Naci, Temej, Lanau, Kalez, and Fol step onto the gangway of the largest galley, their eyes wide with amazement. The vessel, a magnificent junk, looms before them, its sheer size and intricate design a testament to the might of the Blood Lotus fleet.
The main deck stretches before them, a hive of activity as pirates scurry about, their movements efficient and practiced. The ship's hull is a deep, rich red adorned with gold accents that catch the fading light of the setting sun. Every inch of the junk is a work of art, from the intricately carved dragon figurehead to the detailed patterns in the wooden railings.
Lanau's gaze travels upward, where towering masts support a vast expanse of crimson sails. The sails billow majestically in the evening breeze, emblazoned with the emblem of the Blood Lotus—a fierce, stylized lotus flower intertwined with serpents.
The ship's deck is a marvel of engineering, lined with rows of cannons polished to a gleaming finish. Crew members move with practiced ease around them, their discipline and readiness evident in every action.
Fol's eyes are drawn to the quarterdeck, where the ship's wheel stands. It's a grand piece, crafted from dark, sturdy wood and inlaid with intricate designs. The wheel, like everything else on the ship, is both functional and beautiful.
Kalez notices the crew's attire, a blend of practicality and flair. The all-female pirates wear dark, weather-resistant clothing adorned with flashes of red and gold. Their belts bristle with weapons—curved swords and daggers—each pirate ready for combat at a moment's notice.
Naci and Temej watch as the pirates fill their ship with goods pillaged from the denizens of Zenyu through an open hatch in the junk. The crates and barrels are efficiently loaded, the pirates' movements swift and practiced.
Temej's brow furrows as he observes the scene. "How can they live their lives in such immoral ways?" he wonders aloud, his voice tinged with disdain.
Naci glances at him, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Temej, look closely."
Temej turns to her, confusion and resistance evident in his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Naci gestures to the pirates, her voice calm and measured. "We raze villages, take what we need, and leave. We plunder, just like these pirates. It's a harsh truth, but it's our way of life too."
Temej's face tightens with discomfort.
Naci's gaze hardens slightly. "And when we raid a settlement at dawn, when the villagers are still asleep, is that not immoral? Plundering is plundering, whether on land or sea. This is their way of life, just as ours is for us."
Temej struggles with her words, his internal conflict clear. "I know. I always wanted to ignore it but I can't anymore. I've always deeply hated this way of life. It's cruel and egoistic."
Naci places a hand on his shoulder, her tone softening. "You are not born in the right place, sweetheart."
Temej shoves it away, irritated. "And despite your newfound title, I am still two years your elder, little sister! Never forget that."
Naci and Temej's conversation is interrupted by a sudden ruckus. They turn their attention to a group of pirates surrounding Fol, who stands awkwardly at the center of the commotion.
"Who is this super cute boy?" one pirate exclaims, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Where did you find him?" another chimes in, leaning closer to get a better look at Fol.
"Nana, leave him alone! You're not good with boys!" a third pirate teases, nudging her friend playfully.
Fol's face flushes with embarrassment, his eyes darting around as he tries to avoid their eager gazes. He shuffles his feet, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden attention.
Kalez, seeing the commotion from a distance, pushes her way through the crowd with determination. "Excuse me! Let me through!" she demands, her voice rising above the clamor.
The pirates, too engrossed in their newfound entertainment, barely notice her. One pirate tugs playfully at Fol's sleeve. "Come on, tell us your name!"
Fol glances nervously at Kalez, who is still struggling to reach him. "Uh, it's Fol," he mumbles, trying to step back but finding no escape.
"Fol? That's a cute name!" another pirate says, batting her eyes at him.
Nana, the pirate who was first chastised, grins mischievously. "You're making him blush, girls. Be nice!"
The pirates' interest in Fol only intensifies. One pirate, her grin wide, sidles up next to him. "Are you married? Or maybe engaged, since you're so young?" she asks, her tone both teasing and genuinely curious.
Fol's face turns an even deeper shade of red. "Uh, no," he stammers, his discomfort palpable.
A chorus of playful gasps follows his response. "Ladies, he's single!" one pirate announces, causing another wave of laughter.
Another steps in closer, her mischievous smile never fading. "What do you think of pirate life so far, Fol?" she inquires, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Before he can answer, another pirate pipes up, "I bet he loves it! Right, Fol?" She leans in, her proximity making Fol take an awkward step back.
Fol tries to muster some confidence, his voice barely above a whisper. "I... I don't know yet."
Kalez, finally breaking through the throng, places a protective hand on Fol's shoulder. "Alright, give him some space. He's not used to all this attention."
