《Ghosts of the South Sea》


 Chapter I

    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.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    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.

 Chapter II

    Calm and still sea where the end can''t be seen is so big and so blue, a peaceful only thing that makes me feel good in life. Since when I was a slave I would only find the sea beautiful. I always liked to watch this endless horizon. Ship''s railing support my elbow as I press them against thick wood and enjoy this view while touching my fingers, peeling leather skin only on tip of fingers and thinking about this beauty. A nice cold sea wind hit my face making my hair messy but at the same time I felt calm. It''s been a few days since we started sealing, talking with the crew and cleaning the deck, life on sea is not that exciting but less painful compared to what I am used to. The Crimson velvet coat that everyone wears is like its symbol of our gang. Ayame told me Hannah sewed over one night and gloves were gifts from Rosa, everyone has their role here. I am not sure yet if I can find mine. Even its been few days if felt like I am here for years with speed they accepted me like i am their old mate or something, i turn around to see what rest of crew doing. Rosa throwing up over railing she has drink so much last night no surprise there, Bao is holding her back we don''t want Rosa fall over in sea again, Hassan with Ayame talk and look over map and compass i hope we are on right direction, Finn and Jasper are on cleaning duty and look like they as always have competition over smallest things and argue all the time, and Hannah and Mia discussing something they probably worry will weather be on our side i can say we all worry about same. Last night Ayame updated us that we will need to make a small stop in Ayutthaya for getting more supplies like food and gunpowder. We especially don''t have many guns that will be useless until we can get some of them. On ship we have three pistols and two muskets, enough to cover us but we need for canons too and Ayame decided we spend this little money we have spent on powder for cannons instead. I don''t really care for eather, my dagger is the only weapon I need. Once again I face the sea looking again to distance lost in my own thoughts wondering where this might lead us or where it leads me. Sounds of waves and cracking of wood are only things that hold me back to reality and very soon the sound of an already similar voice.


    ¡°It''s nice weather today isn''t it?¡±- Said Ayame, who put her elbow on hardwood the same as me. From my right side I took a small peek at her face to see her eyes are the same color as sea.


    ¡°Yeah we haven''t come across any storms yet.¡±- While I stare at the clean water Ayame took off her tricorn hat with heron feather. The first time i see under her hat I couldn''t help but turn my head and chuckle. Ayame`s lock of hair sticks out on top of her head, she tries to push it down but it still sticks on top of her head before she puts her hat back with a loud sigh.


    ¡°How are your injuries?¡±- asked Ayame with worry in voice.


    ¡°Surprisingly they passed very fast.¡±


    ¡°We should arrive at Ayutthaya very soon.¡±- Said Ayame looking over the edge to clean water.


    ¡°What are we going to do?¡±


    ¡°We need food in the next city we are stopping at. Who knows how long it might take us.¡±


    ¡°Lucky storm hasn''t happened yet.¡±


    ¡°That''s good but we can''t predict what is going to happen next.¡±


    ¡°I wanted to ask what''s so important going on in Canton?¡±


    ¡°A bounty on someone''s head will bring us a lot of money.¡±


    ¡°isn''t it easier to steal than to hunt?¡±


    ¡°Maybe but then we will be hunted as long as you bring someone to law. They don''t care who you are, they will pay for a good job even if you are a criminal yourself.¡±


    ¡°Have you done this before?¡±


    ¡°Few times but attacking other ships can be a pain in the ass, then our ship gets damaged and then we need to spend money on repairs.¡±


    ¡°So we shouldn''t make scenes.¡±


    ¡°I suggest we keep a low profile for now. We are not in the best situation ever.¡±


    ¡°Aye, cap.¡±- silence falls on us. I blindly went aboard with a bunch of pirates. I hope I won''t regret it. Teluk Petir i left without saying goodbye to Alex, it''s not the first time i just disappeared without saying one last time, i got used to it but it''s never got any easier for me.


    ¡°Are you trusty?¡±- Ayame holds in hands a flask full of alcohol that smells like wine to me.


    ¡°Why not.¡±- i take a strong sip out of the same flask Ayame drink for, wine feels sweet on my tongue and refreshing.


    ¡°It''s good isn''t it?¡±- Said Ayame with a smirk on face.


    ¡°It''s fine i guess.¡±- I give back her flask.


    ¡°Also did Hassan repair the door handle of the cabinet?¡±- It''s my fault for that. After all, I hope that wasn''t a problem.


    ¡°Like new.¡±- Ayame put away her flask.


    ¡°Captain!¡±- She got called by Hassan, shortly after I was alone again. Hannah approached me while holding both hands in front herself politely, her long light brown hair moving with wind while her chestnut eyes scanned me looking for a way to start conversing with me.


    ¡°Doing good Hannah?¡±- I decided to say something first.


    ¡°I do, I was worried if these clothes would suit you. I guessed it from memory.¡±


    ¡°You are very talented.¡±


    ¡°I am not a fighter myself but I have other useful skills.¡±


    ¡°You look bothered, something wrong?¡±- I noticed the way Hannah looked could be that she had something on mind.


    ¡°It will sound very stupid but, this morning when I changed I felt like someone stared at me.¡±


    ¡°You think it''s me?¡±


    ¡°No no no, I just wonder if the same happened to you?¡±


    ¡°I don''t really care if someone looks at me naked, what''s the big deal?¡±


    ¡°Well I am not really like any of you and the captain let me borrow a cabinet to change myself as she let you rest and do the same.¡±


    ¡°She do?¡±


    ¡°Did you change this whole time downstairs?¡±


    ¡°I always wake up late so barely anyone is in the room, I have been in even worse places with even less privacy.¡±


    ¡°I have one really ugly scar on my back and I don''t really feel comfortable when men see that.¡±


    ¡°So you suspect some boys are spying on you? I mean for me Rosa looks more suitable to do such a thing then them.¡±


    ¡°Why do you think she would do that?¡±


    ¡°These few days I am here she wont stop with pervert jokes and other bullshits.¡±


    ¡°Common Rosa is better when you get to know her better.¡±


    ¡°Is she even useful? Only thing I saw her doing was drinking and throwing up in the sea.¡±


    ¡°She is much stronger than she looks like, trust me.¡±


    ¡°Maybe in drinking.¡±


    ¡°Give her a chance Eleanor.¡±


    ¡°Anyway about your problem?¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah, any ideas?¡±


    ¡°Why not change in the kitchen or storage room? I doubt anyone will see you there?¡±


    ¡°I might think about it but if you see or hear anything please tell me.¡±- Hannah went downstairs as i was getting bored.


    First thing the next morning we arrived at the port of Ayutthaya, we were moving heavy boxes from one side to another side to make more space and make cleaning easier. Rosa is sitting on boxes watching me, Finn and Jasper doing all the hard work.


    ¡°How about you help?¡±- I asked as I lifted another box.


    ¡°Nah, I like this way and these crappy boxes could fall dust on me.¡±- Rosa said while enjoying the view.


    ¡°Don''t bother with her.¡±- said Jasper who put the box down and he has very curvy brown hair, black eyes and a very youthful face. I move more boxes and find a bunch of them empty, putting them away on port. According to Ayame we might be here for two days.


    ¡°Fishing rods?¡±- I opened the crate that was under all the boxes I moved and saw a bunch of fishing rods.


    ¡°Me and Hassan like to fish and we can eat whatever we catch but our luck was not best and Ayame put them away.¡±- Said Jasper as he took a flask from Rosa making sure she didn''t drink today.


    ¡°You guys only can catch old boots on the end of the rod, i saw a bad fisherman but you and old man are scary bad at this.¡±- Said Rosa while kicking her foot on the box she sat on.


    ¡°Fuck off.¡±- Said Jasper while looking at Rosa.


    ¡°Are they really that bad at this? Why not someone else fish then?¡±- I asked with curiosity.


    ¡°Because fishing is boring as hell.¡±- Said Rosa with her bitch ass voice.


    ¡°No it''s not, it''s just bad bait. I will buy a better one today when I have a break.¡±- Jasper sounds very convincing.


    ¡°Good luck child.¡±- Rosa does enjoy this i can tell.


    ¡°Who did you call a child?!¡±- Jasper sounded pissed.


    ¡°Woah you two chill out it''s just fishing no reason to pick a fight.¡±- I am trying to calm them.


    ¡°Hmph.¡±- Biggest bitch of the crew proudly lifted head and turned around. Why so big fuss because someone couldn''t catch a fish? They for sure argue a lot.


    ¡°Rosa, little help wouldn''t hurt.¡±- said Mia while she held the broom in her small hands.


    ¡°Not even you?!¡±- Does Rosa dont like work this much?


    ¡°Do you want to do that or clean cannons with Bao?¡±- Asked Mia.


    ¡°Ugh, I guess I am helping with moving and cleaning.¡±- She finally jumped off from the box and decided to help out.


    ¡°Eleanor and Finn, you two are up to shopping duty.¡±- Ayame hands me a piece of paper as Finn leaves a heavy box down.


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ¡°Can you read Eleanor?¡±- asked Mia who was next to me.


