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The wind was not still today. Not strong, but it didn’t mean mess wouldn’t fly around. Hopefully it didn’t mean anything. Hopefully it was just a common breeze. 

Jiroi looked out at the bay. The water was not still. Not rough and wavy, but certainly a little more than just a regular swash onto shore. It made Jiroi a little nervous deep inside. Shifts in the wind always made Jiroi nervous. He has his personal reasons. 

Mr Shren, or Shren yan, as the others would address him, didn’t seem bothered by the breeze. That was reassuring, but did Mr Shren know the wind like Jiroi knew it? It didn’t matter. Jiroi’s superstitions likely didn’t mean anything. 

Elves from Center had superstitions, right? Jiroi was sure they did. Jiroi was sure they did. Jiroi was from Mung Ga, so maybe his beliefs were completely different from everybody else here. But then again, they weren’t exactly in Center. Not politically. 

Daikong was said to be a human country. Daikong was given to the humans so that they could trade with Center. That idea didn’t make sense to Jiroi, but then again, what did? Jiroi was only 12. A minor had much to learn about the worlds. 

“Hurry up, you junga!” Mon called out from up front. 

Jiroi looked up ahead to see the others standing and waiting for him. Best to hurry along. 

“Come on,” Bino urged. “Shren yan said he’d take us to barbeque if we finished on time.” 

“Barbeque!” Yun was excited, as usual. 

“Shren said,” Mr Shren spoke in that mainland elf way, “That our duties today should earn you all enough coin that you could all buy yourselves some barbeque. Shren said he’d simply take everybody past the bazaar.” 

All four boys gave a whiny sigh. But they all knew that Mr Shren would treat them anyway. He was just that sort of yan. Bino looked at the others, a cheeky smile hidden in his eyes. The others all tried to hide their agreeing smiles as well. 

The four young boys, lead by Mr Shren, were tasked with helping to clean ships and docks owned by the Sindus Guild. It was a confusing affair for Jiroi. Firstly because Jiroi knew that the ship crews were usually the ones responsible for cleaning their own ships. But maybe the merchants here in Daikong were a little different and didn’t mind having the locals to help clean. 

Secondly was the idea of the Sindus Guild. They were a merchant group that operated all around the Water Countries. But even though they were called the Sindus Guild, they did not employ any Sindunis in their crews. The Sindus Guild was entirely human, maybe a few Tokebs and other races. But still. And now they paid the local elves to clean and service their ships? Jiroi couldn’t understand how the relationship and assortments worked. Was it a human way of things? Or was it a Daikong way? Who knows? 

Mr Shren and his young hands found the ship they were to clean. The Bonfai Fire. Named after the city of Bonfai, in Tamata, that was burned to the ground by a volcano. Why name a ship after such a tragedy? And not to mention, the ship owner wasn’t even Tamatan, but Payellish. Humans were just so confusing. 

Some crewman aboard noticed the five elves approaching. 

“They’re here!” The crewman called out. Then suddenly, numerous humans began to appear from below deck or up, sitting upon the high sail beams. There was only about 20 crewmen, but a ship this large obviously boarded at least a hundred more. The sloppy humans began to stumble and stagger off the ship. The smell of wine clear on their breath and eyes. 

“Good to see you, Shrenno,” the crewman who must been in charge greeted. Mr Shren gave a slight bow. The tall, lanky, fair haired man did his best to return a polite bow. “Hope you and the little laddies don’t have too much trouble with her.” He smiled at the boys. “We tried our best not to leave too much of a mess. Oh, and feel free to leave when you’re done. Cap’ says he’ll be aboard one of the other ships nearby. And that all these broads around here are Sindus ships. So, they’ll keep a lookout.” 

“Thank you, Edwin” Mr Shren gave another polite bow. The boys followed suit. Edwin straightened up and placed a hand on his opposite shoulder. A salute it seemed. 

