The troupe moved toward the first cabin on their right, avoiding the balls of blue light zinging to and fro around them. Each time one passed by, Albert swore he could see a reflection in it. It appeared as a demon creature with long curling horns and giant threatening claws.
Rose ignored them and as usual kept to the back of the group at all times, behind Kongol, who was speaking animatedly with Haschel, about ghost ships in human legends.
The first cabin on their right opened to a small ghoul filled hallway. Several of the misty specters slipped to and fro as if guarding the corridor. At the far end was another door, labeled "Captain's Cabin". Meru stood at the head of the group, holding her hammer uneasily. Dart was behind her, his jaw set.
Albert stepped up to her. "I don't think a hammer will do much against spirits."
She didn't take her eyes off of them. "Then a glaive won't either."
He shook his head and looked to Dart. "Magic?"
The red armored leader took his hand off the hilt of his sword and dropped it to his side. "We should wait to see if they're unfriendly. We might anger them if we start a fight."
Albert considered the one that he'd seen earlier. Though he wanted to confirm his suspicion that they were evil ghosts, he said nothing and took a step back.
Rose stepped up to Dart. "When you are dealing with dark supernatural forces, it is important to think defensively as well as offensively." She reached for a pouch at her waist and produced one with a white glimmer to it, one that Albert recognized as the Dancing Ray potion. "Remember that we have wandered into their domain. They will attack without warning. Be on your guard."
Dart nodded. Turning, he addressed the group. "No one attack. Just follow me." He stepped forward toward the door.
Materializing from the ceiling, a figure knelt on the floor, facing the cabin door. All of them stopped. Albert took a step back in shock. Was this…? He studied the ghost's apparel. It looked like it belonged to a royal guard of Mille Seseau.
The knight raised his head. "Captain! Please open here." he said desperately. "Where are you, Captain?"
Dart held up his hand to keep everyone from moving.
Albert frowned. This knight hadn't noticed them yet. Obviously, whatever had fallen upon this vessel, the captain's life had been claimed quickly. What could have happened here?
The knight turned suddenly, facing the group. Dart kept his hand in the air while his other fell on to the hilt of his sword. The knight began toward them. Once he was within a few feet, he vanished into the air.
The group eyed the spot for a few moments and gradually began to relax once again.
"We should check the captain's cabin for some information on what happened here." Haschel voiced.
Dart nodded and they headed toward the door, dodging the blue swirls that crossed the way. The red armored warrior reached the door and pulled the handle. "It seems like it's not opening."
"Well, there must be a key somewhere around here for it." Albert said.
"Or Kongol could break the door down." Meru elected, raising her hammer.
Kongol nodded and stepped forward, brandishing his axe. "Kongol kill door."
Dart waved his hands excitedly. "No, no, no! If we upset the ghosts around here, we'll be outnumbered."
Kongol lowered the axe and stepped back, decidedly sad at the decision.
"Albert's right." Dart spoke. "We should split up and search the ship."
Shana's face grew nervous. "Split up? I don't like the sound of that."
Rose brushed around Albert to enter the discussion. The scent of almond oil was there and gone as quick as a campfire in the rain. "I agree. It is a foolish decision. If we anger the spirits when we are on our own or even in pairs, we will be in more serious trouble."
Dart shook his head. "We won't split up into groups that small. We'll do one group of three and one group of four. At least, then if there is trouble, we'll be prepared."
"I'll go with you, Dart." Shana said, joining him.
Dart's gaze softened. "I'd rather you go with me anyway. It's not safe on this ship."
Albert smiled in spite of himself. Maybe Dart was beginning to see after all how Shana cared for him more than as a sister.
Haschel clasped his hands behind his back and quickly joined Dart and Shana. "I will go with you as well. I wouldn't want you lovebirds getting distracted."
Shana chuckled and tried to hide her giggling. Dart blushed to nearly the color of his armor. "Don't be ridiculous."
"Well, it doesn't make sense for the team's two best warriors to be in the same group, so I will be in the other." Rose grumbled and stepped to the opposite side of the floor.
