Chapter 26: The Monsters of the Pirate City





Did you know how a heart breaks? It was like having your bones crushed into pieces that you wouldn't be able to stand on your feet. It was like having your blood drained from your veins that you wouldn't know how to live. It was like having the air sucked out from you that you wouldn't be able to breathe. It was like dying but you couldn't just die yet. Not yet. Not an easy death.



"I remember when the dawn woke you up

And the daybreak came,

I sang you a sad song,

And I hoped it broke your heart,

For that was when I let you go,

That was when we said goodbye.

Oh, God, I hate that day."



The mermaid started singing and even though her voice was like magic that pleasured everyone's ears, it was a sharp sound that cut me in every word she sang. I wanted to scream for her to stop but I couldn't do it. I could only sit there and listen to her.



"The waves were calm as the seabirds flew,

I thought the horizon was near,

But suddenly, it was all so far,

Your eyes were sparkling as you step into the sea,

And I wished I could kiss you one more time,

It was so beautiful that day,

Oh, God, I hate that day."



I could feel Owain's eyes trained on me. He was probably waiting for some reaction or emotion that would amuse him. He might be taking it as some kind of a comic play that was fun to watch. And I hated him for feeding on my pain. I could feel hatred towards everyone here in the hall witnessing the love story unfolding before their eyes. I hated that they all love this mermaid. I hated that the Skull was with her. I hated that she was so close to perfection that being a rival would be like a shot to the moon. I hated to feel this hatred.



"You fell in love with the sea,

And the sea took you away,

Our love was deep –

And no waves could crash it,

But the sea took you away."



I was jealous, that I was sure of. And jealousy and hatred are two poisons that could kill anyone's heart. These would weigh you down until you were buried deep in the grave of dark emotion. These were the kind of things that would change you. These were the kind of things that would bring death to the real you. And I refused to be like that. I never wanted to be like that.



"I remember watching you go,

And I waited for a long time,

But you never came back,

I wished you knew that it broke my heart,

I was longing for you,

I missed you,

Oh, God, I hate that day."



So if the only way to remain myself was to feel the absolute pain, then I would take it. I promised that my heart, even though broken into thousand pieces, would not be tainted by the negativity brought by jealousy and hatred. It was hard and it was killing me inside. But I would choose the pain over and over again than the hatred that would kill the love I had.



"Now that you've seen what you've wanted to see, maybe it's time for us to go," said Owain at my side.



I looked at him with tears brimming in my eyes. I used the scarf to brush it away but there would be no kind of cloth that would stop those wet drops of fluid from coming. It flowed like a river driven by a storm. And despite him urging us to go back to the Obsidian, I remained in my seat and grabbed the tall glass of ale in front of me and drank it. I guessed I would drink anything that would help me ease my pain.



"Primrose," Owain warned me but I cut him off and said, "I want to stay!"



Even though it was painful, I would stay. Even though it was stupid, I would still stay. It was true that I wanted to see the Skull, and if this was the only way to see him then I would take it.



"You fell in love with the sea,

And the sea took you away,

Our love was deep –

And no waves could crash it,

But the sea took you away."



The mermaid finished the pirate song flawlessly which receive a loud, round of applause from the crowd of pirates. I saw the Skull stood up to help her on getting down the stage and I couldn't help but rise on my feet to better see them. Damn! Why am I torturing myself?



Suddenly, a rough and huge hand grabbed me by my shoulder and pushed me out of its owners' way. Owain stood from his chair and it created the commotion on that part of the hall. I saw the angry big pirate looking down at me and grave fear immediately invaded my heart.



"Weakling! From what pirate ship are you? How dare you stand in front of me while I'm watching the mermaid sing!" The rude pirate shouted.



"It – It wasn't my intention," I stuttered on my words.



Owain started to move towards me but the gigantic pirate was positioned between us and he shoved Owain to the side when he realized that he was coming to my rescue. I heard the music stopped playing and I could feel the attention of the pirates focused on us. Fear was now combined with anxiety and I just wanted to get out of there.



However, Owain's ego was as big as the pirate standing in front of him so he faced the enemy angrily ready to fight against him. I knew it would be hard for Owain to fight the stranger because of the difference in the size of their body so I tried begging for them to stop.



"We sincerely apologize for whatever inconvenience we caused you. We're now leaving. Owain, let's go!" I called to Owain but I was cut off when the stranger grabbed me by my neck and lifted me off the ground.



"And how could a weak, little thing like you become a pirate? Let's see what an ugly face you hid in there!"



I watched in horror while gasping for air as he pulled the piece of clothing that was covering my face away from me. He seemed to be shocked, too, as it revealed a scared red-haired woman in a man's clothing.



"A woman! A Jonah!" He exclaimed, loud enough to get everyone's attention.



Owain took that moment to punch the giant pirate on his face. He loosened his grasp on my neck which made me able to breathe, but it tightened again as he recovered from the blow.



