“Stand up straight for counting!” She heard a gruff sailor shout in her direction. She could hear the rattling of the same chains around her hands, next to her. On her right was some child younger than her. The poor boy had already emptied his bladder on the deck, and had gotten a terrible beating for it. On her left stood a woman that had only spoken once, to calm her rampaging feelings.

“One… Two… Hey, stand up straight I said!” Was followed by the sound of rough treatment and savage kicks. The few yelps of pain soon seized completely. Some words were exchanged, and soon the familiar splash was heard.

“Three… You.” She could smell his breath on her face, which made her in no small amount sick with the mere stench.

“Huh? What’s this?” She struggled to keep her head raised, but her instincts told her to lower it. She soon felt the palm of a big hand closing around her face.

“Hey boys! We’ve got ourselves a blind one!” The sailor shouted, to loud cheers of approval from the surroundings. “Hey kid, what’s your name huh?”

“C-Casi… Casindire…” Her voice refused to work with her, and she only barely managed to stutter out her own name.

“Alright kid… We plucked you and that other crazy woman out of the sea. But you know…” He stopped, and she soon felt his warm salivating tongue run the length of her cheek. “But you’ve gotta pay for your ticket…” Wild laughter and whistling followed.

“And you…” He let her go, and moved on to the woman next to her. Her legs were shaking and nearly about to give out from under her.

“You shouldn’t have done that sir. She’s very ill.” The woman told the man, who immediately began spitting wildly on the deck.

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“Bastard… I ought to…” Before she could react, she felt a heavy punch to her gut which easily knocked the breath straight out of her. Pain hit her immediately as she landed roughly on the deck. Panic taking hold, she tried desperately to draw breath, but not so much as a gasp of air was forthcoming. Suddenly she felt a warm hand on her cheek which stroked her gently.

“Easy… I’m here for you. Breathe easy young one. Steady, deep breath.”

After a long struggle, she finally regained control, but remained curled up on the deck.

“It’s over… The captain saw them, but no doubt… If I don’t do something for you, they’ll come claim their payment this evening… On this ship, the Repentance… Nobody will care if you scream. Nobody will help if you are hurt. But I will… I’ll help you below deck, and we’ll find a way to protect you from them.”

She was led along the steps, happy to be rid of the heavy iron chains, but fearful about the situation she was in. After the shipwreck, she and Saya had floated around in a small lifeboat for close to a week in heavy weather and freezing temperatures. Food and water had all been spent by the time a ship had appeared through the fog. Rescue had seemed imminent, but instead of a friendly vessel, they were now captives onboard a pirate ship, filled to the brim with soon to be slaves from a variety of plundered vessels and raided coastal villages.

“This is ours… They do let us walk around freely… Escape is impossible after all. But never… Never be alone.” The woman opened a door and helped her down the steps.

“… Ca…”

“Saya!?” She tried to home in on the voice, but instead, she was led aside as soon as she entered.

She felt her way around, and soon found skin. It felt moist and swollen, wetting her hands.

“Be still. Is she your friend?” The woman asked.

“She is…”

“I see… Your friend has been very badly beaten, and though she’s extraordinarily tough… I’m not sure how she’ll do as time passes.”

“No… Saya!”

“I’m… It’s… Good to see you…”

“Don’t speak… Please.”

“Can you do anything to help her? Please! I beg of you!” Her emotional wall shattered and all her pent-up anger, fear, shock and trauma burst forth inside of her.

Whap!

She felt the sting of the woman’s hand on her cheek, but the pain soon let go.

“I will do what I can. My name is Wesia… Stick close to me, and maybe, you both will live long enough to be sold…”