HEY EVERYONE, I'm so sorry for the wait! Yes there was a sort of hiatus, but I haven't forgotten about this story. Thanks to everyone still reading, I really appreciate it! Not much happens in this chapter, but I hope to start picking up the pace again. Thanks again everyone!
The boat moved on in what seemed to be forever. In a dream like state they pushed forward only ever the horizon to follow. At times danger seemed close like those moments when a dark, ominous shadow appeared out of the fog, yet those only ever seemed to be large rock formations or barges carrying cargo. So ceaselessly they beat on, the gentle wakes of the endless ocean rocking them into a false sense of security. The Psiioniic knew better, however. The sea was the Condenses domain, and with every moment they spent on the ship he grew more and more weary of her possible presence just below him. At any moment they could be passing over a sea dweller hive or kingdom, and the anxiety building up inside him could not be quelled with simple words of comfort. To distract himself, he watched the Disciple draw sharp lines on a scroll. More and more were added and soon he realized that she was making a map.
"I was thinking we should dock soon." The Signless spoke from the wheel, breaking the silence between them. "We are low on supplies; it would just be a quick trip. No big heists."
The disciple shifted in her seat. "Are you sure? I'm sure we could last a few more weeks."
"I think we should." The Psiioniic added. "I just counted our provisions, I'm not sure we can make it through this week alone." Scratching the back of his neck he leaned back against the railing and stared into the stars above.
"I'll set course for land." Signless decided. "Have you finished that map yet?"
The Disciple added a few more lines and looked up the stars for a reference. "No, but I could get us going the right direction." She chewed the tip of her quill. The Signless nodded in encouragement for her to continue, she continued to star into the stars trying to orient herself. "I think if you turn North West we could be there by sunrise."
"Perfect. If we're quick about it we can be in and out of the nearest town before the sun grows too bright."
Signless turned the ship as the great vessel rocked against the natural wakes of the ocean. Quietly, he began to speak a prayer to himself. A prayer for the ones he loved, his mother Dolorosa, his dearest friend in the world Psiioniic, and the love of his life Disciple. He prayed for all the unfortunate trolls imprisoned, the shackles of enslavement burned into their palms. All the grubs lost, and all the less fortunate. He prayed for salvation, and he prayed for hope. The prayer went on for a while, becoming a sort of meditation as their ship cut through the dark water and his mind reached a state of calm in the wild wakes of the ocean. All that could be heard was the churning of the water and the soft voices of his companions as they spoke quietly to each other on the lower deck before him. A short while later the Psiioniic appeared beside him, offering his hand to take the wheel.
"My friend, you have been guiding us all night." He smiled as Signless made no movements to give up his position.
"I have no quarrels with my position." This was true, he was actually quite comfortable although he had been standing for hours on end.
Yet Psiioniic shook his head. "Do not fret, I am a great pilot you know." He winked his red eye. "I'm sure the Disciple would like to spend some time with you, anyway."
The Signless stepped back from his position and gave the wheel to the Psiioniic, who gently took it in his large callused hands. A smile played on his features, the crooked teeth pointing out at random angles. Signless returned the smile and pat his friend on the back. "Keep heading North West, it shouldn't be but a few hours before land appears on the horizon."
Psiioniic nodded. "Now go, rest yourself before we go on our journey."
Signless places his hand on top of Psiioniic's for a moment as a thank you, then turned to leave his friend and go down to the lower deck. The Disciple was before her map, nearly complete now, adding the last few details and fixing the mistakes. Slowly, he strode up behind her and wrapped his arms around her slender frame, breathing in her scent. She let out the breath she had been holding, perhaps in anticipation for his touch and leaned against his body, her arms stretching up to tangle in his rough shaggy hair.
"Perhaps it's time for a haircut, hmm?" She purred, standing from her seat and turning around to meet him face to face.
"You're one to talk." Signless smiled as he ran his fingers through her mane like hair. Her small strong hands came down the sides of his face to gently caress him, the rough beard scratching along her palms. They looked deep into one another's eyes for a moment, just taking a moment to really see them.
"I've missed you." The Disciple whispered; her eyes moving down to his lips. Subconsciously she licked her own, giving the black skin a moist sheen.
"I haven't gone anywhere." He whispered back, the rough voice barely making a sound as his hands lowered from her hair to her hips. Slowly they brought their foreheads together to touch and rocked back and forth. They could have almost been dancing.
"But you have." Her hands moved to his shoulders and wrapped around his neck. "We've all been so busy planning. Me with the maps, you with your sermons and prayers, even the Psiioniic and Dolorosa." Her fingers began twirling around some of the hair at the nape of his neck, giving the Signless a shiver. "I understand, and it's all important work but-" She sighed. "I still miss you." They had stopped swaying, and the Disciple was watching the ground between their feet with great intensity.
