Read Nocturna League (Episode 2: The Mist Hour) for Free Online Page B

forward with a smile and
much fatter coat pockets. “Heya.”
    Boris’ stalk-like, obsidian eyes spark
with intrigue. “WERE YOU OF THE COMPLETING?”
    Colette peeks one of the gauntlets out
from a pocket, her grin measured, but enthusiastic. “Let’s just say
Ol’Salt’s gonna’ have a start when I draw my gun.”
    Boris nods. “THEN IT MUST BE OF THE
BEING,” he says with a solemn, grave tone, which, for the ears of a
non-seasort, would actually sound like laughing.
    Colette is able to grab a wing before
Boris slams his face into the table for the last time, finally
splintering the rough wooden legs and sending it to the
floor.
    A groan of contempt can be heard in
the back room.
    She nods as she licks her fingers of
the wing salted with the barman’s theoretical tears. “Right. I
doubt he’ll even show up tomorrow. Once he figures out his bandages
are gone and he’s got nothing else to do but fight me, I’ll bet
he’d just go back to the ship.”
    Boris stares woefully at the remaining
wings splattered on the floor, and then looks up. “ARE YOU OF THE
CERTAIN? THE CAPTAIN IS OF MANY THINGS, BUT CERTAINLY NOT BEING OF
THE COWARD.”
    Colette’s smile does not fade, though
she knows it’s true. “Bah, you worry too much. With the gauntlets
there’s nothing the Ganasteres can do. The Captain can fight plenty
of people, but not a whole town.”
    Boris looks away, gargling
contemplatively. “I AM OF THE SUPPOSING. YOU SHOULD BE OF THE
RESTING THIS NIGHT. THE FIGHTING WILL BE UPON US SOON.”
    Colette nods and stretches, “Yeah,
I’ll get some shut eye. I’ll have to think of a safe spot
somewhere… around here,” she says as she looks around.
    A foul foam spits from Boris’ mouth in
something resembling the excitement one gets when they’re being
helpful. “I AM OF THE KEEPING YOU SAFE. MY SHELL HAS THE SPACING
FOR MYSELF AND ONE OTHER!” Boris says. At that, the front of his
exoskeleton opens like a machine, to reveal a horrific, unspeakable
mess of organs, bile, and partially digested food, all spilling out
festively. There’s enough space inside for a person about her
size.
    Colette stares blankly at Boris for a
moment. “Uh, actually there’s a back room. I think I’ll just relax
in there,” she says, watching Boris’ internal horrors dangling
about and dripping with what could be any manner of
unpleasant-smelling fluids.
    Boris’ shell closes, and the bar
suddenly smells much more like a bar, and less like the inside of a
giant crustacean. “THAT IS OF THE SENSIBLE, I AM OF THE SUPPOSING.
SLEEP WELL, COLETTE FOOD, FOR TOMORROW YOU WILL BE OF THE
TESTING.”
    Colette nods, walks away, and cringes
at the concept of a situation in which she would have to take Boris
up on his offer.

    Back at the Ganastere Estate, The
Captain smiles ever so slightly.

Chapter 6: A Most
Unpleasant Realization
    The two moons bend around whatever
planet they’re on, and this land’s sun peeks over the horizon.
People wake up with a knowing fire in their hearts- they understand
the intensity today will hold. Colette is poked awake by the
bartender, “Hey, guy’s calling for you… I think.”
    Colette wipes the sleep from her eyes
with a full motion of the hand. “Got it, thanks,” she says,
listening to Boris say: “COLETTE FOOD, COLETTE FOOD!” over and over
in the bar.
    “ Yeah,” the bartender says,
going back to his corner to curl up. Colette exits the room and
gives a prompt, half-hearted salute to Boris. “That
time?”
    Boris nods. “IT IS OF THE TIME OF THE
SOON. YOU MUST BE OF THE READYING.”
    Colette nods back, stretches, steals
some pub food, and exits the bar. Around her, people are wary.
Shifting glances inspect one another as Colette steps through the
streets nearing noon. She strolls up to the Ganastere Estate and
ducks into an alley. There’s already eight other people in
it.
    “ Hell’re you?” one of the
cloaked men asks.
    “ Who want’s to
kn-”
    “ Guys, I know this