Chapter 132: Aid Denied

Book 3, Chapter 31 - Aid Denied

Jack sniffed at the air. A familiar scent clouded his mind. Survival instincts whispered violence into his ear. His rationale began slipping away.

Jahck prevented it from happening.

A shadow enveloped his cage. Studying him was a bald man with blood stains pressed into his long and dark coat. A new person Jahck had never seen. Was this to be his new master? Behind him were the bandits, Ning at their forefront cleaning his knives with a rag.

“This the freak?” the hairless man asked. “He's thin. You can't put a circus mask on an urchin and call it an animal. I've paid you plenty for that job back there and now you're trying to sell me a dying child?”

“See, I told y—” Shank began but Ning cut him off.

“He's valuable alright. I'm telling you, this boy eats uncooked flesh if offered. He drinks blood too and laughs spontaneously. We think he's the result of some Empire experiments, Crow.”

“Think, mm?” said Crow. “I only operate on certainties. But what you've described has piqued my interest. Perhaps I can use him. But a perhaps will not earn you a good price.”

Ning threw up his hands. “You've paid plenty like you said, and we lost two back there. Less to share. I'll take whatever to be rid of this creature now.”

Jahck observed the bandit group. Longbraid and Laosa were missing.

The one called Crow raised an eyebrow. “You want to be rid of him but you won't kill him? If you're not looking for a heavy profit, why's he alive?”

“We were looking for a profit,” Ning explained. “And we've already made it. I'd have haggled more if we hadn't.” He squatted before the cage. “It's like a pet. Name's Jack I think.”

“Jahck,” Jahck corrected with a dry throated voice. He hoped the bandit would stick his hand in again to show the buyer the truth of his words. Hoped to catch another drink of human blood after so many months.

“I've grown sentimental. Would leave a sour taste to kill something you fed,” Ning shrugged, rising.

“I've a proposal,” Crow said. “You lot are a decent hand at brawls. Captain Dhorjun could use a few extra fighters. We've been meaning to expand our fleet as you've already helped us with. Paid work, see?”

The bandit shook his head. “Soldiering? Not our style to be tied do—”

“How much pay we talkin 'ere?” Shank interrupted.

Jahck saw the flicker of violence upon Ning's face. He hadn't put his knives away yet. There was something else there as well. Fear. He was now the sole mind of this band of cutthroats. They were down to nine members. Raids would be difficult if others took Crow's offer and Ning wasn't about to give up his position as the leader.

“Let's say a similar amount to what I've given you all already every month,” Crow finished, glancing Ning's way. Shank was the one holding a large jingling pouch. He looked into the opening as if considering the offer.

All already . The pouch of coins was to be divided nine ways, but Shank wasn't bright enough to realize that.

“Deal.”

Ning wheeled around. “I told you to keep your mouth shut!”

“You ain't my master!” Shank countered.

Ning hissed, pressing his knife to the larger man's throat. “You lis—”

Shank slapped away Ning's arm and locked his head in a one armed grip, dropping the pouch of coins and twisting Ning's head with his freed hand. And just like that, the one Jahck had assumed to be the most dangerous of the bandits, the smartest as well, plopped to the ground as inevitably as rain falls from a dark sky.

“One less share,” Shank spat.

Crow smiled, resting a hand on the larger man's shoulder, carefully removing his other hand from the hilt of his cutlass. “One less share indeed.” He kicked over Ning's unmoving figure until it was facing up, one half of the face marred by dust. “I prefer men of superior intellect like yourself, Shank. You're more agreeable.”

“That I am. Me mams always said I was a quick child.”

Crow nodded slowly at the same time one corner of his mouth quirked up. “I'm sure she did. Bring the cage to the ship.”

Jack removed his mask. He tilted his head and stared at Ning as the bandits lifted the cage and pulled him away from the scene. The fragility of people. He began laughing.

***

Aaron grabbed hold of the girl by her wrist as he screamed the no kill order to Viper who'd materialized behind her while armed. Why he'd appeared so late was a question for later. Aaron twisted the girl's wrist and pulled her arm behind her back in a swift movement, causing her to yelp and drop her weapon. He kicked her legs from beneath her and gave her a hard shove on the back. She fell face first, luckily, into the mattress of her bed, letting out a muffled grunt.

