if the two of you had not made a failure of our capture attempt perhaps we would not be trapped down here!" Eugene griped.
It did not take long for the bickering to start. All three prisoners threw the blame for their failure on whichever cellmate was currently accusing them, or which one was currently annoying them the most.
"This could be very entertaining," Ralph said with dripping sarcasm. "But perhaps we should take our leave."
"I've another idea," Jim broached. "If we were to remain, unnoticed by the prisoners, perhaps we might overhear something useful to our cause."
"Perhaps the identities of any co-conspirators," Zoey smiled with glee. "We can help bring a true and final end to this mutiny."
Ralph though about it briefly, before smiling and nodding his head in agreement and going silent with his siblings to listen.
They had done nothing but bicker for at least half an hour.
And they were still going.
Not that the kids were listening anymore at this point; they were instead thinking about how much trouble they would get into when they left the barrel and returned to their duties after abandoning them for a while.
"How lucky are you, Jim?" Zoey sarcastically asked. "The Cook relieved you of your duty to him; we were still to represent the officers amongst the Pikachu."
"Captain Smollett won't be pleased," Ralph mumbled with worry.
"At the least, he won't hold you to the fire for it as Mr. Arrow would, yes?" Jim asked.
"Perhaps not," Zoey admitted.
"Still, it would remind us he was still among us," Ralph said mournfully.
The kids then went silent. No matter his temperament, Mr. Arrow had only sought the best of every member of the crew and he certainly did not deserve death for only doing his job.
Jim's eye widened. "His mention does remind me; I realized something the night of Mr. Arrow's funeral."
"What was it?" Ralph asked.
"With a moonless night, it would be very easy to throw someone overboard unnoticed," Jim explained.
Zoey's eyes also widened. "You suspect Mr. Arrow was murdered?"
"I have no evidence of such, but it strikes me as too perfect an opportunity to pass up if other mutineers wish to even our numbers."
The barrel was once again silent as the trio of cabin children considered the possibility.
"SAY THAT TO MY FACE!" Eugene screeched in the cell, pulling Jim, Zoey, and Ralph from their thoughts.
"Seeing as we all tire of listening to their continued arguing, I suggest taking our leave of this place," Zoey suggested.
Jim and Ralph nodded in agreement. The group prepared to get up and leave when they heard footsteps coming down the stairs.
On top of that, the footsteps suddenly made the bickering in the prison cell cease.
Whoever came to the storage hold walked past the apple barrels, presumably towards the brig. The kids could not help but notice the sound of wood on wood with every other step, as though the visitor required a walking stick.
"Long John?" Jim asked.
Zoey and Ralph covered his mouth with their paws, with Zoey throwing in a silencing hiss for good measure.
"Have you finished your daily verbal spat?" the voice of the Sea Cook asked.
"We…" Eugene stammered with nervousness he had never displayed before. "We have, sir."
"Good."
"[Can you please let us free?]" the Morgrem asked.
"We pray you, Captain," the Perrserker begged. "We shall go raving mad in this prison!"
"'Twould serve you all right for almost ruining everything," Long John sneered.
Jim, Zoey, and Ralph's eyes could not have gotten any wider. They certainly could not leave now. Not while the mutineers spoke only a few feet away with a volume that made it clear they thought they were alone.
Not while what they might hear could determine the fate of the voyage, the loyal crew, their friends, and themselves.