Chapter 3: The Capturer's Deal

Two fat pirates forcefully dragged me to the ship's prison cell. My hands clasped to the wooden bars as they locked me inside.

"You can't keep me here! You can't imprison me, I am the first princess of Luttos Haldore!"

I yelled as they walked away, they just tossed me a cold, emotionless stare and continued leaving.

Mad, I kicked the wooden door and heaved deeply. Things happened so fast. In a split second, they had me captured and in another second, I'm already imprisoned to their dark and dirty cell.

The canon fires stopped and I can feel the ship speeding up. Worry consumed me when I remember the Mozart ship after receiving several blow.

"Alanah!"

I was terribly shaking due to the chill the sharp blade was giving me. Harlequin and Lucidei halted from approaching when my capturer spoke in a silly threatening voice.

"If you want this young woman to die, you can freely attack, Mozartians," the rogue pirate behind me said.

Harlequin gritted his teeth as he eyed the man deadlier. While Lucidei's face turned bloody red due to anger and he's consistently shaking.

He drew his sword out, the reason why my capturer took two steps backward. And so I had to do the same or else the blade will cut my head off.

"Lucidei! You'll endanger Alanah," Harlequin reminded my brother, who seemed to be lost in his anger.

"Come on, royalties! Attack if you're brave enough, I don't mind cutting this beautiful woman's neck."

My body froze, the voice and the tone of the pirate behind me sent chills down my spine.

It told me that he's not joking. He will really kill me! I already felt the pain in my throat, my hand shook more and tears brimmed my eyes. In so much fear and cold.

"What do you want?" Lucidei barked, controlling his anger and hiding his fear of getting me killed.

The rogue pirate laughed, the loudness of his voice made other pirates halt from fighting.

Some got stabbed for they were distracted. I saw Ebara trying to get to our direction, too.

"Now you're trying to make a deal, just because of this woman."

"Yes, I am making a deal for only today. You have five minutes to answer or you will not leave the ship alive," Lucidei fired.

"See it yourself, young prince. If I'm even scared of death, perhaps you had forgotten about our ways."

I groaned when I felt a sting. My throat's surely bruised. I resisted the strength of my capturer but my strength seemed like a joke.

It did not even hinder him from strangling me tighter while he's slowly and painfully slitting my skin.

The two men probably saw my suffering, and as they planned to attack, another rogue pirate came.

"We want all the golds and silvers you had with you, aside from that, the foods and the valuable things. In exchange for this beautiful Kali," said, the intruder pirate.

Harlequin's face immediately creased and Lucidei gritted his teeth. The intruder pirate drew out his sword, swung it and it stopped near the side of my stomach. Meanwhile, I think I just froze more and my fingers hardened. My eyes grew bigger.

"You are in our ship, who do you think you are to make us obey you? What made you think you can escape after you get what you want?" Lucidei advanced.

"But we have the Kali of the Mozart," the pirate holding me replied in a matter of fact tone. "You broke one simple rule, Captain Luckish."

"Shut up! You will pay for even laying a finger to her!"

"I don't mind but I do about the treasures. We, rogue pirates of the sea don't fear death. All for treasure and honor that we may give to our lord."

I don't understand these rogue pirates, for me, life is the most valuable treasure. They have twisted minds for sure.

But my concern is the knife in my neck!

Lucidei clenched his fists and heaved deeper. I tried speaking but the pirate behind me covered my mouth.

How dare this voyager!

"Give us the treasures, now!" Another rogue pirate shouted.

"We will, let her go first—"

"We're no fools, Helmsman of the Mozart. We will only let your Kali go if we already have the treasures in our hands," the man behind me cut Harlequin off.

I felt the knife drew a small cut on my skin, causing for a drop of blood. When they saw it, Lucidei immediately conceded to the idea of taking me back without handing golds to the enemies.

"Ruruken, take our golds out!" Lucidei commanded to one of his crews.

The enemies cheered up for their win, while my heart sunk. They shouldn't give in to the deal. I want to live but how about them? If they will give away the loads, what are we gonna use after?

"Lucidei, don't do this," I struggled to butt in and luckily, I did.

