Germund Søprins was not a man of many words, he is also not a man that admits that he is afraid of something. But there was one thing in the world that scares him the most, and that was the ocean. And he believed with all his heart and soul that he made that clear to that arrogant fool, just a couple of days ago.

"What in the Underworld, do you think that you are doing?"

Jes Rasmussen, was a priest of the so called new religion. A religion that has no regards for the Old Gods, and apperently the ocean. Because this man was throwing all the sacred items overboard, items that have being proven to keep the man on a ship safe.

"This stuff will only get in the way of the One and Only God."

"If that God is so all high and mighty, he will find a way to work around it. My One and Only son will be on that ship and I love to see him back home, safe and sound."

Jes Rasmussen rolled with his eyes. Ohh, this man had some nerve.

Germund Søprins, grabbed the man by the collor, and pulled th man close to him. Their noises almost touched.

"My people often tell me that I am a patiene man. But you are really pushing me here. I am not some clarks boy, I am still King of this Kingdom and that title demands respect."

He pushed the arrogant priest away from him.
But this priest wasn't done with insults.

"You are just as bad as all the other heitens, but thereis no soul on this earth, that we were not able to convince."

"That is because you burn everyone that disagrees, accussing them of witchcraft or something like that. And if a Kingdom refuses, you convince a turned country to go to war. And may I remind you that we won that fight."

Jes Rasmussen narrowed his eyebrows, so he hadn't forgotten. Which was a good sign, it was atleast ten times better then his whole additute before this sweet reminder. The man kept his mouth shut.

"Father, is everything alright over here?"

Eigil stepped foot on the ship.

His sweet, strong and loyal son. There was no quill in the word to describe how proud Germund was of his. And how scared he was about the fact that he was part of this journey.

But Eigil had offered to take this madman to the next Kingdom, by ship. Fully knowing what the risks were, it wouldn't be his first time at sea.

Germund knew full well that his son was a skilled sailor, and a fine soldier.

"Why wouldn't be?"

He said, slowly and low. It was meant as a thread, towards Jes Rasmussen.

And it was clear to him that the message was received.

Germund turned away from the arrogant priest and walked over towards his son. His hand landed upon his shoulder.

"Are you still up to it?"

Eigil nodded. That was his boy, and the flame of pride roared inside his heart.

"Don't be mistaken son, that man overthere is dangerous. He and his have killed hundreds of innocent men and women. Only because they didn't jump onto the new religion. He even tried to convince me that the woman who lives inside the cottage on the beach is a witch."

Eigil started to chuckle slightly.

"Shellgirl, that is a bit far fetched. Taking in account that she is mute and all that. But even if she was, didn't the Gods grant that power to her. So, I do not see what is wrong with it?"
"I do, it means that they can't control her. And that is something these lunatic thrive on, the need for control. That is why I am warning you, it is not a qeustion if,but when he tries to take control over the ship, and crew. So stick to the wheel, and stick with everything you have being taught."

Eigil nodded in agreement, so he knew it as well.

Which gave Germund a bit peace of mind. But still he will not sleep easy until his son set both of feet on shore.

"I am going to be fine, father. This is not my first time, and I pray to Poseidon that it wouldn't be my last time."

"Amen..."

All the men said in unnison.

Which was not surpiring, all of them have lost someone to the sea at one point. May it be a father, brother, friend it didn't matter. All of them knew that the sea doesn't listen to Gods, or silly prayers. But it never hurt to try.

Something Jes Rasmussen didn't understand, and how could he? He hasn't grown up here, he hasn't heard the old wives tales about ghostships and creatures of the deep. He never seen a kraken upclose.

Germund had once, and he thanked Poseidon that he was still alive to tell the tale. Something not many can say. Funny enough it was on the same day that he met his wife.

"Father it is time for you to get off."

Was it really time, he wished with every fiber of his being that it wasn't. But he still wrapped Eigil in a tight hug.

"Promise me that you will be careful."

Eigil said nothing, but hugged his father back.

"I will, and if I encounter Uncle Krog, I will pass on your greetings."

This made Germund chuckle, but not warmly. As he let go, and slowly walked back to the plank. He looked back up, once he set foot on shore.

"I pray to which God who is willing to listen, bring my boy back home."

********

The moon was full, jet the sea was calm. Which normally meant that nothing was about to go down.

But Eigil, constantly checked the cotton inside his ears. Walking towards the railing of the upper deck and back. And he wasn't the only one, all the men were restless. Except Jes Rasmussen.

"Why is everyone so on edge. We are in the middle of the ocean, and there is no pirat ship in sight."

