My (Monster?) Hero Life

Chapter 52: Small Talk

Raven led them through the dirty streets towards the docks. The rumours had not been exaggerated at all. Everywhere he looked Kace could see rough looking individuals. Possibly only a handful of what appeared to be ordinary citizens.

Of course they could just be hiding out in their houses but he doubted there was many more of them. The wooden planks creaked beneath his feet as they walked along the dock. Giving him the impression that they would snap beneath his weight at any second.

The galleon was moored before them. Black paint covered the wood with the detailing done in a dark red. Kace instantly felt a connection with the captain who obviously had the same great taste that he did. Albeit for more practical reasons. Such as being harder to spot in the dark when they were trying to rob someone blind.

They gained a lot of cold looks as the crew stared at them as they walked up the boarding plank. Quickly appearing uninterested as Raven glared at them.

'At least we don't have to worry too much about the crew trying anything.' Kace was secretly relieved about this. They had to try and make it to their destination with the crew intact. Since neither of them knew anything about sailing a ship. Even if they did the ship was too large to manned by the two of them alone.

Freedom was outfitted with triple masts. Which meant it would take at least six people to turn them all in unison. Never mind the fact that they would have to be raised or lowered as well depending on the situation.

It was certainly a sight to behold. It must have taken a few beatings as evident by the odd blemish in the body but it seemed like the captain took care of her. Replacing any parts that got too badly damaged.

Raven led them to the captain's quarters. A single door situated between two luxurious sets of stairs leading up to the wheel. Pushing the heavy door aside they stepped inside.

Kace let out an involuntary gasp. A couple of chests that were so full the lids could not close were lined up against the wall. A sturdy desk with a gorgeous and comfy looking chair sat near the windows at the rear of the room.

The table was littered with charts, journals and odd bits of solitary parchment. An unwell with a quill sitting beside it were places neatly within reach of the chair.

Raven walked over to a cabinet that stored glasses and a couple of decanted liquors. Opening the door he took out the decanter that was still almost full. With his other hand he picked out three small glasses.

With a calm demeanor he walked over to the desk and sat them down. Proceeding to pour the amber liquid into the glasses. Kace's nose wrinkled as the smell permeated his nostrils. Recognising it as rum that he himself had never been partial to.

Raven's sharp eyes noticed this small sign. 'Great sense of smell. They shouldn't be able to smell it at that distance.' He thought as kept his poker face. Unwilling to show any sense of doubt.

As he was about to hand over the glass to Kace he was surprised when he turned him down. Instead pointing to a decanter of red liquid resting inside of it.

"I'm not keen on rum. Would you mind if I sampled your wine instead?"

"Hmm, that's for my own consumption lad. A word of advice. Always take what the captain offers. Don't ask for more than you've earned." Raven replied with a hearty laugh. Seemingly not minding the rudeness that had just been displayed.

Shrugging his shoulders with a carefree look on his face he took the glass that was offered to him. Grugda did not hesitate and and cupped the small glass in his large hands. Afraid of breaking such a fragile thing.

"So then, how about you tell me what's so important on Ulafor Island that you have to go there?" Raven cunningly asked while taking a sip. His eyes trained on the pair of them to see if he could spot any deception. He had his own interests to protect after all.

Kace had already prepared an answer having thought there was a possibility they would be asked this kind of question. Grugda and himself had come to an agreement that Kace would do the talking. A man as smart as Raven might pick up on the fact the Eljeins voice was inhuman after all.

Pretending to think about his answer, so as not to give away that he had previously prepared it, he twirled the liquid in his glass. Taking a sip so as to seem more natural before he answered.

"We believe a comrade of ours is on the island. We're heading over to hopefully find her."

Raven's eyebrows rose in surprise. He did not detect even the hint of a lie but he felt it deep in his bones that this was only a half truth. For the past decade his had been the only ship to sail to that cursed island. So he found it hard to believe that a friend of theirs had found her way across the sea alone.

Ignoring that fact there was also another reason behind his doubt. The man before him was ta most eighteen years old. Which meant this so called comrade would have to have left him more than ten years ago if she had gotten a different ship.

