Free Dragon Choir by Benjamin Descovich Page B

projected from him like a spear.
Sunlight spun sharp lines off his polished buttons and buckles. His
blue overcoat highlighted his sunburnt cheeks and the crisp white
collar of his undershirt.
    “ What’s your name boy? You just saved our dear Juniper a week in
drydock.” His voice carried an expectation of
compliance.
    Elrin
hesitated to answer—he couldn’t use his real name.
    The head
dockman moved between them, his yellow shirt playing in the breeze.
He was the blazing sun stealing the horizon from a dark blue
sky.
    “ Keep your mitts off him, Pelegrin. He’s not
interested.”
    Pelegrin
stretched a difficult smile, refusing to look at the shankakin.
“I’m sure the boy is interested in a reward for his bravery. Aren’t
you boy?”
    Elrin was
about to answer, but was cut off.
    “ Bravery! Ha! Stupidity more like, should have pushed your
hellfire off before risking his life.”
    Pelegrin’s
attention snapped away from Elrin and thrust upon his antagoniser.
“I’ll have you for conspiracy against the Council for that. Who by
divine redemption are you?”
    “ Delik. Name ring any bells in your hollow head? Or are you
still listening to the sound of your own divine trumpet?” Delik’s
big feet were set firmly in place. Like the frigate to the galley,
Pelegrin towered head and shoulders over him.
    “ Recant, grub!” Pelegrin spat onto the deck and reached for
his sabre.
    Delik kept his
voice even, his demeanour pleasant. “If I’d known it was you up
here in this murdering hulk you call a ship, I’d have come to
welcome you sooner. I heard you had a promotion after wiping out
Tillydale, or did you dress up some other cowardice as glory for
your bloodthirsty Lord?”
    The shankakin
held his ground, daring Pelegrin to draw his weapon. Delik had
nerve; positioning his body close enough to strike before Pelegrin
could draw his sabre. The smaller man had to be betting he’d be
fast enough in close quarters to have a chance against a military
officer.
    Elrin took a
step back; he didn’t want to get caught by a swinging blade. None
of Pelegrin’s men noticed the unfolding conflict and the pier was
empty save the barrels of black powder nearby and some noisy gulls.
Pelegrin had no support, but was unwilling to show any weakness and
call for assistance.
    “ I am a Commodore, you filthy grub. You’d best remember that.
I command this frigate and the four galleons birthed in the cove.
If a runt like you is running these docks then I’ve good reason to
suspect you had something to do with this fire.” Pelegrin’s
frustration disappeared as something dawned on him and a cruel grin
creased his precise features. “Oh, I see ... This is another
pathetic rebellion attack isn't it? Are you sure you want to test
me? Didn’t work out so well for Tillydale. Come to think of it,
Pumpkinvale and Crooked Creek won’t be giving us any trouble now
either. All you shankakin whelps should be back in chains. If you
ask me, the Council should never have let your lot out.”
    Delik seethed,
his face red and trembling, lips curled in bit-back fury. Elrin
took another step back. The ogre appeared again on the main deck,
making his way back to load more of the black powder barrels.
    “ Give the grubs a stitch and they’ll ruin the seam,” Pelegrin
sneered. “My father had it right. Let a few out of chains and off
they run to scheme against their betters. That’s how your lot
reward kindness. Thought you could win against the Lord’s chosen,
but you’re pathetic backwards insects, all of you.”
    “ Speaking of fathers,” said Delik, hatred sparking off each
word. “You’re going to help me find mine.”
    Pelegrin
laughed “Of course! I’ll be sure to take you straight to the
prison. What is daddy’s name? The gaoler has such a long list.”
    “ Jaspa Scrambletoe.”
    Pelegrin lost
his smirk. His eyes flicked to the side, searching for aid. He
pulled at his sabre and yelled. “Seize the—”
    Delik