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Do you want to see him? I can go get him.

What is he doing?

...He's with Teach, treating the crew members who were injured in the attack.

Aaaahhh— argh—!

I'm sorry, this ointment hurts when it's applied, but the bleeding should stop soon.

Now shut up and stop whining!

Go on... argh... I can... take it...

How's it going on your end?

(Shakes head) Not much we can do...

Bury the dead in the salts as soon as we can.

Aye... Come with me, chaval. Cesc wants to see you.

Is he hurt?

Got shot in the liver. He's on his last legs... said he wanted to see you.

...Take me to him.

Isidro makes his way through the wounded, a bowl of hot soup in hand.

Amongst the many pale faces, he sees a familiar one, smiling at him with what little strength it has left.

He sits beside the wounded man and smiles back.

You're damn ugly when you smile... you know that?

Sounds like you're in good spirits.

Here, I brought you some soup. You'll feel better.

No... don't waste it.

Thanks for coming to see me... and for saving my hide back then.

I wanted to ask... why did you save me...?

I've thought I was going to die so many time over my journeys.

But every time, I was lucky enough to meet someone who cared. I know how it feels to be waiting for death.

It's not pleasant.

I... *cough* I never knew a damn thing about you... Tell me more...

You got... a home?

No, I don't.

A family?

Not any I grew up with. My parents left when I was very young.

...I see.

How 'bout you tell him where you learned your bag of tricks?

Sure...

Some different people took pity on me and taught me how to survive. Bits and pieces, here and there.

There was a teacher who taught me how to use a sword.

We lived together for a long time. I learned a lot from him.

Must've invested a lot in you.

Yeah. He raised me as his successor.

Why didn't... you stay... with him...

I couldn't live that way. He made me feel safe.

What's... wrong with that?

Nothing's worse than feeling safe. It makes you let your guard down. But nowhere is truly safe.

You know, amigo...

You don't have a home... don't like feeling safe, don't want to settle down... living side-by-side with danger...

You were... born to be a pirate...

Maybe I was.

Isidro says no more. The soup has long since become cold in the night wind of the Salt Flat.

He raises the bowl and takes a sip. It has been a month, and he is already used to its thick, salty flavor.

G-Gracias...

I injured a holy man when I corralled the burdenbeasts and startled one by accident. I will forsake half of my serving as penance.

No, eat up so that it doesn't happen again.

There's enough saltfin for everyone. Eat.

But, Señor Silver, overeating is—

Is better than letting food go to waste. Saltfin flesh won't last in this weather. Finish it before it spoils.

Kindly bring these to our injured brothers, my good chef.

They need something nutritious to eat, after the beating they've taken these past few days.

Have you reviewed the plan, Señor Alguacil?

I do not understand how such a notion could have even occurred to you.

If the bandits surrender the compass and the blueprints for a salt ship, I will pardon most of them and permit them to live as I allow them to.

Many are young and healthy. They will be invaluable labor if this town is to move.

Besides, it will convenient to have sword hands unbound by religious dogma, in the event of any future negotiations.

They will destroy your town.

Eliminate the Ægir leading them, and the rest are just a disorganized mob. The three whom we have locked up in the basement are each playing their own game.

I will split them and give them conflicting interests, such that if they do raise their swords, it will only be against their former fellows.

You once saved these townsfolk, taught them to suppress desire and maintain purity... yet now you would pardon the very bandits who murdered their friends and family, all for worldly benefit?

Did you imagine the people accepting this?

How is this anything less than a betrayal?

What would you suggest, then?

I would lead our men into the Flat without delay, eliminate the surviving bandits, and destroy the very means by which they have sinned.

Our injured brothers need rest.

We have neither the manpower nor the resources for another major campaign.

I will ensure they are ready.

I hope you'll forgive my bluntness, Señor Alguacil.

But the three bandits in the basement will 'escape' at nightfall. If all goes well, they will soon bring news back to their fellows.

All I need from you is to maintain order when the bandits come to negotiate.

What made you change your mind?

It's just a compass. There wasn't much to think about.

Would someone with so little on their mind have such restless hands? Should I be worrying about you making a hole in my ship, joven?

I'm not that strong.

Come now, don't be like that. I hope you realize that being serious all the time only makes you the butt of the joke.

Now grab a change of clothes. You have blood all over you.

...Gracias.

Come with me.

*Cough* *Cough*...

Sorry, I should have told you to hold your breath. This cabin hasn't been used in decades, and there's dust everywhere.

I'm sorry for touching things without permission.

Don't make me sound like such a petty woman.

You can touch whatever you want here. It's all top-notch alchemical equipment. Unless your hands are more dangerous than cannon fire or a storm, they'll survive.

This will be your lab from now on.

You have a full-fledged alchemy lab on your ship?

Yes.

Before I forget...

These clothes belonged to the previous alchemist. You're about the same size, so try them on.

Oh, uh...

You can change in the storage room to your left.

Do I look weird?

Of course not. It fits you well.

Do you like it? The style is decades-old, but it was tailor-made with the finest fabrics.

It feels brand-new, though.