After the signing contract, I returned to my room. Yes, mine since I became part of this giant moving ship. The Hellbender.
On my way back to my room I always saw banners with a skeleton hellbender blowing fire. According to the biology book I once read before, it's the Cryptobranchus Alleganiensis, much more known by the name Hellbender, a large aquatic salamander. Its appearance is not that appealing but its sharp teeth are enough to cut through human skin.
For now, I don't care what's their name or what as long as I can return to where I truly belong. I have to be strong, I'll just have to blend with them.
I checked my body temperature to know if my fever is gone and miraculously it is. I have to look at my health too starting today. I looked at my wounded palm and sighed. I accidentally cut it too deep and now it won't stop bleeding, thankfully there are bandages and medicines in the cabinet. Who's room is this anyway? It looks more decent than the others. I rampageously look at what's inside the cabinet aside from men's clothing and some meds.
I saw many smaller clothes and choose to keep them aside. Wearing a dress is inappropriate in here or maybe I just don't know how to wear them properly since the waves blow cold and aggressive winds. Am I lucky to see women-type black boots that are not too worn out maybe because the owner didn't use them more often? I continued looking inside the cabinet then accidentally found a little door opening that is completely covered with the hanging clothes. If you don't look thoroughly you will never find it.
But unfortunately, it's completely sealed and curiosity is slowly eating me. I stood up and sighed. I looked around the room and saw the knife I used to cut my palm. Without further ado, I took it and use it to remove it, more or less destroying it forcefully. It took me minutes to successfully open it and to my surprise, I saw a golden dagger and a silver ring. A wooden type compass is lying together with the dagger and the ring.
I took all of it and placed it in my bed. The holder of the dagger is too delicate and when I removed the holder, a very sharp and pointed blade showed up. The size is too perfect for me that it creeps the hell out of me. I put aside it and look at the compass. It's fully functioning, the arrow's pointed in the Southwest.
Where the hell are we going?
I sighed and closed it. It's very scary that I don't have any ideas about where this ship heading, though I wish there was a land in it. If Clara is with me, she'll surely pass out with the movement of the ship. A single teardrop in my face. I wonder if Clara escaped from that fire. I hope she is.
I took the clothes from the bed and wore it, letting the cream white lousy long-sleeved blouse unbutton and tacked it in with brown pants. I fixed the pants and boots first. The pants are quite long for me so I have to tack it in with the boots so it won't be a snag when I move.
And when I'm about to fix the buttons of my blouse, the door swung opened and an unfamiliar guy entered, smiling all ear.
"Hi, the captain asks - goodness I'm so sorry!" He nervously uttered and automatically turned around as he noticed that I am changing which made me chuckle.
I quickly continued buttoning my blouse and also tied my hair in a half ponytail. My eyes landed on the golden dagger and the silver ring lying in the bed together with the compass so I took it and hide it inside my clothing. It's not that big so no one will ever notice. For now, I'll be borrowing these things. As for the ring, I don't know why I took it with me too but I felt something with the ring. It's like I'm familiar with it. The aura is familiar. Or maybe I'm just imagining things.
I sighed and just let it pass.
"You can look now," I stated and smiled at him.
He seem hesitant to turn around but still did. He felt relieved when he saw me. He is cute, he must be at least around 16 or 17 years old and with brown hair and brown eye gives him the innocent look.
"T-the captain ordered me to accompany you to the meeting room." He recited awkwardly. I smiled at him like I always do when meeting new people.
"But first, I have to show you the ship so you can familiarize it and to avoid getting lost. Please follow me!" He added and gulped.
"Okay then," I answered and followed him.
As expected, lots of eyes looked at us, at me to be specific when we came out of the room. I wandered my eyes around and realized that it was the backside of the ship.
"So as you can see, your room is located on the first floor together with the captain." He added. I nodded in response but stopped walking.
"What's your name?" I asked. His eyes grew bigger and then bowed a little.
"The Name's Von, Lady Vienna. It's my pleasure helping you though you might be offended by what happened back in your room I swear I, I d-didn't see anything!" He said nervously.
He looks cute when he's nervous. I laughed and patted his shoulder.
"You don't have to be nervous Von, and I believe in you," I stated. His face brightened and scratched his brown hair. It's not like I care about it anymore and he's still a kid, to me.
