[Vereena]
We passed through a dozen of ships unharmed, and Morinfail Port shrunk just as the wind blows harder, propelling the ship swiftly. I couldn't help but stare at my father's ship, and my heart crushes at the sight of it.
That might be the last time I will ever see them again. The thought of it sap all the remaining strength out of me and as the ship tipped to the side, my legs instantly collapse.
My tears streamed down my face endlessly, and my mind turned blank at the moment yet the agonizing pain lingered in my heart. I was staring blankly at the wooden floor when I pair of heavy boots suddenly came into my view.
Followed by a voice I loathed the most.
"Don't fash now, caileag."
My body was trembling, but it wasn't trepidation that was coursing through my system right at this moment. Slowly, I lifted my gaze, taking his smirking countenance, though he wasn't looking at me. He had himself busy putting on the leathers he got from the strange woman earlier. It was like an armor, or that is what I perceived it. To say the least, it's around the size of a quarter given that it just touches the top of his right shoulder, covering half-part of his chest, and there's a separate section that's wrapped around his forearm. I have no idea what is it for, but to the blazing hellfire, I care.
Anger poured through my veins like blazing molten lava, instantly sparking up my temper just by staring at his face. My breathing suddenly quickens, and the next thing I knew, I sprung to my feet and swung my hands instantaneously as though they had a mind of their own.
"You—" I roared loudly, letting all my frustration out. However, before my fist could land on his face. I was suddenly yanked back, and a pair of arms held me still.
"Easy now eh, lass." I snapped my attention to the voice that spoke to my side, the one that was holding me. I immediately recognize the stout filthy man, Osier, sniggering, flashing his rotten teeth and foul breath. The other one that was holding me was the deck man, Patton.
"Let go of me, you filthy swine!" I struggled, trying to free myself from their grasp, but my attempt was futile and it is only draining the last of my strength. They hand both my arms pinned on my back and held my shoulders firmly. Making it impossible for me to move.
The ship had sailed further away from the navy fleet, and I could only look at the line of galleons floating right from the distance along with the hope of going home faded into the waves.
"Why didn't you accept the offer?"
Another voice came to my attention, and it was the same dark-skinned man that came to the captain's quarters some time ago. I could tell by the look on his face and the way he sounded grim tells me that he didn't agree with Captain Steele's decision on keeping me. It's quite good to know to have someone that was on the same side as me. Maybe when the time comes, he can help me get back to my father at a fair price.
The captain turns his attention towards the man, tying up the last string on the leather around his forearm then cast me a quick sideways glance.
"She'll be of use in the future."
"What?"
The man snorted in disbelief, placing one hand on his hip while another went up rubbing the side of his temple as though he was trying to perceive what the captain had in mind. I just stood there, watching them having an agitated conversation as though I am nothing but the wind.
Same as these two dumb-headed pirates holding me down, seemingly oblivious about the tension thickening around the two. If a fight would break between these two giants, surely this ship would split in half. They both stand head to head, mostly similar when it comes to physique. Though the captain only has one eye, I'm sure it won't be an easy fight between the two. It could raise mutiny to those who'll take favor to the dark-skinned man, whose name I still don't know.
"As I said, a life for a life." The captain stated with no feeling of any emotion, tearing his gaze away from the man and shifting his attention back to the leather on his arm nonchalantly.
The man stared at him for a moment, his nose flaring as though he was trying to keep his temper at bay. Evincing his displeasure. "But what about our plan?"
His inquisition piqued my interest as well. I also wanted to know what the captain's plan that includes for my very being. I wish not to participate whatever it may be, but considering my situation, I don't have the luxury to refuse without risking my life on the line.
"Trust me on this."
My heart almost dropped to my feet when the captain suddenly wave his attention to me. His gaze burned into mine, and even though his other eye had been a patch, the intensity of his stare didn't make any less. I could feel them searing right through my soul. I wanted to look down. To cower. To hide in a place where he will never find me. But I stood my ground, meeting his gaze defiantly. If he thinks he could break me, he's wrong.
The man right behind him is looking at me intently, though I could sense the hatred smoldered right through his brown eyes. He hated me to the bone and he does not wish to see me stay on their ship any longer. Maybe I was wrong about him. Maybe it's not just the price they sought after me.
