Servant's Pride

11. Scratch

With a powerful yank on his arm, Hongjoong ripped the wheel around. The Grief pulled sharply to starboard, narrowly dodging the incoming flank of the merchant ship that had approached them. On cue, Hongjoong's men were at the ready. Ropes swung, orders passed fear-stricken throats, and the rattling of weapons filled the air. In a dissonant melody of agony and death, the pirates dawned on the weaker enemy. The few obligatory jack tar that guarded the merchant ship fell under the radical onslaught before they shot down even a single pirate. Like hyenas in their search for food, the pirates wreaked havoc.

Hongjoong remained in his place at the rudder. His gun was pointed at the dispersing merchant crew. One ear was busy listening to hints of danger so he could protect the backs of his crew if needed. The other one was keenly aware of Cabezon hammering and screaming at the locked door to the captain's quarters.

The man had not taken well to hearing the pirates were about to scuttle a ship. Despite still being weak from his violent encounter with the slave traders a few days ago, he had tried to come for Hongjoong right away once he had given the order. For all of their safety, Hongjoong had locked him up and stayed close in case he tried to break free.

Hongjoong's expert shot took down another enemy that had tried to sneak up on Mingi. He had learnt to shoot from the vice-captain of the crew he had grown up with. A powerful man, with enough wisdom to share that countless scholars would pale. Hongjoong rarely missed his goal.

Upon the other ship, the deck quickly emptied. Fallen bodies created a carpet there, most of the defenders had fled by jumping into the ocean, and the rest found themselves cornered.

The crew took care of throwing them into the sea. Not too far from here was an island, maybe they could save their lives, maybe not.

Still angry, Seonghwa's fist pounded against the door.

Yeosang took the lead over at the other ship. He commanded Jongho and Mingi to salvage anything they found in the storage area, San and Wooyoung to check the bilge for prisoners, and took off to the sickbay himself. Yunho oversaw the exchange on the deck and readied the plank between their ships.

Hongjoong put his weapon away as he watched the man. Tall and handsome, Yunho was a sight to behold. Hongjoong made no secret out of the glances that passed between them on winded days.

"Jolly work," he called out towards the man. Seonghwa stilled behind the door. His anger sept through the door and crawled up Hongjoong's legs with chilly fingers. The captain ignored it.

"Aye, ye too, Cap. With enough provisions, we will nay need to go on ashore again before we can face yer enemy."

Hongjoong wondered how well they would find it. Would the tentacled monster appear right away? Or would they have to return multiple times? He doubted they could kill the creature instantly with their small understanding of it.

"Let's hope fer that, aye."

Both of them looked out over to the other ship. Yeosang came back into their line of sight, clutching his arm and cursing under his breath. When he approached Yunho, the man's eyes clouded over with worry.

"Matey, be ye alright?"

Yeosang waved him off, blood smeared over his fingers. The scorching sun above them made it dry darkly on his skin.

"Their doctor been hidin' in the sickbay. I be jolly. Let me just patch this up first."

Hongjoong watched him as he disappeared in the sickbay. Fussing, he shut the door to keep the heat of the day out.

After a while of carrying barrels and crates from one point to the other, the crew finished. They left the ghostly vessel on the sea as they resumed their journey.