Chapter 4: The Captain's Second Dream

The Silvana
The Ivy Keys
On the Frontier of Anatoray
18 Dekembris 3037
Second Day of Saturnalia
Feast of Lord Saturn and Lady Ops
0800 Hours
Alex Row's Quarters

"Alex, we have to call the surgeon."

"I'm fine."

"I'll not perform the blessing if you don't let him look at your injury."

Alex sat on the sofa, his foot resting on a towel in Yukino's lap, while she applied ice to the deep gash he'd sustained the night before. As soon as Yukino had risen from bed, she'd contacted Sophia regarding the seriousness of Alex' injury. The concerned vice captain was not pleased, but she consented to take Miyako until Alex could be treated.

"What will it be?" prompted Yukino.

"I have too much to do today. Pascal takes too long, and he lectures me constantly on my… indulgences. No pity whatsoever. I'd get rid of him if he weren't so damn competent."

"Fine, I'll be leaving for Jiguzagu Estate."

"No, Yuki. Stay."

"Then let me call the surgeon."

"Do it!"

"I'll be right back. Stay where you are and keep up the ice with pressure."

"Yes…yes."

As soon as Yukino left his quarters, Alex tried to stand and make for his liquor cabinet. He'd need fortification to face Pascal Dagobert, M.D. But, though he made a valiant attempt, he couldn't steady himself as the room spun. He applied some ice to his forehead and struggled to his feet; this time reaching his goal and pouring himself a stiff one.

"Put that down!" said the good doctor, as Alex lifted it to his lips and swallowed.

"What?" asked Alex, innocently.

"You know I have the power to remove you from active duty if I find you physically unfit."

"Attempt such a maneuver and you would find yourself cast adrift on some remote island of the Ivy Keys. And I believe it's customary to knock before entering the captain's quarters."

"That's amusing…you giving me etiquette lessons," said the doctor, as he and Yukino helped Alex to the sofa. "How many have you had?"

"One."

"No more until tomorrow," said Dr. Dagobert, pulling a chair over and propping Alex' foot on his knee. Pascal Dagobert resembled all the other Dagoberts, who were short for Guild. He needed spectacles for reading only, and he wore them perched precariously on the tip of his stubby little nose. Shortly after his family had been purged, he stopped wearing the Guild habit, stating flatly that it made him look pudgy. Instead, he adopted the clothes of an Anatoray gentleman. To further set himself apart, he let his white hair grow and wore it in a meticulously groomed ponytail. Today, he wore the uniform of an officer of the Silvana.

"But I have to meet with Nikator."

"Postpone it until tomorrow."

"I can't."

"Well then you'll have to watch him drink while you remain sober."

"But it's my diplomatic duty to drink with him."

"He'll understand, besides I'm going with you. Nikator has requested my services. Inoculations, examinations, etcetera. I can do the drinking for both of us, after I've completed my duties, of course."

"Damn you, that hurts."

"If you don't remain still, I'll have my medics remove you to sick bay where I should really be performing this procedure. Yukino, I'll need your help."

"Of course, Pascal."

"Get some hot water and clean towels. He's going to need stitches, but you did a very good job of cleaning the wound."

"You're just loving this, aren't you?" said Alex, folding his arms.

When Yukino returned, the doctor took a notebook from his bag, and prepared a list, giving it to Yukino and sending her to the infirmary to collect further supplies and a medic. Then he wrote a prescription and handed it to Alex.

"What's this?"

"Read it aloud."

"My Dear Captain - In the future please be advised that footwear is considered mandatory when walking on broken glass. I hope you will follow your doctor's orders, since as a patient you are a pain in the ass. -Pascal Dagobert, M.D., Extraordinaire

"Very funny, but I believe you're projecting; it is the doctor who is the ass. And do really think the extraordinaire appropriate?" asked Alex.

"You are very lucky to have me considering the work load. When I think of the incredible number of injuries that have resulted from your intemperate behavior, I wonder why I stay. Now, lie down and shut up while I clean the wound."

Alex heard Yukino return with the medic, but continued to examine the discolorations in the ceiling paint in an attempt to tune out the chatter. He hated listening to Pascal drone on about all the possible complications. In truth, the doctor's ministrations were exceedingly painful. Indeed, he felt ill, and things were getting that iridescent greenish tinge just prior to loss of consciousness.

"Alex…" said Pascal.

"What?"

"Your color isn't good. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fi-"

Alex woke to three people hovering over him as Pascal waved smelling salts under his nose.

