Clues and Mistakes

Across Two Seas

 

 

 


Baekhyun wakes up with a heavy ache at the back of his head. Not because of the alcohol, though the dull throb is distantly present, but because of Rei's words from last night. It had taken him by surprise and she'd seen it on his face. But she'd decided against saying anything even though it had been clear that there were so many things the young soldier had wanted to say. She'd let him carry her into her own room after swaying dangerously, her arms turning into jelly as he had maneuvered her through the boat and tried not to let her fall as the waves rocked the floor beneath them.

 

'Thanks,' she had mumbled when they had finally reached her room and he'd gently placed her onto the makeshift mattress she used as a bed.

 

Her head rolled back, body slumping against the pillows while Baekhyun busied himself with her shoelaces before he slid them off, dropping them to the floor.

She groaned, hand going up to lay against her forehead as she let out a breath, 'god. I feel awful.'

'Didn't take you for a lightweight.' Baekhyun murmured in amusement as he tried to restrain a chuckle.

She swatted at him, arm falling halfway to its target, 'shut up, Soldier boy.' She mumbled while her eyes threatened to slide shut from the heaviness of the alcohol.

 

He proceeded to cover her up with her blanket, expression softening slightly when she cuddled closer for warmth. As he watched her, sleeping soundly and looking so peaceful without any worries in the world, he can’t help but think back to her earlier words as they echo around his head and make his stomach churn once more. Of course she acted so strong, from their very first encounter, Baekhyun caught glimpses of emotion that the pirate herself hadn’t bothered hiding. But he had to admire her pure strength. The fact that she had spoken about the touchy subject was enough proof of her resilience.

 

‘You hide so much, and yet you seem to be hurting.’ Baekhyun can’t help but murmur out loud as he watches her groan and turn over on her side, facing him. Her eyebrows are furrowed and the young man pokes at her forehead in an attempt to smoothen out her wrinkles.

 

He wonders if she actually remembers confessing her past to him, wonders if she’d rather he make as if nothing had happened just for the sake of saving her pride. But his gut feeling is telling him that it might be a better idea just to see how she reacts around him first before putting up any kind of assumption.

 

They finally arrive to the City bathed in Sunshine after two more days of travel, and since Leroy can’t walk around and show his face to the public, he sends out Rei and Baekhyun to be in charge of selling the merchandise they’ve stolen, while assigning Chanyeol and Jongdae to go buy them food at the nearest food market they can find.

 

While Rei hasn’t shown any signs of recognizing the gravity of her words that night when they got drunk, Baekhyun has forced himself to avoid her throughout those two remaining days, if not for her, then for his own benefit. He’s realizes a little too late that he’s started feeling a little more than just irritation and frustration towards the young pirate, feelings that border on the line of sympathy and almost bringing about a feeling of understanding.

 

He follows her silently when they dock, the heavy load of merchandise on his back as he follows her through the weaving crowd of people. Compared to the Outsiders, this town seems much brighter and more alive, buzzling with a life that seems to fill Baekhyun with its own kind of light.

 

'Do you know where we're going?' He finally has the guts to ask Rei, leaning to murmur into her ear as they move at a snail's pace amidst the crowd and noise.

 

She nods, flashing him a smirk at his cluelessness that makes him want to smack her.

 

They walk for a bit longer before Rei finally ducks into a nearby store filled with gimmicks and random stuff littering about. It's the kind of store that sells literally anything that can be sellable, and Baekhyun's nose wrinkles in distaste at the foul stale odor of humidity and moisture reeking from the walls.

 

'Baghjill' Rei waves an arm and when the young soldier follows her gaze, he notices the small, plump man barely over five feet tall standing amongst the debris. With a short tuft of white hair on his head and a wrinkled face filled with moles, his tan skin shines with sweat in the dim light hanging above his head.

 

'Mademoiselle Rei, didn't expect tuh see you back zo zuun.' He drawls in a prominent French accent, 'How you doing?'

'For the usual.' Casting the young a look over her shoulder, the latter places the bag onto the counter.