"No, we can sail without foods and golds but we can't sail without you."

"But—"

"Keep your word, pirates. The Mozartians won't hold back if you betray us," he cut me off by talking to my capturer.

The silly guy behind me chuckled, I can sense the danger and power he has.

The harsh wind blew my satin dress and the cold lingered after it touched my skin.

"Why so afraid to get tricked? We're on your ship, how could we just escape?"

"Just keep your words," Harlequin butted in.

The treasures arrived, I was more than amazed when I saw the chest of golds and silvers, even jewelries that are hard to find in the mainland.

Everyone was astounished and drowned to the limitless amazement when they saw the glistening treasures. Even I, was left unconscious while I'm looking only to the gleaming golden jewels before me.

It was like, I was enchanted to get close and get a touch of it. My skin craved for its shiny feeling.

I felt the grip in my neck loosened as I moved closer to the chests of the sinful treasures.

Other pirates from another ship were as flabbergasted as I. We all walked to touch the sinful things inside the open boxes.

Everything seemed to does not matter but the treasures. Joy and overwhelming excitement rose to my chest as my craving for the hidden gems intensified. It's almost unbelievable and too sinful.

I was about to run near it when I was pulled back. My face landed at Lucidei's broad chest and that's when things sunk in to me.

Once again, I heard the shouts of the pirates. The deafening sound of the swords hitting each other as the storm started to form above us.

The enchantment vanished and I was awakened from the deceiving astonishment of the sinful treasures.

No, it's just so wrong.

"Alanah, go back in your cabin and lock yourself up! It's dangerous here for now!"

Lucidei pushed me towards the quarter deck before he helped the others to throw the rogue pirates out of the ship.

Gasping, I obeyed his order and ran as fast as I could to the quarter deck. Fear, worry, confusion, anger and madness mixed in my chest.

It's just so wrong and heavy to feel more than one emotion all at once!

My knees were numb yet danger and fear did not allow me to halt.

But before I even know it, I was already flying in the air as another rogue pirate, flying using the huge rope, get a hold of my waist and tugged me with him.

I was suddenly snatched from our ship and I ended up screaming. My shaking voice echoed to the whole deck as the wind brought it to my brother's ear.

Desperation, worry and fear rendered Lucidei to go after me. However, he still tried. But he was blocked by another two rogue pirates that he took down quickly.

Yet he didn't make it still, for a canon fire almost hit him if ever Harlequin just failed to push him down in a split second.

"Alanah!"

His scream flew with the cold, harsh wind to reach me, yet I was already aboard another ship.

I saw the damages the Mozart received and it made me relieve, for the damage isn't that worse.

Unlike the ship I'm currently in, that has an even greater damage. However, despite the ruined parts, the ship still sails really fast.

The storm was finally formed, the dark thick clouds started to cry and the water formed a surge. The wind gained its strength and the waves hammered violently.

As the rogue pirate who stole me like a flying eagle landed at the wooden deck, I fell on my knees.

The Mozart was fading in my sight because of the huge storm banging the ship.

"We've got a beautiful Kali now, too. What if bad luck and distraction catch us as well? Like what happened to the Mozart?"

I turned around to face the captain of the ship I'm aboard. The bulky figure of a man not old enough to die in a storm filled my sight.

He has gray and black beard over his face and a pirate hat on his gray haired head. His rugged clothes showed the sufferings and hardships he has been through.

Shaking, I tried rosing to my feet. My lips were trembling fast due to the fear and cold. The sky has lost its life and was ruled by darker gray clouds bearing rain.

"Rogue pirates," I mumbled bitterly and heatedly.

Some who heard me laughed and some stayed still. The captain arched his brows as he took his hat and bowed tauntingly at me.

"In front of you, my lady." And then they laughed altogether.

The pirate who snatched me a while ago held me by the elbow as he dragged me nearer their captain.

I struggled to resist his strength but mine's too fragile right at the moment. I gasped in frustration. I grunted when he just pushed me into my knees in front of the bulky old man.

These heartless pirates! They left their comrades to the Mozart and sailed selfishly. How did I end up here?

"What should we do with this distraction, Captain? Are we gonna sell her to the Black Market?"

