Book I, Act VI: Lost and Found, Chapter III

Edited by: Bieverdog AO3: GalavantingGoose

Book I, Imbalance

Act VI: Lost and Found

Music:

An Atrementous City - Atrium Carceri - Cities Last Broadcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdwIoFd9_Ho

Chapter III:

Taru woke up with a terrible headache, feeling the floor rocking from side to side. If it weren't for what had happened a few days ago, he would have thought he was in a nightmare. To tell the truth, he wished he was.

He had been at sea for at least three days. It had all started a few months ago when he was just a new customs broker. After a few weeks on the job, a frequent traveler always wearing a black outfit with red tailoring far too expensive looking for such a man offered him a "tip," and he became a regular. All Taru had to do was stamp a paper, and he would have a few coins under the table. The extra money came in handy for him and his sister. He could even afford to rent an apartment in a nice area in Harbor City. Further, he had saved enough for his vacation.

That day of the festival, he was going to tell his sister that they were headed for Ember Island. But as he was about to leave work, the man arrived once more with a smile from ear to ear and carrying a sealed box. He could have left and let someone else take care of it; but the idea of a heavier purse was tempting. He would never have imagined that that man was a fugitive, and even less that he would be considered his accomplice; but fate played a cruel trick on him. It turned out that someone had been following the man's trail and wanted to arrest him on the spot.

Taru froze at the bite of their handcuffs against his skin. His shady benefactor defended himself from the guards like a wild animal, punching, kicking, biting; and he stood frozen, watching. The man took him by the arm, urging him to follow. Instinctively, he ran, until his legs ached, until he was out of breath. With his hands bound in heartless steel, the realization hit him–he had been branded a criminal now; he would be imprisoned or worse. Maybe he could try to explain... What would become of his sister–

A ball of fire burst before him. Startled back to reality, he followed the outlaw to a boat, and they jumped onto the deck. The man raised the anchor, and they sailed off, looking behind for pursuers.

He still couldn't digest what had happened. It seemed insane; but the guy was on a "job." He offered him part of the profit for "his troubles," as if that would fix anything. He knew next to nothing about sailing, but Zan, as he introduced himself, reassured him that he would take care of it. His newfound accomplice steered the vessel, scrutinizing a rough chart, as if he had left a night on the town. Taru cringed at the man's behavior.

His first day, he fearfully awaited a patrol to intercept them somewhere or a storm to sink them… Unfortunately, both failed to materialize. Must be the luckiest man on Earth. They didn't even have to stop for supplies.

Zan smirked. "The sea will provide." And it did. If it weren't for the fact that they had stolen a fishing boat, the situation would have been different… During the brief times when they could both talk, he learned that the man was a smuggler, quite openly bragged about being the best of the best, was apparently content with the outlaw lifestyle, and had little trouble escaping from the law. He recounted to him his adventures. The man's ego grew by the second as Taru gaped at the tales, though he suspected a helping of exaggeration. But at least, it helped kill the time.

One night, he asked what exactly the man was doing, and the man happily told him that he had been hired to deliver the box to Langshizi's shores. When he asked what it was, the man went silent. Another day had passed at sea, his future still uncertain; and for a second, he didn't want to think. He sighed and grabbed the railing to pull himself up, and he walked above deck.

As he walked up the steps, he shielded his eyes from the sun, for he still had to get used to the extreme changes in light. His eager companion was at the bow, looking over the horizon. He could see the grin on his face.

"Taru! Come on over." He wobbled his way towards him, casting his eyes upon the source of his excitement. In the distance, enveloped by a faint fog, a sizable city stood: Langshizi. He had heard much about that colony lately, for many colonists were returning from it. He heard the news that it was being dismantled. It seemed simple theoretically; but seeing it was a sight to behold.

Instead of the thrum of commerce and traffic, there was only the whisper of the wind. It was disturbing, eerie, like the spirit tales of towns overtaken by the spirits and left lifeless. It was said that if one entered such a place, you could hear whispers, screams, and murmurs of the dead. His blood chilled thinking about it. He wouldn't dare set foot in that place.

The man hooked his arm around his neck. "Why so silent? We made it! Client told me that he'd meet me 'round here by sunset. Heard the place was empty, so… we could help ourselves to something before he arrives."

