Once our crew had recuperated from the ordeal, the Captain decided we would prepare to leave Shark Bay immediately. The opportunity for our treasure hunt had gone by, now that the ugok tribes were on high alert. This meant, however, that Sira and I could not pursue our plan of liberating the slave girls from the compound any further. The Captain had made his priorities clear, and his concerns over the safety of vessel and crew were certainly valid. Not wanting to be stranded in this ghastly town without a ship, we acquiesced. And by morning we were out on the seas again, sailing a northwesterly course towards the island of Cuwayo.
After two good days of travel, we reached the northern end of Perck, and in the sound between the islands we spotted a ship in the distance, a frigate, adrift with torn sails. We decided to approach, to ascertain if we can render aid. Going alongside, we saw that the ship was jointly captained by two ladies who reported that their ship had been disabled by a French pirate's galleon. They appeared elated that we came to help. Our Captain suggested that as an experienced ship's carpenter, Master Krastus would go over to ascertain the damage, while I would be seeing their injured.
I was then guided below deck by one of the ladies, into a small bunk where several human shapes lay in hammocks, motionless as if sleeping. The hatch was closed behind us, and when I turned around to a suspicious sound, I saw that she had pointed her two pistols at me. She stated her crew were reasonable people, and if we cooperated and handed over our ship's cargo and coffers, we could then part without further altercation. She would have to constrain me below deck, of course, until an agreement was reached.
I pondered. Pistol shots would alarm my companions outside, but that would be of little immediate help to me. Even discounting the fact that the odds were rather pitted against me, I was not fond of instigating a duel with this woman. In the end, I gave in and let her cuff me, and sitting in this barely lit bunk, awaited further developments.
For a long while, there was nothing but silence; Surprisingly, Master Krastus, having undoubtedly been led into a similar trap, had not yet lost his composure and wrecked the ship. But then the ship was rocked by a single, massive impact, and a short volley of cannon fire. I heard shouts from deck, possibly from Sira and the captains, and then there was silence again. In the end, the hatch opened up again to the glaring sunlight, and I was led back upstairs. There was slight damage to the other vessel, as if a massive projectile had rebounded from deck, but other than that, the situation was tense, yet conspicuously calm.
While our crew watched with a variety of dissatisfied expressions, the contents of our ship's safe, which we had mostly inherited from Serena and the Kierans, were carried over, along with boxes of supplies. Searching the officers' cabins, they also took the map we purchased earlier, and Master Krastus' spellbook with them. But true to their word, they left without inflicting further damage to our ship and honour.
After determining what they had left us, we pooled the meagre amounts of money we still had on our persons, and counting our leftover provisions, set a course for the closeby settlement of Tulago. There, we would take first steps to once again rebuild our fortunes from scratch.
Tulago itself was an inviting settlement, the local citizens were jolly and helpful, and quite welcoming to visitors like us, allowing us to spend a night of relaxation and solace. In the morning, we purchased the local surplus stock of food, in order to sell it at a higher price in the city of Baltimus, our next target, and then cast off.
After a rather uneventful travel, we approached Baltimus, undeniably the capital of this island, a rather imposing settlement. We docked and paid our harbour dues, then dispersed around town to go about our business. Equias and I went to the market to find a buyer for our cargo, and purchase some locally produced goods that I expected to be in demand in the nearby villages. Upon our return to the ship, Carlton told me that he intended to visit a local theatre production with his sweetheart, and invited us to come along. Sira and I jumped at the opportunity, while the Captain and Master Krastus had some other business to attend to.
So we were treated to a performance of Macbeth, an enjoyable performance, but obviously not very popular, as there were at most two dozen visitors in total. Most remarkable of those was a man in lavish clothing, who had arrived in an luxurious, ornate coach. Allegedly this was the city founder's son, Bruno Baltimus.
When we returned to the ship, after the play, we saw movement on the docks. About twenty dark-skinned, shackled persons, both men and women, were guided up the gangplank onto our ship, and then below deck. When we inquired what was afoot, the Captain informed us that these were convicted felons, and that he had negotiated a contract to transport them to Jomba Town. As they were more dangerous than their appearance would convey, all crew were ordered to avoid contact with them.
That also meant that our next destination was clear. We cast off the next morning, and sailed north along the coast, and then crossed the sound towards Taralos island. During the voyage, we were treated to spirited choir performances of our "passengers" below. Listening closer to the many voices singing in harmony, their songs told of the plight of the unfree, work at the farm, and similar topics. The situation was telling.
When we arrived at Jomba Town, there was a harbour official requesting to inspect the vessel, and several of the crew sprung into action. Apparently, a large bribe was offered to let us off the hook for now, and those in the know quickly rushed into town, to conduct their secret business, and returned after about an hour, while Master Krastus stayed aboard and kept watch over the prisoners.
I had, by circumstance, been drawn into violence and piracy, but it appeared that we had by now become slavers, and I felt the line had to be drawn somewhere. Our Mage was either in denial about the situation, or more probably, the instigator, and a bad liar as well, so I decided to question Captain Cortés directly. The Captain appeared torn, and elucidated his decision. His responsibility was towards crew and ship foremost, and as the crew's monthly pay was due soon, he was seemingly desperate to raise the funds the crew deserved for their dangerous work.
The Captain felt he had to follow through with this plan, for the sake of his crew. Others, especially Captain Serene and myself, had a different opinion, preferring to turn against the slavers and stop them from inflicting further suffering. Would we find an agreeable solution to this dilemma?
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