Haven set anchor to wait for its turn to dock. The other, a merchant ship, set sail to move away from the floating debris and its cause. Multiple people from the Al’Ri ship called for assistance. Kraken stood at the bulwark and glowered down at them.
“Give the word,” Bry said, “and I’ll put arrows into them.”
“Gabb! Send them on!” Kraken called.
Mer power flowed, a current sweeping the people from the ship toward the island.
“You should have let me shoot them,” Bry said.
Kraken felt Gabb’s power lessen, then fade out. He shook his head. “Cousin let them live. What would she think if we disregarded her mercy? Feel free to shoot any survivors from Blake or Reaper’s crew. There may be a few.”
“Pleasure.”
Kraken walked the perimeter of the deck. He stopped and spoke with every man in turn. All crew were on deck. Every one stood watch, scanning the water for any threat. Every gun was loaded, and archers were spaced out should their skills be needed.
Cousin was at the helm her hand on the wheel. She let Haven report to her each bump of debris, every foot step of the crew, every light touch of wind and water. Kraken stopped by her in his rounds and put a hand on her shoulder. A light squeeze and he moved on.
Kraken ended his tour in the crow with Gabb. Gabb created soft currents to pull the debris away and out to sea.
“Can you speed this up?” Kraken asked.
“Not if you want a body count. It’s tricky. I think a lot of bits and pieces ended up on the sea floor. It’s real deep here. Not to mention what may have been eaten.”
“Anyone alive out there?”
“Only the fish.”
Kraken turned the full three hundred sixty degrees of the crow. Then he turned his attention to Cape Simling. The dock was a frenzy of activity. Four of the ships were merchant vessels, one was a company ship and one flew a Jolly Roger. It wasn’t a flag Kraken knew. After what they had done to Blake and Reaper an upstart may think of them as a quick way to build a name. “Do you know that flag?”
“No, but we heard about a new crew back at Laver’s Gull. They’re suppose to be a tough bunch. Not much is really known. They took a few merchant ships. Built a bit of cash. Can’t say if that flag belongs to the same though.”
“Ideas?”
“Cause and effect.”
Kraken nodded. “Finish up here. I’ll pass the word.”
Leave a Reply