The Sea Orb

CHAPTER 1

There was a blood shade of red in the sky, indicative of the sun setting. Darker clouds were moving above. The air was heavy with the rustic smell of blood making it quite difficult to breathe. A barren, lifeless landscape was dotted with the remains of men who had perished. Soldiers lit flames on the bodies of their fallen brothers as they walked slowly around in a sombre manner, showing no signs of joy for the victory they just claimed.

It was an act of respect for the brothers they once trained with, as well as the ones they fought against. The war was indeed very cruel. And the joy of it can only be felt by a few people.

People like the wealthy... Thought the young soldier filled with sarcasm and mirth. He rushed to and fro the medical camp providing supplies to the people inside. Those with severe wounds were treated by physicians, and those with light wounds assisted in their treatment.

"Loid, take this to the general." Said Salma, who Loid recognized as the physician in training. He made a sound of affirmation before taking the parchment and walking out of the camp.

"Poor boy had his tongue cut by the enemy troops," Salma muttered as she wrapped the gauze around the broken arm of the man.

"The war spares no soldier." The man spoke with grief laced in his tone. Injuries to the body can be treated with salve, but those to the mind are difficult to treat.

"Hopefully the prince succeeds in his intent." Salma prayed while the man lowered his head in silent hope.

~.~

A few steps from the makeshift health camp stood the general and two of his commanders.

He was a 40-year-old man with a rough exterior covered with scars. His eyes bore the sharpness of a general in the war, which had been honed over years of serving his kingdom Amaris. He looked over the land that now was on fire. Closing his fist and bringing it close to his heart, he made a silent salute. Loid walked over to them trying not to cover in the pressure.

Holding the parchment over his head with both hands, Loid bent down and bowed his head.

"At ease." The general spoke as he took the piece of parchment in his hands.

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Parchment of the toll

Soldiers died (status confirmed) - 247

Soldiers lost (status unconfirmed) - 63

Severely injured - 24

Not severely injured - 269

Physicians (Along with in-training) - 10

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"We have lost three hundred of our men." The general announced in a grim tone. He pocketed the parchment before turning to his commanders.

"Preparations to depart shall be made at the soonest. All the severely injured must be taken great care of-"

Thud, Thud, Thud

The sound of galloping was heard, followed by the neighing of the horse. The general turned around to find a messenger rushing to him. His face was filled with panic. The general frowned and enquired "What happened...? " His voice was hoarse but stern showing his authority.

The messenger gasped heavily out of breath and uttered "The king... H- He dispatched people to go after the others. I ran to Oakhelm the soonest I heard about it. But, it was too late. They were beheaded. I couldn't save them. Not one..." His eyes were filled with remorse.

CLANK...

Upon turning around, the general found the horrified face of his young commander before him. The young woman probably did not yet reach the age of twenty.

Right... She was just sixteen when she first entered his division as a soldier in training. All it took was one look at her delicate face and hands before he deemed her unfit for this kind of job. The responsibility to protect. But he had to take her in as it was the king's order.

For the first few days, her work was to run errands and other menial chores. He felt that it would be fine this way... Both for her and him. Until she came and asked him to let her train. He was astounded by the thought but quickly dismissed her. There is no way he was going to have a delicate girl like her in his battalion full of men. But the girl was stubborn she kept coming to see him training the others until he finally gave in.

He had personally seen the little girl grow all these years. Her eyes were filled with fire and determination. No command of his was refused by her but once she had something on her mind, she would not rest until she accomplished it. He had always regarded her as the unbending, arrogant commander. Seeing her eyes blank, devoid of any emotion for the first time in these four years shook him.

"Marin- "

The messenger's words kept ringing in her head.

The king dispatched soldiers...

Oakhelm...

None survived...

She staggered back looking at the general, her eyes wide with horror. She slowly shook her head.

No... This can't happen...

