The Curse Of Maraqua : My Version
By: Rosewoode13
Summary:
The Maraquan Princess has been kidnapped. The pampered beauty is used to royal treatment and sophisticated company, though she doesn't require it. How will she cope with just a dingy old cell and a bunch of riley pirates?
Disclaimer: This is my version of the Curse of Maraqua Plot, and it's based on Pirates Of The Caribbean. Nothing you recognize belongs to me.
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Chapter Two: Dreaming Or Not?
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Warning: There are some mentions of torture. It's not really anything to fret about (in my opinion), but if you don't like torture scenes, you might not want to read this chapter.
Garin sloshed through the shallow tides, Isca still screaming behind him. He made a miraculous jump and caught one of the many ropes hanging off the side of his ship. He turned and gave the Maraquan soldiers and aristocrats a gloated smirk, feeling satisfied at the chaos he had caused. He felt the rope he was on start sliding upward. A pair of hands clasped his own, and he and the princess were pulled on deck. Isca landed on the hard wooden floor, face up, which caused Garin to fall in a straddled position on top of her soaking wet form. She coughed a bit, her throat hoarse from screaming, and gazed around fearfully. After a few seconds, she finally realized that Garin was on top of her, and a knowing smirk came to his lips at her look of disgust.
"Get off of me, you filthy pirate!" she screeched, her wonderful aquamarine eyes ablaze with raw fury.
"But why, love? Don't you like this position?" Garin asked huskily, earning a round of laughter from his shipmates.
"Ugh! You're just so bloody-"
"Handsome, I know. But please, do try to control yourself." Isca drew her arm back, preparing to give the blonde pirate on top of her what he deserved, but he caught her fist with speedy accuracy.
"Listen here, as long as you're on this ship, you're under my rule, savvy?" Garin warned.
"I'm the Princess of Maraqua! I'm not going let a low-life pirate order me around!"
With extreme speed, Garin drew out the blade he'd stolen and once again rested the sharp edge on Isca's neck.
"You will if the low-life and his entire crew has a weapon and you don't." his voice was a deathly whisper that frightened even the normally brave and outgoing Isca. She shivered as Garin moved the icy metallic blade across her neck, and gasped when he placed the very tip of the sword in the dip of her collar bone.
"Y-you wouldn't!"
He gave her a cold stare for several moments, and then chuckled, withdrawing the sword and, much the Isca's delight, sliding it back into the scabbard.
"You're right. I wouldn't." the crew seemed confused at their Captain's answer. He'd slice a man to shreds if he found it necessary.
"I'd do much worse." With Garin's last words fleeting in her mind, Isca felt herself be carried away to where she suspected was the brig. Never had she been reduced to residing in such a dingy, moldy cell. The bars were rusting and the incessant water dripping from the ceiling was going to drive her insane. And worst of all, she needed extra attention if she wanted to survive the next two hours…
One hour had passed, and Isca's hate for the blonde-haired Usul had considerably risen. How dare he humiliate her like that? How dare he make her look like a scared little child? How was he able to instill so much fear in her when not even the fiercest soldiers in Maraqua could? These questions bounced back in forth inside her head; she had nothing better to do than to dwell over them. Worst of all, she was starting to feel slightly sick…
Just then, the person she despised the most entered the brig and pulled up a chair, sitting just out of arm's reach for Isca. He gave her a mocking glance and started fiddling with his sword. She recognized the maractite metal; it was one of her own guard's swords.
"So, Isca, how you enjoying our accommodations? Are they to your liking?" Garin asked, a smirk tugging the corners of his lips. Hot, bubbling rage boiled inside Isca, and she knew she'd scream herself hoarse if she opened her mouth. Not liking the latter option, she chose to remain silent.
"Well, judging by your look of rage, I'd say you're dissatisfied. Not to mention, you look paler." he asked with mock-concern. Isca knew he meant to be scathing, but if her situation wasn't known, she'd surely die from dehydration.
"I need some water." she said bluntly.
"There's plenty dripping from the ceiling above you." the joking tone was still there, and his eyes brightened even more when Isca glared at him.
