Raw Winter

Chapter 25: Being Boarded

Rawintr stood on the deck and leaned over the rail, looking out beyond the churning sea. It was more a feeling than anything, but a ship was trailing them. She didn't doubt they were doomed, as this was a classic trick. Hades would convince them they were giving chase rather than being lured, and by the time they realized what was happening it would be too late. She was eager for them to catch up. She was eager to feel her new blade pierce flesh.

On her hip was a finely decorated cutlass that was given to her soon after Hades made her bosun. Hades had been holding on to it for a special occasion, but he doubted it would have any use soon. He promised if he needed it back, he would take it with no qualms and without caring at all for spilling her blood. He grinned at her when he said it. They were comfortable with each other.

There was also the matter of some crew members doubting her position on the ship. It was true they loved her in the last few weeks, but it was in a way that a family might come to love a pet mouse or a kitten. That she was now the second in command on their ship was a whole other matter. It didn't bother her. She was prepared to prove her place, whether it was skill or madness.

Yulsylus moved up beside her, gazing at the sea with her. If it was any other person, she would teach them a lesson on why this was a mistake, but she favored Yulsylus, though she couldn't explain why if prompted. She sometimes doubted he was of this world at all, and despite how close he often was, he rarely touched her unless he was helping her, and when he was helping her nothing he did seemed to bother her.

"So you can see them too?" She asked.

"You can?" Yulsylus asked, shrugging. "I know they're there, yes. We've all had hints here and there, so it's not too hard to guess. It won't be long, I suppose."

"I'll be fine," she said.

"I don't want you to risk injury just to prove yourself to a crew that will follow at the heels of whatever Hades asks of them. You're no Nagyra," Yulsylus told her.

"I'm no Hades Smith either," she answered, "and eventually, I promise you, they're going to have to see me as one or maybe better. I never asked, so I can't imagine you ever told me—what do you think of that?"

"Of you one day being our captain or the fact that you seem to be willing to kill our captain?" Yulsylus asked her.

Rawintr turned her head as if to look at him, but it was the crystal eye that gleamed and winked back at him. She considered what he said for a moment and answered, "I suppose both. One may as well be the same as the other. I doubt Hades will be likely to die of his own accord."

"All men are mortal," Yulsylus said. "All men die eventually, no matter what kind of reputation they've built."

"Even you?" Rawintr replied.

"I stick with what I said. No more and no less," Yulsylus answered.

"You still haven't answered me," Rawintr told him.

"I have no qualms with you or your actions, now or later," he said. "If this is what you see fit, then who am I to stop you, but tell me, who do you see following you? Who would be your second? I hope you don't intend for it to be a doctor or cook or one of the men you named to follow Hades, but decidedly didn't think would be fitting."

"I think," she said, "that I have very specific intentions, and when they're achieved, I'll have no need for the title of captain and therefore no need for a bosun."

"I don't think the sea will be finished with you, Rawintr, and I don't think the solutions you seek will keep you from it," Yulsylus informed her.

"We'll have to see," she answered, shaking her head slowly. "I just know whether they accept me or eat me alive, I've had this dream too many times to ignore it. Wouldn't you agree?"