Teluk Petir is a city in Strait of Malacca, a very busy one that attracts traders all around south China sea and British trading or battle ships that just pass by or pirates that come to trade goods and drink. City itself is big and has a lot to offer for criminals or nobles. It''s not a city that has strict rules. We all know about violence and theft. I came here three months ago looking for an opportunity to steal and get some quick money while I can and hope to survive a little longer.


    “Eleanor!”


    As i turn around while i been walking close by docks that are on all bottom of Teluk Petir this city have different level heights this bottom where docks are low compare to top parts that can be seen from down here, and only sounds i could hear were waves splashing and then my name called. Man that called my name is Alex. He came here with me some time ago. He is a merchant that is looking for some rare goods.


    “Alex? What do you need? And how did you find me?”- I asked out of curiosity.


    “I''ve been looking for you the whole day! Also there are rumors i heard about a man in a tavern that looks for someone to do his dirty work”- Alex knows i look to take more work even means taking impossible heists.


    “Do you know what kind job he have?”- i said hoping have more intel on work


    “No, but I heard it''s probably stealing from pirates. They are in town more lately”- Pirates have always been active here with other traders or politics but these few weeks they are the only people in town. I wonder if there is some sort of event or treasure hunt that attracts them. This is a very free city but even though I can fear them I heard a lot of stories about them from Alex.


    “Well I will try to talk and see what kind of job it is but what tavern is he in? Or where do i find him at all?”- i really hope the job won''t include pirates but i am short with money these few weeks like price on purpose.


    “He was in Mirabelle`s tavern from people i heard this rumors told me he will pay very well if you can find him”- Alex said like he expect me to share reward with him, he does often find me jobs or items to steal but i don''t like share my hard work reward.


    “What''s his name?”- I asked.


    “He go by name Jack De Santa”- he answered


    “I will see if I can find him right away. Thanks for this I will see you later”- As I am making my way to tavern i waved to Alex as goodbye hoping this job is worth of my time i don''t really like put to much sweats and work to earn few silvers. Last job i took and money i earned was barely enough for food and yet i need far more so i could leave this shithole i thought this is city where i could get fast money and not be stuck here it better this job be worthy or i might rob Alex instead he never share any money with me.On my i took small glaze at sea over the edge of fence to see my reflection and my brown eyes take long stare with my curvy brown hair that just touch my shoulders and my lather jackets that protect me from this cold sea wind. As i approach to “Maribelle''s tavern” my trembling fingers reach for door and i walked inside and look around as i expected a lot pirates around, there was a lot noises from jug crushes to people whispers, laughing between them, and i look for man i don''t even know how look like i should asked Alex does he know but he said it''s only rumors and could be someone already took job?. Tarven is full this evening and I am making my way to the counter and slowly my elbow pressing counter and bartender approach closer.


    “What do you want to order girly?”- said the bartender who wanted trouble.


    “Don''t call me to look for man Jack De Santa, have you heard or seen anything?”- I asked and I''d rather not waste any further time.


    “Who?”- asked the bartender. I took a bag with silver coins that I had in my pocket and put it on the counter . I hope this is enough for him to tell me where this man is. After bartender saw bag with silvers he pointed finger on man that sits alone in corner and bartender took my bag with little silvers i had. Man with long black beard, barley have any hair left on head, he drink some beer i would guess from my distance, even his rough way he look he definitely look like he dont belong here could be Spanish sailor? But I still wonder what job this man could have for me.


    “I am not interested in any service sweetie”- said the man as approach by his table. I think he thinks I am a prostitute?


    “I am not here for that. "I heard you looking for a pair of hands?”- I asked.


    “And who you might be? My work is not for girls like you”- he said, trying to provoke me.


    “My name is Eleanor and I have good sets of skills”- I said proudly.


    “You? We all know your place is on the streets as slut or in the house next to your man”- he said and pissed me off.


    “Listen you jerk, do you have work for me or not? Or you want me to skin you alive?”- I said and I am not in the mood.


    “What a lang for such a lady , how about you leave this to a real man?”- He said while taking a sip of beer. I sat next to him taking my dagger and pinning to his throat.


    “I asked , do you have any job available?”- I asked, hoping to kill him.


    “Woah i was kidding but yes i have a job for a thug like you”- finally we are getting somewhere and i put the dagger away and lay back on chair.


    “So what''s heist that you can''t do?”- I asked out of curiosity.


    “I am just passing by. i am with Spanish trading ships but we got a report that one of Queens jewelry was stolen”- he said.


    “What do you mean by Queens jewelry?”- i asked


    “Queen was with us in the Philippines and we stopped here in Teluk Petir to take a break before heading back to Europe and of course my trading ship and Queen ships were sailing together and we had a job to take care of Queen jewelry but we failed and got stolen”- I listened carefully.


