Ria pressed the tips of her fingers on the glass that separated her from the outside world where tall structures grew, hiding away the horizon. All she could see were gray cobblestone walls around, and the smog filled streets below. She had never seen so many automobiles before, speeding from one end of the road to the other, catching passengers on the sidewalks lit by bright glowing lamp posts.

Acante was almost a different world--certainly, more different than Sivona or any other island that Ria had been to. She couldn't believe how far she had traveled and now, she was in the southernmost province of the kingdom of the Nether Isles--the province that pioneered in engineering.

The Opal had docked in the southern port of Acante's main island earlier and the crew had decided to spend the night here while Enzo gathered more information about the Belona Isles.

"So we're here." Gin spoke, causing Ria to push away from the ashen city view of the window and turn around. 

The suite they booked had ample room for the whole crew who gathered around the living area. Captain Zalez, Rodri and Sam with Reno on his shoulder sat on a long settee. Julie, Enzo, and Mari sat on separate chairs with high backrests. Reynar sat on the floor beside Gin who kneeled over a map spread at the center of the area--the coffee table pushed aside. It was the same map they'd used before--the one of Acante. And Migal stood hovering over it.

Ria strode to the empty spot on the settee and sat down beside Sam who greeted her with a smile. Each one of the crew grew tense and excited for the upcoming heist, and she mirrored their eagerness but a part of her feared what was to come. 

"We'll travel south and anchor the Opal at the northern waters of Mavita." Gin continued as his point finger slid over the paper, tracing their route. Apparently the main isle of Mistress Evita was called Mavita.

"There are two islets on the way before we get there," Rodri said as he combed his fingers over his red hair, fiery in the room's warm lighting.

"Am told those isles got watch towers. Two guards on the first, three on the second," Enzo pointed at the map where small brown dots of land aligned between the main island of Acante and Mavita.

Ria had wondered where Enzo's accent came from and realized only now that it was how Acantians spoke.

"Reynar will take them out from the main mast," Captain Zalez said.

"I'll need a second." Reynar leaned back on the floor. "Can't take 'em all out in one shot."

"I'll do it," Juli said.

"No," Ria said. She was a marksman too, and this opportunity to shoot someone, even if it was with sleeping bullets, would help her prove to herself that she could do this. She knew this mission was dangerous and she could be putting everyone's lives at risk by going off board and doing the dive herself. So she needed to know that she could do this. "I'll be your second."

Gin looked up at her from the map and though she wasn't directly looking at him, she could still sense his emotions--surprised and astonished at her foolish bravery. 

"You've never shot at anyone, Ria." Migal came to stand beside her.

"Exactly," was her only answer to him, but his comment was exactly why she needed to do it. 

"You'll risk the Opal getting seen," Captain Zalez pressed two fingers on his shaved chin, observing her.

She looked at the captain. "If I can't shoot then we'll turn back. You'll still get your money."

"Am all in!" Enzo reacted so quickly.

"Fine," Captain Zalez said in a steady voice--an air of authority emanated from him.

"Right," Enzo said. "So there're footguards in the north o' Mavita."

"I can take them down on foot." Gin was still looking at Ria. "You'll cover my back, princess." It sounded more like a question than a statement.

"If we get that far." Juli gave a snide comment.

"Then Reynar and I will stay on the ship," Sam said and Reno squealed on his shoulder. He almost jumped. "Yes, yes. Wet oceans! Of course, you too."

Everyone already knew their tasks and this was merely another one of their run throughs, but a must needed one for as they neared the mission, Ria's urge to pull out grew. She couldn't let her fear take her now, not when she was so close to knowing her real parents.

"Once the guards are out, Enzo, Mari and myself are going to create a distraction in the northwest of the isle," Rodri said. "We'll swim back to the Opal to avoid capture."

"I made sure, the explosives are more than enough," Mari said.

"Remember, exactly fifteen minutes," Gin said to Rodri. "We'll need that much time to get to the mansion." Then he looked back down at the map. "We'll travel on the east side along the cliffs."

"There's too many of us going to that mansion, Gin." Juli slumped in her chair. "It'll be better if it's just Cap, you, and me."

"I think she's right, Ria," Migal said.

"I'm going," Ria answered sternly.

"It's fine," Gin said without looking up from the map.

Captain Zalez straightened in his seat. "We still don't know what's in that mansion."

"Sorry, Cap. No one I know 'sgivin' me anything 'bout that." Enzo looked at the captain.

"Maybe we should split up when we get inside," Juli offered.

"No," Gin and Ria spoke at the same time and he looked up, brows rising and brown eyes on her, making her cheeks burn.

"We're counting on the distraction to do its job," Captain Zalez said, keeping their focus on the tasks.

Gin shook his head as if to shake away the moment of heat between Ria and himself. "Mari." He averted his gaze. "You said you brought more than enough explosives."

"Sure did," Mari answered.

Gin pointed at the map--northwest, west, and southwest. "Three locations," he said. "We blow up three locations, making it seem like the isle is under attack."

"It'll take longer to get there and swim back to the Opal," Rodri leaned forward to look closer at the map.

Gin stared at Rodri and glanced at the captain. 

Rodri sighed. "Fine. I can swim fast. I'll take the farthest position. But how long do we wait before we blow it up?" 

Gin took a pair of compasses and measured the distances on the map. "Give or take thirty minutes," he said when he was done.

"That's longer than we need," Migal noted. "We could get caught during that time if we linger around the mansion with guards still at their posts."

"Well, let me know if you've got a better idea." Gin raised a brow at Migal.

"That's it then," Captain Zalez cut in before anything erupted. "Remember, when anyone gets left behind."

"The Opal is going to wait in Acante for a day," Sam answered.

"Next stop is Basiago. Wait for two days," Reynar added.

"If no show, we all goin' to see that guy back in Sivona," Enzo said.

It was cruel but it was a means for them to keep moving, to avoid capture if the Mistress gave chase and to give a chance for whoever was left behind to catch up. 

"Then it's settled," Captain Zalez said. "Get some rest and tomorrow night, we'll take the Mavita isle."

***

The members of the royal court had just left the throne room, leaving Daniluca alone with his guards. He ought to leave and go wherever his schedule required him to go next but he stayed in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Where are you, sister?" Daniluca whispered. Thoughts of terrible things happening to Ria had been flooding his mind. It had been days and he still had not heard any news of her.

But as if his prayers to the sea mother were heard, the captain of the palace guard opened the double doors into the throne room and strode to Daniluca's seat.

"Your Majesty," Captain Javo kneeled before him.

"My sister?" Daniluca sat up straight.

Captain Javo stood. "Yes, I bring news of the princess."

Daniluca stood and climbed down the three step stairs. "And?"

"A girl of her description was seen boarding a ship of sea gypsies," the captain reported. "The name of the ship is the Opal."

"Sea gypsies? Was she taken by force?" Alarm filled Daniluca's heart.

"No, Your Majesty," Captain Javo said. "She went willingly."

Daniluca felt relieved but at the same time he wanted to sulk because his sister left him in Sivona on purpose. He didn't know why--there was not even a letter left behind.

He kept his face together in front of the captain. "Find that ship. Find my sister," he ordered.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

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So I'm so sleepy but glad that I finished writing chapter 12.