Ashborn Primordial

Chapter 36: Bumpy The Brave

Yesser. Orders from de jail, ser. They be wanting the Ashva back tonight. Fresh developments, you see, a brown-haired boy proclaimed, handing the stablemastera man in his early twentiesa writ of actual paper.

Oh, uh, mmm. I see, the stablemaster said, looking over the document nervously. Yes. Mmm. Yes. Everything seems to be in order.

The stablemaster led the blonde-haired boy and the brown-haired boy into the merchant guild stables. Most of the animals had fallen asleep, snoring peacefully. But there was one in the corner that remained wide awake, whimpering, desperately searching for a familiar face.

The stablemaster opened the gate and tried to pull the beast out, but it resisted. Stubborn, this one, he said.

The blond boy immediately went up to the Ashva and began soothing it. There there, boy. Nothing to worry about. Youre safe now.

He beckoned for the brown-haired boy to let the Ashva sniff his hand, doing the same himself. The instant he did, the beast quieted down, ceasing its whimpering and nuzzling him.

Wow! The stablemaster said. Took everything we had just to get im into the corral. You work with Ashva, boy?

Just a bit, the blond-haired boy responded, leading the animal outside. The moment hed left the stable, he mounted the beast, and the brown-haired boy followed suit behind him. Well take it from here. Thank you for the help.

Anytime

They rode away into the darkness, leaving the stablehand holding the writ of paper.

Welp. Spose I better get this checked, he said, mounting his own Ashva. The text looked correct for an official writ, but hed have to give it to someone who could actually read to be sure.

He didnt suspect a thing! Maiya said, laughing her heart out, riding behind Vir on Bumpy. We just strolled right in and walked right out with Bumpy! Didnt we, Bumpy?

The Ashva grunted.

Thats my Bumpy, she said, reaching down and petting his hide. You were so brave, all alone like that. Bumpy the Brave!

Bumpy whinnied at hearing his name called. You hear that? He likes it, Vir!

Vir chucked. Bumpy the Brave, huh? Its a good name.

He had to admit; he was surprised the plan went off so well. Even though he lacked any training in the arts of subterfuge. Despite that, theyd pulled off a far better plan than old man Bakuras gambit.

Great call, Vir, using our makeup to disguise ourselves!

Just felt like we werent using our makeup well, he replied, scratching his nose as he navigated Bumpy down the streets to the harbor, his hooves clacking against cobblestone. I mean, the whole point of using makeup and changing our clothes was so we could be whoever we wanted to be. Not just two Sawai boys.

Maiya nodded.

But the problem was the suspicion wed attract if we just up and changed our appearances in front of the urchins and old man Bakura. We needed some kind of excuse.

And thats where me being an artist came from! Maiya said, smacking a fist against her palm.

Right. Aristocrats dabble in the arts. And makeups a kind of art, isnt it?

It surely is! she said. Im just thankful Riyan taught me. Can you imagine how much trouble wed be in if we werent in disguise? Wed never be able to return to Saran!

Im glad they bought it. Otherwise, wed be dealing with a bunch of guards right now.

Speaking of, Maiya said, looking around. We could just make a run for it, right? Nobodys any the wiser.

But Vir shook his head. No All weve done is buy us some time. Old man Bakura mentioned it, right? The first thing that stablemasters gonna do is get the writ verified. And when he does, hell realize its a fake. I suspect we only have a few minutes, and the harbors much closer than the city gates. Besides, I'm pretty sure the guards locked the gates down the moment they learned of our jailbreak. We'd have a really tough time getting through with Bumpy.

Hmm. I suppose youre right. Wed be taking a risk either way.

Yep. Either we chance it with Bakura, or we risk it with the guards. This whole plan only worked because the urchins knew the stablehand was illiterate. Im actually surprised he didnt force us to wait while he verified the writ, but I guess thats where your makeup skills really helped.