    “By who?”- i asked.


    “We believe it''s Black Lotus pirates”- he answered.


    “And why won''t Spanish solder won''t solve this?”


    “We cant let them know we lost something precious, they will hang us all”-he said while taking a new sip of beer.


    “It indeed sounds like your problem, no?”-i said mockingly.


    “I will pay handsomely. I even know Black Lotus ship is not that well guarded but it''s easier if they caught you then us”- i didn''t expect he would tell me this in person.


    “How much money we talk about here?”- i hope its worth of my time


    “50 golds”


    “Stealing from pirates is not easy task”


    “75 then”


    “What can you tell me about them?”


    “They are not that scary against thug like you but to us that comes from colony are whole another story”


    “They don''t like Spain?”


    “They don''t like authority at all”


    “What surprise”


    “Also, do you want to drink something before you leave, lady?”


    “i said i am Eleanor and don''t call me anything else”


    “Then Eleanor, how about one beer? it''s on me this might not be an easy task”


    “if its free then i don''t mind it”


    “i like to hear that”


    As he explained to me more about these pirates and their ship and how I can get there and where they usually put treasure it does sound like he fought them countless times and yet I am one doing hard work but I will be paid well. Taking a sip of my own beer and thinking if it is true that if I get caught they won''t harm me? Or Jack put this lie to easier convince me take this suicide quest? He gave me a description of jewelry. I need to look for its necklaces with blue gemstones and silver straps. Finally finished my drink and I stood up ready to leave for this task.


    Suddenly silent fall in tavern as everyone turn head to woman that walk in she wear long red velvet coat, black boots with heels that makes her look so tall and hat with feather i wonder who is she if everyone took look at her. She made her way to the counter and I can only see her back and long black hair that falls on her back and pistol she has on her right side and sword on left side. I noticed a small part of her face. I can see her cheeks on her right side look like a scar to me but I can''t tell where that scar starts or ends. Woman got approach by two men who look like trying bully her who have weapons on her but she grab her mug with drink and slam into head on man on her left. Another man tried to punch her but she was faster and punctured her first and other people inside looked like they wouldn''t charge on her but I better go before I get caught into a fight.


    I left the tavern and I hope that woman is okay. She looked very rough and feminine at the same time. Her hair is much longer than mine and her boots make her even taller.  In the distance on docks I can see the ship Jack described to me as its big ship with a flag of some sort of flowers. I can see two men sitting in front of the ship playing cards. I guess they guard this ship but I need to find my way to it. There are some boxes near the ship. Maybe I can set them on fire to distract them and sneak on if I am fast enough. Maybe I can escape without leaving a clue behind. I got on the side where the boxes are and I see they are filled with straw and dried grass. It could be for animals but I need a way to light them up. With the flint I always have with me with my dagger I made a few sparkles that is enough to start a fire. Men that played cards next to the ship noticed fire very fast. I hope they haven''t seen me. As they want to see fire, that is another part of the ship they guard, I could sneak on the ship and start my search for necklaces. As i stepped on shipboard where are already bunch of boxes or barrels looks like they are ready to seal i wonder where they plan to go? I can''t think about that now. I should head to the cabinet Jack mentioned where they probably hold this worthy necklace. For my surprise shipboard is very clean and tidy almost i could eat from it, according to what i heard from Alex they are dirty and dangerous, but i has made my was to cabinet what is on right side on ship right under rudder and have stairs on both sides that leads on top of cabinet where is attracted rudder but as i am to open door they didn''t move even a little i should expect they are locked. its door made out of wood and they are tightly closed i look around thinking way to unlock them but i can''t think of any other way expect to try break in so i make little space between myself and door and with all my might i hit with my shoulder trying break in but that didn''t work expect my shoulder hurts this was stupid idea. My clock is ticking in and i start look around boxes they left hoping can find anything to break easily most of boxes or barrels are full with rum and food or other type of alcohol but i have found box on side closer to staircase on right side from door with weapons and hope i can find anything that can break door or door handle. Gunpowder in one smaller box, curved swords in another bigger box but then behind that box had axes i grabbed one and walk back to door i hold handle firmly then i swing with all my farce to handle it did twitch i swing few more times until handle fall of and door opened.


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    I walked inside a table with a map on it and three shelves filled with books and I made my way to the table and I saw its map of south China sea and on map is marked Canton? I wonder what kinda business they have in a city full of British people. As i walk other side of table i saw small box under table and i slowly kneel and took box in my hand look like its unlocked and inside box is necklaces i look for but i expected here to be much more treasure but whatever i should go before someone cough me. Making my way from the ship look like two pirates who guarded the ship still deal with fire . I guess I am good at making chaos. Jack told me to meet him in an alley close to the tavern we met. He told me that before I left and before that mysterious woman made a scene inside I wondered why I still think about her. Maybe her appearance caught me off guard. Her crimson velvet coat and black long hair dont want to leave my mind. Scar that peeks on her cheeks, i wonder why did she start a fight did they call her by names? Maybe I shouldn''t think about this too much. I doubt I will bump into her ever again. Dark alley as I walk in the promised spot, rain slowly starts to fall. I look up and it''s maybe almost midnight and rain has just started and I hope Jack is here as he promised and I look down in my hands as I hold a box with a big value necklace that might help me get out of this place. Look straight at the end of the alley and see two men approaching. I can barely see from the darkness.


    “Jack sent us”- I am not sure which one of them said.


    “Where is he? Or money he promised”- I asked as I feel something is off.


    “Deal changed hand us box”


    “What?”- Did I get tricked?


    “You heard me. Or thing going get ugly”


    “What is going on?”


    “Jack lied about the necklace but the only truth is that shit is worth a lot of gold and we are taking it”- as i thought he tricked me why this always happens to me.


    I turned around hoping to escape but there were three more men blocking my escape route. Man from behind grabbed my shoulder and tossed me to the wall but I tightly hugged the box. If this really worth that much then I''d rather keep it. One of them started kicking me and pulling my hair then slapping me until my nose started to bleed. I will die anyway if I can''t get money i dont care anymore but I can''t fight them off. My vision slowly starts to blur as i feel rain getting heavier and heavier and i can hear thair whisper to kill me or rape me but whatever i wonder why this happened. Ever since my village got destroyed by British who raided my small village i was only six and yet i remember that day ever since it''s been thirteen years when that happened i been  slave for almost ten years i will never forgive them for pain and name they give to me i don''t even remember what name my former mother give to me, i barely even remember my family now my lovely mother who raised me and my older sister by herself and yet everything was gone in blink of the eye in ashes. Maybe if I die now I might see them again. I am not even sure why I tried to survive by now ever since I escaped and started stealing. I never had a goal except to survive for the sake of my family. Another strong punch to my face. I felt blood coming from my nose and I felt buries on my face as my hands slowly dropped the box but one man grabbed my chin and by force opened my mouth and put a knife inside.


    “You are boring i like when they resist”- Unconsciously tears storm from my eyes or it''s just this heavy rain but can''t they just put an end to my misery already. I feel cold steel in my mouth wondering if they enjoy my suffering as everyone else in my life. My brown eyes can''t tear anymore. I wonder if my eyes will grow red? I barely cried but I feel this could be my end. Even though it''s dark I know they laugh and want to have more fun but why don''t I try to fight back? Maybe I am just tired.


    “Oh, oh ,oh what do we have here? Five men attacking helpless girl doesn''t look fair to me”- As we all heard voice coming on enter of alley man took his knife and take stance and i turn my head and see its woman in crimson velvet coat, black blazer and black boots that makes her much taller and hat that show her of and Heron feather attached to hat. scar that peeks on her right cheeks that is little under her eye to the other side of cheek. Her eyes are blue like the ocean even in this darkness I can see them, black hair that is dark as this night. Her coat on the left side has a small sewn same flower that the pirate ship I stole from to me looks like lotus.


    Two men charged at her as they realized who she was but she elegantly avoided them while going under their arms punching one in back of his neck falling on knees and another kicking in his back. i looked my way to escaped but i don''t want run away anymore as they are distracted i stand up kicking man who is closest to me getting his attention and as he didn''t look at woman she jumped and in air with one knee hitting man in face collapsing on floor. He still stands up holding own knife and rests with others to hold their knives. Man on my left swing with knife few times and i avoided as man from back grab me for my arms but as man with knife approach me i used man that holds me to lift myself and with legs push man away and with all my might i throw over man that holded me up. As I am about to give a glow to the man that is on the ground he grabbed my fist and twisted it but another man fell on him looking like a woman pushed on him.


    Me and woman hold our backs to backs as they get from floors.


    “Are you okay? i see you have knife you could use it”


    “i am fine, they are just robbers its not worthy to kill them and you have gun and knife”


    “True, but i agree with what you said”- woman charged again at them after our short break to catch up.


    All five men on the ground were unconscious. I guess we didn''t kill them and the rain doesn''t look like it''s going to stop yet.


    “Are you hurt?”- Asked the woman.


    “i-i am fine thanks for saving me”


    “i am Ayame, by the way”


    “What a strange name… i am Eleanor”


    “I am not local from here but what is that?”- Ayame points at a necklace I stole earlier.


    “Uh that… I think I stole that from you? You are with Black Lotus?”


    “i am their captain”


    “Huh?”


    “What can a pretty girl lead pirates?”- Ayame take necklace from box and throw away.


    “Why did you do that?”


    “It''s worthless if it means someone could lose life for over a few golds isn''t it?”


    “But i stole from you”


    “And i stole from someone else”


    We heard more footsteps coming towards us and Ayame grabbed me by my hand.


    “Come with me it''s dangerous to stay here”- she led me away from the alley.


    “Where to?”


    “You can join my crew”


    “Me? Why?”


    “Because you don''t have anywhere to write?”


    “How did you know?”


    “Just guessing, and i look for skilled people and you can throw a punch”


    “it''s not like i have a better option”- i am not sure why i agree to go with her but i feel like this is destiny even if such a thing exists. She dragged me by my hand back to the ship I stole from and this time she led me to the bottom side of the ship. As we walk down there are already a bunch of other people. There are seven men and women here already. Does this little need to use such a large ship?


    “Let me introduce you to everyone here, this is Hassan he is our navigator and this ship belong to him”


    “Pleasure to meet you”- said an older man. I guess he is Hassan.


    “Next we have Rosa, she is our quartermaster”- woman that sits furthest behind holding a jug of rum and smiling to me with her curvy blond hair.


    “Bao our gunner, Finn, Hannah, Jasper and my first mate Mia”- I look at everyone in the room. They all stare at me while most of them hold drinks close to them and plate under them on the table.


    “It''s a pleasure to meet you all, my name is Eleanor”- I said firmly.


    “For Eleanor”- Man with longer black hair lifted a jug in the air . I think that''s Jasper and after him everyone else.


    “In the morning we will leave after the weather gets cleaner so have fun”- Ayame tapped my back as i looked for a place to sit.


    “Come here new meat”- Rosa called me sit with her, she have even more curvy hair then i do and longer, wearing long coat as almost everyone else in room with blouse that is half open with her bigger breast probably she could breathe easier with such tight clothes with very visible mole on breast that caught my attention as i tried maintain eye contact with her green eyes. And she offered me some alcohol and I refused but Mia walked to me.


    “Let me treat your wounds”


    “Thanks”


    “Ayame told me little about what happened”- said Mia while she gently drew blood from my face, a look that is very gentle with these amber eyes, dark brown hair that is straight and slightly longer than my hair.


    “Cap recruited you huh?”- Rosa said.


    “Yeah”- I said as I was trying to stay still.


    “Does it hurt?”-- asked Mia as she put patches on my buries.


    “N-No”- the first time someone took care of my pain this feels good.


    “I think it''s better to go to bed instead of celebrating here”- said Mia worry in voice.


    “i do feel tired”


    “There is beds in room behind go rest and in morning we can get ready”


    “Thanks again for all this but why”


    “Because Cap can''t refuse lost souls it''s her thing”- said Rosa as she took a big sip of rum and her cheeks peek red.


    “You can leave if you don''t want be here but not before you rest”


    “Well good night everyone”- everyone in room wish me good night and well rest as Ayame watch me closely getting in room next to room i was it have bunch of beds and clean sheets and and storage boxes i guess they sort their belongings here too i slowly take off my jacket and throw aside on bed and throw myself on bed it''s been awhile i slept somewhere that is not on floor i been sleeping in basement of inn that is not most comfortable place ever, i haven''t asked them where we heading i am tired to think. I stare at the roof until I slowly fall asleep. I wonder what tomorrow morning is going to bring from me in this new “home” and with Black Lotus. As the next morning came up I didn''t feel any pain anymore. I looked around with sleepy eyes and wondered if the rain stopped and did everyone else already started their days. I walk out of the room heading upstairs and the ship is in the middle of the sea already wondering how long I slept.


    “Good morning sleepy head.”- said Ayame who approached me holding a set of clothes.


    “This is new fresh clothes for you.”- Ayame handed me new clothes.


    “Thanks but why?”- i asked curiously.


    “We are not so different but if you change your mind we can turn back?”


    “No, where are we heading to?”- I asked while taking fresh clothes to my hands.


    “Canton, we have a job to do and pray for the best.”


    “How long is it going to take us?”


    “Maybe two to three weeks depends on the weather on our side and we need to stop and rest from time to time.”


    “I am going to change”- as I am about to head downstairs to change.


    “Japan.”


    “What?”- I turned back to Ayame.


    “That''s where my unusual name comes from”


    “Well it''s a nice name.”- heading downstairs again while repeating Ayame''s name over and over. It''s not that unusual when I repeat a few more times.