The moon hung full over the somber sea, its light flickering against the soft waves like a mirror. The harbor was quiet like an abandoned city and empty only for the boats standing like looming shadows, the few passers-by, and the hurrying men and women unloading barrels and boxes from carriages. Kristina grunted as she and Creinge placed down a barrel before the gangway. "We should have left tomorrow. Navigating at night is a death wish through the dark sea." Creinge said.

Kristina dusted her palms and replaced her hat. "Soldiers would swarm the harbor tomorrow, and you know that. We don't need them to hinder us more." Creinge grunted before two other sailors hoisted the barrel and struggled through the gangway. Kristina scrutinized the faces around before she sighed. "Where are they?"

"Who? Your ex-lover and the girl?" Creinge leaped on the carriage, rolling another barrel.

Kristina wrinkled her nose as if she smelled rotten fish as she stopped the rolling barrel. "Don't call him that. Ever again."

Creinge landed next to her before she looked past Kristina. "They are here."

Two cloaked silhouettes grew in the dark, misty harbor. Kristina placed her hand on her hip when their features became visible. "Took you long enough to say goodbye to those beasts." Lach passed next to her without saying a word, his face sour. Kristina followed him with a tight frown. She stopped Amaya. "What happened?"

Amaya opened her mouth and then closed it. Finally, she asked, "Did you know what happened to his father?"

Kristina raised a brow, not expecting that question. "I do. That's why I am quite surprised he still helping you."

Amaya looked down. "I want to help him."

"Then get those hands working." Kristina placed a full potato sack on Amaya, who struggled to keep it in her arms when she looked up, an awe taint in her eyes.

"Is that-"

Kristina followed her gaze. "The Gypsie? Yes, it is. My wonderful sea beast," she said, proud swelling in her chest. The Gypsie stood like a painting against the background of the sea, like those Amaya would see hanging in the castle.

It had a shallow draft and a vast open deck. It was carved from oak in its keel and sternpost, and the ribs and planking were sculpted from pine. Though the beast was old. Its coloring deteriorated, especially when wood met water; it still stood tough and sturdy, its white mast and large square sail blowing grand and proud with the harsh nocturnal wind. Amaya's curls tickled on her face. "It might be a little old, but it never failed me."

"I see," Amaya trailed off, still in awe.

A smirk formed on Kristina's lips. "First time on a ship?"

"Is that so obvious?" Amaya pushed her curls away from her face, embarrassment blazing through her features. "Still, I have read a lot about them. This is a cog, right?"

Kristina was impressed. "It is. But you will see, the real thing is better than whatever you read." Her smile glinted with gold before her eyes were lured by two of her shipmates carrying rectangular boxes as they stumbled and almost let go of it. "Hey! Be careful with that! These are bottles," she half-yelled. The shipmates nodded hastily as they brought the heavy load inside the ship. "Let's get going, guys. We don't have all night." She clapped her hands.

Amaya replaced the bag on her when a glint of silver entered her periphery. She looked to the side and froze. Steel armor glowed into the night. The bag found the ground. Kristina was about to say something when she saw them, too. "Fuck." Kristina hissed. "We have a problem." Lach looked and froze.

They were three soldiers. A brunette, a blond, and one with hair like the red foxes. They approached with definite and heavy strides. The boxes were still loaded inside the ship. "Halt!" One of them yelled. "What are you doing?" His voice carried to the far end of the ship.

The shipmates stopped, and the boxes found the ground. Kristina's head peeked from the railway before she stepped down the gangway, her silhouette feline as her hips swung with determination. Her green coat was left open despite the cold, letting her collarbones stick and the shape of her bosom evident. "Hello, soldiers," her voice was like a purring cat, and her gaze was darker than ever. "What can I do for you?"

The brunette stayed stoic, his voice mechanical. "What are you doing in here?" he repeated, unwillingly.

Kristina didn't miss a beat. "We are going on a trading expedition. I have merchandise to sell," she waved towards the boxes. The shipmates stood very still.

