The Proverbial War

"Thanks for looking out after the little sister! I'm sure it wasn't easy to start!"

Colt gave me a knowing look and then with a cocky smile he said, "It's been worth it."

I blushed even as Koke laughed. Colt was going to pay for that later, but right now all I wanted to know was what was happening that Koke seemed so serious upon discussing.

Koke continued on up the beach and into the jungle and I hurried after him. What was the rush for?

"What's going on Koke?" I asked breathlessly as I hurried through the narrow strip of jungle towards the opposing beach on the other side

"Going on!" Koke burst out with as we stepped free of the jungle onto the beach.

"Goodness don't you know? Oh, I guess you don't. The pirates got a hold of the scroll. There's a second war about to break loose in this little fallen paradise we now call home. A war just to survive most likely." Koke finished with grimly.

Colt broke into the conversation from Koke's other side, "I'm sorry! I……"

Koke held up a hand forestalling Colt from going any further in apology, "You couldn't have known Colt. No one is blaming you; even the Sea People have something of a stake in all this. They freely admit now that they should have either destroyed or hidden the scroll much better than they did. Down here there's a little blame that belongs to everyone. Isn't that right Captain Hiro?"

With a gasp I pulled up and let go of Koke's hand as I took in the Japanese Captain accompanied by a group of officers standing in the sand before their beached boats. The entire Japanese Navy lay at anchor in the background just offshore.

Both Colt and I shared a glance of intense meaning. We were going to need to plan our little get-togethers a little better in the future, if we expected to have any privacy.

Captain Hiro nodded his head forward in a perfunctory bow, which was soon followed by the rest of his officers in attendance. It was very clear that the Sea People that Koke was now a part of held the balance of power in this underworld realm.

I wondered why that was and then I remembered the talking dragon. With a beast like that at their command it made sense why there was this show of respect. Respect directed at my brother. I'd never been more proud of him. We'd both come a long way from our childhood beginnings.

I watched as the Japanese Captain drew close to my brother stopping only two feet away from him. Koke introduced who Colt and I were to the Captain.