WR: Well hello again readers! The few of you who are left... :P well no one to blame for that but myself, should have kept up to speed with my chapters. Ahh well. Anyhoo, for those of you still running an eye over this occasionally, thank you. We left our lovely characters when they had just escaped the Arena. Question is, how is Ramirez gonna react to Aika's escape, he won't admit it, but he's a little hooked on her. How is Vyse gonna react to the news that Aika and his enemy got it on?? Much fun to be read about – also they need to rescue Fina. (Aika hasn't met her yet, as she ran away before the raid of Alfonso's ship) Okeydokey, here we go....
Chapter 8
Aika's feet pounded the stone. She ran abreast with Vyse, Drachma keeping pace behind them. Between gasps of breath, Vyse told her of how they had fought the poisonous beast before they could climb out of the pit. They now ran, headlong through the confusing maze of sewers, Vyse seeming to know precisely where he was going.
"We had a little help getting in, from a local." He said, casting her a grin. They rounded another bend, and emerged into a room which formed a cross-roads, with three more tunnels leading away in different directions. Standing, waiting for them was Dyne= and the rest of the crew. With a shout of joy, Aika threw herself into her father's arms, and he chuckled, lifting her in a tight hug, before turning to his son.
"well met boy. You cut it fine, but you've made me proud!" The two clasped hands.
"Aika!"
The orange haired woman spun around at a familiar voice. To her surprise and delight Marco stood, grinning up at her. She smiled and swept the boy into her arms. In that embrace, she tried to convey all the gratitude she felt for his friendship in the cells.
"Marco!" She said as she drew him away. "What in Deep Sky are you doing down 'ere?"
"Live 'ere don't I." He replied, then, disentangling himself, turned to Vyse.
"You actually showed up. I didn't believe you."
"Of course I did." He said with a grin. Then Vyse paused, and looked around in confusion.
"But Dad, where is Fina, why isn't she with you?" Dyne shook his head.
"She was separated from us. It seems Vaula wants her for something. As we were escorted to the Arena, I heard some soldiers talking about a captive being taken aboard a train."
"The Monorail!" Said Marco. "It leaves from the Upper City. Once someone's is taken to The Grand Fortress, its impossible to get them out."
"Can we reach Upper City from the sewers?" Vyse asked, his face creased with worry.
"Yeah, just head down there." He pointed a stubby finger towards one of the tunnels. "Not got any turns, climb the first ladder you find."
Vyse nodded.
"Cap'n," He said, turning to Drachma, "please can you lead my family to the Docks? I will be along as soon as I can. Aika..." His eyes met with hers.
"Course I'll come with you, Vyse, you're hopeless without me."
Dyne nodded and bade them both to be careful. Then the party left, and Vyse and Aika turned, sprinting away in the opposite direction.
Glad she had survived, he was, however, an unquenchable rage, which had been building ever since he had seen the boy hug her, was burning like a sword in his chest. Ramirez had taken command the instant they had vanished. It had taken a few minutes to find his captains in the crowd, and give them orders. Now he stood in the Arena, a contingent grouped around him. Sensing that the excitement was done with, the watchers were slowly filtering away.
"You," he snapped, pointing at one of his officers. "take two score of men, and scour the sewers. I doubt you'll find anything, but search for an hour." Another two score he sent to the docks in Lower City. No doubt the pirates would be trying to make a quick escape, before the whole city was alerted. The rest would come with him to Upper City. Something told him that Fina would not be left behind unless there was truly no option. He snatched his sword from a serf who had run to fetch it. As his men dispersed to follow his orders, he turned and led his own score out of the coliseum.
Above them, still sitting in the Pavilion, Prince Enrique could not help but grin. It had been painfully obvious all along that the girl was pirate. Yet, she had spirit, and the young man had found himself admiring her. No doubt Ramirez had abused her, however it was clear to Enrique, who had always been good at reading people, that the Admiral had felt something genuine towards her. Beside him, his mother sat, white with rage, her ample chest rising and falling rapidly, as she strove to control her temper.
"An interesting turn of events, don't you agree mother?"
Her head snapped towards him furiously and her eyes narrowed in anger when she saw the amused smile on his face.
"No I would not!" She snapped. "This could mean disaster for us! They must be stopped. That damned little whore of Ramirez's will suffer the most!"
The admiral himself had no intention of recapturing Aika in order to subject her to pain or death. As soon as he had her again, he would take her to his rooms and make sure she was never want to leave his side again. But first he would kill the boy. That would upset Aika, no doubt, but she would get over it given time. The rest could all escape for all he cared.
By now he was striding through Upper City. Ignoring the nobles around him, he carved a path with his men through them, heading to the rail station.
"Look, Sir!" One of his men shouted. Ramirez followed the direction of the man's finger. There they were! Aika and the boy were leaning over the rail of a bridge, which crossed above the train tracks. The Admiral broke into a sprint, his soldiers following. His foot was on the first step, Aika was above him, oblivious to his presence. His eyes were locked onto her, and he saw, as if in slow motion, as the pair raised their boots to the gilded rail ... and jumped. They plunged from view, and upon reaching the spot where they had stood, he saw them, already up, and dashing along the roof of the train, towards the carriages at the front. With a curse, the Admiral slammed his fist against the edge. For the second time that day, she had slipped through his fingers. He realised he may have come to underestimate the innocent little creature, to which he had become accustomed.
