Date: 6-th of June 1719
Place: Aboard HMS “Rose”, anchored in Kingston, Jamaica

Cammy moved along the deck of the ship with the elegance of a soldier half his age, he was still as fit as ever. His men went about their daily duties as he scanned the horizon. Some men slept after their night watch, some were helping the crew and a handful was on look out. All were just how he had trained them, uniforms clean rifles ready just the way Cammy liked it.

Despite his age, Cammy was still fit and there was life in the old dog yet! He wouldn’t ask the men to do anything he wasn’t prepared to do himself. He watched as his men mopped decks, rolled up sails and done the same jobs as the rest of the crew. Despite being marines, they were trained to do some of the ships jobs as well in case they needed to help out. He turned round and stood staring blankly into the distance.

It wasn’t often Noah received letters from home. His father was a busy man, and while the bakery wasn’t the most successful in the country, it was very much appreciated in his little hometown. Which was why Noah appreciated every word he received from home.
The letter in question was short, the text written in clear, thick letters. His father was never one to own finely pointed quills, and though the old ones they had were ready to be replaced, it would be a waste of money to throw them away just yet. So it was with careful hands he gripped the parchment between his calloused, strong fingers. It held stains of grease that made it see-through at places, and it held the faint scent of bread and pastries, which in turn made his stomach growl and a wave of homesickness wash over him.

Home. He shook his head slightly, and focused on the words again. This was his home now. Aboard the HMS ‘Rose’.
Slowly, he mouthed out the words written, eyebrows furrowed and a look of deepest concentration on his face. Reading was, after all, not the easiest of tasks. Especially not for Noah, who had spent most of his youth as an apprentice to his uncle Bernard, the blacksmith.

But he tried, and with every year, he was growing better and better at it.
”…y…your…gr… great…grand…grand…father. Great grandfather. Was…was…” He sighed and stood up, gently rubbing the bridge of his nose. His great grandfather? Why would his great grandfather be of any importance? He glanced around, chewing at his bottom lip. While he could ask someone for help, he didn’t want to be a bother. Most were working right now, and while he was lucky enough to get a break, he couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty that most were working and he was among the ones who were momentarily on a break to gather strength. He held double the strength of most men on the ship, and towered above mostly everyone. If anything, he should be working twice as much, shouldn’t he?
Shaking his head, he ran his fingers through his hair, and settles down on the deck again, starting to mouth the words again, as he stumbled through the letter.

”…af..affair. D…Dougal…Cam...Cam…Cameron?” He stopped, confusion clearly evident on his face. Why would his father be writing about the Marine lieutenant?

Cammy was busy pacing about the quarterdeck shouting orders at his men who were running round doing their daily duties. Cammy’s men were the best trained in the entire navy as they were trained in both ship combat and also standard infantry tactics such as volley firing. Cammy smiled to himself as a few of his men sat in the sun with their rifles across their laps with the cleaning kit to hand cleaning and maintaining them as they should. 3 men were on lookout above him, 9 soldiers and 1 sergeant were in there hammocks below deck sound asleep it was all going well this morning

Cammy sat down beside his men and stretched out. He put his hands behind his head and lay back enjoying the sunshine. The smell of the gun powder was strong but he was enjoying it. He lay there thinking of home or what was left of it now his family was all gone, he considered returning and buying a house but wondered if it was worth it, the HMS rose was his home now and that was good enough. He got up and made his way down the stairs he walked past Noah and tapped him on the shoulder

“Everything ok son? Yae look slightly oot of it?”

Noah’s brows were furrowed, as he tried to make sense of the fact that his father was mentioning the marine lieutenant in his letter. And speaking of the marine lieutenant…
The large young man flinched and yelped in surprise, as he felt a light tapping on his shoulder, accompanied by the voice of Dougal Cameron, who was asking about his wellbeing.
In a hurry of movements, the blond twenty year old had stumbled to his feet, and stood, back straight, in front of the older man, biting his lip worriedly while at the same time showing the man the respect he deserved. Marine Lieutenant Dougal Cameron had, after all, been fighting for the country long before Noah was born, and to sit down like some commoner and lazy about…Well, that wouldn’t be showing the man the respect he deserved.

