Blood and Gold Ch. 10

Chapter 10

Once back on board the Felicia, it wasn’t long before the poor doctor passed out from all the alcohol he imbibed the night before. Captain Ratigan was skeptical about the new recruit, but he’d take any doctor over no doctor at all.

When Dawson woke up, despite the hangover he was brought to the Captain and informed of his duties. He couldn’t remember much; only vaguely meeting Ray and being ushered onto the ship. He didn’t even remember officially signing up for the crew, but there was no denying when Ratigan showed it to him that that was his signature scrawled on the ship’s log. Once it was clear to him that he was stuck, he decided to just go along with it for now; it wasn’t like he had much of a choice.

Dawson quietly followed Ray down below to the crew’s quarters where Basil was still lying in his bunk. He didn’t appreciate that he had been tricked like this, but once he saw his patient his anger dissipated. He was actually a bit glad they had raided the apothecary the night before so that now he had the tools he needed to do his job. He got to work straightaway, cleaning Basil’s wounds before applying medicine to help them heal. Dawson winced again. Being a navy mouse, he knew whiplashes when he saw them.

“What did he do to receive so many stripes?” Dawson asked.

“Refused to kill another mouse at the Captain’s orders,” Ray replied quietly. Dawson lifted one eyebrow curiously. Perhaps this mouse had been forced on board as he had.

“Is there something I can do to help?” a voice piped up nearby. Dawson paused and was surprised to see a young lady watching from the doorway, looking at the injured mouse with concern.

“I could use some fresh water to clean the wounds,” Dawson replied with a small smile. “And some clean rags if you have any. We have to stop this infection before it spreads any further.”

The girl nodded before hurrying off to find the items. Dawson looked to Ray curiously, shocked that a woman was on a pirate ship. Ray’s ears lowered and Dawson didn’t miss the forlorn look on his face. “Her name’s Amber. We rescued her from a shipwreck, but the Captain considers her property now and refuses to let her go.”

Dawson continued his work silently, appalled at the audacity of this pirate Captain. “If you needed a doctor,” he remarked, “why didn’t you simply ask for my help rather than trick me?”

Ray crossed his arms and gazed down at the floor. This mouse was certainly full of questions. "Would you really help a pirate?"

"I'm not heartless,” Dawson replied honestly. “I'd help anyone in need... isn't that how you are? I mean, you are the one who brought me here after all, so you must be concerned about him," Dawson remarked, inclining his head at Basil.

"Don't press me when you know nothing about me," Ray mustered nervously, finding himself unable to meet the older mouse’s gaze.  

"You hold many wounds in your heart,” Dawson remarked as he continued to clean the gashes on Basil’s back, causing Ray to glance up in surprise. “Someday those scars might deepen, and no matter how much you tend to them, they’ll never heal completely.”

Ray felt so dumbstruck he simply stared at the doctor wordlessly, feeling shivers run up and down his spine. They remained silent for some time while Dawson continued his work. Amber returned to bring fresh cloth and water for the Doctor to use. She winced as she gazed down at Basil, then looked to Ray. Seeing how worried she was, Ray gave her a small smile of encouragement. Amber returned the smile before leaving to finish her other chores.

“You like her, don’t you?” Dawson remarked innocently.

“I…” Ray’s fur bristled. “J-Just do your job and mind your own business,” he snapped before storming off.

Dawson sighed tiredly. “Way to make friends, old boy,” he muttered to himself. His ears perked up as his patient stirred and tried to sit up, only to fall back down with a groan. “Easy chap,” Dawson said, putting a hand on Basil’s arm gently, who turned his head and looked up warily. “Trust me,” Dawson remarked with a smile, trying to reassure him. “I’m a doctor.”

