Episode Six - Bonds (Part 2)

"Two nights ago," Esa replied.

"And it never returned?"

"No but, something else happened." Esa knitted his gnarled fingers. "One of our fishing boats that went out to sea last night never returned."

"We heard about the other missing ships. Has a report been made?"

"Yes, but there is no conclusive progress. The coast guards that investigated the missing cases all came back empty handed. It's as if the ships have gone into another dimension, leaving not a single trace."

Latching onto that piece of information, Florian drew a conclusion based on recent events and gathered clues. If the Octopod was terrorizing the high seas, then it would be impossible for it to be the culprit of these marks. Firstly, the Octopod didn't have claws. Secondly, these marks weren't made by a large predator. Expression hardening, he stood up. "I believe we are dealing with two different predators."

Eira casted him a questioning glance. "How can you be sure?"

He pointed to the damaged pier. "These marks was left by a mid-range predator, and judging by its speed, I'm guessing it's either a land or airborne type. Its size also concludes that it isn't large enough to capsize a boat." He paused, turning to meet Eira's gaze. "But the predator that attacked us last night could be the culprit for the missing boats and ships."

It made sense, Eira reflected. If an ocean predator large enough to capsize a ship came on land, the fishery wouldn't be left in one piece. And someone would have seen it. Her lips compressed in serious contemplation. "Should we request for back-up?"

Shaking his head, Florian decided. "We should investigate further. I believe we can easily dispatch this smaller predator. We'll camp here tonight and lure it out. Judging by the number of days, I imagine it's hungry and will attempt to hunt again." Glancing at Esa, he requested. "I know the fishery is short on supplies but, can we acquire some life bait?"

Esa's mouth bracketed glumly. "At this point, we only have frozen fishes. If you need life bait, there's a private angling cove owned by the Craolean council. Be warned, it's extremely guarded."

Eira noticed how Florian's shoulders tensed. He looked as if he had just swallowed a bunch of sour grapes. Since it involved the council, did it meant something to do with his family?

Turmoil stirred within Florian. He knew exactly what Esa was referring to. The angling cove was restricted for the higher echelon's entertainment. There was only one way in.

"Florian, is something wrong?" Concern shadowed Eira's voice.

Subtly clenching his fingers, he pasted on a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "No. I know where the cove is. We'll get in and out quickly before anyone notices."

An excited gasp from Eira. "Are we breaking and entering?"

"What?" His brows rose significantly. "No. We're going to use my family's name."

"Oh."

Florian shook his head at her crestfallen expression. Eira was a box of surprises. He didn't peg her for a potential troublemaker. "Come on. We need to hurry before sundown. I want to capture this predator tonight."

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"Halt. Outsiders are not permitted entry. This cove is strictly for council use." A fierce guard stopped them at the gate.

Eira took in the man's bulky form and permanent scowl. Why did a cove require such heavy security? She hadn't realized she'd asked that aloud until Florian leaned down to whisper. "Because that's how anal the council is."

Her eyes darted to the guard's narrowed gaze. Oh dear, he had heard them.

"Stand down, guard." Florian flashed his ruby earring. "I am Florian Denali of House Denali. Let us through."

Eira thought his earring was merely a flashy ornament to complement his immoral persona. Apparently, it was a symbol of his status and power.

Immediately, the guard relaxed, bowing at the waist. "Pardon my insolence, Lord Denali."

Eira's eyebrows shot to her hairline, and she fought the urge to laugh. Once they were alone, her amusement rang throughout the cove. "The title Vice-Captain suits you better than Lord Denali. You don't look anything like a pompous, overstuffed noble."

"Ha-ha, very funny." His tone suggested otherwise. Rolling up his sleeves and pants, he pointed at the sparkling cove. "Stop fooling around and let's hurry before someone else comes. I don't want to bump into any of the councilmen."

"What's the problem?"

"Honestly?" he remarked flatly. "This is my first time using the Denali name to get what I want. It feels wrong when I haven't been one for years. My name only exists in the family registry and nothing more."

Eira couldn't say she understood, and she didn't want him to feel more uncomfortable than he already felt. Kicking off her boots, she dashed into the water, earning a soft reprimand from Florian. "You'll scare the fishes away!"

Chastised, she held still and waited for the fishes to return before taking a shot. A thrill buzzed in her veins when her arrow speared one. This was good target practice. Snatching her catch, she waved it at Florian. "I got one!" Her excitement fizzled when he started stripping off to his boxers with a mesh string sack harnessed to his chest. "What on earth are you doing?"

"I may not look like it but as a boy, I was a champion at this." In a fluid dive, he broke through the surface some distance away with a wriggling fish in his hand. His smile was brighter than the sun. "The one who catches the least fish will have to pay for dinner!"

Eira lost. The score was 10 to 30.

Still smirking from his win, Florian hummed all the way through dinner and back to the fishery.

"Will you shut up already?" Eira growled in annoyance. "You're behaving like an overgrown child."

"That's because I've never felt so happy in years."

She threw him an exasperated look. "When I said to create happy memories together, I didn't mean this."

"It counts to me." The silly grin remained on his face.

She gave up trying to stop him, settling into the comfortable outdoor camp they had set up for the night. "Esa was kind to provide us with everything. I hope we can help him restore the fishery. It's sad to imagine this place shutting down forever."

"You do realize this isn't a free service," Florian pointed out, lying down on the sleeping mat to gaze at the stars. "It's best to separate your feelings during missions or you'll never have a moment's rest."

"I disagree," she stubbornly declared. "Connecting with people is important to help us solve a mission. You'll be surprised by the difference it makes on the outcome."

He grunted in response. Eira knew he didn't believe her but that was fine. She didn't like it when people forced their opinions or practices on her too, though she never fault them for sharing. They fell into companionable silence, until Eira asked, "Are you not going to pay your family a visit?"

"Absolutely not. I doubt I'm welcomed there." Bitterness laced his tone.

"For what it's worth, I don't think badly of you anymore," she confessed. "I misjudged you and I apologize for that."

Florian jackknifed into a sitting position, looking obnoxiously smug. He was about to say something when his eyes darted over her shoulder. Placing a finger on his lips, he nodded at whatever had caught his attention.

Slowly, she turned around and her eyes widened to see a streak of white lurking in the shadows.

The predator was here.