Chapter 6

The crew meekly celebrated as they expended their last drop of strength to slug through to the small port of Qishn. With only tired grunts, they silently docked the ship. At last being granted back the hard comfort of land, everyone shared a look of satisfaction as they reaccustomed themselves to stable ground.

“You have the next two days for yourselves,” said Sunder, laying down on the floor while looking at the sky, “just be here in the morning of the third. Good job everyone.”

“Thank you, everyone, for pushing through these days!” Kiya screamed. Although her legs had given up the moment she left the ship, sitting down on the floor while leaning against Yeng, she strained her throat to be heard by everyone, crew or otherwise. “Without the help of every single one of you, we would be dead. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!”

“I can’t say we didn’t want to live,” spoke Hui. “But if it wasn’t for you, there was no way in hell we would have pushed ourselves that far from the very start.”

After nearly an hour of standing next to their ship, as the sun was about to rise, those who weren’t still sleeping said their goodbyes for the day, leaving to wander the town for their short but well-earned break.

“Yeng, I need help with the supplies,” said Sunder as she was about to leave with Kiya under her arm. “Just to double-check we have enough for the last trip. You and Kiya can enjoy these days alone after that.”

“Why do I always have to work extra?”

“You accepted the role as my right hand, if I work, you work.” Before he was done with his sentence, Yeng snickered under her breath while shooting him a dirty look. “I can ask En-Lai for help if you want, but then you lose bed privileges in my quarters.”

“We always said you could join us…” she mumbled under her breath, before letting him catch up to them.

In the middle of their last run for supplies, Yeng, Sunder, and Kiya managed to go through the town’s entire market, which unfortunately wasn’t much. Somewhat poor, the people lived in small yellow-stone houses that lay scattered through the town without much order. The market itself wasn’t much better, consisting of only a dozen tents, their cloths filled with patches and other repairs. The people were extremely nice, not bothered by their living conditions, and joyful with every sale they made. After a quick hour of haggling – mostly done by Yeng – they were done, carrying with them barely more than would fit in their arms and pockets.

“I’m pretty sure we’ve just gone through every merchant in town.” said Yeng, “Well, I guess the guys are gonna have to spend a couple of days without wine.” she joked.

“I hope they can make it through without it…” said Kiya, showing genuine concern for the men.

“I’m kidding, they’ve been through much worse, this is at most annoying for them. Well, Hui might be a little heartbroken, right Sunder?” with a devilish smile, she looked at Sunder, who was mesmerized, his gaze focused on something. “Did you hear me?”

Without a word, he pulled Yeng up to him, pointing discreetly at a house. Next to the door’s stone frame, right next to the ground, there was a small symbol carved into the house’s wall. The same one that was on the ghost ship, a circle joining a hook.

The three of them walked up to the house, leaving their supplies on the door’s step. “Kiya, stay here.” ordered Sunder.

She nodded nervously as they both entered the house. The windows were completely sealed with wooden planks, the last sliver of light vanishing from inside as they closed the door.

“Name, position, and order” an extremely raspy voice, slightly resembling a woman’s, echoed through the small room.

“Shi Yeng, first mate of the ship Artemis and part of the team looking for the Elements.” The moment she spoke out her credentials, her entire posture changed, from her laid-back stance to that of a general ready to head into war, slamming her fist into her chest and keeping her other arm straight at her side.

“Sunder, firstborn of Rhea and captain of the ship Artemis, leader of the team in search for the Elements.” His posture reflected Yeng, and despite being shrouded by complete darkness, he kept trying to perfect his body in very small details, from his fingers to the angle of his legs, and even the speed of his breathing.

“That hair…” a small spark lit up a candle, revealing a small figure, body and face covered in a dark cloak. The figure reached for Sunder and pulled at his hair, their hand appearing like it had no skin left, its color not diverging much from the boy’s locks. “It is genuine,” the figure then got down on one knee, pulling back their hood and revealing their face. It was an elderly woman, or what remained of her. Her head was shaven, and a large scar went around her neck. Her body, while mostly hidden by her baggy robe, was clearly frail and gaunt. “My apologies, Prince.” The woman’s posture was crooked and weak, as if she were in a constant state of cowering. “You are much ahead of Mistress Rhea’s schedule, I will be sure to send word of that.”