    ¡°Of course I can, I taught myself in my free time a long time ago.¡±


    I look down on the list, it''s mostly food and alcohol, then Finn looks over my shoulder, a young man with long black hair with a beard that just started to grow in the same coat, torn pants and baggy shirt, his brown eyes scanning paper I hold.


    ¡°Can you not look over my shoulder?¡±


    ¡°Sorry.¡±- He awkwardly stepped back and we started to walk ready to leave the ship before Ayame called my name.


    ¡°Eleanor, keep an eye on him.¡±- I stopped on my way to turn to Ayame.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°He always wanders off and gets lost.¡±


    ¡°isn''t he like an adult? Why do I need to babysit Finn?¡±


    ¡°You already lost him.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±- I turned around and Finn was gone, he was right in front of me where that son of bitch disappeared?


    ¡°Don''t worry it happens all the time.¡±


    ¡°Should I look for him or?¡±


    ¡°It''s not safe to wander alone in the city, Rosa can join you.¡±- After Ayame called Rosa she joined me ready to leave.


    ¡°What you called me for, cap.¡±- I could hear Rosa whisper to herself ¡°fucking finally¡± before answering to Ayame, she dose not love physical work.


    ¡°Go with Eleanor, go shopping and find Finn.¡±


    ¡°He got lost again? Damn Eleanor, you are bad at watching Finn over.¡±


    ¡°Shut up, I turned around to speak with the captain and he was already gone.¡±- Rose laughed at my misery.


    ¡°Don''t worry we will find him before he does something stupid.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°You will see soon enough.¡±- Rosa joined me walking right next to me as we got farther from the ship. After a while of awkward walking I decided to break this silence.


    ¡°Are we going to look for him or?¡±


    ¡°This is too much work, let''s do shopping then head back he will show up eventually.¡±


    ¡°You sound like you hate work.¡±


    ¡°And who doesn''t? He maybe sound some whore he can fuck? Or got himself killed for insulting a soldier? Who the fuck know?¡±


    ¡°You don''t need to be a cold bitch.¡±


    ¡°Listen newbie, i know what we are doing we will find Finn on our way back he can''t go that far away.¡±


    ¡°Let''s hurry then, the captain said it''s dangerous to be alone in the city.¡±


    ¡°Well who knows are our posters already around.¡±


    ¡°What did you guys do anyway? Robbed a ship?¡±


    ¡°Oh trust me what we did a month ago is really bad.¡±


    ¡°What did you do?¡±


    ¡°Yeah you are not ready to hear that.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°You will realize once we reach Caton.¡±


    ¡°I hope i dont get myself killed over some shit.¡±


    ¡°Enough about the crew and things we may or may not have done, how about you tell me about yourself?¡±


    ¡°There is nothing much to tell about myself. I''ve been stealing in order to survive, nothing more or less.¡±


    ¡°Must it be rough? Are you an orphan? Any family to turn to?¡±


    ¡°My family died thirteen years ago from a British attack on my village.¡±


    ¡°Ah, sorry I didn''t mean to poke.¡±


    ¡°It''s fine, do you have to tell me more about yourself?¡±


    ¡°I am from Spain, my ex husband was killed, we got engaged for my eighteenth birthday, he got killed the night after and blame was put on me, who? Or why? I never could find out and he was a general officer and for punishment they wanted to let me sell slaves but for my luck Black Lotus was there and saved me and I owe my life to Ayame.¡±- For a second silence fell on us as we walked.


    ¡°Damn, I didn''t know, but why don''t you work or don''t get along with Jasper?¡±


    ¡°It''s simple, I hate work and I used to date that asshole.¡±


    ¡°You dated him?¡±


    ¡°Only three months before he cheated on me, I was with him for little fun, and the girl got lonely on a ship with such boring people.¡±


    ¡°I am not long aboard to judge.¡±


    ¡°But you seem interesting enough.¡±


    ¡°Shut it, let''s focus on these things on the list you''ve been here before? Why not lead the way?¡±


    ¡°It''s my first time being here, I barely do shopping duty.¡±


    ¡°But I''ve been following you?¡±


    ¡°And i followed you.¡±- With realization we got lost in conversion that we didn''t even pay attention where we were walking the whole time and we looked around at the coward trying to see where to head.


    ¡°Great it''s not just Finn lost but we too.¡±- I look around trying to see where we come from but I see only people passing by blocking my view. In the end we decided to continue forward to see where we could end while walking opposite where all the people going we had ended at the gate.


    ¡°Now what?¡±- Asked Rosa who was pulling a flask out of her coat.


    ¡°We are not that lost, we know where we are.¡±- I grab a flask from her hand, irritated by how unserious she is.


    ¡°We just walk to the other side of the city.¡±


    ¡°Do you think I don''t know that? Let''s just ask someone for directions. We already lost a lot of time.¡±- Rosa tapped my shoulder as i turned back to the city.


    ¡°What?¡±- I asked


    ¡°I think I saw Finn out of the gate?¡±


    ¡°Do you really think he left the city? Where did you see him?¡±- Rosa pointed down the hill.


    ¡°Maybe we should follow him?¡±


    ¡°Rosa, we already lost a lot of time, captain, will be mad if we don''t get there soon enough. We haven''t even bought anything from the list.¡±


    ¡°But she also said get Finn back right?¡±


    ¡°Okey, lets bring that fucker and do this list already.¡±


    ¡°Let''s grab a horse first.¡±


    ¡°Where do we get one?¡±


    ¡°Do you see these merchants down the path? Let''s grab them.¡±


    ¡°Only if you ride, I don''t know how to ride, and dont kill them.¡±


    ¡°I am not a monster.¡±- Rosa charged down the path knocking a man from horse while the second man tried to fight her. I punched him in the face and jumped behind Rosa on horse holding my hand around her waist as she rode it away towards the path she saw Finn.


    ¡°If we don''t find him soon let''s go back then.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡±- I hold my hands tightly as Rosa rides.


    ¡°There he is!¡±- Said Rosa. Finn is standing behind a rock and the moment he notices it he shows us to be quiet.


    ¡°Shh, come here!¡±- Finn called for us.


    ¡°What the fuck you doing?¡±- I asked while we both jumped from horse walking to Finn.


    ¡°Check this out.¡±- Me and Rosa look over a rock and see there are some guards to me who look like Spanish guards packing boxes on carts ready to transport.¡±


    ¡°What exactly do we look at?¡±- I asked hoping we don''t end in shit.


    ¡°They are transporting gunpowder, if we steal it we can use guns and not worry about cannons, and extra gunpowder we sell on black market!.¡±


    ¡°Finn, this is crazy, we should head back and do list, Ayame said we need to keep a low profile but we stole a horse and now you suggest stealing from the military?¡±- I am trying to convince him not to do something stupid.


    ¡°I have an idea, don''t worry they might need an hour or two to sort them all on a cart, when they do we can quickly grab horses and drive the cart to the city.¡±- I don''t like Finn''s plan at all.


    ¡°Rosa, say something this is crazy¡±- I look at Rosa hoping she will back me up.


    ¡°If we can do this fast enough they might not even send many guards after us, there is a river down if we can pass there and circle around we can lose them.¡±- Great, she is into this too.


    ¡°Don''t tell me you are on his side?¡±- I knew she was a bitch.


    ¡°You can head back but me and Finn can do this with or without you.¡±- Rosa said with a firm tone, almost threatening.


    ¡°Fine, I am staying, someone needs to babysit both of you.¡±- I throw myself behind a rock to lay down while we wait.


    ¡°Finn, how did you even get here?¡±- Rosa asked out of curiosity while she stood next to Finn.


    ¡°I overheard some soldiers talking about transport close to the city and I wanted to see for myself.¡±- Rosa looked again over at the camp this soldier has and they are packing all the gunpowder in a lot of small boxes.


    ¡°Call me when we are ready to move.¡±- I slowly closed my eyes while driving in my dream. Smell of smoke and blood can''t leave my nose, screams and gunshots to swords crashing into each other, my small village in fire and mercy. They all look so drunk, was this fun for them? All younger girls getting raped while they cut open adults taking their organs out. Me and my friends getting drag by arms we are probably no pretty enough to be raped, my mother whoes head roll over the place kicked like a rock, my sister whose intestines slipped all over flor while her throat opened. They dragged me in a cart to ship, then shipped me all the way to India where I had met my new ¡°home¡±. Big family that needed slaves, I was one of them but a young girl my age. While I was cleaning the big house she approached me and asked me if I wanted to play. Of course I refused and explained I needed to do my work but she didn''t want to go. She dragged me by my ark to her room just to play with her. Her family allowed it because i was still a child and not that useful as other people, i was very clumsy and slow. Once she asked me with an innocent child voice.


    ¡°What''s your name?¡±- I answered I don''t remember it anymore. Few days later her mother would read to us a story about a girl named Eleanor lost in a wonderful world alone and a little bird that helped her find a way out. At that moment the girl told me.


