Chapter Two: Her Song Begins
I opened my eyes to find a warm fleece blanket of burgundy pulled over me. As I looked around slowly I realized I had nearly forgotten where I was. Though the protrait on the wall quickly reminded me. My sleep had been a dreamless one that I could recall, probably due to the exhaustion I'd been under.
Now sitting up I found I was alone in the captain's quarters. At the foot of the bed were my clothes cleaned and dried. I decided to leave them for now and wear what I'd been lent for the time being. From where I stood I could see Duke's maps and scrolls and books tucked away into the drawers of his desk that I didn't dare venture into. Though the charts on the wall remained with a few more places crossed out.
"What is he trying to find?" I wondered aloud as I looked over one of the charts for a moment.
I knew I wouldn't find any answers offered standing in the cabin alone, so I headed out onto the deck. Upon stepping out the door I found Marestella and the raven woman talking amongst themselves while the mousefolk from before scurried by with cleaning supplies. I tilted my head curiously at this as I watched them. Trent was nowhere to be found, nor was Duke it seemed. Up in the crows' nest I could see the scarecrow from earlier keeping watch. For a moment I pondered on the irony of this but let it go with a slightly amused smirk.
It was only upon looking up that I noticed the missing captain standing on the cross of the mainmast beneath Irving's perch. He kept his balance by resting his hand on the sturdy wooden piller.
"Good evening Miss Flashblade," Marestella greeted cheerfully as she and her companion noticed I was behind them still looking up.
"Good evening?" I replied as I looked to the group of them a little bewildered, "How can you tell the time in space though?"
"We have a device synced up with the time back on Puck World, so we go by that. It takes some adjusting to those not from there, but it should help you at least seeing how you grew up there," the raven explained.
"I see," I replied while looking about the ship from where I stood.
"Rest well?" the mousefolk now asked as she paused nearby in her mopping.
"Yes thank you," I said while looking up again.
"Don't worry about L'Orange, he's just lost as usual," Marestella laughed when she noticed where I was looking.
"That's one way to put it I guess..." I somewhat slipped before catching myself, "Is there anything I can help with?"
"Not really at the moment, dinner's almost ready. That'll be a good chance for you to really meet everyone," Marestella informed.
The raven then looked to me with a raised brow as I waited for some sort of instruction, "Is this your first voyage?"
"It was," I admitted, "I was supposed to learn from my brothers and friend, gain experience with them. I can help clean at least...I would offer cooking but that may be for the best that I don't."
"We've got a few wonderful cooks already so rest easy on that," Marestella assured with a hand on her chest, "One of them is me, but tonight it was Catalina's turn."
"Catalina?" I pondered.
Marestella nodded, "Don't let her affinity with the cold fool you, she's a natural with making a hot meal!"
"I look forward to it then," I smiled before looking up again to see he hadn't moved.
The raven followed my gaze and asked with a bit of worry in her tone, "I know our captain is a charmer, but I would be weary of him miss."
I admittedly jumped a little at this, "I'm sorry?"
She shook her head, her violet hair swaying gently, as she said, "He has a tendancy to get carried away with the hearts of young lasses like you, but he never knows what to do with them once he has them in his hands. For your sake I would be careful."
"Speaking from experience?" I asked carefully.
"No, but I've seen it time and time again. He never means to hurt anyone. You have seen first hand there is a genuine kindness to him, but there's a stronger desire for freedom and adventure that drives him," she said with a healthy dose of caution in her tone.
"I appreciate the concern, but I am hardly the type to tie him down I'm sure. Besides I just met him; charmer or not my heart is set on finding my brothers and seeking the adventure we had begun," I assured.
"Just bare in mind what I said. I believe you, but he can get himself into trouble quite easily, and I don't want to see anyone hurt," she replied.
I gave a nod of understanding before looking up once more. Still he watched the endless ocean of stars, almost as though he were seeking out something he couldn't find. I thought of the numerous charts in the cabin.
From the corner of my eye I saw Marestella give a grin and say, "He's not all bad though."
"Do you know what he's looking for?" I then asked.
"Usually a new adventure, treasure after treasure. Sometimes he has a set goal in mind, other times we let the stars guide us. Right now we're seeking the fastest way to port to bring you there safely I believe?" mousefolk chimed in while swirling her mop until that spot of the deck shined.
As I heard this I began to wonder a bit. I didn't doubt that was part of it, but his locked gaze with the stars seemed to suggest something else.
Without realizing it I began climbing up to him in hopes of finding out what answers he might give, "I'm not so sure...?"
It seemed that he had heard me come up for Duke looked downward towards me and shifted his stance carefully to reach his hand out to me, "What are ya doin' up here sweetheart?"
"I guess I was worried about you," I told him as he helped me balance a moment.
"It's quite the honor havin' a lovely lady like yourself worry about a humble captain such as myself," he replied with a charming smile.
"Humble?" I questioned with a raised brow.
