Ever since the incident where he was knocked unconscious, Allen noticed a change in the girls attitude towards him during his subsequent visits to bring her food. Although her face remained impassive, betraying no emotion, she now always thanked him.
Allen had attempted to engage her in conversation, but she would only respond with nods or shakes of her head, leaving him disheartened and disinclined to continue.
There was one exception, however. One day, after he had set down the food, she suddenly looked at him and asked, Would you like to be my friend?
Allen was taken aback, having thought she could only say thank you.
Of course, I would, he replied, sweating profusely.
Thank you! she repeated those two familiar words.
As days passed, everyone seed to have accepted their status as slaves. Allen himself stopped constantly thinking about escaping.
On the 17th, before dawn, a large number of slaves, including Allen, Tom, and Payne, were rudely awakened and ordered to work at the docks, despite their young age.
The dock area, a natural harbor, was equipped with various facilities established by the Mudfish Pirates.
When Allen arrived, he saw many slaves busy loading supplies onto the ships. Despite their youth, the pirates showed no leniency and demanded they partake in the laborious task of carrying miscellaneous goods onto the ships.
After hours of toil, the sun rose, revealing the full scene at the docks. There were over a dozen ships gathered, a sight they had never seen during their ti on the island.
Hundreds of pirates, buzzing with excitent, hurried onto their ships, along with a large number of slaves who were to serve as rowers. These rowers were chained to prevent escape, and not all of them were slaves; so were new pirates.
The pirates raised their skull flags and swiftly sailed away from the docks.
Go back to your usual tasks! Dont even think about slacking off by the sea! the overseers barked, whipping the air as they dispersed the slaves.
Reluctantly, Allen and the others returned to their original work sites, discussing the pirates intentions in hushed tones.
I heard a drunk pirate rambling about a showdown with the Alda navy, Payne whispered mysteriously to his companions.
Alda? Isnt that the counts territory to our north? Allen asked.
Yes, thats the one recently dubbed a pirate no-go zone, Tom added, saying that the lord of Alda had been cracking down on pirates for the past six months.
Since the disappearance of the great pirate Edward, the two strongest pirate groups in the Northwest Bay, Shark and Quik, have both fallen to Alda.
They say the lord there is only a few years older than us.
So, the pirates on this island are going to provoke Alda? Thats bold, Allen mused.
Oh Lord of Light, our Father in Heaven, please protect the people of Alda. Help them eradicate these ruthless pirates and rescue us as well, they prayed, amazed by their conversation. Life in Alda must be blissful, Allen thought, under the protection of such a powerful lord, free from pirate threats.
Hey! What are you whispering about? a pirate shouted, startling the three boys into silence.
Shortly after Allen and the others left, a small boat entered the harbor and docked at the pier.
The pirate on guard recognized it as one of their own, but recalled that it and its crew had recently been given to so important person. He quickly summoned his superior.
Soon, a figure shrouded in a black cloak disembarked from the boat.
The summoned pirate leader, upon seeing the face beneath the hood, imdiately adopted a respectful deanor. He bowed carefully and greeted, Master Barnett, you have arrived.
A slightly hoarse voice responded from under the hood: Yes, take to your leader.
The pirate leader hesitated, Your arrival is rather untily, sir. Our leader set sail with the fleet early this morning. I can send a fast ship to recall him, if you urgently require his presence if we can find him, that is.
Barnett waved his hand dismissively, No need. My visit is to deliver sothing, not specifically to see him.
He then ntioned another na, as per his agreent with Gaden that if he wasnt on the island, this person would handle the affairs.
Ah! He is still on the island. Ill take you to him right away.
The one assigned to receive Barnett was an old pirate with grey hair and a wooden leg prosthesis, clearly a strategist by look. Barnett handed over the dicines he had brought to this old pirate.
The old pirate expressed his profound gratitude. As Gadens trusted confidant, he knew their pirate groups growth and strength owed much to the mysterious figure before him.
After a brief conversation, Barnett hinted that he was tired from the sea voyage. The worldly-wise old pirate, sensing his reluctance to engage further, invited Barnett to rest before leaving, then excused himself.
Before departing, he instructed the pirate leader who had brought Barnett to take good care of this esteed guest.
The pirate leader saw this as an opportunity to impress. Barnett, a mysterious figure who commanded even their leaders respect, presented a chance to advance. He had seen Gadens deferential behavior towards Barnett, a stark contrast to his usual self.
How can I win this great persons favor? the pirate leader thought hard.
Ah, Ive got it! An idea struck him, which he deed brilliant.
In a tastefully decorated room, Barnett was resting with his eyes closed when a knock ca.
Who is it?
Master Barnett, its , ca the reply.
He recognized the voice as that of the pirate leader who had escorted him.
Co in.
The door opened and the leader entered obsequiously.
What do you want?
Heh, Master. You must be weary from the rough sea journey. I have brought two gifts to ease your fatigue.
He called out to the door, Co in.
Two won entered, one tall and the other short.
The taller woman was average-looking but well-proportioned, her face tense.
The shorter one, a girl, was quite cute but expressionless, her eyes empty.
Barnett imdiately understood the pirates intention.
These damned pirates! What do they take for?
He was about to react in anger, his arm extending.
Just as the pirate leader was about to face his wrath, Barnett suddenly halted.
His gaze fixed on the girl, drawn to a certain quality in her, sothing he shared with his companions.
Instead of a deadly strike, his extended arm now pointed a finger at the girl.
Leave her. Take the other one away.
The pirate leader, unaware of how close he had co to disaster, smirked, Heh, Master has unique tastes.
Barnett glared at him, Get out!
Yes, yes! Ill leave you to enjoy, the leader hurriedly closed the door, taking the taller woman with him and leaving swiftly.
Ptui! So master, no different from us ordinary mortals, he thought disdainfully.
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