Ji was exhausted, and it felt great. Nothing had worn her out this much since she left the monastery. Hauling the chests across the island was no easy task. Even with a cut path and the sledges to help, it still took every ounce of strength in her body to get the tin through the trees and over the hill to the ship. She lay on her back on the beach, relishing a cool breeze that blew over the water. The sun was nearing the horizon, and soon there would be nothing left to do but sleep. A roaring fire was burning further up the beach with a few unfortunate seabirds roasting on it. Her stomach growled, and she got up, ready to eat her fill of the first fresh food she'd had in weeks.
“Ji,” Saiyun called as she made her way over. He was examining a map draped over a flat rock on the beach, held down at the corners by smaller rocks. Yazwa was with him, tracing her finger over a part of the coastline. “Where’s Aven?”
“I think he went for a walk down the beach,” Ji said, pointing behind her. The long stretch of sand was empty, save for a few dunes and patches of beach scrub. “He hasn’t been gone long, do you think he’s in trouble?”
“No, I need his help with this map,” Saiyun said, holding the center down as a gust of wind battered it. “Cai and Bill are too busy complaining about their aches and pains.”
Yazwa nodded, looking up from the map. “He’s the only other person who knows where Hilt is. I want to get it marked down before it gets too dark. Can you go find him?”
Ji took a long look at the fire but eventually bowed. "Of course. I will bring him back." She set out at a slow walk, ignoring the aches in her legs and walking by the surf where the cool water could lap at her bare feet. As she walked further and further from their campsite, she became more concerned. The beach was flat, so it shouldn't have been so hard to spot him. She turned to go back to camp, but then a quiet voice drifted up over a dune.
She couldn't make out what it was saying, so she slowly crept towards the dune. Bill had warned the crew that they might not be alone on the island and should stick together at night. If there were others, this could be a chance to get the drop on them. Ji crept up the dune carefully, the voice getting louder and louder until she crested the top.
On the other side of the dune knelt Aven, facing a short tree he had tied a cloth around. “Ship life is boring as usual Mom. Weeks of nothing but blue between days of fighting for your life,” he said with a chuckle.
Ji froze, remembering that he prayed at her temple's shrine to the dead as well. He was speaking with his mother. She carefully crawled back to give him his privacy.
“I mean honestly,” he said with a sigh. “The only good thing about this trip is that Ji is taking so well to her training.”
Well, it couldn’t hurt to hear what he had to say about her. Then she would give him his privacy. She perched on top of the dune, leaning forward to hear better.
"It's bringing back a lot of memories. I'm doing everything the way you taught me. Being aware, picking targets, fast retreats. We should be ready to start counter-grappling soon," Aven said before he hung his head. "I know you told me to keep this in the family, but it's important. If she doesn't know how to look after herself, she's going to die. She's picking up everything quickly. There's just something about her…"
Ji turned her head, straining to hear more.
“But that’s not what you want to hear about,” Aven said with a sigh. “We got stuck on a side trip on the way back from Chanan Harbor. Found one of the old Treasure Ships washed up on an island. I got…kinda worried for a little while. We thought we found a haul of silver, and I thought for sure the crew was going to give up on Bill’s scheme. It turned out to be tin, so it’s not really a problem. Bill still won’t tell anyone what we’re up to. But if you told me to find him, it has to be good. I’ll get him for you Mom. Stars are starting to come out, so I should get back to camp.” He looked over his shoulder at the starry sky and locked eyes with Ji.
She skittered backward down the dune, holding her breath as a cold pit formed in her gut. The sound of pounding footsteps and a knife being pulled from its sheath forced her to her feet. "It's me!" Ji shouted, holding up her hands and flicking her tail.
“Ji?” Aven asked, halfway up the dune with his knife out.
When their eyes met Ji felt lower than she ever had before. She dropped to her knees and pressed her forehead against the sand. “I…I…I,” she babbled, searching for the words.
“How long were you up here?” Aven asked, looming over her and sheathing his knife.
“Since you said it was boring on the ship,” she said, her dread growing as he made no reply.
“The smart thing to do,” he said after a long silence. “Would have been to say you only just got here. Get up.”
