With the long-necked creature gone, it was easy to climb over the walls to escape the marketplace. Ji took up the rear of the group while Aven led them quietly through the streets. She swept her eyes back and forth, watching for anyone coming up behind them. When they reached the ladder on the side of the building, Ji was the last one up. The roof was flat and light brown, roasting hot in the midday sun. Ji took a moment to look around her, pillars of smoke rose from all parts of the city save the fortress by the water. Echoes of screams and gunshots rolled in from all directions as the city was looted. "Why did we stop here?" Ji asked, following the others under a colorful awning that covered half the roof.

"I wouldn't mind knowing that myself," Cai said, taking a seat. "The longer we stay, the more danger we're in."

Tsen nodded. “I wish to know what you consider more interesting than those Otzen.”

“Rest,” wheezed Saiyun, slumping to the ground on his side in the shade.

“This is Ru Talas and trust me, you’ll all want to hear what he has to say,” Aven said, gesturing to the man he and Ji had escorted through the chaos of the city.

Ji took Ru Talas’ measure again as all eyes turned to him. He was short and thick of limb with the dark, weather-beaten skin of a man who spent life outdoors. His hair was shaved close to his head and he wore simple, rough spun clothes. Aven seemed to think what the man knew was important.

Ru Talas cleared his throat and wiped some sweat from his brow. "I'm a fisherman and I sail out of a little village to the west. I thank the Chuxa you have come to my aid," he said, tracing a circle on his forehead.

“We haven’t decided on that yet,” Cai said, giving Aven a look.

“Tell them what you told me,” Aven said.

"Four weeks ago, I went out to sea with my uncle and nephew for the last run on Blackfin before they migrate. A storm came in suddenly, and we found shelter on an island. While we were waiting for it to blow over my nephew got bored and went to explore the island. When he came back, he said he found something amazing," Ru Talas said, a ghost of a smile crossing his face before he continued. "He led us through the underbrush to the base of a hill and there it was. A ship."

“A ship inland?” Cai asked, stroking his chin.

"Not just any ship. The biggest ship I've ever seen. Ten times the size of anything afloat. I counted a dozen masts still standing," said Ru Talas. "I could even still read the nameplate. It was the Emerald Arrow."

Ji frowned as Cai and Tsen reacted the same way Aven had. A shocked silence, followed by a barrage of questions. Since she already knew the answers, Ji stepped away and knelt next to Saiyun. "Are you injured?"

Saiyun groaned, rolling from his side to his back, robes soaked in sweat. “Please, check my ankle. Is it broken?”

Rolling up Saiyun’s robe, Ji grimaced when she saw a dark bruise ringing his calf. “You could walk, so it is not broken. What happened?”

Saiyun loosened the neck of his robe and flapped the fabric. “One of those things bit me,” he wheezed. “Do you have any water?”

“Here,” she said, handing him her half-empty water skin. Ji looked over her shoulder at the others. Ru Talas was still answering Cai’s questions and Tsen looked deep in thought. “Do you know why this ‘Emerald Arrow’ is so important? Aven wouldn’t tell me back at the fighting pits.”

After completely draining the water skin, Saiyun sat up with a grunt. "It's a legend. I remember bedtime stories about it. The Haodei Emperor built a mighty fleet to send gifts to the Gray Emperor across the ocean. They were all gigantic ships packed full with gold, gems and spices. The Emerald Arrow was one of many, but it never reached the port the other ships were gathering at. Search ships went looking for it, but they found no wreckage, and it was never seen again. Its fate has always been a mystery."

“Oh. Treasure. Of course, I don’t know why I didn’t think of that first,” said Ji, looking back at the others as voices began to rise.

“At least tell me what the island looks like,” Cai snapped. “Give me something so I know you’re not planning some kind of trap.”

Ru Talas barked out a laugh. “I wasn’t born yesterday. If I tell you where to find the island, you’ll leave me here on this roof to rot. I need you to protect me! She may have given her word, but I don’t trust the rest of you.”

