Haven bumped into the pier and ropes were thrown. A flurry of motion secured the ship. The crew moved with practiced sureness in their duties. A chanted chorus rose over the noise of the dock as they worked.
Stand the Crow
The course is clear
Stand the Crow
Great storms are near
Stand the Crow
Inspire fear
Stand the Crow
All free men here
Stand the Crow
The way is clear
Stand the Crow
A port is near
Stand the Crow
Nothing to fear
Stand the Crow
All free men here
Half the crew chanted the verse, and the rest answered the refrain, until the last “All free men here” when everyone gave voice.
Cousin stood by as the gangplank was set into place. She scanned the dock looking for any colors from the ships they had destroyed. She saw none, yet that didn’t mean they weren’t out there. Opening her senses didn’t bring different information. The air was thick with many people, and hectic with life’s struggles.
A face stood out among the crowd. Bright eyes and dark hair around an angular smiling face. The man was staring hard at Cousin. She could almost hear the greed, it was so loud in his expression.
Kraken put his arm around her torso and pulled her into him. The gesture was possessive as he met the stranger’s stare.
Cousin felt Kraken’s intensity, and leaned into him. She rested the back of her head on his chest. “I don’t like the way the crew is splitting.”
Kraken kissed the top of her head. “They can handle it. Thanks for staying with the ship. I know you’re worried. As long as Haven is secure, we’ll be fine.” Kraken nodded to Kor, and he walked down the gangplank to talk to the dock foreman.
Kor walked up to the stranger, and exchanged a few words before joining Kraken.
“I’m headed out,” Gabb said to Cousin. “The ship is yours.”
“Aye.”
Gabb paused by Kraken, then walked off toward town with Matty and Jak behind.
Kraken finished with the foreman, and turned to Kor. Kor spoke a few words, then they walked over to the stranger. “Kraken,” he said.
“Butcher. Captain of the Slaughter Fish.”
Kraken nodded. His hands hung lose at his sides.
Butcher looked up at Haven. Cousin could not be seen. “That was quiet a show. We were debating the merits of engaging Reaper or Blake on the way out. I thought it strange they were anchored so close together with that foreign ship.” Butcher looked at Kraken. He saw nothing in the blank expression. “Care to tell me the story over drinks?”
“Drinks would be fine,” Kraken said. “And just so there is no misunderstanding, Cousin will kill anyone attempting to sneak onto Haven.”
“Wouldn’t think of it.”
Kor snorted.
Leave a Reply