Hello everyone! Another new chapter in the same week no less? Well I got distracted and never posted the last one so you wonderful readers deserve it. All characters belong to DC. Please enjoy and don't forget to review.
Bruce stood at the bow, arms folded, grim countenance in place, and studied the entrance to the unknown. The gate was massive. Even with the size of his ship, at least three more could fit through alongside. The frame was of dark gray, rough-hewn stone and etched along it's face were gory depictions of deaths that has supposedly happened on the other side. Some may have been true but many were products of speculation as few had ever returned to Gateway City. Haunting murals of drownings, monsters, storms, and untold magics guarded the opening better than an army of trained knights. Even Bruce felt the tension emanating from its chilly caverns.
Richard was now below deck, practicing with his lightning rods and assuming he was being discreet. Sir Oliver and Sir Stewart had arrived an hour before and were currently sorting through their purchases. They were oddly quiet as they seemingly tiptoed around each other, but as Sir Clark had yet to return to the ship, Bruce decided to put aside their nonsense. They were grown men and as long as they didn't jeopardize the quest they could work out their problems themselves.
It was not until the sun began to kiss the horizon that Sir Clark ambled up the gangplank with a slight figure strutting along behind him, trying to frantically keep up with his tense, long-legged gait. Bruce's lips formed a hard line as he grimaced. There goes my trust. Much to his chagrin, the figure behind his most level-headed knight was a woman. They aren't even attempting to heed my orders anymore! Bruce took a deep breath and prayed that Clark had a good reason to suddenly act like Oliver.
The sight of Sir Clark, of all people, with a gorgeous woman in his wake enticed all the men to the main deck. The woman, dark haired and blue eyed caused the crew to wait with bated breath. Could this be the witch they sought? Bruce noted carefully how her intelligent eyes flitted around the ship, studying her surroundings with both interest and a scientific mind. This woman was dangerous, be it to them or someone else. Catcalls and quips were called out as Sir Clark gradually reddened. "Enough!" As one they turned to their captain and king. "Explain yourself!"
Clark, rubbing at the back of his neck abashedly, had to clear his throat several times before he was finally able to speak. "I met Mistress Lois in the tavern." The men roared once more in indignation, Sir Oliver being the loudest. "So it is just dandy for Sir Clark to bring back a wench, but I get reprimanded!" Lois' eyes flashed and she took a step toward the knight. "I beg your pardon? I am certainly not a two-bit tavern whore! I am a reporter!" This managed to confuse them all but Clark who came to stand next to the young woman. "It's like a town crier, but with parchment and ink. She writes down the news and delivers it to each persons door for a small fee.
"The important thing is, Mistress Lois has seen the witch and has been trying to track her down as well." Richard frowned and inched closer to the pair. "Well, I don't mean to underwhelm everyone, but she won't be able to help us. All the villagers within hearing distance during the gathering are under an enchantment. The minute we ask her anything she is going to start spouting nonsense about the witch's beauty."
Lois nodded. "That is true. Everyone I questioned did the same thing. They don't even remember her instructions. I don't know how they think they are going to find this mystery island if they can't even recall something as simple as that." Bruce turned toward her. "Can you provide a destination?" Surely this woman couldn't have been spared the enchantment. What sets her and the girl who came to my kingdom apart from the rest of this town?
"The witch didn't really provide a destination but rather a challenge. She laid out three burdens that would in turn lead to the final destination." Lois paused. "I will tell you only if you allow me to accompany you on your quest." Bruce snorted. "No." Lois met the king face to face and the men stilled, placing hands to the hilts of their weapons nervously. "I wish you well on your journey then, good captain, because unless you let me join the crew you will get naught from me. It's probably for the best. I would hate to involve myself with such a herd of chauvinistic pigs." Bruce's jaw ticked. "Be careful. You know nothing of me, mi'lady, and I wouldn't be so hasty to judge.