Ji took a deep breath and rose to a kneeling position, clearing her raw throat. “I know I—”
“Don’t, just don’t,” Aven said, sitting down on top of the dune. “It’s my own fault. I shouldn’t have let my guard down.”
“No, I should have—” she said, flinching when he glared at her.
“But you didn’t,” Aven snapped. He took a breath and rubbed his eyes. “Doesn’t matter. What’s done is done. Might as well tell you the whole story.”
Ji swallowed and fidgeted on her knees. “You…you don’t have to. I swear I won’t tell anyone what I heard.”
“It’s not like it’s a big secret,” Aven said, picking up a handful of sand and letting it drift down to the ground. “You told me your life story. I should return the favor. You have to give to get, right?”
Ji's eyes darted to his and then away. When he was training her, his eyes held an intensity she could not help but admire. Now they seemed duller. Emptier. It was better than the anger she saw moments ago, but Ji pushed such thoughts away to focus. "I will listen to whatever you have to say.”
“My mom was a thief, from a whole family of thieves. They were the best in the Raoin. Merchants would hire them to steal treasures from their rivals. Kings would pay them to steal secrets from their enemies. Admirals hired them to steal battle plans and count ships. They never failed until they took a job to steal maps from Grand Admiral Azun. He’s the servant of one of the warlords fighting over Qisin. It went bad. They got caught and executed, except my mother. She managed to escape the prison in a little boat while she was pregnant with me.” Aven sighed, looking down at the ground.
“That is…good?” Ji said, at a loss for anything else.
“Not really. She drifted out into open water and got lost. If it wasn’t for a passing Vathlanri ata, we both would have died. They fished her out of the water, and she cut a deal. She’d be their spy on the mainland if they looked after me while she was away,” he said, looking out to sea. “It wasn’t the worst way to grow up. When I got older, mom would bring me to shore to help with jobs. It’s why I’m the one on this ship who patches people up.”
“She taught you well,” replied Ji. When Aven said nothing in return she spoke up. “How did she die?”
Aven took a deep breath. “She got sick. It happens. Told me she had been working on a grand plan to get revenge on Azun. Now that she was…done, I had to take over. She sent me to join up with Bill, and then I went with him to Chanan Harbor. You were there for the rest.”
Ji tried to bow again, but a look from Aven stopped her. "I am honored that you would pass on your mother's teachings to me. I will not shame her."
“Well don’t worry about that,” Aven said, getting to his feet. “She’d be pissed I was teaching you anyway. Why are you even out here?”
“Yazwa and Saiyun sent me,” she said, standing with him. “They want your help with a map before it gets dark.”
“Better get going then,” said Aven, sliding down the dune.
-
Saiyun scowled as the evening light slowly dimmed. Soon only the flickering firelight would be left, and he didn’t want to bring his map that close to flames. Or Yazwa for that matter. “We must be here,” he said, pointing to an empty spot on the map. “The island isn’t on this map, but we must be here.”
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
“Yeah,” Yazwa said, peering through the dim light. “It’s directly northwest of Ortan so that must be close at least.”
“I want to be better than ‘close at least,” Saiyun grumbled.
“Why are you even doing this?” Yazwa asked, stretching. “We already have maps on board, so why get your own to mark up?”
Saiyun sighed, smoothing out the map again. “At the end of this journey, I must return home to account for myself. This map may help prove I have done everything I will claim to.”
“Right, home,” Yazwa said, sitting down on the sand.
“I know your circumstances are different from mine,” Saiyun said quietly, looking over her head to the fire. “But they’re your family. They’ll welcome you back with open arms.”
“I know. They’re just so far away,” said Yazwa.
“Can you show me?” Saiyun asked.
“What?” said Yazwa.
“On the map,” he said, pointing at the paper and handing her one of his quill pens. “I know you’re from Ibscaal, just not where in Ibscaal.”
Yazwa took hold of the pen and peered at the map, stepping aside so the firelight could dance over it. “Let’s see, here’s the lake, so home would be right here,” she said, marking the spot with a little doodle.
"Hmmm," Saiyun said. "You're not all that far away from me. Gaori is somewhere near here." He took the pen, marking a spot on the map.
