Crimson Carnation

It was a starless night.

The moon was their only source of light and hidden amidst the rising fog that hung around the black ship like a curtain, shielding them from all prying eyes.

It had been XueYa's orders to snuff out all the sources of light over and around the ship. All flying flames and lanterns were blown out. The crew left to find their way around in the darkness. Only a single flame lit up the lower deck, where most of the crew huddled to get some sleep from their long trip.

Only Tao stood on the upper deck, guiding the wind to push their ship forward as silently as a ghost. Zhou had tried to drag the little sea monkey below deck to sleep, but Tao had refused and clung to the steering wheel like a baby monkey. 

Zhou shook his head and draped a blanket over Tao's thin shoulders before he disappeared below deck with the rest of the crew.