”Yes, Lieutenant! Sorry, Lieutenant! Thank you, Lieutenant!” He quickly answered, while hunching his shoulders slightly as he towered above the older male. While he did not want to appear sloppy and disrespectful, he had no desire what so ever for his Lieutenant to feel intimidated by his size, as so many other men were. Had he been tall and slim, it might not have been such a problem, but as it was, Noah was tall and broad-shouldered, which made him appear like some kind of looming beast to those of average build. Something he wished desperately he could change. Sadly, all he could do about it was to hunch his shoulders and to appear as non-threatening as he possibly could.

”It’s just…If I may, Lieutenant…My father sent me a letter, and it…Well, he mentions you, Lieutenant. I can’t…I haven’t quite figured out why yet, Lieutenant…. He trailed of, and quickly held out the parchment for the Lieutenant, biting his tongue and silently reprimanding himself for saying Lieutenant too many times.

Cammy was intrigued to find out why Noah’s father would be mentioning him and took the parchment from him. His English was not great but he knew enough to read the parchment. He scanned through it and like Noah said it mentioned his name. Cammy was in fact his great uncle.

Cammy sighed “come on kid I guess we need to talk! And I need a drink!” he walked to his hammock grabbing a bottle & two glasses he walked past. He made his way to a quiet corner of the hold and sat down on a crate “take a seat” he said pouring Noah a drink “get that down you lad you’ll need it” he said as he downed his own glass of whisky. This had come as a shock to Cammy and he was trying to figure out the best way to tell it. He sighed once more

“According to this letter Noah, your great grandfather had an affair with grandmother. I’m your great uncle. I’m as shocked as you are Noah! And loose the rank we are talking as two men! Not an officer and a seaman!”

Cammy rubbed his face with his hand, still shocked and trying to come to grips with it. He knew how noah must be feeling as well

Noah blinked, bright blue eyes filled with confusion. But he didn’t argue or question the Lieutenant’s demand for him to follow, and instead scurried after the older man. Worriedly he wrung his hands, wondering what his father had written in the letter to cause the Lieutenant to want a private word with him.
Was the Lieutenant mad? Disappointed? Would he write Noah’s father and tell him that Noah did a horrible job as a sailor? Noah bit his bottom lip. He hoped that was not the case, but he was too afraid to ask.

The lieutenant asked him to take a seat, and Noah quickly sat down on his bum on the deck, eyes focused on the glass handed to him as he tried to avoid the Lieutenant’s gaze. Worried? Of course he was worried! It was not often he was asked to speak privately with the Marine Lieutenant, nor offered a glass of whiskey.
He didn’t normally drink. But the Lieutenant had said that he would need it, so Noah didn’t question him. Instead he closed his eyes tightly, and quickly downed the glass of foul tasting liquid.

”Great Uncle, Lieutenant...Sir...I mean….” He stuttered, glancing up at Dougal from his position on the deck. The Lieutenant didn’t look all too pleased with the situation, and Noah couldn’t help but to feel guilt wash over him.
”I’m sorry, sir…” He quickly apologized, cradling the empty glass between his large hands while avoiding his lieutenants gaze.

Cammy shook his head before pouring another glass of whisky “I don’t know about you Noah but I’m shocked.]“Don’t sir me! As I say we aren’t using ranks just now we are just two men having a conversation.” He sighed “this is come to me as a shock. I thought all my family were dead. This will take some time for me to adjust but I will use everything within my power to help you, we will make you a fine seaman”

Cammy smiled to himself “after all these years, there’s been family all along” he downed his glass in one gulp. “Help yourself to the whisky. It’s a lot better than that rum you sailors drink. Although it does take a bit getting used to”

Cammy knew of Noah’s Miss giving’s and with a little help he could overcome them. “You’re not a bad lad Noah I’ve worked with a lot worse now I’m willing to help you if you are willing to learn! We will make your father proud”

Though he nodded at the lieutenant’s words, Noah couldn’t even begin to imagine himself calling the man by anything less than sir. Sure, the man was his great uncle…But Noah had trouble disrespecting his elders in such a way as to refer to them as equals. It was something he had been taught at a very young age, and would probably never stop with.

