Chilling winds swept across The Darling's deck, swallowing up the low grumbling of the sailors' as they pulled their coats tighter. Towards the tiny creatures that arrogantly attempted to subdue the ocean would only show hatred.
The captain's quarters were nestled cozily in the heart of the ship, it was a unique privilege granted only to him. Only on specific conditions were sailors' given access to his cabin.
Dying sailors' could call an emergency meeting with the captain to put forth a request regarding the sharing of coin to their relatives or loved ones on land. At sea a life could be lost at any moment; perhaps just one pitiful soul would enter the icy embrace, perhaps tens. For this reason sailors' would only be paid once The Darling lay her anchor at the shore.
Danger and opportunity often came hand in hand. Sailors' who had chanced upon supernatural treasures could exchange them for gold coins in the captain's office. Infighting was forbidden aboard The Darling and the influence of the backers behind the ship ensured the safety of the sailors' as their wealth suddenly soared.
Just by glimpsing the forces behind The Darling several clever and fearless old sailors had obtained huge fortunes. In particular, backed by the mysterious forces, an old and well-known sailor, had been conferred a noble title.
This appointment sent earth-shaking ripples through that kingdom and dramatically changed people's understanding of The Darling and it's backers.
Never before had the captain taken an interest in an individual sailor.
The scholarly marksman would be the first and perhaps also the last.
Calmly observing the ornate engravings on the door, Jace knocked thrice. Each knock was slow and evenly spaced. Then he stood, waiting motionlessly for a response.
Moments later an unfeeling voice called out.
"Come in."
As he twisted the door's handle Jace noticed that the craftsmanship was extremely unusual. Barbed spikes, resembling the drawn-wide jaw of a starving beast, scratched against his skin. What strange bloodthirsty desire had possessed the craftsman at the time?
Despite the thoughts that spun rapidly within his mind, Jace's face showed no sign of shock or surprise.
'You'll have to try harder.'
He stepped inside the captain's cabin. Immediately a heady salty smell assaulted his powerful senses.
Compared to a few days ago Jace's strength had undergone a terrifying change. Previously he could only vaguely sense something strange about the old man scarred by time and horror.
At the present moment however his intuition sent him several piece of information. The pungent smell of the raging sea in the room stemmed, not from the surroundings, but from the captain's body.
The blood that coursed through the old sailor's veins was chaotic and impure, reeking of animalistic savagery not belonging to the human race.
Two thoughts reached the surface of Jace's mind.
'He's like me.'
'His flaws are glaring.'
Faint and almost illusory, a subtle, carefully disguised scent drifted about the room. It didn't take medical expertise to realise it was the odour of medicine.
The smell was most concentrated in a hidden draw in the captain's desk. Without the pungent smell of herbs it would have been impossible for Jace to discover it.
Mingling with the violent fishy scent of the captain's blood this gentle medical fragrance exuded a sense of calm. Without regular doses of the medicine it was highly probable the side effects of the captain's unnatural state would explode.
Wild beasts fought with tooth and claw from the moment the sun rose to the moment it set. Their bodies contained unfathomable strength and they relied on the instincts in their bones to expertly hunt their prey.
However the drawbacks to the wild nature of beasts' were not small. A frail and weak child could slaughter creatures tens of times their side with a simple pit trap. Naturally this plan could also backfire upon the child in an instant.
Exploiting the disparity between strength and intelligence humans could capture great swathes of territory in the boundless plains and forests.
In the shadows lurked mysterious groups and individuals to deal with certain types of beast. Historians who dug deep enough into the annals of a kingdom's creation could find records scrawled by trembling hands of men and women wielding unimaginable powers.
Bodies, still warm with the breath of fading life, clawing out from piles of the dead and baring their teeth at the enemy. Entire kingdoms falling into eternal slumber without warning; the festering bodies of kings, servants and slaves alike never to leave the cold embrace of sleep.
Jace stood silently in front of the captain's desk. It would be considered a grave insult for him to sit without being asked.
In the expert marksman's mind, a vivid picture of the mysterious captain was gradually becoming clear.
"You seem to have a natal connection to the guns you wield. I am unable to best you." Spoke the captain.
His words were concise and calculated. Moreover his tone and manner of speaking instantly reminded Jace of the nobles on the floors above. Although he lacked the innate superiority of a true noble it was apparent that the captain had received a certain degree of education.
Considering his role would likely interact with countless guests. The forces behind The Darling would doubtlessly not appreciate an uncouth representative.
Contact between sailors guests was extremely minimal, each party held their prejudices towards the other and disdained interacting. The unknown forces would not invest significant resources in dispensable employees that could be replenished at any port city The Darling docked.
"Thank you captain." Jace replied with a neutral tone.
"For your skills I will add 20 gold coins to your salary. Individuals like you and I-" The captain's eyes briefly reflected a rare trace of feeling, "-have a unique place in this world."
Killing intent soared in Jace's mind before vanishing swiftly. His eyes became pools of calm once more.
The captain believed he had encountered someone similar to him. In some ways he was not far from the truth.
Regardless of his decisions from this point forth, Jace knew that he had been marked by the forces behind The Darling. Only his actions could determine their attitude towards him.
"Take this.
If you find something of special interest it can be used to contact a member of the Crimson Hand. Should you be able to come to an understanding on the item, perhaps your wildest dreams can become reality.
I urge you to behave cautiously in the presence of the disciple." The captain said, his tone contained a gentle friendliness towards the marksman.
Whether it was motivated by his delight in finding someone who shared the loneliness that stemmed from his strange physical condition, or simply respect for an extraordinarily skilled fighter, the captain treated Jace as an equal.
"Here. Whisper the phrase, the flesh burns in the light of day, and if a disciple is nearby they will respond to you.
Be patient, perhaps it will take weeks for you to receive a reply. Do not show any disrespect to the disciple. Their position in the sect may be small, but they possess power far exceeding that of failed experiments like us." After finishing speaking the captain sighed and a deep fatigue crossed his grey eyes.
Retrieving a crimson shell from a drawer in his desk he slowly pushed it across to Jace.
Wariness filled Jace's heart but it was not appropriate to decline the captain's request. Reaching out to take the shell, he prepared to flee at the first sign of danger.
'Hot!'
This was Jace's immediate thought as he took the shell in his hand. Translucent like a gemstone it exuded a sense of ancient beauty, Jace observed a peculiar current swimming aimlessly within the shell.
Just holding the shell Jace felt a fierce burning sensation. No matter how fierce the burning current within the shell, it was naturally impossible for it to cause any harm to the tyrannical carapace of a Bloodcurdle crab.
"Thank you." Jace nodded appreciatively. The crimson shell was quickly stored in an inner pocket of his jacket.
As the door swung shut behind his back the captain called out, "The next gathering. I hope to see you there."
Only destiny would determine the outcome of the captain's words.