Servant's Pride

25. The Red Ensign

TW: Character Death

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Hongjoong laid still for a long moment. His senses picked up on his surroundings first, with his mind following only gradually.

The wood underneath his back was hard but solid. It brought him a soothing sense of security, promising safety on a ship that was not familiar to him.

He also heard voices. Men's voices, none of which he had ever heard before. They yelled orders at each other, jested, and joked. Their boots hurried busily over the deck, left and right of Hongjoong. The vibrations thrummed in his brain, but he couldn't find himself to care.

He just wanted to rest. And enjoy the momentary peace.

When the red flag flashed before his inner eye again, Hongjoong sat upright faster than anyone could blink. A painful stab in his lower back accompanied the movement. Curious eyes met his panicked and wide ones.

Dark blue uniforms. Soldiers hurrying around in dark blue uniforms. A cruel replay of a memory long banished from his mind.

Once more, he had lost his crew and been picked up by the jack tar. Their hostile gazes on him were evident.

Hongjoong wanted to sob, but no sound came over his lips. He just sat there, alone and forgotten as the men worked. And none seemed to care for the dishevelled pirate enough to spare him more than a glance. Wouldn't they lock him up? Why had they fished him out in the first place?

A quick glimpse at the railing. Hongjoong much preferred death in the water over another meeting with the royal bilge. He was too weak for any of this.

"All 'ands 'oay! We be approachin' the centre o' misfortune!" Somebody, probably the captain or quartermaster yelled over the deck. Hongjoong wanted to tumble to his feet and inquire about his fate. He would take a stab to the heart over any jack tar right now. Maybe he would be able to convince them of the danger and have them turn before more trouble came upon them.

However, his body didn't bring him far. Too battered and devastated by the sudden intervention of the navy, Hongjoong merely slumped against the forecastle. His arm clutched his ribs, cursing his own weakness. Why had he dropped his weapons? He knew that fighting the whole navy crew to hijack their ship and save his mates was a suicide mission, but he would have loved to try his luck at least. Better than sitting in the very heart of the enemy and waiting for his verdict.

He sneered.

They didn't even bring him shackles. Too assured of his weakness.

Hongjoong cursed himself. His brain spun with thoughts over his crew and their lonely battle without him. Was Jongho still on his feet? Had they treated San? Too much time had passed for him to be sure.

In two stiff rows, soldiers from the main deck filtered upon the quarterdeck. They jogged up left and right of the bridge, all with heavy blunderbusses in their rigid hands.

Exhausted, Hongjoong let his head thump against the wood behind him. Every noise was jarring to his ears and hit his brain as if with a hammer. He was at the end.

When the patter of feet halted at once, the pirate squinted his eyes open.

In two neat rows, and with their backs to each other, the soldiers lined up. Their rifles pointed at the skies and their eyes looked straight ahead unseeing and empty. Soulless and meant to obey only.

Behind them, the Grief darkened the waters. So close. So very wrapped up by those vicious tentacles. If Hongjoong were quick, he might jump into the water and swim over swiftly.