Snippet #2256300

Leland stood stock still on the deck, observing everything. But none of it is very interesting. Without thinking he began to tap his foot in annoyance. He had been manning his post as the sun came up, but now the day was dragging on with no progress towards encountering pirates. Leland's hand strayed to his chest where the Queen's letter was sewn into his cloths. He didn't like delays, but there didn't seem to be anything for it. If he gutted the ex-sailing master now it would only delay things further.

Leland watched the new sailing master to pass the time. Now that she was free of her oppressor she seemed even more timid. Curious. As long as she could do her job, Leland cared not how she conducted herself. However he doubted she could do even that, to look at her. Time enough to deal with that if it became a problem. Leland's eye was caught by a flash of red and he observed the ex-pirate marine with fascination. He wondered for the umpteenth time if she still had contacts with her previous comrades, but the risk seemed too great. For now Leland would just observe.

Just then the captain called two men into his quarters. Leland recognized one as the ship's doctor, but the other must have come from the Jade Moon. Very curious. It was getting harder and harder to observe the door. The crew was becoming heated over the matter of the sentencing. Leland had been waving away or outright ignoring attempts to get his opinion on the matter. Yet one marine wasn't having any of it. He grabbed Leland by the shoulder and spun him around shouting, "Oy! You listening ta me? I asked you a question." Quicker than the sailor could react Leland broke his grip on his shoulder and grabbed the man around the neck. He looked him right in the eyes and spoke in a calm and even tone that seemed out of place. "I'd kill 'em." The man quailed back, but Leland had already turned away. He returned to his post at the helm, and began to drum his fingers on the wheel, his face a blank slate.