Kraken and Cousin stood the crow when Laver’s Gull came into view. The whole crew wore their blacks. Weapons were displayed, and scowls were worn. Last minute reminders and warnings were given. The crew hustled to bring Haven to port.
The smell of fetid life washed over the ship. The gangplank hit the dock amid the sharp calls of traders and pirates, and the screams and laughter of women.
Cousin had never been to Laver’s Gull. It looked just like a handful of other pirate towns she had seen. She wrinkled her nose as buckets of refuse and slop were tossed on the dock by another near by ship. “Flags number three, plus ours Captain. Two docks are empty. Two hold one. Ours, shared,” she said with a sneer.
Kraken motioned for her to continue.
“Freeman Shrill, Jones Bone, and Bloody Bill all present. Shrill is opposite and up. There is more,” she said looking around. “Not sure what without feeling out.”
Kraken shook his head. “Shall we descend?”
Cousin rolled her eyes, and jumped from the crow. Kraken landed a moment behind. Gabb strode up and gave his report. Kraken listened staring down the dock. Dock workers moved around setting ropes, and securing the ship and plank. The foreman argued with a man wearing a trader’s sash, and large gold rings.
“Double the watch. No one goes ashore alone. Stay here, Gabb. Be imposing. No one on ship without a writ or unescorted. Something isn’t right.”
Gabb was stone faced. “Did a full head count, and issued rotation orders. Kor and I will keep things tight here.”
“I want to be out of here by this time tomorrow.”
“Aye, Captain.”
Kraken left the ship, Cousin behind him. He stopped at the dock foreman, and pushed the trader out of the way. “Twenty-four,” Kraken said. “Supplies and trade. Closed ship.”
The foreman frowned and glared, then made a note in his log. He went back to arguing with the trader.
Cousin met the trader’s leer with her best Death Smile, and put a hand on the dirk at her waist.
“Cousin leave off or kill the man, just don’t dawdle.”
The trader lost the blood in his checks, and stepped back. The argument forgotten.
“Aye, Captain,” she said, and turned to follow.
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