He watched his superior down the glass of whiskey, and he winched slightly, though couldn’t help but feel slightly happy that he was able to bring the man some good news. Family. He couldn’t imagine life without his family. His father’s dark, rumbling laughter. His mother’s never ending patience. His siblings’ ability to get in all kind of trouble. Home was wherever his family was. And the thought of anyone being deprived of family…It made his heart ache and his throat close up a bit.
Swallowing past the lump in his throat, he gave his lieutenant a small, nervous smile.
”Would you mind terribly, sir, if I declined your offer of another drink? I’m sorry, I’ve just…I’ve never been very fond of alcohol…” He gave the older man a nervous smile, and glanced down at the deck, hoping he hadn’t offended him.

Had it been anything else, Noah would’ve gladly forced himself to eat or drink it, no matter how disgusting he found it. But with his distaste for alcohol combined with the thought of what his mother would say if she knew that he had more than once glass of ‘the devils brew’ as she called it…Well, he’d rather not think about it.
”Thank you, sir! It means a lot to me to hear you say that, sir…eh...Lieutenant…” He winched, hoping the older man would ignore his inability to follow that particular order about not using ranks. ”I’m always willing to learn, sir! Just tell me what you want me to do, and I’ll do it! Had he been a dog, his tail would be wagging furiously by now, as his excitement grew at the thought of making his father proud, as well as showing lieutenant Dougal Cameron that he was a worthy relative.

The grumpy boatswain’s mate got on the deck, rope in hand, ready to “start” any lazy sailor who was not doing his duty. Seeing Honeycutt, a man who couldn’t pass unnoticed due to his unusual looks, discussing with the lieutenant commander, made him uncomfortable. Had the sailor done anything stupid? Had he been disrespectful to the superior?

He didn’t care to check if the man was supposed to work or if this watch was his free time. He was looking to assert his authority, nothing more or less, and this was a good opportunity. He saw the officer passing to the sailor a bottle of whiskey, but the young man denied it. Better for him, otherwise Gordon Prescott was going to fuss over it. But the lieutenant commander… what was he thinking? Fraternizing with a common sailor? Unthinkable…

”I hope this sailor hadn’t importuned you, Sir!” he told the officer, then he turned to Honeycutt, his rope at hand:

”And you? Why aren’t you working and you lose your time annoying superior officers? Go scrub the lower deck! And make sure you aren’t idling around, otherwise…”

He knew well the consequences of any misbehaviour.

Noah hadn't been prepared for the voice of the boatswain's mate to sound behind his back, and he quickly spun around, taking a step backward, away from the man who seemed very unhappy with his behavior.
What behavior, Noah couldn't quite put his finger on, although he was certain that he must have done something that was out of line.
"Sorry,sir.I didn't mean to cause trouble, sir. Right away, sir!" He stumbled over his words, and wrung his hands worriedly, as his blue eyes slid from the boatswain's mate's glaring eyes to the rope he held in his hand.
He had no desire to be anywhere near Gordon Prescott once that rope was swung through the air.
Bowing his head in submission, he quickly threw his newfound relative a terrified and apologizing glance, before hurrying across the deck, intending to carry out the orders given as soon as he possibly could.

However, though his fear of Prescott's rage was great, he couldn't help but to glance over his shoulder once more before he lost sight of his great uncle. Though Noah missed his home and family in England greatly, he didn't regret leaving.
His parents,who had been faithful followers of the local church, had made a point of bringing every one of their children every Sunday, dressed in their finest.
And the last time he had seen his mother, she had made him kneel down in front of her so that she had been able to place a kiss on his forehead.

'The lord works in mysterious ways, Noah." She had said, tears in her eyes as she tried to stay brave for her son. "Give it time, and you shall understand why this was to be."

Noah smiled gently, turned around, and continued on his way to the lower deck.
While he had come to terms with his situation at sea, his mother had yet to stop questioning their lord in her prayers every night.
He had found the answer she had been looking for.