A Visitor

[Zrey the Saber]

The late afternoon sky was dark and ominous. The slate-gray water slapped the Keelhaul's hull with a rhythmic clapping sound as its wavetops grew tipped with foam, promising some rough weather ahead. But the great ship was safe from the storm, docked, as it had been for a long while. Too long, for Zrey the Saber.

The big rat strode up the gangplank, his famed saber swinging from his crimson sash. He wore baggy trousers that were faded and salt-stained, and the blue jacket of the Wavewraith's bosun in addition to his corsair's earrings and tatoos, accompanied by a surly attitude. Zrey had business with Cap'n Redblaze, and seasons help the creature who got in his way.

Zrey crossed the deck to the Captain's cabin and knocked thrice, opening his fanged jaws to growl, "Cap'n Redblaze! Kin I speak wi' you, sir? 'Tis Zrey the bosun from t'Wavewraith, sir."

[Raiko Redblaze]

Thud! Thud! Thud!

*With each unpleasant knock, the rat captain's ears flicked backwards. He lifted his eyes to glare at the door of his cabin, shuddering under the bosun's blows. Raiko stood, loosening his cutlass in his belt.*

"Cap'n Redblaze! Kin I speak wi' you, sir? 'Tis Zrey the bosun from t'
Wavewraith, sir."

*Zrey from the Wavewraith... what was he doing here? the rat wondered. He frowned and traced a claw through the fur at his chin. No pirates had had any business to discuss with Raiko in a long time. His entire crew, minus his loyal second mate, had vanished. Once the most popular of corsairs at Rintique, he had been pushed aside by a new fox. Not that he minded that Sierra's sister was doing well; he just didn't like sharing his popularity.*

"Come in, Zrey-- what is it yeh want?" *Cap'n Redblaze's voice was harsher than in season's past. It had lost much of its friendly joking at the same time his crew had deserted him.*

[Zrey the Saber]

Zrey pushed the heavy door open at the captain's hail, stepping inside, his long tail cracking as it snapped in behind him milliseconds before being trapped in the closing entrance. Scowling inwardly, the rat flicked the door with his outraged tail briefly before saluting and padding closer to Redblaze so he could not be heard by unwanted listeners on deck.

"Well, sir...I came to speak wi' you about Cap'n Ravenhallow's absence. See, we at the Wavewraith are jest sittin' around, the few that are left. I've taken over the ship, seein' as the Cap'n never appointed someone to run things, and the crew an' me have been taking care of her, ye know, keepin' 'er shipshape an' all. The point is this, though-can ye help us, Cap'n Redblaze? 'Cause we could use somebeast like you to give us a paw right about now."

[Raiko Redblaze]

"Well, sir...I came to speak wi' you about Cap'n Ravenhallow's absence. See, we at the Wavewraith are jest sittin' around, the few that are left."

*Ravenhallow had deserted the Wavewraith? Raiko's mind began to churn through numerous possibilities, recruiting the crew being first on his list.*

"I've taken over the ship, seein' as the Cap'n never appointed someone to run things, and the crew an' me have been taking care of her, ye know, keepin' 'er shipshape an' all. The point is this, though-can ye help us, Cap'n Redblaze? 'Cause we could use somebeast like you to give us a paw right about now."

*Raiko picked at a morsel of food in his teeth with his tongue before answering.* "What sort o' 'elp are yeh lookin' fer, Zrey?" *If he was wary of the answer, he did not show it in his voice.* "If it's crew yer lookin' fer, I can't afford t' spare any. Yeh might've guessed that," *he winked in a friendly manner, even though the topic was far from a light-hearted one.* "Unless yer lookin' t' combine crews..." *he shrugged,* "then I might be able t' work somethin' out."

[Zrey the Saber]

"If it's crew yer lookin' fer, I can't afford t' spare any. Yeh might've guessed that. Unless yer lookin' t' combine crews... then I might be able t' work somethin' out."

Zrey's eyes narrowed as he gazed at Redblaze, realizing how much another crew would help his numbers. Perhaps...but Zrey was fiercely independent, and working with another was not to his liking. However, Cap'n Redblaze would be a fine ally to have when the time came...

"Combindin' crews wasn't exactly wot I meant, sir," Zrey said slowly, licking his lips thoughtfully. "See, the Wavewraith's a great ship, an' I'd hate t'lose her. Much as I'd like workin' wi' somebeast such as you, I really had considered captainin' her meself, at least 'till Cap'n Ravenhallow returns-assuming she does. You bein' a Cap'n an' all, I was figurin' you could help me raise back t'old crew an' help oversee the repairs that we need. She's been docked too long, and there's some rottin' planks on her prow we can't get to besides loads o' barnacles. I figure she needs a full check an' basic repairs, plus a good hull-scrapin', before she's seaworthy again."