He gave a soft chuckle and I shook my head, "You're such an odd drake."
"I've been told that before," he replied with a playful smirk.
He then turned his gaze back up at the endless waves of stardust as we both caught a glimpse of a shooting star this time far in the distance. I found myself taking a seat on the cross beam beside the main post of the mainmast. With him reaching a hand over my head to rest against the mass we began watching the stars quietly for a bit. Somehow tucked sitting beside him standing at my right as I leaned to the left against the pillar I felt a bit at ease.
"I'm sorry if I pushed too far before," I said to him after a little while.
"It's okay Heart," he replied while still looking up.
Again it was silent between us as we took in the swirling galaxies glistening around us. The rivers of stars ran it seemed as our ship continued forth.
"It's breath takin' isn't it? All these stars, the thrill of adventure, freedom?" He said before taking a seat beside me.
"It is," I admitted with a smile curving my lips.
However, the thought of my brothers and original crew out there somewhere twisted that smile, "I hope they're okay."
"Your brothers?"
I nodded my head, "I know they're together still. They were with a very capable crew, and I know what happened was an accident, but...I'm a bit scared I may never see them again. Space is so vast even with our charts."
"Don't give up sweetheart," Duke then said to me while slipping an arm around me, "You found your way to them once before didn't ya?"
I looked up at him as he glanced at me with a friendly gleam in his eye, "An' in the meantime you're safe with us."
"Safe with pirates?" I asked with a raised brow again, but this time I remained smiling.
"Of course," he promised.
After a while I looked down to see the rest of the crew had gathered for the meal mentioned not long ago. Irving had already begun to climb down when he passed us by. We then followed after with Duke starting the decent first as he mentioned, "If ya fall I'll be able to catch ya."
When I shook my head sightly at this he gave a grin and headed down. Luckily I did not fall to encourage him.
I then found myself seated among the variety of a crew from before. A table had been brought out for the occassion with a different chair for each man or woman to sit in comfortably. Duke took his seat at the helm while insisting I take the spot at his right. To his left was Trent who seemed to be pouring over notes and charts of his own while preparing his plate at the same time. Marestella sat at his rigtht with the raven beside her. To my left I found the gnome and then the mousefolk. Beside the alien rodent was the scarecrow cheerfully filling his mug with a drink scented of apples and other fruits. At the other end of the table was the chief of the night, the ice elemental I'd met earlier.
"A toast to a safe voyage to port captain?" Irving proposed with his cider held up.
"As well as to the health an' safety of our guest, may she find her way to her brothers soon?" Duke smirked while holding up his glass.
The others seemed to agree to this as they hit their mugs and glasses together. With that the meal had begun. The vegetable soup provided was as rich with flavor as it was an eye catching array of colors. The bread was warm and pulled apart softly with the slightest crunch. For those that wished there were hearty meats prepared that I noticed the women all taking part in.
"We should get some fish for you and Trent when we get to port," Catalina mentioned to their captain, "Some richer protein would be good for you."
"That shouldn't be a problem," Duke nodded.
"Would you like some Miss Flashblade?" he then asked me.
I shook my head, "No thank you. I don't really eat meat."
"Any particular reason?" Marestella inquired.
To this I gave a casual shrug, "I guess growing up on Puck World turned me away from the want for meat? It's hard to want poultry when your brothers are ducks?"
Duke choked out a sudden laugh while swallowing his drink. After clearing his throat he gave a smile, "I guess that's fair?"
"I suppose the rest of us should introduce ourselves," the mousefolk then realized as she looked to me and then around the table, "I'm Melodia. I help take care of the ship, maintaining the ropes and condition of the sails as well as cleaning."
"I'm Avarin," the raven chimed in before taking a quick sip of her drink, "I suppose I'm in charge of keeping us on course as well as weeding out possible dangers to our crew."
Avarin looked to Duke for a moment who nodded his approval.
Marestella chimed in next, "We've already met a few times, but I'm Marestella. I keep things functioning between the appliances on the ship or the crew. Keeping our captain here in top shape is more work than it should be."
Duke and Marestella exchanged a look not unlike siblings once more, her with a wide smile that went ear to ear and him with a narrowed glare and a smirk on his beak.
"If I didn't have to remind you to eat I wouldn't have to do that," she pushed before nudging Trent beside her, "Same with you."
"You may be in charge of everyone while they're healthy, but I'm the one they come to when they aren't," Trent grumbled before looking to me, "I'm glad I didn't have to start notes for you at least. Though it you're here long enough I may need to put a notebook aside."
"Aren't you cheery tonight?" Marestella teased the physician.
"As eager as I am to get to port, I am not eager with what it usually entails," he remarked while looking over what seemed to be a supply list of medical supplies.
"What's that?" I asked.
"Tavern brawls, the occasional sprain from having to run from those that recognize us, a hangover here and there," he looked to the scarecrow down the table at the last remark, "For a man of straw you really do absorb the stuff sometimes don't you?"