"But they said you're dangerous and you might eat us alive. I even saw you that night when you knocked out Jun. And you might not believe me but Jun is one of the strongest pirates here in Hellbender. So everyone became wary of you now that you joined us." He said but I just smiled.
"Don't worry, I won't do that. And I'm sorry about what happened to Jun. I never really intended to do that I just got scared." I replied. He nodded and smiled at me. He is still really as innocent as a child. I wonder how did he come here.
It took at least an hour to explain and show me the whole ship, except the underground part of the ship. He said it's hot and dirty there and everyone's busy making this ship work.
The second part of the ship is where the dining hall, the kitchen, the storage rooms, and the hallways and gun ports. It's where the crewmen's cabin is located too. As for the upper floor where my cabin is located, is where also the captain's cabin is located. It has three floors, it's like a different structure. The floor above mine is Lilian's room. I don't know her but Von told me that she is the captain's girlfriend.
I never really taught that he had a girlfriend. I wonder if this girl is blind or something that he cannot see how ugly that captain's attitude is. Or maybe she just has low standards, can't blame her for that. The helms of the ship are also on the second floor. It's like an open room with only a helm in it. Then beside it is the said meeting room.
As for the third floor is Von's Cabin as well as Jake too. It's not really like a third floor, it's just a room above ours. Von gave me detailed explanations even where the restroom was located. Von is such a cute boy. He even told me his age and his sixteen.
After that, he led me the way to where this meeting room was located. We climbed the stairs and I saw Regor controlling the helm of the ship and when he saw us he nodded and ordered the other guy, which is Jun with a bandage on his nose, to replace him and then followed us.
"What took you so long kid?" He asked Von though he keep glancing at me.
"Oh, Captain ordered me to tour Lady Vienna around Uncle Regor." He answered. Regor just messed Von's hair and nodded.
Regor opened the door for us and there inside the room I saw the captain sitting on the red couch and some unfamiliar people too. I also saw the blonde lady, she must be Lilian. What a pretty face she has. Jake is also present and he is looking at me. In his right is the one-eyed man, he nodded at me so I nodded back at him. A total of 11 people were inside the cabin including me.
I sat beside where Von is since there is an empty chair in his side facing the black-haired guy who looks like he doesn't care about anything.
This is the very first time I felt nervous attending a meeting. Since way back when I'm still in the palace, I always have to be in a meeting or a gathering. And if I don't have work, I only read books. Then training my swordsmanship and body with my trainer or horseback riding.
And now, here I am, attending a meeting with the pirates. But I didn't let my fear control me and held my head high and pretend not to be intimidated by their aura but deep inside me, I am trembling like crazy. Maybe because they are pirates and not some mere nobleman.
"Since the new member finally arrived, why don't we start this meeting?" The guy I remembered who played the harmonica broke the silence in the room.
Everyone agreed.
"As you all know, this lady here named Vienna joined the crew and will help us on entering the land territory of Andra through the back part in an exchange for her safety here," Drake said.
"In exchange for her safety and most especially to let her escape when she already fulfilled her role according to the deal we made. Now any objection?" He added.
"In what exact help can she give us? Look how frail she is." The black-haired guy coldly said and stared deadly at me. I stared back at him and couldn't keep help myself from not commenting.
"Frail? As in weak? If that's your way of mocking me just because I have a woman's body then I'll just have to show you what this FRAIL body can do." I coldly replied.
"Where? In my bed?" He replied.
"Sure. But don't be mad if your bed will be stained by your blood." I responded.
"As if you can stab me with that tiny hand of yours."
"My hands know how to choke people too. Wanna try?" I sarcastically replied.
"You bet." He said
"That's enough." The Captain interrupted in an authoritative voice while playing with his knife in his hands. I looked around and saw the grinning faces of the people inside the cabin.
A girl with curly brown hair even gives me her thumbs up and wink at me. I smiled at her and lower my head, afraid that she might see my blushing face. Goodness, she's too handsome to be a girl. While looking at me, I look like a villainess in a novel story.
The girl stood up and sat beside me and lifted my face forcedly. My eyes widen when she suddenly kissed me on my lips.
