A massive eruption of Aether exploded on the deck of the ship as Damien glared at Julain with a look that seemed like it could kill him. As if the killing intent that was clear as day too wasn't enough.
Honestly, I'm glad the ship was reinforced with runes recently. I did not want to be on repair duty again.
Damien and Julian have been in a not-so-secret yet deadly rivalry for the past 2 years. It was over the position of First Division leader.
The Captain had appointed Julian as the second in command of the First Division 2 years ago, completely ignoring her own rules since by her own words only Division Leaders had the authority to choose their second in command. Even the Vice-Captain had no say in the matter.
So it came as a complete shock to the entire crew when she said that Julian was assigned to the position without any warning. The entire matter reeked of nepotism but no one dared question the captain on the matter. After all, no one here wanted to end up like Grims.
It had even become an unspoken rumor among the Division Leaders that Julain might've even slept with the Captain to gain his position. While that was an insane accusation it would immediately spell a fate worse than death, given Juilians talent to surpass an expectation and his daring personality I honestly wouldn't put it past him if he did manage to pull it off.
Julain made his place firm among the ranks with his ruthlessness and efficiency. Making it clear that there was a reason why she chose him to be a Vice-Leader of the top division of the Night Reavers.
While the other Leaders were filled with respect Damien was filled with fear. It even got to the point where he started sending Julain on impossible mission hoping he would die and when that didn't work he would send assasins to kill him during raids...none of them ever returned.
So ever since then Damien has been on edge fearing Julain's retaliation, he hid it well but I could there was always that tense look on Damien's face when him and Julian were in the same room.
As bold as it was Julian was right. There was things that he could do that Damien just couldn't, weather that was due to his rigid nature or he was simply unqualified remains to be seen but if Julian kept this up then it's only a matter of time before he challenges Damien for his position.
There was only one way to become a Division Leader if you weren't appointed by the Captain. Challenge the leader of your division and kill them, if you failed you died.
Before Damien could take a step forward his Aether was mysteriously blown away, before the shock could settle in we heard a voice that made our blood run cold and our feet feel like cement bricks.
"That's enough Damien," A soft and stoic voiced echoed, "From what I can see right now neither you or Julian have challenged one another yet so there's no reason you should be trying to start a fight. Especially at this time."
The three of turned our heads at the source of the voice and were greeted with the sight of the something that came straight from another realm.
Aqua blue hair that matched the seas we were sailing upon. With eyes of the same color that gleamed with such a chill you would think that you were just thrown into the depths of the arctic. She wore a black robe the seemed to absorb the light the lingered around her but didn't fail to show her sinful body.
She was the Captain of the Night Reavers. Svetlana Khrismila.
"If anyone here is doing any killing then it's me," She cooly declares and the started at me" Ryalle, how was the raid?"
I immediately began to describe how it went, knowing the that Captain didn't like wasting time, "The raid went smooth. We were able to grab valuable supplied and slaves that have the potential to be members of the Nine Divisions. Granted that they have to go through the appropriate culling of course."
"Sounds like it went according to plan. Anything else?" She continued.
I hesitated for a split second regarding whether I should tell her about the information Julian and I learned from the ship we required the slave Julian seems to have taken a liking to. But I decided it was wise to make sure the Captain was well informed about everything that happened tonight. Any complications that could happen down the line due to omitted information was punishable by death. She did not play games with it came down to delivering punishments.
"We discovered some crucial information on the main slave ship that was in the center of the Armada. One of the slaves said that the destination of the ship was the Caribbean. I don't know the intentions of the French once they made it there but it seems to be related to-"
"Ryalle." She interrupted abruptly
"Yes..." I answered nervously, I don't know if I said too much or eluded to something that I shouldn't know about but I hope I didn't do either. Hopefully she isn't unreasonable.
"Are you sure that these ships were going to the Caribbean?" She asked with a look that made it seem that my answer would weigh a ton. It seems like the stakes were higher than I could've ever imagined.
"We were told by this slave here that he overheard the French talk about the Caribbean being the destination." Julian chimed in while pointing attention to the slave knocked out on his shoulder, "He said that he didn't hear about what specific island they were going to but he assured us that they were heading to the Caribbean."
"is that why you decided to single him out and bring him here personally Julian?" Svetlana inquired, for good reason at least. Julian wasn't particularly known for leaving survivors.
"Yeah. That and I see promise in this one. I don't know why but something tells me that it would be a tragic waste if we killed him on that boat. Least we can do is give him to chance to fight for his otherwise miserable life."