part0010

Ethan Bartholemue hated to “people”, also know as to “socialise”, as most normal folk called it. The whole ordeal made him twitch. In fact, being around mortals made him seem like he had a permanent tick. It was the holier than thou attitude that they were the superior race, even though they had zero clue as to what was actually going on and how much danger they were in from the supernatural forces. But could you tell them? No . They would react like the planet’s biggest baby, or like his friend Nigel when he saw a spider. “NO! Kill it. Make it gone,” was the usual reaction, and it would be similar if a mortal found out about paranormals like him.

This was why he rarely ventured outside his small home. In fact, he was only one dinosaur pyjama set away from being a confirmed agoraphobe. But he needed this job; work had been slow lately. Not many people wanted a warlock anymore, so he made money where he could. Online research, simple spells, and even the odd removal of unwanted entities. Unfortunately, his magic couldn't pay his bills, and didn't that sound far more mortal than it should.

Shaking his head, he thought back to being at home. Safely ensconced in his wall of computers, he could find anything anyone wanted. So why had he left the house?

Well, he had been offered a hefty sum to find a cure to a curse. Yeah, the money had made his ears prick up, but it had been the destination that had really made him keen.

Kracken’s Hole, fabled paranormal town, home to the legend of the krackens and to the myth of Merlin’s Gate. For a research nerd like him, the mere idea to visit the place had gotten his intellectual juices flowing, so armed with his laptop, he had followed the brief directions and had ended up boarding a ferry. Well, more along the lines of a pirate ship.

That had been a first, and he would have been quite happy watching the waves rolling along if the hairs on the back of his neck hadn’t pricked up. Turning, he had seen the pirate Captain eyeballing him.

Other than that, it had been a pleasant ship. Ethan had never really been to the coast before. He had been warned that there was a fishy smell, and Ethan didn't do fish. Surprisingly, there was no fishy smell. Instead it was a fresh scent with a slight tang of salt in the air, and he found he enjoyed it. The wind in his face and being outside instead of cooped up was surprisingly pleasant.

He had also gotten a glimpse of a rogue tentacle before the Captain had slapped it, sending it back into the depths. He was curious about that. Tentacles that size meant only one thing.

Yes, overall, the journey had been rather refreshing, but now, as he stood on the makeshift dock of Kracken’s Hole, he couldn’t help but feel... a little underwhelmed. The dock had just enough room for the ship he had just disembarked, but that obviously hadn’t discouraged the other vessels within the cove. Jammed tight were other pirate ships of all shapes and sizes. Every pirate flag you could ever imagine littered the skies. Yet not one held an actual pirate. Every single one was empty.

It seemed pirates had taken over the small town, and every pirate was drinking—heavily. If the slumped bodies on the makeshift dock was anything to go by.

“Maeve, my little witch. Have you missed me?” said the deep voice of the pirate Captain who had shot daggers at him during the trip. He pulled his gaze from the overparked cove to where said pirate was picking up a beautiful woman with violet hair. They didn't care that most watched as their lips locked in a heated kiss, before the pirate released her, leaving her a chance to answer.

Ethan wanted to walk on past, but he was told he would be met at the dock by the Guardian of Kracken’s Hole, so he had little choice but to endure the affectionate show. Turning to face the jam-packed cove, Ethan spent his time counting the flags that didn't have a sexual innuendo on. Which, not surprisingly, didn't take long.

As soon as the couple was done smooching, the pirate’s next words made his ears twitch. Eavesdropping couldn’t be helped when they openly discussed him.

“I know he's a warlock, Will. That’s why I asked for his help.” Her answer to the pirate was sharp, like they had discussed this topic before.

“Will, no one will care at the moment. Most of the town are hammered due to the reunion. Besides…” even without looking, Ethan knew the female was smiling, and not a nice one at that, “he fucks up, I feed him to Brutas.”

The sound of kissing resumed. It took a loud slap and a squeal that followed before Ethan sneaked a peek to find the violet-haired witch watching him as the pirate walked off behind her.

“Err, yes. Yes, Ethan Bartholemue, as requested.” He smiled back and held his hand out to shake. Instead of taking it, she looked down and then back up at him.

Ethan nodded and dropped his hand. “Understandable. I assure you I am here to help and not cause trouble.” The last thing Ethan wanted to do was piss off a town full of pirates and witches. Ethan may be a male and a warlock, but he wasn't that keen on confrontation. His fellow warlocks loved a good fight, but Ethan avoided it.

“Okay, now we've got that sorted, welcome to Kracken’s Hole. I’m Maeve, and I’m the Guardian.” She turned and nodded for him to follow.

He followed her and watched the witch storm into the only pub in the town, The Ferrets Mott, then leave seconds later, hands around an irate pigeon, who was not only talking but swearing up a storm that even made the surrounding pirates’ eyes widen.