Gritting his teeth, the big rat cut straight to the part he knew Redblaze would want to hear. "In return, I'd owe ye any crewbeasts, timber, or plunder ye need fer the next couple o' months-to a reasonable degree, of course," he added hastily. "It'd all be fer a good cause, gettin' another ship back out on the water an' out at Navybeasts again. Wot d'ye say?"

[Raiko Redblaze]

"Combindin' crews wasn't exactly wot I meant, sir."

*Raiko let an amused breath of air escape his nostrils. It would have been much too easy if Zrey had agreed straight out to give the Wavewraith's crew to the rat.*

"See, the Wavewraith's a great ship, an' I'd hate t'lose her. Much as I'd like workin' wi' somebeast such as you, I really had considered captainin' her meself, at least 'till Cap'n Ravenhallow returns-assuming she does."

*Inwardly, Raiko was a little shocked at this bold move, but it didn't show on the captain's deceptively easy-going face. He knew Ren, and her reputation, and he knew she wouldn't take kindly to another beast captaining her ship, even if she had been absent.*

"You bein' a Cap'n an' all, I was figurin' you could help me raise back t'old crew an' help oversee the repairs that we need. She's been docked too long, and there's some rottin' planks on her prow we can't get to besides loads o' barnacles. I figure she needs a full check an' basic repairs, plus a good hull-scrapin', before she's seaworthy again."

*It was an absurd request to be made without anything offered in return, but before Raiko could open his mouth to ask what was in it for him, Zrey spat,* "In return, I'd owe ye any crewbeasts, timber, or plunder ye need fer the next couple o' months-to a reasonable degree, of course. It'd all be fer a good cause, gettin' another ship back out on the water an' out at Navybeasts again. Wot d'ye say?"

"I say," *the rat folded his arms over his chest,* "yer out o' yer mind. I don't know about gettin' on Ren's bad side, 'elpin' yeh clean up the Wavewraith so yeh can cap'n it, 'cause I don't know if that's worth all th' booty an' crew yeh could offer me." *A barely-noticeable smile tugged the corner of Redblaze's mouth while he watched Zrey's reaction. After a long pause, he said,* "I s'pose yeh'll be needin' a ride t' Amdine, then, fer new timber, and then some crewbeasts t' 'elp with repairs... 'ow soon'll yeh be ready?"

*Raiko raised an eyebrow and pulled a knife from his sleeve. He grasped the blade in his right paw and sliced through his calloused pad; his teeth tightened together and the skin under his eye twitched, but he made no noise to indicate pain. He thrust his paw over the desk that separated him from Zrey, offering the bloody knife as well. He couldn't believe he was making this deal-- corsair captains helping each other? It wasn't in the nature of vermin to do such things. Raiko realized that he was just helping his competition get back into the game. But his competition would be indebted to him for longer than he may know.*

*Besides, desperate times called for desperate measures.*

[Kalahund]

"Hang on, captain, what did I just hear?"

It had been a long trip, alone on the ship that was occupied by none other than a captain and some bilge rats. He had slept in his bunk for the majority of the time, that little hammock that was an impediment to ever doing anything worthwhile, or for that matter, energetic. He personally hated the bunk, finding it something that no one would ever use, even in times of utter need. And yet there he had had been, lying in the bunk like it was all that mattered in the world. He immensly disliked that very posture, but in times of boredom, things had to be sacrificed.

However, it was not the lying on the bunk that he hated the most. He could grow to like that, drinking and eating, food cooked by the captain too, who was a surprisingly good cook. It was a life of, while not much happenening, and no money being gained, but a life of comfort and, well yes, laziness. Kalahund made no secret of his laziness. He was a large beast, both in bulk and in ego, and he enjoyed an easygoing lifestyle. Often, he had it on the ship, having learnt how to sleep with his eyes open, a trick he often tried in the Crow's Nest, with his good friend Sierra often doing overtim duty. How he missed her, her smile her cheerful attitude. He remembered how they had met, having a race up the rigging. He missed her, still. He wouldn' tell anyone, but he had cried the night the news of her death had reached him. He knew for a fact that no one else knew.

But what he hated most about a life of boredom was the fact it made him in indulge in things his shipmates cruelly teased him about. It was a blessing the ship was empty. The very thing that he did was to read. Corsairs were supposed to be tough, harsh beasts. Kalahund was. But he had a gentle side, which he had shown here, very often. But, no matter the banter, no matter the rumor, he was not a "gentle giant", whatever that meant. One beast who had said that now lay at the bottom of the ocean, drowned in a storm, heaved overboard by the Second Mate. That was gentle for him.