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
"Urgh!" she leapt up from the uncomfortable cot placed in her cell and tried to strangle Garin right then and there, but forgot the fact that he wisely chose to sit just barely out of arm's reach. Isca let her arm fall limply to her side and slid down the rusty bars, landing hopelessly on the floor. She was breathing quite heavily, and it suddenly started becoming more and more difficult for her. Unexpectedly, her heavy breaths turned into swift gasps for air, and Garin found himself leaping up and rushing to Isca's side. From what he could see, the Aisha was choking, though on what, he didn't know. It couldn't be possible because she hadn't eaten anything for well over half a day.
"Get me some water!" he yelled through the open door. He fumbled for the keys and unlocked the door to Isca's cell, and felt another pang of guilt when she fell from her sitting position and sprawled out on the floor before him. He gazed down worriedly as the color started to drain from her face. Landing on his knees beside her, he gently lifted her head onto his lap, growing frantic because of the scary rasping noises coming from the princess.
Jacques ran in with a mug full of water, staring confusedly at the choking princess and then back at Garin.
"Don't just stand there!" Garin yelled, causing his first mate to jump. The Kyrii rushed to his Captain and handed him the water. With astounding care and gentleness, the Usul eased the water into Isca's mouth. Her gasping slowed somewhat, but Garin didn't leave until her breathing was completely normal.
Head still on his lap, Isca closed her eyes as the feeling of life rushed through her veins once more. The coughing fit had frightened her dearly, for she'd never been so close to death before. The concept of leaving her loved ones while wasting away on a filthy pirate ship was just too unbearable for her. So unbearable in fact, the she burst out into tears and sobbed on the shoulder of the first person she could reach, which consequentially was Garin. An awkward flush tinted his cheeks, but nonetheless, he told Jacques to leave so he could be alone with the obviously distressed princess.
Isca didn't know who's arms she was in right now. All she knew was that crying on his shoulder helped ease some of the pain and fear she'd experienced over the course of a day. The kind man held her gently in his strong grasp, stroking her back lightly and moving her sopping wet hair to one side. Sleep started tugging at her eyelids, and soon enough, she found herself being cradled in his arms, whoever he was, and drifting off into her own dream world. The last thing she remembered before falling asleep was a tender kiss on her forehead.
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Isca felt a dreary pounding in her temple when she woke up. Expecting to be on an uncomfortable cot, she gasped when she saw that she was tucked into a simple bed with surprisingly soft cotton sheets and quilts. There was a bedside table with a jug of water and a mug, and a cherry oak desk on the opposite side of the room. It was an unadorned room, lacking many decorations or furniture, but it was a great deal better than the cell she'd been in. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Isca drank some more water from the jug and made to exit the room. However, just before she could get to the door, it opened from the other side and the pirate that haunted her nightmares walked in.
Apparently, she couldn't remember the kind gestures and care Garin had provided for her last night, and remained as frostbitten as ever.
"Sleep well?" he asked in an almost sincere tone; it would've been nice had that smirk not been on his face. Isca glared at him and said nothing. She merely walked back to the bed and drew her knees up to her chest, leaning against the headboard.
"Well apparently you're in a better mood than yesterday." Garin sat on the bed next to her, causing the angry Aisha to scoot away. A thoughtful look appeared in Garin's sky blue eyes, and he gazed at her with a confused sadness that made Isca weaken slightly.
"What happened last night?" he asked in a genuinely concerned voice.
"Well, I am a sea creature after all, and sea creatures need to be in the sea if they want to survive." Isca said as coldly as she could manage.
"Then why are you fine right now?"
"The magic I did on the beach not only made my fin turn into a pair of legs, it gave me the unlimited ability to breathe without water. The only condition is that I've got to drink water every two hours or I'll wither up from dehydration."
She tried her best to sound scathing, but she felt the stone surrounding her heart slowly chipping away. Garin sifted his fingers through his hair; it was habitual when he wanted to think.
"Well, I guess you're staying in this room, then. The brig didn't suit you." his smirk was back.
"I wonder why." Isca replied sarcastically. "So… what happens now?"
"We pay a visit to your homeland." he said simply.
"You mean… rob it?" her eyes began to widen.
"Well of course. What else would a pirate do?"
"You think that I'm just going to lead you to my city without any hesitation so you can rob them blind?"
"Yes."
"You… you cold-hearted demon! Maraqua worked hard to obtain all the riches it has! Especially after losing them once! And besides, how are you going to get there when you can't breathe underwater?"
"Don't worry your pretty little head about that, love. We've got it all taken care of. All you have to think about is the easiest route to your beloved city." Garin stood up and made to walk out the door, but Isca stopped him.
