Cousin stood the crow. She cast her perception wide looking for Drake. She found him still pursuing the merchant ship a day ahead. She laughed low. “Dumb ass,” she whispered to the wind. She almost felt sorry for the pirate. Almost.
Sea wind whipped her braid. Sunlight warmed her skin. Cousin turned her face up to the sun to feel the contrast of hot sun and cool breeze.
“Share your thoughts?” Kraken said climbing through the hatch. He handed Cousin a biscuit sandwich.
She took a bite and chewed with slow relish. Her eyes were wide and filled with dancing shadows.
“Well?”
“Just thinking that it would be good to sail on and not stop for a while. Maybe visit the Eastern Rims. I haven’t ever been there.”
“Gabb would disagree,” Kraken said. “This because Al’Ri is south-west? Trying to get some distance?”
“Yes.”
Kraken sighed and leaned on the rail. “I don’t have an answer. I did talk to Kor. He told me about the aunt. Sorry.”
Cousin leaned her head on his arm. “I could feel how much my mother loved me. That filth kept all of it. It made her more powerful.”
“Sure you don’t want to kill them?”
“It isn’t for them.”
“I know.” Kraken turned and kissed her forehead. “I’m rubbing off? Just a little?”
Cousin smiled and said nothing.
“There will be plenty of time for the Al’Ri later. What about Drake?”
Cousin pointed. “A day that way. Still chasing the merch.”
“Still?”
“Yes. The merch has a few wielders. They are making it hard.”
“So?”
Cousin shrugged.
“Dumb ass.”
Cousin tippy toed and pulled Kraken down by his growing beard so she could kiss his lips before leaving the crow.
“Tell Gabb,” Kraken called after her.
“Aye, Captain,” she said without looking back. When her feet hit the deck she looked around. Gabb was no where to be seen. Matty was at the helm. The rest of the crew moved through their duties. Cousin stopped Stephen when he walked by. “Gabb?”
“Galley.”
“Thanks.” Cousin left Stephen to his work.
The galley wasn’t real busy. The crew filtered in and out looking for breakfast. Gabb sat with his feet up drinking a tankard of water and watching the comings and goings.
Cousin sat down next to Gabb, knocking his feet to the floor. Jak sat a platter of meat with melon slices in front of her. She looked at Jak. “Where did we get the melon?”
“The Le’An ship.”
Cousin took a big bite of juicy fruit. She mushed it around in her mouth letting the juice slide down her throat.
“You going to eat it or what?” Gabb asked.
Cousin swallowed and wrinkled her nose at Gabb. “Drake is a day ahead. Kraken said to tell you.”
“Can’t you make a speeder spell? I did the last one.”
“He’s still chasing the merch.”
Gabb threw his head back and laughed. “If we give him long enough he might get turned around and head for us.”
Cousin shrugged and took another big bite of melon.
Gabb grumbled his way to his feet and left without looking back.
Jak sat on the table next to Cousin. He folded his arms over his chest and watched her swallow the melon. “It’s nice to have fresh fruit occasionally,” he said. “Would be nicer to have fresh food more often.”
“What are you fishing for, Jak?”
“I saw on the Le’An ship where they had chickens for eggs. A goat for milk. Just thought it would be nice. We have the room.”
“You want to clean up after livestock?”
“That’s what the Captain said.”
“And?”
Jak shrugged. “Thought you could . . .” Jak made some hand gestures. “You know.”
Cousin frowned. She hadn’t expected requests for magical favors. She wasn’t sure how to respond.
“I said, you clean up after them,” Kraken said from the door.
“Aye, Captain. It’s for the whole ship though.”
Then maybe the others can help with the up keep.” Kraken stared Jak down.
Jak nodded. “Aye, Captain.”
Kraken turned to Cousin. “Make a speeder spell. Please.”
“On your word Captain,” she said and took another big bite of melon.
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