Kier knew the voice that came from behind so he turned. There stood a small man in his late fifty, brown skin, big black beard and no hair but an old classic hat. Dressed in his old fashioned way he was Gissy the ship's mechanic, the one who was in charge of repairing and maintaining the ship.
"Why are you staring at me like that? Say something." Said Gissy who was looking at Kier's not so enthusiastic face when he saw him.
'Of course this old man is still here too. And yeah he still stinks of alcohol.'
Thought Kier and remembered everything this drunken old man would trick him or tell him big stories on how he saved a bunch of ladies back in his day. When Kier remembered this he called his little self stupid a thousand times for believing this man.
"Oh hi, what's up?" said Kier in a dead face. "I guess you have been fine since you stink like that."
Gissy raised his left eyebrow not believing Kier's attitude
"What? This is the first time you see me after months and that is the first thing you say to me.
At least try to look like you missed me."
Gissy said in a high tone.
"Yeah yeah." said Kier who wanted to brush it off.
"Well the boy isn't wrong, you smell a lot like alcohol. The smell covers the entire ship."
The voice came from below. It was familiar.
It was Noah.
"Don't exaggerate it, Noah!" Gissy turned and yelled at him.
'Wait a second when did he come here. He was the one who boosted our speed when he wasn't on it. Did he come flying here?'
"Gissy you can go rest with others. I know you haven't got a chance to sleep." Said Bron.
"Huh I'll sleep when this takes me to sleep." Showed his steel flask at Bron and took a sip from it.
"Hugh, that hit the spot. I'm going to keep myself busy. Our last trip from the east took away a little of my little one's beauty." Showing off his hammer that he is about to go and fix the ship.
"Come with me boy, I'll tell you stories about how I killed the beasts of the east."
"No thanks. I'm good."
"You don't know what you are missing, boy."
"Whatever."
Gissy walked downstairs. There was only Kier and Bron upstairs now.
Kier got up and walked to the end of the ship. He put his arms on the ship's railings looking at the giant island he was raised on.
"How did you handle the situation with that officer?" Kier suddenly asked Bron.
Bron followed him and he too leaned his back on the ship's railings.
"Well the officer that came knew me, and it turns out that guy was just a low ranking officer. They told me even though I had higher authority they wouldn't just let me go by. After all, I did threaten their colleague."
"Just get to the point already."
"Alright. I just showed them the Verilion Seal from your letter and by Laws they let me go."
"Why are you so impatient?"
'A simple seal can hold power huh? Sweet!'
Footsteps were coming their way.
Curious Kier turned back.
"You are not the one to talk about patience, Bron." A calm and measured voice simplified that man. He was Clad, Bron's right hand man.
Kier was instantly filled with joy. Clad was one of the few that Kier highly respected.
"What do you mean Clad?" Asked Bron.
"Did you forget? You made a big fuss when you saw the port attacked. All he would say was Elia this Elia that."
Pshhh… Kier forced himself not to laugh and put both his hands on his mouth.
Bron's face turned completely red. He was angry and yet embarrassed.
"That didn't happen, you are lying."
Bron pointed at Clad accusing. To be fair he was more mad at Clad for saying that in front of Kier. He knew that if this guy knew something delicate he wouldn't just stay silent. All the jokes and the exaggerated laughter would hunt him forever.
Kier was at his limits and then he looked at Bron. He had turned completely red and the angry expression had made him look pathetic, which was hilarious seeing Bron like that In Kier's eyes. And the way he embarrassedly wanted to explain hit the spot.
Hahahahahaha Kier laughed right before Bron's face.
"Oh and there's more." Clad said like he wasn't pouring fuel to the already giant flames.
"There's more? Tell me."
"I really want to hear the story of 'Bron the one who saved the princess'."
Already full of rage. Bron yelled:
THATS ENOUGH!
"I was worried alright. I care about her like I care for everyone else." Bron slowly calmed down.
"She might be a little special to me but that's all."
"A little special huh?" Kier provokes him.
"You really act like a kid when I tease you about Elia." Clad told him.
Bron was completely calm. Now only his cheeks were a little red.
"It's no big deal Bron. I already knew." Kier continued.
"It's great that you have someone who you love, but you are not being fair to her acting like this."
"Since when did you become an expert?"
"I'm not an expert, but I can tell you this much: continuing like this won't do you or her any good. I mean, you're not being fair to her at all. It's been years since you've met. She's now a very beautiful woman. It's not only you who has eyes for her anymore. If you don't act now like a true man should, then you'll see that the white dress she wears on her special day won't be meant for you."
Kier spoke what he truly meant. Looking back at the island, the many people he left behind were the ones he grew up with. Now he felt distant. Even though he wasn't the type of guy to speak heartwarming words, he could at least share his point of view. After all, Bron and Elia had known each other for over seven years. He knew that they both loved each other, and he wanted them to be together. That's why he spoke softly and calmly—because he understood the value of time.
Clad listened and had a proud look written all over his face. Bron, too, didn't miss a single word, and to tell the truth, he was a bit moved by what Kier said. It wasn't often—no, not at all—that he had seen him like this. It almost felt strange.
Reflecting on what Kier said and reconsidering it made him realize the situation he was in.
"Any suggestions?" Bron finally spoke.
"Marry her." The wind blew softly, gently touching his skin and wiping the thought from his mind.
"What? Marry her? But aren't we supposed to date each other first, then decide?" Bron said.