There were simultaneous grunts from Haschel and Meru.
Kongol stood for a few moments, trying to decide. He looked back and forth from one group to another.
Albert stared at the floor. He was in trouble now. If he chose to be on Rose's team, she might think that he was following her. And then he would really give himself away. But he knew that Meru would instinctively go for Dart's team and that would leave him with her regardless.
"I wanna be on Dart's team!" Meru called at that precise moment and skipped gleefully over to them. Albert watched Dart's smile slide a little but he said nothing. Meru seemed to be developing a sort of crush on Dart. It was kind of cute.
Kongol dipped his head. "Kongol want to join Dart."
Meru's eyes flashed. "Well, there's too many people! You can go with Rose."
Albert glanced at Rose out of the corner of his eye. She remained quiet but he could see that she was slightly offended. He felt sorry for her.
Albert stepped over to her. "I will go with you."
She nodded sharply but said nothing else. He noticed a certain relief in her face though.
Haschel shook his head and stepped out of Dart's circle. "There's no need to fight. I will go with Rose and Albert." He seemed perfectly happy to make the change and Rose welcomed him to the group with a nod.
"Alright," Dart announced, as Kongol joined his group. "We're going to take the lower part of the ship. Why don't you guys check the cabins on deck?"
Again, Rose nodded and the teams split up.
As the smaller of the two groups exited the door and moved over to the starboard side of the ship, Albert deliberated the actions that could have happened there. 'Perhaps the rudder chain had been disabled and it left them stranded at sea with no means of fixing it? No.' He shook his head. That was unlikely. They would have been able to repair it. 'Perhaps it was pirates? The seas now a days seem to be littered with them.'
He looked up at Rose who was leading the way. She seemed unsure of herself. Seeing the ghost back there was enough to rile the nerves of anybody. Plus having her combating and leadership skills thought bad enough by no one wanting to be with her. Well, that's how she would see it anyway. He knew the reason was more because of her cold attitude toward them. But she couldn't see that.
Haschel stepped lightly beside him. He seemed to be lost in his own train of thought too.
Albert stepped up to walk along side Rose. "Do you have any thoughts as to what might have happened here?"
She blinked and her mouth puckered slightly. "You must have your own theories."
It wasn't exactly the answer he was looking for. She knew something. He'd seen it clear as day on her face when they'd first laid eyes on the ship. But he didn't want to corner her on it. Maybe it had to do with the "ghosts" that she still loved. It was part of her past, in any case.
"I thought it could possibly be pirates." he said.
He caught a slight smile on her face. "It is plausible. But impractical."
"How so?"
"They would not have left the ship adrift at sea."
He pursed his lips. That was true. They would likely have hijacked the vessel for themselves. Either that or looted it and then blown it up with some explosives.
"If not pirates, then who?" he questioned, hoping to trick her into giving something away.
She stopped walking. Her face was a gale of stormy weather. But her eyes seemed so sad, so beautiful. Her lips were slightly parted. Though she looked like she might say something, she didn't. Albert could feel his heart begin to thud once again. He only wished that he could hold her then, cradled close to his chest and let her know that things were going to be alright.
His wishes got the better of him. "Rose." he whispered.
Her eyes slowly gazed at him.
"There is something I must ask you." His mind dueled with him. Was this truly what he wanted to do? Did he love her? Or was it all just a passing fancy? More importantly, would she allow him to love her? Oh, he wished that she would. And he knew these wishes would die in the next cool breeze. She was too strong for that.
"I need to interrupt you two." Haschel interjected, suddenly running up to them.
Albert raised his eyes. They were surrounded by two Mille Seseau knight ghosts, hovering silently in the air around them. He raised his glaive, his face glowering. 'What have we done? Why are they circling us?'
A knight unsheathed its sword and pointed it directly at Rose. "We won't give you Princess Louvia!"
Rose staggered back. She no longer seemed confident. Her eyes were bulging with fear. Albert moved in front of her protectively, keeping his glaive high.
The knight charged, his sword gleaming against the starlight.