HELLO MY LOVELIES! If you don't know who I am, my name is Ash or Karma. I've written stories like that of The Wizard and the Huntress and Morgana's Lost Company! I welcome you all to my newest adventure into writing!
I've been working on this for a little while now and I swear to GOD this was a hassle to write up but I love it so fucking much. I really hope you guys enjoy this! It's my baby at this moment. Especially after four days of writing drafts, understanding plot points, and making the world of this place. Like seriously. I love this one.
I hope you guys enjoy this and let me know what you think!
Also, I'm still on edge with this one's titles so if you have any suggestions, let me know! I'm open to ideas!
Arcadia Oaks is probably one of the most boring places you could ever visit. The hustle and bustle of the ports was probably the most exciting thing that was consistent within the small port city. You see the same faces doing the exact same thing otherwise. The only new faces you see would be the crewmates of whatever ship has sunk their anchor off by the shore. Even then though, you probably would never see their faces ever again after a day or two. But nonetheless, I lived my entire life here. In the ever-repeating cycle that was life in Arcadia and I felt rather grateful for it.
Because if I was anywhere else, I would probably be dead.
I swallowed dryly as I clutched the small pouch of gold my mom gave me as I entered the heart of Arcadia.
Honestly, I think I was anywhere else, I would be found out within minutes. But the people of Arcadia are rather, to put it nicely, dense. You tell them a lie that fits rather well within what they believe is true and you're off the hook. It took a little bit of time to get used to the idea, but after a couple of years, I got the idea down to a science. Mom said it best, after all. Having to hide a complete other side to yourself meant having to be on your toes.
"Morning, Jim!"
"Morning, Lawerence!" I waved toward the town baker before continuing my way toward. A small pang of guilt hit my heart as I swallowed dryly once more.
That doesn't mean I didn't feel terrible for doing it though.
"Morning, Jim!" I felt an arm swing itself over my shoulders as I knew all too well who it was that was beside me. "Your mom already had ya working, huh?" I smiled as I turned my head to be greeted by the sight of my best friend. We've known each other since we were children and knew everything about each other.
Including my dirty little secret.
"Oh, you know how it goes. She's gotta be prepared if something goes array."
"Sounds like Doctor Lake." Toby smiled as he brought his arm back to his side before he brought his hand up to ruffle his messy red hair. His bright green eyes shining as he gave me a small smirk. "Wanna sneak off to the bay when you're done? I know how you are with wanting a good ol' swim." I rolled my eyes at his attempt to be smooth about the idea before giving him an annoyed look.
"You just want me to find you something on the seafloor don't you?"
"I just need a fish scale for me to be granted as the museum director's assistant! Won't you do it? Please! My livelihood depends on it!" I chuckled at his dramatics before nudging him in the arm with my elbow.
"Oh quit being dramatic. I can't today anyway. I've got quite the list I need to get. I'll be busy until sunset at the very least."
"So you've got more than one adventure you need to go on?"
"Yep. I've got the morning list here," I grabbed a small piece of paper from my pocket and handed it to him. "And then I have a list of stuff she needs to have before the day's end so that she has it for tomorrow. But a lot of that is picking up essentials for her that have ordered by the traders near the port."
"Having to deal with the traders and then. Ouch." Toby gave a small chuckle before nudging me back in reply. "Have fun there, mate."
"I'll try. Nothing like having to haggle with someone who has a brain smaller than a fish but an ego bigger than an iceberg to start your morning." Toby gave out a hearty laugh before heading off in his own direction.
"See ya around, Jim!"
"Likewise, Toby!" I smiled as I gave him a small wave.
Living in Arcadia was difficult.
I turned my head toward the harbor as I knew already what I should do first.
But mother and Toby make it worth dealing with.
"Mother!" I closed the door with my heel as a smile graced my face while entering her small little doctor's office in the heart of Arcadia. "I've got your supplies." I watched as my mom turned her attention toward me with a loving smile appearing on her face with ease.
"What would I do without you?" She came over toward me and took the small basket of supplies I had gathered for her from the ports and around the small city before turning and joining a patient I knew was hidden away behind the giant white curtains. "Thanks to my son, Mr. Gravis, we will be having you out of here in no time."
