Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Talia ran down the stairs, away from the sleeping rooms in the children's home. One of the children, Maisie Brumble, had been missing the entire day. Nobody made a fuss about it. That girl was known to try and run away every other day. But that didn't stop Talia from fearing for the worst.

When she saw a carriage heading their way in the distance, she rushed out of the house to meet it halfway, basically stumbling down the path.

She waved at the driver - breathlessly - as the carriage came to a slow stop in front of her. "Halt, halt! Are you headed to Guelstone?"

The driver nodded. "Have a delivery for the children's home up the way."

Still catching her breath, Talia clutched her side and offered a shaky smile, "Oh thank the gods! The girl was found." She gestured for the driver to open the passenger door. "I was looking for her all day. I need to send something as a thank you to the one who fo-"

The door swung open and the two were met with an empty carriage. No traces that anyone - much less a child - had used this room. Not even so much as a loose threat or a stray lock of hair was left behind.

Talia pressed a hand to her forehead, rubbing it in frustration. 'Of course, Maisie would try everything to not return to the children's home', Talia thought.

"Please, wait for a moment.", she turned and sprinted back into the house. If Maisie didn't want to come to her, she'd go to the girl- and tie her up and drag her home if she had to.

She darted into her room on the ground floor to grab a few things she might need on her little journey. A leather bag, still half-packed from her last trip down to the Three Bridges a few months ago, sat disregarded on a stool near the door. She'd made a habit of trading a few of her baked goods for some extra coins in her pouch beside her actual wage. Without checking the contents, only half-remembering what was left inside, she grabbed the bag and threw in a linen shawl for good measure. Who knew how chilly the night might get.

Back out at the carriage, Talia flung a coin to the driver. "Take me back to the Three Bridges."

The rider motioned her to get aboard, and before she could even sit down properly they were off.

—

The streets were already buzzing when Talia arrived in town with the first light of dawn. She'd fallen asleep in the carriage, and now her neck and back hurt. Slowly, she exited the passenger area and stretched as much as she could.

Her plan was simple: Get something to eat on the go and search every little crevice she could find - no matter how small. She would not return until she had found Maisie.

And that she did.

The townspeople began to look at her like she was a lunatic that got loose from a special institution.

She approached every person she passed, asking if they had seen the girl, describing every little detail - her hair, clothes, eyes, height, even every little item she could think of she could have in her bag.

By mid-morning her voice was already hoarse and her legs were on the verge of giving out. She was forced to take a small break.

'I really should work out more. Take more strolls around the house at least', she wheezed in her head, rubbing her aching legs as she sat down at the pier.

Out on the water, ships bobbed in their berths - but one vessel stood out.

It had no need for a traditional figurehead. Its bow was carved into the snarling head of a sea beast. The wooden teeth jutted out of its lower jaw, the horn imitated by the bowsprit at the front. The red sails on the three masts built a stark contrast against the blue cloudless sky.

Otherwise it was a standard naval vessel.

This ship was The Inevitable, one of the many ships of the Hunters.

Talia never understood why they garnered so much fame. Sure, they killed the sea monsters or whatever. But what did they actually do for the common people? Most couldn't afford even a rowboat, let alone something worthy of scaling the wild sea.

Talia shook her head. She shouldn't waste her energy thinking about this. She had a more pressing matters to put it towards.

Testing if her leg strength had returned, she jogged a short lap around the pier.

A sudden commotion in front of the pier leading to The Inevitable forced her to slow down again. A crowd of onlookers had gathered and sheered when three people walked by towards the monstrous ship.

Leading them was Crow, the ship's captain. Rugged. Scowling. Terrifying - just like his vessel. The other two were Sarah Sharpe, his loyal first mate, and Jacob Holland, his… what was he again? Not that it mattered. She had to go find Maisie.

She started to squeeze and shove her way through the crowd while the crew of The Inevitable - under loud sheering - started to prepare for departure. The crowd moved forward to soak up every little detail to shoot the breeze over later.

Talia was at their mercy.

Never did she get so many shoulders into her chest, so many elbows into her ribs and so many shoes crushing her feet. Even the morning markets never got so much excitement. But it wasn't a tide that overwhelmed her - it was people.

She emerged on the other side of the crowd the same moment the ship pulled away from the dock. Her ears still rang from how close the onlookers had screeched into them. Her eyes stayed on the ship in annoyance as she slowly walked to the first house past the port.

"That's what I don't like about this fame.", she grumbled to herself as she rubbed her bruises. "People tend to forget all their manners once they catch sight of the Hunters."

At least the fresh yet salty ocean breeze soothed her agitated mood a little. Soon more houses blocked her view of the water and she got swept away by the everyday bustle of the town.

Talia continued her search until she stopped at the edge of the city. To her right, beyond the wall, the shoreline dropped to a sandy edge lined with smaller fishing piers. The Inevitable had now reached the harbour gates and only its stern was still visible. Tiny silhouettes indicated the crew working on its decks.

Talia felt defeated - she had failed her mission. She had found no Maisie but gained many bruises. How was she supposed to explain this to the headmistress at the children's home?

It was expected of her to always know where Maisie was and keep an eye on her. Nobody wanted to deal with this problem child and so, as the youngest among the maids, the task was dumped on her. Not that she minded. Talia loved the little girl. But Maisie had a nick of talking someone's ear off about the Hunters - especially about The Inevitable. Man, now she found herself missing Maisie's little rants.

She watched as the hunter vessel finally left the shore behind and approached the open sea. Talia couldn't deny it was an impressive sight. Maisie would've loved this. Hopefully she could find the girl soon to tell her about this.

Wait…

If The Inevitable had docked, Maisie would have absolutely been there. She would never have missed it, not for a life time.

Talia's heart jumped.

Maisie also had a nick of squeezing into the smallest places to dodge and hide from the maids.

