Chapter 100 A First Mate in Disgrace (2/2)

”Break's over, back to work!”

The three of them rose and moved back to their stations. As then did, Ewan stormed past, them, knocking into Ebony roughly. She stumbled back, right into Rassa. Rassa flinched, but made sure Ebony was stablised before he stepped away from her, his eyes moving to Ewan.

”Watch it-”

Ewan paused as he met Rassa's gaze. Something in him screamed to run, to back off and just run away. Those dark eyes, they were familiar to him, but he couldn't recall from what, and as he turned and left, doing his best to keep his subconscious fear from showing, he decided he didn't care so long as he didn't run into them again.

Ebony turned quickly, ”Sorry”.

Rassa stepped around her without a word, headed towards the crates still stacked on the side of the dock.

Ebony didn't pursue him.

Aegin sighed, following behind Rassa.

”What was that look for?”

”What look?” Rassa asked.

Aegin rolled his eyes, ”Don't dodge the question”.

Rassa sighed, ”I invited him to dinner last night. Evidently it wasn't as forgetable as I intended”.

Aegin's eyes widened, knowing exactly what Rassa was implying.

”R-Phil, you know what happens if-”

Rassa lifted one of the crate as he turned to Aegin, ”Yeah, I do know. Better than you do actually, so don't lecture me on it”.

Rassa walked away, Aegin breathing out his rising frustration.

The three of them worked through the afternoon, and at the end of the day retrieved their pay from Hargreeve. Ebony disappeared with most of it to go and buy some supplies, mostly food. Aegin and Rassa walked down the main docks in silence. As they did, Rassa couldn't help but spot Ewan talked in the shadows of a stall to a few other men.

”...so we're all set for tonight then?”

”All set”.

”Meet in the square at midnight then”.

”You got it”.

Rassa and Aegin passed them, and Rassa shook his head.

Not his business. Whatever they were up to, it was not his business.