CHAPTER 16 WARM WELCOMES, COLD DEPARTURES
Now that''s a look Captain Zip would be proud of. Just need a sword now...
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“cash only.”
“treasure, thousands of years old. It''s worth a lot.”
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Best find out where my path leads me next then.
Not home, not yet. I''m gonna stay here as long as I can.
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“Governor Blare, please.” He said, without looking at her, still watching the strange metal cube as it went into the settlement.
“Governor Blare,” Ruoro sighed. “I need to talk to you about the infirmary, right now.”
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“enough.” She said, looking at him angrily. “Everyday there''s more sailors, builders and settlers coming in, but I don''t have enough supplies for every-time someone breaks a thumb or eats a toxic mushroom, not to mention I don''t have anyone to help me. I need more.”
“start charging people, Ms. Hehkuva.” He said pompously. “At least that way, it might discourage people from hurting themselves, hm?”
That''s right, she was supposed to have that Eve chick helping her. Guess that means she''s still missing...
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“Look!” He pointed towards the disappearing object, being carried off of the sand and towards firmer ground. “We''re about to install the Nexos generator! The first on this continent! How terribly exciting!”
“important, Governor. It might very well involve the safety of the inhabitants of this town.”
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“Wine?” He heard Governor Blare''s voice through the gaps in the wood behind him.
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“so urgent, then?”
Must remember to pay for this, when I''m rich and famous.
“The Hunnigan''s Glory-went down in flames recently.” Captain Albahr said.
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“unwilling to return to New Peridios without a vessel.”
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“not interest me. Promise Coast is a place for people to come and seek a new, better life. A fortune, if they can. Sometimes, it does not pan out for our migrants, and that cannot and will not be the responsibility of our new government here.”
“will interest you, Governor Blare.” The captain insisted. “We are seeking a great treasure, and were foiled by a roving band of brigands who attacked us and sank our ship. With a fresh ship, supplies and crew, we can pursue these villains, make sure they befall no other harm on any other settlers in the area, and return with riches and treasures that will greatly benefit the settlement.”
“already riches and treasures here.” Blare growled. “We do not call the neighbouring mountain the Silver-tooth because it is just a catchy name.”
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“making of Promise Coast, what with our new generator, an ever-growing population outgrowing potential for supplies. Of course, there will be a few vile apples amongst the bunch, but we should be nurturing the ones who come here for a change, a second chance.”
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“are all linked.” Captain Albahr said again.
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“An accident?” Sofia said, growing angry. “He was scouting the woods before that boy came across him, suffocated by wax. Such a thing could only be from a strange type of magic, an unprovoked attack.”
“know it was unprovoked?” Blare asked impatiently.
“My men know what we are seeking, and it is not some rabble. Clearly, he must have seen something no-one wanted him to, and ambushed him with foul magic.”
“not be spilled lightly.”
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“our interests align.”
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Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
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“believe she would, yes.” Blare answered.
“all of us.” The captain said finally, resting his pitch.
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Something''s happening, at last!
“emissary to address Sofia and failing. “Madam!”
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Assumed or hoped?
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“insistent on joining us? Why?”
Don''t say treasure, don''t say treasure.
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“if you were a good captain.”
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The freedom, the camaraderie, the excitement, the treasure. This really is what I''ve always wanted.
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Alright, now just gotta find them all.
The Steamin'' Crab, with a tag-line etched into the wood with yellow paint; A promise of a drink!
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“nuthin'' today cept drinkin'' and eatin''.”
“be on that beach, all of you.”
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“owe me. You need to eb on that ship.”
“think you are, boy?” He growled, his reeking breath punching Artifae in the nostrils.
Like a captain would.
“me, not the other way round. I won''t be spoken to like that by you or anyone.” He said, reaching to jab Artifae in the chest, but he successfully evaded it.
