The Happiest Days of Our Lives - Tales from the Greenshroud

by Jiago Brandtail

What if Braggio Ironhook had not been killed by Razzid Wearat? What adventures would the crew of the Greenshroud face with the intelligent ferret in charge? Writings from the crew's journals record the tale of how the Greenshroud's fate might have differed from the way things went in The Rogue Crew. Hoping to write in short chapters frequently. Reviews and suggestions welcome!

2. Striking the Mainland - Jiboree

Bosun Jiboree's log, sixth day at sea.

That stoat Crumdun makes my blood boil. Six days back aboard the shady green one, and he's already yanking my tail. Watching him scoff his vittles is revolting. Fat greedy slug, I've got my eye on him. I reckon he nicks stores and has himself a private feast. I haven't caught him yet, but he's a thief, I'd bet solid gold on it.

We struck the mainland today. Captain Ironhook had all sails to the wind as we sped to shore. The lads were right nervous about charging straight for the beach. It doesn't feel right in a big ship like this. The shoreline drew closer and we could hear the waves crashing on the wet sand.

Our front wheels hit the shore hard. Everybeast hit the deck. I think Mowlag screamed, but that's off the record. The wheels must've dug into the sand, because we didn't get any further. The Greenshroud just sat in the water. I could hear the timbers creaking loudly, but no movement up the beach.

At midday the captain gave up and ordered boats to be lowered. With ropes attached from boats to the stern of the ship, we managed to tow her back out offshore. I can tell the captain's upset that his idea didn't work. He got all moody and shut himself up in his cabin.

We've put down the anchor for now. There's mutterings amongst the crew that the modifications are useless. Shekra's doing her bit to quell the rumours, and Mowlag's inspecting the wheels for damage.

I feel uneasy though. Dirgo spotted movement in the dunes after we'd dropped the anchor. I didn't see any beast, but I know there's rabbits in these parts. Rabbits ain't so tough on their own, but they've always got friends. If there's one thing I learned from the raid on the High North Coast, don't underestimate your enemy. I reckon that's what old Razzid did. Thought the sea otters would be a pushover.

Then he thought he could kill Braggio – the captain, I mean, without a fight. As if we'd want Razzid to still be our captain, after his failure killed half our mates. I know the captain takes credit for the death of Razzid. But I know who skewered that ugly mutant with a scimitar. It was me. I killed Razzid Wearat.

Over the past few days I've been seeing Razzid in my nightmares. His crooked, misshapen features twisting into a snarl as he leaps at me. I reach for my scimitar but it's not there. Then Razzid turns into a big sea otter, and I see a rabbit with black fur, and a house made of red stone. The rabbit is saying something, but I can't hear him. I'll have to ask Shekra what it all means.

Tonight, I'll be watching the dunes. There's no beast on land friendly to a corsair. Even a bunch of rabbits would gut us if they got the chance.