It's something mariners used to use to record what happened on their voyages.
Cesc
So, you seen a lot of this sorta thing?
Isidro
...Sí. My teacher taught me many things.
Cesc
Must've had guts to do that.
Isidro
So are you going to stand behind me and commentate all day, or...?
Cesc
Think it was my idea, chaval? Bosun told me to keep a close eye on you.
Isidro
I'm sure you can do that without literally breathing down my neck.
Cesc
Hmph.
Isidro
That sound... I know that sound...
Isidro looks around vigilantly, warned by the sound on the salt wind. Behind the sailor, he sees a familiar dent appear on the surface of the salt.
Isidro
Out of the way! Saltfin incoming!
Cesc
You got finshit for brains?!
Saltfin
Mreep... Mreep...
Cesc
You shoved me aside for this?
Cesc
You think it was one of them giant saltfins or something?
Isidro
Shut up...
Cesc
If it were, the whole ground'd be shaking. One of these small fry just leaves a little dent is all.
Cesc
Besides, they're the same sorta critter as Nene. What's it gonna do, cuddle you to death?
Cesc
What's that crazy puta even need from a guy as stupid as you, anyway?!
Nene
Mmph...
Saltfin
Mreep...
Isidro
They're... the same species?
Saltfin
Mreep...
Isidro
So there's more than one variety of saltfin out here?
Cesc
Yep. About ten or so types, big and small.
Isidro
Some of your sails are made from leather. Are they...
Cesc
Saltfin hide. Also use it for tents.
Isidro
And the meat you hang out to dry outside...
Cesc
Saltfin meat.
Isidro
Your weapons...
Cesc
Saltfin bones.
Isidro
And those guys are...
Nene
Mmph...
Saltfin
Mreep...
Cesc
They ain't the same. Won't hurt 'em unless we really have to.
Cesc
The crazy puta loves 'em to death. Once tried to haul some aboard to raise them, but a day away from their friends and they lose all the spirit. She had to give up that loco plan.
Isidro
Then why's that one part of the crew?
Nene
Mm-ph.
Cesc
Nene was abandoned by its mates. Couldn't keep up with 'em thanks to its weak body. Lucky for it, she went and picked it up.
Saltfin
Cheep...
Nene
Mm-ph!
Isidro
They're leaving?
Cesc
That's normal. They don't stay in one place for too long.
One after the other, the saltfins drill into the salt, speeding off into the distance.
Their tracks lace and intertwine, leaving the salt surface looking like a cracked mirror.
They fascinate Isidro. He climbs up on a jagged rock, hoping to get a better look at the where the cracks are headed from a higher vantage point.
He stands at its peak, and to his surprise, he sees an immense gash barreling towards them, swallowing up any salt reefs or skeletons in its path.
He realizes the saltfins weren't leaving. They were fleeing.
Nene
(Runs around anxiously)
Isidro
No... That's definitely not normal.
Cesc
You see something?!
Isidro
Move! Quickly!
In an instant, the ground splits into a gaping maw, threatening to devour the two as they sprint away.
Cesc stumbles as he tries to flee, the collapsing earth grabbing at his ankle. He screams in terror.
Isidro grabs hold of his arm, but he soon finds out he is powerless against nature's brute strength.
Just as the two are about to be swallowed whole, the collapse miraculously stops. The sailor's lower leg is wedged tight between the jagged earth, now nothing more than a bloody, mangled mess.
Rus
The hell's going on over there?!
Flustered Sailor
The salt split open! I think someone fell in!
Rus
Go have a look then, quick!
Isidro
I'll be going now.
Cesc
Get back here, you capullo! Don't even think about running!
Isidro
...
Cesc
Hey... Don't leave me here by myself...
Nene
Mm... hmph...
Isidro
Your crewmates will be over soon. You'll be fine.
Cesc
Wh... Where are you going?
Nene
(Nips at Isidro's pants)
Isidro
Not sure. Somewhere you can't find me.
Cesc
...N—No... You can't go.
Cesc
Bosun's... orders... I... have to keep an eye on you.
Yes, we've taken a few risks, but they were worth it.
Juana
Soon we will set our sails once more, and return to the ocean's embrace.
Juana
Are you happy for me?
The sound of metal scraping against stone echoes out from the cave, followed by a slender Seaborn slowly slithering its way out, its form warped and twisted.
