[Vereena]
Angel.
I don't know if Sana is just jesting or not, but I could hardly consider myself being the captain's angel. If only they know about my situation and that I am being held against my will, I'm sure she would reconsider her notions about the captain. Not that she knew any of that.
Right now, I consider this a miracle. I never really thought that he would keep his word and I thought after I lost my consciousness he would just leave without looking back, leaving those children with nothing to eat.
But, I thought wrong, and it proves to me that even in the darkest soul of a person, a sliver of light resides at the very bottom of them.
Sana and I downed to the last cauldron and almost all of the stray children have gotten their ration. For the first time, I heard them laughing at the side, happy and content with their stomach full. It just saddens me that I could only do this only for one day, but I know they will never forget this kindness for the rest of their lives and that is enough for me.
"There you go," Sana gave the last bowl of porridge to the last child on the line, sighing contentedly as she watches the children. "That's the last of them."
We have been serving them for an hour now and I am quite happy to see the children smiling at us despite the situation they were in.
It's been a tiring day, honestly, nonetheless a productive one. Though my body was still a bit weak, slowly I am recovering my strength. I watch the elderly woman as she puts back the lid covering the cauldron. She reminded me so much of Mrs. Charlotte, and by staring at Sana, I realized how much I miss her. She's stood as my mother since I was a baby and I never go anywhere without her following closely behind me. This is the first time that she wasn't by my side.
"Thank you, Sana," I said, dipping my head slightly, showing my deepest gratitude for her help. Though, I'm wondering if she's doing this because she really wants to, or…
"Did Captain Steele pay you?" I couldn't help but voiced out my mystification.
"No," she shakes her head, turning her gaze towards the children. "This the least that I could do them."
"You're such a kind soul. I hope there's more out there like you." I smiled at her response, seeing how she genuinely cared for the children, but it just saddens me that those who have big hearts are those who couldn't afford much to feed others.
"You too, darling."
I helped Sana put the cauldrons back to the tavern where they were borrowed and I also thanked the cook for preparing the food. I ate a bowl of it, and I must admit, it might be not the best porridge I have ever tasted, but it was warm and filled my stomach heavily.
The sun already traveled far west when we got out of the tavern. I asked Sana where she lived and I offered to walk her home. I don't know where the captain is as of this moment. I haven't seen him since I helped Sana distribute the porridge. The thought of escaping still lingered at the side of my head, just waiting for the opportunity to arise. But right now is not the time.
I drew out a long sigh, looking at the birds soaring across the sky as it slowly turned pink on the horizon.
It was peaceful for a moment despite the bustling crowd.
That until the bell tolled loudly from the tallest tower on the port, followed by a ricocheting voice transcending over the commotion.
"Bluecoats!"
"Bluecoats on the coast!"
Like an army of ants suddenly poured with hot water, the crowd fall into a frenzy. Shouting and pushing everyone out of their way as they disperse from the road, hiding their stalls, and surging inside the building in hysterics. I have no idea what is happening, but I was suddenly yanked and pushed flat into the wall to avoid the stamped and getting trampled. I took a startled glance to my side and saw Sana holding my arm to keep me still.
"What's happening?" I gasp out my query, watching the crowd with stupefaction not knowing a single thing what on the blasted earth is happening.
"The navy's fleet," Sana responded, her eyes fixed on the horizon. I followed her gaze and saw a burgeoning image of ships coming into our view.
"Father," I whispered under my breath, relief and hope flooding into my bones as I watch the familiar flags waving furiously on each ship. There were more than a dozen of them, flocking into the premises of Morinfail Port.
This is the chance that I have been waiting for. Finally, I could go home again. To Prince Tarquin. I immediately removed myself from the wall and was about to sprint in the opposite direction from the crowd, but a hand shot to my arm, stopping me from advancing any further, and pulled me along with the throng.
"Come, you don't want them to see you when they docked."
It was Sana, and she was already dragging me closely behind her into the middle of the frenzied crowd before I could react. I couldn't move much more than to go with the flow, making it hard for me to turn back.
"Where are we going?" I shouted, struggling to keep my balance as my body got shoved and thrust deeper into the crowd. Fortunately, Sana had kept her grip on my arm firmly and dragged me into the less crowded part of the mob.
"They will scour the entire port looking for pirates and hang those who harbored them," she said, tugging me closer to her side.
"Isn't that what they do in the name of the king and those who're against the kingdom?" I panted laboriously, catching my breath. Sana pulled me into the corner, to a narrow alleyway with a heavy stench of urine and human feces, almost making me gag in disgust.
"Kingdom be damned!" She snarled distastefully, spitting into the ground as she muttered some incoherent language which I assume was a series of curses. I see her as a soft and gentle woman, a kind-hearted one for there are only a few of those who shared my sympathies with the children.
But right now, all I could see is her heavy dislike of the kingdom.
"While those highborn arses fill their gut with extravagance and corruption, we on the lower part starved to death." She orated in rage, the corner of her lips curled in sheer repulsion. I almost forget that this place hated a person like me.
I wanted to tell her that not all nobility is what she thinks it is, but as far as I have seen in this part of the world. The hungry faces of the children. The struggling lives of the people, I know she wouldn't understand me. If I tell her that my father is the one leading the navy fleet, she might hate me as well, as the children.
