The Phoenix King #1 Bed of Ashes

Chapter 13 New Horizons

Űnin followed Rom as they descended the steep, creaking steps down to the lower deck. The damp and musty odor of saltwater and weathered wood filled their nostrils, and the sound of waves crashing against the ship's hull echoed hauntingly through the cramped and dark space. Űnin felt a sharp chill run down his spine, and he noticed that Rom was shivering, her arms wrapped around her body as she tried to warm up.

If Rom can't find a change of clothes, she might get sick, or worse, she might even end up freezing to death, Űnin thought to himself. While the mainland wasn't exactly cold, the wind and temperatures could drop dramatically come nighttime. Out on the open sea, the wind was especially brutal, and the nights were even colder, or so Louis had warned them.

Louis was the one who had led Rom below deck in search of warmer clothing. He was a short man, with the appearance of a human, dirty blonde hair, and big, blue eyes. His voice was high-pitched and timid, "Boy, I tell ya, winter is a-comin,'" he declared as they made their way through the dimly lit passages.

As Louis led the two children down the winding steps, he pushed open a creaky door and gestured for them to enter. Inside, the room was dimly lit, but the shelves were stacked with neatly folded clothes and blankets.

"Take your pick, kids," Louis said with a smile. "I'll go find you two some warm coats as well." He then turned and left them alone in the cramped room.

Űnin rummaged through the piles of clothes, finally settling on a thick wool sweater and a pair of heavy pants, "What about these?" he asked Rom.

Rom looked over the clothes and shook her head, "they look a little too big for me," she replied apologetically, though she wasn't having much luck finding clothes that fit either.

Frustrated, Rom continued to search through the piles of clothes, but nothing seemed to fit her small frame. Just as she was about to give up, she stumbled upon a long, flowing tunic and a pair of leggings made of a soft, warm material. "These will do," she exclaimed, reaching out to take them.

She quickly began changing out of her wet clothes, paying no mind to Űnin's presence. Űnin noticed and quickly turned his back, feeling his face flush. He heard the soft rustling of clothes as Rom changed into her new outfit. When she was finished, Rom felt a rush of warmth envelop her. She twirled around, admiring the way the soft material flowed around her.

"What do you think, Űnin?" Rom asked, a bright smile spreading across her face.

Űnin turned around, taking in the sight of Rom in her new outfit. Her new pirate attire suited her perfectly. The deep black tunic and leggings hugged her small frame, accentuating her dark skin that seemed to glow with newfound confidence. Her puffy curls, usually a wild halo around her head, were tucked back under a blue bandana. A vibrant red scarf was tied around her neck, the color standing out boldly against the black fabric. The tunic, made of a thick, warm material, flowed around her with a graceful elegance, while the leggings provided comfort and warmth. Her small boots, though a bit worn, completed the ensemble, giving her the appearance of a seasoned adventurer.

Rom's smile widened as she admired herself, her teeth gleaming against her dark skin. She twirled in the outfit, the tunic flaring out slightly, adding a touch of playful charm to her appearance. She looked every bit the part of a young pirate ready for adventure, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Űnin was a little embarrassed, but he couldn't help but admire the way the thick, pirate-style clothing looked on her. "You look great," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.

Rom beamed with delight. "I love it!" she said. "It's so warm and cozy, I feel like I could take on the world in this outfit."

Űnin smiled, happy to see Rom so happy. He couldn't help but feel a little envious of her new pirate look.