Kraken watched the sky. The ocean waves lapped at his ankles and pulled sand from beneath his boots. He adjusted his stance without thinking. The stars were bright in the near moonless sky.
Behind him his crew slowly gathered. The little beach out of sight of the town had been used by his crew before for private meetings. He listened to the star sparkled darkness beyond the beach. Kraken waited until he was sure no one was near enough to hear. Sure none of the men had been followed.
“Report.”
Kor cleared his throat. “Butcher is the man’s given name. He was the son of a town butcher until some war spilled into his country and killed most everyone. He was a kid, between ten and fifteen. His country arrested him for taking revenge on those who killed his family. Branded him a murderer.” Kor spat. “He’s a hard one.”
Kraken nodded. “Next.”
“The bait is out,” Gabb said. “It didn’t take long once the merchant had the goods. And I had a little help from an urchin, real smart kid. If Blake or Reaper made it, we’ll know by tomorrow night at the latest.”
Kraken glowered. “How long should we stay in port? Ideas?”
“May look like we’re waiting for something . . . unusual if we stay longer than one or two days,” Kor said.
Kraken snorted. “Next.”
“We tracked down about thirty Al’Ri survivors,” Tuggy said. “Some came up to us, and warned us about the bounties. Said they only wanted to get back home. Didn’t want to fight.”
“And,” Kraken said.
“And I don’t believe them,” Tuggy said gripping and un-gripping his whip.
Ollie and Frick nodded agreement. “It all felt,” Ollie started. “Rehearsed,” Frick finished. Their tawny eyes glowed in the low light.
“I find it strange that no one is talking about the ships we destroyed. Stranger still that the magistrate hasn’t said something,” Matty said looking over his shoulder toward Cape Simling.
“I agree,” Raymond said. “A battle between pirates sure. Nothing weird about that. The Hunter’s ship was from the Al’Ri government. It’s like declaring war, and no one says anything?” He shook his head sending his braids dancing, the ornaments bobbing points of muted luminance.
Gabb knelt down and put his hand in the water. A tingle grazed his finger tips. “I think people are starting to understand what an Al’Ri civil war means to the world. Even the oceans are talking about it.”
“But Cape Simling isn’t?” Ghost asked as he melted forward from the night. “I’ve been over the town, and I’ve heard very little. Not counting the docks.”
“The Cape has always been neutral territory. A trader’s hub,” said Lancer. “It doesn’t feel neutral now.”
A murmur of agreement ran through the men.
“Think the Al’Ri have claimed this place?” Kraken asked.
“They will if they haven’t,” Kor said. “It is a central supply line for everyone from countries to outlaws. It would be ideal to keep an eye and an ear on world events.”
“And influence them,” Harper said. The brand on his face was darker for the shadows he stood in.
Kraken closed his eyes and thought of Cousin, about her worry. About what they were missing. “Ideas?”
“No matter what we do, this Al’Ri war will turn the world inside out,” Nickel said. “That’s a sure bet.”
“Both sides want the little miss,” Kor said. “She’s scared for us.”
Kraken nodded. “Same plan as before.”
“Aye.” The quiet chorus of agreement didn’t raise above the waves.
“Anything else? Blake? Reaper?”
Everyone looked at Ghost.
“Reaper, no. Blake was in town when his ship went down. I’ve seen a few of his men. Not him,” Ghost said. He took a short breath. “There is one more thing. The empty buildings.”
“Empty buildings?” Gabb asked.
“Aye, businesses closer to the docks are mostly the same. Get away from shore and up into the hills, a lot of buildings are empty. Boarded up shops, houses, even manors. Some look to be long empty.”
Kraken nodded. “Continue. Just be careful.”
“Aye,” Ghost said, and faded in the shadows.
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