Chapter 24

The sailors' grim and ghastly expressions immediately brightened when they heard coins jingling inside the bulky bag. One sailor grabbed the bag from the man right away.

"Aye, I agree, friend. We can settle this like men," one of the sailors said. "You've got to learn to discipline that boy, my friend, or he'll die young."

"Ha-ha, yes..." the man laughed nervously.

The sailor looked over his shoulder at his comrades.

We're not mad, are we?" he questioned.

"Of course not. I was just out here wondering if the little boy had gone insane," one sailor said. "Everything is fine. We're doing well here."

The others agreed, nodding vigorously. Someone suggested they go to the bar for a drink, which they did; later, they were discovered drunk as a fiddler.

Only the man and the boy remained in the dock.

The man wiped the cold sweat from his brow and turned to face the boy gazing out at the blue sea. "Your Majesty, what is going on? I'm as confused as a bee without nectar! Please, Your Majesty