Sailing The Seven Seas -Joshua x Niles-

Chapter 12 To The Ships

As they planned last night, the crew got up at the small glare of sunrise to keep on going to the next town.

"We must be getting closer, the forest doesn't seem so dense, but we should still be careful." Commented Lloyd and the others nodded.

A troop of their own sailors came towards them with a report, "The coast is clear Captains, but it seems like the town is on the look out for us, there's more troops around than their should be."

"The Royals arrived already, but how?"

"No Lady Nino, they probably received word by a messaging pigeon of some sort."

"You're right Jaffar, that's probably what happened, and it'd be reckless of us to try and pass,. Lloyd ponders as the others try to think of a plan.

"Captains, someone's coming!"

"Quickly, everyone hide!" Joshua ordered and they all hid in the surrounding bushes and there came a young boy trotting along with a stack of hay and...was that a stew pot on his head?

"Oh boy, Ma will sure love to see us back home don't ya think Hachi?"

Bork! Bork! 

Grrrr!....

"Huh? Something out there boy?"

And the boy halted his horse, taking his lance, hearing the intense sound of the crickets and birds with Hachi growling at the bushes.

"We've been spotted what now?"

"Lets take advantage of the opportunity I say, men attack!"

"NILES WAIT-"

"AHH!" The group of sailors leaped out at the startled Donnel.

"Y-You're Bwak MM!-" A sailor covered his mouth, muffling Donnel's words as two other sailors held him down.

"At least tell us you were going to do this Niles!"

"Well at least his dumb plan worked," Lloyd sighs.

"Look Jaffar what a cute puppy! Aw, are you scared little thing? There there..."

"Lady Nino maybe you should let it go what if it has rabies?"

Donnel had a tick mark and bit the sailor to then holler, "Hey, just cuz I ain't no city boy don't mean I'm a dirty fellow and same goes for my dog got that?"

"Feisty I see, what's your name farm boy?"

Donnel growled at Niles' remark, "Donnel and what in tarnation do you Black Fang Members want, let me go!"

"Look kid we'll let you go, but you're gonna help us in getting through the city got that?" Joshua menacingly whispered to Donnel pointing his sword up his neck.

"A-Alright, fine..just let me go already."

And with that the sailors forcefully freed him making him stumble to the ground with a Thud. Donnel brushed himself and went after his pot, putting it on his head again."Um well, I don't have much space for you to hide....just stay quiet inside the hay will ya?"

Great. The group thought in unison, as they dismounted the hay to then jump in and have the dry straws piercing their bodies.

"Just act normal folks, follow my lead." Donnel said and the sailors nodded, trotting behind him.

"Welcome home Donny! Oh, I see you brought guests, who might these be?"

Donnel flustered at the nickname stuttered, "M-Mornin sir and it's Donnel and well these good folks came along to help me dismount the hay at the farm."

"Ha Ha! My sincere apologize Donnel you're nickname is just glued to me and well isn't that a nice gesture, go along Donnel, tell you're mother I said hi." The soldier smiled stepping away for him to pass.

"Will do sir!" His voice echoed as he passed by. 

Now that they were a far enough distance, Donnel asked one of the sailors where to go.

"To the harbor, our ships are waiting for us."

"Alright..."

Just as planned, they arrived to the harbor and the sailors started to dismount the hay as their captains stood rubbing away the remaining hay.

"Much appreciated, go home quiet will you." Niles says handing Donnel a bag of coins only for it to be pushed away.

"Keep it you crook, I ain't touch'n your dirty money. It's bad enough that ya forced me to do this, lets go Hachi." Donnel hopped on his cart with the growling dog heading home.

"Captains, yer made it safely! We should leave now, I received word that the troops are heading this way."

"Alright, you heard the man lets move out!" And with Joshua's shout all the sailors scurried around untying the ropes.

"Make sure all our ships are tied together men, we cannot let those traitors escape!"

"Yes Captain Ursula!"

"Jaffar, Nino, Lloyd, prepare for battle and load the cannons. Make sure we get the first shot."

"Yes Captain!" They said in unison and scurried around.

Ursula cackled, "They won't see what hit them."