Snippet #1196548

The pirate ship, for no one doubted it's identity now, drew ever closer to the docks of Shila. Lui Sho-ping studied it as he went from house to house warning the villagers of it's presence. The vessel seemed to have suffered little damage from the storm and the wandering swordsman wondered for what purpose it would come here. Such repairs as were needed could be done at sea given a skilled ship's carpenter were aboard and a brief glance at Shila would tell any self respecting pirate there was nothing worth stealing aside from some fish and fresh water. Hardly worth the fight the villagers would put up if a pirate attempted to carry out their trade.

Tis more then passing strange such a ship would come here. Lui thought as his self appointed duty of making Shila aware of it's soon to be guests drew to a close. The village was on high alert but a mere glance would have suggested nothing more then everyday business. As if it were nothing a pirate ship would seek out their docks. As the mayor had said discretion was sometimes the better part of valor and it was a lesson the villagers had obviously taken to heart. The swordsman for his part could not indulge in such a display of casual ease although you would never had known by looking at his face. A course of actions brewed inside his head while his body did little beyond a causal stroll back to docks to discuss it with the mayor.

The scent of the salt breeze hung heavy as the wind died down somewhat and Lui knew that would mean calm near windless days in the near future. A ill omen among some pirates would only sailed when they had the wind at their backs. For such men and woman knew not how to tack into a head wind or set sails for such matters. And given this pirate's ship arrival it would mean they would likely be staying a few days. But his steps taking him down to the docks the swordsman knew naught could be done about that. All he could do was deal with the present not the future, although this honor bound swordsman found pirates a distasteful bunch driven by little more then greed and selfish desire. Such things were not tolerated by the code this man followed and yet he had said nothing of it to any pirate he had met on his travels. For the ability to speak of honor had been lost to Lui Sho-ping long ago.

"The wind is dying down, we might be needing to entertain our guests for much longer then anticipated Mr.Sho-ping." The mayor spoke his voice holding all the authority of a Naval Captain and all it's confidence. Maybe such things were sheer bravado on the mayor's part to instill confidence in the villagers around him or perhaps it was mere faith in his ability. After all the mayor had served a long and distinguished career as a captain of the World Navy. He had fought more then his fair share of pirates and no doubt knew something of how they conducted themselves.

"I wish I had your faith, in my experience pirates are little more then blood thirsty thieves with absolutely no sense of honor or justice."Lui replied a quiet breath as he relaxed his tense muscles. For if it came down to battle he would need to flow not stand rooted to the spot like a tree.

"Indeed most are little more then what you say. And most deserve little more then a short drop and a sudden stop but it is no need to be prejudiced now is it. Some pirates are just merely sick of the bullshit governments spoon feed us."

"Maybe but that is no excuse to turn to piracy. If one truly believes one's rulers are unjust it is rebellion that is needed not theft and murder."Lui replied with little hesitation. Some parts of the code he followed simply could not be buried.

"Perhaps." Was the all the mayor would reply with as he studied the ever closing pirate ship. His hand rested close to the cutlass and pistol he wore on his left hip, perhaps a mere coincidence or a unspoken unease about what was coming his way.