I Came, I Saw, I Conquered
by Corycian Muse
Well, yay, me. I finished this chapter, and like the last, a week earlier than I was expecting! (a couple of dull cheers in the background).
Well, I love my descriptive writing in this chapter, it would put my English teacher to shame! (He told me my descriptions weren't very good, damn him).
AND, thank you all so much for such encouraging reviews! It makes me so motivated and happy, thanks ya'all!
Meneil: Thanks! I do try hard to have that suspense at the end of a chapter, and it's great you noticed.
SPQT: Ah, yes, I'll mention something 'bout 'action' at the AN at the end of this chappy, so don't ye worry. I was really pleased with the last chapter as well, and I still think it's my best so far! Thanks dude!
ShadeXH: You know what, my good friend? I like Alex too (wink, wink).And, I loved your rambling! In fact, I was so pleased that you'd hit it right on the spot! You completely understood the situation at the end of the last chapter, and that makes me so happy! Weeee! Go you!
Sakura Irving: (Gives her a big pat on the head) Thank you for reviewing each chapter so far, and it's been really good fun reading them! And... ooh dear... it seems my reviewers are rebelling against me here... I'll make a not on that at the end of the review answers (see down below somewhere)... Thanks for the reviews!
Shiny Milotic: (Me: now getting very scared that a small horde of angry people will start chasing me with pitchforks, and other dangerous, pointy objects) Ok, so maybe quite a few people are disagreeing with me here, and it seems I'm getting pretty cornered OO;;; Still, thanks for the review, and again, read the AN somewhere just below here...
Flora Jupiter Vixen: Thanks for the review! and I think the point that everyone's trying to make is slowly becoming clear to me. Oh dear, oh dear...
Master Of Reality: (gasp) Thank you! And that means a lot to me too, seeing as you're an excellent writer yourself! Wow, what an encouraging review! Thank you again so much! nn ( ---- extra happy smile)
abstractmind: As always, thanks so much for your great reviews! I liked the table part as well, lol! Feizhi is around 16-17, probably 17.
PyroDragon88: Aah, my proud Aquashipping friend! I'm going to be doing something a bit cruel in this chapter, but you'll have to trust me that, in the end, it's great angst, and a great... well, I don't want to go into it. Just trust me! I love Aquashipping as well! Thanks for the review!
AN: Ahem... now onto a subject that's getting a bit heated. Lighthouseshipping. I've got some people who don't want it, and some who are threatening me with lightning bolts (which is a little frightening). Whatever it will become, romantic or just friends, I can't decide yet. In fact, I'm just going to let it see how it goes, and either compromise and go in-between friendship and full-fledged romance, or do whatever is best for the story's plotline. There! I have spoken, and so be it. Laa dee da. Thanks for all your reviews.
Please Read, Review, And Enjoy! .. ... ...
Chapter Seven: Brilliance Of The Moon
She'd never felt so… heavy, and exhausted in all her life; and yet, the reason for those sensations came very slowly to Jenna's mind.
The room was dimly lit and stuffy, and a rising sensation of heat rose in her stomach. She pushed herself upright in the bed, to find it was rather small to be given that name.
"Here," came a gentle voice from beside her. Jenna jerked forward with surprise, and saw that she was not alone in the cabin. "Drink this," the woman urged, moving the glass further to her, wanting her to take it. "It will help with any pain you might be feeling."
Jenna didn't hear her words. She stared at the stranger, frozen. Crimson eyes looked back.
Abruptly, before the woman could do anything, Jenna had knocked the glass away from her so it fell to the floor, spilling its contents everywhere. She pushed herself back against the wall of the cabin and glared at the Proxian.
"Who the hell are you?" Jenna snarled, trembling. What a stupid question, Jenna thought, she's one of 'them', one of the people who took me away.
