Chapter 19

Knox rolled the map and left for his tent. Ash thought sneaking into the tent might be too risky, maybe he should end the scouting mission, but he still had a need for more information so he decided to look around the camp more. He started walking the boundary of the tent noticing where what was, he took note of the crew tents and the storage tents. When he reached the back of the tents where some machines for digging were kept, he heard light music coming in from somewhere. Ash followed the tune to a secluded tent. Its front was open and feeling brave he entered. It was like a small inn, tables were laid all around where men were drinking and eating. A small bar was on the side beside the kitchen. It was like he had entered a smaller version of Bran's bar. The music was coming from another room beyond some drapes along with a sweet smell. A skinny man was standing beside it, leaning on the tent wall. He noticed Ash watching who panicked when he came directly towards him.

"Ten coppers entry fees," he said, extending his hand. Ash confused was about to reply when another man moved beside him and placed the coins in his outstretched hands. Ash realized it was one of the men Knox was talking to.

"Let's see what kind of entertainment Knox has booked for us," he said to his friend and they both left.

"What's happening inside?" he asked the skinny man.

"You don't know, ah you do look a bit young; your master Knox has booked our brothel for this whole journey, he paid a large price to the mistress for it," the man said in a matter-of-fact tone.

So Knox already knew it was going to take a long time for finding the flower, and to make sure his men remained motivated and don't slack off or start killing each other he had arranged women for them. Another pair of men came towards them.

"Welcome to the Night Angel," the man advertised as they went past him giving him money. Upon hearing the name of the brothel, Ash was a little surprised. It was indeed one of the best organizations of its kind in not just Slarveg but even places around it. Ash was not keen to be seen around here because he knew the mistress of the said inn. The mistress Jade as she was known all around the city was one of the most beautiful women in the city. She was also a very sharp and no-nonsense woman. Ash had a bit of a crush on her when he first met her. In one of the desperate attempts after his father had left, he had expected a work offer from them. His father obviously wouldn't have allowed something like that before but after Ash heard what the job was, he felt it wasn't so bad. His former crew was definitely really happy, something he thought might have proved to be in his favor but of course, he was mistaken. He stopped his line of thinking when a small plan formed in his mind.

He hurried back to the location where they had docked the lifeboat. Ryla and Gwen were waiting for him there. He had wanted to come alone, but Ryla wasn't letting it happen.

"Did you find anything?" she asked.

"Some things, nothing much, let's get out of here, others must be worrying, we'll talk later" They hurried off the island.

"So what's the report?" Raeya asked; once again they were all gathered in his cabin.

"Nothing much, the only important information I found out was that the flower is not actually a flower, but something else, something underground, and they are going to dig up the whole island," said Ash to general astonishment.

"Also, Knox doesn't seem to have all the information; there were some other men with him who seemed to know more about it; he has some sort of deal going on with them, I don't know what, but they seem trouble, even Knox doesn't seem to be having a great time working for them" he finished.

They all were silent for a while wondering what to do, even Raeya and Drax were looking clueless.

"We don't know much about the thing we are looking for too, our information about the adjacent islands was also wrong there is only one island here," said Raeya defeated.

"The whole thing might have been just a story and nothing more," Drax said frustrated from the side.

"It doesn't matter; whatever there is, is on this island, and Knox has much better digging machines and more men; he would soon cover the whole island, we should also start from the other side of the island, and we should explore the island maybe we'll find some clues" Ash suggested. They all nodded in agreement.

"We'll take the ship to the other side of the island and start digging, Ryla get the crew ready for tomorrow, and Gwen and the rest can act as scouts. They'll keep eyes on the surroundings for any of Knox's men; we must delay them knowing we are also here as long as possible" said Ash. Most of them left to prepare for tomorrow; the only people left now were Ryla, Raeya, Gwen, Lucy, Flora, and Drax.

"You were gone for a long time, is that all you found out in the camp," Ryla asked.

"No, not all; I mean it isn't anything important, just Knox has arranged entertainment for the men," he replied.

"Oh that, we already know," said Lucy, "Murk saw on his scope some of the women; since then, they had been gawking for more glimpses until you came back".

"Right, well, the fact of the matter is, Knox has much more chances of finding it first, so we need to plan for what we would do in that case," he said.

"You plan on getting some of us to infiltrate the whores" said Raeya matter-of-factly while others looked a bit surprised.

"No, I never said that," said Ash defensively.

"No, you didn't, I thought of it too; after all, we don't have anything else to go on with, and men do tend to talk more in the company of a lady," said Raeya.

"I guess," he said.

"Well, I would have been fine with it, but I think an elf might raise some questions," said Raeya "and so would the half-breeds; our most suitable choices would be Flora and the amazons".

Gwen, Lucy, and Flora all had contemplative looks on their faces.

"I am not letting you do it," said Drax to Flora. Flora did seem to be making up her mind and was looking determined "You have nothing to do with it"

"Why not? I am also part of the team now, and I also want to help you" said Flora.

Ash had never looked at Flora properly before, she always wore the baggy gown of healers, but now since she was wearing a dress, Ash noticed the brunette woman had curves rivaling Gwen's or Lucy's although nowhere near Raeya's, she wasn't muscular like the amazons but that was a quality of its own.

"I'll do it too" This time Gwen spoke to Lucy and Ash's surprise while Flora and Drax were having their little argument on the side.

"No, I'll do it," said Lucy immediately.

"No, I am the first, I have to do it, you'll look after him and the others," said Gwen, and Lucy looked troubled.

"Nobody has to do anything," said Ash, he didn't like the idea now even more.

"I know it is not the best option but we don't have any other choice, we'll most probably lose the flower otherwise, and all our efforts would be in vain," said Raeya.

"Yes, she is right, we can't afford to miss this chance," said Gwen and Flora. Drax was looking angry on the side, Ash couldn't say yes to the idea, he just couldn't.

"Come on ladies, we'll have to give you some training," said Raeya and she took Gwen and Flora away followed by Lucy and Ryla , leaving behind with uncomfortable expressions on their faces Ash and Drax.