"Morning, cap'n."

"Mr. Hazard, Mr. Blake," Gabe answered, a ritual that never changed.

"The wind has started to freshen and a find drizzle made the dawn seem to linger longer than usual. The hands are at quarters till dawn breaks," Hazard volunteered. "With your permission once we secure from quarters I thought we'd spend some time in sail drill, sir."

"Very well. You're the first lieutenant, Mr. Hazard, proceed as you see fit," Gabe answered. It hadn't been that long ago he'd been asking permission before undertaking any task. Gabe wanted Hazard to feel comfortable in his new station. It was not necessary for the first lieutenant to ask permission to carry out duties that were his responsibility and in the months since SeaWolf had been commissioned he'd grown with the task. No, Gabe had no complaints.

"Dagan!"

"Aye!"

"Let's go break our fast. It appears Mr. Hazard and Mr. Blake have everything under control," Gabe said as he headed back to his cabin with Dagan trailing.

By the time Dawkins had poured coffee Hazard was putting the men through their drill.

"Ready ho! Put the helm down."

Gabe could feel the bow begin to swing across the wind.

"Helms a lee, off tacks and sheets."

Yes, Hazard was a seaman. Given time and patience Gabe would have a fine first lieutenant.

Chapter Two

Blasted down by bleak winds, howling at times, heavy rain, then snow and bitter cold, Admiral Lord Anthony and his handful of ships dipped deep into the angry Atlantic swells then fought to rise through the trough, only to dip again, creaking and groaning as living things, heaving through wave after wave.

Lord Anthony shivered as he stood on the quarterdeck of his flag ship Warrior.