"Sounds good to me! These stitches you gave me are not as adoring as you made them out to be, Doctor Lake." I could hear my mother's laughter as she reappeared out from behind the curtains and produced to me another small sack of gold as I exchanged the empty one I had with it.
"You still have the other list, I'm sure? You do know I can handle taking care of this one myself." I smiled as I pocketed the money.
"Mother, I've done this a million times. I've got this handled."
"I know." She gave me a sweet smile as she cupped her right hand onto my cheek. "Doesn't mean I don't worry from time to time."
Oh, I completely understand, mom. I worry myself here and there.
I just smiled up toward my mom as her patient called out to her from the other room.
"Doctor Lake? Are you still there?" My mom pulled her hand away from my cheek as she gave me an apologetic smile before turning her head toward the curtains.
"Just gathering the rest of my tools! Don't you worry!" She turned her head back toward me and gave me another sweet smile. I knew this was her way of saying goodbye as I just reciprocated the action.
She never was one to like that word anyway. Goodbye. To her, it always meant an ending. That something was meant to come to a close.
I turned toward the door of the small building and made my way out of it before adventuring back into the heart of Arcadia.
I would too if I was her. Not just as a doctor either.
I shook the thought out of my head as I started my walk into town.
You're thinking too much today, Jim. You've gotta snap out of it.
I slipped my hands into the pocket of my dark blue britches as I walked down the heart of Arcadia. I glanced to my right to look over myself in the passing glass windows. My dark hair was a little messy, that was for sure, but it was well kept in comparison to some of the other men in the area. My white tunic was mostly hidden under my bright blue vest that was the same shade as my eyes. The scars that I knew were upon my face were hidden from the glass viewings, but that didn't mean that the three of them were removed from my left eyebrow, nose, and cheek respectively. A shiver ran down my spine as I suddenly remembered where exactly the scars came from.
Fucking trappers and their metal cages. Those things are sharper than they realize. I would have lost my damn eye if my mother wasn't a doctor.
I pulled my eyes away from the passing windows as I set my sights onto the harbor a long while down the pathway I took.
And here I go conversing with some of them as if none of them have ever done a thing to me.
Wonderful.
I sighed as I weighed mom's small sack of gold in my right hand as I made it down some of the smaller pathways toward mom's office.
Out of all the new traders that set their anchors down in Arcadia, none somehow had what mother needed.
I looked up toward the sky as I noted the soft orange, red, and blues that came from the setting sun.
Hopefully, the new ones that come in tomorrow will have what she desires. If not, mother will have to go without certain things for a little bit. Hopefully, that doesn't affect her work. The people here need her. Especially since she's the only doctor for the next fifty or so miles.
I let out another sigh as I pocketed the gold pouch and continued my way down the stone path. The fading sunlight making it a little dark, but not dark enough for me to not see or understand my surroundings.
So when I heard the loud footsteps of footmen behind me, I panicked rather quickly.
"Grab the witch!" I turned my head toward the commotion behind me to see a woman dashing down the alleyway toward my direction. The sound of shouting and laughter following her. I could tell by the wide smile dancing across her face that she herself was the source of the laughter in particular. I noted the pistol was in a makeshift hostler on her left hip as the adjacent one had a sword scaffold tapping against it as she ran. She was wearing black and purple attire which would have meant she was of a high class if it weren't for the style which she was wearing. Dark britches covered her legs as a purple tunic blouse covered her chest and arms with ease. The top was tucked in around her waist which only proved how truly thin she was under the baggy tunic. Her knee-high leather boots looked worn but not in the idea that they were old, but in the idea that they have seen some things. Her dark hair barely reached her shoulders, but a blue and white braid showcased itself out from under the purple leather captain's cap that rested at the top of her head.
She was no ordinary traveler.
I smiled as I watched her skit to a stop and ran down the alleyway that I was still walking toward until she stopped right before me. A lopsided grin taking over her face as the shouts of the men following after her were becoming louder.
She was a pirate.
"Mind helping out a stranger?" I swallowed dryly as I noted the voices came closer.
A lot of times, I wouldn't even think twice about running away from such a scene.
She glanced over her shoulder for a moment as the voices neared where we were standing.
"WHERE'S THE WITCH!"
But she was like me.
I reached out and grabbed her right hand before running toward where I knew we would be safe within the soon to be shadows of the sunlight.
And I can't leave another mythical behind.