 

'And who might this be, mademoiselle?' Baghill's eyes glisten with curiosity, whipping out his glasses to peer at him more closely, 'friend? Amant peut-être?'

 

Rei just smiles politely, 'how much can I get with this?'

 

Grabbing the bag and peering at its contents, the old man moves things around for a while as they both wait. Baekhyun shifts from one foot to another awkwardly, not knowing exactly what to do with himself as a weirdly awkward atmosphere settles in the room.

 

'Around five hundred gold coins.' The old man finally states, turning back to Rei.

 

'That's it?'

'That's my best price, mademoiselle.' Baghjill says solemnly, 'with everything that's happening around us, the merchandise boats have stopped coming in from exports. Other countries aren't wanting to make business with us because of all the killings we've been having since the Assassin came to town. Everyone's saving their rations.'

'How about six hundred?'

Bghjill watches her for a moment, lips pressed together. 'Five fifty. Final price.'

 

They exit the shop after bidding the old man goodbye, without a huge merchandise bag but instead a smaller bag filled with coins that is safely strapped around Rei's middle.  Baghjill was kind enough to give them some cookies while he went to fetch the money and had bid them a safe trip when they told him of their plans, to which Rei replied that they always were on their best behavior.

 

They decide to stop at a small pub on their way back, making sure to choose a crowded one so as not to stand out amidst the passersby’s. As they settle at their table in the far corner with beers in hand, a sudden commotion at the door causes Baekhyun's figure to tense.

 

Rei notices this. She turns to look, only to quickly swivel back and take a sip of beer. 'Do you know them?'

'One of them.' He tries slumping in his seat, wishes he can disappear right into the wall, 'he was a former classmate of mine. We graduated from the same class.'

 

Rei's about to tell him that they should make a run for it. But before they can move, they suddenly get a hint of the royal soldier's conversation.

'Yeah, ever since one of ours disappeared after they were sent on this mission, the Royals have been keeping tabs on all their soldiers. That's why we can't roam about on our own.'

'What about the soldiers that got killed on the outskirts? Was that the same man?'

'They say it was, although we're not entirely sure if he's acting on his own. We still have no clue as to what he's thinking of at this point.'

 

'I knew about that guy' Baekhyun sees his former classmate known as Phillip, who leans over the table to murmur in a hushed voice, 'the one who disappeared. He has a brother. Poor thing was placed in another sector because he couldn't do his job right after that.'

 

'No way, I thought the Royals understood that kind of thing.'

'Well he's a map reader. He'd be pretty useless if he couldn't read any of the unknown maps or even got the wrong.'

 

Baekhyun can feel his fingers wrapped tight around his beer glass, so tight that he can break it in million pieces if he wants to. A sudden rush of sadness courses through him at the reminder that his brother may still be waiting back home with the hope  that he might come back at any time. Kyungsoo isn't someone that gets easily distracted from work. He's efficient and always manages to keep his focus, unlike Baekhyun who literally cannot spend two minutes sitting still. But hearing this officer talk about how Kyungsoo's condition has worsened to the point that he can't work anymore, that stabs the young soldier right in the gut.

 

'Hey, you okay?' Rei's voice reels him back to reality and he blinks blankly at her. Then, he looks down at his glass in an attempt not to show the girl before him all the conflicting emotions stirring inside his chest and tugging at his heartstrings.

'I'm fine.' He mutters, but Rei can see right through him. She lowers her voice when she says, 'do you know who they're talking about? Maybe we can get some inside information about Saphirica.'

 

Baekhyun forces himself to speak objectively, forces the tears back down his throat, 'they're talking about my brother.'

'You have a brother?' Her eyebrow lifts up in surprise.

Baekhyun nods. He doesn't elaborate and she takes it as a sign that he'd rather not talk about it.

 

'Do you know what he's doing now?' One of the soldiers keep talking and conversation keeps floating over to Baekhyun's ears even though he doesn't want to listen to any of them for fear that he'll hear even worse news.

 

'No. We haven't seen him for a while. Someone said he fell sick or something.'

