Saving Royalty: The Key

The wind was strong on the open port of Talon. The ship that would take Mark, Jack, and Nikki across the sea to Brandenburg resided in this port. Brandenburg would hopefully be where they could find answers as to who had taken their King. Standing on the small path above the port, Nikki gazed out into the ocean. She watched as the waves rocked the ships as if they were sleeping children. The sun was low in the sky giving it an orange type of glow. The seagulls squawked as they glided through the air on the breeze. A deep worry on her mind lingered while she watched the scenery before her. A deep worry that was kept not only in her mind, but weighted down on her body as well. "Hey? Are you listening?" Suddenly snapping out of her daze Nikki turned to her left and seen Jack looking straight at her. "Jack? How long were you standing there?" Jack inhaled deeply through his nose before he exhaled, sighing. His brows pushed together giving him a concerned expression. His lips pushing together thinning his already thin lips didn't help his look. "I was standing here for a while talking to you. Did you not even know I was here?" His question made her lower her eyes to the ground. The dirt and cobblestone path beneath her feet was her focus now. "I'm sorry. I have a lot on my mind." She told him. Jack looked at her. He was silent for a moment taking in the saddened expression that seemed to have found its way to her. He shook his head. "What's on your mind? You know you can tell me." He tried to tell her. To show her that he was there for her as her friend. That he would try to help her with whatever it was that was troubling her. Lifting her head it was her turn to sigh. She turned back to face the sea leaning against the stone railing that kept her from toppling into the icy cold depths. "I'm just worried about one of us getting seriously hurt. Between the three of us someone is going to get hurt I just know it." Jack took a step forward closer to her listening to every word that fell from her lips. He tilted his head sideways to get a better look at her so he could gauge her emotions better. "Is that what you're worried about? Nikki nothing is going to happen that we can't handle. We're a team remember. If one of us runs into trouble the other two of us will come help." "But what if the three of us aren't enough? What if we come across someone stronger than any of us?" She questioned her voice raised slightly. Jack just looked at her. This was really eating at her, he could tell. Reaching out he placed his hand on her shoulder causing her to look at him. She seen his smile. That same smile she had seen a hundred, no a thousand times before. "No matter what we'll get through it together. I'll keep you and Mark safe and you guys will keep me safe. You can't doubt yourself. You have to believe deep down that you can do it. And you'll be able to do it." Nikki looked at him for what felt like the longest moment in her life. And in that moment she snorted and turned her head to look back at the sea. "How do you always know the right things to say? Why can't I be like that?" Jack laughed a bit at her question and gave her shoulder a squeeze causing her to look at him again. "You know the right things to say when it's time. There's been more than once where you've helped me out too." "I find that hard to believe." She argued. Jack laughed more. He let his hand fall from her shoulder and embraced her in a side hug and squeezed her tightly. "Jack!" She scoffed trying to push the happy man off her. He just kept on laughing and holding her close. "You're too serious! Learn to relax a little. Everything will be alright. We'll save Felix and be back home before you even know what hit you!" He told her. She grunted giving up on trying to get the man off her. Finally he released her all together and stood back away from her giving her enough room to breathe. "Anyway, I came to tell you that Mark said the ship should be departing very soon. He wants you to know that once we're at the next port to stick together. He wants us all to stay in a group and question everyone we see to see what they know about Felix." "Staying together to question people? Wouldn't it be faster to split up?" "Usually yeah. But after your attack Mark isn't taking any chances. Like I just got done telling you, we're strongest when we're together -- or have you forgotten everything I've said already?" "No I remembered." Nikki said rolling her eyes. Jack chuckled and placed his hands on his hips. He turned his head to also look out at the sea. He watched it for a long few moments before smiling. "Hey Nikki?" She turned to look at Jack. She seen how the light reflected in his eyes turning them an almost orange color masking his bright blue. The small and soft smile he held upon his lips for some odd reason seemed to put her at ease. "Remember what happened when we first met?" He asked the question, but for whatever reason she kept silent. "You were pretty scared back then. Didn't know how to properly fight. Was always crying. But you pushed through it. You managed to over come your fears and in the end we all became friends." He looked back at her with the same look as before. "No matter what happens, we'll always be friends. Remember that." She pushed her cheek to the side of her mouth looking at him before she sighed. "I will. You're my best friends how can I possibly forget?" Her question brought an even bigger smile to his face. "Alright. Let's get down to the ship. I'm sure Mark is curious as to why we're taking so long." He said turning from her and leading the way down the path to their ride. As he walked along he heard her speak up just barely behind him. "I didn't cry." She whispered causing him to hold back a laugh while they walked.