CHAPTER 17

It was almost time .

The sun had melted into the ocean , it's orange hue glazing the waters as John stared at it , unsure of his decisions.

Was it greed that was driving him ?

Was he driving everyone to their doom ?

He turned around , his eyes trailed towards the young boy who stood afar , a blanket wrapped around him as he laughed with then crew .

Was it going to be the last day the boy would be able to laugh ? He questioned.

His boots tapping against the ship's floor , he neared towards the men .

" Lien , go find the princess , be with her until I call you . "

Shooing the fifteen year old away , John took a seat with concerned eyes .

" I believe all of you know the stakes , eh ? " He started trying to sound as brave as possible while his little heart inside thumped for a hug .

" Captain , you worried ? " Jacob asked immediately catching onto the captain's expressions .

John didn't know how to respond . These men knew him for far too long . They would know it deep in their bones if another was struggling.

They were thick as thieves.

The captain slouched covering his face with his hands , wrinkles forming on his forehead as he frowned .

" You know we might die today right ? " The captain asked again , surprising the crew with more concerned questions .

John never questioned like this . All he did was take care.

He found someone sick , he would let another know immediately , but that was it .

He would never go and ask , ' are you okay ? '

' Ofcourse he wasn't . '

It was obvious , but he couldn't go asking , ' How close are you to dying ? ' either so he took care of them in silence , while expecting complete loyalty.

Something had changed , in him and everyone around . They were getting more vocal about their thoughts .

Less masculine thoughts . Less , I shall not cry for I am a man sort of thoughts.

" Aren't we always on the brink of death captain ? " Jacob asked , shooting his shot at jollying up the worried man .

" We are , but then we didn't have the boy or the ladies or anything . It was just us . It's not same now ... Don't you see , eh ? " John spoke his warm eyes meeting with Jacob's .

" Things have changed captain , but we will stay strong . " Another spoke as the rest of the crew stood supportingly for the captain .

" Now come in for a hug . " Jacob voiced as he hugged the captain who smiled as he suffered through Jacob's bone crushing hug .

" I think we should stop hugging eh ? " John spoke as he patted Jacob , desperate for air .

" Yeah . " The man spoke as he let the captain out of his grip . John immediately fell to the floor , gasping for air .

" You know what , I need a bit of rum . " John spoke once he stood up , that same old smirk plasted on his face.

" Now that's more like it . " Jacob guffawed .

~

Emlyn bit the apple as hard as she could . She was stress eating .

" This is your fourth apple , Em . " Amia spoke as she observed the soldier munching on the apple .

It nearly made her hungry .

" I know , but I need it . I need to go back to my parents alive and for that I need to be healthy.... and when I finish eating this apple , I will be . "

" I will come back soon . " Amia spoke as she straightened her posture .

" Light that torch while you are at it . "

She heard Emlyn shouting from behind .

" I will . " She shouted back as she moved towards the torch , starting a fire soon . Closing its lid , she watched the restrained fire before walking away .

She wondered if her demons were restrained away too .

~

Matilda sat down onto the floor , securing her weapons as she carefully kept a dagger inside her boot making sure she did not shed her own blood .

Taking the rest of the daggers , she hid one in her dress , keeping it such a way she found it easily accessible .

She was going to hide , she knew , but if there was something that was troubling the crew she knew she wouldn't stay hidden listening to their screams as each of them fell to their death .

Of course , John was a better fighter than her , but it was confusing for Matilda .

She knew she was better , but why was her skills deteriorating at such a fast pace , at such a worse time ?

She had got better with John's trainings , but she still felt as if something or someone was draining her out of her skills.

Sighing she fell back to the floor .

The cold floor hugged her warm body ,

taking off some of her stress .

The princess closed her eyes for a second , opening it as soon as she closed as she felt the ship jerk .

Standing up she looked around , taking her sword she dashed out of the room .

Panic surged through the princess's system as she heard the captain command .

" EVERYONE IN POSITION . "