175 The Slaver's Paradise*

The Pirates had dragged Jeremiah's body out of the brig like it was just a sack of potatoes. Despite Midas's protests, they were positive that the resounding name of Jeremiah Token had ended up being nothing more than food for the sharks.

It was an unworthy end for a man who'd spent nearly 5 decades of his life on the high seas. But the Pirates didn't seem to care. One less mouth to feed on their journey home with their already dwindling supplies.

They'd lost two ships in the fight with the Miranda. One to their own canon fire which had been redirected back at them, and the other taken out when the Miranda's mast came down on it and splintered its deck in two. Some of the pirates had managed to salvage a little of the second ship's supplies, but it was barely enough to feed the two hundred odd members of their own crew plus the hundred or so prisoners that were crammed into their brig. The ship's progress to their destination was slow as a result of the severely over-crowded frigate.

In the hours after Jeremiah's death, the entire brig seemed to become silent in mourning. Even Aegin and Ebony, who had not know Jeremiah long enough to form a true attachment to him, felt the darker atmosphere among what was left of The Miranda's crew. They had respected Jeremiah immensely, but after a few hours, Aegin and Ebony could not help but turn their thoughts to their more immediate problem.

Aegin had felt the weight of the Tracking Charm return to his pocket once more shortly after the Inktress had left. He took it out now as Ebony did her best to wipe the dried blood from the wound on his head. They were silent as Aegin grasped the charm and willed it to activate. The sputtering, flickering light which he instinctively knew was linked to Rassa, did little to calm his nerves. But he at least knew that his friend was alive.

He quickly met Ebony's gaze, confirming that Rassa had indeed survived and somehow managed to remain hidden from the Inktress. Still, his current state of being most likely meant he would not be able to aid them easily. They had to do their best to get out of this situation themselves.

"Herguard," Aegin spoke softly in the silence, turning to look at a rather emotional Midas, "Do you know it?"

The First Mate had been silent ever since Jeremiah had been taken away. Aegin could tell the man had no desire to speak, but if Aegin was going to get himself and Ebony out, he needed information.

Midas looked up at him. Aegin could clearly see the sadness and the anger that dwelled in his gaze. Midas, despite his great leadership on the high seas, needed time before he could be that leader again. He was not dealing with this loss well, and was in no position to lead as he was expected to now that the Captain was no more. Aegin could see that, but ever since the loss of Rassa, had had felt very little connection to the crew. The last few hours, with Jeremiah's death, had only reinforced his thoughts.

He and Ebony had a far higher chance of surviving if she was the only one he needed to protect.

"What difference does it make where they take us?" asked Midas, "We can't fix this".

"I'm not trying to fix it," Aegin's eyes narrowed, "The past isn't supposed to be fixed. It's already happened. The faster you deal with that reality, the faster you might be able to get out too, now, what and where is Herguard?"

Midas glared angrily at Aegin, clearly he was not happy that Aegin had made light of such a revered man's death. But before he could voice his protest, Jorl spoke up from the side. The old man looked quite battered and bruised. Aegin was honestly surprised he had survived the fight.

"Herguard is the place all good and honest folk tell their children about to get them to behave," Jorl stated, "It's an Island not far off the north-western coast of the southern continent. It's surrounded by dense sea fog and hundreds of rocky reefs. It's essentially a graveyard for ships, so most sailors avoid the area completely".

"Most?" prompted Aegin.

"The Pirates call the area their haven, and they use it as their base to trade in all manner of unsolicited goods. Including, I'm told, one of the largest industries of Slave Trade in the known world," Jorl said, "Herguard is said to be a Slaver's Paradise".

Aegin didn't like the sound of that. Beside him, Ebony had frozen. No doubt she feared becoming a slave again. She'd only just gotten rid of her slave collar, she had no desire to go back to it.

"So we'll be turned into slaves?" asked Aegin.

Jorl nodded, "That's the most likely eventuality, Ebony especially. Though, the better fighters among us will likely be sold to the Warrior's Arena".

Aegin, who had never heard of Herguard, had certainly heard of that term before.

"The Warrior's Arena?" asked Aegin, confirming he had heard correctly.

Jorl nodded as he registered the recognition on Aegin's face, "The place where the more gifted male slaves slaughter each other for the entertainment of their owners and the more powerful upper classes that receive invitations".

A solemn silence filled the brig after Jorl's explanation.

Looking at Aegin, Jorl's eyes narrowed, "You know it?"

Aegin nodded, "My father used to threaten to send me there if I didn't live up to his expectations. A lot of others received the same threat".

Jorl frowned as he watched Aegin in thought, "You didn't receive your training from Rassa, did you?"

Aegin shook his head.

"Aegin?" asked Ebony in a light voice, "I don't want to go back".

Aegin knew what she meant immediately. What he hadn't realised was how fearful she'd become as he'd spoken to Jorl. He was not great at comforting others. But with no one else there, all he could offer her was an arm around her shoulders. Ebony, who in her every day life had teased and taunted him just as much as he did her, leaned into his side. She was almost shivering, though trying her very best to appear strong.

"I'll get us out, Eb," Aegin promised as those in the brig seemed to return back to their own silent mourning, "I've certainly got no intention of staying there".

"You can't fight them," Midas sighed, "We only had to deal with three ships worth of pirates. They've no doubt got hundreds of not thousands on Herguard, and rumor has it that only a select few know the route through the fog and reefs. There is no way we're getting off that island without their say-so".

Aegin turned to look at Midas, eyes cold and harsh as he spoke, "Stay there then. Stay there and cater to someone else's whims for the rest of your life. Just don't force your ideals onto us. We've both had enough of that to last a lifetime".