The Sea Orb

CHAPTER 12

Just as Johnathan said, it took approximately 3 hours to get to the No Man's land. Renne, Hopper, George, and Johnathan decided to stay back in the ship and watch the prince while the rest, that is, Marin, Elijah, and Dominic went to the market.

Marin ordered Elijah and Dominic to go and get the rations while she went around to get information.

She walked around different alleyways. The town was quite different from what she imagined.

She expected a grim atmosphere but the streets were filled with laughter and the smell of rum. She could see a few black Smith's forging knives and swords.

She just wandered around only to stop by to hear any interesting conversations like the princess of Zemira running away to marry a commoner from Alfheim. The most interesting rumor would be that the prince of Amaris got abducted by the witch in Alfheim.

It was the first time Marin ever heard about a witch. Which wasn't odd because of her 'lovely' stay in the prison.

She asked a nearby drunkard the whereabouts about the person selling information and strode off towards what appeared as a shop for maps.

There must be some kind of information about the other kingdoms here. She thought as she entered the shop.

There was a big map stuck on one of the walls behind the counter. The shop was rather empty. She felt weird about it.

Do they really sell information here?

Marin doubts for a second and walks straight towards the counter where there were a small globe and a few compasses, magnets and maps, etc.

"Yes?" The young man in front of her muttered indifferently. He was about her age, maybe older by a year or two.

"Do you sell information here?" She asked going straight to the point. The man swatted his hand in the air.

"Go straight down to the bartender and ask for a beer on the rocks. The rest will follow." The man spoke opening the door with the small knob on the wall covered with a map.

Marin went down the dimly lit stairs when a strong smell of alcohol hit her. It took a while for her to adjust. She observed some people were on the chair sleeping and drinking while some were eyeing her with hostility.

Ignoring that, she proceeded towards the bartender's counter.

"Beer on the rocks." She muttered to the bartender who was wiping a glass. He looked at her for a moment.

"What do you seek?" He asked while pouring some beer in the jug for her who took it.

"Map and information on the neighboring kingdoms. If possible the safest sea routes to go unnoticed by them." She spoke in a low tone while the bartender widened his eyes.

"Sea routes?" He asked again for confirmation.

"Yes," Marin spoke taking a sip of the beer.

"It's been long since someone asked. They are a little tattered but you can still use them." He spoke opening the topmost drawer on his left.

There were three maps, all mapped at different points for the same destination.

"But there is a small problem, the sea routes aren't used normally nowadays so the information here might be inaccurate. We don't know which of these routes still work and which don't. So I suggest against it." The man spoke while Marin shook her head.

"Just sell it. I can take care of that." She spoke while the man sighed.

"Since this is not the most accurate information we usually sell, I will give it to you in cheap. Half bill." He spoke while Marin gritted her teeth and took out a bill. The bartender smiled brightly and gave her the remaining 50 gold coins.

Marin took the three maps and the 50 gold and put it in her bag safely.

"The information on the kingdom's?" She asked while the bartender smiled again.

"Patience my dear. That information could cost you a fortune." He spoke slyly while Marin rolled her eyes.

"How much?" She asked seriously.

"10 bills." He spoke while Marin winced inwardly. When she sold the uniform she got 25 bills, but the repairs of the ship and rations ate half of it. She had given 5 bills to Elijah to buy some month's worth ration. Now all she had were 7 bills and 50 gold, with the cost of maps excluded, she would have 7 bills. Which was nowhere near the 10 he asked!

"Is there no newbie discount?" Marin asked with a wide fake smile. After a few minutes, Marin looked at the map door that was shut on her face.

Did he just throw her out?

Marin gaped at the door in astonishment.

The young man at the counter tapped her shoulder.

"Well, that went good I guess." He muttered looking at the maps bag.

"That was nowhere near good." Marin pointed at the door.

"What did you ask for?" He spoke casually while Marin narrowed her eyes.

"And how is that any of your concern?" She asked while the man just shrugged.

"I thought I could help you." He muttered almost inaudible.

"Information on the kingdom's." She muttered while the man nodded his head in astonishment.

"I could help you." He spoke while Marin raised her brow at that.

"Well, it will be cheap, I provide the same information as them." He muttered nonchalantly.

"Alright let's hear you as well," Marin spoke while the young man grinned.

"Ian." He spoke extending his hand while Marin shook his hand.

"Marin. So, how much?" She asked getting to the point.

"5 bills."

"Deal." She spoke.

She couldn't lose this opportunity because if she did, there is no telling that she would find some in the near future.

"Alright, give me the map." He spoke while Marin handed one.

"Oryn, the military on the borders are very tight, even though this is No Man's land, there are a few soldiers attacking this place at the rise of any opportunity. You should be wary if you are using the sea route." He spoke.

"I need the safest sea routes." She muttered to herself. Ian couldn't hear her.

"There is nothing much left in Oryn, the place is really pompous about its military strength. Next is Zemira, the sea coasts are safe, it's a peaceful kingdom. So there shouldn't be any problem." He said while Marin frowned inwardly.

