TW// Racism, torture, physical abuse, execution
Aramore.
What a boring looking town. To think Luana ever placed one of her pleasure houses, The Emerald Palace, there, was a mistake. The people living here were too poor to even stay an hour in her house. Locals were never actually interested in these things, but sailors and visitors were. Unfortunately, no one ever visited this dull town.
Unlike Bradfordshire. Most of whom visit Bradfordshire, visit it for the sake of The Jade Paradise. Luana drew the cigarette to her mouth. If it weren't for the two of them, it would still be. She resented them for it. Luana sighed, trying to loosen up her tensed shoulders. She would get her revenge. Soon enough, there will come the time where they would have to pay up for what they did.
But first, she needed to attend to other businesses.
She turned around to Neirin, whose arms were crossed over her chest, a look of annoyance on her face. "Come." Luana offered her a hand. "We have so much to catch up with."
Neirin looked at her hand and then at her face. "Catching up to what?"
Regardless, Luana took her hand and pulled her towards the desk connected to Neirin's ship. She ignored Neirin's flinch. Even more, it put a bigger smile on her face.
"I realized I have a sister now." They walked to her ship. "We have so much catching up to do. And since my sister is dead." She turned her head to face her. "You know, the one who got killed by a prince – I've missed a whole two years of sisterly bonding."
Neirin tried to mask the uncomfortableness she was feeling, but Luana could see through everything. "Oh, don't be afraid. I won't hurt you." Her smile widened. "We're just taking a stroll through Aramore streets. What do you say, are you up for it?"
Neirin contemplated, still frowning at her. After a minute of silence, she shouted. "Turn the ship towards Aramore's harbour!"
And an agreeing ay sounded through the ship's crew as Luana's red lips curled up into a smile. There you go, marily. She watched her go up to the Rudder. Finally, you've learned to listen.
Neirin was walking behind her, keeping a good distance away from her. Luana looked around the street. For a negligible little town, it was quite busy. She had noticed people moving away from her, making room for Luana. That did please her, knowing that they recognized her and most importantly – fear her.
"Where are we going?" Asked Neirin.
So, impatient. Luana rolled her eyes before putting on a smile and turning around. "To a special place sister."
The word sister stuck in her throat, rolling down her tongue with a struggle. Luana put the cigarette back into her mouth, to hide her annoying expression. Sister. She could never be my sister.
"Why must Amari stay behind?"
"Are they our sister? Had my father found yet another whore?"
Neirin's brows furrowed, but she didn't say anything. She just pulled her big hat down, to hide her face.
"Thought so." Smiled Luana.
She looked around the people watching them. All eyes were on Neirin. Their expressions were filled with disgust and aversion. Neirin pulled her coat closer, hiding her hooked hand as she walked pass Luana.
Interesting.
She inhaled the cigarette smoke and laughed quietly to herself. She followed Neirin up the street and they walked on, Neirin still keeping a great distance away from her.
After a couple of minutes of walking – Luana would prefer a ride in a carriage, but seeing Neirin uncomfortable pleased her even more – Luana stopped before a dark brownish house with black window frames.
"We're here." Announced Luana, so that Neirin stopped.
"Isn't that- "
"The Emerald Palace." She cocked her head to the side, observing the building. "I remembered it looking more… livelier."
Luana stepped forward to enter the building, but Neirin stopped her. "We're not going there, are we?"
"Well, of course we are. Are you afraid?"
Neirin immediately straightened her posture. "No. I just- "
"You are a Captain of a pirate ship." Interrupted Luana. "And you are working under my father's wing. Surely you've used to this." She gestured at the house.
"It was never part of my job."
"And why is that?"
"I've been in one only once. Father never trusted me with the job again."
"Aha." Luana clicked with her tongue. "Alas." She turned back towards the door. "We'll be quick. I'm just here to pick something up. Now come on."
Luana opened the door for her and closed it firmly behind. She gestured at the table on their right, a person, who wouldn't meet their eyes, standing behind it.
"Please remove all your weapons. They're not allowed here."
"You said we're visiting for just to pick something up. Surely this is not necessary."
Luana leaned to her ear and removed her cigarette. "Rules are rules, marily."
"What about you?"
Luana laughed, her rough laughter sounding through the halls of The Emerald Palace. "Me? I carry no weapons." Her smile widened.
I don't need weapons marily. I am a weapon.
"The hair pin." Neirin said coldly. "I've seen it."
Luana smiled and reached for the pin. As she removed it, her messy brown hair fell loosely. She placed it on the table. "It is only fair."
She supported her elbow on her hand and gestured to the table. Neirin started disposing of her thousands of blades. Luana watched in awe as more and more little daggers and knives were placed on the table.
