Chapter 15

They left the field the next hour, After Nikki had recollected her lost arrows. She offered to accompany them till they reach the next northern city of San Marino, where they would be able to catch a ride on a ship to Yugoslavia, the western neighbour of Transylvania. Her offer was accepted and Nikki was able to ride along the back of Catherine's horse with her. Catherine didn't mind these arrangements. She now felt that she would finally have someone to talk to on the long journey.
When they had reached the jagged cliffs of the shoreline, they turned once again north. The sun was still not very high in the sky, so they were planning on being able to put in a full day of travelling. According to Nikki, San Marino was about six hours away. They should have plenty of time to find a ship that would be willing to take aboard three travellers (and Nikki if she could convince Van Helsing that she should come).
About an hour into the trip, Catherine learnt from talking to Nikki, that they were both from the same village. Catherine realised that the little girl that would hold onto the beautiful lady's dress was actually the young Nikki, when they would go back to the village once a year to visit old friends. Catherine got fascinated and wanted to tell Amelia, but she found her older sister asleep in her saddle. Apparently the morning events had worn her out. Catherine let her sister sleep, and she continued to talk with Nikki. Not long after Catherine made the discovery that Nikki's mother was her mother's best friend, and Nikki was in fact named after Catherine's late mother. Catherine was able to tell Nikki the purpose of their journey. Nikki was fascinated and thought them brave to go on such a quest that so many had been unsuccessful at.
When the sun was straight above them, they halted their horses and settled down for a light meal. They were only an hour away from San Marino, but they didn't want to spend unnecessary money on food when predictably most of it would be spent on the trip across the sea. They ate while talking. This was mostly done by Catherine, who was telling Amelia excitedly about the origin of Nikki's name, which was actually Nikkolette. Catherine knew that Michelle would be ecstatic about this information. Anything that had to do with their mother got Michelle paying close attention. The thought of Michelle and what might be happening to her right now silenced Catherine.
When they were done their meals they remounted their horses and continued on in silence. Catherine was no longer n the mood to talk.
When they crested a hill not long after, they saw red and grey smudges that were apparently buildings spreading far out into the horizon. They had finally reached San Marino. They sighed with relief when they saw the dock full of ships and small vessels along the coast of the city.

The city was busy with people carrying heavy parcels and women running after their scampering children. Men sat in armchairs on decks talking with their friends as their wives scolded them for being late for a meal or meeting. Nikki was joyous with all the people around. She was secluded from them for so long she was forgetting what kind of joy that people could bring to her.
People in the streets hurried out of the way as the three horses came through. Van Helsing made a path through the crowd, like a deer cutting a trail through the tall grass. Once the last horse came through, the clear trail got crowded with people once more.
The sun was still high, so they still had plenty of time to find a ship that was willing to lend them a ride, for a cost, of course. The towering sails of the ships could be seen over a row of buildings. Classical sail boats were scattered across the docks, and the now common and large steam engine ships with their rusty red hulls were lined up in wait at the end. They coughed black smoke and blew their deafening horns into the blue sky.
People were scurrying to and fro along the docks. A sign read no horses or cattle along the docks, so they had to be tied to a post alongside a dark wooden building. Van Helsing, Amelia, Catherine and Nikki dismounted the horses and walked onto the wooden planks of the dock. They looked up and down them searching for a suitable ship. Amelia and Van Helsing asked passer-bys where each ship was headed. They finally found an old man who had the information they were looking for.
"To Yugoslavia, eh? There are a couple ships heading there. But the earliest one is the old steamer over there. Leaves in an hour. But if your looking for a quicker and more comfortable ride I suggest you seek out Megan. She's got herself a fancy boat. Her crew ain't the most experienced, but they get the job done." the man was pointing his hands, one towards a large old steam boat that was coughing out black smoke and a load full of livestock was being escorted into its cargo bay. Catherine looked disappointed at this. She was not willing to spend an entire day if not more on a boat that was loaded with mules and goats. The man's other finger was pointing to a smaller wooden boat. It was a beautiful piece of work. The wood was polished and red, the sails were unmarked and the crew didn't look as unfriendly as the other men on the steamer.
The old man walked away and left the four seekers proffering to have a ride on the small wooden boat. They headed towards it curiously. When they reached the fancy boat they halted at it's front. Van Helsing coughed until he got the attention of one of the apparently only two crew members. The young man, who could only of been about nineteen, peered over the edge of the boat, down at the four patiently waiting on the docks below.
"Looking for someone?" The boy called down. Amelia spoke now.
"Ya, your captain. Megan is her name, right?" She had to yell to get her voice heard over the commotion of the docks.
"She's in her cabin. Do you have business with her?" The boy sounded friendly enough. His long orange hair drooped over his crystal blue eyes.
"We're searching for a ride, and willing to pay." was her response. The young man looked interested.
"Wait there, I'll go fetch her." The orange haired boy disappeared from their view and hurried footsteps could be heard, and the opening and closing of a door. The four companions waited patiently. Finally the orange haired boy returned.
"Who are you?" he asked. The four of them were taken aback. What was wrong with this boy. He apparently had no recollection of meeting them.
"We just talked to you. We're searching for Megan. And you just went to go get her... Remember?" The boy didn't seem puzzled by what the young woman said.
"No, that was my brother, Rodney you must of met. Anyway, I hear them now. They're coming. So your looking for ride, eh? Well we don't transport cheap, and we don't have enough cabins for all of you." The boy then moved over as a young woman and the other orange haired boy returned.
"That's ok." Said Van Helsing. "We're not all going. Only the three of us." He pointed to Catherine, Amelia, and himself. Nikki was taken by surprise. She had wanted to go, and now she was being denied of that privilege. It was completely unfair. She had come all this way for nothing. Megan, the captain, finally spoke.
"I hear you're searchin' for a ride, eh? Well, that would all depend 'ow much your willin' te pay." she had a deep pirate accent. It sounded trustworthy, but then again, she was a pirate. You could never be too careful. She was dressed nicely, almost identical to Amelia, except for the fact that she had her hair pulled back with a black ribbon and large gold hoop earrings dropping two from each ear. Megan had red hair, and underneath it was a burgundy brown, clearly not natural.
"I would expect we have enough for a fair fee." Amelia cut in. She put on a face that showed she was not to be taken advantage of.
"Well, if you do, then it'll only take a day and a half to cros' de sea. You shan't worry about it. We'll be' arrivin' in Split by the middle of the night tomorrow if no storm blocks our way." Megan was wise, despite her young years. Meanwhile, Catherine was staring longingly at the two young men. The men however, paid no attention and only laughed to themselves when they caught each other's gazes. Catherine wondered what was so funny.

