Amanda had followed Sirius on deck just in time to catch the last of the sailor’s worried remark.

As she looked out over the bow of the boat they did appear to be coming in faster than one would normally approach port.

“Shorten the sails!” Sirius yelled in a loud voice.

Feet went scrambling. A dozen hands pulled at ropes.

Shiv was at their side a moment later. “It’s that damn storm,” he cursed “It’s got the wind blowing the opposite way.”

“I should have noticed it,” Sirius mumbled.

“I should have noticed it,” Shiv corrected. He shook his head in aggravation then peered toward the port with a thoughtful look.

“We can drop the anchor when we get close,” Sirius replied calmly.

“If we’re going slow enough,” Shiv grumbled.

“Better than not,” Sirius replied. “All the same, find Neko, get him working on the direction of the tides.”

Shiv looked doubtful about the effectiveness of the suggestion, but he didn’t question his captain, not this time. He caught Amanda’s eye momentarily, a serious look in his eye, and then disappeared on his mission.

Amanda studied Sirius. Next to Shiv he was a picture of calmness. She wondered what worries lay under the surface. “Are we going to crash?” she asked. It already felt like they’d slowed down quite a bit but she wasn’t experienced enough to know if it was slow enough.

Sirius was silent for a few seconds. He watched the sea between the ship and the port. Finally he shook his head. “It might be a rough stop but I think we’ll be alright.”

Sirius returned to the bridge momentarily while Amanda stayed on deck watching the ever approaching port.

Shiv returned with Neko. From the bow of the ship he worked his water-elemental magic, pulling the water in large waves back against the ship, increasing the water resistance.

Amanda wasn’t sure how much it helped but their speed had her paying attention the entire way in. Then the anchor went down yanking the ship back like a dog on a lead, and it almost knocked Amanda off her feet but it was enough. They glided the last few hundred yards, coming to a stop neatly right next to the port.

Amanda waited on board the ship until almost all the crew had left for the shore. They skipped, and danced and shouted their way toward the merry array of well-lit taverns. Only a few remained behind to guard the cargo. She hesitated, afraid if she left the ship she wouldn’t be able to return.

From the edge of the deck she watched Sirius talking to a couple of men from another ship. She wondered if the conversation was about her. They didn’t look so bad. They were better dressed than nearly every member from the crew of the Black Dog but it didn’t make her feel any better.

After his conversation Sirius returned up the boardwalk. “You coming? Most of the crew will sup in town tonight.”

Her glance lingered behind him, on the men from the other ship.

“No one’s leaving tonight,” Sirius replied in what sounded like an attempt to reassure her. We’ll sleep on the ship tonight. Well some of us will.” He glanced toward the taverns where all the men had been drawn.

“Even with the storm coming?” Amanda asked. The sky was still blue just above them, way up high, but the sun was hidden behind the hills and the day felt much later than it was.

Sirius nodded. “The cove is pretty sheltered, even from this direction…” he trailed off and turned to give the storm a good look, as if rethinking his last words.

“It’s so dark.” Amanda couldn’t help but marvel at the contrast within the bay compared to the blue still taunting them from up above.

Sirius nodded again. “Wildwater can get quite cold in the winter.”

“Well, it’s a good thing it’s still summer then.”

Sirius studied the incoming storm clouds a little longer and murmured, “Not for much longer. And not where we’re going next…” he trailed off again, this time stopped by a glance at her face.

Did he look sorry? Maybe.

“Anyway,” he nodded his head toward the shore. “Come down for a meal.”

“I’ve got no money.”

“Let me worry about that, it’s the least I can do. After all you have helped us out, and saved our arses at least twice, and besides…” but he trailed off without finishing that sentence.

Before she could protest Sirius had turned his back and was already walking back down the boardwalk.

One glance at the warm inviting windows on shore and Amanda found herself following quickly after him.

The place was packed, and toasty. Even without the 60 plus odd bodies packed inside the place probably would have felt pretty cozy, what with the roaring fireplace along one wall. A group of about 12 to 20 were warming themselves in front of it. Amanda loved the warmth but even she didn’t want to get that close. The group selected two very large tables nearer the door and even there it was roll up the sleeves warm. She about wished she was wearing a singlet. But every now and again the door would swing open as someone left or someone else joined them. And with every swing of the door a slight nip was felt. She hadn’t considered it that cold outside. A bit on the cooler side yeah but the longer they spent in the warm tavern, mulling over menus and stocking up on jugs of beer and other assorted drinks, the cooler and less friendly that intruding outside wind felt.