 

That statement makes Baekhyun's stomach churn. Sick? Kyungsoo is someone to be wary of illnesses, always coughing, always cold. Who's going to take care of him if Baekhyun's not there?

 

If Rei notices anything out of the ordinary at Baekhyun's sudden bout of silence, she doesn't let anything on as they make their way back to the East Coast ship. But there is no mistaking the wave of sadness that seems to surround the young soldier when he excuses himself to his room. Leroy and Rei watch him go, curious eyes trained on his figure as he escapes into the comfort of his room.

'What's up his arse?' Leroy asks when Rei hands him the bag of coins. She walks over to one of the chairs in front of Leroy's desk before she sprawls herself out. He joins her a few minutes later, sits at his desk and crosses his arms in front of his chest.

 

'Heard some things about his brother,' she starts playing with her knife, turning it between her fingers, 'how he fell sick or something.'

'Is his brother famous?’

'I think he reads maps. He must be part of the Royal Palace.'

‘Ah.’ Leroy bites the inside of his cheek in thought, ‘Interesting fellow, don’t you think?’

‘Baekhyun?’ Rei lifts her shoulder in a half-shrug, ‘I guess.’

‘Don’t think I didn’t see you two getting all friendly yesterday night,’ Leroy teases as he knocks her shoulder with his, ‘You’ve taken quite a fancy to him, huh kid?’

 

‘What nonsense,’ huffs Rei as she adamantly forces the heat crawling up her neck, ‘Seriously Leroy, there are more important things that need tending to.’

‘Like what?’ he wriggles his brows and she sighs in frustration, tugging at her braid and letting it fall past her shoulders so that she can tie it back into a high ponytail. It had been bothering her the moment she’d stepped off the ship, for the stray strands would not keep still with that furious wind rushing through at every possible moment.

 

‘Like figuring out what the Assassin has in mind, maybe.’ she says, ‘The only thing we know to this point is that he only attacks royal soldiers. Why, when and how, we still don’t know and Jongdae isn’t of any help.’

‘There’s nothing that can break a blood bond unless it’s death,’ Leroy says softly, ‘You can’t expect him to do that. And he didn’t have a choice. He told me. It’s not that he’s so much part of the Assassin squad but because he’d been forced into silence against his will.’

 

Rei lets out a frustrated sigh, ‘Why are we so unlucky when it comes to having prisoners?’

 

‘He did say some interesting things, though.’

Her head whips up instantly, eyes alert and ears perked up, ‘What? What is it?’ she leans forward onto the table.

‘He said something about the Assassin trying to recruit people, make them join his side.’

‘Normal people?’

‘That, and I think he’s also trying to convert normal royal soldiers.’

‘That’s impossible,’ Rei declares and folds her arms over her chest adamantly, ‘There’s no way the royal soldiers will agree to this.’

‘Why not? Not all soldiers are like Baekhyun, Rei. You have to understand that people like Baekhyun are rare nowadays, ones that still have their loyalty and who actually keep their pledge to the crown.’

‘So you’re saying that the Assassin is bribing soldiers over to his side?’ She asks, eyebrows furrowing in confusion and slight irritation. She hates having to piece a puzzle together. It hadn’t been one of her strongest points, ‘Is he trying to challenge the crown?’

 

‘You might be right.’ the captain can only let out a sigh of his own before shaking his head, ‘If what we’re assuming is true then, I don’t see any other reason as to why he’d do such a thing.’

‘And he’s killing the royal soldiers that are refusing to deal with him.’ Rei mutters loud enough for Leroy to catch on to her words. Her eyes lift up to meet his with dawning realization that this, if it gets out of hand, could have greater consequences that neither of them can think possible at this point in time.

 

If what they have discussed becomes a reality then it’s clear that a War is going to break out, not only within the Saphirica city but across the world between countries.

 

‘.’

 

 

-------

 


 

Night falls and the first batch of East Coast pirates are sent to the mainland to scout the perimeter, dispatched towards the City bathed in Sunshine in hopes of catching a glimpse of the Assassin and hopefully stop him from advancing any further with his plans. Leroy has taken responsibility for first watch, ordering Rei and the rest of the crew to stay aboard the ship until midnight, where they are supposedly switching teams.