Each of its tentacles is wrapped around a weapon. As their points and edges drag across the stone walls, they keen and wail.
It slowly approaches the saltfin meat, and slowly eats away at it, its eyes fixed on Juana the entire time.
She meets its gaze, quietly waiting for the Seaborn's reply.
But in her heart, she knows that it is no more than a beast, a beast without a speck of intellect or humanity.
Juana
...
Juana
We will leave this place, this desert of salt. No matter the price.
Juana turns and exits the cave, leaving behind only the Seaborn, trashing around like a caged animal now that it has finished its meal.
Rocks fall from the ceiling until finally, it ceases its struggle for a way out, slowly calming down in the darkness.
How could they do you dirty like this on your own wanted poster? What's with that picture?
Weedy
...Why are you so quick to concede that it's Thorns now? Weren't you just insisting it was all a mistaken identity?
Elysium
What if those bandits forced him into it? Or maybe he was framed? He's not much of a talker. I can definitely see him putting his foot in his mouth while explaining himself.
Silver
If he is the upstanding young man you say he is, then surely he's dead by now, killed by either the bandits or by the dangers of the Salt Flat.
Elysium
No... What exactly would they do to him?
Silver
They like to... No, you would be happier not knowing.
Silver
We've done all we can to keep them away from town, but they've still managed to abduct some of our best and brightest.
Silver
Their leader is a vile monster, able to corrupt the hearts of others.
During the Profound Silence, most of Aarón was submerged under the sea. Only this small part atop the hill avoided that grim fate, but it too shortly fell to chaos as the harvest failed.
Silver
The pirates sailed in before the seawater retreated. They claimed they would bring order to Aarón.
Silver
But in truth, they only wished to burn, kill and maim, forcing the townsfolk to surrender to their reign of terror.
Javier, you dried-out piece of finshit! How many times do I have to tell you NOT to let this useless cockeyed bastard in the kitchen until he gets some glasses?!
Shortsighted Sailor
Ohh... It was fin oil... Sorry, was all blurry to me!
Teach
Out of my sight, dumbass!
Teach
—Where the hell's Javier? Get over here and put out this fire already!
Anxious Sailor
Quick, cover it with salt!
Frightened Sailor
Ahh! My clothes! I just sewed up that finleather coat!
Even if he is lucky enough to be alive, the bandits themselves live harsh lives in the wastes. Surely they wouldn't treat their captives well. He's most likely dying of hunger and thirst at this very moment.
Elysium
...
Weedy
Are you alright, Elysium?
Elysium
I'm fine... Señor Calificador, please, continue.
Silver
Needless to say, we can only pray he does nothing to incur their wrath.
Silver
Their punishments are as barbaric as they are capricious. They'll slit open bellies or chop off hands and feet over the slightest offense...
Weedy
To think they'd twist the law like that...
Elysium
S—Slit open bellies or chop off hands and feet, you say...?
The fleet's heading out into the flat to hunt saltfins in a few days, and I'd like the boy to come along.
Rus
We've lost a lot of men this month, and our surgeon and navigator sacrificed themselves to get us out of the Inquisition's trap. I think he can fill in for their posts.
Juana
That's how you plan to fix our manpower problem?
Juana
I only let him help on the salvage ship because of Teach's guarantee, but did he not almost run away today?
Juana
And now you're telling me you want him to join you on a finship.
Rus
Señora... I know he's a precious, precious alchemist, but he's great with a sword too and knows his medicine. He'll be real handy during a hunt.
Juana
You might as well open the door and let him leave. He'll find no shortage of opportunities to escape out there.
Juana
I'm a pirate, Rus. We're not the most kind-hearted sort.
Rus
Please, señora, we've lost way too many men in these last few tussles with the Inquisition.
Rus
You're not the only one in this fleet who needs him... We all do.
Juana
He's far from a good little boy, you know. In fact, he's rather naughty. How will you ensure he does as he's told?
Rus
He'd never met Pascuala before, but he still saved her sorry behind when the Inquisition was chasing her down, and saw her safely to town. Didn't ask for a reward, neither.
Rus
He could've left Cesc to die, but he didn't. Chose to come back and help us save him.
Rus
He... He's a good kid. An honest kid.
Rus
As long as we show him how much we need him, he won't just sit back and watch us suffer.
Juana
...
Juana
Any other news from the crew?
Rus
Nothing yet... Nothing about our food supplies for the next month, at least.
