Farmer paced back and forth in a seemingly nonsensical pattern, pausing only to look at the little girl from different angles; trying to pry through her surface and witness her secrets. He could tell from her rough hands that she came from a peasant family; but there was a fierceness in her expression that betrayed the blood of something more coursing through her veins. Her deep blue eyes alongside her raven-black hair combined in a manner that told him she would grow up to be exceptionally beautiful. The more Farmer inspected, the more he convinced himself that this girl was anything but normal.
At the same time, the three women huddled closely together and observed Farmer with fear in their eyes. In their mind, the pirate before them was an even worse monster than the men that attacked them earlier. Farmer only glanced at them momentarily before turning once more to the dauntless little girl.
"What is your name?" He asked her warmly.
The girl shook her head and opened her mouth as she pointed at it with her finger. Her tongue had been cut out and, as soon as Farmer sent his spiritual sense to inspect her for further injuries, he noticed that her vocal chords had also been damaged by some terrible arcane art. Whoever had done this to the girl had done whatever they could to stop the girl from speaking to anyone; for what reason, maybe only the culprit knew.
"I see." He said as his expression darkened. "Can you write?"
The girl shook her head.
Farmer sighed. He hadn't truly expected her to be able to read or write, but he had been hopeful. Now he was certain that the girl was extraordinary. That was the only reason why she would be in her current predicament.
"My name is Farmer, child, and I'm the pirate lord of these parts. Do you want to come with me?" He asked her as he crouched before her cage. The girl hesitated and turned to face the three women in the other cell. They, in turn, began shaking their heads emphatically. To Farmer's surprise, however, the girl responded them with a deathly cold glare. Clearly, there was no love between them.
Thus, the girl walked towards the cage's door and, after staring into Farmer's eyes for a few seconds, nodded shyly. Farmer smiled at her and proceeded to easily tear the cell's door by its hinges. The door crashed against the floor with a loud clang. Although this feat had been easy for him, the three women and the girl stared at Farmer with wide eyes. Evidently, they had underestimated his power.
"My ship will arrive here shortly." Farmer rubbed the girl's head gently as he spoke. "Let's head up. We'll get some warm food in you and see if we can't treat your injuries. Don't worry, you're safe now."
The girl must have had her reservations at first, but upon witnessing the honesty within Farmer's words and mannerisms, two tears escaped the corners of her eyes. Yet she fought back to impulse to weep and stood with her back straight. Farmer was genuinely impressed at the girl's fortitude and turned to head to the ship's upper deck.
"My lord!" Suddenly exclaimed one of the three women. "My lord, please take us with you."
"Why should I do that?" He asked, puzzled, and without turning to face the trio.
"We can serve you, my lord. Anything you want, we will do." She said seductively.
Farmer laughed loudly and ignored her. He made his way upwards closely followed by the little girl. As they emerged from the bowels of the ship, Alana's Regret was rearing beside Krieg's ship and his crew was already preparing to place wooden boards and ropes to facilitate boarding. The sight of his majestic ship slowly anchoring beside Krieg's vessel was astonishing given that Alana's Regret was at least twice as large and two decks taller. This made connecting the two ships a bit complicated but the entire process took a mere few minutes and, soon enough, a large number of his crew stood before him in salute.
"What are your orders, captain?" Asked the sailor in the lead. His name was Krill, and he had a hideous scar covering the entire left side of his face. Yet his heart was one of the kindest that Farmer had ever known. In addition, it was amusing how every time someone asked him how he got that scar, Krill would always tell a different tale.
"Separate into two parties. I want half of you to board the Federation ship over there and go over anything that Krieg's pirates might have overlooked. The rest of you will comb every inch of this vessel. Bring me anything and everything you find, no matter how nonsensical that may seem. If you come across any arcane item or array that's beyond your skills, get me to inspect it; don't touch it. Also, there's a few women on both ships. They've gone through a very bad night, so no one is to harm them. Bring them aboard Alana's Regret after you're done with your task. Is that understood?"
"Yes, captain!" They exclaimed in unison. Following which, Krill divided the group and personally led half of them into Krieg's ship to carry out their inspection.
Then, Farmer gestured for Lampa to come forward but he was suddenly interrupted by a petite figure heading towards him. It was Serena that had just come aboard Krieg's ship alongside a few of her warriors. At first, she was shocked to see Farmer's appearance. His entire body was drenched in fresh blood. Bits and pieces of flesh and bone covered his arms and torso. He looked like a demon fresh out of the Thirteen Hells with his blood-red hair dancing in the morning breeze. Yet, she forced that thought aside as she rushed towards him filled in worry.
