I Came, I Saw, I Conquered
by Corycian Muse
Another chapter finished on time, which is good!
I'm afraid Jenna and Alex will by duking it out (in a conversational way) in the next chapter...
Oh dear.
Master of Reality: As always, thanks so much for the helpful, great review. I know what you mean about the Proxian bad-guy thing - I'm trying to write it so, eventually, we'll find that everyone is doing what they're doing because of their own reasons, and their own needs. No one is just, "the baddie". Everyone has their own situations that they're trying to deal with. Piers/Mia is the only Piers pairing that I can really associate with - he just doesn't seem that... suited for anyone! Anyway, it will be back with the Proxians next chapter, and I have to admit I'm looking forward to the action when it comes in later on! Hee hee hee...
ShadeXH: It completely makes sense - Menardi's a very interesting character! And what you say next does very much make sense as well. Menardi is finding comfort in Jenna, and Jenna vise versa. Menardi is one of the few women on board this particular ship, and being the 'ex-lover' of Saturos, co-captain of the small Proxian fleet, it's kind of her duty to look after the captor - Jenna. I have no idea what a Jenna/Menardi pairing would be called though - it would be quite interesting! Well, let us hope it doesn't get as far as a yuri relationship... Thanks so much for the great review!
Flora Jupiter Vixen: Thanks for the great review, and I'm sure you'll like this chapter! I think I'm giving in... ;
Sakura Irving: Heh, I'm glad you like all the descriptive writing, I like writing it too! And thanks for the compliment and the review!
S.P.Q.T: Merci Beaucoup! I really hope Jenna doesn't betray the village, but we'll have to wait and see. I also really hope Agatio doesn't have much to do with anything (not a big fan of the poor guy). Action still to come, but hold in there! It won't be long, I hope! Anyway, thanks for the review!
Meneil: Thank you for the review! Again, it's good to know the characterisations are good, as, in my opinion, they're relatively improtant in a story (lol). Thanks again!
abstractmind: As always, a great review to read! Jenna and Menardi together could get quite dangerous, couldn't it? Jenna and Alex will be creating a storm in the next chapter (I think - the storm part, that is), so we'll have to wait and see! Thanks for the review!
Thanks again for everyone's reviews; they all really help.
Please Read, Review, and Enjoy! ... ... ...
Chapter Eight: Departing Time
Faran sat at the kitchen table, with the mug between his hands. His thoughts drifted endlessly as he stared blankly at the drink he was resting on the table. If someone asked him what was going through his mind at that particular moment, he wouldn't have had a clue.
It took him a while to realise Sheba was saying his name over and over again, before it slowly broke upon him, and he started, blinking. Scratching the back of his head and grinning sheepishly, he looked to the annoyed girl to apologise.
Sheba huffed. "Have you been drinking or something?" she asked, hands resting on hips as she glared at the older man suspiciously. "I've been calling your name for half an hour, it seems."
"Heh, I was thinking," Faran answered, still with a grin spread on his face.
"And what were you thinking about?"
"I couldn't tell you."
"…Oh… Well that could have two meanings -"
Before either of them could go further into the conversation, they were interrupted by a rapping at the door. The smile disappeared from Faran, and Sheba's eyes bored into the knotted wood as if trying to see who was standing on the other side. She had no uncertainty of who it was.
"Go answer it then," Faran said lazily, looking back at his mug again, though his attention was still firmly placed on his foster daughter. Sheba gave the man a reproachful glare for his command before walking along the short, dark hallway to open the door.
She rested her hand on the knob, and paused.
The door was rapped again. Felix could be so impatient.
Taking a deep breath, Sheba pulled back, and opened the door wide. "Hi," she said breathlessly. Felix smiled in return.
"Good morning," he answered quietly, shifting his weight on his feet. He frowned, and looked sideways, as if he wasn't sure how to put forward what he was going to say next. "I'll be leaving soon," he said, and paused, and Sheba found herself biting her lower lip. All this awkwardness was difficult – she wanted it over with.
"I'm still not certain," she said, answering his question for him, and immediately she felt foolish. This was not helping Felix at all, and Sheba knew it. She glanced up at him to find his frown had deepened. "Do you want to come in?" Sheba asked, if only to break the insufferable silence that was following.
