Ships wailed from afar. They heard yells of men from the pirate ships, fire bursting forth from the vessels, and the ringing of chimes. Debris floated amongst the derelict boats as they glided along the calmer waters. Meanwhile on Yulduz’s Songha-Lia, people worked to and fro repairing damaged instruments and items on the surface. The holes that were created during oncoming cannon fire were temporarily patched and ropes were forged back together. A man looked over the horizon on the crow’s nest and minded the ghost ships that were traveling next to them. The sun was falling back into the ocean.
Ayai watched Kwa run back and forth between one of the masts, while ‘Mister’ Xiong chased after him. She warned them once due to the uneven floorboards and the constant rock of the ship, but they didn’t seem to mind. Looking at the child again, she couldn’t help but question the child’s existence. For the first time, the events leading up to now had made her question the journey. Like how did Zhen find Kwa, perhaps, or how her leadership would be challenged when they haven’t yet arrived in Shikot yet. Those ruminations she could only save in her thoughts. If she’d spoken them aloud, then maybe wouldn’t get the best reception. It was always best to not say anything if something was questionable. That was how she survived in the tournament.
Ever since that ‘argument’, Ayai hadn’t seen Zhen since. Nor Suruj or Izdaha. Perhaps they had retreated down to the Cargo Interior for the day; Either the battle tiring them out or more likely that they opposed her actions today. Karam and Seung-Hyeok came up after spending the entire incursion downstairs, idling around and inspecting the damage.
“Tell me what happened, Ms. Toya?” Karam gave her greetings as Seung-Hyeok followed. “There seems to be a disunity between members of Izato.”
“... It’s a fair share of a story.”
Ayai told them the battle that unfolded with the Bangkaño, and her confrontation with Zhen afterward. Karam put her hand to her forehead, trying to grasp all of it.
“So… You told him off and now he’s giving you the silent treatment? He’s acting like a kid.”
Seung-Hyeok stepped forward. “Karam, you mustn’t speak ill of His Royal Highness-”
“Quiet.” She shut him up, before facing Ayai again. “I’m on your side this time, Ms. Toya. ‘His Royal Highness’ should’ve told us that he was going to help with the leakage. We should be working together, not hiding what we are doing. Like back in 1978, we wouldn’t have escaped from that hellhole if not for our coordinated planning.”
“... I suppose.” Ayai coughed, before shifting her gaze to the sea. So even Karam thought it was suspicious.
The Dineh woman put her hand on her hip. “Who just does that? I swear, men are such idiots.”
“Al-Murata, I believe you shouldn’t mislabel-”
“Quiet, Seung-Hyeok!”
After the sky blackened most of Izato went into the Cargo Interior. Small lightbulbs dimly lit up the underground like a vigil. Small freight and boxes remained untouched, while some were torn and ripped to shreds. People with green bandanas lounged around, while others were tending to the wounded. Light conversation continued to flood the silence away. Water splashed through the gunports as the sea leaked through the patched boards.
Ayai’s steps creaked under the stairs. Those conversations lost to silence as everyone’s gaze fixed upon her presence. Maybe they knew what she was going to talk about.
“Izato.” She quickly covered up any stutter in her voice. “I would like to discuss how we would like to deal with the remnants of the Armada’s fleet.”
They looked at each other, as none responded. It was worse than she thought. If there wasn’t any unity now, then it meant that the following operations would be a bust as well. Ayai decided to voice her own plead.
“Their ships are disfunctional and their sails are in shambles. I suggest that we take them into our vessel.”
Suruj raised his hand. “I suggest not. Aren’t they the ‘seafaring’ tribe? They should be able to handle themselves.”
“Not if their ships are left derelict.” Ayai knew he would give an opposition, given the terrible impression she gave him during the fight. “They aren’t as barbaric as they come to be.”
“She’s right, Suruj…” Tvuj spoke next to him, pressing her hand of her chest. “That one guy was a one of a thousand. Please have more faith in-”
“How can I if they tried to do that to you?” Suruj tightened his fist as he rested his face against a pillar. “I’m just angry. Angry that I couldn’t do anything.”
Had this gone any further, Ayai would’ve reconsidered making Suruj the leader of the Izato Vanguard. His grievances were well-reasoned. She shouldn’t make trouble with fellow members, but attempt to understand.
“When I fell down into the cabins in one of the garays, I discovered many women and children, tied with rope.” She went on, as eyes continued to stay peeled to her words. “I was angry at first. Until I started to untie them did I understand the Bangkaño pirates’ true intentions. Those were their families holing up for protection during the battle. Those ropes were meant to keep them from tossing and turning during the storm.”
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Tvuj comforted Suruj with her hand on his shoulder. “Hora, Suruj. I’m fine. I’m sure that pirate… would have apologized in his last moments.”
“Do what you want.” He stood up, his foot banging against one of the cargo. “I don’t want any say in this.”
“H- hold on, Suruj! Suruj!” The Azu girl chased after him as he went back upstairs. The gazes shifted back to Ayai.
She cleared her throat as the area became stuffed with awkwardness. “Is there anyone that supports saving the pirate fleet?”
Ayai paused, feeling the weight of the silence and the eyes fixed upon her. She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. She knew the unity of Izato was at stake, and she needed to find a way to bridge the gaps that had formed.
Looking around, Ayai searched for any sign of agreement or willingness to engage in the discussion. Soon few members began to nod, while others exchanged uncertain glances.
