The Sea Orb

CHAPTER 15

In the kingdom of Amaris.

This was the largest kingdom in the world of Raefiya. Out of the five kingdoms, this was the one which was surrounded by waters the most and was known for its beauty.

Also, this kingdom was the first to impose extermination of pirates order for reasons unknown. The kingdom of Amaris was currently ruled by Alexander Atkins who was known for his love for his citizens. He was kind and just king who loved all his people. Well, excluding the pirates of course. Above all, he loved his son the most. Xavier Atkins was the pride of his father. And a very pampered prince to the core. After the demise of the queen whom he loved so dearly, he couldn't handle the pain and as a result, he never married again. The care and warmth Xavier needed the most were replaced by money and luxuries.

King Alexander paced across his royal chamber with worry evident on his face. He was still in his party clothes but his face suddenly seemed to have aged. The celebration was going on full swing as the dancers danced and the musicians sang. He was talking with some of his council members when he got to know that the prince's chamber had caught fire. As soon as he heard the news he rushed towards the fire not bothering the gazes and murmurs from the people. He summoned all the soldiers near the palace to put off the fire. After two hours, the fire had finally died down. He entered into the almost destroyed room flanked by guards who formed a circle around him. They searched the entire chamber but couldn't find Prince Xavier anywhere. Worry crept through him. In that weary state, he yelled out to search for the prince.

He looked towards the door hearing someone open it. His left prime minister Nathan walked inside with a grave look. Seeing his expression he knew it was nothing good. Throughout his years of rule, Nathan was the constant support. He was the brother of his queen. After her death, he still stayed back with them knowing that he needed support. Every time he had to give bad news he always used to do this so it became easy to pick up during the years.

He shook his head slowly and faced him "What is it?"

Nathan sighed.

"Your majesty, the prince is nowhere to be found. All the clues are currently pointing out in the direction that he is kidn*pped. The fire must have been used as a distraction. An escape route." Nathan rubbed his forehead.

Hearing him, King Alexander staggered a little while Nathan quickly caught him by the arm and made him sit on the bed.

"Your majesty you need to keep it together. You need to be strong." Nathan spoke while the King started at the window blankly.

His son has been kidn*pped. He thought.

"Who would dare to do such atrocity?" He asked gritting his teeth in anger while Nathan shook his head.

"That- we are yet to know, your majesty," Nathan spoke. He too was frustrated that his nephew was missing and someone had the audacity to kidnap him right under their nose in such a huge banquet.

"It must have been Zemira. He was back a few days ago only. Something must have happened when he was in that kingdom. It must have. They actually dared to kidnap the prince!" He flared up while Nathan settled beside him placing a hand on his shoulder.

"No your majesty... Prince Xavier went there for the peace treaty and as much as I know the prince was not harmed there nor did he have any feuds with others. Moreover, we can't just outright accuse especially with the current situation. We have just recently signed the peace treaty and this may cause complication which we cannot currently afford. " Nathan calmly analyzed the situation.

"Then how do you suggest we take action?" The king asked calming down for the moment.

"I have already sent some of my secret spies across the kingdoms to see if they could spot the prince. But for now, my bet is that the prince is in our kingdom only. Since we have already tightened the border's security, chances are that they wouldn't have gone past our guards. I have already issued the order to search the whole kingdom. So as long as they are in the kingdom we will be able to find them." Nathan spoke offering a small smile but for some reason, his smile failed to provide the same relief and confidence to the king as it always does.

In fact, he still felt restless. He was confused. Nathan was a man of his words. If he said something then most of the time it did turn out to be true. He was a very strong decision-maker who provided the much-needed confidence to him. But today even he was unable to do.

Maybe because it was his son he felt even more restless than normal.

As long as they were in the kingdom they would find them. Even if they travel the guards at the border will be enough to catch them. There was no other way for them to escape. Yes. They would find them. He thought trying to convince his restless mind.

Nathan left the room after requesting him to rest again. He had truly felt like he aged a couple of years this night. He laid on the bed to fall asleep but for some reason, sleep decided to abandon him as uncertainty made a permanent residence in his heart.

~.~

The army was a mess. Most of their men were now stationed at the borders while the rest were busy receiving the orders directly from the prime minister of Amaris. The Kingdom was growing restless. The general shook his head as he entered inside his tent to find a familiar bird perched in his desk pecking at its left leg where a small letter was tied.

Marin. He moved towards it making the bird grow wary of him. He smiled as he brought the meat specially arranged for the bird in front of it. The bird bent making a low sound and started devouring the contents while he chuckled quickly untieing the letter and going through its contents.

He sighed as he knew the sea was having some problems. But what? even he didn't have a clear idea about them. He knew he couldn't help her there but he can definitely inform her about the situation here.