In answer she got a sigh. "Look," the woman said, sounding rather touchy. "The business of you being taken by my clan has nothing to do with me. I had no decision in it, and if I had, we would not even be in this part of the world. I'm sorry, young one, but blame someone else."
Jenna continued to glare.
The woman's eyebrow twitched.
"I'll get you another drink," she said finally, getting to her feet. Without another word, she marched out of the cabin and shut the door brusquely behind her, leaving Jenna in the gloomy shadows.
"This whole plan is going to be a failure!" Menardi said, staring frustratedly at Saturos as he continued to steer the ship. It had been half a day since the incident on the beach, and still the tall Proxian kept his spot at the helm, comforted as the sky darkened above him, and the light disappeared ahead upon the horizon.
He gave Menardi a sideways glance, and grunted. "It won't be a failure," he said, turning his sight back again to the ship's path. Two other Proxian galleons sailed not far behind, keeping on course with Saturos' own ship. "The plan was clever, and it was a success. Whether Alex is working for himself, or he is trying to aid us, it does not rightly matter. What matters is that we gain more information, which will eventually lead to the destruction of the Terra Umbrarum. That is what truly matters."
"And if the girl won't comply with our decisions…?" Menardi asked.
"Then we'll force her," was the flat reply.
Menardi waited a moment, hoping he would continue, hoping he wouldn't ignore her like this. He seemed so cold and distant towards her, and it was unnerving. He said nothing.
She huffed, and was about to turn on her heel, when she stopped, and glared at him. "We had love once," she said in a harsh voice. "You and I, we had love – we loved each other like there was no one else. Other people were shadows in our life, distant and unimportant." She lay her hand on his arm, trembling slightly with her overflow of emotions. Saturos' brow twitched nervously.
"That love is no more, and you are well aware of that," he said in a low voice. "You should let go of the past Menar-"
"No! No… I shouldn't, and neither should you," Menardi said, her voice rising.
"What I should do is what I think is best," Saturos answered, his tone getting angry. He turned the wheel slightly, frowning, trying to keep Menardi at a distance in his mind. He didn't want her close. She brought with her too many memories, too much pain. He wanted her… to go away. "Reflecting on your past may be good, but there are some things that are better forgotten," he said sternly, brushing her hand off his arm.
Menardi felt like she'd been stabbed in the heart. Her eyes suddenly burned and tingled, and she tried desperately to hold back her tears and keep her dignity. "So," she began quietly. "You are saying we should forget our past, is that right?"
Saturos did not answer.
"Well," Menardi said, flicking a strand of hair from her eyes and holding her head up. "I guess love can be easily forgotten – I mean, it obviously isn't important to you, is it? You, Saturos," she said savagely, "Only have love for yourself, you arrogant fool."
"Why don't you go and console in your sister, Menardi?" Saturos spat, drawing his eyes away from the ocean and penetrating Menardi with his gaze. "Because I am not interested in your petty talk, or your deluded adolescent yearnings of romance."
There was a moment of silence, before it was broken by the sound of Menardi's slap, as it rang out eerily across the roiling waves.
"I'll do that," she whispered slowly, her lips curling.
She walked away as the tears broke free from her crimson eyes. It had all happened so quickly, and now it was over and she was left with an unimaginable amount of aching pain inside her. She brushed her tears desperately away with her hand, hoping no one would notice. Her body shook with uncontrollable sorrow and despair, as her hormones overtook her mind. You bastard, she thought, as her chest heaved and a sob broke free from her.
Night swept in like a soft velvet blanket, covering the skies with its clear, twinkling stars. The air chilled Alex's skin, and it refreshed him to no end. He hadn't been out from his underside quarters all day, preferring rather to face the stuffy, discomfort of his room, than the face of Saturos. Doing that would be risking the chance of being questioned more, and he wanted to avoid it at all costs. They had captured Jenna, quite easily, and were now headed north into colder waters to remain on ground for a while in that far-off land.
