Chains clinked on the wooden floor, all of the Purks looked confused, they didn’t recognize the familiar faces that usually appear. Fear struck most of them, some were befuddled.
“Holy shit.” Brentha quavered.
“How did we not notice them before?” Shug asked looking back at the crew. He was the closest to the slaves. “What the fuck do we do?”
“No clue.” Jinlin expressed.
“Ummm.” Yunga scrambled for answers in her brain. “We could drop them but we’d have no place to leave them in time.”
“We couldn’t do that!” Zunci butted in. “Even if we could, we'd leave them in the wilderness or a town where they're just as defenseless.”
“That’s the only other solution, besides the obvious one.” Jinlin said next.
“What do you mean?” Shanta inquired.
“We can’t drop them off. And there’s nothing we can do besides feed them what food we can spare. It’s either we leave them or have them join the fight.”
“Why are you talking about them like their animals!” Brentha snapped. “They're not just some play thing, they're just like you! Help me release their chains.” She went down the tiny set of steps and inspected the chain that held them to the pole.
Shug joined right alongside her. Her small outburst shocked all of them, they were left in a stunlock.
“They need a key to unlock.” Shug pointed out. The chain ran along the room that interconnected all of them. They were separated in rows, the pillars being the linking point. All of them could be unlocked with a single key. “I’ll check the captain's cabin, it’s probably there.”
“Yeah, go check.” Brentha backed him up.
Shug dashed up the stairs, flying by everyone else. Brentha still tried yanking at the chains. The one in front of the line flinched as she got closer.
“It’s ok.” She comforted. “We’re here to free you. Just relax.”
The Purk looked frail, their eyes were baggy and sunken. Just like the rest, they were malnourished, their boney frame being extenuated by starvation.
“They-” He tried to speak, his voice shaky and hoarse. “They usually have the key on them.”
“The guards?” She catechized.
“Yes.” His voice gave out, letting out a wheezing agonizing cough.
“Don’t worry we’ll find it.” She rose off her knees. “Let’s get these poor people some food.”
Yunga went back up to the deck to check their bags and storage for the available poultry they had at hand. Zunci tagged alongside her while Shanta stayed down with Brentha. Jinlin started to inspect the lock himself, checking if he could pick it.
Shug came back down, coming up with nothing in his search. “Couldn’t find any key.” His shoulders lowered in disappointment.
“It’s alright.” Jinlin stated, still looking down at the lock. “I can pick this.”
“You can lockpick as well?”
“It’s a lot more useful than people realize. Can you retrieve my bag on the deck, please?”
“Sure.” He darted back up the stairs, slipping on the steps almost toppling down.
Yunga and Zunci returned with heavy boxes they hauled in their hands.
“We found these crates of food.” Yunga announced as they carefully tiptoed down. “It’s mainly fruit but there’s plenty for all of them.”
“Fantastic!” Brentha gushed.
Shug jogged into frame, a backpack strapped to his back. “Here.” He slid it off and handed it to Jinlin.
He swiftly unzipped and scavenged, reaching his elbow deep inside. Sliding his finger tips along multiple items trying to get a feel for his lockpicking kit. A few awkward seconds of rustling of leather, he jerked his hand back revealing the container.
Opening it up to reveal small steel rods and one small angled wrench. He took a pick and slid it into the lock, the wrench being inserted right after. Twisting the keyway slightly to the right.
Fiddling with the tumblers, springs, and pins to align them in the right place. Taking full concentration and slight movements that were extremely precise. Everyone watched in awe, just waiting for the loud click, signifying that it’s finally unlocked.
A few minutes passed by until the satisfying clack and the sudden snapping of the lock. He shifted the chain off, letting everyone in the middle row feel the sensation of fresh air breezing by their sweaty palms. Rattling of the metal hit the floor and some relieving sighs as the release of pressure from the shackles let go of their hold, allowing their hands to move freely without restriction.
He shifted over to the next one, letting Brentha take care of the ones that were just released. Working with way more proficiency than before, having experienced the other lock.
While he was fiddling the rest of the locks, everyone else was attending to all of the Purks released. Treating any wounds they might have, passing out food to all that were chewing at the bit for a crumb of anything. Water was also passed along, though they didn’t have enough for everybody, mainly the younger ones got the remains.
Once the final lock was released, many gathered together in a combined mesh that mainly looked like one big gray blob. Yunga was overlooking this crowd, like she was the main focus on the stage. Her mind raced through solutions faster than she could even try to reason them out.
