Hi ^_^ gomen this took so long. This chapter...took a LONG ime to do. It's only 11 pages ^_^;; hope you're happy with that length. ^_^
And sorry if things seem really weird, when I descriped Rowad, it was difficult. I hope I did okay on it. And yes, the end may be evil, but I had special help from Midnight C and Vilya with that ^_^ so go figure. And the more who review, the faster I will update!!
Not to mention, any names that you could give me would be very useful ^_^ especially since I'll be naming a bunch of random Jupiter Adepts. So if you have any suggestions, you just might see the name in the fic. I'm horrible when coming up with names ^_^
Enjoy!!
Trials by Water
Challenge Accepted
Shadows stretched out over the sleeping city. Picard stared up at the night sky; it was nearly midnight. He hoped his uncle wasn't staying up this late, though knowing Leon as he did, he was probably waiting anxiously with hundreds of questions prepared for his arrival. Picard's pace quickened. All he really wanted to do at the moment was to go home and sleep. He had been on the move since dawn and every muscle in his body ached with fatigue.
"Well, that certainly went better than I thought it would."
Picard smiled as the spirit of Shade appeared on his left shoulder. "I suppose you are correct."
"What do you mean, 'suppose?'" Serac demanded. "Shade's right. Now all we have to do is get to Rowad."
"I've never even heard of Rowad, besides what Conservato and King Hydros has told me."
"That's what we like about you--you're fearless!" Eddy said.
"And this is what I get for talking to Djinn," Picard muttered through a yawn.
"Are you all right?" Spring asked, appearing on his right shoulder.
Picard shook his head. "I'm fine, just tired. Very tired."
"It's been a long time, since we've been in Lemuria." Shade spoke softly.
"And tomorrow I'll have to leave." Picard said, equally as soft. He looked up at the full moon shining in the sky. "I'll miss this place more than words can say." He turned for home, where a soft glow of light could be seen in one of the windows.
"It seems your uncle's still awake too," Rime said.
"I'm not surprised, even though I told him not to wait for me."
"At least you still have someone who cares about what happens to you." Spring said as she disappeared again. "You're not going to give that up, are you?"
"I don't plan on it." He sighed to himself as he slowly opened the door to the house.
Leon had been sitting idly at the table strumming his fingers, wondering and worrying. At the sound of the door opening, he immediately snapped to attention and sprung to his feet. "Picard?"
"I've returned, uncle."
"And?"
"I'm not banished..." A look of relief swept across Leon's face, but it vanished just as quickly when Picard finished his sentence. "...Entirely."
"What do you mean 'entirely?'"
The need for sleep was growing stronger by the second. Picard made his way towards his bed, walking in a fashion similar to the undead creatures he'd fought on his travels. How he longed to just collapse and temporarily forget all of this nonsense! But he willed himself to merely sit at the edge of the bed and explain everything to his uncle. "To make a long story short, the only chance I have to stay here is to complete a trial. That's Conservator's one condition."
Leon frowned. "Conservator's going to make you complete a trial? What sort of trial?"
"I don't know exactly. It's something that takes place in Rowad and deals with the four elements. I'll find out the rest when I get there, I suppose." He paused and lowered his voice slightly. "I think I will be leaving tomorrow."
"Rowad?" Leon didn't sound very pleased to hear the name.
"You've heard of it?" Picard questioned.
Leon looked as if he was about to say something, then changed his mind. "I know it's a lost city of Jupiter Adepts. It survived even when other ancient cities died out, and it still stands much the way it did before Alchemy was sealed away."
"So, I'm dealing with a bunch of Jupiter Adepts?"
"That's not all. Unlike Lemuria, Sean and Savea, the king and queen, still allow other Adepts to enter Rowad."
Picard paused. "So their laws are not nearly as strict as the laws of Lemuria?"
"No, but that doesn't mean one can take them lightly. If they see any sign of threat to their city, they anger very quickly."
"I see. Then they aren't much different from us, are they?"
Leon either did not hear him or chose not to answer the question. He abruptly changed the subject, his expression returning more or less to normal. "You need to get some rest Picard, especially if you're setting out tomorrow."
Despite not getting an answer to his query, Picard was grateful to hear this. "I am quite tired. I've found all of this business with Conservato to be very...draining." He flopped backwards into his bed. "Oh, and King Hydros is sending Allan sometime tomorrow to fetch me."
"I'll wake you if Allan comes by. Get some rest, Picard." And without another word, Leon blew out the candle and the whole room went black.
***
Bluish-green eyes scanned the piece of parchment. Their owner remained silent as he read the letter, his face quite serious.
"Sean, it's late. What on earth are you doing up at this hour?"
Sean remained quiet, then looked up into his wife's violet eyes. "Oh, just some last minute work. That is all, Savea."
"And who is that letter from?" She leaned over his shoulder for a closer look.
"It's from Conservato."
"Conservato?" Savea was surprised. "We haven't heard from him in ages! What could it be about? I thought he was currently in Lemuria."
Sean nodded. "He is. It appears he has found us a challenger for the Trials."
