Fable: The Balverine Order (Fable) by Peter David Page B

Provided”—and he lowered his voice, glancing around with sudden fearfulness—“we don’t run into any opposition.”
    â€œOpposition?” echoed James, and now Thomas was looking uncertain as well. “You mean like . . . pirates?”
    â€œPirates? Pirates are the least of our problems. We need to beware”—and his voice went even lower, barely above a whisper—“ the kraken .”
    James gulped deeply, and Thomas looked pale. Rackam glared fiercely at them from beneath his furrowed brow, and suddenly his entire expression lightened, and a booming laugh issued forth. It shook his whole body, and Rackam clutched at his ample belly, which was likewise jiggling with mirth. Crewmen who were prepping the ship for departure stopped momentarily to enjoy their captain’s amusement before they returned to their duties. “I’m sorry, lads,” Rackam finally said when he managed to compose himself and catch his breath. “Just me having some fun. The look on your faces, though . . . it was worth it.”
    â€œSo there are . . . no krakens,” Thomas said. “I mean, I’ve read about them, and they’re supposed to be . . . well . . . rather formidable.”
    â€œâ€˜Formidable’? That’s an understatement, my lad,” said Rackam. “According to legend, nothing can stand up against one of those monsters. Like a force of nature, they are. But that’s just legend, like I said. Ain’t no such thing, if ever there was one. Least not that I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been sailing these waters since I was about your age. So I wouldn’t be worrying about it none if I were you.”
    â€œOh, we’re not worried, are we, James?”
    â€œNot at all,” James said hastily.
    â€œSo”—and Rackam clapped his hands together briskly—“you have payment? In advance, as agreed?” He looked from one to the other expectantly, and Thomas in turn looked to James.
    â€œRight, right, of course. How much are we talking about?” said James, removing his money purse from within the folds of his cloak. Thomas told him the agreed-upon price, and James carefully counted it out before handing it over to Rackam.
    â€œExcellent,” said Rackam cheerfully. “A pleasure doing business with you.” He raised his voice, and called, “Mr. Sawkins!” A deeply tanned man with intricate tattoos running the length of both arms approached. “Mr. Sawkins, see our passengers to their quarters, would you, please?”
    â€œThis way, gents,” said Sawkins with a gravelly voice.
    He led them belowdecks, where there was a small, unfurnished room with a couple of bedrolls in the corner. James looked to Thomas uncertainly, and said, “This is where we’re staying?”
    â€œFinest accommodations we’ve got,” said Sawkins, and he laughed coarsely before turning and walking away.
    â€œNice,” James said.
    â€œI know it doesn’t look like much ...”
    â€œIt doesn’t look like anything.” He dropped down onto the floor and looked up at Thomas. “Are you sure about all this, Thomas? Have you verified anything about this Rackam fellow?”
    â€œHe comes highly recommended.”
    â€œBy who?”
    â€œBy others along the docks.”
    â€œWhich means,” said James slowly, “that they could all be in on it together.”
    â€œIt? What it?”
    James was ready to answer quickly, but then he realized he didn’t actually have an answer. Just a general, free-floating, unnamed concern. “Nothing,” he finally said. “I’m just not thrilled about depending upon anyone except ourselves.”
    â€œWe’ll be fine, James,” Thomas said with confidence.
    It was a confidence that James did not feel, but he chalked it up to his natural tendency to see the worst of any situation, which he had always believed