The Night Rose

Chapter 5

Arwin just watched carefully how the land was getting closer and closer. She had only heard rumors and some published facts about the dreaded Shadowcoast when she was a pirate, but she didn't know more than that.

But now, a dark and terrifying island looms in front of her, waiting to eat her alive.

The name came from the mountains that laid massive shadow to the never-ending coast.

Otherwise, she didn't know what to expect from the place and what she would find out from there.

"Oh right, as we have traditions here, every one of you will get one pistol and one close combat weapon when we get to the island. We will also provide you a limited amount of ammunition, but if you shoot at the airship, our guards with rifles will happily pick you up from the coast and use you as a ranged practice.” The guards smirked as he continued, “But of course, as we are in prison, we will make it more exciting to you, and everyone one of you has to draw two sets of papers containing a number that would determine the weapon you will get. So good luck with the drawing, and let's begin the lottery now."

As he finished with his announcements, two guards carrying a wooden bowl of numbers appeared from the other side. The first bowl had the close combat weapons, some had rusts and broken parts in it, and the second one had the pistols. Arwin can tell from this distance that despite the trashy weapons- some high-end weapon lies within.

Some of the prisoners got axes, scythe's, swords, and basically anything that could be used as a weapon while the pistols were ranked according to its working condition since some of them were already old and rusty while some were shining new. 

Of course, some were more like blunderbuss but in a pistol version, and some were suited for long-range.

When it was finally Arwin's turn to draw, she got a small battle-axe that is similar to a hafted axe. She thought to herself, “Lucky, this just needs a little love, and we’re good to go kill people.”

"Oh, someone got a lucky draw, I see. I should have known that our princess’s luck is excellent." the prison guard flashed a smile towards Arwin, “Such a shame that a quality weapons went to such a waste like you.”

Arwin gritted her teeth as she fought the urge to use her axe and strike the guard in his head. She reminded herself that it wasn’t worth dying for. She then tried her luck with the pistol; she saw that she got an elegant pistol that probably has been owned by a noble at some point.

It wasn't a flintlock pistol that would need maintenance, just like some of what the unlucky prisoners got. What she is holding was a good modern pistol that could only fire once. That is the case because the pistol manufacturers haven't revealed how the guns work to keep their trade secrets at themselves.

It is loaded from the pipe, and the lead ball was set inside, but it does not require to be rifled nor to be charged with black powder to fire.

"Now, I think some of you wonder about the magic at Shadowcoast.

Let me enlighten you. Yes, magic doesn't normally work there, but the natives have their own special magic, which is the only magic that could operate on that island, so good luck. I won't tell you anything else, so you all discover the rest by yourselves.", the prison guard said while smiling cheekily.

They were slowly landing on the continent, and only now, Arwin realized that it was a bustling city.

"This is the Westport, and it's the local trade city within Shadowcoast. All major continents have their own branches here to buy the local stuff and whatever their agenda is on this continent. This city has laws, and you will be killed most likely if you break them; otherwise, there aren't any other marked cities that we know in this continent." The prison guard said while they were landing in the town.

Arwin never heard that there was an actual city with soldiers and merchants on the Shadowcoast and was surprised about it.

When they landed, someone shouted out, "Hey, Bill, a new batch of prisoners again? Is it that time of the month again, huh? Oh well, they came in an unfortunate time as there is probably going to be a beast tide that's going to hit the city soon." 

"Sam, you know we don't care what happens to these people. We just give them weapons and pass them to this island while scaring them. Now, they can go and fend off themselves and try to survive this cursed island.", the prison guard answered.

"Bill, this island isn't that bad if you don't count the countless beasts and some of the hostile natives. We are almost done with building another city in the middle of this place. It's otherwise quite a relaxing and enjoyable place to live.", Sam answered while looking at the prisoners who came out from the airship.

"Oh well, it's not for me to live without magic, you know that Sam. My wife would kill me if we moved here. I must go now. There should be another shipment of prisoners coming in a few days.", Bill answered and waved at Sam while heading back to the other airship.

"So, you twenty lucky people, welcome to the Shadowcoast! I'm Sam, and I will be your guide for today. Of course, to those who don't want help or guidance, you can fuck off right now and stop me from wasting my time. For those who wish to know more about this place, I will offer the advice now. Let's move forward." Sam said while starting to move out.