"No pistols?" Asked Luana, as Nerin still wasn't finished.
"I don't like pistols."
"I can see that." When Neirin finally stopped and turned towards Luana, she gestured at her long beige boots. "Remove them."
"My boots?" Said Neirin shocked. "They're just boots."
"Oh, honey. I've seen your boots." Luana leaned closer, staring down into her eyes. "Remove them."
Neirin frowned at her, but was too afraid to contravene her. She carefully removed them and placed them on the table. The person placed his hand on them. Neirin snapped her hook to his chin.
"Make sure I get them back the way they are." She hissed.
"Now, now. Don't be rude." She glanced at her hook. "And leave that here."
Neirin looked at her startled. "No."
Luana's head snaped to her. "Do it." Without a second word Neirin removed the hook and placed it down, hiding her hand. Luana placed her hands on Neirin and directed her down the hallway.
She closed her eyes as she led her, taking in the far too familiar smell of the incense, she had in all of her pleasure houses. Familiar sounds coming from the inside of the rooms to her right and left. It all felt like her home, her safe place. The uncomfortable shifts and flinches of Neirin made her want to laugh out loud.
Oh, don't worry marily, this won't happen to you, she thought as she lead her into her office. She moved the tapestry, revealing a stairway that lead to a small room, with no windows, only a cupboard and a chair in the middle. Two guards were standing by the doors. Luana smiled. Worse things are going to happen to you.
It was like Neirin could hear her mind, as she immediately reached for a little knife, hidden inside of her belt.
Fortunately, she didn't get far when she lunged towards Luana, as the guards took hold of her, taking the knife out of her hand.
"You bitch!" Screamed Neirin, as they tied her to the chair.
"Don't shout. You don't want them to hear you." Luana dropped her burnt cigarette and put it out. "Leave us."
The guards left the room and shut the door behind.
"You liar!" Spat Neirin.
"Me a liar?" Luana reached for Neirin's knife and slowly dragged it over her cheek. "I am no better than you."
Neirin pulled against the ropes to free herself, her hat falling off her.
"Now, now, marily. There is no use." She crouched before her. "I must obey my father's wishes." She dragged the knife down her jawline, down her neck. Neirin breathed through her teeth, her emotions mixed with anger and fear. "I'm not too keen on women, I would much rather prefer a boy or a young man. Or that one, what are they called again? Amari?"
Neirin launched at her, forcing the knife into her skin. "Leave. Them. Alone."
"Hmm, I'll see. They spark quite an interest in me."
She turned around to her cupboard, placing the knife on it. Luana removed her glove and opened up the drawer. Her stash of knives was wating for her. She had a stash in all of her pleasure houses. Luana brushed her hand through them. Oh, the masterpieces she had painted with them. Luana looked over her shoulder to Neirin, who was looking at her, pale in the face, sweat on her brow. Too bad the canvas is not right.
She picked one knife and moved back to Neirin.
"W-what are you doing?" Luana only circled around her, brushing away her hair with her long nails. "What a-are you going to do?!" Neirin panicked.
"Bad things. My boys still need to look pretty when I'm finished, but with you… I have no use for you after this." She brushed her arm with her scared hand. Neirin looked down at it. "Oh, this?" She waved it before her face. "This is a work of a princess."
Neirin looked up, her eyes narrowing. "Rea…"
"So, you know her. Splendid. Then I'll spear you with her story." She grabbed her chin, digging her nails into her skin. "But I will tell you a story about two boys, who were deeply in love. I will tell you about their beautiful story and about their tragic death."
She cleaned the knife in her hankie and then dropped it on the ground. Luana grabbed the pin from the table and adjusted it into her hair. When she left the building, Mithras' man were already waiting. Her lips curled into a smile.
"Kill everyone."
They nodded and entered the building. Luana started walking down the street towards the ship as first screams went off. She quickly made her way through the town to the harbour. A boat was waiting for her, taking her back to Neirin's ship.
When she got up she turned to the Helmsman and said. "Join my father's ship."
"Where is Neirin?"
Luana didn't need to turn around to know it was Amari. "She had business to attend to."
"What business?"
"A job given to her by her father." She said as she faced them. "Captain's orders."
They folded their arms over their chest. "And when will she be back?"
"You are asking too much of me? I said we need to move, why are you still standing here?"
"I want to know when Captain Neirin will be back."
Luana approached them. "I wasn't asking you to move. It was an order." She leaned closer. "Unless you want to come to my private quarters."
Amari looked at her, their brows furrowed.
"Yes mam." They finally said and moved away.
Luana watched them leave. Don't worry, marily. I'll come to you too one day.