2
The blonde
man was tall, his blue green eyes were clear and steady and also somehow alarming.
His hair was not the same bright blonde of Elven Greene’s. It was darker and
cut short. When he talked his voice was deep and unfaltering. He wore a blue
button up shirt with dusty black jeans and cowboy boots. A gun belt and sheath hung
from his hips. His shooting iron was a large nickel-plated revolver with walnut
grips. On his left in its sheath was a almost comically oversized bowie knife.
All these things together did not necessarily scare Mikey
Sturns. The port towns along the Prometheus were rough places and most men came
well-armed. Even the six shooter did not scare him. Sturns had spent much time
in the town of Torren, where fire arms weren’t exactly rare. Although they did
become scarcer the farther from the main provinces you went. Mikey himself
carried a scatter gun whenever trading in the larger towns to discourage extortion
and robbery. No, the thing that scared him most of all was the wolf.
Mikey had met this man in one of the hundreds of cantinas and
saloons along the expanse of the Great River. This establishment, called Rooks,
was just a day’s sail north of Torren. Mikey had been sitting alone at the bar
drinking thoughtfully. Wondering if his next run would be as fruitful as he
hoped. Thinking he should sleep early to get an early start on the day.
“Captain Sturns.” The voice came from behind him and it woke
him from his revere. It was even, yet somehow unpleasant. Mikey had been lost
in his own thoughts. But now he was aware that Rooks had gone silent. That was
strange. This cantina was usually a bustle with lively chatter, energetic
insults and even a drunken fight or two. Now it was dead silent except for the
sound of boot toes tapping nervously against the hardwood floor. There was also
another sound. A queer, low rumbling sound coming from behind him.
Captain Mikey Sturns turned to see who had addressed him. He
then gave a start and fell off his stood. There behind him was the blonde man.
But standing to the man’s left was a wolf.
It was enormous. Easily one of the biggest Mikey had ever
seen. The blonde man was tall and the beast was only an inch or two shorter at
the shoulder. It had a shaggy black pelt and dark green eyes. The wolf was also
broad; he could see power shoulder muscles and a large full build. It must
weigh three times as much as the man standing next to it. Mikey could hear the
rumble, which was actually a deep guttural growl coming from the beast.
Captain Sturns scrambled to his feet. He took a few steps
back trying to look at the blonde man. But he found it difficult to look away
from the wolf. He felt as though if he looked away from its green eyes it would
come forward and rip his head off.
The blonde man gave a low, unpleasant laugh when he saw the
fear in Sturns face.
“This is Fenrir, my friend and companion. And ye have nothing
to fear from him if ye bear me no ill will.” The blonde man said, gesturing to
the beast to his left almost casually.
At the sound of his name the wolf gave a small bow of his
head, its hate filled eyes never leaving Mikey. Those eyes seemed to say that
it would like nothing better than to have this trembling man as his next treat.
Mikey cleared his throat and took another few steps back.
“I am indeed Captain Sturns. Pleased to meet ya and at yer
service.”
His voice now had a little tremble. The blonde man nodded,
pleased to see Mikey’s fear. He reached into his pocket and produced a small
hide purse with a rawhide drawstring. Sturns’s eyes kept going from the man to
the wolf and back. He felt like a small cornered animal. Like a mouse backed
against a wall by a pair of hungry cats. As scary as the Wolf was the blonde
man seemed to give off his own strange feeling. Those blue green eyes made you
feel that he could be far more dangerous than the animal standing next to him.
It had been many years since he had seen a wolf in the
company of a man. And usually these men had to be ruthless to keep such
company. Wolves where kept mostly by Orcs and goblins. The vicious disposition of
both seemed to suit the wolves well. Although Mikey Sturns had nothing against
the green folken. He had done plenty of business with all manner of creatures.
Goblins, who were considered ill tempered by many, could be shrewd and honest
when it came to trade.
“I am in need of you Captain” The blonde man said with a
smile, holding up the purse.
Sturns felt the strong urge to run out of Rooks as fast as
his legs would carry him. Instead he straightened himself out and tried to
speak calmly. He was a business man and this blonde man was looking to do
business.
“How may I be of service, sir?” He said, hoping he sounded
professional. He took the small purse the blonde man was holding out to him. He
could feel a few pieces of coin inside.
“I hear that you captain a small trading ship and intent to
sail for Lock in the morning.” The blonde man had also taken on a somewhat
business like tone. This relaxed Mikey a little. He looked around the saloon. The
patrons were quiet and seemed to be enjoying their drinks. But Mikey was sure
all were now listening to their palaver. His eyes now fell upon the strange
object on the blonde man’s back. It was long and thin. It appeared to be the
length of a broom handle and wrapped in many layers of cotton bandages.
“Ya hear true, sir. I will travel north on the river in the
morning. Although fer no more than a simple spice trading run. But before we go
any further, may I properly introduce myself.”
Mikey gave a quick bow.
“Captain Mikey Sturns of the trade ship Frak.” He said with a
hint of pride in his voice. There were a few snickers at this from the men
drinking at a table. Mikey ignored them and went on. Trying not to look at the
wolf.
“And who may ya be, dear sir?’
The blonde man ignored this last question and pointed at the
small purse now in Mikey’s hand.
“That there is six pieces of gold, captain. For my money I would
like fast passage to Lock. I would also like to leave imminently.”
The blonde man smiled his unpleasant smile and crossed his
arms. Mikey Sturns considered the proposition. This was not the first time he
had taken passengers aboard the Frak. Six gold pieces was also quite a bit of
coin. It would go far towards getting him to his new freighter. He looked at
the wolf a little uneasily. Mikey got the idea that refusing this man’s offer would
not really be good for his health. And Mikey intended to be drawing breath for
many years to come.
“Sounds like a fair trade, sir.” Mikey said. He tried to smile
and then put the purse in his coat pocket.
“So if ya could be at the east vale dock-“
“No.” The blonde man said cutting him off, still smiling his unpleasant
smile. The wolf took a step towards Mikey. Mikey took two steps back and almost
tripped over the leg of another stool.
“You have taken my gold. So we leave now.” The blonde man
said. The wolf bared its teeth. It was far too easy to picture those teeth
sinking into a man’s throat. Mikey felt like a small animal again.
“N-no problem with that, sir.” Mikey Sturns said. His voice
had picked up that tremble again.
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