'No, surely, she wouldn't have…'

Talia bolted down the bank towards the fishermen. Now she was fully in a panic mode. If Maisie really was were she thought she was, she had to act as fast as she could. She started to wave her arms wildly to get at least one fisherman's attention.

"Sir, sir! Please - I need to borrow one of the rowboats!"

A particularly grumpy-looking man turned around, clearly ready to shoo her away. But Talia had anticipated resistance. She shoved some coins into his hands.

"It's an emergency!" she pleaded.

The man blinked in surprise, but then shrugged and pocketed the coins without a second thought. She immediately jumped into the boat and started paddling.

"I… definitely… should work out… more…", she wheezed between strokes.

The boat crawled forward, barely gaining traction. But she pushed on.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the city walls began to shrink behind her. She risked a glance over her shoulder to see how close she was to the hunting vessel.

Her heart dropped into her stomach in horror.

The ship was equally miles away from her now as she was to the shore.

But she couldn't turn back anymore. It would cost her too much time - too much energy. If she turned around, she'd lose the naval vessel altogether!

So she had no choice but to grit her teeth and continue her pursuit of The Inevitable.

—

Talia rowed through an entire day and night into the next one. Hunger was now constantly gnawing at her stomach and her movements grew sluggish. To keep herself in a steady rhythm, she had started singing the first song that came to mind.

Unfortunately for her sanity, it was the shanty about Captain Crow.

She should've thought this more through. Or at least packed some food. Anything to bring her energy back that she was steadily loosing by the second.

Well, at least she had some stale old water with her - one little glimmer of hope. But even that was getting dangerously low.

In general, her chances of survival were slipping fast.

She stopped looking for The Inevitable half way through the night. Instead she focused on rowing, drowning out everything else.

So the sudden sound of sheering and yelling reaching her ears from above her made her jump.

'Now I must be hallucinating from lack of nutrition. There is no way I caught up to them with how slow I was going…'

She turned around slowly, only to come face to face with the wooden side of the ship towering above her. A gasp escaped her. Her brain struggled to process what her eyes were seeing as they climbed higher, up and up and up.

Above her, the shouting quieted down to hushed murmurs.

It clicked.

She made it.

She had reached The Inevitable!

Forgotten were the hunger and thirst as adrenaline scorched through her veins. She scrambled to her feet, nearly face-planting when her bag had snagged beneath her and her shin slammed into the edge of a seat. Cursing under her breath she tried her best to sooth the pain and stand as if nothing had happened. But the noise had already drawn attention - several crew members leaned over the railing to investigate the commotion.

"Hello!" She immediately took the opportunity that she had the attention of some of the crew and started waving violently while trying to keep her pain at minimal notice. "Hi, sorry for the disturbance. Congratulations on.. whatever it is you are celebrating. But - do you happen to have a blind passenger on board?! A little girl, coily brown hair, green dress, sandy vest, brown and red bag?"

A face disappeared, "Captain! There is a strange lady in a rowboat!"

A second later, Crow appeared. His voice bellowed over her, "How can we help ya, miss?!"

Talia fought the urge to shrink and just row away. This was going to be a lot of trouble, she could sense it. And yet, she tried her best to keep her voice steady.

"I asked: Did a little girl stow away on board?!"

More crew gather to gawk at the spectacle. 'Oh gods, this is nerve wrecking.' An unwanted shudder ran down her spine.

"Yes, why?!" Crows sharp gaze seemed to impale her.

She swallowed hard to prepare herself for her question that she was sure would cost her her head.

"I am a maid from the children's home up in Guelstone! One of our children is missing! May I come aboard to confirm if she is the same blind passenger?!"

It took everything in her to keep her voice steady.

No wonder Crow was as famous as he was. His charisma alone surely scared most beast away. Crow stared at her long enough for her to almost regret everything. Talia nervously grasped her bag, tightly.

Finally, after what felt like ages, Crow gave a small nod and a rope ladder dropped beside her.

As she grabbed the ladder and climbed, her heart started to pound. It even sped up a little when the entire crew turned to stare at her as she hauled herself over the railing, grunting all the way.

For a moment her mind drew a blank. She greeted the crowd around her awkwardly, nervously clasping at the strap of her bag and dusting off her dress.

She didn't know what to do. Ask around? Just turn the ship upside down? No, that is just rude. To get her mind going again she scanned the group, following everyone's height.

Up, down, up, down, up.

There was Sarah Sharpe, Maisie, Jacob Holland - her eyes snapped back to the low table Maisie stood on - and her mind got clear for a second. Her entire nervousness evaporated, replaced by burning yet controlled anger and annoyance.

"Maisie Brumble," she pressed out. The girl seemed to shrink as everyone turned to now look at her.

Talia walked towards the table and angrily stopped, towering a little over the girl.

"Explain to me what possessed you to think sneaking onto a Hunter's ship was a good idea?" Talia's glare was sharper then a Hunters blade.

"Well, I just really wanted to be part of this crew," Maisie tried to defend herself.

But the maid was not having it. "But surely there had been another way!"

"I tried! But he-," Maisie pointed at Jacob, who looked personally offended to be dragged into this, "He wouldn't even let me talk to the captain!"

Talia gave her a look. "First of all, Maisie: It is very rude to just stick your finger into somebody's face. Second: Maybe there was a reason he didn't let you join! Now let's go. I want to reach the shore before tomorrow."

She reached for the girl's arm. But Maisie didn't want to leave, especially not like this! She jumped down, bolted past the woman and started climbing the lines.

"Wha- You- Get back here!" Talia lunged but was not fast enough to get a hold of the girl. Frustrated, she dropped her bag, ready to follow her up the rig. Suddenly, she became painfully aware that she was indeed still on the ship and still surrounded by the crew. She turned to Crow.

