B2: Chapter 28 - Piracy

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Well into their journey across the northern sea, the fog had become too thick to see through, leaving the sailors uncertain whether to continue or not.

Sir Gale paced back and forth on the main deck with his hands folded behind his back. He suddenly stopped walking and turned toward the wooded rail, looking out across the deep blue waters beneath the white almost grey clouds of fog.

A drop of sweat ran down his temple as he rubbed his chin, thinking deeply on his most recurring thoughts, as well as strategies for when they encounter the abductors. He walked past some of his squad members on the main deck heading over the quarter deck, which was the back of the ship where the skipper used the helm to steer the ship, otherwise called the poop deck. However, not for the reason Zack first thought.

"The fog is too dangerous to continue. It doesn't make sense we proceed if we cannot see. Drop the anchor until it clears up," Sir Gale said to the skipper.

The skipper nodded briefly, "Yes sir. Drop the anchor!! We're keepin' her still!!" he shouted to the other sailors with his head raised, standing in front the helm.

While the other sailors dropped the anchor, Sir Gale walked back to the main deck and stood before a small step that went down into a square hole, leading to the lower decks.

"Zack! Jirell! Get over here."

Zack and Jirell came from the front deck and stood before him.

Sir Gale shared glances between them, "I've ordered the anchor to be dropped so we don't venture off and get lost. Zack, I want you to climb into the crow's nest and try to make out anything you can see. Jirell, I want you to head to the forecastle deck and look on ahead for any incoming vessels. Sound an alarm if you see anything strange, now go on."

Both boys nodded. Zack went and climbed up into the crow's nest whilst Jirell went to the front deck.

Sir Gale then called out to the other four knights and told them their positions as well, including the sailors who he also put to work.

Kenroy, a seasoned paladin and imperial knight, was tasked to keep watch from the left side of the main deck.

Liam, a former mercenary turned infantry knight from the 10th platoon, was tasked to look out from the right side of the main deck.

Arran, a skilled archer from the 5th platoon, was put to watch the ship's rear at the poop deck.

And Gabe, a well-known foot soldier from the 2nd platoon, was tasked to assist the sailors with whatever they needed.

While everyone manned their posts, Sir Gale went down into the half-dark lower deck, having only the light coming from the square hole above while shadows engulfed the corners. He took a bottle of ale from his knapsack and raised it to his chin.

He froze with the glass at his mouth, hearing something shuffle behind the liquor barrels in the corner of the lower deck. He put the glass bottle down on a barrel beside him, and walked over to the stack of barrels at the corner of the room. He rested a hand on the handle of his katana and slowly stepped toward the first barrel.

He froze before it hearing rampant breathing, as if someone, or something was behind there. Sir Gale kicked away the barrel, and his eyes widened at what he saw.

"Lea! What are you doing here?"

She rubbed the back of her neck, holding down her head in shame as she sat in a squatting position. "I apologize sir. I can explain."

She got up keeping her head to the side to avoid eye contact with him. "I was worried when I heard Zack and Jirell were going to Valkyra, so I asked Kelly to take over my shift so I could sneak into the ship. Please let me be of assistance in some way sir. I assure you I can be of use here."

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