~ 43 ~

Sailing and Training

I continued in my slow flight over the open sea, the breeze fresh and salty, a new opening to my lungs. The sunlight was bright and vibrant, shining across the water in streaks. Occasionally, a small island would appear.

Sometimes I would rest on them. Other times, I would sleep. It helped to be faster than the ship. Still, I didn't speak much. The brightness and openness of the ocean placed every sensation at peace. Sometimes the crew would call to me for idle things, though I kept my distance.

Everyone seemed set on doing their own thing anyway.

“You won't get it this time.”

I entered a glide closer to the ship, close enough to watch the deck.

Everyone was manned at their stations and steadily carrying out the work. Sebal and Astria had the space to themselves near the helm, half of a shadow covering the space. She put herself at guard while Sebal kept loose and leaned back. His hands were behind him.

“You mean these?” He displayed them afterward, holding two brown-clothed pouches.

Astria's mouth opened, and her shoulders hunched. Angrily, she stomped forward to whisk them from his hands. Taking them, she went to return them to her waist. But another set of hands was there—untying the ones she was already wearing.

His fingers slipped them free before the lady could do anything.

“Another thing,” Sebal said on taking her pouches. “You are too trusting. Nay, you don't trust in yourself. You're inexperienced, untrained, and terrified of making a mistake. This places you in the hands of someone experienced, somewhat trained, and willing to make plenty of mistakes.”

He swapped their pouches in a sleight of hand.

“You were too focused on me instead of the object itself,” Sebal continued while tying his pouches to his weight. “And you haven't been keeping a mental track of your belongings or your surroundings. You should have known the weight was off when I handed the first pouches back.”

Astria fumed beneath the surface, but stole a deep breath, fighting to steady herself. “You're right. I'm sorry—“

“Don't be sorry while you learn—it doesn't make sense.” Sebal shrugged as the winds carried back his long, golden hair, tied into a ponytail. “Like a student getting the question wrong, or an apprentice learning a new skill. You're supposed to get it wrong. Or else you would not be new at it.”

“Sorry.”

Realizing her mistake, Astria raised a hand to correct herself. “I mean, those are things you know. However, it takes someone else saying them for you to believe in them.”

“Ah.” Sebal had tilted back his head. “So that is your background. I see. No sense in knowing what is right when the world around you enforces all that is wrong. Not on this ship. No-no-no.” Then his head shook. “We'll kill and steal when we need to. But we won't shame one another—especially when learning the ropes.”

One of the men, standing on the side guard of the ship, twisted to shout at the two. “Unless when it comes to busting balls.”

“Ah, yes.” Sebal nodded at him before returning to Astria. “Busting balls is allowed. But shaming is not. Fine line, that one. But, then again, there tend to be fewer rules during battle.” He waved inward. “Come then. There is much to learn. We've tried to avoid getting you robbed—now let's focus on what to do when that occurs.”

The two of them carried with their lesson as my left wing curled inward, letting me dip and dive to the right, where I continued my flight. It helped to know that someone in the world would be helping the princess. However, that still left me empty as to...

I blinked.

What the fuck is that in the water?

Without giving my curiosity away, I dipped close to the water's surface, seeing my reflection spread across it. Though the waters were clear and glittering, deep beneath, a shadow and darkness emerged. The shape of something significant that was still expanding.

An underwater creature? Doesn't look like a shark or octopus.

Could it be some fantastical creature?

Or monster?

Fuck. Don't let this be an underwater fight with a beast.

Getting bit by a shark was my greatest fear as a kid.

Please.

I really don't want to go through with that.

Looking over to the boat, none had caught my panic, but I noticed I was closer to the water. I didn't want to set an alarm. Instead of pretending like I wanted to wash up, I folded my wings and dipped into the water.

Slowly submerged myself into that which unfurled itself below.