Red Waters: The Unseen Alliance

Chapter Nineteen

The ship creaked softly, and the distant sound of waves lapping against the hull provided a soothing backdrop to his humming. Kael's focus remained sharp, his eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of trouble.

Kael's humming abruptly stopped as he noticed a seagull suddenly land on the mast beside him. The bird's sharp eyes met Kael's, and for a moment, they regarded each other in mutual curiosity. The seagull seemed unperturbed by Kael's presence, its feathers ruffling gently in the breeze.

Kael shifted slightly, his gaze fixed on the bird. "You again?" he muttered with a hint of amusement. The bird tilted its head, as if it were listening, and Kael could almost imagine it responding with a knowing chirp.

The moonlight glistened off the seagull's feathers, creating a silvery halo around it. The bird seemed to find a comfortable spot, settling down as if it had every right to be there. Kael couldn't help but chuckle softly, the sound blending with the gentle creaks of the ship and the rhythmic lapping of the waves.

"You hear to comment on my singing?" Kael asked, more to himself than to the bird. The seagull's beady eyes blinked slowly, giving Kael the impression that it was listening more than it was responding.

As Kael resumed his watch, he found the presence of the seagull oddly comforting. 

The seagull suddenly flapped its wings and took off into the night, its departure as abrupt as its arrival. Kael watched it for a moment, lost in thought, before his gaze returned to the horizon. 

His heart skipped a beat as he noticed a dark shape moving steadily towards them, cutting through the waves with purpose. The crest of the Royal Navy, unmistakable and foreboding, gleamed in the moonlight. 

Kael's stomach tightened, and his palms grew clammy as he realized the gravity of the situation. The Royal Navy's ship was gaining on them, its dark silhouette casting a long shadow over the water. He could make out the outline of the vessel's prow and the faint glimmer of its emblem—a menacing reminder of the power and reach of Queen Amalia's forces.

He quickly adjusted his position, gripping the mast tightly as his mind raced. The ship's proximity meant they were in serious trouble. Kael's breath quickened.

With urgency, he swung down from the mast, landing with a soft thud on the deck. His heart pounded as he moved swiftly towards the cabin, calling out to the crew.

"The Navy! The Royal Navy is on our tail!" he shouted, his tone sharp and filled with alarm.

The crew erupted into motion, their movements quick and purposeful. Sailors rushed to their positions, adjusting the sails and tightening ropes, while others prepared the cannons and weapons, just in case. The once calm atmosphere of the ship was now charged with urgency.

Cyrus, who had just been drifting off to sleep, bolted upright at Kael's shout. He raced out of his cabin, his eyes wide with concern as he scanned the deck for his brother. Spotting Kael near the helm, he sprinted over.

"Kael, what did you see?" Cyrus asked breathlessly, grabbing his brother's arm.

"The crest of the Royal Navy, clear as day," Kael replied, his voice low but tense. "They're gaining on us. We don't have much time."

Dorian appeared beside them, his face a mask of calm despite the chaos around him. "We need to outmanoeuvre them," he said, his mind already working on a plan. "We can't engage in a fight—our best bet is to lose them before they get too close."

Kael nodded, his mind racing. "What's the plan?"

Dorian looked out at the dark expanse of the ocean, his eyes narrowing as he calculated their options. "We head for the reefs near Ironcliff. It's treacherous, but if we navigate it right, the Navy won't dare follow us. They'll have to take the long way around."