The Pirate Prince of the Ice Sea (Book 1 of The Legend Of Kaleania)

Chapter 23

Kan ordered for his soldiers to chain me and the others which I didn't get since we didn't do anything wrong. They did as if they were like loyal dogs obeying his master.

"Kan, what is the meaning of this?" I asked.

"I bought you as a slave, Arak," he said. "And I sentenced your crew to death since I have no use for them."

"It's Airon!" I growled. I was going to pulverize him but the soldier held me back. "Who made you do this?"

"Your name is now Arak and this is my choice but the Kaleanian Lords passed the warrant for it to be allowed so you have nothing you could do about it," he explained. He glared at me when he ordered his men to lead us 'prisoners' onto the Black Diamond and the others onto the Poison Queen while his ship burns with a dead Yashomi and Nekian on it.

The soldiers led us into the brig and locked me and Sarngika into our own cell while Kara was locked in a cell with a few from my crew and a couple from the Poison Queen. "Why lock us in a cell on my own ship?" I asked.

"The Black Diamond isn't your ship anymore, slave," said one of them.

"I am no slave," I said.

"But you are a pirate and once we get to Akaenia, you will be a slave. And this ship now belongs to the king, not you." He laughed as he and his mates left to go up on deck and left us in the candlelit brig. I sat down on a stack of hay in the corner of the cell, next to Kara's.

"Curse Kan to prison a captain on his own ship," I said.

"Well, there's nothing you could do about it. Once the Kaleanian Lords pass a warrant, all you can do is accept it." said Kara.

"It's not that, Kara. It's just why is this happening?"

"Probably because he still thinks you're his brother and wants you to stay with him since you are the only family he has left," she said. We sat in silence for more than an hour. During that time I was trying to figure out a plan to get everyone out and avoid them facing the gallows but I came up with nothing.

"Listen," I started, getting everyone's attention. "Once the ship ports at Akaenia, our adventure ends."

"Airon, what are you talking about?" asked Aka.

"What I'm talking about is I have no plan for escape or for all of you to avoid getting killed," I answered. "I'm sorry but I failed you as a captain."

"Airon, no matter where crew is at end, you will still be captain and friend," said Kuala. I grinned, knowing that even if they were going to die, I will find a way to get back the Black Diamond and our freedom.

To be continued...