Somehow that didn’t reassure Basil in the least. Dawson noticed him begin to tremble as his eyes glance at the bloody rag he was holding. “It’s alright,” Dawson said softly to calm him down, explaining what he was doing since Basil was lying on his stomach and couldn’t see quite well. “I’m just cleaning your wounds to get the infection out.” Basil merely nodded slowly, shutting his eyes tightly when pain would flair up in his back.

“I-Is he ok?” came Amber’s soft voice from the door, and Dawson motioned for her to come in.

“He’s awake, but he’s in a lot of pain. I’m afraid some of these will require stitching…Maybe you could talk to him, distract him while I work?”

Amber nodded and did as the doctor instructed, quickly kneeling down by Basil’s head and speaking softly to him. “Hey,” she said with a smile. “How are you feeling?”

“L-Like crap,” Basil grunted, wincing as the doctor began stitching him up. He tried to crane his head around to look but Amber took his head in her hands to stop him.

“Stop squirming; you’ll only hurt yourself worse,” she instructed gently. Basil shook his head worriedly and tried to raise himself up on one arm only to fall back down again.

“I-I can’t stay here,” he insisted. “The Captain won’t approve…”

Right on cue, the sound of boots thumping against the flooring as someone approached reached their ears and Amber’s heart leapt when Ratigan entered. Dawson’s eyes flickered to the Captain but he remained focused on his work. Out of the corner of his eye Basil could see the rat’s shadow fall on the wall beside Amber and he couldn’t help flinching slightly.

“So… how is our cabin boy?” the rat asked nonchalantly, leaning against the doorframe with a smirk.

Amber’s hand automatically went to Basil’s and she gripped it tightly as a way to calm them both, but she was unable to meet the gaze of the stern captain. Seeing the nervousness of the two younger mice, Dawson took it upon himself to answer. “I’m just finishing up,” he explained. “The lacerations were so deep, they needed sewing up. His back is so cut and bruised…” Ray blushed as he felt eyes on him, swallowing nervously as the guilt sank into his gut. “But for now he needs rest. He’ll be out of commission for a few days.”

“Days?” Ratigan repeated with a scowl. “That’s simply out of the question. I have a ship to run and can’t spare any hands.”

“He can’t work in this condition!” Amber exclaimed in shock.
“I expect everyone to pull their weight around on this ship,” Ratigan replied, glaring down at them. “Even the cabin boy.”

“Don’t talk down to him like that,” Amber retorted angrily. “You’re the one that did this to him in the first place!”

“I beg to differ!” Ratigan sneered, causing Ray to flinch. Turning back to the doctor Ratigan instructed, “Finish stitching him up so he can get back to work. He’s not going to shirk his duties just because of a few scratches.”

“A few scratches…?!” Amber opened her mouth to say, but knew it would be pointless so remained quiet. While Dawson continued tending to Basil, she looked to Ray and gestured at Ratigan as he turned to walk away, indicating Ray should say something to him. Ray shrugged helplessly, afraid to speak up to the Captain after what happened last time. Amber frowned and pointed at Ratigan again. Ray shook his head and threw up his arms exasperated. Stomping her foot, Amber gritted her teeth and punched her fist into her hand to get her point across. Grimacing, Ray put up his hands in defense. Amber pointed at the door again and Ray grudgingly obeyed, following Ratigan. Once above deck Ray cleared his throat nervously.

“S-She has a point, Captain,” Ray spoke up softly.

“What?!” Ratigan growled, baring his teeth savagely. Wincing, Ray took a step back.

“A-About Basil,” Ray hastily continued. “In this condition, he won’t get anything accomplished. He’ll be more of a nuisance than anything. And if he doesn’t recover or ends up worse from overwork, there’s the possibility that he might actually die… leaving you one hand short.”

Ratigan seemed to think it over for a moment, but shook his head firmly, brushing past Ray and entering his cabin. “If I let him have a few days off, the rest of the crew will expect special treatment as well. And an unruly unsatisfied crew is something I’m not in the mood to deal with right now. I simply cannot allow it.”

