The Sea Orb

CHAPTER 18

Her sleep schedule has changed drastically these days. Some days she used to sleep until Jonathan or Renne woke her up while days like these she was before the sun. Standing on the forecastle deck, she looked around the town she had come to know for less than a few days.

It was still dark but the houses seemed as if they were fallen stars. Dimly lit but with their very own glow. Sometimes she really wondered how uncaring the people are. Seven years. Pirates were hunted down, killed, or thrown into dark dangerous but they went about their own life like nothing else mattered. Was it that easy? Weren't they humans too? Did they deserve all this?

Everyone in her crew had their own set of scars. All bruised, abandoned. They had to give up their own identity to continue surviving amidst such circumstances. Before her thoughts take a more depressing route a piercing cry broke out. She looked up to find buddy soaring around the ship. Chuckling a little, she took out a whistle and blew it producing a soothing low tune. The bird flapped its wings and gently perched itself on Marin's extended elbow.

She smiles at it before moving inside her cabin and placed the bird in its cage. She untied the little paper tied around its left foot and gave a few treats before closing the cage. She opened the note as she sat on the chair. By the time she looked over its contents, a frown had perfectly settled on her forehead.

Not good. The king had found out it's her. The search parties have already been sent to the docks to find out more about her. Her fingertips tightened around the edges of the note.

She knew it was only a matter of time before the king finds out about her. But now that its happening she couldn't help the slight tremor in her breath. She needs to snap out of it. Now is not the time to fall weak. Now is the time to think.

It would take more than a week for the ship to be fully fixed and ready to go deeper into the waters. She needs more time. It might take them some time to find out that they are here. Though no man's land is particularly safe for them, they can't be too assured. If the worst comes then she will use the prince as a bargaining chip. She really didn't want to use him for her purpose. Never wanted to do that to him. But the one against her is his father. And nothing else mattered to her other than her crew.

~.~

After having a suspect in the case, things progressed increasingly fast for Nathan. It was different when he didn't know the motive or the person behind the prince's a*******n but now that he knew he could clearly see the leads which might have been overlooked earlier. The last information proved out to be the main lead that he needed to move forward. Following that, he gathered the information about Marin, small or big didn't matter. He laid out the information on the table which also consisted of the people she was in contact with, in her years as a prisoner and a soldier.

Excluding his general and all the soldiers below her, the only other person in contact with her was Callum. Who was dead. The only thing that interested him about Callum was his merchant house in Oakhelm. That's it.

He rushed towards Oakhelm that day itself. He first checked out the merchant house bought by Callum. There were signs of living. Which proved him this was the right direction. It took nearly a day for him to figure out the port. It was nearly sunset as he entered the office near the port. It was quite cozy and by the looks of it, a little deserted too. Two officials were seated in their respective spots lazying around. They don't seem to be aware of the higher-ups coming or they would have been on their tiptoes by now. Nathan gestured the guard behind him who banged his hand on the desk startling the two officials.

The official woke up with a series of curses already at the tip of his tongue but was stunned to see the huge number of guards along with the prime minister at the forefront.

"S-si-sir Nathan!" The guy yelled looking three-parts surprised and six parts fearful.

The second official looked at his flustered colleague. He inwardly sneered at his idiotic colleague.

He was a fool to not realize this golden opportunity. Oakhelm was not the capital of the kingdom. It ranked second in military might. Naturally, officials who were posted here would have very little chances of promotion. Especially those who work at ports where there is little to no business at all. At this time the prime minister was heaven sent for them. If he could hug the thigh of this person then he could have a better post or even maybe transferred to Northlyn. Working for the royal family might not be too far fetched either.

With these thoughts, a flattering smile automatically spread across his face. "What brings you here sir? Is there anything you require? We would do everything in our reach to fulfill it. You just need to say the word."

Nathan settled himself on a comfortable chair not giving any attention to the official's obvious flattery. He had seen all kinds of people during his decades as a prime minister and these kinds of people were the ones he disdained the most. He always despised people who are eager to hug thighs. Using flattery to get what they want. Only fools would do that.

He snorted and looked at the first official "Have any of the ships been bought in the past two weeks? Go over the reports to check who it was."

Although the official was confused about the sudden inquiry he still nodded. There was no need to even check for the reports. In the past few years, only a single girl came to this port to buy a ship. "Actually sir a girl brought a ship before." He spoke nervously.

Nathan's eyes shined a little hearing his words "A girl? Who was it? Do you perhaps know her name?"

"Yes, sir. I noted it down when she did." He spoke and walked back to the desk and took the small book. He turned a few pages before finally stopping at one.

