Crimson Heroes: The Silver Hero- Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The next morning Hal and I walked to the kingdom’s port. The gorgeous waters seemed to gleam with hope. I never understood why, but I enjoyed staring at lakes and seas.

There was a docked boat probably big enough to fit around ten people. It was the right size for our expedition. I saw the other five kids arrive with their parents. I looked up at Hal. He felt like a parent… to a certain level. It’s not like I knew my dad to compare him to Hal, anyway. I guess it was safe to say Hal felt like a dad.

I still wish my mom had come to see me off, or something. She was probably still mad because I took this job. I don’t know who wasn’t, though.

Everyone seemed to still glare at me, except the freckled kid.

“Hal,” I asked. “Why does no one seem to like me?”

“No idea,” Hal said. “In fact, I was just thinking the same thing. Well, the blaze eater doesn’t seem to mind you. You know, King Lucius is a blaze eater. I think he also mentioned once that he was another job, but I can’t put my mind on it.”

The parents kissed their children on the cheek and left, saying some take off words to them. The dusk killer and the dawn knight looked like they blushed at each other.

“Hal,” I said. I didn’t know if he was starting to get irritated because he held no emotion on his face, so I went on. “What are the other kids’ names?”

Hal appeared to be thinking about something. Then he leaned over to speak to me. “That one,” he pointed at the dusk killer. “That one is Sam.” He pointed at the girl standing next to him. “That’s Rose.” Then he pointed at the blaze eater and said, “That’s Jack.” He pointed at the ice warrior and said, “That’s Maddi.” Then last he pointed at the sky breaker. “That is the sky breaker, Tom. His real name is Thomas, but don’t ever call him that, he gets mad. He says it’s because his father’s name was Thomas, and he hated his father. Apparently the man didn’t treat his family very well.”

“I wish I knew my dad,” I said kind of depressed. Hal looked at me and saw the sorrow in my eyes. I didn’t know what Hal thought of, if he knew my dad or not. I sort of still believed he was my dad, but that would be too easy. The boat honked a huge horn as if letting us know it’s time to get on.

Hal laid a hand on my shoulder again and we both walked onto the boat. All of the parents watched and cried as their children boarded the boat. I heard sometimes people never came back from a hunt. This wasn’t even a hunt, this was an expedition.

As I looked back I saw the sun starting to rise. The weather was silent, yet the currents were strong. The cool breeze brushed against my face. The hair picked up the hair from the girl named Maddi. Her brown eyes were so soft. Her eyes shut and tears fell from her lids. Her mom and dad turned and walked away. She had a lot of beauty. In the gleam of the rays I could’ve sworn I saw my mom, tears on her cheek while she smiled. I would see her again. I couldn’t leave her alone forever. I was coming back.

There were ten rooms on the boat. The boat looked brand new. There was paint that wasn't even dry on some places yet. "Hal, is this boat new?" I asked. "Yes," he responded. "In fact, it was made yesterday." He smiled and turned to talk to the captain. The winds started to pick up and rip at the sail. The chains holding the boat intact began to rattle.

I was assigned to room 6, where I sat on the bed and waited for further instructions.

I couldn’t bring myself to sleep. I was scared. It was a good scared though, if that makes any sense.

I looked in the mirror and saw a new me, a better me. I noticed my normally dark hair brighten a little. I noticed my eyes grow a small gleam into them. I smiled a little.

Confidence.

There was a light knock on my door. Hal walked in and sat on the bed next to me. He looked like he was about to say something, but he hesitated. I was the first one to speak.

“I don’t feel like I belong here, Hal. The other kids don’t seem to like me.”

Hal rubbed his chin and thought about what to say in response. Finally he said something, “Sometimes it’s hard to make friends when they don’t really know you that well. The best thing I would try is prove that you’re not just some kid that got stuck with them. Prove you’re worth something to this team, they’ll come around.”

I thought about what he said. Then Hal spoke again, “I remember my first hunt. It was a lot like yours.”

“None of the other kids liked you?”

“No,” he said.

“Oh.” I was beginning to lose interest.

“No, by that time I already showed the other kids that I was something. See, my first hunt was the same because I felt scared. I was afraid to leave my mother alone, because she didn’t want me to go on the hunt. I, too, lost my father at an early age.”

“I didn’t lose my father,” I exclaimed.

“Pardon?”

“My dad is still out there somewhere. I just have to find him,” I said with confidence.

“You have spirit, Drake,” he said. “I like that about you. I didn’t have that when I was your age. That’s what makes us different.”

There was a moment of silence as we both absorbed all we learned.

“Just… talk to the others,” he suggested rising from the bed. “I’m sure they’ll get to like you soon enough.” Then it was just myself in my room.