As nasty as humans usually were, these crewmen never gave off a bad feeling. Maybe because they knew who Mr Shren and the boys were and what they were there to do. Or maybe shipmen were just friendlier than the local humans. 

Now it was time to see what kind of mess the crew had left behind. 

Mon, Bino, and Yun, were Center elves – well, that’s what Jiroi figured about them. Because if there was one thing distinct about Center elves, it was that they always set their focus and got on with their duties right away. A complete shift in matter. They’d be chatty and lumbering on the way to their tasks, not seeming to want to do anything duty related. But as soon as they were on site, they’d settle and instantly start doing what needed to be done. 

The Center elves were all like that at the school as well – these three were in the same class as Jiroi. It would be fun and games in the halls, but as soon as the tutor arrived, they’d all go quiet, attention tuned in for the lesson. This shift distinguished the Center elves in contrast with all the other elves and locals of Daikong. It gave them an elite sort of presence. Jiroi appreciated their manner. 

As soon as they all stepped aboard the Bonfai Fire, their stirring stopped, and each of them would be off to complete a task. Jiroi followed suit and headed through the hatch to the lower deck. 

Surprisingly, the ship was in good order. The human’s stumbly wine-fueled gait worried Jiroi of a complete mess, but there was very little to clear away. Just a few bottles and cups here and there, and only a few hammocks were spread. It meant Jiroi could get to scrubbing the floor a lot sooner than expected. Not that he needed to. It seemed the crew had already done so. But that was no excuse to not do it. The other boys would have kept true to their duties and got to scrubbing, and so Jiroi would match that effort. The sound of water splashing across the main deck above proved what Jiroi had suspected. So Jiroi hurried to pack away whatever ropes, rigging, and hammocks, were still laying around. 

After a while, someone came below deck. Jiroi found Yun standing by the way out, looking around, observing what needed to be done. After nodding to himself, Yun asked, 

“Do you want me to takeover? It’s still nice out there.” 

“This floor is almost done” Jiroi shook his head. “I’ve almost finished.” 

Yun looked around for a quick moment, then took Jiroi’s pails of water and sand away with him. Soon after, Yun returned with fresh loads of water and sand. Then he got down and started helping. Jiroi liked to complete his tasks on his own, but always appreciated that Yun would come by and assist whoever he could. No questions asked. A compliment to Jiroi, Mon, and Bino’s more independent nature. 

Once they were done, Jiroi and Yun moved to what they knew was the gun deck. It felt like no one had entered the place for some time. For such a large space, there were so few guns. Small ones too, though Jiroi wouldn’t have known what was a good size. From the stories he had heard as a child, the late Center Theewan had a grand ship with guns that would obliterated a ship with one blast. Firecraft was dangerous, and so only the Theewan was permitted guns on his ship. 

It seemed the Sindus Guild merchants were wealthy, especially this ship’s owner. Ten guns were on this ship; four lined each side down here, and two were above, back on the quarter deck. Though these guns were small – only the size of Jiroi’s leg – it was a marvel to even see one up close. These long, log like stretches of metal could certainly end a person’s life in one blast. And here these things were, sitting quiet and forgotten on a human ship. 

Mr Shren came down beside Jiroi and Yun. The three had a careful look around, not wanting to step too far into this seemingly abandoned place. 

“Come on, syan yan,” Mr Shren spoke. “We don’t need to touch anything in here.” 

“Should syan at least clean the floor, Shren yan?” Yun asked. 

“Shren thinks it better we not disturb anything here.” Mr Shren rubbed his foot across the floor, as if inspecting something. “The crew would likely prefer we left this space as it is. Now, come up and help us carry all the cloth.” 

After a while Mr Shren called for a break. 

“For such a big ship, we’re almost done” Bino pointed out. “Thank the Goddess there wasn’t so much for us to do.” 

“That’s how you know the ship has a responsible crew” Mr Shren told. “A good crew means a good ship.” 

“Did Shren yan used to be a sailor?” Mon wondered. 

