LOST

Chapter 9- History

Celestine

I woke up to the sound of the calm seas. I loved the Kraken seas, even though many feared it. Of course, the name was derived from an old legend but the common folk still believed in it. They believed that one day when the time is right, the Kraken will rise from the water- reborn. It will plunder life in the sea and bring destruction to nearby lands. Fishes would be dead before being caught in the fishermen's nets. Ships wouldn't return. Dead bodies would scatter the water, both fishes and humans. However, no living being is immortal. They have one weakness or the other. The Kraken's rumoured weakness was its riddles.

Before rummaging the seas and plundering everything in sight, it was rumoured that the Kraken asked questions. Three riddles. If humans could answer them in the given time, the Kraken would sleep once more for a thousand years before rising again. If not, the destruction would leave a blow on the human race. As a child, I loved these stories, but I was never a believer. So, unlike some folk, I could peacefully and fearlessly travel across these waters.

I tugged my robe tighter with my one free hand when I realized that my other hand wasn't cuffed to my bed. I remembered that Prince Aiden had unclasped the cuffs before playing the game the previous night. He had forgotten to clasp them back which made sense because we all were intoxicated and exhausted beyond measure the night before. I too had a slight migraine now and I regretted agreeing to play the game in the first place. Memories from last night came flooding back and I felt my cheeks warm up. I pushed the thoughts away before I could think about things my mind wouldn't be able to handle. They were unwanted, uncharted seas that I couldn't afford to wander in. 

I stood up and stayed still for a second, gauging whether I could stand properly. When I was sure that I wasn't weak or clumsy, I walked to the door of my wooden cabin. I wasn't sure whether I should just walk straight outside. I might cause panic and I would be forcefully restrained without doing much. So, I knocked on the door with my knuckles. In a matter of moments, a guard opened the door. I recognized him as the guard who was standing guard at my door the previous night. He had also been one of the few to escort me to my unpleasant sessions back at the palace.

"Your highness? Weren't you cuffed to the bed?" he asked suspiciously.

"Prince Aiden undid it last night. You can cuff me again, if needed. But first, can I ask for some fresh air?" I asked hopefully. He pondered for a minute.

 "Your highness, we are not to talk about yesterday night. The Princes have left me with strict orders to not tell anyone that they had visited you last night. They say that the King would be livid if he found out," the guard explained. I nodded, understanding that I wasn't to ever talk about the previous night again. That should be easy.

"And I can allow you fresh air, only if you cuff one of your hands to mine," he said. "We can't have you escaping into the water, your highness."

"I understand," I said, trying to hide my smile. I wouldn't jump into the water. I knew that we were a night's journey away from Kythia and two days away from Satian. I would most likely drown at sea if I jumped or I would be eaten by some foul creature. I had to live. I was the only child my parents had left. I was the only heir to Satian's throne. My father could produce more heirs but it would take a long time for them to reach adulthood. My father was weakening and he was old. He needed a ready heir. Like me. All I had to do was escape Kythia. Somehow.

The guard linked my right wrist to his left one and guided me near the gunwale of the ship. I gripped the rails with my free hand and stared across the water, where Satian lay. I couldn't see it yet but I had warmth in my chest that kept blooming the closer we approached. I inhaled the fresh, salty air and sighed. The guard was very kind and didn't comment. He simply smiled at the seas too.