Now certainly wasn't the time to be explaining things – he had to go over them in his own mind first, before informing anyone about the plans. Trying to inform Saturos, who seemed more like a brick wall when being talked to, than an understanding Proxian, would be a task that was painful to even think about.
Gulping in the fresh, bitter air, Alex took to walking around the ship, enjoying the breeze, and the soft rocking under his feet. His muscles ached and cramped, and stretching them felt good.
With nothing to disturb him, and the brilliant full moon like an eerie window in the sky, he was allowed to let his mind wander as it lay to ease. He leaned over the side of the ship, concentrating on nothing while his eyes watched the ripples and waves created by the ship's wake.
Now Jenna was on board with him, with no knowledge of his doing in her kidnap, it was time for Alex to decide just how he would be going around the matter of talking to her, and making her realise what was really going on under the obvious, and the ground…
Mia closed her eyes, ever so gently, and felt the ease from relaxing her tired mind. Then, she opened them again, and immediately felt the soreness creep back again, itching her eyes and making them water with fatigue. She sighed, not knowing what else to do.
Perhaps she wouldn't return to her home tonight. Perhaps she would just stay where she was atop the cliff, and be at one with nature. The soft, bouncy grass beneath her was as good as any straw mattress, if not, better, and after a long, heated day, the cooling breeze that skimmed over the waters to gently caress her face was, simply put, beautiful.
Or at least, it felt beautiful.
Carefully, she rolled onto her back, and stared up at the continuous night sky. It went on forever, never-ending, touched by stars' glimmering light only to continue on, for eternity. The thought partly frightened her, but it was drowned out by a new feeling of wonder. All around Mia was darkness and shadows, and yet, there, right above her, hanging like a glowing orb of promise, was the moon, perfectly rounded, and allowing this black world some peace.
"The Moon is our satellite, and perhaps, more beautiful than the Sun, or the Stars."
Mia looked sideways, unable to be startled by such a gentle voice. She smiled, as Piers, still staring up at the moon, sat down gently beside her. "I think the moon would only be beautiful if the stars were to accompany it, as they are. Some things are more beautiful together," she said, sitting up slowly to lean back on her elbows, watching him with her sapphire eyes.
Piers looked sideways at her, sadness evident in his eyes. He said nothing.
Mia scowled slightly. "What's wrong?" she asked, understanding the Lemurian on a whole new level after only four days now. In fact, now she thought about it, they had spent quite a lot of time in each other's presence; Piers had immediately warmed to her, when she was the first person he met upon his arrival in the unknown land.
There had been no discomfort with each other, but now, something was wrong, and he had not yet answered her question.
"Piers," Mia said firmly, sitting forward. Before she knew what she was doing, she had laid her hand on his leg. Damn, it should have been further up, not there! On his arm; his arm…Mia desperately wondered what to do, feeling that awkwardness, and discomfort looming towards her.
Piers stared at her hand unblinkingly, and suddenly sensed her tenseness flow onto him.
Mia's heart was thumping painfully fast, and she felt her arm go weak. Great, she thought, cringing inwardly. Now the adrenaline's kicking in… Oh God…
Suddenly, her mind froze. She stared at Piers' hand, now on top of hers, and held her breath, eyes wide. Slowly, her gaze drifted upwards, to find with astonishment, that Piers was looking straight back at her, a smile evident on his lips. His aquamarine eyes glittered like jewels in the moonlight.
Slowly, he curled his fingers around her smaller hand, and lifted it from his leg. Then he turned full-on to her, and decided to keep her hand in his. He closed his eyes, still smiling, and then looked back at her.
"I'm sorry, Mia," he said finally, as his face fell back to a calm, indifferent expression. Mia didn't look at him. She stared hard at the grass, playing softly in the breeze. She hated those words – hated someone starting with an apology for what they might say next. It made her dread his next sentence, made her heart fall.
There was a pregnant pause, when Piers bowed his head in deep thought.