"The remnants of the Armada's fleet are in dire straits," Ayai continued with newfound smoothness. "Do not forget Izato’s purpose. We are ‘an organization dedicated to protecting and defending people from any event or disaster that threatens human life’."
Some murmurs of agreement echoed through the Cargo Interior, indicating that her words were resonating with some of the Izato members. Ayai took this as a small victory and pressed on. "Imagine what we could accomplish if we unite our strengths," Ayai implored, her voice growing more impassioned. "We have navigators, fighters, and skilled craftsmen among us. If we earn the favor of the Armada Peninsular, then maybe they will guarantee us safe passage on their waters along with a visa."
“I believe the captain needs a final say in that.”
Ayai turned around to see Zhen coming down along with Captain Yulduz. Nonchalantly he walked passed her, refusing to acknowledge her presence. The Bangkaño captain stood before them all, while other crew joined his side.
“Gong Dongye has helped the Songha-Lia survive this battle, and this storm.” He vouched for he, reciting the events that happened a few hours before. “So I will support her wish in helpin’ the pirates move onto our vessel. Thank you so much for saving us, Gong Dongye.”
Captain Yulduz faced her and bowed, while the rest of them did the same. Ayai shook her head and gestured them to stand back up.
“I’m sure anyone else would’ve done the same, Captain Yulduz.”
“No ma’am, we’ve transported cargo but not people. And capable people at that. Ever since our visa in the region expired we’ve been hesitant to travel back into the Peninsula, until Izato gave us a chance to resume business in the region.” He backed his gratitude up with more, before turning around to head upstairs. “That’s all I wanted to say before my first mate messes up at the helm. Good evening to y’all.”
And like that, just like in Al-Bashwa Hôtel, he stuck his hand out and left. With that in mind, Ayai looked back at Izato and placed her hands on her hips.
“You all heard that. Rest up tonight, and we’ll help those ships out there first thing in the morning.”
Everyone stood up and saluted her in unison. Zhen folded his arms and made his way onto the deck.
The next day everything was set into motion. Captain Yulduz yawned as he steered the ship to the right, the Songha-Lia swerving near one of the pirate ships. Hoisting a white flag, men from the garay raised their heads to see the ship they had just attacked a day before heading towards them. Crew from the Songha-Lia waved as their two railings neared; The pirates quickly took a confused look and raised their weapons. The prideful Songha-Lia rubbed against the garay, as planks were laid out over the crevices. Several Bangkaños kept their weapons pointed while the Songha-Lia crew kept their hands up. The sun peeked over from the horizon, and light reflected off Ayai’s sword. She held it up before hoisting it to her backside.
She walked slowly and nonchalantly across the gangplank and into the deck of the garay. Soon an order was heard, and the men lowered their blades.
“I thought you are going somewhere, lass.” The pirate captain she’d fought strolled down the quarterdeck’s stairs, holding his hands up. “This tempest ain’t doing us any good. It’s better to be on your way now than to flaunt your victory to lowlives such as us.”
Their feet aligned only a couple strides away, while others merely watched from afar. Ayai raised her hand. “Your ship isn’t doing so well, I take it? Shattered rutter, broken rigs, the ship is like a tumbleweed in the desert.”
“And y’all here to pity on us?”
“No. We’re here to help you.”
“...”
The other men gasped as a flurry of whispers and tapping boots sounded in the background. Some took off their hats and others shook their heads. As if peace had finally laid salvation upon them. Ayai stared into the pirate captain’s eyes anticipating his response.
“Vini, tell the others to start bringing out families up.”
The sailor Vini entered a shocked state. “Captain… You trust these people?”
“The strongest fighter on that ship has bested me in a duel.” He opened his arms with a shrug. Walking up to Ayai, he shook her hand. “I ain’t gonna say nothin’ but acceptin’ it. Now go and bring ‘em up here, Vini.”
“I… Uh…”
He and a couple others went down into their ship. Before long lines of women and children, boys and girls began to file out from the stairs and onto the deck of the garay. Ragged and sodden with filth, their clothes were brown of excrement and bugs burrowing into them. They cowared at the sight of Ayai and the Songha-Lia, raising their hands up to surrender. Mothers shielded their daughters, and the young boys beared their teeth at Ayai. Not a hind of ferocity came from the pirates but sheer dejection.
“Appa, don’t tell me you’re surrendering?” A woman called out to the captain, who kept his face down. Her voice became heated. “You realize what they’ll do to us if-”
“Calm down. I’m sure She is guiding us in the right direction. That this is the best thing to do. If we follow Her destiny then we will get out of this alive.”
Ayai tilted her head. The pirates have always mentioned ‘She’ and ‘Her’. Perhaps now was the time. “If I may ask, who is ‘She’?”
“Nothing to worry about, lass. Just a way for us to keep our spirits up, hah…”
Perhaps not. The pirate captain looked away nervously, as if surprised that she’d asked that. But still, the existence of ‘She’, there had to be some meaning within those words, and the emphasis on ‘Her’. Ayai didn’t know if it was a reference to a deity or a concept. It had to be investigated further.
Izato members and some of the crew came over to escort the pirates and their families over the gangplanks. They boarded the Songha-Lia, the women and children hesitant to cross. Some fought back ferociously, until they were subdued by Vini and the others. Some screamed and hollered for help while they refused to board the ship.