Savea raised her eyebrow. "Really?" Her excitement and surprise flooded her voice. "We haven't had a challenger for decades! Who is it?"
"The young Prince of Lemuria. Picard."
"A prince? Really?"
"Really. I must say I'm surprised as well." He rolled up the letter. "Conservato wishes our reply immediately. He appears to want to send Prince Picard to us as soon as possible."
"A Lemurian Prince...It's been a long time since we had a prince in the palace. We should tell Kasume tomorrow."
"Hopefully she'll like him." Sean grinned. "I do hope he realizes what he's getting into. The last person who went through the trials only passed two of them." He began searching the room for another piece of paper. "I'll head up to bed as soon as I send word back to Conservato and King Hydros. We simply must accept this challenger."
***
Hydros stretched as he headed down the stairs and into his throne room. He was more than a little surprised to find Consevato within reading something. "You're up early."
Conservato smiled, no, smirked would be more accurate. "Sean and Savea of Rowad have excepted Picard as their new challenger," he said, waving the letter like a great victory flag.
"How did you get a reply so quickly?" Hydros asked in slight amazement.
"I have my methods." His eyes narrowed. "What's important is that we can send Picard on his way."
"The sun hasn't even fully risen yet!"
"If he leaves now, he can reach Hesperia within a few days!" Conservato argued.
Hydros folded his arms. "You really want to get rid of Picard, don't you." It wasn't really a question; it was a statement. The King knew Conservato wanted the young Prince out of Lemuria as soon as possible, though even this seemed a bit much.
"I thought we had an agreement, Hydros? Or have you forgotten it already?"
"I have not forgotten, Conservato." Hydros resigned himself, weary of fighting this battle. "I will send Allan to get Picard and have him meet us at the docks within the half hour." He turned to leave and then looked back over his shoulder, grinning dryly. "Or should I make it 10 minutes?"
Conservator's lip curled in annoyance, and his eyes narrowed savagely. "Just get him there."
***
Dawn's first rays of light crept through the window, spreading across the floor and bathing the room in warmth. Leon stretched and yawned as he slowly got out of bed. He looked over at his nephew, who by all accounts seemed to be out cold.
"Might as will let you catch up on your sleep," Leon said quietly to himself. He set about making breakfast when there was a knock at the door. "Who could be up at this hour?" he muttered. He reluctantly opened the door. "Allan?"
"Good morning, Leon." Allan said as cheerfully as possible. "Is Picard available?"
"He's still sleeping-"
"It's all right, I'm up," Picard said as he rose, surprising his uncle. Leon turned, and realized that Picard probably hadn't slept much at all.
"Do you have any word of when I'm leaving?" Picard stifled a yawn.
"Immediately," Allan answered.
"Immediately?!" both Picard and Leon exclaimed.
"Conservato received word from Rowad first thing," Allan said "They accept you as their challenger. King Hydros would like you at the docks, as soon as possible. And you're supposed to come alone." He bowed respectfully, as if wishing him good luck, and then slowly walked away.
Leon closed the door behind him, fuming. "I don't believe it! You barely got any sleep and Conservato wants to send you out already!"
"I'll be fine." Picard smiled faintly. "I suppose I will be off then."
"Are you sure you don't want to get anything? Perhaps a bite to eat?"
Picard shook his head. "No, I'm fine. I prefer traveling lightly. I can always stop at a nearby city for some food. Conservato seems to want me out right away, and the sooner I leave, the sooner I won't have to deal with him."
"All right then. Have a safe trip." Leon forced a smile. "Please be careful, and remember, no matter what happens, never lose hope."
"Thank you. I'll remember that. It was good to be home, even if it was for a little while." Picard opened the door. "I will return--I promise." And he left without looking back.
***
"Where is he?" Conservato demanded angrily. "It's not like I have all day!"
"Patience, Conservato," said Hydros. He tried to shield his annoyance. "It hasn't even been 5 minutes, and you didn't exactly give Picard much notice on when to meet us."
"I am right here as you requested."
Conservato and Hydros both looked up at the sound of Picard's voice. "Good morning, Picard," Hydros said with a smile. "I'm impressed that you made it here so quickly."
"So where exactly am I going?" Picard questioned. He was still too worn out to care much about formalities. Better to cut to the point.
Conservato smirked again, his expression dastardly enough to make even the boldest warrior cringe. "It's not going to be a easy journey. Finding Rowad itself remains a challenge."
"All right," Picard said, refusing to buy into the Senator's attempts to intimidate him. "I assume it's hidden to a certain extent, like Lemuria."
"It's only hidden if you don't know where to look," Conservato continued. "Rowad is an island, located near the continent of Hesperia. Do you know where that is?" he asked, his tone suggesting that perhaps Picard was a small child who wouldn't know the location of a place so far away.
Picard nodded, ignoring the senator's attempt to anger him. "Yes. I've been to Hesperia before."
"Good," Conservato snapped, though it was obvious he felt otherwise. "Rowad is located just north of Hesperia. It is very difficult to find, for unlike Lemuria, there isn't a fog that wraps around the island. Instead, it's almost invisible."