“We decided to fight the Fool’s Current,” Sunder’s voice once more turned sophisticated, always having to keep up appearances. “And in the middle of our bout, we even managed to cross paths with one of the ships she sent here before us. The men failed to remove all relations with my mother from the ship.”

“I will keep in mind to add that to my report.”

“You can also inform her that my pigeons will stop coming until we have acquired the Elements and I see her personally.” Both the woman and Yeng raised their brows, Yeng herself seemingly caught off guard by that statement, but despite her curiosity, she forced herself to wait and hear what he had to say.

“Is that so? Shall I accompany that statement with some reasoning behind it?”

“Just tell her that her son is asking to be trusted.”

“It will be noted. Is there anything else you wish?”

“That will be all, thank-” Yeng quickly put her hand on Sunder’s shoulder, taking a single step forward.

“There is one more thing I would like to ask you. Kiya!” After a moment of silence, the door creaked open slightly.

“You called for me?” as she looked around the room, the skeletal woman’s face was the first thing that met her eyes, and her screams filled the house before slamming the door and returning outside.

“Let me go get her.” Yeng bowed before going outside and pulling Kiya back inside. “Apologies for her reaction, she is not used to these sorts of things.”

“I am so sorry for that, it’s just that-”

“No need, I am more than used to receiving those types of looks from the world. Now tell me girl, your name, and position.”

“Kiya Sapphir. My position is, um…” she looked at Yeng for an answer, her eyes like that of a lost puppy.

“Bottom,” she mumbled to herself, trying to maintain a straight face in front of the old woman before receiving a swift and hidden jab to the ribs from Sunder.

“She is a friend of Yeng’s.” he interrupted. “You see, we picked her up in an improvised fashion, to keep her safe, and now it is too dangerous for her to continue traveling with us. If we have her stay in here, could you help her settle down?”

The woman took two steps with much effort up to Kiya, her clouded eyes inspecting her up and down. “She is young, but her body has seen use.” Sunder looked back at Yeng who was trying her best to keep a straight face. “It will be easy to find a job for her. Until then, she is welcome to stay here. She will have to work for her share of food, but at the very least she’ll have a roof over her head.”

“Thank you so much for your hospitality,” said Kiya, bowing. “It would be my pleasure to share a home with you until I find my own,” Yeng then grabbed her arm, bowing alongside her.

“That is all we have to ask. Thank you once again. Sunder, we’ll go ahead and take the supplies back into the ship.” After the three shared an understanding nod, they left the house.

“I too have nothing else to ask, thank you for your help.” but as he was about to turn around, he was interrupted by the woman.

“Take these words of advice, not as Rhea’s servant, but as a woman who has seen too much of this world. Do you think it is wise to leave your mother in the dark?”

“I simply believe it is time for her to place some more faith in me.”

“A war has been brewing for the last three years solely because of this mission. Had she not trusted you, she wouldn’t have put the lives of thousands of soldiers in your hands.”

Sunder bit his tongue, slowly breathing out as he felt a sudden weight overcome his body, “Then please, tell her that I refuse to place those souls on my back, the lives we have lost are her responsibility.

“Very well. I will make sure she hears your thoughts.”

“I’ll be surprised the day she does not.”

Leaving the house, Sunder saw both women had already left with the supplies. ‘I’ll leave them alone. They deserve to share this time together.’ Lost in thought, his eyes drifted around the sea of merchants and sailors, spotting both Hui and En-Lai.

“Sunder!” said Hui as he locked eyes with him, “surprised we got to see you, I expected you to be locked away somewhere studying.”

“Well, I didn’t expect you to still be sober enough to recognize me. And I thought I could still be addressed as your captain.”