He pulled away with a crooked smile, trying his best to come up with an excuse but failing to find any. "Uh… You go ahead. I'd rather stay with the boat."

The smuggler shrugged it off. "Suit yourself; but don't lose sight of the cargo while I am gone." Zan threw one of the life vessels to the tranquil sea and paddled cheerfully towards the shore. Taru watched as Zan passed out of view. He would have sat there contemplating his situation if he hadn't locked eyes on that crate. The man had guarded it day and night; and it pulled at him like a magnet. What could be worth so much of a hassle? He couldn't find a lock on it, but it was sealed shut. He would need to pry it open, but he hesitated.

Examining the box for a moment, he found a small slit carved on the side, too small to peek through it. Maybe he could enlarge it. Without any blunt objects on hand, he did the next best thing: carefully piercing the box with a fishing hook. Satisfied with his effort, he pulled it into the torch light. Peering through, he saw that the content was certainly metallic. Silver? Perhaps gold? As he heard paddling nearing, he nervously hid the box back in place and grabbed the next item he could find to not appear idle.

Zan tied the small boat, hugging two vases around his arms. Taru had never seen the man happier. "Found a few trinkets nearby. Might sell for something." The man didn't suspect him in the least. As the outlaw sat gawking over his newfound goods, Taru looked towards the setting sun on the horizon. After a while, there was still no sight of the client, and his mind naturally filled with questions. The unnatural scenery kindled his fears. The place looked ripe for an ambush; so, he shot a nervous gaze at his partner.

"They told you they'd be here by sunset. Don't see anyone yet. It's a trap."

Without taking his eyes off one of the vases, he gestured to him to stop. "Shut up already and stop worrying, are you an amateur or something?"

He couldn't believe his carelessness. For someone so experienced, he sure acted reckless. "Are you kidding me?"

He looked at him with a reassuring smile. "Oh yeah, sorry. It'll be alright; they probably got lost. Just don't stare at them in the eye. We hand it over and get paid, deal's done. Simple as that."

Still not convinced by his answer, he tried again to instill some sense into him. "Why did he ask to meet you here? This place looks like a ghost town. I'm telling you this is a trap."

Zan laughed at his suggestion, tuning into his charming persona. "Look, kid, let me tell you of a few things you gotta get out of this job: first, the cargo is not our business; second, if the client pays, you don't ask questions; third, and most important, you charge upfront. So, rest easy. Won't be much for them to steal if it's an ambush." The man patted him on the back and went back to his vases.

He looked up at the sky, muttering, "This was a bad idea…"

"Hey, I promised you your cut. Worth twelve years of your salary. I only wish I were as lucky as you when I was your age."

Perhaps he had offered him money; but he would have given it up in the blink of an eye just to go back to how things were. "But now I can't go back home…"

"Who cares? This life has lots of ups. You get to travel the world, have some fun, then you get to retire rich… if you are not caught. Definitely worth it more than a life stamping papers, huh?" He elbowed him before laying on the deck and staring at the night sky. A minute later, they could make out a lone light approaching in the distance.

"See? There they are." A ship dwarfing theirs moved towards them; and amidst the fog, he could make out its red and green sails. It slowed its pace until it anchored next to them. A man dressed in red silk aboard waved his hat to them as other sailors roped the ships together and dropped a gangplank. "Fine evening, gentlemen." The man tipped his hat and flashed a friendly smile as he strolled towards them as if he were on solid ground.

Zan tapped his feet. "You are late."

He chuckled lightly at the gesture. "Am I? Time flies at sea, doesn't it?" His companion's face remained stern, and the man's voice turned serious. "Show me."

Zan led him to the back of their ship as Taru hoped he had managed to hide the box well enough. But his associate didn't seem to notice nor care that he had tampered with it as he uncovered it and the client knelt down. Taking a knife from his belt, their acquaintance pried it open only for a glimpse before clicking it shut. Taru tried to glance at whatever was inside, but the man's body obstructed the view.

Not able to hold back his curiosity, he tried to sound friendly; but his words came nervously. "So, what's the deal with that?"

The man stood up to face him, his dark eyes scanning him for a moment, before turning to Zan. "Is this your apprentice or something?"

