In the clutches of the Sepulcher

There was intense movement in the tavern.

Through the alleys, the closed doors of the houses showed a desolate scene. The dead were collected by a cart that roamed the alleys, collecting the victims of the plague.

She looked at the old man in amazement. How was it not just that? And what else was there, good God? She examined her arms anxiously for stains, fearful of the disease that had killed the man in the city. She hadn't had any contact.

They said that to catch the mysterious disease, contact with the sick was necessary. He was going to die! Of all the situations he'd been in...

-I don't have any spots or pustules on my body. - The female voice came out an eighth louder. - I don't have a fever like that either. How is it not just about that? Cassie's eyes widened indignantly, ready to tell the cook that she bathed assiduously.

The woman scratched her head, wondering how he was going to explain it to her.

-Girls, I appreciate your help, but I think I need to talk to Cassie alone at the moment. Make arrangements for the meal in the meantime. I have heard reports that a large ship is approaching the dock.

The wide, green eyes gleamed too big. She was there. Damn men!"What the hell is going on?" Cassie was getting impatient.

There was work. Of course, there was always work. The bedding needed sun and was soaking. Lunch... It was early in the morning. All night long... The in-and-out movement was continuous. That man had been watched over all night by his former crewmates. Some close friends were hoping to bury you in the local cemetery.

And the price of coffins during a plague...Only people with any luck could get a funerary rite in those days. The girl was carrying a tray with steaming mugs of bitter coffee and tobacco. The town healer had done her best with her herbs and healing potions. But some didn't agree with that. But most didn't agree with that. There was the disappearance of a child... Tempers were tense.

She could remember every detail of her encounter with Rick, even an accidental one aboard the Gaia.

Without waiting she was falling to her knees on the floor of the gasping cabin. A large animal snarled in front of her and even then there was insufficient air in the lungs. Mercy. She was choking on the faint hisses that escaped her chest in an attempt to breathe. Choking.

-It looks like we have a little mouse on the ship's deck! - the thick voice of the man in front of her echoed with annoyance.

- Getaway, Lord. Now! You know, it's not very polite to hang around listening to other people's conversations.

She did not answer and was still out of breath. The huge hunting ...2dog stared at her, snarling and bristling.

Rick cursed, watching the ragged boy lying in Gaia's cabin, rolling his eyes. Should keep watch on the boat to avoid problems like that. Only his eyes fell on the small hand that still held a piece of bread while the boy seemed to suffocate

.Naturally, he had already seen men and children in a malnourished and hungry state like that little apathetic figure at his feet. It was the spoils of war and she hadn't even started."You don't have to be afraid ..." His voice softened as he made sure the dog walked away suspiciously.

Cassie said nothing, struggling to normalize the air that didn't enter her lungs. She saw herself with horror raised from the cold floor and left sitting on the soft mattress of the big double bed there with a stronger squeak. He was going to die at least choking on a piece of bread. Tears blurred her eyes when her body swayed with the strong slap that hit her back and she coughed, breathing heavily as she spits out the previously stuck piece of bread.

Richard sighed, avoiding giving in to sulking.

It was a child and was scared. The red cheeks stood out even with the big beret that covered part of the face and the suspicious eyes.

Cassie could surrender to the misery in which everything had transformed her life in the face of the tall, stern-faced man. Thank goodness the rest of the tear powder disguised its smell. Her gaze was anxious for the half-open door and then he stopped on a groan as she saw the platter with generous slices of cheese and roast. Could it be faster than him? Ah, she hardly believed in the banquet in front of her. She sprang up in a running jump before her hand quickly grabbed a piece of the cheese and saw the passage blocked.

Morgan could curse with the look of that wary creature like a caged and hungry animal. He hated that. The people in their land did not suffer from such deprivations after the clan had engaged in activities on the high seas.

Dieu! That boy ... was Will's son? Did he suspect? He believed she was just a boy.

-Why don't you eat first? - the boy's way was revolting. How long had the thin figure not had a decent meal? - The roast is juicy. Fresh bread is always attractive. Let's go. It is a waste of good food. Then if you want an escape. I don't think Rick will complain about some stolen bread slices, kid.

It was not a suggestion that Cassie intended to refuse food shortages on the island. It was a banquet. She was hungry. She chooses a slice of cheese and meat that she hurriedly swallowed. She had forgotten the need for weapons to satisfy the hunger that made her stomach churn.

Morgan twitched his mouth in a hard line seeing the child leaning over the tray eating and swallowing her mouthpieces almost without chewing. It was revolting when food was wasted at court.

-You should try to chew and not swallow so fast, boy ... - he warned worried.

She didn't understand why until her stomach was cramping up, taking a deep breath.Curse.The food should be poisoned.

