Chapter 5
Hey everyone, sorry for the long delay. No excuses, I'm just going to apologize. This next chapter is Chapter 13 from Rebel Angels, but (of course) from Pippa's point of view. I'm also splitting into two so I can update sooner. Enjoy, and please R&R! It makes me write faster. :)
I don't really know how I passed the time before my friends finally returned. Vague blurs of colors and sounds crowd my memory, but all I really see clearly is the faces of my friends swimming behind my eyes. Ann. Gemma. Felicity. They're coming for me. They still want me.
This time I am prepared for them when they come. I was awaiting them in the garden, and the moment I see the door of light appear, I jump nimbly to my feet and race toward it, giggling in excited anticipation. I grip my drooping garland to my head as a run, not wanting to lose it. Gemma's head is turned as she enters, making sure Fee and Ann are following her, and I take the opportunity to wrap my fingers around her eyes and shroud her in temporary darkness.
She gasps, frightened, and slides out from behind my eyes. Gemma gets scared so easily! "Oh, poor Gemma! Did I frighten you?" I giggle, a bit sarcastically.
"N-no. Well, a little, perhaps," she replies, thought I barely notice, for Fee and Ann are running toward me and embracing me, and I grip them back like an anchor.
Ann turns back slightly and asks Gemma, "What's the matter?"
"I gave our poor Gemma a start," I answer with a wicked grin. "Don't be cross with me." I grip her hand and lean close. "I've a surprise. Follow me."
After once again finding the Gorgon and conversing with her, I organized a plan. I would tell Gemma and the others I had just found the Gorgon, and make no reference to our two conversations. I doubt the Gorgon will either. I'll lead them to wear I know she will be, and get the conversation rolling, then allow her and Gem to talk. It still is a prickle in my side that she will answer to Gemma and not me.
I lead them through the trees, after ordering the to close their eyes. It's just a short way, and I'm itching in anticipation.
"Open them," I call out.
I watch them as their faces transform into awe, fear, and excitement. Ann talks a faltering step backward, away from the fearsome sight she imposes. Felicity runs forward, hardly able to contain her glee. And Gemma, Gemma just stands there, staring at the Gorgon's frightful head.
"I've found her!" I exclaim. "I've found the gorgon! Quickly! Let's ask her about the Temple before she gets away." I know she will not, but there is no reason for them to. "Ahoy, there!"
She turns to face us, her cat-like eyes opening slowly. Though the sight still repulses me, I have become slightly more accustomed to it, but realize my friends are not. Gemma looks shocked, and Ann a bit green.
"What do you wish?" she asks, her voice dark and slippery.
"Are you the gorgon?" I ask, wanting to confirm for my friends that this is indeed her.
"Yessss."
I bite my lip, trying to decide what to ask without giving away that I have been here before. "Is it true that you are bound by the Order's magic to do no harm and speak only the truth?"
Her eyes close for a fraction of a second. "Yesssss."
"We are looking for the Temple. Do you know it?" Perhaps Gemma doesn't have to ask, just has to be here. I am quite relieved when she does indeed answer my question.
"All know of it. None knows where it may be found. None but the Order, and they have not come for many years."
"Is there anyone who may know where to find it?" The gorgon is annoying me once again with her cryptic, unhelpful answers. I flick my hair back impatiently and fix her with my own icy glare.
"The Forest of Lights. Philon's tribe." I have no idea what she is talking about, but compose my face in a mask so that no one can see my ignorance. "Some say they were once allies to the Order. They may know where to look for this Temple."
"Very well, then," I continue breezily. "We wish to go to the Forest of Lights.
"Only one of the Order may bid me," the gorgon says.
I feel my face flush, embarrassed to be refused, and my anger rising. I point to Gemma with a sharp flick of my hand. "She is one of the Order," I answer, annoyed that she didn't remember.
"We shall see."
All eyes have turned on Gemma, and I can see her a bit uncomfortable in the spotlight. How I wish I were in her position…I would hold the place well.
"Go on, Gemma," Fee urges. "Try."
She steps forward, and I see her face cloud over as she takes in the sight of the gorgon and struggle to fid her voice. "We wish to go to the Forest of Lights," she begins, and her voice comes out stronger than I expected. "Will you take us, gorgon?"
The plank lowers as it had for me, and Felicity and I run giddily ahead to board first. "Must we go on this?" Ann asks. I pity the poor girl, so wary in a world made for the strong.
"Don't be scared, Ann, darling. I'll be with you," I promise, taking her pale hand and pulling her forward.