"Invisible?"
Hydros frowned. "Well, the more accurate way of putting it is camouflage. It blends in with the ocean, and you can only see it if you know what you're looking for."
Picard started at both of them, almost confused. "Okay, so how do I find it?"
"You won't have to," said the King. "They are aware that you're coming and will be looking for you."
"So in other words, all I have to do is get to the north side of Hesperia and sail around from there. I can manage that."
Hydros nodded. "That is the easiest way to find the island. The Rowadians don't like to be discovered. Very few outsiders know of its existence."
"I suppose I should be on my way then," Picard said. He half-glared at Conservato. "Unless there's something else I need to know."
"No, that is all." Conservato smirked arrogantly again as he saw Picard head for his ship. "Where do you think you're going?"
Picard froze in his tracks. The voice sent a nasty chill up his spine. "To my ship, of course."
The Senator shook his head patronizingly. "You really intend to fly all the way to Hesperia? That isn't much of a challenge."
"Would you prefer me to take a different Lemurian ship, then?" Picard asked, getting even more frustrated and annoyed with the old man.
"And risk it getting destroyed? I think not." His smirk widened.
"Conservato, I am-"
"You will not be taking one of our ships," Conservato insisted, interrupting Hydros.
"Then what ship is there to take?" Picard demanded. "Surely you're not going to have me swim to Hesperia?!"
Conservato looked like he wished he had considered that idea. "No. I have gotten special permission from Lunpa. You may sail his ship."
"Lunpa's ship?" Picard frowned. He had never even set foot inside it, let alone knew how to sail it, and Conservato knew that. Lunpa's ship wasn't powered by Psynergy but by sails, and would certainly make an already treacherous journey even worse. "Why can't I just take my own ship? I don't understand."
"Conservato, it's hard enough sailing to the western sea. To send Picard there in a foreign ship, one he has never sailed before, is not a wise decision." Hydros knew what Conservato was up to. He was trying to send Picard to his death before even getting to Rowad.
"Exactly," Conservato agreed. "The trials are not going to be any easier. Picard will be forced to do things he's never before done. If he can't make it to Rowad in Lunpa's ship, I doubt he'll make it through the trials alive."
"Although, if I sail my ship, I can get to Rowad faster." Picard mentioned.
Hydros nodded, "That is a good point, Picard. Do you still intend to force Picard to sail Lunpa's ship? Or send him to his death in the seas?"
"I never said I was making Picard sail Lunpa's ship to send him to his watery grave," Conservato smiled, implying that such a fate belonged to Picard whether he was sent there or not. "I'm only saying he should take Lunpa's ship because it would be a very different experience for him."
"Yes, but you wouldn't want to disappoint Sean and Savea by having to tell them that their challenger ended up drowning out at sea." Hydros glared at him.
"Do you have such little faith in Picard that you believe he cannot sail a ship? I thought he was the best sailor around." The Conservato smirked. "If he cannot even sail Lunpa's ship, he has little chance of surviving the trials if he won't even take this challenge."
Picard sighed, the Conservato wasn't bound to give up until he accepted his terms. He didn't want the senator to get on King Hydros's back more than he already was if he took the easy way to Rowad. Otherwise, he would be stuck arguing all day. "All right, I'll take Lunpa's ship."
Hydros turned to him, surprised he had excepted. "Are you sure Picard, I mean-"
"Hydros, Picard has excepted my terms. I see no further point to discuss this." Conservato smiled acidly.
"I'm sure King Hydros. I wouldn't be much of a sailor if I couldn't sail othe ships." Picard forced a reasurring smile. "I suppose I'll be off then." He headed further down the docks to where Lunpa's ship was kept.
Conservato watched with glee as Picard vanished around the corner. "You must be very proud of yourself, Conservato," Hydros muttered. "But I have faith in Picard. He will return--I guarantee it." And he headed back for the palace.
"Only if he makes it to Rowad alive," the Senator whispered smugly under his breath. He paused as he thought he heard a rustle in the bushes, but he could see nothing there. He shrugged and continued on his way, figuring that it must've been the wind.
Leon sighed his relief that he had gone unnoticed. He leaned up against the tree near his hiding place and sighed. 'Poor Picard,' he thought. 'He's in for a lot more than he bargained for.'
***
"The nerve of that guy!" Spring said in complete disgust.
"He expects us to sail Lunpa's ship?" Shade agreed fully. "Why do I get the feeling he didn't even get Lunpa's permission for this?"
"Because he probably didn't," Picard frowned. "I think he's trying to get me killed."
Serac bobbed in agreement. "Well why else would he make you sail that piece of junk? Let me at that guy! I'll send him into the next ice age!"
"It could be worse," Picard said simply. "According to Lunpa, the ship's in pretty good condition considering how old it is. After all, Lunpa and Babi managed to get through the Sea of Time with it. How difficult could it be to sail it?"
"Well, since the Conservato wants you to, probably pretty hard," Eddy mentioned.
