The Merman and the Prince

Chapter 12

Kagami's Pov

It had been over a week since I had made it to the skull isles. A collection of islands that coincidently made up the shape of a skull, hence the name. It was here that pirates normally found themselves. It wasn't a lawless place as I soon discovered, it was a place of freedom. No fees for docking and they governed themselves. In the short time I had been here I found himself actually liking the place.

The ship I had paid passage on had dropped me off before continuing on. They had cargo to deliver, gold to make and I bore them no grudge. They would return in a month to see how I fared and if I still hadn't found any trace we would move on. I had thanked the captain and headed to one of the taverns, offering my services where I was greeted with much joy. The tavern keeper was an aging man and had need for a strong arm. There was no shortage of work from weather proofing the roof to repairing the chairs and tables from the raucous customers who came to drink. Other places also paid for my services and I found my money pouch growing heavy with coins. At least I didn't have to worry about money on my search to find Kuroko. That was really why I was playing the role of a workman who had decided life under a lord or king wasn't worth it. I had gathered information from the two slavers that Kuroko was on a pirate ship with red sails. It wasn't much to go on but it was all I had. I had found two ships with red in their sails while I had been here but after some probing for information I found out they didn't have Kuroko.

I was washing the dirt off me in one of the troughs outside of the tavern before I went inside to eat. It had been a long day and I was eager for a hot meal. Two men sat on a bench nearby, smoking as they chattered away. They paid no attention to me, I was well known around here and everybody had accepted me as one of their own. I was only half listening to their conversation but my movements stopped when they mentioned the Red Emperor. It was one of the ships I was tracking down.

"I did see that. It docked just before they said. I tell you that Captain Akashi gives me the chills. Those two different coloured eyes? Ain't natural I tell ya."

I continued to wash my hands but now listening carefully to the conversation. I had to make myself look uninterested even though I wanted to run over and shake him, asking if he had seen any slaves on-board.

"You should watch your tongue. If you think his eyes be unnatural you should see him fight. i never seen a man move with such speed as him."

There was a hint of respect in his voice as he spoke of the captain and his companion noticed it.

"Is he really as great as they say? I never met the man."

"Aye that he is. Stern but fair that one. Helped with increasing the defences around here and even trained some of the young uns. Born leader that one."

"I heard he despises slavers?"

"True. Well he is rumoured to be a descendant of the kingdom of Teiko."

This time I couldn't help a gasp escape as I swung to look at the two men. The older one who had spoken raised an eyebrow.

"Curious aint ya?"

I cursed my lack of control and forced a smile on my face.

"Sorry, I just remember my grandfather telling me bed time stories about Teiko. I thought they were just that, stories."

"That place was real all right. Last port of safety for the merfolk before the hunters attacked, killing or imprisoning all the survivors and burning the castle to the ground. Well before your time boy but it's a real place. Sailed past it once in my youth, the island is hidden by fog at all times and at night you can hear the screams of those that had died."