CHAPTER 4

" LAND AHEAD "

My voice echoed as I looked beneath to see Amia running towards the maps while Emlyn worked towards slowing down the ship . The sun was slowly setting as the sky was splashed with orangish colours , a tint of red seen here and there . The wind started blowing harder now as the waves were slowly rising as if they were preparing to welcome the moon for the night . I looked back to see the stars that were slowly revealing their presence in the far distance .

The kingdom in front of us was slowly getting lit up . The reflection of the torch fires at the dock danced along with the waves . I carefully got down and walked towards Amia who held a map in her hand .

Noticing my arrival, she spoke immediately , " we are going to be spending the night here . Agnar is pretty safe now . "

"Hmm ." I replied . Amia was trust able with topics like this . She always had a love for maps and besides she is our friend .

The ship was cleaned and disguised enough as to not find any of our weapons or armors . As long as the soldiers or anyone from here don't find any of that along with our maps related to the Red Caves we are going to be safe .

I looked towards the dock that we were currently getting closer to . " I am heading to the cabin for a moment . " I spoke as I walked towards our shared cabin .

I walked into our room and changed the jacket that I was wearing with another one . I looked outside from the cabin and saw Amia wearing her hat as well as passing one to Emlyn , who was now looking at the kingdom through her binoculars . I removed my hat and tied my hair properly and walked out .

~

We walked to the inn , that we had planned to stay our night at . The moment we got out of the ship , we were surrounded by soldiers and soon took to the castle and questioned. After answering their questions , we were escorted back to the dock , so that we could take the things that we need . Blue Moon was thoroughly checked for weapons as well . Finding no weapons, the benevolent king thought of gifting us some weapons for our safety . Oddly , I felt no guilty of tricking him .

We were also called to assemble at the castle later , so that he could hear our stories of the sea . The king seemed very interested in the sea and what lies beyond . He has not travelled far from his kingdom and thus did not have a lot of interesting stories to speak off. His wife , queen Elyn seemed to be pretty intriguing as well . He had a son , Muriel , who currently is somewhere else at the moment .

We walked inside the inn and was greeted with men two times our size drinking booze and some women at the corner chatting softly while drinking their wine. The moment I rang the bell at the inn , all heads turned to us .

A man who wore ragged clothes waved at us

" What do you lasses need ? We got wine and men here ." He spoke and gave a wink , and that was soon followed by hollers and whistles with men eyeing us .

" We are here not for a night with men or wine , but for a room to stay the night ". I spoke out resulting in many men groaning in despair.

" Oh sure we got rooms , but do you have the money ? " He asked us while stroking his beard . I couldn't help but notice the biscuit pieces is his beard . Soon Emlyn spoke . "We have the money with us ".

" Well then , here's your key lassie . Your room is the first one from the first floor . You can give me the coins now ." He spoke letting out his hand and Amia walked forward to give him the three hundred coins .

"You can come down after settling in there for dinner . We have fish ,bread and juice here. "

" Sure , we will join . " I told .

~

We walked down the creaking wooden stairs to join them for supper. We had food at the ship , but that could be took as rude by the king and we don't want that. Our room is small and has three small beds , an almost broken chair , a wooden table that had a broken leg . It was supported by keeping a brick under it . The inn was completely wooden and the lit up torches were covered with some sort of lid.

The voice of men cheering and women giggling was slowly getting louder .

We walked down and was welcomed by the man we saw earlier .

"This place is a bit loud. No problems right ?" He asked . " No problems" , I replied .

" Well then I 'll take your order lasses and if you're okay with it maybe have a chat . A jolly one I promise . " He spoke as he let out guffaw and we returned it with awkward smiles .

Soon plates were brought infront of us and we started taking bites . The man roughly pulled a nearby chair and settled near us. Feeling the awkwardness , he broke the ice .

" My name is Godwin and I am the owner of this place and what are your names ladies? "

" Matilda."

" Amia ".

" Emlyn ".

We spoke out .

" Ah sweet names. Where are you ladies from ? "

" We are from Ignis ". I spoke out , and both the girls let out a string of hmms.

" Ignis,never heard of the place . Small kingdom?" He asked .

" Yes , it's not very big . "Amia replied .

He broke his eye contact with Amia and looked at me as I munched on some bread and fish .

" Don't mind me asking but are you with the pirates?" He asked softly , his head held low and his eyes now searching for something around the room .

" No , we are no pirates . We are travellers .We just started sailing . "

Godwin looked relieved as he let out an 'oh' .

" I thought you three would be with them , like you had the hats and all .Where are the rest of your crew? "

" It's just us three , it's a small ship ." Emlyn spoke as she took a sip of the water in her glass .

" Oh my goodness . That is not right .You should not do that . Small or big you won't be able to handle a ship when those nasty storms hit . What you three are doing is straight up asking to get murdered. ." He spoke , with worry evident on his face.

" What do you suggest we do ? " I asked him .

" Get more crew of course." He spoke as he took a piece of fish from Amia's plate making her stare at him in disgust .

" You talked about pirates before . Are they here ? " I questioned curiously.

" They are . " He said pointing at one of the tables a bit farther away from us . The table was surrounded by tan men enjoying their booze and food . They had scars all over their bodies . " They are searching for the Red Caves . " Now that line snatched my attention from the drunk men to Godwin .

" What do you mean by Red Caves? " I asked him . Emlyn and Amia concentrating on our conversation as well.

" I don't know a lot about it , but I can assure you , none of them are going to survive it . I have heard people say that it's in Cian , but the truth is that Cian just has one of the keys you need to unlo-"

" We will take it from here " A deep , rough voice spoke out as I looked up to see a man holding Godwin by his collar . I immediately recognised him as one of the men who were sitting afar moments ago .

" You think we won't survive eh ? " He asked tightening his hand around Godwin's collar .

Rage was slowly getting to me .I folded my fists as an attempt to keep control. Emlyn and Amia were visibly angry as well .

" It's n-not like that s-sir. I have heard s-stories . " Godwin answered him stuttering .

I gave a quick look around the room . I could see some men slowly getting out of the inn and some ladies staring at this man in pure awe . I scoffed at them and turned my head back only to get startled . A smirk present on his face as the man stared at me , his face so close I could hear him breathing .

I slowly looked at Emlyn who was already folding her fists . Not wanting to loose to him , I stared back at him . He was surprised by this , but hid it quickly.

His hand moved forward holding my face , and I held his hand , moving it away from my face .

" You have got some nerves there , my lass . "

" I am not you're lass." I spoke making sure he feels the disgust in my voice . "

The man looked at me and then at Emlyn.

" What do you think darling, wanna be mine ? " He asked as he bit the the inside of his cheek.

" Nope , I am completely fine on my own . I don't need to be related to squid face . " Emlyn spoke , mockery dripping from her words .

" You- " He almost screamed as he brought his hand forward to slap Emlyn , only to scream instead in pain as I smashed my glass on his hand . Blood was pouring out as some shards were stuck in his hand . The rest of the men didn't waste a second as they turned towards us , fists in the air .Emlyn and Amia had stood up by now . I threw the rest of the glasses at the men as Amia kicked the table infront of us, which then fell down on some of their legs .

Taking hold of the nearest chair , I hit it on one of the men , which resulted in him fainting immediately . Amia was now busy punching someone and Emlyn was busy throwing fishes . Some men were too drunk and they were fighting themselves.

" Stop fighting like sticks and catch them " The man from earlier screamed . Knowing that we can't take on all of them like that , we ran out of the inn , stepping on the men lying on the floor in pain.

" Spread out !! "

I screamed as the sound of angry men were heard.