((Katuko: Thanks, I'm glad people like you are reading this. So enjoy this next chapter everyone!))
Chapter 20: Facing the Music
Ciara looked over the map again with the helmsman, discussing the route they were going to take again. The sun slowly slid away as its job as a reasonable source of light, was over. Ciara frowned seeing the map grow darker and darker every hour, but smiled with relief as she saw Iroh light a few torches around the room. Where would I be without Uncle Iroh?
Iroh scratched his head slightly while taking a ship, his clever eyes sought out a loop hole in his opponent's strategy. "Ciara there comes a time when a person needs to rest for the day ahead." Iroh spoke out in his wise voice, stroking his goatee in deep thought. Ciara paused and looked up at the old man, "What about you Uncle?" Iroh just grinned and moved one of his pieces forward, "After I kick my friend's butt in Pai Gow. But after that I shall retire for my beauty sleep." Ciara shook her head in laughter and turned toward the helmsman, "Is your shift almost over? For you also need your sleep." The helmsman nodded and rolled up the map, "Yes, I will call on the other to wake up and take the wheel. Take care, Commander." He bowed and tucked the map under his arm before heading off.
Ciara nodded wearily, giving Iroh a pat on back before heading off. Ciara found herself walking down the hallways that lead to the quarters of the crew, Iroh and herself. Her hob-nailed boots made a sharp thudding sound against the metal floors, sending waves of chills through her back.
Clank, clank, clank
It sounded like a distant but yet close drum, pounding away it's monstrous beat over and over again. Ciara's eyes focused on the door right before her; each step making her close in to it. She paused when she was before it, placing her warm hand on the icy cold door she pushed. The door smoothly opened without a protests; a warm gust of air greeted her with open arms as she entered.
The door closed silently behind her, leaving her alone in the quiet room. Two candles stood on a desk, flickering once in a while. Dark shadows painted the wall, stirring old memories in Ciara's mind. The shadows engulfed one another in greed, but were occasionally sent back by the candles' dim light.
Ciara brushed away the sudden fear that gripped her side fiercely as she laid down on her bed. The mattress was hard and uncomfortable, making her body squirm with anguish. Her body gave up after its hopeless search for comfort, making Ciara fall into a fitful slumber.
"Mommy's back, Ciara. How was your day?" asked a cool and soothing voice. A young girl that looked like a seven or eight-year-old looked up toward the source of the sound. Her pale green eyes shinned brightly as she saw her mother in the doorway. The smile on Ciara's face turned to shock, seeing a dark and tall figure stand behind her. "Mommy? What have you done Sophie! You broke the oldest and sacred law! How dare you!" the dark figure yelled out in pure anger, lifting his wrinkled palm toward the back of her neck.
Fire filled the room, burning the books and parchments in hunger. Her mother fell silently on the ground, those once friendly eyes glazing over. "Run, child. Run and never look back." whispered her mother, death's rattle shaking the life out of her quickly. Fear forced her to move her small legs, finding out the door unharmed.
Different voices filled her head; men, women, children chanted the same words over and over, "Run. Run. Run. RUN!"
"No!" she yelled out, opening her eyes to see the metal wall of the ship. Ciara was sitting up-right, her hands shaking with fear and also a sense of victory from telling off the voices. A knock filled the room, making her jerk her head toward the cold metal door. Ciara glanced at her appearance and nodded in pure relief that she was clothed. "Enter." she called out in a weary voice.
A guard opened the door slowly, quickly saluting when he saw Ciara, "Commander, we reached are given destination." Ciara tilted her head to the left in confusion, "Already? How is that possible?" The guard swallowed the saliva resting in his mouth, "You were asleep for two days now." She frowned and replied, "Why didn't anyone wake me up?" The guard looked away from Ciara's gaze before replying, "We tried. But you gave an officer a bloody nose in your sleep...so General Iroh told us to let you sleep." Ciara nodded with understanding before shooing the guard away.
Ciara rubbed her eyes roughly, swinging her legs over toward the floor; her light brown hair fell over her face, concealing the weariness that still hung in her eyes. She quickly got up, the thought of the mission ahead sended waves of energy as she reached for her armor.
Minuets ticked by and she was dressed and freshen up for the day ahead, "Here we go." Ciara walked out of her room, making her way to the staircase that leads to the outside door. Once again her boots made the same nonchalant noise which came in a steady rhythm.
Clank, clank, clank
The climb up the staircase was short, making Ciara wonder why they really even had stairs in the first place. They could have just built everything on the same level ground as before…The metal door swung open, a gush of wind rushing past her in a fury. Ciara ignored it and walked out on the deck, her hands now clasped behind her back.
She observed her surroundings, seeing that they were on land and the guards awaited her command. "Alright then. Today is a matter of a game called, 'Hunt and Destroy.' You are either the hunter or the hunted, and today we are the hunters. Now before I tell you more of this game, I want to go over some safety precautions. If you find an officer in hostage of our foes, report back to another officer at the ship. Not on the ground, the ship. Is that clear?"
The men roared in unison, "Affirmative." Ciara nodded in mild-delight, part of her was still shaken from the dream, but the other part was eager for victory. "So then it begins." she whispered to herself, walking near the guards to discuss her plan.