"You can't leave. The harbor is closed." The blond stated.

She crossed her arms. "The borders are open, and I have authorization to leave the territory." She nodded to Creinge, who handed the blond soldier the document.

The brunette glanced at it. "It doesn't matter. You can't leave."

"Says who?" Kristina narrowed his eyes. They weren't about to mess with her on that.

"Order of Commander Zakrus."

Creinge looked at Kristina who tried to keep her features from tightening. "Well," she started, her voice lighter. "Why would the Commander close the harbor when the King himself chose to open it? Do you have any signed document to prove what you are saying?"

The blond and the red-haired soldier glanced at each other, but the other kept his eyes firm on Kristina. "It is the order."

Kristina's eyes fell into a slit. "You can't do that, and you know that. You need a signed authorization from the King."

The brunette's features tightened. "Maybe. But we have this." He handed her a paper. "A search authorization signed by the Council."

Kristina snatched the paper and mumbled its words before looking up with a forced smile. "Please. Go ahead." She moved to the side, and the brunette soldier glared at her as he passed next to her. The blond gave a teasing smile, and the redhead kept his head down as they moved up the gangway. Kristina gave a sharp look at Bett before she followed them. Bett removed something from inside of their cloak and slipped it inside their sleeves.

They scrutinized every inch of the ship, from the captain's cabin to the quarters and the below decks. The last place they searched was the wide open deck where boxes and barrels still waited. Kristina grimaced when they opened a box full of bottles. The blond soldier retrieved a bottle. "Going to have a little fun?"

"What can I say. I am a fun girl," Kristina shrugged, her smile teasing on her lips and the blond soldier grinned widely.

"Put it back." The brunette said, wiping the smile of the blond soldier as he closed the lid. "What's inside those." He pointed to the barrels.

Kristina's body tensed. "Those- those are grains. It's the merchandise that we sell."

The man's eyes narrowed so hard that his whole face shrunk. He slid open the round lid of the first one, then the second and third, letting his hand dig inside. "Ernest. Open the others." The redhead soldiers nodded and slid the lids on the floor. Bett glanced at Kristina. She pressed her lips tightly. "This one," The brunette pointed to the last barrel, and A shiny point shone from Bett's sleeve. Kristina breathed slowly. She searched for Creinge whose fingers slid under her coat.

The last barrel top fell down with a resonant thud. All the crew tensed so hard they didn't move, and even the air held its breath. The soldier peeked inside before digging his hand. Kristina's breath itched softly. Dust of grains fell through his hands. "Nothing." The redhead said, and Kristina was about to exhale if it wasn't for the brunette soldier pushing the other way and digging his own hand. Grains fell through his hands, too. He glared at Kristina.

"Well, you have searched the whole place." Kristina's voice sang. "It seemed like you didn't find whatever you were looking for." She approached the soldier. "Then, you may leave. My schedule is pretty tight." She smiled.

The soldier narrowed his eyes as he looked around. Kristina followed his gaze. He grunted before turning to the others. "Let's go."

The soldiers left the ship, taking with them the suffocating rope they held on all the crew. Kristina winked at the blond soldier and waved at him. He waved back, but his hand lowered down at his comrade's stare.

The ship departed, sailing in the glinting black water.

All the barrels' lids were put back on, but for two of them. A sailor dug his hands inside it and removed a fake bottom, letting the grains slide on the ground. Lach emerged. Bett did the same with the second one, and Amaya appeared.

"Are they gone?" Lach asked.

Kristina appeared behind. "Yes. Now, let's sail."

**

The sun softly rose over the horizon, painting the clouds and the sky with orange and pink hues. Amaya hold the old wooden railing, her eyes closed, lulled by the chants of the waves caressing the ship's bow. She opened her eyes, the sky reflecting gold inside her eyes as she leaned forward, admiring the white bubbles of the waves.