"You've lost a moderate amount of blood, but you're stitched and bandaged now. In couple of hours you should be fine. I've placed a walking cast on your foot, and you'll need crutches for today. I'll check in on you as time permits. For a normal person the stitches would come out in a week or so, but with your healing powers - day after tomorrow."

"I shall not use crutches; it will put me at a disadvantage with Nikator."

"Yes, you will, and his kids will love them. Now get some rest."

"I'll take care of him, Pascal," said Yukino.

"What about the ship's blessing, Yukino?" asked Alex.

"We'll perform it after lunch so you can attend."

The doctor departed, and Yukino helped Alex to his bunk. Sleep overcame him before his head touched the pillow, and lying down translated into the sensation of falling as he entered a lucid dream, landing on a cliff overlooking a shoreline. The light southern wind caressed him, and, sitting down, he contemplated the lazy waves washing the black sand beach. A deep feeling of déjà vu engulfed him, as he watched a three-clawed blue crab walk sideways down the littoral.

"You're back," said the tiny red and black striped insect with iridescent dragon wings, that hovered before his face. "Do you remember my name?"

"We've met?"

"Yes, indeedy. It seems like only yesterday or even this morning."

"Truly?"

"I could not lie to you. You told me such a wonderful story; I've been hoping you'd come back and finish it."

"Remind me."

"Alright, but have you thought of my name?" asked the creature, landing on his hand.

"It's on the tip of my tongue. Perhaps if you told me the story; it would jog my memory."

The petit bug flew to his ear and sang:

"Heaven, hovering far above, watched with curiosity
The roiling, ever-questing, radiant blue sea,
And, after eons of observation, fell utterly in love.

Dreaming, imagining and magnifying the pleasure
Of containing – of holding and possessing the swirling, fecund fluent,
Heaven conceived a plan to capture the turbulent flow.

In its desire to know everything, Heaven traveled on the lay lines of attention,
Eventually finding a dark, frigid, silent place where the sea's fluid nature was held fast.
Not even a drop spilled, though the sea sought a way out in its quest to be free.

From a remote location on high, Heaven pondered how to make the whole world dark,
Believing foolishly in its absolute power…"

"I told you that story?"

"Most certainly, it was you, though you look a bit different. Has life been hard on you?"

"Well, it seems I am the creation of a malignant god that delights in my suffering. It has the power of predestination, gifting me with a tragic one dimensional life punctuated by sorrow, pain and vendetta."

"Perhaps you can outwit this evil deity."

"Maybe, but for now I must endure it."

"You have to hurry; you cannot stay here long. But before you go, tell me, what did heaven do to make the world go dark?"

"You have spoken those words to me before."

"What words?"

"You cannot stay here long. You are Dracori."

"I am."

"I waited here – for someone - and I told you a story of Heaven's hubris."

"Yes, you did. Who did you wait for?"

Alex eyes searched the vast ocean that surrounded him, as if it held the answer, and as he did so he remembered Dracori's words.

"This is the sea that resides within me, and I waited for my guide."

"Your guide."

The waters near the beach were as clear as fresh bath water, and Alex watched as a shadow swam beneath the surface with remarkable speed. When the depth was too shallow, she stood, water pouring from her as the lovely creature emerged from the sea. He could see her blue veins through her pale translucent skin. Her long white hair flowed around her exquisite, naked body as she gazed at him with striking grey-green eyes. When she reached the beach, she began to transform, her hair gradually turning black and her skin opaque, opalescent pink as from nowhere a uniform of the Silvana clothed her. However, instead of a cap she wore a wreath of pine boughs in her hair.

She was so familiar. Seeing her again was like finding a lost but treasured toy from childhood - an object completely known and loved, yet exotic and foreign, like a visitor from another time and culture. She continued up the beach to a set of stone stairs, climbing them. When she reached the top she turned her head to the side and stared at him, just like the little bird from his dream the night before.

"Alex…"

He continued to watch her, and when she reached out to touch his hand he reciprocated, remembering who she was. How could he have forgotten a being so precious?

"Ourea."

"You remember, at last."

"I thought…"

"I was a figment of your imagination?"

"Yes."

"In a sense I am."

"You know the location of the ring?"

"The ring is with Euris, and yet it is not."

"That's not helpful."

"You'll understand soon enough."

"Then you know how to find Euris?"

"Yes and yes."

"I don't understand."

"Soon enough – soon enough," said the beautiful sylph, as she ran her finger down the long scar that lined his face. "You gave up on me."

