“Well, sir, Damien Salt calls me the Professor, and Headmaster seems to be a favorite among the men, and then of course there is Master James. They still like to tease me, but the fact is there isn’t a man save yourself who knows more about ships and their weapons than I, and I won’t feel ashamed for sharing my knowledge.” James pretended to take it all in good stride, but the fact was he was disappointed none of the men took him seriously, even after showing himself to be a diligent and worthy member of the crew these last twelve months.

“Don’t let it rile you. It might help if you weren’t spouting facts at them all the time. These are seasoned men, James, they know what they’re about.”

But the fact was James thought by now he would have proven himself to the men, especially after their battle with the Dreaded Queen. He knew he had earned Blackbeard’s respect; he said as much after the battle was over, and said so again just now, but the men never seemed to remark on his achievements even when those included saving their lives.

James remembered that evening vividly, watching the Dreaded Queen sink into the ocean, its flames going out like a candle as it went under, and not a man save the captain commended him.

“You handled yourself well that night, James. You used your cunning and skill, and commanded the men well. I knew you’d be an asset to my crew, and I’m happy you proved me right. A time will come when you will be able to prove yourself to them with your actions and not your words. You’re a good crew member, you do your job well, and there is nothing wrong with that. But it’s in the perils of great battle that bonds are made with pirates. Your day will come,” said Blackbeard with a reassuring smile.

“Wasn’t the ordeal with the Dreaded Queen a great battle?” asked James.

“Indeed it was; we would have succumbed to their cannon fire had you not thought to command Jukes to fire at their barrels of gunpowder, causing their ship to explode. There is no other ship with as much firepower as the Dreaded Queen, but luckily for us we have someone aboard who outsmarted them. But the men still see you as a scolding schoolmaster, James, not someone who will fight by their side.”

“I don’t know what else I can do to earn the men’s respect and trust,” said James, frowning.

“You’ve done so well this past year, and even if the other men don’t show it, I know you’ve impressed them. Your knowledge has saved many lives in the short time you’ve been with us, and not just with the Dreaded Queen,” said Blackbeard.

“Speaking of the Dreaded Queen, sir, shouldn’t we go back—”