A/N: I got the idea for this fanfic by some awesome fanart done by Emilia89 on Deviantart! Go check out her beautiful and stunning work!
The relentless, murky waves crashed against the side of the boat making the already tired wood groan and complain. They would have to commandeer another ship soon, she realized this, alas she did not want to. The Avatar had been a family heirloom so to speak, passed down (or commandeered) for generations. It would be hard to say goodbye. Korra smirked, running a hand along the smooth banister as she sauntered down the stairs.
"One more voyage, aye old girl?" She whispered as she reached the weather deck, where most of the crew were running about collecting everything they could for shore. The crew had seen the old girl slow pace and creak more often than usual. They knew that this might be the last time they see the old girl.
"Alright ya polar dog mutts! Yer captain's bloody well speakin' so you better shut yer traps." A silky smooth voice called out from behind Korra followed by the familiar warmth of arms wrapping around her waist from behind.
"Now, now Tahno. Remember our deal? Hm? No displays of affection in front of the crew." Giggling softly Korra whispered over her shoulder to her lover, "Or I'll be throwing you off the ship next." She added, the threat clear in her voice. Sighing with relief as the two stick-like arms unraveled from her waist as the wind whipped her mischievous hair across her face, oh how the air disliked her, she wanted to go north the air takes the ship south. Korra never really cared for the wind, nor earth. Water..well that she didn't mind, she preferred it. Fire however, was a guilty pleasure of hers. The way it flickers in the wind, how it can give light but also destroy vessels how-
She turned her attention to her now quiet crew, however small. On the far left was Tenzin, the chief navigator. Next to him was Pema, the ship's chef. Although 'chef' was just a fancy term for a slab of salted meat and ale. The whole ship had noticed that Tenzin had a 'thing' for Pema as did she, though they were both as blind as a badgermole for not seeing it sooner. Next to Pema was Asami, garbed in her traditional black and red. Asami was the ship's weapons expert, skilled in every weapon imaginable, and able to fix any too. Your pistol backfire? Asami can fix that! Your sword shattered on impact? You insult Asami with your petty problems, buy a better sword. Next to Asami was Unalaq, Noatark and Tarrlok, who helped man the riggings. Then there was Tahno, her love. Who'd been there through thick and thin even though she...No. Now was not the time. She had to focus. They'd lost a lot of good slaves during the storm a few weeks back and needed to 'resupply' in both flesh and food.
"Right then. Tenzin, Pema and Unalaq we need supplies. Food, water, ale.. anything you can get your hands on."
"Aye, aye Captain!" They exclaimed in unison before grabbing daypacks and making their way down the gangplank to shore.
"Asami, take Noatak and Tarrlock down t'the docks, see if you can rally up some coin eh? Buy some more weapons then pool whatever you have left. We'll sleep on shore tonight, methinks." This time the trio didn't even bother saluting they just pulled up their hoods and made their way down the gangplank, as sneaky as a rat.
"Tahno. We're going people shopping. Savy?" Tahno looked uneasy, shifting from foot to foot as if on fire his eyes not meeting hers, "Koi got your tongue?"
"Err..no. I just thought one of us should stay aboard in case they come back."
Korra waved it off dismissively, signaling him to stay before strolling down the gangplank onto solid ground.
Slavery was a hard gig. One was usually sold in spite or jealousy and once you became a slave there was no coming back, at least not usually. Pirates, like herself, usually justify having slaves as giving them a better and rowdier life than what they would usually have as a kitchen scullery or maid. Port Sing Se was a major slavery hub, two hundred slaves walk in, two hundred walk out sold. A hard market, since the strongest, brightest and most attractive ones were usually the first to go as soon as daybreak which is when the market opens. While the young, old and untalented were usually sold a week after arrival, if ever. As Korra stepped into the Jasmine Dragon, a front for their not-so-legal trading, something felt off in the air.
So, now you decide to be my friend? She thought to the air around her. Not looking for a response, though she wasn't looking she heard it. In the tinkling of the chimes that hung above the bar and through the cries of patrons as their drinks wobbled on three-legged tables, which weren't sturdy in their own right any way. Knowing exactly where to go she made her way into a small hallway behind the bar, now she only need remember if it were the third door on the right or the second. Though she didn't have to think much as she remembered. Everything in this tavern is in three. Three metal tubes on the chimes, thre-legged chairs. Heaving the door open she made her way down the dank and musty stairs.
No matter how many times Korra walked in here it was always overwhelming, carved straight into the rock by hand was a huge cavern with multiple walkways that goes to spirit knows where! Every where as Tahno would say, Every where and any where. Walking on dusty rock wasn't the easiest thing but if one had the right shoes then they would be able to. Thankfully Korra hadn't dressed for looks today rather comfort, which helped even more on her quest to find some able bodied slaves. Which wasn't hard to do especially considering that there were mostly men being paraded around.
Topless men, Korra added silently. As she looked around her eyes locked onto that of a slave's. His golden brown eyes filled with so much sadness and despair, but something else lurked beneath, something darker. Anger maybe? His entrancing eyes were framed by two comical looking eyebrows, a slight nose sat between his eyes, thin lips and a longer face completed his look. Even with his hair all mussed up and dirty it somehow worked for him. She shook her head, breaking eye contact as she began to make her way over to his master, how DARE a slave make eye contact? Golden Eyes was probably a newer slave who'd been sold by his mother, or lover. Although when she marched over there she noticed that Golden Eyes was holding the head of someone in his lap, with a rounder face and a larger nose. A friend? Or brother? Son? Korra hesitated, how could she punish someone who even in his darkest moment still looks out for someone else? She realized with a start that she couldn't. She physically couldn't do it, because in his deep eyes she saw a part of herself that she wanted to forget.
"H-how much for the two of them?" She barked at the slave master after a shaky start.
"20 gold apiece." He proclaimed proudly.
"TWENTY APIECE? I could buy an army with that gold!" The tips of her ears began to turn deep red.
"Alright, alright. Twenty five for both."
Korra rolled her eyes, folding her arms across her chest in refusal.
"Twenty five for both or no deal." The slave master seemed to rethink, "Or you could serve me for a while." He waggled his eyebrows in deep suggestion.
Korra's lip curled in disgust as she dropped three gold pieces in his hand and twenty two gold plated copper pieces with it. By the time he figured it out her crew would be sailing away on the rough seas. Ambling over to the two boys she cut the rope off the younger one first, reaching for Golden Eyes' rope she noted that it was already undone. As if he had pulled it apart then slipped the ropes back on so no one would notice. She shut her eyes, cursing herself hoping she hadn't just made the worst mistake of her life.
A/N: Ohmygosh! Yay! I've had a few ideas rolling around in ye olde brain but I've never put them down before! Now I have! Oh and follow, follow, follow! Check out my other LoK fanfics! Every review helps me become a better author!
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