The morning sun painted the sky a startling pink above a burning white-yellow sun. Cousin stood at the bottom of the gangplank baring the city magistrate. “Don’t care,” she said. “Captain said no one save crew on ship. You can wait here, or you can leave. You will not step foot on Haven.”
The magistrate leaned in and lorded his height over her. His men gathered closer. “Step aside, girl. I’ll not be stopped by a slip of skirt.”
Cousin raised her hand to touch the man.
“Cousin!”
She stopped at Kraken’s voice. “Aye, Captain.”
Kraken joined her on the dock.
The men backed away a few paces. “Captain Kraken.” The magistrate nodded. “Surprised to see you up and about.”
“Really? Odd.” Kraken tapped the black staff on his leg.
The magistrate cleared his throat. “Well, yes. We’re here to ask after your where-a-bouts last night.”
Kraken smiled, and stretched. “I drank my fill, sang songs, slept well. How did you sleep magistrate?”
The man shifted. “It has come to my attention that an alley not far from here has eleven dead men in it. Know anything about that?”
“Of course. They tried to kill me. I killed them instead.”
“Any proof of self defense?”
Kraken shrugged.
“I’m going to ask you to stay in port while we investigate. Try to leave and I’ll arrest the whole crew and seize the ship. There aren’t that many of you.”
Cousin took a step forward.
Kraken blocked her with the black staff. He shook his head. “Be thankful, magistrate. Be thankful Cousin isn’t the one to decide. She would unmake you. Turn you to mist or ash or just nothing. She is vibrating with the desire to end you. Be thankful I am Captain.”
“Aye, Captain,” Cousin said. Her stare was unwavering on the man before her.
“No,” Kraken said,” I’ll not stay. Haven sets sail within the hour.” He looked the magistrate in the eye. “I got everything I came for.”
“I won’t allow . . .”
The staff dropped and Cousin leapt forward. She gripped the man’s arm and shattered the bones.
The magistrate fell to his knees. His men stood rooted in place, unable to move.
“May I?” Cousin asked.
Kraken shook his head. “No. Leave him able to speak.”
Leave a Reply