Suspicion

The Convention had always carried a shadowy undercurrent, its reputation intertwined with clandestine auction dealings as much as its esteemed diplomatic proceedings. Throughout history, the leaders of the Three Kingdoms had taken turns overseeing the event, with one nation serving as the host. This year, Avaloria was the host, and the grand city of Goldenspire stood as the capital and the chosen venue for the gathering.

Goldenspire was a city of opulence and grandeur, known for its bustling markets, influential merchant guilds, and luxurious establishments. It was a fitting setting for an event that veered between the realms of light and darkness. The city's sprawling streets and elegant promenades were adorned with the riches of trade and the trappings of power, captivating the visitors who had journeyed from the far reaches of the Three Kingdoms and the Outside World, as the local citizens called the countries outside of the union.

If one needed to learn something, to get to know the right people, or to be up to date with the recent political developments, there was no better place than the Convention to do all of this. Even being in the same city with all the Convention guests was a great chance to learn new information, while participating in the main events would mean that one themselves had a great influence on the world.

Goldenspire wasn't Cheryl and Vlad's destination by accident. They, of course, were not invited to the Convention – their social status was almost non-existent, making them far from qualified for guest status. Yet, they were still planning to get the most out of it. However, it wasn't Cheryl's moment at the moment.

"Do you think it's about the map?" asked Cheryl curiously. "If it wasn't an accident, of course."

"It could just be about the money. But chances are, yes," the captain replied.

Cheryl looked at the captain. She wanted to hint to him that May might be involved, but she didn't know how to do so without her noticing. Moreover, she didn't have solid proof. She was not going to disclose any information about her powers, knowing how controversial the topic of magic was.

"Do you smoke?" the girl asked him suddenly.

"Why, I do," the captain seemed intrigued. "You, although, are too young for smoking, aren't you, miss?"

"I don't, but the smell of cigarettes makes me feel calm," she was content with the plan she had come up with. "Do you want to have a smoke break? Maybe it'll help us come up with something to help us solve this case."

The captain laughed. "Well, then, let's have a smoke break," he took a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket.

Cheryl realized that he was about to start smoking right in the command room. That wouldn't give her any privacy with him and thus would make no sense.

"Can we smoke while looking at the waves? That would be nice, I think."

"If you insist," the captain was smiling.

"May... Can you watch the room while we're out? Just in case something new comes up here," she looked at May, making her face look the most serious. It would be impolite to refuse the direct suggestion.

"Okay," May seemed a bit confused but still agreed to the suggestion.

"Very well," Cheryl found it hard to hide her excitement.

Cheryl led the captain out of the command room and onto the ship's deck, where they could enjoy a moment of privacy away from prying eyes and listening ears. The cool ocean breeze brushed against their faces as they leaned against the railing, looking out at the vast expanse of the sea.

Once they were a safe distance away, Cheryl leaned in closer to the captain, her voice lowered to a whisper. "Captain, I need to talk to you about something important," she began, her eyes searching his face for any sign of suspicion.

The captain took a drag from his cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke before responding. "What is it, Cheryl? You seem quite serious all of a sudden."

Cheryl hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing her words. "It's about May," she said, her voice filled with feigned concern. "I've noticed some things that make me think she might be hiding something."

The captain's brows furrowed as he leaned in closer, his curiosity clearly piqued. "What kind of things?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of intrigue and suspicion.

"The thing is, I can't tell. However, please listen: she was hiding information from me, pretending she didn't know much about the prize, but when you asked, she said she was aware. Moreover, she..." Cheryl hesitated, thinking about how to not give away her powers. "She was very suspicious about the fire."

The captain's expression darkened, and he stubbed out his cigarette in an ashtray nearby. "Are you suggesting that May might be involved in the fire?" he asked, his voice laced with a mix of concern and disbelief.

Cheryl shook her head slightly, her eyes wide with false innocence. "I can't say for sure, Captain. But I thought it was important to bring it to your attention. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but it's better to be cautious, considering the circumstances."

The captain rubbed his temples, lost in thought. "I appreciate you telling me this, Cheryl. I'll keep a closer eye on May and see if there's anything that warrants further investigation."

Cheryl nodded, relieved that her words had struck a chord with the captain. "Thank you, Captain."

With that, Cheryl and the captain stood in silence for a moment, gazing out at the shimmering waves.

"It is a problem, I must say," the captain continued.

"What exactly?"

"I told you I knew all my passengers. I also learned how to get an idea about people's lives, and May, as well as her brother... I'm not sure I have enough power to do anything to stop them from doing whatever they want."

Cheryl's heart skipped a beat at the captain's words. It seemed he had his own reservations about May and her brother, and his admission hinted at something deeper. She couldn't let this opportunity pass by.

"Captain, what do you mean by 'whatever they want'?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

The captain turned to face her, his expression grave. "I have my sources, Cheryl. As the captain of this ship, it is my duty to be aware of those who may pose a threat to the safety and security of everyone on board."

Cheryl's heart raced, but she maintained her composure. "Do you think they might be involved in something illegal?" she asked cautiously.

The captain shrugged, a troubled expression crossing his face. "I can't say for sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were mixed up in some shady dealings. People like them usually are. It's just a gut feeling, mind you, but it's served me well in the past."

Cheryl nodded, trying to process the information. "I understand, Captain. Thank you for sharing your concerns with me."

The captain turned to her, his eyes serious. "Cheryl, I need you to be careful. If there's any truth to what you suspect, you could be putting yourself in danger by poking around. These are not the kind of people you want to get involved with."

"What's your plan, then? Saying we believe that May is involved, are you just going to let her be?"

"You are still one of my suspects as well, young lady," he replied with a smile.

"You can investigate me all you want. I'm innocent. And harmless," she added after thinking of what the captain said earlier.

"Is that so?" The captain smiled widely.

Cheryl got goosebumps. She liked the captain, but she had that weird feeling as if he could see through her, and it made her uncomfortable. She was used to understanding people, not people understanding her.

The captain nodded, his face serious again. "Just promise me you won't take any unnecessary risks. And if you find anything out of the ordinary, come to me immediately. I'll do what I can to help."

Cheryl smiled in agreement. She was ready to do the opposite.