Dropping them off with basically nothing might as well be a death sentence, plus the time to find a good land to leave them will take WAY too much time. God, making them join the fight is just…Evil? Would it be evil? Just forcing them into this conflict would be highly irresponsible of all of us. What the hell do we do?
She pondered a lot, with a hand on her chin staring blankly down at the dull wooden boards. Then it struck her in a flash. Eyes enlarged in shock.
I mean, they do have a dog in the fight. We’re not going after some random thugs they never heard of. We’re going after the people who enslaved them. So, if I could only just convince them to join our fight. That could definitely work, that’s-but then they would sacrifice their life for-but then we could offer it up as an option-
“Yunga?” Zunci waved her hands in front of her face, snapping her right out of her catatonic state. “Are you ok?”
“Yeah.” She jolted back. “Just lost in my mind again.” She gave a cheeky chuckle.
“Help us pass out food.” She motioned to the box in her hand with a slight nod.
“Of course.” She grabbed her own crate and went along with the rest of the crew.
During the handing out, all of the frowns flipped drastically, spirits raised and the atmosphere being uplifted. Yunga was still stewing on the thought. She just feels like she has to convince them, but the words just weren’t forming. Gifting people food with a blank look on her face, she was just entranced in the labyrinth of thought.
Focusing on the idea, it just seems the most obvious solution. The backlash it’ll get, many people not wanting to sacrifice themselves for that. Not to mention that Brentha would be the loudest protesting voice.
Once her box was empty she ultimately decided that it needed to be done, if it doesn’t succeed at least the attempt will be made. As for the speech, improvisation will just have to be done.
Tossing the crate to the side and taking a stand on another full one she can use as a podium. Even with that action alone she caught the eyes of everyone. Brentha threw a scowl her way, knowing exactly what she’s going to do.
“Everyone, if you can please listen!” She started off with a confident grandeur tone. She captured everyone’s gaze. “I have a very important offer for all of you. Unfortunately in our current situation we have limited time to take you back. So, I say this with the utmost uncertainty that any of you have to partake in. We’re going after the people who did this to you to help our friend who’s dying. But this fight requires much more firepower than we have. We can bring the vengeance all of those sick and depraved freaks deserve after what they did to you and everybody else! So, with your help we have a way better fight-”
“That’s where I cut you off.” Brentha stomped forward in front of the entranced crowd. “Why are you doing this? We can’t, this is-this is just wrong!”
“I’m not forcing anybody to do this if that’s your issue.”
“No, not at all. I’m furious that we’re dragging them in a battle they have nothing to do with!”
“Brentha please I’m not trying to force them at all.”
“We basically are! We can’t drop them off so we’re dragging them along with us. To even propose this when we don’t have weapons and that they could die for somebody else! They’ve been through enough just leave them alone.”
Yunga’s face shifted into annoyance. “You know, no matter what this is the solution. If you can propose something better-”
“I don’t need to!” She rudely cut her off. “I know I have no resolve to any of this but I do know this is just straight up fucking wrong.”
“Then what do you want us to do!?” She stepped down to get into her face. “This is already a suicide mission, we can change it into an equal fight.”
“Have you thought about how they’re going to help with any of that? Fight back with what weapons Yunga? Their bare fucking fists!? Your plan falls apart as soon as you ask a basic question.”
“Are you seriously speaking for every one of them?”
“No, but I just know, and you know too!” They were now face to face, furiously staring each other down.
“Well how about we find out?” She turned to face the crowd. “If anybody is willing to lend their help please raise your hands.”
As soon as she announced that there was a pretty sizable gap of silence besides the rustling of clothes and skin rubbing against each other in the cramped room. One hand started to raise, then another, then another, and a huge domino effect blasted the whole crowd.
More hands popped up blurring together as most of the crowd seemed to be in agreement to join the fight. Yunga looked pretty smug as she darted her eyes to Brentha, who looked to be in a mix of being furious and on the verge of tears.
She pouted and stormed out of the room, forcibly shoving people out of the way. Shug called out for her and following the trail she parted.
“That settles it.” Yunga said, victoriously placing her hands on her hip. “If we can find any weapons like we did with the food then we’ll be settled. There just has to be right?”
“We can search more in the storage center.” Zunci suggested. “Maybe some crates have some?”
