"Looks like it," Bill replied, forcing himself to stand. The scorched wood of the stern was still hot beneath his feet as he looked at the Esgan perched on the railing. "What brings you to my ship?"

"The townspeople," she said, holding position as the waves rocked the ship. "They sent a rider with tales of summons running wild and attacking a heavily armed ship. I had to interrupt my devotions to investigate. Imagine my surprise to find the Governor here."

"Surprised me too," shrugged Bill. "I don't get many auspicious visitors to my humble vessel."

"If this is how you greet them, that does not surprise me," she said, leaning to one side to look around him. "I see you also have my missing acolyte."

Bill smiled warmly. "She's a pleasure to have around."

"I'm sure," the Esgan replied. "Let's continue this dance on the lower deck. Your man needs to be tended to before he loses his leg. Leave the guns where they lie. It will make things simpler. Oh and, Headless Bill?"

"Yes?" Bill asked.

"One does not become an Esgan by staying inside and meditating. Do not take me for a cloistered fool." She pushed off the railing with her knees and was carried over their heads in a gentle arc by the wind.

Bill grabbed his coat and put it on, giving the fallen muskets a sidelong glance before going to Batro's side and extending a hand. "I ain't got the energy to carry you, so you better be good enough to hop down those steps."

Batro grabbed his hand and hauled himself up. "Are we screwed?"

"She didn't kick my head off my shoulders on sight," Bill said, slinging Batro's arm over his shoulder and helping him down the stairs. That's a good sign.”

-

The crew returned gradually, soaking wet and tired from their long swim to shore. The Esgan permitted them to board, so long as they stayed away from the guns on the sterncastle. While Batro was downing a bottle of whisky to numb the pain of his coming stitches, Aven and Cai tended the lesser wounds suffered by the crew. Yazwa's abused arm was done up in a sling, and Saiyun was given a wet cloth for his sore head. He walked off the ship and sat on the dock, staring out to sea. After getting her stomach patched up, Ji knelt at the feet of the Esgan with her forehead pressed against the dock, staying silent while Bill told the story. With everyone's wounds tended to, Aven stood by as Bill told the Esgan everything.

Yazwa shuffled beside Aven as the story neared its end. "He left out Tsen," she whispered into his ear.

Aven gave a slight nod. "I don't know much about Tsen, but I do know he has a lot of enemies. The less we mention his name the safer we are."

"Oh," said Yazwa as Bill got to the fight on the ship. "Thank you. For telling me about him."

"For all the good it did," Aven shrugged.

Yazwa let the silence drag on for a moment before speaking up again. "What happens now?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," sighed Aven, shutting up when the Esgan began to speak.

She looked up at the sky and took a deep breath, bringing her gaze down as she exhaled. "Our Temple was used to hide sacred treasures stolen by Governor Menshi, and one of our finest acolytes dishonored herself by picking a fight with a drunken man. We are doubly disgraced."

"I feel I should remind you," said Bill, gesturing at Ji. "I had nothing to do with the first one and was the victim of the second."

"Yes, you were far too busy disgracing yourself in other ways," the Esgan said coolly. "But since you are her victim, do you forgive her?"

"Of course," nodded Bill. "She did everything I asked of her."

"Ji," said the Esgan, her voice as sharp as a razor. "What have you learned?"

Ji pulled her head up off the deck, eyes red. "That the path cannot be shortened," she said hoarsely. "That I was wrong to think I could force the voice of En Chitei to speak to me. I am weak in both soul and body."

"Your newfound wisdom has come at a cost," the Esgan said, watching Ji flinch. "If word of your deeds got out, the state could drive us off this island or have us imprisoned."

"She doesn't have to be a bitch about it," Aven grumbled, digging his fingers into his forearm.

"Shhhh," Yazwa hushed.

"The direct thing to do would be to turn you all in for the astonishing number of crimes you have managed to commit in a few short days," the Esgan said. "But that would bring hardship to my Temple and I am not feeling charitable towards my fallen Governor. Headless Bill, you're an accomplished cheat and liar, what should I do?"

"Well," Bill said, scratching his beard. "If I remember right, you said the townspeople sent you to investigate reports of wild summons. Perhaps you came here, found a crew that had managed to protect itself from them, and couldn't wait to sail away from this dangerous island?"

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

The Esgan's eyes narrowed. "And how do I explain the Governor’s body?"

"What body?" Bill shrugged. "There was no body, just a lot of summon dolls and summon debris and a very, very frightened crew. If someone asks you why you didn't investigate further when summons linked to the Governor were seen, you ask them how were you supposed to know what the Governor can summon? All you were asked to do was fight wild summons, not investigate a crime you couldn't have known about at the time."

"He will receive a proper funeral," said the Esgan.

"I swear on my scales," Bill said with a bowed head.

"Good," said the Esgan, glancing down at Ji. "Since I am doing this service for you, the Favor Game demands you do something for me in return. I bid you watch over Ji on the next part of her path."

"What?" Ji asked, looking up at the Esgan.