Taking his place behind his desk, Ratigan opened one of the maps and seemed to ignore his first mate’s presence. Ray’s heart sank at having to tell Amber of his failed attempt to appeal to the Captain. But before he turned to go, he gave one last desperate effort.

“What would Loran say?” Ray asked quietly.

Ratigan grew very still at that. Talking about his old first mate was a sensitive topic for the Captain. Ray watched with baited breath. He had no idea what possessed him to do it, but when Ratigan still didn’t respond, Ray actually punched his fist into his hand threateningly as Amber did. Ratigan blinked twice.

“What are you doing?”

Ray stuffed his hands into his pockets. “N-Nothing,” he stammered embarrassedly. “A-About Basil, then…?”

Ratigan sighed, massaging his temple irately. “Fine. I’ll give him three days at the most. But don’t let him get used to it. After that I’ll expect him back up here with the rest of you lot.”

“Thank you, sir,” Ray replied, breathing a sigh of relief before running back down to tell Amber the news.

“What did you find out?” she asked once they had stepped out of the room so that Basil could rest peacefully.

“That I’m the only one on this ship with no balls,” Ray muttered sullenly. “And he gave Basil three days to recover.”

“Only three?!”

“We’re lucky he was that generous!” Amber sighed and looked to Basil worriedly. Ray noticed her look of concern and tilted her head back up. “Hey, he’ll be fine. Basil is one of the most stubborn mice I’ve met. He won’t go that easily. Heh, he’ll probably get bored.”

Amber chuckled at that. “I guess we’ll just have to entertain him then.” Ray nodded with a smile. Just before he turned to go, Amber touched his arm gently. “Thanks, Ray. A-Again.” She tucked her hair behind her ear sheepishly. “Er, um, maybe I should say, Tak…? I think I’ve heard you say it before…”

Ray’s smile grew. “Yes, that’s right!” His eye twinkled mischievously. “Think you can try ‘Rød grød med fløde’?”

Amber laughed. “Maybe something a little easier for now...”

Ray tapped his chin thoughtfully, causing Amber to chuckle. “Oh! Try this one… Rav.”

“Rav…” Amber repeated.

Ray nodded. “Mus.”

“Mus.”

“Now together… Rav Mus.”

“Rav Mus.”

Ray grinned. “That is your name in Danish.”

“Haha, really?” Amber asked excitedly. “Rav Mus. I like the sound of that.”

“It suits you,” Ray replied with a laugh. The two mice stood together for a minute longer, enjoying the happy moment since those were so hard to come by. Again Ray felt himself blushing as unfamiliar feelings stirred in his chest. Since they were alone, he decided to take the plunge and tried to work up the nerve to finally speak his mind.

“A-Amber, I…”

“Yes?” Amber asked expectantly, those brown eyes of hers causing his heart flutter. But before he could finish, Ratigan’s voice could be heard overhead barking out orders at the crew.

“…I-I better go,” Ray finished flatly, changing his mind. Amber nodded and glanced back toward the crew’s quarters with a worried look. “He’ll be alright… especially with you to take care of him,” Ray added with another smile, causing her to blush as she hurried back to check on Basil.

Once she was gone, Ray groaned and smacked his forehead in frustration. “Dumt, dumt, dumt…!” His ears flattened when he heard Ratigan shouting for him in an irritated voice. Sighing, Ray gave one last look over his shoulder toward the cabin before hastening up the steps as fast as he could. Once above deck he went to the stern where Ratigan stood observing the crew.

“Orders, sir?” Ray asked.

“Get up those ratlines and help Bill with the sails.” Hearing Ray sigh, he lifted one eyebrow. “Problem, Lehmann?”

“N-No, sir,” Ray hastily answered before making his way up the ropes and climbing onto the rigging beside Bill. As he worked on the sails, Ray scowled when he heard the lizard snicker. “What?” he snapped.