    ¡°Your name could be Eleanor.¡±- From that day she started to call me Eleanor, Ela, and every moment I made a new nickname I couldn''t remember them all. But I don''t even remember her name. It was so long ago, why do I even remember her pale skin, reddish hair? Stupid smile that could melt mountains, however, this life couldn''t be like this forever. Girl i played with, shared a bed, ate the same food, she got sick very badly, she got malaria. Few days later she was already dead and her family blamed me for her death. They said I brought the disease with me and their poor girl died because of me. I was sold once again but this time to some German shepherd who was even more cruel.


    ¡°Wake up pretty bitch.¡±- Rosa shakes my shoulders as my sweats wash me.


    ¡°What?¡±- I rub my eyes as I realize all was a dream of the past.


    ¡°It''s time, are you okay?¡±- Asked Finn with worry in his voice.


    ¡°Yeah I am fine, let''s do this.¡±- I peek from the rock to see only two guards look like they are waiting for raiders or something but they only have swords. Finn moved closer to get their attention, moment they looked at Finn me and Rosa sneak up to cart side as we at same time grab each of them by neck i squeeze guard neck until he want unconscious, i look at Rosa side she did same i hope she didn''t broke his neck. We all got on the cart while Rosa, ready to ride the cart away, saw three more guards. They immediately got on horses to follow us while Rosa sped up and me and Finn tried to hold tightly on the cart.


    ¡°You need to go faster!¡±- Finn yells as he points at guards.


    ¡°No shit! Throw some cargo off; they can''t go this fast with such heavy stuff!.¡±- Me and Finn started to throw off boxes while trying to hit guards but they avoided us. Until one of the boxes went under horse legs and collapsed. I was about to pick another but Finn stopped me.


    ¡°We already lost too many.¡±- Said Finn holding my arm, I noticed there were only a few boxes left.


    ¡°Move aside!¡±- Rosa yells out.


    ¡°What?¡±- Rosa took throwing knives from her coat that they were hidden. She threw them between me and Finn into one of the man''s horse legs making the horse collapse and fall on him.


    ¡°Finally someone is useful.¡±- I said while chuckling at my own joke.


    ¡°We are almost at the riverside!¡±- Said Rosa as horses started to move faster we were getting closer but man stopped following us.


    ¡°Something is off.¡±- Said Finn as we shared the same feeling.


    ¡°Doesn''t matter.¡±- We reach the river, we only need to pass it as Rosa carefully leads them over the river, night is almost fall it will be hard to track us. Horses walk to water. They are very nervous, the river is really strong for them and probably cold.


    ¡°Shh boys you got this.¡±- Rosa trying to calm them as they refused to pass they stopped on half way.


    ¡°Hey, look over there.¡±- I look at cliff Finn point as I see man that earlier tried to catch us. He held a musket preparing to shoot at us.


    ¡°Shit! We need to jump from the cart and take cover.¡±- I threw Finn into the water.


    ¡°What? We can''t abandon these animals or gunpowder.¡±


    ¡°Rosa he won''t shoot at them he aims at us.¡±


    ¡°Fin-¡±- Before Rosa could say anything man took a shot and bullet hit one of gunpowder boxes making huge explosion at last moment i jumped off cart but explosion launched me to ground i almost can feel broken ribs. As my vision is blurred but gets clear I can see black smoke getting clearer and blood soaked all over me as horse body parts fall all over me. I hope these organs don''t belong to Rosa. I barely stand up holding my hand under ribs walking slowly to the riverside to see did Finn and Rosa survive the explosion. My clothes are torn apart, all covered by ashes. When I made my way I was to collapse but Finn caught me not to fall.


    ¡°Did this lazy slut die?¡±


    ¡°She is over there.¡±- Finn pointed to the other side of the river where is tree stands alone and Rosa under that tree looks like she is in pain too.


    ¡°Looks like we had more luck than ever.¡± -Rosa tried to laugh at our situation as Finn held me up. Rosa''s clothes were torn too, her breasts slipped away as clothes protected her skin, blood came from Rosa forehead slipping to her eye like she hit head on landing. Finn carried us to the gate where we could get bandages and alcohol we needed. Me and Rosa sit at the gate side while Finn bandages Rosa''s head and covers Rosa''s breasts.


    ¡°Fuck this was close.¡±- Said Rosa.


    ¡°No shit. Let''s head to the ship already it''s midnight.¡±- As Finn wanted to help me walk I suggested Rosa might need more help than me. At the end of day we didn''t even finish shopping nor got gunpowder. As we slowly made our way to the ship it''s quite like everyone slept already.


    ¡°Anyway Rosa, I didn''t get a chance to ask you. Did you spy this morning Hannah when she changed?¡±


    ¡°Ah? I was in fact always wondering why she dont change with everyone else.¡±


    ¡°So it was you.¡±


    ¡°I promise i wont again¡­ Fuck my head hurts.¡±


    ¡°Lets wake Mia up to fix you two.¡±- Finn put Rosa down on deck as he headed downstairs and I sat next to Rosa.


    ¡°Glad you haven''t died, we wouldn''t have lazy bitch number one.¡±


    ¡°You are cute for a newbie.¡±- I slowly dozed off as Mia walked to us with bandages and medicine, I wanted to sleep a little.

 Chapter III

    Almost a whole week passed, and our incident did not reach Ayutthaya. Ayame decided we would stay a little longer in order for me and Rosa to heal property, I was unconscious for two days. Luck was on my side. I haven''t got seriously injured while Rosa''s head still hurts, to me she looks fine but obviously she is using that to avoid even more work. Someone else shopped, we got all the supplies we needed and Mia lectured us about our recklessness and stupidity. Me and Rosa won''t ever leave alone thank god, Finn was not injured but yet he mock us and reminds us of how we almost died. Once again we are on a big open sea heading to our next location. Three days have passed since we got back sealing, heading to Xiamen. Ayame wants us to stop there in a few days to get some money before hitting Canton, its big city. We will need a lot of money. Canton is a very popular city for folks that come from Europe, its noble stop when they come on vindication or just want to get more property there. I never been in such big city, that is full with rich and powerful people, yet Ayame haven''t told me full reason for paying visit there or what have they done to be so wanted making them avoid trouble, not counting what me and Rosa done. These few days Ayame was in her cabinet. I guess she is very busy according to Mia, doing some work and planning our next move when we arrive in Xiamen. After all, I would like more about Ayame and yet she doesn''t like to talk much about herself. I know she is coming from Japan but I still wonder why and how she became who she is. Jasper told me a few tales about Ayame and rumors. I feel bad to never know how famous she is, a woman who defeated thirty men in one night, killed a sea dog one handed, a woman that don`t know about fears. Other tales told me Hassan and Mia. Ayame, who looks gentle, is a killer who can move mountains and make lions fear her just by the look of her cold blue eyes. I saw her fight that night. We met, she is really skilled and knows how to fight but that night no one died. Does she choose who lives and who dies? I fear death a lot and I am not sure if this journey leads me to one but Ayame doesn''t look have that problem like she is fear itself. It''s hard to believe such a gentle looking woman can have such fearsome rumors but the crew doesn''t look like they fear her. First time in while I have trouble with sleep I can''t stop remembering my past, I think sun will rise very soon and I couldn''t get even blink of sleep while rest of crew in bedroom sleep peacefully expect Ayame who sleep upstairs in her cabinet. I wonder if she sleeps or if she is like me. While I toss myself around the bed trying to find a comfortable position to sleep, nothing works. I stare at ceiling trying push thoughts of my fucking past but yet I remember it, as Ayame I try avoid my own past but it always hunt me down one way or another. I gently rub my eyes and slowly sit on bed look around room Rosa who sleep on other side of room she is hugging her flask with alcohol, look like someone have nice dreams while rest of crew also look sleep really well I wonder I am only one having problem like this. My both feet hit the wooden floor as I didn''t even bother to put my boots on and I was making my way to the door trying not to wake anyone. With the edge of my eye I noticed two empty beds. I didn''t try to look around to see whose two are missing. I am just glad I am not the only one awake but I wonder if Ayame is awake too. I want to talk with her. I gently open the door to get into the room next to where we usually eat and it''s messy from last night''s dinner so I decided to clean up before heading upstairs to see if Ayame sleeps. Empty bowls with empty bottles and spoons all over the floor, I usually skip dinners as I did yesterday, and I want to go to bed earlier and sleep longer. I guess today is not that case.  As I pick up bowl from floor I grab myself under ribs feeling sharp pain I didn''t heal fully yet but I''d rather not anyone know I am still in pain I don''t want pull anyone down. Mia will worry again and Ayame too maybe, I feel like my organs move from one place to another, I will be okay. I could get some fresh air. Last dish was put in a barrel with water. I will let someone else clean them. It hurts so much. Already I can hear whispers coming from the shipboard. I wonder who that is talking about, maybe it''s Ayame? But I don''t hear her voice, could she still be sleeping? I took some rum that was on a shelf close to the table hoping that it would calm my pain with that last sip. I slowly put it away and started heading upstairs. I peek from the trapdoor as I stop on stairs. I see Hassan and Jasper standing together next to each other holding fish rods and looking toward the sea. As I lift my leg to step on deck I feel my pain coming back but I ignore it.


    ¡°Any luck boys?¡±- I said while approaching them from behind and I looked at Hassan who is on my right side, an old man that looks more like a fisherman than a pirate.


