The Attackers

Sophia held onto Sib by his arm as they continued farther into the city. Eleonora, Alexandra, and Christina, on the other hand, were walking a few meters behind them. Occasionally, Sophia would stop at different places to look at the architecture. They strolled around for a few hours, getting far from the ship.

"They are gonna keep following us, aren't they?"

Sophia said looking back at the other three and then turning towards Sib.

"I think so. But it's alright, princess. They are doing it just in case something happens."

Sib answered smiling softly at her.

"Yeah, but it's annoying."

Sophia frowned. She then looked at one crowded area on their right and came up with an idea. She turned around to see that the others were a bit distracted by one of the shops so she took her chance.

"Come with me."

She said as she dragged Sib towards the crowd.

"Princess! What are you doing?!"

Sib asked

"Solving the problem!"

Sophia said. The two hid inside the crowd of people.

"What the- Where are they going!?"

Christina said, getting Eleonora's and Alexandra's attention.

They too noticed the two running into the crowd.

"That little brat!"

Eleonora yelled as she dashed forwards but when the crowd cleared up Sophia and Sib were nowhere to be seen.

"Damn it!"

Eleonora exclaimed

"Come on, they could not have gotten far."

Alexandra said

The three went to look for them in every possible direction they could have gone to.

...

"See? Problem solved."

Sophia said trying to catch her breath.

"But Princess. We have no idea where we are and how to get back to the ship!"

Sib said, breathing heavily.

"It's fine! We are gonna find a way back! And besides, I don't think it will take them much time to find us anyway. So stop worrying!"

Sophia exclaimed grabbing his hand.

"Okay if you say so, my love."

Sib said

"Now let's go!"

Sophia pulled Sib by his hand again, however, all of a sudden, 2 men stood right before her.

"Hey there, little miss."

The man said with a grin. The two men were way larger than her. Larger than Sib too.

Sophia began to back away slowly.

"Don't be scared. We are not here to cause any harm."

The other one said.

"If you help us out that is"

He said as he approached slowly. Sib pulled Sophia behind him, now standing in between the two men and her.

"Leave us alone. We don't want any trouble."

He said

"Neither do we. We just want some of your precious coins, that's all."

The taller one said.

"Or the lady"

The other one said

"Whichever you prefer."

Sophia began to shake behind Sib. Flashbacks from the time in Italy with Alexandra and Eleonora.

Sib looked around to see that the street they were on was empty. No one was around to help them.

"We have nothing on us."

Sib said.

The two men looked at each other, grinned from ear to ear then turned around to look at Sib.

"The lady it is then"

The man said grabbing Sophia by her hand and pulling her by her arm.

"NO! Let me go!"

Sophia yelled. Sib quickly stepped in and hit the guy's hand. He let go of Sophia and his attention turned towards Sib.

"Wrong move, man"

He said as he punched Sib in the chest. Sib fell to his knees and the other man took out his gun and pointed it at Sib.

"You're done for!"

The man said. However, Sib stood up and grabbed his gun. He struggled and managed to throw the gun away from him and onto the ground. Sib then punched the man in the face. The other guy stepped in and grabbed Sib by his hands. Holding him tightly. The other guy began to punch Sib. He punched in the chest, face, and stomach anywhere he could. Sophia knew she couldn't stop them. She then looked to the side and noticed the gun on the ground. She quickly stood up and took it. She tried to point it as well as she could but it was her first time ever holding one. She pointed it at the man punching Sib. With shaky hands, Sophia closed her eyes and pulled the trigger. The beating sounds stopped. She opened her eyes to see the men looking directly at her. She did not hit any of them. She hit the wall next to one of them instead.

The man threw Sib to the ground and began to approach Sophia.

"Stay away from me."

Sophia said pointing the gun at him.

"Now now pretty lady. Hand me the gun if you don't want to end up like your man over there"

Sophia looked at Sib who was slowly trying to crawl to her.

"No. Leave her out of this..."

Sib said barely being able to get the words out of his injured body.

The other man kicked Sib while laughing.

The one approaching Sophia got closer.

"Get away! I will shoot I swear!"

"Go ahead, little miss! Shoot me."