The pirate who pushed me down asked. I couldn't help but scoff and butt in. Black market?

"Why ask that old man, asshole? You were the one who snatched me, remember?"

Three sharp pair of eyes immediately landed at me. One pair from the pirate beside me, one pair from the pirate in the Captain's left and one pair from the captain himself.

I suddenly regretted butting in. The ship fell silent and now, I'm dead.

"What did you say?" The pirate beside the Captain asked angrily. "Did you just call our lord an old man?"

As if it's not true!

"She dared insult the captain of Pirata Una," another pirate from somewhere added.

I gripped my knees as I flashed an awkward smile.

"I..."

"How dare you insult our captain. He's not that old!" Another one yelled.

"He has gray hairs but that doesn't mean he's old! Not until he uses sticks!"

And another.

"He can still ravish you, honestly speaking. He just looked old but he's really not," and another.

A slight chuckle escaped my lips when I sensed the thick sarcasm on their voices. The old man gritted his teeth and glared at his crews.

The pirate beside me sighed. "We should reduce crews, Captain Ohada. The Pirata Una appeared too crowded, do you agree, Uhali?"

The pirate who pushed me muttered, silencing everyone in the ship. That was when I realized that he also has authority.

When I shot him a glance, I caught him looking down at me with no emotion in his dull face. He looked so young, perhaps he's at the age of Ebara.

"Enough!" Captain Ohada's thunderous voice tore our eye contact. "I've decided, we're going to trade this woman."

I sighed when I heard him. Trade. They will trade me. How I hate the word itself! I came from the ship which planned to trade me for another old ship and now I'm here, in another ship and I ended up in the same fate.

They will trade me as well.

"This journey sucks. How can you just trade a woman to any treasure?" My voice halted them, or perhaps the bitterness laced with it did. Or maybe, neither?

My sad green orbs lingered to the captain who stared back at me for minutes.

"Why are you so unfair? Can't the sea have a woman sailor? Can't you value us than the golds?! Don't we have a right to sail? Don't you have a wife, Captain?!"

"Shut up, you Kali!" The pirate beside the Captain snapped.

He angrily grabbed my clothes that made me rose to my feet. His piercing black eyes directly glared at me.

"Women are distraction! You're not allowed to the sea! You will bring death and distraction to us, so stop talking nonsense!"

"Uhali!"

The pirate behind me grabbed me back. Ugh, that just hurts! Why are they grabbing me like it's nobody's business?

"Come on, that's enough. Bring her to the cell, Saimun. She's too beautiful to be a Kali but for sure, captains will pay higher for her," Captain Ohada said dismissively, without giving attention to me. "We'll trade her in exchange of treasures. Treasures matter more."

Without any complain, the pirate who grabbed my back, whose name is Saimun dragged me out of the deck.

He was ungentle and rough when he pushed me to another two pirates. I glared at him in annoyance but he just walked away without a glance.

And that's how I ended up behind the wooden bars of the Pirata Una's cell.

I spent hours in the dark and filthy cell, sitting in the dirty floor while hugging my knees. I can hear the wild thunder echoing across the room and the ship is shaky.

A faint chuckle made its way to my lips. Untameable sadness filled my heart, with loneliness and pity.

How can I be this helpless? Never in my wildest dream, did I ever imagine of being a prisoner or a helpless princess in a dark cell.

I want to blame Lucidei for this misfortune of mine but opt not to. Perhaps this is meant to happen, or this is the creator's way to punish me.

But what did I do to deserve this?

"How I hate the sea. But it's just so funny," I mumbled to myself, almost crying. "It's like the destiny's playing tricks, it brought me to this world I never wished to be in."

I let out a weary breathe. I pulled my dress towards my feet for the cold is freezing my toenails.

Another long hour passed and no pirates thought of visiting me with food. My stomach growled in hunger yet it just made me laugh.

How many times should I experience hunger? Or how many times will I be forced to do something I don't want to?

My supposed groan halted when I heard heavy footsteps coming. I waited for seconds before a familiar rogue pirate emerged.

I smiled when I saw Saimun's emotionless face and I can't stop myself from rosing to my feet.