 

Rei takes those six hours to rest, eyes instantly falling shut when her head hits her pillow even though she hadn’t initially been sleepy. But the fight from before and the lack of rest that she’d avoided during their travel is starting to creep up on her and no sooner has she succumbed to darkness that she is suddenly dreaming about pirates and adventures and finding treasures that can bring them eternal richness.


She’s awoken by a panicked Chanyeol a few hours later. Drowsily fighting against the urge to close her eyes and go right back to sleep, Rei pinches the skin at her arm before she blinks at the tall, breathless pirate.

‘What’s wrong?’ taking note of the time on the clock at her bedside table, she mentally curses when she realizes that there is still two more hours before their shift. Two more hours that she would have definitely benefited from.

 

‘It’s Leroy.’ Chanyeol murmurs, ‘He’s hurt.’

 

That is enough to make Rei bounce out of her bed and rush out into the hall as Chanyeol yells something about Leroy having been brought to the deck. Her heart beats loudly inside her chest, ringing through her ears as she bursts through the wooden doors and catches sight of her captain lying motionless on the deck, surrounded by some of the East Coast pirates. They all fall apart to let her through when she marches right over, already noticing the blossoming patch of blood at the corner of his waist.

 

Leroy’s face is scrunched up in pain and his skin has been washed out of color. Rei wastes no time to rip off her shirt sleeve only to press it up against her captain’s wound and causing him to stifle a pained gasp at the touch.

‘Holy ,’ he grits his teeth, dark curly hair sticking to his forehead with sweat, ‘That hurts like a .’

‘What happened?’

‘Royal soldiers. Found out they weren’t the only ones looking for the assassin.’ he grunts as Chanyeol and Jongdae appear from the inside doorway, with Baekhyun’s head popping out at the commotion, ‘the Assassin knows people want him dead. He’s doing everything to be cautious.’

‘Where did it happen?’

‘At one of the intersections on the south side,’ He groans as she applies pressure to his side, gritting his teeth, ‘They had trackers everywhere. Mini-microphones set throughout the city. Impossible to see with the eye unless you really look close enough.’

Rei’s head snaps up, her brown eyes finding Baekhyun’s with a cold, unreadable expression, ‘Did you know about this?’

Baekhyun gulps. The intensity flaming through her eyes makes him want to flinch.

His head slowly dips down into a nod.

‘And it didn’t occur to you that maybe you had to let us know about that?’Rei shoots him down and he winces at the stinginess in her tone. Almost like it has burnt him.

 

‘I--' Baekhyun argues, hand going up to rake through his dark brown locks, ‘I forgot about it. We don’t really use it unless it’s really necessary.’

‘You forgot about it.’ Rei repeats, ‘You forgot about it, or did you want us dead?’

'That’s not--’

‘You’re the only one,’ she cuts him off with a white hot glare, who knows about their strategies and their defenses. You knew this was gonna happen. You let it happen.’

‘If you would just listen to what I have to say--’

‘Enough.’ she turns around abruptly to face the now silent group of pirates. ‘Chanyeol, help me carry the captain to his cabin. The rest of you, stay out here. We need another plan.’

As she and Chanyeol struggle to throw Leroy’s arms around their shoulders and keep them there, they start walking in the direction of the cabin and the group parts to let them throw. She brushes by Baekhyun’s figure, but not before muttering a series of words that hit Baekhyun right in the gut and causes him to stare off after the three individuals disappearing into the doorway.

 

‘Pick your side, soldier. Before I do it for you.’

 

-----------------



 

After Leroy's sudden injury, the East Coast had decided that going back wouldn't be wise, considering that the royal soldiers were probably on their guards now that they were aware there were more enemies skirting around the perimeter. Rei, after having a very long discussion with her captain  had reluctantly called it a night and Baekhyun hadn't seen a hair of her since last night. A pang of guilt had hit him straight in the stomach when her cold haze had landed on his frame, and it was clear that the pirate would not be dissuaded that easily now that she was more wary of Baekhyun's knowledge.