“First mate doing the dirty work…”

“Hold kæft,” Ray grumbled, fighting the urge to punch that smug grin off Bill’s face.
……………………

A few days later the crew made another stop at the Isla de Ramea to restock on food and fresh drinking water. It was like a holiday of sorts for the crew, a couple days of rest. Some went fishing, others swam in the lagoon, and some explored the island. Even Basil was feeling well enough to go ashore. Then at night they built a large campfire and swapped tales of pirate legends and adventures. All while enjoying their stock of rum of course.

Bart, a short stocky little mouse with a beat up and tattered tricorn hat, was notorious for his drunken habits. The crew laughed and joked as he staggered around the fire. They laughed more when he attempted to flirt with Amber, bowing so low he almost tumbled over headfirst into the sand. Even Amber giggled at his antics, obliging by getting up and dancing with him. This caused some of the crew to strike up a lively jig on their instruments, and some started singing.

What will we do with a drunken sailor?
What will we do with a drunken sailor?
What will we do with a drunken sailor?
Early in the mornin'!

Way hay and up she rises,
Way hay and up she rises,
Way hay and up she rises,
Early in the morning'!

Ray paused in the midst of playing his panpipe in order to catch his breath, panting as he tried to keep up with the fast pace of the music. Basil also sat nearby, reclining with his back against a rock and watching the scene wordlessly. His wounds were almost healed, but at times they would still hurt, so he took the opportunity to rest rather than cavort about with the rest of the crew. He watched with interest as Amber decided to join them, taking turns dancing with each crew member. He was surprised to find himself wanting to be the one to have her in his arms.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Ray suddenly remarked, breaking Basil’s thoughts. He tilted his head curiously and followed Basil’s gaze toward the fire where Amber was twirling around with Bart, who even drunk out of his skull was just as happy as could be. “Ooh, so that’s what it is,” Ray said with a laugh.

Basil scowled at the red mouse, feeling his cheeks become hot. “So?”

“So go dance with her.”

“W-What?” Basil said, looking flustered. “No, certainly not.”

Ray lifted one eyebrow teasingly. “Don’t tell me you have two left feet?”

Basil rolled his eyes. “No, I just don’t… I mean…”

“Hey guys!”

Both mice looked up as Amber came over. “Where’s your dancing partner?” Ray laughed.

“Oh, passed out behind a palm tree; I think we might have overdone it with all the spinning!” Amber giggled. “So it looks like I’m in need of a new partner,” she added with a smile. Basil’s eyes widened as he realized she was looking at him. “Care to dance?”

“Dance?” Basil stuttered. “I-I don’t think that’s such a good—”

“Oh come on, Basil!” Amber pleaded with a teasing pout, leaning down with her hands on her knees and tilting her head playfully. “Have some fun!”

“Yeah Bas,” Ray chuckled, elbowing him in the ribs. “Lighten up.”

“You lighten up,” Basil replied sullenly.

Amber couldn’t help chuckling. “Aw, that’s ok. Can’t have your stitches coming undone. You should finish recuperating. Ray,” she asked, holding out her hand, “would you like to dance?”

“M-Me?” Ray replied, nearly dropping his flute.

“Sure, why not?”

“I…” Ray glanced over where Ratigan sat watching them, a bottle of rum in his hand and several empty ones littering the sand around him. Ray looked at him as if to ask permission since he really wasn’t even supposed to be talking to either her or Basil. But to his surprise Ratigan nodded and waved his hand dismissively. Ray didn’t know if it was because he was feeling generous or was just too drunk to care, but he didn’t question it. Smiling, he let Amber tug his hand and pull him to his feet, unable to resist throwing a sly grin over his shoulder at Basil, who huffed and crossed his arms irately.

As Amber led him forward, she took Ray by both hands, showing him where to place them. She moved his right hand to her waist while she placed hers on his shoulder, and placed her right hand in his left. Ray cleared his throat, feeling himself blush as they stood close together, making him appear even redder in the glowing firelight.