Maybe he wanted me dead.
A life for a life.
Just the notion of it sends chills down my spine, and an overwhelming feeling of fear suddenly takes up residence in my throat.
"Callum…" The man trailed off, his voice softening as he reach for the captain's shoulder.
Callum.
That's the captain's real name. I know it sounds odd, but the name itself kind of fits him well.
The dark-skinned man opens his mouth and was about to continue speaking, however, Callum beat him to it.
"He is dead." He snarled gutturally, putting more diction into his words. "One day, we'll get what we wanted. Just, not now."
Revenge.
That was what the captain means. He'll avenge his brother's death. He's going to kill my father. I wanted to protest, to show my disapproval of his plan, but for some unknown reason, my mouth was shut close. I was merely an observer to their conversation, as though Callum have done it on purpose to let me hear everything. To torment me with the knowledge of my father's death.
A part of me hated myself for it. If only I have the courage to jump out of the ship. My father would have gladly had one of his men jump overboard to save me, but I was too chicken to do it myself. I let my fear get over me.
The two of them went silent for a moment, as though both of them trying to sort their thoughts and reconcile with each other without saying a word. My intuition proves right when the dark-skinned man spoke first, his voice this time was calmer and without any trace of exasperation in his voice.
"Is Ostig going to accompany us?"
"Aye, he's coming."
Callum gave a small nod before putting his thumb and index finger together, pressing them together, and placing them inside his lips, letting out a loud whistle that lances through the air, reverberating into fading echoes.
I don't know what he was calling and who in this green earth Ostig was, but his whistle was soon answered by a piercing shriek coming from the sky. I lifted my head, searching where the sound was coming from, and from behind the clouds, a dotted figure appeared. I squinted my eyes, focusing on it until the figure finally cleared and it registered to me what it was.
"Falcon," I gasp, seeing the almost ghostly image of the majestic creature plummeting from the sky at high speed.
Ostig is a gyrfalcon. The largest of its kind. As Callum raised his leathered arm, the creature flapped its wings, which caused it to slow down, and then it landed smoothly on him. Squawking loudly as though he was greeting his master. Ostig has the most beautiful shade of dotted white feathers, spanning over two feet in size.
Of course. The captain owns a bird. Though I never thought it would be a falcon. A red and green parrot is what I have in mind. Those things annoyingly having a habit of babbling gibberish.
"He's fascinating, isn't he?" He extolled, delicately petting the falcon on the chest with his knuckles. It is pretty humorous to witness him being so nice with the falcon while, in actuality, he can be a brute to everyone around him.
"Too bad to waste such beauty for someone like you." I sneer in response, the corner of my lips curling in disgust as I steer my gaze to his face.
"You see, I have a thing for beauty." Instead of getting insulted, I was only awarded a preen as he patted the falcon's head and wink his remaining eye at me before he turns his back on me. "Take the lass back to my quarter."
He addresses the two scoundrels that held me in place, but the dark-skinned man stepped forwards and grip my elbow, tugging me free from their grasps.
"I'll take her."
Callum stared at him skeptically, but the man holding me keep his face stoic and unwavering, which resulted in his captain nodding in approval, transferring the falcon into his shoulder.
I turn my gaze over my shoulder, seeing that my father's fleet had already disappeared from the horizon. My chest clenched, but I refused to cry again and followed the man as we begin trudging the foyer below the deck and into the captain's quarters.
Where I would be held as a prisoner once again.
I stole a glance at the dark-skinned man, curious about his name. I don't like referring to him always as the dark-skinned man.
"May I at least know your name?" I blurted soon as we reach the quarters, turning my attention to him as he unlocked the door. "Since I am staying here longer than you have expected," I added, sounding a little bit grim.
I waited for his response, and I thought he was never going to tell me his name. But then he drew out a long sigh and turns his eyes on me. "Lynx."
"Nice to meet you Lynx, sorry that we meet under this unpleasant circumstance." I forced a smile, wanting to be friendly, and pushes my hands for him to shake. But all he does is disregard and shove me inside the quarters without uttering a single word.
Lynx closes the door and I heard him lock it again, followed by the receding sound of his footsteps.
Look's like it's me and myself again. Alone, with no way out.