Forever, You Are My Star

Chapter 10: The Town of Seros

"Land ho! Seros off the starboard bow!" Mingi yelled from the crow's nest. Hongjoong stood at the helm with Yunho by his side.

    "Tie back the sails! We will reach the port soon!" Hongjoong yelled out letting the others know to tend to their duties. Mey finally came out from below deck letting the sun hit her skin and the breeze flow in her hair that was still tied back in a braid. In a matter of days, she felt her health slowly returning and the wounds on her back had almost completely healed. She then decided to make her way up to the helm and watch as Seros slowly came closer to view. Yunho and Hongjoong both smiled when her figure popped up from the stairs.

    "Good morning, Mey." Yunho said proudly.

    "Good morning, Yunho, Hongjoong." Mey responded making her way to the small opening in front of the helm. She closed her eyes and let the morning breeze fill her  lungs as the sun still warmed her skin.

    "Have you ever been to Seros?" A voice made her open her eyes and look to her side. There she saw Hongjoong now standing beside her. She took some time to take in his handsome features like his ashy brown mullet that was tucked neatly behind his head with a few strings of beads hanging from it. His dark brown eyes that looked like they had seen too much in life, but were now searching for all the good things. His side profile that showed a chiseled jawline and a few bruises that were still healing even after days of fighting with Yang's crew. Hongjoong was also the shortest of all of them, but still taller than her, but his love for his crew and the sea were so much bigger. Mey smiled when he looked at her causing him to smile back.

    "No, I haven't, though I hear about how beautiful and colorful the city is. One of the biggest trading spots if I'm correct."

    "You are correct, princess. Pirates are not welcomed in Seros, however, they don't have to know." Hongjoong replied giving her a wink. Mey smiled back at him before turning her head back towards Seros. Yes, they all did in fact know she was the Princess of Barranor, but now that was her little nickname they called her by. Mey didn't mind as it made her happy, and it made the others happy as well. After sometime, the ship pulled into the port. Wooyoung, San, and Jongho helped to drop the anchor while Yeosang, Seonghwa, and Mingi lowered the gangplank. Hongjoong and Mey finally made their way down to the lower deck to join the rest and waited for the bookkeeper to come to their ship. As they stood on deck, Mey looked around to see all the beautiful colors of Seros. It was indeed a beautiful and busy city. All the smells of wonderful food filled her senses and made her hungry. The bookkeeper finally made his way to the ship and walked up the gangplank. Mey stood close to San who was on the left side of the gangplank with Yeosang and Wooyoung sitting on the rail in front of them.

    "Welcome to Seros, sailors. Which one of you do name captain." There was a moment of silence until one of them stepped forward.

    "I am. My name is Kim Hongjoong. Our business in Seros is to gather food and supplies. We are asking to anchor here for two days." The bookkeeper looked up at Hongjoong very impressed by his words. He wrote down the information then closed his book.

    "You must have traveled a lot to know the questions that are asked, Captain." Hongjoong smiled giving a chuckle.

    "You could say that." The bookkeeper looked at the rest of the crew.

    "Taverns and inns close at midnight. Any disturbances, and we will have to go through with the actions that are necessary." The bookkeeper stopped talking once his eyes fell on Mey. His eyes grew a tad wider, and he felt his words get caught in his throat. San noticed his behavior and slicked his arm around her waist pulling Mey close to him. Wooyoung also noticed and stood up from the railing slightly blocking Mey from his view. Mey grew a little red by San's actions and placed her head and hand on his chest, just enough for the bookkeeper to see. Once he did, he continued talking. "The price to dock here for two days will be five silver pieces." Hongjoong reached into his pocket and pulled out the coin handing it to the bookkeeper.