"That's more than a week's travel away," Yazwa said, tracing a line between the two points with a finger.
Saiyun looked up with a weary smile. “This voyage has given me a new understanding of distance.”
Yazwa snorted. “Can’t argue with that. Wait, I thought you lived in Chanan Harbor. You had a house and everything.”
"I had only just moved there a few months ago. Since I'm not married, I count as part of my father's household," Saiyun said, shoulders sagging. "And if I am being honest, I still consider my father's home as my own."
“Aven!” Yazwa shouted when she saw Aven and Ji coming back down the beach. “Come here, quick!”
Saiyun cleared his throat and wiped his eyes, thanking the stars above for the distraction. “Before it gets too dark, tell us where Hilt is and where we are now on the map.”
"Well, Hilt's easy enough," Aven said, pointing to an island on the lower part of the map. "But here, that's going to be harder."
"Can you mark it accurately?" Saiyun asked, marking the spot he touched. "It must be properly done."
Aven spun around and put his hand up to the sky and squinted, muttering to himself in a language Saiyun did not understand. "Give me the pen," he said and marked a quick X on the map.
Saiyun peered down at the map, squinting in the darkness. “That is much closer than I expected.”
"We had a slow tailwind. It took forever, but we didn't go that far," Aven shrugged.
“That means our journey up until now…” Saiyun trailed off, drawing a delicate line between the points, “...is this.”
“What are those other marks?” Ji asked.
"Those are my and Yazwa's homes," Saiyun said, handing her the pen. "Where is yours?"
“I’ve only ever looked at a map a few times,” Ji said, staring at the map for a while before marking a section by the coast. “There, somewhere.”
“Good. What about you, Aven?” Saiyun asked. “There’s only just enough light to see.”
“I don’t really have a home. Life of a thief.” Aven replied.
“Oh yes, of course,” Saiyun coughed as he rolled up the map. “Thank you for your help.”
“Now can one of you go get me some food? It’s all by the fire, and I don’t want to snuff it out,” Yazwa said, rubbing her stomach.
“I’ll go,” Ji volunteered. “I need to get something to eat too.”
“Aven, wait a moment,” Saiyun said as the two girls went off. “I have another favor to ask.”
“Is it about the map?” asked Aven.
"No," Saiyun sighed, taking a deep breath. "I have come to a realization after our escape from Ortan city and the events of today. My body is weak. I cannot wait for it to strengthen naturally. You are already training Ji, I would ask you to do the same for me."
Aven blinked and cocked his head to one side. “You…want me to teach you how to fight?”
"No. Heaven knows that would be a lost cause. I need to be able to run, to climb, to ride on the back of my summon," Saiyun said, resting his hands in his lap. "You saw how I couldn't move on my own in the riots. How I could barely even lift one of the chests of tin. I may never be able to hold my own in a fight, but I must be able to keep up. I ask you to help me strengthen my body."
"Why don't you ask Yazwa?" Aven said, pointing at her silhouette in the flames. "She's way stronger than me. Almost as strong as Bill."
“Out of the question,” Saiyun said, shaking his head. “We would have to exercise together, even alone. We’re both unmarried. Decorum must be considered.”
Aven gave him a long look. “You’re sailing on a pirate ship. With pirates.”
“I know it sounds ridiculous! But if it’s Yazwa or Ji, I won’t be able to devote myself to it. I’m doing the best I can,” he said, scratching his arm. “Will you help me or not?”
“Do you know how to swim?” asked Aven.
“What? No,” Saiyun replied.
“Good. Because you’re going to learn,” said Aven.
-
Night passed into morning with no issue, save Bill's deafening snoring. Saiyun took advantage of the fresh barrel of water and rinsed the foul taste of breakfast out of his mouth. While everyone else was getting ready he went looking for a suitable log to summon Jado. His chest swelled with pride when he managed it on the first try. When he returned to camp everyone had gathered around the coals of last night’s fire.
“Glad to see you both,” Bill said brightly, draining a mug of coffee. “Now we can get started.”
“I am sorry if I held anyone up,” said Saiyun, finding himself a space.
