"Are we there yet?"
"For the last time, beeboy, we're not there yet." Just from the tone of her voice, one could tell that Jessalyin was exasperated by the repetitive question.
"We've been walking for days. Are you sure you know the way?"
"It's not our first time around here. We're almost there. You can see the sea from here." Rohan assured Edhas. He was asking the same question every five minutes for an hour. It took Rohan all the control he had not to punch him. Jessalyin was just as annoyed as he was. In fact, her brother was amazed that she hasn't incinerated Edhas yet.
"If you say so. My feet hurt. Jessy carry me." Edhas whined like a little child and went in Jessalyin's direction with his arms open, in hope that the she will carry him until they reach their destination. Jessalyin rapidly avoided him.
"In your dreams, shorty."
Edhas pouted when things didn't go his way, but immediately a smile appeared on his face, his new target in his sight. Rohan felt chills down his spine and immediately knew that he will be the next to be asked.
"Rohan~"
"Absolutely not."
"I haven't even said anything yet."
"I already know what you want."
"Pleasee."
"No."
"I'll pay you."
"Alright." Rohan stopped walking and got on one knee indicating Edhas to get on his back. Edhas didn't wait to be asked twice, he crossed his hands around Rohan's neck and they were ready to go.
"Thank you."
"Yeah, yeah. Don't forget to give me my money. And can you put your pointy stick away from my face?"
"Nope. Let's go." He said and raised his spear in the direction they had to walk. Knowing that he won't be able to win this argument with Edhas, Rohan sighed and began to walk. He moved with such ease that one would say that he carried a bag in his back, not a teenager. Jessalyin was dumbfounded by what she has just witnessed. Her brother really was too eager to do things when money were involved.
"That's not fair. You didn't offer to pay me."
"Because you're mean to me." He stuck out his tongue at her. This angered Jessalyin and she began to give him a piece of her mind. Rohan chuckled at their childish comportment, already knowing that it will be a long walk.
As Rohan predicted, his two companions bickered all the way to the port-city. Edhas made himself at home on his back and didn't get down even when they stepped in the city. The town people were looking weirdly at them. Rohan didn't blame them. A man getting a piggy ride from another while excitedly gesticulating with his spear in all directions as he was talking about dragons was a sight to behold.
"I'm telling you, an adult dragon could eat one of these houses in one bite."
"And I'm telling you that's impossible. If they were this big who would dare attack them, let alone make their race extinct. Besides, can you imagine how much such a big creature has to eat daily? If they were still around maybe the extinct ones would be the humans."
"What are you talking about? Dragons don't eat. They get energy from their elements."
"Tell that to the villages that were decimated in the past because of dragons."
Edhas didn't say anything. He was confused. From what he knew, dragons weren't violent creatures unless provoked. They were protectors, protecting treasures or territories. Attacking villages wasn't in their nature. Something about this story didn't stay right with him. He was lost in thoughts until they reached the port. There, Edhas decided that it was time for him to get off of Rohan's back. He jumped down with a 'hop' then looked at the ships.
"Which one do you think that will take us to the Southern Islands? I hope the big one."
"Rohan, let's split up and ask around." Jessalyin told her brother, then turned to Edhas "You stay here."
"Fine. If I must." Edhas said trying to sound as if he was making a sacrifice by remaining where he was. He conjured himself a beautiful chair and a cup of wine, making himself comfortable. The twins shared a look then went in separate directions. Now that they knew that Edhas wasn't going to complicate things for them or get lost, it was time for them to find a ship. Rohan went for the big one. After all, he also wanted to travel with such a luxurious ship.
After some time, the first one to return to Edhas was Jessalyin. When he saw her, Edhas got up from his seat and made the cup and the chair disappear.
"The good news are that there is a ship going there. Bad news: it leaves next week."
"That's a long wait."
"That's what I said too. But the owner said that he has to make a shipment there, but the product is not here yet. And I tried to persuade him to leave earlier but he said that if I don't get my ass off of his ship I will feel the wrath of his penguin. I don't know what that means and I didn't stay around to find out."
"A penguin?"
"I know. I was surprised too. Let's hope Rohan had better luck. Here he comes now." Rohan was approaching them, but he was not alone. He was accompanied by an elegant man in his sixties. The old man was short, his hair white because of old age. He was dressed in refined clothes. Obviously, the man wasn't short on money.
