Guro Challenge #24: Bloodbath
#20 of 33 Day Guro Challenge
The name and popular rumour to the contrary, the Goreleech was not painted with real blood. Dried blood didn't stay that shade of red, as he knew well, and while a herd or two of cows could probably provide enough blood for a ship that size the logistics of corralling and killing same would be a nightmare, Daskar reflected. The planks had been soaked in pigment before their use in building the boat, and sun and saltwater had faded them a little, but the colour still leaked into the sea as they went, leaving a light orange-brown-red trail that was very much like blood spilled in water.
Also contrary to popular rumour, Daskar had never bathed in the blood of a hundred mousemaids. If he wanted to fill a whole bathtub, it would be far more efficient to use a smaller number of, for example, rabbits, and gender was immaterial. Far too much trouble, though, and he had no desire to imagine the smell. Creatures came up with all sorts of ridiculous ideas. Not that this was a bad thing. If they made themselves afraid, it saved him effort.
He sat on his bunk and combed out the fine sand from his fur. Fresh water was far too precious at sea to bathe in, and sand worked just as well to remove old grease and musk. He dipped his claws in the steaming goblet beside him and ran the thick red liquid behind his ears, where it would dry and the clots could be combed away, leaving just a light smell which could be cleaned away before it became too foul. Satisfied, he sipped from the still-warm cup. A far better use.