Just Another Day

"What's all the fuss about?" asked an old man in long black robes and a broad-brimmed hat. He had spectacles on his nose and very bushy muttonchops on his cheeks.

"Cap'n said 'no more pets'," the sailor grumbled as he jabbed a finger at the cub.

"What am I, a common dog?" Shanku demanded as she yanked back her arm.

"I've never seen this one before. Relax, Mr. Whitten. I'll claim future responsibility for her."

"What was his problem?" Shanku growled as Whitten stomped off.

"Just some minor problems in the past with kurach," the old man said absentmindedly. "Hrm... You're not native, are you?"

"Not really," Shanku replied, puzzled, and shrugged. "I'm from the Nyre. Yeah, I know. 'Thought the Sylvans were extinct.' Big conflict long ago, went into hiding, we're still kickin'."

"Interesting..."

"If you want more details it'll have to be after supper," Shanku said flatly. She'd had plenty of these encounters and her stomach was more pressing to her than a story.

"Of course, come with me," the old man began to make his way below deck. "Do you like fish?"

"Who doesn't?" Shanku asked hungrily.

"Old sailors."