Taren

A dark gloved paw rapped on the oaken door as their owner settled back, holding a small tray against his chest, sharp ears perked and listening for any trace of sound that would come with the cabin occupants' voice. Few would guess by this beast's cadaverously thin, almost frail figure that he was the second in command of the mighty Death Watch. He could have worn the ranks of 'Advisor,' 'Best friend' and 'Confidant' if such ranks existed.

After what the beast counted as several minutes, a calm and collected voice spoke up, piercing the silence of the evening; "Come in, Mahk."

Mahk Nightblade's cobalt blue eyes remained narrowed against the warm morning air of the tropical weather. It was much too hot for him, especially with the Scarlet Plague raging within his body, kept in check only by his master's generous donation of a special herbal brew that helped to keep Mahk alive. It was a cursed existence, wracked by pain every so often but Mahk accepted it with stoic resignation.

The great corsair ship Wavescythe was docked by the tropical island of Saricath, one of the few Southern Islands that had escaped the notice of the Corsair Lord Dukat Nidas. Wavescythe had once been the pride of Nidas's fleet but skillful tactics on the part of the former Death Watch had seen in a triple loss for the wildcat Wave Lord: the loss of his prized flagship, the death of its crew to the last deckrat and the loss of Saricath.

Of course, this was probably more trouble than it was worth in the long run. Every Death Watcher had faith in their new master and only by his brilliance and ruthlessness had they scored such a victory but the victory earned them the personal enmity of the Wave Lord and a massive bounty on their heads. Already they had made Saricath their base of operations and the island's occupants were thankfully willing to give the group shelter, not counting the less savory of those occupants who now practically deified the Death Watch's young General as their savior. Until the Death Watch's arrival, the corsairs had seen the fearsome monitor lizards as an annoyance and a delicacy to grace the tables of their officers and masters. The Death Watch General had fearlessly approached the leader of the monitors upon the island and asked who his allegiances lay with. Having seen this fox capture the Wavescythe was enough for the monitors to kneel, allowing the Death Watch a group of ferocious and efficient bodyguards.

Not that governing an island was easy. The monitors had to be separated from the other citizens or else their hunger may have gotten the better of them. But while some could find their self control questionable, the Death Watch could not find a single fault with their tenacity or loyalty. The monitors obeyed their lord, a fearsome fellow by the name of Sekh Sobekiaz and Sekh Sobekiaz (It had taken the Death Watch some time to figure out the monitor's odd speech impediment) answered to the Death Watch. More specifically, he answered to their General: Mordath.

The young general was sat back in a captain's chair, crimson fur meticulously groomed as always, one eye gleaming molten crimson while the other radiated icicle frigidness. The eyes caught Mahk, held him fast as he gazed upon his lord and friend's handsome features, nodding once out of his deep respect for the fox.

Mordath, once known as Taren, had taken the mantle of leadership surprisingly well. His sadism was controlled and his habit of masochism had been ruthlessly suppressed. No soldier would have respected for a leader who ran a blade over his own flesh, Mordath had known.

Mahk set the tray down on the captain's desk, covering several maps and charts. If Mordath was annoyed, he didn't show it. Instead he looked at the tray, eyeing what appeared as a small collection of tropical fruit, roast seabird, and... "Mahk, what is this meat?"
"Care to pour me some wine...Sir?" Mahk replied with a small smile. Mordath rolled his eyes and placed down two goblets on the table, removing a bottle of fine wine that was among the belongings plundered from Wavescythe's crew. Mordath's paw filled the two glasses and he gestured plainly to the goblets. Mahk took one, nodding his thanks.

"No problem." Mordath replied calmly, folding his paws over the fine red tunic that he wore. Since arriving and taking this island, Mordath's name was being whispered by many who were tired of Dukat Nidas's rule, from villager to monitor lizard. Through no intent of his own, Mordath found himself a symbol of rebellion against Dukat, forced to repel attacks against the wildcat corsair king. A practice he had found himself excelling in.

Mahk sipped his wine in a courteous and took a seat. Mordath drummed his claws against the desktop, picking at the meat on his plate and looking to Mahk. "Mahk, what am I eating?"

"Monitor lizard."
"What?! Monitor- ugh!" Mordath pushed the plate away and took several gulps of wine. "Who the hell was killing monitors? One of our beasts?! I'll have him hanged from the sails, I'll have him-"

"Calm down, Taren!" Mahk replied, raising a paw defensively. Mordath's rage was smoldered and he looked to Mahk for an explanation which the stoat provided in short effect.

"One of Sekh's lizards was causing trouble in the town...apparently some kid was playing and got lost so the lizard thought he'd just 'take a nibble' while nobeast was watching. Tharik was on patrol nearby and remembering your laws, put a shaft through the monitor's skull. Sekh said he wasn't worthy of a decent burial and told us to serve him to you. 'He'll be more uze to Lord Mordath dead than alive...foolz deserve to adorn dinner platez.' I'm pretty sure I got that 'z' thing they do down..."

Mordath tsked lightly and picked at the meat slowly. "Can't really offend them..." He muttered, eating slowly.

"They practically deify you, y'know." Mahk replied with a small smile. Mordath shrugged lightly.

"I know. They're loyal and pretty damn efficient especially when we're caught up in a war I didn't want to start."

"They came after us."

"I lost five good beasts, Mahk."

"You saved another forty five, Taren."

"I guess you're right..." Mordath sighed and leaned back, closing his eyes. He was remembering Sariss, Mahk knew. The fox that had once been called Taren's beloved who had fallen in a skirmish-a foolish, stupid, inane one- brought about by Taren's insane predecessor Visla.

Mahk said nothing out of respect and Mordath leaned back further into his chair, selecting a plump looking fruit and biting into it with relish. "Tell the monitors it's almost time for their vengeance. Tell the Death Watch I want them assembled on the front decks by dawn...no dallying in town with wenches or sweethearts or courtesans or anything."

"Done." Mahk nodded and stood. "What do I tell Kallan?"
"Put that little snake with the lizards. He should feel right at home." Mordath was

working hard to keep the contempt out of his voice, "When Nidas is dead and this bounty's lifted, we're getting the hell out of this place..."

"Night, Taren." Mahk replied as he rose. "I'll pass on orders to the lads from you?"

Taren nodded once and turned in his chair so his back was to his friend. "Aye."

"You're becoming too adapted to this corsair thing." Mahk replied with a wry smile.

"Shut up and go away." Mordath replied, a tinge of humor in his voice.

Mahk shook his head and closed the door before descending to the crew quarters to see the remainder of the once proud Death Watch, arch rivals of the Calpathions.