The soft breeze coming from the sea usually brought him comfort. The smell of the salt, the cool air against his warm skin, and the gentle sound of waves generally set him at ease.

As he stood in his usual spot before the mighty body of water, though, he was filled with nothing but terror.

The cold air now chilled him to the bone, the waves sounded like cities collapsing to the earth, and the smell emanating from the beast smelt like…

Death?

“Sir?”

He jumped. He had forgotten that he was not alone. The harmless weasel standing next to him watched him with wide, worried eyes.

Was he afraid of him, or for him?

“Yes?” Charles asked. He had forgotten what his assistant had wanted in the first place.

“What do you want to do?” Gavin asked in a voice so low and nervous it was nearly inaudible.

Charles sighed and turned back to the sea. He thought that maybe what he’d like to do is jump in and never return. Let the merciless, blue beast do it’s bidding, just like it had done with his wife.

“It was Harold, wasn’t it?”

A harrowing silence stood between them for a moment. Gavin shifted uneasily in his place until Charles finally looked at him, and then all Gavin could offer was a slow, short nod of his head.

Charles turned away again. “Hunt down the traitor,” he growled through grit teeth, “and bring him back to me alive. He’ll pay for what he has done.”

“We…” Gavin coughed and scratched his head. “We have no idea where he’s gone, sir. He could be on the other end of the earth for all we know. We lost track of him a while back.”

A fire rose in Charles chest as hot as coal. It burned like nothing he had experienced before, and he wondered in Gavin could see the flames in his eyes when he glared at him.

“Did I ask you to find him?” He asked slowly.

Gavin took a nervous step back. “No, sir. We will find him.”

“Good.” Charles waved a hand. “Go. Leave me alone with my Lucile. It’s been too long already.”

Without a word, Gavin ran off.

“Oh, my darling,” Charles whispered, staring at the ocean. “I’ll avenge you. I promise. The consequence will match the crime.”