Sorry for the late posting, but I hope the fact that this is a pretty long chapter makes up for that. I've been busy for a while and haven't had time to write, but I'm sure that this story will go much faster from here. I've gotten to the interesting part. Hehehe...mwahahhahahahahahaha!
And another note: this is unbeated. The betaed one will be up soon...I hope...
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Chapter 6
"Will, Will, Will! Get up!" Ella shouted from the living room. Will rolled over in bed, moaned, and sat up. Grey light shone through his window, something akin to sunlight. There was activity outside his window, the late morning finally summoning people from their houses. "I want to go into town but you slept late again, Will! You slept late again!"
"Well, I'm up now," Will yelled back. He slid out of his bed and groggily made his way out of the room to the living room, where Ella stood by the window, her face pressed on the glass. She did not turn at the sound of his footsteps, only smiled.
"I'm glad you got up, sleepyhead," she said with a giggle. Will stood behind her, staring at the port. "I told you we needed to go shopping today, didn't I? And I could show you Miana, since you are...new here. Come on, there's breakfast downstairs." Will hesitated, but with much tugging from Ella, finally made his way down to the first floor of the inn.
It bustled with activity, five long tables set out for breakfast. Men ate and talked with each other, discussing their business over a fresh cooked breakfast that made Will's mouth water. He had not had a decent meal in days. It would probably compare to Gibbs cooking (when he had fresh food to cook with, that is), if not better it.
"What's wrong? You look to me like someone's come back to haunt you, like an old friend, perhaps." Will looked at Ella, whose little face scrunched up in worry for him. He patted her on the head.
"Nothing's wrong," he assured her. "I was only thinking to myself. You know, though, that food does look good." He sat down at one of the few vacant seats. In front of him was already a fresh meal. Without waiting, he dove into it, thankful for some nice food once in a while. Beside him, Ella ate with care. Will did note, with some sadness, that even the day after restocking supplies, when all the food was fresh, Gibbs meals did not compare to this. It had been almost six years since Will had food this nice.
He leaned back in his chair, finally finished with the meal. Ella folded her little hands in her lap and waited.
"Well, I suppose we should go pay for this, somewhere," Will said, but he felt two hands on his arms, and a woman's head leaned down over his shoulder.
"No need," Setia said. "That's included with the total price, don't worry, which means you won't have to pay that back for a while." She grinned. "Well, did you sleep well? I hope there wasn't too much noise in your room or anything. Oh! Ella, how are you doing?" Setia switched shoulders to look at Ella better. Ella smiled.
"Wonderful! Will here found me, and he's promised to keep me safe, isn't that right Will?" Will laughed nervously. There was a blush creeping into his face, the closeness of Setia reminding him all too well of another human.
"So, what do you plan to do in your first day here, lad?" Ella tugged on Setia's skirt. Will sighed.
"Young Ella here's decided we have to explore," Will said. "And, I suppose, it's a good enough idea for me." Setia smiled. She patted Will's shoulder and ran her hand through Ella's hair, producing giggles from the girl.
"Well, then, I expect you back here tonight? Maybe this time you'll come and join us down here for some merrymaking tonight. You've been here a week and still haven't come down! Love to have you here." With a wave, she left, striding towards another group of people on the other side of the room.
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"Oh, Will, come on! Stop staring off at the ocean." But Ella fell silent. She plopped down beside Will on the ground. Will ignored her. He stared through a window of the second story tavern where they sat for lunch. He saw clearly from the window the surrounding oceans, vast, expansive, making him fully realize that this island was stranded, separated from all land for hundreds of miles. Birds circles overhead, seabirds, calling on the wind in their faraway voices. Will woke in the morning to those voices. Will worked as they circled overhead. He crept to his cabin at night as they called the final word after sunset.
"He's out there, isn't he?" Ella whispered. Will nodded his head. A little hand slipped into his. "Who's out there, waiting, watching just like you are."
"It doesn't matter now," Will said. He smiled at Ella. "He presumes that I am dead, and I have no doubt that I've faded from his memory now." He let out a weak laugh, running a hand through her hair. "No, don't worry about that now." He turned around, an arm draped across Ella's shoulder. She glanced once back at the window before following him.
