Departures

"What the fuck was in that ale?" Veil growls the next morning as she holds a wet towel to her head, sitting on the side of the bed. "It feels like I've been kicked in the head by a mule."

She looks down at the other sister, Aura still asleep next to her, snoring softly.

"Wake up the fuck up. We told the captain we'd have him back by noon and I have some things to pick up." She gives her sister a shake and then a harder slap when she doesn't react.

Aura finally wakes, holding her head as she sits up. "Why's it so bright?" she groans.

Veil takes the flagon of water off the nightstand and passes it to Aura. "Drink some of this and let's get the fuck out of here."

The three of you get dressed in silence and make your way out into the crowded street.

The place looks different in the daylight. Not civilized by any means, but a far cry more respectable than it did at night.

You see other men for the first time since arriving in this strange world and are shocked at how frail they look. They are mostly scrawny and short, with thin frames. A few men glance at you in surprise as you walk past, but most keep their heads down as if trying their best not to be noticed.

"Are all men from Rebel Bay like this?" You ask to Aura.

"Small? Yes, but the males here are merely dregs and castaways. No self respecting woman would let her male walk the streets without an escort."

You grunt and let it go.

As you walk the streets, the twins both stay close to you, making sure you are never more than an arm's reach away.

It's almost like they are afraid someone is going to steal you from them.

You soon find yourself in the heart of a large market. Stalls and shops line both sides of the road, with awnings and tarps blocking out the bright sunlight.

The women glance at you hungrily as you pass but sharp looks from the twins dissuade anything more.

It takes almost half an hour to get through the crowd, with the three of you having to pause on multiple occasions while the twins barter and haggle for supplies.

"Wait here." Veil says to her sister at the entrance to a large, two story building.

Aura frowns and nods as Veil ducks inside.

It's nearly an hour before she returns with a small bundle wrapped in old sailcloth.

"Let's get back to the ship." She says.

"What was that about?"

"Something the captain asked me to pick up for her." Veil says as she moves closer to you, pressing herself against your side. "Let's head back to the docks." She adds in a more urgent voice. "We're wasting time and I'd like to be on board before noon."

The trip back to the docks is quiet, with only the sound of your heavy boots on the wooden planks and the sea crashing against the hull.

"Well, that's disappointing." You say, as you step aboard. The main deck is empty save for a small handful of sailors and deckhands going about their tasks.

"We set sail in an hour." Hayley calls from the quarterdeck. "Did you get the package?"

"Aye!" Veil calls back.

"Good. Take it to the captain."

Veil scurries off without another word.

"Male," Haley says turning her attention to you, "Clean yourself up and get ready to attend the governess."