Chapter 147: Past and Present

Chapter 147: Past and Present

Chapter 147 - Past and Present

Ventura leaned in with a smile too white on her red lips. Two blonde curls escaped from her pink feathered hat, framing her face in a way that must not be a coincidence.

Dont worry, hon. Its normal to be a little afraid, but this is an easy journey. I gave my word to take care of you till Higharbor, and I intend to keep it. She booped his nose.

The only worry I have is you.

Kai resisted the temptation to swat away her hand. Hed be on this ship for days yet, better not to offend the captain of the Ventura on his first minute aboard.

Damn confusing names.

Im not scared.

Of course youre not, hon. Youre a brave young man. Ventura flashed another smile that said she didnt believe it for one second. Is it your first time on a proper vessel?

The question stumped his thoughts, bringing back long-buried memories. Ive taken a ship before.

How long has it been?

Whiteshore, a lifetime away. After the governor took away everything they ever knew and forced them to relocate to Greenside. Kai missed whatever Ventura was saying, though it didnt seem to require an answer.

Warn one of the crew if youre feeling seasick, and dont wait till you start emptying your insides on my deck, hon. The woman was already marching to shout orders to her crew.

Waves buffeted the hull of the ship in the rising tide. Men and women with tanned skin and bare feet cast off the ropes tying them to the berth, pushing against the pier with long poles to guide their way out of the docks.

Are you okay? Flynn threw him a worried look. Getting me a way to Higharbor is more than enough. Youre still in time to stop the ship if you want to stay here.

Kai pushed down the morose mood, this journey wasnt an exile like the last. Ive told you I want to go a dozen times already, Im not changing my mind. Were stuck together. Try to stop the tears of joy.

Recalling Reishi's warning, Kai had the growing suspicion Flynn might have been the one to inform the mermanabout own his past. Reishi was well-informed about trade and politics, but not about the rebels.

Why is he being so weird about this?

Hesitation and uncertainty were not something he ever associated with Flynn. The boy brimmed with the confidence of an old fisherman at sea. Kai had thought it was due to the truthtellers threat looming over him, but with the Ventura sailing for deeper waters, they were now safe. The Republic would have already stopped them if they suspected something.

Howre you doing? Kai peered at him, trying to pierce his self-assured visage.

Spirits, Im so bad at this.

Im great. Were leaving Sylspring behind for Higharbor, a proper city. The cunning smirk was back, burying whatever anguish he had beneath a sea of smugness. I was just checking if you were getting homesick. Dont fret, with me here you dont have anything to fear.

Kai rolled his eyes. I already feel so much safer.

Its my duty to look after you. Flynn clapped his back, speaking with the cadence of an old mentor. As long as you listen to me, youre going to be fine. Come, Ill show you to our quarters.

The cabin they had to share reminded Kai of his room in Greenside, just smaller. Two beds occupied all the space and one of them was a hammock. The ceiling brushed against his hair and forced Flynn to bend down.

Overall, it was better than he imagined. He had passed his first journey at sea stashed on a crowded deck for a day and a half, his expectations werent exactly sky-high. With how sudden their journey had been set up, Kai thought hed have to sleep with other sailors or in the cargo hold. This beat both options by a mile.

A knapsack with Flynns things slumped in a corner. It was maybe a fifth of his own luggage. The boy looked with an amused smile, as Kai struggled to fit the bags his mother forced on him inside the cabin.

Traveling light, your Majesty?

Shut up, plebeian.

Flynn gave him a mock bow. My deepest apologies, your Majesty. Forgive this humble servant, Im sure you couldnt survive without bringing your fifth favorite scarf.

Youre forgiven, Im feeling merciful today, Kai gestured with a pompous wave. I couldnt part with my snacks. I guess a hardened man like you doesnt need such trivialities.

The smirk was wiped from Flynn's face in less than a blink. His eyes darted to the heavy luggage as if they had turned into solid gold. Maybe I was too hasty in my conclusions.

Great, now Im definitely blushing.

I guess, Im the best then, Flynn muttered.

From his tone, Kai was ready to bet everything he owned his smirk was back. Youre pretty decent.

Dont worry, kid. Flynn patted his head with mock reassurance. You wont have to fear anything as long as you follow me.

Spirits, what have I done? I take it back!

Dont call me kid. Kai glared at him. And youre not in charge.

You are three years younger than me, he pointed out, looking down at him to highlight their height difference. While Kai was just hitting his growth spurt, Flynn was in the middle of it, standing a full head over him.

Im the one who got us this trip. He hated how shrill his voice sounded in his ears.

And Im the only adult. What are you going to tell the enforcers when they ask you where your parents are?

Why would they do that?

Flynn gave him a triumphant grin as if he had stepped into an unseen trap, Because Higharbor is closer to the Merian Republic than the rest of the archipelago. Kids are not supposed to wander the streets of the upper city without a family member or a guardian.

Youve already been to Higharbor? An accusation rather than a question.

The boys smile grew wider. They brought us there a couple times during my education. I also had to suffer through lessons in proper Merian civility and decorum.

Why didnt you tell me? Kai had suspected Flynn omitted a few details to his advantage, though it couldnt be an outright lie either.

When exactly did you want me to tell you? Before or after you decided we were going to Higharbor and left me to organize the trip? Its not like it would have made any difference.

Huh Thats Kai vainly tried to find a counterargument. There werent any that would hold. Fair point.

The pleased look on Flynns smug face would tempt a saint to slap him. Dont worry, little brother. There wont be any problem as long as you listen to my wise advice.

I guess two brothers traveling together would attract less attention.

Will people even believe it? We dont look that much alike. Kai rested his forehead on the railing as a patronizing hand descended on his shoulder.

I know youre not as handsome as me, but you can be my less dashing sibling. Trust me, no one will suspect a thing.

The dark churning waters hid the seabed of the Shallow Sea. With the winds blowing in its sails, the Ventura cruised with surprising speed. Flynn would likely survive the fall, though there was a chance he might not be able to catch up to the ship.

That would mean a bunch of angry sailors. Ventura might even ask him for remuneration or make the rest of the journey unpleasant.

Pity, maybe tomorrow

Kai removed the offending hand from his shoulders. I need to work on my skills, dont disturb me. Without giving him a chance to respond, he disappeared into their cabin, shutting the door.

The undulating motion of the ship and the bustle of the sailors outside posed another challenge. He had long learned to push distraction out of his mind even without Attuned Meditation. After two hours of mana exercises, Kai took out Viryas cube.

He had solved sixteen layers thus far. The intricate puzzle of sliding pieces and runes required to thread his mana into three strands to find three complementary solutions. His mind strained to juggle the different tasks, conscious that even the tiniest mistake would mean starting over.

There was progress, albeit painfully slow. Past were the days when he could complete a whole layer in one sitting. He managed to stave the worry since Inspect allowed him to remember every inch of conquered ground, and take up from where he left.

Ill get my extra attributes.

Lost in the glowing lines, the day flew by. He was close to completing the seventeenth layer. A coconut barely missed Flynns face as he entered without knocking and distracted him.

The clicking pieces announced his success as the puzzle reset. A step closer to solving this hellish contraption. He barely held back a shout, hitting his hand on the low ceiling in his triumph.

Nursing his hands, Kai walked out to stretch his cramped legs. Something was different. Loud voices, wooden buildings and people, lots and lots of people on land not far from him.

Welcome to Old Port, hon, Venturas thumping boots came up to him.