"It soaks into my straw I guess?" Irving somehow gave a grin before looking to me, "By the way little lady I'm Irving! I keep watch with the crows intead of for them! You'll see me up there most of the time!"
He pointed at his perch set up on the mainmast.
Beside him our cook for the night gave a smile as she asked, "Is everything warm enough? Mare told me you were probably frigid from being in space like that. I figured some hot soup would do you good!"
"It is, thank you. You're Cataline then?" I replied gratefully.
She gave a nod, "I sure am. I mainly work in the kitchen with Marestella. Though I'm also known to help with mending and carving things to sell while at port. I make us look like humble merchants, for the most part anyways."
With that remark she gave a wink and added, "I do make rather lovely pieces though. Perhaps I'll make you something before we get to port to take with you."
"You don't have to do that," I attempted.
It was then that I noticed the gnome watching me. She had been rather quiet until now, though she'd been maintaining a pleasant expression while listening to everyone. Now she tilted her head and asked, "Are you from Earth? Perhaps Anaheim?"
I looked to her a bit bewildered by this sudden question. In reply I could only shake my head and say, "I'm not really sure where I originated from. All I know is I woke up on Puck World when I was just a kid. My brothers found me and I've been with them since."
"What brings that up Norelle?" Duke inquired.
"There's just something about her that reminds me of home," the gnome shrugged, "we gnomes have a knack for sensing these things."
"I see?" I replied with a raised brow, "It's possible. I'm not sure how I would get from Earth to Puck World like that though?"
"A gateway may have opened and you fell through somehow," Duke pondered from beside me.
"I thought they closed up?" Irving asked.
"If they could be closed, I imagine they could open too," Marestella mentioned before taking a bite of bread, "Guys please eat while it's hot."
Irving obliged, but Duke seemed to wander away in thought. He even looked a bit troubled for a moment before he noticed me watching him. He gave a charming smirk and said, "Perhaps you'll find some answers while we're here? If you an' Norelle here are from the same world you should listen to her stories to find if it rings familiar."
Norelle chimed in eagerly, "I'd love to tell her about Anaheim!"
She looked to me with contagious excitement, "I'm a bard by trade, the wondrous Norelle! I love to perform and show my crafts. Singing of home is always a treat to me!"
"I'd love to hear about it," I replied with growing intrigue.
Then I realized that only a few of them had been introduced to me formally. To this I looked to them and offered, "By the way, please call me Heart. There's no need for my rescuers to be so formal."
"Heart Flashblade," Duke mused from beside me before looking to me while leaning over the side of his chair a bit with a charming smile, "Welcome aboard our humble ship. While you're here consider this your home, an' this a family until you can find yours again?"
I couldn't even fight the smile I knew was curving my lips as I turned to him and said, "Thank you Captain."
"Can any of you men sit right?" Avarin suddenly questioned while glancing around the table.
It was now that I realized that her question was a bit valid. Duke was still leaning over from the side of his to talk to me. Trent was hunched over his notes with a leg brought up over the knee of the other. Even Irving was leaning back in his chair, tilting the hind legs with him to where we were certain it might tip him over all together.
Duke adjusted his posture, Irving snapped his chair back down, and Trent remained reading over his notes. The last of the three seemed rather unphased by the scolding. Though it didn't take long for Irving to begin fiddling with his chair as he took in his meal and talked with everyone.
However after a little bit I noticed Duke looking around the deck quietly. He shifted in his seat here and there, almost as if he couldn't settle in it for long. Yet before I could ask him what was the matter my own attention was pulled away as something caught my ear. It started rather low at first, almost out of reach in fact. Then the soft humming of a lullaby it swept it's way through, pushed along by currents of stars. No matter how lovely this feminine voice was I felt my nerves beginning to jump beneath my skin. For that very melody seemed to be also coming from no one sitting around me. As I looked from person to person I found not only weren't they playing this tune, but they didn't even seem aware of it. That is except for the captain still sitting beside me. When I turned back to him I saw he was not only aware of it, but was looking away from the others as though knowing it wasn't them.
"Norelle," he then said rather quickly, "would ya mind sharin' a song for us if you're done eatin'? I think it would brighten the mood for our lost traveler here?"
The gnome grinned from ear to ear before jumping up to stand on the seat of her chair. It was now that I noticed it was a rather sturdy stool as though this was anticipated. She then cleared her throat and began to hum a lively tune. I watched as the mousefolk picked up an empty bread bowl and began drumming on it to join in and help her keep rythem. Irving reached under the table and began strumming on a makeshift acoustic guitar.
Then her song began.
In the darkness of the night
In the shadows of the dawn
It's turning back, no looking back
The sands of time are sown
When the day will slowly end
And the sun has turned to grey
We will feel the power of freedom
With the dawn of a new day
As Norelle took a careful breath I looked to the others as they listened. It seemed as though the humming had been drowned out, but turning to Duke made me question this. None the less he too listened despite his one hand clenched into a tight fist as it rested and tucked at his side on the arm of his chair. The rest of him appeared to be just as casual and relaxed as he was before however.