“ship, Kutja. ''Till then, you''re not part of the crew, so I don''t have to respect you.” He said with a steely conviction, before turning on his heel. “Midday, gents. Else we''ll go find that golden skull without you.”
“Eugh, there''s that smell again.” Misha complained.
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“Long before I left.”
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“myself. I know it''s just a stick, but it''s the only thing I have from the city. From my family.”
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“life. Everything in me and my sister''s life was to the dictations of The Ture. No Spherevision, no boys, no sweets, no being out after dark. Everything was a sin, to him and Voss Nova.”
“believe in Voss Nova?”
“told to believe in him all my life. I don''t know if I believe in everything The Ture says, or if the after-life is as black and white as they say.”
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“after the fact?”
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“community there. Everyone knew each-other, we all saw each-other at least once a week. It was studious, and stuffy, all talking about the church all the time, but it was peaceful, for what it was.”
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“lord no.” She said with a daring look in her eyes. “He was half-Orkan too. He would have hated that, but he was fun. A bit rebellious, and cheeky, like you.”
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“kiss.” He said, laughing.
“pushy. It was at the church X-fast party.”
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“everyone does, right? It''s not a religious thing to us, it''s just an excuse to celebrate, and eat too much food.”
defined the Sajaestan holiday experience, and although it wasn''t always pleasant, it was something irreplaceable.
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The Hunnigan''s glory with solemn silence, and passed the beach and cove. The cliffs lowered the further they went upstream, and the walls of jungle grew denser and stronger. It was strangely still, the black vegetation eventually giving way to sloping mountains. The wind crept along the ship, carrying the strange smell of sulphur with it. The walls of the jungle grew larger, and the vision of mountains and growing forests dissapeared, leaving only the dense undergrowth beyond to accompany themselves. Darkness began to fall from the sky. What first felt like snow in the jungle was soon realised to be ash. Artie enclosed a spot within his hand, leaving a dark stain.
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How? How have you seen this before?
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The Hunnigan''s Glory, while Sofia assembled an arrangement of her personal guard. Swiftly, they piled into the remaining skiffs and sped towards the bank.
Ol'' Beauty was clasped in his hands, as the crew quickly went about searching the campsite.
Where is everyone?
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“Behind!” He shouted at the wall of golden shields.
Ol'' Beauty, but a similar recreation of thunder. A Demterios solider called out and was pushed backwards by an unseen force, a bleeding hole left in his chest-plate. Another explosion, and a high-pitched ding as something ricocheted off of a golden shield. Kutja trembled in confusion, from the shore to the trees, his fat finger close to the trigger, but inactive.
“Haw, we got you!” He boomed, and the brigands cheered louder.
Yep, got us again.
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“all of my crew.” The Captain said defiantly.
“Haw!”
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“Kill?” He said, almost shocked. “No, no, little man. No fighting to the death, no! We wrestle! If you beat Dhurz, you and your friends can go!”
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tsked with dissatisfaction.
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“Yes!” He called out. “Finally!”
I can''t let us get captured again.
“there!”
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“know who''s with you now?” Artifae scoffed. “Sylo Teht! He''s an assassin!”
Okay, time to pull something out of the bag.
“a thousand golden Dynasties!”
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Got ''em.
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“worked!” Ban shouted, throwing his wrists about, then thin black blades whirling around him.
The Hunnigan''s Glory crew dashed forwards into battle. With a simple nod, Sofia''s guards did the same, shouting as they backed into formation, and charging at the pirates at the rear. The battle raged around them, as Taisha screamed, sinking into the pebbles. Misha stood by her, ready to protect. Artifae, however, locked eyes with Sylo, before the Eve bolted towards the jungle. Artifae gave chase, meandering past the fighting groups. Dhurz remained in the centre of it all, shaking his head disappointingly.
Oh X, if he gets into one of those, I''ll never find them.
Are they more of the pirates?
Damn, I''ve lost him, and myself.
He''s too strong...
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