Vir gingerly touched his left eye. The swelling from his beat down earlier that day had decreased, but it still throbbed. Maiya had spent extra time with that area, ensuring the wound was completely hidden under foundation and compound. The stablemaster wouldve been far more suspicious of them if Vir had shown up with a black eye, after all.

They arrived at the harbor district moments later, and not a moment too soon. Vir parked Bumpy in an alley as a group of mounted guards tore across the street in the opposite direction.

Think the guards been alerted, he whispered, waiting for the law enforcement officials to pass them by.

Theres no way wed have made the gates in time, he thought as they waited for their would-be pursuers to pass.

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What do we do about the rest of the supplies? Maiya asked when the sound of their Ashvas hooves had dissipated.

Vir had been mulling over that as well. Riyan would not be happy if they came back with only half a load. But with this many guards out, it'd be the height of folly to attempt to raid a shop. If they were caught, it'd give the authorities all the evidence they needed to lock them up forever. Or worse.

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No, they had to escape, even if it meant enduring triple chores. Vir brought Bumpy back out of the alley and trotted him down the pier to Bakuras awaiting ship.

The pier wasnt nearly as well lit as the rest of the harbor, and with the ocean looming nearby, Bumpy needed a bit of persuasion to make the final few steps. But with Maiyas coaxing, calling him Bumpy the Brave over and over, the crippled animal finally made it.

Even in the darkness, Bakuras enormous form was clearly visible. Looks like yer plan worked after all! The loud man boomed, making Vir and Maiya cringe.

Yeah, so lets set sail as soon as we can!

No can do, m afraid. Waiting on one last shipment. Gotta wait till mornin.

What! Maiya cried. That wasnt our deal.

Ye, well, me bad, girl. I be a merchant, after all. Can say no to more profit.

And what if the guards search your ship and find us? Vir said. Youd be implicated too.

The man waved away his concern. Aint gonne happen. Dont worry.

Vir worried. He also understood how people like this worked. Hed seen the bargaining process too many times in Brij to be oblivious to these kinds of things.

How much is that shipment worth? Vir asked.

Mmm? Bakura said, as if he hadnt anticipated the question. Oh, expectin ta make bout two Imperium silvers off o it in Balindam. Pagan Orders thirsty for trinkets from all ova de world. They sell like hotcakes.

Understanding where Vir was going with this, Maiya spoke up. Trinkets? Doubt youll be able to sell them all. And then youll have inventory on your ship that youll have to either dump, or sell elsewhere. And that means less space for your other cargo. Which means lost profits.

Bakura perked a brow. Ye know yer business, boy, Ill give ya that.

Vir pulled out a silver from his coin bag. Ill pay you one silver to set sail right now.

Bakuras eyes glinted. The negotiation was on.

Not a chance, boy. I know I can turn that profit. But, well, yer brothers right. It aint without risk. Alright, Ill meet you middle. A silver n a half.

Vir sighed. Remember, you had a hand in putting us in this situation. We shouldnt have to pay for this at all.

Bakura waggled his index finger. Uh, uh, uh. I promised ahll give ye safe passage. Never said wed put out tonight. Thats a special service. A silver n forty coppers. Thas the lowest ah can go, boy. Dont like it, wait till the morning.

Vir flipped the man a single coin. One silver, and instead of just putting in a good word, Ill make sure my father gets in touch with you.

Bakura deftly caught the coin and stared at Vir. Thas a promise, ye?

Sawai honor, Vir lied coolly.

The sailor looked up at the stars. Youre lucky the stars re bright tonight. Not much cloud cover, else wed hafta wait until morning regardless.

He turned to his crew. Hear that, boys! Ready for sail!

Ready for sail! a motley of voices called back, springing into action aboard the ship. Magic Lamps flickered on, and sailors climbed rigging and yanked on various ropes.

When Vir turned back to the pier, he saw Alda and Barid, standing a handful of paces away.

Maiya, Vir said. Give me Aldas coin bag.

Youre gonna return it to them? Maiya said with a scowl. After all the trouble they caused us, I say we let them hang!

