Chapter 135: The Scarlet Reaver

Book 3, Chapter 34 - The Scarlet Reaver

Everyone lined up. Dhorjun made the announcement. Save for himself, and Hawthorne, anyone else was free game for Eksa to poach.

“…You've a right to decline if you wish, but I will choose myself if there aren't enough hands to join her,” the black maned ship captain finished. His first mate stood at his side, glaring at Eksa all the while. Crow, as conniving as he was, was not the ultimate authority here.

Right to decline… She swallowed. What if Aki declined and decided to stay with Crow? They were lovers. Or are they? Eksa remembered the conversation she'd just shared with Aki. Maybe they weren't lovers. Maybe it was just entertainment for the both of them.

Every present sailor and fighter was staring Eksa's way. Mostly everyone. Aaron stood off to one side, staring out northward down the sea. Nothing but blue stretched to the horizon. The Vampire stood beside him. His skin had some semblance of color returned to it now than that sickly white it had been not minutes before.

Crow clicked his tongue and turned away. Aki had a hand on her hip. Severum, Qisa, and the Foura twins looked on like expectant puppies. Others stared hungrily. And the remainder, Captain Dhorjun's personal favourites, just about sneered at her from a lack of respect. She wanted them. She preferred a soldier's discipline compared to a patchwork crew. They'd be better ornaments on that beautiful ship, better protectors. But given their attitude, they'd be the first to reject her. And Dhorjun wasn't likely to part with them either.

I need a drink. Decisions were easier to make after a drink. Start easy. “I'll take Aki,” Eksa said. The woman stood there. Her lips twisted one way and she turned her gaze. Eksa felt her heartrate pick up pace. No. Flames no. “Aki, come here.”

“…I—”

“That is an order, and don't you dare say no!” Eksa shrieked. Her voice echoed within the confines of her own mind. Outside of it, gentle waves of saltwater nudged the edge of the ship. Somewhere above, circling gulls cried. She blinked hard. “I saved your life when you were being strangled. You were getting suffocated by a mere boy half your age.” Aaron's eyebrow went up at that statement. What part of it hadn't he liked? Had she guessed his age wrong, or was it that she called him a mere boy? She continued. “I am owed a debt and this, I decided, is its payment. You will join me Aki, or you can fight Aaron again and show the others how pitiful you really are.”

The barkeeper's glare pounded fear into Eksa's heart. She'd gone too far. Her emotions had carried her words astray. Aki would never join her now. Not after those insults. Calling her weak only left Eksa exposed to attacks from others. Or maybe Aki would just break off their friendship regardless. I'm an idiot. I'm such an idiot. She can just beat Aaron to a pulp and expose me for a fool .

Aaron, on the other hand, was grinning wide, stretching his arms and staring down the barkeeper. Did he love fighting that much? He'd just gotten up after Captain Dhorjun clobbered him. Eksa shook her head. She had to apologize. She had to swallow her pride just this once. She opened her mouth, hoping it wasn't too late. Aki spoke first.

“Amusing. You've quite a forked tongue there, Eksa. But your measurements are, how would I put it, a bit off the mark? For a cartographer anyhow. Perhaps I'm not pitiful, but our young thief here is just impressive? I don't think just anyone could give Captain Dhorjun here a black eye.”

The giant man grunted.

“You're right,” Aki continued. She shrugged with arms raised. “I owe you. Again. But I wasn't even planning on declining. You've wasted your debt.”

Eksa closed her fists behind her back. The barkeep was definitely planning on declining. That was a petty attempt to make Eksa feel bad and she knew it. Regardless, apologizing seemed the best move that would ensure safety. “I'm sorry,” she murmured as Aki came to stand beside her.

“You'd better be, little snake,” came a hissing reply. “That came dangerously close to surpassing my tolerance. Don't project your shortcomings on me. And don’t ever test me like that again or our friendship is forfeit.”

“I understand,” Eksa whispered, staring at her feet. The pride within her screamed at her to lash out. She was the captain of a ship now. And her first mate was already disrespecting her authority. But I'm meek and feeble and need protection . She undid her clenched fist, wiping sweaty palms against her trousers and shoving down a growing lump in her throat with a swallow. “I want Severum, Qisa and the Foura twins.”

That was five. Her eyes scanned over the others. She needed her journal. She knew names but hadn't bothered memorising the faces to whom they belonged. And she didn't remember who had what kind of personality. I can't run down and get it now…

Best to start pointing. Eksa knew naming a few would make them seem her favorites, and she was fine with that. She pointed at the smaller seeming sailors whom she hoped were too weak to try anything funny. None of them declined, rather smiling deviously with their yellowed teeth after being chosen. Her eyes settled on the eight new members brought on by Hawthorne. Might as well hammer a nail into whatever new scheme he's constructing . She selected three from them, choosing the biggest as one. He gave her a toothy grin, coming to stand behind her.

