Desert Company: Retrospective

The crackle of bullets flew into the sky as the protest began to break up like fleeing schools of fish. However, the brave ones stood their ground, continuing their strides and waving their signs proudly into the air. Shouts of excitement and terror mixed, for nothing interesting had happened in a dull place such as this. When Saya looked at their faces, they were a group of Buhang and Z̆ongren.

“Li Ngùe. Guard the fighters. The rest of you continue the maintenance. We cannot allow such distractions,” Tayang swiftly gave out orders. Then he shot more into the sky. “Protesters of this insurrection, disperse immediately. We are an official paramilitary attachment of the Al-Wa Kazaàd Company. If anyone refuses to comply, we are authorized to use any means of force.”

Saya felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning around, Kwazhak was taking advantage of the confusion.

“While the port is in disarray, we must make haste. If one is up to it, you or not, someone can enter the captain’s cabin to utilize any intelligence. However, do not take, only observe,” Kwazhak instructed her. “Captain Tayang is focused on the crowd, and the crew is performing repairs on this vessel. Now is the chance.”

“Got it,” She nodded enthusiastically. Quickly she grabbed Ashojan’s wrist to make sure he accompanied her.

“Wait, what are you doing? I’m not coming-”

“It’s fine, let's just go!”

They huddled towards the mast, while Tayang had his eyes on the people on the pier. The cabin was merely a door away. Slyly, she reached for the knob as Ashojan guarded her back. She grabbed the knob and soon realized that it was locked. Saya heard her name. Quickly, she let go of the door and spun around.

“Saya, the gu-”

“Whatta ya’ll doing?” The soldier that knew Li stood in front of them, speaking in Khoit. There was a pistol in his holster, and he most likely saw what they were doing. They were finished. “You need something from Tayang’s cabin?”

Ashojan and Saya argued with whispers as they looked for an alibi. Eventually she shut him up by placing her hand on his mouth. Saya smiled awkwardly as they were in deep quicksand already.

“Yeah, we were wondering what this place is anyway, since I’ve lived my whole life in the north,” She told the grunt straight with a faint shake in her voice.

“Ah I see, well people from Yahmajô̗ rarely visit Alą̧̄utl, so why not,” He scratched his head, reaching for a key ring, “Don’t tell Tayang I let you folks in.”

The soldier sifted through the assortment of keys and found the one for the door. He inserted it and unlocked the door, opening it for them.

“Xiè xiè,” Saya bowed, as Ashojan did the same. The man returned the bow without a word and gestured for them to come inside. However her suspicions were not yet cleared. How could he let them go inside so easily? Was it a trap?

The cabin was grand; the crown molding was laced with silver and gold, a pattern of red maple leaves danced around the four corners of the room. It seemed more like a royal cabin than a pirate one. A desk sat in the center, with loads of shelves filled to the brim with books and files surrounding it. A brush set branded with lustrous black ink was seated on the table, an unfinished letter and a map right next to it. The ink on the brush was still doused in oil-soot ink, indicating that it had been recently used to write. On the top of the furthest wall lay an metal inscription, bearing a proverb indecipherable to Saya, being that she could not read the Z̆ongren logograms of Khanz. However she did find them beautiful, great black strokes and a careful hand had illustrated words into art.

“What does the plaque on the wall say?” She asked with genuine curiosity, pointing above.

“Oh, it reads ‘shěn doū jaȕ fǒ’,” He looked up at the proverb, thinking about it. “Renyu for ‘Even the Yyvubia gets inflamed’.”

“I- I see…” It must’ve had a deep meaning, but she didn’t have time to think about it. Saya was focused on surveying everything that was visible to the eye, the map, the letter, anything that could be of use to Kwazhak. The soldier went towards the map on the table, ushering the two to look at it. He pointed at Azutami, where Wakoku lay in the south.

“You see, we departed Wakoku around four to five days ago, and arrived at the Walang Sahar de Islas,” He moved his finger to the archipelago, which directly below it was Tasdaha. “After we’re done here, we’ll sail down south to Port Eshnuk. From there is all desert and land. You’ll be transported by buggy for the first half going through the Dine al-Othoji, then teleporting once close enough to the city.”

“How long do you think it’ll take?” Ashojan questioned. The grunt rubbed his head again.

“Dunno. About three days at most,” He replied, “You excited to get there or something?”

“Yeah, I wonder if we’ll have time to explore the city for a bit…” Saya responded nervously. She could barely hide her anxiousness. It was forced but she had no choice.

“Young people these days, my son wanted me to get him a recommendation for Al-Wa, but I would never put my son through this. As soon as we get to Dineh Kazaàd ‘Autónoma, all the fighters will be sent straight to the arena atrium for the Yeii no Matsuri.”

“If your son goes to the tournament he will die,” Ashojan exclaimed with a serious tone.

“I know that. That’s why I kept my job a secret until he watched those holograms. He came to know what Al-Wa was,” He answered, approaching the door. “Let’s get outta here before the prince comes.”

The three gathered towards the door until Tayang had opened it himself from the other side. Ashojan pushed Saya and himself away from view. The captain raised an eyebrow.

“Why are you here? You should be handling the ropes,” He urged, moving the soldier aside. Walking towards the shelf in the corner, he disarmed himself by placing his gun in the strongbox and made his way outside. Then he stopped midway, looking at him with an authoritative glance.

“Also, if you come in here without my permission again I will deduct your salary,” Tayang gestured for him to get out, which he did. Once the two heard the door close, they sighed in relief. Coming out from their hiding spots she neared the door once again.

“It might be locked from the inside.”

“I didn’t hear the door lock though.”

“Ussewa, just open the door.”

Ashojan fished for the shank in his pocket, as Saya turned the knob. The door opened smoothly. Just as when they were about to jump, the soldier was waiting by the door.

“Shibal- don’t attack me! I was waiting for you to get out of there,” He cursed quietly. They lowered their binded fists and eased themselves.

From the looks of it, the protest had dispersed from the gunshots and threats made by the captain. The pier was functioning business as usual, and the ship was ready to set sail. The layover at the Walang Sahar de Islas was coming to an end, en route to the occupied lands of Tasdaha.