“No” Mr Shren shook his head. “Shren has just cleaned enough ships to notice the good from the bad.” 

The boys waited for Mr Shren to continue. 

“Remember how respectful and responsible Edwin was before we hopped aboard? That was a clear indicator of the crew. Edwin is not even an officer. Just a regular seaman. And yet he was able to speak on behalf of the ship and crew. A strange human quality, but admirable when enacted well.” 

“He is not an officer?” Bino didn’t seem comfortable with the idea. Neither did Mon or Yun. 

“Yeah” Mr Shren’s face was a little jumbled. “These people have a tendency to speak out of place. Most of the time it’s a trouble. But sometimes it can be a blessing. Sometimes.” 

Curious as they were, the boys waited for Mr Shren to continue or not. 

“It’s strange,”  Mr Shren went on, “because there is punishment for stepping out of line. And they do get punished for doing so. Often, actually. These people know they could lose their heads if they step out of line, but still so many get caught doing so. You’d think they’d stop. But then again, there are the few that step out of line, and it is actually good for everybody. And everybody honours them for it. See’s them as courageous.” 

Jiroi did note how the human’s he’d encountered always seemed troublesome. Almost like they didn’t fear punishment. It was what made them a frightening people. The other boys seemed to be thinking about that too. 

“Shren yan,” Bino spoke up. “Don’t these humans who step out of line but are seen as good, get punished for their dishonour?” 

“That’s the puzzle.” Mr Shren started nodding to himself slowly. “They do get punished. They get executed, actually. And everybody who loves and honours them come to watch their execution. It is a strange affair. Sometimes there are revolts and people try to rescue these icons. But most of the time, everybody agrees that they are to be punished. Even the very person in question. They do what they do, knowing they will be executed.” 

The boys couldn’t make sense of what Mr Shren was explaining. Was this something admirable to learn about the humans, or just an indication of foolishness. Jiroi couldn’t decide. 

“Shren believes,” the yan continued, “that this is just part of their fiery nature. Every peoples has something different about them.” 

“What’s different about us?” Jiroi asked. “What’s different about elves?” 

“Us?” Bino interrupted. “You mean you!” He and the other boys laughed. 

“Yeah, you junga!” Yun teased. Mon and bino raised their arms to emulate how chimps stood around. 

“I’m not a junga!” Jiroi contested. 

“Yeah, you are” Bino told. “Mungano and Mung Ga peoples are technically jungle elves. Just like the Daikonese.” 

“No” Jiroi frowned. “We’re just regular elves, like you.” 

“We’re pretty sure if you’re from Munga Ga, then you’re a jungle elf” Mon explained. “Look how much browner your skin is.” 

“It’s not even that brown.” 

“Browner than us” Mon pointed out. “Regular elves are lighter skinned.” 

“Technically, we’re not regular elves” Mr Shren interjected. “We’re water elves. Everyone from the mainland to all the western and southern islands are all water elves. The grass elves from the far east and north are the ones closer to being regular elves.” 

“Wouldn’t a Tolkelf be the closest to a regular elf” Bino stated. 

“Closest to an original elf? Yes. But grass elves are the most commen elves around. So, they’re what is considered regular.  They are pretty much tolkelf by blood. Just not by region.” Mr Shren then faced Mon and Yun. “And if anything, you two are the closest to being jungle elves. Your parents are from Jaji, arent’y they?” 

“Yes.” Yun looked confused. “But Jaji is part of Center, Shren yan” 

“Well, Jaji is part of the far west of Center,” Mr Shren continued. “The west is known to be mostly jungle area.” 

“Yeah!” Jiroi teased. 

“But we’re more normal than him!” Mon argued, pointed at Jiroi. “Aren’t those island elves, like Mungano, actually part troll?” 

Jiroi shrugged. He didn’t mind the comment. He liked knowing that he and his people of Mung Ga had a chance of being part troll. As primitive as the monstrous trolls were, they were a feared people. Strong, savage warriors. 