"I will not! I absolutely refuse! The princess of Maraqua never betrays her kingdom!" she screeched.
"Well she's gonna have to if she wants to live." Garin said softly.
"I'd rather die! Go ahead and take me now! You don't frighten me!"
"Don't lie to my face like that! All I have to do is pull out my sword and you shudder like the weakling you are!" as if to prove his point, Garin took out the maractite blade once more and pointed it menacingly at the Aisha, only this time she didn't flinch.
"Don't pull that trick on me! I know you couldn't hurt me even if you wanted to! All you do is draw your sword out every time I act up and you never do anything!" Isca pushed the blade away from her throat and turned her back on the pirate, not wanting to see his aggravating face.
That was a bad move.
She screamed as she felt the cool metal swipe her back, leaving her gemstone bodice intact but the skin not covered by it marred. Garin grabbed her shoulder roughly and pulled her closer until they were face to face.
"Don't think for one minute that I won't hurt you if necessary. I may not be able to kill you yet, but there is still such a thing as torture!" he hissed. He threw the princess forcefully onto the bed and strode out of the room, slamming the door in his wake. As he walked out on deck, he couldn't help but wince at the barely audible sound of sobbing that emanated from Isca's room.
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Garin quickly downed another glass of rum, letting the intoxicating liquid rid him of his emotions and thoughts.
"Garin, you shouldn't be drinking so much. You've got to confront the princess later on. You don't want to go about it as an unstable drunk." Jacques warned half-heartedly while downing a drink of his own.
"I think it's a bit too late to warn me now." Garin slurred slightly, but still managed to maintain control even after consuming so much alcohol. Jacques chuckled, earning a questioning glance from his Captain.
"Sorry Captain… Garin… it's just… I've never seen you act like this with a girl before." he said, the hint of laughter still in his honey brown eyes.
"Act like what?" Garin raised an eyebrow.
"Well… you just seem so… oh how do I put it? Well, not to be rude or anything but… you tend to show off a lot in front of her. It quite funn-"
"What? Preposterous! I wouldn't waste my time with her!"
"Are you calling her a brute?"
"Wha… no. No, she's not a brute but-"
"So you like her?"
"No! I don't like her one bit! In fact, I'd rip her to shreds if I could-"
"So you're calling her ugly?"
"No! Jacques, I'm this close to making you walk the plank!"
"Ha, just imagine if I were that darling little Isca. You'd have bitten my head off by now." Jacques wasn't quite as drunk as his Captain, and enjoyed teasing the agitated Neopian when he was inebriated.
"Don't remind me of that wench." Garin snapped.
"Why? Have you been thinking about her too much lately?"
"Jacques!"
"Sorry, Captain. But honestly, do you like her or not?"
"No I don't."
"Not even a little?"
"No."
"But you think she's rather easy on the eyes?"
"I'm going to refrain from answering that question."
"Why?"
"Knowing you, you'd probably use it has blackmail against me."
"Blast! You've caught me again!"
"Well, what about you?"
"I'm fine, thanks for asking."
"No, I mean… do you think she's… you know…"
"You're honestly asking me that question? Are you bloody blind, Garin? Every damn pirate on this ship thinks she's an ethereal goddess!" the Kyrii exclaimed. "You can't genuinely tell me that you don't think she's the least bit pretty?"
"I never said she wasn't pretty."
"Aaw! Garin was a wittle cwush! Soon their gonna get maweed and have wittle dahling kiddies!" (A/N: "Maweed" married)
Garin blushed slightly and was starting to lose his patience with the brother-like first mate.
"Stop being so childish!" the blonde snapped once more.
"That's what happens when you've had one too many shots, mate." he said, taking another gulp of the aged rum. "So, you think she's pretty, but you don't like her?"
"Can we stop talking about her?"
"Why? Do you feel nervous talking about her?"
"No! I… yes you're right. I do think she's nice-looking, but I dislike her." Garin answered, feeling too drowsy to argue with his best friend.
"Why do you hate her? I mean, if you compared her to all the other girls you've been with, she'd seem like an angel."
"That's because she's too much of a daddy's girl to catch my interest. And far too stubborn for her own good."
"Well that stubborn princess is worth the challenge if you ask me. You know mate, if you don't want her, I'll be glad to take care of her."
"What?" Garin cried, looking at his friend as if he were a crazed lunatic. At this, Jacques couldn't stifle his laughter.
