Chapter 6: It gets really good

The voyage to the West started one week later. This gave Lief and Jasmine time to send a letter to Sharn telling her that Anna was going but they were returning. Doom handled the rest by telling everyone who needed to know of the journey and keeping his mouth shut to everyone else. The preparations for the journey went so smooth that Jasmine had no excuse to suddenly yank Anna out of the plans.

Anna was the most excited person you'd ever see. For a few days, she went back to Del so she could verify that she really was going to "study in Tora". She spent most of her days in the palace library finding books about everything there was for traveling. Accompanying her was Josef, who was Anna's best friend from early childhood.

"This book has some useful information in it," Josef said, reaching up and grabbing a large, green book. He set it on the table and looked at Anna. "So," he said. "You really are traveling to the West?"

"I told you that I am studying in Tora." Anna replied with a grin. Of course Josef knew that she was going to the West, but he was sworn to secrecy. Anna wasn't worried that Josef would tell. In the past, she could tell him anything. So what if this was a more severe secret. It was the same principle.

"Just be careful okay." Josef said, placing a hand his best friend's shoulder.

"Of course I will," Anna said haughtily. "And I am going to come back a hero. Then maybe you can write some poetry about me." She finished, grinning.

"Maybe I will," Josef said laughing. He turned around when he said the door open.

"Are you ready to go to Tora?" Doom came into the library. Anna nodded and looked a Josef.

"Take care of yourself," Josef told Anna, hugging her.

"You too," Anna replied as she walked out of the library with Doom.

Anna looked up at the huge ship that she was going to sail on. She felt excitement surge through her like the waves that surged onto the shore. The salty wind whipped her hair into her face, and the wonderful smell of the sea filled her nose. She knew that once she got onto that ship, her life would never be the same. The people that would be accompanying her were Doom, Emlis, Manus (a Raladin who helped Lief, Barda, and Jasmine many times) and five of the most trusted guards of Deltora. Jasmine complained that this party was too small, but Lief and Doom pointed out that the people of the West may think they were going there to attack rather than help if a lot of people went. Jasmine was silent the day the ship was to set sail.

"Be extra careful out there." Lief said, hugging Anna. She couldn't help but beam. She was actually leaving Deltora! She was actually going on an adventure of her own! So what if it was to be a guarded adventure…it was still the best thing that ever happened to her!

"I promise I'll be fine." Anna assured her father. She walked over to Jasmine who was staring at the shore.

"If Doom doesn't look after you good enough, you will promise to send me a letter." Was the first thing Jasmine told Anna all day. Anna stared at her mother and laughed.

"And how do you expect I send you a letter on a ship?" she asked her mother, amused.

"I have put many messenger birds on the ship." Jasmine said, finally smiling. "But I suppose everything will be okay."

"It will," Anna assured her mother by hugging her. "You need not worry. I will come back safely."

After all of the rest of the goodbyes, Anna finally boarded the ship which was named The Shining Star. The creaky planks felt odd underneath Anna's feet. This was the first time she had ever been on a ship. She watched as a few Torans, her parents, and some guards waved them goodbye as they set out to sail.

Many hours later, when it was almost dark, Anna decided to come out of her cabin. She had been writing in her journal which she promised Josef she'd keep up. As she emerged from the lower decks, she felt a light drizzle on her face. The pleasant sprinkle felt cool on her skin from being cooped up in a cabin for hours.

"There you are, Anna." Doom said walking toward her. "I've been looking everywhere for you! You almost missed this wondrous site." He walked her toward the railing around the ship. Anna peered out against the gloom and saw a few islands clustered together. This stirred something in her memory.

"What are these islands?" she asked Doom, looking up at him.

"These are the islands that your parents and Barda traveled to in order to destroy the Sister of the West." Doom said, almost drowned out by a loud clap of thunder. He looked up. "There must be a storm coming," he said. "We should get indoors."

"In a little while," Anna said, looking around the ship. "The storm seems far away still, and I haven't seen the whole of the outside deck yet."

"Your mother told me to keep you safe." Doom said, almost mockingly. "But good thing she's not here at the moment. Go ahead…what's the worst that could happen while you're still in Deltora." With that, he walked off toward the lower cabins. Anna immediately started exploring the ship. If you recall, this was her first time on a ship so she was interested in taking in every detail. She was so engrossed in her findings that she didn't notice the storm getting worse. She didn't notice all of the crew running for shelter (nor did they notice her). She didn't notice the giant waves surging around the ship. She didn't notice one wave that towered over the ship and came crashing down onto the deck. This is why Anna realized after it was too late that she was being swept off the deck and being thrown off into the depths of the sea.

A/N: Yay! Finally the plot begins! Sorry for the slow update…sometimes I'll update fast and other times it'll be longer. Oh and Josef really doesn't have a big role in this story…like you've read he's Anna's best friend…and nothing more….but don't worry our heroine will find lots of new friends along the way !