Kalahund had been roused from his "stupor", of reading, by the sounds of a beast entering the ship. To visit the captains cabin, he was sure. He had followed the beast, despite the laws against it, for the sheer idea of doing something, for once in a while. Thus, he had come to hear the entire conversation and, thus, he happened to burst in, one of his dirks's drawn, to shout those very words.

"That's right!" he bellowed, anger spreading plainly across his voice, "What are we going to do next? Surrender to the goodbeasts like stupid fieldmice? What are we, captain? Helping some...foolhardy braggart who entertains dreams of taking over Captain Ravenhollow's ship? Are you crazy? Do you know what will happen?" He calmed down, breathing in and out slowly. He turned and spoke in a more level tone. "Excuse me, if you could leave? My wonderful captain needs to have a discussion with his Second Mate." As he watched Zrey move away, Kalahund began to whisper in a frantic voice. "Sorry for that fit, captain, but just what are you thinking? You may have him in your debt, but it isn't worth the risk!"

OOC:100th post! And for the length of my posts, that isn't bad!

[Raiko Redblaze]

OOC: Congrats on your 100th post, Kala!

BIC:

"Hang on, captain, what did I just hear?"

*At the sight of Kalahund bursting into his cabin, dirk drawn and threatening, Raiko's eyes narrowed and he pulled his paw back. He folded his arms across his chest again, staring cooly at his second mate.*

"What are we going to do next? Surrender to the goodbeasts like stupid fieldmice? What are we, captain? Helping some...foolhardy braggart who entertains dreams of taking over Captain Ravenhollow's ship? Are you crazy? Do you know what will happen?"

*Raiko did not appreciate being addressed as though he were an idiot, but he said nothing to Kalahund. He let the wolf run through his entire routine until he had calmed himself down a little.*

"Excuse me, if you could leave? My wonderful captain needs to have a discussion with his Second Mate."

*Raiko nodded in an apologetic manner to Zrey as he moved outside (OOC: sorry for the auto, hope it's okay), then turned to Kala, who was saying frantically, "Sorry for that fit, captain, but just what are you thinking? You may have him in your debt, but it isn't worth the risk!"

"I don't recall th' last time I 'ad t' run my plans by you, Kalahund, even if yeh are second mate o' this ship," *the rat finally hissed. His voice barely carried to the wolf's ears it was so quiet, yet it was no less full of malice than ever.* "Things're goin' perfectly right now, I'll explain it to yeh later-- now's not th' time. Right now, as 'ard as it may be fer yeh, yeh've got t' trust me. I know what I'm doin'." *His voice began to ease up, and in doing so, its volume increased.* "Zrey will receive our aide, an' yeh'll just 'ave t' live with that.

"Zrey, yeh can come back in now," *Raiko called. He smiled apologetically.* "Sorry fer that interruption, Kala's just 'avin' trouble rememberin' 'is place 'ere," *Raiko ruffled the wolf's headfur with his uncut paw in a manner a little too rough to be considered fond. He offered his bloody paw and the knife again for his opposition to shake.*

[Zrey the Saber]

||I'll let the auto pass...for now. ||

Gritting his teeth, Zrey stepped aside to the wishes of the second mate, saving his displeasure and annoyance for another time. When Redblaze called him back, he made a point of ignoring Kalahund and staring directly at the rat captain.

"I dunno about Captain Ravenhallow, but she's been away too long t'have voice in this matter," Zrey said firmly. "Make no mistake, I have nothin' but respect fer her, but she's been too long. Besides, I've captained before, in a more prosperous time." The big rat bared his needlelike fangs at his own grim irony. "I know wot I'm doin'. I dunno if you've ever heard o' the Blade, Cap'n, but she was well-known up north a few seasons back. That was my ship, and that was my life then. I came down here when we got caught up in a naval war, to get back at those scum. That's why I can't sit still an' wait while thosebeasts stomp all over us. I thank ye fer helpin' us, Cap'n Redblaze. You won't regret it."

Taking the proferred dagger, Zrey made a deep cut in his own pad, making sure it would leave a scar. Such a debt must be marked deeply, and Zrey had no intentions to let this deal slip his mind. Clasping Raiko's bloody paw, the other rat shook it decisively, then turned his attention to the captain's last question.

"I s'pose yeh'll be needin' a ride t' Amdine, then, fer new timber, and then some crewbeasts t' 'elp with repairs... 'ow soon'll yeh be ready?"

Zrey considered. "First I'll see if I can raise the rest of the old crew to help. I'll only be so far indebted to ye. Don't worry, t'won't take long. I'll just go down an' see if anybeast is interested."

With a respectful salute, the big rat turned on the heel of his seaboot and walked out the door, long tail swinging in time with his step. As the sea air reached his sensitive noise, Zrey reveled in the new vigor it seemed to hold. At last, piratin' again!