Chapter 17: The Bank Breaker
Knock, knock, sounded a fist colliding with the wooden door from the outside hall on Liang's ship. Moushar's eyes opened in response to the sudden noise, interrupting the man's sleep. The large wild cat rubbed his face as his eyelids struggled to keep themselves open. He recollected his conscious mind while the irritating sounds from outside of his quarters persisted. Knock, knock, knock, it sounded again.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Moushar groaned out loud.
The ear grating noise ceased as the man pushed his blanket away to sit upright on his bed. Rubbing his tired face, a long exhausted sigh breathed through his lungs and out his mouth. Finally he had proper bedding, and now the base-brained crew of this ship was denying him the luxury of simple sleep. Forcefully rubbing the drowsiness off his mind, Moushar stood up and turned to the only entrance/exit of his tiny cabin. The subtle swaying of the ship was felt by his legs, of which were not entirely used too since coming aboard. Opening the door, he was met with an Ox sailor, brawny and wearing simplistic clothing while his face was shown with signs of poorly kept grooming habits.
"What is it?" Moushar asked with frustration.
"Oy, the captain just wanted me t'a let you know we're approaching this… rendezvous spot you mentioned to him." The ox answered in a thick voice.
"Then go tell the captain that I'll meet him at the bow in a minute." The mountain lion ordered while trying his best to keep his fatigue from showing.
"Oy, I'll do that." The ox acknowledged before walking down the ship's hall.
(Fire Emblem Awakening ost – "Someone has to save you from your good intentions.")
Moushar closed the door to the rest of the deck, allowing him to give a long yawn in secret while placing his paw on his closed, sleep demanding eyes. After grabbing and adorning his leather poncho, he left his temporary quarters behind. The sounds of creaking wood and nearby chattering from sailors echoed through the inner bowels of the criminal vessel as the very early morning still remained dark and cold, only a few hours or so after midnight. Stepping out onto the deck, Moushar paced down towards the ship's bow with ease, taking the proper amount of time to wake himself up. Arriving at his destination, the view from the boat's front was oddly calming to him with the water, the trees and even the distance ahead just as colorless as the sky, though absent from the tiny specs of white that made the distant stars, most likely due to cloaking clouds above. The wind slowly blew, chilling yet relaxing on the feline's face. Footsteps were detected by his vigilant ears and approaching from behind, two hooved feet walking on top of the wooden deck. Turning to his right, Liang came to join his important guest. Distant, tiny lights of campfires were visible at the forested areas ahead as the ship moved slowly and cautiously down the great river.
"I don't want any of your kind causing trouble while onboard, understand?" Liang demanded with a half exhausted voice.
Moushar took a deep breath and exhaled before replying. "You needn't worry, my people are disciplined; you have my word that they'll leave you, your crew, and your vessel to themselves."
"I'll be the judge of that." Liang replied.
With a raised eyebrow, the mountain lion questioned "First you doubt my capabilities, and now my honor?"
Taking a moment to choose his wording, Liang replied "All I have to say is; I don't trust a man who gives me a false name to call him by."
Turning his head to the deer, Moushar returned one question with another. "And you know this how?"
"I've heard of you kinds. Secrecy are your shields, am I correct?"
"And you are aware of this… how?" Moushar questioned with a suspicious tone.
"Word among our spies and leaders spread, especially after the efforts your group commited in service to our business. I only heard of your habits recently." Liang answered.
"I can assure you, my organization is well disciplined." Moushar reassured.
Liang remained silent, even in a position of authority he knew that poking a bear would only end in disaster. The vessel quietly approached the riverside, docking just ahead of the raider's boat. The small campfires still beamed as the thuggish men on Liang's ship dropped anchor and placed out the boarding ramp. Patiently Moushar waited for his operatives to join him. Exhausted, Liang yawned as Mousha's passengers and subordinates came aboard. They were all felines, masked and dressed darkly to bend-in with the night. Quickly and efficiently they stood on the deck and awaited their leader's orders. Their commander walked up the ramp and went to her leader's side. Joining the gathering of their men, the second in command, dressed in his armored uniform, checked in with his fellow warriors of shadows while the ninja's overseer spoke with her leader.
"Welcome back, Aisha." Moushar greeted.
"At last… I couldn't stand another minute with those brain rotten bastards." The panther detested.
