112 Vol. 2 pt. 49 Patch 9.0: Confrontations and Revelations (1/2)

”It's not leaving, is it?” Cassiel asks as she watches the serpent dive beneath the water. Without that device attached to it keeping it near the surface, the serpent is quick to disappear beneath the surface.

”I can sense it getting farther away, but it's heading in the right direction. Just have some faith,” Fenrir says.

”I can't believe she used to follow somebody like you.”

”Come on, I'm not that bad.”

”I know… it's more like my image of her is – I just can't even start imagining what she must have been like when she played with you.”

”Don't worry, she's basically the same now as she was back then. She was basically our old version of you without the dere to go with the tsun. I bet Blackstache doesn't even get any dere from her despite them being married now.”

While Fenrir and Cassiel talk, Tabitha helps load the new and improved explosive bolts into the ballista.

”These explode, right?” Serra asks with sparkles in her eyes.

”They really explode. And they'll burst into shrapnel, and the gas will be toxic,” Tabitha answers.

Fenrir isn't the only one to get along well with Tabitha, and this is evident in how both Tabitha's and Serra's eyes gleam with explosive excitement that has a hint of sadism within it.

”Captain, if I may,” Corwin says.

”What's up?” Fenrir asks.

”About your plan… I agree that we should use the serpent's assistance and let it go, but I worry about how the people may react.”

”The city?”

”Yes. To let it go would be dangerous to those sailing and fishing in the waters, and it is tradition to kill it and let the victor of the tournament keep the materials from its body. They will likely be disappointed and may hold it against us.”

”No big deal. I know the serpent won't be sticking around, and I don't plan on us staying around either.”

”What do you mean?”

”Do you really think a serpent that just wants freedom is going to go and stick around in an area full of people who probably want to kill it? It's only coming with us right now because we're helping it and it can tell I'm not trying to trick it. If you mean what do I mean about us leaving – well, we're leaving after this. I've had enough of pirates for now.”

Corwin looks away and takes a few seconds to bring out his next question. ”After – after the tournament, may I sta—”

”Come on, you don't have to ask that. You're a member of the crew now. Besides, Olly would kill me if I didn't let you come with us.”

”Thank you, Fenrir.”

”Don't worry about it. You're one of us now.”

The tower at the entrance to Cape Tugator's cove grows taller as they get closer, and before long, the ships waiting to its left and right can be seen.

”What do you think?” Fenrir asks Oleander.

”We're kind of in trouble either way, so who do you hate more?” Oleander asks.

”The longship guys are assholes, but it's more personal between us and Alexander, so let's go with Alexander.”

”Then we'll take them on. Think our new friend can handle the longship?”

”I hope so. It should be able to fight at full strength without that thing slowing it down and keeping it near the surface.”

The Shoebill sets its course to head directly into The Steel Tiger. The longship, seeing the set course, starts sailing over in preparation.

”How's the serpent going to know which to target?” Oleander asks.

”It knows,” Fenrir answers.

…

Swimming along the bottom of the ocean is the serpent that they freed.

That odd thing that held her back before is gone, so now she can freely swim at her full speed.

Everything moves out of her way when they see her coming. Whether they are eels, jellyfish, fish, or sharks, everything gets out of her way. Right now, she is the queen of these waters. Even a juvenile serpent is nothing to take lightly. She may have been captured before, but she was small and weak then. Now, she is large and powerful despite only being a small fraction of the total size she may someday grow into.

There is not a single creature within these waters that poses a threat to her. Between her tough hide and spots of sturdy scales, teeth capable of crunching through wood with ease, and a body that can easily be wrapped around smaller vessels, serpents such as herself are the nightmares of those who want to enjoy a peaceful day fishing on open water.