Accidental Reunion

Kindly bring these to our injured brothers, my good chef.

They need something nutritious to eat, after the beating they've taken these past few days.

Have you reviewed the plan, Señor Alguacil?

I do not understand how such a notion could have even occurred to you.

If the bandits surrender the compass and the blueprints for a salt ship, I will pardon most of them and permit them to live as I allow them to.

Many are young and healthy. They will be invaluable labor if this town is to move.

Besides, it will convenient to have sword hands unbound by religious dogma, in the event of any future negotiations.

They will destroy your town.

Eliminate the Ægir leading them, and the rest are just a disorganized mob. The three whom we have locked up in the basement are each playing their own game.

I will split them and give them conflicting interests, such that if they do raise their swords, it will only be against their former fellows.

You once saved these townsfolk, taught them to suppress desire and maintain purity... yet now you would pardon the very bandits who murdered their friends and family, all for worldly benefit?

Did you imagine the people accepting this?

How is this anything less than a betrayal?

......

What would you suggest, then?

I would lead our men into the Flat without delay, eliminate the surviving bandits, and destroy the very means by which they have sinned.

Our injured brothers need rest.

We have neither the manpower nor the resources for another major campaign.

I will ensure they are ready.

I hope you'll forgive my bluntness, Señor Alguacil.

But the three bandits in the basement will 'escape' at nightfall. If all goes well, they will soon bring news back to their fellows.

All I need from you is to maintain order when the bandits come to negotiate.

......

What made you change your mind?

It's just a compass. There wasn't much to think about.

......

Would someone with so little on their mind have such restless hands? Should I be worrying about you making a hole in my ship, joven?

I'm not that strong.

Come now, don't be like that. I hope you realize that being serious all the time only makes you the butt of the joke.

Now grab a change of clothes. You have blood all over you.

...Gracias.

Come with me.

*Cough* *Cough*...

Sorry, I should have told you to hold your breath. This cabin hasn't been used in decades, and there's dust everywhere.

I'm sorry for touching things without permission.

Don't make me sound like such a petty woman.

You can touch whatever you want here. It's all top-notch alchemical equipment. Unless your hands are more dangerous than cannon fire or a storm, they'll survive.

This will be your lab from now on.

You have a full-fledged alchemy lab on your ship?

Yes.

......

Before I forget...

These clothes belonged to the previous alchemist. You're about the same size, so try them on.

Oh, uh...

You can change in the storage room to your left.

......

Do I look weird?

Of course not. It fits you well.

Do you like it? The style is decades-old, but it was tailor-made with the finest fabrics.

It feels brand-new, though.

It was meant to be a coming-of-age gift. But he fell into the sea along with the shells of the Iberian Defensa the very day before reaching adulthood.

I searched for his body myself, but never found a trace. I only hope it was the fins that got him. There weren't quite so many Seaborn back then.

You've fought the Iberian Defensa?

This was before the Profound Silence, when we still sailed the high seas. This very ship, La Conquista, was captured in that era.

I don't suppose you have an interest in history?

No, I've just heard a few tales about the ocean.

Then fix the compass and see it with your own eyes.

First you wanted me to fix your compass, now you want me to follow you out to sea?

It requires an alchemist to operate it.

......

Let me have a good look at you. Hm... raise your collar a bit, wear the shawl over your shoulder... not bad at all.

Er, I can handle the rest...

Try to avoid any strenuous effort for a few days. Your injuries aren't life-threatening, but given the hygiene on the ship, you can never be too careful.

Yes, yes... Oh! I know what's missing!

How could I forget?

I haven't given you the compass yet.

I can't guarantee success, but I'll give it my all.

Your all, you say?

When I make a promise, I intend to keep it.

Then you shall have all the support I can offer.

Good. First, I'll need an assistant. I'm not asking a lot, just someone clever and hard-working.

Naturally.

Right, and I have one other present for you.

......

......

If what the boss says is true, then we're out of options.

The townsfolk now control the route from the Flat to the inland, and we're their mortal enemies.

There's no way back. We have to face the ocean.

I...

Is there really no other way?

Señor Rus! Señor Javier!

Slow down and breathe. What's going on?

Th-They're back!

Who's back?

O-Our mates who got caught! They escaped and came back!

And they brought someone with them!

Take a look at this scallywag I found outside!

Healthy, works hard, don't eat much. And he's yours for two months of saltfin garum!