Im as angry as you are, Maiya. Maybe even more. But they helped us, in the end. Sure, I came up with the plan to break out Bumpy, but even so, they hooked us up with Bakura and helped us with the rest of the supplies. Besides, Id feel a little bad leaving them like that. Theyll probably starve.

Fine, Maiya said, shoving the coin bag into Virs hand. But I dont like this.

Hey now, I didnt say Id be giving them back all the money, did I? Vir said with a grin as he fished out a silver, which he handed back to Maiya. Just returning what she had, plus a little extra.

What remained in the bag were thirty coppers and two silvers. For the urchins, it was still a windfall.

Vir took a few paces to Barid and Alda and tossed them the sack. Their initial happiness turned slightly bitter when they inspected its contents, but they nodded back nonetheless.

Oi! Cmere n help me with your beastie, Bakura said, calling Vir over.

The big man led Bumpy up the ramp onboard the ship and tied him off to the mainmast, and when Vir looked back, the kids had already disappeared into the night.

The two friends followed behind the Ashva.

Vir? Maiya said.

Yeah, Maiya?

I think when we get back, could you keep sparring with me? I want to get better at Kalari. No. I need to.

Sure, but wheres this coming from? Vir asked.

When they captured us, I couldnt do a thing. I slowed you down, since I couldnt jump up to the rooftops. Sure, I helped us haggle prices and I can do makeup alright, but its not enough. I dont want to go through anything like that again, Vir. Magic isnt enough. I need to get good at Kalari. So, will you help me? I want to get good at your acrobatics stuff too. Im sick of being clumsy.

Vir turned and looked Maiya in the eyes. Of course, Ill help, Maiya! Id be happy to!

Maiya nodded, a look of determination plastered on her face.

The moment Vir stepped foot onto the ship, he knew this was going to be an experience. The entire ship swayed rhythmically underfoot. He immediately compensated, maintaining his balance, but Maiya reached out and grabbed him to stabilize herself.

What? Bakura barked. Never been on a boat before?

Oh no, Vir said. We have. Several times. My brothers just not very good with ships.

Then yell be wanting to stay abovedecks. If ya need to barf, do it over the side. You might be ristos, but my crew aint cleaning up yer mess.

A dozen Lighten Load orbs embedded in the hull at regular intervals glowed with prana one by one as the sailors went around powering them.

No way! Vir exclaimed, entirely forgetting his disguise. A pranasail!?

If Bakura found it suspicious that Vir got so excited over such a small thing, he didnt show it. In fact, he beamed proudly. Not quite, boy. The orbs help, but we aint got no mejai aboard to power wind to our sails.

Vir expected the ship to lurch up out of the water, but no such thing happened, making him wonder if they werent working properly. But then, oars from belowdecks extended out the side, and the ship glided away from port faster than Vir thought possible.

The wind picked up once theyd made it out into Saran Bay. Sails unfurled, oars retracted, and the ship picked up even more speed, cutting through the waves as if it floated on the water.

Maiya spent the entire time grasping the railing, single-mindedly focused on breathing deeply, doing everything she could to keep from doing something unsightly.

Vir had no such issues. And even if he did, it was his first time aboard a ship! Nobody would stop him from exploring every nook and cranny, even in this darkness. Prana Vision had abated, so he had Maiya charge her Magic Candle orb, which he took with him. After walking around the entire deck, he finally found a wooden door that led below.

Descending a steep staircase, he raised his orb high and illuminated the large room hed just entered, for there was no other lighting down here.

Surprising, Vir thought. Hed expected to see the rowers down here. Maybe thats another deck?

But the moment his orb shone upon the room, Virs blood ran cold. Bile welled up in his throat, and he felt the need to puke. Not from seasickness, but from what lay within the ships hold.

From aft to stern, from port to starboard, metal jail cells filled the entire ship. All packed to the brim with people, squeezed so tight they could hardly even move. And every single one had an iron collar around their neck.

Theyd boarded a slaving ship.

Next time: 37: Of Demons & Ashborn