But, this is my only chance to get back home. I contemplated about it at first, thinking how I could get back to the shore away from the crowd, but all that thought instantly disappeared soon as I heard a familiar voice bellowed over the ruckus.
"Caileag!"
My blood froze in dread, eyes wide in panic as I frantically searched for an escape route, but the end of the alleyway had been blocked by a massive wall.
"The captain," I muttered in dread as I turn back to where Sana stood, clasping her hands and pleading. "Hide me."
"Why?" She looked at me quizzically as the captain's voice echoed again in the background, getting closer with each passing moment, and if I don't leave right now, it would be all too late.
"Caileag!"
I stared at her straightly in the eyes, hoping she could see the urgency of what I am saying. "Didn't you say that the navy would hang those they will see with the pirates? I need to get out from this port."
"Yes, but weren't you with the captain?" She mused, narrowing her gaze on me as she went on, shaking her head. "And the navy is coming, it would be too dangerous lass."
"No," I groused exasperatedly, swallowing my fear as I frantically throw a glance into the alleyway entrance before turning my attention to Sana, pleading with her in desperation. "You don't understand—"
However, I didn't get the chance to finish what I wanted to say when a large hand clamped over my shoulder, startling my soul out of my body, followed by a gravelly voice.
"We need to go."
No. I lamented internally, shifting my gaze to the man holding me firmly as the corner of my eyes warmed.
He caught me.
Of course, he caught me. He knows everyone in here.
Sana just stared at us, unmoving as Captain Steele dragged me out from the putrid alleyway. My heart twisted as the hope of going back home evaporated into thin air. The crowd was already gone from the road, even the children have gone into hiding, leaving nothing but the trail of mess haphazardly scattered into the muddy road.
My attention went to my father's ship, seeing that they are nearing the shore as the captain leads me to a secluded path away from the main road. A small bushy passage connecting directly to the docked where his ship and the crew are posted, waiting for us.
"My father," I sneer, glaring sharply at his back. "He'll kill you."
Yet, he seemed to be unfazed by my threat and only sniggered in response. "Not if I kill him first."
"He already outnumbered your ship."
"That's just a number, caileag. It won't ensure their victory."
I was fuming and if only my stare converts into blades, he could have laid dead on the ground and I would be free. But that was only wishful thinking, and my hope of escape is turning bleak.
All the while he was dragging me forcedly, I saw a dead branch hanging low just ahead. I immediately shot my hand above my head, reaching the branch, and dug the heel of my boots into the ground, jolting me into a grinding halt.
"Let me go!" I screech, yanking my other hand from the captain's grip. He hadn't seen my action coming and I grasp the branch firmly, giving me enough force to tug my hand free. I didn't wait for him to recover and seize my chance. I immediately scampered to my feet, picking up my skirt and running.
"Fuck!"
I heard his heavy steps following behind me while I grapple to steer clear from the thin bush branches jutting into my way and scraping to my skin. I endured the stinging pain lashing at me, daring not to look back as I push myself to run.
However, what I failed to notice was the vines looping on the ground and one of my feet caught on it, snaring me tightly. I instantly lost my balance, knocking myself off and slamming into the sandy ground. My chest heaved painfully and I cried in pain. I tried to push myself up, but I was suddenly hoisted brutally into the air.
"I see, this is how you choose."
A pair of hefty arms encircled my waist. The next thing I know, I was dumped like a sack of potato into his shoulder.
"You brute! Let me go!" I was writhing against his hold, kicking into the air and punching his broad back as I bobbed up and down on his shoulders.
I couldn't see where we are going, but I strong blast of wind greeted us, and the sound of crashing waves caught my hearing. I also noticed the back of his boots walking on a wooden surface.
We were on the ship.
"Hoist the anchor! Ready to sail!" He barked out as he dropped me into the raft connecting the ship's deck. I quickly get on my feet, ignoring the sharp pain in my ankle as ran into the opposite side, but it was too late. The ship already moved away from the dock.
I turn towards the navy's fleet approaching us closer and notice that cannons were already drawn, ready to blast an attack.
No, they would blow the ship into pieces, along with me if I don't act. I immediately climb into the rails, raising both my hands and waving them. Hoping it would catch their attention and recognize me, then I screamed at the very top of my lungs.
"Help! Father!"
"Captain! The lass!"
"Fuck!"
A chorus of curses ricocheted around me but I continued shouting, paying no heed to them until an iron-clad grip wrapped my neck, brutally forcing me down and clamped over my mouth, muffling my voice. However, I managed to open my mouth and bite his palm.
"Argh! Daingead!" He grunted, peeling his hand off my face and yanking my hair. His other hand captured my wrists, binding them right behind, offering me no chance of escape.
I screamed in pain, feeling my scalp would rip from my head and my tears immediately sprung from my eyes. I was writhing against the captain's grip, but he held me firmly and my strength is nothing compared to his brute force.
"Lady Vereena!"
My attention turns towards the navy ship we came across and my eyes instantly widened at the person standing right on the railings.
"Get your filthy hands off her you gutless swine!"
Prince Tarquin. He's here.
"Hold your fire!"
And my father, holding his hand up, barking out his command while his gaze was solely transfixed into my situation.
I felt the captain lean his head down next to my face, his lips brushing across the shell of my ear, eliciting an involuntary shudder down the column of my spine as he whispered.
"My, my. Your prince charming is here."