Why You?

Chapter: 12

"Avast, mateys! Let's weigh anchor here," I hear Will command his crew.

     I wait eagerly for them all to get the boat situated. I've never wanted to be able to walk on land more than I want to now.

     All of yesterday, Will did not engage in conversation with me since our last conversation the night before, where I told him to stop talking to me. If Will needed something done from me, he sent his co captain Jonah, or whatever they call his role. I spent all day in his bedroom alone. At least Jonah was really nice to me.

I know I should be thankful to Will for keeping his distance, but it feels nice to have an actual conversation with someone. And right now I feel like he's the only person that I could talk to. Never less, I have to keep focused. After all, as soon as I find the guy I'm looking for, I'll be moving off on my own anyways.

     The boat is finally all tied up an anchored in place. The pirates are grabbing their swords, knifes, coins, and other supplies. I'm only watching Will from a far distance. He looks focused on gathering all the supplies he needs. He suddenly looks up and catches my eye. I quickly look the other way while my face flushes.

All of the pirates use their clothing to hide the sword in their halter. There's no doubt that we are at the Saliviak kingdom, King Conrad's kingdom. My stomach feels like it's at the bottom of a pit, knowing what they came here to do. I don't understand why he would still carry forth with the mission though. The King betrayed him. So what's so important that he continues on with such a dangerous task.

"Okay listen up!" Will commands. "We will be going in smaller groups to not draw attention to ourselves. So sort yourself into no more than groups of threes. You all know the plan, so I will see the lot of you tomorrow."

I feel awkward just standing there, but I have no where else to go. I stand there silently while pirates scurry around me to find their groups.

For the first time, Will came over to me directly with Jonah and the little boy. I didn't even have to try an avoid eye contact, Will won't look at me. For some odd reason I want him to look me in the eyes. But I could never let him know that. And not that he even will.

I follow their lead as they get off the boat. Jonah gives me a small smile, moving his black hair out of his eyes. Like Will, Jonah towers over me in height. I feel like a dwarf compared to them. I overhear that we are walking to different inns to stay in, and then they will be going to a ball tomorrow night. I'm assuming that if everything goes according to their plan, we should be out of here soon.

I finally step off the ship and feel at ease. The only scenery I've seen for the past three days is the ocean. I take in all the different smells. The smell of freshly made bread clouds my senses, making my mouth water. I close my eyes to enjoy it, and hold onto all the other scents of pine, lilac, and even the dirt smell.

     It's around the middle of the day, so many people are out running to the markets or just taking a stroll. I walk awkwardly next to Will, with Jonah on the other side of me. The little boy tags along on the other side of Will. There's so much tension in the air between Will and I. I'm sure if he picks up his sword, he could slice right through it. Jonah seems to sense it and stays quiet.

We make it to an inn, and Will tells us to stay outside while he gets things registered. I stay next to Jonah, observing the people walking around while he converses with the little boy.

It brings me sorrow seeing the families. The little girl holds her mother and fathers hand as they stroll down the pebbled walk way. She skips happily while her parents smile down at her. I watch her beg them to swing her again, and they all count from three to lift her up in the air, looking at her in pure joy. She laughs, and you can just see the love they have for her. Something I used to have.