“Don’t worry, it’s easy,” she said with a smile. “Just follow my lead.”

Before he had time to respond, the music picked up and Ray found himself whirling around so fast he could barely keep up. The crew and the background and campfire all became a blur. All he could see was Amber. But he soon found that she was all he wanted to see anyway. With her hair flying as they spun around in circles, eyes twinkling, grinning and laughing; she was happy. And seeing her like this… for the first time in years, he felt happy. He then realized that he wanted to do anything to keep that smile on her face.
Once the song ended, both mice were so winded they stood panting for a moment trying to catch their breath. Amber couldn’t help laughing when she noticed Ray’s eye patch was slightly crooked from twirling and dancing around so fast. Ray of course hadn’t noticed since he could only see out of his right eye.

“Here, let me help you with that,” Amber said with a laugh, standing on her tiptoes to reach him.

“What? Oh… thanks,” Ray replied embarrassedly, blushing again when he felt Amber’s fingers brush his face as she put it back in place.

Amber grinned shyly, especially when the crew begged for more dancing. “Maybe later, fellas; I’m beat!” The crew groaned disappointedly as she and Ray plopped down beside Basil to rest. “Why don’t we take a break from the dancing for a while?” she suggested. “Um… does anyone know any good ghost stories?”

Of course every crew member had a tale to tell, shouting above one another and competing over who had the best story. Amber finally convinced them all to take turns, feeling strangely excited to hear their stories since pirate lore and legends had always fascinated her. They were much more gruesome than she had expected though; such as one that Fidget began to sing in his creepy grating voice.

He laid out three kings to lay to bed,
And out came their blood, and the roll of their heads.
Never has the crown looked so dead!

After that, Lefty began another equal creepy, yet slightly comical song.

Some say he's a serpent that came straight from hell,
To eat the souls of pirates and other ne'er-do-wells.
Some they don't believe it, as for me I've got a hunch,
'Cause they used to have some pirates here
But he ate them all for lunch!

Oh Don't you sail and don't you row and certainly don't you swim,
'Cause if you aren't careful you'll end up inside of him.
He'll eat you up, he'll spit you out. You'd better stay away.
Heed the sign that says, "Beware the Beast of Pirate's Bay!"

“And that is how I lost me hand,” Lefty added at the end. The other pirates instantly protested.

“I thought y’ said a shark ate it!”

“He told me a giant crab pinched it off!”

“Told me ‘e lost it in a fight with a crocodile!”

“Nah, yer thinkin’ of Captain Hook!”

Basil just rolled his eyes as a loud discussion ensued while Lefty defended himself, waving his hooked hand around in protest.

“Do they always bicker like this?” Amber asked, trying not to laugh.

“More than you know,” Basil replied with a smile. “Right Ray? Ray…?”

The first mate had grown very quiet since the singing had begun, especially at the last
one. Basil elbowed him, startling Ray and making him yelp in surprise.

“What’s with you?” Basil asked.

Ray blushed when he saw Amber leaning up and looking around Basil at him worriedly. “Nothing,” he muttered, looking down at the ground. “These songs just… bring back bad memories.”

Amber and Basil exchanged glances. “But they’re only stories, right?” Amber asked. “I mean, the Beast of Pirate’s Bay isn’t real… is it?”

“I thought it was just a story for children,” Basil agreed.

“It is just a story,” Ray replied. “But the real Beast isn’t a fish or sea monster like the song says. He’s a pirate like us. But not just any pirate. He’s the most notorious pirate to ever sail these waters. The Scourge of the Seas…”

Basil’s ears pricked up at that. He remembered Ray talking about such a pirate before. “You mean Fane cel Rau?”

Ray’s ears flattened as he nodded. Then he scoffed disdainfully. “But the song is stupid. The real Fane cel Rau is much worse.”

“Wait, you mean… you’ve actually seen him?” Amber asked incredibly.

