Yasen opened her eyes, finding her arm wrapped around Isra’s slender waist. The half-naked pirate was snuggling close to her chest, gentle breaths falling from her peaceful sleeping face. Yasen smiled, stroking Isra’s long strands of black hair which helped soothed her mind.

She recalled what happened last night. Isra broke down into tears when they were about to make love, and she ended up falling asleep in her arms. And that scar…

Yasen’s hand traced the scar on Isra’s back. It was an uneven raised surface that she could feel the distinct pattern of the flower. The scar, once a bloody incision carved deep into Isra’s flesh, never left Yasen’s mind. Desert Flower not only had ruined Isra’s life but had also left a permanent mark on her.

Anger stirred inside Yasen again as she glared helplessly at the ceiling. I wish there was something I can do to make her happy besides bringing her Desert Flower’s head. Sighing, she looked over to Isra.

Isra stirred gently in her sleep, shifting her position as her leg draped over Yasen’s thigh.

Yasen held her breath, her heart pounding a bit faster. They did not finish what they started last night, and her hungry hands craved to touch everywhere on Isra’s delicate tan skin. Ever since they left Brassport and shared a bed together on the ship for a week, the bounty hunter was tortured by an arousing raw energy whenever their lips met or skin made contact. It was a strong desire to make love to Isra, almost important to survival like food and sleep, to claim the captain and gain her complete trust. She wanted Isra’s serious facade to melt away by her touch. However, Isra was content with cuddling beside her until she fell asleep, so Yasen did not make further advances and resisted her temptation.

Isra grumbled, slowly opening her eyes, startling the bounty hunter.

She met Yasen’s gaze and felt flutters in her stomach.

“Good morning, love,” Yasen greeted softly, pecking a kiss on Isra’s forehead.

Isra smiled, wrapping her arms around Yasen’s shoulders, drawing in to kiss her lips. She felt Yasen’s warm lips pressing against her mouth, and an explosion of energy woke the pirate her from her sleepy spell.

“I’m sorry about last night…” Isra murmured, looking away with embarrassment. “I hope it’s not too late…”

“You mean too early?” Yasen’s lips curled into a mischievous grin. The bounty hunter pinned Isra below her, pushing her knee between her legs, and watched Isra’s eyes widened with surprise.

Isra drew a sharp breath as her eyes wandered up her arms admiring Yasen’s beautiful ink black tattoos marking each toned muscled bicep from her sleeveless white shirt; one detailed picture of a giant kraken devouring a ship sailing in a storm, and on the other bicep was a beautiful siren dancing in the sea. Her fins curled in the water as her body stretched up lifting her bare breasts as her long hair floated upwards. Yasen’s tattoos told a story sparking the pirate’s curiosity.

Isra’s hand reached out to touch the kraken tattoo, the rest of the image disappearing into Yasen’s shoulders. Her hand moved down to feel her toned muscles covered by different scars, some faint and others deeper. It was the first time Isra saw Yasen’s bare arms.

Yasen shivered, feeling Isra’s warm hands massaging her skin.

“Gosh, you and your arms so beautiful,” Isra managed to whisper.

Yasen chuckled, stroking Isra’s cheek. “I had these tattoos done on my travels.”

“I’ll like to hear about them sometime,” Isra murmured with a smile.

“In time,” the bounty hunter chuckled. “I think you are somewhat distracted now...”

Isra giggled as Yasen covered her with kisses. The kisses grew more passionate as Yasen pressed her lips fiercely against Isra’s. Isra was lost in her kiss until she could think no more. As her body took over, responding instinctually, she pressed herself tightly against Yasen’s thigh.

