Screw It, I'm Going Out to Find It!

Chapter XXXVIII: Sabaody Archipelago

Oscar sat back up, leaning against the side of the boat to support himself. "No, don't get me wrong. I have no plans of doing something like that ever again. I'm just saying that it was an unforgettable moment."

"Let us keep it that way: as a memory. For now, there is more to do."

Still shaking slightly, Oscar unfurled the sails on the boat and angled them to catch the wind. He had always enjoyed his life and the work he did, but for some reason he couldn't stop the excitement he felt staring off over the azure horizon.

***

"I really should stop gambling," a man said to himself, sitting with his back against the cold, stone wall of his cell. He was far calmer than those around him, hardly concerned about the fate that loomed over them. The chains that bound his wrists rattled as he reached into his cloak. Metal glinted against the dim light as he produced a flask, unscrewing the top and tipping it back.

The man next to him, all but dwarfing him in inhuman size, let out a soft thunder that was a laugh. "You managed to get that past them? I'm impressed."

"I've learned how to keep something up my sleeves — just not an ace apparently."

"You're pretty calm for someone whose life might as well be over."

The man laughed at that. "This is just another weekend for me. It gives me a bit of money, I get to help others out, and it's a bit of fun."

"You're pretty outrageous. What's your name?"

The man took another swig from his flask before holding it out to offer some to the giant next to him. "Rayleigh."

***

"What should I do once I have Vale crumbling under my heel? Making those left alive grovel and beg for their lives sounds pleasant enough, but there needs to be something more." Cinder sat alone, speaking to herself in a dimly lit room.

Candles about her flickered in the darkness, gleaming off the glass placed on the table next to her. It was, at the moment, the closest she could get to luxury. Sure, she could always find a way to get what she wanted, but she was supposed to be laying low at the moment. At least until her grand reveal — then she wouldn't need to bother with sticking to the shadows like some common criminal.

Interrupting her very important planning, the door to her room opened wide. Light from the rest of the warehouse pooled inside, washing away the darkness past the edges of the candlelight. She sighed as the walls came into view, dingy and rusted with age. With all of the red fabric she had draped over the ornate tables she had brought in, she had almost managed to purposefully forget where she was.

Cinder's glare caused her intruder to pause. Emerald, who seemed to be second guessing her entry, froze in the doorway. With a stretched-out sigh, Cinder waved her hand for Emerald to speak.

"Ma'am, there's been some important news that's come up regarding the Vytal festival."

"Of course," Cinder growled. "Out with it. What has happened now?"

Emerald looked as though she was about to force herself to step on a landmine. "Beacon won't be participating this year, so —"

"Is that all? I suppose that complicates getting in during the chaos, but it should be fine. I doubt Beacon will sit still as Amity is attacked."

"But Ma'am —"

Cinder held her hand up. "Enough. I was busy before you interrupted, and this does nothing to ruin my plans. Continue as you had before." Emerald looked as if she wished to say more, but she did not dare to. With a resigned look, she left, closing the door behind her.