Laver’s Gull was lost on the horizon when the call of a ship aft came from the crow.
Kraken raced up to the crow to see the ship. The flag was Freeman Shrill, and the ship turned on an easterly heading. Kraken called general quarters and descended.
Gabb used the ocean currents to look for other ships.
“What say you, Gabb?” Kraken asked joining him on the quarter deck.
“First ship headed off. A second is gaining. Should be in sight in an hour or so. Unless you want to draw up.”
“No. Any idea who?”
“Not yet. And there is something else.”
“Keep me informed.”
“Aye, Captain.”
Kraken went to the galley looking for Cousin.
“Just missed her, Captain,” Jak said.
Kraken grabbed a piece of meat and put it on a biscuit. Jak waved him out.
Kraken found Cousin sitting at the base of the figure head. The great wings of the dragon flared out and framed her in a way that made Kraken think of royalty on a throne. She had papers spread and pinned down out in front of her with different runic systems written on each. She ran her fingers over one set then another. She frowned at Kraken when he sat across from her.
“Problems?”
“No. Just more than I wanted.”
“How so?”
“You know how runes work? Just writing them shouldn’t be enough. But feel these.”
Kraken felt the papers with his power. A small pulse was there. He wouldn’t have felt it if he hadn’t looked. More than subtle. “Just from writing them out?”
“Yes.”
Kraken leaned forward over the papers. He motioned Cousin to him. “Can you write a spell on the hull? Just write it, no intent, no power.”
“Yes. What? Why?”
“Also, can you write out charms for the crew? Just the same?”
Cousin wrinkled her brow. She met Kraken’s dancing eyes. “You know what you want?”
“Yes.”
Leave a Reply