“Mostly the same plan as yesterday,” Bill said, pointing at the ship. “But I want to explore the inside of the ship more thoroughly. Yazwa, Batro, Saiyun, Aven, Ji, you’re with me. I doubt we’ll find anything as valuable as the tin, but it’s worth a look. Anything we can sell gets sent back. Cai, you stay here with the rest of the crew and get us ready to go. I want to leave by noon. So have the ship ready to set sail by then. I know that depends on whether I can pry Tsen away from his charts.”
“Shouldn’t be too hard,” nodded Cai.
“I have a question,” Saiyun said. “Why noon? Shouldn’t we go over the Emerald Arrow as thoroughly as possible? I mean, we’re unlikely to get a chance like this again.”
“This island may be off the map, but plenty of people know where it is. The longer we stay here, the more chance we have of running into another ship,” said Bill. “If they see us hauling treasure down from the hills it might start a fight we can’t win, get it?”
“Yes,” said Saiyun with a frown, wondering how the world of pirates could be so much simpler yet more complicated than his old life. The walk to the ship was much easier as the sledges had trampled the track flat. He kept Jado by his side today, assured there was no ambush waiting for them. The birds seem to approve of his decision based on their raucous singing. The noises of nature followed them until they reached the Emerald Arrow. Even though he spent the last day going back and forth between the ship, its sheer size was still impressive as it loomed out of the trees ahead.
“Before we start searching I want to check on Tsen first,” Bill said, grabbing hold of one of the vines. “Then we’ll start at the top and work our way down.”
As the others started to climb Saiyun wrapped his arms around Jado's neck and hung on for dear life. The summon darted up the side, bulbous toe pads gripping the hull tight. In the space of a heartbeat, they were up on the deck and Saiyun gingerly crawled off while the rest hauled themselves up.
“Wish I had a ride,” Batro grumbled, rubbing his leg.
“It’s not as great as it seems,” Saiyun said, seeing Bill heading for the stairs. “Wait, let me come with you. I want to see the cabin again.”
“Well hurry up then,” Bill said, planting his foot on the creaking stairs. “Hard to believe, isn’t it?”
"What is?" asked Saiyun. He winced as the stairs groaned, turning to see Jado following him. With a thought, the summon went scurrying back to wait with the rest on deck. "What's hard to believe?"
“That they made ships this big,” Bill said, reaching the top and turning to look over the vast deck, shaded by the surrounding trees. “If I had three of these in shipshape condition, I would rule the waves.”
Saiyun frowned, not wholly comfortable with the idea of a pirate having that much power. “Indeed. The Haodei Emperor truly had vision.”
“Come on,” Bill said, making his way into the cabin. Charts were scattered all over the table, sunlight shining through the holes in the roof on them. “How’s the work going?”
“Are we leaving?” Tsen asked, not looking up from his work.
“No,” replied Bill
“Then why are you interrupting me?” asked Tsen.
“To tell you that we will be leaving at noon,” said Bill. “That work for you?”
“It does not,” Tsen said, dipping a pen in an inkwell. “But I am indebted to you, so I will make allowances.”
"Aren't you kind," Bill said, heading back outside with Saiyun in tow. "You and I are going to be going in first this time. Well, your summon and I."
“Why?” asked Saiyun.
“Think,” Bill asked, making his way back down the stairs.
Saiyun scratched his chin, eyeing Jado down on the deck and then Bill. “We don’t know how stable the interior of the ship is. If you or Jado fall through a floor, there’s no risk of injury. I imagine once it is tested, the others will follow.”
“That’s it,” Bill nodded. Think you can manage that with Jado?”
“It might be a challenge, but I will make do. Perhaps if I--ow!” Saiyun yelped as Bill squeezed his arm.
“Listen,” said Bill
“What?” she asked. The forest was a chorus of bird song and the chittering of tiny creatures scrambling around in the trees. But behind the noise of nature, she heard a faint sound that slowly grew louder. “Is that…someone shouting?”
Ru Talas ran into the clearing around the Emerald Arrow, staggering to a stop and gasping for breath. “There’s another ship,” he gasped, sweat drenching his forehead. “It came around the side of the island and pulled up alongside ours. It’s the same one that chased me to Ortan!”