"Are you alright?" She asked hurriedly. "Are you injured?"
"I'm fine." Smiled Farmer. It felt nice to have someone be concerned for his wellbeing. "But I was just about to look for you. I was wondering if you could take a look at this girl, here, and perhaps see if you could heal her?"
Pushing the little girl forward, Farmer briefly introduced her circumstances to Serena and explained his expectations. Serena was dumbfounded. Not because of the injuries sustained by the girl, but by the wild fierceness contained within her gaze.
"I cannot say at this moment, it will take some examining of the full extent of her injuries before I can confidently make an assertion." Explained Serena seriously.
"I see." Sighed Farmer. He hadn't expected more, but he was still saddened for the girl. "Whatever the case, first thing's first. Accompany her back to my ship and let her eat to her fill."
"Very well, good Farmer."
Serena placed her arms gently onto the girl's shoulders and began pushing her towards Alana's Regret whilst describing some of the delicious marinated meats and stews they had stored. The little girl's mouth watered and allowed herself to be pushed by Serena, almost as if she was entranced. Just then, two of Farmer's crew came from the Federation's ship dragging the two women who looked to have just woken up behind them.
Instantly, the little girl's expression changed into one of fury. She rushed out of Serena's embrace and ran towards one of the two women brandishing her fists as she tried to hit them however she could. Farmer observed this happen with avid curiosity and made no effort to stop the girl. Lampa laughed and came forward to pull the little girl away from her "victims".
However, the girl suddenly spun around and drew a stiletto knife strapped on Lampa's boot and tried her best to slice at the woman nearest to her. Lampa reacted with lightning speed and was able to restrain the little girl and disarm her before she harmed anyone. But the girl tried to struggle free from his grip as she glared hatefully at the two women. These two, in turn, reciprocated in kind. Farmer had no doubt that the two women wanted to kill the little girl with every fibre of their being. This was a particular piece of information that he found extremely interesting.
Rushing forward, Serena pulled the little girl into her embrace and whispered some kind words of safety into her ear. Instantly, the girl seemed to calm down and allowed herself to be carried towards Alana's Regret. Truthfully, the little girl was starving and hadn't slept in many days; thus, she had expended much of her remaining strength trying to slash at the two women. Yet Serena was shocked once again by the child in her arms. She could not understand how such a young person could harbour so much hate. Together, they disappeared back to Alana's Regret.
"That is one fiery lass, captain." Chuckled Lampa as he came towards Farmer. "She will make a fine warrior someday."
"Indeed." Agreed Farmer. "Enough about that for now. Where's Krieg's man?"
"He's over there, I tied him to the mast but he has yet to regain consciousness." Pointed Lampa. "What happened with their leader? I thought you'd try to keep him alive?"
"Let's not talk about that maggot." Angrily shut him down Farmer. He was still furious at the man's weakness. He was a fifth-dimension sorcerer, for Naosh's sake! Even if he had just broken through, he should have at least been able to withstand a single punch! The only explanation was that Krieg had made him constantly evolve with elixirs and other treasures. Hence his power was far below that of someone who had slowly ascended to that level. "Untie that man and take him aboard our ship. Wake him up and give him some food, as much as he likes. Be as nice to him as you can."
"Some food, captain? Be nice?" Lampa couldn't believe his ears.
"Aye. Because then, when I come aboard, I will conduct a severely 'harsh' interrogation and will not be satisfied with his answers." Grinned Farmer. "Afterwards, you'll talk to him and urge him nicely to give me what I want. Even if he fears me, he'll trust you with anything by that point because you will have fed him and treated him as a friend. Don't underestimate how we humans seek fellowship even in the direst of circumstances."
"I understand now." Giggled Lampa. "Captain, you truly are a devious man."
"That's enough, lieutenant. Go follow my orders and wait for my return. I will remain here to oversee the inspection of these ships."
"As you command, captain!" Saluted Lampa.
With that, Lampa hurriedly untied the captured pirate and placed him over his shoulder as he rushed back to their ship. He carried the unconscious man towards the galley, located in the rear of their ship. He wasn't surprised to find Serena and the little girl sitting on the floor munching on some delicious beef stew. A few of the cooks were happily conversing with Serena about the happenings outside and praising both her and the little girl's beauty. Lampa could tell they enjoyed the company of women.
Chuckling loudly, he startled the cooks and instructed them to bring him another bowl of stew as well as two tankards of strong ale. Then he sat down a few feet away from Serena and the little girl and nodded towards them in acknowledgment; dropping the unconscious pirate before him.
"Little lass," He said as soon as he was brought a tankard of ale. "you're indeed a fiery one."