"What happened to, 'I'd rip her to shreds if I could'?" he said through his bouts of laughter.
"It's not like that… I just… you and Isca? I-I didn't think you went for girls like her and-"
"Slow down mate! You're stuttering, and no, I don't normally go for girls like her, but there's nothing wrong with trying something new."
"You're speaking of her like she's a type of candy." Garin replied, the tiniest hint of jealousy in his voice. Jacques, having known Garin for so long, was able to sense it immediately.
"Well, Garin, if you think about it, she is." both men laughed raucously, loving these types of sarcastic and rather embarrassing conversations that often occurred between them. Wiping a tear of mirth from his eye, Jacques continued.
"But on to more serious matters-"
"Is that possible for you?" Garin mused.
"Well if it isn't, just pretend it is. So… what was the deal with last night?"
"Oh…" Garin felt another pang of guilt when he remembered Isca's close encounter with death. "Turn's out the brat needs a glass of water every two hours, or else she'll wither up and die."
"Ooh, don't sound so morbid." Jacques joked, but his expression grew serious, or at least, as serious as he could manage. "And… what about this morning?"
"What about this morning?" the blonde Usul acted oblivious, wanting to keep his row with Isca to himself. Although, he knew very well he'd end up spilling to the clever Kyrii anyway.
"I passed by the lass's room this morning, a bit after you left it. The girl was sobbing, from what I heard. You didn't do anything to her, did you Garin?"
"She was asking for it Jacques!"
"She was trying to be brave in dire situations."
"You don't understand! She… she said I couldn't hurt her! She said I wasn't tough enough-"
"She only said those things to either intimidate you or vent out her anger. I know I'd be angry if a bunch of rowdy men came and kidnapped me from a party."
"Well it wasn't you that got kidnapped! I don't know why but that bloody princess just really… she really…"Garin searched for the right words to phrase his thoughts.
"Knows how to get under your skin?"
"Yes, that's it." and with that final statement, Garin fell unconscious and his head landed with a thud on the counter, his drink still in hand. Jacques quickly whisked the drinks away and went to tend to a certain sobbing Aisha locked in the Black Pawkeet's guest room.
The Kyrii knocked timidly on the door; bucket of water, washcloth, and bandages in hand. Hearing another sob, he presumed that Isca was awake and entered the room.
The princess, though in a very distressed state, looked as lovely as ever, if not even more beautiful. The tears staining her cheeks did anything but make her look ugly. He cautiously approached her, pitying her huddled form on the wrinkled sheets.
"Who are you? Another demon come to torture me?" she yelled through tears.
"Despite what you might think, Garin isn't as bad as he seems. He just doesn't like being shown up." Jacques answered calmly, placing his materials on the bedside table.
"Oh sure. He only robs people to make a living!" Isca retorted, turning her back on the Kyrii.
"The life of a pirate doesn't suit everybody."
"The life of a pirate is dishonest and crude!"
"The life of a princess is disdainful and boring."
This remark made Isca rethink her opinions about the redheaded companion of Garin. He was definitely able to control his emotions and hold back his teasing much better than the Captain.
"I suppose I shouldn't be criticizing how you pirates live. I just wish my city didn't have to get involved with your plunders." Isca said, realizing that Jacques meant her no harm.
"Well, I'm not the one controlling the places we steal from. I don't wish to give you false hope, Isca. When Garin sets his mind to something, he doesn't let anyone change his goal."
"How long as he been thinking about robbing Maraqua?"
"Ever since he's heard of the city, which was probably a few years ago. But let's not dwell on the person that nightmares are made of. That's a nasty gash on your back."
Isca remembered the gash, and felt remorse at how the coppery blood was staining her bodice. She liked the sardonic Kyrii, so she let him take care of the wound.
Jacques moved forward, feeling just a tad uncomfortable, but the princess sat in front of him with no hesitation. Dipping the washcloth into the lukewarm water, he slowly dabbed the princess's wound, mopping up the dried blood. He slowed when she winced slightly, but she told him to continue.
Fifteen minutes and a pleasant conversation later, Jacques bid a good evening to Isca and she did the same, somewhat trusting the seemingly honest Kyrii. She walked over to a mirror shortly after Jacques left and inspected the bandages. The blood seemed to have disappeared from her gown. Feeling the familiar tug of sleep, she ignored her growling stomach and wrapped herself in the cotton sheets, ready to once again be plagued by haunting dreams.