Lunch went without conversation. Ella sometimes made a comment, but Will was lost deep in his own thoughts. He listened to the girl's words but did not pay them any mind. His meal sat untouched.
"Will, let's go somewhere else," Ella suggested after an especially long silence. Will nodded without thinking. They left the tavern. Ella occasionally would drag Will into a store or such, but his mind was elsewhere. He laughed and smiled with the child, keeping her in line when need be, but he never focused on his surroundings, the world that he wandered through.
"Will, do you think I should get a new dress?" Ella asked, tugging on his sleeve. "I want a new dress, Will!" Will shook his head to clear it of an image of Jack, grinning at him, and stared around the shop. Ella was pointing to a collection of fabrics.
"Well, I don't have any money, so..."
"No money, eh?" someone purred behind Will. Will whirled around to see a woman, casually leaning on the entrance to the shop. She smirked and sauntered inside. Two thin white arms snaked around Will's neck, hands combing through his hair. "That's a shame. The little girl here of yours needs a new dress." Will pried her arms off him.
"I..." he said, but she put a long finger to his lips. "No, really, I don't have any money."
"But I run this poor shop," she whispered. "I get very little business and have no help of my own! Oh, the days are so long here, in this little run down building in Miana. If only I had assistance..." Her eyelashes brushed against Will's neck, and a blush crept onto his cheeks. "I could give you a dress for free if you volunteered here for a few days..."
"No," Will said, rather loudly. "No, no I don't think I will. I have other things to attend to these days." He pulled away from the woman and took Ella by the hand. "It was a kind offer, I know, and Ella, I am terribly sorry that I cannot get you a dress, but I have things that I must do myself. Come along, now." The woman ran after him as he stormed out of the shop, his cheeks red.
"Oh, but can you not just stay a bit longer? You look troubled, and wearied. At least, sweet one, tell me your name. I am Alaren. Please revisit my shop sometime." But Will did not hear a word she said. He was long gone down the street, dragging Ella behind him.
"I guess I won't get a dress, then," Ella sighed. Will patted her on the shoulder.
"I'm sorry," he said. Ella shrugged, brushing some of her red curls behind her head.
"That's okay. I didn't trust her that much, anyway, what with her making advances on you like that, and the way you turned crimson at her touch. You would think she was a whore, how she behaved." Will faltered in his step, turning towards the young girl. Did she not say she was six? Ella winked at Will. "Surprised, huh? I believe that I know a bit more then you think." She squeezed Will's hand. "Look, Will, a sword shop! Will, why don't we go in there now? Please, Will, I want to see the swords?"
"Do you think that is good for you? You are so..." Will stopped. Was she so young? He looked into the round face, her eyes shining as she pointed with one small hand to the shop. But...Will sighed and led her down another shop, towards the doorway. He could hear, in the distance, the familiar hammering of a smith hard at work. Will paused in the doorway before entering.
The front of the shop was lined with swords, all different makes, but beautifully crafted all the same. And there were knives, too, sitting on counters or stored in satin boxes, carefully tucked away. Will let out a breath of air. Now here was a sight he enjoyed. He let go of Ella, but she did not move from his side as he glided about, entranced by the weapons. The blades shone, the metal with such skill that Will had never seen before. He fancied himself a skilled sword smith, yet these exceeded even his swords. Will took one from its fastenings on the wall, an amazing cutlass. He held out his hand to get Ella away before testing it.
"Well, how do you like it?" a man asked. Will looked up to see the smith, standing behind a counter, his arms folded as he watched Will. "It's a nice sword, if I didn't say so meself." The man held out a dirtied hand. "Th' name's Gil. And you are?"
"Will," Will said. He took Gil's hand. Gil grinned, showing his rotting mouth. "These swords are quite exceptional. I've never seen anything like them..."
"Well, I've had a while to master my technique, to say the least." Gil laughed. "You look like a craftsman yourself. How long have you worked at the art?" Will shrugged.
"Ten years, I'd say." The man nodded.