Kier continued with what he meant: "Don't do what most people do nowadays—waste time getting to know each other. You already know everything you need to know. Instead, go to her parents, ask for permission, and figure out how you can make things work. That's the only clean way. Of course, you don't need to rush straight into marriage, but be sure to let her parents know. That way, you both understand you're in a serious relationship."
"Well said, Kier." Clad clapped three times. "I think the same, Bron."
"Now I really want to talk to you while having a drink. Do you want to come? We'll use this guy's room."
"Of course, let's go make a mess of it," Kier replied.
They both headed downstairs to the captain's room. Meanwhile, Bron was deep in thought, reconsidering everything about him and Elia. He was just a sixteen-year-old boy, and Kier had made him realize that he was acting like a kid in this situation. Feelings like love can make even a wise man seek ignorance, after all.
"YOU COMING, BRON?" Clad yelled, snapping Bron out of his thoughts.
"Y—es, yeah, I'm coming," Bron asked confusedly and followed them to his room.
***
An hour and a half passed.
In the captain's chambers, Noah knocked.
"Come in," Bron gave his permission.
Noah proceeded to open the door. As it cracked open, light followed and filled the room. The room inside was a mess. It looked like it hadn't been cleaned for a year. Kier was standing on his feet, holding a bow in one hand and a chicken leg in the other, while Bron and Clad were drinking beer from giant cups. They looked like they had several contests.
"Hey, Cap, sorry for intruding, but duty calls." Noah was chill and didn't mind the mess at all.
Bron looked at Noah and immediately got up. He took his official uniform and passed by Kier to go outside.
Kier looked confused, and behind him Clad tapped him, telling him not to worry but quietly to follow them. And they both went outside too.
As Kier got out, the sunlight blurred his vision for a second, and then it was visibly clear.
He looked around and saw Bron, Noah, and the others standing on the left side, looking at the sea. The tall railings didn't let Kier get a full view, so he, along with Clad, followed and got behind Bron's back.
As curious as Kier was, he followed their eyes. In the distance, not so far away from their ship, another ship was sailing. It was larger, taller, and strangely, as many ships as Kier had seen growing up near the port, it was quite unique.
'Well, for sure this isn't the biggest ship that I have seen, but it looks kinda strange. It has a mermaid in front and all these fancy curves, and it has quite an elegance. The one who owns it must be quite rich. But the most important thing that sets ships apart is the flag. And this one's flag is blue, with a spear and a giant snake wrapped around it. The background looked like a river, all of it painted in black as the symbol. Whoever this is, they must be very important people.'
"That's the crest of the Seirune family," somebody said.
"Yeah, they are from the southwest, and them being in these types of waters is not a coincidence."
"So they are important, huh?" Kier asked the guys who were talking behind his back.
"Are you kidding me? You don't know the Seirune family? They are told in every legend regarding the foundation of the Irene Kingdom."
Kier had heard that legend many times, but he didn't pay much attention to the names; he only liked the first king from the story.
"The Seirune family, now a noble family, was one of five royal families, which means they are one of the five that created this kingdom that we know today," Clad intervened with an explanation.
'That's the ship of the family which chose the first crowned king and gave up war for peace. That's why even Bron is needed outside.'
The ships came side by side with each other, now moving at the same speed. Kier and the others tilted their heads upward to see. Like them, the crew from the other ship showed up.
With his hands behind his back, dressed in a white suit and wearing a hat that symbolized the captain, he came first, looking directly at Bron. He was short, old, and had a big belly, but he was standing respectfully, befitting a captain. After him came the others, who looked like ordinary crew members. There were about ten or more of them, but the one who stood out from the crowd was a tall man with long black hair that went past his shoulders. His upper body was naked and muscular; he was holding a spear longer than him.
Kier and the others didn't lose eye contact.
Then the old man spoke:
"Greetings," the old man removed his hat in respect.
"I am Captain Freston, and by the name of the Seirune family, I am in charge of sailing this ship to the capital city of the Irene Kingdom."
"Greetings to you all. I am Captain Bron, and I serve under the Green Flag as guardian of the sea. Is there anything you request from us? If we are capable of helping, we'll be honored to." Bron answered in a formal tone. He was also respectful.
"Well, Captain Bron, as you know, we come from very far away, and these waters are foreign to us. To make things worse, we are short on time. So, as the captain of this ship, I ask you, as the guardian under the Green Flag that you are, to escort us safely until we reach the capital city, if it's possible, of course."
"As our duty tells us what to do, we will be honored to escort one of the ships from the Seirune family. Please rest assured, your safety has become our top priority."
"I thank you for the understanding. I hope we haven't gotten you out of your way," Captain Freston said, worrying about them.
"No, not at all. We too are heading towards the capital city, so you won't be a burden. Please follow us. We are taking the shortest route, as we know these waters very well," Bron finally finished speaking.
"Then, please don't mind if we do," Captain Freston said, putting his hat back on.
As he was about to walk away, a voice broke the silence.
"Freston, tell me why we should request their help. Wasn't our sailing smooth enough? They will just slow us down."
A female voice that came from above reached everybody's ears.
The voice came from upstairs, where the steering wheel was. On the second floor stood a girl around Kier's age. She was tall; her posture was straight and commanding. She had long black hair like the darkness of night, thin eyebrows, a small nose, and lips that suited her serious and commanding character. She was wearing a baggy black top and loose-fitting jeans. She had an eye-catching beauty.
"My lady, please don't talk like that," Freston said, worrying about her attitude. "I am sorry, everyone. She is actually pretty nice," the old man Freston said to Bron's crew.
'My lady? Who is she??' Kier thought.