The Divide

Chapter Five: Harry

I'm not used to getting into situations like this. Back home, I rule the streets. People avoid me. I get what I want with no hesitation. I also typically have my sword with me. Auroria has thrown me out of my comfort zone in more ways than one.

At least I still have the water. If the door behind the bar wasn't blocked off, I'd have gestured to Wills and made a run for it then and there. I'm a good swimmer. I would've been able to make it back to the Kingfell in no time. But I've never been caught up in a situation like this before, and I won't lie and say I'm a mastermind. That title goes to Echo.

There's a reason why I'm their first mate---they're the brain, I'm the brawn.

For a while, all four of us simply stand still, tense. I expect the guards are waiting to see if we're going to try to make an escape---it's obvious I've thought about it considering the way my eyes are darting back and forth between all the ways to leave this ship. I'm not sure how long it is before I hear somebody speak, but whoever it is, it's not a voice that comes from anyone I expect.

A man in his very early twenties slides the door open at the other end of the room---it's the one facing the steps at the back of the ship which allows access to this deck unless somebody, like myself and Wills, chooses the intruder's way in. His dark brown hair partially covers his face as he enters. He's carrying boxes which look heavy, if the way he strains a little says anything about the contents within.

Wills and I stare. Whoever this guy is, he's meant to be here---the guards look at him as if they're waiting for him to leave, but they don't jump to apprehend him. He glances between the four of us in the room with a bemused look on his face, and then his eyes dart between myself and Wills in one final look.

"Hey," he says as he places the boxes down on the table, "are you guys here to help with the party?"

Wills and I look at each other in confusion. Where I'm merely bewildered, Wills is bemused. He looks at me and rolls his eyes, gesturing with his off hand towards the young man as if it's a dumb question. The guard who has him apprehended doesn't fail to notice the movement of his hand. I can't help but wonder how Wills can recognise a dumb question asked by somebody else but not one that slips from his own lips.

Wills says laughingly, "No, what par—"

"Aye," I answer, giving my best shot at a reassured nod. "Aye. Th' party."

"Uh huh," the young man nods, looking at the guards, "that's what I thought."

The guard who apprehends Wills growls, "This is not the time to play games. We've had enough of you for one day. These pirates are trespassing on Princess Aurora's vessel; they could pose a threat to her or anyone else on this yacht."

"How rude," the newcomer gasps mockingly, "assuming all pirates are nothing more than scoundrels. They're here to help. In fact, they're Aurora's esteemed guests. You'd better let them go before she finds out you pissed them off."

"You can't be serious—"

"Totally serious. I'm waiting," he says, his brows rising.

After a few long seconds of hesitation, one of them gestures to the other and Wills and I are free. Wills looks relieved, but the tension won't leave my shoulders until I'm well and truly free from this beauty of a ship---although it does feel good to watch the guards grumpily make their way outside. They leave the way the newcomer came in and only once they're gone do I clear my throat.

"Sae, er, th' party---aye, yer... master... said tae tell ye that it's cancelled, na parties fur ye taenight. In fact, there's a party oan th' pirate ships ower yonder, ye seen those? Juist over that way—"