Prisoner

You head back to the deck, with Ferra and Alex in tow. Your new companion seems to have completely shifted into happiness, though from what you know of the elemental spirits, a mercurial disposition is common. Especially for fire spirits like efreeti.

Captain Ben walks with you as well, updating you on what’s happening. “We searched the ship, and there’s nothing of note. No treasures, very little food and water. They likely would have starved or died of dehydration within a few days.”

You nod. “I wonder how that happened. Hopefully we can get an answer from these guys.”

Ben shrugs. “I’ll leave that to you. I need to get back to those maps, to figure out where we’re going.”

He heads off as you approach the reawakened prisoner, the man you knocked out at the beginning of the fight. He looks at you as you approach, and there’s no defiance or fear on his face. He simply looks…tired.

You sit on a nearby barrel, looking at him for a minute, as he stares back, impassively. After a while, you shake your head. “You’re not what I expected. You’re not scared, or angry, or anything I’d expect a prisoner to be.”

The man shrugs, as best he can while tied up. “What’s the point. We couldn’t even wound one of you with everyone. We’re dead anyway.”

You look at him curiously. “Why is that? And why attack us?”

He sighs. “We had no choice. We needed supplies, and with the captain dead, we weren’t allowed back in port.”

You grow even more confused. “I don’t understand. What’s going on?”

The man looks at you, seemingly confused as well. “You don’t know? How are you here if you don’t know about the Order and the prison ships?”

You shake your head. “We came from the south, from the Athkallan empire. I am the son of the god emperor, Josh. I am on a mission to find and explore other lands.”

The man stares at you for a moment. “Impossible. No one can get through the barrier on a ship. Dragons can fly over, but that’s it. How are you even here?”

You shrug. “I don’t know about any barrier. What I said is true, however. I’m Nicholas. What’s your name?”

He sighs. “Malar Orc-blood. You can probably guess at the reason for the last name. What happens now?”

You stand up. “Now, we get some answers. I’m going to cut you free, and you’re going to tell me everything you know about this Order, and the lands around here. In return, you get food and water, and a place in my crew. Fair?”

Malar stares at you, clearly unbelieving. Then he nods. “What do I have to lose. I agree.”