Slaughter Fish met Haven on the opposite side of the island at mid-day. Haven was dwarfed in Slaughter Fish’s shadow. All of Slaughter Fish’s guns were aimed. Butcher’s crew leaned against the leash their Captain had put on them. Butcher stood looking down at Kraken. “Parley?”
“Sure,” Kraken said with a shrug. “Come on over.”
With a laugh Butcher jumped, caught a rope, and slid to Haven’s deck. “Glad you see it my way,” he said. Then he looked into Cousins shifting eyes. His breath caught, and he stumbled back. He righted himself quickly clearing his throat.
Kraken put a hand on Cousin’s shoulder. His fingers caressed her neck, a neck longer than last he touched it.
Cousin didn’t move. “He means to cease us.”
“Aye,” Kraken said. “I wanted a witness outside our own crew when I told you what Blake found. He and his will do. Then you can decide.”
Cousin glanced at Kraken. All her crew charms sang.
“It seems there is a misunderstanding,” Butcher said. “I am here to parley.”
“Then parley,” Kor said.
Butcher smiled at the grizzled warrior. “The bounties have gone up. Crew of Haven wanted dead. Every man on Slaughter Fish could buy their own island for sixteen lives. I think sixteen men for a life of ease is a good trade. What do you think Captain Kraken?”
“May I?” Cousin asked.
“No, you may not,” Kraken said. He turned to Butcher. “I think an island a man for – how many are you?”
“Eighty. Give or take,” Butcher said with a shrug.
Kraken nodded. “An island each for eighty, give or take, is damned cheap – a real steal – for the next Des’Tras.”
Silence.
The ocean waves held their breath. No birds or bugs or breeze spoke. The ships did not creak.
Silence.
Cousin heard every sound not made, and they all spoke the same: Des’Tras. She? Weren’t they only myth? A legend? Des’Tras, a wielder of immeasurable Depth. A conduit to all creation. One touched by the Ancient Gods. Keeper of all. Destroyer of all. “But?”
Butcher blinked at the whisper of her voice. He grabbed her and stared into eyes of deep shifting Serpent Shadows, eyes of no color. And he believed.
Butcher let her go and backed up, hands held up. “Legend says that the power of a Des’Tras can not be felt, even in use, because it is the very source of all power. Of all life.” Butcher held his hands higher and shouted, “Truce!”
Kraken nodded. “Truce. I’ve killed too many in the last few days. Truce.”
Cousin blinked. She turned to Kraken. “Lie?”
“Don’t know. The Masters believe it. That’s why they want you.”
Cousin turned to Butcher. “Any harm, and you and yours will never exist.” She turned and walked away. When she shut her cabin door behind herself, she slid down the smooth wood and time fled.
Can’t wait for#53 JeanyV!!!
…oops #54!!!