Chapter 9: Bottom of the Deep Blue Sea

Kidd, Page and I exited Reaver's manor but not before bandaging up my wound from bleeding everywhere.

"That was amazing, I only saw the Balverine fight but still." Page said as I laughed feeling it hurt a little replying, "It was nothing really. All in heroes days' work."

Suddenly I felt myself being transported again standing in front of Theresa as she gave her usually ghostly smile.

"Another victory you've achieved, you're the only one to leave that place alive and tell the tale." She said as I frowned replying, "How did Reaver come to the state he's in now?"

Despite what a vile man he was he saved my life and for that, I did owe him. She took a step forward as I felt small in her presence.

"His story is his own to tell know it's a very long one though. Perhaps one day he will share it with you." She said simply as I groaned not liking that answer.

I was transported back in front of Page and Kidd as I heard a bell ringing in the distance turning towards it.

"By order of the king, everyone is requested in front of the castle for a speech." A man said ringing the bell again making me frown.

"This can't be good, go and change and meet Ben at the castle." Page said while I nodded watching her walk off.

I walked limping slightly towards the town getting a fresh pair of clothes seeing people running to the castle gates. I heard whispers of an execution making my heart stop in my chest, who had Logan found that he deemed a traitor. I limped quicker to the castle gates seeing Ben in the back but he grabbed my hand pulling me closer. My heart sank seeing bound and bruised was none other than Major Swift.

I squeezed Ben's hand feeling him tense against me as I looked up glaring while Logan began making his speech.

"Some of you are aware that there is a rebellion against me, well we have here one of these traitors. His crime is treason and his sentence is death." Logan said darkly continuing, "If anyone knows the whereabouts of any others come forward and you will be rewarded."

I watched as a firing squad aimed at Swift pulling the trigger looking down feeling tears threaten to fall. My body was beaten physically and now emotionally in one, it made my will lines pulsate but I kept it at bay not wanting to draw attention to myself. Logan began addressing people to leave as I pulled Ben knowing he would do something rash if I didn't.

I brought him to an alley as he punched the wall crying out while I let my tears fall walking up to him hugging his back.

"I am sorry Ben, he was a good man." I said softly while he said through ragged breath, "He will pay for what he has done. I'll kill the bastard."

I frowned lightly, my brother did deserve death for all he's done but he was still my brother. I only hoped he wasn't too far gone for me to reach. Ben wiped his eyes still leaning against the wall as I kept my hand on his back hoping it helped soothe him.

He turned around quickly, eyes looking sadder then I've ever seen them while he leaned in kissing me on the lips shocking me. I went to close my eyes when I flash of amber eyes appeared causing me to jump back making him frown.

"I cannot do that Ben." I said shaking a bit while he sighed replying, "Worth a try I suppose… come on we need to get back to Page."

We all stood a moment of silence for Major Swift, Hal happy to see me again nuzzled at my leg while I pet him gently. Page devised us a plan and a ship, the last message that was given to us from Swift was we could find allies in Aurora. I frowned lightly thinking about it, that was the last voyage Logan went on and he came home with no one else.

Ben and I geared up unsure when we would be back to Albion as Hal seemed enthused to travel on a boat, I had never been on one for a long voyage so I looked forward to it too. We snuck around the back as I had my pistol out ready for any trouble but trouble always found us.

Fighting our way to the docks was a chore, to say the least, but Ben and I worked well together since we were both masters of combat. Hal grabbed the throat of anyone foolish enough to fall on the ground as I stopped short hearing a huge explosion.

"Page wasn't messing around." Ben said laughing as I snorted replying, "No kidding."

Finally, we made it to the boat while Walter ran towards us sheathing his sword saying, "Let's get a move on before more guards come."

I nodded stepping on the boat as Walter got everything set up and we set off towards Aurora. I leaned against the rail watching the sun come up breathing in deeply. The ocean was beautiful and the rocks of the boat lulled me in a wonderful way, I was going to have to go out on a boat more often.

I laid my head against the side of the boat frowning lightly. This journey was almost done and yet I felt unprepared for what was to come. Fighting wasn't an issue for me but dealing with people was, I only hoped I could handle it. Father always said the most boring times of his life was when he became king, though when Logan and I were born we gave him someone to adventure with. I had always hoped to join him on voyages such as this, fighting in the spire with his friends, finding the love of my life as he did.

I frowned lightly, love, I wasn't sure I wanted to find that anymore. With Elliot's hurtful words still fresh in my head it just didn't seem like a reason to live. Father always said mother gave him a reason to live but I couldn't see how that was truly a thing. I would most likely be married off to a rich nobleman from a far-off land. Or perhaps Reaver since he was the richest in Albion, my mind twisted in disgust and a giggle, who in their right mind would want to marry that man. He would only marry himself I thought as I pictured him kissing his reflection making me laugh out loud.

"Something funny princess?" Ben said appearing out of nowhere making me clear my throat saying, "Oh nothing just thinking to myself."

He went to speak as the boat was hit by something large causing us all to rock violently. I held onto the railing looking off the side seeing one of my brother's ships making me frown as two more cannon balls came crashing into the ship. Hal barked seeing a fire had started while Walter ran over to me putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Abandon Ship!" he said while I nodded looking at the dark blue water below then at Hal.

I lifted him up tossing him over as I soon followed diving deep below the waves away from the fire. Once I surfaced I tried catching my breath feeling the waves crash into me knocking the wind from my lungs. I could hear Hal barking but wasn't able to see anyone as I cried out to Walter and Ben.

I heard a loud creak as one of the masts of the ship came crashing down towards me then everything went black.

Shipwrecked and alone, what darkness awaits Sophia next.