"I'd rather not," Felix answered, glancing over his shoulder at the rising sun. "Like I said, I'll be leaving soon."
Sheba suddenly felt unsettled. His voice was cold, and she could feel her skin crawling. Felix wasn't like this normally. He wasn't cold towards her. This decision she had to make, it was important to him, she realised.
It meant a lot to her as well.
"Look…" she started, and immediately faltered, unable to go on. The bile was rising in her throat, and her stomach was squirming.
"Sheba," Felix murmured, "I'm not trying to pressure you…"
"It – it's not that," Sheba managed to say, her face going pale. Sucking in breath, she felt her ribs trying to heave. This is too sudden, this is just unlucky, she thought angrily, trying desperately to hold it down.
"Sheba?"
"Just – hang on a second!" Sheba managed to say, before spinning on her heel to rush indoors. Then she faltered, and stopped herself, thinking quickly. Dammit, Faran's – in there. Don't want to be questioned. Don't want help. God, this is embarrassing.
Sheba turned again, and rushed around the house into the more shaded scrubland – just in time, it seemed.
Hands resting on her knees, Sheba leaned over, retching. The abrupt suddenness of it all shocked and humiliated her to no end. Could her nerves have been that bad to cause her to be sick?
The stitching pain in her sides hurt unbearably, and Sheba could feel her throat going raw. She could not help herself; it was all too much for her to cope. Her eyes stinging, she tried with desperation to hold her tears back, and keep at least a little dignity.
The heaving slowed and came to a halt, but the pain remained. Unmoving, Sheba stood, bent forward to catch her breath and gather her thoughts. She could almost feel the time moving around her.
A gentle, sure hand rested on her back. Sheba did nothing, only closed her eyes softly, still breathing heavily.
"Come on," murmured a voice precious to her. Felix lifted his hand from her back and reached down to carefully grasp her wrist. Sheba said nothing in return, she felt so drained of energy, so ready to give up. The firm grip on her arm strangely reassured her. It was a connection that brought her out of the loneliness, out of the unnerving sorrow that had fallen upon her so unexpectedly.
Stumbling slightly, Sheba managed to keep her balance as she allowed herself to be led back into the small cottage, and into the comforting shadows away from the bearing, morning sun.
Faran was already at work in one of the back rooms, leaning over scrolls of parchment, unaware of what was happening outside the room he sat in.
Felix drew Sheba up in front of him, pressing his hand into her lower back. "Go upstairs," he said, in the same soft, distant voice he had used earlier. Slowly, Sheba began to climb the stairs, Felix close behind.
Reaching the top step, he took her gently by the wrist once more, and led her into the small bathroom. It was more basic than usual, which might have been expected from the small cottage.
"Sit there." Sheba sat.
Taking up a cloth and running it in the water, Felix rinsed it slightly and turned back to Sheba, face expressionless. He lifted it to her clammy forehead, and held it there, not affectionate, but not uncaring either.
"Why are you doing this to me?" Sheba asked croakily, not certain of what she meant entirely.
"Because you were sick," came the reply.
"But why are you being so cold towards me? I don't like it," Sheba persisted, furrowing her eyebrows as she tried to concentrate.
"I'm not being cold," Felix answered, concentrating on the cloth.
"Yes… you are," Sheba retorted.
"I'm not -"
"You are, dammit!" Sheba suddenly yelled, hitting Felix's hand away from her furiously. She stood up as Felix did the same. "Ever since you arrived here this morning, you've talked to me like a stranger, like I'm not important to you. I thought the whole reason why you came, was because you wanted me to return back with you - well let me tell you, you're going the wrong way about it!" Her emotions in overdrive, Sheba glared into Felix's eyes as her own overflowed with hurt and anger.
There was a pregnant pause.
Felix broke the gaze between them, and bent down to pick up the dropped cloth, his mane falling over his shoulders. He stood up once more, and handed the soaked material to Sheba.
"Perhaps you better do it," he said quietly, his calm façade threatening to fall. Sheba could see his emotions swelling through his hazel eyes like a tormenting fire.
Felix closed his eyes, and let out a deep breath before opening them again to look warily at Sheba. She was staring at the cloth in her hand, unmoving, and suddenly subdued. He sighed, reaching up to rub the back of his aching neck. This was getting too difficult, too exhausting – too harrowing. If Sheba was unable to make up her mind, then, perhaps it was best that he simply left.
