The Golden Court

•deux•

© Imani Quinones 2019

Petulant waves smashed violently into the port side of the Crowned Raven. She was known to be a quick vessel, yet Calypso's whims were the swiftest. Torrents of rain fell heavily onto the oak deck as everyone from first mate to cabin boy worked diligently to keep the ship above sea level.

"Get your arse inta' gear ya flubberin' ninnies!" Captain Treus called loudly. The roar of the storm almost drowning out the richness and timbre hidden deep within his oration. He was a large man of ebony skin. The slums of Quaith had been his home and as most citizens raised in poverty, he chose the call of the sea. His features mostly generic save for his wide lips and broad shoulders. One of the only defining characteristics of the hulking captain were his icy blue irises. Blind at birth and yet no one except the sirens knew the seas salty depths like he did. His large meaty hands clasped onto the steer of the ship as another clap of thunder could be heard behind him. A scowl screwed his plump lips into an almost unforgiving glare.

"Caillus!" he screamed over the roar of another wave that almost threatened to overturn his oaken craft. The ships first mate came bounding up the slippery wooden stairs to approach the tense captain with ease. She loved storms. The wariness that invaded the souls of others at the sight of nature's uproar only caused a swell of excitement to swirl giddily within her breast. Her brown eyes twinkled with mirth yet she never allowed her joy to be shown. With a flick of her sturdy wrist several of her wiry black dreads slapped against her muscular back and her eyes were finally free to roam the captains tense visage.

"Caillus", Captain Treus began, "I would have you slow these blasted currents. We've got a load to drop by the morn and we're no use waylaid!" His milky eyes flashed in annoyance. Caillus sweetly grinned and removed a sharp blade hidden next to her ankle inside of her leather boot. The light of the moons winked off the blades edge in an almost dangerous promise. Caillus thinned her lips tensely as she dug the blade into her rough sable skin. Blood pooled out of the shallow cuts. A shape began to form with each expert swoop and curl of the blade in the first mates hand. Finally she dropped the blade to her side, the symbol now complete.

The rain began to subside as the sea seemed to sigh and quake with the effort of calming its previously unruly behavior. Eventually the ship rocked gently against the sea and the night sky shone clear and bright as all three of Saldyne's moons looked on as if nothing had changed.

The captain exhaled gratefully as a he clapped a meaty hand onto his first mates muscled shoulder. "Now tha' was damn well done!" He boomed heartily as the oceans previous roar was replaced with his own boisterous voice. Caillus winced and slid her dagger back into her boot after wiping the crimson liquid onto her leather jerkin.

Down below the deck held within the belly of the ship was cargo to be shipped to the angel kingdom of Wyalla for its annual ball. Silks, gems, and many different treasures were stored away. A stowaway rat scuttled away after being startled by the cheering of the crew joyously celebrating the retreat of the storm. Racing between the barrels and chests, the rat came across a curious sound and paused in front of the offending barrel. It was breathing.