"You're very good at reassuring my own fears," Picard quipped. He stopped and looked down the passageway. Off to the side was a small wooden ship with plain sails. It was roughly a third of the size of a normal Lemurian ship and looked more than a little weather-worn. Compared to the elegant Lemurian vessels, it seemed more like an oversized raft with a mast, but it did appear sea worthy. Once he got used to it, sailing probably wouldn't be too hard.
"Not bad." Sour commented as he hopped onto the ship's rail. "I think we can make it to Hesperia in this."
"That depends," Picard said as he climbed aboard. "But I wouldn't be much of a sailor if I couldn't sail other ships." He tried to hide his nervousness as he looked around. He'd never had to deal with using real sails before. This was a far cry from the security he felt on the Psynergy-powered Lemurian ships.
"Let's just hope the weather's on our side until we get to Rowad," said Steam. "Otherwise we might be in for some trouble."
Picard smiled. "I'm always in the middle of trouble."
"Hey, don't jinx it!" Gel exclaimed. "Now, let's get this old tub moving! Show us what a sailor's made of, Picard!"
"Right." Picard sighed to himself. Already he was having second thoughts about this journey, but he'd made his choice and now he had to live with it. The ship creaked and groaned with age as it slowly moved down the narrow waterways and out to sea.
***
"Okay, whose bright idea was this trip?" Shade demanded over the howling wind.
"What do you mean 'whose idea?'" Spring shouted back. "This is all Conservator's fault!"
"It could be worse," Serac argued. "We could be stuck in a whirlpool."
"SHUT UP!" the rest of the Djinn chorused.
"Will you guys knock it off?" Picard ordered as more water washed onto the deck. He was soaked to the bone, his hair sticking to his face and getting into his eyes. Not that at mattered, as the rain and clouds made it next to impossible to see anything anyway. "I think we're getting close to Rowad. But I can't see any landmarks through this storm!" His voice was drowned out by a crash of thunder.
What had started out as a peaceful trip had become rocky and perilous by the first evening. The winds picked up just after they entered the western part of Weyard, and now that they were heading north towards Hesperia, the weather was getting even worse. Pitch black thunder clouds blocked out the sun and one couldn't even tell if it was daytime or nighttime. Only the brief flashes of lightning provided any kind of illumination, and the ship appeared to be sailing into even greater danger. The ship heaved up and down on the waves, water washing all over the deck and threatening to sink the small vessel, while the wind attempted to sweep Picard clear off his feet or shred the sail. Maybe both. He squinted through the rain, desperately searching for something that looked familiar, but there was only an endless expanse of roiling black waves.
"Is it just me, or is the weather getting worse?" Eddy called into Picard's ear.
"It's not just you," Picard answered. He grabbed hold of the wheel, trying his best to steer it clear of the waves. "I'm trying to find a place to make landfall so we can wait this thing out!"
"Considering how far out in the sea we are, finding land is like trying to find a Venus Djinn in the forest!" Sour pointed out. "And landing sure as heck won't be easy!"
"And the wind is blowing us west--away from land!" Shade added.
More lightning flashed above, this time dangerously close to the ship, and it was followed by a crack of thunder that seemed loud enough to shatter the already ancient wood. Another wave crashed down near the helm, causing Picard to slip. He held onto the wheel for dear life as the water began to lift the boat up and up again. He cranked the wheel as hard as he could but the ship balked and he found himself losing control of it. When the next lightning bolt flashed, he saw why; one of the ropes that held the sail to the mast had snapped. Picard panicked at the sight of the sail flapping helplessly in the wind and he immediately let go of the wheel and headed for the mast. Fighting this storm was dangerous enough already. If he lost the sail, he was truly doomed.
"Picard! Are you crazy!?" Spring hollered when she saw him start to climb the mast. "You can't climb up there in the middle of a lightning storm!"
"I don't have much choice!" He shimmied up the mast as fast as he could, a task made even more difficult by the powerful winds and the fact that the rain made everything slippery. Below, a trio of his Djinn tried to steady the wheel, but such tiny creatures were ill suited for steering.
Picard carefully stepped onto the lower limb of the mast, keeping his hands on the limb above to steady his balance. Slowly, he stretched out a hand and tried to grab at the rope flapping like a tail in the wind. He wondered to himself how Lunpa managed to get such an outmoded vessel through the Sea of Time. His hand finally connected with the rope and he swiftly tied it in the best knot he could manage in this weather. The sail filled with the wind again, pulling the rope taught, but it looked like it would hold.
Satisfied with his work, Picard began to carefully climb back down the mast when his foot slipped. He was left dangling helplessly by one arm as a massive bolt of lightning shot from the sky and right towards the mast. He screamed in shock and pain as electricity coursed through his body, charring him from the inside out, filling every inch of his body with searing pain. Seconds felt like years. The mast split down the middle from the blow and Picard tumbled lifelessly to the deck, knowing nothing more as his world was enveloped in complete darkness.
"PICARD!"
*****
Jupiter Gril: Well, Akiko helped me with coming up with the name Rowad, but I'm still attempting to create the city itself. So even I'm curious to know where this fic is going ^_^;
Bar-Ohki: You know, I never even considered the fact to have Picard learn the elements. It's something I might consider. So I might end up using that idea.