Raising an eyebrow, Liang gave Moushar a doubtful glare. The mountain lion leader then returned Aisha's words with a silent sneer, a visual order to watch what she said. Understanding her current scenario, she refrained from expressing her frustrations for the time being.
"What was the result of your mission?" Moushar asked in a tone of authority.
Aisha answered calmly, now more careful of her choice of wording. "Our efforts brought us success. The operation was executed perfectly. Division and conquest earned our allies their bounty: An entire village population ready to be their profit."
Moushar nodded as he asked "And what of YOUR task, Aisha?"
A wicked smirk smeared across her face, one that gave Liang chills just from being five feet near the dangerous vixen.
With satisfaction, she answered. "I've done exactly as ordered of me, and I can surely say that we've found the man you've been looking for."
Two of her fellow felines climbed up the ramp with their prisoner between them, his large, burly figure still in chains around his wrists. His head was hidden by a sack with an air hole in the back, to not allow him even the slightest sight of the outside while giving him air to breath. Moushar looked at the wolf before him. A strong body with numerous war scars: it did indeed suit the man whom he's searched for years. But with the face concealed, there was still a sliver of suspicion mewling in the wild cat's mind. Liang, in his tired state, took a good look at their captive, and in just a few seconds of concentration, realized that there was something familiar with this warrior wolf. Curiosity drove the deer to approach the prisoner and unmask him, until Aisha intercepted with a dagger drawn towards the captain's neck.
"No peaking now. It doesn't have your name on it." Aisha taunted.
Liang refrained himself, Moushar's claims were losing more credit as the moments moved by.
As Aisha sheaved her blade, her leader in the leather poncho asked "Are you positive he's the man?"
"Trust me; what we have here is the real deal." She said in a satisfied tone.
"Very well, Captain Liang, please have one of your men show her to the brick." Moushar requested.
The one eyed deer gave an affirmative nod, then left to find a sailor to be that assassin's guide. Moushar looked back at his new captive, who was remaining still and quiet. Coming directly in front of him, the feline felt tempted to unmask him then and there. But his common sense overruled his tempting thoughts, reminding him that it'd be best to wait until their captive couldn't identify his current location. Still, a sense of half-disbelief settled upon Moushar. In truth he didn't think the scenario that played out in his head would ever come to fruition. And yet, here he was: the man whom supposably waged war for the mad peacock prince, died in battle, and returned to the realm of the living. Of all things, Moushar didn't expect the lupine to be so… calm. Any other man in his situation would panic or shout with fear or demand for release. In his imagination Moushar pictured the infamous general to be urging to be let go or cursing up threats for being assaulted and constrained against his will. But rather, the wolf was still, with only the slight sound of his breathing as the sack surrounding his head slowed moved in and out. The simple reality was surprising, yet oddly reaffirmed his belief in Aisha's assurement.
A brawny ox came show the way to the brink before Aisha and a few of her men brought the captive lupine below deck. Moushar watched as the famed general was taken down as the mountain lion's eyes didn't divert from the chained wolf until he was obscured from their vision.
"Sir" The second in command said.
Moushar was brought out of his thought process and turned to his right handed lieutenant. "Wushun, what is it?" Moushar asked.
"Sir, our allies are preparing their ship, to travel alongside us. And our warriors are retiring for the night. I recommend you do the same as we continue our course." Wushun, in his armored uniform advised.
"Yes… that does sound like a good idea." Moushar replied.
With a silent nod the two wildcats walked down the deck. Second guesses and careful thinking drove Moushar to order his second-in-command "I need you to keep an eye on Aisha's behavior while we're on board."
"Do you distrust her, sir?" Wushun asked.
"No. But Liang doubts the reputation people have given us. Should she do anything… unorthodox, remind her that our words and actions reflect our image in Hang Wo's eyes." The leading wildcat clarified.
"Understood sir" Wushun acknowledged.
With business concluded and the remainder of his warriors returned, Moushar made his way back to his quarters, next to his apprentice's. Closing the door behind him, he finally let out a long yawn again as he removed his poncho, hanged up on the wall, and laid down on his bed for rightful rest.