“Name's Shank,” he muttered in Eksa's ear. His breath stank.

She was up to seventeen. Two more. Aaron and the Vampire. Lingering fear made her reconsider choosing the blonde boy, but she couldn't betray her own sympathy now or it would forever leave an ill taste on her tongue. Assuming the creature called Viper came with, her total was one more than Captain Dhorjun allowed. She had to remind Aaron to keep that creature hidden. Eksa pointed at the boys, opening her mouth. She yelped as something squeezed her rear.

“Firm,” Shank said. “And meaty. I like it meaty and round.” Snorts and giggles abounded from his words. Nods of agreement were passed around too, including from crewmates she'd just selected.

Eksa slapped Shank's hand away, glaring. He smiled at her, itching his scraggly beard. She turned to Aki for help, but the barkeep had her arms folded and was looking the other way, obviously still cross. Eksa turned back around to select her final two members. No sooner than she had, Shank was gripping her again, this time pressing up against her back. She could feel the bulge in his trousers pressed against her rear. She held her tears in and pointed Aaron's way. “I want Aaron, and that blonde boy for my final two.”

The dark haired boy snapped on his black coat. He faced Eksa and flipped her off.

That had done it. She'd suffered far too much humiliation today. She wanted to lock herself in her cabin before she broke down in front of all these people. Shank's filthy hands were still on her.

“That's how small you are,” Aaron said, looking past Eksa, middle finger still raised.

Shank finally let go. He pushed Eksa out of the way and stepped out. “You talking to me?”

Aaron rolled his eyes. “So cliché,” he muttered. “My bad. Mutts don't understand human. Woof woof woof.”

“Look'ere brat, I'll give you one chance to kiss me rear and say sor—”

“You're as tiny as my finger,” Aaron cut off, wagging said finger. “What, was your mother raped by a pooch? Or did she hop on it on her own?”

Shank took out a long knife with a serrated edge and rust near the ends. He sneered and walked forth, standing almost a full head taller than Aaron. Eksa held her breath. She blinked and found Shank staggering back while holding his nose. Aaron was on top of him in an instant. He dodged a sloppy knife thrust from the foul breathed man and snapped his arm. Aaron then threw Shank down and battered his face bloody until no front teeth remained and his nose was pushed in further while bending all wrong.

Eksa let out her breath, amazed that it ended so quickly. Her gaze turned to Aaron, who stood over his opponent while huffing, right fist still closed and bloody. So…violent . Eksa took a step back as the dark haired boy looked at her while pulling out broken teeth shards from his knuckles. She'd seen him shed tears just a few minutes ago. And now, he was this… this thing. This inhuman thing.

“Anyone disrespecting the captain is not needed on the crew,” Aaron announced. He stared long and hard especially at Aki, despite not having been in earshot to have heard the barkeep's harsh words. He then knelt and wiped his fist from a clean spot on Shank's shirt —clean being an overstatement. Aaron marched past Eksa and stood directly behind her where Shank had been. “You have your nineteen,” he whispered.

Eksa felt an unbefitting chill crawl along the soles of her feet as if having pierced her very boots. Eighteen new crewmembers stood behind her, but she knew exactly what Aaron had meant. She turned to Captain Dhorjun. “I have my crew. You can do with this one as you wish,” she said, nodding towards her fallen harasser. Even glancing at the battered face induced nausea. But she was grateful for what Aaron had done. She feared him, but so would most others now. He'd restored some of her lost dignity and stood in front of it like a menacing hound. He'd protected her when Aki had not.

The Vampire boy shuffled over to Shank. He squatted down and examined the unconscious man's face. “So sad,” he mumbled.

Eksa felt a pang of sympathy for him. He was probably treated as a freak during his time in captivity. Had probably seen the end limits of what violence could do. She reached out to comfort him, but he pulled out a twisted dagger that renewed her fear of the Kal'Kar Mountains. That weapon was as creepy as Dhorjun's cudgel was ugly.

“People should smile more,” the blonde boy said, grinning wide. He cut into Shank's cheeks, extending the mouth into a smile. The dagger's cold grey edge turned a deep shade of red as if it'd always been that color. He started laughing when he was done. “See? See? He's smiling now. He's happy! See?”

Eksa swallowed. Flames protect me. What manner of people have I recruited?

