The Great Jewel

CHAPTER 8: THE SEARCH

The Jack Pirates are now hiking their way through the forest to reach the gates that is supposed to be 30 minutes away from the village they came from. As they walked, Jeff suggested that the name of the ship shall be changed to something else that would match its appearance.

"Instead of Ace, I recommend that the ship will be called as the Sailing Falcon. You know?" Jeff suggested.

It makes sense, since their figurehead is a black falcon, Thomas agreed with the idea, and for now on, the ship's name changed from Ace to the Sailing Falcon which sounds much cooler than what the thought of before. And then, after 30 minutes of walking, they finally reached the kingdom gates. Just like what the elder said, the gates have no guards, as if they are content and confident that no one would trespass their kingdom. In any case, the pirate crew entered with discretion since they can't cause any trouble as they need to get off this kingdom immediately. And then, Thomas came up with an idea,

"We should split up, scout the place and find some significant structure. After doing that, we will meet here later, is that clear." Thomas asked.

The crew nodded as they then went off to split up. Thomas, who was wearing black cloak used it to disguise himself to not get recognized since he is a wanted man, and anyone could be a bounty hunter or a navy. He wore his hood and walked down the main city of the kingdom.

***

After an hour of searching, Thomas had no luck in finding anything even though he is following the map. The map is pointing at the middle part of the city; however, the middle part is nothing but an abandoned water well, that instead of water, mud comes out of it. And while searching, Thomas made some conversation with the locals here. It turns out that this kingdom is under some problem. They have in their own prison a certain man that could destroy their whole kingdom in a whim. This is also where Thomas knew that there are navy in this kingdom that will transfer the prisoner to a different and much more secure one. But since there is a high chance of him escaping, there are no people in the streets, except for those who does not care about that guy.

***

An hour turned into hours. Since they can't find anything, the crew regrouped at the rendezvous point of them, at the gates. They are discussing on what they found, and it was just nothing. Just some information about a prison transfer of a certain criminal whom the citizens does not know his name. In any case, the crew went back to the Falcon to sleep the night as they will continue their search tomorrow. They reached their ship, and they immediately cooked dinner since they are starving that they feel like their large intestine just ate their small one. After eating while discussing their next actions tomorrow, they went to their cabins to rest. Thomas, went to the captain's cabin where he sleeps, and there, he sat on his desk since he can't sleep even though he is tired. He placed the map down on his desk and just examined it all night trying to find some clues to find the clue that will lead to them to the treasure. Because he believes that there has got to be something that would lead them to the place where the first clue for their treasure hunting is.

Meanwhile, at the kingdom's main docks, the lieutenants and navy are already preparing to transport their criminals, but they are still pinpointing the location of the Jack Pirates,

"Sir, we have reports that shady men went around the city earlier and they seem to be looking for something." Says a sailor who entered the room to report to his superior.

The handsome lieutenant nodded and told them to rest for now as they will continue their search tomorrow. The sailor saluted, left the room and closed it,

"What do we do now, Angelique? They are looking for something we have, what do we do?" the handsome man asked the blonde busty woman.

"We lure them, of course. The HQ is expecting us to bring the both of them with us once we return, but it is not going to be easy. We will be forced to handle two threats at once. However, this is a great chance to prove those ones at the top that we are not rejects, right, Samuel?" Angelique replied as she stood up from her chair and looked out the cabin's window.

For years, Angelique and Samuel who were siblings, was being underestimated. The high rankers kept on abusing them. And one of those abuses has led Angelique to consider retiring as she can't stand it anymore. She was played, raped and was used as their toy for 2 years, until finally, they were deployed somewhere else away from those awful people. They joined the navy since they think that the navy are the most righteous people of all. However, after spending 6 years in service, it is quite the opposite. So, instead of casting revenge upon the people that have abused them, they just vowed to protect the people at all costs and prove to everyone that they are strong and not toys.

"We will toy with them, The Jack Pirates. They are searching for something we have, and I now have a plan on what to do. We still have a week before the transfer as that man's cell up at the maximum-security prison is still being prepared. Let's start tomorrow and let's call it a night."

***

The next day, the Jack Pirates woke up and they then went on to change their clothes as they will resume their search today for the whole day. Thomas wears a white dress shirt, black trousers and then a black cape over his shoulder. He also wrapped a red bandana around his right arm. Thomas then strapped the sword and scabbard on his left waist and have his brown hair tied back. With the rookie attaching two pistols on his right waist, he then left his cabin and met with everyone else outside. William wears his normal fancy clothes, and it was if he is a noble. Jeff in his carpenter outfit, and then the others are just normal ones.

"Well, let's go guys. Let's hunt ourselves some treasure."