Daughter of the pirate king (an ateez fanfiction)

Chapter 8

Mingi and another pirate come down to the brig not long after Seonghwa leaves. I'm sure the replacement is necessary because Jongho is still passed outsomewhere. "This is Belor," Mingi says. "He's come to help me watch you. And a fine pirate, he is. He understands the importance of maintaining a healthy amount of superstition." "No doubt," I say, though Belor seems to be more interested in watching the sack of coins that hangs from Mingi's belt. 

The night is young. Most of the pirates will still be in town, sleeping off their drinks. Tonight is perfect for some sneaking about. I need to find that map. I'm ready to be rid of this ship and its cocky first mate. I still can't believe he managed to slice me. More than anything, it was a cut to my pride. "The only amount of luck to be found is in cold, hard gold," Belor says. "You have that, and you can buy all the luck you need." "Which is why I purchased these pearls here," Mingi says, pulling out his necklace. Mingi relays the story of how he got the pearls. I doubt Belor hears a word of it, as he does naught but watch Mingi's purse. Neither pirate pays me any attention. They really are making it easy for me to escape. 

Not a soul on my own crew would ever be so careless. Not even little Roslyn, who is the youngest of my crew at six years old. Course, I would never have her watch over prisoners. She stays mostly in the rigging, where she climbs better than any monkey ever could. As quietly as I can, I flip over the table and reach for the leg on the bottom left corner. I hollowed it out with my dagger and shoved the lockpicks in there after knocking out Yunho and Yeosang. It's a shame for Seonghwa that he never thought to check here. "You know, I might have something you'd like, Mingi." Belor pulls out of his pocket what looks like a leather string. "The man who gave me this told me it came from a siren's wrist. It's supposed to give the wearer protection on the sea." Mingi looks at it with reverence, but I'm pretty sure Belor just pulled it off of his boot when no one was watching. "I'll give it to you for three gold pieces," Belor says. 

I've already got the door open. I stand before the two pirates. "It's a terrible trade, Mingi. The man's lying. He just wants your gold." "But what if he's not? How can I pass up such a trade? No more harm at sea, Miss Aurora!" "Then why in the world would he trade it for only three coins?" "You're right. I should give him five for it." Belor finally looks up from the sack of gold, the prospect of more money shining in his eyes. "Oi! What are you doing out of your cell?" "Making sure you don't take advantage of poor Mingi, here." Although, now that I think of it, Mingi is probably intending to steal the gold back bit by bit over the next several days. "Appreciate the help, Miss Aurora, but you best be getting back in your cell," he says as he reaches for his sword. "Can't do that. Sorry about this, Mingi. I rather like you." I knock them both out a moment later. Mingi's going to want to drink as much as Jongho to relieve the headache he'll have when he wakes. I honestly feel bad, but I don't have the time to wait for them to fall asleep. That could be a while, and I need to take advantage of a nearly empty ship. 

Once I'm up top, I observe everything carefully. The two pirates who were guarding the deck have gone, and Theris is no where to be seen. They were probably permitted to go ashore now that Seonghwa is on board. Shame, that. Best to avoid him. Probably in his quarters now. I pass by them silently and walk over to the railing, where I ended my search the previous night. I run my hands over it, thumping with my feet as lightly as possible on the wooden planks below, checking for dead spots. "Hello, Aurora." I sigh and look heavenward before turning around. "Hello, Seonghwa." "Been waiting for you to come up. You don't disappoint." Seonghwa steps out of the shadows cast by the stairs leading up to the second level. Ah, no wonder I didn't see him. "You knew I would try to escape again?" "There are only three pirates left on this vessel, assuming you left Mingi and Belor alive. We're close to land. And I couldn't find whatever it was you used to escape your cell last time. So, yes. I assumed you would try to escape again." "So you're no longer convinced I'm up to more nefarious deeds?" "I would have continued to have my doubts had you not gone straight for the edge of the ship."