 

It seems like all the time they spent getting to know each other had been useless, for they are now back to square one and acting like complete strangers. She had taken it upon herself to tie his hands again, and though the soldier can't blame her for being cautious, he can't ignore the stinging sensation at the pit of his stomach that tells him he should've known better than to trust someone who has no real sense of duty nor any of the same moral principles.

 

‘Do you think I screwed it all up?' Baekhyun asks Jongdae the very next day. There is a sense of impending doom wallowing across the boat  as if the calm before the storm hits. Baekhyun's stomach churns uneasily.

 

Jongdae throws him a look that says 'don't even try' before saying, 'You tell me. You and the young miss had a thing going before went down. What do you think?'

'I think if it was up to her I would’ve already been fed to the sharks,' Baekhyun says before narrowing his eyes, 'and what do you mean, we had a 'thing'?'

Jongdae chuckles loudly, 'are you serious?' He busts out laughing this time, shoulders jittering as if Baekhyun has won the ultimate jokester award, 'you're practically the talk of town. The one who managed to get under Rei's skin.'

 

'Excuse me?'

 

‘Everyone’s been talking about you.’ Jongdae says, ‘No one’s seen Rei smile since she was born. Until you came along.’

Baekhyun almost chokes on his own saliva, ‘I think they overestimate me.’

‘I think they’re right.’ Jongdae tilts his head at the young soldier while a smirk flickers across his lips, playful and knowing. It’s not a look that Baekhyun is really fond of, and he tells him just that.

 

‘Not that she’s going to let you off so easy considering you impulsively lied to her.’ Jongdae states dryly.

‘I didn’t do it on purpose and you know it.’

‘I know. You and I,’ the dark-haired assassin motions between the two of them, a look of sincere understanding on his face, ‘we’re kind of the same. I understand, more than you think I do.’

 

The next day, Rei decides to head off to the City bathed in Sunshine on her own despite Leroy’s countless protests about her safety. But if he had any hopes that the girl would’ve listened to his words, he’s proven wrong upon hearing the soft tug of the ropes to signal that she’s lowering their canoe to the ocean surface. She doesn’t come back until the sun has gone down, which does nothing for the captain’s growing anxiety. It is clear on his face, even as he spends his time discussing strategies, positions and options with the rest of the group concerned. An unsettling air of uncomfortableness has settled over the ship ever since Baekhyun’s somewhat attempted treason, and while the young soldier had clearly stated it hadn’t been his intentions, the pirates aren’t ones to be easily swayed once their minds are set on an opinion.

 

‘Hey, if you had wanted me dead I believe you would’ve done so already.’ Leroy says upon noticing the quiet air surrounding the young soldier.

‘Yes well, your first mate doesn’t seem to think so.’ Baekhyun mutters, sounding almost like a pouty child that Leroy can’t help but chortle at his behaviour. Baekhyun’s head snaps up in alarm, only to see the captain trying to hide the widening curve of his mouth with the palm of his hand.

‘What?’ Baekhyun can’t help but snap, ‘What’s so funny?’

‘Nothing, nothing.’ Leroy brushed it off and winced when his side jolted in pain. Chanyeol is quick to assist him, but Leroy brushes off the lanky man, ‘It’s fine, Chanyeol. More importantly, what have we been able to gather from our patrol last night?’

 

‘Not much sir, if I’m gonna be honest.’ Chanyeol scratched the back of his neck, ‘The Assassin hides his tracks well and the Royal soldiers are swarming the area. There’s no way past their guards unless we take them all down.’

‘Which we won’t be doing.’ Leroy interrupted, ‘We’ll see what Rei has to say when she comes back. In the meantime, let’s just all get some rest. Shall we?’