"Probably why. A young lad like you hasn't enough time to observe the masters around him. Too caught up in other things, I'd guess." Will laughed. There was something about this Gil, something different from the others in the town around him, just the way he moved, the way he talked, as if he was more...human... "Yes, I wager you aren't old enough to dedicate yourself to swordmaking just yet. Why, it wasn't until I was getting upwards in my years I hit my peak."
"What do you mean he's not old enough?" Ella asked. "He could do it just fine, I bet." Gil peered over the counter at the small figure below him.
"Well, fancy seeing you 'ere, Ella. Don't look at me with that face neither. I wasn't saying anythin' against Will 'ere, but just stating facts. He's a young lad, and one that's probably got talent, it's just not honed in the right way now." Will put a hand on Ella's shoulder.
"It's all right." Then, he looked between Gil and Ella. "So, he's an acquaintance of yours, Ella?" Ella smiled.
"Gil used to feed me when I couldn't find other food. He's always very generous." Gil nodded.
"Aye, this little one 'ere had trouble finding a suitable meal, so I always was ready to offer up..." Ella glanced at Gil, and Gil stopped mid-sentence. "I always made room for her at me table." Ella motioned to Will, who had turned his attention to a sword hanging behind Gil. She coughed, bent over, and Gil formed an "oh" with his mouth. "Yes, Ella's a handful."
"I'd have to agree to that," Will said. Gil came round the counter now, and for the first time Will noticed that he walked with a cane, limping on one leg.
"But I'm glad she's got a caretaker now, assumin' that's what you are. Well," Gil said with a change of subject. "Could I interest you in some swords, maybe that one you're holdin' right there? It's a nice one."
"I would gladly consider them," Will said. "But I have no money on me." Gil laughed.
"Of course, of course. You new here, then, to Miana, that is." Will hung his head.
"You could say that," he said. Gil put an arm around him, having trouble reaching Will's shoulders. With the help of his cane, he managed it. "The Fleeting Dream's crew abandoned me here. I thought I would sail away with them, but I woke to find them gone." Gil sighed and gazed up at Will.
"Deepest apologies, lad. I'd heard 'bout that but never thought really about it. So you're here to stay then?" Will's anger flared.
"No, I am not here to stay! As soon as I get the chance, I'm leaving here." Gil raised his hands.
"Sorry to offend ye, Will. But, if ye don't mind me askin', what's wrong with Miana?" Will looked around him, at the swords, the perfect swords, then down to Ella, with her pale skin and shining eyes, and back to Gil, his rough face staring at him with a perplexed look. He stared at the window to the city, in his semi-night darkness, with people buzzing about as if it was mid-day, chatting, happy, some shouting at the others. But...something was wrong with them, different. Yes, there were those like Gil, and many of those here in this section of town, clearer, more human, but through Will's wandering in the week that he had been in Miana he noticed many of the higher class areas, boasting larger homes near to the edges of the two hills, felt...false. The people laughed and argued and interacted the same, but the air around them was darker, cooler, and it sent shivers through Will. Their eyes were shining, as Ella's were, but dark brown or black, and their skin was pale, some bordering on white. He felt so...out of place among them, as if they were not even...
"I don't know," Will whispered. "I just want to get away. Miana isn't right." Gil cleared his throat, but he stopped as Ella stepped forward. She measured them with a steady gaze.
"Will, maybe we should return to the inn now," she said. Will stared at the child in further amazement. "Gil, sir, I am sorry we can't stay, but Will looks a bit weary. Come on Will." She began tugging on Will's sleeve, but Will did not move. He shook her hand free, sending her backwards with a yelp.
"No, I won't go, all right? I've noticed something different about this town, and I want to know what is happening. What's going on? Something's not adding up here and both of you know what it is!" Ella took a step forward, but Will turned on her. "What is it?" he shouted. Ella gasped before falling to the ground, sobbing.
"Will, Will!" she cried. Will kneeled beside her and took her in his arms. "Will, don't yell like that." He rocked back and forth as she clung to his tunic. "You frightened me, Will. Don't ever yell like that!" Will kissed the top of Ella's head, holding her tightly.