“Not during these two days, until we step back on that ship, you’re just our little Sunder. And don’t you worry about me drinking, En-Lai is keeping me company.”

“I thought you hated drinking,” he said looking at En-Lai, his face not knowing whether to show shame or anger.

“And he’s paying!” slurred Hui as he shook him around.

“I…” En-Lai struggled to speak, his whole posture that of a lost man, “I have no idea how…”

“What happened?” asked Sunder.

“I beat him at chess.” Said Hui with a smug look on his face.

“Don’t say that out loud!” he whispered harshly as his face grew red in an instant. “He wasn’t even sober when we started playing, and he just passed out right after…” En-Lai sighed, his head slumping over “Getting drunk might be for the best today, just forget anything ever happened.”

“Well, enjoy your drinks, I’m going to try to find a library. As you said, I need to study.”

“Stay safe,” said Hui, grabbing En-Lai, and heading to the nearest tavern. “He’s a good kid.”

“Shame he’s still a kid,” said En-Lai, trying his best to shake off the earlier events.

“What do you mean?” entering a bar, they immediately headed for the first two empty seats.

“We both know this mission is too important for him to be leading us,” looking around for a moment, En-Lai lowered his voice for but a word, “His father should be the one giving us orders right now.” They sat down at an unoccupied table; the tavern was still slowly filling with clients, which gave them some time to talk without the worry of having anyone hearing in.”

“He trusts that Sunder can take his place.”

“Of course he does, but this is too big of a step. Sending him practically alone so far away from her grasp…”

“Even if you think so little of the rest of us, I’m sure he’ll always have Yeng by his side, he’s not alone.”

“I don’t mean it like that. One of the largest fleets in the world, and they send just us, a single ship. Even Rhea said she has no clue of what is inside the library. Why would she send her son to take care of something so dangerous?” En-Lai paused for a moment as a waitress approached them, signaling for her to return in a couple of moments. “I admit, he has been surprising me at every turn, never even imagined that he could lead us through that current the way he did. But still, something seems off.”

“You don’t think anything’s gonna happen to him, do you?”

“You asked Yeng the same thing last time.” Hui was caught off guard by that remark, “I didn’t feel like partaking in that conversation before, but I guess you leave me no choice. I personally wouldn’t worry, Rhea has been bending the country over backwards to make sure she has eyes on us at all times, she wouldn’t be doing this if she planned for anything to happen to him. She’s cruel, but it’s her son we’re talking about.”

“That’s what’s worrying me. I know she wants him to live, but all these people she has to keep an eye on him, this planned course, even the ghost ship we passed by, it was clearly one of the previous scouts. If this was safe enough for her to send him, then why does she keep wasting all these extra resources?”

“Two mugs of wine, as large as you have!” said En-Lai, gesturing to the waitress before looking down and scratching the wooden table with two of his fingers. “Who did you lose?”

“My son.” Hui responded immediately, already expecting that question, “It was his second time in a large war, I wasn’t with him during the first. He was tasked with defending a nearby village that first time, tasked with raiding the same village when he was with me.” the two giant mugs, each one neatly big enough to empty a small barrel, were slammed on the table. Hui picked his mug, swirling it around “The first soldier that fell in front of him, he tried to help. Trying to protect people when you’re the one attacking, that’s just not the way it works, but he didn’t care.” his red face tried his best to shed a tear, but it was as if his eyes had dried years ago. “I didn’t really drink until I lost him.” not a second passed before he lifted the mug to his mouth, taking deep and slow gulps.

“Hmph, no wonder you care so much about the kid.” tasting the wine he had on his mug, En-Lai’s face instantly contorted, but as it went down, the flavor eased up on him.

About halfway through his drink, Hui gently placed it on the table, supporting his head with the large mug, “I’m sure you weren’t born with that stone face, who was it for you?”