"My concern is not that you are a woman. I can tell by your bearing that you wield both intelligence and confidence in the same way these knights wield their arms. I can tell by your brazen attitude that you are used to beating down your adversaries until you achieve your goal. But I also can tell by your movements that you have never truly been in danger, at least not that which would put you in the doorway of dire peril. That being said, my concern is my men." Lois rolled her eyes. "I assume that they have the composure to withstand a woman being aboard for one meager voyage. Or are they simply superstitious fools?"
"These men are some of the bravest warriors I have ever had the opportunity to fight alongside. My concern is that you pose a danger to them. Though we know nothing about you, my men are chivalrous to a fault. Each and every one of them would protect you to their graves and I will not lose a single one of my men because someone insisted on endangering themselves on a quest that for which they were not properly trained." Lois pursed her lips and Bruce could tell she was trying to find fault in his argument. Inhaling deeply she calmed before speaking again. "I am impressed with your loyalty to your men, Captain, but as you are invested in their well-being I am invested in discovering the truth. I must be a part of this if I am to be able to live with myself. This quest for truth and justice is not just yours alone.
"I swear to you now, I will do my best to follow your commands and not put your crew in danger if you will but let me accompany you." Their stare down continued, the only thing filling the silence their heartbeats. Finally, Bruce folded his arms and turned to Clark. "Mistress Lois may join us but, as it was your brilliant idea to bring her along, she will become your charge. I hereby command you, Sir Clark, to guard Mistress Lois with your very life. You are to see her safely throughout this quest until we return to port at Gateway City. I also charge you with her training. If she is to join our quest she is to be able to protect herself to some extent." Bruce turned to his squire. "Richard, prepare her a room. As for the rest of you, we will head to the galley and have some dinner while Mistress Lois informs us of our journey.
Bruce and his men, which now included one Lady, gathered in the galley and once all were contentedly seated with food in hand Bruce gestured toward the young reporter to begin her tale. Lois stood and straightened her clothes, having now changed into a billowy male blouse and some breeches. "I am Lois of the family Lane. I was in the square with my sister Lucy when the witch arrived. The woman appeared out of thin air like something out of a fairy tale. Her appearance was similar to mine and she truly was something to behold. She gathered everyone round and began a tale about an island named Themyscira that consisted only of women. She spoke of wealth and honor and the hand of the fair princess to anyone who could pass the queen's three burdens. 'Once you reach the end of the Abandoned Sea the island will appear. Unless you can show ultimate bravery, unshakeable honor, and unswerving honesty you will be bound there forever.' She repeated it thrice and by the time she was finished men were about drowning themselves to prove themselves worthy." Bruce frowned. "Is there anything else you can tell us about this witch? Anything at all?" Lois placed a finger on her chin as she thought, the men anxiously waiting for the end of the pregnant pause. "Her dress was odd. She wore a loose, white silk gown that hung almost like a toga with a breast plate over the top and as she spoke her hands created illusions in the air. Almost like a map." The atmosphere in the room shifted to one of hope. Bruce leaned forward with a grin. "Do you think you could recreate one? Even if it's just a rough idea?" Lois smirked and sat back in her chair. "Why, Sir Bruce, I already have."
The crew slept fitfully that night, each anticipating setting sail at dawn, and when dawn finally broke the entire crew gathered on the deck with bated breath. Bruce finally broke the deafening silence and turned to his young squire. "Hoist anchor, Richard." The lad nodded and pulled a lever. The ship slowly began to glide forward as the loud, metallic, cranking of the anchor echoed through the otherwise peaceful morning air. Wayne fingered the coarse wood of the helm and sent up prayers that he was not leading his men on a fool's errand. He had spoke sooth to Lois, his men were brave and chivalrous to a fault and he had no doubts that any of them would lay down their lives for him. He just hoped that it never came to that. The vessel cleared the gateway and, as if night had fallen, all light disappeared plunging the intrepid souls into the purest darkness they had ever faced.
*Evil Laugh* The End. No one comes back from the Abandoned Sea. Just kidding.