    ¡°Do you want to join us, young Eleanor? Also you should wear something on your feet because it''s cold.¡±- Hassan said as he pointed out my bare feet I didn''t really want to wear anything on feet, feels more freely this way, I haven''t even changed to my regular clothes I am still in my cotton shirt I sleep in and my worn out pants.


    ¡°I never fished before.¡±- I said hoping I can refuse the offer to head to the Ayame room.


    ¡°You can give it a try, don''t worry we haven''t caught anything yet.¡±- Said Jasper while pulling back the fishing rod and handing me an unused one while attaching bait on it.


    ¡°I guess I can give it a try, you two couldn''t sleep either?¡±- I said while taking a fishing rod from Jasper and trying to understand what to do next.¡±


    ¡°We went earlier so we could fish but no luck so far.¡±- Said Hassan while he swung the fishing rod and I tried to do the same, my string with bait touched water and I guess now wait.


    ¡°So you two really don`t have much luck in this?¡± - I asked as I hoped something would bite.


    ¡°Bait fault.¡±- Said Jasper as he attached new bait to his rod.


    ¡°Well I am out form.¡±- Said Hassan.


    ¡°Anyway is Ayame awake too? Does she love fishing too?¡±- I asked hoping she was awake.


    ¡°I think she is still sleeping.¡±- Answered Jasper.


    ¡°And Ayame hates fishing. She never liked it and always says it''s boring.¡±- Said Hassan.


    ¡°Hassan, you are longest in this crew?¡±- I asked.


    ¡°No, Mia and Bao were here before me, I am just a guy whose ship is and I am an old man but I have known Ayame for a really long time, same for Bao.¡± - Answered Hassan.


    ¡°Bao? The guy that don`t really talk? I barely even see him around.¡±- I said, I don''t think I even heard him speaking yet.


    ¡°Bao cant talk, it was a long time ago when he lost his voice, also he spends most time cleaning cannons, he is our man when it comes to firing from them.¡± - Said Hassan.


    ¡°He lost his voice?¡±- I asked out of curiosity.


    ¡°It was really a long time ago when I just met Ayame. She needed my ship and the money she wanted with Mia and Bao to rob a bank. When Bao got stabbed in the neck we barely saved him, all thanks to Mia''s medical knowledge.¡±- Said Hassan while Jasper was silent.


    ¡°Mia knows a lot about medicine doesn''t she?¡±- I said, she is really good when it comes to healing.


    ¡°She studied medicine before running from home.¡±- Words Hassan said that caught my attention.


    ¡°She run away? Why?¡±- I asked as I wondered why.


    ¡°I don''t remember much but I think her parents tried to engage her and she ran away until find Ayame.¡±- Said Hassan.


    ¡°And what about Ayame? Did she run away from home too?¡±- I asked as I wanted to learn more about her.


    ¡°We don''t know.¡±- Jasper interrupted. Hassan didn''t say a word about it.


    ¡°Well, I joined Ayame because she was so much my daughter and I couldn''t let the kid go alone.¡±- Said Hassan as he pulled strings of rod back, seeing no success.


    ¡°Daughter? Where is she?¡±- I asked what I was probably going to regret for asking.


    ¡°She died, I took with me once on ship and we had accident and she drown with rest of my crew.¡±- Said an old man that never talks much.


    ¡°Sorry for asking.¡±- I said while feeling bad for such an old man.


    ¡°It''s been a really long time ago, I got used to it and like said Ayame reminds me of her.¡±- Said Hassan.


    ¡°Why did you join, Jasper?¡±- I headed to Jasper.


    ¡°I seek for revenge and Ayame is key for that, that''s all I am going to say to you.¡±- Said Jasper. Jeez, what''s his problem? Revenge? Did someone do something bad to him? It was the first time he talked so coldly to me.


    ¡°Anyway I think it''s enough fishing for this morning.¡±- Said Jasper while he started packing back own fishing rod, Hassan did the same and as I am about to do same, I felt my rod twitch.


    ¡°Ayame what`s wrong?¡±- Asked Hassan as he walked by my side.


    ¡°I think it''s biting?¡±- I said as I started to pull the string back and felt it was heavy.


    ¡°No shit.¡±- Said Jasper as he got to my side.


    ¡°Pull it back!¡±- Jasper yell out.


    ¡°What do you think I am doing?!¡±- This shit is really heavy and strong. I can barely hold a fishing rod.


    ¡°Hold on!¡±- Hassan grabbed the rod too, pulling with me and Jasper did the same.


    ¡°Damn! This fucker don`t want give up.¡±- Said Jasper as we tried to pull it out with all our might.


    ¡°I never saw such a thing, what could this be? Giant Grouper? Or Giant Sawfish?¡±- Hassan said wondering what is biting my rod.


    ¡°Shut up old man and pull.¡±- Said Jasper as we tried pulling until the rod broke and I released it.


    ¡°Sorry guys but that thing was really strong.¡±- I apologized as I cant believe how strong this thing was, what is that?


    ¡°It''s fine that it could bring us into water if the rod didn''t break.¡±- Said Hassan as Jasper whispered a melody.


    ¡°It''s not time to sing asshole.¡±- I curse as I turn to Jasper.


    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°What? I haven''t said anything.¡±- Said Jasper as he looked confused I can swear I heard singing.


    ¡°I can swear I heard someone sing, or some sort of melody.¡±- I said as I hoped I didn''t want to be insane from lack of sleep.


    ¡°I thought you did that?¡±- Said Jasper as he pointed at me.


    ¡°I heard it too.¡±- Said Hassan.


    ¡°What the fuck happened here?¡±- Said confused Jasper.


    ¡°Maybe these fine ladies have the answer to our question.¡±- Said Hassan pointing at the empty sea.


    ¡°What?¡±- Said me and Jasper. Then we saw three naked women in the middle of the sea, they all had long white hair, singing beautiful songs that sounded familiar to me. Their naked breasts on top of the water surface, something is weird about them.


    ¡°Drift away, my love so true,


    The silver waves will cradle you.


    The stars will shine, the winds will sigh,


    And guide ye where the soft dreams lie.¡±


    ¡°Hush thee now, the night is deep,


    Close thy eyes and sail to sleep.


    Morning¡¯s light will kiss the sea,


    Till then, fair winds to thee.¡±


    ¡°Are they singing? Who- What are they?¡±- Asked Jasper, who is as confused as me. Song they sing sounds familiar.


    ¡°mermaid.¡±- Said Hassan.


    ¡°What do you mean?- I asked.


    ¡°These women are known as mermaids.¡±- Hassan said. I am not sure what that is.


    ¡°You mean creatures that are half fish, half humans that drag people into water?¡±- Said Jasper.


    ¡°Indeed. It''s not the first time I am seeing them.¡±- Said Hassan.


    ¡°And how can they drag us into water? They are so far away? And they look weak.¡±- I asked.


    ¡°This song, they want to hypnotize us.¡±- Said Hassan.


    ¡°Can''t we just cover our ears?- I asked as I wanted to reach my own ears.


    ¡°Their songs are magical, see how far they are and yet we hear them covering ears won''t do anything we can just pray.¡±- Said Hassan, I need to admit their voices are so soft.


    ¡°Why do they want to hurt us? Or how do we stop them? You said you''ve been in this?¡±- I asked Hassan.


    ¡°We are their food, and that one time I got lucky and no one got harmed.¡±- As Hassan said that I got closer to see them and noticed they got closer to the ship, when did they move?


    ¡°Jasper what do you-¡±- As I wanted to ask Jasper for an opinion he mindlessly walked to the edge of the ship before I grabbed him.


    ¡°What are you doing?!¡±- I asked as I and Hassan tried to stop Jasper from falling into the water.


    ¡°They already got him?!¡±- Said Hassan as Jasper tried to fight us off and I looked over my shoulder to already see naked fish girls clinging to our ship trying to get us.


    ¡°No chains can bind, no storm can keep,


    A sailor¡¯s heart from love so deep.


    Though far I roam, my soul stays near,


    Forever calling, soft and clear.¡±- They continue singing, it is already pissing me off as my brain starts to hurt.


    ¡°Hassan, hold him off, I have an idea.¡±- I said as Hassan pulling Jasper back, I rush to other side of shipboard where is big boxes I opened taking rifle out thankfully it''s already fill with gunpowder. I rushed back and see mermaid still clinging to ship singing this annoying song and I can see their fish tail, its so colorful tail, fuck it, I need to focus as I aim from musket I trying ignore their voices.


    ¡°Hush thee now, the night is deep,


    Close thy eyes and sail to sleep.


    Morning¡¯s light will kiss the sea,


    Till then, fair winds to thee.¡±


    ¡°Die you bitches.¡±- I said as I pulled the trigger.


    ¡°Eleanor, no wait!¡±- Yell Hassan out but I already triggered a trigger, the gun twitched my shoulder and shocked my body and felt like I opened an old wound. Bullet hit a woman on the right side directly at her eye leaving a hole in her face as she fell down while the other two stopped singing and drove under water. Jasper fell on knees confused about what happened.