("Someone has to save you from your good intentions" ends)
((()-()))
(Fire Emblem Echoes ost – "Disquiet")
Jimbo laid on his back inside the steel barred cell in the slavers' vessel. For the past few hours he could only watch and listen in absolute mortal terror as some of his friends and neighbors did the same, all crammed into cells of their own. Having no idea where they were exactly, Jimbo did his best to remain calm, though given the current situation, it was difficult to fully grasp reality. Shocked he was still, to see Shu here, of all places. The wolves being held prisoners he presumed were her visiting family. The three grown sons, one of whom Jimbo recognized, were all in cell across from the cage and fast asleep. Jimbo figured out he was within the same cell as their father, the same man who allowed his grown sons to almost commit accidental murder. Renshu, the same wolf who behaved with such disrespect just a couple days ago was occupying the same cell. Jimbo didn't know whether to call it crappy circumstances or some sick joke of life; since being shoved into the same small space, the lupine father paid little attention to the goat, recognizing and remembering the terrible treatment from the village. Of all the people in all the country, Renshu disgustingly and mentally questioned why him. So for nearly hours the two didn't speak or even face each other.
Shu, desperate for answers, tried to ask the villagers what caused this terrible turn of events. But, her queries were left unanswered. No one could talk, and barely any of them stayed awake. Most of the Valley's residents were beaten unconscious, either as an extra precaution on the raiders part (to keep their profits from attempting escape or retaliation) or as a simple act of cruelty. In their cells, Mr. & Mrs. Yung laid together unconscious and Mr. Ping was imprisoned with Gerald and Margret. Shu recognized all the faces she could make out. It was a mortifying sight, seeing the innocent helpless and without their heroes.
"Hmm…mmm…. Huh?" A faint muttering was sounded.
With his ears detecting the new noise, Renshu looked back at his cell mate, noticing that the goat was now beginning to regain his sense of speech. At first he sounded utter nonsense, and the man himself was in half disbelief at the moment. But he remembered the words of those barbaric villains, and how they spoke of the temporary effects of their concoction tainted darts. Jimbo slowly found his voice again. As much as his earlier self wanted to shout and scream, the passing hours of silence gave him time to think. He figured that when he regained his voice, his volume should be kept low, as to not alert any of the villains nearby and in the ship.
"S-Shu… Shu…" Jimbo whispered, facing towards the young she-wolf through the steel bars.
Finally having someone who could communicate with, Shu directed her attention towards her neighbor while Renshu stayed his distance from his cell mate.
"Jimbo" Shu whispered back. "What on earth happened?"
"The… Valley was… was attacked." Jimbo answered, still adjusting to his returning voice.
"Attacked, when?" Shu asked quietly.
"Just a couple days after you, Zhong and Erdan… wait, where are Zhong and Erdan!?" Jimbo asked, that thought now crossing his mind.
"Zhong was here in this ship, but the bandits took him away, I don't know where. As for Erdan, we have no idea." Shu answered. "But tell me, WHAT HEPPENED TO THE VALLEY!?"
Jimbo answered, keeping his volume only high enough for Shu to understand him. "Ok, ok,ok. So, a couple days after you and your family left the Valley the village was attacked. It happened late at night. All of a sudden there was screaming and violence. When I got out to see what was happening, I was assaulted by some disguised felines."
"You mean, like… ninjas?" Shu asked.
"Whoever they are, they struck me with some kind of dart, and only by overhearing them earlier did I learn of what it did to me and everyone else." Jimbo informed.
Shu looked around, seeing nearly all of the people, unconscious and unaware of their current surroundings. Currently having no idea of the mortal danger they were still in.
"But what about Po and the Five, didn't they fight to protect you all?" Shu asked with confusion.
"Only half of them." Jimbo answered gravely. "From what I heard; Po, Tigress and Crane were sent on a mission just a day before the attack. The rest of the Five never stood a chance, the same for the guards of that royal noble and his family."
Shu perked up and asked "Wait, what about that noble and his family?"
"I think his wife is here, captive like us, as for the rest of those royals, I have no idea." Jimbo answered. "But how did you and your family get in here?"
Keeping her voice in a low volume, Shu relayed the events of her family vacation. Telling of what transpired with her pack. She informed him of all the important details, and the means of which she and her relatives became captives.
"And then, we're thrown into here, waiting for gods know what?" Shu finished.
"But where is Erdan?" JImbo asked.
"Hopefully he's getting help." Shu said with a tone of desperate hope.