Signless brought one of his hands up to her face and cupped her chin, bringing her eyes up to meet his. He gave her a crooked smile, overbite and all. "I missed you too."
The Disciples stomach erupted into butterflies, and she felt just the same rush she had felt as a child. That inevitable force that drew her to him, made her want to listen to every word, every breath, every beat of his heart. He had grown so much from when they were children, his eyes now a brilliant scarlet, his face worn yet still young, and he was now taller than she. Yet below all of that she could still see the child in him, the one that lay with his smile and the hope in his heart. This is what brought her lips to his in a rush, her toes curling and perking to bring her to height with him, their limbs entwining and breath meeting. He ran his hands along her back and brought her closer, as if they could never be close enough, and tasted the sweet tang of her. Gently, he bit at her lip, his face growing flushed and body gaining more need with ever movement. Disciple pulled away to kiss his cheeks, his nose, his neck, his hands, and his forehead. Every light movement, every brush of her lips was driving him to insanity.
Gently, he took her by the hand and waste and lead her to the wall of the inner cabin until her back was against the dark wood. His hands continued to roam over her beautiful body as she kissed every inch of him she could reach, her lips eventually finding their way back to his own mouth which ached for her touch. The Signless' tongue brushed against the opening of her mouth and her own complied, opening to let his explore and brush against her own. The Disciple felt her face flaming in arousal at his touches, she knew she was probably greener than the moon that waned above them. She pulled him closer to her and wrapper her legs around his torso as he pushed her against the wall. A loud coughing noise came from above and they jumped back from each other, both looking to the upper deck.
"I'm STILL HERE, guys." The Psiioniic spoke, his voice cracking with clear discomfort. If it was possible, the Signless and Disciples faces turned an even darker shade. Although he couldn't see exactly what they had been doing, there was no doubt her heard more than a few moans.
"Oh, Psiioniic, I'm so sorry-" The Disciple pleaded, a little more than embarrassed.
"It's fine! It's fine!" The Signless could practically hear the embarrassment in Psiioniic's voice. "Just thought you guys might want a more private area!"
"We really should be preparing, anyway." The Signless spoke, brushing the hair out of his eyes and taking a deep breath. The Disciple scoffed with disappointment, her desires unmet. "Don't worry, love. Another time." He winked and the Disciple's smile returned. Carefully, he places a kiss on her forehead before turning to the cabin door. "I should go prep the Dolorosa, how close are we?"
The Psiioniic glared into the distance ahead, and just barely through the fog he could make out the shoreline.
"Coming up fast, we should get ready to dock." He reported.
"No, not dock." The Disciple spoke. "We shouldn't go somewhere where our ship is out in the open. Let's follow the shoreline until we find a small cove with little activity. Our ship should be small enough to be hidden below the trees."
Psiioniic nodded and complied as The Disciple grabbed a coat for herself and the Signless. "You and Dolorosa should stay and guard the ship." She spoke as she gathered sacks and bags and other things. "It will be quicker if there is just two out, plus there will be a quick escape if needed with you guys already here."
"Oh, will it be quick?" The Psiioniic raised his brow. "Last time I checked whenever you and the Signless go off with each other alone somewhere it's quite sometime before you return." The Disciple blushed angrily.
"Well this is more important than just any walk, you know neither him nor I would risk the lives of others just to share a selfish moment between the two of us."
Psiioniic raised his hands in defense. "Down, meowbeast. I'm only joking." A more serious expression crossed his features. "But really, be careful and be quick."
"Of course." The Disciple replied, double checking the amount of bags she has packed.
"And keep him safe."
The Disciple looked at the Psiioniic, the worry clearly etched on his face. "There's been more than a few times we've barely escaped."
She ran a hand down his hollow cheek in comfort. "I would never let anything happen to him." A sad smile was his response.
"Yes, mom we'll be FINE." The Signless looked a little exhausted as the Dolorosa trailed closely behind him, carefully brushing off his robes and fixing his hair this way and that. "Mother, I am a grown troll. Besides, I don't want anyone seeing us at all, I really don't think you should be worrying about my hair." He smiled at her.
"I will do what is best for you." She pats his cheek and he kisses hers. "Be safe, children."
"Yes, mother." The Signless responded as he turned away, taking hold of the Disciple's hand and descending down the side of the ship.
Soon they swam through the waters and were under the cover of the foliage and were out of sight completely. On the edge of the horizon, the sun began to rise slow and sturdy, the day making its way across the Alternian sky.