    ¡°What happened?¡±- Jasper barely stands up as his legs shake.


    ¡°Don''t worry kid, the song got the better of you.¡±- Said Hassan as he helped Jasper stand.


    ¡°I felt like someone was inside my brain, fuck.¡±- Said Jasper.


    ¡°Did you guys notice something off?¡±- I asked.


    ¡°Maybe fish whores?¡±- Said Jasper.


    ¡°I didn''t mean them, I mean how no one wants to check out, I shot from a rifle that must wake someone up right? Or this song?¡±- I said as fog started to fall on us and the ship.


    ¡°What now?¡±- Said Jasper as he holds on to Hassan. I started to run to the barrel where gunpowder is to reload muskets.


    ¡°Wait Eleanor!¡±-  Hassan yelled out and I turned my head but as I got to the edge of the ship where the barrel is, one of the white haired mermaids jumped from the water. Now she looks differently, more angry, with long nails, small round breasts, not as colorful a tail as was under water. Her sharp nails grab me by my neck with all might pulling me over the edge from the shock I dropped musket. I could hear Jasper and Hassan yell my name but I was already under water, as I wanted reach for dagger I felt empty space remembering it I haven''t wear it whole morning, I am trying fight off under water but she is way stronger than me as her hand squeezing my neck and sharp nails getting under my skin. I am getting out of air as my eyes get blurry and my mind drifts away.


    ¡°Drift away, my love so true,


    The silver waves will cradle you.


    The stars will shine, the winds will sigh,


    And guide ye where the soft dreams lie.¡±


    ¡°Hush thee now, the night is deep,


    Close thy eyes and sail to sleep.


    Morning¡¯s light will kiss the sea,


    Till then, fair winds to thee.¡±


    ¡°No chains can bind, no storm can keep,


    A sailor¡¯s heart from love so deep.


    Though far I roam, my soul stays near,


    Forever calling, soft and clear.¡±- As I opened my eyes to the lullaby I heard someone sing that so many times to me. Ah yes, I remember it now. The person who sang it was my ¡°friend¡± and she was the same age and she was a slave too after losing her home. I think her name is Ella? Or something like that. We were in the same cell alone, she always treated me as her younger sister. I would put my head on her lap as she sang the same lullaby her mother would whisper to. I wish I could remember more about my mother too. Ella was nice, she would always help with my work too, and talk to me. But once Ella sneaked into the kitchen and I caught her stealing from our master and she saw me, she made me promise not to say anything. Same afternoon master called us all and said he knew someone stole his food, and threatened if someone don`t admit that none of us would get food.


    ¡°Eleanor did.¡±- As I turned my head seeing Ella pointing at me, I wanted to defend myself but before I could understand what happened the master already punched me in the face dragging me away. Ever since me and Ella never spoke a word, yet again I was sold away, without Ella help I was useless. We never argue, she treated me nice, I even shared my food with her, why did she betray me?


    ¡°Eleanor?!¡±- Huh? Did somebody call my name?


    ¡°Eleanor!¡±- Could be a red-haired girl I don`t remember name? Or mama? Could be I am dead?


    ¡°Eleanor!¡±- I feel a sharp slap on my face as I open my eyes and gasp for air.


    ¡°Wha-¡±- I sit up as my head feels heavy and the ship shakes and fog still surrounds us. Ayame is by my side holding my hand as I awkwardly pull it back, Jasper and Hassan who feel revealed.


    ¡°What happened?¡±- I asked as my head still feels heavy. I noticed Ayame wet clothes and hair, and a missing hat she probably left somewhere.


    ¡°As that slut dragged you down we broke inside Ayame''s room and she slept heavily. We slapped her until she woke up, then we explained what happened and Ayame went after you.¡±- Jasper explained.


    ¡°Look like this fog and all is some sort of magic, I felt trapped in my own dream until they woke me up.¡±-Ayame said as she stood from my side.


    ¡°What happened to¡­¡±- Before I even could finish.


    ¡°I killed her. Only one fish left, we need to kill all three to escape this fog.¡±- Ayame said, i can''t believe she fought under water and won.


    ¡°Stay sill.¡±- Said Ayame before I could even stand up.


    ¡°What are you going to do?¡±- I asked as I felt pain again close to my ribs.


    ¡°To kill her.¡±- We all watch as Ayame walks closer to the edge of the ship, she is also bare footed, and I wonder where she left own coat. As Ayame stands on the edge of the ship as the last mermaid jumps from water, this one has even longer nails, a long face with red eyes, full of anger. Tail that looks more like shark tail than a fish tail. as she was the same height as Ayame. She didn''t even twitched as the mermaid reached Ayame''s neck. Before I could process what happened Ayame reached for own gun almost immediately, shooting the mermaid in the head. That was fastest gun draw I ever saw, I barely saw it, mermaid just lifeless fall into water as fog got clear and Ayame turn to us with blue blood of mermaid on her face.


    ¡°We are safe.¡±- Ayame drew the gun back to her belt.


    ¡°That was quick¡­¡±- I said amazed.


    ¡°Awww you think so?¡±- Ayame said while laughing at me.


    ¡°Was this really mermaids?- Asked Jasper.


    ¡°They are fish, naked and scary I would say yeah. They tried trap us in dreams very cleaver.¡±- Said Ayame while she rubbed her chin.


    ¡°Are they this much stronger?¡±- I asked.


    ¡°As long as you piss them off.¡±- Said Ayame.


    ¡°What did you dream about?- I asked.


    ¡°I don''t remember.¡±- Ayame said, I don''t really trust that but I let go.


    ¡°yawn¡±- We hear yawning coming from below.


    ¡°Damn, I slept like a baby.¡±- Said Rosa while she walked out from the bottom of the ship.


    ¡°And what happened here? Did someone fall into the sea?¡±- Rosa noticed me and Ayame being wet, I should get dry before I catch a cold. I knock on the door of the Ayame room waiting for her to let me in.


    ¡°Come in.¡±- I heard Ayame''s voice as I walked in to see Ayame marking a map and book opened next to her.


    ¡°Captain, I wanted apologize for this morning.¡±- I said.


    ¡°Why? You haven''t done anything wrong, and I saved my crew.¡±- Said Ayame.


    ¡°I mean this is the second time you saved me.¡±


    ¡°I don''t count it, Eleanor.¡±


    ¡°Is it your first time fighting a mermaid?¡±


    ¡°Yeah I never bumped into them I thought they are faster.¡±- Said Ayame who was crazy fast already she didn''t even twitched. I stayed a little more with Ayame wanting to learn something more but as always not much progress. Nightfall on the ship as I walk back on deck and see Rosa look over the edge of the ship.


    ¡°You might fall into the water again.¡±- I said as I mocked her.


    ¡°I really wanted to meet a mermaid, are they really that strong? Are they sexy too?¡±- Said curious Rosa.


    ¡°I''d rather never experience this.¡±- I said as I stood next to Rosa pressing my back on the wood.


    ¡°How was swimming with fishes?¡±- Asked Rosa as she laughed.


    ¡°I can throw you and let you see for yourself.¡±- I said as Rosa turned to me.


    ¡°Well at least you are okay, I really wonder why we got trapped in sleep.¡±


    ¡°Rosa, what did you dream about?¡±- Only the edge of my eye peeks at her.


    ¡°Hm, about some handsome guy, why are you asking?¡±


    ¡°No reason, I was curious.¡± - Could Ayame have such dreams? Even though I had a dream when I was unconscious, I wonder what she is not telling me.

 Chapter IV

    As soon as we arrived at Xiamen, Ayame promised us a break saying money is secured and we should rest before heading to Canton. My injuries finally got completely healed. I don''t feel any pain at all, thanks to Mia medicine. This few last day on ship whole crew worked their part, expect Rosa, it''s not that easy this as I imagined but as long i can get myself occupied from past. Today there is not much work to do, I guess it''s not a bad idea to visit or walk around the city or ask someone to join me. Hannah, she is busy making food for the next few days, Hassan is with Bao checking our gears, while Ayame talks with Rosa and Mia, with that I am not sure where Finn and Jasper want.


    ¡°Eleanor!¡±- Yelled out Mia while I was spacing out while staring at the city.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±- I approach them as I wonder what is going on.


    ¡°I got the idea that you three could go to a bar and grab a drink.¡±- Suggested Ayame.


    ¡°You wont join us?¡±- I asked.


    ¡°I have some important businesses in the city I need to attend alone.¡±- Answered Ayame.


    ¡°And best thing Ayame said she is paying! Lets go Eleanor.¡±- Said Rosa, I am not surprised she wants to get a drink.


    ¡°Yeah why not.¡±- As I agree Ayame hands us a bag with money. It''s surprising that Mia joined us; she doesn''t look like a person who likes to go to bars.


    ¡°Is Captain always this kind?¡±- I asked looking at Mia who is between me and Rosa and compared to our heights, Rosa is slightly taller than me while Mia is a whole head shorter.


