Fathomless Fortunes [slash]

Chapter 10 - Point of no return

It took two days of more or less patient waiting until the distinctive wing-like sails of Captain Shian Fu's ship, the Blue Crane, appeared at the horizon. The lookout shouted the news down to Lucky, who was on watch. "And there's another ship right behind her! It's... it's the Sea Horse!"

Nicolas came to join him; he had just shown the new cabin boy, the elder's thirteen-year-old grandson Dao, how to properly knot a tie. The boy was speaking Albian as well as his grandmother and was eager to learn anything ship-related. With his lanky build and bright, curious eyes, he reminded Nicolas of himself at that age. Taking care of the cadets had always been one of his favorite duties back in the navy, and since neither Lucky nor John had been eager to teach the kid, Nicolas had volunteered.

"The Sea Horse?" Nicolas asked.

"It's Captain Jaka's ship," Dao answered proudly before Lucky could say anything. "I know all the ships and their captains who have come here to trade. Captain Jaka is a Qiristani. Grandmother was worried at first because the Qiristani are slave traders, but Captain Jaka is a member of the Atoll Council, and of course the pirate code forbids slavery."

"Thank you, Dao. I guess I can rely on you for all the good pirate stories," Nicolas laughed and patted Dao on the shoulder. "Now go and find the captain and Mistress Evangielle and tell them about the ships. They are probably in the war room."

Dao nodded and dashed off.

Lucky sighed. "You're really patient with him. But I guess we could have done worse. At least he's not afraid of hard work." He took a spyglass and looked at the horizon where the two ships were slowly growing bigger as they came closer. "I'm not sure if the captain will like the news about the Sea Horse. He and Captain Jaka aren't the best of friends although we don't have any open conflict with him. Captain Shian Fu and her crew are one of our closest friends, but him..."

Nicolas sensed an opening here. "Do you know why they don't like each other?"

"Well, Captain Jaka does have a rather inglorious past. I didn't want to correct Dao, but before Jaka became a pirate and a council member, he was indeed a slave trader. And our captain and the mistress hate slave traders more than anything, except the Albians. I couldn't count the slave ships we captured and sank after freeing the slaves. The captain only sinks slave ships and Albian war ships."

This was indeed interesting news. Nicolas himself didn't have much to do with the Qiristani in his time in the Navy, but considering the pirates treasuring personal freedom above everything else, it made sense they didn't much care for a society with such extreme hierarchies. Maybe he could find out more about it later.

It didn't take long for Dao to come back, Alastair and Mistress Evangielle in tow. Alastair took the spyglass from Lucky and confirmed for himself the identity of the second ship.

"Lavertine didn't say anything about taking Jaka into confidence as well," he said. "Shian Fu must have decided for herself that we can trust him. I don't know if it's such a good idea. He voted to keep peace in the council."

Mistress Evangielle took the spyglass from him and searched the horizon as well. "But we need someone to go to Qiristan, remember? This might be just the solution. Think about it!"

Nicolas had no idea what they were talking about, but he was sure he would soon learn more when the ships had arrived. Lucky and John had told him time and time again that the captain and the mistress never kept any secrets about their future plans. As soon as strategy had been built, the crew would be thoroughly informed.

Alastiar didn't reply to his sister's words. He suddenly looked at Nicolas as if he had only now realized he had been standing there. "The Blue Crane and the Sea Horse will be here in a few hours. We'll have a meeting in the village this evening. It's common for every captain to bring two officers. You're coming with me and Evangielle, Nico. You don't say anything, mind you. I want you to listen and tell me later what you think."