And sorry if things seem really weird, when I descriped Rowad, it was difficult. I hope I did okay on it. And yes, the end may be evil, but I had special help from Midnight C and Vilya with that ^_^ so go figure. And the more who review, the faster I will update!!
Not to mention, any names that you could give me would be very useful ^_^ especially since I'll be naming a bunch of random Jupiter Adepts. So if you have any suggestions, you just might see the name in the fic. I'm horrible when coming up with names ^_^
Enjoy!!
Trials by Water
Challenge Accepted
Shadows stretched out over the sleeping city. Picard stared up at the night sky; it was nearly midnight. He hoped his uncle wasn't staying up this late, though knowing Leon as he did, he was probably waiting anxiously with hundreds of questions prepared for his arrival. Picard's pace quickened. All he really wanted to do at the moment was to go home and sleep. He had been on the move since dawn and every muscle in his body ached with fatigue.
"Well, that certainly went better than I thought it would."
Picard smiled as the spirit of Shade appeared on his left shoulder. "I suppose you are correct."
"What do you mean, 'suppose?'" Serac demanded. "Shade's right. Now all we have to do is get to Rowad."
"I've never even heard of Rowad, besides what Conservato and King Hydros has told me."
"That's what we like about you--you're fearless!" Eddy said.
"And this is what I get for talking to Djinn," Picard muttered through a yawn.
"Are you all right?" Spring asked, appearing on his right shoulder.
Picard shook his head. "I'm fine, just tired. Very tired."
"It's been a long time, since we've been in Lemuria." Shade spoke softly.
"And tomorrow I'll have to leave." Picard said, equally as soft. He looked up at the full moon shining in the sky. "I'll miss this place more than words can say." He turned for home, where a soft glow of light could be seen in one of the windows.
"It seems your uncle's still awake too," Rime said.
"I'm not surprised, even though I told him not to wait for me."
"At least you still have someone who cares about what happens to you." Spring said as she disappeared again. "You're not going to give that up, are you?"
"I don't plan on it." He sighed to himself as he slowly opened the door to the house.
Leon had been sitting idly at the table strumming his fingers, wondering and worrying. At the sound of the door opening, he immediately snapped to attention and sprung to his feet. "Picard?"
"I've returned, uncle."
"And?"
"I'm not banished..." A look of relief swept across Leon's face, but it vanished just as quickly when Picard finished his sentence. "...Entirely."
"What do you mean 'entirely?'"
The need for sleep was growing stronger by the second. Picard made his way towards his bed, walking in a fashion similar to the undead creatures he'd fought on his travels. How he longed to just collapse and temporarily forget all of this nonsense! But he willed himself to merely sit at the edge of the bed and explain everything to his uncle. "To make a long story short, the only chance I have to stay here is to complete a trial. That's Conservator's one condition."
Leon frowned. "Conservator's going to make you complete a trial? What sort of trial?"
"I don't know exactly. It's something that takes place in Rowad and deals with the four elements. I'll find out the rest when I get there, I suppose." He paused and lowered his voice slightly. "I think I will be leaving tomorrow."
"Rowad?" Leon didn't sound very pleased to hear the name.
"You've heard of it?" Picard questioned.
Leon looked as if he was about to say something, then changed his mind. "I know it's a lost city of Jupiter Adepts. It survived even when other ancient cities died out, and it still stands much the way it did before Alchemy was sealed away."
"So, I'm dealing with a bunch of Jupiter Adepts?"
"That's not all. Unlike Lemuria, Sean and Savea, the king and queen, still allow other Adepts to enter Rowad."
Picard paused. "So their laws are not nearly as strict as the laws of Lemuria?"
"No, but that doesn't mean one can take them lightly. If they see any sign of threat to their city, they anger very quickly."
"I see. Then they aren't much different from us, are they?"
Leon either did not hear him or chose not to answer the question. He abruptly changed the subject, his expression returning more or less to normal. "You need to get some rest Picard, especially if you're setting out tomorrow."
Despite not getting an answer to his query, Picard was grateful to hear this. "I am quite tired. I've found all of this business with Conservato to be very...draining." He flopped backwards into his bed. "Oh, and King Hydros is sending Allan sometime tomorrow to fetch me."
"I'll wake you if Allan comes by. Get some rest, Picard." And without another word, Leon blew out the candle and the whole room went black.
***
Bluish-green eyes scanned the piece of parchment. Their owner remained silent as he read the letter, his face quite serious.
"Sean, it's late. What on earth are you doing up at this hour?"
Sean remained quiet, then looked up into his wife's violet eyes. "Oh, just some last minute work. That is all, Savea."
"And who is that letter from?" She leaned over his shoulder for a closer look.
"It's from Conservato."
"Conservato?" Savea was surprised. "We haven't heard from him in ages! What could it be about? I thought he was currently in Lemuria."
Sean nodded. "He is. It appears he has found us a challenger for the Trials."
Savea raised her eyebrow. "Really?" Her excitement and surprise flooded her voice. "We haven't had a challenger for decades! Who is it?"
