Blackbeard; The Legend

Bittersweet Icebreaker

Akahana shivered, wrapping her coat tighter around her. The cold bitter wind bit her face as she stood near the railings, overlooking the frozen sea. The frost and snow that had accumulated on deck wasn't helping either. After making it past the strait and a week later the ship had finally made its way into the borders of the Svellands. The cold was more frigid and raw than the winters she had spent frolicking in the snow around her home, with Twig and Isamu and her mother. She sighed, before rubbing her hands. There was no merit in reminiscing.

Not many people were outside, as many preferred to stay inside their rooms than to face the numbing breeze. However, a few were a bit more positive, Koji and Ryota the most. The two made little snowmen from the snow that had gathered up on the ship, and Ryota continued to sing and strum his shamisen, accompanied by Takahiro, who would applaud after every performance. Despite the droll attitudes, they and Akahana had something troubling their minds regarding the conversation that they had eavesdropped on. They had gathered in Akahana's room to discuss it, to make sure that no one else, especially any of the crewmates, would hear about it. In there, they debated over theories and speculations regarding what had been said that night, ranging from the logical, to the completely crazy.

"Think about it," Ryota said, Akahana and Takahiro listening as he paced back and forth around the room. "What if they were just talking about farming?"

"What makes you think that's what they were talking about?" Akahana asked, exasperated.

"If you think about it, it would make sense." He continued on. "He did say that the minority of our fellow passengers would be good for something, and they talked about a list, which I'm assuming has all of the people on this ship who can fight. And, since the Svellands is not the best place for farming, with all the monsters and the cold, what would be needed?" He turned to them, eagerly awaiting an answer.

"I'm not following." Takahiro murmured.

"Warriors!" Ryota exclaimed. "People who can keep watch over the farmers while they do their thing and help defend the crops from being eaten or destroyed! And Koji would be good for a new recruit, as he's still young, and can be good for teaching how to grow stuff!" He finished, looking at Akahana and Takahiro. "Makes perfect sense!"

Takahiro rolled his eyes. "Well, that was a brain-numbingly bad theory." He muttered.

Akahana sighed. "That can't be it, Ryota. They wouldn't be staying that late up just to talk about farming of all things while everyone else was asleep. It was something serious."

"Well, not everyone." Ryota remarked.

Akahana groaned. "You know what I mean." She looked out of the window. "Something fishy's going on."

"Agreed." Takahiro said. "We should stay on guard."

Ryota chuckled. "Alright, alright. Also, speaking of fish," His stomach grumbled. "We're almost late for breakfast!" He pushed open the door, and Akahana exchanged a glance with Takahiro, before the two of them followed after him. The wind was a bit more harsher today, and it felt like an eternity before they reached the other side, and Ryota flung open the door into the dining hall.

"Close the door!" Came a voice. "We're going to freeze to death!" Akahana slammed the door behind her, shutting out the cold. The three soon enough found a few seats unoccupied, and they sat down, where after a few moments, plates full of roasted fish and lentils were served to the three.