"Sort of. Doesn't know when to shut up, though." The man looked back at him, casting a cold smirk that sent chills down his spine. He had changed his character so suddenly that it felt as if he had put on a mask.

"Anyhow, I'd love to stay for some tea. Have you got the time? Hop over to my ship; I'll pay you then." The man gestured to his ship, but Zan stood his ground, crossing his arms.

"Hold up, bud. I'll take your invite to it, but I want my money first."

He seemed disappointed but went back to his cheerful self. "Where have manners gone? Very well. You know what? Let's have tea on deck while we're at it. Got a nice view from here." He gestured to his sailors, who brought a small table across along with a tea chest. For a moment, it seemed a joke to him; but the man was serious, and he was the first to sit down, slouching against the back of his chair. Zan shrugged and sat as he checked the payment, the golden coins gleaming in his eyes.

Everyone was silent at the table, as the man appeared to be waiting for his companion to finish counting. Taru felt out of place in that situation, awkwardly stared at Zan, trying to break the uncomfortable silence. "You… chose the place for the sights… then?" His tone lowered at the end, for the man turned again to stare at him with the same intensity as before. He averted his view to look at his companion instead.

His voice was calm and emotionless. "You are right; the boy doesn't know when to shut up."

Zan looked at him. "Just enjoy the tea." He turned back to counting the coins, stacking them on the table.

The moment Zan finished, the client spoke again, his saccharine tone returning. "I'd just like to say we could use a man of your talents."

His companion smirked as he polished one of the coins. "Me? Nah, I work solo, no offense…" The man stared at Taru, then back at him as Zan cleared his voice, continuing confidently. "This was just a minor setback. If you need someone for another job like this, I'm your guy."

The man tapped his fingers lightly against the table. "Hmm… This isn't your normal type of 'job.' You seem like a guy with morals. You care about others, don't you? You know, there's more to life than gold. There is a sense of fulfillment in greater goals that coin could never fill. I was like you once; never regretted it." He took the last sip of his tea, placing the cup softly on the table.

Zan seemed to be trying to hold a laugh; and leaning against his chair, he flipped a coin. "Appreciate the offer. Gonna have to pass, though."

In a blur of steel, Zan looked down to see blood rushing from his chest. His murderer only wiped his blade with a rag. "Wrong answer." As the body hit the deck, Taru fell back from his chair, raising his hands and trying to plead for mercy. He stuttered, "Wait! This wasn'–" His hands shook, his mind desperately trying to find an escape. But the man turned over Zan's body with his boot as if bothered by it, glancing at the bloodied corpse for a moment before turning to stare at him.

"Yeah… Sorry you had to see that, kiddo. You see, he was a dead man the moment he took you here. I gave him a choice. No loose ends; that was the deal. And he broke it. Pity he dragged you down with him. I'll make it quick."

The boy scrambled for the railing with a burning sensation in his throat. He couldn't breathe or scream, and warmth trickled down his back. A knife! He fell to his knees, his vision blurring and his body weakening. He collapsed against the wooden deck, and the man strolled towards him. They were burning Zan's boat! The intensity of the fire dazzled him for a moment, but did it matter if he could see anymore? The last sight he saw was a pale light coming from the shore. A chill rushed through him, and he became still.

***

He wiped his knife with a handkerchief and threw it into the fire, satisfied with his shot. He had not yet lost his touch. He waited to meet the new arrivals as the crew helped them onto the ship.

"Michiko, it is a pleasure to see you, my dear. Stunningly beautiful as ever." She looked past him for a second, her green eyes lit up by the burning ship, and she glared. "Are you done with your twisted performance yet? Perhaps you forgot to tear them limb by limb."

"Easy, dear. It's just the perks of the job. Though the idea sounds intriguing. May try my hand at it next time. A pity we were running short on time."

"You are sick." She turned her back to him, walking straight to the cabin.

"Said the assassin. Hey, why don't you go play some tricks on the crew while you are at it?" As she was gone, the colossus that came with her carried more cargo into the ship before leaving their own vessel to burn along with the one of the unlucky smugglers.

"What's up with you, big guy? Enjoyed your time?" The beast of a man only grunted and carried on.

"Err… I'll take that as a yes." He took his hat, heading to the quarterdeck. The crew awaited his orders. "Anchors aweigh. Set course for home."