The Winds of Tepr

Chapter 41

Shan Xi's eyes lock onto the figure now framed by the doorway, the unexpected presence of Lanau stirring a mix of curiosity and caution. Though clearly a captive, Lanau does not exhibit the typical signs of fear; her posture is composed, her gaze direct. Shan Xi's instinctual read of people, honed through countless encounters and negotiations, tells her that this woman is not an ordinary captive.

"Who are you, and where are you from?" Shan Xi asks, her tone even but authoritative, cutting straight to the essentials.

"I am Lanau Axi-Örukai of Orogol," Lanau responds, her voice steady, betraying no hint of intimidation.

The room falls into a brief silence as one of the pirates turns to Lizi and Na'er, confusion etched on her face. "Where the hell is that?"

Lizi and Na'er glance at each other before both look back at Shan Xi. "We don't know, how about you, Captain?"

The Blood Lotus refuses to show any doubt. "Of course, I know! Who do you think I am?!" she declares with feigned indignation, a masterful cover for her momentary uncertainty.

"S-Sorry, Captain!" the pirates quickly apologize, their voices blending into a mumble of respect and slight embarrassment.

Shan Xi turns her attention back to Lanau, scrutinizing her more closely. She silently assesses each of Lanau's features, her demeanor, the subtle clues that might tell her more about this unfamiliar region. Her mind races through her mental map of Moukopl and its neighboring territories, trying to place the origins of the traits she observes in Lanau. After a moment's hesitation, she hazards a guess, "It's in the Northeast," hoping her tone conveys more confidence than she feels.

Lanau nods in confirmation, "Yes, it is."

A round of applause erupts from the pirates, their admiration for their captain's geographical prowess voiced loudly in the cramped space of the entryway. Shan Xi, while outwardly basking in the approval, silently thanks whatever fortune has granted her such a well-developed intellect, her internal monologue a mixture of relief and self-congratulation.

Amid this display, Lanau struggles to maintain her composure, the corners of her mouth twitching as she fights the urge to laugh at the comical scene unfolding before her. The tension of her capture momentarily forgotten, she finds herself unexpectedly amused by the pirate crew's dynamics and their captain's quick-witted, albeit lucky, performance.

One pirate, her brow furrowed in concentration, suddenly pipes up, "Wait, is that Te Pü Rü?"

"It's in Tepr, yes," Lanau confirms, a slight nod accompanying her clarification.

"Captain, that's where Jinoz is from! I think Xi Ki Ki..." another pirate starts, stumbling over the tribe's name.

Lanau, recognizing the mispronunciation, gently corrects, "Do you mean Xipiki?"

The pirate, her expression lighting up with recognition, slams her fist into her hand. "Exactly!"

Lanau adds, seeking to clarify her identity amid the growing confusion, "I'm from Xipiki myself."

"You said you were from Oro-thing," another pirate chimes in, skepticism threading her tone.

Lanau sighs, the complexities of her heritage requiring more explanation than she had anticipated. "I wasn't clear. I am from Orogol but my clan originates from Xipiki."

"How can you be from one place and your clan from another?!" the same pirate asks, her confusion morphing into frustration.

Shan Xi, who had been silently observing the exchange, finally intervenes, her patience wearing thin. "Are you fucking stupid?! Her clan probably moved from one place to another. It's not that complicated!"