Kraken stood in the crow’s nest. The tide would be coming in, and he wanted to see how much room the top of the mainmast had from the ceiling. Voices carried up to him. He didn’t listen. The walls of the cave were irregular with ledges and smaller caves and tunnels. Power swelled within him, and he felt outward, probing the tunnels. Several led to the surface. He smiled smug satisfaction. They would not pursue and engage their unknown stalkers. They would explore the caves and tunnels. They would survey the island. If it was uninhabited, they would set up a base here. With the ship hidden, they would be very hard to find. If high tide didn’t make things difficult.
Kraken leaned forward, resting the his forearms on the half wall of the crow. He had always preferred the crow to the Captain’s cabin. The future was clearer here. He could see where he going, and what was coming at him. It was a place of under-standing and planning. His best place.
Gabb poked his head up through the hatch. “Permission to come up?”
“Granted.”
Gabb leaned next to Kraken. “Our Cousin has been fed. She is trying to get Kor to spar with her.”
Kraken chuckled. “She is feeling better.”
Gabb nudged Kraken and pointed.
Cousin was following Kor up the starboard rigging. Kor’s voice held a laughing tone underneath his reprimands as he tried to out maneuver his pursuer. Cousin followed swiftly, swinging and climbing like a monkey. She could have caught Kor anytime she wanted.
The crew placed bets, taunted, and called encouragement from the decks, while the game of tag stayed air borne from rope to rope and arm to arm.
The game passed just below the crow. Gabb called out his bet, and cheered Cousin on.
Cousin looked up at Gabb’s voice. Her eyes met Kraken’s, and she slowed.
The glance lasted only a second, but Kraken saw love. He felt it wrap around himself, and his heart stuttered.
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