There is no way they can step in Zemira with the prince in binds.

"Next is Alfheim, the place is well known for its witches mostly. They despise the sea, so much that they actually built a wall around the coasts. So that's a no go." He muttered with a snort while Marin who was listening to this for the first time was surprised.

"Then comes, Amaris-"

"I don't need information about the other two kingdoms in exchange, tell me some interesting rumors," Marin asked while Ian frowned.

"Alright, but only two. First, there was a rumor about the sea creatures eating men. Second, the witch is on the move."

"Sea creatures? Where? Witch?" She questioned while Ian rolled the map back and gave it to her.

"That's all you get for 5 bills. Now pay up." He spoke while Marin frowned but handed him the money. She walked out of the shop with a sigh.

She definitely got the information, actually more than she wanted if you include the rumors. But there was a problem if ignorance is bliss than half baked knowledge is a curse.

~.~

Meanwhile in the ship.

Renne was passing her time playing with Hopper while George was making preparations for the lunch. Johnathan was checking if there was any gun powder on the ship.

"Mommmm, he is up." Hopper pointed out at the dazed prince who was looking around with half-open eyes.

Renne called out to Johnathan.

"Who the hell are you guys? Do you know that k********g me, the prince could get you killed! Just send me back and I will make sure you get leniency." He spoke while struggling with the binds.

"What should we do with him?" Renne asked while Johnathan rubbed his beard.

"Are you even listening! You dare to ignore this prince!" He spouted anxiously.

"Marin isn't here yet." He spoke ignoring the prince.

"I know... This is getting messier... We have to do something to buy some time." Renne spoke pacing around. She continued doing that until she heard a thud sound.

She quickly turned around only to look at the supposedly old person standing with a vase and looking at the prince who by now was again unconscious. She yelled in disbelief "Uncle John!!!"

"What?" Jonathan spoke keeping the vase back in its place. "He is out again... As you wanted." He added oh-so-innocently.

Renne glared at him and bent down to check if the hit was hard enough for him to get a concussion or not. Things were strange as it is, they don't need to add an amnesic prince on board.

~.~

As Marin returned to the coast, she looked at the fishermen going into the sea she could notice the number of people was too few.

But why? She shook her head and went towards her ship. The crew was all back. Elijah was with George with heaps of rations that could last them for months if not a year. George stood in front of him cross-checking everything. Jonathan was with Renne discussing something worriedly. She looked around to spot Dominic who was now again back to the crow's nest.

She moved towards Renne and Jonathan "What happened Uncle John?"

Jonathan looked a little startled but quickly spoke "Captain Mari... Actually there has been a situation."

Marin frowned "What?"

"The boy prince woke up... He started shouting... You were not here and I didn't know what to do so I hit him and he went unconscious again." Jonathan spoke stammering while listening to him Marin widened her eyes.

"What!! how is he now?" Marin asked quickly.

"He is fine... No thanks to someone." Renne spoke glaring Jonathan while he grinned sheepishly.

"He will be up at any moment now." She spoke reassuringly.

Marin nodded but before she could ask something they heard a yell. "Looks like he is up," Jonathan spoke smiling.

"I will talk with him... And you stay right here Uncle John." Marin spoke the last line looking at Jonathan who pouted.

"Fine, fine." He spoke waving his hands.

Marin left to the cabin to meet their temporary prisoner. She could hear him yelling even before she could enter the room.

Sigh. This is going to be hard.

~.~

He opened his eyes and looked around frantically. He didn't notice it back then but the surroundings were unfamiliar. And with his hands being tied up. He could also feel the undercurrents as if he was floating on this. Looking at the cabin, he realized with horror that he was on a ship. A freaking ship!

Dread crawled unto him as he yelled. He continued to yell until he heard the door opening. "Will you stop shouting? It's irritating." He heard a voice. A girl's voice.

He turned to her direction to see a girl around his height looking at him with her green eyes as she leaned against the door frame. For a moment, he couldn't speak. He stared at her but then as if finally registering her words he glared at her and spoke "What do you want me to do then? "

"Have a civilized conversation perhaps." She shrugged while his ire kept on rising. "You expect me to have a conversation with me tied like this." He spoke showing her the rope tying his hands.

"Stop being so dramatic you are kidn*pped just get over it." She spoke while he scoffed.

"Look I can give you two options 1) You refuse to have a convo and keep being moody in here.

2) You and I can have a civilized conversation and then I will take you outside of this cabin... You can roam around the ship but with your ropes on."

He contemplated for a few moments. He needed to move around as his legs were going lax. She stood in front of him expressionlessly crossing her arms across her chest. He tried to read her face but she gave away nothing.

"Fine... We will talk." He spoke gritting his teeth."But after some time... I need to move around first." He spoke looking at her to see her contemplating.

Probably thinking if she should agree to him. She will have to if not he will never open his mouth. She and her ship can go to hell for all he cared.

"Ok... Only for an hour though." She consented, huffing while he smirked. An hour is more than enough for him.