The streets were dead quiet. Everybody had evacuated to the docks to bid farewell to the men that saved them from the pirate, Fang. And as unlikely as it may be, their saviors were also pirates.
About a week ago Kael and Leonard with the help of an insider had stopped the reign of the Plague Pirates. A notorious bunch that retired from the seas and settled on Leaf Port to continue their piracy. Although the reasons for the abrupt halt to their naval movement was unknown, Leonard believed that it was likely they had encountered another group that was far stronger than they were.
"She looks…strong!" Kael slammed his leg on the deck floor of a galleon made with red brown wood.
"I know right. She was meant to be one of Fang's war ships" The young shipwright beside him commented "The bow was built pointed so it can travel faster, and the addition of a mizzenmast and sails also see to that. She's an all round military ship carrying a total of twenty cannons — ten at each side."
Kael watched him rant, a wide grin on his face. He didn't understand a thing he had just heard "That's crazy" he exclaimed
"Well, she's our best work yet — and we also designed your jollyroger as requested but…" He signalled his men on the mast setting up the sails "Hey you guys what's taking so long" then to Kael "Sorry about that. We tried our best to get the designs right with the little resources we have so…I don't know if you'd like it"
"Just show me what you got" Kael told him. He was already dying of suspense and waiting
"Let's move up"
Kael and the shipwright paced to the front deck getting a clearer few of the workers up on the mast. They were done setting up the flaps and almost through with the sails
The young shipwright wore a smile almost resembling a smug. He looked up to his men and they signalled him that they were done with the work
"It's time," he said. Kael shoulders shot upwards
The men on the mast loosened the rope used to hold the sails. It rolled down the mast and flapped thunderously displaying the jolly roger.
A skull with a red bandana tied around its head and two rapiers at the sides, one facing down the other facing upward.
Kael's eyes glittered with excitement. It was exactly as he had imagine
"I don't know if you'd like it, as I said we were short on—"
"It's perfect" Kael interrupted the shipwright, his eyes were still lingering on the sails
"Way to go Kael. It looks beautiful!" Leonard shouted from the docks. He was surrounded by friends, all of them were Chamberlain staffs. They were the only ones he had left.
***
"Are you really going to leave? The restaurant, the island, us—?" One of the girls said and she was immediately shushed by another "Come on Nana stop whining. It's his decision we can't force him to stay if he doesn't want to"
"But…" She tried to speak, tears rolling down her cheek
"There is no but, he has made his decision"
"Alright now that's enough you two" Leonard silenced the two girls. Both of them were in tears, he pats their head softly as they rushed him in a warm embrace. Leonard was taken by surprise but all he could do was wrap his arm around them. The others were tearing up behind them
"All right you guys that's enough" Taka stepped in, bringing an end to the emotional moment they were having "We've said our goodbyes now back to work, we have stomachs to feed"
"But there's nobody in town" One of them said
"Who told you that?! I saw a number of people" She barked and turned to Leonard "You!" She pointed at him "You've said your goodbyes now go to your ship and leave this place"
"Okay okay, God" Leonard slipped out from the girls. He looked at Taka's hand and noticed a silver ring reflecting the sun rays on his face "You still wearing that?" He asked
She jerked and tried to cover her fingers but it was too late. "Why shouldn't I wear it. It's important to me"
"Right" Leonard picked up a brown sack on the ground together with his saber. He backed Taka then stopped "You're not going to say goodbye?" He asked
"I already did" She replied
"I can't remember—"
"Okay goodbye now leave"
"Sorry I didn't hear that"
"What?"
"I said I didn't hear you" Leonard turned halfway, his hand was cupped around his ears like a funnel
"Good bye. Now, leave us" She pointed again with that same hand she had worn the silver ring on.
Leonard glanced at her hand and snatched it. "What are you doing?" She asked him but got no reply. An awkward silence grew as he kept peering at her hand
"Lets give them their space guys" The seniors amongst the staffs took the rest away to give them a moment
Even alone both of them were quiet for an awful long moment before Leonard suddenly spoke up avoiding her eyes
"Why are you still holding onto this"
"Why shouldn't I?" She answered instantly
"But…you don't have to"
"I want to." Taka reclaimed her hand and took hold of Leonard's and turned them over "Leo. I'm here okay? I'm always here waiting. And I'll wait until things go back to the way it were" She said smiling
Leonard didn't believe in the existence of angels or transcendent beings. But if one were to ask him what an angel looked like he could only mutter one name
"Taka" He dropped his face on her shoulder and leaned on her with half his weight. He was huge and broad when standing beside her
Her clothes were being soaked in warmth. And at a glance she could tell where it came from. Leonard's face was pink, veins popped from his side, Taka sighed "I thought you wanted to leave?" She wasn't expecting an answer. She caught a glance of Kael fawning over their new ship "You don't want to keep you captain waiting" she told him
Leonard sniffed and stepped back, his eyes were red "Yeah" He choked as he covered his shameful state with his arms
"What about your father? You don't want to say your farewells to him" She asked
"I don't have a father." Leonard snapped. And at the wrong person from the looks she gave "I'm sorry I didn't mean to—"
"Don't worry about it. You should get going, looks like he's waiting for you" Taka pointed towards Kael who sat atop the bow staring into the crowd.