"The young Prince of Lemuria. Picard."
"A prince? Really?"
"Really. I must say I'm surprised as well." He rolled up the letter. "Conservato wishes our reply immediately. He appears to want to send Prince Picard to us as soon as possible."
"A Lemurian Prince...It's been a long time since we had a prince in the palace. We should tell Kasume tomorrow."
"Hopefully she'll like him." Sean grinned. "I do hope he realizes what he's getting into. The last person who went through the trials only passed two of them." He began searching the room for another piece of paper. "I'll head up to bed as soon as I send word back to Conservato and King Hydros. We simply must accept this challenger."
***
Hydros stretched as he headed down the stairs and into his throne room. He was more than a little surprised to find Consevato within reading something. "You're up early."
Conservato smiled, no, smirked would be more accurate. "Sean and Savea of Rowad have excepted Picard as their new challenger," he said, waving the letter like a great victory flag.
"How did you get a reply so quickly?" Hydros asked in slight amazement.
"I have my methods." His eyes narrowed. "What's important is that we can send Picard on his way."
"The sun hasn't even fully risen yet!"
"If he leaves now, he can reach Hesperia within a few days!" Conservato argued.
Hydros folded his arms. "You really want to get rid of Picard, don't you." It wasn't really a question; it was a statement. The King knew Conservato wanted the young Prince out of Lemuria as soon as possible, though even this seemed a bit much.
"I thought we had an agreement, Hydros? Or have you forgotten it already?"
"I have not forgotten, Conservato." Hydros resigned himself, weary of fighting this battle. "I will send Allan to get Picard and have him meet us at the docks within the half hour." He turned to leave and then looked back over his shoulder, grinning dryly. "Or should I make it 10 minutes?"
Conservator's lip curled in annoyance, and his eyes narrowed savagely. "Just get him there."
***
Dawn's first rays of light crept through the window, spreading across the floor and bathing the room in warmth. Leon stretched and yawned as he slowly got out of bed. He looked over at his nephew, who by all accounts seemed to be out cold.
"Might as will let you catch up on your sleep," Leon said quietly to himself. He set about making breakfast when there was a knock at the door. "Who could be up at this hour?" he muttered. He reluctantly opened the door. "Allan?"
"Good morning, Leon." Allan said as cheerfully as possible. "Is Picard available?"
"He's still sleeping-"
"It's all right, I'm up," Picard said as he rose, surprising his uncle. Leon turned, and realized that Picard probably hadn't slept much at all.
"Do you have any word of when I'm leaving?" Picard stifled a yawn.
"Immediately," Allan answered.
"Immediately?!" both Picard and Leon exclaimed.
"Conservato received word from Rowad first thing," Allan said "They accept you as their challenger. King Hydros would like you at the docks, as soon as possible. And you're supposed to come alone." He bowed respectfully, as if wishing him good luck, and then slowly walked away.
Leon closed the door behind him, fuming. "I don't believe it! You barely got any sleep and Conservato wants to send you out already!"
"I'll be fine." Picard smiled faintly. "I suppose I will be off then."
"Are you sure you don't want to get anything? Perhaps a bite to eat?"
Picard shook his head. "No, I'm fine. I prefer traveling lightly. I can always stop at a nearby city for some food. Conservato seems to want me out right away, and the sooner I leave, the sooner I won't have to deal with him."
"All right then. Have a safe trip." Leon forced a smile. "Please be careful, and remember, no matter what happens, never lose hope."
"Thank you. I'll remember that. It was good to be home, even if it was for a little while." Picard opened the door. "I will return--I promise." And he left without looking back.
***
"Where is he?" Conservato demanded angrily. "It's not like I have all day!"
"Patience, Conservato," said Hydros. He tried to shield his annoyance. "It hasn't even been 5 minutes, and you didn't exactly give Picard much notice on when to meet us."
"I am right here as you requested."
Conservato and Hydros both looked up at the sound of Picard's voice. "Good morning, Picard," Hydros said with a smile. "I'm impressed that you made it here so quickly."
"So where exactly am I going?" Picard questioned. He was still too worn out to care much about formalities. Better to cut to the point.
Conservato smirked again, his expression dastardly enough to make even the boldest warrior cringe. "It's not going to be a easy journey. Finding Rowad itself remains a challenge."
"All right," Picard said, refusing to buy into the Senator's attempts to intimidate him. "I assume it's hidden to a certain extent, like Lemuria."
"It's only hidden if you don't know where to look," Conservato continued. "Rowad is an island, located near the continent of Hesperia. Do you know where that is?" he asked, his tone suggesting that perhaps Picard was a small child who wouldn't know the location of a place so far away.
Picard nodded, ignoring the senator's attempt to anger him. "Yes. I've been to Hesperia before."
"Good," Conservato snapped, though it was obvious he felt otherwise. "Rowad is located just north of Hesperia. It is very difficult to find, for unlike Lemuria, there isn't a fog that wraps around the island. Instead, it's almost invisible."
"Invisible?"
