A BAT IN STORYBROOKE:
Chapter 18
Flashback: Year 1774, on the shores of Discordia's Isle, a week later.
After sailing for a week on the open waters, the Jewel of The Realm and God's Dorada had finally reached their destination: Discordia's Isle.
During the evening meals aboard the God's Dorada, Fitzgerald told Killian the legends of how legendary the Isle was: millenniums ago, the goddess of chaos and discord named Discordia spread the gigantic chaos the world had ever seen. When the rallied gods had thwarted her plans by flooding the warring countries, the only patch of land where's Discordia's reigned the most was left, surrounded by oceans know, thus turning it into an island. The goddess died in the process and her ashes were used to create a relic that would put a stop to feuding nations. Whether the legend was true or not, nobody was sure, for nobody was seen coming back alive from the perilous Isle.
"What are the chances of us even finding the relic?" Killian asked Fitzgerald as they and the rest of the crew left the ships and used rowboats to reach the Isle.
"I'm not very certain myself, Killian," the Batrishan said quietly. "If it were a battle that I was having on a warring battlefield, then I would have told myself that my chances of winning were high. But I've never been sent throughout my entire years of military services on a quest to find a 'peace-making artifact'."
Fitzgerald took a break during the conversation in order to pull out his canteen of water and take a few sips before offering the canteen to Killian, who took it willingly. Killian couldn't help but notice that his friend was staring at the approaching Isle with dread.
"Fidget? Is everything alright, my friend?" Killian asked when the rowboats finally reached the beach full of grey sands. The Navy Sergeant was now placing a hand on his forehead as if he had a headache; Killian immediately held his friend by the shoulder in case the latter was feeling unwell.
"No, I'm not alright," Fidget said. "I fear the worst for me and my nation. Do not judge me, Killian, but I am not so sure of us completing the mission successfully…"
"What? How so?" Killian had a worried look on his face.
"From my youngest years of childhood, I've lived under the fear that people saw me as a monster. Even though my services to Aldorada have been greatly recognized, many still think of me as a beast because I'm not a human like them. I've seen the deaths I've caused on every single battlefield that I fought in; even at the age of ten, I could slaughter ten men without using more than one swish of my blade." Fidget showed Killian his sword with the dark handle. The sunlight reflected on the grey blade. "And now I'm having nightmares of standing in the middle of a ruined city, with bones on every ground, grey smoke and ashes filling the air like ravens, and worse."
"You aren't a monster, Fidget," Killian reassured his friend. "Just because you were born a Batrishan and have un-human strength doesn't mean that you don't have a sense of human morality."
Fitzgerald gave him a warm smile in gratitude. "Thank you, Killian, for your kind words of encouragement." He sighed in relief. "For a second there, I felt like I was becoming a codfish…"
"Why would a temporary lack of confidence turn you into a fish?" Killian asked, puzzled. His question made the Batrishan laugh.
"Not literally! Aldoradian codfish are rather cowardly sea creatures. In our nation, most of the animals, land or sea, are rather aggressive and willingly attack when they feel aggressed. But a codfish is so cowardly that it flees when it sees anyone coming near it, even a mere ladybug can frighten it. In Aldorada, referring someone to the codfish is a rather dishonoring name: the so-called codfish was a person who fell into dishonor by acting as a coward in his life, failing to do his duties, and never recognizing whenever they are wrong or not. Being called a codfish is worse than being disowned by your own family."
"That seems rather rough to me," Killian said.
Before Fitzgerald could respond, Liam summoned Killian in order to talk to him privately. After excusing himself politely to the Navy Sergeant, Killian went to join his brother at a pool guarded by large, pointed rocks.
"Whatever is the matter, Liam?" Killian asked.
"A message from our king," Liam said, handing the young Lieutenant a scroll with their kingdom's emblem. During the voyage, the Captain had kept in touch with the king via trained message hawks in order to share news about the diplomatic mission. This was the latest letter, from two days ago, to be exact. However, Killian was displeased by what he read in the scroll.
"I won't take any part in this," he said, shoving the scroll at his brother.
"Killian, be realistic. He isn't one of us…" Liam scolded his brother.
"Why? Because he's not human on the outside? I can't believe you, Liam! You always told me to believe in justice and equality. Back home, you lectured me when I made fun of other children just because they didn't have the same skin color than me. You told me to show respect when you caught me treating girls as inferior, worthless people. You raised me for the best, and I've learned so much from you. You were the figure that I relied on ever since father left us! And now, I find you judging a war hero from another country just because he's got a bat's appearance!"
"You've barely known him for a week," Liam retorted.
"And you barely talked to him! I don't care if our king ordered it, but I will never harm or kill Fidget, even if my honor depends on it!"
By those words, he stormed off, unaware that a few feet away, Prince Pablo had heard the entire conversation.