“Let's go!” Aaron said. “I've a book and a map too.”

The Shadow Walker nodded, sinking into the dark as if he was never there. It didn't matter if he was seen now. Escaping was the priority. It didn't sound like the remainder of the crew had returned yet.

“Wait!” the girl cried. Aaron felt a resistance tug against the ends of his coat. He ran hard and the resistance fell away, the sound of a body dropping to the wood floor following it. He skipped up the steps to the deck, glancing back briefly to see the red headed girl on her knees in the corridor crying. Her childish wails reached him —and it stung.

Grow up to be a charming prince that protects girls. Aaron's own memories this time. Those were Mely's words. Ashes! She's not Mely! But she was a pretty girl who just happened to be crying because of him. He saw in her the life that he'd lost. He was the cause for so much suffering and tears when he didn't want to be. I've stolen and killed! Why? Why does stealing a stupid book from a girl bother me so?

Aaron tripped over the last step and stumbled out onto the deck beneath the open sun. The girl's wails pierced the open air here.

“I think we should give her stuff back,” came Viper's voice from within the shadows.

“What? We're here because of you to begin with!”

“… I know. And I'm grateful, Aaron. But this rubs me wrong. Eksa isn't safe here. This crew deals in dangerous narcotics and resorts to violence when demands aren't met. This isn't like stealing food. We…”

Viper trailed off. Aaron frowned, looking at his own shadow. Eksa? “You weren't with me,” he gasped. “You followed her.”

“I… yes. I'm sorry. My father stopped the spread of a drug called shase in Katur. I thought I was cleaning up but I didn't seek your permission.”

Aaron shook his head. Permission. Viper was still insistent on playing the role of a servant more often than he did a friend. Or was this how friends were supposed to act? “So,” Aaron began, dragging the end of the word. He looked toward the fishing village. No sign of the crew returning just yet. “Are you suggesting we help her?” he said softly. A part of him hoped Viper said yes. Aaron felt trapped upon a tight rope, waiting for a breeze to blow him from either side to help him decide which decision to fall into.

“Yes,” Viper said. “Think of it like this. Perhaps we'll make a new friend.”

***

Eksa sat down on her bed and tucked in her knees, head pressed between them. She hadn't even thrown her boots off. She didn't care. Her luck was rotten. It had always been rotten. It was one misfortune after another. And all of it preceded by hope. Hope to one day become a ship captain.

And then her father died.

Hope in rising on her own merit within the Aegis Basin.

And then she was taken as a slave. Four long years went by.

Hope again when she'd been bought by Advisor Cass. But that woman turned out worse than sewer filth. Hope again when King Agram took her in. Hope again when Captain Theodore took interest in her. Hope again when Captain Dhorjun promised to get a ship for her. But the negotiations fell through. She'd lost a stick of fish she'd paid dearly for. Spilled ale on her new boots thanks to Aki. And returned to the ship to have her possessions robbed right before her eyes; her notebook which she used as a diary and her map which she'd worked so hard on.

Eksa wept. She was weak. Dhorjun might just get upset at her for having lost the map he'd demanded of her. For being too weak to protect her own belongings without the aid of Aki. He might already be upset for having failed to purchase that ship and her failures might lead to his mood worsening. Would even Aki be able to protect her if that happened?

And then her notebook too. All her carefully written notes on the different crew members. Information carefully gathered over months. As well as personal writings that she recorded before bed each day. Her inner most thoughts were in the hands of someone else. She felt ready to die of embarrassment. Her heart ached terribly.

I should leave. Sneak aboard to the Tarmian vessel. Eksa swallowed, steeling her resolve. Perhaps they would be kinder to her. Maybe she might yet make it to Xenaria and to Qalydon where Captain Theodore would surely take her in. She raised her head to find that thieving boy standing in the doorway again, her vulnerable self bared for him to laugh at.

“Er,” he said.