When he gazed up, he saw Mia was still not looking him in the eye. Gently, he lifted her chin so she was looking at him, and so he had her attention. "Mia," he said, as their eyes locked in each others. "Isaac and I have been talking for a long time."
"I know," Mia said, her voice cracking slightly. It was true that the two had been in deep conversation for the rest of that evening, and that Mia had left, needing the fresh air, and needing to clear her head.
"We've come to a decision about Jenna," Piers continued, and it was hard for Mia to not notice the soft decline in his voice, as it fell into what seemed to be a grave sorrow. "I've been here for a few days, and already problems have begun to take place," Piers said, unconsciously squeezing her hand, of which she was very aware of. "We know these people are after something, and it is very probable, as you said, that Alex is playing a part in all this. It seems more than a coincidence that he left you that day."
He left me. He left me for the second time in our lives, Mia thought bitterly, her gaze moving off to the left as the memory passed through her mind.
"We're going after Jenna," Piers murmured.
The nightingale's voice, and the rustling through the trees and grass were suddenly so evident in Mia's world. The waves below her echoed through the air, reaching over the cliff tops. The endless sky seemed even higher than before, and the brilliance of the moon bore down on her. But above all this, his words reverberated through her head, endlessly repeating itself over, engraving its meaning each time.
"When are you leaving?" she asked, trying to keep her voice strong. Strangely, the tiredness that caused her eyes to be watery disappeared, and her sight remained clear. Was she expecting to cry?
"We're leaving tomorrow morning," he answered, and said nothing more. His hand gripped hers tightly, and she held back, and this link between them was enough to show the connection, and the emotion they both felt at that moment. Mia had never felt like this before, but it seemed, that yet again someone was leaving her behind.
"Felix may return any day," Piers said after a long time in silence. "When he does arrive back, it will be good that there's someone here sensitive enough to explain to him what's happened."
Mia still did not look at him. Is that all I'm good for? She wondered morosely, but despite her thoughts, she nodded slightly. "Fine," she answered. To her surprise, she saw out of the corner of her eye a change in Piers' expression, and when she turned to glance at him, she saw he was smiling.
"Goodbye, Mia," he said, and leaned forward to kiss her gently on her cheek. His lips lingered for a fleeting moment, and then his warmth was gone, leaving behind a bitter, empty air.
Her surprise at his unpredictable act dissipated, and it left a new feeling that touched her coldly, causing her to shiver. She could still feel his lips on her cheek, and it refused to leave, like an old imprinted memory from the past. Mia felt very much alone.
"Well, you've taken your time, haven't you?" Jenna said coldly, looking up from where she sat with hard, glaring eyes.
Menardi scowled. "Seeing as you weren't too enthusiastic with the last drink I offered you, you seem to have changed your perspective," she said dismissively. Not looking the younger adept in the eye, she placed the cup before her, and turned away, not wanting her face to be seen too clearly.
Too late.
"So what's happened up on deck to have started the roll of emotions then?"
Damn, this girl was too perceptive. Menardi scowled yet again, and mentally rolled her eyes. "What is it to do with you, what happens and doesn't happen in my life?"
"It might be nothing to do with me," Jenna started, "But obviously something's got you upset, it's so blatantly obvious on your face. I just thought you might want someone to talk to, that's all. It must be pretty lonely, staying on this ship with the likes of them all the time."
'The likes of them'? What the hell did she mean by that? Menardi turned, and glared furiously at Jenna. "They are like my family!" she said, breathing hard. "I am connected to each and every one of them, a kind of feeling you couldn't possible imagine."
"Do you even know what you're saying?" Jenna answered derisively. "Do you have any idea at all where I lived before you pirates kidnapped me away on a merry ride across the seas?" Already she could tell the Proxian was taken aback by her words. "I lived in a closely-knit village, where everyone knew everyone, and everyone's problem was another's problem. We were like a family too, our village, and I have absolutely every idea what you mean by that. Don't go telling me what I do and don't know when you have no idea yourself."