Steps arose behind her before she saw someone leaning his forearms on the railing, too. A smile tugged on Lach's lips. She smiled, too, despite the heaviness of her heart. There were so many things she wanted to say. How sorry she was, how she wished he hadn't had to lose his father. How she would love to lift that pain from him, but her lips stayed closed, for all the words tasted stale inside her mouth.

But she didn't need to talk. "First time on a boat, huh?" Something amusing glinted in Lach's eyes, and Amaya wondered if that conversation yesterday had even happened so much, for the sorrow and sourness were gone. She looked at him bemused. "So?"

"Oh," she moved a rebellious strand away from her face. "Why does everyone believe this? But yes, this is correct."

"Look," Lach pointed to the water near the ship.

Amaya's brows furrowed. "What?"

"Look closer." Lach kept his eyes on her, and a second later, her eyes illuminated streaks of silver appeared from the azure sea.

"Those are-"

"Dolphins. Yes." A huge grin cracked on Amaya's lips as she leaned closer, her upper chest over the railway. "Look at his." Lach placed his index finger and thumb in a ring shape inside his mouth. A whistle blew, and the dolphins leaped, their glossy grey skin shining with the sunlight, infectious joy leaking from their wriggling tails.

Amaya watched Lach in awe. "How did you know that?"

Lach retrieved his fingers from his mouth. "Father used to bring me with him when he would trade with the islands nearby. He showed that to me." His eyes flicked to Amaya. "Do it."

Amaya's eyebrows jumped. "I am- I don't know how to do that."

"It's easy." Lach showed his tongue, going to the roof. "You put your tongue like that," he said, his voice muffled, and Amaya chuckled, honey traveling to the sea. "And then you put those fingers like this." He showed her how his fingers were inside his mouth from each side and then whistled again. Happy silver streaks leaped again from the sea before diving back again. "Do it."

Amaya stood straight, pushing her tongue to the roof of her mouth. "Like this?" Lach nodded eagerly, and she placed her fingers. She took a big inspiration and blew. She sputtered, and Lach burst out laughing. "I can't do it."

"It's easy. Look." Lach scooted closer, and Amaya's cheeks heated. He placed delicate fingers on each side of her face. "Your tongue like this." He showed how he pushed his tongue up the roof of his mouth, and Amaya did the same. "Yes, and then," he placed her fingers in her mouth. Amaya was mortified; the last time they had been this close, they were about to kiss. Her chest bounced, but she kept her features straight. "Now, do it." Amaya breathed deeply before blowing, and a high-pitched whistle flew from her mouth. The dolphins hopped, clicking with exaltation.

Amaya clapped her hands together. "I did it!"

"You did it," Lach said softly as he leaned down on the railing again, leveling to her height.

They settled into a comfortable silence until Amaya's features flattened as the words finally came to her. "Lach." He gazed at her, and she traced the wood pattern on the railing. "I am still deeply sorry about your father."

The soft wind blew his hair as he looked ahead, the sunlight now completely drenched the horizon. "You don't have to be sorry. You are not to blame for what happened to my father, but-" his eyes looked at her hands, and there was a conflict on his face that made Amaya want to smooth his features. "I can't do this." And by this, he meant whatever was going on between them.

Amaya looked away, for her heart felt too heavy, and she feared it would fall to her feet. "I understand." The words came out quieter than intended. A silence stretched between them, only disturbed by crashing waves.

"What will happen when you get the Favor back?"

Amaya inhaled deeply. "I am going to make the wrongs of my father right."

A smile that didn't reach his eyes. "You can't do that."

"But I will try." She found his gaze and hoped he understood the depth of her words. "I will try as much as I can." She paused before she said. "What about you?"

"I will buy my mother's house and erase her debt," Lach said like evidence.

"And after that, what will you do?"

The question hung by the sea, like Lach's dangling hands. He looked at them as if it would give him his answer. I don't know." He said, and it wasn't something he threw out without a thought, and it was actually a thoughtful answer.

