Stowaways and Secrets

“The two of you did not sit me here to talk of old times.” Haitsu crossed her arms. 

“See there again! The girls has grown so wise beyond her years.” Maggie nodded.

“It is all for being in the presence of elders such as ourselves, of course.” Gennie confirmed.

Haitsu continued to settled in her place and wait for the women to share what concerns plagued their minds.

“Still,” Gennie leaned forward and cleared her throat. “There is the issue of a stowaway.”

At this Haitsu’s brow did furrow. “The one you took to your cabin? Is this another talk like the one before the last port? If so, I’m not the one to be talking to. I’ve no interest in the goings on of men and bedding. No! Nope! None!”

A blush darkened the girl’s features as she waved her hands at the captain and navigator.

Both women worked to suppress their laughter at the expense of the poor sailor. 

“Not at all. Chou chou!” Gennie put a hand to her heart. “Though if ever you have need, we know how to work a man as well as a blade.”

“And would happily be your instructors in such arts.” Maggie added as if the young sailor was not embarrassed enough. 

Haitsu shuddered. “Can we please talk about anything else.” 

Gennie acquiesced. “You are quite correct Haitsu. There are much more pressing matters we bring to you.” 

“The captain believes there is another stowaway aboard. One with claws, perhaps.” Maggie hooked her finger in emphasis.

“Is this the one you have mentioned when you are very drunk and remembering the mainland?”Haitsu lit up with both curiosity and concern.

Gennie’s mind flashed, plagued by visions from the night. Even while so much else filled her the daylight with a ship that needed tending and plans to be made before port, the night creeped at the corners of her mind, waiting for openings such as this.

“It could be.” Gennie flattened her tone.

Still, for a breath, Maggie’s eyes flit from Haitsu to the captain. 

“You have seen him.” Gennie retained a steady demeanor.

“Only the once, and that was fleeting-” Haitsu’s words were cut short by the flick of Gennie’s fingers.

“But you have seen him. Unlike most aboard.” 

“Yes.” The girl relaxed her shoulders with a nod. 

How many would Gennie send to hunt this bit of trouble? Typically, she would wait to see what the assassin would do, but this close to such a dangerous port, anything could happen. With her mind on so many other concerns, her guard would be down. 

“I need to know all my most trusted hands and eyes are aware of the dangers that may be aboard.” Gennie did not mean for the sigh that escaped her lips to seem so morose.

“Of course, my captain.” Haitsu’s back stiffened as she fortified herself.

“I appreciate a crew that can work as hard as they laugh.” Gennie allowed a smile to relax her features. “And good work requires sustenance. I understand the cook has invented some new delicacies with the remains of our supplies. You must be famished after the work this morning, and the training. Go. See what is on the menu.”

Though the intent of the captain’s words were meant to lighten the mood, mention of the ship’s cook, Cakeblade, often brought more anxiety to the younger members of the crew. 

“Yes, but are you certain it is safe?” Haitsu’s eyes were wide again.Gennie’s brow furrowed in consternation. “Mais of course? Why would it not?” 

“I don’t want to be added to the menu myself.”

Even Maggie held back a delicate snort of laughter at this. 

“Qua?” Gennie shrugged at the women.

“Pretty, not even I am fool enough to invade the galley without Cakeblade’s permission.”

“Nonsense.” Gennie waved. “She may have come with the ship, but I am still her captain.”

“And how many times is it now that she has turned a blade on you even?” Maggie quirked a slender brow.

“Oui. Well. Turning a blade and running me through are two separate things.” Gennie remarked with a cross of her arms. “Besides, I have only to duck a bit to be clear of her sweep.”

Maggie only rolled her eyes at this, but Haitsu remained concerned.

“The Cakeblade will not harm you. Sanji always has a full stomach, that little rat has no fear of our galley mistress. Why should you?”

Gennie knew the woman in the galley had a heart of gold, no matter her manner if one entered her kitchens without proper admittance. Yet, the little cabin rat always seemed to have a little more than the rations allotted to the rest of the crew. A soft spot might indeed exist between the two who had been on the ship when Gennie had taken it’s command. 

“Whatever the case, you should see what she has as offering. I want you focused and ready for port. Tell the cook as much.” Gennie dismissed Haitsu.

With a nod and a bob the young sailor did as she was bid and made for the galley. 

“I will see to the cook later to be sure there are no supplies missing, scant as they are.” Gennie watched Haitsu disappear below the deck. “And to be certain she is not too stingy even with the little that remains.”

“As much as you know the stories of this crew,” Maggie began. “And trust because of that knowledge, this assassin has yet passed whisper to whisper on the ship.”

It was a question, though Maggie had done her best not to phrase it as such. 

“All will learn in time who each of them really are. It is best though still to keep some things close.”  

“Have I seen this assassin?” Maggie’s question was uncharacteristically direct, though softened by the whimsical lilt in her tone.

“Oui.”

Maggie waited for more. When Gennie stood to cross to the rails the navigator followed. 

“So why not send me to find the cur.” 

The two leaned against the rails, Gennie overlooking the vast ocean, Maggie with back pressing the smooth ironwood of the carved banister. 

“Because I need you alive.” 

Maggie’s brow dropped as she turned her gaze on the diminutive captain. “Excuse me, pretty.”

Gennie’s gaze remained trained on the tranquility of the waves. “I need your skill, as navigator. Not crawling about in the corners of the ship on a wild goose hunt.” 

“Right.” Maggie let the explanation ride though her thoughts still lingered on the captain’s words. 

“The others are still being tested. As we once were, and will be again. Légendes dites de leur bouche ou d'autres. Mais their skills are not ones that cannot be replaced.” It was not meant to be harsh, though Gennie’s words felt like steel slicing flesh.

“And what of me then, my captain. Am I also not so disposable as you too often tell me I am.” Marrick’s voice drew back the tension of the conversation, as well as Gennie’s eyes from the sea.

Both women relaxed some at the sight of the first mate at the bottles hanging from his grasp. 

“You’ve seen this shadow that lurks beneath our captain’s nose?” Maggie remarked as she extended a hand in anticipation for a bottle. “If there’s to be a tale, I will need a drink.”

“You always need a drink.” Marrick frowned though he handed over the bottle for the women to share as he clutched the other for himself.

“And aye, the imp and I have crossed paths and swords.” 

Marrick did not have time to reclaim his statement before the women smirked at the turn of phrase. 

“No! Now, get your heads straight. I didn’t mean it like that.” Marrick protested with the color rising to his cheeks.

“We pass no judgment, friend.” Maggie raised the bottle.

“Non, I always wondered if that was the reason you have not found your way to my cabin yet.” Gennie snickered.

“Lass, you know well enough I would obey that order without question if you gave it. And that there is only one way my ship sails.”

The trio relaxed as they sipped from the bottles. Fear of shadows and unknown dangers falling away for a moment in the levity of shared rumor and rum. It was Marrick who brought the conversation back to darker topics.

“But yes, I have met the man.”