"So tell me son, how were you captured on the ship? Do you know where they are headed to? How much firepower do they posses?"

"A-all I know that the ship is heading to Maknolision."

"Maknolision? That's in the complete opposite way from their heading. Though how did you get captured?"

"I-I just went with the other two humans on that ship, going to explore in Maknolision."

"Other humans on that ship? Christina, were there any other humans on that ship?"

"No captain, only him on that ship, the rest being Huranmak."

"Well, they must've done the same thing that has been affecting most of my crew; getting ill and part amnesia. Though I still don't understand how my men have gotten ill. I'm guessing that you have the same effects, Christina, give him a bed, we'll ask him later."

"Yes, captain. This way please."

Walking back through the hallway, I see through a glass window, showing a room with sleeping wolves; normal wolves that is. Though what catches my eyes is a pair of eyes seemingly floating in the room; its vibrant crimson eyes just staring at me. Making me feel both scared... and yet safe. Those eyes, look so familiar, but where have I seen them...

"This way lad, you can have this room till we get stuff more properly sorted out."

"Right, thanks."

Entering the room, nothing out of the ordinary, though a little fancy at the same time. A small desk and bed; everything looking as if made into the ship. Looking back at the door, which is now shut and most likely locked.

"Well, this room is a bit small, isn't it, Jackson?" Adam asks, sitting on the chair, with his sword sheathed on his back (also looking a bit bigger), and giving me a surprise.

"Wah, how did you get in here?"

"With you of course, didn't you notice that I wasn't on the helm?"

Taking a look at his eyes, I see the vibrant crimson eyes he has.

"So were you those eyes in that room?"

"Well, nice to see that you noticed, but yeah, that was me. Anywa-" he stops suddenly, and just simply sinks into the shadows.

"Oh, I almost forgot, you hungry?"

"No, I'm fine," I answer as calm as I could.

"Alright, something wrong though? You look like you saw a ghost."

"No, I'm fine, just still worried about my capture."

"Well don't worry kid, you're with other humans. Well have a good rest. Oh, and here's your dagger, stupid that those animals didn't confiscate it."

"Yeah, stupid of them... thanks again for saving me."

She waves to me and closes the door, and turning around Adam is back in the chair, his sword unsheathed, but looking at it with small intent. Also acting as if nothing happened.

"Anyways, we - and I mean you by the way - will be here till we figure out exactly who hired the captain of this fine fleet."

"Wait, so you're leaving me here alone?"

"Pfft, why would we leave you here? Of course I would be here, as a shadow of course, so particularly no one. Also you did quite good for being being the bait of this plan. And if you were wondering, the effects of the oranges are long gone, and those who are ill are unable to transmit it. See ya," he sheathes his sword into its sheath on his back, and waves, disappears into the shadows.

Thinking of nothing other than sleep, I climb into the bed, and sleep. The bed being much more comfortable than the hammock, and the lull of the rocking boat. Nice and pleasant...

"Alright kid, get up, breakfast is being served right now." I hear as the woman shakes me awake.

"Huh?"

"Sorry that you have be up a little early, but there really isn't much anything till noon. Also, captain saying that you could use some fresh air. Since we think that those animals put you in an unbearable place."

"Oh, thanks I guess, though can I wash up or something?"

"Sure, bathroom and showers are the first one to the left out your room. I'll give you some clothes in there, and wait for you outside the door. Also, you don't have to be worrying about others looking at you while showering, they already washed up."

Walking into the bathroom, it's like any other bathroom as if it were on land: minus the swaying of from the ocean, of course. Turning on one of the many showers, I go to the one furthest from the door. Starting to strip down, I take off my shirt, and start to my pants before jumping, as I'm tapped on my shoulder.

"Oh, sorry bout that, anyways if you can, try to be honest in every manner. The captain likes to have very honest and cooperative people. Also, we're using you to figure out on who sent him to hunt down the Howl."

"Well would be a little nice that you guys would tell me this ahead of time, you know."

"We can, and could've, but you wouldn't have reacted the same if we would have told you."

"And one more thing, can you stop popping up out of places? At least have some warning before popping in like what you did?"

"Sorry, but I'm practically a ghost on the ship. So you wouldn't be getting any warning from me, other than appearing when you're around. Then again, we do have a backup plan if anything gets a little rough out here. Oh, make sure to tell the captain that our heading is to Sharknold's Whirlpool. Which will be reached by sometime near dusk, considering the winds right now, though we need the information, and fast."

