The Heart and The Sword ~Part One~

Chapter Four : Unknown

Thynan's eyes hurt, but he couldn't rest until he found her, praying his queen washed up on the shore. He couldn't let himself imagine her sinking to the bottom of the sea.
  
—We'll find her, Thynan. She's strong.
  
He knew that, but not having her in his sight was something he hadn't experienced in twelve years. He watched her from afar until he was assigned as one of her personal guards and after that, he was constantly near her. He was the only one who had no family to visit, no wife or child to return to. The palace was his home. Sylvia was his home, no matter what her feelings for him were. He needed her to survive, but he was painfully aware that she wasn't that good of a swimmer. She knew just enough to not drown in calm waters, but a storm?
   
—She must've washed up on shore somewhere.
  
Conan wasn't sure who he was trying to convince more. Thynan or himself. If he'd stop talking he would go insane. The two of them were close ever since childhood, getting in and out of trouble together. If he lost her... He would not be able to face Julyan and Thalya.
  
—I hope so, Thynan replied.

*

Sylvia opened her eyes, expecting to wake up in her chambers back at the palace. She let out a painful sigh. It even hurts to breathe, she thought to herself.
  
She tried getting up, but every movement felt like her bones were about to break. So, she laid there, looking up at nothing in particular, praying Thynan, Conan and the rest of the crew were safe. If she managed to be reunited  with them, she knew Conan was going to give her the lecture of a lifetime. Not that she didn't deserve it. She didn't regret stepping out into the storm, but she should have been smarter about it. She never should have approached that railing. She knew she should have stayed inside.
  
The door unlocked, Sylvia whipping her head towards it. She sat up in pain as Morgan entered the cabin. For the first time she actually looked at him. She had a totally different image of pirates in her head and Morgan Ravenlocke didn't fit it. He was very tall, maybe even taller than Thynan, half of his black hair was tied neatly at the back of his head and his beard was just as neatly trimmed. He didn't seem to be older than thirty, but she could have been wrong.
  
—It's just me. Although, I'm not sure how comforting that is for you, given the situation.
  
He had clothes in his hands and what looked like random pieces of cloth. Morgan approached the bed and kneeled next to it.
  
—I talked to my physician and he said that as long as you take it easy, your ribs should heal on their own. I also brought some bandages for your hands and back and some dry clothes.
  
She didn't expect for a physician to be there of all places, but she let the thought go.
  
—Thank you.
  
Morgan sighed and scratched the back of his head, frowning.
  
—What? Sylvia asked.
  
—Well, I am sure you won't like it, but I'll have to bandage you myself, since you can't.
  
Sylvia swallowed the lump in her throat.
  
—Do I really need bandages? she asked.
  
Of all the situations she ever thought she'd be in, arguing with a pirate like a little child was not one of them.
  
—Look, if you want to leave the cuts open and risk infection, be my guest.
  
—Fine.
  
Sylvia sighed and turned her back to him. Morgan helped her take her still wet blouse off, apologizing when the queen hissed in pain.
  
—So, are you ready to tell me who you really are? Morgan tried again for the truth but the woman in front of him remained quiet.
  
Morgan scoffed and tied the bandages together. It wasn't easy avoiding her breasts without full vision, but he somehow managed it.
  
—Here, I'll help you, he said when Sylvia reached for the shirt he brought her.
  
When they were done, Sylvia turned to face him and extended her hands to him so he could bandage them.
  
—Thank you, she said again. For everything.
  
—Don't mention it. We should arrive in the kingdom tomorrow night, by the way. Until then, I suggest you remain here.
  
—Wait, are you heading for the kingdom right now? she asked, pulling her hands back instinctively.
  
—Not yet, we've anchored where we found you, but we should set sail in about an hour or two.
  
Sylvia extended her hands to him again and took in a deep, painful breath.
  
—Could you take me to the northern caves? I realize I'm in no position to ask for favors here, but I need to get there.
  
Morgan finished bandaging her hands and looked up at her.
  
—Sorry, princess, but I'm already doing you a favor by taking you back home.
  
—I know, but it's important.
  
The captain stood up, grabbed the chair from his desk and sat in front of the bed, leaning back in it.
  
—Alright, let's cut the bullshit. Clearly this is not about you exploring the caves. Why is it so important that you get there?
  
Sylvia sighed and leaned back against the wooden wall behind her, wincing in pain. There was no way around it. She had to tell him the truth. Or part of it, at least. If she had any hope of him helping her, she had to be honest.
  
—You're right, it's not about exploring. My mother hid something in the caves and I need to find it.
  
—Couldn't she just tell you instead of letting you set sail?
  
Sylvia looked down at her feet.
  
—She passed a few years ago. I only found out about this item recently.
  
It wasn't a lie. She had lost hope of finding her mother alive long before she even stopped the search. If she found whatever was inside the box Mercus mentioned, it would be the last thing she had of hers. She had her dresses and her jewelery, yes, but they all belonged to Queen Julya. Sylvia wanted to know what her mother had hid, maybe before she was even named heir to the throne.
  
Morgan looked at her and felt such a sinking feeling settle into him. He'd give anything to have any item from his parents left. He somewhat understood her.
  
—Dammit, he murmured. Fine, we'll take you. But it won't be for free.
  
—How much do you want?
  
Morgan folded his arms across his chest and smirked.
  
—It won't be much. I want twenty meals for my entire crew, a hundred pounds of gold and the truth at any questions.
  
Sylvia glared at him.
  
—How many men are in your crew? she probed.
  
—Fifty-eight, including me.
  
Sylvia mulled over it for a few moments under Morgan's gaze. Twenty meals for fifty-eight people was a lot, considering he also wanted a hundred pounds in gold.
  
—Ten meals, five pounds in gold and I will tell you anything you want as long as it reveals nothing about who I am.
  
Morgan laughed, throwing his head back.
  
—You are in no position to negotiate, my lady, he said mockingly.
  
Sylvia frowned and started chewing on her bottom lip. She was aware of the situation she was in, but she couldn't just give him all of that.
  
—Fine, how about this? Ten meals, fifteen pounds in gold, and once we get back to the kingdom, you can rest in my home. You being in my home will give you answers to all of your questions.