"Uhm, excuse me for this rather stupid question, but… may I climb the ropes?" She laughed nervously.

Crow crossed his arms and gave a little wave. "Sure, suit yourself." He turned to Sarah and Jacob, both slack-jawed. "This is gonna be entertaining."

Without missing another second Talia bolted to the same rig and using her momentum catapulted herself up a few knots with ease.

Gone was the rather weak looking woman and a steadfast sailor emerged.

The entire crew let out an awed gasp at the sudden energy. Crow moved his hat back a little to put a hand to his forehead. "Well, I'll be damned…"

While that was going on Maisie nearly made it half way up the rigging. A sudden breeze made her pause for a second, fearing to lose her footing if she kept going. Reaching her hand out to continue, another strong movement of the ropes made her stop entirely as she clung to it. Her breathing started to go faster as she looked around in fear.

"Maisie," Talia's voice sounded sweet and reassuring from above. The girl looked up, hoping that she would be saved. And there the woman was, perfectly balanced on a parallel rope. Her face was scrunched up in annoyance.

"Take this line-," she tossed one towards her, "and slide down. Now!"

"I can't!" Maisie didn't dare to let go of the rig. What if it started to shake like that again?

"Why not? You just climbed up half the rigging! You surely can go down!"

Maisie just gave her big fearful eyes as a response and clasped the rope even tighter. With a sigh Talia swung around to Maisie's side, which made Maisie let out a squeak in terror at the movement.

"Hold onto me. Very, very tightly," she warned the girl. While Maisie slowly transferred from the rig to her back, Talia noticed that her arm holding the rope started to tremble ever so slightly. The adrenaline could only do so much for her energy and the sleepless night caught up to her. But she could rest once she was back on shore - with Maisie this time.

She let go of the rigging once she checked on Maisie and slid the rope down to the deck. Shortly before reaching the ground Talia looked out onto the water. The reflection of the sun blinded her a little and nothing of significance stood out to her.

Except that rowboat floating peacefully in the distance, rocking ever so gently from side to side. Talia recognised her borrowed rowboat.

Untethered.

Now, new adrenaline rushed through her.

As soon as her feet touched the ground she rushed to the railing - barely giving Maisie enough time to get down - and slamming her entire body into the wooden railing.

No, she must be hallucinating from lack of food and sleep. She whipped her head down to the spot were she had stood - or rather floated - only a few minutes before.

The water gently splashing against the side of The Inevitable confirmed her fear. Defeated, her forehead slowly sank down onto the railing, her body following shortly after.

"…I forgot to secure the boat," she groaned.

One of the men hesitantly reached out and slowly patted her shoulder in sympathy.

The energy she felt before had vanished and now she felt as if somebody made a wagon flatten her to the ground. She pushed herself up with her right hand as her left massaged her temple. 'What do I do now?!'

"Tell me your name, miss." Crow's voice, not as loud any more, came from her left side.

Using up her last bit of strength Talia tried to stand as tall and secure as she could - which was hard because she'd rather collapse to the ground and take a big nap right then and there on deck - and turned to the man.

"Talia Moors," she introduced, slowly adding, "…Sir."

"Moors… Weren't there two hunters called Moors back in the day?" The man turned to Sarah, his finger wagging in thought.

"A couple, yes. They died a Hunter's death", she answered.

Crow turned back to the woman. "Your parents, I presume?"

"Ah, no… I, uh, come from a long line of bakers, Sir. Maybe a very far removed cousin or other distant relative?" she tried meekly. Crow accepted that answer with a shrug.

"Back to the matter. Rarely have I ever seen someone so nimble in the rigging. Besides that boy, of course," Crow pointed behind him to Jacob, who pointed at himself, again surprised and offended to be dragged deeper into this situation against his will. "But he did this since he was a child so he has an advantage. Now what I want to say is, I always need people like you in the crew - people with agility. Have you ever served on a ship?"

Talia vehemently shook her head 'no'. Crow cheerfully grabbed her shoulders and shook her a little.

"Well then, today is your lucky day! Welcome to the crew!" He said, padding her shoulder one more time with full force before turning to his first mate. "Sarah!"

She stepped forward. "I'll be leaving Moors and the girl in your care for now."

Sarah let out a big sigh, "Aye, Captain."

Maisie jumped in joy, grabbing Talia's bag as well as Talia's hand, dragging the shell-shocked woman after Sarah, who had started to walk towards her cabin.

Talia ran her right hand over her face in exhaustion. 'Oh, what have I gotten myself into?'

Chapter Text

"Sleep there." Sarah tossed a fluffed-up pillow onto the upper bunk bed. The cabin was just tall enough that she and Talia could stay upright without bumping their heads on the ceiling. Bookshelves lined the right side of the room, interrupted only by a wall target in the middle. On the left side stood the bunk bed.

Maisie looked at Sarah in awe, hanging on every word leaving her lips. Talia, meanwhile, could barely follow the conversation. Her thoughts were far from the stories Maisie adored, tangled instead in fatigue and the ever present irritation of being pushed into a life she never wanted. A nap - and later, food - sounded like heaven.

"You're… Sarah Sharpe."

Talia glanced over to see Maisie holding up her book like a sacred artefact.

She reached for the edge of the book and promptly pulled it from the girl's hands. "Now is not the time, Maisie."

"But they say-"

"I don't care what they say, and neither does Miss Sharpe. This is real life, Maisie. Not an adventure where we all frolic around later and sing hand in hand." She dropped the book into the girl's bag. "One of us may not be coming back in one piece - or at all - if we're not careful."

"And I heard your speeches, miss," Sarah added.

"My speeches kept me on this boat." Maisie crossed her arms with a smug smile.

Talia rubbed her forehead. "We are still on this ship because Captain Crow doesn't want to stop his hunt to let us off."