No one spoke a word to the boy. They all stared at him as he laughed. Aaron brushed past Eksa and hauled the blonde boy up to his feet. “That's enough,” he said. “Let a joke run too long and it isn't funny.”

The Vampire tilted his head. “Is that so? I know a joke that's been running for a long, long time. Many years actually. It still makes me laugh at night.”

Aaron frowned. “Maybe you can tell me about it later.”

The grin disappeared from the blonde boy's face. “Yeah,” he mumbled, now seeming depressed. “Maybe.”

Aaron turned to Eksa, giving her that same expectant look that he had before. She shook her head of all its distractions, hastily wiping her eyes whilst making it seem like they itched. “What are you all standing around for? Get going to the new ship!” Everyone disembarked and made their way to the Empire caravel. Eksa was second last to leave having had to grab her belongings from her cabin, Aaron flanking her. She fidgeted as her heels clacked against the docks. “Um, thank you,” she mumbled, unsure if he'd heard her or not. She wasn't going to repeat it if he hadn't. In fact, she now hoped he hadn't.

“Why'd you choose me?” he asked. “After what I did.”

“You seemed a better option than the others. And I'm going to work an apology out of you.”

“I haven't already worked that off?”

“No,” Eksa said. “You only did your duty disposing of a disobedient member of my crew. And don't you dare apologize now. You don't get to do that. I'm going to work you to the bone until you beg me for respite and say sorry in your sweat drenched rags.”

“That is… very extensive foreplay.”

Eksa paused before the gangplank of the Empire vessel. The guards that'd been watching the ship earlier were no longer there. “Foreplay?” she asked, turning to face Aaron. The smirk on his face told her that it was something inappropriate, and it only took a second's worth of imagination for a blush to settle in. She marched up the gangplank without another word. The sailors of her crew were already fiddling with the sails. Aki had climbed the main mast and was taking down the red hand flag of the Empire.

I'll need a carpenter or two, and a cook and surgeon. They were imperative to long voyages at sea. It occurred to Eksa that she didn't know who among Dhorjun's crew held those positions. She'd spent so much time actively avoiding others and only studying their behaviours and personalities from afar that she'd forgotten to take note of what really mattered. Now that she was a captain herself, she would need to play a more active role in interacting with her crew.

For now though, Eksa was tired. She wanted time to inspect the beautiful vessel. Her own ship at last. Are you seeing this, daddy? I'm a captain now at age fourteen. I made it . She marched below deck to inspect the captain's cabin, her new living quarters.

***

Viper worked out the basics of raising and letting loose sails and tying knots by observing the acts of others. He suspected Aaron to be doing the same, maybe utilising the aid of his memory. He also kept a sharp watch on this new friend to whom he had yet to be introduced. Jackrin, a Vampire child who was wholly unhinged. A misfit like himself.

A stray cloud dimmed the sun's light. Thin as the shade was, it gave Viper free reign over traversing the ship. He slipped away from Aaron's shadow and examined thick iron bolts bound together loosely by some rope. They were near a set of small ballistae at the ship's sides. Five on each side. The weapons were smaller compared to the ones on the Virulence . Not quite the kind of weapons needed for a naval vessel. Although, this ship hardly seemed the fighting type.

Viper wasn't certain what talents Eksa had to be appointed in this position and at such an age at that, but if she was ship captain and Aaron truly meant to stick around, then it would be beneficial in the long run to offer her advice. She was too impulsive, acting on her emotions easily.

Just as I had…Vi'An is dead and buried. Viper has no emotions. Aarondel does not need a weapon with emotions .

For starters, as a proper navy vessel, this ship needed more fighters. A good two to three dozen more. It's main merchandise needed to be iron bolts used for naval combat. As a former merchant ship, Viper expected its carrying capacity to be high. Aside from those basics, he could think of nothing else. This all was new to him. That meant new knowledge to be gained from being here.

Aaron began making his way below deck, followed by Jackrin. No one followed them. Now was as good a moment for Viper to introduce himself to the Vampire child.

***

This had become a strange turn of events. Captain Dhorjun had appointed a young girl as a ship captain. Eksa had hidden talents that Aaron had yet to discern. At least she'd been separated from the clutches of that giant and that second of his. Crow or whatever the others were calling him. He had the stink of a schemer, just like Orion.

Either way, Eksa had chosen him and Jackrin to be on this ship. A favorable turn. She was hard headed, but had a good heart. He could watch over her from here without interference.

She's not Mely .

Aaron sighed. Eksa represented a memory he didn't want to let go of. Part of Lera was permanently ingrained in him. But the others, the memories of his other mothers were fading figments in his mind. Figments that Eksa's presence was helping preserve. He'd be damned if he saw her cry again. He'd seen all enough of that already in his past.

