Servant's Pride

5. The Hellborn Captain

Contented with the new lead they had got, Hongjoong returned to his ship with squared shoulders. Mingi dispatched at the docks to go into the town as well, to spend his money and time there. On other days, Hongjoong might have joined to crack Jenny's teacup, but he didn't feel like it today. Instead, he returned onto the Grief and glanced at Cabezon's back in passing. After patching him up, Yeosang had pulled his uniform back down over his skin to protect it from the salty spray. A seagull hopped around near the soldier's feet, unsure if he already was dead enough to eat or not.

Hongjoong left him without a comment. The voices of the harbour were louder out here than the calming rushing of the waves. People on the docks yelled about provisions, money, and their plans of departure.

Inside his cabin, Yunho was waiting for Hongjoong. He had kicked up his long legs on the captain's table and studied a few maps he had found lying around. At Hongjoong's entry, he gave a broad grin.

"Aft so early?"

Hongjoong pulled the rolled paper from his pocket and waved it around. His triumphant snicker had Yunho's eyes go wide in glee.

Hongjoong stepped in to show him. He spread out the paper and repeated what Yongguk had told them. The fabled tale of the monster they were hunting now wasn't so unbelievable as it sometimes seemed when they asked other sailors. Most people confronted with the horror shared the same clueless blank look on their faces. Hongjoong already counted it as a success that Yongguk had confirmed its existence with his belief.

Because Hongjoong had not dreamed. Hongjoong had been there when it happened.

"This be the best route we obtained so far! Congrats on yer work well done, Capt'n!" Yunho's enthusiasm was addicting. For a moment, Hongjoong relished in the praise.

As he rolled the map back up to keep it close to his body at all times, his face returned to its prior seriousness.

"'Ow be the Jack Tar doin'? Seems suspiciously tame out there."

"Want me to get 'im in 'ere to question?"

Hongjoong nodded and stepped aside so Yunho could pass. The man was tall, so tall that he had to duck as he crossed the doorway. While he was gone, Hongjoong opened the windows to his chamber to let some fresh air stream in. The sight of the vast sea called him back out to it, promising adventure and freedom. He didn't resist it. Any second less he spent near the land and its doubtful folks was a blessing to him.

When Yunho came back, he dragged Cabezon behind him. The soldier stumbled as his legs adjusted to the sudden new task after a long time on the mast. Yet, he blinked at Hongjoong with the same hostility as always. Having him around to glare at had already become a custom to Hongjoong.

"On the chair," Hongjoong beckoned without disconnecting his gaze from Cabezon. Some strands of his well-kept hair had fallen from their place and hung into his forehead like the spindly legs of a spider. The state of debauchery and the first traces of dirt on his uniform pulled a satisfied grin from Hongjoong's lips. He bet that the man hated it.

Yunho fixed the ropes that held their prisoner's wrists behind his back to the chair. The soldier didn't struggle, too prideful to show his weakness against the dirty pirate folk. Outside, a swarm of seagulls loudly fought over something. Yunho stood near the door in case Cabezon would try something.

"Ahoy, Cabezon! I think ye already began to smell o' the bilge an' us dirty pirate folks. 'Ow do ye like yer stay 'ere?" Cheerful, Hongjoong sat on his desk to leer down on the man. With cold disinterest, the man stared back. His eyes were closed off, giving not even a hint of his thoughts and feelings away. An annoying blockade between Hongjoong and what he wanted the man to become. Which was a raw mess.