Take me home | Seongjoong

The Spoils of War

The sun was just beginning to rise fully over the horizon when the crew of the Black Siren set about raiding the merchant ship they had so fiercely fought for. The battle had been brutal, but as Seonghwa watched the crew move with renewed energy, he knew that the rewards would be well worth the bloodshed.

The merchant ship was a treasure trove, filled with all manner of riches and exotic goods from distant lands. The crew worked quickly, their weariness from the fight forgotten as they uncovered chest after chest of gold coins, jewelry, and precious gems. There were silks from the East, rich and vibrant in color, and spices that filled the air with their intoxicating scents—saffron, cinnamon, and cloves, each more valuable than the last. In another hold, they discovered crates of fine porcelain, the delicate patterns telling of a craftsmanship far removed from the crude goods of the local markets.

San let out a low whistle as he opened one of the chests, revealing a collection of intricately designed swords and daggers, each one a masterpiece. "This is a haul fit for a king," he remarked, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Or a very wealthy merchant," Wooyoung added with a grin, running his fingers over a length of fine silk. "This guy must have been planning to make a fortune once he got to port."

Seonghwa nodded as he watched the crew uncover more and more valuable items. The merchant ship had been carrying enough wealth to set up an entire fleet, it seemed. But as they continued their search, Yunho came across something that caught everyone's attention.

"Hey, look at this," Yunho called out, holding up a piece of parchment. The crew gathered around him as he carefully unrolled what appeared to be a map, its edges frayed and yellowed with age.

"What is it?" Jongho asked, peering over Yunho's shoulder.

"It's a map," Yunho explained, tracing the lines with his finger. "Looks like it leads to an island—one that's not too far from here. See these markings? They're coded, but if I'm reading this right, it's a storage location. This wasn't the only shipment—there's more. A lot more."

The crew exchanged excited glances, the promise of even greater riches spurring them on. "If this is where they were headed, we could be sitting on a gold mine," Mingi said, grinning widely. "Literally."

"We'll need to be cautious," Hongjoong warned, his voice cutting through the rising excitement. "If they've stashed goods on an island, there's a good chance it's guarded. We can't afford to be reckless."

"But it's worth checking out," Seonghwa added, earning a nod of agreement from Hongjoong.

As they began discussing their next move, Wooyoung suddenly stiffened, his eyes narrowing as he picked up a flyer from among the papers strewn about the merchant's cabin. His expression grew serious as he studied the piece of parchment.

"Look at this," Wooyoung said, passing the flyer to Yunho. "There's a reward for information about a runaway prince."

Yunho's brows furrowed as he read the flyer aloud. "'Wanted: Information on the whereabouts of the Crown Prince, last seen in the capital. Substantial reward offered for his safe return.'" He looked up, meeting the eyes of the others with a concerned expression. "It sounds like this prince is someone important to the crown. No wonder they had Crown Guards on board."

The crew began to discuss the implications, wondering who this prince was and what could have driven him to flee from such a life. Seonghwa listened to their conversation with feigned disinterest, his heart pounding in his chest. The description on the flyer was vague, but it was enough to make him feel exposed, vulnerable in a way he hadn't felt since he first stepped aboard the Black Siren.