"God I knew it. Her lips are so smooth and taste like a cherry!" She exclaimed as she let me go.
I gulped and stepped back away from her and covered my lips with my hands. Okay, I'll take back my words, she's crazy. What the hell is wrong with this lady.
"Marion stop. You're scaring Rina too much." The one-eyed man spoke as he pull Marion away from me. He even mistook my name.
"Gerald let me go! I wanna caress her face too. It looks so fluffy and smooth. And it's not Rina, it's Vienna!!" She crazily exclaimed.
"Don't call me my name you witch I'm your father," Gerald said and pulled her completely back to her seat.
"Sorry, you can now proceed." He added and sat back.
"Okay, so," The Captain said but he looks pretty distracted. "Only Leopard have something to say then at least introduce yourself to her then we'll proceed." He continued.
The blonde lady stand up and bowed a little to me.
"My name's Lilian Whites, nice to meet you." She said. The captain's girlfriend so that's why she's sitting beside the captain. Her courtesy isn't that bad. I stood up and responded to her.
"Nice to meet you too," I replied and she smiled sweetly at me.
"As expected from a noble lady, you're greetings are perfect." She said. I kinda feel like she just sugarcoated her mocking from me. As if she can defeat me when it comes to proper courtesy.
"Yes thank you," I replied.
"Then allow me to introduce to you all the pillars of the Hellbender Pirates." She sweetly said.
"This guy right here who looks exactly like the captain is Jake Maldice, captain's twin." She said and pointed to Jake. I looked at him and nodded, he nodded back and gulped.
"This silly lady here named Marion Baylon, the only daughter of Gerald Baylon." She said. Marion and Gerald waved their hands at me. I smiled at them in response.
"Then the Lennon Brothers, Thompson and Samson!" She gleefully announces. Thompson waved and smiled at me. While his older brother Samson just nodded at me. They are the two guys who busked in the city together with Lilian. Ha, you will never really guess whose the Wolves hiding in the herd of sheep.
"Then this scary guy was named Regor Amor, his part of the original pirates of Hellbender." She said. Regor just nodded while his eyes are closed and crossing his hands.
"Then this cutie here named Von Duncan is Regor's nephew." She said. Von smiled beside me so I patted his head and smiled. I agree with what she said, Von is such a cutie. He's like a puppy.
"Then that grumpy man there in front of you named Leopard Duke and yeah he always means but don't worry he barely speaks so rest assured." She added. The Leopard guy only stared at me rolled his eyes.
"Then last but not the least, our dearest captain. Captain Drake Maldice!!" She excitedly exclaimed. The captain stared at me and nodded.
"Now it's your turn." She said and sat back. I stand up and put my left hand in my back and right hand in the front and bowed 90 degrees. I closed my eyes.
"Nice to meet you all. My name's Vienna, Vienna Watson." I said politely, faking my family name. Them knowing my family name will surely be a disaster. Pirates hate royal families most especially the imperial family. They seem not interested in my fake surname. I hope Clara won't be angry at me for using their family's name. Clara's family is quite well-known noble because of their product, which is wines. Watson Wine Industry is exported in the neighboring kingdom and for sure these pirates know it.
They smiled and clapped their hands so I raised and sat back.
"Let's proceed to the purpose of the meeting." The Captain said.
"As we all know, we will be going to the Zraidfield by land. And our main problem is how to avoid those damn troublesome royal knights but again with Vienna's help, we can at least trick those knights and pretend to be a merchant." He added but I doubt what he said. Merchant is highly secured in that area.
"Are you sure it's safe?" Samson asked.
"Let's hope so. But if anything goes wrong we have to fight and turned back." The captain replied.
"Seems like that's the best choice to do. We have to lay as low as possible." Regor replied
"But let's put a little trust in Vienna, she'll help us right?" Lilian said. They all look at me.
I nodded.
"Yes, even though I don't know what's your purpose on sneaking in them- our land a deal is a deal. I'll guide you. But I want all of you to follow my orders when the time comes." I replied. I almost slipped from admitting that it's my land.
"And why is that?" Lilian asked while smiling. Her smiles hide her true intentions. I know that type of people but just like them, I have to lay as low as possible. She must be wary of me because she has reasons.
