Steel Wolf

Shark's Widow

Tanaya's squad rode down the middle of the street along the wharf, Serenna trotting along beside the commander's horse. Everywhere, people were loading or unloading ships; the cargo being moved to or coming from far off, exotic locales. Private Delgado and Sergeant Rosada led them to the loading bay of the Shark's Widow. A man and a woman, very burly and rough-but-capable-looking, were standing at the foot of the ramp, watching the street and its passersby when they spotted the group's approach. The man walked over to a tube on a wall, slid aside a small plate, and yelled something incoherent into it.

The loading bay was not the sweetest smelling place in the world. The stench of fish, oil, metal, animals, and humans pervaded the air about them, infused in the wooden decking from many years of service. Wolf-Serenna sneezed and shook her head, then pawed her nose. A benefit/drawback of being in wolf form was that her senses were heightened, especially smell. She was miserable.

"I'm Chalmers," said the man. "Dat's Remecca. You want we take de harses and de dawg and quarter 'em, Officer? De cap'n, she be here shartly."

That was the oddest accent Tanaya had ever heard.

"If you don't mind," replied the commander, raising her faceplate and dismounting, "I'd like the dog to remain with me. Private Delgado will help you get the horses settled."

"Yes'm, Officer," Chalmers replied, "Will ye mind the ramp fer us? It'll just be fer a midge er two."

Tanaya smiled, her blue eyes shining. "Of course."

A few passersby glanced at the Guardsmen standing watch on the ramp, idly wondering if the heiress to the throne was aboard. Oh, Great Deity! They had an armored wolf!

Hushed rumors abounded of the consequences of bothering the Royal Guard. Though the Guard had been in existence for little more than a month, rumors abounded. They were reputed to eat their enemies' still-quivering flesh. The merest slight might bring the wrath of one of those deadly swords. One rumor had a scullery maid being flayed alive for accidentally spilling dirty wash water on the princess. Their commander, that tall one, was said to feast on still-beating hearts. Best just to leave them be and carry on living.

The pirate queen descended the ladder into the bay. She was slightly taken aback at the sight before her, having expected a full contingent of Royal Guardsmen, not this few. Their commander was easy to pick out. She'd heard all the rumors and tales about the giantess who ate puppies. Bullshit. She knew each one of the Royal Guard to be highly trained as fighters. They were simply human beings...badass humans, but human beings, nevertheless. She didn't know the exact training regimen, of course, but a single one of these warriors could easily take down four or five thugs in a brawl without breaking a sweat.

The pirate captain was about five feet, eight inches tall. Stocky of build, most of that being muscle. She looked to be about forty-five years old. She wore a traditional close-fitting headwrap, from under which peeked a bit of grey-brown hair, cut short. Her hazel eyes took in the assemblage as she stepped into the loading bay. Her forearms were slightly thicker than a normal person's, testament to her years at sea. Various tattoos adorned her arms and the backs of her hands, the most notable being a Great White Shark wearing a filmy black veil, carrying a cutlass in its teeth.

Striding forward, the loose-legged gait of someone who had spent many years at sea, she announced herself. Tanaya turned as the woman approached, removing her gauntlet to shake hands, calloused flesh against calloused flesh.

"Welcome aboard the Shark's Widder, Officer. Ya must be Commandante Paulsdottir." She bowed her head slightly, showing a row of stained teeth in a smile. "I'm Cap'n Charleen Withbu'n and am atcher service. This be the whole of yer crew? I was telled that there'd be more of ya."