Juana takes the bottle, climbs down the saltfin's back, and sits down, leaning against it.
She takes a few swigs, and looks at the crowd that had gathered with a smile on her face.
Juana
Saltfin garum... What a shame. What I wouldn't do for some fine rum right about now.
Juana
Could you lend me a shoulder, Isidro? I have to admit I'm rather spent after all that.
Isidro
Me?
Javier
I'll do it.
Juana
Let the boy do it. You folks need to start butchering this saltfin.
Juana
And take that wheel out for me, won't you, Javi?
Javier
Sí, señora.
Juana
Over here, boy.
Isidro
A-Alright.
Juana
Now, now, you never rush a lady. Always let her finish her business.
Juana unhurriedly downs the liquid in the bottle, casually tossing the bottlecap into the air and catching it with her other hand. Isidro can only watch and wait.
There is movement in Juana's throat from time to time. She takes her time swallowing.
Or, rather, it takes great effort for her to swallow.
Isidro
(Whisper) Why are you hiding your injury?
Juana
(Whisper) Just hold on to me, steady now...
Juana
(Whisper) Argh...
Juana
(Whisper) Listen, joven. I can't get hurt.
Juana
(Whisper) Fleet morale has been shaky enough already... I have to seem invincible.
Isidro
(Whisper) You just gave them an entire month's worth of meals.
Isidro
(Whisper) They'd take care of you.
Juana
(Whisper) I'm not worried about betrayal, but... if I go down, they'll think the situation is dire, and that's when they start panicking.
Juana
(Whisper) So, keep me steady... I don't want to fall on my face in front of everyone.
Juana
(Whisper) Argh...
Isidro
(Whisper) Your ribs are cracked. I can't hold you too hard.
The guards around the saltfin have been neutralized. We cut the rope. They can't pull the meat with them.
Silver
And the remaining pirates?
Warrior Priest
Hiding inside the ship.
Silver
A shame... We could have taken the ship too if we had more men.
Silver
What of the Alguacil?
Warrior Priest
Went to pursue the ones who fled.
Silver
Tell him to return. We have the saltfin. No need to overextend ourselves.
Warrior Priest
Señor!
A massive helm wheel flies towards Silver. He jumps back in the nick of time and almost falls backwards.
A woman in black leaps down from the salt ship, catching the flying helm wheel in her hand.
Juana
Where do you think you're going with my catch, Inquisitor?
Silver
You... The corrupting Ægir.
Juana
Oh, it's you, joven. I thought you might grow up a little when you became calificador, but it seems you're no different from your treacherous predecessor, Silver.
Juana
Always looking to stab people in the back.
Silver
Did you expect to be treated kindly, sinner?
Juana
Was I being too nice? Would you prefer to continue this conversation with the sword?
Juana
—!
Anastasio
Did you perhaps think that by killing the arbiter of justice you would become one?
Juana
I was wondering what got you bold enough to venture into the Salt Flat. You found a backer.
Silver
That woman is the leader of the pirates, Señor Alguacil!
Anastasio
Then you're the mastermind behind the theft of the compass... Tell me, do you cling to it even now?
Anastasio
And what loathsome desires has it drawn out from you?
Juana
(Damn it, my wounds... I can't dodge!)
Isidro
Are you out of your mind? He almost hit you.
Juana
(Whisper) Silence, joven. Do you think I wanted to get hit?
Isidro
We need to get back to the ship. That guy's too strong for us. We can't fight him like this.
Anastasio
Ah, we meet again.
Anastasio
Then you shall receive judgment together.
Isidro
We need to go! They came prepared, while we're exhausted!
Juana
If you're not going to help, then stay out of my way!
Isidro
Teach just gave the order to sail! You'll be left behind!
Isidro
The ship needs to shake them! We can't wait for you!
Juana
You go back.
Juana tries to stand, but cannot find the strength.
The Alguacil and warrior priests approach. In the distance, Silver stands atop her catch with a smug expression.
Enough food to feed the fleet for a month. Important materials for repairing the compass.
She cannot afford to lose it, if she is to return to the ocean.
'Señora Juana! Come back!'
Juana hears Javier's voice calling to her from the ship's stern.
Juana
......
Javier
Grab Juana, chaval! We're throwing the ladder down!
Isidro
Blood... your wounds have opened up!
Teach
What're you waiting for?! Get up here!
She must not pass out. Her crew needs her. There is a future she must lead her fleet into.
She made a promise to Cruz.
Silver
Don't let them get away!
Warrior Priest
Yes, sir!
Isidro
Señora Juana!
Javier
Juana!
Teach
Señora Juana!
Juana
Shut... up...
She can withstand the pain and darkness back no longer. They overcome her.