"I'm sorry, Ella. I got out of hand. I did not mean to. Shhh, there's nothing wrong now. I won't do that again." Ella sniffed, looking up at Will. Her bottom lip trembled. "Please, don't cry now." He smoothed Ella's tousled hair and wiped the tear stains from her cheeks. "I promise not to yell at you like that again."
"Will, you're scary." Gil snorted, and Will chuckled.
"Well, I'm sorry. I won't scare you anymore." He assisted Ella to her feet. "Let's go Ella." He faced Gil. "I'm sorry for the commotion, Gil. Maybe another time we could talk again, and I would like to hear some of your techniques for making these nice swords." Gil grinned.
"Good start, there, lad." He waved to them. "Go on, now. I have work to do, anyways." Will took Ella's hand and guided her away, down the bustling street and towards the wharf, Will with a heavy heart and Ella in silence.
Ella felt the anger and sadness penetrating through Will's expressionless mask. His head was turned only to the water, only towards the sparkling ocean beyond. What ties did he have to some faraway land? Surely, Miana's beauty had been enough to break away from that world of his. But Will held fast to another land, another time. Nothing they could do would break him from that, nothing. Ella hung her head.
Will sighed. His feet drug along the cobbles. To his right and left were people, humans, all traditional, without worries. And they acted as if there were no problems with the city around them, oblivious to the world. But Will knew better.
Oh, Jack, what would you do? He hung his head, clutching his chest. Jack, what would he do? You...you would plunge right into this, no matter what the dangers, without a worry of what could happen to you. You wouldn't sit back and let all of this happen around you while you have no answers...
"So why can't I? Why am I not strong enough?" Will whispered. He closed his eyes, stumbling forward. "What's wrong with me!" But his shout was drowned out by another scream, followed by the pounding of feet and more shouts. Will looked up to see the crowd suddenly rushing towards the wharf. Ella was tugging on Will's hand.
"Something's happening!" she screeched. Will bolted ahead of her, despite her cries. He shoved through the press of bodies. Had a ship come? What was it? Jack! Will let out a long cry and broke through the throng of bodies. He could see the water ahead of him. And there...
A shipwreck. There was a sharp intake of breath, and Will felt himself lurch forward. He ran towards the water, the torn fragments of the ship floating around the bay and crashing against the jagged rocks. He darted onto one of docks.
"Will!" Ella cried. But Will did not hear her. He knelt beside the water. A ship's bow, crushed, driftwood now. And there were bodies, smashed on the rocks without mercy or care. Will felt tears creeping into his eyes, tears he had tried not shed for so long. He scanned the waters for something, anything.
"But it wasn't him. He doesn't know I'm alive," Will told himself. Still, what if it was him? Will heard footsteps behind him. There was Setia, calling for Will. He swayed on his knees, threatening to tumble over. And there was Gil, shouting for Will to come back. Will slipped forward but caught himself.
And out of the corner of his eye, he saw.
On the rock nearest to him, he saw a cutlass. That scabbard...Will would know it anywhere. And the sword belt: how many times had he unclasped that, how many nights had he undone it for his captain. He reached forward with a trembling hand. But upon the belt was a stone, fastened there. Will could barely make out the outline of a ship on it...
"Will!" Setia cried. "Will, what are you doing? Don't fall like that!" She ran towards him.
The waves crashed again, scattering the wood of the ship. Jack...Jack...Will reached down and found a plank. He pulled it towards him, sobbing. How could it be? If that was true, then he undoubtedly walked across this plank thousands of times...as did Jack, his beloved Jack. And maybe this was the plank under them as they kissed on starlit nights, Jack's rough lips, but so sweet, an antidote for all of Will's sorrows. Or possibly, it was flooring for Jack's cabin, a floorboard they fell upon when they missed the bed, too engrossed in each other and their own passion to notice.
"Jack, don't leave me," he whispered. "I told you to not leave me, Jack. But...so why are you gone?" Will slumped forward, the board going with him. Two arms caught him, but was it Jack? No, not Jack...Jack. And before he lost consciousness, he saw a lone ship on the horizon, but it faded into the mist without a trace.
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"Will, can you hear me? Will, please wake up. Will, wake up, now. Will, Will!" Setia bent over Will's body. He groaned and shifted, but did not wake. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "Will, you have to wake up."