Mr Shren raised his finger for attention. 

“All water elves are closely related to the trolls. It’s what makes water elves different to grass elves. But all those details show how pointless this debate is. Compared to humans, we are all still one people. Mungano, Jajian, Daikonese, or whatever. We are elves. No! I must stop using that human word. We are all ‘yuan’. And as yuan, it is in our nature to come together and nourish. Not destroy.” 

Yuan… 

Yes. Yuan. That was the word Jiroi appreciated, especially here in the human world. It is what made him feel connected to everyone else. Whether they were Center yuan like the other boys, or island yuan like the Mungano and Daikonese, they were still one people. Even if here, in Daikong, they all spoke in human tongue, they could still preserve unity with the word ‘yuan’. Did the word ‘elf’ having something to do with blurring that sense of connection? 

“Where does Shren yan come from?” Bino suddenly asked. “Shren yan’s human accent sounds different to our parents talk, and to how island elves talk.” 

“Island ‘yuan’,” Jiroi corrected. 

“Okay. Sorry, junga” Bino laughed. Jiroi knew he shouldn’t have said anything. 

“Shren is from Sentile, a town in Liyanado,” Mr Shren explained. When he saw the boys weren’t familiar with the area, he went on. “Liyanado is far southeast. Along the Sway Sea.” 

“The Sway Sea?” Mon was thinking. “Is Liyanado near Kim?” 

“Yes” Mr Shren confirmed. “Liyanado is right next door to Kim. It’s where you find the boarder keeping those savages out.” 

“If Shren is from the boarder to Kim,” Bino was pulling two and two together, “then Shren yan is a grass yuan.” The boys didn’t know what to make of his conclusion. “Areas that far east are grass elf regions, aren’t they?” 

“Yes and no” Mr Shren answered. “The area is a mix of all sorts of people, but everybody sticks to their own kind. The eastern clan folk stick to their hordes, the Kim to their boats, and the Liyanads happily mix around everyone. 

“Shren and family are just common Center yuan that live there. But one can never tell. Shren may be a mix of both water and grass. Not that there is any major difference. As said before, we are all just yuan.” 

“Why did Shren yan move here to Daikong?” Bino asked. “Was it too dangerous to live there?” 

“Liyanado was dangerous. Yes. But that is not why Shren decided to move,” Mr Shren told. “As was said already, Shren was just a common Center yuan, and that wasn’t exactly a good thing. Just because many regions became part of the Center Empire, does not mean the Empire looked after every one of those regions. Life was already hard, but the never ending border disputes made it that much harder. 

“When Shren heard that Center offered a south western island to the humans, but needed Center yuan to fill and occupy that country – to keep the island primarily yuan – Shren decided. He’d work and save up enough until he could find his way west. 

“And I tell you” Mr Shren spoke more casually, “I don’t regret moving one bit. There is something different and hopeful about Human life. I feel like I’m not trapped by the Empire. And all I have to worry about are the very few wild beasts that live here around me.” 

It seemed like Mr Shren was expressing something more profound, but Jiroi didn’t understand. By the looks on the others’ faces, they didn’t either. Mr Shren must have noticed as well. 

“Just know that we have a different life here in Daikong” Mr Shren concluded. “And a different life can be a good one.” He faced Bino. “Where is syan Bino’s family from?” 

“Syan’s family is Julinese. They’re from Ein Jul. But they fled before the Takeover” Bino told. “They said the conflict with all the warlords was too unsafe.” 

“That sounds about the same time Shren left Liyanado” Mr Shren nodded. “Is that when your families came by?” He looked to Mon and Yun. 

“Yes, Shren yan” Mon nodded. 

“Syan’s family always travelled to Daikong” Yun explained. “They probably liked it here and decided to stay.” 

