A/N: Thank you for the reviews, Vanilla-Vicky, PhoenixRage92, and Random Guest! :') I feel so happy! :')
This chapter is a little less than satisfactory as I had been busy with ship work, 3 ports since Sunday, believe me – it's tiring as hell. Anyway, please enjoy this latest chapter! :-)
EARLY RELEASE DUE TO AN UNEXPECTED CHANGE OF PORT STAYS. :-)
Please read, enjoy, and if you have time, review! Or PM me!
Chapter 8
Rumor Has It
The sun was shining oddly bright that day. So were the sounds of seagulls that seemed to be squawking loudly. Ja'far took a deep breath as the ship heaved its anchor up – for people who were not used to the smell of the sea, they could describe it as something akin to decaying vegetables and salty sea weed, or sometimes, it smelled like rotten eggs forgotten in the haystack. There were also people who would joke around and say that they should check out the ocean because it smelled fishy – a very lame pun, but there were those who actually found it completely hilarious.
However, to Ja'far and possibly for most of the travelers – the ocean gave off an aura of adventure, a sense of the unknown, a new place to be discovered. He had lost count of the years since they last went on an adventure. Not one that involved getting allies or taking opportunities to recruit people for Sindria – but a real adventure where they would go to different places, explore new things, have fun, laugh... all of these seemed to be like some kind of dream now. Perhaps asking for things to be back the way they were before was too much.
As the men shouted that they had secured the anchor, Ja'far sighed at his thoughts. That was very selfish of him... to think about these kinds of things. He had more important assignments to take care of, much more responsibilities that he should handle with care, and perhaps, he still had to look after Sin's wellbeing. He was their King and savior, but most of all... he was their friend. He would never be used to Sin's slow transformation.
Ja'far was terrified of it.
However, it was not because for the sake of being terrified by his change. It was more like, he was turning into someone they barely knew. He wanted to blame the 'curse' bestowed upon him as he almost cursed his own fate, but putting all the felony to it would never be enough. Sin was acting on his own accord, for the things that he believed was right, for the things he believed to be bestowed by 'fate', for the goals he was trying to accomplish... there were times that even Ja'far was wondering... what would have happened had they not done anything that day?
His trail of thoughts had come to an abrupt halt as an old man went next to him. He was the master of the ship they traveled in.
"Aye, ya sure tha we be goin' to Geniveive?" he asked serenely, smoking his pipe.
Ja'far answered, "Yes. Our King has told us that we would indeed be heading towards Geniveive."
"Aye, knew tha much, told us 'bout it," he exhaled, thick smoke formed in front of them, "Whad I ment... are ya extremely sure 'bout goin' der?"
Ja'far furrowed his brows. The captain of the ship did not seem very well intended to pursue heading to Geniveive, and he was definitely not hiding it.
"What do you mean by that?"
Ja'far's eyes narrowed as the old man left with his mysterious answer, "Ah, yeh'll see fer yah self when we get der."
Was it really a good idea for them to head towards Genivieve?
"Thank you, Aladdin," Charon bowed her head as she expressed her gratitude, "I would have not been able to go anywhere near the High King of the Seven Seas, let alone get out of the room, without your help."
"Don't worry about it, nee-san," smiled Aladdin.
"No! Really! I should thank you," she insisted, "I don't know how I could ever repay you..."
"It's really not a bother, nee-san."
"I'm serious, Aladdin," she quickly added, "I mean, I do give service as a consort, but you're too young."
Before Aladdin could reply, the look out from the forward mast gave a shout: "I can see Genivieve! I can see Genivieve! Less than six nautical miles, quickly diminishing in distance!"
"Prepare for berthing! Forward and aft stations! You there! Make sure the sails are secured!" the first mate roared on deck. Feet stomped quickly, ropes were distributed, all hands on deck was then occupied. The men who were joyfully chatting around, enjoying the calm view of the morning sea were gone in an instant as they scampered to their respective job orders.
Aladdin and Charon looked at each other and ran to the side of the ship. True enough, not only were seagulls squawked more loudly and increasing in number, mountain tops could already be seen from where they were. Alibaba and Morgiana shortly followed suit and went by the rails along with the two, Sinbad and his two generals however did not move a budge.