“Great idea, let’s search.” She pointed at Shanta. “You and Jinlin take count on who’s willing to help. Then we can come up with a more accurate game plan.”
“You got it captain.” Shanta smiled, winking at Yunga as she did.
“Sounds excellent.” Jinlin replied.
After a whole slew of unfortunate incidents, getting tossed around like ragdolls by misfortune. It feels nice to have a settled sense of hope, that maybe everything is going to be alright.
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpL4hBjUih
Gathering everyone’s comments these Purks were part of a tribe on a pretty far away land. They were raided and rounded up by Uff’s soldiers, being beaten, abused, starved, and even executed if you dared to not obey an order. Cruel stuff that isn’t too uncommon, slavery is prevalent in the Purk race. With some stand out cases like Velantriff.
Luckily with the lot of the boxes were weapons and even some armor that they were transporting. Mainly rifles and some pistols with gunpowder scattered and plenty of ammo to go around. The one they stole seemed to be just a general supply ship that housed many goods that they were probably going to trade in at the market.
The armor was actually very worn down and basically could be considered scrap. So, they used them as new clothes to give to the Purk’s. The ship even contained a shower where everyone took turns washing their bodies off. With everyone freshened up they wasted the rest of the day to relax.
Night rolled around, Yunga was in the captain's cabin resting on a barrel, Zunci and Shanta were looking over the ocean with the wind brushing through their hair, Jinlin was steering the ship, and Huune was sleeping on the main deck. The Purks underneath were already resting, some of them wide awake with most sleeping peacefully.
Brentha was standing with her arms resting on the rails, staring longingly at the moon. She was on the crows nest twirling her hairs into tiny curls. Clouds were constantly overlapping it as the ship sailed along swiftly. Creaks of wood could be heard down below as someone was climbing the ladder.
She rolled her eyes as she saw Shug pop his head in, swaying around to spot her. When he did he fully climbed all the way up, brushing off the dust he got from clambering up.
“Can you please talk to me?” He started off.
“I already told you that I just wanted to be left alone.” She scoffed, turning away from him back to the moon.
“Come on, just talk to me.” He insisted.
“It’s final Shug-”
“Well I ain’t going anywhere.” He nudged right next to her. “Either you leave or you have to stand there and deal with me.”
She gave him a cheeky look, smirking as she did. “Wow, didn’t take you as the persistent type.”
“Well I just want to know if you're ok. You just stormed off and told me off.:
She started to give him the silent treatment, trying her best to not look at him. He was just staring her down waiting patiently to break. Resting his chin in the palm of his hands.
Finally she faced him. “ Doesn’t it feel wrong to you?” She questioned him.
“Like, all of it?” He inquired further.
“Yeah. Using those people as soldiers. That just feels wrong even if they wanted to do it. We’re forcing them to fight in our battle, I can’t believe that Yunga doesn’t see that.”
“She knows.” He stated.
“What?” She looked confused.
“She knows it’s not really that moral but what other choice do we have? I understand where you’re coming from, trust me, everyone does. But, if they wanna join the fight it’s all fine. I mean, not really, look.” He took a brief pause. “It’s all too complicated to figure out. If we had the time we would definitely drop them somewhere safe but that choice is already long gone.”
She looked down at the dock where Yunga, Zunci, and Shanta were already having their own conversations. They couldn’t hear the contents of what they were discussing but she saw their faces light up with smiles, their mouths wide laughing.
“I-I-” She stuttered. “I don’t know. I didn’t mean to be like an asshole but, god I looked like a total dick.” The end of the sentence trailing off as she buried her hands in her face.
“It’s ok.” He comforted her, patting her on the back. “There’s nothing wrong with what you did.”
“No, don't sugarcoat it for me. I already feel like shit.”
“Brentha look at me.” He ordered.
She gradually lowered her hand and darted her eyes towards him. He could spot the building of tears, he expected them to appear there anyways. He slid his hands to uncover her face and turned it to him directly.
“Everythings going to be alright.” He said with the utmost passion. After that he pulled her close to him and wrapped his arms around her.
She immediately embraced him back, sharing the moment. The tears swallowed themself back up like a vacuum. A sudden warmth enveloped her and it wasn’t from the hug, but coming from more inside. Like her heart was swelling up and lit on fire.
The feeling made her jump back from the hug, confusing Shug. She placed both her hands on her chest.
“Are you ok?” He asked.
