The Monster Inside: The First Vampire 149 A Captain's Decisions

Jeremiah, after nearly a month on the Island of Rouke, was itching to get back out on the open ocean. He'd had to deal with Griffith and all of the trade politics that came along with it. In essence, it was something he'd rather not deal with. Unlike all of the other traders that seemed to congregate on Touke Island, Jeremiah was not in this business for the coin. He was in it for the adventure. He cared not how much money he made, so long as he could sail where he pleased it was enough.

When he'd met Rassa...there had been a kind of desire in the boy's eyes. A desire to care about something, to find something to want. When he'd displayed his intelligence in that card game, well both of those were reason enough for Jeremiah to invest in the kid's future.

Now however, when Rassa, Aegin and ebony hadn't been back since they'd unceremoniously dumped their massive profits in his office, Jeremiah couldn't help but think to regret his decision. Those kids had only just begun to experience the world and they'd taken to it so damn well they'd practically forgotten about him.

Jeremiah wasn't usually one to be so attached to his crew. They were good people, but they came and went. Only those whose desires aligned with Jeremiah's were guaranteed to stay. Jeremiah was just fine with that, but for some reason, he'd liked those kids. He'd liked that despite the trouble he'd seen in their eyes, they'd wanted to move forward. The fact that they were doing it together had also touched a soft spot in Jeremiah, one he usually didn't let out.

So now, two days before he was due to sail The Miranda for the Southern Continent, Jeremiah couldn't help but think about those kids and how they were getting on...and in doing so, feel just that little bit bitter.

As if his very thoughts had conjured them up, the three of them appeared on the dock that morning as Jeremiah surveyed the daily chores and preparations of the crew from the Quarter Deck.

"Well, well, well," Midas remarked from the main deck, looking down the gang plank at where the three stood on the dock, "Look who finally decided to show up for work".

Rassa gave a little shrug, "Our assignment took longer than expected".

Midas turned to look up at Jeremiah. That quick look was enough between the two of them. Midas sighed and motioned towards Jeremiah.

"Go on up, Captain wants a word," Midas stated.

"Yes, sir," they replied quickly as they made their way up to where Jeremiah stood.

They were silent as they waited for Jeremiah to speak, daring not to say a word. Jeremiah would have compared them to timid mice, but they were more confident than they'd been a month ago, more domineering.

"Made your fortunes now?" asked the Captain, "Come to gloat?"

Rassa scoffed, "A fortune perhaps, but not one we're ready or willing to gloat about. Sure way to make some enemies".

"From what I hear, you've already made some," Jeremiah sighed as he turned to face them.

Rassa frowned, "Who?"

"Some of the crew were questioned about you yesterday, didn't know the man who did it, but they said he had a strange air about him," said Jeremiah, "Of course, none of us really know you so I can't say the information given was accurate if any was given at all".

"I see," Rassa replied, "Then I take it you don't want us bringing trouble back to your ship then?"

"Trouble?" asked Jeremiah, "We all make trouble one way or another. Its a reality you've got to accept with age. Everyone makes trouble at some point in their lives, usually its whether or not they're given a second chance that makes them".

"Don't understand how we failed the first, you should see the six chests of gold we just dropped off at the Token place," Aegin grumbled.

Jeremiah sighed, "A fair point, you going out on your own was outside of my calculations. But still, if you have indeed accumulated that fortune why would you come back here?"

There three of them looked at one another before Ebony spoke up, "Because if we stopped at our first detination, could we really call it a journey?"

Jeremiah couldn't help but smirk at the line, "You, young lady, should be making more of an effort to avoid a place like this ship. I can't imagine what those socialites will say about decorum".

"Why do I care what they think? If they prefer it locked up in their homes with a needle and thread to occupy their time with the occaisional lavish party, they can go right ahead. But I've spent my fair share in a similar situation, and I can't think of anything worse," Ebony grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest.

Jeremiah chuckled, "Gods, the man you end up with is sure to be quite someone".

Ebony blushed ever so slightly, suddenly quiet. The man she ended up with? Between leaving Eldovia and starting a business she hadn't exactly had a spare second to think about such a thing. And what about Aegin? Gods, what about Rassa? What kind of life would it be to know that you're going to outlive your spouse? Ebony would rather not be with anyone if she knew that she'd be rubbing it in Rassa's face the whole time.

"Very well, so I can assume then that you want your spots on the crew back?"

The three nodded, Jeremiah sighed then pointed at Ebony, "You'll take Aaron's Quarters. I won't have a woman down in the bowels with those men".

"But I-"

"You can't keep it up indefinitely," Jeremiah sighed, "Try being yourself, you'll find its a lot more freeing".

Rassa couldn't help flinching at that. He'd felt that freedom, now he was about to go back to hiding what he was. He looked at Aegin and Ebony who were both looking at him.
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"You can report tomorrow afternoon, we sail with the tide the next morning," said Jeremiah, turning to walk back to his office.

"What about the ranking ball?" asked Ebony.

Jeremiah scoffed, "I care little about that".

"Captain," Rassa stepped forward to follow, "Can I...have a word?"

Jeremiah paused, glancing at Rassa, then at Aegin and Ebony who paused for a moment before turning to walk away. Clearly this was something that Rassa had talked to them about previously, either that or they just knew what it was about.

"Come in then," Jeremiah said.

Rassa followed Jeremiah inside.

He'd come this far being honest about who he was. If Jeremiah could accept a woman on his ship...even though it was a leap, surely he could accept someone like Rassa.

Chapter end