The Thousand Mask Warrior

Three Merchant Ships

Three merchant ships were not far behind the Lan Xang ship that was under attack. The three slightly smaller ships actually belonged to the Siamese and were ravaged by the Chinese. However, most of the merchants and soldiers of the ship's bodyguards were Lan Xang's people.

Of course the news of the Lan Xang ship being robbed in front of it had somehow reached the ears of the merchants and mercenary guards of the three ships sailing in tandem. Circumstances immediately become confused and chaotic, not because of fear and shrinking, but vice versa. The people of Lan Xang, no matter the merchant, rider, even crew or soldiers, immediately prepared their weapons furiously wanting to join the fight, defending their countrymen.

The Chinese skippers from the beginning had actually offered passengers to avoid the battle by pausing far behind the ship that was being attacked. The offer is understandable because as a trader, the absolute profit is and the loss should be avoided, it is also a necessity. It makes sense that traders should avoid engaging in any sort of exchange over the river, especially and especially piracy.

However, the three ships insisted on plunging into the battle when they learned that their countrymen were attacked by river pirates of the nationality of Da-Viet and Champa.

"What are the interests of the people of Daisy and Champa with Lan Xang? All this time we haven't had any problems with them except maybe China and Cambodia?" said one of the Lan Xang merchants who had drawn his sword. He was talking loudly to the crowd of other Lan Xang people with the Chinese skipper on one of the ships.

"What are they talking about? What was their decision on the attack, Yu?" ask Pratiwi to her husband.

Yu just shook his head. He had been the translator of Pratiwi since the beginning he asked for an explanation to the Chinese skipper who was fluent in Lan Xang and Siam.

Soon two Chinese crew members approached the three groups. They looked towards the male-dressed Pratiwi. At first they felt strange with the small, dark-skinned man, but then did not worry about it. They think maybe he is a Javanese officer or the archipelago of the two Chinese.

"There are actually two ships that have sailed first. We are not sure which ship was attacked, which obviously contained passengers from Java as well. We were not actually going to get involved, but gentlemen see for yourself how the spirit and desire of these Lan Xang people are. So, for the good of the gentlemen, it is better for the gentlemen to go under the deck to take refuge. Inevitably this ship, and the other two ships will be slightly closer to the ship ahead there. The Lan Xang soldiers will come down by boat" one of the Chinese crew members told Yu and Laoya.

Both agree.

Since arriving in Malacca, Yu has insisted on immediately proceeding to Siam. This is proof that destiny is not a straight line, but an arch. Nothing can be known from one corner of destiny to another. The arch plays the points of life at every turn.

After going to villages with Chinese groups to look for Laoya or belief figures who have magical abilities, medicine and the like, Fong Pak Laoya was forced to return to provide news that was not pleasant to hear for Pratiwi and Yu. The Laoya and the physician known as Fong Pak Laoya were all in the capital Ayutthaya. They were asked to perform tasks that were frankly not so obvious, even to Fong Pak Laoya. However, in essence, there was no other way but to go to Ayutthaya.

Pratiwi squinted his eyes when he heard Yu translate and explained what one of the Chinese crew members said. Pratiwi wondered if Jayaseta was one of those who might have been on the ship under attack?