ABBY

Chapter 6

5 YEARS LATER

A huge War Galleon sits at the edge of the Castalena docks. Her snow white sails are neatly tugged and the sailors are resting and lounging around on her deck.  Once they leave this harbor, it's all men on deck. At least for six months at sea. The Dragon's Destiny is a ship like no other.  Her upper deck houses at least thirty powerful cannons while another twenty-five is sitting in the lower decks. Three massive masts reach for the night sky while a huge dragon figurehead shows the way at the bow. An impressive sight to those walking the pier.

Stories are being told of a young captain chasing after ghosts in the wind. Tales of bravery and heroes surround the magnificent ship with her dark oak furnishings and golden trimmings. Yet her captain remains a mystery to the land lovers. Even though these are rough seamen, they have the utmost respect for their captain. The whole ship and her crew is a well oiled machine, from the deck hands to the First Mate. Everyone does their bit, from cleaning to defending.

The smell of freshly baked bread and lamb stew lingers in the lower deck and crew quarters as Joseph Stern makes his way to the Captain's Cabin. Knocking on the door, he waits for a reply. Three years ago, he was but a begging warlock on the streets of Castalena. Today, he's not only a self-proclaimed guardian of the Captain but he's also the Chief Cook on the Dragon's Destiny, with a crew of sixty hungry wolves and he enjoys every moment of it.

The door opens and he is greeted by a wisp of vanilla as the Captain invites him into the richly decorated room. Holding the tray with an assortment of cheese, bread and a small bowl of stew, Joseph waits for the Captain to clear the table that is scattered with maps and books. "It smells delicious, Jo." The captain states, her rich voice a song in his ears. "Thank you, Cap'n." he says with a hint of pride as he places the tray on the cleared table.

Taking a seat, she takes a spoon and tastes the stew. The rich flavor fills her mouth and a soft moan escaped her lips in satisfaction. Joseph smiles to himself while he pours her a glass of wine and hands it to her. Smiling at him, she takes the glass. "Thank you for the food, Jo." She says and continues to eat. Her pale complexion a sickly grey color against the golden locks that frames her face. She's still weak.

Not asking any further questions, Joseph takes his leave, but not after catching one last glance in her direction and heads to the kitchen. He's concerned for her health. Someone attempted to poison her, but not on the ship. She was in town and had dinner with a merchant who wanted to ship goods to Windy Acres. They had a close call. Too close. If neither he nor Samuel were near, they would be a crew with no captain. Sitting ducks...

However, he's still got an army of hungry men to feed tonight and there are still quite a few things that must be prepared before that happens. The kitchen is a beehive as pots and pans "clang" and knives clutter on chopping boards. The smell lingering, is enticing and makes his stomach growl.

"I'm not sure what you're making Jo, but it smells divine."  Samuel Gryphon, the First mate, states from the door as he watches the bustle in the kitchen. "Thank you, but you'll have to wait till dinner, I'm afraid. And no snacks this time, Samuel." Joseph responds with a friendly warning as Samuel sighs miserably. They've known each other for a good ten years. Long before they started working on the Dragon's Destiny. "Fine, did you take the Captain's meal already?" He asks and Joseph nods.

"How is the Captain doing? I haven't seen her this morning." Samuel asks, concerned, forming a frown on his forehead. The captain was ill the previous week and the whole ship's crew is asking. Joseph glances over at Samuel and sighs. "She's doing good. I think the poison she ingested was caught in time..." He states as he slices through a chunk of meat. "That is good news, at least. I was worried." Samuel replies as his frown deepens.

Joseph is also the ship doctor since he knows a bit about dressing a wound and medicines. He's also practiced magic and learned a thing or two about poisons. "Yeah. That is why I insisted on taking her food from now on. We have a spy on this ship and I'm not waiting for her to die before we start searching." He simply states and cleaves through another chunk. Samuel hears the annoyance in Joseph's voice and leaves the topic. Joseph has a special place in his heart for Abby Davidson, the Dragon's Destiny's Captain. He will go feral if anyone even attempts to hurt her.

Joseph Stern was a beggar on the street corners in the Crime Hub, Castalena. A place where you hide during the night from the darkness that roamed the streets. Muggers, murderers and d**g lords rule the place. Legend, however, tells of a Vampire King who once ruled the city with an iron fist. Where Lycan guards made the rules and punished those who broke them.  The few that stayed behind feared for their lives as Lycans became a hit on the trading market.

Back then, he dreamed of a place where one was safe to walk freely. A place where Supernatural beings were treated with the same respect as the human race. A place where they were all regarded as equals.  But then he met Abby and she gave him a place to call home. A floating home, but a safe haven in the form of a fifty meter long sail ship.

The day he met Captain Abby Davidson still lingers in the back of his mind. The sky was dark and stormy like his heart and mood. He sat in misery in a dark alley, hungry and cold. The day didn't go as planned and he got robbed of everything.  Hearing a commotion in the street, he went closer to take a look and saw her. Sky blue eyes and golden hair cascading down to her waist, she stood tall and proud, surrounded by three buff men taking a protective stance. The outer circle was g**g rats from the harbor who followed them with the hope of stealing something of worth.

However, Joseph did a quick summary of the situation and saw that the rats had no chance. The three bodyguards were seasoned warriors and they would kill for the woman standing in the middle. As the first mugger attacked, all hell broke loose. The three bodyguards got separated from her, however, and she got cornered by three muggers, armed with an assortment of weapons.

Joseph lost himself seeing the young woman in danger as a red flame shot from his hand and two of the men fell on the ground. The third turned and launched at him with a knife in hand, but was cut down by one of the guards before he could reach Joseph. As the dust settled, Joseph was still in shock at what had happened. Looking wearily at the bodies surrounding them.

Approaching him, she introduced herself as Captain Davidson. The surname sounded familiar at the time, but he stayed quiet. He met a noble man a few years back, a captain of a black baroque called the Black Swallow. He was an honorable man and earned every piece of respect from those around him.

"Can you cook?" She asked out of the blue. Her soft voice had a certain amount of sternness behind it. Nodding, Joseph took a very good look at the young woman. He estimated her at least twenty at the time, but her presence spoke of courage and strength. Captain of what?

"I am in dire need of a cook on the Dragon's Destiny.  Would you be interested in the position?" She asked.

Wait...Captain of the Dragon's Destiny?