Amanda was overwhelmed with the noise. Even the bars in Little Rock had never been this rowdy, at least not the ones she’d frequented. There had been a couple of louder dance style clubs but she’d always preferred the sit and drink at a table style ones. Menus went flying by her, over and around her, and somehow never landing in front of her, at least not until Sirius clicked his fingers that was, and then there was one in front of her almost like he’d magically summoned it there.

“Pick what you want,” he said in a hushed voice, quiet but easy to hear amid all the shouts.

“Aye recommend the macaroni,” one of the crew yelled at her from across the table.

“It is pretty good,” Sirius agreed.

“Well I’ll have that then,” Amanda replied with a smile.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Another of the crew stood up and pointed to people in turn. “Macaroni? Macaroni? Macaroni? Macaroni?”

He was met with nods until the fourth, who replied “Actually I’ll have the ribs.”

There was silence among the crew and then he was met with, a ribbing of raucous laughter in return.

“What do you want to drink?” Sirius asked her in another loud whisper.

He had taken her pegasus, she figured she might as well get something in return. There was no drinks list on the menu but that didn’t worry Amanda, she was perfectly happy with whatever the house was serving. “Beer’s fine.”

He gave a nod and he was gone. He returned a moment later with a jug of familiar looking liquid. Just the one though. “You’re not having one?” she asked.

He shook his head then turned to scour the room.

“The captain doesn’t drink,” a voice said. “As I’m sure you’ve noticed.”

Amanda turned to find Shiv at her other side, nursing his own beer.

“That’s a rule?”

Shiv gave a wry smile and replied. “Nah, just this captain, and I may be overstating it a little. He does drink sometimes, just not usually on a night like this. When the lads cut loose he likes to keep his wits about him. Although he’s usually pretty conservative either way. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him proper drunk.” Shiv got himself lost in thought for a second then studied the captain. “Mind you, it probably takes a bit to get him proper drunk given his size anyway. That or he’s just good at acting sober.” Shiv rubbed his face with one hand and Amanda watched as his thoughts wandered off again.

Eventually he leaned forward across the table. “Hey Benny. You ever seen the captain proper drunk?”

The summoner, who was mostly a quiet bloke, shook his shaggy head in reply.

Dickie, who was seated next to him butted in enthusiastically, “Yeah, there was that one time,… oh no wait that was Crick.”

The table erupted in laughter and Dickie shifted uncomfortably as Sirius’ gaze returned to the table.

Amanda glanced around the bar. It was mostly full of men but there were one or two women too. They predominately fit into two categories. Barely disguised ladies of the night, and sailors. The latter identified by an above average height, a stance that could have kept away a grizzly, and sea-frizzed hair. It wasn’t just the woman though, all the sailors had that slightly wild, and unapproachable look about them. Given how long it had been since Amanda had last seen a mirror she was sure she didn’t look much different, although she was probably the shortest one in the room. One redhead at the bar had a scar running from left eyebrow to her right chin. None of them looked like people easy to strike up a conversation with.

But as the beer flowed, and the food came out they all took on a slightly different appearance. Conversation around the room became more chatty. Amanda watched as people who had at first seemed standoffish smiled and joked with strangers. Or perhaps they had all been friends to begin with and it had just taken them awhile to remember one another.

“Is it always like this?” Amanda asked Sirius, between sips of her second jug or beer.

“Like what?” Sirius replied.

“Like…” Amanda struggled to find the right word. She paused for a long while, and then finally asked “Is it always this crowded?” It wasn’t the right word but it would have to do.

Sirius gave the question a good deal of thought. He looked around the bar as he did. He nodded but then answered “Not always, but pretty often. The storm might have drawn a few more in than usual. It’ll die down more later. The night’s young.” There was a slight edge to his tone.

Amanda thought on that until Shiv leaned over and said “What he means, is that most of them will find a whore to disappear off into the night with.” It earned him a disapproving glance from Sirius.

Amanda giggled then sculled the last of her beer to hide her laughter. A new jug was almost immediately placed in front of her by someone who had just gone to fetch a new round for the table and she happily reached for it. It was making her feel decidedly less worried about whatever was going to happen tomorrow. Who cared about tomorrow when there was tonight, bright in front of you.

“The captain does not approve,” Shiv said seriously and loud enough for the captain to hear.

Amanda could see a twinkle in his eye. He was intent on giving the captain a good ribbing.

Sirius’s only answer was a grunt.

Amanda’s grin widened and she boldly inquired, “Of the the prostitution or the drinking?”