Aika felt alive. The jolting, rocking speed of the train caused little trouble to her balance. She could walk the rigging easily in a storm. They had vaulted over the gaps between several carriages, when she glanced over her shoulder to see the ominous figure of the General straightening to his feet on the roof. She swore.
"Run Vyse, he is far too strong for us!"
They sped up. The pair was quick, but Aika had always been faster. She set a pace, which Vyse managed to match. Galcian followed them at a walk, his sickening lack of speed or concern was terrifying.
"There!" She called, as they approached the final carriage at the front. Skidding to a halt, Aika dropped without a pause into the gap connecting one compartment to the next. A guard was waiting for her, and she hammered her elbow into his unshielded face. He dropped silently, toppling into the darkness of Deep Sky. She shivered at the thought of such a fate, but then, Vyse was beside her, and they barged their way into the train.
Aika's first impression of Fina, was that here was a person you could not help but to love. The girl was knocked unconscious when they entered, least she tried to aid them. Aika and Vyse, however were able to slay the three Vaulans which guarded her with little trouble. Aika gained a gash across her bicep, but a Sacri spell closed it, leaving only a trail of blood down her arm. Kneeling by the girl's side, as she groggily came to, Aika could not help but notice the similarities she bore to Ramirez. The same pale skin, the white blond hair, and, when the girl finally opened her eyes, Aika discovered that they were emerald green, just as the young Admiral's were. They could be siblings!
"V-Vyse?" She breathed. He beamed down at her, offering her a hand, he helped her to her feet.
"Why have you risked your life to save me?" She seemed so utterly bewildered, that Aika found it entirely endearing.
"Fina, you're my friend, and I never leave a friend behind!"
Aika could not help but smile at his courage and heart. He was so dear to her. The shorter girl turned to Aika, blinking in surprise at her. The young pirate grinned, and reached out to grip the pale little hand.
"I'm Aika, I sail with Vyse, pleased to meet'cha."
Then Fina smiled. Her face lit up exquisitely, and Aika saw just how beautiful she was.
"Thank you, both of you, for coming back for me."
"Don't speak too soon." Chuckled Vyse. "We still have to get out of here."
"Something that you will never accomplish." The voice made Aika shudder, just as it had the first time she had heard it. The trio spun around to see Galcian standing at the other end of the carriage, flanked by several men. He had cast aside his encompassing cloak, and in his hand lay his enormous sword. Single edged, it was hugely broad, and was about as tall as Vyse. Without the cloak, his figure could be clearly marked. He was slim of hip, but had a deep chest, bulging with muscle. His malevolent gaze narrowed when he looked at Aika.
"So you were a Rogue... you certainly had my Vice-Captain enthralled. You act well, I'll give you that girl."
Aika's heart was hammering wildly. There was nowhere left to run, and she knew, just by looking at him, that he would be able to kill them all easily. His unconcerned, mocking half-smile told her that was precisely what he intended to do. The formidable man began to move towards them... however he made it no more than two paces before an explosion rocked the carriage. Fina cried out in alarm and Aika covered her head with her arms. When she reopened her eyes, it was to a scene she would never forget. General Galcian stood with a look of disbelief and fury on his angular features. But, by the second he was becoming smaller and smaller. The carriage had been blown in half by cannon fire, and the section in which the Blue Rogues stood was speeding away, while the rest of the train slowed. Aika crowed in delight, and promptly made a crude gesture towards the General with her hand.
"It's Cap'n Drachma and the Little Jack!" Shouted Vyse happily, and Aika turned to see the ship which had saved them. It was the green of its Captain's tunic, and looked just as tough and hardy. Onto its prow was mounted an immense harpoon, it looked to be a formidable weapon. A ladder was lowered as the ship itself kept perfect pace with the speeding monorail, and within moments, Aika's feet were planted firmly ion the wooden deck, revelling in the familiar movements of a sail ship. She couldn't believe it. This morning she had been preparing to watch her family die. Now they stood around her, none hurt, and they were escaping! She felt a momentary twinge of regret as she thought of the passionate night she had spent in the arms of a Vaulan Admiral. If only he was a pirate... her sorrow was swiftly forgotten, however, as she was caught up in hugs and friendly embraces. Around her everyone was smiling. Suddenly Drachma's irritated voice boomed over them.
"You can have a reunion later! First we need to get out of here!"
As if it were their own ship, gunners ran to the cannons, men climbed the rigging to lower all available sails, and anyone left made themselves useful by rowing with the huge webbed oars. It was now a race to escape the Grand Fortress with their lives.