Looking back at the prisoners before her, Shu realized a noticeable detail that piqued her dark curiosity. And once her mind put those pieces together, a grave realization manifested in a dark corner of her imagination.
"Jimbo, why are there only adults here?" Shu asked urgently.
"What?" Jimbo muttered.
"Where are your children?" Shu asked.
"Hopefully they're back at the Valley and in some kind of care."
"But why did the raiders only kidnap adults?" Shu asked, being more specific now.
"Because the fiends going to sell all of us into slavery at Fu Zha." Jimbo answered darkly.
"Fu Zha, isn't that a port town by the ocean?" Shu thought.
"Yes, which means if we don't do something, we'll all be taken away into a life of torment!" Jimbo stated.
"We have to do something!" Shu said quietly.
"But what?" Jimbo replied.
Shu paused a moment, thinking to herself. Not having any solid ideas yet so she muttered back "I… I don't know… not yet at least."
Suddenly, shouts were heard from outside. The sounds of various feet walking and running above could be heard. Then, as a whole, the ship moved. Unbenounced by its cargo, the vessel had departed in the early, still dark hours of the morning. The ship was pushed off into the center of the large river, sailing side-by-wide with Liang's vessel. As the large slave boat begun its course, Shu and Jimbo could only sit in their cells, think of a means to escape, and hope that rescue was on the way for all of their people.
("Disquiet" ends)
High up on the nearby hill, a spyglass protruded out of a bush as it's user observed the sudden departure of the slavers vessels. Looking up from his distace viewing device, Mushi quickly comprehended the actions of his targets. The samurai rushed down the hill and arrived at the camp where the fire still burned slightly as all four teens slept within the party's tent. In a frenzy Mushi opened the tent to alert his young companions of the recent developments upon his watch shift.
Opening the tent's only entrance, he shouted "Wake up, wake up!"
Suddenly all of the young heroes were brought out of their slumber. Yingyu rubbed her eyes, Erdan rose up from his back, Galena started to gain awareness, and Fang returned Mushi's urgency with groans of annoyance, followed by "What's the deal?"
"We need to leave now!" Mushi said urgently.
"Wh-what's happening?" Erdan asked as he scratched his bare chest.
"The Shadow Claw and their allies are leaving." The samurai replied.
Suddenly the whole group's attention was brought into full, now with focused eyes and perked up ears.
"They're leaving right now?!" Yingyu asked.
Mushi proceeded to pack up their camp's items into their bags. Forcing the tiredness out of their eyes, the two teenage lupines and the young royal deer exited the tent and begun to prepare their own equipment while learning of the villains current actions.
"I just saw them a few minutes ago." Mushi explained. "Another ship arrived to meet with them. A half-an-hour later, they both left to travel down river."
"What was the other ship like?" Yingyu asked while equipping her bow and quiver of arrows.
"I couldn't make out specific details, but I can say it's just about the same size as the vessel that's carrying the captured villagers." Mushi answered urgently.
"It must be more of their allies, joining up with their main force." Erdan theorized.
Galena, clearing the campsite, commented Erdan's notion. "That means we'll have even more of those villains to handle."
"So?" Fang said in protest. "Doesn't matter how many, I'd fight all of them if I half too."
Mushi, who prepared his belongings, looked at the young rabbit and said "I admire you're spirit young one, but we cannot afford to be reckless."
Erdan looked to his bunny companion, saying "He's right, for now we stick to our plan, and reunite with Po, Tigress, and Crane before attempting a rescue."
Fang groaned under his breath. "Alright, but we better hurry already!"
In just a few shorts minutes the group's camp was taken down and its contents packed in their bags. Not wasting any time, Mushi lead the group down the hill and towards the river. Passing by the small clearing where the raiders set up camp, the party followed the two ships from a distance while cloaked by night's darkness. Steadily Mushi took the lead. Instructing his young allies to remain calm and quiet, not a word or sound was sent out of the teen's vocals, and any communication was donw by mutters and whispers. Passing by trees and bushes, the small band of heroes treaded with caution through the lightless riverside woods. Hours passed by as the group traversed the wild woods. It wasn't until some-time into tailing the two ships that the first rays of light began to peak over the heaven's horizon. It was relieving to the young teens to finally see the break of dawn arrive after a tension filled night. Spotting the ships in the distance, Mushi noticed a detail that spelled troubles for the group's efforts: The distance between them and the two ships was increasing. The two vessels were picking up speed, due to increased winds. In haste, Mushi urged the group to hurry in traversing themselves.