Amelia and Van Helsing nodded. This was apparently what Megan wanted to hear. She opened her arms wide and had a smile on her face.
"Then welcome aboard the Dragon Hoard! If you have any luggage other than the packs on your back then I suggest you 'urry up an' get em'." with that they proceeded back to their horses, and untied all the bags and packs. When they were finished they handed the reins to Nikki.
"You can keep them, or sell them if you want." Van Helsing said. Nikki looked disdainful as she took the reins. She had no use for three large travel horses. She figured she would keep one, preferably Amelia's blood bay, since she had already had experience inside its mind. The other two she would sell. At least she could make a well profit off the journey. People wouldn't hesitate to buy thoroughbred horses. Nikki left with only a simple goodbye as she led the three horses back down the crowded city streets. Catherine was disappointed when she never even looked back.
The three of them headed back to the Dragon Hoard to find that there was a ramp leading up to the main deck. They climbed when they got a wave in from one of the orange haired boys. Once aboard they scanned the main deck. Meagan came towards them.
"Welcome. The cabins are below, so make yourselves comfortable. Just don't get in our way and your trip should run smoothly." Megan clapped her hand together once and turned and lead them to an open hatch. Stairs led to below the main deck.
Amelia descended first. Light spilled in from a round window to her right and left. They brightened up a narrow wooden corridor, with two doors on each side. Catherine came in after her. Then Van Helsing came down. On the right side there were signs over the doors. They read Crew Only. On the doors across the crew cabins read Passengers. Catherine and Amelia entered the first one, as Van Helsing had the last cabin to himself. The cabins weren't wide, or long. There was a bunk bed in each room, a side table, two armchairs, and a small armoire.
Amelia and Catherine accepted their room, deciding it wasn't too bad and it would suffice. They placed their packs on the beds, Amelia got the bottom and Catherine got the top one. Amelia put up her hair, a good idea if it's your first time on a ship. Catherine wondered why and she was told it was a safety precaution in case of seasickness. So Catherine put her hair up too. They left the cabin and went above deck.
Van Helsing was already there, dressed as usual, even with his hat on still. Megan was yelling out orders to her crew of only the two orange haired boys, who by the look of things and how fast and stealthily they moved were completely capable of taking care of the ship all by themselves.
When at last the sails were spread and the anchor was drawn up, Megan was able to steer the ship into the open harbour. Catherine was unused to the swaying boat and found herself only moments later hanging her head over the side in fear of getting sea sickness. Amelia, who seemed one hundred percent unbothered by the lurching waves, laughed silently, listening to Van Helsing speaking to Megan.
"So it's no problem with us being aboard?" He asked. She smiled.
"Unless you're a werewolf or vampire, I 'ave no problem with you aboard." she put the wooden wheel on lock so that the boat could travel in the same direction without her holding it there.
Van Helsing glanced at Amelia, who only sighed and turned her head to watch the land she was so used to disappear behind the large rolling waves.