CHAPTER 13

[ Last night ]

" I haven't gone there before , but I have heard about it a lot . Not many survive the waters . "

The boy spoke as he held his own glass of juice .

" It's filled with snakes of all sizes . I have heard that they work for Venom . " He spoke as he sipped the juice .

" Who is Venom ? " Asked a curious Amia .

" The real question is ' what is Venom ' ? I have heard a lot of stories about it . Apparently it controls all the snakes in ' this ' sea .... but it wants to rule over all of the seas . "

Only the luckiest of the luckiest escape . The rest of them get killed and becomes dinner for it . It loves human flesh . "

" Do you know any way I could see how this creature looks . " Amia asked as she kept her empty glass away .

" We might be able to see it when we reach there . " The boy spoke. "

But I don't want to see it . "

" I meant in drawings Lien . " Amia clarified .

" I think there might be a picture in one of captain's books , but I am not sure if he will lend it you . You could try asking tomorrow . "

He replied , as he looked at the drunk captain .

~

[ Today ]

" You try asking it . " Spoke a half sleepy Matilda , as she turned around trying to find a more comfortable position .

" He won't give it to me . " Said Amia as she sat on the bed .

She had found out there was a drawing of the ' Venom ' in one of the books that the captain had , but no matter how many times she asked , he wouldn't lend it to her , because apparently he couldn't trust a mere soldier with such a priceless book and thus here she was pleading to a sleepy Matilda , but whatever Agust had gave both her friends didn't help a bit .

Emlyn didn't wake up , no matter what she tried . The girl could sleep through literal thunderstorms .

" I will ask him later . " Told Matilda as she moved Amia's hand off of her.

" You can't just leave me like that . "

" Oh I can . " Matilda replied as she tries to find peace .

" Really ? " Amia questioned .

Matilda didn't reply , she was busy dozing off .

" Wake up ! " Amia spoke , now angry . She had been pleading to the princess to help her for almost an hour and all she was recieving were slaps and No's .

Matilda only muttered some words that Amia couldn't understand as she woke up , her eyes slowly adjusting to the surroundings .

~

" You sure this ain't for the soldier lady , princess ? " John asked as he handed over a few books to Matilda .

" Of course . Why would you think this is for Amia ? " She asked trying to act as natural as possible .

" I thought she would have told you , but little soldier lady was on her knees begging to me to give her books . " He spoke staring at the short lady in front of him .

" She begged ? " Matilda asked surprised . Amia would never be on her knees begging someone . She would rather slit her neck and bleed to death .

" She did . You could ask her afterwards , she would most probably lie though , but don't tell her I gave you the books , eh . " He spoke patting Matilda's head , ruining her hair .

" Please don't touch my hair . " She spoke staring at the man , who ignored her words and continued playing with her hair more .

" OW- What was that for ? " Shrieked John as he retreated his hand . Matilda had just slapped with a book , his own book .

" Don't touch my hair . " She spoke , before turning around and running away .

" That hurts lady . " Muttered John as he stood there watching Matilda move further away

~

The place where the sea plays calm and hides

serpents beneath

VENOM

Amia observed the the page carefully.

Amia was in her room, her door closed and four books open in front of her , with only a lamp that filled light in her room.

She had recieved the book from Matilda a while ago .

" He will trick you to your death . " She muttered as she read the words that were written on the book .

Down below was a slightly smudged drawing of a snake . It's skin as black as coal and it's eyes a dangerous shade of red .

Amia took a deep breath as she continued reading about it .

' Artil is required . '

" Artil . Wonder what that is ? " She spoke as she stared at the book .

~

" This " John pointed towards a bucket of gooey stuff . " - is artil .

" What is this for , captain ? " Asked Amia curiously.

They had stopped at a nearby village and had gathered , scratch that , ' looted ' buckets and buckets of artil .

" This will keep many of the snakes away . " He spoke as he looked at Amia .

" What about the rest ? " Matilda asked confused .

" We kill them . " Spoke Jacob , one of John's crew .

" And how are we going to do that ? "

" You ' ll see . "