Shiv chuckled. “Both actually, but mostly the prostitution.”

Amanda glanced at Sirius. His face had darkened but there was an unmistakable blush in his cheeks.

“I’m fine with it in theory,” he grumbled.

Amanda thought he might say more but he left it there.

She glanced back at Shiv who had a devious look on his face.

She was enjoying the banter and the contrast between the captain and his quartermaster. She was used to dirty-minded sailors. Little Rock got more than it’s fair share and she’d been frequenting bars to play cards since she was old enough to walk. Not that they’d ever looked at her that way. The regulars were her dad’s friends and no new sailor would ever bother her on their watch.

But having almost unlimited access to booze during high school had made her popular enough with the boys her own age. She’d never been particularly shy and none of the boys she’d known in high school had been particularly shy either. Most of them had boasted the unapologetic confidence of youth. So to see a captain of a ship, and a man as big as Sirius was, blushing at the thought of a lady of the night, well she found it kind of sweet, cute even.

“It’s a perfectly reputable line of work,” Shiv remarked with a slight slur and one finger in the air. Shiv was already more than three drinks in. He’d downed a few shots the moment they’d gotten there then settled into a darker beer that some of the other sailors seemed to eye warily.

Amanda shot him a grin but her gaze soon found Sirius again.

Shiv perhaps noticing something between them, in a mischievous mood, and also figuring that they could use a little prodding, pushed his beer to the side and leaned in with a story.

“Do you want to hear about the time Sirius single-handedly slayed a kraken?” Shiv asked.

Amanda must have given him a disbelieving look.

“No, no really. We were all shit-faced and it had it’s tentacles wrapped around the ship. He dove into the sea to take it out. It nearly drowned him.

Beside her she heard Sirius groan and mumble, “Shiv.”

Across the table Dickie flung his arms so wide he accidentally hit Benny in the face. “It was this big.”

Benny pulled his amber ale closer to his chest, protecting it with his arms. He then attempted to shift further down the table, away from Dickie, but couldn’t get much further than half an inch, due to the guy on his right.

Amanda glanced at Sirius who was pointedly not looking at her.

She kept staring until he felt compelled to look at her. Behind her she could hear Dickie and Shiv recounting various parts of the story.

When Sirius met her gaze she gave him a smile and raised an eyebrow questioningly.

Sirius sighed. “It wasn’t that big.”

His voice got the attention of the others and they all hushed perhaps hoping he’d tell the story. But all he said was, “And I don’t think I killed it. Just stabbed it a few times. Krakens are reclusive creatures, passive mostly. Make an attempt to put up enough of a fight and they’ll just run off. We probably just startled it.”

Disappointed they weren’t going to get a whole story the men returned to telling other tales about krakens they’d encountered.

Amanda kept her attention on Sirius. That bit about krakens being shy, she had heard something like that before, and the way he said it made her think the whole thing was true.

He wasn’t turning away this time. He seemed to have grown more comfortable with her gaze. He studied her for a moment. “They can sink a whole ship though,” he added softly so only she could hear.

She leaned closer to him. “What did it look like?”

“Like a giant octopus, but jet black. There was only the one eye that I could see, but maybe the other one was under water. That’s what I went for, the eye. Wasn’t really much choice. It had it’s tentacles wrapped around the bow, would’a tipped us over eventually. It wasn’t as big as the ship though, despite what Dickie might say…” catching her look he trailed off, glanced away and then back again.

Realizing she was perhaps staring at him too intently she gave a smile, a gentle shrug, and then ran a finger casually around the rim of her beer. When she glanced back at him he seemed to have relaxed again.

He continued softly. “It’s not the craziest thing we’ve run into out here, just the one that makes the best story. People fear them cause they’re big but out here krakens are the least of your worries.”

“I’ve never seen a kraken,” Amanda replied. “I’ve seen plenty of sandworms though. I hear they’re a similar size, maybe smaller, but people always worry about them. They do kill but nowhere near as often as the common brown snake.”

“Mmm.” Sirius nodded. “Jellyfish get more sailors than you think. That and just falling overboard when no one’s looking. Or eating the wrong fish.”

“Or getting crushed by a vending machine.”

He gave her a surprised look.

“Well maybe not sailors, but it’s a surprisingly common cause of death.”

“Getting crushed by a vending machine?”

“Yeah.” She gave him a grin. “The food gets stuck and people try to tilt the thing to get it out.”

The crooked smile he gave held her attention like a mesmerizing flame and as they continued talking the rest of the room faded into the background until, despite the large crowd around them, it felt like only the two of them existed at all.