She ran to the cabin window in a cold sweat as she leaned over and dropped the body, unable to retain the food. The cold came back into her bones when she leaned heavily on the wall and closed her eyes in embarrassment. God! Not even at Star had she endured so much hardship.

Morgan sighed patiently as he fetched mugs and a bottle of wine. It was hard to believe that there were people like the boy who faced hunger like that. It was the bloody cabin of the Star of Tomorrow. Maybe he could put him in the Gaia cabin.

First of all, make him feed on the small pieces. Ah, he would love to see Willian's reaction when he learned of the youngest son's condition in the Navy. He was very likely to challenge Thalagar to a duel.-Why don't you try some wine?- He suggested slowly.

The boy was certainly suspicious. An aloof animal. The silence was beginning to become awkward. Hell, was the kid dumb? The eyes were too big under the damn old beret. And the apples...

-They weren't poisoned, boy. Richard was lenient when holding out a mug with little wine.- Just ate too fast. Sometimes it happens. When you don't eat for a long time, your body doesn't accept that much. I'm sure you're thirsty.

Cassie nodded and took the drink mug indecisively. She very much doubted that her legs would obey any will and managed to escape. He hadn't recognized her. It should have given her immense relief, except that it was the horror of horrors when she imagined the pitiful state of her appearance. She approached cautiously, ready to escape with any movement from him.

Her attitude did not go unnoticed by Morgan in curbing the plagues.

Oh, he was also undoubtedly a brave boy for his age. The raised shoulders showed pride and determination. He imagined Jackie's reaction to meeting his brother in conditions like the very conscious one who would have further discussions with the pack omega. He sighed again.

The boy seemed to relax still looking at him. Satisfied with the small victory, he took a generous slice of bread and cheese and a knife, placing them in a bowl, beginning to chop them into small pieces. needed to make him eat slowly. He very much doubted that the boy would take any chances again after having been sick with the food.

It was like captivating and taming a new and suspicious wolf. He forced a smile as he pushed a stool towards the boy with the tip of his foot. It was the same boy he had rescued from the wreckage of Glenhouse

.-I believe you will like to know that Jackie is in these parts. - He spoke very naturally very attentively.

The look of relief in those anxious eyes made him angry. It was painful to see the state as some were treated onboard Navy vessels. He intended to make a complaint to the Successorium in person.

Kassuim was stubbornly silent, overcome by a feeling of intense relief that the body seemed to relax. She sat cautiously on the stool, ready to flee if necessary.

-How ... - the voice came with difficulty. She had never been good at trying to disguise the high-pitched, irritating voice that Thalagar so much claimed.

- How do you know they are not ... are ... - Her eyes reflected terrible grief in front of the food dishes. And was hungry.- It's a complicated story. - Rick reflected pleased with the small progress. - On one occasion I had the opportunity to enjoy the unwanted hospitality of Coven's dungeons.

Cassie still hoped to run at the slightest sign of danger. Only he seemed to be engrossed in the adventures of a fabulous treasure while eating bits of bread and chin, little by little offering her small amounts. Morgan intimately smiled contentedly. How could a child be so skittish?

This time the boy ate slowly, enjoying small sips of the drink that probably would not satisfy the palate of such a young boy.

The narrative had caught her full attention. Without realizing it, she had already eaten a whole slice of bread and cheese and her relaxed body made her yawn with exhaustion. Morgan watched the boy stirred by curiosity.

Good... He...His thoughts...

How old is the boy? He was perhaps younger than Adam. He was going to personally make sure that the boy was relocated from Star. He had already seen people who suffered from starvation during their stay in the wizard's dungeons.Curse.No crew member was treated like that on his ship. If he were a commodore ...

He shook his head in a daze. It was not about pity. There was something about the appealing boy, perhaps it was looking too young and unprotected. Small and frequent meals. Padraic would take care of the boy despite the complaints.

-I propose a truce. -Richard sighed, noting the tiredness on her downcast face. The boy was weak. He certainly needed to rest. - It's late and winter is approaching. You're going to stay on board Gaia tonight and ...Cassie's eyes widened with her senses on alert. The head was heavy. She had never been allowed to taste a wine before.

The small amount made her even more tired. For a week she had run away from that man to end up there like that ...

-Not. Do not run away. - he appealed apprehensively.

Richard Morgan was mulling over what to do. Curse! They were looking for the boy. Looking for her. It was impossible that ....Thalagar would have neglected a boy that young. He saw the boy rise agitated, his eyes fixed on the door like a prisoner.

Ah. He could smell the scent of fear and the heartbeat too fast. He was scared. It was clear that he was scared. War was never made for a child. He avoided his annoyance by remembering Thalagar's genius. He was an aggressive and violent man. The pathetic and suspicious figure only confirmed his fears. It was fortunate that the boy had not caught the attention of the damn captain and his lover. It infuriated him.