Eigil lowered his head and sighed.

"That you ignorant fool is the whole reason why we are on edge. The ocean is old and no one knows which secrets lay beneath the surface. There are even tales that not even Poseidon knew, and he is the God of the Sea. And before you come screaming at me that he isn't. Those Gods have being around for quiet sometime, and we sailors are set in or believes. Your God is young, and might learn a thing or two from the Old Gods."

Jes Rasmussen opened his mouth, but shut it again. Looking like a fish out of water.

"You lot will all burn in hell."

"And I will welcome Thanatos with open arms when my time comes. And will we know the full truth about which God, or Gods are in charge. But for now we are here, and need to agree to disagree."

Jes Rasmussen folded his arms, Eigil only had seen this gesture with spoiled Princesses. The once who are about to say, 'wait until my father hears about this'.

He really hated the type, and he often chuckles when he hears his father agreeing with him.

His parents had met each other at sea. While she was on board of her brother's pirat ship, trying their best to rob a royal vessel. It was love at first fight. Eigil has only met Sebastian Krog a few times, which wasn't strange because the man still clinged to the pirat live even though his sister is a Queen.

"You only cling to your supperstisches believes, because it suites your own narrottive. Those silly balls of cotton inside your ears are only there for show. Otherwise every sane person will tell you how silly you look with them. The only thing you need to fear at sea, are pirats and a bad storm. There are no stupid creatures of the deep, just bad luck."

Jes Rasmussen pulled one of the cotton balls out of Eigil's ear.

Eigil looked shocked, this man just dared to touch him. Not only that, he just pulled the cotton out of his ear.

His man looked shocked as well, no one knew how to react.

Jes Rasmussen looked so pleased with himself at first, but then his expression changed. He looked dreamy, his eyes glached over.

Eigil's heart sank, he only has seen that happen when there were Sirens near. And only to men who weren't wearing cotton balls inside their ears. Wait a second. Both his hands shot up to his ears. Hoping praying that this would prevent the enchantment as well.

"Grab that cotton ball out of that fools hand!"

The man behind the wheel screamed loudly.

But if Eigil did that, then he would open himself up. And that was the last thing he wanted to do. Listining to a Siren's song means death, means leaving his father without a son and heir. He would die before ever knowing true love.

But the hands against his ears didn't help, he still heard the soft melodische sound of a women's song. One that was calling his name, and filling his head with empty promises.

"Grab onto him!"

Strong arms grabbed around his waist, pulling him away from the railing.

Jes Rasmussen didn't get the same treatment, they let him fall into the ocean. Never to be seen again.

"Keep him away from the railing, I am not going to tell our King that we lost his son. All because that fool couldn't keep his hands to himself."

The words of the crew still reached him, all though it sounded so far away. The only thing Eigil was able to hear clearly was the sound of that beautiful voice.

"Pirates!!"

Eigil knew somewhere in his mind that the person who shouted those words was close by. jet it sounded so far away.

"By the Gods, everything is going wrong right now. First we got that bloody fool on our ship, the Prince got the hots for a fishlady and now pirates. What is next, a visit from Poseidon himself."

Normally Eigil would have chuckled, but the humor was drowned out by the need to get to this woman with the beautiful singing voice. Every fiber in his body was longing to get to her. He never felt this way for anybody before, this should mean something right. In his minds eye he could see a woman with sea blue eyes, full rose colored lips and fire red hair. He had never seen a woman like her, not in any of the other Kingdoms he has visited, nor in his own.

"We need to do something, we can't fight them off and keep him on board!"

There was desperation inside the man's voice.

They needed to let him go, not only because of his diseare to be with this lady. But they needed to safe themselves. Because the desperate man was right, they couldn't do both.

"Let me go, save yourselves."

He knew, deep down in his soul he knew that this would mean he wouldn't survive. But they have to survive, this. They have to tell his parents what happened. If they didn't let him go, they all die. He slightly turned his head to look them all in the eyes.

"Let me go."

"By the Gods, Lad we are going to miss you."

The man holding him down said. Before he let him go.

At first Eigil wasn't able to more, a bit stunned about the fact the acctully let him go. But after the shock rushed away. He ran towards the railing and dove over it.

Fully expecting, the cold and deep ocean to embrace him.

But even before he hit the water he was back in the air again. Twirling away in rapid circles.

What kind of madness was this? A typhone out of nowhere. He fought to get a grip or something, he didn't even get to see the beautiful woman he cojured up in his mind.

A scream form somewhere caught his attention, his head snapped towards the sound.

That was before something hit him on the head, turning his world to nothingness.