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Avast! Desolate Past < Book I > |
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Milady, you must depart!
He swore....he would never....
Please! I implore you to follow!
I thought.......
The flames, they spread too quic-!
*Crack*
He promised.......
Faiethsow Sea. Midmorn. The tone was low, but the challenge still shone through. After another moment, the figure, almost obscured by the dark, gave a slow nod and quietly strode away. Haeil retreated back to her desk, snatching up a small bauble with long, slim fingers. Dust began to swirl lazily in the tendrils of light that fought through the lone cramped window. Dazed, she failed to react when, rather boisterously, Alice shoved past the ruined door. He was roughly garbed in tattered trousers. His eyes were as full of exuberance as ever, enhanced only by scattered raven hair and a sky blue tunic. Anxiously waiting, a gruff cough drew Haeil's attention.
"Mornin' routine finished Cap'n. Everythin's ship-shape! Permission ter retire ter meh quarters Ma'am!"
Slightly irritated eyes swiftly took on a mischievous appearance. Haeil's brow furrowed lightly, and her lips formed an inquisitive smile. Leisurely, she leaned forward in a feline stretch.
"Permission denied. I need ye to keep a close eye on that ther Shadow. Tail them as they make ther way 'round the ship."
A stern glance hushed Alice's disgruntled cries.
"Now Alice, when have ye ever turned down the chance ter make a shipmate suffer? I assumed this here was right up yer alley!"
His expression softened with her words, and he eagerly shook his shaggy head in appreciation.
"Pardon me Cap'n. I await yer orders!"
Gently lifting the corners of her mouth, she laced her fingers under her chin.
"Let's challenge thi' brave warrior. Do whate'er is needed. I desire ter test Shadow to the limit."
Thoroughly giddy with excitement, Alice hastily saluted and fled from the cabin. In the far distance, a wraith-like darkness marked Shadow and Scorpaz making way to the galley. Eyes shining, Scorpaz began to converse animatedly. Unseen eyes payed her little attention, solemnly trained ahead. Oblivious to her mute audience, her endless prattle trailed on, sweepingly lost to the ocean wails.
"Right now mate, here be the senior bunks. These are fer the vet'ren crew, so we got ter fix it up right, see? Aye, they be treated well they be. 'Course, not ter say the cap'n don't treat meh well too. I can still 'member the day when she'n her crew plucked meh off the docks, a young lassie was I then, hardly nine yers of age-"
"Your parents......"
A fleet fist seized the ancient broom, halting its rapid descent from Scorpaz's startled arms. Roses garnished her face as she bashfully snatched it from the outstretched palm.
"P-pardon, I be a little clumsy."
Heavily, the broom became a rhythmic beat against the dark floor. Lengthy blond hair shyly overshadowed her pale face. A rare somber eye peeked out windswept bangs, memories drifting in the marine tones. Kneeling beside her, the remote Shadow remained taciturn, fully draped in ominous attire. Neither uttered a syllable.
A single, glimmering tear streaked downward, staining the scrubbed wood. Still, when she glanced up at the masked countenance, a sheepish smile adorned Scorpaz's lips.
"Dead, fer many yers. I....they were taken with the plague."
Silence.
"M-meh siblings, taken away too. I was ter be the only one ter live. Though, I don't know how........."
Her slim frame shuddered, and her lip quivered, trying desperately to control hidden anguish. Shuffling slightly, the now-familiar gloved hand began to relax the winding ebony scarf. Scorpaz's eyes swirled with curiosity as she surveyed intently. A glimpse of soft white began to peer through-
"HARR!"
The pungent stench of rum seeped into the cabin as a steady river cut a broad path around Scorpaz's sandaled feet. She squealed, displeased, and gingerly tiptoed out of the soggy track. Rapidly, her eyes flew to Shadow, who was casually poised on the edge of the liquid. Not a droplet was born on the dark apparel, and the scarf was freshly secure, once again concealing every hint of the mysterious being's identity. Her grimace of frustration was heralded by a strong voice.