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Much closer to dawn, Garin peeled his face off of the counter and exited the dining room of his ship. He squinted as the barely-there light from the slowly rising sun hit him. The cool early morning air did nothing to ease the terrible pounding in his head. But what else was he to expect after so much rum? He decided to pay his captive a little visit; not sure what he'd say if she was awake.
When he walked in the room, he was startled to see Isca in a jumbled mess on the bed. The cotton sheets were tangled around her legs and arms, and the bedding was crinkled from her persistent tossing and turning. She had a pained expression on her face, and her pale blue hair stuck to her forehead, which was damp with sweat. He inquired the girl's strange sleeping habits in his mind. Surely it can't be that hot?
He sat next to her as she turned again, only this time, the smallest of whimpers escaped her lips. Whatever she was having nightmares about, he hoped he wasn't involved. Although, he thought, judging by her uncountable hate for him, he wouldn't be surprised. Not sure why he felt the need to be so gentle and mushy, he reached out a trembling hand and moved the damp hair away from Isca's face. This seemed to calm her a little.
But her restlessness continued. Not knowing what else to do, he stroked the small of her back slowly. When she shuddered, Garin thought he was making the situation worse, but he then realized that she was leaning into to his touch, albeit unintentionally. Feeling flushed at the unfamiliar softness coming from him, Garin continued stroking her back until the sea Aisha drifted off into a comfortable sleep. He still wondered what it was she was dreaming about…
The gloomy sky above threatened the ghostly-looking ship below it with a terrible storm. The dark gray clouds swirled angrily, and torrents of rain pelted the ship relentlessly. The waves crashed menacingly against the sides of the ship, spraying its crew with icy water. Isca sat huddled in a corner of the ship's deck, trying to avoid all the commotion and batting that took place. What seemed to be the crew of another pirate were fighting avidly against the familiar members of Garin's crew. The swift figures easily handled the blows from the other crew. Garin himself was nowhere to be seen.
"Hello, my sweet. Admiring the scenery?" said a chilling voice from above her. Isca stared up at him with her fearful aquamarine eyes and suppressed a scream. He wasn't a great brute like the rest of his crew, but the malicious look in his eyes more than recovered for that.
"Why are you doing this? Garin's crew hasn't done anything to you! I haven't done anything to you!" she cried, addressing all the pointless fighting. At this, the Captain before her let out a harsh laugh that sent terrible chills through her body.
"What a naïve princess you are, Isca. Not everything on this planet runs fairly, love. Garin and I have a history that he's not even sure about…. yet."
Isca closed her eyes as if to evade the menacing pirate before her, and mumbled something under her breath.
"What was that?" the Captain in a deathly teasing tone. She merely glared at him and remained silent.
"Answer me when I speak to you, wench!" the pirate strode forward and lifted Isca into a standing position, sandwiching her between the wall and himself. "What did you say?"
"Only Garin is allowed to call me 'love'!" she screamed at him with forced determination. The pirate gave her a cold glare and stepped back, scrutinizing her with an icy stare.
"So, that's another thing I've lost to Garin; the heart of a Maraquan princess." he stated. "Well, love, I can assure you, you'll be the last thing I lose to him."
Isca gasped. She hadn't meant for the pirate to think she'd lost her heart to the blonde-haired Usul, but she thought about her words and understood why the he had thought so. Surely Isca couldn't have developed more than mutual feelings for Garin! It just wasn't heard of. And yet….
Before Isca could voice her protest, the Captain turned around and called out to three of his shipmates. Then he turned back to Isca.
"Isca, because you disobeyed my orders and led Garin's crew to my ship, I'm afraid I'll have to punish you."
"Wait! But- I… I just wanted them to rescue me! I had no intentions of telling them to fight your crew!"
"There's no point in begging, love."
Isca was about to retort when she noticed that he still hadn't ceased using Garin's nickname for her. She was on the verge of one of her infamous temper tantrums when the Captain turned his back on her and addressed the three men. As he stepped out onto the deck, the moon fought to make itself seen. The dim light cast itself over the ship, and immediately, every one of the Captain's crew members, as well as himself, transformed into ghastly corpses.
"Whip her."
