Samhain... The time when the veil was thinnest between worlds. Captain Devnaugh struck a match against the wooden railing before bringing it up to light her pipe. She took a few puffs, all while trying to fight a smile that threatened to spread across her face. Soon, she shook out the match, pulled out her pipe, and blew smoke circles into the air. Afterward, she smiled up at the moon that stood out as a bright spot against the inky black sky.
It was also the best time for business. Anyone with sense hired seafarers to protect their villages, but those with actual brains knew that pirates could get the job done better than anyone else. Fishermen could hold their own... maybe, but their vessels weren’t built for combat. Just made no sense. Navymen came at a high price, and their way of doing things just didn’t float well with the captain.
The Navy liked to play by the rules, but only their rules. They cared little for the needs of the oceans; they couldn’t understand the subtle demands. They were businessmen in the end, and they only wanted that which would give them the most bragging rights. “Honour,” sure, but that was just a nice way of talking about their insidiously selfish ways.
Pirates knew that a little bit of superstition went a long way. Giving respect to the ocean paid better dividends than any coin or accolades mankind could offer. Captain Devnaugh took another puff thoughtfully as her ship cut through the nightwaters and drifted into the moonlight. She shuddered as she glided slowly into the radiance. After taking another hit from her pipe, she blew the smoke out of her nose now.
Heavy bootfall sounded behind her, and then a crewmate spoke up. “Captain, we spotted the whirlpool nearby. It looks like it’s just getting started.”
“Excellent.” Devnaugh overturned her pipe into her empty hand. “Let’s make our way over.”
“Aye, aye!”