Eksa lunged at him before he could get the opportunity to pin her down against her bed. Why else would he have returned? He sidestepped her lunge and reached into his coat for a knife. Eksa growled. She stepped back to draw her cutlass, getting it half out before her wrist struck the wall of her cabin. The space was too small.

The boy pulled his hand out from his coat and Eksa panicked, trembling as she fumbled to pull out her weapon.

“I came to return this.”

She blinked, tears fogging her vision. Eksa wiped her face with both hands, cutlass clattering before her feet. She was confused. But she didn't miss the opportunity, snatching her journal from the boy's clutches and squatting down to grab hold of her weapon.

“I think we should leave,” said the boy.

Eksa edged around the room, holding the tip of her blade before him, until her back was to the doorway. She frowned, comprehending his words a little late. “We?”

“Yes, I mean, I'm sorry for trying to steal from you. My friend had never seen a book before so I thought…” He scratched his head and looked away. Eksa thought she could make out spots of color on his face but there wasn't enough light to properly tell. “Anyway, you shouldn't be here. The men on this crew sell narcotics and are violent. That tavern you were at, it's become a bloodbath.”

How would he know if he was here? Eksa knew the answer to that question. She'd seen a figure in black sink into the ground. She'd dismissed it as delirium born of frustration in that moment, but it just couldn't be with how this boy was speaking. Whatever that creature was, it had tried killing her.

“I'm not leaving,” she said, trying to be strong. She did plan on it, but not with him. Not when she'd shown him her weakest self. She had too much pride to accept help from him now. And her journal was back too. Maybe everything wasn't all so bad? “Give me my map back.” To Eksa's surprise, he obliged. But her heart cracked upon seeing that pristine sheet of paper all rolled up. “Anyway, leave me be,” she said, sheathing her blade and doing her best to straighten out the map. “I'm a part of Eurale's navy and an important member of this crew.”

“Did you not hear me?” the boy asked, raising his voice. “These men are dangerous. Your safety here—”

“Is my concern,” Eksa shouted, glaring at him. Her map. Her poor map. A ruined masterpiece.

The boy's expression darkened. “Viper, grab her trunk.” He grabbed hold of Eksa's wrist and pulled her out into the corridor. “Too many women have been hurt on my account. I'm not letting the same happen to you.”

Eksa struggled but this boy's grip was fierce to the point of hurting her wrist. No. She was just weak was all. “Let me go! I said I'm not going!” Who did he think he was, seeking to control her like this?

“It's for your own good,” the boy said, pulling her with both hands now. They were two children fighting over a toy, except that toy was Eksa's wrist and it felt as if it would tear.

“I will not be a slave again!” she shrieked.

“You will if you keep being stubborn!”

“Piss! Off! You Scorching Flame!”

“Aaron, this isn't exactly what I had in mind…” a rasped voice said. It had to belong to that creature called Viper that was somewhere still here.

Aaron suddenly let go and Eksa fell back due to the force of her own struggle. She grunted as her rear hit the floor hard. Aaron roared and picked her up. She flailed about, feeling helpless in the air. He threw her over his shoulder and began marching down the corridor. Eksa began screaming and kicking. She tugged on Aaron's hair. He yelped and dropped her. Her vision went white as the side of her head struck the ground. She began crawling back to her cabin.

“Stop struggling,” the boy seethed. “Just listen to me.”

He grabbed hold of Eksa's arm again. She tugged back and the sweat on both of them caused their two hands to disconnect. She scrambled into her cabin and tried locking the door but he pushed against it before she could get it shut.

“Uhhh…” said the rasped voice.

Eksa squealed upon seeing the black dressed creature behind her. Aaron blew the door wide open in her brief second of distraction, causing her to fall back again, the back of her head striking the mattress of her bed.

The sounds of boots above could now be heard. Aaron cursed. He turned to flee but she grabbed hold of his wrist, feeling utterly humiliated. She wouldn't let him get away with this for free. It was his turn to struggle. His turn to plead as she had. She wanted to get even with—

Eksa's world turned white again, a dull throb on her face. He'd struck her, she realized. Her vision cleared just in time to see him pause outside her cabin.

