On the day the Windlass siblings turned 17, Alex returned. He had left in simple pirate gear but came back in a Marleybone Royal Navy uniform. He pulled his thunderbuss off his back along with his pack; put them below deck of his royal navy skiff and stepped off onto the docks of Skull Island. Behind him he heard the sound of footsteps. His left hand gripped his Royal Navy Saber and drew it; Alex spun fast, poised to strike, and came face to face with his sister. Krystal laughed "A little jumpy, aren't you?" Alex sheathed his blade and hugged his sister.
When he broke the embrace, he noticed his girlfriend Amanda Jennings. She was smiling from ear to ear and walked up to him. She took his royal navy bicorne off his head and kissed him. Alex stepped back and brushed off his uniform. "I have a report for Captain Avery. Come on you two; let's head to Avery's Court." The three set off up the path, but not before Alex pulled out a bottle and uncorked it. His Royal Navy skiff disappeared in a puff of purple and green smoke, and reappeared in his bottle. He corked it and put it in his navy jacket.
Captain Avery was sitting on his sofa when he heard a knocking. He grabbed his hat and jacket before opening his door and letting Alex and Wing Chun entered. They shook hands and Avery offered Alex a seat. Alex sat, while Wing walked over and stood by Avery's Samoorai armor. "So Captain Windlass," Avery began "what brings you in today." Alex dug in his coat and pulled out a small envelope "The Marleybone Royal Navy found this map, my commanding officer told me that you might be able to decipher this. I haven't got the opportunity to read it myself, I figured that I'd let you see it before I took any other action."
Captain Avery pulled out the papers inside and looked them over "This is an interesting find captain. What you have here is the map to the treasure of Emperor Shang Li, the 18th emperor of the world where you were raised of Mooshu. Alex was intrigued by this "Can you tell me anything about this treasure." Avery poured himself and Alex a glass of Yum before responding "I'd be delighted, this treasure has quite the interesting tale behind it." He took a sip of his drink and began.
"Emperor Shang Li was the longest reigning leader of Mooshu. About 300 years ago he rose to power and for the rest of his life; this bull would make his homeland miserable while he prospered. His people starved and the farms of the land couldn't feed the people. Shang Li turned Mooshu into an impoverished land. Mass mayhem broke out, ninja pigs raided the village. Their intentional target was the emperor's massive fortune. But they came up dry, and Shang Li continued to take from his people. 50 years went by and the emperor was able to retire extremely wealthy, sadly he never got to spend any of his riches. Shang Li suffered a heart attack and died. His treasure is still said to be somewhere in Mooshu, that's where you come in captain, you're going to find that treasure, what you find is yours to keep. The only things out of there I wish for you to bring me are Shang's Crown and Nose Ring. Good hunting Captain."
The two stood up and shook hands. Alex took back the envelope and placed it in his coat. Captain Avery walked over to his desk and pulled out a bronze disk "You'll need this if you're going after the treasure. It's a cipher wheel, unless you speak fluent ancient Mooshuan of course. Alex thanked Captain Avery, drank his Yum and walked out the door with Wing Chun.
Outside, Alex stared at the papers, back in Mooshu; he had taken lessons to speak Mooshuan. He read the words on the parchment I Emperor Shang Li, have given you, my heir, this map. Consider it a guide to my fortune. My treasure is buried far away from Mooshu, but to get to it, you will need to follow my clues. Start by exploring to my old palace. Under my throne is a stone with an engraving of my crown and horns. Move it and you will find my next clue. Good hunting Captain.
Alex walked into the Kraken Skulls and sat down by his sister. "Meet me in the cellar sis. I'll explain everything down there." Alex's crew stood up, Alex paid his tab and climbed down into the cellar where he laid the map down and spread the papers across the table. "Ok everyone, before I even begin, someone close the damn cellar door." Ratbeard scampered back up the ladder, slammed the cellar shut, and dropped back down "Ok, what I have here is the keys to the lost treasure of Emperor Shang Li. But unless you were Mooshu raised like I was; you wouldn't know anything about him. His reign was erased from all history books except those in the imperial archives."
Krystal was next to speak "Ok, so we go after this treasure and like usual we split it 50-50." Alex nodded, "You got it sis. Well, what are we waiting for, let's set sail. I'll sail the Hasty Kingfish with my team and Krystal will fly the Laughing Windlass with her crew." As the Windlass siblings walked down the dock Alex heard a sound similar to a shaking cask. His hand grasped and drew his sword. He spun quickly, brandishing his blade. Three members of the rat pack stepped out from their hiding place and brought up their weapons. Alex and Krystal returned the gesture and made quick work of the 3 wharf rats.
After that, the Windlass siblings set sail for Mooshu. On Alex's ship, his crew was standing about on deck or below deck in the quarters. Alex's hands were set on his wheel as he guided the skiff through the skies. Gaspard and Ratbeard had estimated that Mooshu would take a day to reach. Alex acknowledged his crew members estimate and returned his eyes to the skies.
On Krystal's ship Mormo was running around the deck waving his wand and putting a Hoodoo blessing on the skiff. Dead Mike was standing at the bow with a bronze spyglass in his hands. He knew Mormo's blessing would keep the ship safe but he wasn't about to take chances. Krystal let Kan Po take the Helm while she went into the captain's quarters. She opened a drawer near her hammock and pulled out a talisman made of several different teeth and bones. She put it around her neck and returned to the wheel.
Back on the Hasty Kingfish, Alex's left hand left the wheel and grasped the only memory he had of his father, his musketeer's medallion. He looked at the engraving on the back Ryan Windlass. He tucked it under his jacket, told Wing to take the helm while he went to his quarters. Alex sat at his desk and stared at what lay on it. The ships docked in Mooshu that night, and under Alex and Krystal's instruction, the crews went below. They would disembark in the morning.
