After the bodies had been removed Sam gestured for them to follow her into the settlement. Alexandria was still uneasy but that only meant she was aware of the situation. The fact that the young girl was Sam’s daughter blew her mind for a moment. If they had killed her this would have been a blood bath. Walking down the docks into the settlement she finally saw what the daughter was talking about. There wasn’t much of anything around including people. The spear guards were scattered about but there were no regular people walking around. She spotted the bell toward which looked like it could fall at any moment. A guard was up there as well. A nagging feeling started to grip Alexandria’s chest.

“Where are all your people? I would think this would be a happy occasion. Instead, this place is a borderline ghost town.” There a silence for a moment. Only the stomping of Sam’s boots was heard as they continued towards a large structure. It looked to be the center of town finally seeing another person besides a guard. Sam stopped in front of the person bowing her head a bit. The older woman smiled returning the bow opening the large doors to the building. Inside was a long table with chairs. There was no one in the room and there were no other decorations.

Sam turned around sweeping her hands as she bowed to them. “Welcome to my meeting hall. I know there isn’t a lot but it is the perfect place to conduct our business.” She paused for a moment meeting eyes with Alexandria. “You sailed in with a pirate flag on your mast. Do you really except the people to come greet you with open arms?” Moving further into the building motioning them to follow her. Aside from Alexandria, Lyric, Tyra, and Sam’s daughter the only other person there was the guard leader. Turning around to the door Alexandria noticed the old woman had disappeared.

“Yes, that may be true. However, to see no one but guards are a bit disconcerting. This is a great place to conduct business though.” She couldn’t shake the feeling there was something wrong here. There was only the deal for right now. Once that was settled, they would get the hell out of here. Sam sat down gesturing for everyone to do the same. Both Lyric and Tyra still had their weapons on them as they sat down. Tyra fidgeted with her hands a bit taking in deep breathes.

Alexandria remembered her ability could give her sensory overload. Of course right now there were not that many people around. Even the ambient noise around them was low. However, Tyra seemed aggerated at something. Before she was able to address the matter Sam spoke up. “If you like afterwards, I can introduce you to everyone. Depending on the deal struck today perhaps there will be a celebration.”

“The people would actually have to be here for that to happen wouldn’t you say Sam, was it?” Tyra spoke with a tension in her voice. At least now Alexandria didn’t have to come up with a way to ask her what was wrong. A silence falls over the room only broken by the slamming of the large doors. Lyric jumped up drawing her cutlass and moving to Alexandria’s side. A giggle of excitement escaping her lips.

Sam let out an exasperated sigh clapping her hands together slowly. “We were hoping you wouldn’t notice that fact. Killing my people isn’t something you get away with. My daughter being alive is good but not passable.” No one else moved just keeping an eye on each other. Lyric was the only one to draw her weapon.

Alexandria wrinkled her nose turning to Tyra. “What do you mean there is no one here?” It was clear something was going on. Now that almost everything was out there was no reason to stay quiet. They might have to fight their way out of here after all.

Tyra sat there for a moment. She didn’t want to rush into anything and the fact this was close combat wasn’t good. A light chuckle escaped her lips. “The settlers are not here because this place has been taken over. We are likely sitting in the hall of a pirate. A settlement that isn’t filled with people to trade is a dead one.” Moving her rifle from her lap placing it on the table. The barrel aiming for the spear leader guard. Her finger danced on the trigger tilting her head to the side.

Another round of clapping ensued. Sam stood up walking over to the chair that was against the back wall. She pulled out a spike with a male's head on top. Waving it above her a few times a goofy grin painted on her face. “This was the leader of the settlement before we arrived here. Isn’t that rare a man outside still living. He was very eager to trade but had nothing we wanted that couldn’t be just taken by force.” Spiting on the head she threw it behind her. “So now we just wait for others like you to come around to grow our inventory.”

Alexandria had never been a fan of most of the men she had met. Of course, those were all in walled cities aside from one. Killing one just because she could wasn’t something that needed to happen. She wanted to like this Sam character but now ripping her apart sounded more fun. “A rather lazy way to continue a tradition that should be about exploration, treasure, and a bit of fun. Killing can be fun when it is the right people. Maybe you will get a taste of your own fucking medicine.”

Sam burst into laughter leaning against her chair to keep from falling. “That sounds highly unlikely. Your ships are in my dock. I know where your cargo stash is and your hopelessly out numbered. How could you possibly give me a taste of my own medicine?” She didn’t have any weapons on her that could be seen. The only other person besides her daughter was the spear guard leader. She had not moved since the doors closed.