The little girl twisted her head in puzzlement; a move which caused Lampa to guffaw loudly. He drew the stiletto knife from his boot, held it from the blade, and dangled it at arm's length in front of him. "This is meant for stabbing, only." He explained. "The way you were moving it wouldn't even cause a thin trickle of blood were you to strike with all your might."
Still chuckling, he placed the tankard in front of him and used his hand to draw another knife from his other boot. This one was curved and had a small guard to cover the hand. "Now, this one is what you need."
The little girl nodded and observed carefully as Lampa proceeded to slash in an upwards manner, and then back down again. He then stabbed forward and finished his motion by holding the knife in front of his eyes.
"This one is good for stabbing and slashing. It's heavier on the point, to balance with the guard. At the same time, the heavier point gives it a stronger momentum when slashing. Do you understand?" The girl nodded at Lampa once again. "Good. Then this, is now yours. Treat it with care."
Lampa sheathed the dagger and tossed it unceremoniously at the little girl's side. She stared at it wide-eyed and looked towards Lampa hesitantly. He laughed loudly and beckoned her to take it. Convinced of his honesty, the little girl took the knife in her hands and carefully drew it half-way. She stared at her own reflection on the blade for a second before standing up quickly and bowing towards Lampa in gratitude. An action which caused him to laugh even louder.
"No need for that, lass! My captain has brought you aboard. You're part of the family now. How could you be one of us without a proper weapon?" This surpsied the little girl who sat back down with a wide grin and hugging the dagger against her bosom gently.
Serena wanted to protest at first that a weapon is no gift for a little girl, but upon witnessing how happy she was, Serena decided to keep the thought to herself. The little girl hadn't smiled like that even when being served a warm bowl of stew. Instead of saying anything, she decided to make conversation with Lampa.
"Why do you laugh so much?" Serena eventually asked after confirming that he had not sustained any injury.
"Pray tell, what do you mean?" Lampa chuckled.
"That. You're always smiling or laughing or singing. Even when covered in blood, you seem like the happiest man alive."
"Ah, that's because I am, young Lady." Contrary to Serena's expectation, Lampa suddenly became stern in his expression. "It is normal for you to not know this, but do you understand why everyone aboard this ship is so loyal to our captain?" Before Serena could answer his question, he turned to look intensely to the little girl and spoke as if he was talking to her alone. "You're not the first our captain brought aboard. Almost everyone here was once saved by him."
"I, myself, was a slave. They killed my family. My wife, my sons, everyone I loved… and sold me around for years to people so terrible, they were no better than beasts. When I had lost all hope of ever being free again, more an empty husk than a living man, the captain boarded the ship I was being transported on. He slaughtered my captors, broke my chains, and declared me to be free to do what I wanted. So I followed him." He narrated with absolute seriousness. "And, you see, young lass, since that day I have never looked back and am the happiest I have been in a very long time! All because of the captain. A man I would not hesitate to lay my life for. Does that answer your question, young Lady?"
"Forgive me, Lampa, I did not know." Serena bowed in embarrassment.
"No need for forgiveness." Laughed Lampa. "There is no shame in the past. If you ask around, you'll get a similar tale from many of the crew. In fact, back in the hamlet, many are the ones who were liberated by the captain and have found peace thanks to him."
"Then why do they fear him so much?"
Lampa guffawed loudly and struggled to not buckle over. "It is not fear, young Lady, but the utmost respect!" He struggled to say between laughs. "No one wants to disappoint him, understand? Because we respect him so much. And many are those who wish him harm. That's why the people of the hamlet will distance themselves from those in search for him; in case they come bearing ill thoughts towards the captain."
"I see." Commented Serena as she fell deep in thought. Thinking back to when she first arrived at the hamlet, she now understood why the people there had reacted the way they did when she asked to meet Farmer. It wasn't because of fear to his person, but because they feared her own intentions. Perhaps she had completely misunderstood the man.
Back on-board Krieg's ship, Farmer was examining the many items his men had brought over to him. Many were completely useless and gave him no information. Scrolls, maps, and other documents were piled in a bunch and quickly examined before being discarded as worthless. Items such as cutlery and other house-hold appliances were burned. Overall, only the small amount of treasure and provisions were carried back into Alana's Regret's storage.
Of what remained, only a small chest covered in a simple array and a codified letter caught Farmer's eyes. The chest and letter had been found in the chamber that the fifth-dimension sorcerer had been staying in before he died. Farmer had no doubt that they were supposed to be sent to Krieg himself as soon as possible. The letter he was unable to decode easily and so instructed one of his crew to take it back to the captain's quarter for later study. Thus, Farmer proceeded to examine the runes inscribed on the chest in front of him.