"Can't you guys ask him?"

"We can, though it'll lead to some complications though. But we have a backup if anything were to happen. For the mean time, see ya."

With him gone, I stand there for a little more, nervous if he was around, but confident that he wasn't here anymore, I take the rest of my clothes off and shower. When I finish up washing completely, a pile of clothes sits near the door of the bathroom. Clothing myself, and surprised the clothes fit me, I walk on out, where the lady -I think Christina- waits for me.

"You good?"

"Yeah, thanks."

"Come on, the captain is waiting."

"Right."

Heading back into the room I was in last night, where I met the captain, he waits patiently as I wait for him to ask a question.

"So, the only thing you know is that their heading is to Maknolision? Anything else you know of while being a prisoner on the ship?"

"I-I wasn't a captive of the ship, captain, I was traveling to Maknolision with two other humans on the ship."

"Hmm, Christina, are you absolutely sure there were no other humans aboard the ship?"

"From what we saw sir, there were none that I've seen. Weird thing about the ship, is that there was no one at the helm."

"Hmm, interesting, and no one noticed you?"

"We are highly positive that none saw us while on the ship."

"Now I'm getting more and more curious why we were paid to go and destroy a well known merchant in Emanotahwonktnodi. Christina, start telling the rest that we'll begin our attack soon, say around an hour from now. Due to the fact their heading is to Sharknold's Whirlpool, and we all know what can happen if you aren't both a very skilled sailor and magician."

"Sorry to intrude you, captain, but I cannot let you attack the Howl," Adam appears right in front of me, standing in front of the desk of the captain.

Making Christina to draw her sword, and to Adam. In which, he touches the sword with his left pointer finger, and pushes it down, but she quickly raises it back up.

"And who may you be?"

"Stand down, Christina, he's one of the heroes that saved Tnodi, Adam is it?"

"Aye captain, as I said before, I cannot let you attack the Howl."

"So why can't I attack that ship?"

"Well, you follow by a set of rules you specifically made, correct?"

"Yes, continue on."

"How about I show you, may I?" Adam holds out a hand to the captain.

"Ah, Christina, stand down, he isn't going to do anything. He's merely a messenger."

"If you insist captain..."

Taking Adam's hand, their connected hands glow a light yellow, and within seconds, they let go of each other's hand.

"Alrighty then, I guess you didn't appear earlier because you wanted to find out who payed us to hunt the ship, correct?"

"Exactly captain, but knowing how you work, you won't tell, and you'll be safe from them due to your contract and having the rules on it."

"My little safety plan if my crew and I had to go and visit Davy Jones' Locker. Though I do give you luck on Sharknold's Whirlpool. But do you need any transportation back to your ship?"

"No, but thank you for the offer captain, we have a friend waiting for us next to your ship."

"You two are dangerous people, you know. If you and your sister don't have much to do, you're more than welcome to join me on my hunts."

"Thank you captain, we'll consider the offer. Come on Jackson, we're leaving back to the Howl."

"Christina, tell the others to let them pass, we're done with this job."

"We are captain?"

"I'll explain later, for now follow orders."

"Aye captain."

"Oh, before I forget captain, here you go. I expect that you wouldn't look into it for the recipe?" Adam opens the storage portal, dropping into the captain's hand is a vial, "Just one drop per person."

"Thank you, be save on your trip."

"Sure thing, captain."

Walking back out to the deck, most of the other crew of the ship back away from us, as we continue on down to the port side of the ship. Adam jumping down, looking as if going into water, before a faint thump is all I hear. Looking over, Adam waves his hand, as he stands a small rowboat that wasn't there before, also alongside with Taylor.

"You coming, or do ya want to join the captain and his crew?"

Slowly climbing down the side of the ship, I make it safely on the row boat, and soon enough, Adam starts to row back to the Howl. Docking the row boat next to the ship, I look behind us, and see no trace whatsoever of Arian's fleet, nothing but the sea and clouds.

"So, did you two figure out who it was?"

"No captain, we couldn't get any information, otherwise the Howl would be destroyed," Adam sighs.

"Well, good job, go get some lunch. You too Jackson, nice job. Considering that you still went on even though we didn't even tell you."

"Thanks captain."

Back on the Howl, where everything practically went to I guess normal on the ship. Nothing really happening but seeing water, water, water, and water starting to fall down up ahead...

"Uhh captain? What's with the water over there?"