“Well, what have we here? A thief in our mapmaker's room?”

Relief flooded Eksa's thoughts. Aki's voice. She was here. Relief turned to panic. Where's that Viper creature? Eksa scrambled outside just as Aaron engaged the barkeep. She didn't seem ready for him and he delivered a hard blow to her gut. Aki grunted and bent low. Aaron prepared to strike her face. He suddenly collapsed as the barkeep snapped her elbow and clipped his jaw.

Eksa's eyes widened in horror. She stepped between the two, holding her arms out. “Don't hurt him!” she cried, tears pulled out of their well by the rope of emotion. Behind Aki was the black clothed person with sword raised. She stared past the barkeep, hoping her pleading face was enough to deter his actions.

“Not a thief?” asked Aki.

Eksa shook her head, weeping.

“Someone you fancy, then?”

Eksa's face, hot as it was, grew hotter. She nodded. “Yes. Yes I love him. So please don't hurt him.” She glanced back. Aaron had gotten on his feet again, armed with two knives now.

“So he wasn't here to hurt you? That doesn't explain the blood on your lips, little berry.”

“Er, he bit my lip when we were kissing,” she said quickly, smearing the saltwater streaming from her eyes against her cheeks.

“What?” the boy exclaimed behind her.

“We heard the sounds above,” Eksa continued, “and—”

“And you didn't think to lock the door?” The barkeep shook her head, easing her stance.

The person behind her slowly sunk into the solid floor until Eksa could see him no longer. She breathed easy, turning to Aaron. “Put those silly things away,” she said, gesturing to his knives. She tried dragging him into her cabin, but not before Aki grabbed hold of him first.

“Hold on now,” the barkeep said. “Boy's got some fight in him. Might do well for him to join the navy, wouldn't you say, little berry.” She winked. “If he's here for good, you might play together often. Just make sure to be responsible about it so you don't end up getting heavy with child at your young age.”

Eksa blushed hard. She didn't want this strange kidnapping boy here. Not when he had a murderous friend who wielded a strange magic that allowed him to appear and disappear whenever. It reminded Eksa of the evil Shadow Walkers she used to read about in children's stories back home.

“Uh, no thanks,” Aaron said. “I'd best be on my way, really. I've no interest in joining the crew.” He was sweating profusely. Whether it was from exertion or fear, Eksa wasn't sure with how expressionless he managed to keep his face. She hoped it was fear. He deserved it.

Aki leaned forward, taking hold of both of Aaron's hands while wearing a seductive smile. She entangled her fingers between his and suddenly squeezed down, causing him to yelp. “So you're saying Eksa here was only worth a one and done like any whore you'd find at a dockside brothel, boy?”

Eksa took pleasure in seeing him in pain after everything he'd done to her. His gaze flickered to her for a hair's breadth of a second, the plea in them very clear. Yes, I'll help you my love! “Oh yes. Please let him join the crew! I-I would um, really like that. You can take him to see Captain Dhorjun right now! He'll listen to you, Aki, if you recommend Aaron here as a strong fighter.”

Aki nodded, smiling. “Aaron, is it then? Well, let's go see what the captain has to say about it.”

The boy glared back at Eksa as the barkeep dragged him up the deck. She stuck her tongue out at him, grinning after, staying wary of Viper, praying he didn't appear now. One, two, three… And Aki and Aaron were now above deck in full view of the rest of the crew. She smirked. Her luck wasn't all bad. If one thing remained constant, it was that she always had the last laugh.

Eksa marched back to her cabin. Dhorjun would be sure to teach Aaron a lesson. If not, well, she had enough powers of persuasion to coerce the rest of the crew to thrash his Flaming head in. Well, maybe not the head. He wasn't half bad looking with his hair a few inches shorter now. At least not when compared to the rest of the crew.

Nowhere near as handsome as her father though. Or Captain Theodore. Eksa fell back on her bed, taking a few seconds to rest. She needed to change, clothes damp with her own sweat. She felt like closing her eyes, but she didn't want to miss what would become of that idiot boy now.