The three skeleton-like figures, though they lacked eyes, were looking at her maliciously. She fell onto the deck once more and pleaded with them, but they didn't budge. Slowly, one of them raised the deadly looking whip and cracked it on the wall above her head teasingly. The sound was enough to send Isca into tears. As the salty water stained her cheeks, a lone pirate landed on the opposite side of the deck, having just battled five of the corpse-like pirates at once. Garin looked around and spotted most of his crew fighting loyally against the opposing crew. Then he spotted the girl that sent his emotions into a frenzy. The girl that made his heart stop unexpectedly. The girl that was crying as three men advanced on her with a whip in hand.
An anger like no other coursed through Garin, pumping him up with adrenaline. He charged through the crowd like a bull and raised his sword. Realizing that the maractite weapon was getting heavier and slowing him down, he carelessly threw it aside and raced to Isca's aide, not worrying about the fact that he'd just rendered himself weaponless.
Just as the terrible whip was about to lash down on Isca's small form, Garin jumped in front of her and let the torture weapon slap his own back. He placed his hands on the wall before him and remained above his love, solid as stone, protecting her from any means of harm. Isca looked up at him in wonder and cried.
"What are you doing?" she yelled at him. He only answered her with a grimace as the whip landed on him again.
"Aw! Look here 'fellas! The pigheaded pirate has decided to join his lover!" one of the pirates teased as he continued his torture. But his statement wasn't heard by either of the two.
"Garin please! Move!" she tried with all her might to push against his chest and send him out of harm's way, not being able to stand the thought of him splitting his back open just for her, but to no avail. He simply stood there, enduring their torture while contemplating a plan for Isca's escape.
Beneath him, Isca broke out in sobs, tugging at Garin's shirt and begging him to move while ignoring insults and taunts from the three cruel men.
"Isca…" Garin said in a hoarse whisper. After the tenth whip, his back had finally split, sending his precious blood seeping into his clothes and staining his fur. She looked up at him with teary eyes.
"Jump off…." it looked as if it pained him to speak.
"J-jump off? What does th-that mean?" she said through sobs.
"Jump off the ship!" he ordered, gritting his teeth as the whip fell on his back again.
"Me?" she asked incredulously. "I… no. I won't."
She knew that she could simply crawl under Garin and jump off the ship unnoticed, and swim back to Maraqua. But she couldn't bear to.
"For… for me, Isca!" Garin groaned.
"I won't!" she stood up and enveloped herself against his chest. "I…I won't take orders from a lowly pirate." she mumbled.
Despite the immense pain Garin felt, he couldn't help but smile at the stubborn Aisha. Feeling a renewed strength, Garin turned on the spot and caught the whip in his hand just as it was about to attack him again. He tugged at it and threw it away from the three pirates' grasps. Then he punched the torturer in the face and turned back to Isca.
"Isca… before anything happens, I want you to know…" before Garin could finish, a thunderous voice rang out over the entire ship. The Captain was back.
"Have you disposed of her yet?"
His eyes widened at the sight of a bloodied Garin and a slightly dirty but otherwise unharmed Isca.
Without a second thought, Garin scooped Isca into his arms and threw her over the side of the ship, knowing she'd be safer away from all this havoc. He watched as she plunged beneath the dark wavy surface. Then he turned around to face the Captain, only to find that the corpse/pirate had his sword drawn while Garin was weaponless…
Isca let out an earsplitting scream as her throat started constricting again. Garin, who'd remained beside her, jumped up, startled form her abrupt wake. Seeing the familiar choked expression on her face, he quickly poured water into a glass and handed it to her. She downed it quickly and massaged her neck, waiting for the pain to subside. Feeling slightly lightheaded but otherwise fine, she set the glass down and peered wearily around her room. Her eyes narrowed when she spotted Garin.
"What are you doing here?" she hissed.
"It's my ship. I can be wherever I want." he replied, thought not nearly as frostily. It was then that he spotted the bandages on her back; before her awakening, he'd been too hungover to notice them, but now his senses were somewhat more alert than before.
"Where'd those bandages come from?" he inquired.
"Not everyone on this ship is as cruel as you!" Isca snapped.
"You're right. I should've just let you suffocate to death to hold up my cruel image." Garin smirked at her.
For some reason unknown to the pirate, Isca blushed. Memories of the dream she had came flooding back to her in powerful waves. She prayed with all her might that it was just a bad dream.
It would be very awkward if the nightmare was actually one of her fabled premonitions.