"Now that, my little kit, is Sharknold's Whirlpool, a very risky way of sea travel, but if you can make it, it's very rewarding. Anyways, start closing, locking, and securing everything up lads! Taylor, Adam, get our commandeered ships at the ready."

"Aye captain," all cohesively yell.

"As for you, I suggest that you head on into my cabin, don't want to be running into anyone, would we?"

"Sure thing, captain."

Heading down to her cabin, I wait patiently as I hear the continuous yells of the crew, and the sound of two loud splashes nearby. Also adding to the yells, the sounds of metal clanging on metal, creaking of both metal and most likely wood. What are they doing, I have no clue.

"Alright lads, that's good enough, Adam, Taylor take it from here! Everyone else, get under, now! We're near the edge!"

With clomping feet and shuffling, I peer down the hallway, as the crew go into their rooms, and the last one to come in is the captain, who walks down the hallway, and into her room.

"Might want to buckle up, or hold onto something really tight, you know."

"Where?"

"Just get into the seat, it'll automatically come out for you."

Sitting down into one of the two chairs, a small aura of light appears around my shoulders. As two straps appear at my sides, I take them and connect them together, just in time to hear Adam.

"This is your captain speaking, as we heading into the depths of Sharknold's Whirlpool, I highly advise that all arms, legs, tails, any possessions, or anything at all remain inside the ship. Otherwise, have a wonderful time, as we take this fine, and calm trip! Seriously though, hang on, this'll be a rough ride."

With a feeling of vertigo, I feel the ship start to tip, alongside the grinding of metal and wood.

"Adam! What are you doing to my ship?"

"Sorry captain, but I need permission to the engines. Seems like some idiots tried to go down here, and it's hard to maneuver through the debris. The other two ships are taking most of it, but they are going to be a problem soon."

"Alright, giving you access to the engines," Shukhi announces, lifting a small cover on her desk, and presses the button under it.

With the rumbling of the ship, and sounds of rotors going on, I feel the ship start to accelerate much faster. Alongside with the continuing sounds of grinding metal and wood. soon enough, the pulling sensation starts to increase greatly, so much force, I start to black out. Trying to stay conscious, I hear the captain say something, but I couldn't tell what she said though. Most likely on the lines of hold on.

Before I know it, I regain conscious, and from the looks of it, before the captain can regain conscious herself. Moaning about, I unbuckle from my seat, and collapse onto the ground. Landing under the 'soft' cushioning of books that were probably scattered during the trip.

"For the love of yip, why does it get worst every time we go through..." the captain mutters, and from the sounds of it, she too taking off her buckle, "You alright, Jackson?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," I reply, slowly getting up, and holding a hand out for her.

"Thank you. Go and check if Adam and Taylor a fine up top, I'm going to check on the crew."

"Aye, captain."

Taking a small moment to regain my senses, I slowly walk to the exit. Sluggishly up the stairs and unlocking the locked door, I'm temporarily blinded by the brighter light of outside. With my eyes adjusting to the sun, I look out on the deck and don't see them. Walking out and up to where the helm is, I see them; both of them dozed off, Taylor laying down in his laps, while he sleeps sitting up - their clothes not even wet at all.

Walking over to them, Adam opens his eyes, and looks to me, "Tell the captain that we'll be fine, just tired," he mutters, and falls back to sleep.

"Well I'll be. Just let them be, Jackson. In the meantime, I could use some help. Mostly with cleaning and placing things back to where they belong."

"Sure thing, though should we get them a blanket or something?"

"No need, they'll stay warm. The little necklaces of theirs give off small benefits other than an improvement of magic."

"Okay then, so where should I start?"

"You could start with our food storage, not too hard to do; just place back boxes in their place, and the food if they happened to fall over. Make sure to put the bruised, or not marketable ones in a different box."

"Aye captain."

Heading into the lower decks, I look at the minor mess that our little trip caused. Nearly every former strapped box are now scattered on the floor, boxes open with contents either on the floor or squashed by another box. Taking the few hours organizing the food, I manage to get at least more than half of the room. Taking a small break, I hear footsteps coming down from the stairs.

"Well, you did quite a lot considering that it was just you," Adam complements, standing next to me.

"Thanks, though mostly because most of the boxes didn't break open."

"Go up and get some dinner and rest, I'll take it from here."

"Thanks Adam."

Walking up the stairs tiredly, I eat up dinner, and go right to bed. Still wondering till we reach land because I'm kind of getting sick of seeing nothing other than water and seagulls.

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