Cai scowled at her, but Ji held her ground. As an acolyte of En Chitei, she was bound to protect anyone in danger. When Ru Talas begged for her help, there was no choice but to accept. “You are formidable warriors all. It should be within your power.”

“She’s right,” Aven said.

“That’s not the point,” said Cai, waving his hands. “What do you even need protecting from?”

Ru Talas clenched his jaw and took a deep breath. “When we came back from the island, we docked in Aknos for repairs and to take on supplies. Plan was to go back as soon as we were stocked up. My uncle…got blind drunk and told everyone in the bar about what we’d found. Two nights later, he was dead. So was my nephew. Both stabbed in their room at the inn. There was so much blood…” he trailed off, looking down at his hands.

“Who did it?” asked Cai.

“I don’t know,” Ru Talas wheezed, clearing his throat. “Didn’t see it, but I knew what happened. I jumped in our boat and sailed with the strongest wind. Wasn’t long before I spotted a ship chasing me. Tall sails, narrow, black hull. Never got close enough to see who it was, but I know they were after me.”

“How did a fishing boat keep ahead of a fast trader?” Cai asked. “Hard to believe.”

"I know these waters," snapped Ru Talas. "I know every rock, sandbar, and reef. Hugged the coast so they never had a chance to close in. They chased me all the way here and I've been laying low until I found a way out."

"This all seems straightforward," Tsen said, clapping his hands. "The crew will protect you until you can be dropped off somewhere safe and in return, you will bring us to the wreck of the Emerald Arrow. Agreed?"

“Something about this doesn’t smell right,” Cai said.

“Of course it doesn’t,” Tsen said, rolling his eyes. “The Emerald Arrow, found after all these years on the interior of an island? It’s ludicrous. But it cannot be passed up. If one of Emperor Haodei’s Treasure Ships remains untouched, the wealth of knowledge aboard could be immense.”

“Not to mention the actual wealth,” Aven added.

Cai sighed, looking over the rooftops to the river in the distance. "At the end of the day, it's the Captain's call, not mine. Let's get you to our ship and see what he has to say."

“Excellent,” Tsen said. “Let us be on our way.”

“What about Yazwa?” Saiyun asked, trying to pull himself to his feet.

A cold feeling washed over Ji as she helped Saiyun up. Yazwa had left by herself to go to the temple. “Do you think she made it back to the ship?”

"No chance," Aven said grimly, grinding his palm into his forehead. "Not on her own. We shouldn't have let her go alone."

“Well, she did, and that was her choice to make,” Cai said. “She might already be back at the ship for all we know. We need to get back and check. After we’re all in one place we can try for a rescue.”

Aven scoffed. “Bill won’t go for a rescue, and you know it. There’s enough of us to go after her now.”

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

"Have you forgotten this city is being looted?" snapped Cai, waving his arm at the dozens of smoke pillars rising into the sky. "Going south is a death sentence. Getting back to the ship is the only way we get out of this alive."

“Then Ji and I will go,” Aven said, sticking out his chin. “We can sneak into the temple and get her out. She’s good enough to keep up with me.”

Warmth spread across Ji’s cheeks. “I will be honored to fight by your side,” she said, bowing so low that Saiyun nearly fell over.

Saiyun staggered but stood tall. "I'll go too, I won't see her abandoned."

“Great,” said Cai, waving his hands at the three. “The ragdoll is going in. I guess there’s nothing to worry about. Except for the army between you and Yazwa.”

Aven growled, clenching his hands into fists. “We’ll figure something out.”

Cai barked out a laugh. “Oh, to be young and invincible again!”

“ENOUGH!” roared Tsen with more emotion than Ji had ever heard in his voice. Everyone stepped back as the old man's glare swept over them. "I have been delayed in this wretched city long enough. There is a treasure trove of knowledge waiting out to sea and I will not be kept from it by pointless bickering! You will all return to the ship and I will fetch Yazwa. Tell Bill to be ready to sail the moment I return."

