The ship moved smoothly than it should have. Nami knew that it was not the wind that was making the difference. The ship itself was the reason. Since they left Dead Ledger the ship had stopped creaking much. The hull did not complain with every wave like it used to. It cut through the water like it had finally remembered what it was built for.
Caelum was responsible for that.
He was down in the hold moving a crate into place with his foot. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his arm. Took a slow breath. He was not trying to make things perfect. He just did not like tripping over things. Living on the island had taught him that. If things were not where they should be you got hurt. It was that simple.
Above him he could hear footsteps.
Carinas voice echoed as she leaned against the ladder watching him.
—Are you still organizing things?
Caelum did not even look at her.
—I am making sure nothing flies across the room if we hit water.
—That sounds boring.
—It is not supposed to be fun.
Carina stepped down into the hold looking around. Everything had changed. The tools were hanging neatly the food was stacked properly. Even her things were folded and placed in a corner.
She narrowed her eyes.
—You touched my stuff.
—It was on the floor.
—That is where I put it.
—That is not a place that is gravity.
She stared at him for a second laughed.
—You are unbelievable.
Caelum finally looked at her his face neutral.
—I am practical.
—You are old.
—I am twenty-seven.
—Exactly.
By the time he climbed up to the deck the sun was starting to set.
Nami stood at the helm focused, one hand on the wheel and the other near her staff. She did not turn when she heard him approach.
—The sail is too tight on the port side Caelum said.
Nami raised an eyebrow.
—Oh. Now you are a navigator too?
—I have been watching. If the wind picks up it is going to strain the fabric.
She did not answer away. She just observed the sail then clicked her tongue and adjusted the rope.
The tension eased instantly.
—You are annoying.
—You are welcome.
Carina climbed up behind them stretching.
—I vote we throw him overboard. He is starting to sound like he owns the ship.
Caelum leaned against the railing his arms crossed.
—I do not want the ship. I just do not want to drown because you two ignored something
—Relax Caelum said Carina with a grin. We have survived fine without you.
—Barely Nami muttered.
Carina gasped dramatically.
—Traitor.
Later when they sat down to eat the difference between them became even clearer.
Nami kept scanning the horizon between bites.
Carina was trying to flick a coin into Caelums cup from across the deck.
Caelum just ate quietly.
After a moment Carina leaned forward resting her chin on her hand.
—You know Caelum you are weird.
—That is not new.
—I mean it Carina continued. You have this power. Instead of showing off you are down there organizing boxes.
Caelum shrugged.
—Power does not mean much if you do not use it right.
—That is a boring way to live.
—It is an effective way to stay alive Caelum said.
Nami let out a laugh.
—He has a point.
Carina rolled her eyes.
—You two are boring.
The mood changed not after.
It was subtle at first.
The wind. The sea darkened slightly.
Nami stood up straight her posture tightening.
—Caelum get up here.
He did not argue, he just. Walked over.
She pointed toward the northeast.
At first he saw nothing.
Then he saw a shape, away but wrong. Large too deliberate.
A ship, the Mad Treasure.
Carina stepped closer her playful attitude gone.
—That is not a merchant vessel.
Nami grabbed her spyglass, her expression hardening as she looked through it.
—No it is worse.
She lowered it slowly.
—The Mad Treasure.
There was silence.
Caelum looked back at the silhouette then at the two girls.
—They are not here by accident are they?
Carina shook her head.
—No they do not patrol randomly.
Nami tightened her grip on the wheel.
—They are searching.
Caelum exhaled slowly.
—Then we are part of the problem.
—You think they tracked us Carina asked.
—After what happened on their ship yeah, probably.
Nami did not waste another second. She turned the wheel sharply adjusting their course.
—We are not fighting them not like this.
—Agreed Caelum said.
—If the wind drops Nami added, glancing at him you are our plan.
Caelum nodded.
—I figured.
A minutes later things calmed down just enough for the tension to loosen.
Just a little.
Caelum sat back down staring at the horizon.
Then absentmindedly he muttered:
—I am in a boat with two thieves.
Carina immediately turned toward him.
—Excuse me I prefer treasure acquisition specialist.
Nami smirked slightly.
—I prefer professional.
Caelum nodded slowly.
—Right two professional thieves.
—Better Carina said proudly.
He leaned back exhaling.
—Still sounds like a life decision.
Carina grinned.
— Late you are already involved.
Nami did not look away from the horizon. Her voice softened just a fraction:
—You could have stayed behind.
Caelum thought about that for a second.
Then shook his head.
—No I do not think I could have.
A small pause.
The sea stretched endlessly ahead.
The ship in the distance still lingered behind.
For the first time, in a long while Caelum did not feel like he was just surviving.
He was moving forward one wave at a time.