"I should get going" Leonard repeated. He caressed Gravorn, fastened it under his belt and strode to the ship. He took the stairs in twos and landed on the deck, this was his first time on the ship.
"She's big" He remarked, making a quick tour round the deck. He checked the canons, the rails and went up to the upper deck where the helm was. Everything looked new, his nostrils picked up the smell of fresh wood lingering as he toured. When he was done he came back to the main deck to find Kael still on the bow looking at the crowd
"Perhaps you still feel like staying for a day or two?" He asked
"No I don't" He responded
"Then you must be waiting for someone—"
"Have you seen that girl? I forgot her name, she helped us with that Fang guy" Kael eyes scanned the people in search of Yimu
"You mean Yimu" Leonard marched to Kael's side "Now you mention it, I haven't seen her since that day. Maybe she hasn't recovered"
Kael's shoulders slumped. He sighed. "You're right. We should get going then—" Kael's face met with Leonard's. They eyed themselves for a considerable amount of time"Were you crying?" Kael blurted
"What? I wasn't—"
"I swear you were crying" Kael broke into an outburst that lasted for quite some time. Tears trailed from his eyes. He breathed in satisfaction and turned to the town
"But it's crazy. I never thought her pops would be the main boss of the town"
"Indeed, we all thought he ran away on the day Fang and his men appeared. We didn't know he was held captive all these while" Leonard lept and landed on the main deck
"It sucks" Kael exclaimed under his breath "Forced to steal from her people to keep her father alive. Fang should've died"
Later on, The people of Leaf Port and their Mayor who was slowly recovering from his captivity decided to hand Fang over to Captain Cross from the Navy, he was to depart later today for Impel down.
The decision to hand Fang over to the Navy didn't happen on whim. Hours after Fang was taken down, Cross anchored at Leaf Port dock with his ship carrying twenty Navy soldiers. Tampers flare between Cross and Kael but it was settled by the townspeople and there were no casualties.
After their past experience, the town people were reluctant in trusting the Navy. And as such Captain Cross battled before coming to terms with them. The agreed terms were: Leaf port will be under Kael's banner thus marking his first territory. This idea was instigated by Leonard. Though it didn't matter much as Kael's name wasn't known yet in the seas, this could only serve as a preventive measure against pirate attacks in the future.
Secondly, Fang would not meet his demise in the town as Cross was to take him as well as the Navy soldiers that aided in his reign over the town to custody. Cross had no issue with that, after all that was the reason he sailed all the way in the first place.
***
Yimu sprinted, unnoticed by anyone. She hurried to the docks as they made preparations to set sail. When she arrived she held tightly in her hand an object wrapped in white silk. Facing up, she saw Kael seated on the bow then cupped her hand around her mouth and shouted "Kael!"
The call reached him. Kael faced down and found it hard to know it was Yimu at first. Everything about her had changed. Her hairstyle, face, eyes and her behavior. Before she acted like a robot, obeying and performing task with an ever stoic expression but right now she was smiling and laughing, a sight he never saw
"Here take this" Yimu tossed the item in the air. Kael leaned forward to catch it almost falling off the ship. He unwrapped the silk to reveal a rapier, slim as Gravorn and long, with an edge that could cut through rocks
Kael looked lost, he didn't say a word and just stood there inspecting the blade. The ship jerked and brought him back, they had started drifting away.
"Thank you" He said to her "Hey join my crew, I'll really need someone like you"
Yimu flashed him a smile and shook her hair slowly "I can't, I have things to take care of here"
"I see" Kael's voice increased as the distance between them grew "The offer still stands. Anytime you feel like adventuring, the Crimson Troupe will always have one room for you"
"Crimson Troop. Sounds like a music band name, is that the best you can come up with?" Leonard shuffled towards him
"It has a nice ring to it"
They argued one last time as they left Leaf Port shore. Everyone waved their hands bidding them farewell, Leonard took a last glance at Taka and the rest of the Chamberlain staffs, Kael waved his hand at anyone he saw. The docks rang with songs of cheers as their ship grew smaller before disappearing into the horizon.