The Leviathan's Lament: A cursed saga.

e horizon, casting the island in an eerie twilight glow. The sea breeze carried with it the salt of the

le, if any, he had to play in her story now. He could have walked away, but something in the way she'd

vessel, no doubt about it-sleek and dark, built for speed and battle. But there was something else about it, a presence that lingered in

as, about to

he curious glances from a few stragglers at the docks. The gangplank was still down, and no

t aboard when a voice

ell, what do w

g lazily against one of the ropes. His eyes glinted with amusement, but there was some

ding gracefully on the deck a few feet away. He was grinning, but h

said, his tone light but laced with suspicion. "Who are

ly, keeping his voice calm. "I'm

now the captain had *friends* from her old life." He tilted his head, studying Kae

asual but firm. He wasn't about to be intimidated by

First mate of the Leviathan, so I'd say I have a v

voice interrupted them, one that im

ld, en

e stairs leading down from the captain's quarters, her eyes locking on Kaelan. For a long mom

something unspoken but choosing not to pry. He gave Ailbh

ession unreadable as she approached Kaelan. She stopped a

ou doing he

. But then again, years had passed, and she was no longer the same girl he'd known.

s tone even. "Thought I'd come and see what kind

ugh them-maybe a memory of the old days, when they'd laughed at trouble to

e we used to get into, Kael

ng around in a cursed ship with a crew of outlaws. Se

r a moment, Kaelan thought she might turn and walk a

're bound to the Leviathan, all of us. We can't leave, Kaelan. Not for more than a day."

e, I've been caught up in worse for a lot less rea

rgue, but Torvald's voice

we've go

oaching. Kaelan recognized them immediately-mercenaries, and not the friendly kind. The

nder her breath, turning to

dn't move. "I

could respond, the mercenaries reached the gang

ng with arrogance. "I believe you've got something of ours.

his was bad, and he had a feeling that whatev

an could see the tension in her posture. "You'll have to be

k you know exactly what we're after. The Leviath

ood ran col

lt of her sword. "If you want it,

ly to his own weapon, readying

e for the Leviathan-and whatever dark