Pale-Faced Barbarian
The Balthazar creaked as it loomed over the small fishing village, the local people gathered closer to try and get a better look at the foreign vessel. "[Stand aside!]" came a call as soldiers moved closer, parting the crowd. "[Make way or be cut down where you stand!]"
Their leader stepped forwards and peered out across the water, his brow furrowing in confusion. It wasn't one of their ships, nor was it a Spanish or Portuguese ship. "[Ready the men to tow the ship into port and inspect it for survivors and cargo.]"
"[Yes, Lord Omi.]" bowed the nearest soldier and turning to the others, they began the prep work needed to guide such a large vessel.
-
Severus Snape slowly climbed up the steps from the hold to deck, on board the Balthazar. They had been at sea for months, maybe years? He was unsure. Most of the crew had passed away from starvation, including their pilot and captain, leaving them to drift aimlessly with no knowledge of where they were. He had survived two wars but now, he was going to die of starvation or exposure, whichever comes first.
As he walked along the starboard, running his hand mindlessly across the weather warn railing, he saw something out of the corner of his eye. He shook his head. He was delusional from lack of nutrition. No it was real. He stepped closer and squinted at the row boats making their way towards the Balthazar. The men on board them looked nothing like he had seen previously, they were wearing light looking armor and each had at least one sword tucked into their waistbands. Uncertain but reasoning with himself that being captured or killed by these men would probably be better than starving, he waved to them to alert them to his presence.
-
Omi and his men sailed in four row boats towards the large barbarian ship. "[Lord Omi, look.]" called one of his soldiers from the neighboring boat, the man pointing up to the deck of the ship.
There waving to them, stood a slender pale figure. Their long black hair fluttering in the breeze. "[I see them.]" he acknowledged and pointing to the boat he ordered "[Ready yourselves to board and prepare yourselves. Remember, we cannot trust these barbarians, so be vigilant.]"
-
Severus was brought down from the ship, his hands tied in front of himself and placed in one of the rowing boats. A solider sat down besides him and watched him with mistrust in his eyes, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Turning away from the man, he looked out at the land before him as the fog began to clear away. He fully understood what he was expected to do. He had been in a similar feeling situations, it was simple. Behave, be passive and be patient.
These were clearly not thoughts shared by his crew mates as he could hear the last few survivors as they fought and struggled against the soldiers. One by one they were bound and removed from the ship and forced into the boats, being guarded closely. They waited as ropes were attached to the Balthazar before being rejoined by the rest of the soldiers. "[To shore!]" came an order from behind Severus, in a language he didn't understand, as the boats were rowed away from the ship and towards the land.
-
Omi had the men from the barbarian ship march through the village and placed in a hold. All the men had fought and struggled with the exception of one. The black haired man, who had waved to them from the ship. He had voluntarily climbed into the hold were as the other men had be almost throw down into the pit. Perhaps a few days in the hold with plain rice and water would cool their tempers. Though he doubted it.
However only one day later, a messenger arrived stating that his uncle Lord Yabushige would be visiting Ajiro that afternoon, to inquire about the Barbarian ship.
-
"How long are they going to keep us in here?" complained one of the crew members. "This in inhuman."
Severus rolled his eyes at this. "Yes, I'm sure acting like a spoiled child is the correct way to go about it." he chastised.
"A spoiled child?!" roared the man, followed by indignant voices of the rest of the crew. "If you haven't noticed Snape, we are being held captive and God knows what they plan to do to us afterwards."
"So you're spending what little potential time you have left, walking up and down the small space, whining that the prison you're being held in isn't more ideal?" Severus stated plainly.
"Well it's better than doing nothing." retorted the first man.
"We could ambush them." ventured another, causing Severus to rub his temple. "When they next bring down food and water, we could grab one of them and hold them hostage until they let us go."
"And then what?" Severus prompted.
"Then we escape."
"And go where?"
"Well, home obviously."
