Chapter 7

That night, the night seemed deathly quiet to Luce even though the crickets chirped. His eyes were wide open but seeing nothing in particular. "Six and a half moons…" he thought and then nothing else appeared for a long time except for the soft breathing of Armeria next to him.

"The time is too short," Luce choked back his tears as he faced the harsh reality. Why had she not told him before? The crickets now seemed to fade away as sleep overcame the burdened pirate.

Not too far away was Reid, plotting his course back from Africa where the wind blew him off course and he lost Armeria. Now instead of using Armeria to catch Luce and his merry gang and make her his wife, he had to return to the Queen with disgrace and empty handed. The navy soldiers had not spoken aloud and instead whispered their thoughts behind their captain's back. Reid was aware of their gossips but what was the use of stopping them when things are not going to improve?

Right now the only thing he needed to do was to look for a certain man who could help him. His name was Bianca.

Luce watched the navy soldiers and their gloomy faces leave the land and back to sea. Relief washed across his face. Reid had not noticed anything yet; which was good news and he had not heard from his crew yet which should mean that those mongrels are taking care of themselves well. Blade and Barbarnas should be able to handle the situation until he gets back or if he gets back.

Armeria did not look like she was dying but still he could not trust his eyes completely for he knows from Kwonabe that it was not an illness that was killing her. It was a dark art and a curse that she bore since young that was stealing the life from her. The moon demon, like what Chikta called, was a dark element in nature that steals the sun from the brightest child who was born on a full moon.

Armeria was a walking hope and the sun in her was very strong. He realized that Armeria had never faltered or gave up once in her search for him. "The power this child possesses is not the normal ones you see, she was destined for greater things and you are the one that she has chosen to protect. The only reason why this sun has yet to die is because she has a new light that sustained her. This is the light you gave to her, a hope and an emotion, the light is your love." Kwonabe had told Luce about it only yesterday.

"Is there a cure for her?" Luce asked. He remembered Kwonabe keeping silent. His friend then whispered something that made Luce's heart even more determined than ever. "Even if I needed to die to save her I would," he told the witchdoctor. The man smiled and said "If you died then she will be given to the devil immediately. I cannot allow you to do so myself. As long as I, Kwonabe, am still alive I shall fight the demon to the very last of my breath. You, my friend, must protect hr for she needs you."

"What about Chikta?"

"He can take care of himself. Besides, he would take over my position as witchdoctor when I move on."

"…"

Kwonabe laughed. "Do not worry my friend. Your girl will live to a very long time and you will get to see your children grow up."

Armeria sat in a corner alone deep in thoughts even as she was sorting out the grains for dinner that night.

"You are sorting them all wrongly," Chikta said and then sat down beside her.

"Sorry," she apologized but Chikta just waved his hand.

"You need not worry. My master said he can take care of this. You will not die."

Armeria said nothing.

"What are you worrying about? Luce? The crew?"

Armeria just shook her head. She thought about Reid and the navy. Where were they, what were they doing? Are they still on their pirate hunt and searching for her or are they heading back to shore empty handed? How was the crew doing with Luce gone? What would Doc, first mate and blade say? What about Luce, what is he going to do? Perhaps it was a mistake to come after all. She should have just let the demon take her soul instead of coming to Kwonabe for help. Luce was the last person that she ever wanted to see especially when she was dying. Kwonabe promised a way to cure her and said that Luce and she were going to live together. However, she knew from traveling around and the gypsies said that no life could be made without a death in exchange. Does it mean that Kwonabe was going to sacrifice his life?

It was not an easy decision or a particularly good time to be doing what Luce was doing but he was doing this just in case.

Going back to the hut he felt a little nervous but still he managed to hide the nervousness. His hands shook a little but still it was passable. He had told Kwonabe about it earlier and Kwonabe encouraged him. As a custom of the tribes, the witchdoctor had to conduct this ceremony and Kwonabe agreed to it. "As a dying friend's last wish" he insisted.

Luce entered with Kwonabe behind him. He paused and looked at his friend for assurance. Kwonabe nodded and Luce went in. Chikta saw Luce and nodded before leaving the couple alone. As soon as he left Luce felt those wings in his stomach.

"Armeria," he called as gently as possible as if Armeria would go into hysterics the moment he came too close. She looked up at him with eyes as lifeless and sorrowful as the day before. "I um… you…"

Armeria looked at him still and Luce felt uneasy. What was wrong, why was his heart suddenly beating so fast? His blood raced as his nervousness grew. "I… will you…"

The edge of his ears was pink and turning scarlet as the blush spread wider across his face. Finally the words came out.

"Armeria, will you marry me?"

For a moment time stopped and Armeria looked astonished. It was totally unexpected to both of them as they felt into each other's eyes.

"Armeria, will you marry me?"