[continuing chapter 4]
"Why am I being sacrificed to a dragon?" Some of the crew—men he had led in battle, men he had thought respected him—were transferring rocks from the ship's ballast into the sack in which Wen was being held.
"Because by providing him a sacrifice," said Chin, "we ensure that he will leave us alone to destroy the government of Fusang. One-Eyed Lum has wisely pointed out that while money and jewels are all well and good, a human sacrifice will please the dragon king even more than mere wealth ever could."
Lum leaned in to him, hanging a placard around his neck. "It's better this way," he said in a low voice. "I've decided you were right after all, Wen Xia."
Then he stood back, as many hands dragged him over the side of the ship. Wen looked up as the water filled his nose, ears, mouth. The sun, shining through the sea, gave the water the color of jade: of heaven's favor, longevity and rebirth.
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