"How? If you haven't noticed, the Balthazar isn't exactly in the best shape. There's repairs needed. There's no food and very little water left. And I doubt these Japanese are going to be enthusiastic about helping people who threatened one of their own." Severus said in annoyance. "I've taught eleven year olds, who have more common sense than you do."
"I am getting sick of your attitude-" threatened another man but he was interrupted mid sentence as the hatch opened.
"[Out!]" came an order from above them. "[All of you, out!]"
Severus sighed with relief and began to climb the ladder when a sailor grabber his arm, "What are you doing? Don't go up there, you idiot!"
Severus yanked his arm away and without another word, continued to climb up and out of the pit. A soldier took hold of Severus' upper arm and pulled him to his side. "[The rest of you, out!]" demanded the man, who Severus assumed was their leader.
-
Lord Omi stood near the opening to the hold, frustrated that once again only one of the barbarians seemed to do as ordered, the rest refusing to follow suit. "[Fine, no food or water for a day.]" Omi said and turning to the black haired barbarian he continued, "[We will take this one to Lord Yabushige, maybe he can give us the information we need.]"
"[Move.]" commanded the soldier holding Severus as he pulled at his arm, Severus nodding and walking by his side as he was led away from the hold and taken further into the village.
-
Meanwhile, a gray haired fisherman walked between two houses, his cross bouncing off his chest as he went. He stepped out into an adjoining road that led him into a nearby house, shrouded on either side by a large tree. "[Madam Ito is ready to see you now, sir.]" greet a young girl by the door, opening it and gesturing for the elderly man to enter; closing it and following in after him.
"[Muraji, it has been a while.]" stated the older women sat behind the worn ornate table, her left eye mostly clouded over and her silver hair loosely tied in a bun.
"[Too long, Madam Ito.]" he nodded and took a seat across from aged witch, who had once served by his side.
"[You saw him, didn't you?]" Madam Ito prompted with a smile. "[The pale-faced barbarian.]"
"[He was just as you had described him.]" nodded Muraji. "[Slim with long black hair and dark eyes.]"
"[Chiyo, bring me the portraits from fifteen forty two?]" she asked her assistant.
"[Yes, Madam Ito.]" bowed the young girl, she then returned with a thread-bared looking leather binder and gently placed it before the elderly women.
"[Thank you, Chiyo.]" Madam Ito nodded and opening the binder, she turned a handful of pages before carefully freeing one and sliding it over to Muraji. "[Uncanny, is it not?]"
Muraji observed the sketch presented to him and marveled. It was almost a perfect portrait of the pale-faced barbarian. "[It's hard to believe how similar it is to the real thing. But what is this?]" He pointed to the picture besides the man of a snake emerging from a skull.
"[That is his tattoo.]" informed Madam Ito tapping the picture. "[If it is him, then he will have this drawn on one of his wrists.]"
"[I don't doubt your predictions but, are you sure he'll be of use to our Lord?]" Muraji commented, looking up from the picture.
"[If he is the pale-faced barbarian that I believe him to be, he will be a great help to our Lord and will ensure him victory in the war that is to come.]" Madam Ito insisted.
"[To think we will be brought into another war.]" he said sorrowfully.
"[As long as there are powerful men and unease, there will always be war.]" Madam Ito stated and then indicating to the picture, she continued, "[You may send that picture to our Lord, it will do my old bone good to know that I will be of some use, still in my old age.]"
Muraji folded up the picture and securely tucked it into his shirt. "[I will pass on your information, along with the notice about the barbarian ship.]" he agreed and raising to his feet, he bowed to her. "[Thank you for you assistance, Madam Ito.]"
"[Until we next meet, my old friend.]" Madam Ito nodded. "[Chiyo, show Muraji out, please?]"
"[This way please, sir.]" Chiyo said bowing and indicating towards the doorway.
The old fisherman left the house and headed to the cliff side, he had an important message to send to his Lord. And not a moment to loose.