It was obvious that they were both feeling the strain, and Sheba was making things complicated.
"I know what you're thinking," Sheba abruptly said, shattering Felix's thoughts. He diverted his gaze slowly to her, giving her his attention. But, to his slight annoyance, she turned away from him and took out a glass from the cabinet to get a drink of water.
"Stop messing with me," Felix muttered, clearly loosing his nonchalance.
"I'm getting a drink – I did just throw up, you know."
"I see."
Sheba gulped down the drink, and wiped her face for the last time with the cloth before throwing it in the wide sink and drying her face with a coarse towel. "Let's get back to square one," she said, already understanding she had touched a nerve on Felix. Who could ever explain why, but Sheba had the controlling urge to see how far she could push him to the limit. How far she could play with him, annoy him and frustrate him.
Felix rolled his eyes. "Sheba," he said roughly. "If you do not decide in five minutes, then I am leaving, whether you are with me or not." He raised his eyebrows at her as he spoke. "There is no 'going back to square one', and there is no playing about. I'm being serious – it would be good if you were too."
His words were unusually harsh, and Sheba unconsciously managed to protect herself from the hurt they may have caused. Her breathing still slightly laboured from retching, she pulled on a face of calm confidence, and stepped close to Felix, invading his personal space. He looked down at her, slightly quizzical.
"What's the matter?" Sheba asked. "Why do I get the feeling you just don't care anymore? Why are you being so impatient?"
"I'm being impatient because if I don't leave soon, I will not arrive back in time for tomorrow morning," Felix snapped, already disliking the close proximity. "Come, or don't come – it's all you have to decide."
"I know, but it's hard!" Sheba protested unthinkingly.
"It is not hard!" Felix replied hotly. "Stop behaving so childishly."
Sheba froze, completely shocked by his words. "Felix," she managed to whisper, looking at him with wide eyes. Felix returned the gaze with a hard stare. For the second time that morning, she felt her eyes starting to burn with ferocity, her tears threatening to spill out. Pursing her lips and rolling her eyes to the ceiling, Sheba hoped Felix wouldn't see her on the brink of a tearful breakdown.
Felix had never called her childish. She had always dreaded him thinking it, because she was four years younger. But for that one word to spill from him, whether he was angry or not, it meant that he had thought it – it was proof. And it hurt. Sheba's breath kept catching in her throat; she hoped like mad she wouldn't throw up again.
"I can't believe you just said that," she managed to say breathlessly, her eyes returning to dryness.
"And I can't understand why you're acting so difficult," Felix retorted, not looking at her. When Sheba said nothing in return, he turned and pulled open the door to leave. Sheba did not stop him. Scowling, he moved out and began down the stairs despite his sudden need to go back to her. His heart wanted to return to Sheba and make amends, but his head was telling him to leave. They were in conflict, and this was not getting any easier.
Sheba's chest rose and fell. She stared at the glass in her hands unblinkingly. It glittered brightly in the sunlight.
The door slamming open behind him was enough for Felix to stop in his descend of the stairs. He glanced over his shoulder to see Sheba glaring down at him, unsurprisingly.
"Don't leave," she said, her voice wobbling – perhaps in anger.
"No Sheba, I am leaving," Felix answered, regaining his cool demeanour. He returned his gaze to the stairs in front of him, his back turned to her. "It is you who has decide whether you are coming with me, or not."
Sheba drew in breath quickly. "Why are you being such a bastard?" she snarled, and immediately bit her lip, regretting her words.
Felix said nothing. Slowly, he turned and began to climb the stairs, eyes narrowed. Sheba took a step backwards. "I…" she began to say, when suddenly his shadow fell across her face. This time, he was invading her personal space, and for a second Sheba felt the unnerving need to run.
"I'll take that," Felix muttered icily, grasping the glass that Sheba had been holding defensively in front of her. She hadn't even realised she was still holding it when she had burst out of the bathroom.
Brushing past her, Felix put it on the sill above the sink. Then he walked swiftly out again, and shut the door behind him with a snap. Sheba, unable to move, could only watch him as he walked past her again, and into her bedroom. She listened as she heard her chest being opened, and the sound of fabric against fabric emanating from the doorway.
