05| Orion Vessel

The Sprite kingdom was the only nation in the whole realm with people born without a connection to spirit animals. They were more in tune with nature itself rather than the beasts of nature. Their lands were the most fertile out of all lands in the realm and the Sprite kingdom was not just the largest nation, it was among the most powerful. They were very good gardeners, and a variety of plantations grew bountifully on their lands.

Just like other nations, there were several regions or clans within, which were headed by a clan leader each. The only thing that other nations had was their ability to use attributes belonging to powerful creatures. These were their spirit connections. The strongest clans with the tightest spirit connection were able to transform into their creatures, partially or fully. This, however, didn't stop Sprite from being one of the reigning nations, as they had control over plant life, and this was something the strongest Sprite clans could manipulate at their free will.

But Mel's family, the heads of the Urn tribe, were one of the weakest amongst other tribes in the Sprite kingdom. The weakest tribes in the whole of Sprite were impressive at what they did, compared to other nations in the realm, but within Sprite, the weak were weak. The hierarchy wasn't as harsh as other nations in terms of their beastly traits, but weak clans in Sprite weren't as impressive as the strongest clans in the same kingdom. The most impressive traits they had was tending to the vegetation and nurturing it.

This was something Mel had never bothered to improve on. She produced satisfactory results but had brought it upon herself to miss most of her classes. The only thing that might have saved her was her ability to learn things quickly.

Orion, on the other hand, was a growing nation whose spirit animal was the bear… and there were all kinds of bears. Mel had no idea what could have possessed her father to think he could steal from the Orions, but she considered they had nothing to gain from having a connection with one of the weakest clans from the Sprite nation.

Unless they were doing this to spite her father… there wasn't a guarantee they would treat her well either.

The daughter of the man who stole something very important to them.

Mel ignored the aspect of her being the most precious person to her father, she wasn't going to be treated well where she was going. Now she understood why they were hesitant on letting her know about the journey on time.

But why did the Orions wait so long to ask for her?

"Papa." She softly pushed his hand away from her and she looked down at her lap. "I want to be alone for a while…"

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The wind of a cold evening swept by the Urn harbour, threatening to undo Mel's neat hairdo as they watched the approaching Orion ship. It was still a speck of a tiny fruit on the vast ocean, but Mel was very certain it would loom over them as a massive travelling vessel before long.

Adam held his older sister's hand and tightened it, reluctant to let Mel leave. Mel looked at him fondly. He hadn't heard of any letter until today, just like her. He had equally been annoyed she wasn't told sooner, but there wasn't much he could do, and he had spent the past few hours sticking by her side right after she had been dressed up.

More of Mel's belongings were being brought out to the harbour in horse-drawn carriages and heavy cargos. She looked calm outside but her mind and heart were in chaos. She tightened her hold too on Adam's hand and her stomach tightened as the foreign ship was clearly visible to the naked eye.

Harriett walked away from the men assembling Mel's things and stood beside her daughter, looking at the approaching vessel against the orange horizon of the setting sun.

Harriett spoke softly, but clear enough for both Adam and Mel to hear against the lapping waves of the sea, "I don't know if you will ever forgive me—"

"Mother," Mel faintly whispered, her voice shaky as she cut Harriett off. "I'm scared."

Harriett clasped her hands tight at her chest as it tightened in agony. The woman fought off the strong urge to grab her daughter and run back into the castle, refusing to hand her over to the approaching Orions. But the sensible part of her, no matter small, told her that such an action would be a very terrible mistake. But nothing was assuring about her handing her daughter to such people.

Harriett cast a frustrated glance at her husband on one of their ships, giving out a few instructions to the workers as they carried Mel's luggage on board. She had pestered her husband that she would go onboard the Orion ship with her daughter while their ship carried her things along with them to the North. The sad thing was that after Mel's belongings were dropped at Orion's shores, she would have to go back, leaving only one servant from their side to be Mel's personal maid.

Harriett had felt a faint relief when Mel had chosen Anna. The middle-aged woman had been Harriett's decision too. Mel's younger chamber maiden was alright, but Anna was more experienced and capable.

"Oh, my baby." Harriet's eyes watered and she hugged Mel, burying her daughter's face in her chest. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, patting Mel's hair as she soothed her daughter in whatever way she could.

If only her words could reassure Mel.

Uncomfortable, but a little sad, Adam let go of his sister's hand as she hugged Harriet back in a silent embrace.

"If—if you're willing to accept, I have something to give you when we get on board the ship," Harriett said.

Mel nodded. "Alright."

A high-pitched shout tore through the morose atmosphere, startling Mel, "Coast!"

Mel stepped away from Harriett's embrace and watched as the Orion ship loomed nearer, almost twice the size of her father's largest ships. She stood, transfixed as she watched the decorated carvings along the hull of the ship, snaking around the ship's base to form a clan symbol she was unfamiliar with.

The vessel finally docked at the harbour and Mel tightened her coat around her, warding off the cold wind that brought a renewed anxiety with the ship's arrival. A long bridge stretched out from the side and two large figures made their way down to them, garbed in luxurious fur clothing.

Mel's eyes widened in surprise. They were well dressed and clean. From what she had heard about the bear kin from Orion, she had expected barbarians to be coming for her. The two representatives, one old woman, and a fairly young man came to stand in front of them as Mel's father walked towards them.

They towered over Mel's family a good number of inches. If she could recall Adam's measurements, they were a little over six feet on average.

"Welcome," Harriett forced a weak smile and greeted the visitors. They gave a short bow as a curtsey and Mel's parents did the same.

Mel shifted as her mother subtly tugged at her dress, signalling for her to greet their guests.

"Oh. Excuse me," Mel said and sharply bowed, rising back up to see the old woman's lips turn up in a wrinkly, but sweet smile. The intimidating aura she had felt from the visitors eased almost immediately and Mel looked away, feeling a little guilty for harbouring the possibility that they would be inhospitable people.

'Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all?' Mel reasoned.

"I hope you had a smooth sailing," Mel's father offered with a smile, but she could note the wrinkled crease of worry on his forehead.

The Orion man nodded, his vibrant caramel eyes boring into hers. Mel looked back to the old woman, and the Orion man spoke, "The seas blessed us with a safe travel."

"You have a wonderful abode," the old woman addressed Mel's parents, her voice a deep rich tone that Mel found soothing. "We would be grateful if you would allow us to spend the night in Urn. It would even give my brother and I time to learn more about our bride and her family." Her eyes, a dull brown, shifted from Harriett to Mel once more with a maternal gaze.

Harriett's eyes wavered. Gratitude or relief, Mel couldn't tell. Whatever it was, it seemed her mother was glad Mel would still be with her, even if it was for the night.

"That—that would be wonderful!" Her father clapped his hands, and his eyes brightened. "Please, make yourself at home. We will prepare lodgings back in the castle for the rest of your men."

"Much appreciated," the woman answered with a subtle nod of her head. "Though, only a few. The rest will have to stay behind on the ship…" She looked at the ship where Mel's things were being taken into and she looked back at her father. "If you wouldn't mind, I feel it would be much easier for the lady to have her things on our ship. I hope it's not too much trouble."

Mel's father opened his mouth to speak, but Harriett beat him to it, holding his shoulder and shaking her head. She looked up at the woman. "We would be glad. Thank you very much, Madam…"

The old woman's smile returned, the corners of her eyes wrinkling. "Eustace. Just call me Eustace."