CHAPTER 10

Matilda walked through the ship silently . The sun was not up yet along with a majority of the crew .

Tying her hair she walked to ship's edge , her eyes fixed on the far distance . The Blue Moon was safe or atleast that was what she would like to tell herself.

She had told the king of Agnar that she would be going with the pirates for a voyage and that she would bring expensive souvenirs from the places she would visit in return of the ship being kept safe .

The king at first was not very keen about the fact that pirates were a part of the journey but he had agreed none the less .

They always fall for souvenirs .

All the weapons in the Blue Moon along with crates filled with different goods , foods and clothes were transported onto the Cahira , without the king's knowledge .

She remembered the moment she had told John about her identity and how shocked he was and to the moment he started pretending as if he was not and that it was something he had expected .

" Good morning lass . " John's voice intruded her thoughts .

" Morning captain . " She replied , giving a salute to which the man chuckled .

" You went to sleep early. " He spoke , now standing beside her .

" Yeah , I did . "

" Do you want to read more ? " He asked , waiting to know her decision .

" I was actually thinking about paying Godwin a visit , that is if he is awake . " She spoke remembering about her bearded friend .

" Oh , he is . He is at the brig , can't let him out like that . Who knows if he would jump into the water if he gets a chance , eh . " He spoke holding my hand as we made our way onto the brig .

" But isn't it a bit too cruel to put him in there?"

John didn't reply and she knew most probably there wouldn't be one .

Opening the door to the brig , Matilda could hear Godwin singing something to himself which immediately changed when he caught sight of John .

" You filthy pirate , let me out or else I will vomit all over here " He shouted pulling on the bars .

" Vomit there and I will make you clean it myself or you could spend your time with the additional feature of the mind-blowing fragrance of vomit .

Anyway you are not getting out , until I think it's time for you to , eh"

" Lass , tell him to get me out . I gave you bread. " He spoke immediately turning to Matilda now , but before she could respond John spoke .

" This lass , won't be doing that . This is my ship and I am the captain. I decide what happens and since you ' really ' don't want to be along with me , you ' will ' stay here and now we will be heading back. " He completed pulling her hand as she walked behind him without uttering anything .

Reaching outside , she asked immediately.

" Does he get good food , atleast? "

" He gets the same thing that we eat , eh " said John as he left my hand.

" Do you want to go to the training room ?"

" Ofcourse . "

" Well then bring your sword along with you . Let me see how good you are . " He spoke as he walked away.

~

As I walked into my cabin , my eyes fell on Amia and Emlyn who were standing in my room.

" When did you two wake up ? " I asked .

" Half an hour ago , I think . " Said Emlyn as she sat on the bed , while Amia sat on a nearby chair .

" So what's the plan ? Amia asked straightforward .

Lowering my voice I spoke , " Reach Cian . Find the man who is going to help us. While the crew is outside , transport everything that we need to another ship . "

" We have another ship ? " Asked Emlyn , surprised.

No. We may have to steal one , or take Cahira."

I spoke , thinking if there was another solution . Telling the crew the truth might not work , so playing safe would be the best.

" So we would have to steal , " said Emlyn who was in deep thought .

" Its for a good thing , so I am not really going to oppose . " This time it was Amia who had spoken.

" Well then , I need to go . I will be at the training room . All of us together can go there later . We can practice . "

~

" Come in fast . " John spoke as he saw my figure walking into the training room.

" So this your sword ". He said as he observed my sword .

" It is . "

Grabbing his own sword , he faced me .

" Ready to loose , princess ? " He spoke , already in position .

" Not more than you , pirate. " I hissed as I took my stance .

Both of us stared at each other waiting to see who would make the first attack .

" Scared to make a move , eh ? " John asked with his ugly smirk .

" Don't provoke me captain . " I spoke back , still concentrated .

John lunged forwards as I parried , the sound of the two swords clashing filling the room for the first time in a while . Moving forward , I went for his arm , his jacket tearing and almost shedding blood .

John didn't back off as he striked again , his sword which was swung in an arc now crossed with mine as I forced as much power as I can give onto it .

A kick on the shin from him and I fell down , the sword almost coming to reason for my death . Immediately rolling over as more strikes came against me , I defended myself . He was better than I had thought , much better .

Getting back on my feet , I striked this time , my sword hitting the tip of his sword , which he immediately reacted and defended himself , as he tried deflecting it , when I went for a kick in the stomach , resulting in his sword almost flying from his hand as he moved a step back only to get a stronger grip on it . ' He was going easy on me and I knew it .'

" Don't test me , love . " He said in between as he ran forward , swinging his sword .

" Matilda , " Emlyn barged into the room , shouting my name , which lead to me almost loosing my concentration and getting my head sliced off from my body .

Lately , I have been getting bad at sword fighting and the constant wars instead of making me improve seems to be decreasing my skills , almost like I am forgetting everything.

Setting a stop , both me and John looked at the girl who stood near the door .

" Yeah . " I spoke , regaining my breath .

' I should be better than this .'

" Amia is calling you . Sorry for interrupting . " She apologized at both me and John .

" It's okay . " John spoke before me .

" You have to improve . " He whispered to me as we walked outside the room after we had kept our swords back .

" I don't want to admit , but yes I do. Emlyn's better at sword fighting than both me and Amia . You should have a duel with her. "

" One day . " He said as we walked up the stairs , a small smile on his face . Guess he liked me admitting that I am not that great , a bit more than I would like .

" You can come to the training room later , I will train you and show you some new tricks , if you're interested . "

" I am , what about starting from tomorrow , maybe ? " I asked waiting for an answer.

" Sure . I will bring the book along with me tomorrow and show some tricks that you can try with the seas' children . We will most probably meet some on our way to Cian . "

" So what do you want to do next ? " He asked.

" I have to go to Amia and then I was thinking about spending some time in my room for a while . I have to write my parents a few letters and know what the situation is back there . " I spoke .

" Well then see you later princess . " He spoke as we parted ways .

" Who trained him so well ? " I muttered to myself as I walked further away from the room in search of my dear friend .