"You can come to the castle," she offered. "You will have a place with the most honor."

Lach's lips tightened before he smiled softly. Amaya watched him expectantly. He stood straight and said, "Let's try again."

Amaya kept her disappointment behind the stretch of her lips before she pushed her fingers inside her mouth. A whistle flew, and laughter traveled through the ship, reaching the upper deck where Kristina steered the wheel.

**

Darkness extended into the sky with millions of shiny pearls when they eat. They formed a round circle with the crew, their food in the middle. Banters and chats rose, animating the night.

Lach looked up to see Kristina still up, steering the wheel, never waving away from her objective.

She eyed him as he stepped up the stairs to the upper deck.

"You don't eat?" Lach asked, and she looked straight ahead.

"Not hungry." Her arms were relaxed and easy as she turned the wheel softly to the left.

Lach rubbed his neck. "Kristina... I wanted to say I am sorry. Sorry for bringing you into this."

A slight curve stretched on her lips. "You are welcome."

"Despite what happened, I am grateful." Kristina's lips tensed. "You didn't have to."

She shrugged. "I never say no to some adventure. You know that."

"I am also sorry for what happ-"

"I told you I am done about this." Her fingers tightened around the wheel as her words cut him through. They fell on the ground. Lach knew there was no point in gathering them back.

But he said at last. "I have never wanted to hurt you." Her mouth twitched so imperceptibly that if Lach had blinked at that moment, he would have missed it. "This is the truth."

Lach waited, but Kristina kept her gaze ahead and her mouth tight. She was done. So was he. "Good night," he said before turning on his heels.

Kristina loosened her grip on the steering wheel as he went down the stairs to the deck and sighed heavily.

Bett was rummaging in her bag down the broad deck when Amaya approached as the crew had scattered to sleep. "Where is this stupid weapon." They grumbled.

"Bett," Their eyes rose to meet Amaya's before diving back with a harder scowl into the bag. "Can I talk to you? We haven't really talked since-"

"I am busy, witch," they said.

"Bett." Amaya kneeled down, searching their gaze. "I am not a witch."

"If you want to show me new tricks, now is not the time I am looking for my fucking weapon! Fuck! Where is it?" they threw the bag on the ground.

"I know what happened in the forest is strange, and I don't really know how to explain it, but... "Her words died in a sigh. She didn't even know what to explain, for she didn't understand herself.

"Seems like you knew what you were doing." Bett glared at her a last time before retrieving their bag and striding away.

"Wait-"Amaya started to chase them, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her. She looked up.

Lach.

"Leave them," he said. "You know how stubborn they are. »

Amaya's shoulders deflated.

**

Hammocks hung from the ceiling inside a large open room, swaying and rocking with the ship's movement. Snores came from most of them, and Amaya shifted inside hers. A thundering snore jolted her eyes open, and she looked around. Most were asleep, mouths wide open and snoring like bears. Bett grumbled in their sleep. She looked to her side. The hammock next to her was empty. She sat up and let her eyes dangle before finding the floor in a soft thud.

Where was Lach?

She climbed the ladder to the deck and sighed with relief when she found the man standing near the bow. Amaya called his name. The man didn't move, still facing the sea. She called again, and nothing. Something alarming built inside her guts. She approached. "Lach? What's happening?"

Silence.

That was when she heard it. That beautiful, haunting melody. A low and acute whistling song. A cry for help from the sea stirred her. It was as if it called her, and Amaya's pendant started to flicker, and something like a headache grew. She held her forehead, a tight frown forming, but when she looked up through her fingers, Lach was moving, heading to the railing.

"Wait for me..." he whispered softly. "Amaya..."

"I am here." Amaya walked to him, and she froze. He had an overstretched smile on as if someone pulled at his features. "Lach!" She shook his arm, but he kept staring at the sea, moving to the railing without seeing her.

He leaned dangerously over the railway towards the dark water. "I am coming to you..." He said, smile still stretched.

"Lach! Don't!"