Chapter 12: Misty Rain



It was cold. It was the coldest morning I've ever had. It was even colder than the day I stayed in the North when I was young. I tried to open my eyes and saw the light passing to the room through the cracks from the small window beside my bed and the door. I knew I wasn't home when the usual silent and warm morning was replaced by the sound of waves, pirates' shout and rain. I stood up all of a sudden and rewarded with the sudden pain in my head. Is it raining? I reached to my window and peaked outside. Droplets of cold water splashed on my face so I closed it again. I wished I was just dreaming. But I wasn't. The coldness of the water on my face was the evidence of this living nightmare.



I tried to walk but the movement of the ship due to the wave was increasing the pain in my head. Erasmus's camise and trousers weren't enough to protect me from the coldness, thus it made moving uneasy. But I had no idea of the time and I couldn't just stay inside this room, right? Threy made it clear last night that I wouldn't be able to go home anytime soon. I had to spend more time than I wanted in the pirate ship.



Sighing, I walked towards the door and opened it. I was welcomed by the louder noise and colder temperature. I walked on the hallway towards the main deck and saw some pirates cleaning the floor, checking the sail and fixing the barrels. The elderly man they called Captain Drakon was on the helm steering the ship to a certain direction. Seeing how busy and serious they were, I knew I couldn't go out there. I decided to go back to my room when a furry creature suddenly brushed on my cold naked feet. I looked down and saw the grey cat staring back at me.



I stooped down to touch it but it walked away from my hand. Just like the other night, it gave me a look urging me to follow him. And I knew better than to follow this evil of a cat. The last time I went after him, I broke my heart.



"Primrose," I turned towards the familiar voice and saw Erasmus standing in the hallway with his clothes wet by the rain. "So you've met Roger." He added, smile plastered on his face.



"Is it the cat we're talking about?" I asked, wondering how they named it 'Roger'. It wasn't one of those normal names you give for animals.



"It was Alon's pet. Do you remember the big guy who got you from your tiny little boat?" he stopped just at my side as we both eyed the leaving cat.



"The one who threatened to kill me with his flashy long knife?" I said.



"Alon isn't that bad. Come on, he's probably in the kitchen and you must be hungry." Erasmus chuckled as he grabbed my hand and lead me to where the direction Roger went.



I actually doubted and a little bit terrified about meeting other pirates; pirates who sworn to cause harm on me. But Erasmus pointed that I had the Skull's protection and no one in the ship would dare to touch me and yet, somehow, I still felt unsafe.



We reached metal stairs going down the ship and I followed Erasmus cautiously towards the forecastle. I watched my step carefully as I realized that some pirates were actually sleeping in here. After few moments of fear and doubts, I finally smelled coffee and roasted part of bread and grilled fish. Now I was left thinking if I would have the same meal for breakfast today? We found the kitchen with three big tables and chairs under them. I looked around the spacious area and saw Alon grilling a large fish in the corner. Erasmus ordered me to sit on one of the chairs as he got me food for breakfast.



"Were you working outside?" I asked Erasmus when he set a cup of coffee and a plate with brown-colored bread in front of me.



"I was watching the sea at the crow's nest when the rain poured. I could bring you up there but probably not now when there are waves and your skin is too delicate to scrape." He said grinning.



I forced a smile as I realized where he wanted to take me. It was that platform at the top of the ship that seemed to be impossible to reach for me. "Thank you for the food, and the clothes." Instead, I said.



"When we reach the Borgian Island, you can buy your dress." He answered and bit into his bread.



"I don't have money with me when I was taken from the West." I wasn't able to control the loneliness brought by my voice. His cheerfulness faded as he looked at me with sympathy.



"Don't worry. I can ask my father to get you some dress." He said.



I frowned. "Your father?" I asked.



"The captain is my father. He seemed to be tough but he's also a very considerate man." Erasmus was a good kid and he's been kind to me ever since I boarded this ship. But I knew, I couldn't trust his words enough about pirates. We must be getting different treatment.



I remained silent for few seconds when a furry ball of meat hopped swiftly on our table and jumped at Alon's side. He then threw him some fish bones and walked to us with a plate of grilled fish belly.