Finding herself, she took a step forward, and walked slowly to the doorway. Felix was thrusting her clothes into one of Faran's old leather bags. He glanced up at her, his expression unreadable.
"You know what, Sheba?" Felix began, as he continued to pack Sheba's things. "I made a promise to myself last night. I promised that I would take you back with me."
Sheba said nothing in return.
Felix continued, "But you still have your own decision. Whether I make a promise or not, I can't push you into anything." He slammed the chest shut, and looked around the room for anything else she might need to take that he could fit into the bag. "However," he said offhandedly. "If you can't make that decision for yourself despite all the time that I've given, then I will make it for you."
"You… just don't understand, do you?" Sheba remarked quietly.
Felix tied the bag up, pulling stiffly on the cords. "And what is there to understand exactly?" he questioned.
"Our friendship," Sheba answered, her voice hoarse and unconfident. "The situation, your attitude -"
"- My attitude!" Felix interrupted incredulously with raised eyebrows.
"You were the one who was so cold," Sheba persisted. "You were so distant and uncaring. How is that going to make me feel, when I have to make a choice about if I'm going back with you or not?"
Felix stared at her with wide eyes, suddenly lost for words. Remembering what Faran had told him yesterday, an overwhelming rush of foolishness flooded over him. He hadn't learnt anything at all. "Sorry," he said gruffly, not looking at her. Sheba's own face softened slightly.
There was an awkward, stale-mated silence between the two.
Felix stared at the bag resting on the bed, then up at Sheba. "I really have to know," he murmured calmly. "Because I have to return home by tomorrow – I have to see Jenna… to apologise."
Sheba didn't question why – it was between Jenna and her brother. But Felix had used that same word that rang through her head, the one word that meant so much, and yet did not have a meaning for her. Home…
"I'm sorry, Felix," she said slowly, and she felt her stomach begin to squirm again. "I've made my decision." Felix froze at her words. He watched her carefully, and she continued. "I've decided, I… won't be going back – at least, not yet."
Felix's heart fell.
"Right," he said, his voice cracking. He glanced out of the window, the Sun already high up over the horizon, before pinching the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes. "Well, this is goodbye then."
Sheba gulped, nodding.
Neither of them said anything. To say the words of farewell seemed so utterly impossible, and so painful. Sheba found she was hugging herself. Felix's eyes were open, looking intently at something that wasn't there.
Slowly, carefully, he turned, and walked away from Sheba. Silently making his way down the stairs, he moved towards the front door and opened it quietly, before shutting it behind him. Unseen, Faran watched him as he left the house, smiling grimly.
Getting up from his seat, he rolled the kinks out of his neck, and sighed, before making his way upstairs.
"Sheba," Faran said kindly, and she looked up at him from where she sat on the bed in despair. "Your bag is packed… why don't you leave?"
She smiled tearfully.
There air itself was chilly and a strong breeze blew out across the sea. However, the dull grey sky was blank and empty and full of nothingness. Just like Mia's eyes. She did not take them from Piers as he helped Isaac with the ropes on the deck of his ship.
She watched him as he spoke, as he told Isaac how it was done. She watched his hair lift in the breeze and fly about his beautiful face. She did not smile, or frown, or cry. Mia simply watched.
"Mia," Ivan said gently, his own thick cloak billowing about him as they stood along the low cliffs. "They will be coming back - Isaac, Piers and Jenna."
"I know," Mia answered, emotionless.
Piers was hefting at a strong rope that led up to the tied sails of the ship. He called out to Isaac who turned and unwound another rope opposite. The rigging lifted, and the sails fell heftily, before catching the wind and bursting forward. Piers pulled the roping, and secured it.
The ship was forced out as the wind and current tried desperately to carry it away from shore, but it was held fast, bound to the cliffs, for the moment, at least.
Isaac jumped ashore one last time, with Piers just behind, and they moved quickly forwards, stepping up the steady rise of the cliff path.
"Well, this is goodbye for now," Isaac said, coming to a stop before Ivan, Mia, and Garet who now stood unusually sombre before them. "Farewell, Ivan," he continued. "Look after the village, like you always do so well."