"Wait," Aven said as Tsen strode to the edge of the roof. "How do I know you're not just going to go back to the ship on your own and say you couldn't find her?"

Tsen stopped at the edge and fixed Aven with a sour look. “I never say anything less than what I mean. Get moving. If I get back to the ship before you, I will be most annoyed,” he said, stepping forward and plunging downward.

Ji rushed to the edge and looked over. Tsen was on the ground, digging into his satchel as he walked around the corner at a brisk pace. “We can’t let him go alone.”

"I think we can," Aven said, glancing at Cai.

"If there's anyone who can pull it off, it's him," Cai said with a shrug. "Now that that's settled, let's get out of here. Aven, what's the plan?"

-

Ji shuffled forward, wrists bound in front of her with loose rope. Behind her were Aven and Saiyun, bound in the same way, with Aven helping support Saiyun's injured leg. A long rope connected the three of them, held by Cai who was dressed as one of the Bazad. Ru Talas marched beside him, also in disguise. The five of them made their way down a wide street lined with shops and homes whose doors had been kicked in. Ji bristled as a group of drunken raiders approached from the other direction, carrying sacks full to bulging and dragging their own captives with them.

“Keep your eyes down,” whispered Aven behind her. “Play the part, it’s the only way the plan will work.”

Ji dipped her head, locking her eyes on her feet as the captives passed by. After Tsen left, Aven snuck away and returned with clothes and weapons from a pair of soldiers. Ru Talas and Cai could speak the language and could pass as Bazad, so they would play the part of captors. The rest would play the part of captives. Aven said they would be hidden in plain sight and so far, he had been right. No one gave them a second look, some even shouted out what sounded like congratulations. “How are you, Saiyun?” Ji asked, not daring to look back.

“Fine,” he whispered through labored breathing.

“We’re almost there,” muttered Aven, supporting Saiyun’s weak leg. “Another turn down some side streets and we should be at- shit.”

A man on a horse raised his hand and called out. A chainmail shirt protected his body, and Ji could see the same armor covering his thighs. Three pistols hung from the saddle in leather holsters along with a sword with a fancy hilt. He wore a scarf, colored bright red wrapped around his head, and six regular soldiers followed behind him as he rode up to Cai.

Ji kept her head down but snuck an occasional glance as the horseman spoke sharply to Cai. "What's he saying?" she whispered.

“We’re going in the wrong direction,” Aven whispered as Cai argued. “Captives are supposed to be brought to the city gates, not the docks. Get ready.”

Ji shuffled her feet apart into a wider stance and slowly unwound the fake knot tying her hands together. The Bazad behind the horseman stepped forward and spread out into a line. Their hands went to the hilts of their swords as Cai shouted at the officer. "Who first?" Ji asked.

“When Cai drops the rope, start with the one on the far left,” Aven said. “We can’t let them surround us. Close distance as fast as you can. Saiyun, fall down and stay down.”

“Right,” Saiyun groaned.

Cai shouted louder, jabbing his finger at the horseman, who bellowed back. The Bazad called out sharp words, all eyes focused on Cai. The horseman reached for one of his pistols. Cai dropped the rope, and everything happened all at once. Ji darted forward, closing the distance between the soldier on the far left in five steps. His sword was only halfway out of its sheath when he realized she was coming for him. She launched a quick jab between his eyes, striking the man in the second target and dropping him before he could fully draw his blade. The Bazad next to him got his blade out, but a strike to the ninth target knocked him out of the fight soon after. Ji locked eyes with the next enemy, but Aven's lesson rang out in her head and she swept her gaze over the battlefield.

Cai slashed at the horse's face as it reared up and scrabbled backward to avoid his blade. The rider had a pistol gripped in one hand, trying to control his bucking horse with the other.

Aven darted up next to the horse, throwing a handful of dirt up into the rider's face. The pistol went off in the air and the horse let out a splitting shriek.

Ru Talas had ignored his sword and tackled one of the Bazad to the ground. He straddled the man, punching his face over and over again. Behind him stood another raider, sword held high as he prepared to bring it down on Ru Talas' neck.