"This way." We ran with her slightly behind me as she allowed me to take the lead. I rushed down one of the pathways I knew not many traveled. Once we came to a darkened alleyway, I gestured her into one of the crevices with a single nod. Seemingly understanding what I was asking of her, she hid within the darkest part of the alley as I just leaned against the opposite wall right across from her. The rushing footsteps came closer as I noticed the king's soldiers rounding the corner before running down the alley toward me.
"You!" I acted as if I had just given them my attention as I gave them a confused look.
"Yes, sir? Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Did you see a girl running down this way?"
"A girl? Running at this time of night?" I chuckled a little as I just slipped my hands into my britches' pockets. "You must be new to Arcadia. Nothing of the such happens around here. If it did, I think there would have been a whole load of panic spreading through the place." The soldier in front gave me a questionable look until one man that looked familiar to me stepped forward.
"I know him, sir. He wouldn't lie to you." I recognized the voice as the slightly taller man took off his bright red cap and gave me a small nod. His blonde hair and dark eyes now making his features a lot more recognizable to me. "James."
"Steve." I gave him a small nod in reply as his officer gave me a once over.
"Who's house you belong to, son?"
"Doctor Lake. Down this alley around the corner. I was just heading home, actually, when you stopped me." The commander looked over toward Steve who only gave a small nod in reply before looking back toward me with a small nod himself.
"Get yourself home, son. Don't stick around too late and if you see the witch," He stepped forward and looked me directly in the eyes. His dark eyes giving a small chill down my spine that I tried my best to hide within the darkness of the alleyway. "You call to us."
"Yes, sir." I swallowed dryly before placing a hand over my heart. "I give you my word."
"Come on, men." The older man turned toward the rest of his soldiers before ushering them down the alley. "She shouldn't have gotten far." I watched after the men running down the stone path as Steve turned his head back toward me and shot me a soft smile. I gave him a small smile in reply before he and his fellow soldiers turned the corner and left the scene.
To think he and I used to be at odds when we were children. I guess the mutual loss of a parent can change how to see a person.
I turned my attention to where I left the witch and gave her a small smile.
But I could understand why he held a grudge against me. I was different. Just as she is. Humans fear what they don't understand.
Yet having those you could rely on helped me through it rather easily.
"You're alright. You can come on out now." I extended a hand toward her that she looked down at before bringing her eyes back up toward me. A bright gleam of purple coming from her eyes in the darkness before she spoke to me.
"You gave your word to the soldiers. How can I trust you?" I just gave her a lopsided grin before giving her a reply.
"I never cared for the soldiers, honestly. Despite one of my childhood mates being one of 'em." I etched a little bit closer as I kept my hand palm up toward her. "But you can trust me. I'm one of you, if that helps."
"You're a magic-user?" She crept out a little bit before showcasing the small tilt of her head as she slowly escaped from the small darkness of the alley.
"Not a magic-user, no. But they would be after me as well if they knew what I truly was." I felt my smile widened as she took my hand and I helped her out of the crevice. "I'm James Lake Junior, by the way. I like to be called Jim though." She gave me a soft smile that was tied to a sparkle that appeared in her deep hazel eyes. The purple gleam that was in them before had disappeared as she seemed at ease now within my presence.
If she was this beautiful in the shadows, I could only imagine what a beauty she would be in the daylight.
I felt my heart skip a beat as she now smiled up toward me.
"Claire Maria. Nice to meet you, Jim." I felt butterflies in my stomach as I noticed how delicate the pirate seemed to be. Despite the scars dancing across what I could see of her skin, I was more captivated by the small freckles that scattered across her skin like small fallen comets.
So someone that I knew could kick my arse if she desired, I think she's probably the most beautiful and delicate sight I have ever seen.
"Nice to meet you. Yeah." She gave me a small laugh that sounded like a forbidden siren's call.
Great lord Posideon, Lake. You've only just met the girl! The hell is wrong with you?
"You're different. I like that." She slipped her hand out of mine and nudged my shoulder with her right fist.
That's what wrong with you. Right there. Great mother of-. I'm going to fucking lose it.
I gave her a nervous chuckle as I slipped my hands into my britches pockets. My heart feeling like it was thundering against my chest as I stood under the witch's gaze.