The pirates groan collectively but start to disperse, still shooting curious glances at Fol. Nana lingers a moment longer, winking at Fol. "Don't worry, Fol. We'll make a pirate out of you yet."
As she walks away, Fol breathes a sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Thank you, Kalez," he murmurs, grateful for her intervention.
Kalez smiles warmly, her protective stance unwavering. "No problem. Just stick close to me from now on."
Naci watches the scene unfold, a small smile playing on her lips. Temej crosses his arms, shaking his head with a bemused expression.
Naci steps closer, her amusement evident. "It seems you've made quite an impression, Fol," she teases.
Fol manages a small smile, his initial embarrassment fading. "I guess so," he replies, glancing around at the bustling deck and the pirates who continue their work, now with less distraction.
Captain Shan Xi, who was giving orders to her lieutenants on the other ships, finally turns her attention to her crew. Her eyes narrow as she surveys the deck. "What the fuck were you bitches doing?! You didn't even move half the loot, you goats! Or do you prefer I call you guenons? Mares? Horrible dumb fucking idiots?"
Lizi steps forward, trying to placate her. "Captain, please, don't call us words we don't understand."
Nana, standing nearby, chimes in, "Although we do know what horrible dumb fucking idiots mean."
Shan Xi pauses, her fierce expression softening slightly. "Right... I forget some of you aren't from Moukopl even though you speak it so well." She pretends to drop a tear, whispering dramatically, "I'm so proud of you all."
The crew shifts uncomfortably, unsure whether to take her words seriously or as another one of her jests. Lizi whispers to the pirate in front of her, "Half of the crew don't even speak it at all. Like you, White Hair. You don't even understand what I say. I hope we'll know your real name one day."
White Hair, like her nickname suggest, is a pirate with striking short and curly white hair and a voluptuous chest. With a bright smile, she gives a cheerful thumbs up. "Da!"
Shan Xi watches the interaction with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Alright, enough of this. Get back to work. I want all the loot moved and secured before dawn."
Shan Xi finally approaches her guests, her sharp eyes taking in their expressions and demeanor. "Is everything alright?" she asks, her tone genuinely curious.
Naci nods appreciatively. "Thank you for your hospitality, Captain."
Shan Xi gives each of them a thorough look, her gaze lingering a bit longer on Fol. "Is he the reason why they've been distracted? I know my girls well. Don't pay much attention to their jest. They aren't really looking to seduce you."
Fol shifts awkwardly, his face flushing slightly. "I... I know. I could barely understand what they said anyway..."
Shan Xi then notices the bruises on Lanau's arm and jaw. Her expression hardens slightly. "Did my girls hurt you?"
Lanau offers a small, reassuring smile. "A little bit. It's nothing too bad."
Shan Xi's concern is evident as she replies, "You should see our physicians anyway. They're good at healing bruises. They even saved girls who got blown up by Lizi's explosives. It happened once or twice."
Naci's curiosity is piqued. "Where are the explosives located?"
Shan Xi smirks. "We agreed that only Lizi and I know their location because when the others do and need to move them around, they tend to panic and throw them into the sea. Last time that happened, it killed a giant squid, and the crew thought we were cursed for months."
Naci nods, accepting the explanation at face value. "Alright, where are those physicians?"
Shan Xi gestures towards a set of stairs leading below deck. "Downstairs. Follow me."
As they descend into the lower levels of the ship, the bustling activity above fades, replaced by a quieter, more focused atmosphere. The sound of the waves against the hull creates a soothing backdrop as Shan Xi leads them to a well-lit cabin.
"Here we are," Shan Xi announces, stepping aside to allow Lanau to enter first. "Our physicians will take good care of you."
Inside the cabin, two brown-skinned twin girls sit with uninterested expressions. One has long, straight black hair, while the other sports a short bowl cut. Their eyes, a striking shade of black, are framed by lashes that add to their captivating gaze. A red spot adorns the space between their eyebrows, a type of makeup unfamiliar to the people of Tepr.
Shan Xi steps forward, her voice warm and commanding. "These are Pragya and Pragati! They come from far away in the southwest. Sweeties, please take care of this lady. She has some bruises, as you can see."
Pragya and Pragati nod without a word, their expressions remaining neutral. Their eyes flicker briefly over Lanau, assessing her injuries.
Shan Xi turns to Naci, her tone shifting to one of business. "Would you like to speak about our prisoners in my cabin?"
Naci nods and gestures to Temej. "Temej, come with me."
As they leave, Kalez looks at Fol with concern. "Would you like to rest, Fol?"
Fol nods, his exhaustion evident. "Yes, I think I should."
Kalez leads Fol away, leaving Lanau alone with the two mysterious healers. The silence in the cabin is thick, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken words. Pragya and Pragati continue to stare at Lanau, their expressions inscrutable.
