The Congo River awakened from its slumber in the early morning, teeming with life along its majestic stretch. The giant Humpback Carp flickered their silver scales, chasing the uniquely shaped Elephantfish. The Congo Sunbird stretched its colorful feathers, capturing the transparent frogs among the water trees.
Large mammals comfortably nested in the rainforest. In the waters, large pods of hippopotamuses undulated, while small herds of African forest elephants roamed the banks. Truly a river of life, the Congo River harbored countless exotic species thriving on the tropical, fertile land.
Along the riverbank, three caravels bustled with activity. The crew hoisted the anchors and raised the sails, setting sail westward once again. Everyone was so eager, the sailors on the masts ceaselessly adjusted the angles of the triangular sails, all to leave this "demon" land a bit quicker.
On the leading flagship, Sailor Chief Diego sat sprawled at the bow, brimming with pride. He indulged in a captain’s lavish meal while directing the busy sailors. Beside Diego, a group of confidant sailors gathered, sharing food and laughter.
After chatting for a while, a sailor humorously raised his right hand, mimicking the nobility, and performed a clumsy captain’s salute.
"Esteemed Captain Diego, the fellows greet you! We are about to pass by the village of the natives. When shall you lead the fellows ashore for another raid? Foda-se! We’ve resupplied in this village before, and those chieftains surely have valuable rubies!"
Delighted by the captain’s title, Diego let out a hearty laugh and slapped the sailor heavily on the head, scolding in jest.
"Foda-se! Idiot! Not only does this village have rubies, but it also has dozens of warriors with feathers in their caps! With just us few here, what could we possibly loot ashore?"
"Boss, we could rally the sailors from the other two ships for a raid! Since it’s on the way back, we hit them and run, the natives won’t be able to catch up!"
"The other two ships..."
Upon hearing this, Diego’s eyes flickered. If he could enlist the sailors from the other two ships, they wouldn’t necessarily have to return to Lisbon. He could just kill Diego the old dog and Bruno the dumb ox, and even kill all the nobility on the other ships. With the captain’s secret sea chart, whether he joined the Moors across the sea, approached the Spaniards to the east, or even the pirates of North Africa, any option was better than returning to Portugal. Perhaps, he could even become a noble himself.
After pondering for a while, Diego finally grinned, revealing his sharp yellow teeth.
"This native tribe is too powerful, brothers, let’s hold off for now. When we reach the mouth of the river, we’ll find two weaker native villages to strike! We’ll slaughter all the men, women, and children in the villages, ransack the gold, gemstones, and food, and take some young women aboard. Then, brothers, we can be merry every day! After all, we’re in charge on this ship now!"
"Foda-se! Let’s do it!"
"The captain is right!"
Upon hearing about taking women aboard, the confidant sailors’ eyes gleamed, raising a howl like banshees. Diego laughed with satisfaction, as long as he wooed the sailors, when the time came...aha!
After thinking for a quite a while, Diego could barely contain his excitement and roared at his confidants.
"Go, have the chief cook bring some wine, let the brothers continue to feast!"
A sailor immediately stood up and headed towards the deck opening. The captain’s quarters at the stern were not far from the deck opening, where the imprisoned captain remained. The sailor glanced in the direction of the captain’s quarters, a habitual reverence surging in his heart, causing him to swiftly salute before rushing below deck.
The captain’s quarters were serene. The deck and the blankets had been cleaned, and a section of cardamom, recently obtained from the Congo Kingdom, was lit; its faint aroma spread, masking the moldy scent of blood.
Captain Diogo sat upright on the wooden bed, wearing a freshly washed captain’s uniform. His hair was meticulously combed, and his face calm, akin to a sculpture. At that moment, he was looking at the sea chart he had personally drawn, staring at the section where the river exploration ended, utterly silent.
Noble Knight Bruno knelt on one knee on the deck of the captain’s quarters, also silent. His expression was full of guilt, as if he had been kneeling for a long time.
The cabin remained silent. It was only disrupted when the laughter of Sailor Chief Diego echoed from afar, causing Diogo to set aside the sea chart and sigh softly.
"Bruno, what are you doing here?"
Bruno lifted his right hand, performing a salute to the captain.
"In four or five days, the fleet will reach the mouth of the Congo River."
Hearing this, Diogo slightly raised his eyebrows and repeated softly.
"It’s coming to the mouth of the river."
"After going out to sea, do you plan to return to Elmina Castle?"
"Quartermaster Matim wants to resupply at Elmina Castle, but Sailor Chief Diego wants to plunder the villages along the way and then head straight back to the kingdom."
Bruno nodded, hesitant to speak further.
Diogo glanced at him impassively.
"So, have you come today to see me off, back to the Almighty’s embrace?"
Bruno looked startled, then sweat appeared on his forehead.
"Then get on with it."
Diogo calmly took a dagger from his chest and then "thumped" it, throwing it at Bruno’s feet.
"Sacred doctrine forbids me from taking my own life, or I would have ended it long ago. Dying at your hands is better than dying at the hands of others."