Haunted Dreams
As the ship swayed slightly from a rouge web wind, Aledel sightlessly watched her Tassel of Life sway under her as she leaned forward with elbows on knees. The tassel swung back and forth like a pendulum seeking direction. It was something all students of Farseer Lyandra wore, claiming it helped to remember that we all come from different paths when divining the future.
Mariner
Outcast
Mourner
Artist
Dreamer
Seer
Aledel was completely lost in an inner sea of thoughts an images. Her eyes did not see the pendulum between her knees or even felt the slight rock of the ship. Her mindscape was filled with images internal and possibly prophetic. Nothing pulled her from the endless hours caught in her meme-dream until a firm hand grabbed her shoulder.
Her hand leapt up and grabbed the stranger's, using them as an anchor to pull back into reality. Slowly the world started to focus. "It is not wise to wake a dreamer like that…" she muttered, pinching her eyes and feeling who was beside her. It felt oddly familiar.
"You are a seer, you should not get caught in old habits." A male voice said gently.
"Do I know you….?" She asked looking into the face of the one who still had her shoulder. His face was once very dashing but his face was now distinguished by time and his dark hair was streaked with grey. "Lt. Ythenal?" she asked in awe.
The man laughed. "I am hardly a Lt now, Little One, I have captained many ships since my time on Valainthir."
"I did not recognize you when we spoke earlier! Why did you not say something?" she asked, standing slowly.
"Retrieving the souls of the lost is important. I did not want to distract you by pulling your thoughts into the past." He said standing as well and walking over to her in awe. "It has been more than two millennia and yet….. forgive me…." Ythenal slowly reached up and touched her cheek with his small finger. "…. Your father speaks the truth…. time has barely touched you. Did you find the humans' fabled fountain of youth?"
Aledel smiled slightly and gently encouraged his hand back to his side. "I spent a long time away from Time. Let us leave it at that. Why are you still on a ship? Have you become lost on this path?"
Ythenal nodded, adjusting his uniform slightly. "I never had it in me to leave this life. It was exciting and dangerous, but still safer than an Outcast."
The young seer nodded, pursing her lips slightly.
"I did not mean that in a way against you. Your father and I search for years fo-"
"I know." Aledel said with a smirk before he could finish.
"And it is not like you chose-" he tried to continue.
"Actually." She said, holding up a finger, her face coloring in shame. "The last few decades was, indeed a choice."
Ythenal shifted slightly, unsure of what to say.
Aledel walked up to him and held up her hand for contact. "Ythenal. Thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart for what you did to help Father. You are brave and I admire you. You seem to have lived a great life. When we get back to Alaitoc, you, Father and I should dine together."
Ythenal touched her hand in thanks before bowing with a soft smile and ducking out of the room.
The young seer barely had a moment to herself before her mission mate, Illythirion, ducked into the room with a tray of food. The warlock smiled at her and set the tray down. "I am glad that you are no longer dream touched, what did the captain have to say?" The warlock's hair was braided in thousands of small braids then pulled up into the traditional top tail. The two of them had only known each other for a short time but had become close between training some together and then going on the mission.
"It turns out that I knew him from long ago." She said, sighing and sitting down. She chewed her nail in thought while eyeing the food.
Illythirion gestured at the food in an inviting way. "Is everything fine, my friend? You seem particularly...cautious, I suppose. When you are not dreaming, you have been pacing."
She reached over and took a piece of food, running it through her long fingers. "I'm alright, Illythirion." she frowned slightly. "I have not said anything to you about because I did not want to worry you, but I had a vision of trouble on our way home. Although it is not a very likly one, I asked the captain earlier to heighten the scanners." she took a slow breath, calming herself. "Unlikely as it may be, there is little we can but survive do if does happen."
Illythirion walked over to her and stopped just short of putting a hand on her shoulder. "Do not concern yourself with worrying me over visions. If you have seen something that indicates trouble, it should be shared." He said simply and without admonishment.
"I saw the dark kin raid us. If that happens, you need to take the stones and lock yourself in a safe area." She said, lightly touching his fingers.
As their fingers touched, he shivered at the thought of the dark kin. "I should say the same to you if that happens. We will remain extra vigilant just in case, but I am sure it is just stress induced visions from our trials. If trouble does happen, this vessel's best chance will be to flee as fast as possible."
"I agree, on both parts." She said sitting back in the chair as he sat next to her. They shared the food and each other's company for the rest of the night, smiling and trying to hide the color in their cheeks.
It wasn't until days had past and the thought of the visions of darkness had almost slipped out of their minds did the ship give a violent lurch and scream as something pierced it through.
As the ship bucked and the wraithbone screamed into her mind, Aledel was jerked from her sleep and on her feet in an instant. "No..." she whispered and grabbed her witchblade, diving into the hall. Slamming her hand against the wall, she sent a surge of energy through the circuit to alert the crew.
Thank you for reading! Feedback more than welcome!
Thank you to Cory, the co-author!