"I will do my best," Ivan answered, taking in a breath of the fresh air. "And you, Piers," he said to the Lemurian who turned his golden eyes to the Warlord. "Take care of Isaac – I'm trusting you." Piers only nodded in answer, subdued.
Isaac turned to Mia, and smiled, sadly. Her empty face only gave away the emotions she was feeling. Isaac had known her long enough to understand her, and it was saddening. He frowned, then raised his eyebrows, and pulled her close, giving her a warm hug before drawing away once more. "Mia," he said her name quietly. "Don't get so caught up in Alex. If we meet him, we'll bring him back. He'll be like he used to be, don't worry."
If only for Isaac, Mia forced herself to smile. "Thank you," she said, her eyes flickering. Isaac didn't understand that Alex had never changed. He was the same now, as he was when she first met him all those years ago. No one could bring him back, but that was only half of her sorrow. She turned her clear blue eyes to Piers, and they watched each other distantly.
"Goodbye, my good friends," Garet said, trying to stifle a sniffle as he rubbed his nose gently.
"Sorry to leave you out of the action," Isaac said, smiling brightly to his close friend. Garet grinned, still trying to suppress his tears.
Piers nodded politely to Ivan and Garet, giving them one of his gently smiles. Again, his eyes wandered to Mia's, and he sighed inaudibly, before taking a step closer to her. "Goodbye," he murmured, and he lifted his hand to gently stroke the spot on her cheek where he had kissed her the night before. Mia found herself leaning into his hand, longing for it to stay. "Remember the night under the stars," he whispered.
"I will," she answered, looking down, shadowing her features.
Isaac rested his hand on Piers' shoulder. "The wind is in the right direction," he said. "It's time to go."
Slowly, grudgingly, Piers drew his hand away from Mia's pale face. "I have to leave now," he said to her, his face drawn and tired.
"I know," she answered sadly.
Piers moved away to return back the ship, and Isaac followed behind.
"Make sure you come back with Jenna!" Garet called out. "Or I'll never forgive you!"
"We will," Isaac yelled over his shoulder, smiling. "But remember, she's mine!"
Garet laughed, waving his hand down to them while taking a handkerchief from his pocket with the other hand. Felix wouldn't be too happy if he heard Isaac say that, he thought, as he brought the fabric up to blow his nose with affection.
Isaac headed to the prow of the ship while Piers drew the short sword from the sheath attached to his hip with one swift motion, and brought it down in a flash onto the rope holding them to the cliff. Slicing the coarse material as if it were nothing, the magnificent ship lurched forward, the bright sails wide above their heads.
Garet continued to wave, sniffling into his handkerchief. "We'll miss you!" he bellowed as the ship travelled smoothly and quickly through the waves.
Ivan glanced to Mia beside him, smiling slightly. "I think this has been, and will be a success," he said quietly, and Mia returned the smile, unexplainably feeling more positive.
"They'll be back in no time," she muttered determinedly.
"Come on then," Felix murmured, stroking under Isatis' head. "It's time for us to go home." He checked the bridle a last time, and that the girth strap wasn't too tight. He wouldn't ride horseback until he left through the gates of the village. Only then would he tighten the leather strap running under the horse's belly, to give Isatis the most comfort she could get.
Reaching up, he attached his scabbard to Isatis' side, and wiped a trickle of sweat from his temple.
Taking the reigns into his right hand, and drawing the horse forward, Felix and Isatis left the shade of the tree and began their journey home.
Walking up the dusty, sun-beaten road, Felix received the same hard stares he had been given when he had first arrived here yesterday. Women stopped in their chores to watch him with dark eyes. Playing children kept away, and stared with wide eyes. Keeping his head bowed, Felix stroked Isatis' smooth neck, if only to comfort himself.
"Not used to strangers, I suppose," he murmured softly to the horse, her ears flickering towards him as he spoke. "And it's too hot here," he added, changing the subject. "I can't stand this heat…"
He'd talk about anything now, to get his mind away from Sheba.
