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.