"Royal Knights are not dumb. They will surely smell that something is off. Zraidfield and Shaport are different. Zraidfield is where the kingdom's fruits and vegetables came from. In short, the kingdom's main food supply. And everyone, nobles or commoners, it's their main source of food since meat is expensive for them to eat daily, not unless they'll go for a hunt. So guards and adventures are spontaneously spreading there." I answered. They looked satisfied with what I said though.
I don't know what happened to why the meat's price increased drastically but they said it's because of the farm's sudden increase.
"Then what's your plan?" Jake asked. It was his first time speaking when I entered here.
"Pretending to be a merchant is a risk. So adventures are the only choice, build a party and enter all cities freely. You can't fake the Gate Pass nowadays since they put something special in the paper that only a few knows about it." I answered.
"And you're one of it." Leopard cut in. I nodded back.
"You do know everything in the kingdom, I taught you only said it to trick us," Lilian said and brushed her hair.
Well, it's my job after all.
"What requirements do we need to be an adventurer?" Gerald asked.
I took a deep breath while trying to remember.
"As far as I know you need to at least own a citizenship card. And since all of you can enter the Shaport or should I say Shadense, you own one right? Or at least a faux one." I said and they all nodded.
"Wait how did you even know where at Shadense?" Lilian asked.
"I saw you and the Lennon Brothers busking in the street. Then your captain just stole my necklace, speaking off give it back to me." I said. They all looked surprised.
"It's on my cabin's table. I'll give it back to you when I have time." I rolled my eyes at him after hearing his response. Tss so he is the one who stole it.
"Wait a minute, you were there? We thought you stayed in the ship?" Lilian asked again. She looks mad or disappointed.
Okay, is this what they called LQ? The Lover's Quarrel?
"Yeah, I was looking for something and saw it so I took it then returned to the ship." Captain coldly said.
"Jake and I were there by the way." He added and all eyes darted at Jake who eventually fell in his seat.
"Why are you all looking at me like that? I'm innocent!" Jake said while pouting. Marion who's closer to him smacked his head.
"Oh c'mon. You were there, yet you didn't even help us, idiot." Marion exclaimed.
"Okay sorry, can we return to the discussion already?" He said and clapped his hand like a sign.
"Please continue sweetie!" He added and looked at me. I raised my eyebrows and look blankly at him. Marion gave him another smacked in the head.
"Don't steal her away from me you dumbass!" Marion added.
"I know her first." He defended. "Right? Sweetheart?" He added.
I rolled my eyes not minding the two who were arguing already and proceed back to explaining.
"So citizenship card and a recommendation are the only requirements of being an adventurer and to create your party at least you have five members or more," I stated.
"We have all of that. So we can get our pass easily then." Von exclaimed.
What do I expect from them?
"So once we reach Zraidfield, we will build our party. We already have eleven members, two times from the said requirements. So any other suggestions?" The captain asked. No one raised their hands.
"Good." He said. "Then after we finished our business in the Corsair Cave, we'll return home to deliver the goods we have then we'll proceed to the main plan. We'll choose only a few men to come with us and guard the ship. If you have someone in mind then tell me directly." He added.
"Are you all good with all of the things we discussed?" He asked.
"We're all good," Marion answered.
"As well as Lady Vienna's existence here?" He answered again and looked at me. I looked away pretending not to hear nor see him but accidentally landed my eyes on Leopard who keeps staring at me. Dang, I can sense that he doesn't like me at all. So do I.
"Nope. I like it to be honest!" Jake answered.
"So do I!" Marion gleefully answered.
"I'm fine with it too!" Von answered and smiled at me.
"Me too!" Thompson remarked.
I don't know what kind of feeling I am experiencing right now but I felt something moves in my stomach but not in a bad way. In my entire life, I never felt this kind of emotion. I know it's not inappropriate to feel this right now but I felt comfortable with this setup. This is not good or my plan will collapse.
"Then we're all good. Again welcome the group, Ms. Vienna Watson!" Captain Drake said and everyone welcomed me with a clapped and smiling face.
I looked down and couldn't help but cried in silence. Why? Why do I feel like I belong here? Am I overlooking things? What does true freedom be? Where am I belong?
I wiped my tears and faced them confidently.
"Thank you. Let's get along together." I said and smiled.