The surgeon had said that Horatio would sleep, that it would be hours until he woke, perhaps days. He would sleep and heal, and that was the best thing for him. James is uncertain that is the case, but he can acknowledge the fact that a little colour has returned to Horatio's face, and that, asleep, he can not be in pain.
Or so James hopes. The twitch of fingers against his hand may be a response to his words, it may be a spasm of pain or a result of whatever feverish dream Horatio may be suffering. But what can he do? Nothing more than sit here and wait for Horatio to come to.
There were others on the Hotspur who were injured. Too many. The surgeons of Fort Charles and Port Royal will have their work cut out for them, and Gilette and Groves will already be preparing the Dauntless to go out after the pirates. It makes James livid, rage boiling in him, to think that pirates would dare sail so close to Port Royal, that they would attack a Navy ship. He has no choice but to pursue, to scour the sea until he can find and destroy them.
Horatio would no doubt want to go with him. But when he wakes it will be weeks before he is strong enough to go back to his duties.
"I do not think this is what you should have done to get me back aboard a ship." He breathes, trying not to help helplessness and despair settle in his chest. "We were going to take the Interceptor to Nassau. The Governor there had concerns about pirates. Although it seems his concerns were not unfounded."
For a moment there is nothing, no sound but Horatio's breathing and James' own. James had won his rank as a pirate hunter, for helping to clear up the Carribean of the dregs of humanity. Clearly, he had failed in that. He had been too lax, he had let the rot back in and now Horatio paid the price for it.
"I am sorry Horatio. Groves or Gilette should have been with you. They know the nature of pirates in these waters. I should have sent the Dauntless out more regularly. There is no excuse. I have allowed this to happen through complacency."
His fingers moved, tracing the knuckles of Horatio's hand, bruised and still dark from powder. Could he leave Horatio like this? What if Horatio awoke, alone, in pain, and James was at sea, days or weeks away? Suppose Horatio never woke, and James was not with him?
The next breath James took was unsteady, but he fought the rising wave of misery. Men died. Good men died, men he cared for and admired, men who deserved better, they all died. If that was to be Horatio's fate, then there were some things that needed to be said.
"You may not believe it to be true, Aethalides, but you have already changed Fort Charles. You have changed me, no doubt. For the better, in both cases. And you would make a fine Captain; that is not simply the opinion of a besotted man. Governor Swann believes so, and the Admiralty would not ignore our joint recommendation."
He sucks in another breath, this as trembling as the first. "I was planning to give you the command of Hotspur permanently. I know you favour her. If she can be repaired, then I will. I think you would like that almost more than a promotion. But you must live, Horatio. You must live if you want to walk her decks again. I would have you show me why you love her so."
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2017-05-30 06:00 am (UTC)Or so James hopes. The twitch of fingers against his hand may be a response to his words, it may be a spasm of pain or a result of whatever feverish dream Horatio may be suffering. But what can he do? Nothing more than sit here and wait for Horatio to come to.
There were others on the Hotspur who were injured. Too many. The surgeons of Fort Charles and Port Royal will have their work cut out for them, and Gilette and Groves will already be preparing the Dauntless to go out after the pirates. It makes James livid, rage boiling in him, to think that pirates would dare sail so close to Port Royal, that they would attack a Navy ship. He has no choice but to pursue, to scour the sea until he can find and destroy them.
Horatio would no doubt want to go with him. But when he wakes it will be weeks before he is strong enough to go back to his duties.
"I do not think this is what you should have done to get me back aboard a ship." He breathes, trying not to help helplessness and despair settle in his chest. "We were going to take the Interceptor to Nassau. The Governor there had concerns about pirates. Although it seems his concerns were not unfounded."
For a moment there is nothing, no sound but Horatio's breathing and James' own. James had won his rank as a pirate hunter, for helping to clear up the Carribean of the dregs of humanity. Clearly, he had failed in that. He had been too lax, he had let the rot back in and now Horatio paid the price for it.
"I am sorry Horatio. Groves or Gilette should have been with you. They know the nature of pirates in these waters. I should have sent the Dauntless out more regularly. There is no excuse. I have allowed this to happen through complacency."
His fingers moved, tracing the knuckles of Horatio's hand, bruised and still dark from powder. Could he leave Horatio like this? What if Horatio awoke, alone, in pain, and James was at sea, days or weeks away? Suppose Horatio never woke, and James was not with him?
The next breath James took was unsteady, but he fought the rising wave of misery. Men died. Good men died, men he cared for and admired, men who deserved better, they all died. If that was to be Horatio's fate, then there were some things that needed to be said.
"You may not believe it to be true, Aethalides, but you have already changed Fort Charles. You have changed me, no doubt. For the better, in both cases. And you would make a fine Captain; that is not simply the opinion of a besotted man. Governor Swann believes so, and the Admiralty would not ignore our joint recommendation."
He sucks in another breath, this as trembling as the first. "I was planning to give you the command of Hotspur permanently. I know you favour her. If she can be repaired, then I will. I think you would like that almost more than a promotion. But you must live, Horatio. You must live if you want to walk her decks again. I would have you show me why you love her so."