His face is kind of nice...

He's all skin and bones. A flick of a saltfin's tail would send him packing...

Hey! I take exception to that!

I'll have you know I'm ripped under this loose fit!

Okay, going for one-and-a-half months of saltfin garum!

......

For an absolute adonis like me? I'm worth at least a year of that fin stuff!

Shut up already! Can't you see no one wants you?

Going for one year of saltfin garum!

One month!

Two years!

Two weeks!

Three years!

Pah! Three days!

Deal!

Huh?

Three days of saltfin garum, under my name. Deal?

...Huh?

Perfect timing. I was just thinking I needed a bodyguard.

Now what to call you... How about Pelirrojito, for that red streak you've got?

You were hiding all this under the Salt Flat?

Shh, do you want the neighbors to hear?

That wasn't funny.

I'm more surprised you even noticed the joke.

So did you want me to help you kill this Seaborn?

Of course not.

Then why bring me here?

You came to the Salt Flat seeking a school of swordplay founded by a pirate, did you not?

Yes...

Then congratulations, you've found it.

When you need a break from repairing the compass, you can come here and learn from it.

From a Seaborn?

A Seaborn that has devoured countless swordsmen. With every movement of its appendages, it recreates their skills.

Perhaps as an attempt to escape, or perhaps a meaningless act of imitation...

...What exactly is going on here?

It is difficult to explain. After trapping it here, I issued a bounty, inviting any swordsman to try their hand at killing it.

Many have attempted it, but all have become a part of it, along with their blades.

Now I'm even more confused. Why did you trap it here? Why were you looking for someone to kill it?

And why do you want me to learn swordplay from it?

I was never the original captain of the fleet. It was it... him.

Him?

His name was Cruz.

When the waters that inundated this land subsided, the remaining Seaborn began to attack the cities in a frenzy.

We fought hard and slew most of them, but this one was particularly hard to kill. Cruz lured it into a cave, using himself as bait, and both became trapped here.

The last time I saw him, he named me captain and asked me to bring the others back to the sea.

Why not tell them the truth? I've heard the crew spreading terrible rumors about you and the Seaborn.

Let them. A leader needs to be feared as well as loved.

So you came up with this entire plan back then?

No. It was Cruz who gave it to me. He had long expected that he would die before I did, so he told me everything, that I might continue his work after his death.

You should have freed him from... this...

I wanted to. But it's not that easy.

I couldn't do it, not with my own hands... Even though I know it's just a Seaborn. I love him, just as I love the time we spent sailing far and wide.

Promise me. Learn everything you can from it, as much as your little sponge of a brain can absorb.

That way, at least, I'll get to see his swordplay once more.

Leaf? You've got news from Elysium...?

Play recording.

Weedy... I followed the escaping bandits back to their den.

Don't worry, no one knows who I am. And I found someone who can protect me.

She has a lot of connections here. I'm sure I'll find Thorns soon.

Just sit back and wait for the good news.

*Sigh*...

Bring the crates over here, Pelirrojito!

Yes, boss!

Not bad! You're stronger than you look. Now I want to hear that same energy in your selling.

You got it, boss! I've already memorized the entire list of goods, forwards and backwards!

(I'm done listening to you the moment I find Thorns!)

Look, people are coming! Say it so they can hear!

Prosthetic eyeballs! Made from the finest saltfin bones for maximum comfort, in any color you want!

Aged saltfin garum from our special collection! A flavor you won't forget!

Don't miss this chance, señores and señoras!

(Wow... this guy's a natural. Doesn't sound like a slave at all...)

Come one, come all, there's something for everyone!

*Cough* *Cough* I'm getting hoarse, Boss...

Everybody's staring, but why is no one stopping by?

Yeah... it's weirdly quiet. I'd expect someone to have picked a fight with me by now.

Would you care for one, señor? Could come in handy someday!

No thanks, Pascuala...

Well, if you're not buying, you're not buying, but what's that look? Gives me the creeps.

I suggest you put your tail between your legs and behave yourself.

Huh?

Didn't you say you were well-connected?

I am! Just imagine how much worse it'd be for an outsider like you without me here to smooth things over.

(These two never used to give me a second glance. Why'd they stop to glare at me today?)

You know what, just close up the stall and pack up for today. I'm gonna go ask around.

Is it true what those guys were saying?

Yeah, I sent someone to check.

Do you trust them? That if we hand over the compass and the thief, we all get pardoned and can live in town?