Aaron stopped before the master cabin. The door was half open and his captain was mumbling to herself.

“No log books or extensive charts,” she said, rummaging through the drawers of a desk. Her trunk had been shoved beneath a bolted bed with soft seeming linens. “She really is new.” Eksa's face brightened upon opening the lowest drawer of the desk. She pulled out a bottle with a grey label. A cheap brand with high alcohol content. Aaron recognized it from the brothels of Seldar. “Spirits!” Eksa breathed, examining the label and the cursive writing over it. She popped the cork and sniffed, crinkling her nose. Then took a sip and spat it out near instantly. “Tastes like goat piss.” She finally faced the door to notice Aaron there.

“Remind me not to ever kiss you.”

The new captain flushed. It was amusing, seeing her face turn near identical in color to her hair. “It's just a saying,” Eksa complained. “I haven't had goat piss before.”

“Before…” Aaron echoed. “You imply that it is a consumable.”

“Can't you just piss off? Go scrub the deck or something.”

“Have you not realized how it is your captain obtained this ship?” Aaron asked as Jackrin slipped past him and examined the cabin. He was wearing his jester's mask. Viper materialized at the same time, causing the bony Vampire to leap away and draw his dagger. “He's a friend, Jackrin. One of the Shieda. A stain on this world just like you and I.”

“Name?” asked Jackrin.

“Viper,” said the Shadow Walker with his hoarse voice.

“Age?”

Viper seemed to hesitate. “Aaron and I are fourteen.”

“Same,” Eksa mumbled, keeping her distance from the two inhuman beings. Her gaze flickered to the doorway, Aaron noticed.

Jackrin cocked his head. “I'm sixteen,” he said, slipping the dagger back in his pockets.

“What? You're way shorter than me even without heels,” said Eksa.

“He's been underfed, clearly,” said Aaron. “Malnourished too. Vampires need a proper amount of human blood to sustain themselves. Eksa, take your hand off your weapon. You're being rude.”

A flash of anger crossed her face. “Well what if I'm being rude? I didn't expect a circus aboard my ship!” Silence. “I'm sorry,” she mumbled after a while. “It's just…”

“Merinth is terrorized by Vampires?” Aaron asked. She nodded. “And you've probably heard all the same stories I have of Shadow Walkers.” Another nod. “It's alright. Viper is just a person like you and I. And Jackrin is a half-blood with a human mother. You said you'd be his friend. Was that all a lie?”

“I don't bite,” Jackrin said. He shrugged. “Well, at least not all the time.”

“It wasn't a lie,” Eksa said. She stared at her feet, a hand still attached to her cutlass.

She was scared. It was natural, after what had just happened. Not even Aki, her supposed guardian, had put a stop to Shank's ill manners, and most others of her crew had just laughed at her, disrespecting her status as a ship captain. She probably felt alone.

“So,” Jackrin stretched out the word. He sniffled beneath the mask and swept a tear that had made its way to his chin. He cleared his throat. “Friends? For real this time?” Eksa took a gingerly step forward and held out a hand to shake, nodding. She barely gripped the Vampire's bony arm in return, as if afraid that it would snap. It did look about ready to snap. “Do you have any more of that sweet cookie thing you gave me?” Jackrin asked. Eksa pointed to her trunk and he set off toward it. “You can call me Jahck by the way.”

“Jack,” Eksa repeated. “Okay.”

“No no, it's Jahck.”

She frowned. “That's what I just said. Jack.”

“You're saying it right but thinking of the wrong spelling.” Jahck pulled out a bun from Eksa's trunk and held it above his head like it was gem. He tore away his mask —a mask without any strings— and munched down spilling crumbs all over the floor.

Eksa finally smiled. It was lovely, Aaron thought. Perfectly proportioned between those round cheeks of hers and not overwhelming that cute small nose that was highlighted by slight freckles. Not quite as pretty as Melyanne, but lovely still. She shook her head. “Whatever blows your mast,” she said.

Aaron raised a brow at the same time Viper scratched his head. “Shouldn't it be 'whatever blows your sails'?” the Shadow Walker asked.

“No. It's masts. My father's sailors always used to say m…” Her face turned the color of her hair again. Jahck giggled and skipped out of the cabin with a messy mouth.

Aaron watched him go. There was something broken in his eyes. Born to a human mother. It was likely he'd been abandoned by both humans and Vampires alike. There was a monster craving violence beneath that cheery façade. Aaron had seen a glimpse of it when Jahck had carved Shank's mouth. He'd suffered something in his past that he very likely had to endure alone. “Viper, keep him out of trouble for me,” Aaron said. Whatever wound Jahck had would be long in healing.