Over mountains paved with gold
Through the valley of the slain
Our quest will lead us onwards to the journey of the brave
When the times has come to stand for the power we believe
We will ring the sound of victory for one and all to see
The gnome bard soon stepped ontop the table and walked across her chosen stage until she was standing before me. She reached a hand towards me, patting my hair carefully almost like an older sister trying to provide comfort as she gave the next verse.
Sometimes in your darkest dreams
You will feel the haunting pain
Silent tears of your hidden fears
Come to haunt you once again
Fight on for the memories of the everlasting dream
Their in the silent lands on wings of glory free
She then looked to each of her friends, sweeping a hand towards them as she spun. As she came to a pause before the captain she went on.
We can go on forever
With the darkness so far away
And the warriors who live forever
Fight on to the end
Her hands reached to the endless stars above and around as though she were embracing them with her song.
Across the highest mountains and the endless seas
Our journey ever onwards fight until we all be free
Through the darkness shining the never ending light
On through the days of glory rise towards the fight
In the distance above we could see a few worlds greeting us from a safe birth. These sights seemed to pull forth tears that brimmed the gnome's lavender eyes.
And one day we will find a way toward this distant golden age
The cries of war will sound the day
We stand before the dawn of a new world
Norelle knelt down there at the front center of the table with the dishes long since cleared to give her room. She reached a hand to me that I gave in return, lending myself to her song.
On through the raging thnder across the seven seas
Cold winter skies arer falling on the battles we have seen
She slipped her hand away after squeezing mine a moment, almost in a welcoming away. A smile curved her lips.
We can go on forever with the darkness so far away
And the warriors who live forever fight on to the end
Across the highest mountains
And through the endless seas
Norelle got back on her feet as she smiled still with her arms opened towards the endless heavens. Her small hands balled into fists as she pulled her arms back now to then punch the sky with spirit behind her motions.
Our journey ever onwards fight until we all be free
Through the darkness shining the never ending light
On through the days of glory rise towards the fight
Once more she looked over each crew member with a wistful grin over her whimsical face. She wiped the tears away as she brought her song to an end.
And one day we will find a way toward this distant golden age
The cries of war will sound the day
We stand before the dawn of a new world
We stand before the dawn of a new world
With her last words held to an elegant cease she gave a bow. As everyone applauded her she stood again while wiping her eyes a bit more to dry them.
"It's been a while since you've sung that one," Marestella noted a bit solemnly, but with an encouraging smile.
Norelle nodded quietly at first, "It reminds me of home, so I don't sing it as much anymore. I guess Heart being here spurred it out."
"Are you that certain I'm from your world?" I asked.
She placed a hand to her chin while sitting on the table with her feet tucked under her now. Her lavender eyes seemed to observe me a good bit as she pondered over my question. She then gave a light smile, "I'm certain of it. Gnomes have a way of sensing others from our realm, some sort of intuition. You may not hold the magic from our realm, but your essence gives you away."
"Your realm is of great magic isn't it? Sorcery an' tales of adventure?" Duke prompted.
Norelle nodded her head with an eagerness returning, "It's those stories that inspired the worlds, including my own, to take to space in the nature they did. Ships like this one were marvels brought to life from hearing legends of space and dimension travel, but they wanted to keep the nature of those ballads in their plans."
I watched as Duke gave a smile as though nostalgia were tugging on him, "I remember seein' the first ships take off into the skies. I'd grown up on some of the stories you speak of, tales of adventurers crossin' the boundaries once put in place. I wanted to see what worlds an' creatures there were to explore, as well as find treasures were mine for the takin'. So I left home at 17 an' never looked back."
"Also this way you have a chance at meeting all sorts of folks," Melodia mentioned, "Larger gateways maintained by the B.R.A.W.N.S all these centuries open them for travelers once clearance is cleared."
"For some of us that has saved us," Catalina added.
Then Irving sighed, "But not every world is as welcoming as others like Puck World was with you. Depending on your reason for leaving your own realm you can gain unwanted attention or unwelcomed disdain. A good number of people were unnerved when they saw a scarecrow wandering the streets of the world Duke picked me up from."
"Perhaps I was a traveler then?" I pondered while listening to them.
"It's unnusual for a child on their own to come through the gateways though. Especially if you didn't come via a ship like most do," Avarin replied, "As far as I know the solo trails were locked off to keep villains from escaping their crimes."
"Odd choice of words for a crew of pirates," I noted to get a slight chuckle out of Duke.
"Well we wouldn't be able to gain clearance either if we went through the official way. We all were found one by one for some reason or another and climbed aboard," Marestella explained.
"There's still plenty in this universe to explore without hopping to another for now," Avarin said firmly towards the captain that was looking up at the heavens while listening.
