'First was zero five three' Effie explained as they made their way through the city. The collective noise of the street performers was a perfect mask from being over heard. 'and today is a Wednesday in summer so that mean we're going to the dock.'
The crowds thinned as they got closer to the docks but not by much. As soon as they stood overlooking the docks , A ship stood out to Hamish, rather than brown, black or beech, there was a ship halfway down the closest pier that was a natural red wood. Hamish stared at the lavish hull as he made his way over.
Next to the loading ramp, a dark skinned human sat cross legged on a murky storage crate adorned with various gun parts.
Her platinum blonde dreadlocks were tied up with a scarlet rag that matched her leather jacket, from her clothes she looked sea worn, most sailor's did after a couple of years of being married to the sea, but she still looked optimistic.
'See something you like stranger?' She asked smugly, she had the best looking boat in the port and she damn well knew it.
'Long time since I've seen a boat made of garnet wood.' He replied, noticing a small tattoo to the left of her face.
'She's a spicy little minx for sure.' She idly fiddled with the components next to her, and in seconds her Blunderbuss was half built. 'You best shag off stranger, I'm waiting for a passenger, big money involved, can't be seen chatting, need to make a good first impression.' Her weapon fully assembled.
He furrowed his brow. 'The Tenth Sword?'
'How did...' Her eyes widened. 'Oh wank, your them aren't you?'
'I'm her...' Hamish extended his hand, but was cut off.
'Hang about, where's your sword?' She pointed the Blunderbuss at his waist. 'How the chuff can you be The Tenth Sword without a sword?' She held her chin between her thumb and finger. 'Unless the sword is a code name to throw people off. Those contractors are some bloody clever folk ain't they Tenth Sword?'
His hand would not be shaken, he took it back.
'I'm the her brother.' Hamish looked around and looked for Effie, she was a foot taller than everyone else in the immediate area he spotted her quickly at the other side of the pier and pointed her out. 'She's the Tenth Sword.'
'Bloody Hell.' The woman stood a top the crate, her open scarlet tailcoat jacket became unbundled by the sea breeze, reveling a white vest and black ruffled skirt.
She whistled and waved her hand. Effie and a number of other people looked over to the Human. Effie saw Hamish was next to her and started making her way over.
'Captain Nabila?' Effie asked the woman on the crate, they were eye to eye.
She nodded 'Captain Nabila, at your service my dear passengers.' The Captain bowed, she tossed her Blunderbuss over her head and into it's holster before jumping down, she stood at five six in her mocha knee high boots.
She looked up at Effie, 'You're massive, I feel sorry for your horse.' The Captain grabbed her tree trunk of an arm, she tried in vein to squeeze for any piece of flab. 'Glad your on my side. What's your proper name Tenth Sword?'
'Effie. We're light travelers so it's just us.' She held out her hand, the captain took it.
'Best be getting on board then, next stop, the Black Isle.' She ascended the loading ramp. 'Hey Liz!' She yelled at a Goliath crew member, 'Can you grab that gunpowder, when you have a sec darling?' She shouted pointing towards the crate she was just using as a chair. Liz gave her a thumbs up. 'Cheers you big slag.' Liz gave another thumbs up.
She took lead the siblings across the deck. Around them a half dozen crew only a few were doing work, a couple were playing cards, another writing a letter while she was able to mail it.
Captain Nabila out stretched her arms and turned into a circle. 'So this is the Gimel, third to bare the name.'
Effie cocked an eyebrow, 'What happened to the...'
Nabila cut her off. 'You two are gonna be in the guest quarters just over there.' She pointed to towards the door at the back of the main deck, just under the helm. 'We've got a few rules.' She held up five fingers and counted them off.
'Stay out of the crew quarters and my quarters at all times unless invited. We keep a eye-wateringly large stock of explosives in the hull, so smoking is only on the bow. You can have a drink but don't get drunk. No fighting and' Nabila still had one finger up, her eyes drifted to the sky, her mouth slightly open she ermed. 'I'm sure it was five, but yeah, follow those and we'll get on like a couple of horny Octopus.' She wiggled her fingers towards as if they were tentacles. She nodded to the guest quarters. 'Go dump your crap, we set off in ten.'
She ran up the stairs to the helm, she nudged a Gnome who pointed at her. The Captain's voice boomed over the bustling noise, 'Ten minutes darlings!' The crew kicked into gear. The small Catfolk girl writing the letter jolted up and scribbled faster before sealing her envelope. Liz collected the gunpowder and took it below deck. Hamish and Effie emerged after dropping off there bags.
'You two.' They looked up to the helm. 'Get up here, best view on the ship.' Nabila called, waving them up. 'Except for the skipper's view I suppose but you get the idea.' She gestured to the Gnome next to her. 'This is Mat, he's the first mate and lighting officer.' Mat gave a tiny wave. Captain Nabila pointed at him. 'You want anything, you talk to him. If he says no, talk to me and I'll talk to him.' She pointed to herself, then Mat again before gripping the wheel again.
'Nice t-to have you on b-board Tenth Sword.' Mat said, barely maintaining eye contact.
'Likewise.' Effie replied.
'Y-your size is a-as m-m-mighty as I had b-been informed.' Mat looked at his clipboard and then to everywhere but Effie.
'Thank you?' Effie replied, not certain how to take it.
The Captain stomped on a pedal at her feet and a bell rang. 'Looks clear Captain.' The Cat folk girl in the crow's nest reported in via a metal tube running down the mast and coming out of a small horn attached to the wheel casing.
On the main deck, the other crew were holding a loose rope attached to the back of the mast, the human closet to the mast a nod to Liz, who was holding another loose rope by herself that was attached to the front of the mast.
The rope was firm in her hands. Captain Nabila was looking at Liz, waiting. Liz took a deep breath and gave the Captain a nod, who rung the bell again. Liz pulled raising the jib sail in one smooth motion.
The Gimel rotated slowly so that the helm was facing away from the docks and to the sea. The Catfolk girl look towards the sea, her mouth a couple of inches form the tube to the helm. She saw a tiny junker in their path. Fourteen seconds. They passed, she could feel a gust about to come in with her whiskers.
She checked again, nothing in the way. She closed her eyes, and could feel the wind moving her sandy fur more roughly, 'Wee bit more.' She thought, her claws dug into the wood of the nest. The wind ruffled her whiskers violently. She opened her eyes, 'Go!'
The Captain's bell rung again, the crew pulled rope to erect the main sail just as a gush of wind rolled in. The acceleration was gentle at first but having caught the wind at the perfect moment they were out of the Harbour at a rate Hamish had not thought possible in a traditional ship.
Captain Nabila was gripping the wheel, grinning ear to ear. Hamish had had plenty of smooth take offs with his Airship, but never seen, let alone been aboard, a water boat launch so smooth and fast before, he looked at the Captain astounded.
'I know right?' Still gripping the wheel tightly. 'They thought I was mad putting a having a Catfolk on my crew, absolutely barmy they said.' She laughed. 'Yuko she's called and she's the best damn lookout I've had and I've gone through a load of lo...' Mat nudged her in the leg with his elbow. 'Oh erm...so yeah, I spoke to the harbor-keep this morning, weather is on our side, should be smooth waters.' Captain Nabila informed them. 'I'm predicting an uneventful voyage. She shrugged. 'You never know, we might get board.'