When he heard the news that the prince was kidn*pped and his room was burnt he was momentarily shocked. But then he knew who else other than his dearest young commander could do this. He was surprised at first but then he understood she must have had her very own reasons to do this. She was the person who had to work like a slave all those years. She was the one who lost her family and the remaining whatever was left of them. She was the one who was stripped of her title. Dishonored. He had no right to question her decision. All he knew was that he would be there for her. And do as much as he can to help her.

He may be going against the King by doing this but someone who disregards a solider's honor and his worth isn't worthy of being protected by one.

~.~

It was evening. In the hold of the ship.

Marin sat on the barrel while Jonathan, George, and Renne were on the chairs. Dominic and Hopper were standing in front of her. Elijah was standing beside Marin.

"So folk, I found a way to earn the money." Marin started while Jonathan raised his brow.

"There is an Arena in the heart of the town. Those who are interested can come with me tomorrow." She spoke while Renne widened her eyes.

"Arena? Marin, that's too dangerous!" Renne spoke worriedly while Marin grinned.

"Don't worry Renne, I was a commander once." She spoke with a tinge of mirth in her eyes. Seeing her the rest of them stayed silent.

"So who's coming?" Marin cut the silence.

"Me," Elijah spoke stepping forward.

"Although I would have gone with ya lot, Kailum is coming to see the ship tomorrow," Jonathan spoke.

"Pffttttt- Really old man!" Dominic laughed at that while Jonathan glared at him.

"Why you wanna try wrestling with me you twig!" Jonathan spoke laughing loudly while Dominic scowled.

"Ok that's enough you both," George spoke but the two continued to glare at each other not minding him.

"If you don't stop now you will starve for the night." George threatened while Marin laughed at Jonathan and Dominic's expression. They looked like someone took their soul away.

Looking at her laugh, everyone smiled happily. Seeing their gaze on her, Marin stopped laughing and raised her brow.

"You were running around the whole day and not once did you take a break, Renne was worried," Jonathan spoke while Renne glared at him.

"Says the person who has been bothering me to talk to Marin," Renne replied swiftly while Jonathan turned his head away.

"You all, thank you," Marin spoke feeling warm while the others shook their head.

"So, it's decided Renne, Hopper, Jonathan, Dominic will stay back while I and Elijah will go to the Arena. George, you said you need to buy salt to preserve the meat right?" Marin asked while George nodded.

"I can't believe they forgot to buy salt," George spoke looking at Elijah who stayed expressionless.

"I bought everything on the list." He spoke while Jonathan slapped his thigh.

"Aha! Now you forget to write things and blame on others." Jonathan spoke accusing George who humphed.

"Alright, alright.  Take Dominic if it's ok with him that is," Marin spoke looking at Dominic who nodded his head.

"I don't have much to do anyway." He spoke while Marin nodded her head.

"Also I have something to say," Marin spoke getting their attention.

"There is someone I want to recruit. He could be useful for mapping. But there seems to be a problem." She spoke with a sigh while Elijah patted her head.

"What's his problem?" Dominic questioned while Marin sighed again.

"He is just like you, stubborn. Maybe even more." Marin spoke while Dominic looked at her with wide-open mouth.

"Hahaha, That's true." Jonathan laughed while Renne too stifled a laugh.

"Not you too Renne," Dominic whined while Marin raised her brow at that.

"It's ok Marin, you can do it," Elijah spoke while Marin gave him a big smile.

"Well, since everything is solved, I will go prepare the dinner," George spoke while Marin nodded her head.

"Kiddo, we need swords and armor too," Jonathan spoke while Marin widened her eyes in realization.

"Sorry Uncle John, I totally forgot about that. Here take this bill. And take someone with you to buy them." Marin spoke while Jonathan took the bill and put it in his pocket.

"I will head out after Kailum finishes. And I will take William with me." Jonathan spoke while Marin nodded her head.

"Elijah, lad. Come with me I need to sharpen the blades in the ship." He spoke while Elijah nodded his head and headed out.

"Marin the medicine for the prince..." Renne trailed off while Marin frowned at the mention.

"Medicine? For what?"

"Seasickness. Did you forget?" She asked while Marin made an Oh! face.

"So, don't you already have some?" Marin asked while Renne rolled her eyes.

"I just gave him some candy." She spoke distressed while Marin broke out laughing.

"Can- Candy?" She spoke controlling her laughter while Renne pouted.

"We are pirates why would I bring sea sickness medicine with me?" She spoke while Marin continued to laughed loudly.

"God! Renne, you gave the only prince of Amaris, candy instead of medicine and he actually believed it. Hahaha-" She laughed while Renne sighed and shook her head.

"Alright, tomorrow evening you can go to buy it with Dominic," Marin spoke while Renne nodded her head.

"Momm-" Hopper spoke as he put his head on her lap while standing in front of her.

"Are you sleepy hop?" Renne asked softly while Hopper nodded his head. He was playing and learning how to write from his mother all day, its a given that he is tired.

"Eat something before you sleep," Renne spoke picking him up.

"Alright then let's go," Marin spoke while Renne nodded at her.

~.~