The first mate nodded, his voice growing quiet as he recalled the sight. “Fane cel Rau is Captain Ratigan’s mortal enemy, and he has always been obsessed with defeating him. When Fane found out, he came after us in his ship, the Persephone, and we were easily overwhelmed.

“It was one of our bloodiest battles; we lost over half the crew in the fight, and even Ratigan himself was injured. It was then I saw him. He…” Ray gulped and a pained expression crossed his face as he struggled with this part of the story. “He almost took me captive. But Oliver Loran, Ratigan’s first mate, attacked him to try to save me. And I… I-I accidentally made him fall to Fane’s crew so that they caught him, and Fane took him instead. One, because he was Ratigan’s first mate and it would be demoralizing for the Captain to lose his right hand, and two… because I didn’t save him. Then after blowing a hole in our ship leaving us to sink and taking Loran with him, Fane sailed away. We never saw him again.”

Amber looked to Ray sadly, not even able to imagine such an ordeal. “Why didn’t you try to save him?” Basil asked, causing Amber to poke him in the ribs sharply, but it was too late to keep the words from leaving his mouth.

“Don’t you think I did?!” Ray snapped. “I tried to, I really did… but things just didn’t go as well as I hoped…”

Amber looked to him sympathetically. “It’s ok, Ray. You don’t have to talk about it. I’m sure you did everything you could…” She was cut off as the music picked up again as the crew forgot their argument with Lefty, who drowned his sorrows in a bottle of rum. When they turned back around, Amber and Basil saw that Ray had disappeared and fled toward the forest.

“I’ll go talk to him,” Amber said, getting to her feet.

“Maybe I should go too,” Basil said. “Ray’s temper is worse when his emotions aren’t stable. And there are dangers in the jungle…”

Amber shook her head with a smile. “I’ll be fine. I know he needs some space; I’m just going to check on him.”

Basil returned her smile. She had such a big heart, never refused anyone… “Be careful,” he added as she ducked beneath a tree and disappeared into the foliage.
…………

The music and raucous laughter died down the deeper Ray went into the jungle. Finally he stopped underneath a palm tree and stood with his back against the trunk. Letting out a sigh, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He hated that he almost lost it back there, but he wanted to get away before his emotions betrayed him in front of Basil and Amber.

Reaching into the inside pocket of his coat, Ray pulled out his most prized possession: a picture of a young female mouse. Rubbing his fingers across the worn edges affectionately, he became so lost in his thoughts he didn’t notice the breeze picking up until it blew the paper out of his hand.

“Åh nej!” Ray cried, swiping out and jumping in the air as high as he could to grab it, but the wind kept it just beyond his reach. He chased it through the trees, tripping over rocks and tree roots trying to catch it. At last it flittered to the ground, and he dove down to snatch it before it could fly away again, but another hand reached out for the photo as well. Ray looked up to meet a pair of familiar brown eyes.

“A-Amber?” he asked, blushing as he realized his hand was resting on top of hers and quickly snatching it away. “What are you doing here?”

Amber brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes as she explained sheepishly. “I saw you go off by yourself and… well, I was worried about you.” Realizing she was still holding the picture, she quickly held it out to him, giving it back. Ray took it gratefully, glancing at it one more time before tucking it back inside his coat.

“Who is she? If you don’t mind me asking,” Amber hastily added, thinking he might not want to share such personal things.

“Helena,” Ray replied with a sad smile. “My sister.”

“Oh. I thought she might be… n-never mind,” Amber trailed off embarrassedly. Ray raised one eyebrow curiously, but didn’t say anything. “Is she your older or younger sister?” Amber asked to change the subject.

“Younger,” Ray replied. “I’m the eldest by five years.”

“Any other siblings?”

“No, only Helena. What about you?”

“Just me. I was an only child.”

“Oh.”

There was an awkward silence between the two while they walked along.

“What about your mother and father?”

