Touched By A Dragon

Chapter 35: Kai

After Lillianna had written the letter they went into town and ‘bought’ a bird. She told them to write to her father before they left. She tied the letter to the bird with some of Clovers hair because she really wanted to help. Then she sent it and bordered the boat, her boat. Truth be told Lillianna was terrified, she had no idea how to run a crew, or how’s to sail for that matter. But Talon  told her that she could elect a first mate that knew how to sail. Her first choice was Talon, but he didn’t know to to sail and had terrible sea legs. ‘More of a land lober,’ as he put it. So she chose Lydia. Lydia had excellent team leadership skills, she could direct the other girls like it was her second nature and it wasn’t long before the ship was sailing out of the port and heading towards Eastern Dane. 
An old, bony, toil worn hand waved them goodbye from the docks.
“Fair the well, gentle Princess. Godspeed and arrive home safe,” William muttered, as he watch the ship disappear.
He then let out a soft moan of pain and clutched his side. He then took a swing from the hip flask he carried, took a breath and stood up straight again. He drew a long, deep breath and let out a cough. William spoke again, still looking out at sea, but not at the boat.
“I knew you would come. I have already helped her and I will tell you nothing. Do your worst, I have done my job and will die in peace.”
A laugh came from behind him and the small man spoke.
“You have already told me all I needed to know.” 
Then he pulled out a knife and with stroke, slit Williams throat before pushing him into the water. Williams body splashed into the ocean, the ocean that he loved so whole heartedly. Dead or alive, the ocean welcomed him into its grasp. He sank beneath the waves, the horrified expression still, and forever etched into his face. A small man turned to face the sea, a silver knife dripping blood into the ocean. He smiled, showing his twisted teeth.
“See you in Eastern Dane, princess. I’ll be waiting for you.”
He bent  down and washed the knife until it reflected the sky, just like the water. Then he turned and left, muttering to himself.
“No one out wits Kai.” 
Back on the boat Lilliana was watching her crew, or Lydia’s crew, in amazement, she had never seen the likes of it. Different people working together with exact timing and precision to make something huge move, it reminded her of a clock. She cleared her throat and spoke.
“First mate Lydia, report, how many days till we make it to the rough currents?” 
Lydia span around, her long hair fanning out behind her as she finished tying the knot.
“If the sea stays fair and the wind stays true, we should be there in about a day. So I'd recommend trying to contact the rest of this crew you were talking about.” 
“thank you for your concern, but they have already seen it and are on the way now.” 
Lydia raised her eyebrow, sceptial. 
“How do you know?” 
“Just a feeling.” Lilianna smiled.
Lydia scowled, she didn’t believe in feelings, she believed in hard work and evidence, but Lilianna hadn’t been wrong so far, so  Lydia just shut her mouth and went back to the wheel. Clover slid down from the rope at the top of the sail and looked at her big sister.
“She’s quite something else, isn’t she?” 
Lydia sighed in agvration. 
“She’s definitely different. Clover, she’s not from here, she doesn’t know what it’s like, for her this is all just one big adventure. Just keep her alive until we can give her back to her father and grab the gold, ok? And no getting attached.” 
“What about Alena?” 
“What about her?” 
“She’s with the princess.” 
“I just spoke to the princess two seconds ago!” 
“yeah, and Alena went into her sleeping quarters.” 
“What! Why?” 
Clover shrugged.
Lydia groaned.
“your sister is going to be the death of me.” 
“she’s your sister too.” 
Clover stuck out her tongue and climbed back up to the crows nest. Lydia sighed and turned toward Lillianna's cabin. Called over Tiffany and told her to take the wheel for a little bit. Lydia then marched up to Lillianna's door and knocked three times. 
 “Come in.” Came Lillianna’s voice from the otherside of the door.
Lydia opened the door and saw a small dark oak room with gold paint outing the panelles, a dark red carpet spread across the floor and a dark oak writing desk facing the stained glass window. The desk had two chairs, facing each other at different ends. In one chair sat Lillianna, in the other was Alena. They were both smiling but Aleana’s face fell when she saw her older sister, eyes reflecting fire, mouth set in a straight line and hands on hips.  Talon just stood in the corner, silently watching.
“I can explain!” Aleana yelled, springing up. 
Lillianna simply smiled.
“It’s ok Alena. You’re not in any trouble. Lydia, is there a problem?”
Lydia gave Lillianna death glare, who simply blinked it away and waited for her to reply.
“I don’t care who you are or what you are doing or how much money you are giving us, you do not, under any circumstances, have the right to invade on my family and the members of it. And you can most certainly not tell my sister when she is in or out of trouble. Is this understood, Captain?
Llillianna nodded onece. 
“Yes, completely.” She then smiled and waved her hand, dismissing Alena.
Lydia stormed up to her sister, grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the room. 
“Don’t you have something to do?” She growled at her sister.
Alena cast a desperate glance at Lillianna as she was pulled away. Lillianna just nodded once and mouthed for her to wait.