His eyebrows creased into a frown as he thought deeply about what he had just told him. 'Ten years or more on that island? Alone? She's probably dead. He ain't lying so maybe a relative that he just wants to confirm is she's still alive? That's plausible.'

"Sorry to break it to you kid, if she hasn't returned already then she's probably dead." Raven replied in an uncaring tone. Hoping to get more information from how he would react to this.

"Oh, we're pretty sure she's dead. We just want to see if we can find her body and bring it back with us."

Raven nodded his head in understanding. He had sensed no lie yet again. Putting his mind at ease. 'At least their not searching for the treasure. It's took me along time to cone this far!'

He was pleased with the response he had been given. They had some strength. They would probably rank third and fourth amongst his grew. Right behind his Lieutenant, Mr Penny. 'They'll definitely be a help once were on the island. Maybe we can finally get past the...'

Kace noticed that the captain seemed to thinking for too long. Making him feel on edge. Their fate was in his hands and if he doubted them it could still turn into a shit show.

"Ah my bad, my bad. Just got lost in my thoughts. It's a brave thing you're doing travelling all this way just to return a corpse. That's loyalty money can't buy." Raven finally spoke after a sigh. Bringing the tension down a couple of notches.

Kace let his tensed muscles relax in relief. For a moment he thought they were going to have to fight their way out. They had enough enemies as it was already. They got bogged down in some idle small talk with the captain.

Kace had to make up an excuse as to why his friend would not talk. Just saying that caused great pain whenever he spoke due the injuries he had received. Raven seemed to accept this, he had seen many of such injuries in his time so it was not so uncommon.

Beyond that they just gave the captain a rundown of their skills. He was impressed by all they claimed to have achieved. He took it with a pinch of salt though only taking around half of it to be truly fact and the rest to be exaggerated. 

Nevertheless he was confident he just roped in two highly capable crew members. So he would not complain at all.

"Mr Penny! Get yer arse in here!" Raven bellowed once the small talk was over with.

The door opened to reveal a tall, burly man. Thick with muscles. An officer's jacket covered his top half but was left open to display his bare chest. Knotted with muscle.

He was blind in one eye, a white fog rested in it giving it away. His tanned skin was like bronze and his hair was kept short except for a thin ponytail coming from the rear of his head.

He gave the pair a cold look as he turned his attention to the captain. Kace had felt a dangerous vibe around the man as soon as he had entered.

"You called cap'n?" His voice was solid and deep. Making you think that a rock had just spoken.

"Yeah, show our new friends to their bunk. Then get the men ready. We set sail in the afternoon."

"As you command sir." He replied as his brows furrowed in confusion. They were not due to return to the island for another month. What had changed the captains mind? Was it them?

He gave the pair a curious look as he led them from the cabin. 'Can't be. They ain't that strong.' he thought as he closed the door behind them. Leaving the captain alone in his room.

Once the door was closed Raven walked back over to his cabinet. Taking the wine decanter in his hand and uncorking it. With a swirl the smell of blood wafted throughout the cabin.

'Soon... very soon...' Raven mused with a grin on his face.

***

Important Author Note Please Read

Hey folks! I've had to edit this is to quite a few chapters so that as many people as possible see it. Please read to the end as it is important.

First off. I need to thank each and everyone of you for the massive show of support in the past few days. You guys are the heart and soul of why I do this.

Second. You deserve to be rewarded. You have shown so much support that I feel you deserve something more in return. Therefore I'm going to try to start releasing two chapters a day. They may be a tad shorter but you'll end up with more to read overall.

Third. Some goals! We're doing well in quite a few of the charts. So let's aim for more. See below for targets to meet and the rewards to go with.

1. Enough votes to make it into top 100 in power Ranking. Two extra chapters to be released next Monday.

2. Top 50. You get 3 extra chapters.

3. Top 25. You get 4 extra chapters.

4. Top 10. You get 5 extra chapters.

5. Top 3. It's a secret but will be worth it.