Black clouds coiled across the distant sky. Streaks of muted lightning kept appearing within them, then vanished in a flash, like giant thunder serpents churning through the clouds, ready to receive offerings from the mortal world.
The low sky seemed to be brewing a violent storm at every moment. For those who made their living at sea, such weather was undoubtedly the most loathsome and worrying. Sailors were always the most superstitious people in the world, and as stories passed from mouth to mouth among them, many became eerie and horrifying.
Right now, for instance, sailors huddled together on the deck of the Queen of the Northlands, talking in low voices. They wore filthy clothes, and some even clutched assorted amulets, both of orthodox gods and evil gods. Captains generally paid little attention to such things. As long as the sailors did not go too far, they would not be overly harsh with these poor souls who earned their living at sea over such minor matters.
But for the sailors of the Queen of the Northlands, this merchant ship, which ranked among the finest in the northern Eastern Kingdoms, had three taboos everyone knew. No one dared violate them. Those who had dared were already dead.
"Clang, clang, clang."
The sturdy, cold-faced boatswain, a saber at his waist, rang the small bell at the edge of the deck right on time, announcing the most eagerly anticipated moment of the day.
Dinner time!
As a retired warship from the Kingdom of Stormwind, the vessel had a dedicated galley, with the renowned chef of the Northlands' seas, "Redfish" Old Wright, personally doing the cooking. This counted as an extra perk aboard the Queen of the Northlands.
"Say, why does the captain insist on doing business in this godforsaken place?"
The new sailor,