Aaron was left alone with Eksa sitting on her new desk twiddling her thumbs and kicking out with her legs. She grabbed the bottle from before and played with the cork, as if contemplating drinking. “I'm not that kind of a girl,” she grumbled after a long while.

He frowned. Not what kind of a girl? She was still blushing. Oh. “I've never made any such assumptions about you. Nor would I care if you were. Have you thought of a name for the ship?” he asked, trying to change topics.

“Do I even deserve this ship? I know Captain Dhorjun —or should I say Admiral Dhorjun now, didn't buy this ship. And I'm too much of a coward to go into the village to see for myself the depth of carnage he's left behind. But I'm a part of this now. I can't keep running and hiding from all my issues.”

Aaron leaned against the doorframe and dragged a finger across its top. “This is an Empire vessel. They won't take this lying down when they find out. This could also complicate the Illeyan Alliance. The other three of the four kingdoms might choose to abandon Eurale if Tarmia forces their hand. Does Dhorjun have a powerful backer you're aware of?”

“Admiral Theodore Coraine of Xenaria,” Eksa said. “He's got a fleet of some fifteen or twenty warships last I heard. The Basin is in truth under his watch.”

Xenaria. Traitors. Murderers. “Corsairs?”

“Rare. I overheard Crow talking of it. If any, they're funded by Tarmia and target minor Xenarian merchant vessels carrying the cheapest of goods.” Eksa hugged herself and began chewing on her lip. “I didn’t want this. Not this specifically. I wanted to go exploring beyond our maps. Maybe discovering new lands or putting truths to legends. I just wanted to be a great sailor like my father.”

“You don't have to face your problems alone,” Aaron said. He felt her gaze upon him and turned his head to meet it. Eksa's eyes shot down instantly. He smiled. “Scrub the deck, was it? I'll see it done, Captain.” He saluted in mockery, earning a scowl, before leaving her alone.

“What do you think of The Scarlet Reaver for a name?” she called after him.

Aaron rolled the name over his tongue. It was a bit crass, coming from Eksa. But it wasn't bad. “I thought you'd come up with something more flowery,” he said without turning back.

“Burn to Ash!” she retorted.

I almost did.

Aki was coming down below deck just as he reached the stairs. He didn't spare her a glance but the woman gripped his wrist. Aaron prepared for another fight but she was examining him instead. “How'd she taste?” Aki finally asked.

“Pardon?”

Aki released his wrist. “Pardon? Flaming Pardon?” She began laughing. “Hah. A thief with manners it seems.”

“I didn’t touch her, if that's what you're implying.”

“Of course not. Else I would've smelt her perfume on you. She smothers herself with that stuff. It's rare a boy half my age has both striking and wrestling skills. I'd like to know the name of your master.”

“He's dead.”

Aki raised a brow. “That's a shame. I'm… terribly sorry.” She genuinely seemed it too, making Aaron frown.

“Yeah. Shame. He didn't deserve to die as he did.” That bastard deserved far more than a fast death. He deserved to suffocate. To burn. To scream and plead as his skin was peeled—

“You know, Aaron,” Aki said, leaning in, rolling the R in his name like a purring lioness. She pressed one side of her face against his, lips to his ear. “I wouldn't mind resuming our unfinished match. Say, maybe later tonight? Keep the rules to wrestling only, I think. A matter of pride, you understand. I'd like to beat you in a wrestling match.”

Aaron's heart thumped loud. He was certain Aki could hear it as she pulled away. His eyes involuntarily examined her figure. It was properly proportioned, better than any he'd seen in fact. Her hips were especially wide and a pair of strong, trained legs extended beyond. When Aaron's gaze reached her face again, she was smiling, golden beads in her braids glittering from the light spilling down the stairway.

Aaron tore his eyes away before they made his decision for him. He'd already gotten off on the wrong foot with this woman. And he didn't like how she held a portion of Eksa's admiration. Eksa was his possession and he refused to share. Aki's smile was that of an act he'd seen time and time again. A smile of manipulation, and that was a web Aaron would not get caught in. It had ruined Lera. She couldn't see the act from Orion. Didn't even suspect it. “I will respectfully decline,” he said.

Aki blinked. She stepped back as if confused. “This isn't your first time,” she said after a while. “I feel insulted. Would there be a difference between me and your first?”

Aaron ignored the question and set to searching for a rough bristled brush to scrub the deck with. Unlike the past, he thought he might enjoy cleaning floors now.