"Muhsi… wait." Galena urged with fatigue.
Looking back, the samurai noticed two teens, all struggling to even keep their own pace. Galena and Yingyu weren't used to such strain over long periods of time. Erdan was used to extended time of hiking and physical demand. And Fang rode in the pouch connected to the harness that wrapped around Erdan's shirtless torso, holding his quiver and bow.
"We're losing distance with our enemies. Soon we'll lose sight of them!" Mushi urged.
"We know." Erdan replied. "But we need a break, and you should have one too. I mean, look at you Mushi, you're pushing past YOUR limits!"
He wasn't willing to admit it, but Mushi knew the young wolf spoke truth. However, after years of searching, tracking and hunting down, the samurai wasn't about to lose his targets yet again. An argument broke out between the young Kung Fu wolf and the experienced samurai bear.
"If we don't make haste we'll lose the Shadow Claw again!" Mushi argued.
"We understand that!" Erdan replied. "But Galena and Yingyu are not experienced adults like you. We all need rest!"
"ENOUGH!" Galena shouted. She then stood in between her two friends, desperate to end a fight before it began. "Both of you are right! We'll take a QUICK break, and then follow our foes again. In the meantime… I have to relieve myself!"
The young white she-wolf then marched off forwards to find a secluded spot to find relief.
"Fine" Mushi muttered as he stood by silently and waited.
Taking a moment to rest, Erdan looked over to Yingyu, who was sitting on the grassy ground while catching her breath. Coming to his noble friend's side, Erdan approached with a kind attitude and placed his paw on her shoulder, as a gesture of support.
"Are you holding up ok, Yingyu?" Erdan asked, taking a knee in front of the teenage deer girl.
"Well my feet hurt, I'm exhausted, and I almost swallowed a bug. So… yeah, I'm alright." The young royal replied with a hint of sarcasm.
Fang, while still inside the leather pouch attached to Erdan's armored harness, commented in his usual caring manor. "Not exactly a fancy palace, huh?"
"No Fang… not at all. Erdan, I don't know how you do all this?" Yingyu replied.
"Guess I'm just built for it." Erdan said back.
"Heh… you could say that again." Yingyu replied, stealing a quick glare at the young wolf's growing pectorals. She quickly directed her eyes away, before an awkward sight of blushed cheeks appeared on her face, and his too.
For a few moments silence lingered, the forest was now lit up with its greens and browns by the new morning light as- "HEY GUYS!" A voice shouted.
Galena suddenly rushed back to the group just a minute after leaving, her face shown with urgency. "You all need to see this!" She beckoned.
Quickly responding, Erdan, Yingyu and Mushi hurried through the woods and out to a small clearing where Galena was waiting. Pointing out towards the river, she directed their gazes towards a small boat right by the riverside. Only a quarter compared to the size of the slavers' ship, but even from a distance, Erdan could deduce that the small boat could hold and transport the whole party.
"I think we just found a compromise. Well guys, what do you say?" Galena said with a smile.
"If we traveled by boat we could keep up with the Shadow Claw and those slavers." Mushi stated.
"And we'll save time and energy too." Erdan replied.
The idea seemed almost perfect. But at the moment, a thought crossed Yingyu's mind that could not sit well with some of her comrades. Walking in-between the group and the distant boat, the young noble spoke her mind with a calm but serious voice of reason. "Hold on" Yingyu began. "We don't know if this ship is being used. And besides, we can't just steal it."
Understanding her point, Erdan replied with a similar sense of right and wrong. "She's right. If we want to travel on that ship, we'll need to ask permission first."
Fang, sitting on Erdan's pack, asked "What if they won't let us?"
"Well, we could pay them to take us to Fu Zha." Yingyu suggested.
"With what money?" Galena asked.
Pulling out a pouch from her bag, Yingyu held it in her hooved hands, replying "Well, before we left the Valley, I took the liberty of borrowing some of my father's money, for any expanses on our mission."
Sporting a mischievous grin, Fang said "So, you're saying you stole from your dad."