“And what about syan Mena?” Mr Shren asked Jiroi. The yuan liked to address each other by their family names. And so, they did the same with Jiroi. Using someone’s personal name was seen as improper and was saved for more private affairs. Jiroi forgot that he was likely addressing them all by their family names. That’s how common the practice was. 

“Umm… Syan Mena came to Daikong with his mother” Jiroi tried to speak politely. “Mother was given duties here. Mother said Daikong offered a better life than what was at Mung Ga.” 

Mr Shren nodded to Jiroi. 

“Oh. Syan Mena’s father is also here in Daikong” Jiroi thought he should have added. 

“Okay…” Bino cocked his head to the side. “Shouldn’t Mena’s bah be in Daikong if Mena and his mah live here?” 

Maybe Jiroi shouldn’t have added that note. His situation at home wasn’t that simple. 

“Mena said his mah was issued duties here in Daikong.” Mon faced Bino. “That doesn’t mean Mena’s bah had duties here. Does it make sense that his bah could have still been doing his duties in Mung Ga?” 

“It does.” Bino didn’t like Mon’s sudden input. “It’s just that, doesn’t the bah usually decide where the family lives. It should be obvious his bah would be wherever he lives.” 

“Mena’s family could have had a different arrangement,” Mon argued. “Not everything goes the way ‘you’ think!” 

Bino stood up. “What’s Mon’s problem?” 

“What’s Bino’s problem?” Mon stood up as well. “Talking like he knows how things should be…” 

“Is Mon still mad that Bino is faster than him?” Bino stood more proudly. “Keep trying and you might have a chance.” 

“I’m not scared of you!” Mon spat, crude in his manner. 

Why were things getting so heated. Even though Mon seemed to be standing up for Jiroi, Jiroi didn’t like this. And that breeze started to get a lot more windy, rocking the boat a little uncomfortably. 

“Syan yan!” Mr Shren dashed in between the two. Those two just might have attacked one another again if given the cha… 

“Hey!” A voice blasted from the side. “What do you jags think you’re doing?” A human voice. A rude human voice. 

“You think you little thieves will get away with this!” Another man’s voice barked. This man was running up to board the ship. A few others followed behind. 

The boys and Mr Shren looked around to see what had gotten the humans so riled up. But once the hasty men galloped aboard and started towards the five yuan, it became clear what was wrong. 

Shren hung an arm to the side so the boys would get behind him. 

“You’ve been caught, you little thieves.” this man, in his bright blue coat, tried to grab Yun by the arm. But Mr Shren flicked the man’s hand away. “How dare you, you mangy jag!” The man’s eyes widened at Mr Shren. 

The man’s followers caught up and saw Mr Shren’s deflection. “Do you know who…” 

“We have duties aboard the Bonfai Fire.” Mr Shren then drew a scroll from his armsleeve. 

“That’s exactly what any hound would say once they’ve been caught.” The first human who called out had finally caught up. His voice was louder and more proper than the others, just like his green, neatly cut long coat and his fancy wide brimmed hat. “What have yous taken? How many others are there with yous?” The fancy hat man wagged his finger around. At that, some of the other humans began searching around the ship, their dirty boots making a mess of all the boys had cleaned. 

“It’s just us five” Mr Shren tried to stop them from messing up more. “There’s no need to look around.” But it was too late. Some of them already went below deck. “There isn’t any cargo, so there’s no need to search.” 

“Who are you to call the shots, elf?” the fancy hatter raised a hand to Shren’s face. Who even were these men, suddenly acting as if they were in charge? 

“Shren and his company are tasked with cleaning the Bonfai Fire.” Mr Shren held out the scroll to make it more obvious. 

The human saw the scroll in Mr Shren’s hand and brushed it out of his face. “Is that supposed to be your alibi? Why should I believe some silly scroll. Anybody could make a fake writ. Why should I care about that?” 

“Why should we care about who you are?” Jiroi found himself suddenly calling out from behind. He had had enough of this stranger talking so rudely to them. Why were these humans always so rude like this? 

