Spirits

Chapter 10

It seemed like a fire had been lit on the deck when we left the captain's quarters, but the glow of flames was from a clutter of lanterns.

The crew was huddled around, the flames, beer, and rum being passed around in large keg mugs. I watched them drink, laughing with a heavy heart.

"We can't get drunk, or I would encourage you to have a drink," Jax said, pulling me to the edge of the circle.

"I wouldn't drink. It hardly makes a difference to me."

"Hey, men. Budge over and make room for us." Jax tapped the nearest man, plopping down when he moved with a laugh. "Sit down, Maurea. These men have stories that would make any storyteller gap."

"Drink, Slick." A keg was shoved in Jax's hands as I sat slowly, pulling my legs under me.

"That man could outdrink any of us," the sailor next to me laughed. "I've seen it. Ten men down and his cheeks barely red."

Jax sent me a secretive wink and smirked, throwing back the drink. The sailors cheered, tipping their mugs back as well.

"Hey, everyone. This man here saved my life last spring." An older man, practically old enough to be my father yelled, pulling everyone's attention to him.

Alexander and Helena sat on a crate near the rail, fingers intertwined. The sailors lounged at their feet and the rest of the deck. Other than the one man at the helm and in the lookout, the entire ship was settled in.

"This old fellow lost his footing chasing after a youngin and fell into the churn." He slapped his knee. "I ain't no sloppy swimmer, but the waves were pulling me out. Then comes this chap swimming out like it's as easy as walking. Pulled me back a mile I tell you. Helped me get this job."

"You old barnacle almost didn't take it," Jax called, earning a thump on the back.

"Woulda been the biggest regret of my life."

"Here's to the captains," the story-teller rallied, his voice joined by the two dozen crewmates. "Best sailors to ever brace the seas."

The words seemed to set off an explosive effect, everyone trying to give a story or outdo the other's words.

"They braved the storms of the east."

"Commanded a fleet against the English," a small young teen popped up, a grin stretching across his face.

"Awarded a medal by the king himself."

A hush spread across the deck, everyone looking to the couple in question who only smiled.

Jax took his turn, cupping his mouth as he yelled, "I was here when they fought the Kraken. Beast didn't stand a chance, retreated to the depths."

He leaned closer as the deck erupted, "Frode stopped by and his pet came with. Thought I was going to have to institute some of the crew when we returned to port."

"The Kraken is real?" I blinked, looking around as warmth filled my chest. It was like the tentacles were curling up the mast, taking up everything. The words that jumped from sailor to sailor seemed to take on a life of its own.

"This myth has stretched across the world, not solely by word of mouth." Jax wriggled his fingers. "If you've heard of a sea monster or demon, it's likely real. It helps us find others, follow the tales and you'll find a Spirit."

"How many are there?"

"Tales?" Jax counted his fingers, pushing them back as his eyes rolled to the sky, mouth moving. "If I had to guess, I'd say maybe six or seven hundred since the middle ages began. Those are the new ones, though. The older, ancient Spirits have long integrated into the world. I doubt even we could find them."