act39side

The people in the sheds lining the street shut their windows tight one after the other. In a flash, the street is empty.

Ugh...

Let him go, Javier! He's learned his lesson!

(Whispers) Not here, Javier...

ANSWER ME!

(Nods furiously)

*cough*... *cough* *cough* *cough*—!

Now run along home, chaval. Remember what you learned today. Remember it well.

*Sigh* The hell was that, Javier? You've never been that reckless.

Reckless? No. He was just making it clear to everyone where he stands.

Rus, I...

Relax, just bring him a little something tonight. He'll accept your apology.

Yeah. Thanks, Teach.

Javier watches the woman walk away as he stands in the middle of the street.

A stray headscarf lies at his feet, having fallen off Cesc's head as he ran.

Javier picks it up, pats off the dust, and walks back to his shed, closing the door lightly behind him.

Good, everyone's gone.

I was afraid I'd have to wait for them all to take an afternoon siesta.

Tch...

Why did I even <i>try</i> escaping at night last time? That's when these guys are most active.

(There. That's my way out. Just need to head down.)

(Only two guards. Gotta knock them out.)

Ahem...

(Hmm...?)

Say, Anna... Ever thought about going someplace else?

I kept some of those old coins we've been digging up. File off the king's face, and you can barely tell the difference from the new ones!

We could leave the Flat behind. Go to Rim Billiton, Columbia... Anywhere you'd like.

No, José. I was born and raised here. Never even thought of leaving.

You really want to stay and follow the boss out to sea?

She's the boss.

The sea'll swallow you up...

I ain't afraid. She promised us.

Well, what scares <i>me</i> is that that promise might turn out to be a fleeting dream.

If you're that scared, then go. I ain't gonna stop you.

...I was kinda hoping you would.

(Are they done yet?)

If you don't wanna leave with me, then at least...

At least what?

(Can't this guy take a hint?)

Could you, uh, give me a...

(Stop mumbling and spit it out alr—)

Stop mumbling and spit it out already!

Unable to bear watching the man stumble over his words any longer, the woman knocks him flat before sandwiching his face between her hands, kissing him hard.

Isidro furrows his brows before looking away politely.

Mmmf... Anna...

Oh, just shut it!

(At least they didn't notice me.)

Phew...

Need to run faster... If I'm not out of here before dark...

Based on the last few times, I'm definitely going to be—

A giant helm wheel rolls past his face before coming to a halt, stopping just short of crushing his feet.

You shouldn't keep a lady waiting, you know.

Now be a good boy and come back with me.

You shouldn't be here.

Still not given up after all these attempts? We might not have enough spare medicine to patch you up if you end up wounded again, you know.

How did you know I was gone, Señora Juana?

I made sure nobody was following me.

It's my job to be aware of what's happening in my fleet. You can't hide from my little eyes and ears.

Besides, did no one ever teach you not to ask a lady a question she'd rather not answer?

The young man does not reply, silently thinking of the sword that had been faithfully at his side for years. If he still had it, perhaps it would even the odds.

But it had shattered. Just like the freedom currently within arm's reach, it had died in these salt flats, snapped in two.

Isidro clenches his fist, grits his teeth, and grabs onto whatever is left of his things.

The lady lightly draws her sword, her stance relaxed.

Out of my way!

Ngh—

After a few sword strokes, the unarmed man falls defeated, face in the salty sand. He could not protect even the last of his belongings.

As Juana ties him up and heaves him over her shoulder, he feels something in his heart silently shatter.

Ah, youth. Never knowing when to give up. No matter how many times you're beaten down, you're already dreaming of the next attempt.

If you're that desperate to leave, then fix that compass for me.

How many times I have to say it? Only an alchemist can fix it, and I'm no alchemist!

Oh? Then care to explain where that gold coin of yours came from?

...I stole it.

You are a terrible liar, joven.

On its face is a mark only a few know of: the mark of the long-lost school of alchemy. The knowledge they passed down helped countless fleets find treasure in the seas.

But after the Profound Silence, their disciples were imprisoned, and their works destroyed.

So tell me, why are you holding onto that coin, despite all that happened to them?

I don't know anything about any of that.

Oh, what a stubborn young man. How about we change the question, then?

How did you dig that tunnel of yours?

...The bread you gave me was really hard.

What a clever boy.

My oh my, I really must thank you!

You've worked so hard keeping watch over him. Why, if you hadn't informed me right away, he might have actually gotten away.

Yes, I know, he's not the best-behaved prisoner, but that's why we have you, isn't it?

You really are our cleverest, sharpest-witted, most amazing little...

Nene.

Mm-ph!

(Spins excitedly)

Don't get too excited now. There are still many difficult duties ahead of you, and you mustn't take them lightly.

(Quickly falls flat on the ground)

I have faith in you, of course. Alright, off you go now. Don't let that boy learn who you are.

Mmph!

Come in, Javi.

Pardon me, Señora Juana. I hope I'm not interrupting your time with Nene.

Mmph...

Don't give me that look. I've got a little something for you too.

My, what a fine little ball of bone... Did you carve it?

Sí. Out of bone shards that broke off some of our older weapons. Else they'd have gone to waste.

I wanted to give it to Rus as an apology, but he won't open his door for me.

Oh... I did hear about that. You shouldn't be so hasty, Javier. As our fleet's bosun, Rus has every right to question my plan to go out to sea.