I SAT on the tip of the boat, looking out into the vast sea. My fingertips played with the note I had found in my fathers desk.

I couldn't bring myself to open it.

God knows what is inside. It could be good or bad, but with the way my life is playing out, it's most likely bad.

I watched the waves hit the side of the ship as we ripped through them slowly. The tiny sparkles on the water flickering with each movement.

We were almost to Kavan, and the atmosphere on the ship seemed so carefree, so light. I looked back to the ship and let my brain take in the scenery while thinking of the last few days.

Grey and Blakey-rose had grown closer despite their shyness and sideways glances. They stood together at the helm, hands on the wheel. Grey was teaching her how to steer it.

I could tell he was hesitating to touch her and didn't want to make her uncomfortable. He caught my eyes and I winked at him and nodded to her, telling him it was okay to be brave.

He sucked in a breath before wrapping his arms around her, placing her hands where they needed to be, and slowly steering with her. Their hands were intertwined and faces were bright red.

Oh young love.

How gross.

On the left side of the ship, Kingsley and August were talking to one another. She seemed completely calm while he looked like a stuttering mess. Even from far away I could tell he was tripping on his words. But that only made Kingsley smile which made it worse for him.

His dark red face was hard to miss. On the right side, Evander leaned against the side of the railing. His face was emotionless as he stared at Mèabh, who was busy climbing the ship's masts up among the sails.

I took a deep breath, looking back at the sea and let the salt filled air filter through me. My muscles relaxed and I felt calm... but I knew it wouldn't last.

We were almost to Kavan which only meant things would start getting heavier and more stressful for all of us. I was itching to get back to the castle so we could continue searching for the King. The search for my associates took valuable time away and now we have to pick up the pace.

It's not easy; finding a person.

The stories portray me as fearless and powerful. Pristine and perfect. As if all of this is a piece of cake for me, but it isn't. I am human like everyone else. I have my struggles and hardships just as much as everyone else. Yes, my life's work comes easier to me than it would to others, but it's how I was raised.

It's not easy to do, and it gets hard for me too. Hence, why I ask for help.

My father always said, "There is no shame in asking for help." And it's true.

That's a lesson I try my hardest to instil in my disciples as well. I just hope they keep it close to heart.

King Kole was one of my first students, and I hope he kept lessons like those close to heart at a time like this.

I don't want him to think he's a burden to me, or any of the rest of us. His life is important, he is our family. He is my family.

I just pray he's not suffering too much. I watched my vision blur, alerting me of the wetness on my cheeks.

I froze as a single tear fell down my face. I lifted my hand to my cheek and pulled my fingers back, looking at my wet fingertips astonished.

A hand was placed firmly on my shoulder making me look up. Mèabh gave me a lopsided smile, giving me comfort without any big gestures. Oh how I loved her.

I placed the letter back into my pocket. She looked at everyone then back at me with a large smile.

I furrowed my eyebrows, "What?"

She smiled wider, "Wanna sing with me?"

Arius suddenly appeared behind her with a guitar, grinning from ear to ear. Mèabh turned me toward her and led me to the center of the deck by both hands as Arius began playing a tune. The crew around us seemed to catch on and began drumming along on various crates and barrels.

Well the lightning flashed and the thunder fell And we fell into the jaws of hell. I looked left, he looked right I asked out loud could we last all night?

Mèabh began singing, her smile growing wider with every word.

Hell yes.

My crew chorused in reply. The sailors had held their tongues for now, but my crew from Kavan and the syndicate members were rallying their support of our mission (except Evander of course). Singing and dancing was obviously beneath him.

Hell yes we can take that hill. Hell yes we can ride all night. Walk tall take one deep breath. Back to back we'll fight to the death.

They continued. Mèabh came in again with the second verse.

Well the light grew dim and I lost my way Didn't know whether to go or stay He was gone and I felt the fear I swear I heard him whisper in my ear,

Kingsley had grabbed Grey and started a reel going, spinning around each other and then twirling off to the next partner. August, Blakely-Rose, Mèabh, and the other Kavanian soldiers joined in, their laughter drawing the ship's crew into the flurry of swirling colors.

I'm here.

I felt someone come up behind me and place a hand on each arm, the words barely a murmur in my ear as he leaned down and examined the tear track on my cheek. Leland reached up and wiped the salt-trail from my face which lit up with electricity under his feather-light touch. I felt a chill run down my spine. Leland smiled and pushed me into the spinning fray of dancers.

Hell yes we can take that hill. Hell yes we can ride all night. Walk tall take one deep breath. Back to back we'll fight to the death. By this time the whole crew had joined. Even Evander was mouthing the words as he leaned nonchalantly against the railing. I felt my face grow into a smile as I joined the reel.

We were broke with no gold to spare wondering how we could get our share We were all such a pitiful sight I asked what was wrong and what was right. Feels right.

I couldn't help but join in for the chorus.

Hell yes we can take that hill. Hell yes we can ride all night. Walk tall take one deep breath. Back to back we'll fight to the death. Our ship sank and we swam to shore there must have been a dozen or more abandoned women they begged us stay I shook my head no, but I heard the band say Hell yes!

