With the boat now ready for use, the King and his guard were ready to make their departure.
"I would like to thank you once again for Your Majesty's assistance in this crisis we are facing. On behalf of King Aeson and the Kingdom of Leacus, we offer our sincerest gratitude," one of the envoys said, his tone formal.
Ceremus waved off the excessive thanks with a dismissive gesture. "It's nothing. I just hope this beast is as terrifying as you lot made it out to be."
The envoy's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly regained his composure. "Y-Yes, Your Majesty."
Ceremus' gaze shifted, scanning the port in search of a familiar face. "Where is Hael?"
"I'm here, Your Majesty," came Hael's voice, and Ceremus turned to see the young man approaching.
Hael was dressed in a white and light blue tunic, his long hair braided neatly, revealing his sharp, angular features. Loki, perched casually on his shoulder, made quite the sight beside him.
Ceremus raised an eyebrow, his gaze settling on the bird. "So, you did bring him along," he remarked.
Hael nodded, and Ceremus let out a soft sigh. He then beckoned Anemone, who had been standing off to the side. The advisor reached into his pocket and pulled out a small purple pouch. From it, he retrieved a golden ring, which he handed to the guard.
Hael furrowed his brows in confusion and looked at Ceremus, silently questioning the purpose of the ring.
"It's a golden ring with the royal crest engraved on it," Ceremus explained. "It will serve as proof that Loki belongs to the Kingdom."
Hael's eyes widened in surprise, quickly followed by a delighted smile. Without hesitation, he took Loki's leg and slipped the ring onto it. The gold shimmered in the sunlight, making the bird appear more regal.
Ceremus couldn't help but notice the genuine joy on Hael's face. He almost smiled in return, but he held it back—after all, he was still in the presence of others and wasn't quite ready to drop his tyrannical persona just yet.
"Your Majesty, we are ready to board the boat and set sail whenever you're prepared," one of the crew members called out.
At the mention of the boat, both Hael and Loki couldn't help but stare at the magnificent vessel before them. It was truly a masterpiece, a ship that could rival even the finest naval crafts. The craftsmanship, the materials, and the design had all been meticulously crafted to ensure safe passage through even the most tumultuous waters.
But what drew Hael's attention most of all was the massive figurehead at the front of the ship—a beautiful goddess carved in exquisite detail.
"Who is that?" Hael asked, pointing at the figurehead. The face was one he found familiar, but couldn't quite place.
Anemone smiled, casting a glance at the figurehead. "That is the goddess of creation, Kaleeso," he explained.
"Kaleeso?" Hael repeated, intrigued.
As his eyes lingered on the statue, Hael suddenly saw a flash of light appear out of nowhere. He squinted, trying to focus, but when he looked again, it was gone. His brow furrowed in confusion.
"What was that just now?" he thought to himself, a sense of comfort and unease creeping over him.
"Alright then, we should head out now," the King said, snapping Hael out of his thoughts.
The others nodded, and they all boarded the ship. Ceremus glanced back one last time at Anemone. "I'm leaving things in your hands. If any kingdom needs conquering, be sure to send a letter ahead," he said, his voice laced with mock seriousness.
Those nearby overheard and gasped in shock. Anemone's eyes widened, and he let out a strained laugh.
"Haha, Your Majesty, surely you jest."
Ceremus leveled a gaze at his advisor, an amused gleam in his eyes. "Of course, I jest. You know my sense of humor," he said, his tone dipping dangerously low.
"R-Right, of course. Safe travels to you both," Anemone stammered, his nervousness palpable.
"Thank you, Anemone," Hael said warmly, a smile on his face that made the advisor's lips twitch into a grin.
"Please, take good care of His Majesty," Anemone added.
"I will," Hael replied with earnest sincerity.
Anemone bowed, and with that, their journey began.
~*~
The ship had been sailing for an hour now. Hael leaned over the railing, watching the scenery shift around them. It was his first time on the open sea, and the vast, endless water fascinated him.
Ceremus, on the other hand, was far less enchanted by sea travel. He had never been particularly fond of ships, so he had retreated below deck to the private quarters arranged for him. His lounge area was connected to a spacious sleeping chamber—large enough to accommodate four people—while a smaller adjacent room had been reserved for his guard.
Since the voyage would take some time, he decided to rest before nightfall.
Up on deck, Hael eventually noticed the King's absence and went to search for him. After asking around, a few crew members informed him that they had seen Ceremus head below deck.
Nodding his thanks, Hael descended the stairs and arrived at a corridor lined with sleeping quarters. He stopped in front of Ceremus' door and knocked lightly. No response.
"Maybe he's sleeping?" Loki suggested from his perch.
"Perhaps," Hael murmured. "He did seem tense earlier. Maybe he's not feeling well."
The bird shrugged his wings. "Who knows? It's clear you want to check on him, so go ahead. I'll explore the ship in the meantime." With that, Loki took off, disappearing down the hallway.
Hael turned back to the door, hesitated for a moment, then knocked once more before quietly pushing it open.
Hael stepped inside and found the King lying on the bed, his robe slightly disheveled, revealing a glimpse of his chest. His wavy locks sprawled across the pillow, and his lips moved faintly, as if caught in the grip of a dream.
As Hael took a step closer, he noticed the tension in Ceremus' expression—the slight furrow of his brows, the faint crease of worry on his forehead. A nightmare, perhaps.
Without a second thought, Hael knelt beside him, carefully gathering him into his arms. He pressed his forehead against the King's, his warmth a quiet reassurance.
Almost instantly, Ceremus' features softened, the tension easing from his face.
Hael traced a feather-light touch across his cheek, his fingers lingering for just a moment. A small smile tugged at his lips.
"What are you dreaming of?" he whispered.