“Older sister.” he took another swig, despite easing up, its flavor was still putrid on En-Lai’s lips. “Still not sure what she had, but I met Rhea when I was still trying to figure it out. She had some concoctions that stopped the pain for a while. The week she spent in my village was the best in my sister’s life. I left for a month with her back to the capital, see if I could learn more about medicine. I decided to stay right after receiving a letter from home, didn’t even bother opening it.”

Nearly done with his mug, Hui lifted it near En-Lai, “To the Elements. May they bring peace.”

“May they bring knowledge,” he said, bringing his mug up to Hui’s.

As the sun was getting ready to hide, tinting the sky with a grieving orange, Lieh and Ang-Shi were busy being thrown out of a large house by two hulking men.

“If you can’t pay, you don’t get to touch them!” screamed a topless woman, covering herself behind the men as they slammed the door closed.

“Wouldn’t be talking like that if I hadn’t forgotten my daggers,” mumbled Lieh as he got himself up and scrubbed the dust from his clothes.

“Do not dare complain!” screamed Ang-Shi, still on the ground patting down the dust on him, “I did nothing, I only got thrown out because you kept screaming and asking for my help!”

“If you did help then maybe we wouldn’t have been thrown out,” he said, offering his hand to pull Ang-Shi up, who swatted him away, getting up alone. “Hey, don’t act like that, it’s not my fault all the spies you talk to are attractive.”

“Quiet!” Ang-Shi screamed, directing more eyes toward them than Lieh’s remark. “Speaking about such subjects out here can get you killed, you never know who could be listening to us.”

“After that scream of yours, I’m guessing everyone.”

With a slight huff, Ang-Shi headed toward the market, with Lieh not far behind. The merchant’s stands created a circle that comprised the core of the village, with a direct route from the ports. Despite its modest size, the influx of sailors coming for a night’s rest was much greater than expected. Leaning on a crate, Ang-Shi ogled from afar at the dozens of young women that left their homes to flirt with the coming sailors.

“Did you get that much attention when you sailed back in the day?” asked Lieh, leaning on a stand filled with fresh meat.

“Didn’t I ask you not to follow me?”

“Yes, you did. And with the way you’re not responding, I think I have my answer.”

“This is the first time I ever sailed. I rarely left my home, even as a child. I think the first time I saw a woman, apart from my mother, was when I reached thirteen.”

“Ha-ha. Fourteen for me. The first time I got a roof over my head too. Was forced to join a group of holy soldiers by the time I could hold a sword. Don’t remember what God we worshiped but in my defense neither did most of them, but at least they paid well. One time when we raided a bandit group, we lost. Gave me the choice to either join them or die.”

“A sell-sword through and through.”

“Look who’s talking. It’s people like me who you paid to do your dirty work. And don’t act like you never sold the few skills you have for the highest bidder.”

“I never said I was any different. Had I your expertise with weapons, I would surely have made the same choices in life. Men like us always choose the easiest path in life,” their talk was interrupted for a moment as the sailors began howling at a woman passing by. Wearing a white, nearly see-through silk dress, and with long bronze hair draped over her back, she carried with her a stack of scrolls – the only thing that could be considered to cover her – and the eyes of every man that she passed by. “Whatever offers them the biggest pleasures.”

“How was your first time?”

“My mentor bought me a night with one of the village whores. I’ve yet to bed someone without paying first.”

“Wow, surprised you had the balls to say that to me.”

“Even if people don’t believe that coming from your mouth, they already think that of me, no harm in being honest.”

“Well, you just took the fun out of spreading that rumor…” As the woman made her rounds, talking to each man, Lieh approached Ang-Shi, leaning on the same crate as him. “Mine was with one of the priests from my former group, the trial I had to go through to join those bandits.”

“Surprised you didn’t kill yourself afterward.”

“Pushed through an entire year with them before killing everyone. Had them do the same thing to each other too, so I guess we ended up even.”

The young silken-clad woman approached them, bending over and handing them one of the scrolls she was carrying. “Greetings, you two seem like perfect candidates to help Greece in its coming war.” She said in fluent Chinese.

“Your eyes must be worse than mine if you think I can help anyone in a fight.” chuckled Ang-Shi.