Alexandria stood up moving Lyric out of her way walking right up to Sam. Wrinkling her nose and talking a deep breath not breaking eye contact. “If you die here whose to say your people, come after me. Besides I am still here to do business. Killing can happen after that is done. So, let’s get this over with or I will rip you apart right now before anyone could come to your aid.” Sam wasn’t smiling anymore. The tension had skyrocketed. The two leaders just having a stare down waiting for the other to blink.

Putting her hands in the air taking a few steps back. “Alright there you have made your point. We can do business if that is what you really want. Bringing back the bodies of my fallen crew was a nice touch. The only reason you're not dead right now is because it would be a waste. The talent is there just a shame it is wasted.” Alexandria stepped forward slapping Sam across the face. Spit flew into the air like rain drops. The spear guard leader finally moved but was drown out by the sound of gunfire.

Tyra’s made sure not to kill her. A single shot ripped through her shoulder knocking her back into her chair. Sliding across the floor hitting the wall behind her. The scream echoed across the room as she grabbed the wound almost falling off the chair. Sam turned to Alexandria holding her face from the slap. “Why in the hell did she shot?!” Her anger boiled over closing the distance between them. Lyric appeared between them in a flash her cutlass drifting inches from Sam’s throat.

“Your comments are not apprenticed. The slap was payment for them. All your lead guard had to do was stay seated. Do you really think control is in your hands?” Lyric giggled waiting for the next move.

Cracking her neck a few times letting out a soft groan. “I think Lyric gave you an apt description. What the hell did you think was going to happen? You may out number us but make a wrong move and you get burned.”

Sam was shaking at this point. She wasn’t able to leave since Lyric had a blade to her throat. That was something that needed to change soon. Having another crewmember die on her wasn’t ideal. Glancing down at her daughter. “Are you just going to fucking sit there? Do something useful for once in your life.”

She looked around the room. It reminded her of the island where her team was ambushed. They attacked so quickly there wasn’t much time to do anything. Her mother’s crew was never able to do something like that. Maybe it was time for a shift in leadership. “I don’t think there is any reason for me to move. Why should I add to the tension? If you would just bring out the goods, we can finish up the business.”

Lyric started to giggle trying to cover her mouth unsuccessfully with her free hand. There was some tension in the camp and it sounded long overdue. Alexandria smacked Lyric on the shoulder. “Hey don’t laugh this is a tense situation. Mother and daughter are not seeing eye to eye.” Turning her attention to Same. “So, are we going to conduct business finally or are you going to add to the funerals that are sure to happen after?”

Wincing in pain the spear guard leader had managed to stop the bleeding using a cloth from the table. She sat in the chair breathing heavily staring daggers at Tyra who had yet to move since firing the shot. “Don’t worry you're not going to die from that wound. I am surprised no one has come into the room just yet. Do your friends not care what happens to you?” The door had not opened since it slammed shut. There was a good deal of guards outside and they weren’t being quiet.

Straighten up in her seat taking a deep breath. “There is no need for them here. Everything is going in our favor. This is just a slight hiccup.” It was hard for her to move anything on her left side. The pain was immense her body twitching uncontrollable at times. Tyra looked around the room letting out a hearty chuckle.

“You have a gunshot wound from a high-powered rifle at close range. Your leader has a cutlass to her throat and her daughter is refusing to help. What about this is in your favor?” Keeping her rifle trained on the guard while listening for the door just in case it opens. The daughter stands up for a moment looking at Tyra.

“I will check to make sure she is alright like you have said. Of course, you are right nothing right now is going in our favor.” Moving towards the guard leaning down to have a look at her shoulder.

Sam meanwhile was livid with everything that was going on. There wasn’t much for her to do since right now they are outnumbered. It was also curious as to why her guards had not come in yet. “The only thing you can do is tend to her? Why don’t you fucking go outside and get the guards.” Her daughter didn’t say a word just continued to tend after the guard leader.

Four soft thuds hit the large door drawing everyone's attention to it for a moment. Alexandria wrinkled her nose getting ready to shift if the guards had the intention of fighting. The large doors swung open hanging from both doors were two guards with knives through their throats pinning them to the door. A soft laugh escaped Alexandria’s lips as a hooded figure stood there looking down breathing heavily.