“Yeah, I thought I had a heart attack for a second.” She explained. “I guess it was just some chest pain.” She shrugged it off.
“Good, cause you scared me for a bit.” He chuckled. “Are you feeling better though?”
“I think so.” It took her a second to say. “After that hug all my worries went away.”
“Same honestly.”
An awkward silence lingered between them as the wind bellowed. The flapping of the flag getting thrown around was way more prominent
“Wanna go join them down below?” She suggested.
“Ummm sure, yeah.” He was already heading towards the ladder. “Are you sure you can survive coming down?”
“We survived a wizard mole, I can handle a ladder.” She jokingly responded with a slight giggle.
They shuffled down the ladder carefully and made it to the deck with no trouble. Guiding slowly side to side to the rest of the crew chitchatting, not spotting them until they announced their presence.
“Oh!” Yunga peered her head around to face them. “Hey guys.” She greeted with a smile.
“Hello.” Both of them responded simultaneously.
“Where’ve you two been?” She asked with a raised brow.
“Just, looking at the moon from the crow’s nest.” Shug answered. “Been trying to find this girl all day, kept avoiding me.” He playfully nudged Brentha with his elbow.
She gave him a bothered look. His bright smile creeped downwards into a more doleful expression.
“Look Yunga.” She began. “Back there, I’m sorry. I know that you don’t mean anything bad but it just irked me and I lashed out. I acted like a total bitch and I just want to apologize-”
“It’s ok Brentha.” Yunga soothly interrupted. “I understand it completely. It’s all very complicated but we shouldn't be at each other’s throats.”
“You’re right but I still-It all feels wrong.”
“Definitely, but the majority of them want to bring down Uff. So at this point it’s out of our hands.”
“Helps make it feel less guilty.” Shanta joined in.
“I don’t even know, it still just bothers me personally.” Zunci added on. “Maybe I’ll come to peace with it soon. Hopefully tomorrow.”
“All of that we need to put aside.” Yunga followed up. “We’ve been together for just a month and look at what we’ve gone through.”
“A month?” Shug looked confused.
“Yeah, it’s been a month hasn’t it?” She was now doubting herself in her mind.
“It’s only been about two weeks.” He bluntly put it out.
“Holy shit.” She was now bewildered. “I thought it had to be a month with everything that’s happened.”
“Nope. It only makes it even more shocking.”
“Man.” She sloppily put her hand on her forehead and faced the ground. “Ok, my point still being that. I hope you all share this sentiment, I’ve never been able to connect with a bunch of people in such a short amount of time. Like, back in that prison I never thought I would now be heading into a fortress to save one of your lives. None of us could’ve foreseen that.”
“Still so bizarre." Zunci chimed in. “This might seem insane to say but these two weeks have probably been my favorite phase of my life. I got to explore some crazy places, getting into seemingly impossible fights and persevering and then now heading to what is basically a war. That thrill, that action, something I craved for so long and now I have it and I couldn’t ask for a better group to tag along with.”
“All my life I was heading head first into life alone.” Shug continued. “I hated other people, always avoiding them and trying to get by. At first, I didn’t want to deal with any of you. But, I never felt more comfortable or safe around a crew until this.”
“Shit, I guess we’re all spilling our hearts out now.” Shanta followed up. “I dedicated so much to my magic that I didn’t get to experience anything else like this. Honestly I hated all of it, I wouldn’t mind if all of this continued on for, god knows how long.”
“You all saved me from my father.” Brentha soulfully voiced. “Wasting my life away in a castle, and the one time I actually try to get out and experience the world I get fucking kidnapped. You saved me, again, that’s when I knew I found the perfect people.”
“You guys are going to make me cry.” Yunga said, holding back tears. “Let’s bring it all in.” She grabbed Shug and Zunci, colliding in the middle for a big hug.
Shanta reluctantly went along and joined in, with Brentha joyfully jumping, wrapping her arms as wide as she could and squeezed.
“If we survive tomorrow.” Yunga tearfully stated. “I would want this crew to stay.”
“Of course!” Zunci professed.
“I’ll gladly stay.” Shug smiled.
“For as long as I’m alive.” Brentha started crying.
“To the end.” Shanta spoke.
Clouds cleared up as the moon beamed its light down and the ocean waves got calmer, enhancing the somber moment shared between them. An almost perfect end to the day, hoping the high hopes carries them to victory.
ns 15.158.61.8da2