The King of Sindria glared darkly at the land before them. Ja'far noted his tapping of feet – a mannerism he had whenever he felt agitated or concerned – it had been increasingly loud than what he usually makes. He shifted his eyes to Masrur who also seemed a little too silent for comfort. First, it was the captain, now it was Sinbad and Masrur.
Was he missing something?
Charon's eyes widened as they approached the port – they had become full of hope and lively. Aladdin felt reassured as he saw the golden rukh flutter everywhere – however, as they berthed – he noticed the unusual lack of rukh within the populace of Geniveive.
The rukh fluttered weakly before Aladdin and as he reached it, they broke into a thousand pieces. They were memories, perhaps of the people who used to live in Geniveive – there was a mother who had lost his son in war, an orphan who was violated by many men and women, a young woman in search for her brother held in captive, a mute who loved her sister so much that when her sister passed away - she took her own life, and more painful memories that seemed to overflow within the walls of the city of Geniveive.
'Is... is this the reason why you sent us here, King Solomon?' the young magi thought as he watched the remnants of the rukh disappear before his eyes.
Aladdin could hear the wails of despair from the Great Flow – and they had yet to leave the port of Geniveive. He could not believe it, but they had only been less than fifteen meters away from the ship itself.
For the first time in a very long time, Aladdin felt uneasy – very uneasy.
Ja'far walked back and forth, waiting for Sinbad - to finally leave the bath – and Masrur – to finally leave the toilet. He could not understand how they thought it was more important to watch as the ship went closer to the port than to actually do their personal necessities – which included but was not limited to taking a bath, taking a dump, packing clothes, brushing teeth, combing hair, and maybe ironing the clothes. It was as if they had all the time in the world to do their thing very slowly. Not to mention that he also needed to talk to Sin regarding that odd message that the captain said.
"At last!" Ja'far exclaimed as the King of Sindria finally left his room.
A rather amused Sinbad asked, "What?"
"Nothing," replied the former assassin, "I just thought that it took you forever before you left the bath."
"You were counting?" joked Sinbad. However, it was not very well received as the white-haired young man glared at him. "Okay, okay."
Masrur arrived, carrying a small box with him.
Ja'far nodded at Sinbad, "I need to talk to you, and you too, Masrur."
"Is it important?" asked Sinbad, "Do we need to be in private for this?" he added, as his eyes shifted to the young ones before them. They watched as their prisoner ran her way down the platform, avoiding much of the workers who were taking down luggages and cargoes from the ship. She was closely followed by their little magi, who stopped his tracks for a while. Alibaba waved at them, motioning his hands – he was telling them that they would go on ahead. Sinbad waved back. The prince took it as an answer and ran after Aladdin – who was now running closely behind the girl. The female Fanalis stomped her way, following the lead of the boy.
Ja'far glanced at Sinbad. He had concerns and he was going to get the answers he deserved. Without much ado about how to ask, he simply looked at the King and said, "Have you talked to the captain?"
"Aa," Sinbad replied darkly, "Has he told you anything about the city?"
"Not much," said Ja'far, "Why did you ask?"
"The city is not very welcoming," said Sinbad, "The captain, Georg, did not like having to go to this port. So was the crew – that was why they were restless by the time land was sighted. They were afraid of what kind of spell might befall on them for sending in foreign people inside the city."
"Am I missing something here?" asked Ja'far, looking at both Sinbad and Masrur.
The Fanalis then said, "The city of Geniveive is in the process of being bought by Kou Empire."
"What!"
Next on "The Prostitute's Deal"
Charon could not believe what she was seeing – tears were welling up on her eyes, her lips and hands were trembling terribly, and there was an intense tightening on her stomach.
She was home. She was really home.
And then there was a wrench that flew from the caravan and hit her squarely on the forehead.
A/N: Half-awake when I was writing this. Ship's clock will be advanced soon. :-) Reviews, comments, suggestions, or violent reactions are very much appreciated. :-)