"N-no I didn't steal!" Yingyu defended. "I'm simply just acting in our family's place of duty. With my mother captured and my father bedridden, the responsibilities of our family fall onto me now. And that includes making decisions that may suit the-"
Annoyed, Fang interrupted the young noble. "Yeah, yeah… you got enough coins though?"
"Well… I have plenty here, so I'll save the explanations. Thank you very-"
"ENOUGH!" Erdan shouted. "We need to focus. Let's just head over to the boat and see if anyone's there."
Deciding to listen to a voice of reason, Yingyu and Fang ceased their bicker. The group made their way across the small clearing and arrived at the boat. It was a small craft, just big enough for a few rooms within its interior. An anchor was dropped into the river, keeping it from floating away with the current. A boarding ramp connected the boat's deck with the grassy ground. Its sails were simple and strung up on its mast.
"Hello? HELLO?" Erdan said loudly.
"Anybody here?" Yingyu asked.
Their greetings were met only with silence. Jumping off of Erdan's back, Fang stood on ground again, wanting to get a closer look himself.
"Can we come aboard?" Fang shouted. Once again, silence was all that was returned.
"Well… I don't hear a no." Fang said while shrugging his shoulders.
The reckless rabbit then quickly went across the boarding ramp and onto the boat.
"Fang get back here!" Erdan shouted.
Rushing after him, Erdan reached out to stop Fang from doing something he'd regret. The bunny teen quickly found his way into the boat's interior which was dark and silent. Various tools or sailing equipment adorned the interior, as well as a table and some chairs of rather pour quality. While looking around, Fang examined the insides of the boat when suddenly something grabbed the rabbit against his will. Rushing into the small vessel, Erdan quickly scanned the area. Seconds upon entering, his ears detected the sounds of muffling, and turning to his left, where he saw Fang being held by a someone who held a knife by the rabbit's throat. Acting quickly, Erdan readied himself and entered a fighting stance, ready to engage in close quarters combat.
"Ah, ah… I wouldn't act rashly if I were where you are." Fang's captor stated in a serious tone.
"Show yourself!" Erdan demanded.
The captor stepped out of the shadows, revealing herself to be a young feline, but not like any Erdan encountered before. While she had traits similar to leopards or tigers, her fur however was golden yellow and her tail had a puff of fur at its end. She wore simple clothing, similar to what an average villager would adorn. Judging by her height and young sounding voice, Erdan guessed she was a young teen, most likely around thirteen years of age. Struggling to break free, Fang reached into his robe to grasp his weapon, only for the young feline to grab his nunchucks out of his paws.
"Well now, what's a little pipsqueak like you having something like this?" she taunted before throwing the training weapon across the room.
Hearing the commotion, Galena and Yingyu rushed inside. "What's going on?" Galena asked.
"Back off!" The cat girl demanded.
Yingyu drew her bow and arrow while Galena pulled out her knife. Seeing their rabbit friend in trouble, the two girls were ready to attack at a moment's notice. However, Erdan held his arms out in front of both girls, signaling them to stay put. He knew escalation would only worsen the stand off.
"Now listen; we don't want-" Erdan was interrupted when the cat girl shouted "You're not taking me back there, NEVER!"
Puzzled, Erdan and his friends all raised an eyebrow in confusion. "We don't want any trouble." Erdan said back.
"Heh, that's what you all say." The feline replied angrily.
"It's three against one!" Galena stated. "So let our friend go!"
"Well I've got him, so maybe I'll keep him until I get out here." The feline bluffed.
Feeling bold, Fang yelled "Oh yeah? Well we got a samurai outside, he'll stab you up as soon as you take one step out!"
Instantly the feline laughed, which earned only frustration from the rabbit boy. "A samurai, really? You really don't know how to bluff, now do you lot?"
"Listen" Erdan started. "We're sorry we boarded your boat without permission, but we need-"
Suddenly, Fang opened his mouth and bit down hard on his captor's arm. The Feline screamed in pain and dropped both her prisoner and her blade. Falling to the ground, Fang rushed to his friends while picking up his nunchucks. Erdan dashed towards the feline girl and held her against the wall of the boat. Using his strength, he held her in place. But just a moment later, she rose her paws and made fists out of them before slamming them against Erdan's ears. Yelling in pain, the wolf teen let go and held his ears, which were now ringing with agony. The feline made a rush for the exit. But before she could step foot outside, she collided with a large, armored bear, who drew one of his curved swords and pointed it towards her. The sudden surprise of the moment shocked her, to the degree that she was stepping back inside the boat.