"You could..." Setia whirled around to see another man. He leaned on the doorframe to Will's bedroom, his arms crossed over his chest. He blew a strand of black hair from his face.
"Nakuri, I'm not going to try anything on him. He's just fainted, that's all, and has just been surprised by something." Nakuri growled and stepped forward. He loomed over the bed.
"He knew those men aboard the ship. You must get information out of him now, no matter what state he's in; in fact, with him weaker like this, it will be much easier for you." Setia shook her head, glaring.
"I will do no thing. Anyway, Ella would probably attempt to murder me if I did. She already told me she doesn't want anything happening to Will, nothing. So calm down Nakuri and wait for him to rise. He's cooperative; I'm sure we'll get something out of him even when he's awake." Nakuri rolled his eyes before stepping away from Setia. "Thank you. Now, where's Ella gotten to? I told her to go find him some food in the kitchens..."
"Setia, Setia, I have the food!" Ella cried. She ran into the room but stopped short at the sight of Nakuri. "What are you doing here?" she asked. "You won't harm Will, will you?" A woman stepped out from behind Ella and strode into the room. She wrapped her arms around Nakuri's neck, nuzzling his shoulder.
"He will do no such thing," Alaren insisted. "Will you, Nakuri?" Setia glowered at Alaren.
"You're here now? When did I summon you?" Alaren looked around innocently.
"Well, Nakuri's here, so I followed him..."
"The only reason Nakuri's here is because he saved Will! Now get out. I don't want to see your face unless you have something important to tell me or some contribution to Will!" Will let out a wail and clutched at Setia's arm. Her fact lit up.
"Will, can you hear me? It's Setia. Will, come back..." Will opened his eyes. The world around him was fuzzy, blank shapes without faces or names. And his mind returned to only one word: Jack. Will reached out towards the blob closest to him.
"Oh, look, the lovely lad's awake now," Alaren commented. Nakuri sighed.
"Too late," he whispered. Ella took a tentative step forward.
"Jack?" Will muttered. "Jack, where am I? Jack, what's happened, I feel so weak...oh, god, no..." Setia's face came into view, and Will backed away. "It's true, isn't it? It's true! Jack, Jack!" Setia held Will in her arms as he sobbed, unable to control his fears. But he wrenched free of her arms. "No, stay away from me, all of you! You aren't normal, aren't right. None of you are. It's you monsters that killed Jack, you monsters and this port and everything about you and it and..."
"This Jack that you speak of is not dead," Nakuri said. Will turned to him, and his eyes went wide. That was the man...the man beside the stairs that he saw his first night here. What was he doing here?
"How do you know?" Will whispered. "How do you know this about Jack! What do you know about him, as it is? If you know anything you must tell me, tell me..." He choked back a sob, and Setia took his face in her hands. "That was his sword there, dammit. How can you say he's not dead?"
"Easily," Nakuri responded. Setia turned a glare of daggers on him.
"Take some pity, Nakuri. Even you can have a heart once in a while." Nakuri shrugged.
"If you don't want me..." He turned to leave, but Will stretched out a hand.
"No, don't go." What am I saying? He looked at his hand; he did not know this man...being...and yet required his presence here. It...it was that something in Nakuri's eyes, the way he measured the world with his obsidian eyes that made Will wonder... "If you know Jack's whereabouts, stay," he said. Nakuri swiveled on one foot.
"I only know that he is alive," Nakuri said. "I can sense his life-force, his blood pumping...near here, but I cannot tell his location..." Will backed away, flattening himself on the headboard of the bed. Silence fell over the room. Setia backed away from Will, and Ella began sobbing in the background.
"Sense?" Will asked. "You...you are monsters, all of you. Demons, I don't know. But whatever you are, you stole my Jack, stole me from him, and locked me in this prison. Let me out!" He lunged forward. Setia reached for him, but he danced out of his grasp. Ella wailed in the background. Nakuri jumped in front of the doorway, his black eyes glowing in the night. Will ploughed through him. He stumbled briefly, his hands tingling with cold where he had touched Nakuri. The chill of death...he gasped for breath before bolting out the door and down the stairs.
