The Kingdom Of Stories And Lies

Chapter 13

It's been more than three days and still no progress on anything. Arya is frustrated and Niran is about to leave and return to his kingdom. Niran has about one day until his week ends and so is the same for Arya, she has one day to at least make a crack. 

It's nine A.M and they are both awake, they have not slept. Arya was out in the kingdom, searching for any mishap. This time no hood was up and she was roaming around with her identity visible to anyone and everyone. Some people bowed but others looked at her as if they want to gut her, yet, she kept her chin high and did not recoil from their gazes. 

Arya heard some whispers about New Wave Harbor and about the waters there, people whispered about how the waters are cursed. Evil. Like something was lurking beneath the surface but how? We all know fairy tales, they were told as bedtime stories but were never once supposed to become a reality. Arya's curiosity was peaked but she decided against her instincts. She turned around and headed back to the palace.

She found Niran in the garden speaking with Callum. She approached him "any news?" she asked.

 He shook his head "no, not yet. Callum says that we were not supposed to be near your kingdom in the first place and without having the men of my ship, we have no clue why they took that root in the first place." Arya sighs and closes her eyes and Niran kept staring at her face and how the sun reflects off her. 

She opened her eyes and Niran quickly looks away. "and I still have no clue about how the ships disappear." They stand there in silence for a couple of silence until she says 

"I'm sorry. Whatever compensation you ask for, I'm sure we will oblige." 

She looks defeated and it breaks his heart in a strange sort of way. He remembers the first time he met her, the look of determination she had is now gone. Her eyes are looking deeply into his like they are telling a different kind of story her mouth cannot tell. 

He nods "I am sure we will." His voice is hoarse, sad even. 

She nods "I'll be happy to hear it when you decide, just send word once you're settled." She smiles and excuses herself and he can't help but look after her as if he is waiting for her to turn around, just one last time.

 He wants to shout stay but he does not. He is afraid that she'll turn him down and he thinks that maybe it is better to let her go. She deserves better anyway. He has never felt such pain in his life, he longs for her as if he knew her for a lifetime. He captures everything. The way she walks, talks, how she smiles when she is happy, and even how lovely she is when she is furious about something. He just captures everything and locks it in his memory and heart.

He shakes his head and turns to Callum. Finding his voice, he says "prepare everything. We are leaving first thing in the morning. And send word to the princess that the compensation I want is a... ship, instead of the one we lost." 

Callum raises his eyebrows "a ship?" 

"yes, Callum. A ship." 

He nods and goes to inform the princess. 

Niran stands there under the sun and just savors the moment. The sun shining down on him. He opens his eyes and turns to enter when he caught her in the terrace. Looking at him, some unspoken words in her eyes. They lock eyes for a moment, he is down there and she is up. She looks like a queen. He is the one to break the eye contact, something about her looking at him, makes his heart beat faster and faster.

Arya heads to the library, to find some peace or even an answer. And unfortunately, the peace and quiet do not last, Falcon enters the library 

"a message was sent to you from Callum." She looks up at him now