Chapter 682 Arriving At The Draconia Kingdom (3)
[In the not-so-distant future]
When Tamsin heard the man's reply, she was shocked and asked suspiciously, ''The king is looting the Aradonia Kingdom?''
The soldier responded before rushing off, ''Yes, Your Majesty. He wants all the wealth for himself and won't let it fall into the hands of the enemy.''
She was shocked, disgusted, and angry that their saviour was looting her kingdom in their time of need. After telling her family to stay put, Tamsin wanted answers and decided to find the ship's commander as she walked along the deck and questioned the nearest soldier, ''Where is the commander?''
'This is wrong. How can he loot our wealth while we're being invaded,' she thought to herself while her temper flared.
The soldier removed their helmet, and a woman's face appeared as she answered unenthusiastically, ''Follow me.''
Tamsin nodded and followed while they paced across the ship's deck and entered through a side door. The corridor was painted light grey, and she noticed a nice breeze flowing through it, causing goosebumps all over her body.
The female soldier turned to her, saying, ''Stay close; otherwise, you'll get lost.''
She nodded and followed the woman through the labyrinth of corridors that wind around the ship while sidestepping soldiers as they rushed past. Tamsin saw many rooms with people working in them, and at one point, they passed by one of the ship's cannons, where she saw a group of men carrying shells back and forth.
The acrid scent of oil and the tang of sweat assaulted her senses, causing her to shake her head. After passing by the cannon, a group of soldiers carrying crates of supplies barreled down the corridor, their voices raised in urgent conversation.
Tamsin flattened herself against the wall, heart pounding, as the soldiers hurried past, barely acknowledging her presence. The woman glanced back and informed her, "We're almost there. The bridge is just ahead."
"Understood," Tamsin replied, falling into step beside the woman.
They ventured into a quieter section of the ship, their footsteps echoing off the metallic floor as they approached a looming metal door. Tamsin's steps reverberated throughout the corridor, starkly contrasting the bustling chaos elsewhere on the vessel.
Tamsin pondered silently, her thoughts swirling with curiosity about the identity of the ship's commander. Still, she'd soon find out as the soldier banged on the door, and soon heard a serious but enchanting woman's voice was heard, ''Come in! This better be good.''
The woman swung open the door, revealing a bustling scene on the ship's bridge. Some crew members hurried about, while others sat at strange devices emitting periodic beeps. Tamsin was confused, as she hadn't seen anything like that.
Amidst it all, she spotted an exceptionally beautiful woman seated upon a captain's chair. This woman's snow-white hair, tied into a ponytail, perfectly complements her pristine white uniform.
As the admiral turned, her gaze fell upon the saluting soldier. With a swift acknowledgment, she dismissed the soldier and fixed her narrowed, piercing pink eyes on Tamsin, who felt like a predator was looking at her.
''Are they goblins or dwarves?'' Tamsin asked as the two races were known for their craftsmanship skills.
Olivia laughed as she replied, ''Dwarves. Unfortunately, my King hasn't met any goblins yet.''
Tamsin nodded, but she continued, ''Now return to your family. You will be guided to your rooms, but I'd wait until sunset as the view from the bow is beautiful. Take your daughters to see it.''
After saying their goodbyes, Olivia made her way back to the bridge. At the same time, Tamsin rejoined her family, who were seated towards the stern of the battleship and engaged in lively conversation.
She noticed Marigold looking up with a smile and asking, "Mother, what happened?"
Tamsin quickly noticed Jessica's scowl as she recounted all that had transpired. Yet, despite this, she found solace in her daughters' evident relief at their newfound safety. Once she finished reciting the events, a sense of calm settled over them, like a comforting blanket enveloping a weary traveler.
The group settled in as the sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the sky pink and orange. Tamsin stood at the battleship's railing, watching the last rays of daylight dance upon the waves.
Below, crew members bustled about, loading supplies and assisting her people onto the ships. Tamsin nodded approvingly as she observed their efforts, grateful for their tireless dedication.
She noticed that more of her people were being brought aboard, their weary faces illuminated by the soft glow of twilight. Tamsin made her way among them, offering words of comfort and assurance, her heart heavy with the weight of their suffering.
Yet, amidst the chaos, there was a glimmer of hope. They were now safe aboard the battleship, bound for a new beginning. As the final people were onboard, Tamsin got up and returned to the railing, her gaze fixed on the horizon.
She whispered a silent thank you to whatever magic powered the ship, marveling at how swiftly it sailed through the waters. Days turned into weeks as the battleship journeyed across the vast expanse of the sea.
Tamsin spent her time speaking with the survivors, listening to their stories of loss and resilience, and offering whatever comfort she could. But as the days passed, her anticipation grew, fueled by the promise of reaching their destination.
Then, one morning, as the first light of dawn painted the sky in shades of gold, Tamsin spotted it - an island rising from the misty sea. She hurried to find Olivia, excitement coursing through her veins.
"Admiral Olivia," Tamsin called out as she approached the bridge, "is that Draconia?"
Olivia turned to face her, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Yes, Tamsin," she replied, "that is our homeland."
Tamsin was amazed by what she saw as they approached the island. A huge metal gate at the kingdom's river entrance showed how strong and tough Draconia was.
"We'll need to pass through the gate to enter the kingdom," Olivia explained, her voice tinged with pride. "But first, we must seek permission from the Homeguard Battalion."
[Please let me know if you spot any mistakes, and I will edit them. Thank you]
