Guraze leaned against the railing of his ship and smiled as they neared the port. He inhaled deeply and smiled at the mixture of spices. It wasn't the busiest of towns he visited on his regular trips, but it was a hot spot for locals to trade spices and herbs so it tended to have a wide variety of smells coming from it.
He straightened up as the ship started slowing and helped weigh anchor before walking down the gangplank. He pulled the shirt around his waist on properly and buttoned it halfway before making his way into the main hub as his men unloaded the necessary crates. He looked around at the unusually busy market and raised an eyebrow when he caught the word 'mermaid'.
Sure, he'd seen a lot of crazy stuff while sailing, but mermaids? Those were just old sailors' tales. The sea may seem endless, but mermaids were just a ridiculous concept like dragons.
He shook his head and worked his way though the crowd, his jaw dropping at the sight before him. Looks like those crazy old sailors weren't so crazy after all. And maybe dragons did live in mountains somewhere, lurking inside with mountains of gold and gems. And slain knights.
It was a large, glass box filled with water. However, it was what was inside the water that had people staring and jaws on the floor. A woman.. with a fish tail connected to her waist and replacing her legs. Pale blond hair floated around her head and her bright blue-green eyes looked around the faces staring at her.
Her tail was a mixture of colors, pink and green and blue. She had curled into herself and her tail almost circled around the human portion of her body, only leaving her head visible to stare in fear at the crowd. Her eyes landed on him and he flinched at the fear openly swimming in her eyes. He watched as her mouth moved and could tell it was a plea for help.
He frowned and nodded slightly before turning and walking to the large manor in town. Business first, he reminded himself. Finish your job and then save the damsel in distress, he thought.
He nodded firmly and forced a smile as he spoke with the man, taking his payment. He handed it off to the onboard money manager and quietly informed his men that they weren't staying long. They gave him an odd look, but didn't question it at the determined look on his face.
Guraze lingered around the crowd as the day passed and watched as a wealthy man climbed on a table, calling everyones' attention. Guraze took a swig from his beer and leaned back, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. He works with wealthy men and he's developed a sixth sense for when they're up to something dirty.
The wealthy man cleared his throat obnoxiously and waved his hands, succesfully gathering everyones attention. "Who wants to touch the mermaid herself?! Pay me and I'll let you feel her soft skin or even take some of her hair! Mermaid hair is supposed to have healing properties and even increase your lifespan!"
Guraze dropped the glass, barely hearing it shatter on the ground as people crowded the man, quickly shoving money at him. Guraze stared as two men climbed into the tank, sending the mermaid into a worried and scared fit. She flailed as the men fumbled to grab her and he couldn't even crack a smile when her tail fin snapped across one of the men's face.
The men managed to lift her out and dropped her onto the ground. She pushed herself back against the glass box and tried unsuccessfully to keep away from the hands pulling at her hair and touching her from all over her body. She let out a screech and sobbed openly as they pulled strands of her hair out.
He glared as they freely groped her and felt his body shake with anger. These men were scum, touching an innocent and captured creature such as herself. He flinched when her sobs reached his ears and stood quickly, making his way through the crowd.
He pushed others aside when they froze and didn't notice when the yelling turned into silence. He stepped forward and stared as the tail fin seemingly peeled off of her legs, revealing pale skin of human legs. The scales fell off and he stared as she hugged her knees tightly, curling into herself.
Bruising was already forming across her arms and shoulders and he saw the faint marks of netting across her back, informing him she must've gotten caught in a fishing net. But the bruising was from the men grabbing her and already he could see small patches of hair missing from her head. His hands formed into fists and he surged forward, quickly scooping her in his arms.
He tucked her into his chest and quickly pushesd through the crowd while they were distracted. The mermaid sobbed softly and clung to his shirt, keeping her face hidden in his chest. He ran to his ship and quickly climbed on as the crowd realized what he'd done.
He turned to his men and yelled, "We're leaving, now! If anyone tries to stop us, they're to be left unharmed if possible!"
The men carrying cargo dropped it either back onto the deck or on the dock, quickly untying the ship and unfurling the sails. Guraze held the mermaid to his chest and made his way into the ship, making a beeline for his room. He gently set her in the hammock and covered her with a blanket.
He patted her head and softly said, "Stay here, alright? We'll get you home and safe soon. As soon as we're out of these waters, okay?"
She curled her fingers in the blanket and nodded slightly, her tears slowing their stream. He gave her a small smile and unbuttoned his shirt as he walked out, shutting the door behind himself as he made his way back onto deck.