Chapter 235: Emotional damage
The four figures landed on the deck while he walked forward. They looked like him, and he saw that the Loydin towered over even the Kraniox, one of the two at least a head taller than him and probably twice as heavy. He immediately saw the differences beyond their bulk. The Loydin didn't have the thin, red lines that crossed his own skin like a faint, barely visible tattoo network. Those had luckily faded so much that they were hard to see on his skin, but if one looked closely or knew what to look for…
"Stop staring," the tall Loydin growled. His voice was a deep, toneless base, close to an angry growl.
Irwin's eyes narrowed as he felt a sudden annoyance. The Loydin had been doing nothing but look at him since they arrived, and now he had the gall to tell him to stop staring? Something about the Loydin was making his blood boil, and it took him a moment to sense that even his soulcard was resonating oddly.
"Now, now. Don't go and aggravate Captain Irwin," Zirt said happily, looking to the side. "Perhaps he's not seen another Loydin in a very long time?"
"He's not a Loydin," the Loydin snapped.
"I'm not a Loydin," Irwin said at the same time.
He and the Loydin looked at each other for a few more moments, and it took Irwin a lot of effort not to scowl. Finally, he ripped his gaze away and focused on Zirt, who was quietly watching, seemingly interested in how things would play out.
"Why didn't you destroy that blockade earlier?" Irwin asked, staring at the First Mate, raising an eyebrow.
Zirt's red eyes flashed, and his teeth blinked dangerously.
"Usually, I would answer this with a 'that's none of your damn business', but seeing as you seem to have at least someone that knows what's happening-" he glanced pointedly at Rindir. "-I'll humor you. We arrived a few weeks ago and have been trying to figure out what is beyond the blockade. There were rumors of five-horned Galubs, and I hope I don't have to tell you that dealing with a few of those is a pain in the ass."
Irwin was about to ask why they hadn't arrived sooner when Zirt shook his head.
"Enough. I'm not here to answer your questions. I'm here so you can answer ours," he said, placing a hand on the long, dark sword resting on his leg. "Who are you, and what is happening on the other side of that blockade."