Hydros frowned. "Well, the more accurate way of putting it is camouflage. It blends in with the ocean, and you can only see it if you know what you're looking for."
Picard started at both of them, almost confused. "Okay, so how do I find it?"
"You won't have to," said the King. "They are aware that you're coming and will be looking for you."
"So in other words, all I have to do is get to the north side of Hesperia and sail around from there. I can manage that."
Hydros nodded. "That is the easiest way to find the island. The Rowadians don't like to be discovered. Very few outsiders know of its existence."
"I suppose I should be on my way then," Picard said. He half-glared at Conservato. "Unless there's something else I need to know."
"No, that is all." Conservato smirked arrogantly again as he saw Picard head for his ship. "Where do you think you're going?"
Picard froze in his tracks. The voice sent a nasty chill up his spine. "To my ship, of course."
The Senator shook his head patronizingly. "You really intend to fly all the way to Hesperia? That isn't much of a challenge."
"Would you prefer me to take a different Lemurian ship, then?" Picard asked, getting even more frustrated and annoyed with the old man.
"And risk it getting destroyed? I think not." His smirk widened.
"Conservato, I am-"
"You will not be taking one of our ships," Conservato insisted, interrupting Hydros.
"Then what ship is there to take?" Picard demanded. "Surely you're not going to have me swim to Hesperia?!"
Conservato looked like he wished he had considered that idea. "No. I have gotten special permission from Lunpa. You may sail his ship."
"Lunpa's ship?" Picard frowned. He had never even set foot inside it, let alone knew how to sail it, and Conservato knew that. Lunpa's ship wasn't powered by Psynergy but by sails, and would certainly make an already treacherous journey even worse. "Why can't I just take my own ship? I don't understand."
"Conservato, it's hard enough sailing to the western sea. To send Picard there in a foreign ship, one he has never sailed before, is not a wise decision." Hydros knew what Conservato was up to. He was trying to send Picard to his death before even getting to Rowad.
"Exactly," Conservato agreed. "The trials are not going to be any easier. Picard will be forced to do things he's never before done. If he can't make it to Rowad in Lunpa's ship, I doubt he'll make it through the trials alive."
"Although, if I sail my ship, I can get to Rowad faster." Picard mentioned.
Hydros nodded, "That is a good point, Picard. Do you still intend to force Picard to sail Lunpa's ship? Or send him to his death in the seas?"
"I never said I was making Picard sail Lunpa's ship to send him to his watery grave," Conservato smiled, implying that such a fate belonged to Picard whether he was sent there or not. "I'm only saying he should take Lunpa's ship because it would be a very different experience for him."
"Yes, but you wouldn't want to disappoint Sean and Savea by having to tell them that their challenger ended up drowning out at sea." Hydros glared at him.
"Do you have such little faith in Picard that you believe he cannot sail a ship? I thought he was the best sailor around." The Conservato smirked. "If he cannot even sail Lunpa's ship, he has little chance of surviving the trials if he won't even take this challenge."
Picard sighed, the Conservato wasn't bound to give up until he accepted his terms. He didn't want the senator to get on King Hydros's back more than he already was if he took the easy way to Rowad. Otherwise, he would be stuck arguing all day. "All right, I'll take Lunpa's ship."
Hydros turned to him, surprised he had excepted. "Are you sure Picard, I mean-"
"Hydros, Picard has excepted my terms. I see no further point to discuss this." Conservato smiled acidly.
"I'm sure King Hydros. I wouldn't be much of a sailor if I couldn't sail othe ships." Picard forced a reasurring smile. "I suppose I'll be off then." He headed further down the docks to where Lunpa's ship was kept.
Conservato watched with glee as Picard vanished around the corner. "You must be very proud of yourself, Conservato," Hydros muttered. "But I have faith in Picard. He will return--I guarantee it." And he headed back for the palace.
"Only if he makes it to Rowad alive," the Senator whispered smugly under his breath. He paused as he thought he heard a rustle in the bushes, but he could see nothing there. He shrugged and continued on his way, figuring that it must've been the wind.
Leon sighed his relief that he had gone unnoticed. He leaned up against the tree near his hiding place and sighed. 'Poor Picard,' he thought. 'He's in for a lot more than he bargained for.'
***
"The nerve of that guy!" Spring said in complete disgust.
"He expects us to sail Lunpa's ship?" Shade agreed fully. "Why do I get the feeling he didn't even get Lunpa's permission for this?"
"Because he probably didn't," Picard frowned. "I think he's trying to get me killed."
Serac bobbed in agreement. "Well why else would he make you sail that piece of junk? Let me at that guy! I'll send him into the next ice age!"
"It could be worse," Picard said simply. "According to Lunpa, the ship's in pretty good condition considering how old it is. After all, Lunpa and Babi managed to get through the Sea of Time with it. How difficult could it be to sail it?"
"Well, since the Conservato wants you to, probably pretty hard," Eddy mentioned.
