Unforgiven Swords: Chapter 2

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Wolff and Hound boarded the ship at the port of Rasen, trembling with the storm. Both were soaked with the rainwater, but none, specially the redhead, didn’t let clear any sign of cold.

Hiruna: Welcome! How was the hunt?

Despite her welcome, she didn’t left the chair she was sitting on. She remained there, reading the low quality book she kept reading all day long.

Wolff: Loved the reception.

Hiruna: Blame me not. Your daughter is sleeping, you know where Lura is and Freel simply don’t care.

Wolff: (sighs) I shouldn’t have recruited Freel.

<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Hiruna: I can’t agree more. And the money?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Wolff threw a small bag at his associate’s feet. It made a loud noise when it hit the ground.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Wolff: Share with the others. Or don’t, you’re the only one here right now.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Hiruna Kanpare Nu grinned, finally standing up, showing her tall figure and crouching to take the little bag.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Hiruna: Not a big bounty, huh?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Wolff: Does it matter?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Hiruna: You and your moralism… (Puts the bag of money inside the neckline of her black and white dress) And how are you, Hound? You’ll simply stay still without saying anything?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The bounty hunter deep blue eyes, light and terrifying, met the ironic gaze of the woman, in a way that she couldn’t avoid but to stop staring.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Hound: I don’t think I need to explain my moralism once again. Do I, Peacock?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Hiruna: No, you don’t. I’m sorry.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Hound: Good. (Turning to Locke) Wolff, I’ll look for a bath house somewhere in the town. I really would enjoy a bath.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Wolff: So I guess I can take as much time as I want taking a bath here.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Locke Wolff carefully placed his sword at a table and walked to the bathroom.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Jon, obviously lost in his thoughts looking to the sea ahead, didn’t see when one hand was placed nicely on his right shoulder. It seemed like a lady’s gentle and soft hand.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Karen: Jon…

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Jon: (turning around) Yes, darling?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">That moment, the hand pressed the shoulder so hard the marksman felt it would break.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Karen: (smiling sadistically) I’m not your darling… and you are supposed to be the navigator here, don’t you?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Jon: I…

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Karen: Don’t be scared! We know perfectly that you aren’t the most apt person to the task, and that’s alright, we’ll find someone better! But until then, you have to do it.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Jon: Could you release my shoulder, darl… I mean… milady! No? That’s fine; just… what did I do wrong?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Karen: Can you look to the Log Pose? It is pointing east, isn’t it? So why are we going to the exact opposite direction?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Jon: Eh…

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Karen: Master… I mean, my uncle Macabre still don’t trust neither in you nor in Alina, even though she can be trusted, so please, do your job the right way, because there has been a week since you’re here and I don’t want to look bad.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Jon: Yes, milady! I’ll do my job!

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Karen: Fantastic!

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">She released Jon’s shoulder and turned around, getting inside the girl’s room.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">There, her original body rested over a bed.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Alina: (in her own body, standing up) Wake up, Karen, I did it.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Karen: (opening her eyes) You did? Thanks, Alina. I’d never been able to shout at someone and give them orders… How did it go, by the way?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Alina: Well… He is respecting you a lot more now.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Macabre stopped the meditation in his chambers wondering why the ship suddenly started to turn around.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Macabre: (talking to himself) Should I go and see? It is my duty as a captain, even more if you consider that our navigator is practically an alcoholic, but still… Maybe he just realized he was going to the wrong direction? Or maybe…

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">He stopped hearing someone knocking the door.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Macabre: Yes?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Naishi: (opening the door) Want to drink?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Macabre: … What? It’s not even noon yet.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Naishi: Does it matter?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Macabre: No, but why this so suddenly?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Naishi: Because Jon will drink all of our alcohol before we can even see, and he’ll do it during lunch. And since we didn’t drink together for a week…

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Macabre stood up and stretched his arm, due to the pain that he felt. He looked to the whole room. Why did his brother needed chambers exclusively for him? There was nothing in that place.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Macabre: (thoughts) Note to myself: Me and my brother aren’t humble in many ways. (Speaking) Did you notice the ship has turned to the other side of the ocean?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Naishi: Yes. So?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Macabre: We aren’t being invaded?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Naishi: No.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Macabre: Treach didn’t drink this morning?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Naishi: Not a sip of alcohol.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Macabre: Maybe he is betraying us?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Naishi: He isn’t smart, strong or brave enough to do that.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Macabre: What about the thief?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Naishi: Having a “girl time”, whatever this should mean, with your niece.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Macabre: Then, bring the sake. I need to drink a few cups today.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lura bet it all after he heard the dices falling.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">There were three players besides him, and two of them, betting only a little, guessed odd. The last one didn’t bet, as his money was all going away.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lura: Even.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Croupier: Everyone sure?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">All nodded.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Croupier: Three and one, even.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The blind Lura smiled and took all his money, feeling its texture when grabbing the coins, with a distinctive expression of pleasure.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">From the opening door, he was able to feel one presence entering, and by the sound of his voice when he said “thank you” to a waitress, probably, Lura knew who the man was. The blind swordsman put the coins inside his little money bag and stood up.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lura: Hound. What is your mysterious figure doing here?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Hound: Shut up, Lura. You know why I am here.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lura: You can’t play poker with your face all covered in bandages, you know?

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Hound didn’t say anything. He stared his captain’s son’s face with the blue eyes, forgetting how he couldn’t see anything.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Hound: You may have these high-developed senses and this little Devil Fruit, but you should not do that to your family.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lura: Says the man that denies his origin…

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Hound: (uninterested) Which is exactly why I’m telling you this.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Lura: Fine. Now I should get back…

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Hound: Stop. I suggest you to listen to my advice because your sister loves you more than she loves anyone else and your father is starting to think you are a loser that only goes out for gambling and drinking, and they are nice to you. I won’t stop you from having your fun, however. Just don’t take long to go to the ship. We’re departing tomorrow.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Hound wasn’t wrong, and Lura knew it. One day, they found him, without his swords or any clothes, lying on the sand of the coast, full of red marks all over his body and with his hair cut. It wasn’t the best way for family to see one of its members, but he didn’t stop.

<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The blind man sighed and got out of the bar, to the ship where his crew was.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Next Chapter