Ray grew very still, and Amber realized too late that she must have hit a sensitive spot for him. “My mother left years ago. My father…” Ray’s voice had grown very soft, but when he spoke of his father suddenly grew hard. “My father was abusive. It’s why I left home, once I was old enough and got the money. I tried to get Helena to come with me, but… she wouldn’t leave him to live alone; swore that he would change.” Ray scoffed. “The only thing to change about him was that he grew from ‘bad’ to ‘worse.’ I was just thankful he only took it out on me and not her. It’s why I worry about her, now that I’m gone,” he remarked, his voice growing quiet again. “Sometimes I can’t help wondering… maybe I was wrong to leave. I… I-I shouldn’t have left her alone with him…”

“Don’t,” Amber said stopping him, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Going through all the ‘what-ifs’ will only torture you. Don’t do that to yourself.”

“I-I can’t help it,” Ray said in a strained voice, his shoulders trembling slightly. “My whole life has been nothing but heartache and pain… it’s all I’ve ever known.” Amber hung her head sadly. She didn’t know the half of it, but she still felt her own eyes filling with tears at all the Dane had been through. But he raised his head suddenly.

“Then I met you,” he whispered, turning to her and taking her hands in his. “Life on the Felicia has been hell, as you can imagine. Loran was the one source of comfort I had, but even he was taken away from me. But since you came, you’ve made my life so much brighter. ”

Amber smiled sheepishly. “You’ve taken care of me ever since I came on board. You’re a dear friend and I don’t know what I would do without you. So… thank you.”

Ray returned the smile and shook his head. “No, thank you,” he replied, brushing a lock of hair away from Amber’s face as she gazed up at him. “My little Valkyrie.”

Amber blushed deeper but was unable to hide a smile. “Oh, um, I meant to show you I’ve been practicing… Rød grød med fløde. I still can’t say it right,” Amber laughed. “Is there an easier one I can try?”

“Jeg elsker dig,” Ray replied quietly.

“Jeg elsker dig,” Amber repeated slowly, smiling as she found it much easier to pronounce. “What does it mean?”

“I love you.”

Taking his chance, Ray threw caution to the wind, bending down to gently to give her a kiss; something he’d been wanting to do for weeks. But as he brought his face closer to hers, he was startled when she reached her hand up to stop him, touching her fingers to his lips softly.

“Ray, I…” Amber faltered, not knowing what to say. Ray’s heart sank. He had moved too soon.

“I see,” Ray replied, his ears flattening as he averted his eyes. “It’s him.”

Amber’s raised her head, eyes widening in shock and feeling her cheeks burning. “W-What…?” she stuttered, even though she knew exactly who he was talking about. “I don’t… I mean, I just…”

“No, you don’t have to explain. I shouldn’t have acted so impulsively. You deserve better.”

The look on his face made Amber feel even more horrible. “Ray…” She lowered her ears as her heart wrenched. “I’m sorry, Ray,” she whispered. She reached up to put a hand on his shoulder but rethought it when she saw his hands clenched by his sides.

“L-Let’s just get back before the Captain misses you,” Ray said tensely. Amber followed wordlessly, too embarrassed and confused about her feelings to say anything more.

Once they reached the campsite, Amber noticed Ray stopped walking. “Aren’t you coming?” she asked timidly.

“Maybe later,” Ray replied quietly, unable to meet her eyes. “I need a little more time… a-alone.”

Amber nodded understandingly, doing her best to fight back tears as she walked away. She couldn’t blame him after all. Ray remained still, watching from behind a tree as she joined the crew around the fire.

Having to live with only one eye had refined his other senses, and Ray’s fur on the back of his neck stood on end as he felt a presence behind him.

“Well… looks like somebody’s been defying the Captain…”

Ray gritted his teeth as he turned around to face Bill, who stood smirking along with a few of the crew.

“Sh-Shut up, din Øgle,” Ray hissed, hoping Ratigan didn’t overhear.