"Back into that corner!" Mushi demanded.
The feline did what he said and remained in the now surrounded corner. Galena tended to Erdan, inspecting his ears while Fang and Yingyu kept vigilant eyes on the mysterious girl.
"Guess you weren't lying about the samurai." The feline girl remarked.
Before anybody could say another word, the door just left of the girl opened, and walking in was a young gorilla. At first he didn't know what was transpiring before him, for he gave a big, long yawn as he stretched his large arms out, showing his bare torso with a sized chest and his visible nipples. After sitting his large fists back down on the floor and scratching himself, he tiredly said "Nadia, I threw out that mango, it had gotten spoiled." He then looked at his surroundings, finally noticing the various strangers now in their home.
"W-wh-what the!?" He said in confusion, seeing their home now filled with armed strangers.
Desperate to not escalate the situation further, Yingyu took it upon herself to be the diplomat of the group while Erdan was tending to his still ringing ears. "We don't want to hurt you. And we will NOT hurt either of you two, if we just calm down and have a talk." Yingyu stated calmly.
"Uh… ok" The Gorilla replied before turning to his friend. "Nadia, who are these guys?"
"I don't know. They just showed up out of nowhere and came aboard." Nadia answered.
Standing up again, Erdan finally lifted his paws from his ears as the ringing in his head was starting to slowly disappear. Looking at the two young sailors, Erdan said "Listen; we don't mean to cause trouble."
With a raised eyebrow and arms crossed across her chest, Nadia asked "So, you're not bounty hunters for the slave rings?"
In confusion, Yingyu stated "What? No. We're fighting against the slave empire."
"Ok" Erdan said. "Let's all put our weapons away, and talk it out, alright?"
Looking over to Mushi, a silent stare from Erdan ordered the samurai to ceased his weapon stance. Though his gut opposed, the armored warrior put his sword away, making its metallic noise as it slid into the sheaf tied to his waist. Yingyu, Galena and Fang did the same as the troubling atmosphere slowly dissipated away.
"Were you two hiding in here?" Galena asked curiously.
"Of course we were!" Nadia replied intensely. "Freaking slavers ships passed by here just twenty minutes ago!"
"You saw them?" Mushi asked.
"Yeah, what part of my speech did you not get?" Nadia remarked rudely.
"Um… who are you guys?" The gorilla boy asked respectfully.
Erdan introduced himself and his group in a calm tone. "I'm Erdan. That's Mushi, Galena, Yingyu and Fang."
"And… you don't want to harm us, or take us somewhere?" The gorilla asked.
"No" Yingyu replied. "In fact, we wanted to ask the owners of this boat for help."
Keeping her distance, the young feline girl replied "Well, you found them."
"It's just the two of you?" Erdan asked with surprise now painted over his face.
"Ye-yeah… me and Nadia." The gorilla replied.
"If you want to buy the Bank Breaker, she's NOT for sale." Nadia stated in an arrogant tone.
"The… Bank Breaker?" Fang asked with his finger at his chin in confusion.
The gorilla stepped up, answering the little rabbit's burning question. "You see, we named it that, because when we dock by the riverside-"
Figuring out the meaning, Galena said "It breaks into a river's bank!"
"Exactly!" The gorilla said back with a smile.
Frustrated, Nadia returned the conversation into an atmosphere of seriousness. Giving off a defensive stature paired with a tough and rude tone in her voice. "Alright, what do you lot want?"
Stepping up, Erdan requested "If you're willing, we need transportation down the river."
Putting on her best haggling face, Nadia asked "If we say yes; where'd this place be?"
"Fu Zha" Erdan answered simply.
A moment of quiet passed before Nadia let out a sarcastic laughter. Nearly everyone on board was puzzled at the girl's reaction. The young ape just stood by while his sister laughed at the absurdity of their request.
"Fu Zha? You want to go to the most corrupt and cutthroat city in this half of China?!" Nadia asked in hysteria.
Erdan nodded and she continued her mocking laugh before coldly saying "No"
"Oh come on!" Fang shouted.
"I don't know if you people have a death wish or something, but there is no way I'm going anywhere close to that seething hole of a city." Nadia stated.
Yingyu, stepping forward, said "We'll pay you!"
