Do Or Die: A Joveson Story

by Writer-Rabbit-Newsie-Grace

Flora Jenkins knows who she is. She knows that she's going to be the next Captain of the Valiant, if she can pass her initiation test. And she knows she hasn't gone by her real name, Joveson, in twelve years, and plans never to do so again. Too bad a group of strangers who approach her while the ship is moored in Yorkstien Harbor are determined to change that. T for Sea Monsters

9. Promise

I should probably just skip the fancy warning and say that there will most likely be the constant appearance of rabbit brewed ale in this story. I would say I'm sorry, but I'm not, because It's just making sure my pirate-monster-hunter-rabbit-things are in character. So, sorry, not sorry. XD

The next two weeks flew by in a blur. I killed monsters with my crew, ate, slept, and did it over again countless times. And before I knew it, we were back in port. The usual clamor of our arrival didn't excite me or fill me with joy as it usually did, I only felt a nervous nag at the back of my mind. A tiny little voice that buzzed about my ears and asked me what made me think anyone at Halfwind Citadel would accept me, how was I going to explain to my friends where I was going without adding the name Joveson once, and what I was going to say to someone I hadn't seen in ten years. I told the small voice to shut up with all the authority I could muster, and went about my usual tavern routine, forcing myself to minimize my ale intake to three mugs so I wouldn't have a complete migraine when I woke the next morning. I barely managed that, believe it or not. I had a very hard time leaving the tavern that night, especially with my crew having it mostly to themselves and wanting me to stay. But I politely turned down their offers of more of my favorite drink, and retired to the Shipyard Inn And Eatery for the night.

.

.

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When I woke the next morning, a nagging headache was pouring through the windows with the sun. I nearly turned over and went back to sleep before realizing that I had a journey ahead of me, and I moaned, rubbing a hand over my eyes and sitting up slowly. I should have been a little bit more responsible, probably. Not probably, definitely. I was going to be more responsible, I told myself, and pulled my warm jacket over my head. It was chilly, late October, and even though the sun was shining, a bitter wind bit at my cheeks as I exited the Shipyard and made my way toward the general store at the end of town. I would need some supplies if I was going to make the journey from Yorkstien to Halfwind, which would take a day on foot at the least, and two if I had to make any frequent detours to hide from wolves.

"Goin' somewhere, Jenkins?"

I froze. Captain Snake was leaning against the wall of the general store, and had apparently been conversing with the owner, Mr. Galvin Brimstone. Mr. Brimstone glanced between the two of us, and quietly slipped back into the store. Apparently, he wasn't the type of buck to listen in on other people's conversations. I swallowed, and nodded. "Aye, Sir. I'll be at Halfwind for a couple weeks."

"Halfwind?" He raised an eyebrow. "Since when does Halfwind take your interest? There's nothin' and no one there but soldiers, and you ain't leavin' to join the army, are ya'?"

"No, Sir." I shook my head. "But I've got some business to take care of…with an old acquaintance." Not entirely a lie, but not the whole truth, either.

"I see." Snake didn't pry further, which I knew he wouldn't have done to anyone else on the crew, let alone me. His face grew serious. "Galvin says there've been a whole lotta wolf patrols. Be careful out there, Jenkins."

I nodded resolutely, but a roguish grin escaped anyways. "Careful, Cap? What in Natalia are ya' talkin' about? I'm always careful."

"I ain't playin', Jenkins." Snake growled, and the smile disappeared from my face like a snuffed candle. "You die out there, and I ain't gonna forgive ya'. So don't let your guard down. That's an order."

"Aye, Cap." I tipped my head down so he wouldn't see the shame on my face.

"Jenkins." I looked up, startled. His voice was quiet, tender even, everything he wasn't. "Whatever it is you need to do over there, you do it. Don't lose courage."

I was at a loss for words. All I could do was stare.

"I've seen too many good rabbits die because no one told them that their courage was everything. So promise me you'll keep yours close to your chest, a'ight?"

I swallowed. "I promise." And with that, Captain Snake squeezed my shoulder, and was gone. I shook my head, stunned, and turned back to the task at hand. I wouldn't lose courage. I couldn't. I'd made a promise, and hunters kept their promises.