mistress of the tides. // @rxseandscythe
There was barely a ripple on the ocean that evening. Stillness hung in the air and in the water, like the sea herself had commanded silence from all. On her calm surface rode a most majestic vessel; the Maelstrom. Captained by a fearsome individual, or so Sebastian had heard. A corsair. By royal decree the ship and its crew could go where they pleased, and do what they pleased, so long as it was done for the benefit of the Crown. There were a great many bloody deeds under that flag.
But given the recent raids about these parts, and rumours of monstrous aquatic lifeforms, not many ships sailed through this time of year. He concluded that whatever human ran the ship, it was simply that; a human. It shouldn’t prove that much trouble to a creature like him. Speaking of which, a man stood at the edge of the ship’s bow --- fairly fit, not too young nor too old. Perfect for the siren’s purposes. He’d have plenty of meat on his bones.
Sebastian surfaced from the water by the hull. He parted his lips, and began to hum. It was a wailing melody, difficult to locate the source of, as though it originated from everywhere at once. Was that a second set of footsteps? He scoured the rail to check if someone else had come out. Witnesses were rarely helpful. But he saw and heard nothing further, so carried on luring his meal. Slowly but surely his sweet tune dulled the seafarer’s senses, bringing the man ever closer to the edge of the ship. When he was within his sights, the siren beckoned with a hand, never ceasing in his singing. In a moment, the sailor’s eyes glazed over. He might as well have already been dead. Sebastian smiled invitingly, a shimmer of black scales and pale skin, as though he were a mirage. A fatal vision. There was a heavy splash which stirred the ocean, bubbling at the Maelstrom’s sturdy side, and left no man left standing upon the bow. Beneath the waterline, teeth and claws and spiny growths tore their prey to pieces. Fish food. A red stain began to bleed into the blue-green.
The crew were many --- he’d seen them earlier in the evening before they’d gone below to rest. He would return soon enough to the other side, delivering that mournful melody once more. The night was young, and he had a large appetite to sate...
