2022 Advent Challenge

The stubborn, strict and short-tempered captain of the Silver Eagle wasn't best known for his interest in – or tolerance for – frivolities. When they made port after a long week of sailing and several of the crew members disembarked to spend their first night of freedom at the bar, he was the first to show disapproval. That being said, he didn't stop them from doing what they wanted in their off-time. He just made it very clear that he would never indulge in such fun himself.

Indeed, it was very rare that Zach did anything for fun. His whole being was constantly focused on getting more gold, launching more raids, and then sending the money home to his family.

Jerald, second-in-command of the ship, was one of the few people who knew why Zach was so intent on getting rich. Joanna, one of the best fighters on board, also knew. It was rarely discussed, but it lingered in the air between them, especially during shore leave.

During the holidays, Zach disappeared onto the mainland along with the rest of his crew, each going their separate ways. In the creeping dawn of January, he returned looking bleak and tired, and both Jerald and Joanna knew that the situation back home hadn't improved.

Given what they knew about Zach's family, it was hardly surprising that the captain was always on edge. He didn't know how to fix this and supporting his family financially was pretty much the only thing he could do to help, even remotely.

One morning, a few days before the crew were due to make port, Jerald got up a little earlier than usual and stood upon the deck, white vapour pouring from his mouth as he surveyed the ocean. It was bitterly cold.

'You too?' said a familiar voice.

'Mornin', Jo,' he replied, turning just enough to see his fellow pirate walking up to join him. Joanna was a tall, dark woman who always wore a sabre strapped to her side. She had dazzling green eyes and wore her black hair in a messy yet somehow elaborate braid. 'Captain up yet?'

'Not sure,' she said. 'He's probably awake but still holed up in his cabin.'

Jerald grunted in acknowledgement. They stood together for a few minutes, gazing out over the shimmering, dawn-lit ocean, both of their thoughts hovering around the same subject.

'He's just gonna disappear again, ain't he?' said Jerald at last. 'While the rest o' us are off havin' fun, enjoyin' our break... He never comes back looking happy, does he?'

'His family are cursed and slowly withering away while he can't do anything to help them,' said Joanna plainly. 'Of course he's not going to come back from visiting them in a good mood.'

'Nah, course not. I just wish he 'ad something to look forward to over the holidays. Y'know, Christmas and all that... he don't care much for it, does he? Maybe that's cuz he ain't got anyone to have a happy Christmas with. Doubt his family can really celebrate.'

Joanna eyed him in a way that was almost, but not quite, suspicious. 'What are you getting at?'

Jerald shrugged his massive shoulders. 'Just thinkin' of asking the captain to come out and have some fun with us, for once.'

'He's hardly going to agree to the kind of thing most of us consider fun, though. Have you ever seen him drunk? He thinks it's disgusting.'

'Not gonna drag him to the bar with the rest 'o the lads, obviously,' said Jerald. 'I know he wouldn't appreciate that. Maybe he'd agree to somethin' a little more tame. A nice little get-together and a hearty dinner.'

'You might be getting too optimistic,' said Joanna warningly.

'Worst he'll do is say no,' said Jerald, shrugging again. But deep down, he really wanted the captain to agree and knew it would hurt if he didn't. Though their constant bickering made it hard to believe, he and Zach were actually rather close, and Jerald seriously wanted to spend some time enjoying the festivities with him this year. It was always so sad to see Zach at the end of the holidays, looking worn-down and defeated. He might not be able to fix the family problems, but he could give his friend something nice to look forward to.

---

Two days later, with the mainland in sight, Jerald took a deep breath and sought out the captain.

The ship was busy, as everyone was excitedly preparing to disembark and enjoy their two-week break on dry land. Christmas spirit was in the air for those who celebrated it, and those who didn't were just looking forward to seeing their families and/or sinking their teeth into some good food.

Zach was sitting on a crate at the bow of the ship, quite far from where most of the activity was taking place. He was staring at the horizon with an unreadable expression, strands of dark hair falling over his forehead. His long coat was buttoned up against the bitter cold.

'Hey, Cap'n,' said Jerald, making his usual greeting as he picked his way over.

'Jerald,' Zach replied, and Jerald had to smother a grin. It was so uncommon for Zach to refer to him by his actual name, instead of his rank, that he felt a thrill of delight every time it happened. 'Why aren't you buzzing around, getting ready to leave like everyone else?'

'Not much to do, Cap'n,' Jerald replied. 'I already packed my stuff, and the others don't need any help.'

He shuffled his boot against the deck, thinking about what to say next.

'Well, are you here for a reason or did you just want to pester me as usual?' said Zach in a long-suffering tone.

'I just enjoy your company. But, yeah, I guess there kinda is a reason.'

Under the captain's sharp gaze, he sat down. There wasn't another crate nearby, so he simply perched on the deck, and found that he was still taller than Zach despite it. He'd always found their height difference endearing, although it irked the captain to no end.

'Speak, then, Second,' Zach ground out.

This time, Jerald did grin. As much as he preferred being addressed by his name, it was funny to see Zach shifting back to titles as soon as he got mildly annoyed by something.

'Listen, Cap'n. I know you always go to see your folks over Christmas. But I was wondering if ya might have time to hang with me and some o' the other guys this time. I was thinkin' we might go to dinner.'

'Is this your ham-fisted way of trying to ask me out?' said Zach irritably.

Jerald's grin widened. 'D'you want to be asked out, Cap'n?'

'No!' Zach immediately snapped.

'Alright, ya touchy barnacle. No, this isn't a date. I just wanna spend some time with you. Joanna's comin', too. And you don't have to miss out on seeing your family. We just want one day of your time.'

Zach was silent. It could have easily been mistaken for sulking, or a stubborn refusal to answer, but Jerald knew him well enough to see that he was actually considering the proposal. He waited nearly ten seconds before breaking the silence.

'Reckon you can spare it, Zachary?'

The response that came was slow and reluctant, sounding as though it was being dragged up from the depths of Zach's being – yet it was the response Jerald had been desperately hoping for.

'...I suppose I can come. But if this outing descends into drunken tomfoolery, I will not only leave immediately, I will also dock the pay of every imbecile involved.'

'That's fair,' said Jerald nonchalantly. 'Won't happen, though. Everyone who's coming already agreed to stick to one drink each.'

Zach looked like he didn't believe that a group of pirates could restrain themselves from dunking their heads into a flagon of whiskey, but he chose not to argue the matter. He actually seemed... a little relieved, as though a weight had been taken off his shoulders. Was he happy that Jerald had given him the chance to do something fun, or just glad that the conversation was past? He wasn't always an easy man to read, and Jerald's wishful thinking often introduced bias to what he saw in the captain's face.

'What time?' said Zach, resting his head on his hand.

'Tonight. When we moor up. Lookin' forward to it, Zachary.'

Despite the captain's air of resignation, Jerald couldn't suppress the feeling that he'd done a good thing. It might not solve Zach's problems, but maybe, just maybe, they could take his mind off of them – just for one night.