It's hard to believe.

Then why'd you let that chaval from the city with the red hair onto our fleet?

I don't know what to believe anymore, Rus.

Could be the fickle sea, could be some inscrutable show of good faith. Whatever it is, keeping him around gives us more options.

If it comes to it... the chica is the easy part: just tie her up and hand her over. But how in the hell would we get the compass from the boss?

I... I'll talk to her. This is about the whole fleet. She'll listen.

Talk?

I used to think maybe you could convince her, but now I'm sure she'd just drag you right back in.

What do you want me to do then?

Who knows? You get to make decisions for the fleet, not me.

......

......

(Those Inquisition finshits... Now they're just playing dirty...)

*Sigh*...

What's with all the sighing, boss?

I heard... *sob*... I heard...

Come on, don't cry, you can tell me. Maybe I can help.

You're so nice, Pelirrojito, *sob*...

(Who else would I count on here?)

I'm worried about you.

Ahem. What does this have to do with me, boss?

It's one thing to be drifting around on my own, but now I've got you to care of.

I'm not fired, am I? After all the work I've done for you?

No... I'm just worried about you getting left all alone with these bandits if something happens to me.

I...

(This is practically blackmail!)

...Wow, I didn't think you cared, boss! Don't worry, nothing'll happen to you on my watch!

Oh, Pelirrojito!

Boss!

I... I heard them talking... they want to hand me over to the Inquisition!

The Inquisition chased me all the way into the Salt Flat! All because of a compass that used to belong to my family!

Your family?

I may not look it, but my family used to be rich and famous!

But everything we had was sold off, and the compass somehow ended up with the Inquisition.

Wow, that's amazing, boss!

(Yeah right.)

So, what do you need me to do?

Ahem. I heard the fleet's alchemist is looking for an assistant, and he's got the boss's trust big time. So, uh, maybe you could try applying?

You're clever and hardworking and I'm sure you'll get along like peanut butter and jelly! Then you can put in a good word for me.

Why not just do it yourself?

Well, me and him have a little bit of a history... Maybe more than a bit...

Anyhow, just work that silver tongue keep an eye out for your chance!

No problem, boss! I'll step up as soon as he needs me!

Maybe don't be TOO eager... In the end, it comes down to timing.

We can't make things too easy for him. He's gotta soak in the anxiety, then you can show up right when he needs you most. That way, he'll be helpless without you.

Why are you making this weird?

Both of our fates are in your hands, Pelirrojito.

(You can eat finshit for all I care once I get in that alchemist's good graces!)

Waahh!

H-How could he say that!

Hey, wasn't that Steelface Pele?

Steelface Pele?

Yeah, says he didn't so much as whimper when he fell from the mast last year.

So why was he crying like a little kid after leaving that room?

Are you here to interview for the alchemist assistant's job?

Er... yeah...

Turn back if you know what's good for you, chaval.

Does he have a bad temper?

No, worse.

Don't worry about it, Pelirrojito. He's a nice guy. He even saved my life.

Sure, but work always brings out the worst in us.

Now that you mention it...

He kicked me out in three seconds flat! Said I was breathing too loud!

(Whisper) Hey, boss, you said you had a history with this guy, right?

(Whisper) What about it?

(Whisper) You're trying to throw me into a fire! I'm not going in!

(Whisper) We're already here! You're not out of this that easy!

No, I'm not going! Whatever you're up to, nothing good can come of it!

Just go in! Stop running away!

Get off my shoulders!

No!

Yow! Stop pulling on my eyebrows! I can't see!

Hey, watch where you're going! You're gonna hit the door!

Ow ow ow...

Whatever the reason for this racket, you're interrupting my work.

Either I toss you out the window, or you show yourselves out. Choose.

Sorry, sorry, I just wanted to recommend you an assistant.

You mean another of those guys who couldn't tell a beaker from a flask? No thank you, you can keep them.

You sure don't mince your words, do you?

He's new here, Isidro, doesn't know how things work. Don't mind him.

You...

Yup, me.

Er, excuse me?

Have they been starving you? You pat like a wimp.

......

Do you even know how much weight I lost looking for you? Hope you're ready to buy me a good meal.

Señores...

How did you find me?

We can talk about that later. Let's talk about you. How did you get here with all your limbs intact, you lucky boy?

...What's with the tone of disappointment?

Excuse me...

......

Never mind.