Soon Isra found herself completely naked with the bounty hunter’s fingers entangled everywhere on her body. It was a blissful start of the day as Yasen made love to Isra all morning.

~~~

Isra and Yasen snaked their way through a dark narrow alleyway, crammed between towering ramshackle buildings reaching over ten storeys high. Rusty ladders formed an interlocking network of passageways up and downstairs and across to next buildings. Laundry hanged from clothesline on caged balconies, catching little sunlight that infiltrated the mountainous city. Among homes were scattered small businesses of parlors and brothels, labelled by signs on their windows and doors, inviting customers to enter through their balconies.

“Luna really is the City of Dreams,” Yasen mumbled, wrapping the red bandana tighter over her hair. Dirty water dripped overhead from leaking pipes.

Isra laughed dryly. “It would be anyone’s dream to start a business in their own home.”

The world grew brighter as they entered the main street leaving behind the alleyway. Street-level shops were populated by shoppers during lunch hour as they crowded fish ball market stalls and small roast meat shops. Roasted tomato red chickens dangled from shop windows where customers formed a line to order. Although the shops were in cramped unsanitary shacks, the delicious smell of food could not be ignored.

Nostalgia filled Isra’s nose as she caught a whiff of fish balls lingering in the air. The smell reminded her of Garnet’s fish stew made by their best cook. Perhaps we can stop by later, but first we need to get information about Cereus...

A shack sandwiched between two tall buildings was unmistakingly the tavern as a few drunkards passed out, leaning against the decaying walls. Isra and Yasen walked around a drunkard laying flat across the sidewalk who was blocking the entrance to the door.

Isra shook her head at the shameful sight before pushing the door open. Yasen followed inside as a gush of music greeted them transforming the overrun tavern alive.

All heads turned to the pirate and the bounty hunter wearing complimenting outfits as they walked in stoically, heading straight to the bar table. Isra wore a burgundy red waistcoat over her a white blouse tied back by a belt around her waist. Her sheathed scimitar was by her hip, dangling over her black breeches. Yasen wore a buttoned black vest over her dark red puffed sleeve shirt and black trousers. A belt was secured around her hip where she carried her shortsword.

“What can I get you, lasses?” the bartender asked half-heartedly. He was a lanky, middle-aged, black-haired man with big hands and a stubble on his chin.

“A pint of mead,” Yasen responded curtly, her arm leaning against the table.

Isra stared at the bartender straight in the eye. “A cup of coffee."

The bartender raised his bushy eyebrows, scanning Isra’s attire and her scimitar. “First time meetin’ a pirate who ain’t ordering rum.”

“Well, I shall be your first customer,” Isra replied flatly.

The bartender grunted as he placed their drinks on the table minutes later.

Isra sipped the bitter hot coffee and lowered her voice. “Tell us what you know about the Cereus gang.”

“Figured you lasses not from around here,” the bartender retorted. “I’ll give you lasses one word of advice: Stay away from their business unless you wanna end up losin’ your sight.”

Isra and Yasen exchanged glances.

“If you don’t believe me, talk to Fisher Anh,” he scoffed. “She once saw everything with her own eyes.”

“Where can we find her?” Isra asked.

“By the docks.” Without further word, the bartender resumed service, leaving the two women pondering with thoughts.

“The locals fear Cereus,” Isra concluded, based on the warnings they had received regarding the gang.

Yasen rubbed her chin. "Any clue what he might be talking about losing your sight?"

Isra shrugged. “No, but we should go and find out."

Yasen nodded in agreement and sipped her mead. “For a pirate, you’re not much of a drinker are you?” she teased.

Isra rolled her eyes. “Believe me, I had my fair share on Garnet during drinking contests. When I was a swabbie, I did some incredibly stupid things when I was drunk. Said something I regretted for the rest of my life, and I avoided drinking ever since.”

Yasen laughed. “I can’t imagine you being drunk. What did you say?”

Isra remained quiet, hesitating as she took a sip of her coffee. “Some things are best left unsaid.”

“Aw, you’re no fun,” Yasen exclaimed, leaning back in her seat.

After they finished their drinks, the women tipped the bartender and headed out to the docks to find Fisher Anh.