Sarah hummed in confirmation before another thought took precedence in her head. "May I ask you something, Miss Moors?"

Talia turned to her.

"Since when have you been following us?"

Talia's sleep-deprived brain lagged a beat so she was a bit late to answer. "Since… uh, you left the Three Bridges."

Sarah's face dropped. "You followed us… for two days straight?"

"Seems so, yeah.", Talia shrugged as if that was no big deal. It was not for her in the moment. She just wanted to sleep.

"That's insanity, miss.", Sarah muttered, shaking her head in disbelief.

"People do insane things when they're worried." Talia adjusted her bag. "Now, if you'll excuse me - I've got sleep to catch up on. And Maisie," she turned to the girl, "behave while I'm asleep."

Maisie crossed her arms and opened her mouth to throw a snarky remark at her caretaker but Talia staring into her soul silenced her.

"Behave."

—

It had been a few days since Talia was now trapped- uh, part of the crew aboard The Inevitable.

Each morning when she awoke, she had this stubborn hope that it all had been a dream, that her eyes would find the familiar walls of her room in the children's home. Only to find the cramped ones of the cabin aboard the monster-hunting ship with a girl too bold for her own good.

She missed the simple life she had back on shore. While it was not the best and not the most quiet, it was miles better than being here.

She missed her little space in the kitchen in the children's home that the cook permitted her to use for her baking.

The cheers full of joy of the children whenever she had some cookies to spare. Or the many birthday cakes she made over the years - for not only the children but her coworkers as well. The few moments of serenity she got when the only problem on her mind was if the baked good came out as she intended.

The sea hadn't grown familiar, and the creaking of the hull at night still set her nerves on edge. While the crew tried their best to be somewhat kind to her, the constant dread of being on this damned ship made her unpleasant to be around. But Maisie needed her and that was reason enough to power through.

They'd passed Rum Pepper Island and were headed into the Dregmorr.

She didn't have the time to complain or mope around or force Crow into dropping the two off somewhere out of annoyance.

No, she had her hands full with keeping Maisie out of the way. Didn't help that the girl would rather spend every waking moment near the Captain and Jacob Holland.

Like now. Maisie had vanished from the cabin again. Thus, Talia was forced to show herself on deck in pursuit of the girl.

A red flare erupted in the sky right as she opened the door from the cabin, making her heart skip a beat out of surprise. The hunt was on.

Talia usually would've found the lights against the sunset beautiful - if they weren't being used to lure the Red Bluster. A grim reminder of what was to come.

Despite the sea not getting any familiar, her body remembered how to stay steady from a time she would rather never think about ever again.

Ducking under the lines and dodging every crew member that tried to strike up conversation she made her way up to the bow of the ship.

The first person she saw was Crow. He stood tall, his trained eye scanning the horizon. Jacob was beside him, having idle conversation with his captain. Both seemed relaxed and leaned against the lines.

"Maybe I should've gotten something bigger."

Maisie's voice reached her ear and Talia looked away from the men down to the stairs. The girl leaned against the balustrade of the stairs to the upper deck, casually sharpening her knife Sarah had given her - or at least trying to.

"What are you doing here? You should be in bed." Jacob tried to shoo the girl away. He wasn't thrilled to have her or her caretaker on board - not that Talia was either.

But there wasn't much he could do against the word of his captain.

Maisie ignored him, stepping up to the deck and swinging her knife around like she was in battle.

That made Talia nearly fall into a full on sprint. This girl would one day be the reason she would go into an early grave. Or make her age faster, at least. She could already see some grey hair.

Maisie continued to attack the imaginary enemy until her blade got lodged in a mast's beam.

Crow spoke over his shoulder."You should go to bed."

Maisie saluted, turning around with an 'Aye, Captain'. But she did not come far as she was met with a fuming Talia.

"What are you doing?" Her eyes spewed embers at the girl.

"Taking a stroll!", Maisie chirped.

"At this hour, a little girl like you should be in bed. Come on, off we go."

Talia bowed slightly as an apology to Crow and Jacob, taking Maisie's hand to go back to the cabin.

"Miss Moors, a word." Crow had turned around and was now leaning against the lines.

Talia froze for a second before ushering Maisie off and slowly turning back around to the men.

Jacob had leaned towards his captain, asking him something in a hushed whisper. Crow dismissed him with a wave of the hand.

"We could use yer skills for the this hunt, they'd help us plenty. What ya say?"

Talia tangled her hands behind her back as to keep herself from screaming in horror then and there. Behind Crow - Jacob, his lips pressed into a thin line, shook his head in a silent 'no'.

That action nearly made her forget the nervousness. The audacity of this man! To tell her what to do? Outrageous! She was tempted to accept out of pure spite.

But she caught herself by pinching her right hand. She let out a sigh.

"Sir, I appreciate the trust, but I believe this hunt to be too important for me to learn on the job. And someone has to watch the literal child on board." She pointed behind herself to the cabin. "So, if you don't mind..."

Crow wanted to oppose but ultimately let out a sigh and waved her off. Talia didn't linger. But the situation left a slight bitter taste in her mouth.

When she entered the cabin she was still seething over Jacob's dismissive attitude. He seemed so arrogant to her. The way he had shaken his head. As if she would just bow to his every whim in seconds. And that made it the more maddening how she continued to waste her energy on him.

The door closed with a heavy thunk behind Talia. Maisie sat on her bed, diving deep into her book for the billionth time.

"Do you ever get tired of reading that damn book so many times over?" She leaned against the door.

Maisie replied with a chipper 'no' and continued reading. The woman sighed. Oh the innocence of youth. How she wished to have it again.

She pulled out a notebook and a pencil out of her bag.

In an attempt to clear her mind from all these needless emotions she started to write a list of what she wanted to do once they were off this cursed ship.