I smiled at him and whispered 'thank you' but he kept his firm expression and went back to the corner and continued on grilling fishes.



"He's a giant snob but he's also a good man. Our cook was busy outside so Alon agreed to cook food for you." Erasmus commented.



I nodded at him and continued on my food. It wasn't the best one I ever had but I had to eat for the sake of getting energy. Being on a pirate ship demanded more guts and works than usual, it stressed me more than trying to escape Tarnus and his guards. "You said we're going to the Borgian Island, right?" I said between sipping on my coffee that was quite bitter compared to the roasted side of my bread.



"Yes. That's where we're going to get our supplies. We can recruit crews, too but I guess we won't be needing one now. We're going to get Owain and sail south." Erasmus, who seemed to enjoy his bread, said.



"South? What are we gonna do at the South?" I asked, trying to think of a way to go home if ever we reached South.



"It's a pirate thing to discuss, my lady. I can't tell you that." He answered.



I stared at him trying to get more response but he seemed to have no plans of filling me some information. I took a bite of my bread in defeat. Why would he tell a girl about pirate plans, anyway?



"I can't tell you those things because you're not a pirate. And I prefer you not to be a pirate. You're too beautiful to be a sea thief." He said in a serious tone. I turned to him and met his eyes. I've met a lot of people when I was in the East and I could sense sincerity so well. And with him, I knew he's honest to his words.



"I wouldn't be a pirate. Thank you for being so kind." I said, smiling at him. I couldn't help but see my five-year younger self in his eyes; full of adoration and innocence, infatuation and earnestness.



"Oh, I'm sorry," red forming on his cheeks when he realized that he's staring at me longer than he supposed to be. "It's just that, you make me think of a sunny afternoon; resting in a garden with daisies on my table, surrounded by flowers and colourful butterflies as I close my eyes. You make me think of something peaceful and wonderful."



He almost looked like he was on a dream and I couldn't help but smiled at it. I touched his cheek and said, "You're an adorable young man. You have lots of wonderful days ahead."



He became quiet as he twitched his fingers restlessly. The noises and screams outside finally saved him from his personal awkward silence. "We're nearing the Borgian Island! Come on!" He stood up and waited for me.



"But – Am I supposed to—" I wasn't able to finished my words for he suddenly grabbed my wrist as he ran upstairs. I didn't know which words I should ask him, too. Am I supposed to go out in the deck? Am I supposed to see them? But those queries faded as we reached the entrance towards the main deck. I refused to notice all the eyes turning to me and the sudden decrease in the loudness of screams as we ran on the deck to stairs towards the forecastle deck. We stopped just beside the railing and I couldn't help but gasped as I finally felt misty rain drizzled my face. I was unable to speak as I look at the distant island in front of me. It wasn't like the ones the West land had. It seemed to have lots of small buildings and fishing boats at the shore. It seemed to be more crowded and unorganized than what I was thinking.



"I believe we haven't introduced to each other yet." A voice said from behind.



Erasmus and I both turned to see who our company is. And I almost swallowed my tongue as I realized who it was. I felt the cold rain became colder and the fast beating of my heart because of nervousness and doubt became faster.



"Primrose, this is my father, Captian Drakon." Erasmus words weren't as kind now as I thought it had. Saying the captain's name brought threat in my fragile life. I wasn't able to answer. I guessed I finally lost my words and wouldn't be able to get it back anytime soon.



The captain seemed to be aware of my uneasiness and fear. His face remained stern and harsh as he stared me down. I was afraid again to be thrown to the sea and sank my body beneath the ship. But to my surprise, the serious-looking captain held my hand and bended his upper body and kissed the back of it. I almost felt my cheeks gotten hotter.



"I am the Captain of Obsidian. I am pleased to finally meet you, Lady Primrose of the East." He said.



"I- I- I am –" And that confirmed my inability to speak at the moment. The captain understood that he won't be able to receive a response, finally straightened and walked towards the railing at my side. I was uneager to look back at the sight of the island but Erasmus and the captain seemed to forget my existence and focused on the ship's destination. I followed their gaze while being conscious of having the dangerous captain at my side.



"Welcome to the Borgian Island." He muttered in a serious tone with an unflinching stare.



_l2K?~&: