"There's one more thing. The crew approached me the other day, they don't want you as boatswain any longer."
Her words were like a punch to the jaw. Flint first fell frustration and anger, followed by confusion. The men liked him, he was sure of it. They confided in him, told him things they didn't even tell the captain. When he was first brought aboard there was a healthy amount of fear and distrust, which was to be expected given his fearsome reputation but since then a lot had changed. He'd fought beside them, bled beside them and killed beside them. The Man Without Fear was a rallying cry when he dove to an enemy ship, as he carved through sailors and opposing pirates they were right behind him. The only man who never truly took to him was the Quarter Master who hated that he had the captains ear, and her bed.
Pushing the concerns aside he followed her out onto the deck of the ship where the men were already gathering. If they were voting him off he couldn't say, no ones face gave away a thing, if anything they all looked rather excited.
"Men!"
Robyn called, her voice authoritative and commanding as the few stragglers assembled around them. Flint flicked his gaze from one man to the next, wondering how many he'd need to kill to make a clean escape should they decide they no longer wanted him among them.
"You all came to me, with one thing in mind. You don't want this crazy fuck as your boatswain, right?"
The crew laughed, but agreed. Flint's hand went to the small of his back where his spare pistol lay. Was Robyn a party to this? Was it all a lie?
"You wanted something else, and I agree."
She said with a devilish grin, his hand tightening around the pistol.
"All of those in favor of naming James Flint as Quartermaster and First Mate, say Aye"
Flint's jaw dropped. In one voice the entire crew roared a resounding AYE!!!. Flint's hand fell away from his pistol as smile etched its way onto his suprised face.
"All oppose?"
She asked, and not a word of opposition. Flint couldn't believe it. He couldn't wait to tell his sister.
"The Aye's have it. Congratulations Quartermaster."
Robyn said shaking his hand. He stared at her incredulously as the crew, all gathered shared a knowing chuckle.
"Fuck this."
Flint said before pulling her in by the waist and kissing her. There was a hush over the crew for a split second while Captain Sheva and Flints tongues battled for dominance before someone shouted.
"'Bout fucking time!"
The crew erupted into a hearty laugh before moving in to congratulate their new quarter master. Flint laughed, and for the first time in years he was content. He had a family, a crew, a beautiful woman who had his heart. The seas were thick with bounty and the winds were favorable. The pain of the Northern winds were all but a bitter memory. The Harbinger came up to the docks and a few men broke off from celebrating to set the anchor and tie the ship off to the docks.
"Come on lads! To Noonans! First rounds on me!"
The crew erupted a second time as the crew set the gang plank ready to storm the beach and head to the largest brothel on Nassau with their Captain and newly elected Quarter Master.