Jay's Journey

Chapter 12

Not a voice was heard as the ship approached the dock. The crew automatically did their tasks, trying to remain unassuming, but their motions were the only noticeable movement on the entire ship.

Vayen broke the general state of stillness as he lunged. One of his hands shot out to still the arm that held the dagger. The other arm secured additional strength as he hurled the woman over him and onto the hard deck, and a wooden thunk was accompanied by an organic crack. Despite this, she began rising to her feet, only to get flung overboard by Vayen's brute strength. This snapped Jay from his panicked trance.

"Alright, that bitch is gone, what now?" Vayen asked. First, Jay looked at the crew. Based on the fact they gave no reaction to the violence, they wouldn't be of help. The ship was surrounded by water, which wasn't an efficient escape path. The closest thing to a place of escape was the city, and the threat lay directly in their path to it. Jay was certain there was planning at play.

With that in mind, the only option that got them further from the threat, even for a moment, was up. Up lead into the ropes and rigging that were strung from two tall masts.

"We should climb for now." Zira suggested, clearly coming to the same conclusion. The three sprinted towards the ship's starboard, which was opposite to the side their opponents would be docking on. The rope was thick, rough, and sturdy, a mostly reliable ladder. For brief moments, the give it gave underfoot made Jay flinch, but it was an easy pattern to fall into. Clearly, the others had similarly low difficulty. Zira was the fastest. Even constantly stopping to look around, she kept far ahead. Jay merely clutched the ropes for dear life and held in nausea as the distance to the deck edged closer and closer to a lethal drop.

Suddenly, the ship jolted to a stop as it docked. Then, the entire deck vibrated as the numerous guards and other people of interest ran on board. The crew and the passengers from Lunabae shouted in confusion, panic, and anger. Jay's already trembling hands shook with even more ill managed adrenaline.

"Fuck are we gonna do when we get up?!" Vayen wondered.

"Buy time and come up with a plan!" Zira answered.

"Now?!" Jay squeaked.

"Yeah, when the fuck else?!" Vayen shouted. Jay gulped down a thick lump in his throat.

When the guards had finally pushed everyone aside, they began to clamber up the rigging. Two women pushed ahead, both sporting pale skin and light daggers in hand. Based on the elegant nature of their movements, Jay inferred they were related to Zira and her past in some way.

"Keep goin' Jay!" Vayen said, sliding down the rigging. One of the women was caught off guard, and with a kick Vayen was easily able to force her away. The other was better prepared for such an attack, and she swiped out with her dagger. Vayen gritted his teeth and kicked out again, but was once again deterred. Finally, he got frustrated and simply opted for dropping down onto her. She was knocked down the rigging, but not before slashing at Vayen's calf with her dagger. He cried out in pain and clutched the rigging with desperate vigor. Now, both of the women were caught up within the wave of guards, and were unable to force their way through

Not risking a glance at the carnage below, Jay sloppily scrambled up the ropes. Then, he looked out at the harbor. From high up, it was easier to see just how massive it was. It was also easier to see just how many eyes were on them from all the various people who had previously been milling about the dock. The sensation of being so widely seen in his state made Jay want to curl up and hide.

"Zira, you uh, you got any ideas!" Jay called up. Zira shook her head, her wide eyes locked onto the harbor.

Vayen called out in a battle cry as he sent several guards tumbling down in a domino effect. That was when he suddenly froze as his gaze focused on a guard that was forcing his way through the others. His armor was heavier and decorated with carvings, his uniform was cut from brighter cloth, and his very presence made the crowd around him more dense.