“Mena!” Mr Shren raised a blocking hand in front of Jiroi. But Jiroi couldn’t accept these humans’ accusations. 

“We’re supposed to be aboard this ship” Jiroi spoke up. “Edwin saw us, and Edwin welcomed us aboard. As far as we know, you aren’t welcome aboard!” 

“Mena.” Mr Shren stood in front of Jiroi to keep him out of sight. 

“This one looks like a troll!” The blue coat man sneered. “I hate trolls.” 

“Who let this little troll, aboard” one of the other men laughed, “let alone speak so much.” 

“I haven’t seen me a badging troll in quite a bit” another man suddenly drew a nasty grin. “We might have to do us a little cleaning ourselves.” 

The fancy hat man didn’t pay attention to the others. “Edwin? Who the badge is that? One of Patrit’s silly shiphands?” the man huffed. “You listen here. I’m Williams. First mate of the Clayton Spice. I have every right to look after the safety of our fellow Sindus Guild vessels. And as part of the Sindus Guild, finding a bunch of elves aboard our convoy is very out of the ordinary. Even if we’re here in Daikong, we don’t just let strangers on any of our ships.” The man then pulled back his long coat and revealed a sword by this belt. This queued the other men to draw their swords. 

The boys huddled back. Mr Shren stood guard. How did things get like this? Jazzing humans always caused trouble. But Jiroi didn’t realize these men would be this dangerous. He regretted speaking up. Dealing with these people was always bad news. What could the yuan do? 

“Shren and company have ever right to be aboard this ship.” The yan raised the scroll again like it would protect them, but the men didn’t seem to care. 

“Why should we trust the word of an unknown elf?” Williams, the fancy hatter, groaned. “Last time I found an elf on my ship, I found their pockets full of jing. Stolen from my quarters. We later found more of his kind hiding aboard. Each of their pockets heavy with my jing, ay?” Williams’ eyes scanned the persons of Shren and the boys. 

“Another’s mistake does not represent the others of his kind.” Shren showed his pockets were indeed empty. 

“Doesn’t mean you can be trusted.” Williams then jerked his chin towards the five yuan – an order for his men to search them. But with swords drawn, the humans’ approach didn’t look like it would be a search. 

The boys inched back, Mr Shren out front, slowly backing off. The wild man at the start seemed to be glaring directly at Jiroi, his men also focused on the same target. Why Jiroi? Because they thought him a troll? But maybe it was because Jiroi spoke up before. Regardless of the reason, the lot of humans seemed focused on Jiroi, even ignoring Mr Shren who was trying his best to block their view of the young yuan. 

The wild one in the blue coat then drew a strange dagger. Its edge was lined with lots of little sharp tips, almost like the teeth of a predatory sea beast. It was wrong to assume the humans were going to just search the yuan if he pulled out such a wicked blade. 

“Think you can get away, do ya?” the wild one stretched a nasty grin, teeth sharp like his dagger. 

And then a heavy thudding rumbled from the side. 

“Oi! What are you crumbs doings on our ship?” A voice called from the near distance, their heavy footsteps indicating their approach. 

A large party was storming onto the ship. More humans, but they didn’t seem friendly with the first batch of humans. 

They were quick. A man jumped right in front of Mr Shren to safeguard the yan from the drawn swords. It was Edwin. He stood tall and defiant. That sloppy demeaner he had earlier was no longer evident. More of the Bonfai Fire crew crowded beside Edwin. Even more began to surround Williams and his men. 

Another man came in beside Edwin, seemingly taller and mightier than all the rest. There was something powerful about the air of this man, like a strong wind rustling the trees, And his might was made more noticeable, not only by the way Edwin and the crew made way for him, but also by the clear hesitation on Williams and his men. Arms and aggression dropped in the wake of this man. 

“You draw arms upon some of our own?” the mighty man spoke, “and on our own ship?” His dress was simple. A plain white tunic over breaches, red head rag hanging comfortably around his neck. A common seaman, he looked. A mighty commander, he felt to be. 

