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Avast! Dark Stranger < Book I > |
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Brother? Where are you going?
Go back to sleep.
Please don't leave, mama's scared what might happen.
Nothing is going to happen, I'm just going for a walk.
Please......don't leave.....please
Ten years later
Merfell Docks. Dawn. The fog lazily cluttered the surrounding launches and barges. Heavily clad crew members hoisted anchors, untied ropes, and loaded goods onto decks. Despite their preoccupation, all stared as the vague horizon broke with a strange dark figure. A long and heavy cloak hung raggedly on the newcomers shoulders, and the sound of tough leather boots clopping on the boardwalk drew even the most resolute worker's attention.
The figure turned its head toward a half hidden object docked at the far end of the walk. With a nod it strode off. Curious eyes greedily tried to get a look at this mysterious being's face, but a long dark scarf and a midnight black hat obscured almost everything but a nosetip. The gender was impossible to tell. And then they were far behind the stranger. Out of the mist rose a fearsome pirate ship with a massive hull.
"ARGH!! What're ya doin' near meh ship!"
A rope flew down the starboard side, and a thin man repelled nimbly down onto the shore. More excitement than rage shone in his blue eyes.
"Now, how about ye say who ye are, and we'll kill ye quickly!"
There was no reaction from the still form. The man sighed, then turned back to the ship.
"Shadow."
All froze. All that could be heard was the lap of the waves and the wraithlike whip of the billowing cloak. Ever so slowly, the man turned back and raised a quizzical brow. Gloved fingers lifted the hat brim slightly, partially revealing hazel eyes.
"My name, Shadow"
The voice was quiet and gruff, almost inaudible. Even so, it almost sounded like a feminine edge laced the soft sound.
"Ahoy, Cap'n told us about ye. Might I ask why yer here?"
Shadow's dark head turned away.
This time the voice sounded strained with barely contained anger hinting at it.
"To find my brother, the Dread Pirate Mick......"
Again silence fell upon the bay. Shadow's hat was pulled down again, and the pirate wiped a hand over his eyes. A sudden wind started to blow and distant shouts were heard coming from the deck and cabins of the ship.
"What did you-HAR!! What a foolhardy reason to come aboard the Windthief! At least ye might be somewhat useful. I be Master Alice Cooper, and you'll be under my command fer the next two months, so you'll need ter shape up. Get on deck and ter yer quarters mate."
Shadow gave a nod and leaped up the rope. Alice rubbed his hands excitedly and clambered after. The deck of the Windthief was magnificent, with an expanse several barges could cover. Masts four bodies thick rose to the heavens with cloud-like sails blotting out the sky. Crowning the front of the ship rose a leviathan wooden warrior, divinely soaring to the stars, creatures of all kinds grabbing and pawing at his cloak.
"Hey! Yer bunks over here, dog." A young man with traditional work garb cut observation short with a rap to the head.
Shadow growled and turned towards him. One gloved hand slid inside the shadowy confines of the cloak. With a chuckle, the shipmate folded his arms and raised an eyebrow. Shadow shrugged slightly, drew the cloak closer and walk away.
"I will speak with the captain."
The man snorted and smirked, "Ye will do what we say when we say it bub. The cap'n don't like fellas like ye. And if ye mess with the cap'n, ye'll surely pay the price-"
Shadow whirled around in a silent blur, clapping the man's gaping mouth shut with a swift hand. The cloak swirled, revealing an astonishing array of daggers and other weaponry. An ear cocked towards the nearby mast.
A slender leather boot slid out from behind the trunk-like pole.
"Now, now Seymour. I'm not that bad surely?"
 Haeil · Wed Aug 20, 2008 @ 07:27pm · 3 Comments |
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