“A man of your age, so far down the silk road, and coming all the way from China. If not in battle, then surely you can in some way help, while keeping yourself protected behind our walls.” the woman’s small plain brown eyes stared unblinking with a smile, as if she had seen through his whole life with a simple glance.

“Well, I…” he coughed in an attempt to collect his thoughts, “since when has Greece been at war, and with whom?”

“Well, war has not formally started, but both us and Anatolia have begun slowly amassing an army for the past couple of months. After they decided to steal a large plot of land belonging to us, and with China feeding them soldiers, this could be the start of a war where the very fate of Greece is at risk.”

“As you said seconds ago, I am Chinese. Do you expect me to betray my motherland?”

“Men like you are as transparent as the silk on my body. You act on your most basic urges and will jump at any opportunity to make their lives that much easier. These eyes of mine see you have no allegiance with anyone, at least, not yet.”

“Well, you’re not wrong,” chimed Lieh, putting his arm around Ang-Shi, “how much would you be willing to offer us?”

“We’ll begin paying the moment this war is on the ears of the general public. Until then we can’t offer you anything, we’re simply seeing where people stand.”

“Then you can leave.”

“Very well. When you begin hearing of this war from anywhere else, you can come visit. We will have your payments ready.” the woman turned her back on them, giving them a view that nearly knocked the wind out of them.

“I think I know what to do after this mission…” said Lieh, his eyes bouncing as they followed the woman.

“My fealty stays with Rhea. Like she said, she has enough power to keep me happy for the rest of my life. But… I completely understand you.”

The next night, hours before Sunder’s crew was to regroup, Kiya and Yeng shared their last moments alone, walking through the empty streets of the market.

“Can you use those pigeons to send me a letter after you leave?” asked Kiya, her nails softly caressing her lover’s arm.

“I wish I could. But those birds were born in China, when we release them, they’ll just fly back home.”

“Oh…” Kiya’s puppy eyes coupled with her whimper nearly brought Yeng to tears. “But what if you take a year to come back, or more? Or if you die? What if you forget me?

“Princess. Look at me.” she pulled her close, moving Kiya’s hair away from her face. “Regardless of how far apart we are, I will always be with you. Just close your eyes and think of me. As long as I stay in your memory, and you stay in mine, even death itself won’t separate us. You will be in every dream I have.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

As Kiya embraced Yeng as tight as she could, she said, muffled by Yeng’s clothing, “That was the most sentimental thing you probably ever said in your life.”

“Yes it was and I am not repeating it.”

As the girls attempted to walk back to their ship, with Kiya not letting go of Yeng, they saw Sunder coming out of a nearby house, bowing while speaking a slow, broken Arabic.

“Thank you.” turning his back on the man he spotted Kiya, still glued to Yeng, looking at him.

“Was that how you spent the day of your birth?” asked Yeng, slightly chuckling to yourself?”

“Really?” asked Kiya, who immediately jumped up to Sunder, throwing him to the ground. “Happy birthday!”

“C’mon, these things don’t matter anymore,” he tried getting up, managing to do so after Yeng pulled Kiya up from him. “I became of age at sixteen, after that it mostly stops mattering how old you are.”

“Try telling your mother that.” joked Yeng.

“If I ever want to die I will.” the three of them began walking back to Artemis through the port. The waning moon could be seen reflected on the water every ten steps as they passed through the other ships that were docked, each one like a small tavern as its crew drank and talked around themselves. After a couple of silent minutes, they spotted their ship, much younger than the rest, but already as worn out as its peers. “Gods, haven’t stepped foot in there since we landed”

“If it wasn’t for us that ship would have been ransacked twice just this night.” Said Yeng.

“Speaking of,” said Kiya, “why is the ship called Artemis?”

“It’s the name of my little sister. My mother named a ship after each of us after we were born.”

“Then why didn’t you come in your ship?”

