The Pelican fell silent. No one said a word. This had to be a joke. A great big joke.
Blabber started to chuckle slowly, nervously. It ignited the rest of the crew who joined in the laughter. Soon the nearly the entire crew was swept up in it. Foghorn and Kail were not.
“That’s a good one, Kail,” Blabber said in between laughs. “We thought you were serious for a second.”
Kail didn’t respond and the laughter died down. All eyes were on him, as he still stood, looking sternly from his announcing post.
“Wait Kail, you’re not serious are you?” Blabber asked, not really wanting the answer.
Kail stepped down among his men. He moved from crew mate to crew mate, looking each one in the eyes as he spoke. “Men. Are we men, or are we cowards.”
“I’d say “cowards” if it gets us out of going there,” Blabber commented. His humour was lost on everyone. Going to the island was dangerous enough. Actually coming into contact with the Nocturnal, was something else all together.
Kail ignored Blabber and continued to address his crew. “We may not have the capability of bringing down the Empire ourselves. But with the Nocturnal, it would almost assure our victory.”
“It would also assure our deaths.”
“Blabber, do I need to ask you to go inside?” Kail asked assuming the role of a parent.
“But they’re going to gnaw our faces off and drink our blood.”
Kail just pointed to the steps leading below deck. Blabber took the cue and walked down them muttering something to himself.
“The plan is simple. We go, and make our proposition. If they wish to aid us, great, if not, we leave.” Kail stopped when he reached Selestia. He couldn’t help but stay locked on her eyes as he spoke. His words came out more slowly now as he did. “There is a good chance that they will help us. The Pleneasians are their enemies too.”
“With all due respect, Kail,” Fredrick spoke up. “The Nocturnal hate all humans. Not just Pleneasians.” This comment started hushed micro-conversations across the deck.
While discussing this over many times with Foghorn, Kail knew what type of opposing questions or statements would be made. He was prepared for anything that they had to say.
“That is true, but the Pleneasians are the only people making a progressive push toward conquering territory.”
McMillan picked up the banner for not going. “From the stories I’ve heard, they will consider our presence to be a hostile action toward them.”
Kail nodded, acknowledging the truth of his statement. He moved away from Selestia afraid that he may not be able to think clearly if he stayed in her direct presence for too long. He had a crew to take care of. She could only be an after-thought. When the world was rid of Adonius and the Empire, then and only then, could he even consider her anything more than another crewmate. “But that’s just it. It is only what we have heard.”
This was a point that Foghorn agreed with. It was true that none of them had ever had any contact with the Nocturnal and most of what they knew was only word of mouth. The difference between Foghorn and Kail was that while Kail was willing to experience it for himself, Foghorn felt it was not worth the risk.
“What do we know about them for sure?” Kail asked.
“Humans defeated them like a thousand seasons ago and exiled them to the island,” Keiran stated.