The large gathering room of the inn was full of chattering people, laughing, drinking, carrying on without a care of the world around them. Will trembled, slowing to a walk beside the fire. They were oblivious. How could they not see? There were footsteps behind him, and Will began running, ignoring the shouts from Setia and Alaren. He would not stay, not with these demons surrounding him. He had to get away....
Will did not know how far he ran before losing his breath, unable to control himself any longer. He collapsed onto his knees, falling into a puddle of water. He saw the reflection of the full moon, and stars glittering, the clouds of morning departing from his world of darkness. He reached forward, but a ripple disturbed the water. Will saw two feet step before his face, along with a long black cane. A hand reached down.
"Do you need some help?" a man asked. Will stood, straightening the front of his now wet clothing. The man smiled to him, flicking a strand of golden hair from his face. His pale skin reflected the moonlight into his midnight black eyes. "Come, you look weary. I have a place not far from here where you can rest?" Will nodded, unable to help himself. He stumbled forward, but the man extended a hand. "Let me help you." He grinned, and Will took hold of his arm. He was cold.
"Oh, I do believe I've forgotten to tell you my name. I am Moyahun, or James, if you prefer that." James smiled, his eyes narrowing. "And you are?"
"Will." James arched his brows. So this is Will. Katrina told me to keep an eye on you. Will tripped on a loose cobble and almost crumpled to the ground, but James caught him. "I am sorry."
"No," James laughed. "Do not apologize. My house is here." Will turned to see a large mansion, sitting on one of the far hills of the city. Vines crept up its sides, and in front was a large. Rose bushes bloomed, but Will noted with mild surprise the roses bloomed black. "Noting the flowers? This is Katrina's house, actually. She lets me use it as a temporary lodging, for I am rarely in Miana."
A serving woman opened the door. She rushed to take James's cane from him. James reached out and lovingly stroked her neck. She blushed and hurried to the other side of the large foyer.
"Come, to my study Will. Beautiful lass there, bring this fine man some tea, will you?" Another woman ran away from James, bustling to do his business. James led Will through a maze of passageways. The house itself was beautifully decorated, with large paintings and fine furniture, carpets from the East, ornate chandeliers at regular intervals. Finally, they reached the study. There was a couch and two chairs. James motioned to the couch, and Will sank into it.
"Thank you for your hospitality," Will said. James shook him off.
"No, I do not mind helping those in need." James lit a solitary candle on the mantle before settling into a chair. He crossed his legs and peered at Will. "Willam, is there something wrong? You look troubled." James grinned. "Tell me, for I can fix your problems." He leaned forward, his smile widening into a toothy sneer. "Willam, you look surprised? Is something wrong?" he mocked. Will gulped down the lump in his throat. He was seeing something...that was not there, he had to be. Surely this man did not...but in an instant James was gone, only to reappear beside Will. He bent over Will, caressing his neck. "You can tell me any of your troubles. I might as well be your last confident." His tongue darted over Will's vein, and James moaned. "So fresh...you are so beautiful, dear Willam." He smoothed back Will's hair. "It is too bad we could not spend longer together, getting to know each other..." He kissed Will's neck. Will struggled to break away, but James would not move, hard as a statue. "...but my hunger has overcome propriety." Will shook his head.
"What are you?" he muttered. James gasped before smiling. His hand traced Will's jawbone.
"Can you not see that for yourself, Willam dear? Is it not plain? Many have called me many things: demon, devil, Satan's spawn, servant of hell, but I prefer one name above all..."
"Vampire."
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Well, so who's alive and who's not? Jack? Will? Or for how long, is another question.
Ah, I love questions. And cliffies, too, if you could count this as a cliffie. Cliffies are so much fun to write!
Reviews inspire me to write faster. Knowing I have to write to keep my audience there is good motivation if I am stuck on a part in a story. You see: the fewer reviews= you will be sitting there for longer wondering who's alive and what's going to happen and what the hell is with Miana. Savvy?
Thanks so much to everyone who has reviewed already! Arigatou! You're all so great! So keep up those reviews!