"Not to but into your business, but what did you do to get chased around by the soldiers? Normally those men don't do much. Unless Lancelot is around, that is." She gave me a nervous look as she then placed her gloved hand upon my left shoulder.
"The less you know, the better it will be." I swallowed hard as I saw the soft look in her eyes. "Thank you for your kindness though. Not everyone is willing to put their neck on the line for a fellow mythical. No matter what they are. So thank you. Your actions mean the world to me."
"What's your plan now?" She gave me a shrug as she glanced down both ways of the alleyway.
"Besides finding a way back to my crew," She brought her gaze back toward me. "Nothing more than that."
"You're crew? You're the captain?" She gave me a proud smile before pulling back her hand so she could place both her hands onto her hips.
"The second captain, actually."
"As the second in command, you seem to get yourself in trouble pretty easily." She laughed a little at my joke which only caused the butterflies to reappear in my stomach.
"Oh if you think I get myself in trouble, you should see the shite my captain gets herself into." I felt my eyebrows rise slightly in shock as the woman just gave me a smirk in reply. "What? Thought a woman couldn't be a captain of a crew."
"Not that, honestly. Just the fact that your captain gets herself in trouble as well. No wonder where you get it from." She laughed once more as she gave me a smile.
"You really are something special, huh?"
"More than you know." I gave her a lopsided grin as I tried to stifle the warm feeling spreading across my chest. "I could give you a change of clothes if that helps you get away a little easier? It's the least I can do for you."
"You already have your neck on the line for me. You said it yourself. You've got friends and family around here. I won't let you risk it any further."
She's right. I have a lot at risk here if I'm caught with her. Especially after lying to the soldiers.
Especially with Steve putting his word out on the line for me.
I looked into her hazel eyes as a sudden memory resurfaced within my mind.
"Where are you going, dad? Why do you have to go?" I tugged at the man's coat as he just turned his head and smiled toward me. He knelt down to my height before placing his hands on my shoulders.
"I've been over this a million times now, Jim. I have to leave to protect you. To protect your mother. We cannot be found together. Not with Arthur's new policies in order."
"But you're not like other mythicals, father! You have a human form."
"Yes, but it's unstable. I can only be on land for so long, Jim, and if I'm found in the ocean in my true form, I'll be captured before I can even scream for help." I swallowed hard as I saw the stone look in my father's eyes. His nearly black eyes glossing over as his grip tightened on my shoulders. "But I can tell you right now that life is going to be hard for us. For those like me and many others. Especially the witches. Poor souls don't even get the opportunity to hide. Not with those branding they have to endure."
"What do I do then? I'm half of you and mother. What do I do?"
"You protect your mother and keep your head low." He pulled his hands back from my shoulders and took a pendant that was hanging off his neck. He lifted the necklace up and over his head before placing it over my head. "But if you ever meet another one of us, no matter who they are, you treat them like family. You help them as much as you can, alright?" I nodded my head.
"Why are you specific on that?"
"Because no other mythical will do so to you. So if you do so to another, they will do so for you. At least those with a soul will."
I looked over the woman's features as I raised my hand up to my chest and placed it over where my father's pendant was resting on my chest.
"Well, I'm already on the line anyway." I smiled at her as she gave me a shocked look in reply. "What's the harm with keeping it on there a little longer? I have a promise to keep anyway."
"A promise, huh? Seems you're good at keeping them, so how about we make one now then?" I tilted my head at her as she presented her right hand toward me. "If I ever become too much of a hassle for you or if we end up in a desperate situation you don't want to be in, you get out while you can. Deal?"
"How about I make up something so it's equal?"
"Sure. Have anything on mind?" I shrugged a little at it as gave her a lopsided grin.
"Nope." She laughed a little at me before presenting her hand toward me a little more.
"Then I guess you can choose as we're on this small little adventure of ours." My smile widened a little more as I took her hand in mine. "So what way?" I gestured to the right before slipping my left hand out of hers.
"Right this way. We can get you a change of clothes and then get you set out for the harbor. It shouldn't cause too many problems for us."
"You haven't run into many other mythicals, have you?"
"Not really," I gave her a curious look as we started heading toward my mother's office. "Why do you ask?"
"Because you don't seem to understand how difficult it is to escape from Arthur's men." I swallowed hard as I heard the darkness within her voice.
Oh, what did I sign myself up for?