He said as he came even closer.

Sophia closed her eyes again and when she put her finger on the trigger she heard a loud bang. She opened her eyes once more and saw the man behind drop dead on the ground.

There, she saw Eleonora and the other standing.

The man that was approaching Sophia turned around and dashed towards them, only to get himself tackled to the ground by Christina. She began to choke him and soon he was laying on the ground too. Sophia threw the gun on the floor and ran to Sib. With tears in her eyes, she lifted his body as much as she could. Sib was still breathing but was unconscious.

Alexandra then stepped in and put him over her shoulder. She turned around to give Sophia a disappointed look and then began to walk away.

"Come on. We have to go."

Eleonora said as she looked at Sophia with an upset look and then turned around. Christina put her hand on Sophia's shoulder. She looked at her and Christina gestured for her to go on. Sophia looked down at her feet and silently cried. The walk to the ship was a quiet one.

...

On the ship, Alexandra was left with Sib to treat his wounds while the other three went to the captain's cabin.

Sophia sat down on one of the chairs while Eleonora stood a few meters away from her with her hands crossed, tapping her foot.

The moment Christina closed the door of the captain, Eleonora turned to Sophia.

"What were you thinking?! Do you understand the danger you put Sib in?! The risk you put yourself in?!! "

Eleonora said raising her, scaring Sophia as she was looking down at her floor.

"I understand I made a mist-"

Eleonora slammed her hands on the desk.

"NO! No, you do not understand! It's the fiftieth time you disobey my orders! Did Sib have to get injured for you to understand that the orders I give you are for your own good? All we want is to keep you safe!"

"I know I know. I just wanted to "

"Spend some time alone with Sib, I understand, however"

Eleonora began to approach the princess.

"We are in a new land we know nothing about. Imagine what could have happened if we didn't find you in time."

The captain said as she kneeled before Sophia, putting her hand over hers.

"Please don't run away like that ever again, understood?"

Eleonora asked. Her voice was softer than before. She sounded worried.

Sophia looked at her and then at Christina.

The Quartermaster nodded to her. Sophia whipped away her tears and looked toward the captain.

"I'm sorry. I won't ever do it again."

Eleonora smiled gently at her and then stood up, heading towards her desk.

"But will Sib be alright?"

Sophia asked

"Don't worry. He is in the First mate's hands. He will be just fine."

Christina said.

...

In another cabin, Sib slowly began to open his eyes. A dim light from the sun outside hits his face. Suddenly, he remembered what happened in the city.

"Princess!"

He stood up quickly but he hissed in pain. He looked down to see his whole body wrapped in bandages.

"Hey! Lay down! You're too injured to stand up."

Sib looked to his side to see Alexandra sitting next to him, petting Baki.

"First Mate, what happened? Where is the princess? Is she okay?"

"Calm down"

Alexandra said pushing Sib back down.

"Your princess is fine. She's with the captain."

"Oh thank goodness!"

Sib exclaimed

"But what happened? How did we get back on the ship? What about the other men?"

Sib asked, slightly standing up

"Ugh, what did I say about standing up?!"

She pushed him back down again

"We found you on the ground unconscious and the princess pointing a gun at one of them, we killed them and I carried you here. Now lay down and stop moving so much"

Alexandra said.

"Oh, that's good. Thank you First Mate for treating my wounds"

Sib said smiling.

"I'm just doing my job"

She said, looking away.

Sib's smile slowly faded as he looked away.

"I guess you were right after all."

Alexandra turned to look at him

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"In the end, I couldn't protect the princess. I was useless there. She almost got hurt because of me"

Alexandra looked at him and then at Baki who was sitting in her lab.

"You did well"

Sib turned his head to look at her in shock

"What did you say?"

"I said you did well. Without you there the princess might have gotten injured or worse. So I'm glad you were there."

Sib's eyes widened.

"Don't look at me like that."

"I'm sorry First Mate it's just the first time you have ever said anything nice to me"

Alexandra looked away from him and smacked his arm.

"Ouch!"

"Shut up"

She put Baki on the ground and stood up.

"I'll go call the princess."

Alexandra said as she left the room.