Shokora moved noiselessly through the Kitchen Island marketplace, holding Kat's hand with her left and Ana's in her right. Ana playfully broke free and darted off between stone columns and pools of bright sunlight. Kat soon joined her twin sister. The three moved in a loose trio past dark chambers, where blacksmiths pounded bronze and iron into blade and bowl. Potters shaped red clay in vessels and plate. Shokora stoppeda t the mouth of an alley and called to her sisters, who disappeared behind a gaggle of bickering and gossiping housemaids.
"I'm not chasing after you two," said Shokora. She waited for a moment and then sighed. "That's it, I'm leaving. Do you hear me?" She turned down the alley, shaking her head. She passed by some red homespun fabric, freshly dyed, hanging drying in the midday sun. The shadows of the hanger bars flashed across her face as she moved between the blood red fabric walls into a small courtyard. Carved out of stone was a simple bearded face and out of the stone mouth, water flowed and filled into a small pool.
Carpaccio sat there, ringing a rag out in the clear water before placing it on his neck. "I was afraid you might come," he said, standing to his feet as Shokora approached.
"I'm sorry, my sisters… are…," she hesitated, turning back towards the alley.
"Doing what children do best," said Carpaccio. "Please don't apologize." Shokora relaxed a bit, made comfortable by carpaccio's manner. "They start their training next year. That is always a hard time for us piratical families."
"Yes…," she paused. "It will be hard, but also necessary." Carpaccio pondered with a smile, remembering his time enduring the piratical crucible. Even though Carpaccio came from a wealthy family that produced Kitchen Island's weapons, he still faced the same hardships as other pirates. He had a reputation for being a thief, although he would never admit to it.
"In a few days time you will speak to the council," started Carpaccio, but Shokora cut him off.
"Captain Syrup does not have a few days," said Shokora.
"Syrup has chosen her battles and so must you," said Carpaccio. "These two days are a gift." Shokora nodded. "It's no secret that Doll Boy wants what you control. It is his voice you must silence. Make an ally of him and you will have your victory." The moment hung between the two of them, both aware what Doll Boy wanted.
"My sisters will be looking for me," she said. "Thank you… you are as wise as you are kind." Carpaccio bowed and moved off down a passageway. Shokora turned to the fountain and splashed water on her face, relief from the heat. She paused, letting the water pour over her hands, staring into the stone eyes of the fountain. From behind her, came a voice she had grown to despise.
"There's your sister," said Doll Boy and Shokora wheeled to find the councilman with Kat and Ana. Her sisters' eyes were equally nervous as Doll Boy gripped their shoulders from behind. Shokora moved toward them both and Doll Boy let them go, both ran to her side. "You should keep a better eye on them if they are to lead us one day." Shokora pulled her sisters to her as Doll Boy studied her face. "It would be unfortunate if anything were to happen to them or their beautiful sister." Shokora narrowed her gaze at Doll Boy, focusing on his words.