Slaughter Fish rolled in the waves of an approaching storm. Cousin looked out of the porthole window in the cabin she had been given. She played with the five gold coins she won from Butcher. He had to admit that roasted meat was always better than boiled.
Cousin let the coins fall, clinking, from one hand to the other. The storm gathered fury on the distance. She could feel the urgency on the charged air. Cousin also felt the power of three wielders outside her door.
The door opened just before the knock came. Vermit’s hand flowed through the empty space in slow motion. He blinked, then stepped forward. “Begging your pardon, miss. This here is Sher ra,” Vermit said pointing to a woman with a large scar across one cheek. “This is Cork,” he said pointing to a young man with blond hair. “And this is Allen,” he said pointing to an elderly man holding a staff inlaid with golden glyphs.
“Be gone, vermin,” Allen said. “This is empowered business.”
“Mind your manners, wielder,” Cousin said. “Vermit saved the life of every soul on this ship. You are out of line.”
Allen sniffed. “I meant no disrespect, Des -” Allen’s mouth kept moving. No sound came out.
“Vermit, does Butcher know these are here?”
“Aye, miss. He did warn them. Said they were responsible for themselves. Said I should make clear, they don’t speak for the crew or the ship or the Cap.”
Cousin nodded. “Agreed.”
Vermit nodded and left.
Cousin looked from one to the others. “Cork ask your questions.”
The young man faltered. He looked at Allen who still moved his mouth without sound.
“What did Captain Butcher say?” Cousin asked. Her tone was short and flat.
Cork cleared his throat. “He said to be up front and honest. Not to play games. Not to promise anything. And above all else do not address you as Des’Tras.”
“And?”
Cork gulped. “And if you kill us because we were stupid we aren’t worth having on his crew.”
Cousin nodded. “Speak your piece.”
“We came to ask about the sliver staff.”
Cousin stared blank faced.
“The sliver staff? You know?” Cork looked between Sher ra and Allen.
Sher ra dipped her head. “With your leave Cousin.”
Cousin nodded ignoring Allen’s agitated hand gestures.
“The sliver staff went missing from a merchant ship over a year ago. It was on its way to Protector. That is all we known,” Sher ra said.
“That is your only lie,” Cousin said.
Sher ra and Cork looked at Allen. He glared at Cousin.
“If they lie,” Allen started, then stopped at the sound of his own voice. He straightened up and looked down his nose at Cousin. “It seems you aren’t as powerful as Butcher says you are. Your spell has failed under the onslaught of my intent.”
Cousin looked at Allen like he was a funny bug. Then she dismissed him, and turned to the others. “Tell me more about this silver staff.”
“They shall not. I forbid it,” Allen said.
Cousin waved him off and waited for the others to speak.
Cork ducked his head. “Allen is the most powerful of us. We can’t disobey.”
“Allen has no power, and never will again.”
Allen harrumphed and drew back his hand. Nothing happened. He drew symbols on the air. Nothing happened. He thumped his staff and chanted. Nothing happened. Allen’s eyes went wide and his face ridged.
Cork turned to Cousin. “The only things I know about the silver staff are legend and rumor. Many doubt whether the staff is real in the way legend speaks.
“It is said that nothing can hide from the staff. It can be used to see anything. Anything past. Anything now. Some say the staff is a conduit to the Ancient Gods. To their lost knowledge and great powers. That with the staff even the lowest empowered can be almost as powerful as the Des’Tras.
“It is said that because the Des’Tras is a being born of the Ancient Gods, only the Des’Tras can unleash the full power of the silver staff.” Cork took a breath and met Cousin’s eyes.
Cousin thought about what Cork said. She looked out at the advancing storm. “What else?”
“Those who are unworthy are devoured by it,” Sher ra said. “The Ancient Gods decide who is worthy.”
“Thank you,” Cousin said.
“Return what is mine,” Allen said.
“Are you sure you want that,” Cousin said looking out the porthole.
“I demand it.”
Allen began to age and whither. His hands became so gnarled he couldn’t hold the staff. It fell with a hollow clatter. His eyes bulged, then sunk. His muscles wasted. Allen dropped to the floor little by little until he was only a small pile of dust.
Sher ra stood with her hand over her mouth. Cork watched blinking.
The staff floated to Cousin’s hand. “What else do you want to ask?”
“Do you,” Sher ra started, then took a deep breath. “Do you know anything of the sliver staff? One rumor said it was taken by the Kraken Pirates.”
Cousin didn’t answer. She gazed at the storm. “What would you do with it if you found it?”
Cork coughed. “Allen wanted it. He believed he could wield it.”
Cousin looked at Cork with deeply shadowed eyes.
“We hoped he would share some of the power. We knew it was unlikely,” Cork finished.
“I’ll not say if I have seen this staff,” Cousin said. “I have not heard of this legend before now. I have seen staffs made of sliver, each having unique properties. I have no real answer to this question.”
“Thank you for your time,” Cork said and turned to go.
“But?” Sher ra said.
Cork shook his head and walked out.
Sher ra hesitated looking at the open door. “With respect,” she said, “we answered your questions.”
Cousin nodded. “Without more information about the staff you ask about I can’t answer. I have seen staffs. Plural. Some made of silver, some inlaid with silver, and others that only look sliver. How I am to distinguish one of them as the one you look for? And if I could, why would I give it up?” Cousin watched Sher ra as each thought flowed over her face.
“You would keep it,” she said. “As any wielder would.”
“No,” Cousin said. “If it posed a threat to me or mine, I would dump it in the deepest part of the ocean.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
Cousin looked back at the dark sky. “Don’t care.”
Sher ra turned to leave. At the door she turned back. “Why do you not want to be addressed by your title?”
“I am Cousin. I am nothing other.”
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