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Ch. 9: Black Ship (SUN)

Douglas: “Get ready men, we’re setting sail tomorrow morning! Navigation's officer, I need to meet with you.”

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The voyage was going well so far.

 

At first, I wasn’t used to life on-board a ship, but as the days passed, I became more accustomed to it.

 

Douglas: “Right now we should be about halfway there.”

 

The day after Douglas had said that…-.

 

The night grew lighter, and sunlight peeked through a crack in the curtain.

 

I slowly opened my eyes, listening to the excitement of the sailors above.

 

I wonder how long I’ve been asleep…

 

In a panic, I got dressed and left the cabin when…

 

Sailor 1: “Princess! Good morning. Make sure to take it easy today.”

 

A passing sailor called out to me.

 

OO: “Good morning. I can’t just take it easy while everyone else is so busy… Isn’t there anything I can do to help out?”

 

The sailor waved his hands emphatically, frowning.

 

Sailor 1: “Don’t be crazy…! We’ll be arriving soon anyway, so please don’t push yourself.”

 

OO: “But…”

 

Sailor 2: “That’s right Princess! If the captain found out we’d put his honored guest to work, that’d be the end for us!”

 

OO: “I see… well, I’ll go ahead and do as you say then.”

 

Giving up on helping, I started walking around the deck aimlessly.

 

I bent over the railing of the deck, looking at the morning sun reflected in the brilliant blue of the sea as it jumped and swayed below me.

 

OO: “Wow, it’s beautiful…”

 

I could see the sea for miles and miles, then suddenly Douglas crossed my mind.

 

I pray Douglas can find something of his father…

 

Hope swelled in my heart as I looked at the beautifully clear water when…-.

 

What’s that ship…?

 

I realized there was another ship keeping pace with ours, sporting black sails.

 

Is it the ship of one of Douglas’ comrades?

 

But I felt a sense of unease as I watched the ship…

 

OO: “…!?”

 

Someone grabbed me from behind, covering my mouth.

 

Who’s there…!?

 

They held tight, stopping me from running or moving.

 

Still, I mustered my strength and struggled to get away.

 

Sailor 2: “There’s signs that someone’s messed with the ship’s hold.”

 

Douglas: “When did you notice?”

 

Sailor 2: “Well, it was…”

 

At precisely that moment, Douglas and one of the sailors came up from below deck.

 

Douglas…!

 

As if sensing something in the middle of the conversation, Douglas looked towards us.

 

Douglas: “…!”

 

As soon as he saw that I’d been captured, I watched as Douglas’ expression instantly shifted to anger.

 

Douglas: “OO!”

 

He glared at the person behind me.

 

Douglas: “Bastard, who are you!?”

 

Man 2: “Me? I’m same as you.”

 

Douglas: “Wha…”

 

Douglas clenched his fist, then started to come closer.

 

Then…-.

 

Man 2: “Whoa there, you might not want to just come walking over here. Wouldn’t want to ruin her pretty face.”

 

Saying as much, the man pressed a knife to my face.

 

OO: “…”

 

Douglas: “Stop!”

 

Man 2: “Don’t get so mad. What we want is that new nautical chart of yours. If we can just get that, you’ll get the girl back.”

 

The man laughed, but it was a creepy sound, and he slowly dragged me away.

 

Douglas: “Hey! What are you planning to do with her!?”

 

Man 2: “If you want the girl, you’ll have to come give us the chart.”

 

The man spoke, then lifted me up. I hadn’t realized the black ship had come alongside, and I was swiftly transferred over.

 

Douglas: “OO!”

 

OO: “Douglas!”

 

Only our voices echoed across the wide sea.

 

I could do nothing but watch as Douglas’ silhouette grew smaller and smaller.

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