"Meet the captain of the ship that'll take us to the Southern Islands." Rohan said proud of himself. He was able to convince the captain of the big ship to take them to their destination. Of course, he had to promise the old man a huge amount of money, but this wasn't a problem for them.
"The ship leaves today. Luckily for you, we have room to accommodate another three travelers. As I already warned your friend here, it will not be cheap."
"That will not be a problem." Edhas snapped his fingers and a small bag full of golden money appeared. The old man seemed pleased with the sum of money.
"Such generosity. We'll sure treat you well." The captain extended his hand to take the money but Edhas took it out of his reach.
"Is there something on my face?" Edhas said seeing that the captain was insistently looking at his face ever since Rohan introduced him to them.
"Apologies. I feel like I saw you somewhere before and I was thinking about it, but sadly I cannot recall where."
"I think you are mistaken." Edhas told the man and surprised the twins with how defensive he was about this.
"Perhaps it's just my old brain playing tricks on me. I apologize for my rudeness. If you still want the room, it's yours. The ship leaves in twenty minutes." The old man said, sensing that he has deranged Edhas with his comment. He bowed his head, then turned his back to them and walked towards his ship.
"That was weird." Jessalyin said, seeing that Edhas was still glaring at the captain.
"I think we should find another ship." Edhas replied, already walking in the opposite direction. Jessalyin stopped him by his collar and didn't let him go.
"There are no other ships."
"Then we'll go with the penguin."
"Excuse me, penguin?" Rohan intervened as if this was the most important part of their conversation.
"Yes, a penguin. Let's go meet him." Edhas tried once again to leave but Jessalyin's grip on his collar only strengthened.
"We will not meet the penguin. His owner gives me the creeps. We'll go with the big, beautiful ship that has no weird animals on it. If you really want to see a penguin, you'll have the chance when we arrive at the Southern Islands. There are hundreds of them."
She began to drag Edhas in the ship's direction. Jessalyin knew that Edhas absolutely didn't want to get on that ship. What the captain said surely deranged Edhas. If they had another option she might have considered taking another ship, but she had to choose between a nice looking ship and a ship which had a penguin on it. Edhas will have to suck it up and go with them if he still wanted a team. Seeing that Edhas stopped walking and sat on the ground, refusing to move just like a little child, Jessalyin decided that if he acted like a child, she'll treat him like a one. The woman grabbed him and threw him over her shoulder. That surprised Edhas. He wondered if he weighted anything for the twins. Rohan laughed and followed the duo. People were watching them again, some confused about what happening and some was cheering for Jessalyin. Sailors really liked strong women. He should get used to all the attention Edhas and Jessalyin's shenanigans attracted.
"Kidnapping! She's kidnapping me!"
"Aahlaad give me strength! You are so annoying! Nothing to see here folks, he signed up for this."
Jessalyin carried Edhas until they were boarded and the ship left the port. Only then did she put him down. The other passengers were looking at them as if they were some weirdoes, but Jessalyin couldn't care less.
Shortly after the ship sailed, the captain came to meet them.
"I see that you decided to travel with us. Always a pleasure to navigate with paying customers." He said and outstretched his hand, waiting for his money. Edhas snapped his fingers and the bag with money appeared in the captain's palm. The old man seemed pleased.
"The pleasure is ours." Jess said trying to sound courteous. The old man smiled at Jessalyin then moved his eyes to Edhas. He checked him from head to toe. He was sure he has seen him before.
"I hope that there are no hard feelings, young man." The captain said, not sounding apologetic at all. After all, what he has said wasn't something people usually got mad about. "Anyway, please keep an eye out for weird things. If something happens, please let me know."
"Weird things?"
"Nothing too big. Some items appearing or disappearing. No need to be concerned about your safety. Until now only a small number of people were affected by it. But if I was you, I'll check twice before trying to sit on a chair, or it might disappear before you touch it."
"That is weird indeed." Jessalyin said, glancing in Edhas' direction. He was pretending that he was admiring the view.
"No need to think too much about it. I need to go now, someone will come to show you the room where you'll be staying."
The captain left them alone on the deck. Jessalyin was ready to start interrogating Edhas, but then a teen appeared and told them to follow him. He showed them the way, gave them the key, announced the time dinner will be served and left.
Author here. This chapter will be even parted. Finally. Thank you for reading. I will probably make some minor changes here and there, so if you find a plot hole, please tell me. Love you all <3
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