After taking his sweet time to bring her back to the city, Benihime invited Goenma to drink with her in the city.
" I just want to thank you again for saving me." Benihime told the man.
Goenma waved the woman off. " No thanks needed at all. After all, it was only the right thing to do." Goenma told the woman. " Now, then... What were you doing in such a place all by yourself?" Goenma asked.
" I was looking for a place to think."
" A place to think? Well, couldn't you just do that anywhere else? Don't you have your own room in the palace?"
Benihime took a sip from her mug, her drink was a standard hot coffee. " Yes, but sometimes, I just need to be away from the castle. It gets crowded too often and I feel more at peace when I'm alone. Plus, the forest is beautiful this time of year. Even though it's only for a little while, the time when the snow melts and the flowers bloom, it's really special." Benihime told the man.
" Ah, I see. I thought it was weird that an island known for its snow, and its treats would have so little of it. Is this a special time of year?" Goenma asked.
" Yes, it is called the spring lotus. It's this time of the year that the blue tilted dragon lotus blooms."
" The blue tilted dragon lotus?"
" It's a special flower that only grows around this time of the year. It has many uses, but for us it's used to make a special medicine that helps heal one's mind and body. It's part of many of our foods and drinks. Like the one you have there."
" Hm?" Goenma looked at his drink and started thinking. " Well, I have been feeling quite mellow since I started drinking it."
" Exactly. It has a sooth calming effect!" Benihime exclaimed. " We also sell this lotus to other islands and kingdoms for a profit. It's what helped us originally become a part of the world government. Its healing properties are very important to the medical field and doctors over the world have used it for centuries."
" That is quite fascinating. I never knew that." Goenma spoke.
" Of course, not. Not everyone speaks about it. Kind of a trade secret, ya know?"
" Yeah. Makes sense. If anyone found out, they'd probably swarm this place. But then again, some tourism might be able to help expand the kingdom even more ya know?"
" You think so? Actually, I can see that happening. But father doesn't want to bring unnecessary attention to the kingdom. Said it would be bad for the flowers health if they were over picked, and I kind of understand that. If we used them up too much, then we would lose them."
" Maybe. But who's to say?" Goenma stated.
" Yeah!" Benihime exclaimed.
Goenma laughed lightly.
Seeing the older man relaxing, Benihime joined in, momentarily forgetting about the troubles that plagued her thoughts from earlier.
That is, until Jinshi came strolling up to them with a look of seriousness on his face.
Noticing this, Goenma looked up to the man. " What is it?" Goenma asked.
Jinshi walked over to Goenma and leaned down to whisper in his ear. " Marines just docked."
Hearing this, Goenma's smile faded, slightly. " I see. Go see what they're here for. And be careful not to draw attention to yourself. Give me some time to get the princess back to the castle and inform the king."
" You want me to just sink the ship?" Jinshi asked.
" No, now isn't the time to draw attention. Now go." Goenma said to the man,
" Hmp, fine. I'll take your advice this once." Jinshi grunted. After his last escapade, Jinshi was put in timeout so to say. So, he was being forced to be co-operative.
" Good." Goenma muttered.
Though he agreed to behave, Goenma had a feeling that Jinshi wasn't going to be true to his word. He just wasn't the kind of man that followed orders. So, that meant he was probably going to have to take drastic measures of his own.
And just as Goenma thought, Jinshi had no plan of staying true to his word at all.
Jinshi quickly disappeared from sight, leaping over the tall buildings as he started making his way to the docks.
Benihime watched the two men with a look of slight concern. " Is everything okay?" She asked Goenma.
" Yes, it just appears we have some problems in the docks. My friend has gone to make sure that nothing crazy happens is all. Everything's perfectly fine. Now, what do you say we take this discussion back to the castle?"
" S-Sure." Benihime took Goenma's hand and walked with him back to the castle. But for some reason she couldn't quite shake the nagging feeling that something was wrong out of here. Especially considering the way Goenma's friend looked when he suddenly jumped away.
...............
In the docks, The Marines were finally settling in after a long voyage from the destroyed Frost Kingdom.
" Alright, finally. The Slush Kingdom. I need a chance to unwind after this long trip."
" Mind yourselves. This isn't a vacation. We're here to get supplies and then get back on the sea." Markus told the men.
" Yeah, but come on lieutenant, you gotta admit, we've been going for so long. It's nice to get a chance to stretch our legs for a bit."
" I know you're on edge with everything going on. But we still have a job to do. Once we restock supplies, we're back out on the seas, vice admiral's orders." Markus explained.
" Alright, alright.
*DOOM! DOOM! DOOM! Crash!
A sudden barrage of cannonballs landed near the docked ship.
The Marines were all immediately alerted.
Dalmatian came running out of his quarters to see what was going on. " What was that?!"
" Vice Admiral Dalmatian! It's the Black Lion Pirates!" The Marine scouter shouted to the man. Off the shore, just west of their position, the Black Lion's pirate ship came into view. And standing on the mast was the captain of the black Lion pirates, Black Lion Jinshi.
" Damn it! We need to get away from the shore! Everyone! brace yourselves!" Dalmatian yelled. " If this guy wants a battle! We'll give him one!"
" YAAAAAAH!"
" Return fire!" Dalmatian yelled.
The marine battleship immediately returned fire on the black lion's ship.
" Captain, why are we forcing a fight with the Marine's?"
" Because, this is more fun than sitting on some island, while that idiot gets to play house. To hell with Terris and his plans. I'm taking control of this operation, and I say let's play ball. Let's take these Marines on the ride of their life! Who's with me?!" Jinshi shouted.
" YEAAAAAAAH!"
" HOOOOOOOAAAAAA!"
" Listen to the sound of those pirates. I've been in a really bad mood recently." Markus complained. " What do you say men?"
Markus and Jinshi took a glance at each other from across the distance. Grinning ear to ear.
" Let's crush these Pirates."
" Let's crush these Marines."
To Be Continued!!!
...............
Alright, guys first of all happy mothers day to any ladies looking at this. I hope you all had a good day today. As always, let me know what you thought of the chapter in the comments below! See ya!!!