    ¡°It''s better if we don''t stand on Ayame path if she has urgent business.¡±- Said Mia. That was not the answer I wanted to get. Streets are busy full of merchants or kids that just play around, running or passing by. We got to the nearest bar we could find even though it was so far away it took us some time to walk. Mia fingers press on the wooden door as she pushes until it gets open and we make our way it''s bigger bar that looks from outside, inside smells of weed and alcohol as any other bar would. Piano in the corner where man sits and plays different compositions. Even before we could choose a place to sit, Rosa already took the counter, me and Mia just followed Rose to stand next to her.


    ¡°What can I get for you ladies?¡±- Said the man behind the counter.


    ¡°For me beer.¡±- I said.


    ¡°Me too.¡±- Mia said right after.


    ¡°Get me something strong fuck boy.¡±- Said Rosa as she happily waited. Right away me and Mia got our beers while Rosa got Bai Jiu, a pretty local drink and strong, I hope we don''t need to carry her back.


    ¡°Do you think you could handle it?¡±- I asked as I took a small sip of my beer.


    ¡°Watch and learn, kid.¡±- Rosa said while taking all in one sip and asking for refills.


    ¡°So Mia, you joined the crew first?¡±- I asked Mia, as I looked over at her.


    ¡°Yeah, I met Ayame a really long time ago.¡±- Said Mia.


    ¡°I ran away from home and on the dock I met Ayame who looked for a ship too, we started heading south where we met Bao who was just looking for a job he did not mind joining us until we met an old man.¡±- Mia continued as she finished own beer.


    ¡°And Ayame comes from Japan? Why did she come here?¡±- I asked.


    ¡°Who knows, she never told me she left Japan.¡±- Mia said, but something telling me Mia is lying she doesn''t even bother to look me in the eyes.


    ¡°Do you have interesting story to share?¡±- I asked as I took a sip from my own jug.


    ¡°Robberies to find rare treasure but we lost most of it a few months ago. The British attacked us and did not have time to get back it, but Ayame promised we will get it back once.¡±- Mia said while she got her drink refilled, still not bothering to look even in my way.


    ¡°I heard rumors about Ayame and-¡±- Mia cut me off before I could finish.


    ¡°Whatever you heard, and that little I told you it''s true, Ayame is not a person to mess with and keep your question for yourself, you are just a stray dog.¡±- Said Mia suddenly making me offended wondering why make her say such a thing or what she is hiding.


    ¡°Watch where you going asshole!¡±- Rosa said, me and Mia looked over while Rosa already punched a man that bumped into her. It''s already late to stop as another man rushes to Rosa to punch her.


    ¡°You fucking bitch!¡±- Man yells charging at Rosa. Mia stepped between kicking him in the head, I could never guess such a short person kicked so high. Suddenly the pianist stopped to play while some people left the bar while few of them stayed attacking Rosa and Mia, and I needed to join. Man run to Rosa but I grab for his arm spinning around and sent him flying over counter, meanwhile two men started attacking Mia who is dodging them until stopping their fists and kicking one of them with knee and other she twisted arm while slamming his head to table. Rosa finished own drink when her cheeks got red while she put back jug on table man sneak behind counter and jump behind Rosa wrapping hands around her neck trying choke her but Rosa break free with her own strength tossing man over. As I look back at the Rosa mug flying next to my head through the window and breaking it, I look at the way that came from. I saw a man trying to hide behind a table.  As I approach the table and toss it aside making everything from the table fly away. I grab a man lifting up.


    ¡°Where did your balls go?¡±- I said while some touched my shoulder I turned around and got punched. I loose grip from the man I hold and rushed out of the bar while my vision was blurry and nosebleed. I looked up and saw a huge man standing in front of me, he is at least two meters tall, muscular with a tight shirt and pants. Rosa and Mia stopped fighting and looked shocked as he grabbed me by my shoulders and threw me out of the bar through the window as I fell into mud and rain slowly poured onto me. I slowly stand up as a coward circle around the bar and a huge man walks outside.


    ¡°You decided to mess with my bar and I will mess with your face.¡±- Said a huge man. I cleaned blood from my face while my vision was still blurred and then I lifted both of my hands defensively looking at each other as rain fell. Man charged at me with one punch into my block that felt like I got hit by a horse. Easily he broke my block punching my stomach making me lose balance and falling down while he grabbed me by the hair and slammed me into his knee making me throw up a blood. I back up as he cracks his bones in fits and neck ready to strike me again. People watch us while Rosa and Mia are still in bars fighting for their own. This time I strike first he parry my hand away grabbing me by my neck lifting me up pulling me closer and whisper to my ear.


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    ¡°Little slut like you don''t stand a chance.¡±- To his words I snapped, hating awake and I lifted my arms and pulled my thumbs to his eyeballs. Man yelled in pain as the coward gasped in shock. I used the moment to uppercut his jaw making him collapse. I got on top of him landing punch after punch to his face. Blood was over mud as rain tried to wash it over, my punches started to grow stronger, not even myself is sure where this strength comes from. As I blink for moments I saw my last slave owner, in the same way I killed him punching him to death. Not even for a moment I showed mercy. I could see even his teeth fall from his mouth and even more blood at some point. I am not sure if he is alive or I already killed him.


    ¡°Please stop!.¡±- I heard a woman yell behind me as I twisted my head to see.


    ¡°Please let my husband go. We have a baby at home, please he didn''t mean any harm.¡±- At the woman begging I got back to reality as I saw everyone stare at me even Rosa and Mia not sure what to say.


    ¡°Please.¡±- Woman snobs as she kneels into mud and bow to me, I look at the man, his face is not recognized anymore and I stand up and start walking away pushing the coward away making my way.


    ¡°Damn Eleanor, I never thought you can snap like this.¡±- Said Rosa as she and Mia walked behind me but something snapped in me again as I pushed Rosa to the wall and pinned my arm to Rosa''s neck.


    ¡°Eleanor, please calm down.¡±- I heard Mia''s voice as I let Rosa go.


    ¡°Sorry.¡±- I apologized to Rosa.


    ¡°You are really a beast aren''t you?¡±- Said Rosa as she patted my shoulder.


    ¡°Who are you exactly Eleanor?¡±- Asked Mia.


    ¡°We all have secrets don''t we?- I said as we headed back to the ship. Whole path back was awkwardly silent. Mia checked our injuries when we went back. It was not serious that much, I wish to say the same for the man I made blind. I stayed alone in my room the rest of the day shaking from fear of myself. At night Ayame made her way back. We talked as she heard what happened at the bar, she simply said she needed me, and I needed to stay focused. How can I be focused if I can''t recognize myself, but if it''s for Ayame I might give it a try.


    [ Ayame`s POV]


    As Eleanor left with Rosa and Mia to the bar I should go to my work.


    ¡°Old man I want to city watch over ship for me will ya?¡±- I ordered Hassan as I made my way away from the ship and walked the opposite way then Eleanor. It''s not like they will be bothered if they join me but it''s easier to do such tasks alone especially when I am alone. I made my way to an old merchant store where I can buy some valuable information or get money. I opened the door of the merchant store without bothering to even knock.


    ¡°Gerry, it''s me Ayame.¡±- Huh? It''s empty inside. I can swear it said it was open. I look around looking for Garry but no one to be seen and weapons and other valuable items left without anyone watching them over.


    ¡°Don''t mind if I do.¡±- I took some nice golden knives from the counter. I could get some nice money from it, even have diamonds on it. I heard breaking and cracking upstairs behind the store. I slowly make way up as my fingers stand ready of my handle of blade. Step after step, I wonder what is going on, I doubt Garry would leave the store to have sex upstairs. Where the stairs ends I look left to right to see if anyone is here but its dead angle I can''t see much from here. But I noticed shadow by side someone is waiting for me with a dagger ready to kill me. This is set up for me. I can feel it, if they want to fight I will give them. I rushed on the second floor like a bolt as a hooded man who waited for me couldn''t understand what happened. I unleashed my blade, slicing his neck. Black robe and hood, there''s no doubt who they are. I turn around as his friend charges at me with a dagger as I block his attacks and then stabbing him, just enough to not kill him.


    ¡°Who sent you?¡±- I asked as the man refused to talk. He is useless. I sliced his neck too. I stood up and repaired my hat. It almost fell from my head how fast I rushed inside. Well it''s time to find Garry. In his bedroom Gerry and his wife are already dead. They were after them to get to me. I walked back to these hooded men and searched their robes and I found what I was looking for. Brooch in the shape of a butterfly made out of silver, it represents AetherWing society, their crazy goal to ¡°change the world¡± and collect relics is ridiculous. I killed one of their higher ups a few months ago and yet they are still after me. I put a brooch in my coat just in case. Well sorry Garry I got you drag into this but I really needed information you had, there is nothing I can do. Rain slowly started to fall as I walked from the Garry store to another merchant that was next to the store.


    ¡°Do you want to buy anything my name is Alex.¡±- Said the merchant who sat next to Garry stone. That name kind rings a bell to my head.


    ¡°No thanks.¡±- I said politely.


    ¡°Not even information about man you looking for?¡±- This guy followed me this whole time? No, I would notice him but he does know something.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±- I asked.


    ¡°Issac is a guy looking for isn''t it?¡±- How does he know? Could this man be with an Aetherwing? Did he kill Garry?


