Role

Chapter 4

The moon was full bright over the lapping waves of the Aryth, and as he
puffed on his pipe in the captain's lodgings, Padraig felt a deep sense of
contentment wash over him. The raid had been a total success. The frightened
faces of the merchant crew as they frenziedly handed over their alcoholic
cargo (rather than be forced to walk the plank) brought a smile to his face
as he recollected the day's events. Even the bird had gone to sleep and was
perched in near stillness on his shoulder.

But something was not quite right and he could not put his finger on it.
Normally on such a working day, his men would be packing the decks, making a
ruckus and singing shanties, with the occasional fight to spice up the dreary
routine of a sailing life. But although he had recalled some stirrings and
voices earlier, it was now completely quiet. Frowning and scratching his
greasy black beard, Padraig stumbled drunkenly to the door of his cabin,
awakening the brightly plumed parrot on his shoulder, which let out an
irritated squawk.

The midships were indeed packed full of his men all with dreamy smiles on
their faces. But there was something terribly wrong with their motion. The
purposeful swagger of those who had found their sea-legs years ago had been
replaced with the shambling gait of zombies, and as they walked, it was plain
to Padraig's eyes that there was no purpose in their movement. Turning the
language blue with choice oaths, he called out to the nearest.
Malfoy!, he slurred
Wha' in the name of Baerinika's frilly white undercrackers is goin' on?
This one o yer jokes, boyo? Because if it is, it'll be the keel fer yer
arse!

It was as if he had never spoken. The pipe fell from his mouth as Padraig
observed his bosun walk past without so much as a nod for acknowledgment. It
was then that he noticed that he and his crew were not alone. A man dressed
in a figure-hugging black one-piece costume strolled past and immediately
turned, fixing Padraig with a disinterested and cold stare. He yelled across
the board:
Sir - it's not worked with this one! Seek further command!