Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4-7 2019 | Page 147

A Voyage
Korean International School, Bertrand, Max Albert Pierre - 14
A little while ago, we were travelling. Travelling to give gifts of gold or silk among the people who wander the seas. So
we started small. Small as in the China Sea. We went around in an average size boat, could fit about twenty crew
members, but with all the riches within this boat, the maximum was six.
I, Captain Ray Park recruited our crew just over a year ago, who came from families of riches. First, we enlisted Zhu
Ming, in our army of adventurers, she came from the Family of rulers in China, more commonly known as the Ming
Dynasty. Then we had Wei Tao, from a governor to adventurer. Then we had Liang Son, a poor farmer, who made his
life a fantasy when he created his restaurant. Huang Yao who had been born into a wealthy family, who worked for the
government and managed their army. And lastly, we had Mo Fa, he wasn’t rich in any way, he didn’t have everything
he wanted out of life but he would help us, as over a month ago, we discovered his powers. This sorcery was unseen
before. Mo Fa could move things with his mind, could protect us in desperate times. He was our most needed asset.
Always reliable.
On the first day of our travels, the 3 of March 1643 we left from the Zhan Jiang Port to be kind and helpful to
adventurers, pirates, and army alike. Our goal was to charitably donate gold, silks and riches to these people. And we
were going to succeed. As a crew, we were determined. And we were guaranteed to find someone who wants all these
treasures.
After a few days, we found or the first ship was a Vietnamese army ship. A colossal achievement in the world of
engineering. Of course, they stopped us. Their leader’s name, Dave. He was a kind soul, possessed a gigantic beard, he
was quite short, as his squeaky resembled that. Nevertheless, there was an immense contrast between his dark sombre
clothing and his positive attitude. His enormous crew welcomed us aboard with frowns, depression and guns. Indeed,
silence speaks on many levels.
“What brings you upon these seas?” Dave yelled after a few minutes of quiet.
I replied as quickly as i could, “We are bearing gifts, the Ming dynasty sent us the friendly with neighbouring life on the
water and the wanderers of the sea!”
“What are your names, sailors? I'm Dave!” Screeched Dave.
We bowed down individually saying our names and showing the gold we possessed.
“Enough,” the captain acknowledged “prepare the banquet, as tonight we feast!”
And so Dave left, back to his study.
During that day after we helped with all the chores, but, we had something to look forward to, food. After a long day
Hung Yao, Liang Son, Mo Fa, Wei Tao, Zhu Ming and I were exhausted. The Feast was wonderful, it had all sorts of
food from Vietnam including pho, Banh Xeo, Goi Cuon and other specialities, plus, they made Peking duck just for us.
We gave away gold, silver and many beautiful pearls. As we departed, the sun was burning, our crew was feeling
overfed and under the weather. We were, however very grateful to have started their mission as helpers or the sailing
community and neighbouring countries.
A few days passed, the crew was feeling a lot better, but we still couldn’t find any ships. So we kept our heads up high
as we search for a few more days until.
A Ship.
A Pirate Ship.
It looked devastating like it would ruin anything in its path, the sails were black, their masts tainted. Could run through
armies. We cowered away, left as fast as we could. No trace that we had been there could have been found, or
everything we were trying to do could have been over. Our lives. The silver, gold, pearls. The riches in General.
The pirates had seen us, we had been spotted. The chase was on, but they were fast, too fast, there was no possible way
we could have out-sped them. But we didn’t give up, that wasn't what we came here to do. If we were caught we