The single line rang out like a bullhorn over the still water as the crew sang at the top of their lungs. The whole crew was singing and dancing.

I felt Leland pull me out of the fray of dancers and twirl me around so quickly that I feared my feet would come off the ground. Grey and August noticed and followed suit with Blakely-Rose and Kingsley.

Mèabh had left the reel and was dancing next to Aruis with his guitar. I fleetingly noticed a look of disgust flash across Evander's face as he watched them singing together.

Hell yes we can take that hill. Hell yes we can ride all night. Walk tall take one deep breath. Back to back we'll fight to the death

The music faded out and we all fell to the deck, winded from dancing and laughter.

Mèabh and Arius collapsed, leaning against each other on a large crate. She turned and whispered something in his ear. He smiled, nodded, and pulled the guitar up into his lap. A gentle melody filled the air and Mèabh began to sing softly.

When I was young and the world was blue, my heart beat strong, my love was true. I sailed the ocean each afternoon, on a chair in the back of the room.

My father's study flashed in front of my eyes. I felt the fire on the hearth warm my chilled skin and I couldn't help but smile. My arm was still bandaged, but it was healed enough that I could wear short sleeves without exposing it to the crew. Leland sat next to me, cross-legged, leaning back on his hands, and looking wistfully to the horizon. When I was little the world was too father was tall, a park was a zoo Cats could sing and my dog was smart I couldn't wait for the next day to start

Mèabh continued singing softly, drawing the crew in. Her voice was mesmerizing. She swayed softly, letting her eyes drift closed with the music. I looked around me to see my crewmates.

August and Kingsley sat back to back leaning their heads back on each-other's shoulder with their eyes closed, swaying to the music. Grey sat next to Blakely-Rose. They sat a respectable distance apart, but I watched as their hands inched closer together. Blakely-Rose jumped as their pinkies touched and Grey flushed as red as the sunset as he rested his hand over the top of hers.

Magic dust danced in the rays of the sun just watching clouds for hours was fun Days lasted months, months lasted years, and the darkness was my only fear

Arius smiled at Mèabh as he strummed the guitar. She opened her eyes, feeling his gaze and smiled back. I looked over to the railing where Evander was leaning. He had been completely lost in Mèabh's voice, but he had noticed Arius and Mèabh watching each other.

His eyes widened and his jaw tensed. He pushed himself off the railing and started toward the crate they were sitting on. He sat himself down on the deck by Grey and Blakely-Rose and wrapped his arms loosely around his legs. A box was a mansion and it could take flight the moon up above came home every night I loved the snow and I never got cold and I couldn't wait to grow old. Evander had lost sight of everyone except for Mèabh. His gaze was fixed on her as she lost herself in the song that no doubt reminded her of times when she didn't have to worry about clan wars or becoming the next chief.

I nudged Leland with my elbow and he leaned forward to see what I was looking at. He chuckled softly in my ear as he followed my gaze to the hypnotized prince. I realized just how closely he was sitting. He had reached one of his arms around me and was leaning on his hand. We were so close that I was almost leaning back into his chest. When I was young and the world was blue, my heart beat strong, my love was true. I sailed the ocean each afternoon, on a chair in the back of the room.

The guitar faded out and the people around me seemed to shake themselves out of their trances and realize their surroundings. I did the same and realized that I was in fact nestled into Leland's chest and he was resting his chin on my shoulder.

I looked over to him and felt my eyes widen. He grinned and I jumped forward and to my feet.

Kingley and August stood up and started off in opposite directions. Grey and Blakely-Rose pulled their hands apart as if they were giving each other an electric shock. Arius stood up and walked back toward the bunks with his guitar.

All around us the ship was slowly coming back to life as if it's occupants had been hypnotized by sirens and the sound was wearing off. Only Mèabh and Evander stayed put. Mèabh was fidgeting with the end of her braids, lost in thought. Evander sat in his spot on the deck lost in Mèabh's distracted eyes.

I cleared my throat. "We will reach the shores of Kavan by mid-morning tomorrow. Everyone who isn't actively manning a post, hit the sack. We've got a busy day ahead of us tomorrow."

The crew wandered off, still half stunned. I looked down at Leland who held a glint in his eyes. I felt myself flush red and I scuffled off to my cabin as quickly as my feet would take me. I heard him snicker as I left him behind.

×××××××××××××

Author Note!

Hi everyone ❤️

So the songs that were "sung" in this chapter is a real songs by Wylde Nept

They never hit big but most of their songs remind me of this book. My friend Nan who has helped me so so much is actually related to the band so in honor of her hard work, i put two of their songs in my book ❤️

The first song is called "My Brother Said" and the second one is "I Sailed The Ocean" and there both on the Aislin playlist or look on your spotify if you want to listen❤️

Thoughts >

Feelings >

Predictions >

Random >

How is your day today? Was it bad? Good? In between?

QOTD: Energy drinks?

You put an energy drink infront of me, I'll inhale it.

A kid at my school has 2-4 monsters or red bulls A DAY! and i'm not exaggerating. I've never seen him without an energy's drink in his hand.



Ur welcome.