"Her name is Marin." He spoke and looked up while a sly smirk grew on Nathan's lips as he whispered "Marin."

It was her after all. It looks like the wild cat had developed claws. He had to admit that girl really surprised him this time. It was a perfectly well-executed plan. One that he 'The prime minister' too failed to unravel. But this time she messed with the wrong person. She shouldn't have moved Xavier. His nephew was his top priority. Since she dared to move him then she shouldn't expect him to be merciful to her.

~.~

"So, the king found out?" Jonathan spoke taking a sip of the rum. While Renne stood across the room biting her nails. Everyone in her crew was in the captain's room except Hopper who was with Xavier helping them keep an eye on him.

"Yes, so today I and Elijah will go to the Arena. Since all the food, weapons and other necessities have been bought. The only thing left is money and Ian." Marin spoke sighing.

"Well, Kailum said he had to buy some wood for the keel, and to fix the c***k he needs to cut the wood and replace it. It could take a few days." Jonathan pitched in. The room was silent for a while.

"Will you be going with Kailum to buy it or just give the money?" Marin asked while Jonathan was in a pinch.

"I want to go to the arena since I could get some more money by betting but we also need a person here," Jonathan spoke sighing. Their plans are crossed.

"Does anyone want to join Kailum?" Marin asked the others.

"I can go," Dominic spoke in a low voice.

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

"Alright, it's settled then. So, Jonathan, Elijah, Renne, Hopper, and I will be at the Arena today. While Dominic will oversee the ship repairs. George, you and the other crew members can stay in the ship and keep an eye on the prince." Marin spoke while all of them nodded. Then they retired to their rooms to get ready.

Marin too retreated back to her room. She walked towards the desk and opened the drawer then picked up her dagger and tied it to her waist. She was about to close it back when her eyes fell on the insignia. She sighed outwardly before closing the drawer mercilessly.

She then sat on her bed taking deep breaths. She was about to lie down when she heard some noise. The noise only became louder. A frown settled back on her forehead as she stood up and walked towards the door to see what the ruckus is all about.

~.~

"Your Majesty, It's Marin," Nathan spoke while Alexander's eyes dimmed a little. He regretted letting her go out of his grasp.

"Did you find them?" He asked in a stern tone.

"No your majesty, not yet. But we are trying our best." Nathan spoke while Alexander's fist tightened enough for his knuckles to go white.

He knew they were doing everything they could but he couldn't help but be anxious for his son. All those years even though he and his son weren't close he had the reassurance that his son was in the palace. He was still there for him. But now all he could see the emptiness of the palace.

Sighing in his heart he looked at his brother-in-law who looked as if he had aged a few decades.

"Then what are you doing here? Go find her." He spoke in a grim voice while Nathan immediately walked away after saying 'Yes, your majesty'.

Marin... I won't make the same mistake twice.

He thought taking a sip from his wine.

~.~

"Sir, what should we do now?" One of the soldiers asked Nathan who was sitting in front of the huge table with a map on it.

"General!" Nathan voiced out while the general looked at him.

"Yes, sir." He spoke, his voice was the same as usual.

One cannot detect his actual feelings.

Nathan pointed out in his thoughts.

"What leads do we have?" He spoke watching the general's moments like a hawk.

"None as of now sir. The sea routes are the hardest to figure out." He spoke with his voice still the same.

"Is it now? Well, then I want some people in the neighboring kingdoms." He spoke pointing out the kingdom of Asterin and Zemira respectively.

"We already have a few people in Asterin sir," The general pointed out.

"From the war." He added while Nathan nodded his head.

"Tell them to get the information if any ship was spotted traveling in the sea in the past two weeks. Specifically a pirate ship." He spoke calculating the odds.

If they sent ships to search in the sea, this could alert the other party and they might escape into the sea. So it was safe to send people by land. He couldn't risk it since the other side already fooled him once.

Nathan pressed his head and looked at the map once again before closing it.

~.~

At the Arena.

Marin looked at it for a second before turning towards her crew. Her eyes settled on the only extra figure looking at whom made her gloomier if possible.

"Wow, so this is an Arena? It's kinda shabby." Xavier spoke nonchalantly while Marin glared at him.

"If your highness stays quiet, no one would think you are dumb." She spoke with sarcasm dripping off her tone. Xavier glared at her while Marin too matched his glare. Looking at them, Renne and Jonathan sighed.

"Alright, Alright. Now, leave it both of you." Renne spoke pushing both of them away from each other.

"If I didn't know better I would think they two were flirting," Jonathan whispered to Elijah who just stayed silent.

"Tch, you are no fun," Jonathan spoke looking at his unmoving expression.

~.~