The silence hung in the air like a heavy fog, pressing down on them.
To Jenna's absolute surprise, Menardi sat down on the edge of the hammock, a little way from where she sat herself. "Here's your drink," the woman said, in a dried-out voice. "It's not poisoned or anything."
Carefully, Jenna took the cup, and brought it up to her lips. She took a sip, and found a surging of warmth to all parts of her body, and a sense of ease slowly taking the place of her discomfort. "It has alcohol?" She asked, surprised at herself for actually enjoying the drink.
"I suppose that's what you call it," Menardi answered, a little evasive. She seemed almost unable to talk, like she was on the brink, on the knife-edge, just waiting for the scales to tip before she fell into a chasm of chaotic emotions and stricken pain. What Jenna was to hear next, would certainly take her by surprise. "Would you like to come out into the open air for a bit? It's a beautiful night."
Jenna gawped. After immediately deeming it was her fate to be imprisoned in this cramped 'room' for whatever reason they had decided to take her in the first place, to be offered this freedom was something unexpected.
She gulped, closing her mouth again. "Sure," she said, her turn this time, to have a croaky voice. Having the fresh air certainly would take her mind off Isaac. He had constantly been invading her thoughts ever since she had gained consciousness, and it was something she'd rather forget. His betrayal was painful to her. A feeling she had not yet felt before.
That was when it occurred to Jenna. She supposed she would have wanted to return to her village; it would have been only natural. But… what was happening while she was here, sitting on this ship? And Isaac? Jenna pursed her lips, feeling slightly disorientated. The alcohol hadn't been much help, however nice it felt.
Perhaps she didn't want to return back too quickly. Could she face up to what might be taking place, with Isaac, with that stranger, with his treacherous acts he had done in front of her? They had embraced, right before her eyes, as if Isaac was saying that he had enough of Jenna, that he had moved on to someone else. Moved on quickly, didn't he? She thought sourly.
Suddenly feeling more determined in her motives, Jenna looked the woman straight in the eye. "I'm Jenna," she stated clearly, head held high. "And thank you for the drink."
"I am Menardi," the woman answered, nodding her head slightly. Though her face did not show it, her eyes did. It was the first time Jenna had seen her smile.
It wasn't rightly morning yet – the Sun hadn't even properly risen.
Felix sat in the darkness of his small room, thankful that he would be on the road again very soon and, hopefully, with Sheba alongside him. After a restless night of fidgeting and pestering thoughts, he finally decided that perhaps it was best to get Isatis ready before he left for Faran's house. If she did choose to stay, then he would not have to return to the Inn and face another walk down the road with people's eyes upon him.
He would also not have to face the possibility of seeing Sheba again when he retreated back through the small town, ready to leave.
Nervous now, he found himself biting his nails in impatience; they weren't some of Felix's greatest traits. The anxiety made him jumpy, and yet, he wasn't entirely sure why he was so tense. It was a simple yes-no answer on Sheba's behalf, and he would have to deal with results, returning back to his village, with not much of a reason why he had left in the first place, if she decided to stay.
If she decided to stay; it was the second time that outcome had occurred in Felix's train of thoughts. Perhaps he was being too negative about it. There was every chance that Sheba would decide to return with him… Every chance.
Sighing, and giving in to his ever-confusing thoughts, Felix gathered his few belonging to him, and left his room, and the Inn, for the stables and his horse. It was time to leave once again.
"Shall we go then?"
"Uh huh," Jenna said, getting to her feet. Menardi followed suit and they made their way out of the stuffy cabin to go above deck. Jenna turned slightly towards some worn, wooden steps that would have eventually led the two to the helm of the ship, had Menardi not steered Jenna away. She had no desire to see Saturos again, or to see his reaction at her allowing the girl to roam free on board.