Finally, Pragati, the one with the short bowl cut, blurts out rudely, "Are you going to stay there all night?! You disturb us and you can't even sit down on this cushion? Can't you get a clue?! Are you an imbecile? We cannot heal stupidity, you know?"
Lanau, offended but too shocked to react, sits down on the cushion without arguing. She takes a deep breath, trying to regain her composure.
Pragya, the one with long hair, steps forward and examines Lanau's bruises with a clinical detachment. "Hold still," she commands, her voice softer but no less authoritative. She reaches for a small jar of ointment and begins to apply it to the bruises on Lanau's arm.
Lanau winces at the cold touch of the ointment, but remains silent, her eyes darting between the twins. "Thank you," she manages to say, her voice strained.
Pragati rolls her eyes. "Save your thanks. We do our job, that's all."
Pragya glances at her sister, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Don't mind Pragati. She has a sharp tongue but she's good at what she does."
Lanau nods, grateful for the slight reassurance. She sits quietly, allowing Pragya to work on her injuries, while Pragati prepares more ointments and bandages.
Lanau watches them, her initial shock fading into curiosity. "Where exactly do you come from?" she asks, her voice tentative.
Pragya glances at her sister before answering. "A land far southwest of here. You wouldn't have heard of it."
Pragati snorts. "And even if you had, it wouldn't make any difference."
"What is the spot on your forehead?" Lanau asks tentatively.
Pragati's eyes narrow, and she responds with a sharp edge in her voice, "Do you have many more annoying and unnecessary questions? It's not your business."
Pragya, however, is more patient. "It's a bindi," she explains simply, her tone calm and measured.
Lanau listens carefully, her expression softening. "I apologize if I offended you. I didn't mean to be rude."
Pragati rolls her eyes, still working with the ointments. "If you want to be considerate, then shut your mouth."
Pragya, more understanding, continues her work on Lanau's bruises. "The bindi has many meanings. It symbolizes wisdom and a third eye for seeing things beyond the ordinary."
Lanau nods, absorbing the information. "Thank you for explaining. I really didn't mean any disrespect."
Pragya gives a small smile as she applies the ointment with gentle hands. "You have a kind heart."
Pragati snorts, but there's a hint of amusement in her eyes. "She talks too much, but at least she's polite."
Lanau remains silent, focusing on the soothing sensation of the ointment on her bruises. The initial tension in the room eases as Pragya continues her work, her touch gentle and efficient.
Pragya finishes tending to Lanau's bruises, her touch lingering for a moment. "There, you should be feeling better soon."
Lanau smiles gratefully. "I do. Thank you, both of you."
Pragati waves a hand dismissively but not unkindly. "Next time, give us something more interesting to work on. A cut off hand, maybe. Or better, your dead body would make a fine specimen to dissect."
Lanau chuckles softly. "I'll try my best."
As dawn breaks, Jinlü Feng, trying to find some semblance of rest in the jails of the second junk of the Blood Lotus fleet, is abruptly woken by a sudden splash of cold water. He gasps, sputtering as the shock jolts him awake.
Na'er, holding an empty bucket, grins down at him. "Plank or keel, which do you prefer?" she asks, her tone almost casual.
Jinlü Feng blinks, confusion clouding his features. "I... I don't know what that means," he stammers.
Na'er scowls and slams the bucket over his head, the metal ringing painfully in his ears. "Plank or keel?" she demands again.
The Moukopl soldier, now even more disoriented, shouts back in desperation, "I don't know what it means!"
Na'er, rolling her eyes, turns to the group of pirates gathered behind her. "Can I choose for him?" she asks, her voice dripping with mock innocence.
"No! Don't cheat!" they shout back in unison, some laughing, others groaning.
"Okay, okay," Na'er concedes, then faces Jinlü Feng once more. This time, she forcefully wedges a cold metal tool into his mouth and yanks out one of his teeth with a swift, brutal motion. Blood drips from the rusty extractor.
Jinlü Feng screams, the sound raw and agonized, as his own blood pours from his mouth. "Plank or keel?" Na'er repeats, her patience evidently wearing thin.
Through his sobs and the searing pain, Jinlü Feng chokes out, "I don't know..."
Na'er sighs theatrically. "I recommend the keel."
"SHUT UP!"
"You're not allowed to help him!"
"STOP CHEATING!" The voices behind her protest loudly.
Jinlü Feng, tears streaming down his face, whimpers, "K-keel...?"
Na'er leaps up with a triumphant shout. "YES! Y'all owe me one silver each! I'm fucking rich!"
The pirates explode with a mix of laughter and groans. "I can't believe this moron chose the keel! What an idiot!" one jeers.