"Ya say that, but their realm had dragons an' other wondrous creatures on one planet. It makes me wonder what their stars may hold?" Duke teased before glancing at me and added, "An' it brought us the wonderful songs of Miss Norelle an' the company of Lady Heart here."
"Let's focus on our current destination first captain," Trent stated firmly, "Which is port I believe so we can bring Miss Flashblade to a stable position so she can locate her original crew and her brothers?"
"Of course," Duke affirmed.
"Do you know where we're headed after that?" Melodia asked.
Duke gave a confident smirk and replied, "I have a good idea. For now I think it best for everyone to get some rest while the stars are calm. Irving I trust you'll alert us if this changes?"
"You can count on me captain!" Irving saluted before beginning his climb upwards to his perch.
With that the remainder of the crew went about their general evening tasks before finally turning in for the night. I had taken to helping clear and put away the table with Marestella and Catalina. Yet afterwards I once again found their captain wandering the deck, this time climbing the shrouds to get a good glimpse of a galaxy far off away from the ship. When I was certain the cleaning was finished I walked over to him with growing curiosity once more as I realized where exactly he was looking.
"You don't miss Puck World at all?" I asked with a knowing slight smile while stepping up to the rail.
He chuckled softly, "You'd think I would. I guess some times I do, but even there I was little more than a thief. Now I still may be that, but I can live the life of endless adventure I've always wanted."
The dark feathered drake hopped down from the rops beside me. Now standing beside me he leaned forward against the railing, propping himself up with his elbows to look out at the vast blanket of twinkling lights. I couldn't help but look up at him as I took in what he'd just said. Then I offered quietly, "It's funny...I'm certain you're more than a thief Duke, but at the same time I feel lucky you are one."
He glanced at me with intrigue, "What makes ya say that Lady Heart?"
"Well as a thief I imagine you've trained yourself to notice things in the dark. You were able to spot me out there in the void of space and steal me from it's lovely, but deadly grasp," I told him.
Duke gave a chuckle, "My crew did get a bit of a scare when I darted out there. I kinda remember mentionin' to Irving I'd seen ya, but there wasn't much time to think. I'm glad I could reach ya in time."
"Thank you again," I couldn't help but say with a smile.
"Of course sweetheart," he replied with a warm smirk of his own.
The lamp lights behind us grew low as the crew turned in for the night, leaving Duke and I in the dark starlit space around us. I felt myself wanting to ask him again about before, about what it was he was searching for. Why was he running out of time? Why was he hiding this burden from his own crew? Yet at the same time I found I was too nervous to venture forward and break this calm silence before us.
Time passed by quietly for a little bit longer as we remained there together. At some point I hadn't realized I was shivering from the silent cooler activity of the replicated night air, bringing forth early memories of adjusting to Puck World's temperatures as a child. What brought this to my attention was Duke slipping an arm around me while we continued to watch the shifting galaxies. He pulled me slightly closer to him as he briefly paused and said, "I understand if you'd like me to pull away...I realize, whether I rescued or not, a thief is still a thief, an' I don't blame ya for not trustin' me so close."
"I never said I didn't trust you captain," I replied while glancing up at him.
He gave another laugh, "Ya know I do have a name sweetheart, an' you're more than welcomed to use it if ya like?"
However before I could say anything else at all I found my attention being drawn to the stars again. Though it was not the glistening lights that had done this, but the chilling melody from earlier beginning again. Once more it started softly and gradually made it's presence known as the voice grew louder. Then that starting melody paused briefly, as though it's owner were merely taking a breath.
With Duke's arm still around me I felt him stiffen, his hand grasping my shoulder tightly as he did this. Upon looking to him I could see him searching the nearby area for the singer possibly, or perhaps a way to evade it? Before I could determine which it was we both heard as she began her haunting ballad with the two of us as her audience..
Upon one summer's morning
I carefully did stray
Down by the Walls of Wapping
Where I met a sailor gay
A swift chill ran down my spine as these words lingered in the air and then came to a sudden pause. Duke hadn't released me, his grip somehow stronger as the lyrics finished their verse. The voice had been cold with an echo to it, and that of a young woman sounding oddly content in her tone. It were as though she were simply calling someone home to her.
I turned to Duke with my nerves jumping now, "What was that captain?"
He in response looked to me in surprise, "Ya heard that too?"
"I did," I told him.
"Come with me Miss Flashblade," he then suggested while masking the discomfort in his voice with a bit of flare in my formal name.
"Captain is something wrong?" I asked in bewilderment as he took me by the hand and lead me to back to his cabin.
Once inside I watched as he began locking up the door with several latches and a few bolts put in place. He then paused while leaning his head against the door as though trying to listen for the voice in case it attempted to follow after us.
"Captain, what was that out there? What's going on?" I questioned with growing frustration.
Without answering me he started pulling out his books and charts again, pouring over them as quickly as he could. He took a seat and didn't look up as he began reading. His hands shook as he wrote and marked his maps.