“Jules, we thought we saw thieves aboard your ship” Williams stated. “It is our duty as the Sindus Guild to look after each other’s property, is it not? How can you and your crew surround us like were a bunch of water rodents?” There was clear distaste in the way William spoke to Jules. It seemed dangerous to give Jules that sort of tone. Jiroi thought everybody ought to talk more respectfully to a presence like Jules. 

“Do you mean the elves?” Jules gestured a hand behind him. “You thought these decent looking characters were thieves? They are part of our company. Did you bother to even ask them what they were up to?” Jules’ voice was calm, steady, and purposeful. Jiroi felt safe as soon as the man said they were part of his company. 

“Of course, we asked,” Williams argued. “But we couldn’t just take their word on a whim. Anybody could tell fibs about what they’re up to. Especially if they’re guilty. We simply didn’t want to risk that chance.” 

“The elves have papers and authorization.” Jules took the scroll out of Mr Shren’s hands and raised it for all to see. “This here is to protect and verify them. In case something like this happens. Did you even bother to check, or did you simply just assume the worst because they’re… different to humans?” 

The question triggered something. Not only by Williams and his company, their disgust cringed more clearly on their faces, but also because of the sickening clarity Jiroi felt within himself. The other boys seemed to feel the same. Mon seemed in disbelief. Bino and Yun, agitated. Jules was hinting at something that the humans, themselves, were well aware of. 

“Anybody can make up a writ and pretend they’re badging loyalty, for all I know.” Williams’ nasty glare fell on both Mr Shren and Jiroi. “We simply chose to take matters into our own hands.” 

“On our ship?” Edwin spoke up. His intrusion bothered Jiroi. But by the way Jules and the crew stood firmly with him, not in the slightest bit bothered, his input seemed quite supportive to the matter. Edwin seemed taller standing with his crew. “Think you can just parade around anywhere like you’re important? Not aboard our ship!” 

“Aye!” the crew cheered. 

“The crew don’t want you aboard, Williams.” Jules looked Williams and his men up and down. “You best find somewhere else in need of your… colours.” Then he gestured for them to make their way off the vessel. 

The crew shuffled along to make way for the other crew to leave. The others put away their arms and got ready to go. But not Williams. He stood firmly, glaring upon Jules. 

“We don’t even get a ‘thank you’?” Williams said. “Haven’t you changed yourself into a proper man now, Jules? Or is it too late to teach an old hound something new?” 

Jules and Williams stood before each other in a tense, slow moment. Jiroi inched back a little. There was a violence in the air waiting to erupt. 

“You have our thanks, Williams” Jules spoke, not taking his eyes off the other man. “You will get an invitation if we ever want you aboard the Bonfai.” 

Williams stared back for a moment until finally turning to leave. 

The other crew made off in a strange slow and quiet. The Bonfai Fire crew saw them off for the unwelcome visitors they were. 

Edwin quickly dropped his stern manner and smile at the five yuan. 

“You lot okay? They didn’t hurt you, did they?” 

“Shren and company will clean up again” Mr Shren made a quick polite bow. The boys followed suit, keeping their glances low. 

Edwin almost seemed drunk off wine again, like earlier before. “There’s no need for that, Shrenno. Me and the lads can do a quick swabbing. Easy work. Just help us load the water on board. Then it should be right.” The man pointed down the dock at the carts full of barrels.  

Jiroi was surprised he didn’t notice they had brought so many things back. The trouble with Williams and how his men glared at the young yuan had taken all his attention. Jiroi noticed it wasn’t only him whose attention they’d hooked. 

At the side railing, Jules was staring out, focused on Williams and his crew and wherever they were headed. His focus was overwhelming. Even though Jiroi knew the man was watching protectively, the boy couldn’t help but feel powerless in such a presence. What could the man be looking out for so intently?