Working on the flag and possible name for their crew was helping Alexandria decide a few things in her head. She knew that a statement needed to be made at the settlement where it was good or bad depended upon the people there. They had plenty of things to trade if need be including clothes, food, water, even parts of the ship if that was needed. She was unsure of how news traveled from place to place but wanted to make sure that news was about her and the crew that was forming with her. There were a few scrapes of paper on the table of different drawings for flags with V, some treasure, and even the ray that had been following them around for a bit. Lyric was also throwing out some ridiculous names for the crew which Alexandria never wanted to hear again.
"How about we call ourselves the APs? The a will stand for Alexandria and the p is obviously be for pirate." Alexandria face palmed her self shaking her head in annoyance. Of course there was a little part of her that wanted to laugh. However doing that would just encourage Lyric to come up with more ridiculous names which wasn't something she was going to help along. Alexandria did another sketch with their weapons on the flag with a few blank spaces for future crew members.
"There is no way in hell we are naming ourselves that. Why would you even think that would be a good name?" Alexandria didn't look up from her drawing since it was a bit better then Lyrics off the wall names. Lyric huffed a bit curling her lip on one side of her mouth. This was starting to get a bit difficult since nothing was really standing out. She looked down at Alexandria's current drawing nodding her head in approval.
"Well right now nothing is coming to me that feels right. I figure if I just yell them out eventually a really good one will come out. Your drawings are much better then my name ideas. Do you have any thoughts on a name?" Lyric asked tilting her head to the side still trying to think of something that sounded good.
It was painfully obvious that Lyric had no idea how to pick a good name for their crew. Of course there is the chance that the world would pick the name since that has happened in the past. Alexandria however didn't want to leave something that important to chance. She continued to put little touches on her drawings while she thought about a name. "Well the only other option would be to wait for the crew to be completed. That would be the best way to make sure the name fit. There is still plenty of time for that. The flag however should be finished before we get our new ship." Alexandria finished the touches on her current drawing adding to the pile in front of them.
Lyric nodded in agreement as she looked over all the different drawings to see which one she liked the best. "That is a good idea since someone could come along with an awesome name and not suggest it because we are already known by one that isn't as good." Lyric giggled at the prospect of new crew members and what they would be like. Alexandria nodded in agreement as she went to start another drawing.
"It is about time to turn the ship!" Tyra yelled from outside atop the crows net. Lyric looked out the window in the cabin noticing the light had begun to change. She jumped up heading for the door to get the ship ready to due east. Alexandria also decided it was a good time to take a break. They had been going at it for a bit so a change of pace was needed. Placing the different drawings on the table in the order she thought from best to worst and left to go onto the deck.
The ship started to turn as Lyric adjusted the rudder guiding the ship into the winds. The sails fluttered catching the wind moving them towards the east. Off in the distance the shape of a sizable landmass could be seen. Alexandria moved over to the side of the ship looking out over the water. She was going to ask Lyric how long it would take to get there and then remembered Tyra might be able to see something with her enhanced vision.
"Hey Tyra can you see where the settlement is from here or are we still too far out?" Alexandria yelled up as she looked down to see the ray still following the ship. She shook her head a bit looking around for V since she had not heard a peep from the bird in a long while. V was perched up on the cabin still curled up asleep. Alexandria needed to remember to get some bones for her when she woke up.
Tyra stood up looking out at the landmass in the distance. Her eyes adjusted zooming in like a spyglass only without having to extend it out. She shook her head a bit since it had been a while looking that far without her scope. Picking up her rifle she rested it on the rim of the crows nest peering through the scope turning the rifle in order to scan the area. There was silence for a few minutes until Tyra finally spotted the settlement. It wasn't right on the coast but it seemed to have a cove or bay with a dock. Standing her rifle back up against the mast she looked down at the deck. "The settlement is close to the shore connected by a cove or bay of some kind. There is also a few docks. I can't see much else until we get a bit closer."
It was good to know they had someone that could see that far. However Alexandria didn't want to rely to heavily on her long vision. There was no telling what side effects could happen because of overusing it. That would be something she would ask when they had a free moment. Right now it was time to prepare for the settlement. If they could get a bit more out of the wind they would be able to make it there within an hour or so.
Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
Lyric secured the rudder and joined Alexandria on the deck. "What are we going to take with us to trade just in case there is some nice people at this settlement?" She asked titling her head to the side. The good thing was that they would not be walking into the settlement alone. They would have Tyra watching their backs. Of course hopefully they could go somewhere without killing someone. Of course if they did something wrong there would be no stopping Alexandria from taking them out.