Another shakes her head with a smile. "I respect his courage, though."
"Fuck you, Na'er, you cheated! You influenced him!" another accuses, pointing an angry finger at her.
Na'er shrugs nonchalantly, a smug grin on her face. "Come on, you sore losers."
As the pirates grumble and hand over their coins, Jinlü Feng sits hunched over, clutching his bleeding mouth, the reality of his situation settling heavily over him. The morning light filters into the dank jail, casting harsh shadows on the scene.
Jinlü Feng is dragged to the side of the ship, his wrists bound tightly with rough ropes. The pirates, their expressions a mix of excitement and grim determination, secure the lines, preparing him for the keelhauling. The sea beneath the ship glistens ominously, the water cold and unyielding.
From their vantage point on the main junk, Naci and Shan Xi watch the preparations. Naci's face is a mask of resolve, but inside, she battles with her conscience. She had chosen this brutal method of execution to earn favor with Shan Xi, but the decision sits uneasily with her. She wished to kill this Moukopl dog with her own two hands.
Naci had brought Fol onto the deck, hoping he would find solace in the death of the man who had destroyed his instrument and tormented him. Fol, however, stands close to her, his face pale as he watches the scene unfold. Kalez's words echo in his mind: "Stay close to me from now on." He looks at Naci, feeling a pang of fear at her interest in witnessing the man's gruesome death.
Lanau, meanwhile, stands casually with Nana and Lizi, engaging in light conversation as if she were part of the crew. Her demeanor is relaxed, but her eyes occasionally dart towards Jinlü Feng, curiosity mingling with detachment.
The pirates haul Jinlü Feng up and over the railing, lowering him into the water. His screams are muffled by the sea as he is dragged beneath the keel of the ship, the rough barnacles tearing at his flesh. The crew watches with a mixture of fascination and grim satisfaction as he emerges on the other side, gasping for breath, only to be pulled back under again.
Naci's gaze shifts to Fol, hoping to see a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes. Instead, she sees only terror and discomfort. She feels a pang of regret. It may have been too soon for Fol to witness it.
Shan Xi watches the scene with a detached interest, her lips curling into a satisfied smile. "This technique comes from the west. I'm always eager to learn new methods of killing on a boat," she says, her voice carrying an edge of admiration.
Naci nods, forcing a smile. "Indeed," she replies, though her heart isn't in it. She casts another glance at Fol, who is gripping the railing tightly, his knuckles white.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, the pirates haul Jinlü Feng's lifeless body onto the deck. His flesh is shredded, his eyes vacant. The pirates cheer, satisfied with their grim work.
Naci places a hand on Fol's shoulder, offering a silent apology for subjecting him to this. Fol looks up at her, his fear slowly ebbing away, replaced by a tentative understanding. He nods, acknowledging her gesture.
Lanau, noticing the end of the spectacle, turns back to her conversation with Nana and Lizi, as if nothing extraordinary had happened. The pirates disperse, returning to their duties with the same efficiency as before.
Shan Xi claps Naci on the back. "Well done," she says.
Fol approaches the lifeless body of Jinlü Feng, his steps deliberate and eyes focused. The pirate crew watches with a mix of curiosity and unease, their chatter falling silent. Naci, observing from a distance, raises an eyebrow, her concern growing.
Without warning, Fol draws a small dagger and plunges it into Jinlü Feng's chest. The motion is swift, unexpected. He stabs again and again, each thrust more forceful than the last. Blood spurts from the lifeless body, pooling on the deck. The pirates exchange worried glances, murmuring amongst themselves.
"Fol, are you alright?" one of the pirates asks, her voice laced with concern.
Naci steps forward, her expression a mix of surprise and worry. "Fol, he's dead," she says softly, her tone gentle but firm.
Fol turns to face her, a manic smile plastered across his face. "Is this not what you wanted of me?" he asks, his voice trembling slightly.
Naci is taken aback but quickly composes herself. She moves closer, wrapping her arms around him in a comforting embrace. "You've done a great job, Fol. You're doing great," she murmurs, her voice soothing.
Fol's eyes dart around, filled with a frantic energy. "What if he wakes up again?!"
Naci tightens her hold, her voice steady. "He won't. I promise you, Fol, he won't."
Fol looks up at her, fear and desperation etched into his features. "What if I'm bad? Will you kill me?"
Naci's gaze softens, though her words remain firm. "Yes, I will."
Fol's face relaxes, the manic edge fading. "I'm not going to be bad. I'm going to make you proud. I swear."
Naci smiles, her grip on him gentle yet reassuring. "Thank you, Fol. I trust you."
As they stand together on the bloodstained deck, Naci silently vows to guide Fol through the darkness she put him in.