Seeing what she needed to do, Ji darted around the two men in front of her, leaving their blades to slash only air. She tackled the Bazaad looming over Ru Talas, just in time to prevent him from chopping off the man’s head. The sword fell out of the Bazad’s hands, and both of them collapsed into the dirt.

Ji tried to get up, but the Bazad grabbed hold of her arm and yanked her back. A wild punch glanced off his shoulder, and he rolled on top of her, wrapping his hands around her neck. She tried to pry his fingers off, but his grip was too strong. Just as her vision started to go dark, the tip of a sword plunged through his chest. A look of shock crossed his face before he slumped over.

“Can you breathe?" Cai asked, shoving the dead man off her.

Ji coughed and nodded, leaping up into a ready stance again. The horseman was galloping away at top speed, while the two surviving Bazad were running away in the other direction as fast as they could. "Did we win?" she wheezed.

"Only if we're not here when they come back," Cai said, yanking his sword out of the dead man's chest. "Aven, get Saiyun, and let's go!”

Aven hauled Saiyun to his feet, and Ji went to help, supporting his other shoulder. Working together, they moved quickly down the side streets, following closely behind Cai and Ru Talas.

"Hold it," Cai said, holding up a hand and peering around the corner of a building, suddenly breaking out into laughter. "Would you look at that?"

Ji peered around the corner and saw that the docks had been picked clean. The remains of smashed barrels and crates littered the ground, everything of value had been carried away. The docks were empty of people and all the ships had pulled away from shore to the safety of deeper water. All except one.

Bill stood in front of the gangplank surrounded by a pile of corpses. The crew stood behind him up on the ship, muskets at the ready.

“Chuxa preserve us,” Ru Talas gasped, drawing a circle on his forehead. “Who is that?”

“That would be our captain,” Cai said with a grin as he walked out onto the docks, waving and calling for Bill.

“I was starting to get worried,” Bill said, scratching the scales on his neck as the crew cheered behind him. “Much trouble?”

“You could say that,” Cai shrugged. “Made it back.”

“Wait,” Bill said, eyes narrowing when he spotted Ru Talas. “Please tell me Tsen turned into this guy or something.”

“No,” Ru Talas said, taking a step back. “Your crew saved me.”

“My crew, you say,” Bill said, turning his gaze to Aven.

“Bill, he knows where the Emerald Arrow is,” Aven blurted.

Ru Talas’ eyes went huge. “Bill… An Ezu with a black beard…Headless--!”

"I'd say not so loud, but I don't think these bodies are going to tell anyone," Bill interrupted, stepping aside. "Get on board and tell me what's going on, starting with where Tsen's gone."

It wasn’t easy, but Ji helped maneuver the limping Saiyun up the gangplank and onto the ship. She and Aven laid him down in a shady spot and sent someone to find him water. By the time they made him comfortable, Cai had finished filling Bill in.

“So,” Bill said, rubbing his temples. “Aven and Ji ran into him at the fighting pits and he begged for protection. He said he found a hundred-year-old shipwreck on dry land and would exchange its location for your help. Raiders attacked the marketplace, and you lost everything you got for the ship except for some clothes and summoning materials. After you linked back up, Tsen got so sick of you arguing that he went to rescue Yazwa from the Temple of Illitzo alone where an entire army is camped out.”

“That about covers it,” Cai said with a nod.

Bill clapped his hands and rubbed them together. “I’m going to need to give thanks for this run of good luck. Raise anchor and get us ready to run! I want to be underway the second Tsen’s feet touch the deck!”

Ji watched as the deck burst into a flurry of activity, even Ru Talas raced to pitch in, leaving her alone with Bill. “What can I do to help?”

Bill stretched, eyeing some bruises and cuts on his knuckles. “You’re on watch. Keep an eye out for Tsen and give a shout when you spot him.”

Ji frowned and looked south down the river. “I apologize, but you all seem so certain that he will come back. He is only one man.”

“Keep watch,” Bill said with a smile. “He’s coming back.”