As the fish-like crew scattered and surround him, they did back away a little from the flame that the Huntsman set off. But, it didn't back them away that far. They still surrounded with menacing laughs and snickers. Unaware to Eric, a crew member hit him over the head, and knocked him out cold. The sea crew surrounded the unconscious Huntsman as they laughed. 

As soon as the attack ended, the fish-like crew dragged Eric and forced him to his knees, so he was at the end of the lined up row with the other prisoners, who were cowering in fear, along the railing of the scuttled ship. That was until a stomping step of a foot sounded on the wood of the scuttled ship. It was loud until an underwater view of his black boots. His back was only seen as his large black cloak covered his body. 

Stopping at the side of one of his crewman, his second in command turned to face the mysterious figure. "Five men still alive. The rest have moved on", he informed him. The figure began to walk the line of prisoners slowly with each thudding step. He soon pauses to clench his left hand, which looked deathly pale, in front of one of the cowering men.