Looking over at the teenage deer, Nadia replied in a rude tone. "Heh, no amount of pocket money will do you any favors Hoovy."
In determination, Yingyu pulled out the pouch of money in her bag and held it out for all to see. "One thousand!" She stated.
Turning back around, Nadia and the gorilla perked their attention towards Yingyu. The both of them suddenly listening carefully.
"We'll pay you one thousand in currency; Five hundred as a down payment, and the other half when we reach Fu Zha." Yingyu negotiated.
"ONE THOUSAND! THAT WILL SET US UP FOR YEARS!" The gorilla shouted.
"DAMN'T KENG, this is why I can never haggle around you!" Nadia said in frustration.
Realizing his poor response, Keng apologized "Oh… sorry."
Nadia however couldn't stay mad at her brother, and after taking a moment to calm down, she looked back at Erdan, and asked "Why do you people want to go to Fu Zha anyway?"
Mushi spoke up, informing the two youths of their reasons. "Those two ships that passed by are slavers ships. They are carrying a whole town of innocent people, who the slave rings will sell into a life of torment."
Erdan spoke up, adding to his group's explanation. "And our families are captives on those ships. We plan to stage a rescue and stop the slavers."
Giving another period of sarcastic laughter, Nadia joking remarked "You lot are actually going to try to take down an army?"
"We have allies that we'll meet up with in Fu Zha. With they're help we can save our people." Galena explained.
"You're still idiotic for trying to stand against the slaves ring. And you'll only get yourselves killed, or worse." Nadia warned.
"But you still haven't given us your answer." Yingyu reminded as she held up the back of a thousand in currency again.
This time Nadia became silent, thinking through on what course of action to take now. Walking back a bit, she huddled with her gorilla brother, Keng to hear his take on the situation.
"Well, what do you think?" Nadia whispered.
"They seem alright." Keng whispered back.
"Half of them, the shirtless wolf guy pinned me against the wall. And there's the big man in the knife suit."Nadia judged.
"But what if they're telling the truth? We could help them." Keng reminded.
"They could be lying." Nadia suggested.
"But what about the money, we could really use it."
Nadia pasued a moment. "I'm… I'm not sure."
"Nadia, we're almost out of food. We only have enough for a few more days. Do it at least for us?" Keng requested.
As much as she hated to admit it to herself, the young feline knew her brother was right. She sighed before exiting their huddle and turning back towards Erdan and his group. Her defensive attitude toned down, but only by a little.
"Ok… we'll take you to Fu Zha." Nadia finally answered.
"Are you sure?" Erdan asked.
"No… so let's get this over with before I change my mind." She replied.
"Well, excellent, I'll divide your payment then." Yingyu said before sitting on their table and began counting coins.
Mushi approached the young feline and ape, giving a respectful bow, saying "Thank you very much. I apologize for our misunderstanding."
"Yeah, yeah whatever." Nadia remarked back.
Mushi, Galena and Fang sat down on the wooden floor, finally getting the rest they all deserved.
"Alright, listen up, let's get underway right now!" Nadia shouted, then turned her attention to Erdan. "You, muscle dog! Put those biceps to use and pull up our anchor!"
Taking a quick sigh, Erdan replied "Yes captain." He made his way to the rear of the boat, pulled up the weight on rope, his muscles mustering their might as he successfully pulled up the anchor and set it on the deck. The crew of the Bank Breaker set ready to sail. While the passengers rested, Nadia took the helm as Keng unfurled the sail. Keng pushed the boat into the center of the river and as the small boat begun its course, Nadia operated the wheel to steer her vessel if needed. Keng walked towards his sister, bearing a thankful smile while the morning sun beamed brightly over the new day.
"Thanks for doing this, sister." Keng said.
"Ah, I was gonna agree to it anyway. I just wanted to see how much we could get out of them."Nadia replied.
"Well, it's kinda right to help them, since you held their friend hostage." Keng replied, never being afraid to speak his mind.
"I suppose. But once we're done with this job, we leave them, understand?" Nadia advised.
"Well, then I guess we should enjoy having some company for once." Keng replied before going to talk with their new passengers.
Nadia sighed, muttering to herself "Just don't get too attached to them, Keng." As she drove her ship, the Bank Breaker, down the river. Slowly, it began its course towards the coastal city of Fu Zha.