Felicity notices the nets hanging off the side of the boat, and I realize I have no idea what they are for. Catching fish? That is stupid, for why would the gorgon need to eat? Thankfully, Fee asks instead of me. "These are light as cobwebs. What fish can you possibly catch with them?
The gorgon looks strange and distant as she answers in her thick voice. "They are not for catching. They are for warning."
"Look, how pretty," Ann states as she dips her fingers gingerly into the shimmering water. I don't think I shall ever see this water as pretty. "Wait, do you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
We all glance around, straining our ears for a moment. "There it is!" Ann cries suddenly. "Oh, that is the most beautiful sound I have ever heard." Ann bends near the water, as if she wants to get as near to the source of the melody as possible. "It's coming from the river. Something's there, just below the surface."
I hear it now too, and rush curiously and lean over the edge of the ship, clutching the rail to keep myself from falling. I watch as Ann slowly extends her hand, her pudgy fingers grazing the water for the briefest moment. I squint my eyes, thinking I saw something shimmering underneath the surface. I leave the rail and begin to walk toward Ann, hoping to get a better view, but before I can even take a step, the wings of the great ship raises suddenly, blocking the path and forcing us backward.
"That was sudden," Ann comments. "The music's stopped. Now I'll never know where that lovely song came from."
"Some things are best not known," the gorgon intones, once again mysterious.
I see Ann's widen as a gentle shiver runs down her spine. "I don't like this. We've no way off now."
Poor, darling Ann. So frightened. She doesn't have quite the strength the rest of us posses. I give her a comforting kiss on the cheek, hoping to fortify her weak will with a kind gesture. "We must be brave girls now," I dictate. "We must go to the Forest of Lights if we are to find the Temple."
"You are my mistress and must bid me go," the gorgon says, and for a fleeting second I think she is talking to me. I raise my head hopefully, only to find she is staring at Gemma, who seems unaware. As always—unaware of her own power.
"Very well," she says, though I can see through her calm façade. She doesn't know where to go. "Down the river, if you please."
As the garden fades from view, I lounge on the deck, gazing happily at my friends. "Gemma, you look positively green," I say, suppressing a giggle.
"My father says if you can see where you are headed, it helps," Fee says helpfully, and Gemma leaves us to stand with the gorgon at the head of the boat. I follow her with my eyes for a moment as she converses with the gorgon. I wonder what they are saying.
My attention is diverted as Felicity barrels toward me and wraps an arm around my waist, twirling me in circles. I giggle as I join her merry jig. "Pip!" she cries. "This is just like when we were younger, remember? We used to plan to sail together, on a magnificent ship, on dangerous water!" Of course I remembered. I remember everything Fee has told me.
She takes a mock battle stance, legs wide and holding an imaginary sword. "I, the brave soldier. Who wants to be the damsel in distress?" she asks, and Ann and I both agree willingly.
"Two damsels! I must be a very strong soldier." She jumps about on the boat, swinging her 'sword' and vanquishing pretend foes. Ann and a laugh at the spectacle, feigning fear at just the right moments. When at last we collapse together, leaning against the walls of the ship, I lay my head on Felicity's shoulder and sigh.
"Fee," I whisper. "Ann. I'm so glad you're hear." I feel my throat choke up slightly and try to disguise it by turning away, pretending to be fascinated by a strange pattern in the wood. It doesn't fool Fee. She cups my chin and turns my head to face her.
"No tears, Pip. We're all here. We're together. We're on an adventure." I nod, only feeling a little better. Felicity leans close and whispers just so I can hear, "I'll always be here, Pippa." I smile gloriously at her. She pulls me to my feet again, and Ann joins us, gripping each other's hands tightly. A sudden breeze comes from behind, whipping the garland off my head. I laugh and chase after it, traversing the distance of the boat in a few quick strides. I notice Gemma and the gorgon staring at me, and decide they've had enough time together.
I call to her, "Gemma! How are you feeling?"
"Much better!" she responds.
"Come back, then!" I'm gratified to see her leave the gorgon and rejoin us. I wonder what has been said between them, and how much of it had to do with me. I notice she stares at me often now.
"Isn't the river beautiful?" I ask, a grin on my face. Gemma smiles and nods in that familiar way. "Oh, I've missed you all so very much. Did you miss me terribly?" Felicity is again the first to comfort me. Her arms wrap me in a tight embrace. "I thought I should never see you again." I hug her back, hard, and promise to myself I will do whatever it takes to always see Fee again.