How about treating herself to something? Maybe some food? Or a new cookie cutter? No, even better, a new and bigger shawl!

As soon as Talia jotted down the last point, she felt the tension leave her - replaced by a nearly giddy feeling.

Yes, that is what she should get!

For a moment she just closed her eyes and imagined herself standing on a shore, wrapped in the biggest shawl she owns, watching the sea from a safe distance. Breathing in the ocean air before going back inside her little cottage to bake.

But her joy was short lived as yelling interrupted her daydreaming. As she was still leaning against the door, it only took her a second to peak outside.

They had found the Red Bluster.

The crew ran around in practised motion, filling the new canons with some kind of ammunition that she had never seen before. It was scary how fast new weapons were made to fight the sea monsters.

She shut the door and began frantically securing the room. Maisie watched, confused.

"What are you doing?" she asked concerned.

Talia stuffed her notebook and pen back into her bag. A loose knife was put into the cabinet under the bed.

"Securing the room. It's going to be a wild ride."

The girl came down to see for herself what was going on outside. Talia was too busy to notice Maisie leaving -stowing away all sharp, loose and heavy things properly.

The sudden slam of the door opening made her squeak in surprise.

Jacob pushed Maisie inside.

"Keep her away from the window," he ordered

"Again with the commands-,"

"Stay. Inside." And with that he slammed the door shut.

"Don't have to tell me twice - not even once," Talia grumbled. She ushered Maisie under the bed.

"Hold the railing tight. Don't ever let go."

Maisie's eyes widened. "What'll happen?"

A cannon blast cut Talia off. Maisie squeaked as Talia dropped to cover her ears. The ship suddenly lurched and Talia was thrown towards the door.

"Maisie!" she cried, spotting the girl still clutching the stairs.

But now Maisie was on the way to let go! Talia reached out to stop her but a strong pull on the ship send her flying to the other side of the room towards the open window.

"Talia!" Maisie shouted for her.

"Stay there!!"

Another jolt towards the bow made the two slam into the wall opposite of the bed. As quickly as she could Talia pushed herself up to help Maisie.

And missed the cabinet hinges breaking open. The knife she had stashed away there earlier flung out towards her-

-and then: hot white pain from her right hand exploded behind her eyes.

She let out a pressed gasp. She looked down to were here ring and pinkie fingers should be to see nothing.

Just nothing.

Blood, warm and weird, flowed down the wall.

Her breath quickened, her vision blurred. It had not quiet settled in yet that that was her hand against the wall. Her blood dropping down, despite her heart beat matching the pulse in the finger stubs.

Another pull and the door swung wide open. Maisie slipped through the doorway, sliding across the deck. A rope from the spears lodged in the Red Blusters skin caught her.

That was what was dragging the ship towards the whirlpool it had created.

"MAISIE!!", Talia screamed.

The woman grabbed blindly for something to dress her wound, ripping a small curtain into pieces. Another shudder threw her outside the room.

In the meantime Jacob had climbed his way up the ship. He clung to the rigging on the side, surveying the damage.

"The ship can't take it! We have to cut the lines!" He yelled over to his captain.

Crow, halfway up the mast, spear readied, didn't stop. "I've never run from a fight. I won’t start now."

But Jacob didn't let up. "We must! Even dead, it'll drag us to the bottom!"

Screaming from above made him turn. Talia came flying towards him screeching like a banshee in terror. He caught her on instinct, swinging her into his arms.

She immediately clung to him - then cried out in pain. Feeling her grip loosen, he clutched her tighter.

Another jolt made both look down. Maisie sawed away at the thick rope. A few strands had already snapped, barely missing the girl's face.

"Maisie Brumble, cut that line and I'll kill you for a coward!" Crow roared as he clung to the mast.

But Maisie didn’t stop.

"Jacob, stop her!"

Jacob tried to swing down. But Talia had grasped him tightly by the arm. She had turned out of his grip and was now hanging onto the rig with her left hand. Her face was twisted in pain and yet she did not budge, a plea to not interfere.

For the ship and its crew to live.

He hesitated before making a split decision. He grabbed Talia by the waist and swung the two of them down to were Maisie was still going at the rope. Landing near her, he grabbed the girl’s arm. The two looked at each other for a second.

Talia came between them and pulled at him. He grabbed both of her wrists with his other hand and pinned them to the deck.

A snap from above made the three whip their heads up towards the crows nest. It was close to falling, two crew members along with it.

Maisie broke free and severed the final strand of rope under Crows yelling. The ship buckled and tipped. Everyone screamed in panic.

Unbalanced, Maisie, Jacob and Talia slid off the bow into the sea. Talia tried to reach for Maisie but Jacob still had her wrists in a tight grip.

The cold combined with her blood lose made her briefly lose consciousness. She couldn't tell up from down and a concerning numbness spread through her right hand and her now none-existent ring and pinkie finger.

Her eyes only slightly opened. Below her she could make out the blurry silhouette of the Red Bluster that slowly sunk back into the murky depths of the ocean. She couldn't tell how long it had been there or how long it was gone. The numbness was now on it's way up her body as she sunk deeper.

Then, an arm slammed into her stomach, pulling her up. It made her cough and involuntarily inhale a lot of water.

Maisie, Jacob and Talia broke the surface. Maisie flailed, trying to stay afloat. Jacob, holding the barely conscious Talia, directed the girl to a lifeboat.

He hauled Talia in, who immediately vomited seawater. He pushed Maisie up after, before climbing in himself.

"Bring her to me!"

Crows voice cut through the still air over their heads. The entire crew was now standing at the railing, Crow in the middle, flanked by Sarah on his right.

Talia was still pressing out the rest of the water in her lungs as she leaned dangerously low over the railing. One hand was pressed against the middle seat of the boat. Maisie rushed over to her, clinging to her arm in worry.