"Would you please tell me?!" I snapped now as I quickly grabbed his hand to cease his writing.
He looked up startled. Then catching his breath he tried to steady his hands, including the one I still had in my grasp.
I attempted once more, "Please, I know I'm just a novice sailor, and a stranger to you still...but...please tell me what's wrong? You saved my life, I can at least listen to you! Maybe there's a way I can help you?"
"We will be partin' ways in about a day or two, so why worry about it?" He asked me, "You need ta worry about findin' your brothers remember?"
"I can worry about you too!" I shile holding my ground.
"Let go Miss Flashblade, I need to take care of this myself!"
"Then why did you insist I come in here?!" I demanded now, "Was it just to get me in the same bed as you?!"
Duke's remaining eye narrowed into a bit of a glare as he stood up and looked me in the eyes, "Miss Flashblade there are dangers in the stars that would love to claim the life of an inexperienced sailor. I insisted you come in here so you wouldn't be left out there alone!"
"So then there is something out there?" I dug my heels in, "Is it the thing you're trying to outrun?"
"I'm not tryin' to outrun anythin' Miss Flashblade. I am simply keepin' ya safe in here so I can deliver you to port an' you can be on your way," he assured me while closing the book with his notes with a snap of the cover and stepped away from the desk.
I watched in growing confusion and frustration as he walked over to the large window of his cabin and looked out of it. He seemed to be searching the vast envelope of space around us for something, perhaps whatever it was trying to get our attention before. In fact I was certain of it. For his gaze was not unlike that of a prisoner who was trying to seek some sort of escape. His charming nature had evaporated it seemed, leaving him lost.
With a sigh escaping my throat I shook my head and attempted softly, "You saved my life, I owe something to you. The least I can do is listen while I'm here?"
He only shook his head while running a hand through his feathered hair to the back of his head. Then he grasped the back of his neck and his ponytail a moment before replying, "Please let it go Lady Heart. Your focus should be findin' your brothers."
After a moment he walked over to his bed and kicked off his boots while sitting on it. He then discarded his coat and vest, and then his dress shirt. As he did this he asked me politely, "Please look away a moment?"
"You're suddenly being modest after earlier?" I raised a brow while replying, but none the less I turned my attention back to the window while he changed.
When I was told to look again I found him in a dark, long sleeved sleep shirt and trousers as he sat upon the bed. Then with a sigh he looked over to me as I watched him still.
"You're free ta do what ya like as I said, but please stay in here for now?" Duke warned me.
When I turned to look at the door I found myself getting an odd chill. Something in my very core veered me away from it, and made me heed his warning for now. Instead I walked over to the desk and sat in the chair quietly. Frustration set in as I looked at the papers on the desk's surface. Though I knew better than to venture further with him watching me in turn. Before long Duke turned over on the bed, keeping himself facing the door while trying to fall asleep, "Good night Miss Flashblade."
Once I was convinced he was in a deep enough slumber I pondered over what options I had. The lyrics of the verse sung just a short time ago had left a chill in my bones, preventing me from venturing out. I glanced at the charts before me on the desk. My shaking hand reached to grasp one of the papers. Yet then I snapped it back and looked over at him as he slept. With a sigh I got up and walked over to the bed.
A wave of fatigue washed over me as I looked at him. Before much longer I crept into the bed, being careful not to bump him as I climbed around his sleeping form. Then I did I noticed the burgundy quilt folded neatly at the foot of the bed and pulled it over the both of us when I felt him shivering in his sleep beside me. As awkward as I felt sharing a bed with him the warmth of it overwhelmed my still fatigued body it seemed and I soon grew quite tired. Yet before succumbing to this I propped myself up to make sure the door was good and locked, and finally turned on my other side to face the wall again. There was plenty of room between our thin frames, but saying I didn't appreciate the thought of us watching each other's back in our sleep would be a lie. For as I at last drifted off to sleep I couldn't help but shudder from something I simply couldn't explain.
In the distance on the water I could see ships both meant for the waters and for space being prepared to set sail. Among them was Duke's ship being readied by his crew, his original full crew. At my bare feet the gentle waves of the ocean tugged me in my genuine surprise upon looking down at the cool water I found my slacks replaced by the white skirts of a summer dress of loose, light fabric and lace. The dress had no sleeves, held up only by two loose straps about an inch wide on either side. My hair was free from any ribbon and was swept over my mostly bare shoulders.
Before I could ponder over this a sobbing voice caught my attention. Upon turning around I found a young woman of ocean blue curled hair that cascaded down her back and over her chest as well. Over her legs was a long sheer skirt that faded from shades of emerald to sapphire. At the end it was trimmed with beads and lace of sea foam. Over her face were her shaking, crimson stained hands as she wept into them. She was gasping in short breaths of pain as she cried. As she grew louder it seemed I somehow heard footsteps in the sand approaching from the nearby docks. As I looked over my shoulder briefly I saw Duke approaching us.
