Shift in Perceptions: Chapter Ten
"Hmm...West by... two-hundred eighty degrees... Ah, we are right on course! Perfect," Reaver informed to himself under his breath, eyes locked on the golden compass who's glittery color reflected the sun and shimmered on his unclothed chest. He stood beneath the foremast, and Evelynn's eyes ran along the deck, finally spotting the pretentious man. "Thompson, head to the top of the mast- search for anything worthwhile..."
"Aye, Captain Reaver. Do ya suppose danger's approachin?" the sailor called from the Jacob's ladder as he made his way to the top without a slip on the ropes though the wind lightly rocked them. The Queen watched as he peered directly in a telescope in all four corners of the sea, his question unanswered while Reaver turned his focus to look ahead of the ship's bowsprit. What is it he is searching for? I hope it is not a ship to plunder!
"Reaver, what are you looking for? And please, such indecency- put on your shirt! Not one wishes to see your body, not even the fish in the sea!" she shouted in his direction, as she weaved through the working men who either said greetings or apologized for bumping into her. He stayed in silence until she was beside him on the foremast deck before replying.
"My Queen, I search for a star in the sky. It should be in the western direction, appearing any minute now..."
"A star? Why the sun hasn't even settled yet; it is nearing noon I would say." She looked to the sun above her, shielding her face from the light with her hand. It was just about in the center of the sky, and they were gifted with a generous breeze to cancel out the heated temperature it would have been if the air were stale. "What would a star even provide us with? I didn't know you were infatuated with astronomy."
"Now, there it is! What a robust, luminous star it is- and I never thought my eyes would lay upon it again. Oh my, did I have the vigour of youth back then! You know, I almost went after the prize myself, but with industrialization shifting in riches and spoils, I merely forgot about it..." Reaver claimed.
"It's absolutely beautiful...!" A star stood before them in the west, just as he had promised: it was about half the size of the moon, opalescence of pure white and a chromatic haze in the formation of a diamond. It seemed to float far in the distance, hovering over the horizon line. Evelynn felt as if it was calling to her deep within her, perhaps awakening a part of her that laid dormant. Can Reaver feel that to, that beckoning? No, I suppose it is my mind toying with me... "How does the tale go? The tale of the Solstice of Avo? You never told me..."
"Let's see... Avo, god who held light in his palm, who clashed with the shadows in humbleness, had a weak spot, you know. And it was the downfall of him at a time, bloody fool," he scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief as the two seated themselves on a stack of wooden crates. A sailor shouted at another, sparking an argument, and Evelynn ordered them down to the kitchen to wash pans. Reaver waited a moment before continuing: "One woman amongst all the lands did he sought after, a mortal woman who's beauty is said incomparable to any other. Even so, my dear, she was as monstrous as Skorm, thieving and murdering anyone who even glanced her way in a manor she disapproved of."
"Reminds me of someone...," she giggled, and he winked at her, decorated by a smirk of course.
"Yes, my love, but I am more thrilling- the Divine themselves would be filled with envy if they were ever granted with my grace. Besides, I am not as dim-witted as Avo... He created a guise of a mortal, captured her heart, and blah blah blah, and so on and so forth. To shorten the tale, Skorm discovered their day of wedding, and possessed her body, filling her with darkness. During the vows, she, or rather her demented host, stabbed Avo in his mortal form. A brilliant plan on Skorm's part; a tragic conclusion on Avo's..."
The pair sat in silence for a moment, as Evelynn pictured the tale in her mind. Grief tugged at her heart, as she thought of Avo, distraught and crying for his love. In a way, it reminded her of Lewis, as she too lost someone dear to her. She hoped that Avo overcame his grief though, and became strong, just like she was attempting to do. "What happened after? I mean, Avo couldn't have just died, with the darkness winning! Light always conquers, right?"
"Witnesses claim time stopped, the mortal Avo's soul flew to the atmosphere, and was trapped as a star beneath the sky of blue. Avo returned to his godly position, and weeps for his loss often, causing light to slip by that is seen only during the night," Reaver finished, ending on quieted words that trailed away. He seemed to become solemn, but before Evelynn could ask, he cleared his throat. "That star in the distance is the fabled entrance to his mortal soul, where the greatsword is located... I must leave you now; I have to guide this frigate before these simpletons sink it! Make yourself useful and help the men return a few barrels of gunpowder to the hold or whatnot. Tatty-bye, love! "
What a blasted jerk! I think I am instead going to write a letter to Ben Finn and tell him how the expedition fares. We aren't too far from docking soon...
"Captain Reaver, there be a few clouds starboard. Just a wee bit though!"
"...Evelynn, my Queen... Evelynn." All the men around her came to a halt, blurring about her as the figure of Theresa appeared in front, hands held together and resting on her stomach. The clock was obstructed, and Evelynn did not fear for this had happened to her many times before as Theresa had a message and was only intervening on her mission. "How has the seafaring been so far, my Hero? All seems to be well, excluding you and Reaver's little brawl a week ago."
"You saw that, didn't you? Things couldn't have been better Theresa, with my throne not under me and my fiancé at the bottom of the ocean! Not to mention that Reaver holds all control and wishes to bed me whenever I turn my back, or plans to murder me," Evelynn roared, furious with the fact that Theresa abandoned her, and now decided to interfere. "Why did you not tell me all this was to happen? I know that you knew, so don't try and dismiss it!"
"I may witness the future before it unravels, but understand that I cannot change what is to happen. Reaver is tyrannical, and will find any way to stand above all others," Theresa calmly spoke, as Eveylnn pushed her wavy hair from her face. "You mustn't let him hold power over you, Hero, or that could alter what is to be- do not fall under his spell nor attempt to play his game. Submissiveness will not aid you in your expedition, it will drag you down. Understand?"
"Yes, Theresa, I understand... Please, this information is nothing new to me- I have dealt with him before and he couldn't possibly-"
"He is not who you perceive him to be," she said, walking to look over the side of the ship who's form did not rock, nor the waves below. "There is a storm coming your way. It is inevitable. It shall arrive in seven days time, but follow your path, and warn the others if you may. Do not become anxious as the crews need their leaders through harsh times. Now I must leave you- remember my words, Hero. Stand your ground."