"What are you gonna do?" Jacob yelled up.

But Crow was not listening. "I said, bring her to me!" he demanded as he slammed his fist onto the railing.

Jacob tried to defuse the situation. "She's just a child!"

"I'm giving you an order!"

Crow's patience snapped. He reached over to one of his men and pulled the pistol out of his belt. His eyes were wild - losing the Bluster again meant losing not only the bounty and the crew's faith but also the race against the navy. With an angry scowl he pointed the pistol down at the three.

Talia heard the cocking of the pistol and whipped her head around. A panicked gasp escaped her as she stared up at the barrel of the pistol. She extended her left arm out towards the girl, beckoning.

"Maisie!"

Maisie didn't think twice to fall into the protective embrace. Talia pressed the girl close, her own injured hand also cradled against her chest. The white cloth was already a dark red.

Jacob stood up, shielding Maisie and Talia with his body. One hand lifted in defence while his other arm was extended in protection.

"Please, Captain!"

Crow didn't blink. "Bring… Her… To… ME!"

Jacob's face fell. Crow would shoot - he realised. The man who was his father in all but blood would execute him along the girl who had saved their lives. It made him distraught.

Maisie started to look around in panic as the sea rumbled. Twisting in Talia's arms to get a better look. The Red Bluster surged from below, mouth open.

Maisie clung to Talia tightly. Jacob, losing his balance, grabbed blindly around, catching Talia's wounded hand-

She screamed in pain.

The last thing that reached their ears was Crow's desperate cry for Jacob.

Then, blackness.

The sea swallowed them whole.

Chapter Text

The clicking sound of stones echoed through the dark. A flicker - then a small flame - barely pushed back the blackness. Jacob leaned against the seat of the boat, lifting the lamp high after shutting its door.

Somehow, Maisie had climbed onto his shoulders, arms wrapped tight around his head. Talia clung tightly to his waist, half sprawled across his lap.

Jacob grunted, pulling Talia by her left arm as he rose to his feet. He swept the lamp to inspect the dark around them.

Sharp gums. Rows of gleaming teeth.

Maisie and Talia both stiffened, their grips tightening in fear.

The boat was resting on the tongue of the Red Bluster!

A deep growl reverberated through the beast, shaking the very air. The trio whipped around, huddling closer together.

"Are we gonna die… in here?" Maisie's voice cracked.

Jacob gently let go of Talia, who immediately collapsed onto the seat, then helped Maisie down from his shoulders. The girl sat opposite on the other seat and looked up at the man, eyes wide in terror.

He sank down beside Talia and set the lantern between them. His voice was firm. “No.”

Another guttural growl from the beast.

"…Well. Yeah."

Maisie turned to Talia for reassurance - surely her caretaker had a better answer.

But Talia sat slumped over, hands cradled in her lap, face pale. Jacob had followed Maisie's gaze. He reached out to Talia, but the second his hand touched her shoulder, she recoiled as if scalded, shrinking back despite the cramped space. Which was not even an inch.

She lifted her left hand to wave him away.

Jacob wanted to try again, but Maisie’s soft voice pulled his attention back to the girl.

The girl had now lifted her legs onto her seat and hugged them tightly.

"Is it gonna… chew us? Or… are we gonna get slowly digested? With acids?”

Jacob turned back to her, trying to keep his voice steady. "I don't know, Maisie. This is all new territory for me."

"Haven't you hunted these things your whole life?" she said, eyes wide.

"We kill 'em, lass, we don't study 'em."

He glanced past her, wanting to say something else but suddenly got an elbow into his ribs. His nerves were already on edge due the current situation so this was the final straw for them.

"Would you stop wiggling around?" he snapped - more sharply than he intended despite the hushed tone - at Talia, who was attempting to rummage for something in her bag.

"It is kinda hard to search a tiny bag with one working hand." Talia kept awkwardly rummaging as she let out a grunt in pain every now and again.

"You literally have both-!" Jacob grabbed her right hand and pulled it up into the lamplight.

The dim light exposed the soaked rag, the blood appearing even darker.

Jacob's words got stuck in his throat. Maisie's hands flew to cover her mouth, her face turning pale.

Talia stared at his hand holding her wrist, then immediately avoided his gaze when he turned to look at her.

"What happened?" he asked, voice low.

Sweat beaded on her forehead. The pain started to pulse through her hand again. She wanted to free her hand but the pain was too great. Instead, she locked her eyes onto the boat railing.

"… It was an accident," she muttered.

Another surge of pain made her resume her attempt to search in her bag.

Jacob was not satisfied with her answer and pressed for more. But Talia ignored him, continuing to rummage.

Unable to bear it, he leaned over and grabbed her bag, setting it in her lap. With one hand still gently holding hers, she was finally able to retrieve a small felted roll.

Jacob carefully unwrapped the rag. Talia clutched the needle kit, biting her lip to keep from crying out as the air hit the wound. Jacob set aside the soaked bandage and took the felted roll, pulling out a needle and thread.

Drawing her closer to the lantern, he rested her hand on his knee and began stitching.

The light was dim and his hands trembled slightly. The stitches came out crooked, but they held.

Each time the needle pierced her skin, Talia lowered her head further, jaw clenched to hide the pain written clearly on her face. Her other hand grasped her dress so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Minutes passed like hours. When Jacob finally tied off the last stitch, she exhaled shakily.

"This is as good as it will get for now." Jacob wrapped her hand with a clean bandage from a pouch at his belt.

The moment he finished, she pulled her hand and needle roll back and shrank away from him, returning to make as much space as she could between them. Which was still barely anything.

"… About what you said earlier…" Talia stuffed the needle roll back into her bag, avoiding eye contact. "Is it even possible to study them?"

"To study what?" Jacob looked at her in confusion at the sudden change of topic.