 

And so they do. Life goes on as it would on the boat, with the crew dealing with the usual chores around the boat as they anxiously wait for the hours to passy by and the sun to come to rest against the surface of the water. Baekhyun doesn’t have much of an appetite when dinner rolls around and prefers to linger upon the deck. He stares into the depths of darkness, chest tight with the thought that maybe something has happened to Rei on her small excursion. He can’t imagine the scenario, for he’ll be the one to blame for her recklessness in the first place. It’s bad enough everyone on this boat literally resents him for having injured their captain, but if Rei doesn’t come back at all, then Baekhyun is pretty adamant about getting his corpse fed to the creatures of the sea.

 

But a small light suddenly flickers in the distance, and as the young soldier tries to squint, he realizes that it is indeed Rei’s figure paddling towards the boat. As if on cue, his chest loosens up, relief flooding his body and letting his muscles breathe for the first time since this morning.

 

Cheers and jeers greet the pirate as she is helped up onto the deck, while two of the crew members haul up the canoe and attach it firmly against the side of the boat. Amidst the sudden commotion, he spots her expression, bright-eyed and flared with a determined gaze he doesn’t get to see often. Her eyes suddenly fall onto his, catching him by surprise. He instantly drops his head, face flaming at the realization that he’s been caught staring. But she walks straight up to him without hesitation and with a bounce in her step, makes a grab onto his arm.

 

‘I found something,’ she grins up at him, earlier anger gone from her features. Baekhyun doesn’t even get a chance to ask what she means by that before he is tugged down into the main interior room where he had just left Leroy and Chanyeol a few hours ago.

Jongdae has joined them, sitting on one of the far chairs at the very end of the table, while Leroy is busy placing back and forth. Chanyeol is busying himself with one of the pins used to sketch out map targets, and it instantly drops from his hands when he catches sight of the said two individuals stumbling into the room.

 

‘Rei! You’re back!’ he doesn’t hesitate to pounce onto her, with so much excitement that Baekhyun fears she might choke him for having invaded her personal space. But the girl only chuckles and, to his utmost surprise, hugs him back briefly.

 

After pulling away, she nods at her captain, ‘How are you feeling?’

Leroy grimaces, ‘I’ve felt better.’

‘Don’t worry. I got the solution to that,’ the girl whips out a piece of paper from her pocket triumphantly and they all stare at her as if she’s gone bonkers.

‘What?’ she asks to no one in particular at the lack of excitement, ‘Why are you all reacting like this?’

‘Well, it would help to know what it actually is.’ Jongdae mumbles, earning himself a white hot glare from the latter that makes him hunch his shoulders in defense.

 

‘I was scouting around the area that you described to me. It was easier, considering that I was alone and I was a girl. I could pass for just a villager. But then I found this.’

 

Leroy grabs the paper from her fingers. He turns it over, scans the words, before looking back up with a frown. ‘Where did you find this?’

‘Heard some of the villagers talking about the assassin. I sniffed around for a bit and found that piece of paper in the trash.’

 

‘Well please, do tell.’ Baekhyun rolls his eyes, ‘the suspense is killing me.’

 

Rei glares at him. If looks could kill, Baekhyun would’ve been dead twice by now. Thankfully, Leroy quickly cuts in before she can do anything rash, nudging his arm with the paper. Baekhyun smoothes it over before his eyes read the words. His jaw falls slack.

 

In a beautifully scrawled font, it reads:

 

You’re dead if you speak.

 

‘That could literally be anyone, though.’ Baekhyun says while he passes the note over to Chanyeol. The taller man dips his head in agreement before handing it over to Jongdae.

‘Baekhyun’s got a point. How do we know this is a clue?’ Chanyeol asks.

 

‘First off,’ Rei lifts a finger, ‘I found the paper in a shop’s trash. Meaning it had to come from there.’

‘Anyone would have put it there.’ Baekhyun argues.

‘I don’t think so. The trash bag was closed already, meaning that the shop owner had already closed it before throwing it out.’ she lifts a second finger, ‘second, I checked in on the man. He was old and tiny. Definitely doesn’t look suspicious at all.’

‘And what do you assume that he knows?’ Leroy asks.

