Seabound-SKZ

Chapter Thirty-Seven

The trudge back up to the tavern was slow for Chan, and naturally, it started drizzling as he dragged his feet on the path, pushing up tiny ridges of muck while he went, mind reeling. it started pouring right before he reached the entrance, 'typical,' he thought, shaking his wet curls from his face as he pushed open the door.  

"Oh you poor thing," Kaia and another girl who worked at the tavern rushed up to him, he didn't recognize the other but Kaias warm personality quickly washed over him, she threw a towel over his head, the girl giggled slightly when Chan had to pull it off his face to look at them, the girl was tall, taller then Chan, she had dark red hair, unnaturally coloured, definitely.

She soon introduced herself as 'Becca' and quickly made herself known as a loud, clumsy girl, walking into tables as she leads the way upstairs to his room, she talked the entire way, about nothing really, or maybe it was something, Chan didn't know. he couldn't focus on her words, she had a funny accent, one he had never heard, and it was distracting to listen to.

 The two left him in his room, after promising Kaia he would be down to eat later, Chan plopped himself down on the bed, placing his head in his palms as he tried to think, he didn't even know what his plan was anymore, to keep moving, he supposed, maybe reach a port and sail from there. 

He used to be good at sailing, with his father, but he hadn't been on a proper boat in ages. after his father died his mother was too afraid to put him on one, and so he hadn't. 

That wasn't a bad idea, he thought, to get on a boat, to just not look back. run away, the Mers could keep up with him like that too, they could swim alongside him. that could work. 

He laid down, the rain was starting to dissipate outside, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to get moving today, after eating. then he could get Squall and leave, he set his mind to that idea, packing the few belongings he had into his bag, preparing himself mentally to leave the warmth of this tavern. 

The stairs creaked as he walked down them, into the bustling main room, where workers were flurrying around carrying food and drinks, he saw Kaia laughing as she and Becca attempted to dance to the music that three men with strange instruments were playing. 

The two girls had very little rhythm, Becca far too tall for Kaia, but they were having so much fun it didn't matter to either one. 

Chan sat at the far end of the bar and ordered a hot stew, and a few small loaves of bread to pack and take with him, he declined a drink and went back to watching them dance. 

Several more couples joined the floor, each one laughing, slightly tipsy, twirling around together. 

He wished he had someone to dance with, he could imagine if the Mers had legs they would have such fun in this place, with the laughing and music. 

But alas, he had fallen in love with Merfolk. and he had to live with that. 

For he realized he was in love with them, he was afraid of this, never having felt emotions this strong before, he hadn't felt this safe with anyone since his father. and that was so frightening to the prince that he briefly considered running from them too, staying landlocked forever. 

That thought was short-lived as he remembered how much he loved the water, he finished his food quickly, getting ready to leave as Kaia caught up to him, "Leaving without saying g'bye, princey?" she giggled, clearly tipsy herself as she leaned on the bar. 

"I'll be back, eventually," Chan flashed her a grin, he couldn't resist it in her presence, she was so happy all the time. 

She rolled her eyes at him, 'You'd better be, you're the one person tha's been through here recently that I don't find horribly irritating." She bonked him lightly on the arm, smiling again before saying goodbye, and returning to where Becca was speaking to a few sailor-looking people. 

He smiled, beginning his departure of the tavern, opening the door, and heading to the stables, he petted Squall on the neck, the gorgeous creature snorted, acknowledging his presence. 

He tacked up quickly, the sooner he left the less time he would have to rethink his decision of leaving. 

Leaving was strange, he would miss this place, although he was only here for a few days, it was nice and warm. it felt good to be there. 

He rode on for that entire night, it didn't feel necessary to sleep yet, and he wanted to find another place by the beach to camp for the next night. 

The beaches from there out were all visibly populated during the daytime, as he was riding farther into the kingdom, he didn't even know what it was called, for he had never been, and all he knew was that his mother had a strong distaste for the royals here. 

The sun was finally rising, and he continued on his way, avoiding the more densely populated areas. 

He finally reached a spot along the water that seemed quiet, it was nice there, a shallow bay, right in a pocket of trees. he tethered Squall there, walking cautiously to the water, it seemed peaceful. 

He hoped the Mers would be able to find him, they were smart, so he assumed they could. 

Detaching the saddlebags from Squall was a struggle, he had done it horribly wrong and it took him way too long to get them off. 

He sat on the soft sand, tired and achy from riding for hours. using a bag as a pillow, he dozed off. not noticing the splashing in the little cove as he did so, not even realizing that there were seven pairs of eyes watching him fondly from the water.