Aboard the Black Swan | P.JM |

Bait and Blade

Y/N POV

Early Morning, at the docks

A clang of steel rings out as Captain Taehyung drives his blade into the earth, blocking Captain Park's path.

Today is the monthly trade mission. I was asked by Captain Park to join his crew for this mission as part of my training. Which was nice, except it just reminded me of the last time we went on a mission together and got attacked by the enemy. Just as I was listening to Navigator Minsoo talk about how he sets the course, we heard loud footsteps, and Captain Kim suddenly appeared and blocked the path.

He then flipped his sword, pointing at Captain Park's boots.

"You're putting her on the ship again? After last time?" he voiced loudly. Everybody freezes and turns to look at the commotion-even the wind stills. Captain Park's face was cold, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. What's with this sudden statement?

"As the Captain of Trades and Logistics, yes, I am. Unless the Swordmaster has forgotten who charts our courses." He said with a light smirk.

Oh dear God...we do not have time for a second round of this. Just as I took a step towards them, Captain Kim's blade suddenly flashed up, stopping a hair's breadth away from Park's throat. Everyone gasps, including me. This was too much for a petty argument. Something really bad must have happened between these two.

Captain Park didn't flinch, and Kim gave a cold smile. "I remember exactly who steers us into storms." That was a low blow. I immediately ran in between them, pushing Captain Park back as I stood at the end of Taehyung's sword.

"Captain, please stop this. And please put that away before someone gets hurt," I pleaded. Taehyung clicked his tongue, but his sword did not waver.

"Move aside, recruit. This doesn't concern you." He said in a dangerously low voice. My eyes widened. Not this again. I swiftly grabbed his wrist and forced the blade to go down.

"It does concern me when you're acting like a child with a live steel. We've talked about this issue already, Captain." I warned, looking straight into his deadly eyes. The crew's eyes widened, shocked at the amount of courage I had to force the Swordmaster to back off. After all, nobody who touched his sword stayed alive for long.

Jimin just laughed darkly.

"Careful, Captain. She just might disarm you," he taunted. Taehyung's eyes flashed. That cut deeper than expected. He curtly sheathed his sword.

"Fine." He turned to leave-then spun back at the last second, throwing a dull practice sword between Jimin's feet. It wobbled mockingly in the dirt.

Jimin glanced down, unimpressed. "That's cute. You giving up real steel now?"

Taehyung's smirk was razor-thin. "No. Just reminding you that hesitation gets you killed." He tilted his head, voice dropping just enough for the crew to strain to hear. "Or did you forget how close last time was?"

Jimin's eyes narrowed, but his smirk didn't waver. I remember perfectly. "I also remember who won that fight."

A moment of silence passed, and I stood still, waiting for the Swordmaster to react. Taehyung then chuckled, shaking his head.

"Pride before sense as always." He flicked a glance at me, then back to Jimin. "Just don't freeze when it counts this time."

My heart started racing. What does that mean? When has Jimin hesitated? That too at such a crucial time? Am I missing something here?

Jimin merely rolled his eyes and kicked the blade aside. "Your guilt isn't my burden to bear, Taehyung. She's in my crew for now. What I say goes." Captain Park said. Okay, I do not like that. Is he just dismissing me and the dangers that surround me?