Chapter One: The Storm
The ship rocked and rolled so violently the crew, for the most part, were utterly terrified.
"Captain!" the second mate yelled "Please the…" the ship rocked more violently, almost smashing into tiny bits. "The ship… it can't take much more of this."
Noland looked at the horrified man with raised eyebrows, "have you talked to Ryu. I mean your first mate is one of the best navigators this kingdom has ever known."
"T'at's da Prob'em no one can fin' Ryu. Like the sea done swallow up…and 'e's sleepin here ain't 'he" another man asked in a very sea-dog-ish attitude.
"yes she is." Noland smiled. "My niece is one of a kind now you might want to wake her up quickly if it is as bad as you say it is."
"Right." The first man said pausing for a second. "W-won't she be crossed? Will she not be angry?"
"here I will wake her up" Noland laughed rising from his desk "you see what you two can do right now." The two ran out of the room eager not to be caught in the cross fire between the two super powers. Noland laughed he didn't see why his men feared his first mate and niece, but he really didn't care to ask. "Ryu…" he shook her shoulder "Yuki its time to get up."
"Why?"
"I need an amazing navigator to save the lives of my entire crew." Noland said in an exasperated sweet voice.
The covers were thrown back reveling a girl with long blue hair that was tasseled by sleep. Her amethyst eyes sparkled with awareness though they were held as if sleep would catch them at any moment. She wore a night gown that came to her mid-thigh and only had thin straps for sleeves.
"then what are we waiting for Uncle an invitation to our funerals? Lets go…" she began to stand before stopping. " do you hear that?"
"I don't hear anything? Wha…" but Noland stopped hearing a sound. "A bell?"
"it is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard…it sounds as if… as if it is calling for me…"
"take us in that direction?" Noland ordered in the form of a question to which Yuki nodded.
"Yes I've got it." She darted outside, beginning to command her troops so well even strong-willed men bowed to her. However, not every one agreed with this. She was a woman, and it was the norm for a woman her age to be married and have a kid to two.
Contrary to society, she was still a maiden, with no husband and children, she was free to live her life like she wanted… unhindered. She laughed when angry men told her, she should settle down before she became a maiden till death. She would always say till she meet a man as strong as her uncle she would never settle…and then she woud marry that man?
Noland laughed at that thought never knowing how soon that time would come…when he would not be the only man in her eyes.