Chapter 2: Fleeing Falena
Estrise, 338 Solar Year

Estrise, at last, it seemed like years since the young man had felt the touch of a cool ocean breeze against his face. The smell of the salty air caused a twinge of familiarity to run down his back as he made his way through the hustle and bustle of townsfolk going about their ordinary lives.

It had been sometime since he had laid his eyes upon such a rare sight as a clear blue sky back dropping against a tranquil azure sea. The flow of the tide was hypnotic moving in and out as he stood upon the coast his gaze fully fixed on the motion.

He didn't even notice a salty man, whose sway, speech, countenance, and all other mannerisms left little doubt that this man was an old seadog. "Da' Capt'n got'rr letter from da princess. Yarrr, and da capt'n is as mad as a barnacle on hez back side cuz he haz to change hiz plans. Now hurrrie up and get your skinnie arse to da ship beforr da capt'n chanzes his minds me matey." exclaimed the old sailor.

"Oh. Yes, thank you. Please, lead the way." replied the young man. Turning his eyes from the shore and looking back toward the inland, he let out a deep sigh, and began following the old timer toward the ocean-going vessel.

The two made their way to the ship, where a man dressed in a white uniform with an orange overcoat awaited them. The old sailor introduced his superior officer to the young man, "This be Capt'n Diego." he said as he gestured toward the man in orange. The young man quickly made eye contact with this fellow.

His uniform was white like cotton and his orange coat was one that glimmered like the sun. He stood tall and proud. He was a man who had a presence and knew how to use it. His hair was black as night as was his beard. His tanned face had a serious look and was covered with many scars. The captain didn't try to hide his wounds. For him, they were a badge of honor he wore proudly.

His demeanor was excellent for intimidating his foes and friends alike. His one hand was rested on the hilt of his sword and the other at his side. There was little doubt in the mind of the traveler that this man before him was a warrior as well as a sailor, one who had seen all the conflicts and hardships the sea could throw against a man.

Diego, likewise, stared down this young man who had just arrived on his ship. It was odd enough to receive a secret letter from a member of the royal family in the middle of the night from a Queen's Knight of all people, requesting immediate transport for this seemingly diplomatic official, but there was something different about this lad, he reasoned.

The way he walked, the way his arms moved, his whole body's demeanor left little doubt to the captain that the young man knew how to fend his own. The weapons that he wore around the waist of his ambassador-styled robes were for more than mere show.

Moreover, his face had such strange blue eyes, observed the captain; for this was what had caught his attention. Never before had he seen one so young with eyes so serious, so gentle, so experienced, and yet so sorrowful.

These eyes were not the eyes of a typical youth, but of a general or a great admiral. One who had been to hell and back. The youth was indeed an enigma to Diego, perhaps that's why his anger subsided when he met this man who he would be transporting on such a last minute's notice.

The captain was not the kind who went about taking orders as so much giving them. But Diego was a proud and patriotic man, and a request like this from the royal family; he took as a great honor. Also, the gift of 200,000 Potch along with a promise of another 200,000 upon returning certainly helped to convince the captain to take this presumably simple mission of taking this man to the Island Nations' Capital of Obel.

"This is my ship!" declared Diego in a deep, yet concise, voice, "I am letting you on MY ship for the sake of her Highness, Princess Olinda. But if you're going to stay on my ship until we get to Obel. Then, for your own sake you better be willing to work with the rest of my crew, understand?"

"I'll help with the vessel that is not a problem. All I ask is when I am not working, I be left alone in my room." retorted the youth. The captain was a bit shocked by the lack of any notable emotional response, such as fear, distain, or pride in the man's voice.

Normally, when the captain spoke, people jump, but this young man's attitude simply accepted his fate for whatever it was to be. "Very well then," smirked Diego, turning to some of his crew who were close by, "Take our guest to his quarters." "Aye, Aye, Captain, right away," said the crewmembers.

As the two crewmen and the youth began to make their way across the deck, Diego turned and said "I nearly forgot, what is your name, son?" Not turning around, but walking toward the downstairs, he replied "Lazlo." "Lazlo, eh!? Interesting, well then welcome aboard the Dawning." said the captain.

"Arrggg, Capt'n there be somethin fishy about that guy. I can feel it in me britches. He be trouble." whispered the old seadog. "I know Mr. Oaks. I know, but what can I do? The princess, herself, has asked and paid us to take him." "But, Capt'n there be all kindz of rumors blowing a bout, saying da royal family is in all kindz of maelstroms right now. And I diesn't wanna be walkin the plank for no ones, but ye Capt'n." pleaded Oakes,

"I have heard the rumors too and whether the boy is involved or not doesn't matter. Royal problems are just that ROYAL problems. So, let those land-lovers deal with them. We have our money and our mission; we'll take him to Obel. We will wait a while and come back, collect the rest of our treasure from the princess, and that will be that. Besides, he's different and certainly strange agreed, but there is something about him that is respectable. Now get to your post so we can set sail, Mr. Oakes." "Aye, Capt'n!" yelled the old seadog.

"Your Highness, I just received word from Estrise. They accepted your request and his ship set sail earlier this morning." reported the Queen's Knight. "Thank you, so much." the gentle, yet remorseful, voice replied. Rose more casually and personally asked, "Princess Olinda what will you do now, I mean if your mother finds out. She'll..." "She won't know. Not her. Not father. No one. Not even, Cyrah. This will… This must be kept quiet, or else it could ruin everything. Maybe, even start a war." stressed Olinda.

"My job is to protect you as well as Falena from any threat, Milady. I swear I won't tell a soul. But, what about… the young master Barows. Are you really going to marry him?" asked her bodyguard.

"You are a true friend, Rose. But yes, I must marry him and not because of that awful letter, but because it is my duty. It breaks my heart, but if there is one thing, I have learned because of all this is my wants must come second to the needs of Falena. And I am its Princess." Olinda took Rose by both hands as the two began to weep together, "Come, let us pray for the Sun's divine protection upon us and Falena right now."