"Captain?" I asked in bewilderment as I stood there in the slightly sinking sand.
Duke smiled as he stepped up to me. Yet as he did I realized he wasn't stopping. Before I could move the pirate captain walked right through me as though I were a phantom. He then continued his stride over to the young woman weeping at the low tide. As he stood before her now he held an outstreched hand towards her with a smile curving his beak as he asked, "May I be of help?"
The woman looked up at him with widening eyes as she trembled still.
"I'm not really sure," she said to him still gasping, uncertainty in her eyes as she looked at his offered hand, "Surely you have things to attend to on your ship sailor?"
"That doesn't mean I can't attend to a maiden such as yourself," he assured her, "Now please, dry those eyes?"
A frail smile curved her lips as she gazed up at him. Then she reached out to grasp his hand, but then gripped her side in pain as she nearly collapsed in her attempt to stand. Not missing a beat Duke knelt down quickly and swept her up in his arms. Her soaked clothes dampened his own as he held her now. Still he smiled as he looked into her eyes.
I awkwardly tried to step back from this, feeling out of place as I watched this play out.
"Dear sailor bold," she pleaded then in her pained voice,"Please spend some time with me before you return to your ship?"
"I have some time before I head to the stars again," he told her, "but please be warned I've been known ta break hearts before. I wouldn't want ta do that to such a lovely young lady."
"Is that so?" She asked shakily as she caressed his cheek gently.
"Yes, but if ya need some company, or an escort home perhaps, I'd be happy ta oblige," he offered.
"Some company for a time would be wonderful my captain," she told him eagerly.
Then a humming was heard through the air. I watched as Duke couldn't help but give her a sweet smile, "Of course dear maiden. We will be here for a day or so to gather supplies an' rest."
"I can offer a warm bed while you're here to rest your weary head my sailor," she giggled while stroking his chin gently.
"Are ya sure? I wouldn't want to impose," Duke ventured semi cautiously.
"I'm offering aren't I?"
Duke gave a smile still, "It seems so."
Then Duke asked, "But may I ask why it is you were cryin' alone on the shore?"
She wiped her tearstained cheeks while shaking her head, "Just a bit of heartache. The sailor I thought loved me left me there broken hearted for his affection of the sea."
For a moment the drake paused and warned once more, "That is a shame to leave a lady weepin' that way. I hope your heart can mend with time, an' as it heals I can cheer ya up while I'm here?"
"I think some handsome company would lift my heavy heart," she mused before brushing his cheek with a kiss, "Thank you my sailor bold."
Before I could give a warning as a rush of dread ran through me they vanished along with this moment.
Then as though time itself had shifted around me I found myself on the same beach on a dark night. This time I looked on to see the two of them sitting in the hand. Her hands grasped the front of his fine velvet vest as she pleaded for him to stay.
"I have ta leave now," he told her carefully, "I've given ya what time I could, but my crew needs me. Please understand."
"You can not leave me! I have fallen in love you my dear captain!" She pleaded while trying to hold him there with him.
"I'm sorry," he said as he gently pulled her hands off of him and got to his feet, "But I'm afraid the feelin' isn't mutual. My heart belongs out among the stars, adventurin' through space."
"No, it belongs here in my hands," she begged him as she grasped for his hand still, "Don't leave me! I can provide you your every desire...just please stay with me!"
Duke looked upon her with a reluctance in his eye, "I'm sorry. Perhaps it was wrong for me ta linger here. I never intended ta break your already healin' heart sweet maiden."
Still I watched unnoticed by the both of them as he turned from her. My eyes widened as I tried to warn him without a voice I could find as she gave a wicked smirk at the sands she grasped in her empty hands.
"You think you can leave me that easily my sailor bold?" She questioned with a horrid giggle drowning my ears.
"Duke!" I called to him, "Get away from her!"
To my surprise Duke looked up, but his gaze seemed to look on past me. Then he felt her grasp his hand as she pulled herself up using his strength. The drake was unable to move it seemed as she draped herself onto his arm, her hands running up from his lean waist and up along his chest. As she slipped a hand beneath his tunic as if trying to grasp the heart surely racing within him now.
"Please, I need ta return to my crew! Let me go!" he said to her.
I noticed as he shuddered from her dampened touch as she gripped her pearled nails over his heart. Then she reached up with her other hand, brushing his neck and then caressing his cheek. He tried to pull away, but her eyes ensnared him there as she locked her gaze with his.
He tried to look away, but she held his head still while she began to hum the melody from before. As the melody slipped through her coral shaded lips I watched in horror as her body began to shift elegantly and horrifically all at once. Though already quite striking in appearance, her features gained an otherworldly beauty. Her eyes shimmered as the gold of sunken treasure gleaming in the sun touched ocean depths. The ocean blue shades of her hair blended with sea greens as the strands began to glisten with endless starlight. On her slender neck I watched as gills opened up and her ears became like fins. As she clung to him during this change I could see her legs twisting and merging together beneath the skirts of her glimmering dress as the fabric hardened as though like scales, the ends of the lace flowing out to become her tail fins. Duke had no choice but to hold her up so she wouldn't fall from the transformation, and seeing this the young maiden smirked, "You will not leave me, I have found a way to keep your heart from sailing from me!"