And I found myself running towards him with the wooden bars between us. Shock registered to his face when he witnessed my unladylike behavior and it made me laugh eventually.

"Thank you for coming, Saimun!" Tears swelled up in my eyes. Perhaps due to hunger, I saw him as an angel in disguise. "I've been waiting for you, I've been feeling sad and I'm so hungry! The cell's so dark I couldn't help but be afraid."

His face was beyond shock, his eyes grew wider and his mouth dropped open. For minutes, he stood there frozen and unable to speak.

I chuckled faintly. This innocent young pirate is my savior. I smiled more at him and clicked my tongue.

"Please, stare at me later. Give me the food first, Saimun. I'm so hungry," I said, looking down at the silver tray he's holding.

But he remained unmoving. When I glance at him, I caught him looking at me with disbelief and admiration. Wait, is that even possible? He was ungentle last time.

"Saimun?"

He blinked as I called him. That was when his face turned crimson red and he panicked. He opened the wooden door using his left hand and handed me the silver tray.

Without throwing a glance, he left like an innocent child, scolded. An amused laugh dominated the cell, I clicked my tongue in amusement as I ate the food he brought.

I fell asleep after eating, Saimun did not come back though, well, maybe embarrassment has caught him.

It was already sunrise when I woke up. How did I know? Two pirates came to dragged me out the cell.

The blinding sunlight welcomed me for there was no storm anymore. The sunrise was beautiful that I suddenly forgot I'm still a prisoner.

The clouds and blue sky were the best combination I've ever witnessed. And how about the blessed sun? It was magnificent, unforgiving.

But my smile disappeared when I saw Uhali's hostile face. A frown was evident to his face as he approached me.

"Women are distraction. You will bring death to us," he said with utmost hatred. "Yet the Mozart sailed with you. I wonder why?"

His forehead creased in confusion, his eyes is mocking. I instantly cracked an insulting and taunting smile that made his face turned grim.

"You wanna know why? Is the curiosity raising inside your head? You said I'm a Kali, I realized what that means last night."

"And? What does Kali mean to you?"

"Kali is a Hindu goddess of death and distraction, and I'm too gorgeous to be at the sea. I will bring distraction for you cannot resist my charm," I chuckled without humor. "Funny, isn't it? The rogue pirates could be whipped by such beauty—"

My words stopped from dripping when he suddenly gripped my jaw. It was painful but it did not stop me.

"Or maybe, there's a deeper history about it. Am I right?" I chuckled. "Or perhaps, I'd triggered something that had a deep cut on you."

"You're so talkative. If you think you can bewitched us by your face and body, then think again. I can even kill you right now. How I hate your kind!"

He gripped my jaw tighter, making me flinch in pain. Tears started to wash my eyes.

How dare this guy!

"You better keep quiet, the Captain's out for a trade. I might lose my temper and slit your throat!"

I instantly froze. How I wanted to talk back but I held my tongue. He might be joking or not, I can't risk my life.

When he let go of my jaw, I felt it stung. I tried moving it to fix what he has broken but I only flinched.

The two pirates who are holding me pushed me down the floor, I brushed the tears in my eyes and stayed silent as I pitied myself.

This is life changing, I swear.

I just realized that the ship isn't moving, we're just floating and we're near an Island. There are ships resting at the shore and I can see men crowding the shore.

I wanted to rose at my feet, grabbed the railing and watch the land. But I just couldn't.

My chest tightened and hopelessness fell upon me when I remembered that they will trade me for treasure.

If ever Claus would hear them, he will surely go wild and he will destroy the ship due to anger.

This is so unjust! My chest was like in great torture.

My long hair covered my face and eyes, the reason why I wondered who's the owner of the boots that suddenly appear beneath my head.

"Let go of her now, she won't escape."

A weary smile stretched my lips when I heard his cold and soft voice again. I suddenly got confused of myself.

Why am so fond of this young pirate even after he treated me harshly? Why suddenly, my mood lit up just because I heard his voice?

Am I insane?

"Saimun," I called.

I heard him sighed first before he kneeled in front of me. His calloused hand touched my face when he tried to stifle my hair behind my right ear.

