Slave Ship (part 13)
A groaning creak emits
Artul peers into the darkness
woken up from the unconscious
Kiara lays nearby
feels around and casts a light
a sharp pain something not right
feels a heavy band at her wrist
attempts to recast vain
more pain and no induction
prods Kiara awake with a toe
she wakes up head low
she rubs her wrists banded too
looks around orientating
they search for implements
powers rent they suppress fright
a door is thrown wide
casts the room in torch light
a giant bearded head peers in
strong shoulders move forward
"Get up you two time to row."
drags them up
connected by ankle shackles
arms too
Kiara resists
falls to the solid floorboards
the guard drags her up sore
Artul attempts a swift attack
movements slowed and weakness slack
the guard bellows a chesty laugh
pulls them through with force cruel
a ribbed ship segment
oaken stools
torches aligning the walls reveal
a motley bedraggled slave crew
many oars pulled in time
each with souls aligned
persons of unbearable suffering
lashes signed on backs and grime
a taskmaster sits across the galley
bangs in time to oars pulled rally
the guard attaches the chains nearby
lashed to an an ore
a man with long grey beard
bloody and stained
they refuse the lash and rhythm sustained
beatings ensuing over time made lame
conform to helpless situation
open minds searching
find time for new plans and discovery
await Fortuna's opportunity.
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