“It’s considered bad luck to man a ship with your name. And besides, mine was sunk during an attack a couple of years ago.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, they say you become a part of the sea once it takes your ship. Well, at least my mother says that. I like to think that was the reason we managed to escape the Fool’s current.”

Approaching Artemis, they spotted Hui and En-Lai, stumbling their way toward the ship.

“I can assume what they spent the last two days doing,” said Yeng, letting go of Kiya and joining the men in an attempt to keep them walking straight.

“And he said he hated drinking.” slurred Hui, with En-Lai too drunk to respond.

As the group moved up to the deck, they found Ang-Shi and Lieh, sitting down against the mast with a small lamp, nearing the end of its life. The men strained to open their eyes as the rest of the group sat down next to them.

“That lamp’s too bright,” slurred Ang-Shi. “Throw it away.” but before he could even finish mumbling, he had already fallen back asleep.

“So, did you get everything figured out for Kiya?” asked Hui, his face slowly losing its drunken crimson.

“They did.” Said the girl, “But I still want to thank every single one of you for what you’ve done for me, and how you’ve treated me.”

“As much as we would like to hear that, I think the rest of the crew is mostly like those two right now.”

“And not a single one of them would have been as nice to you if Yeng wasn’t that threatening.” intervened En-Lai in slurred words, receiving a deathly stare in return. “See? She’s scary.”

“Never knew you could run your mouth so much.” laughed Sunder. “We need to see you drunk more often.” A soft silence after that remark was quick to turn from calming to uneasy as Kiya grabbed Yeng once more, nearly tearing up.

“Hey.” said Hui, looking at Kiya with fatherly eyes, “You’re gonna be fine, she’s gonna be fine too. This might sound harsh, but your family left you. If you’re strong enough to handle that, then you’re strong enough to handle a couple of months away from her.” The rest of the crew stood silent, impressed at how quickly Hui had managed to sober up.

“But I’m not strong.” said Kiya, trying her best to speak as her crying aggravated, “When we got stuck on the sea, all I could do was try to cheer while everyone else worked.”

“Kid, keeping a smile like the one you showed in the current without a drop of alcohol takes strength not many have.” Hui paused for a second, taking a slow breath, “Wanna hear a story?” Kiya wiped her tears as a hint of a smile appeared while she nodded. “One time when I got back from a war, we had run out of pigeons, no one in town knew when we were returning. It was turning dark when we got home, so there wasn’t much excitement as we passed through the streets. Before I could even enter my house, an old friend of mine was sitting down next to my door. ‘Took you a while.’ he said. He got inside before I could say anything, my wife and son were already sitting at the table. The three of them just assumed I would return that day, all at the same time. The food was more than frozen by the time I showed up, but dammit if it wasn’t the best meal we had.” a single tear began forming around Hui’s dried eyes, but he quickly swiped it away. “If you and Yeng care for each other that much, you’ll know when she’s coming back, and when you’re together, it’ll be like she never left at all.” Hui got himself up using Lieh, who fell to the floor, unmoving, “I’m going to sleep, we still have a bit of sea in our way. Goodnight.”

Kiya kissed Yeng after Hui’s departure, “Was that story true?”

“I’ve never seen him so sober,” she said, stroking Kiya’s hair, “there’s no way that it wasn’t.”

“Want to take her home?” asked Sunder. “You can sleep there with her, I’ll go grab you in the morning.”

“No,” interjected Kiya, already snuggled next to Yeng, her arms tied tightly around her. “If you don’t mind, I want to spend one last night here on the ship. I’ll leave before the sun rises.”

“Of course.” Getting up for a moment, Sunder grabbed a coat that was hanging next to the cabin door, placing it over Kiya and Yeng as a blanket before laying down on the floor next to them, looking up at the stars. “Is she asleep already?”

“Yup,” Said Yeng.

“Try to get some rest yourself, goodnight Yeng.” Used to the hard wood floor, Sunder quickly shut his eyes and began to drift asleep.

Looking at Kiya, stroking her hair as she heard her breathe, Yeng smiled. “Goodnight, Princess.”