The Merman and the Prince

Chapter 26

Kuroko's Pov

Two days passed as we re-stocked the red emperor with our plans so set sail dawn the following morning. All the ex-slaves we had freed thanked us as soon as they could walk around. Akashi and Kagami even visited those who were still too weak to leave their beds. The whole town treated us as heroes and I thought it was odd for pirates. I said as much but Akashi had simply stated that in these dangerous waters, where the navy couldn't patrol everything pirates kept the majority of the peace and were more welcome than soldiers. I knew he was right from the few times soldiers had come to my home island. They had demanded special treatment and had started fights and manhandled the women. I had almost been a victim of a drunk soldier once but Kagami had saved me.

We were sitting down for lunch at the tavern when one of the men from the slave ship stumbled into the room, his eyes wide and out of breath. The tavern keeper helped him sit down and gave him some water. When he had gathered his breath he looked around, meeting our eyes.

"A ship has been spotted off shore at the north side of the island. They have sent men ashore on boats and I think they might be slavers."

Silence followed his words and then the tavern keeper sent a runner out to call for arms. The headman came at a run shortly after followed by a group of men armed with weapons.

"We won't let slavers take our people without a fight. We have a small village on that side of the island, they won't be able to defend themselves. Will you be able to help? I know you have already done so much for us but we could use men with your skills."

"I didn't think there was another place to dock?"

"There isn't. We would have to travel over land to get to the island."

Akashi rubbed his chin, deep in thought as the villagers stared at us hopefully. This was the moment of truth. They were pirates and to leave their ship unguarded in a strange port was unheard of. The villagers seemed to realise this and their faces fell. I could tell that Akashi was still considering his options though. If they were really slavers it was his self-appointed duty to stop them and to see if that had any of his people.

"Kise, Midorima, Takao and Himuro will go with you the rest of us will stay here to guard the city and the ship."

The headman bowed his head in gratitude.

"Thank you so much."

The men Akashi had named were already standing up, finishing off their drinks or stuffing some food into their mouths. They were already armed. Everyone began to file out of the room to prepare their weapons and we created a small circle with ourselves.

"No heroics, I expect you all to return here safely."

"I want to go to Akashi!"

Aomine's voice had a whine to it but Akashi simply shook his head, looking around to make sure nobody was in ear shot and lowered his voice.

"Something about this doesn't feel right. This island has already been attacked by slavers, what are the odds that they would be attacked again while we are docked here? Slavers normally wait until night time when no one else is around."

The others nodded as they thought of his words. They had been hunting slavers for longer than I had been alive, they would know.

"So go, if it really is slavers make them pay. We will keep watch over everything here."

With that those chosen to take part in the attack wandered off, hands on their weapons and walking calmly as if they were simply our for an afternoon stroll. I saw a flicker of movement and turned to see the man who had told us of the attack slinking away. How odd.