Secret Port was originally built by the nobility of Linden City, belonging to the gentry's territory, used to evade the duchy's tariffs, stockpile private armed forces, and shelter underworld organizations while collecting docking fees and protection money.
To make those who collect protection money pay protection money - that was crossing the threshold, entering the game.
Black Sails' current situation was serving as temporary private armed forces for the nobility, temporarily acting as their white gloves, so docking fees were naturally waived.
Li Site and his crew stepped onto the pier.
Shadi observed the grand scene - not just one carriage, but three in total, all quite impressive with white steeds pulling them. The cargo compartments held over twenty large and small crates, exquisitely packaged with fine wood rather than shoddy makeshift boxes, carved with intricate patterns of birds and beasts.
The count's envoy saw Li Site and gave a slight bow, placing his palm lightly over his chest in greeting. As for what he truly thought, whether he actually respected these pirates, that was another matter.
"Captain, these are the count's humble gifts. Staying docked in this backwater must grow tiresome, so we've prepared some small tokens of appreciation, hoping..."
Before the envoy could finish his polite speech,
Ren and others completely ignored these formalities. A large group had already gone to open the crates.
The crates contained leisure items - tobacco, alcohol, tea, coffee powder - but all high-end goods worthy of noble tables.
Ren grabbed a handful of tobacco, sniffed it, then chewed some.
Having frequently plundered merchant ships requiring valuation of dozens or hundreds of tons of cargo, Black Sails' core members were all first-rate connoisseurs.
"This is premium goods from the Misty Mountains. Heard it's all planted, picked and processed by beauties in one seamless process. Supposedly they even use some damn breast massage technique during processing. Now this is real extravagance."
Ren didn't actually care much. These men who lived by the sword were like wild boars unable to appreciate fine grains - garbage tobacco or premium, smoke was smoke. Wouldn't cash be better? All these roundabout formalities, how stingy. Probably just clearing out excess inventory to toss at beggars.
Morrison also picked up a bottle of liquor, biting open the cork to take a sip. It was fruit wine brewed by wood elves - crisp and fragrant, rich yet smooth, with strange calming and cooling effects. Drinking it in early winter even gave chills - the kind of product not for sale at any price.
"This stuff could send you straight to hell."
Morrison offered his assessment - truly top-shelf goods.
The envoy smiled awkwardly. Not only did they open crates without permission, they started sampling immediately.
Li Site pretended to look down on the gifts, opening a few lids randomly before closing them. In truth he was getting cold feet. That bastard still hadn't revealed the real deal. Might as well ask directly later - if he kept posturing without substance, they'd leave.
The envoy's eyelid twitched. Trash? These twenty-plus crates were presentable enough as wedding gifts for minor nobility.
"Of course not. There's one gift the count specifically instructed me to deliver to you personally."
The envoy retrieved a palm-sized exquisite box from a hidden compartment in the carriage, opening it before Li Site to reveal about one hundred gleaming Eternal and Timeless Dragon coins.
Shadi cursed. Whatever job required hiring pirates like them must be suicidal. He couldn't imagine any task needing their skills where this was just the deposit and gifts. With this budget, why not hire a heroic-level adventure team with all-star lineup?
Only one answer - something utterly unspeakable that must remain completely hidden, work even his own men couldn't do, requiring the most lawless of the lawless - the infamous ruthless bastards of Heaven's Port.
He wracked his brains. Couldn't be commercial disputes. Even if hired to kill rival nobility, it would trace back. Something more secretive, unutterable, with far-reaching consequences.
Unaware of recent events aboard Black Sails, these goodwill gifts now felt like ominous debts under dark portents.
"Here's an idea - let's return these and head back to Heaven's Port soon."
Ox, who had opposed randomly taking passengers earlier, sensed impending doom - not just from the recent suicide aboard, but instinctive, intuitive dread of some deeply lurking calamity potentially more dangerous than any previous Black Sails job. Might as well march to the capital with blades drawn airing grievances.
"Agreed. Fucking terrifying, like a last meal before execution." Ren called it a joyful passing but actually found it extremely inauspicious. "Captain, your thoughts? I say we initiate crew voting now for democratic decision. Micah, fetch Archer and Haywood."
Sven remained silent seeing Fen hadn't voiced opinion.
"Fine... let's vote."
Li Site made his judgment.
The seas between Western Continent and Far Eastern Isles were where piracy thrived most - and in some ways, the most democratic region.
Pirates could be more humane and democratic than merchant or military ships at times - no beating crewmates or killing companions.
Unlike mountain bandits who just needed blades to intimidate, pirates required ships - major capital investments, knowledge of complex sail systems, dozens of essential knots, expensive cannons requiring multiple operators. It demanded brains.
A crewman capable of filling any role held status equivalent to a 21st century programmer with years of experience - mid-to-high level technical work.
Successful Heaven's Port pirate crews weren't grassroots but splinter groups from mainstream organizations - knight orders, adventure teams, deserters, persecuted ex-nobility - all with bizarre origins.
This made them more disciplined than ragtag groups, ensuring longevity and better profits.
110 years ago, the most veteran sea dogs published the Pirate Code, mentioned even in Western Continent's literary classic The Arcania Travels - still considered golden rules today.
The old masters figured it out - follow this system and you'll do fine.
Two most representative democratic rules: First, all crew regardless of rank had voting rights on daily affairs. Second, major disagreements required full crew votes.
Each ship adapted rules differently, usually adopting parts while adjusting to circumstances.
Li Site's ship rules were disruptive to the pirate industry. He understood in this red ocean market, one must differentiate, focus critical paths to find leverage points forming vertical integration, gather user profiles for rapid market response, deeply connect products to accumulate momentum realizing all crew's value coupling before finding ignition points to achieve high-frequency murder and plunder.
Simply put - why should illiterate sailors meddle? Just take monthly wages and profit shares when jobs succeeded.
War was pirate training camp; peace their true battlefield.
On the Fumark Vengeance, rules differed between docked and at-sea.
At sea: Each core member had one vote (Li Site included). To prevent mutiny, every five sailors with roles equaled one vote; ten roleless sailors one vote. Theoretically could match or exceed management votes.
Docked: Sailors had no votes. Core members one vote each; Li Site two votes.
All Black Sails members gathered on the pier as Wolman cast the first vote.
"I also agree to leave."
Shadi wasn't stubborn, knowing Archer was, and frantically signaled him.
"Don't really get it, but sure."
Archer said indifferently.
With Ox and Ren already expressing opinions, that made five votes. One more and they'd find agents to recruit about a hundred men, expedite supply orders, hustle everyone to prepare for imminent departure to Heaven's Port.
Seeing them ready to leave,
The count's envoy felt his head swelling - if they left, he'd be ruined upon return. He hurriedly revealed the bombshell.