“Best watch your tongue boy,” Bill sneered, poking his finger on Ray’s chest. “That pretty hat’s the only thing that’s making you first mate ‘round here. Yer still the same brat we dragged on board five years ago, and that’s all you’ll ever be!”

Ray’s ears flattened against his head and he looked down at the ground. “I… hey—!”

The lizard grinned as he snatched Ray’s hat and placed it on his own head, standing with his hands on his hips. “The crew would be better off with me as first mate! I’m stronger, faster, taller,” some of the other crew began to laugh as Bill held the hat up above Ray’s head where he couldn’t reach it, even by jumping. He tossed it to Fidget, and soon they were all throwing it around, keeping it just out of Ray’s reach.

“Knock it off!” Ray growled.

Bill chuckled as he twirled Ray’s hat before suddenly tossing it at him. Ray tried to catch it, but with only one eye his depth perception was a bit off so he missed.

“Plus, I can catch,” Bill laughed cruelly as Ray picked the hat up and dusted off the dirt. “I’m everything you’re not. And not to mention, we all remember whose fault it was that Loran was taken…"

Ray flinched. “We… we have been over that—"

“Isn’t that right, boys?” Bill said, ignoring Ray.

“Yeah, it shoulda been you that bloodsucker took!”

“Loran’s long dead by now…”

“All because of you!”

“He was a hundred times the first mate you’ll ever be!”

“Y-You think I don’t know that?!” Ray retorted, his hands shaking as he balled them up into fists by his side. “And it’s not my fault the Captain picked me to replace him!”

“You were nothing but dirt in Ratigan’s eyes before you leeched onto Loran,” Bill sneered. “Spending every second right by his side… you used Loran to get this position. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you loved him!”

Ray gulped. “I-I… that is…”

“You slept with him too, didn’t you?” Bill said, giving Ray a disgusted look. “Sleeping with others like a bloody harlot to get what you want?!”

“That’s not true, I never loved him!” Ray shouted, feeling his own heart breaking in the process. “Loran was my friend, m-my only friend…!”

“And some friend you are! Throwing him to the wolves like you did…”

“I-I-It was an accident…!” Ray said desperately, looking around in panic as they closed in on him. He backed up only to have two mice grab each of his arms to hold him in place.

“I’ll show you an ‘accident’…” Bill growled, cracking his knuckles before throwing a punch at Ray’s face. The others soon joined in. He tried to fight back, but it was hard with the two holding him back. Ray fell to his knees with a grunt when they finally released him.

“You may be first mate for now,” Bill said as he stood over him, “but don’t forget your place. You’ll never be as great as Loran, or any of us. You’ll never be anything but a filthy cabin boy.”

After giving him one last kick in the ribs, Bill left with the others. With a groan, Ray tried to pick himself up out of the dirt, but fell back down painfully, wincing as he clutched his side. Those thick heavy boots of Bill’s had probably broken his ribs.

Once he finally managed to stand up, Ray staggered only a few steps before he had to stop and lean on a tree for support. Panting exhaustedly, he looked through the foliage and could see the campsite, where the crew continued to play. They convinced Amber to join them once more and soon she was dancing with all the crew, taking turns with each one. Even Basil had “borrowed” a violin from one of the passed out pirates and joined in playing a lively jig. But soon he forgot all about the violin as Amber linked her arm in his and twirled around. Dancing was something completely new to Basil, so he stumbled quite a bit, causing Amber to giggle. Then in all the chaos he lost his footing completely and collided right into Amber, knocking her to the ground and landing right on top of her. The crew laughed and cheered at the mishap, with some whistling teasingly. Both mice were stunned for a moment, nose to nose with each other. But they quickly untangled themselves and blushed furiously, embarrassed at the situation.

The emotional combined with the physical pain became too much for Ray. Squeezing his eyes shut, he felt himself falling and mercifully lost consciousness before making contact with the ground.