"I would think some of the clothes we don't wear along with the extra food that would just go to waste. We don't have anything else of value besides the ship. I am not sure how many people would want it since it is custom built." Alexandria replied glancing up to the crows nest. There was something else she wanted to asked Tyra. Lyric nodded in agreement skipping off to go gather the supplies without having to be told.
"Would you like to come down or should I come up?" Alexandria asked as she stopped in front of the mast waiting for Tyra. There was a pause before she came down the mast standing in front of Alexandria. "Is there something else you need from me?" She asked taking in a deep breath enjoying the wind on her face.
Alexandria was glad to see that Tyra was enjoying herself. "I was wondering if you knew of any laws or rules that these settlements may have? I know that it has been a while since you were in one but any information would be useful." There was a chance that there weren't any rules or laws. That would mean anything could happen. Of course going into this settlement without even a notion of what it might be like wasn't something she wanted to do. Plus this gave her a chance to get to know Tyra a bit more.
"That is a very good question. The last time I heard about a settlement from one of the unfortunate souls that stumbled onto my island. There were not any solid things that you could find posted anywhere. However they did say killing was frown upon without good reason. No one messed with the children and the first drink was always free to try." Tyra smiled running her hands through her hair a bit annoyed since it kept blowing everywhere from the wind.
A smirk crossed Alexandria's face at that last comment. She had read about drinks in some of the books she had at the facility. Anything free was always good as long as it wasn't poisoned. "Well those sound like good things to know. I don't think having a drink is the best option even with you watching our backs. I will say that if there is trouble I will give you a sign to take a killing shot." She paused for a moment wondering why that last comment was bothering her so much. After all she was the captain so giving orders was part of the job.
Tyra could see that something was bothering her so giving her a shove speaking in a tough voice. "There is no need to get hung up on the little things. We need to focus on what is important. This is a new ship, potential crew members, and of course supplies. The exploration and treasure part will pop up as we go." She messed with her hair again taking a band from her arm pulling the hair up and tying it in a ponytail for the moment.
Alexandria was a bit taken back from the shove. It had been a while since someone pushed her like that. She wasn't sure how to take it at first but the words that followed cleared the fog that was building in her mind. "Thanks for the damn pep talk. I am not sure the shove was needed but I won't question it this time. Hopefully your able to have a bit of fun as well." Tyra nodded her head as she made her way back up to the crows nest.
The wind picked up pushing them along towards the large island. Tyra pulled out her rifle resting it on the lip of the crows nest. She peered down the scope focusing in on the docks. It was something she had not seen built up in a while. The settlement most likely just made them since they never stay in one place for too long. The walled cities are always out to cause trouble when a settlement gets too large. She moved the rifle slowly stopping to see a decent sized ship docked in the center of everything. A smirk crept across her face as she yelled down to the others.
"I see a very good looking ship in the cove at one of the docks. When you land see who owns it. There could be a way to get it for ourselves." She kept looking not seeing very many people out and about for some reason. It wasn't an odd hour of the day so there should be people at least around doing something.
A smile crept across Alexandria's face glad to hear there is a ship that could be used for their journey. Of course there is the fact that they must figure out who owns it. She looked up at the crows nest watching the rifle go back and forth in a pattern that looked strange. "Tyra is something wrong your rifle movements look odd?" She looked out over the ocean at the island waiting for an answer. Smelling the air she wrinkled her nose. There was something off but she wasn't sure what it was.
Looking closer at each part of the settlement trying to find someone anyone that was out and about. Her eyes went in and out trying to focus better on the settlement. Her nose twitched a bit breathing in deeply trying to figure out the smell. "There is something off l don't see anyone and there is an odd smell in the air I am trying to place." It was then that her scope found something. It was what looked like an armed guard shooting into the settlement. "The settlement is under attack!" Tyra yelled down to them.
Rolling her shoulders back taking in a deep breath and bringing the guard into her sights. She squeezed the trigger sending the bullet flying across the water. The bullet slammed into the guards head boring through the temple and out the other end splattering blood and matter all over the floor. She moved the rifle around trying to find any survivors. They were most likely hiding.
"Alright Lyric if there is anyway to get more speed to reach the settlement as soon as possible. Tyra keep us informed on what is going on. This might be the way to get that ship." Alexandria looked out at the settlement finally figuring out what she was smelling. It was blood and death.