Cooper swayed slightly on the dock, his legs unaccustomed to solid ground after months at sea.
Looking about the harbor, it quickly became clear that the town was abandoned, someone had warned the villagers.
Commander Liam was next to disembark, and once brother Joshua, their only Hero, had joined the Duo, they set out to search for any straggler heathens.
The crew remained. behind, as they all took far longer to don their armor, but promised to catch up soon.
The Trio inspected the streets with care, some doors were left wide open, and others were shut tight.
Brother Joshua led the charge into the first of the empty homes, and Brother Cooper provided backup.
They found nobody inside, and once they returned to the street, they found nobody outside either.
"They have captured him, brother Cooper, stay on guard."
As usual, Joshua was quick and cold in his manner and speech.
The pair drew blades, and proceeded towards the docks back-to-back.
The return trip was mostly uneventful, and when they arrived, it was obvious why.
Their ship's mast had been snapped clean off, and hurled onto the nearby street.
A chorus of groans and moans echoed from the belly of the ship, but far too few for even half the crew.
Brother Joshua gave a small yelp as he slid off the dock, a long blue and white tentacle dragging him into the sea.
Cooper was alone, and he nearly jumped out of his skin when a Fox woman spoke to him, her body unnaturally beautiful, to the point of impossibility.
"Hey there, new Husband."
Fin.