"You're very good at reassuring my own fears," Picard quipped. He stopped and looked down the passageway. Off to the side was a small wooden ship with plain sails. It was roughly a third of the size of a normal Lemurian ship and looked more than a little weather-worn. Compared to the elegant Lemurian vessels, it seemed more like an oversized raft with a mast, but it did appear sea worthy. Once he got used to it, sailing probably wouldn't be too hard.
"Not bad." Sour commented as he hopped onto the ship's rail. "I think we can make it to Hesperia in this."
"That depends," Picard said as he climbed aboard. "But I wouldn't be much of a sailor if I couldn't sail other ships." He tried to hide his nervousness as he looked around. He'd never had to deal with using real sails before. This was a far cry from the security he felt on the Psynergy-powered Lemurian ships.
"Let's just hope the weather's on our side until we get to Rowad," said Steam. "Otherwise we might be in for some trouble."
Picard smiled. "I'm always in the middle of trouble."
"Hey, don't jinx it!" Gel exclaimed. "Now, let's get this old tub moving! Show us what a sailor's made of, Picard!"
"Right." Picard sighed to himself. Already he was having second thoughts about this journey, but he'd made his choice and now he had to live with it. The ship creaked and groaned with age as it slowly moved down the narrow waterways and out to sea.
***
"Okay, whose bright idea was this trip?" Shade demanded over the howling wind.
"What do you mean 'whose idea?'" Spring shouted back. "This is all Conservator's fault!"
"It could be worse," Serac argued. "We could be stuck in a whirlpool."
"SHUT UP!" the rest of the Djinn chorused.
"Will you guys knock it off?" Picard ordered as more water washed onto the deck. He was soaked to the bone, his hair sticking to his face and getting into his eyes. Not that at mattered, as the rain and clouds made it next to impossible to see anything anyway. "I think we're getting close to Rowad. But I can't see any landmarks through this storm!" His voice was drowned out by a crash of thunder.
What had started out as a peaceful trip had become rocky and perilous by the first evening. The winds picked up just after they entered the western part of Weyard, and now that they were heading north towards Hesperia, the weather was getting even worse. Pitch black thunder clouds blocked out the sun and one couldn't even tell if it was daytime or nighttime. Only the brief flashes of lightning provided any kind of illumination, and the ship appeared to be sailing into even greater danger. The ship heaved up and down on the waves, water washing all over the deck and threatening to sink the small vessel, while the wind attempted to sweep Picard clear off his feet or shred the sail. Maybe both. He squinted through the rain, desperately searching for something that looked familiar, but there was only an endless expanse of roiling black waves.
"Is it just me, or is the weather getting worse?" Eddy called into Picard's ear.
"It's not just you," Picard answered. He grabbed hold of the wheel, trying his best to steer it clear of the waves. "I'm trying to find a place to make landfall so we can wait this thing out!"
"Considering how far out in the sea we are, finding land is like trying to find a Venus Djinn in the forest!" Sour pointed out. "And landing sure as heck won't be easy!"
"And the wind is blowing us west--away from land!" Shade added.
More lightning flashed above, this time dangerously close to the ship, and it was followed by a crack of thunder that seemed loud enough to shatter the already ancient wood. Another wave crashed down near the helm, causing Picard to slip. He held onto the wheel for dear life as the water began to lift the boat up and up again. He cranked the wheel as hard as he could but the ship balked and he found himself losing control of it. When the next lightning bolt flashed, he saw why; one of the ropes that held the sail to the mast had snapped. Picard panicked at the sight of the sail flapping helplessly in the wind and he immediately let go of the wheel and headed for the mast. Fighting this storm was dangerous enough already. If he lost the sail, he was truly doomed.
"Picard! Are you crazy!?" Spring hollered when she saw him start to climb the mast. "You can't climb up there in the middle of a lightning storm!"
"I don't have much choice!" He shimmied up the mast as fast as he could, a task made even more difficult by the powerful winds and the fact that the rain made everything slippery. Below, a trio of his Djinn tried to steady the wheel, but such tiny creatures were ill suited for steering.
Picard carefully stepped onto the lower limb of the mast, keeping his hands on the limb above to steady his balance. Slowly, he stretched out a hand and tried to grab at the rope flapping like a tail in the wind. He wondered to himself how Lunpa managed to get such an outmoded vessel through the Sea of Time. His hand finally connected with the rope and he swiftly tied it in the best knot he could manage in this weather. The sail filled with the wind again, pulling the rope taught, but it looked like it would hold.
Satisfied with his work, Picard began to carefully climb back down the mast when his foot slipped. He was left dangling helplessly by one arm as a massive bolt of lightning shot from the sky and right towards the mast. He screamed in shock and pain as electricity coursed through his body, charring him from the inside out, filling every inch of his body with searing pain. Seconds felt like years. The mast split down the middle from the blow and Picard tumbled lifelessly to the deck, knowing nothing more as his world was enveloped in complete darkness.
"PICARD!"
*****
Jupiter Gril: Well, Akiko helped me with coming up with the name Rowad, but I'm still attempting to create the city itself. So even I'm curious to know where this fic is going ^_^;
Bar-Ohki: You know, I never even considered the fact to have Picard learn the elements. It's something I might consider. So I might end up using that idea.