In the blink of an eye, she grabbed the messenger's collar tightly. Her eyes filled with rage and disbelief.

"Say it again!" She screamed at him while the messenger choked. The general sighed and tried to separate them but her grip was tight. He knew she would react this way.

He finally succeeded in pushing her back. The messenger fell forward fainting from loss of air.

"It's real, Marin. And you have to believe-" Marin didn't give him another chance to speak.

The blankness in her eyes was breaking bit by bit as the news sank in.

She ran away. She ran and ran until her knees finally gave way, slumping on the ground filled with blood. Her eyes blurred as the tears fell. She was confused. Whether she should be angry at the king or mourn the loss?

Her shoulders shook as a gut-wrenching cry left her lips. She screamed and screamed until her voice no longer sounded like hers.

Dead... Gone... Callum... He is gone... Because of her... All because of her... She closed her eyes sobbing. It pained her to even think about it.

"Cal... When are we going to get out of here...?" A 14-year-old Marin asked as she glanced around the dark, greasy cell.

"Soon pearl... Soon " A 15-year-old Callum spoke patting her head.

"I am sorry... so sorry-" She sobbed as she punched the ground until her hands were covered in blood. Pressing her forehead to the ground, her nails plunged into the ground.

"What the hell is wrong with you Cal... How could you! You know we belong to the sea right..? Then how can you agree to live here...." A 20-year-old Marin yelled as she ran her fingers through her hair roughly.

"Listen, pearl... I know what you are saying... But the king ordered us to stay in the kingdom. And what's wrong with Oakhelm. We can make our life there." He spoke coming closer to her as he stretched his hand to touch her head.

"No... We won't... We are pirates for god sake... How can we stay away from the ocean!" Marin yelled stepping back and ignoring the pained look on his face.

"I should have stayed with you. I shouldn't have gone back to the palace. If only I wasn't that selfish, you would have still been here. Alive." She muttered weakly. She knew it was her fault. She shouldn't have been selfish and now her selfishness had cost her Cal. She gritted her teeth as she remembered the day she left for war.

"And do you think you have the right to demand from me, Marin...?" The king spoke chuckling at his ex-prisoner who stood in front of him without an ounce of fear. He didn't like that. Not one bit.

Marin fisted her hand and gritted out "The war... I will go to the war one last time as your army commander in return you allow me and Callum to go back to the seas. Our rightful place.."

"Go back..hmm and does Callum know about this little request of yours..?" The king spoke smirking, his eyes glistened with malice.

Marin glared at the king and spoke "You don't need to know that... I will win the war... I hope you will fulfill your part of the deal..."

"Of course... As long as you win I will do what you want." He spoke in a sing-song tone smiling at her.

Liar... That lying bastard... How dare he... How dare he f*****g goes behind her back...

She stood up from the ground, the look in her eyes was dangerously cold. She turned around and rushed back to the general.

She saw the general and messenger were still discussing something. She looked at the horse whose reins were held tightly by the soldier. She went towards the horse ignoring the general yelling her name. The soldier took a step back in fear of irking his commander who looked like the envoy of death. She climbed on the horse and held its reins turning the horse around. The horse gave out a loud cry and galloped towards the palace.

How dare he play sick games with her!? He knew how important Callum was for her. Heck, he was the only person who mattered to her. And he dared to murder him. She wasn't going to sit quietly now.

After all these years in prison and then as a soldier working her ass off every single day for that one chance. To be permitted to go back to her original life. And all she got was this! Betrayal... Why...?

WHY..?? Oh, she swore to god, that she wouldn't leave that bastard of a king.

She needed answers. The king knew Callum was her bottom line but he still messed with her. This time she will not hold back. He will get retribution for whatever he did and it will be given by her.

King or not doesn't matter

No matter how many laws she had to break she will bring him down.

Down to hell, if she had to.

For the law was never a problem

After all, Pirates were lawless

And she was the pirate's daughter.