Chapter 6

Next day, a wooden ship was prepared for us. We were ready to depart. Thousands of people came to see us off. I did not know that the word will be spread like a wildfire. How the hell they all came to know about our departure to the great black sea in just a day? Anyway, I felt overwhelmed. 

We were at the Bambai sea port. My friends were saying their last goodbyes to their families. I didn't know how they managed to convince them to go on a suicidal journey. Well, I don't care about that. The king was also present there with his minister Induvir and his bodyguards. I went to him, touched his feet, and asked for his blessings. 

They kept food and resources worth a month in the ship's storage. They gave us weapons like swords, bow and arrows and even spears to counter any kind of danger.

They even gave us a sailor who was convicted of a crime few years ago. The king promised to set him free if we all return alive. He was an old man, must be in his sixties. He was wearing a green fur coat with gray fitting pants and black high boots. He had a thin body, was bald with little hair left on the sides, had wrinkles on his face and was short heighted. Maybe around five feet and three inches. 

What if he attacks us in our sleep and runs away to some other country? We had to be on our guard every time. The king whom I thought as great was becoming an idiot in my eyes. Well, who knows what he was thinking? We were going to die, anyway. 

My friends were saying last goodbyes to their families. They were all teary-eyed and were hugging each other. This scene was making me miss my family too much. I climbed the ladder and reached the deck. I cannot describe the emotions I felt after watching the scene from up there. 

I could see all the people who came to see us off. I could see the crying faces of my friends' families. I could see the king standing gracefully. I could see Subham's father standing at a distance. 

"This could be your last time looking at them like this," Someone said to me. It was that sailor. He was standing beside me. I turned my head and looked at him. 

"This could be your last time too," I responded. 

He smiled. "I already spent years in prison. I have become old now. I would not live longer even if I survive in this journey."

Whatever he said was right. This old man had no purpose to live. He was already halfway to the coffin. Maybe, he wanted to do something meaningful in his life, that is why he chose to go on this journey with us. 

"People don't have to live a hundred years to have a long life. They have to do such a thing in their short lives, so that their names will be remembered even after hundred years," I said. 

I had heard this dialogue from my father. I just copy pasted it. 

"You seem smarter than your age," He said. "I hope our journey together would be great."

He did not seem like a criminal at all. But who knows? "Yeah, I hope so too," I said. 

Now my friends started climbing the ladder one after another. One by one, they all reached the deck. We all were wearing similar fur coats, tight pants and high boots because there was a rumour that The Great Black Sea has cold weather. 

We were all on the deck, looking at our beloved people. Wait, I did not have one. My beloved people were with me. They pulled the weights out, and the ship started moving. The land was getting far and far away. 

The king looked at the ship until the very last moment before it vanished. "Do you know who is a real hero?" He asked his minister Induvir. 

"No, my king," Induvir said. 

"One who puts other's lives before his," The king said. 

"You are right, my king."

"Induvir, those children are the real heroes. And their parents are even bigger heroes who raised them to be like that."

"Yes, my king." But Induvir was again confused by something. "My king, why did you let Ghosavasu to go with them? Isn't he a criminal?" 

King Rajavarma smiled. "There is a reason for that."

"My king, if you don't mind, can I know that reason?"

"My Induvir, you are always curious, aren't you? But I cannot tell you right now. Besides, one of them will betray the others."

"What?" Induvir was surprised at his words. "But my king, who will it be? And how do you know this?'

"A few things should be left untold, Induvir. Our ambitions are something we must keep a check on. It would not make a difference even if I tell you. Besides, this is their journey. Let them face everything by themselves."

"My king, I always get amazed by your wisdom."

King just smiled and said nothing. They went away. 

We were slowly moving closer to The Great Black Sea. Sailor was controlling the navigation wheel. The rest of us were looking at the map given to us. The direction to reach the entrance of The Great Black Sea was in it. We had to cover a long distance. It could take weeks, even a month. 

"How did you all convinced your families?" I asked my friends.

"It was our king," Bhaskar responded. "Last night, while I was having an argument with my mother. A soldier came to our door. He showed us an order from the king which stated that we should be allowed to go to this journey."

I was a bit confused after hearing this. Why would the king be this eager to send us to our deaths? What was he thinking? 

The king was considered a God in the kingdom. The people could sacrifice their everything for him. Therefore, it was understandable that their families could not deny his order. 

"Did the same happen to all of you?" I asked everyone.

They all nodded to say yes. 

We were slowly moving ahead in the sea. I believed we could overcome any obstacle if we are together. But... 

I never knew that these friends would bring me the greatest disaster I ever faced.