The Knight's Cross

Part III

Alistair joined Ian and his quartermaster, Vane, at the helm of the Ghost Runner just a short time later, taking in the sight of the familiar port with a keen eye. As he had thought, the place had changed a great deal, even in the last year. But even with what had been built, torn down, and rebuilt again, this place was still the same to him, and while he tried not to think of it as such, this still felt like a homecoming of sorts.

As the Ghost Runner reached the docks of Halifax, Alistair made his way down the steps, motioning that Ian follow. “Have you informed the crew as I asked?” he inquired as he walked.

“Aye,” Ian replied with a resolute nod. “Vane’ll see to it.”

Alistair gave a slow nod as he walked toward the side of the deck, running his hands along the side of the ship. He gave a heavy sigh as he squinted in the sunlight, looking out at the port and the town. “I’d like you to come with me,” he said, glancing to his friend. “I don’t suspect trouble here but you know this place as well as I, and I’d like your company.”

Ian nodded again, just as the door from the captain’s cabin opened and Mitra stepped out. She had taken her time in gathering her clothes – wearing an altered pair of trousers, a loose, tan shirt, and boots. She had tied her dark hair back, letting it sway as she walked. Seeing the ship’s captain and his friend so close by, she walked towards them, her gaze resting on Alistair somberly, but not unfriendly.

“Have you any plans of when you wish to leave, Captain Knight?” she inquired smoothly, her voice like spiced honey warmed over a fire.

“Until the morning,” Alistair answered plainly. “It’ll give us the time to offload what we have taken and perhaps find some new merchandise to trade.” He paused as he looked her over. “Will you be leaving the ship?”

Mitra nodded slowly. “I see no reason why I should remain here if you are not,” she replied. “Unless, of course, you have some objection…”

Alistair shook his head. “Do as you wish,” he said swiftly. “Just see to it that you return before we leave.”

Mitra smirked as she glanced at Ian. “And only now does your captain say he wants me here before he departs.” She eyed Alistair coolly for a moment. “Remember that,” she said as she turned away quickly.

Alistair and Ian watched her go, and Ian couldn’t help but give his friend a rather curious look. “Trouble in paradise?” he teased softly.

Alistair rolled his eyes as he turned back to the port, watching as the ropes were tossed from the ship. “There is no paradise here,” he murmured absently as he stepped away to retrieve his cutlass and pistol from his cabin.

---

Halifax was the only place in the world that August could call home. To be fair, it was the only place he’d ever lived in his fifteen years, so it was hard to compare it to any other place. But he had often dreamed of becoming a sailor and eventually working his way up to captain (or some other high ranking position aboard a ship), traveling to the colonies in the south, possibly as far south as the Caribbean. The thought of such adventures always excited him, but Halifax would always be his home.

August’s life in Halifax was, admittedly, a rather boring one, focused on simply making ends meet each day. His mother worked as a maid to one of the wealthier families in the town, which brought minimal pay, but enough that she could care for August and his younger half-brother, Elijah.

August’s father (who had not married the boy’s mother) was, from his mother had told him, a captain of a ship, and often spent his time south of Halifax, towards Boston and the other coastal colonies. From time to time his mother would receive a package, and inside contained there would be a generous bit of money. August never knew exactly who it was that sent them, but his mother had always hinted that his father was responsible.