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Avast! Captains and Lasses < Book I > |
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Now, now sis. I'm not that bad surely?
I...I was scared....
What's this? Tears?
Y-yes....
Come here.
You will never have to cry again, do you know why?
...No.....
Because I will never leave you again....ever....
Merfell Bay. Dawn. A slender leather boot slid out from behind the trunk-like pole.
"Now, now Seymour. I'm not that bad surely?"
Seymour's eyes widened comically in surprise. Smoothly following the boot came a leg, then a thin torso, leading to the storm blue eyes of a woman. Though she was hardly masculine, her apparel was that of a man's. Simple leather rose high into a loose cream shirt, all worn freely and with little order. Even her chestnut hair was tied back for a more functional, yet hardly elegant appearance.
"Cap'n! I was..I was just....just explainin'."
"Captain Haeil Sixx, commander of thi' here ship, so therefore yer commander. Shadow, I'm presumin'."
The gloved hand did not move to receive her proffered one. Narrowing her eyes marginally, she snapped her arm back to her side. Nodding briefly to the assembled crew, a path was made for Haeil back to her quarters. Before the steady clap of her footsteps could recede, a rare voice sounded.
"Sixx. You are, were, Lord Sixx's fiance?"
The tone was quiet, almost lost to the seas, and so apathetic, it was as if the query had never been made. However, all fell victim to silence. A breeze of ocean- kissed wind lifted the long hat brim, briefly revealing Shadow's eyes, narrowed now in return. All waited for the two to confront, each standing impressively in the gusts that began to ravage the ship. The crack of a long dark cloak caused Haeil to wheel around in alarm. Swiftly regaining composure, she bowed slenderly.
"Meh brother, a traitor. And what do we do with traitors mates?"
"Hang em' ter the heavens!"
A lesser soul would have been overwhelmed by the intensity in the dark blue gaze that attempted to bore into the lone dark figure. Shadow merely gazed back and solemnly watched as Haeil murmured the words with her crew. Snapping, she beckoned Shadow to escort her back to her quarters. The black head dipped, shortly followed by the accompanying rush of shipmates dashing back to their respective tasks. Seymour gave a frightened glance, then scurried down to the galley.
The heavy wooden door thudding at their backs, the two entered a humble chamber. Shadow barely had time to observe the numerous maps lining every inch of surface before a slam of bare palms on wood rung through the dull air. Fallen quills and scrolls scattered around Haeil, her body bent over a makeshift desk. Her eyes hinted at desperation, and her long fingers flexing.
"What news of my brother?"
Her voice was low and frantic, yet laden with a heady Transylvanian accent. She had also abandoned her previous skipper's dialogue, her words coming smoothly and sophisticated. The stony eyes that observed her transformation only held the slightest of curiosity. She fumed at them.
"Yes, yes this is my true self. I put on that ridiculous show for them every day and I will till I die. However, that is not important. What is, is my brother. Now tell me what you know of him!"
Again, the gloved hand appeared to pull the hat further down, overcasting the hidden features even more so. And again silence followed, Haeil gritting her teeth in avid frustration.
"He and his fiance have fled. Accusations still pursue, yet they are elusive."
The words fell cold and soft, yet Haeil sighed deeply. She slowly slumped onto the desk surface, sending items hurtling onto the scrubbed floor. A pale hand ran through her hair, and her eyes were bathed with relief.
A great disturbance was heard from outside, and with a cloud of dust, the door became forced ajar. Impossibly swift, a quick dagger once concealed within a cloak was at the intruders neck.
"Now there's no call fer that mate!" came an indignant voice.
The young girl that sat sheepishly in the midst of rubble stared at the dark hidden face.
"Aye, we got ninjas aboard!"
She breathlessly watched, awed. A sharp rap drew her attention around. Her assailant's head reluctantly following. Haeil stood livid, her mouth twisted into a scowl, eyes piercing. Slowly she paced commandingly to the pair. She nodded stiffly to Shadow, who released the deadly hold and retreated to a shadowy corner to observe. Then her gaze beheld the girl.
"Scorpaz! Get your arse up and report what thi' here mess is about!"
Her voice had skillfully adopted her previous accent. The girl scampered to her feet and saluted smartly. She barked out her report, all the while keeping her eyes fixated on the still form in the far reaches of the cabin.
"Sorry Cap'n, I was helpin' Master Cooper fix the riggin's on the mast, and I guess I got a li'l carried away. What a fall I had Cap'n! I'll tell ye I won't be sittin' right fer-"
"Enough! I'll talk ter Master Cooper about it later. This here be Shadow. The two of ye are ter spend the rest of the day cleanin' the bunks. I expect ye ter show some example Scorpaz, so shape yerself up and lead the way."
Her eyes were visibly softer, and a rare chuckle came, low yet sweet, as Scorpaz saluted again and trotted hastily out the door. Once more she turned to Shadow, who still posed motionless. Crossing her arms, she slowly raised an eyebrow.
"Can you not handle it Shadow?"
The tone was low, but the challenge still shone through. After another moment, the figure, almost obscured by the dark, gave a slow nod and quietly strode away.
 Haeil · Sat Aug 23, 2008 @ 04:02pm · 4 Comments |
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