"Forgive me."

"Done!"

"About Euris?"

"Be vigilant today, part of the answer lies on the surface. Keep Yukino with you."

"I had no intention of letting her go."

"Take her to the surface."

"Are you sure?"

"Indeed, I am."

Alex reached out to Ourea and pulled her to him. She in turn put her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest. In silence they held each other, as Alex rejoiced internally. He wondered how many people had the great good fortune of recovering their rejected sylph. He didn't care what others thought of this relationship; with his sylph he could endure anything. He would never let her go again. With these thoughts he felt the subtle internal shift that meant the process of waking had begun.

"The story…the story," cried Dracori. "What did Heaven do?"

"Next I see you the story will be complete."

"But it could be years."

"I have a feeling it will be soon." And with that Alex awoke, to find Miyako kneeling by his bedside, watching him.

"Miyako…"

"Does your owie hurt very badly?"

"No, I'm feeling much better."

"That's good." she said. "May I try your crutches?"

"Yes."

"Thank you, Alex."

"You're welcome."

"Mommy!" she yelled, running off to the next room. "Alex is awake! He said I could play with his crutches."

Alex rolled over and covered his eyes at the child's enthusiastic shouts; though he felt better, his foot still throbbed, and his head did not fare much better. So he slid out of bed and hopped across his quarters to his desk, opening the bottom drawer and removing a false bottom. He searched through the assorted draughts he had stored there and chose one for pain. But as he tried to break the seal, he thought better of it. If Ourea's prediction turned out to be true, he'd need his wits about him. He put the draught back and after replacing the false bottom, he closed the drawer. Instead, he jotted down the poem Dracori had repeated.

"What are you doing?" asked Yukino. She wore the sheer under sheath of her ceremonial robes.

"Come here; I'd like your opinion," said Alex, admiring her.

Yukino read, leaning on his shoulder, but, unsatisfied with that, he put his arm around her waist and pulled her to his lap.

"This is wonderful. Did it come to you in a dream?" asked Yukino, as Alex kissed the curve of her neck.

"Yes, I'll tell you all about it if you help me dress," said Alex, while she pulled his hair back and kissed her way up the scar that mapped his face.

"Have you remembered the bird's name?" sighed Yukino, smiling as he ran his hand over her bosom.

"Indeed I did," he whispered, nuzzling her cheek with his.

"You realize we have company?"

Yukino nodded at Miyako, who had just burst into the room. In a creative leap, the little girl used the hand rest to support her underarm as she hopped about on one of Alex' crutches.

"Ah, well, later." He smiled at the thought. "But for now I need an analgesic, badly. Did Pascal leave any?"

"He did."

"Give me a double dose."

"Alex."

"I'm in pain."

"Alright, but we mustn't dawdle. The ceremony is scheduled to take place right after lunch which is at noon sharp."

Alex had no idea what time it was, but he took her word that they needed to rush, letting her order him about while he recounted the dream.

"Ourea? She was your imaginary friend when you were little."

"She isn't…" But Alex stopped; in one sense she was the stuff of imagination; in another she was quite real. Her world reflected his like a looking glass, and it seemed they could only meet at the reflective surface.

"She isn't what?"

"Nothing."

"I understand more than you know; she's your sylph, imaginary and yet not. I have one too, but he's male."

"Do you?"

"Yes."

"What is his name?"

"Some other time."

"Tell me."

"Panteleimon."

"As in Sir Panteleimon from our story?"

"Yes, an amazing coincidence, but you always were a bit uncanny."

"Why did you never tell me this before?"

"I've only just begun to understand the significance of the sylph. I'm sorry I doubted you. It would have saved me a great deal of suffering had I accepted his existence long ago."

"Did you take the initiation?"

"I did. But now, we'd better get to the banquet."

"I never celebrate with the crew; we'll eat in my quarters."

"No, we must join the crew. It's part of the ceremony."

"You're making that up."

"Maybe, my love, but I guess you'll just have to trust me on this."

Yukino called Miyako to her, as the child wheeled at high speed about Alex' quarters on one of his crutches.

"Give that back to Alex, before you injure someone."

"Alright," frowned the little girl.

"I can get by with just one until we reach the dining hall; right Miyako?" said Alex, smiling at the child. And with that he took his crutch and raced for the door.

"Alex can. Look, Mommy!"

"I suppose I must acquiesce. I haven't got a chance when the two of you gang up against me."