"Come," she said, beckoning for Jenna to follow. "We'll go to the prow of the ship, so you can get a better view."
"A view?" Jenna answered, slightly bemused. "What is there to see?"
She did not get an answer in words, but a knowing look was sent her way. Shrugging, she followed the older woman up some opposite steps while trying to look where she was going. It was hard when she so desired to stare up at the endless sky above her, dark and comforting, and filled with dim stars. Just behind her lay the waning moon, slowly travelling into the enfolding blackness of her homeland.
Averting her eyes, Jenna looked ahead of her, but her vision was blocked by masts and ropes, swaying gently or tied up in mounds, like great snakes, twisted around the bark of trees. However, through all these darkening silhouettes was the faint and ever-growing glow of the horizon.
A sudden burst of wind gusted into Jenna's back, pushing her forward, urging her on. The ship was sailing with the breeze, as the high sails caught the wind, blowing wide. Taking a prancing step forward, Jenna jumped up to the wooden railings and leaned over, unable to hold in her smile.
The clean-cut sides of the sip cut into the waters as it skimmed across the surface. The waves moved with the vessel, carrying it forward, as they were slowly parted by the prow of the ship. Their destination on the horizon was pin-pointed by the rising of the Sun, as a low mist covered the ocean in the distance.
"So this means we're travelling east," Jenna muttered, more to herself than anyone else. Menardi gave her a sideways glance, the corner of her mouth turned upwards. This girl, she definitely took her mind away from other problems in her life.
"The sunset is so beautiful!" Jenna suddenly exclaimed, happily watching the sea spray elegantly upwards below her, and this time, Menardi smiled fully.
She hung back from the younger adept, lingering by the mast's base, hidden somewhat by its shadow. The horizon was just as clear from where she stood, but she felt the need to give Jenna room. The fresh air made changes in people, and it certainly livened the girl's spirit.
Quietly, silently, Menardi turned away from the prow. Jenna could now do what she wanted; she was free to move wherever she wished on the ship, and Menardi had granted her this. It made no difference; she could not escape in the middle of the ocean, and Menardi herself needed time on her own, to think, to clear her mind.
She slipped back into the shadows of the ship, and her expression had already returned to that of someone saddened, and full of regret.
"The mist… I never knew the fog reached so far out to sea," Jenna said quietly, musing. "I have never seen it before, and it's so beautiful," she repeated, lowering her eyebrows over wide eyes.
The Sun's rays glared up into the dying darkness, penetrating into the sky, destroying all means of night. It was a beacon, slowly rising up above the ocean, bursting with brightness and so many shades of orange and gold. It granted Jenna an uncanny feeling that hypnotised her – that this rising sun beheld a gentle magnificence.
Jenna blinked, and suddenly glanced to her left, breaking her connection with the sensation inside her. It dissipated and broke into a thousand pieces, but was immediately forgotten. All warmth left her, and her breath caught in her throat.
Cold, icy blue eyes stared back at her.
Dying slowly, unnoticed, the Moon sank back into the shadows, waiting for the next night to come. The glowing light melted the dark sky, and the stars disappeared. The air was filled with new, fresh warmth, but Jenna could not feel it. Her heart rose to her mouth, and she felt her pulse race with utter shock. She swallowed, as she gazed back at the man stood before her, so subdued, and yet, so intimidating.
Of all the unexpected happenings so far, to find that the person behind her kidnap was Alex, was the least unexpected of all.
Aaah, the angst - the drama! The romance! Why have I put this story under the category of Action/Adventure? Well, I'm not entirely sure myself; I just hope some good ol' action comes in the next chapter or so (there definately will be in later chappys, ha haa! You wait!), or I may just change the category. I'm a bit puzzled about what to do about that Oo; Still, it's not important. This chapter was a bit of an interlude, but it had to be done, or the ensuing chapters wouldn't be able to happen. Still, I like it.
Please Review and leave your thoughts.