"She's a property of the Obsidian! Let her go, you fucking piece of shit!" Owain shouted angrily as he prepared for another attack.



The huge pirate just laughed at him and I was left squirming, desperate to breathe. I didn't know how long I could take it. I was helpless and caged inside his calloused, rough hand.



"The Obsidian? No way Captain Drakon and the Skull would take a woman on their ship!" He laughed.



But the air became silent and cold as the surrounding pirates made way to the person approaching our direction. I wasn't able to know who the newcomer was for I was facing the ugly face of the huge pirate choking my neck. But his voice, when he started to speak, was the sound I would never forget. In the midst of drowning, or choking, or even dying, I would still recognize that voice.



"She is sailing with the Obsidian and under my protection. So how could you harm what's mine, Arman!" He roared in anger.



"But – But she is a Jonah!" the pirate faltered but still grabbing my neck. I punched against his arm desperately. I need to breathe now!



"Arman!" The man growled at him again. Owain was already on the other side, ready to attack. They were two sharp-pointed arrows ready to strike.



"But Skull –"



The pirate wasn't able to continue his defiance because the Skull and Owain were already lunging towards him. They both attacked him on the fatal parts of his body and he wasn't able to stand it so, the stranger loosened his grip on my neck and let me go. The next thing I knew, an arm caught me on my waist to break my fall. I met the Skull's cold grey eyes as I looked up at him, gasping for breath. He didn't say a thing although anger was evident in his eyes. The giant pirate and his companions backed off after recovering from the attack. Now, I could feel every set of eyes on me. They were probably wondering what a woman like me doing in the Pirate City.



Another group walked towards us to see what the sudden commotion was all about. The group was consisting of eccentric and remarkable individuals including Captain Drakon and the mermaid. It was led by a tall handsome man, with a bulky body, probably around the age of the Skull and Owain, and was wearing an expensive type of clothing that could even match the fashion of the main families in the mainland. He was like the King of the Pirate City – everyone regarded him with full respect.



"Captain Rowaen, she's sailing with us. We got her from the pirates of Kareem." Captain Drakon was immediately on the man's side probably trying to explain the reason for my existence in the Pirate City.



However, the man's gaze was fixed on me and it was almost making me uncomfortable. He looked at me as if I was a new discovery in this world. He eyed me like I was a new invention. I felt the Skull's grip on my waist tightened and he pulled me closer to him. I could feel the warmth of his body and also the tension vibrating through it. Whoever this man was, it was threatening the invincible Skull.



"I've never seen a hair as glowing red as yours," the man started.



His voice was deep and even though I was being biased to the Skull's voice, I couldn't help but admit that this man's voice was like music to the ears. Any women would probably want to hear it again and again.



"And you're so beautiful and it's makes me wonder how could an angel fall in the middle of the ocean," he continued.



It was the second time that I was called 'beautiful' by unexpected people on that day. And it was followed by events that were not in my favor. I was wondering if I should wait for the catch in the end.



"Can I touch you, my lady?" The man asked.



The Skull suddenly pulled me farther behind his back. The tension grew as the Skull glared at the man in front of us. I didn't know why it felt like the Skull was hiding me from this man. Was he going to bring me harm?



"Oh, come on, Skull! You can't possibly have all the beautiful women in the sea," the man said and I saw the mermaid looked at us questioningly.



"Skull? What's happening?" The mermaid asked.



The Skull didn't answer and I couldn't help but think that if he would have to choose one from us, he would pick the mermaid. I decided to step forward and formally meet the man but the Skull pulled me back again. I frowned looking up at him.



"You are under my protection and I am not allowing any man to touch you," he said firmly in his cold tone. It sounded more like a threat towards every pirate in the hall of the vessel. It was a danger that was waiting to explode.



The man in front of us didn't falter, and instead, he laughed as if he found the situation amusing. His eyes sparkled as he tried to look at me behind the Skull. There was something uncomfortable and creepy about him even though we were not totally acquainted.



"My apologies, Captain Rowaen, Janeia, but I think the night is over for the crews of the Obsidian. But don't worry, I'll make sure to meet you tomorrow in the morning," Captain Drakon broke the tension and ushered us to go. I thought the Skull would let go of me and remain on the vessel but he didn't and instead, he walked us to the entrance making sure that no pirates would come near me.



"We will meet again, pretty one!" The man called. "And that I'm sure of."



I couldn't help but turned my head to look back at them while walking. I saw the man called Captain Rowaen smirking at us and when he met my eyes, he winked at me. I also saw the mermaid whom Captain Drakon called Janeia and I saw a clear disappointment on her face. She said that nothing would separate her from the Skull. She must have disliked it for I just did. Oh, yes. This night, despite being early, was getting late for all of us. I felt exhausted and dizzy and all I wanted was to go back to my cabin and rest.