    ¡°Who are you? Did you follow me?¡±- I asked as my hand made a way to handle on my sword.


    ¡°Eleanor, she is in your crew right?¡±


    ¡°How do you know?¡±


    ¡°Aetherwing knows everything. If you hand me her, I can tell you where to find Issac.¡±- Ah I remember it now Eleanor met this guy a long time ago.


    ¡°How about no? I''d rather get your head. Why does the Aetherwing need Eleanor for?¡±


    ¡°Aetherwing? Fuck them, this is personal, my lord wants her she killed his son years ago.¡±- Eleanor killed someone? Not that surprising but hard to imagine.


    ¡°She killed someone important? How?¡±


    ¡°Three years ago a young master beat her when she snapped and started to fight back. She beat him to death and somehow ran away. The master wanted revenge for his son and he paid me big money to get that bitch to him.¡±- So that''s Eleanor''s past, very interesting.


    ¡°Well that young master maybe should have beat the poor girl, but he was obviously weak.¡±- As I was to walk away, the merchant reached for a knife to stab me but I unleashed a sword even faster than his tiny blade slicing his right hand as he cried in agony and blood poured on the floor.


    ¡°Tell your master if he wants to get her, he will need to defeat me first.¡±- I left as his cries can be heard even this far, lucky not many people pass by and ignoring his pain. Rain was still slowly pouring as I noticed the restaurant. I made my way inside as not many people inside its small shop that serves noodles but looks cozy. I sit at the counter as the cook approaches me.


    ¡°One bowl of L¨£ Mi¨¤n please.¡±- I take off my hat and put it aside as I wait for food. Bowl of warm food was in front me and my stomach growled. It smells so good.


    ¡°This is best L¨£ Mi¨¤n I had in while.¡±- I said as I finished my portion and handed three gold coins to the man.


    ¡°Keep change.¡±- I said while taking my hat and leaving the store. With the edge of my eye I spotted a man in a blue tunic that looked familiar. Issac I remember how he looks. I followed him into a small alley as he made his way and met there with someone as rain stopped already.


    ¡°Aetherwing are going be there.¡±- Said Issac, to a man that looks like a local soldier as I stand behind the wall trying to hear.


    ¡°Don''t forget we had a deal, 250 gold if you can kill the duke of the Montgomery family.¡±


    ¡°Considering it is done in a few days in Canton, he will meet his end.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±- Answered soldier, they want to kill the duke of the Montgomery family? What are they trying to accomplish with this? I have a target to kill on the same event man that has a bounty but this makes things more interesting.  If the Aetherwing wants someone dead can''t be a good sign, I will ask Hassan to investigate further I better keep going.


    [Eleanor`s POV]


    It''s almost midnight and I can''t sleep. Maybe I should go take a walk. I walked out to the shipboard as we were sealing to Canton. We should get there the day after tomorrow and the sea looks really peaceful even at night. Ayame finally told us her plan: we will sneak into some rich party in Canton and find man Eric Montgomery, apparently he is a duke and Ayame said she needs to learn something important from him, whatever that could be. According to Ayame she has someone who can get us an invitation inside, and we just need to get him alone and Ayame can ask him questions. How hard can it be? As I walked around the deck I thought about sleeping again tomorrow I am on cleaning duty.

 Chapter V

    Canton, city of trading and rich nobles, place where Europeans are all around as best dealers and strong political partners and welcomed. While we outcasts are not as welcome as them. Ayame got us more details we will stay three days after third day it will organized ball on Loius residence I am not really sure where that is but Ayame said she can get us in and we need prepare proper clothes, only me and Ayame will sneak inside and look for Eric and according to Ayame he will lead us to some sort of treasure that she is after. Party will be held by a British commander who invites a lot of nobles from Britain, Germany and France.  Some man could get us only two invitations that were assigned Rosa, Hannah and Jasper to pick up, we need to secure our way in. Clothes should be made by day, Hassan could find us some silk we could use and pay someone to make us dresses to look good enough. And last on our list is to rescue a man named Carlos who got sentenced to be hanging in a few days, Ayame said he is a merchant who owns Ayame and she won''t let him die before he repay debt to her. More than this Ayame hasn''t told me but I hope we don''t get into trouble.


    DAY 1


    [Rosa`s POV ]


    Ah, I feel so damn sleepy, Ayame send me with Hannah and asshole. I mean Jasper gets HER invitations like she couldn''t do that herself. I want to sleep or drink, not to do someone else''s work. At least Hannah is here.


    ¡°Ayame said the man we are looking for is called Leo. He should be near the blacksmith waiting for us.¡±- Said Jasper like I already forgot our task. As we passed by the tavern I looked at the window, seeing the place was pretty much empty, wondering if I could sneak and get inside but I know there is work to be done first. Ayame mentioned she has some work to do with Eleanor to get more clues where Carlos'' guy held or whatever.


    ¡°Are you okay Rosa?¡±- Asked Hannah.


    ¡°Yeah I am fine, why?


    ¡°You spaced out more than often.¡±


    ¡°I just feel sleepy, that''s all.¡±


    ¡°You drank a lot last night.¡±


    ¡°Ha, did I?¡±


    ¡°You really can drink a lot of Rosa.¡± - Said Hannah as I hoped we could talk more until we reach our destination as there is a small alley and a man waiting there. Jasper tells us to stay back as he approaches the man.


    ¡°You are Leo?¡±- Asked Jasper as he looked at the man whose back pressed against the wall and looked up to face Jasper.


    ¡°You must be Ayame`s dog?¡±- Said Leo.


    ¡°Whatever we have your money and these invitations¡­¡±- Leo cut off Jasper.


    ¡°Sorry man but the deal changed, you need to pay double.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You heard me pretty boy.¡±


    ¡°That was not part of the deal.¡±


    ¡°Well, the deal changed.¡±- I heard footsteps as I looked around. Four more men from the shadows already surrounding us.


    ¡°Or I could take your heads instead.¡±- Said Leo as Jasper stepped back.


    ¡°If you want to fight, bring on.¡±- Said Jasper as he charged a man to his right side, punching him to the face from impact blood that ended up on Jasper fits. Other men started to rush to us. I pulled Hannah behind who is not a fighter, a man from behind tried to grab me but I crawl from it and I jumped over his shoulder ending up behind him and kicking in his knees making him collapse then I kicked in the back of his neck making him kiss the floor. Two of them were fighting Jasper and he was giving them a hard time but I took my throwing knives and aimed at their legs and stabbed them in their tights and they just fell down, damn I am really precise. We look at Leo who was looking for a way to escape but Jasper grabs him by his collar and pulls closer.


    ¡°Give us these damn invitations.¡±- Said Jasper.


    ¡°I¡­I¡­Sold them to someone else and he offered a lot of money for them.¡±- Said Leo in fear.


    ¡°Who!¡±- Jasper pins Leo closer to the wall.


    ¡°Elliot, that''s name, he said there is a plan for him and his wife, that''s all I know, I swear!¡±


    ¡°Where do we find him?¡±- I stepped forward as I asked.


    ¡°Ship¡­ there is a ship on dock not that big, it is a porter of a woman on the right side.¡±- With this info, Jasper punches him making him unconscious.


    ¡°Hannah go back on ship this might get ugly.¡±- I said.


    ¡°Stay safe, I will tell others what happened.¡±- Said Hannah as she walked away. Me and Jasper make our way to the docks to find that ship. It was not that hard to spot it.


    ¡°Be ready.¡±- Said Jasper as he reached for his sword and I had my throwing knives ready. But something felt off, we made our way on ship and saw blood slipped everywhere and dead bodies.


    ¡°What the heck?¡±- Said Jasper.


    ¡°What happened here?¡±


    ¡°I don''t know but let''s find what we came here for.¡±- Me and Jasper started to search bodies and decks until we found papers with invitations.


    ¡°Let''s head back. I don''t know what happened here.¡±- I said while we rushed from the ship.


    DAY 2


    [Eleanor`s POV ]


    Mia and Ayame took me to a shop where we could get our dresses. We had prepared a lot of silks just in case.


    ¡°Eleanor, have you ever worn a nice dress?¡±- Said Ayame while walking in front of me.


    ¡°It''s not my style.¡±


    ¡°Well I need you with me at the party thanks to your accent.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Well no one in the crew has the same British accent as you do.¡±


    ¡°I have grown to speak native English since I was little.¡±


    ¡°I did learn English and Chinese in my homeland. My town had a lot of visitors from around the world.¡±


    ¡°You never told me which region of Japan you come from.¡±


    ¡°That''s a story for another time and a less important part.¡±


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°You don''t really like your hometown.¡±- As I said Mia walked next to me while poking me under ribs with her elbow like I was not supposed to say that but we continued our walking when we saw and heard coward cheering.


    ¡°There is probably a duel.¡±- Said Mia.


    ¡°I thought duels became forbidden?¡±- I asked.


    ¡°They are still allowed but some see them barbaric while some see them as fun.¡±- Said Ayame.


    ¡°What do you think?¡±- I asked Ayame as she was making way for a coward.