"The sea beasts." Her eyes flicked past Maisie as another distant groan echoed from deep within the Bluster.

The girl and Jacob followed her gaze.

The three stared down the monster's throat.

"Well, I guess it's time to start." Jacob stood up and grabbed a rope, tying one end to a carabiner attached to his belt and looped the other around Maisie's waist.

Talia's eyes narrowed. "Why not tie the rope to me? Maisie won't be able to hold your weight!" She braced her left hand on her hip for added emphasis.

Jacob picked up a metal spear. "You," he said, pointing at Talia "also wouldn't be able to. She at least has both hands. And don't even try to argue with me on this."

Talia scowled but said nothing.

Maisie grabbed the lantern and held it high. Jacob turned around and slowly lowered his left foot down onto the tongue of the sea beast. It made a wet squelching sound as he stepped down from the boat.

"Jacob, what if it swallows you?" Maisie asked.

He looked back at them over his shoulder.

"Cut the rope."

Then he disappeared deeper into the beast.

He climbed to a ledge near the start of the throat, tossed his spear ahead, and scrambled after it. Two tunnels yawned before him.

He took the left one.

.

Back in the boat, Talia observed the flickering light of the lantern. Maisie kept her eyes fixed on the rope - it had started to move.

She tugged on Talia's sleeve to get her attention. The two clambered out of the boat and stepped cautiously onto the slick tongue. Each step made a grotesque squish. Talia winced in revulsion.

Maisie started to pick up the rope as they wandered deeper.

The two stopped before the edge, just like Jacob had minutes before and followed the rope up with their eyes. They looked at each other for a few seconds.

Talia took a deep breath, letting it out in a short huff, and grabbed the rope to climb up. She was not really braced for the pain that shot through her bandaged hand.

She nearly let go - but seeing the distance being short, grit her teeth and hoisted herself up over the ledge.

Maisie had it a lot easier as the natural trajectory of the rope pulled her up and she only had to get over the edge.

They continued to follow the rope up a tunnel and through a narrowing. Maisie squeezed through first then helped Talia.

They emerged to find Jacob, his arm leaned against the wall, bathed in a blue light, looking outside through an opening. The spear rested against the wall behind him.

The ocean floor stretched endlessly below them. Fish drifted past.

Talia gasped, bandaged hand rising to cover her mouth, the other anchoring a transfixed Maisie next to her.

It was a terrifying sight. To be under the surface of the ocean and see what usually meant certain death.

Suddenly - the Red Bluster pivoted up.

Gravity slammed into them, forcing them backwards.

Talia instinctively wrapped her arms fully around Maisie as they tumbled. Unable to cushion her own fall, she braced for impact - but landed on Jacob's chest instead, knocking the air out of him.

The surface broke and sunlight poured in. An island came into view.

Jacob rolled to his feet, grabbing his spear and peering out.

"What are you going to do?" Maisie called, following after him while Talia struggled to get up.

"I'm gonna kill it," the man said with determination.

The girl baulked. "Kill it? How?"

"Well, I don't know. I just get pumped up and kind of wing it. "

Talia groaned behind them. "If that's what you've been doing your entire career, I am not sure you're going to win…" She rubbed her right hand.

Jacob shot her a grumpy look before he turned back to Maisie. "Look, I don't want to overthink this, alright? I'm just gonna kill it."

Suddenly the membrane in front of the opening vanished and a strong wind pushed them back. Maisie and Talia braced themselves.

"I don't know about this!" the girl yelled against the wind.

"I'm Jacob Holland, remember, who killed five of them beasts in the span of two days! And this is just another beast!" he yelled back.

He leaned the spear against the wall and started to untie Maisie from the rope.

Talia shook her head in worry. Then she noticed the floor beginning to rumble. The spear shifted. “Hey, guys-?”

They didn't hear her.

Maisie tried to come up with an actual strategy. "There has to be another way!"

"Afraid not, lass."

"Well," the girl started when an idea popped into her head. "C-can you kill it from the inside?"

Jacob paused.

Talia protested promptly. "We're still inside it as well! We'll probably be-"

Suddenly, the Bluster sneezed. The trio was thrown backwards again.

Jacob was shot out - like a cannonball - of the nostril, from which they had apparently looked out off, rope trailing behind.

Maisie clung to the spear like a lifeline. Talia had spread out every limb like a starfish lodging herself in the nostril. She grunted in pain, her right hand burning.

Jacob on the other didn't get so lucky. He was still attached to Maisie with the rope. His body ricocheted off the sandy ground rapidly, multiple times. His attempt to get a hold were futile, the sand running through his fingers.

He was then swung back and hit the beast’s chest. He grabbed its hide, not wasting a breath to draw his sword - but was yanked away again, soaring through the air as the Bluster raised it's head.

Talia and Maisie tried their best to hold on tight.

Jacob floated in front of the beast's face for a few seconds before plummeting to the ground, the beast's eyes following him in curiosity.

All breath left him as he hit the ground hard, arms stretched out. He had no time to blink the scorching sun away before his sword came flying straight at him. He sat up with a cry.

Another snag of the rope gave him barely enough time to grab his sword before he was airborne again. He swung past a palm tree once and drove his sword into the trunk on the way back.

Finally, he was not being thrown around like a rag doll.

With his face set into a determined scowl, Jacob turned to look at the beast slowly coming closer.

Maisie struggled to hold onto the spear as she looked at Jacob with big eyes.

Talia - once again preoccupied with her injury - looked around in worry, forcing her brain to find a solution.

Jacob hoisted himself up onto the handle of his sword.

"Hold on, lass!" He started to bring in the rope.

The action made the Red Bluster notice the rope, prompting it to lift it up with one of its flippers. Jacob stopped, surprised.

Suddenly, the beast pulled on the rope and the spear snapped in half.