‘I don’t know. Maybe he’s lodging some of the assassin’s members. Maybe he knows something that happened in his shop. Maybe he has information that could be useful against the Royal Kingdom.’ Rei lifts her shoulder in a shrug, ‘Either way, I couldn’t linger round too much. We have to go back and see for ourselves. But it’s jackpot if they’re sleeping there.’

‘I doubt it,’ Jongdae pipes up, to which all heads turn his way. Suddenly realizing that he has spoken out loud, the dark-haired assassin can only bow his head and press his lips together in a too-tight line.

 

‘Why do you say that?’ Rei’s voice is dangerously low, her soprano vibrating with a sense of aggression that sends chills of fear dancing down Baekhyun’s spine.

 

‘No reason.’ Jongdae says. But the damage is done. There’s something else, something more that he’s not telling, and Rei’s expression only darkens as if a storm is slowly brewing in the distance, threatening to break at any given moment.

 

In two strides, she’s already at his neck. Reaching out to grab Jongdae’s shirt, she tugs him violently towards her before lowering her face to his before hissing, ‘Tell me.’

‘I-I can’t,’ the poor dark-haired man stutters, ‘I was sworn to silence. I can’t tell you, even if I could.’

‘Rei.’ Leroy’s tone is layered with warning, and the girl releases him roughly so that the latter falls back in his chair.

 

‘So what’s the plan now?’ Chanyeol brings back the attention to the problem at hand as he folds his arms over his chest, ‘We have to be careful of the Royal soldiers. We can’t have them on our trails.’

‘From what I’ve noticed, they like to split. Is that right?’ Rei directs her question at Baekhyun, who nods, ‘They usually patrol in singles or with partners max, but if we don’t loiter around in groups and disguise ourselves well enough, I think we can slip past. The Royal soldiers don’t know what we look like. To them, we probably don’t look no different than the villagers.’

 

‘Then why did they figure out that Leroy was a pirate so easily?’ Rei asks.

 

‘Because Leroy was out at night. People are usually asleep by then. And plus, it’s not like you guys were trying to hide your swords or daggers. I’m sure they caught on to that.’ Baekhyun states, before turning to Leroy, ‘one thing’s for sure, we can’t risk having the same crew members go. The soldiers might remember their faces.’


Leroy nods, ‘Alright then. The second group needs to be ready to leave by five in the morning tomorrow.’ He looks at Rei, who nods in understanding, ‘Good. Now off you go, all of you. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day.’

 


 

 

There's definitely a storm brewing ahead and it's clear that Baekhyun is anxious about the whole ordeal. Jongdae is also being a nervous little and that's not surpriisng, considering they're trying to track down the man that had Jongdae bound ever since he could remember. Did you like this chapter? Hated it? Comment your thoughts down below! 

love you all and thanks so much for reading <3 

 

- nutmeggu 

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vampwrrr
#1
Chapter 7: Oh, my goodness, this story never goes where you think! It's so exciting!
vampwrrr
#2
Chapter 6: Why didn't they allow rei?
vampwrrr
#3
Chapter 5: Tying up baekhyun is wrong!

Hehehehehhehehehhehehehhehehehhehehhehe.
vampwrrr
#4
Chapter 4: This kind of reminds me of game of thrones, like how the idea of knightly chivalry was its head.
vampwrrr
#5
Chapter 3: Okay, I'm more comfortable with this. An oath to a nefarious entity doesn't count! :D
vampwrrr
#6
Chapter 2: Oh, poor baby. I know it hurts to be an oathbreaker.
vampwrrr
#7
Chapter 1: Oh, my poor baby! *nervous*
ackerwoman
#8
Yes! Another pirate storyline, it's my cup of tea and today I will be sipping my hot tea with some Byun Baek in it. Damnation, that sounds weird but trust me, I'm not a weirdo.
gogogirl26 #9
Chapter 7: I wishh they would save him. Its a must, i think rei will fight for baek :)
gogogirl26 #10
Chapter 6: This story its unpredicted and i love how love comes in unexpected ways. Woahh seriously Rei? She really bold and fast thinker. Hahaha.. that end story tho love it. Thanks for this update :)