CHAPTER 6
The crew quickly gathered as the galley master vigorously rang the ship's triangle that summoned the crew for supper. Instead of all cramming into the galley, the crew lined up against the railing.
Ripteeth elbowed his former first mate, Urgler, barely managing to keep a straight face. Urgler glanced at Ripteeth out of the corner of his eye, and furrowed his thick eyebrows over his beady eyes with puzzlement. The ex-captain rolled his eyes and stomped down hard on the rat's footpaw.
"Ywoch!!" Urgler yelped, jumping up and down grabbing his stepped on paw. He hopped around clumsily until he tripped on a coiled length of rope and collided smack bang into Bloodbearer Searclaw.
"Stupid fool!" From the black hood, Searclaw's bright yellow eyes smoldered dangerously. Urgler gulped slowly as both of the Bloodbearer's short swords were pressed against his soft stomach. "High Commander Barax hates to be disturbed during his meetings with the other Bloodbearers. I'd hate to have to disturb him with the sounds of your screams."
Hastily, Urgler forgot his trodden on footpaw and stepped back into his place along the rail. Ripteeth grinned cruelly at his mate, who scowled back in return.
Searclaw moved back to his post against Barax's door. He could hear Barax's voice, and the muffled words of the other forty-nine Bloodbearers. Sliding his short swords back into his red silk sash, the Bloodbearer fixed the crew with an icy glare to show them he was in charge. The meeting would be over shortly, and soon they could eat. A few moments later Barax and the other Bloodbearers emerged, their leader with a small smile on his face.
"Now, we shall eat our last meal on the water,"
Quietly the crew followed behind the Bloodbearers and Barax to the galley. Another Bloodbearer, Traag, explained the meeting to quickly to Searclaw as they followed Barax. Ripteeth nearly laughed out loud at his good fortune. Barax would die in front of the whole crew and his Bloodbearers!
~*~
The crew waited for Barax and the Bloodbearers to be seated. The stoat flicked his wrist once, signaling the crew that they could be seated on the rough benches at the other end of the table.
As the galley master and his helpers served out the feast, Barax's steely eyes glided around the table and rested a moment upon Ripteeth. The High Commander's mouth spread into a sardonic smile.
"Ripteeth, my faithful servant," As he spoke the rest of the talk and laughter around the table subsided into silence. "Come, your ship and crew have made a fine improvement to my fleet. Be proud that your ship was fine enough that I didn't have you and your ship destroyed upon seeing it."
The fat weasel was barely able to keep himself from grinding his teeth together. Instead, he gave his head a small nod, staring right back at Barax.
Barax lifted his leather boots onto the corner of the table. He beckoned Ripteeth with his silver his paw. "Come, have a drink from your High Commander's cup. A toast to this ship."
As Barax spoke, Ripteeth paled visibly, wondering if someone had indeed see him steal Barax's chalice. Slowly he got up from the bench and walked to the head of the table where Barax lounged in his chair.
Lifting the chalice, Barax cleared his throat loudly. "To Ripteeth and his ship," The crew and Bloodbearers echoed the toast with, 'Aye, aye' and raised their cups of grog and wine.
Barax handed the chalice to Ripteeth, who stared at the chalice like it was a demon. He gulped, his dirty claws tapping against the metal chalice.
"Drink Ripteeth," Barax's smile suddenly appeared sadistic, even though it never moved. Ripteeth brought the silver chalice to his lips, making a passable fake at drinking until Barax tipped the chalice up further. Rich, dark wine dribbled down Ripteeth's chin as he coughed and spluttered. The fat ex-captain's eyes bulged out, as he swallowed wine from the cup he had poisoned. Instantly he bent double, grabbing at his stomach. The chalice dropped to the wooden planks with a clang.
"I thinks Commander 'as poisoned him!" One of the deckhands whispered fearfully, unable to tear his eyes from a withering Ripteeth on the floor.
"What's the matter Ripteeth?" Barax bent over to pick up his chalice. He poured more wine into the glass and took a long sip. "Not a trace of that poison you rubbed on my chalice left."
Ripteeth's eyes surprisingly expanded even more than they already were. Slowly he got off the floor and stood up. "How? I made sure no beast saw me!" The fat weasel yelled pulling his long dagger from his belt.
The smile remained on Barax's face, like he was enjoying the whole scene. "I see all," Before Ripteeth could even lift his dagger any higher, the High Commander's long sword was through his middle.
The Bloodbearers continued eating, nodding among themselves. They had seen it all before, no beast could out trick Barax Leechpaw. Further down the table, the crew beasts, especially those that had Ripteeth as a captain, goggled at Barax, who released the mutineer's body from his sword with a swift kick.
"You there, Urgler, take your ex-captain's carcass and heave it overboard." Barax commanded as he tore the leg off a roasted gull in front of him. The rat jumped to obey consumed by consternation of the imposing High Commander.
The rest of the crew around the large oaken table resumed fighting over food and drink, each glancing up the table at Barax occasionally.
Sinking his teeth into the tender meat, Barax savored the taste of the finely cooked bird. He leaned back in his chair, the same smile spread across his well-defined face. Tomorrow he would mark the beginning of his conquer of land, starting with the rich Port Mauda.