An anecdote from the travels of Ibn al-Mujawir describes the people of Socotra, saying they are accustomed to dealing with pirates half the year: trading, eating, drinking, and having sex with them. The old women are the most cunning, and it’s said that if you throw one of their old women into the sea, she will return leading a whale.

Khayzur flies them to Socotra, and Amina can tell that the pirates are extremely rich. Raksh can sense intense desires among them. They are greeted with spears and brought to a beautiful, orderly court with a polite line of people waiting to be heard, multiple scribes taking notes, and six captains and an elderly local overseeing proceedings.

The youngest pirate captain is happy to hear that Amina actually exists. Another is hostile, claiming that her grandfather robbed him. An older woman chides the rest for not looking into the claim of the local villagers, because now Amina’s arrival confirms their story. Raksh talks about the treasures in the cave, and the pirates are instantly interested. The older woman reminds them of their promise to protect the locals, and another captain suggests scouting for more information, but Amina argues that there is no time.