Pirates For The Mainland

The next morning was bright and warm. Despite their headaches, the trio of the Red Jewel got to work early, mending a few things here and there despite protest from the inn keeper.

"I wish you three wouldn't do this every time," Shi-nah told them. "I'm capable enough to mend furniture."

"We know you're as strong as a sea serpent, Shi-nah," Nog replied, fixing a wooden chair. "But we'll be nice to you until doomsday for all you do for us."

"Oh, shush," Shi-nah said. "It's just room and board, and the one time I hid you all from the Rats."

"Those sea vermin weren't prepared for a little old lady to stand up to them," Dart said, leveling a table. "They ran out of the inn with their tails tucked."

"You three get into far too much trouble for kind young hearts," Shi-nah said, shaking her head. "I wish you all would give up this madness with the beasts and settle on a quieter life. Raise families. You'll be sorry you didn't when your time comes."

"There's nothing I regret," Nog replied. "But we appreciate your concern."

When the mending at the inn was done and they had some breakfast with the keeper, they bid farewell and headed for their ship. The sun was still sitting in the water of the horizon as they walked but it was plenty bright and warm enough for comfort. Not many people had come out into the streets yet, but the docks were as busy as they always were.

Remembering what the navy men said yesterday, Nog was careful not to lead them on a direct path to the Red Jewel so they could have a good look. Much like she had predicted, Flennel and his two officers were sitting at the ramp of her ship, waiting for the crew to arrive. In the public dock hall, she spotted the men from the bar who had volunteered for service.

"What should we do about those three blue coats?" Dart asked. "They don't have the authority to stop us from getting on our own ship."

"But they have authority on Mercidian land," Neko reminded. "They could cause us a lot of trouble."

"I guess we'll just have to be extra nice then," Nog said. "You two go get our new crew over to the jewel. I'll talk to the boys in blue."

Nog didn't like having to confront people she thought were a waste of her time. Navy men were nothing but bodies taking up oxygen to the captain, and the walk down to the ship in plain sight was irritatingly awkward. When she finally reached them, the rest of the crew were already making their way there as well.

"Can I help you three with something?" Nog asked the navy men.

"We've been seeing a lot of you lately," Flennel said. "Is this your ship, Miss..."

"Captain Nog," she answered. "Yes, the Red Jewel belongs to me."

"I don't suppose you'd have any proof of that?" one of the other officers said. "Pirates don't often own much of anything."

"I have the ownership doc.u.ments on me, if you'd like to see them," Nog replied, eyeing the officer with contempt.

"No, that won't be necessary," Flennel said. "We were just curious as to how you managed to acquire so much damage."

"And how you were able to come out of it unharmed," the third officer added.

Nog looked at the three men with her hands steadying her anger.

"Losing my crew is not so unharmed," Nog replied. "The Cray attacked us. And that's all you'll get out of me on the subject."

"Fine," Flennel said. "But you should know that the man that attacked you last night was one of Sandy's boys. Seems he wasn't under order at all. He just overheard you had some valuable cargo and thought it would make his master happy."

"Just what do you plan on doing with a Cray key?" the second officer asked.

"I'm going to open a Cray lock," Nog answered simply.

The officers didn't say any more as the captain looked at them blankly. Seconds later the crew made it to them and began to board the ship. Dart and Neko stood with their captain just in case.

"Looks like that's all the time I have," Nog said. "Good day."

The captain and her mates walked casually up the ramp before a crew members tossed it to the dock below. The crew had gotten straight to cleaning and assessing damages on their own, giving a welcome assurance that they weren't useless. Flennel and his officers stood by the Red Jewel a moment and watched before finally leaving.

"Let's learn where that ship is headed, shall we?" Flennel said to his comrades.