Talia tried to grab for the girl but was not fast enough. Maisie screamed as the rope yanked her forward - past Jacob who lost his grip on the trunk trying to catch her - and back towards the beast’s gaping maw.

Her boots skimmed its lips.

The Bluster caught one of her boots gently between its teeth.

She froze, tilting her head away in fear. The beast huffed air over her - then tilted its head in response to hers. Its massive eyes dilated.

It only seemed to observe her, out of curiosity, perhaps.

Maisie’s panic slowed. Her breathing evened.

“H-hold on!” Talia called, inching forward on her stomach. She slid from the nostril, planning to reach Maisie. Not a great plan - but it was something.

The Bluster noticed her and gave another soft huff.

It was enough for the wind to shoot her out.

"TALIA!" Maisie screamed.

Jacob, now in a palm tree’s crown, sword between his teeth, prepared to leap-

Only for Talia to come flying straight at him, again.

He nearly dropped the sword catching her in his arms.

"I am no landing dock, lass!"

"Well, I'm also not very thrilled about this either!" she spat back at him.

Despite his rude demeanour, he set her down with surprising care to ensure she didn't fall.

Now that this awkward exchange was over, Jacob seized the rope and just launched himself off the palm tree to execute his plan. Talia nearly fell in fright at his recklessness.

"No, wait!" Maisie shouted.

As Jacob swung towards the beast, Maisie freed herself by slipping out of her shoe.

With the tension suddenly gone, Jacob dropped like a stone - this time face-first into the sand. Talia winced in sympathetic pain as he slammed into the ground.

Her concern shifted instantly to Maisie, who, freed from the rope, had swung wide - over the beast's flipper and into a nearby palm tree.

"Maisie, are you okay?" she yelled.

She was relieved to see that the girl had landed safely.

Below, Jacob lifted his head, dazed. But when he saw the rest of the spear stuck in the ground right in front of the beast determination took over. He scrambled to his feet and sprinted towards the spear.

"W-w-wait, Jacob! No. Stop!" Maisie called out.

Talia noticed a change in her tone - urgent, frightened.

Something had shifted in Maisie’s understanding.

Why would she not want the literal hunter to kill a beast, which she had just been encouraging minutes ago?

Not that Talia wanted that, no - she just wanted to get out of this nightmare as fast as possible. So she searched for a way to get to the girl - sadly every single one involved climbing down.

Jacob wasn’t listening. He charged forward. Maisie clawed at the rope around her waist, but the knot wouldn’t budge. It was a race against time now.

Then she remembered - the knife.

She fumbled for it and began sawing at the rope.

A noise from the beast made Talia and Maisie look up.

The beast had watched Jacob going for the spear. Its massive flipper dragged through the water in a slow, deliberate arc.

Jacob was only meters from the spear when he ground to a halt, stopping in resignation.

“Oh, bloody hell.”

He got send flying back once more as the water tossed him around.

Talia heard a thud as Jacob hit the trunk of the palm tree. But she herself struggled to not fall into the wave as she had crouched down to see how to get down best. She grasped the leaves tightly as the palm tree swayed from the force of the water.

Maisie found herself in a similar predicament.

Talia watched as the beast turned to walk away, deeper into the island.

A cough and deep breaths for air below her indicated that the water had returned to the ocean and Jacob was alive. Her eyes looked down at the beach and saw the boat still there - unharmed and intact - surprisingly.

"You could have killed me!" Maisie shouted down.

Jacob, drenched and offended, yelled back. "I could have killed you?!" With an angry noise he climbed down.

"You got it backwards, lass. I got it dead to rights and you bollocksed it up!" He untied the rope, throwing it to the ground in frustration.

"Dead to rights? I must be watching a different fight!" Maisie huffed, limping toward him - still one shoe short.

"We wouldn't be fighting at all if you didn't cut 'em lines!" He picked up Maisie's discarded shoe.

"We cut 'em lines!" Maisie picked up Jacob's sword, dragging it behind her, far too heavy to carry properly.

"No - you cut 'em lines!"

"You didn't stop me, did you?"

"That's - not the same thing."

The two stopped in front of each other.

"Isn't it?" Maisie offered him his sword.

"No, it isn't." Jacob held the shoe towards the girl.

They both took their respective items without another word. Jacob re-sheathed his sword.

"Hey!" Talia's voice finally reach their ears and the two turned to her.

She was halfway down the palm, clutching the trunk tightly with trembling arms. Her right hand was wrapped in blood-stained bandages, and her face had gone pale with strain.

“Do you two know how long I’ve been calling you?!” she shouted. “I could use some help here - then you can go back to arguing over whose fault this is!”

She tried to lower herself further, but pain stopped her.

"Then stop moving and wait!" Jacob hurried back beneath the palm tree and stretched out his arms.

"You do not expect me to just let go!" she barked. Her head was spinning - maybe from the height, maybe the blood loss. Yeah, probably the latter.

"I am. Or do you expect me to climb up there with what, lass? Grit and charm?" He enforced his words by stretching his arms out further.

Talia shut her eyes in resignation.

He was right - and she hated that.

So she kept her eyes shut tight, held her breath - and let go.

The fall felt like it lasted forever, yet was over in an instant.

When she landed in Jacob's arms she gasped out in fright, instinctively clinging to him, her breath rapid and shallow.

"You must enjoy landing in my arms,” he muttered. “I can't think of any other reason it keeps happening.”

She gave him an angry scowl. Cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

But the moment was shattered by a low growl echoing from the trees.

Then another.

And another.

Snarls and heavy footfalls surrounded them. All three flinched, turning in place, scanning the jungle.

More beasts.

"Best find shelter," Jacob said grimly.

He lowered Talia and carefully took the lead into the foliage. Maisie and Talia followed closely, the first slipping her shoe back on while walking.