Tidal --- Nikolai Lantsov

9 : a good place to hide in plain sight

a/n ignore the fact that I have never named a chapter before we are starting now, ahkay?

The schooner had eventually slowed down and the celebration of the crew ceased. Sturmhond had wandered off to give direction to the crew.  He was a natural leader, and everyone on the ship respected him and did as he said with no debate. I watched as he talked to his crew with equal respect and did not simply boss them around. 

After taking care of the rest of the crew so they all had something to do, he made his way over to Alina, Mal and I. When he got closer, he turned toward Alina and pulled out a knife from his belt. Everyone moved quickly. Alina threw her hands up in defense, but Mal stepped infant of her with his rifle to the center of Sturmhond's chest. The rest of the crew all stopped what they were doing immediately to take out their weapons, ready to defend their captain. 

I began to step forward but Sturmhond shook his head at me signaling that he had it under control. For some reason, I believed him. 

"Easy Oretsev. I've gone through a lot of trouble and expense to put you on my ship. Be a shame to fill you full of holes now." He spun the knife so that the handle was facing towards Alina and everyone relaxed. The tension disappearing, "This is for the beast." Mal lowered his rifle. 

He instructed his crew to stand down and they obeyed, going back their duties. I sigh in relief. 

A group of sailers then went to haul the sea whip onto the deck. It was still thrashing and protesting when it hit the deck and everyone jumped back. I felt bad for the poor creature. It was absolutely beautiful. It's beautiful reflective scales shined in the sunlight as it attempted to get free from the ropes. 

"As I understand it, you have to be the one," Sturmhond nudged the knife towards Alina once more as she hesitated. How does he know so much about amplifiers? "Go on, we need to get moving. The Darkling's ship is disabled, but it won't stay that way." 

Alina continued to stay frozen in her spot. Her eyes were trained on the sea whip and I knew we were thinking the same thing. I could feel its fear and anger as it was desperate to get free. I wondered if there was another way. There had to be. But with another look at the sea whip, I could tell there was none. 

I reached for Alina's shoulder to comfort her, "Either way, it won't survive." I tried to convince her. She looked me in the eyes and saw our shared sadness, but she nodded. She grabbed the knife from Sturmhond and walked up to the creature. She seemed uncomfortable holding the weapon, like she didn't know what to do with it. She was just standing there, shaking and uncertain. 

"End it, Alina" Mal walked up to her, "for Saints' sake." He forced her hands to drop the knife and together they grabbed onto one of the spears and killed the sea whip. Once it was dead Tolya and Tamar used their daggers to cut a few of the scales from its side and handed them to Alina. 

"Let us bow our heads for the men lost today. Good sailers. Good soldiers. Let the sea carry them to safe harbor, and may the Saints receive them on a brighter shore." The entire group bowed their heads in silence for the lost crew members. I thought of Ivan and all of the other people that were lost to get us here safe. I hoped it would be worth it. 

"We need to move. The whaler's hull was cracked, but the Darkling has squallers and a Fabrikator or two and for all I know, those monsters of his can be trained to use a hammer and nails. Let's not take any chances. 

Privyet asked Sturmhond if the crew could take the leftover scales from the dragon and he complied. Mine and Alina's eyes met as we turned away, disgusted. Neither of us could watch them savagely tear apart the creature for a profit so we walked away with Mal trailing behind us.