"Rise," she said, placing her hands on Ji's shoulders. "You were sent here to learn and so you have. You know that the Path cannot be shortened, that En Chitei cannot be forced to speak, that you are weak. Such things cannot be taught, only learned."

"Esgan," Ji said, but the woman put her finger to Ji's lips.

"I will carry your goodbyes to your friends. They will know you have been released, but nothing more. You go with my blessing," the Esgan said, letting go of her shoulders.

"Thank you," Ji said, tears shining in her eyes.

"You may come to hate me for letting you loose," the Esgan said, wiping the tears away with her thumb. "Wisdom is earned through pain, and En Chitei does not speak to the comfortable. But I know this is what you want, so I will send you on your way. Headless Bill!" she called out.

"Yes?" asked Bill.

"Swear to me, an Esgan who has heard the voice of En Chitei," she said, stepping away from Ji and closing in on Bill. "That you will do everything you can to help her learn." As she spoke a stiff wind whipped up behind the ship.

"Esgan, I never make a promise I can't keep," Bill said, scratching at his scales as the woman loomed over him and the wind picked up speed.

"I have been to the west," she said, wind gusting through her hair. "I know what it's like. I know the danger. All I ask is that you do what you can, not what is impossible."

"That much, I can promise," Bill said with a bowed head.

"You have sworn before me, an Esgan," she said, taking a step back. "You're a sailor, I don't need to lecture you on the power of the wind. Good luck to you all. Goodbye, Ji.” She left with a leap that carried her up and over the top of the cliffs.

"Well don't stand there gawking!" Bill shouted. "We have a tailwind! Let's get our sails out before we lose it!"

His order sparked a flurry of activity on the ship as the crew scrambled to raise anchor and make the ship ready to sail. Bill walked across the chaotic deck to where Aven and Yazwa stood. "Well, Aven, what did you learn?"

Aven looked down at his feet. "Kindness can get you killed."

"That's right," Bill said, clapping him on the shoulder. "And I learned not to send you out on your own. Every time I do you come back with pretty people," he laughed.

"That's it?" Yazwa said, jaw dropping. "You were, you were furious before."

Bill shrugged. "We lived. Grudges are useless things. Are you still sticking with us?"

"I helped burn down the magistrate’s manor. I can't stay," replied Yazwa.

"Great!" Bill said cheerfully. "Now where's our third pretty person?"

"Saiyun is still sitting on the dock, I think," Aven said, looking over his shoulder.

"Right, I'll go see if I have to make up another bunk. Aven, I think Batro is drunk enough to stitch up," he said, pointing at the sheet Batro was sprawled out over. "Yazwa, you go too. You're going to need to get used to seeing drunk people sewed up like old pants."

-

Saiyun stood on the front of the ship, staring out over the town. His face was still sore and swollen where the Fishman kicked him. Even blinking hurt.

"Have you decided?" Bill asked, walking up beside him to share the view.

"What do you mean?" Saiyun asked, flinching as his jaw ached.

"You've been staring so long, you must be considering going back and taking your chances," Bill said, stroking his beard.

"What chances?" Saiyun scoffed. "My Governor accused me of corruption in front of dozens of witnesses. I signed a confession and then helped murder him," he spat. "I'm just taking one last look at civilization before I leave it behind forever."

Bill was silent for a moment, running his hands along the railing. "What if I told you there was a way back?"

"I'd say you were lying," Saiyun replied.

"No lie," Bill said, shaking his head. "Join my crew, and I'll show you how to get your life back."

"Let me guess," said Saiyun. "You know the Emperor himself and can get him to write a pardon?"

"If I had that kind of pull I wouldn't be a pirate anymore," Bill laughed, putting his hand on top of Saiyun's head and twisting it to face him. "Do you know what kind of man is always welcome at an imperial court?"

"A virtuous one?" Saiyun offered.

"A useful one," said Bill, letting go of his head. "Before we were attacked, Tsen said you had to know more than one summon. Is that true?"

Saiyun sighed and pulled the wet cloth away from his face. "Yes…and no. The only one I know now is the turtle. But I could learn more easily."

A wide smile split Bill's face. "Good. I need every advantage I can on this disaster of a voyage. I can't tell you much, but we're sailing west, and my next target is Azun."

Saiyun spun around, jaw dropping. "Azun? The Grand Admiral of the False Emperor Litzu?"

"The same," Bill grinned as he saw the hook set. "Sail with me and you'll get to fight one of the True Emperor’s most stalwart enemies. It will prove you've been a loyal servant the whole time."

"Impossible,” Saiyun scoffed, turning away. “I've fallen too far,"

"I've had eight death sentences commuted in return for services to the state," Bill said with a grin. "World the way it is, no ruler can turn away a useful man, no matter how far he's fallen."

"Are you telling me," Saiyun said, slowly turning back to Bill. "If I want to wash away the stain of corruption and murder, I must embrace...piracy? To impress the Imperial Court?"

"Yup. What do you say?" asked Bill.

"What else can I say?” Saiyun grumbled, bowing to his new captain. "You have yourself a Vao."