Nocturna League (Episode 1: The Witching Book) (Nautical Fantasy Short Story) Read Online Free

still comically tied around him, though his boots are covered in blood.
    He nods in recognition to everyone. “They were not particularly impressive, but they did seem to rally quickly. I feel this is not the first time someone has attempted to get the book.”
    Dunklestein shakes his head and shrugs. “What next then, Captain? Surely the other crew members are in trouble too-the villagers might try to board the ship.”
    The Captain nods as Colette cuts through his ropes, freeing him to scratch his bandaged chin. “Yes, and for that, you should be the one to go tell them.”
    “B-but sir!”
    “Do I hear a hint of subversion in your voice, Dunklestein the Daring?” The Captain leans in.
    “N-no sir.” Dunks leans away and turns to go to the ship.
    “Very good, rally up everyone on shore and have them leave port. The three of us will handle the book,” The Captain says with a nod, a straightening of the cap and a readjusting of the spectacles.
    Dunklestein rushes off just as a curious villager approaches the inn wondering what all the commotion is about. From the nearby alley he’s grasped by a pair of bandaged, deft hands.
    “Good day,” The Captain says.
    The villager stutters and jolts, feeling the shifting, sand-like consistency of the Captain’s hands wrapping around his neck. “I-I don’t have any money! Children, run; tell your moth-”
    “I will excuse your presumptuous nature, islander boy. My colleagues and I are searching for Vuuya, and you will lead us the way,” The Captain states, his usual tone of eccentric, almost friendly silliness darkened to a serious, grave voice.
    The islander relaxes as The Captain’s grip loosens, and looks to the empty street for a moment as if watching something the others cannot see. “Oh, you’re those guys from last night? Well, I really was going to take you guys to her, just so you know. This way,” the masked man says, gesturing deeper into the alley.
    Without an answer, the three remaining sailors follow the masked man through the alley and out the other end, leading to a deep gladed wood, only a rickety walkway of driftwood and fallen trees serving as their path above the beast-infested waters. The swamp is shallow enough to spot myriad sorts of strange, concealed wetland beasts, skimming the pine-tasting murk with silent, predatorial strokes.
    Ten minutes of rushed movement leads the group to a sight that will be remembered in awe by all of them. Rising up from the brown waters is a great ziggurat constructed of wood, sticks, and plenteous foliage. There is a stairway of packed wicker that leads inside the wood-craft complex, and that is what they must ascend.
    Just as they start up the stairs with careful steps, the townsperson takes the moment to pull his mask aside and look behind himself directly into The Captain's eyes-he’s quite handsome. “You’re… You’re not really going to take her away, are you? You just want a book, right?” He asks, his worn feet crossing the wicker bridge with certainty.
    The Captain makes no movement aside from continuing up the steps. “That depends if she will give us what we want,” he says, the group reaching the entrance to the ziggurat. An eerie, colorful glow alights the hall, leading them into the wooden keep.
    The four step on past a multitude of pitch black rooms, all the way to the end of the hall where a young man, looking about twenty-five, stands guard. In the scant light of the hall, the crew makes him out to be muscular, short, and equipped with a sword. He meets them just a meter from the large door at the end of the hall. “You wish to speak to Vuuya?” he asks, chewing over a small splinter of wood to clean his teeth.
    The Captain nods. “That’s what we’re here for.”
    “Fine; one at a time, no weapons,” the guard instructs, eying the older man that led them in.
    The three in the group exchange a few glances, and The Captain hands his rifle over to Colette. “I’ll be the first,