Finally, they reached the entrance of the village. It was an average-sized archway, white like many of the houses to bear away the Sun's powerful rays. Already in the far distance, Felix could see the dark shadows of trees on the horizon. However, first he would have to get through the surrounding arid land, as there was no other option. That was the uncomfortable part…
Pulling the strap of the bag tight over her shoulder so it didn't fall all over the place, Sheba half-walked half-ran up the road. She didn't have time to check the Inn, to see if Felix had returned there first before he left. She didn't have much time at all, and still she wondered why she was doing this. She was going to miss Faran, but perhaps if she had stayed, she would have missed Felix even more.
She skidded to halt, looking around at her surroundings. Turning to a woman who was about to walk back into the shade of her house, Sheba quickly reached out and stopped her.
"What is it?" the woman asked huffily, rolling her eyes.
"I need to ask you -"
"I don't have time to answer questions from Faran's little orphan," she spat. "I have misbehaving children to watch!"
There was no point trying to explain herself, it would take too long. "Have you seen a young man? About eighteen, tall, long dark hair, probably with a -"
"He walked past here about ten, fifteen minutes ago," the woman interrupted. "Now let me get back to my business." Sticking her nose in the air, she stepped into her home and brusquely shut the door before Sheba could even finish her 'thank you'.
Damn, she thought, hurrying onwards again. I left it too long to go after him… Readjusting the heavy bag on her shoulder, she quickened her pace and sprinted up the road and out into the barren land. The oasis the village was built around was quickly left behind her, as she ran desperately over the hard, cracked ground, all the time, losing hope.
The trees loomed up ahead of her. Her knees ached, and her head was swimming. She could feel the heat rise in her face, and the back of her bare neck burning in the naked rays of the bright Sun.
Sheba's sprinting slowed to a struggled jog, and she gasped tiredly for air. Her side stitched, and every breath she took hurt painfully in her chest. She could not even think, only try with the little determination she had left to reach the forests; to try and find Felix despite the fact that she might never catch up with him, might never find him.
Suddenly words came to her mind, ringing through her head. Get to the trees, it said, urging her on. It's not far now… Get to the trees… Bending over, Sheba urged her fatigued body on, pushing it to its limits, hurting all over. Do I want to find him this badly? She asked herself. Do I really want to go home?
Yes… You want to go home.
Squeezing her eyes shut, then opening them wide and lifting her head to see where she was going, Sheba connected with a lost energy. "Come on!" she growled, gritting her teeth and leaping forward with new determination.
Heart thumping, her bag had fallen from her shoulder long ago. It hung from the crook in her arm, making her movement difficult. But Sheba did not have time to readjust it. By now, Felix could be riding away. She had to find him before hope was entirely lost.
The Sun was abruptly blotted out above her. Her vision went dark as she entered the forest, and for a while Sheba stumbled blindly, her eyesight lost. She could not even call out his name. She did not even have time to cry.
Her eyes slowly adjusted to the shadows of the trees. Sheba was no longer running, not even jogging. She tripped tiredly forwards, blinking quickly to try and clear her vision, her legs close to buckling beneath her. She knew in her heart, that she was going to collapse. She knew she was close to giving up.
Then, suddenly, through the knotted, broad treetops, the Sun burst through the leaves. Sheba shielded her eyes, and listened through her own heavy breathing to hear the birds singing all around her. She heard the unquestionable sound of horse's hooves ahead of her, and she heard them come to a halt.
Sheba paused in her own tracks, trying to make out what lay ahead of her while clutching her painful side.
"… Sheba?" she heard her name being said, and she knew she had finally found him.
Wheezing, she began to move forward, trying desperately to hurry her pace. "Felix," she managed to splutter, her eyes beginning to focus on him as he stood in bewilderment.
Seeing her condition, seeing her need, Felix dropped Isatis' reigns, and forgot his surprise. Stepping towards her, he reached out, just as she swayed on her feet and fell forwards into his arms. Pulling the heavy bag from her arm and throwing it aside, Felix brushed Sheba's fringe from her sweating, hot forehead to look into her dazed green eyes. "Usual dramatic entrance, I see," he joked, smiling at her for the first time in a long while.
Sheba tried to smile back, looking up at him. "I…" she tried to say between breaths. "I want to go home…"
Her vision clouded over.
Next chapter: Chapter Nine: Reading Between The Lines
Lot's of drama and angst and angry/sad people in this chapter, if you hadn't noticed already. Poor Faran never got a goodbye from Felix...
You know what button to press - I like to know what people think. ;