"Let go ya siren!" He snapped as he tried to pull away from her now, "I don't love ya!"
She let out a laugh, "You're close my sailor bold. However I believe the word you're looking for is starmaid? I have longed for a captain such as you to sweep me from what were once my feet. When I saw you I vowed to keep from becoming heart broken again! To keep that promise I will make you mine!"
She then cooed while swirling her finger over his heart and leaning close to him, her lips breathing against his neck, "Don't worry my sailor bold, I can change back to a more pleasing form when on shore. I will anchor myself here with you, and I will provide your every desire. Give me your heart and I will make you a very happy and loved man."
While gathering his composure he began to wrench her off of him as he proclaimed with a gasp of a voice, "You will not keep me here!"
I watched while desperately trying to think of something. Yet my movements were forced to a pause it seemed. I looked to Duke as I called out to him, "Captain! Duke!"
Suddenly the starmaid's grasp loosened as Irving called out over my voice. Duke quickly stepped away from her in this slim chance and turned to run, "I will not be held down this way! I crave adventure far more than your twisted heart!"
Before he got too far he paused again when she collapsed to her what used to be her knees. He looked back to see her trembling as she laughed and cried at once. Her piercing gold eyes gazed upon him, searching for his heart. Then she spoke with a wretched giggle in her throat, "Fine then my sailor bold, have your freedom for now! However, know this to be true as you travel the stars; your heart will belong to me, as will your freedom. I can see you know better than to not believe me as a creature of lore yourself...pirate?"
Duke froze uneasily as he watched her. Upon seeing genuine fear in his eye she snickered greedily, "Don't be afraid my love. Enjoy your freedom while you have it, but while you do my vow will follow you through the depths of space. No matter how far you wander you will one day return to me. You'll know your time among the stars will be drawing to close when I begin my song, my call to you my sailor bold."
"I will not come back!" He swore.
"You won't have a choice!" She mocked him with a love crazed sneer, "For when my song comes to claim you, upon it's end you will be back in my arms, and you will be mine, body, soul, mind, and heart. All of you, my captain, will be my treasure to hold..." then she sang her last words to him, "My jolly sailor bold..."
Duke's body jerked slightly as though chains had been closed on his wrists. Yet no one, including him, could see them. Only Irving calling out again broke him free of this as he turned and quickly went to meet his friend. However the starmaide and her threats lingered at his heels it seamed as she giggled while watching him leave.
"Duke!" I called to him in one last desperate attempt to warn as she reached a twisted and beautiful hand out towards him and closed her grip tightly.
To my surprise he seemed to look straight at me. Then the laughter of the starmaid wrapped around me. Upon turning back around I felt fear grip my chest tightly as her eyes began to glow a soft gold and silver, her gaze fixed on me as she smiled with teeth like a shark. Suddenly the roaring waves drowned out her laughter and I opened my eyes wide to find the outer wall of the captain's cabin.
I quickly turned onto myother side to find him lying beside me still. There was some effort given to calming my short, rapid breaths, but the confusion of what I'd just witnessed kept me fairly frightened. Still rather shaken I broke my reserves for the moment and reached out to grasp his shoulder as I saw him stirring, "Captain?"
Duke's remaining eye shot wide open as soon as I touched him. He sat up quickly as though he couldn't get away fast enough. Fortunately I managed to grasp the fabric of his sleeve and pull him back as I said quickly, "Captain it's just me!"
With some luck he seemed to recongnize my voice through his desperate attempt to escape. He turned to me gasping himself, "Lady Heart?"
I nodded my head while easing my grip on his sleeve.
After a moment of allowing relief to wash over us both I looked to Duke. Try as he might to hide it I had now seen what it was he hiding. Even now he tried to act as casual as he had been earlier as he asked, "Is everythin' alright sweetheart?"
"It's her isn't it?" I didn't give even an inch to this.
"That was her song wasn't it?" I continued when he tried to act as though he were lost by my question.
Duke looked to me surprised, "Ya saw that? It was more than a dream wasn't it?"
I nodded my head as I knelt on the bed, tucking my legs under me while beside him still, "More like a nightmare, but yes...I saw her."
When another shudder rushed over him I attempted to grasp his shoulder again. However he slipped away from me as though haunted by the very touch of my hand. He then took a deep breath while running his hand through the front of his hair and back towards his neck. With some of his composure returning he turned to look at me, knowing he couldn't hide now.
"So then what you're looking for..." I realized in a calm tone, "Is a way to break her curse?"
Reluctantly he nodded his head as he answered in a tone not unlike that of a prisoner on death row, "That or all that I am will be taken from me once she sings her song."