    ¡°Fun.¡±- Me and Mia followed Ayame behind. Two men standing opposite each other have curved swords. I could hear in cowardly someone saying this bloodshed is for hand in marriage, while some whisper it in question something more serious. Man on my left is really young, who really looks confident while his opponent is a middle aged man.


    ¡°Who think is going to win, Eleanor?¡±- Ayame asked me.


    ¡°This older guy looks more experienced.¡±


    ¡°Wanna take a bet?¡±


    ¡°40 silvers.¡±


    ¡°Make it 50¡±


    ¡°Deal.¡± - I stand closely watching the judge making sure they are ready to fight to death and giving them last chance backup, the only legal way to kill a man is a duel that everyone can witness, only one is going to walk home alive. Tenses start to rise as both of them reach for swords, and can hear snobs and cries of their loved ones who stand behind them begging to stop. As they charged to each other, the coward cheer even more when suddenly someone yell out.


    ¡°STOP! Are you all out of your mind?!¡±- Everyone went silent and the duel suddenly stopped. Young woman was maybe a little younger than me. Blond ringlet curls hair that hangs on her hair and waves to each step she walks closer to duelists. She wore blue fitted riding jacket


    and under white tunic, black breeches and black boots that show off how small her feet are. Rapier hangs on her waist while her hands crossed and gloves protect her skin, and dark blue eyes scan around.


    ¡°This is barbaric.¡±- Said a mysterious girl.


    ¡°Back off! What you know?¡±- One man yells out.


    ¡°I know enough not even your stance is poor, he could slide your neck easily, you are not a fighter but a thug.¡±


    ¡°What did you say bitch?¡±


    ¡°Face me and see you have no skill to fight me.¡± - Young man stands in front of a girl while a middle aged man steps back and the girl puts her right foot in front while rotating left foot, slightly bending knees and having straight back. She unleashed rapier holding firm and gently in front herself. Man strikes with curved sword, girl parries elegantly cutting man on his hand crawling under his arm getting back in same stance, while man drops sword and snob from pain and girl points sword to his neck.


    ¡°I said you are not skilled enough to face me, but I haven''t fought to kill you but to prove my point.¡±- Girl chuckled loudly making sure everyone heard her. Everyone sounds amazed how this nameless girl defeated someone in just one strike without breaking sweat.


    ¡°Whatever conflict you two had, maybe you could restore it without killing each other or I may come for your heads.¡±- Girl turned to a middle aged man who apologized while the young man was still on the floor embarrassed. This girl is a genius when it comes to fencing. The Cowards got clean away most of them got disappointed for some reason while the nameless girl walked away.


    ¡°Damn it! I wanted to see blood, but that girl was not bad herself.¡± - Said Ayame. We got back to our original task.


    DAY 3


    [Ayame`s POV ]


    ¡°You have a nice room here.¡±- I said to Carlos who is behind metal bars. I went by myself to the detention house where Carlos just arrived ready to be hanged.


    ¡°Shut up and get me out.¡±


    ¡°Not so fast, fatboy.¡±


    ¡°I haven''t forgot our deal, get me out and I will tell you where are Aeatherwing hiding.¡±


    ¡°That''s what I like to hear.¡±- I couldn''t help but smirk, I like when I get what I want. I walked out, on my way out I greeted the sheriff who was busy and on the wall hung a wanted poster with a lot of money.


    ¡°Sir, about this man that is here closed up.¡±


    ¡°He is sentenced to death ma`am there is no way you have enough to pay off.¡±


    ¡°I saw this wanted poster. He killed a lot of people probably if I can get his head will you let my friend free? I don''t need money from a bounty you can say you caught him and get famous.¡±


    ¡°Ugh, well if you can do that in the next 24 hours I could let him go but no one has a word.¡± - I grab poster from wall and walk out, I know this man Jesse the throat opener, he is very famous between criminals as someone who kill for own fun, law cant caught him from how dangerous he is. I search my pocket to find golden coin that on backside have skull, many criminals have this coin way to find Jasse to buy his service, and law have no idea in front their nose he have bar. I walked inside a bar that is very close to the north gate. Inside is really cowardly as I show my coin waitress immediately show me to follow her upstairs far away from everyone. She knocked on the door before she unlocked the door. Jesse is in the room lying on bed with two young women who looked bothered when he saw us but they left the room as a woman who showed me the way.


    ¡°What do you want?!¡±- He said while I closed the door behind my back. I threw Jess'' head on the sheriff''s counter.


    ¡°How?! Only a few hours passed¡­¡±- Jesse tried to run away but I sliced his head like butter I would get here earlier but I needed to wash blood from my clothes. Me and Carlos walked out of the sheriff office, he told Carlos to never show face in Canton.


    ¡°You will find them in Cebu, there is one of their bases that all I can tell you.¡±- Said Carlos with the info I needed.


    ¡°Don''t get yourself killed.¡± - We want separate ways.


    FINAL DAY


    [Eleanor`s POV ]


    Day of the party finally arrived, we were ready, sneak on the ball and find Eric Montgomery, sounds easy enough. Ayame and I wear matching modern dresses, mine is blue while hers is crimson. It''s weird to see Ayame wear something else or without her hat. We made our way to the residence, tall walls that covered the garden and a big gate that was well guarded checking everyone''s invitations. Hannah gave me a few instructions how to act but I hope we don''t stay for so long this dress is not comfortable.


    ¡°You look good.¡±- Said Ayame complimenting my dress. I changed my mind. Guards checked our invitations and we walked inside, a big greenish garden with a house in the middle, guests all around and me and Ayame went separately to find Eric faster before something unexpected happened. I scanned the guests when I saw a girl from a few days ago who stopped the duel. She wears pretty much the same clothes, is she a guard or guest? Or she don1t like fashion like me? Well there is plenty of time I could use that to talk with her.


    ¡°Rapier, nice choice.¡±- Girl looked at me confused until she processed the situation.


    ¡°Not many girls from my homeland show interest in steel.¡±- She said.


    ¡°Homeland?¡±


    ¡°England. London to be more specific.¡±- Ah another fucking British dog.


    ¡°What makes you come this far away?¡±


    ¡°My father was invited to this event and I decided to accompany him and learn about family business.¡±


    ¡°Um, how rude I haven''t introduced myself. I am Veronica.- Ayame told me to use a fake name just in case.


    ¡°I am Alice Montgomery, no second name? Are you not proud of your family or something?¡±


    ¡°Ah no it''s just I preferred to be called only by my name.¡±- This reminds me I forgot my second name as I forgot my actual name.


    ¡°I hope everyone has fun tonight, pirate activity increased around here. I hope my father can finally get rid of them.¡±- Hate as anyone like her likes to do, pure monster no different than others.


    ¡°I should go back. It was nice meeting you.¡±- I politely bowed my head as I walked away, Montgomery, could her father be Eric? Doesn''t matter. I noticed a staircase that leads to some sort of house or dinning room. I wanted to get higher to maybe be able to find Ayame at least. I noticed there are two more staircases from the left and right side connecting to the other entrance. As I got closer I heard a loud sound like someone fell I rushed up on stairs to see what happened and then I saw Ayame holding knife that is covered in blood dripping on floor while man lying down holding for wound but he already look dead.


    ¡°Ayame?! What happened?¡±- Ayame didn''t even turn but before she could even say anything, guards rushed inside with guns ready pointed and the general who commanded them walked on the door on the right side while Alice at the same time walked on the left side.


    ¡°Father!¡±- Alice yells out with snobs as she unleashes a sword striking at Ayame from the furry. Ayame blocked her attack with bloody knife grabbing Alice for waist spinning around and Ayame put arm across Alice chest holding her firmly and pinning knife to her neck and Alice dropped own sword. I needed time to process but I took Alice''s sword from the floor holding straight and we slowly walked away as guards didn''t dare shoot at Montgomery''s daughter.


    ¡°I-¡±- As Alice tried to speak, Ayame pin the knife closer to Alice''s neck, already making blood to escape. We made our way to the gate but then guards stopped following us and Ayame grabbed Alice by the arm making her run.


    ¡°You are coming with us.¡±- Ayame dragged Alice all the way to our ship. It was hard to explain what happened but Ayame told us she didn''t kill Eric, she only found a knife and was already dead. Of course Ayame told the same story in front of Alice who did not believe it. We had to run because the law for sure wouldn''t listen to us but Ayame wanted to explain properly to Alice and maybe find who would do such a thing. Jasper tied Alice to a chair and put her in the Ayame cabinet. We have the same second left port and start head as far as we can and to find a place we can drop off Alice. I walked on the ship deck at night and there was Ayame who looked troubled while she stared at the sea.


    ¡°You can''t sleep too huh?¡±- Said Ayame as she stared at the sea.


    ¡°Why did you kidnap her?¡±


    ¡°It was in a blink of an eye, but I have a feeling she knows something but who cares, she is no use for me.¡±


    ¡°Ayame what are you truly after?¡±


    ¡°Revange.¡±


    ¡°To who?¡±


    ¡°I can''t tell that yet¡±


    ¡°Sigh¡­ Well I will follow you for now but I can''t put that much trust in you.¡±- I said as I left Ayame to her thoughts.