"Aw, mates. Now ther's a bit o' bad luck. Must've been a leak in the keg! I keep tellin' the sailors ter store ther ale in the hull!"
The impishness was hardly veiled in Alice's beaming expression. His thin shoulders barred the misty light from the doorway, and his lanky arms rested commandingly on his hips. Shadow simply glanced away, showing no apparent interest in their seemingly happenstance visitor.
Scorpaz stalked forward, her eyes thin slits.
"Alice, ye are simply ridiculous!"
Her voice was tight with rage and disappointment. Haughtily, she whisked past Alice, who appeared more composed. After a few heartbeats, her dusky companion trailed after. In the galley corridor, a call halted them. Panting brokenly, Seymour's boyish face came into view. His eyes were teeming with suspicion.
"Look here fella, the cap'n may have accepted ye, but I've a different mind abou' things! Now," He drew himself fully to an astonishingly unimpressive height, "Tell meh who ye are."
Not bothering to reprimand her peer for his obvious impertinence, Scorpaz's eyes shone with reclaimed wonder. Their combined intensive interest pried at Shadow's masked features. The answer was so deep and inaudible that it might have risen from the murky sea rats that scurried below the landing. Yet the menace and chill that danced throughout it was piercingly received.
"I do not believe that is and ever will be any of your affair."
Casting an unsettled glower at the apparently dumbfounded Seymour, Scorpaz loped hurriedly after the retiring figure.
The morn treaded into noon, and from there to a swarthy eve. No more conversation passed between the pair, now often frequented by Alice, eager to increase the labor or impede progress. Scorpaz was inclined over a bunk in the First Mate's hold, Master Cooper's cabin, exchanging fresh bed dressings. The telltale darkness almost melding into the dim furnishings.
A surprised chirp was admitted from her abnormally passive mouth. Whirling around, wide eyes spotted Alice smirking disarmingly at her from the snug dresser. Gently massaging her side, a shy eye gave a slow wink. He chuckled, and with a shaggy shake of his head, departed into the twilight. Fluttering her eyelashes at his retreat, Scorpaz lounged opposite Shadow.
"I presume that's enough fer tonight. Yer dismissed!"
Only the quivering creak of the archaic foundations recognized her command. Exhaling, she brushed past the black statue, flinging a subdued farewell over her shoulder. Black fingers gently touched a scarred hat brim in brief acknowledgment. Lastly, the midnight cloak tossed in departure, blotting out even the furthest reaches of light.
The straw mattress trembled with Scorpaz's violent jolt. Perspiring, she flew from her back, eyes wild. She buckled her arms steadfastly around her knees, which were firmly tucked close to her racing heart. A thin hand drew away the moisture that collected on her creased temples.
"Dreams....."
Her tone was low, husky. Rising, awfully unsteady, she paced to the door of her private cabin. The rush of air that flowed freely when let in swirled around her ankles and humble nightgown, giving her an ethereal illusion. Hesitantly she stumbled into the corridor. The steady beat of the waves rocked the Windthief to a pattern greatly familiar to Scorpaz. Her bare feet found the the knobby scrubbed planks. Breathing in the sea aroma contentedly, she shuffled around to return to her sleep. A coarse hand clapped over her mouth, stifling her now shallow breaths. Deftly, it was replaced with a soft linen cloth. Petrified, she felt as the newcomer pressed gentle lips to her ear. A well-known voice whispered urgently.
"Sorry dearie, Cap'n needs a talk with our li'l friend. Can't have ye alertin' the crew now can we?"
Her fists clenched with rage, she wrenched her head to leer into Alice's glowing eyes. He chortled softly, and, bestowing a prompt peck on her cheek, cast her into spare cupboard. Mutely expressing a desperate plea, her pupils widened as the thick door slammed close, cloaking her in a world of darkness.
 Haeil · Sun Aug 24, 2008 @ 11:41pm · 7 Comments |
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