A Full Ship

by Ev and Donna

The sun was barely over the horizon when Connor sent one of the crew down to drag his three passengers out of their bunks and tell them to get their lazy butts up to the galley for breakfast. Dani, Cole, and Ru all stumbled from the little stateroom they were all sharing.

"Coffee," groaned Cole, his eyes not wanting to open just yet. "Hand over the coffee and no one will get hurt!"

Connor chuckled, pressing a huge mug of steaming liquid into Cole's hands. It wasn't coffee per se, but it had a very similar effect. It was joked that the stuff even in it's weakest form was enough to wake the dead, but the crew of the Dochas seemed to prefer it full strength. Dani seemed to have trouble moving at all, let alone talking. He was still very stiff from their battle with the storm so recently. He still was having trouble getting used to seeing someone else with his face.

Cole inhaled the coffee and frowned at the cup. "Different, but it works. What is the plan for today? Is there somewhere in particular we're going?"

"I want to explore some more of the coastline today," the Captain said as he drank his own mug of the brew and made short work of a hearty bowl of oatmeal and fruit. "Katherine can't had gotten too far. He," Connor pointed to Ru, "is going to take over the job of recording what we see. You two will earn your keep along with the rest of the crew."

Dani started to protest, but Cole silenced him with a hard elbow to the ribs. "We'll be glad to help." Cole gave Dani a warning look, daring him to disagree. "Sounds like she's important to you. What makes you think she's along the shore? Is she in some kind of trouble?" He paused, seeing Connor's expression. "If I'm being too nosey, just tell me to butt out. I guess it's force of habit."

"Very important," Connor said, taking another sip. "We have been lovers on and off for over 400 years." He let that bit of information sink in. Then speaking once more in a now distinct Scottish burr, he said, "I am Connor MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod, born on the shores of Loch Shiel in the year of our Lord, 1418. I am Immortal. I can not die, unless you cut off my head. Which I don't suggest you try, unless you want to taste the sharp edge of my sword." He opened his duster, and Cole and Dani saw the ornately carved handle of a sword sticking out of a specially made pocket for it.
"Katherine is also immortal, but she does not follow the way of the sword, leaving her vulnerable unless there is Holy Ground nearby for her to take refuge on. But like me, she has this thing for the sea. She would be drawn to it." He took another sip, brooding in silence for a moment. "She thinks I am dead. And she is pregnant with another man's child." With that, he put down the cup and walked out of the room, the set of his shoulders discouraging any further questions.

Cole and Dani exchanged a very long look. Dani finally broke the silence. "What kind of place is this? Do you believe all that?"

Cole's expression was thoughtful. "Well, it's a new world. Who knows? I suppose it's possible. He certainly believes it and I don't plan on arguing with a man who carries a sword like that. Do you?" He grinned. "Let's get to work!"

As soon as breakfast was over, the anchor was raised and a flurry of activity took place as the ship was headed out of its safe harbor and back out to the open sea. Connor had the helm, looking completely at home behind the wheel as he scanned the rippling surface of the bay's water, both his ears and his eyes alert for any sound or sight that could mean a hazard of some sort. As the sails were being raised, the men started to chant a rhythmic song while they worked. Suddenly, Connor whirled, looking back to shore, and without him saying a word, every sound on the boat ceased.

"Hey!!!" a faint voice could be heard over the waves. "Hé! Attente moi!!! "

"Shite! Not another one!" Connor growled, and then ordered Cole to take the helm as he raced to the side of the ship and dove over the side in a long flat motion. He disappeared under the water, and came up swimming, making his way to a distant figure struggling to stay afloat in the water. Cole watched with interest, as much as he could. This was truly a strange place. Where did that guy come from? There was no one around. No boat, nothing. What could be going on?

Dani paused in the work they had assigned him and was hanging over the rail watching. He wished he could swim. Maybe someone could teach him. As the crew hurriedly furled the sails they had just raised, Cole brought the ship around and sent her drifting back into the bay. Once the anchor was thrown out, the dingy was once more lowered over the side, and a couple members of the crew rowed out to fetch their Captain and the latest man to be rescued. A few moments later, the two drenched men were helped back on board and to Dani's surprise, the man in the water looked just like him and Connor!

"Me...me...Merci," he stammered through chattering teeth as a blanket was wrapped around him. "Merci de revenir! J'avais peur que vous ne m'entendriez pas!"

Dani found himself standing next to one of the other deck hands while they watched. "How many men have my face?" This whole thing was still sending shivers down his spine. "How many look like you? What's going on here?"

"Beats the hell out of me," the seaman said with a shake of his head. "I hear tell that in Edan, there be three docs all with the same face as the Mayor of the place. Makes me head hurt just thinking about it. But far as I know, there be only one of me, praise all the powers that be!"

The shivering Frenchman, whose name was found to be Michel, was taken below to recover, and the Dochas once more lifted anchor and set sail back to Edan, with a full load of new men for the world of Edan.