And we came face to face. His face was light and soft, unlike the first time we met and unlike last night.

"What's your name, Kali of the Mozart?" He asked in his gentle voice.

My smile widened. He's just like Ebara, he's innocent, too. Perhaps, if under different circumstances, he won't be that harsh and rough.

"Alanah, my name's Alanah."

"What a beautiful name, Alanah. It suits you. You're so beautiful as well." His face turned red.

"Thank you," I replied.

I don't know why I feel comfortable talking to him. Well, at least he's not like Uhali.

"Welcome. You are really, really beautiful, perhaps the most gorgeous woman I've ever met. You are nice too, I wonder why you're at the sea? What are you doing with the Mozartians?"

I chuckled humorlessly. "You guess what? It's funny."

He sighed again. "You will be a big waste, Alanah. The Captain will trade you sooner. Just we wait."

We both fell silent. My smile started to falter as the situation hit me. I want to beg him, to save me. But what can he do?

"Will you really trade me? Just for treasure?" After a minute, I asked.

He nodded without glancing at me. Crap. If they really want treasure, then they should let me go. I can give them more.

"What should I expect from pirates, life don't matter to you."

I saw a flicker of pain in his eyes, however his heavy sighs were the only response I received.

He stood up and looked at the Island which seemed to be busy in business. I wonder what goes in there. Is it only about trading? Or there's more to it than meeting the eye?

"Avast! The Lost Paradise is coming!"

Suddenly, Uhali shouted. Alerting all the rogue pirates on their posts. They readied their guns and swords as if a battle is coming.

I also rose up and watched the black ship getting nearer each passing second. My mouth parted when I saw how big and beautiful it was.

It's big and well guarded by pirates, the intimidating aura it brought flew with the wind as it blows my hair.

Amazement coated my being when it sailed toward us swiftly. I saw captain Ohada in the deck with another old man.

The rogue pirates noised when the two ships came closer together. They put the wooden bridge to connect their ships and Captain Ohada gleefully crossed it.

When he stepped on his ship's floor, he faced the old man he's with earlier.

"Thanks for the ride, Captain Jehovah."

"Sure, it's a give and take."

Captain Ohada laughed soundly and so the the Captain of the ship before us.

"But there's one thing, you promised me a good trade, Captain Ohada."

Suddenly, a tall, tanned skin guy with a dangerous smirk appeared behind Captain Jehovah.

"Oh, about that. I forgot to tell you that it's not something like gold or a golden compass, First Mate," Captain Ohada said.

The tall guy's forehead creased and annoyance glowed across his face. He licked his lips first before he replied in a serious voice.

"You promised me of a good trade, were you just kidding or do you wanna pay for wasting my precious time?"

"Oh, chill Orion. Let me finish first, will you?" Captain Ohada said gently. This old man!

"Then what?"

"It's not just a treasure, but a beautiful Kali—"

"A Kali?! Are you out of your mind? Why didn't you tell me sooner? We don't let a Kali aboard our ship!"

Just like that, the pirates from the new ship yelled, ready to attack. But Captain Ohada spoke again.

"I know too well, I know you only touch women on Islands and anywhere but your ship. But this one is different, Ilumi."

"How different?" The tall guy scoffed.

Captain Ohada chuckled as he snapped his fingers.

That was when everyone blocking my full view moved aside and I was left in between them with captain Ohada in front of me.

The guy earlier crossed the bridge and directly went near me. I bowed, tears started to fall from my green orbs. My chest hammered painfully inside my ribcage as fear drowned me.

My world fell into a worse state and everything came sharp, that it would cut me if I'll touch them.

"Is she the Kali you're talking about? White and half blue hair?"

His voice was laced with desire and lust. I felt him caressed my face under my hair. I flinched in disgust, I want to yell at him and just jump off the ship but I couldn't move.

I felt my knees giving in, my tiniest hope collapsed like a house of cards being blown by the wind.

"Yes, she is."

"Let's see her face if she'll pass."

And by a one swipe of my hair, the cold wind kissed my cheeks as my green orbs settled to the man kneeling in front of me.