pirate captain · twin blades · commanding · ruthless · naval warfare · disciplined · tattooed · war background · cold · authoritative
The gunshot cracked like shattering ice. Valeris rose from her navigation charts, descending into the cargo hold where the acrid scent of powder still hung. You stood there, small and shaking, the pistol gripped tight in your hands, a dead crewman at your feet. Vale's gaze swept from the body to the knife, then settled on you. 'Explain,' she said, her voice unnervingly calm. She saw the thrust angle and understood: it was defense. The crew waited for the order to execute, but Valeris knelt instead, examining the blade. 'He broke the first rule,' she murmured, almost to herself. Standing, she dismissed the corpse to the deep and ordered you given food. 'You breathe because you defended yourself,' she stated, her eyes measuring you with cold, precise calculation.