King of the Tempest

Chapter 8

An aura of peace

A quiet breeze of the storm

Deafening silence

"Oh, wow! I love the smell of the ocean, it's astounding!" Jiao laughed, holding his arms over his head.

"Are you not an adult?" Bjorn muttered, walking with Edward and Tenshi. "He acts like children."

"Now, now, big man... that's just harsh. I prefer the term 'carefree.'"

"You're bringing unnecessary attention to us. I'd like to not have anyone investigating us before we leave the continent." Edward grinned to take the bite away from his remark. His friend tended to be childish, a method of keeping his conscience clean.

Tenshi watched everything they did, noted everything they said. It had taken almost three days of travel before they finally talked to each other. Jiao has his secret, like he always has. Edward seems really selfless. I don't think he has any form of ulterior motive. I don't think Bjorn is mentally capable of betraying us. He rubbed his stubble. We need to make a plan on what we're going to do.

A man with a fake leg approached them. "A large warrior with an axe, an aged duelist, a Tsendaren, and a Ravarian." He smiled. "You must be the party sent by Cain. We're supposed to be sailing you to Arainat." He gestured them to follow. "We've been waiting a while for you four to get here. We speculated that you all had been wiped out by bandits, but looking at you now, I don't think any bandits would mess with you. Not with the Kriger. Do you have any idea what you will be learning about in Arainat?"

Jiao arched his eyebrow, walking beside the sailor. "Shouldn't you be a bit quieter with this information? It wouldn't do to have somebody overhear us."

He barked a short laugh. "Do not worry, no one is listening at the moment." He walked through a winding streets, and Tenshi was beginning to feel lost.

"Be that as it may, I do not want to hear you announcing our business." Jiao growled.

"Oh, fine, ruin my fun, why don't you?"

"What's your game?" Edward demanded, stepping in front of the man. "We've passed this building three times. Tell us where we're going, or I will end you now."

"I wondered how long it would take for you to notice." He cackled. "This was just a test I decided to pull on you. Let's go. Captain awaits you at the Moaning Mermaid."

Jiao snorted with laughter. "I assume that's an inn? Classy name."

"It doubles as a brothel, and there's a lovely guild of assassin's. On the down-low, of course." The sailor cackled again. "Everything in Port Grancel is secretive, though. This is a town that runs on illegal activities."

"Then why do you tell us?" Edward inquired.

"They want forretning."

"Indeed, the Kriger is correct. We like the extra business."

A moment of stunned silence passed before Jiao spoke. "I don't think you'll get much from us. We don't have the supplies to be buying your whores, nor do we have any need for an assassin. We're more skilled than any assassin."

"It's that kind of thinking that gets a knife between your ribs. You may be a Tsendaren, but there's always someone stronger than you, always paying attention when you slip up."