Free Nocturna League (Episode 1: The Witching Book) (Nautical Fantasy Short Story) by Kell Inkston Page A

ever.
    “Now what all is this here? Explain why you’re engaging in this degenerate rapscalianry to distract the other sailors.” The tall, entirely bandaged figure asks as he fixes his round spectacles and navy captain’s hat.
    Dunks smiles sheepishly as Colette sighs. “W-well, Captain. The boys and I just thought it’d be proper t’-”
    “The gym’s way too small,” Colette says, cutting off Dunklestein.
    Dunks cringes and The Captain looms over Colette. “Could it be that it’s too small, or is it that you simply want to impress everyone with your tomfolly?”
    “No, it’s definitely too small, Cap. I need room to move or else Dunks’ll just run up and corner me.”
    “Which is totally fair in a real fight, mind you,” Dunklestein says, definitely being helpful with that bit of information.
    “Thanks, Funks ,” Colette says at that relevant bit of information. “Now, as I was saying, it’s not like anyone’s actually busy except the chef and Gran, so like why shouldn’t we entertain them a bit? You should watch sometime Cap-I’ve gotten pretty fierce!”
    “Yeah, Cap. She could almost deal with split ends,” Dunklestein says.
    Colette jabs a fist into Dunklestein, who shrugs it off.
    The Captain stares on a moment and then nods. “I see… You say you want more space to fight, and that it wouldn’t harm anyone at this time of day?” He asks, his voice a cross between a salted, calculating veteran and a warm, thoughtful grandfather.
    “Yeah, exactly,” Colette says.
    “Well too bad, Jobber Colette. You two hustling about in public eye encourages in-fighting, and I need our men thinking about their work. It’s not just the chef and his apprentice that are busy, you know.”
    Colette sighs, shaking her head and shrugging. “You really are hopeless, Cap.”
    The Captain leans forward. “Do you really want to fight that bad? I heard you say that you felt the harder the opponent, the greater the improvement. Perhaps instead of Dunklestein the Daring, you’d like to-”
    Colette throws up her hands in horror. “N— whoa! Captain! Please!”
    “Swab the upper decks, Miss Ketiere,” The Captain commands plainly.
    Colette nods. “Right away, Cap.” Colette fires off a sour salute and trots off to the janitor’s equipment.
    The two watch her leave, and Dunklestein winces in pain and cups the spot Colette punched him. “Gah-Cap, I know you told me I should be acting tough and all, but in the past couple days she’s been hittin’ like a damn whale. She’s so scrawny, but the way she ridges her punches… sometimes I get glimpses of you.”
    The Captain nods. “She’s getting quite the competitive set of skills, don’t you think? I believe there’s hope for her winning her little wager with that overlord of hers… Really, I’m wondering if it’s time,” he says, watching Colette take up a bucket of soapy water with a cross look about her and starting up the stairs.
    “Time for what, Captain?”
    “I think it’s about time we had her mettle tested in a more threatening fashion. We’re almost to our destination, you know.”
    Dunklestein’s dark eyes witness a small spark. “Oh? Yeah, I think she’s ready.”
    “Then it’s settled. You’ll be keeping us company on the landing party,” The Captain says with a nod.
    Dunklestein nods back with a smirk, but then jolts. “Wh-wait, I’m going too? ”
    “You heard me. Now get your gear ready,” The Captain says, peering out to the mists ahead.
     
    Chapter 2: The Captain and His Crew of Misfits Locate the Correct Island
     
    An hour later the M.S. Nocturna glides across the reddened waters of a distant, exotic ocean far from her home port. At the helm, an entirely-bandaged figure in naval garb stands resolute, calm and authoritative as he overlooks a large island through his circular, misted glasses.
    “We almost there, sir?” A half man-half fish sailor asks with a gurgle.
    The Captain nods, glancing behind to address the