Motley (#Wattys2016)

3: Kei, of the Rose Marquis

It was extremely hot and humid on Somma. Even the air was cloying with spices and heat. The marketplace was packed with people, making it difficult to navigate. Reiko, the tallest, could barely see anything from the sea of people and the bright sunlight. She found them some sufficient stalls to buy eggs, water, and bread, amongst other basic supplies the crew had been lacking. By the end of the trip, however, they had somehow ended up with two packs of sausages and a mosquito coil. "It was your fault from talking about all the bugs on the ship," Satoru told Masa.

"Just one more place to go for the ammunition," Reiko said. They followed her to a small rickety shop away from the hustle and bustle of the port. A faded sign read, Jurou Weapons and Metalworking. Masa looked skeptical at the shabbiness of the store, and Reiko said, "hey, don't worry! Nobody ever goes there since they sell black market knives, so we should be the only ones in there."

But they weren't. When they entered the shop, it was already full of people wearing crisp bleached uniforms and black masks. The usual array of showcased swords and rifles lining the walls was picked clean. "Time to leave," Masa whispered meekly.

Nori furrowed her brow. She had never seen people like that before. They looked like soldiers, but then they wouldn't be wearing masks. Perhaps it could be a gang, but no, they were too orderly and official, despite the strange robe-like clothes. They couldn't be pirates, because it would be hard to operate a ship with what they were wearing.

Almost as soon as the crew entered, the strangers fell silent, tucking weapons under their clothes in an orderly fashion. They all filed outside past the Marziale Motley. One of them with piercing blue eyes caught her staring, and either on purpose or accident, he brushed her shoulder as he left.

The shopkeeper looked extremely tense. "What's wrong, Jurou?" Satoru asked him.

"Oh, it's you four. Who... who is your friend?" Jurou asked them. He was quite old, with steel grey hair and a strong jaw, but looked like he was trembling.

"He's Masa, an acquaintance. Our new self-proclaimed Genius," Ryota said. Masa gave him a quick dirty look and shined his glasses again.

"Who were those people?" Nori asked Jurou.

"Don't you know?" Jorou said incredulously. They all shook their heads. "That was the Rose Marquis."

Masa gave a tiny "oh" of comprehension. "Something you want to share with us?" Ryota asked.

"They're notorious. Haven't you heard of them?"

"Are they pirates?" Satoru said. Masa shook his head.

"No... But everyone in Tosto knew about them. I suppose you could call them land pirates, but that would be too informal, and besides, I think they are seagoers as well. They slaughter whole cities within an hour. And their numbers are growing."

Jurou beckoned them closer. He seemed to still be frightened the Rose Marquis could be right outside the door, listening in. "If you ever run into them again, I want you to flee," he said quietly. "I know you like to fight... But you can't win against them."

"Jurou, why didn't they kill you?"

"They tried," he said grimly. "I just offered them what weapons I had in the store, free of charge, and they told me I would be left alone."

A look of sudden comprehension dawned on Satoru's face. "Come on," he said unexpectedly to Nori. He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the shop. Masa, Ryota, and Reiko followed in confusion.

"Satoru, let go!"

"Come on! This way!"

They weaved their way through the crowds, sprinting as fast as they could. He led them out to the wharf, when he finally let go of Nori's hand and pointed at a ship just leaving. "There. See that?"