THE WAVES lapped at the pillars of the dock as I observed the progress of the preparations. The wet wood trembled underfoot and sprayed cold salt mist into the stiff breeze.

The sailors bustled about loading the various crates, boxes, barrels, and bags of provisions with an efficiency that boasted years of experience. As they made their way up and down the gangplank they yelled commands to each other that only they and their fellow mariners understood. Just a few more crates to go and we would be ready for departure. The distinct clink of metal on metal rang in my ears as the boxes of swords made their way up the gangplank and below the deck of the three-masted ship that would take us to our destination.

Seagulls hopped around underfoot, calling to each other above the noise of the foot traffic and another usual maritime bustling about, occasionally coming to rest on a coil of rope or a casting pillar to observe the men as they worked.

I made my way up the gangplank and onto the deck. I let my hawk-like eyes sweep over our accommodations for the next two days. The commotion of the dock slowly migrated onto the ship as the last of the provisions were loaded. At the corner of my eye, I noticed a dazed and restless Prince pacing along the railing. I could tell his shifting eyes didn't notice me standing in his pathway or the rope that was slowly coiling around his ankles.

I quickly took a step forward out of his way as the rope caught hold of him, sending him stumbling, his arms cycling, towards the railing that would inevitably result in him falling overboard.

I reached behind me and grabbed hold of the back of his collar, "Please don't fall overboard. Your mother isn't very pleased that you're here in the first place, I don't need to give her any reason to kill me."

Prince Grey chuckled nervously, "Sorry, I guess I wasn't paying attention."

I pulled him upright by his collar and set him on his feet, "And why aren't you paying attention? You seem nervous."

I let go of his collar and he suddenly became very interested in his fingernails, "The only ship I've ever been on was dry docked. Put it on the water, it's a whole different story. It's easier said than done."

I completely understood how he was feeling. Flashes of my early preteen years brought to mind the anxiety I felt the first time sailing a ship as well. I took a deep breath and thought of the most comforting thing I could think to say, "You'll be fine, you're grown. This is the first and possibly the last chance you'll have. Make it worth it, use it wisely." I slapped him on the shoulder. It felt like an appropriate gesture at the moment, but the force I delivered set him off balance. I guess I overestimated his strength.

He chuckled unsurely and nodded, "Okay, yeah. I'll do that."

Prince Grey wandered off to converse with the sailors as Leland and Evander made their way up the gangplank. Evander was making efforts to look valiant, but Leland already looked green around the edges. They were followed by the rest of our small traveling party. Leland had helped me select a handful of men who would be helpful on our mission. I made sure nobody from the team that needed work on hand-eye coordination came with us on this particular mission. The last thing I needed was having to mount a search and rescue, or god forbid, a recovery mission because someone fell overboard.

August came up the gangplank with his hand-made recurve bow looped over his shoulder, along with a quiver of arrows. He was followed by a man with the best sense of direction I've ever seen, Gareth. He is a strong part of the army and I knew he would help tremendously.

Arius, Eraclius, Dragoslav, Kazimir, Roland, and a handful of others moseyed up the gangplank, eyes agape at the sight of the magnificent, billowing, sails. I was hit with the realization that none of these men had ever set foot on a ship. They were all born and raised in Kavan. None of them had been far enough beyond its borders to require sea travel. This should be very interesting.

They all had tried hard to be helpful as we left the dock, but proved very clumsy with the ropes that they just got in the way. I could see the crew growing frustrated with them so I decided to intervene.

"Don't worry about that, boys. Leave that to Grey and the rest of the crewmen. You're part of a different crew. Go set yourselves up in your barracks below-decks." I ordered them. I figured it was a reasonable request to make of them, but it would also give them an excuse to get away and avoid embarrassing themselves.

Evander sauntered over, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "That's quite the motley crew you have there. They don't have their sea legs under them yet, do they?" he chortled as they wandered across the deck and into the belly of the ship. As he went on his little ego trip, we weaved our way out of the harbor and onto the open sea. As the deck swayed beneath our feet with the rise and fall of the swells, I could see Evander's smirk fade as his balance failed him. He set his arms wheeling as he tried to stay upright.

"Sea legs aren't so easy to come by, now are they, Your Highness." I chuckled with a smirk as I turned on my heel and followed the rest of our travel party below decks. I could feel his glare burning my back. I carefully stepped down the steep narrow stairs and found myself in the mess hall, with the galley directly ahead of me. I was almost knocked off my feet by a rushed Leland, who pushed past me and sprinted up the stairs. The poor thing looked so green. I could hear him retching on the deck above me.

I cringed. I hope he made it to the railing. I didn't want anyone to have to clean up that mess.

I wandered the ship as we sailed along. The familiarity of sea-fare was welcome. Grey bustled from station to station giving instructions and getting tips from the more experienced crew. Leland gripped the railing so tight his knuckles blanched out. Evander stumbled around trying to be important, but only succeeding in getting himself cursed at in a way only sailors can offer. August and the other men were learning knots and seamen's terms from the crew and were catching on quickly. If there was one thing to be said for the soldiers of Kavan, it was that once they saw room for improvement, they made every effort.

I leaned over the railing and breathed in the salt air as I had just been released from a coffin buried six feet down. The sky began to turn red around me as dusk began to fall.

I made my way to the upper deck and joined Grey at the helm. As I enjoyed the view from the higher vantage point, a small shape in the distance caught my eye. I nudged Grey with my elbow and drew his attention in that direction. He immediately knew what I wanted him to see and pulled out his spyglass. He examined the spectacle and handed me the glass wide-eyed.

"What are those?" Prince Grey said with confusion written on his face, his hands gripping the steering wheel.

"Pirates," I replied, as the skull and crossbones on the flag came into focus over my vision.

×××××××××××××

Author Note!

Hi everyone, Mickey here!

Chapter 2-0 babyyy! I thank my BSF for putting up with me and literally wrote chapter 20 and 21 andddd 22! Nan i love you so much <333

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