It was several nights later when Aika found herself seated on lush floor cushions, in the comfortable bar of Maramba. Her immediate irritation and anger at having been abandoned in the tiny port by Cap'n Drachma, had faded from rage to a mild fury. She sat now with Vyse and Fina, and they were discussing what their next move should be. She found her patience running thin, for Vyse kept on dropping out of the conversation to stare longingly at the exotic, red haired dancer. The woman seemed a little familiar to Aika, but she couldn't place her, so she put it from her mind. Her initial impression of Fina had been correct. The strange, timid younf woman was so full of purity, that it stunned her. The emotions of hate and anger were alien to the girl. She had no idea how the World worked, and she had said nothing of where she had come from, but Aika found herself loving her regardless. Fina was a year or two her junior, and the Blue Rogue found herself thinking of her as a younger sister.
Their flight from Vaula had been successful. Only one Armada ship had been airborne, and the enormous harpoon cannon had made short work of it, allowing The Little Jack to slip out of the Grand Fortress before the colossal gates had closed. Drachma had left Dyne and his crew at Sailors Island where they were well known and would be able to charter a ship back to Pirate Isle. Now, Drachma had abandoned them here, harping something about finding an Arcwhale. A tiny town in the middle of the desert, with no way of getting to the Pyrynn Temple. Aika's high bad mood was leading her to believe that even if they had a ship, they would be unlikely to find it in the sprawling wastes. Fina had told her about the Moon Crystals, and the Gigas, and where the legendary stones may be found, it all seemed a trifle dramatic to her, rather like something out of the adventure books she used to read when she was younger.
"Vyse, are you listening?!" she snapped suddenly, slamming her palm onto the table top.
"What? Oh, yeah, course I am!"
"Well you don't look like it." She replied, giving him a dry look. "Vyse, a girl like that isn't going to be interested in you. Besides, even if she was, she'd probably only give you some sorta disease." She sniped rudely.
Someone behind her cleared their throat delicately. With a distinct sinking sensation in her stomach, Aika slowly turned, and sure enough, behind her stood the dancer, and it was patently clear she had overheard the insult. She was tall and supple, amply endowed, with a tiny waste. Dressed in a belly dancing outfit of rich purple, her red hair was perfectly complemented. It was a far darker shade that Aika's and drawn up in a high, tight ponytail. Her lower face was covered by a gauzy veil. When the trio stared at her in awkward silence, she dropped gracefully into an empty cushion at their table.
"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation." She said, her voice was soft and husky. Aika instantly looked away, suddenly finding the table top greatly interesting. "You were discussing how you would acquire a ship I believe."
"Yes," said Vyse, leaning eagerly forwards, "we need to make a trip into the desert."
"Then why not hire a train of Dhabu?" She asked them curiously. Fina smiled softly, and timidly entered the discussion.
"Well, the thing is, we don't know exactly where we are going. Our location could take weeks to find on foot."
Vyse nodded.
"I don't suppose you know where we could charter a flight do you?"
She shrugged, her eyes grazing over Vyse's face and chest.
"You could try hitching a ride with a merchant. It may be a while before one passes through here though, there is a huge market this week in Nasrad. Anyone with anything to sell will be heading there, and unlikely to waste time diverting over the desert." She smiled at their disappointed faces.
"Perhaps I can be of service to you." Their heads snapped up, even Aika looked back in her direction. "I have a ship moored in the Docks. I see no reason why I can't help." Vyse grinned.
"We can't thank you enough, my name is Vyse, this is Fina and Aika." He said, hurriedly remembering introductions.
"Bellena." She said, her eyes turning a little chilly when they met Aika's. "I wonder, Aika, do you have a problem with what I do?"
"Oh, I –no! No of course not! I'm sorry, I was just feeling a little... tired." Aika stammered. "It... it makes me snappy." She finished lamely. To her relief, the striking woman laughed good naturedly.
"I understand Aika, if I had a handsome man like you have here, I would get 'snappy' with other woman too." Aika blinked for a moment, Vyse grinned and Fina blushed.
"No! No, I'm not... I mean, me and Vyse arn't..." Bellena held up her hand and laughed. The conversation moved on happily. After a while, Aika could not contain her burning question any longer.
"Bellena, have we met somewhere before?" She asked, her mind straining to remember.
"Possible, I've danced in both Nasrad and Sailor's Island. I don't remember your face though."
With a sigh of frustration, the young Blue Rogue put it from her mind, and fell out of the talk. Her mind drifting...
The evening wore on, and eventually the trio excused themselves, and headed back to their Inn, with plans to meet Bellena at the Docks at dawn.
Aika found her sleep troubled, as she had done every night since fleeing Vaula... and him. Her dreams were haunted by his touch and her lips burned with the remembered passion of his kisses. She always awoke with a sheen of sweat blanketing her skin, her soul aching for the feel of a caress. Then she would roll over and see Vyse sleeping, mouth lolling, snores erupting from his chest. Dear Vyse... She loved him. He was her friend, her brother, her partner. She would have been a contented wife. She had no doubt that he would have cared for her and been a wonderful father to any children she may have given him. But she would never have loved him, not in the way he wished, and he did not love her. He thought he did, true enough. But he wished to marry her because it made sense, she would do any pirate proud as a wife. She wondered fleetingly what kind of woman Ramirez would wed. For there was no doubt that he would, it was unusual for officers, or men of power, to remain without a lady at their side. The night air in the desert was hot and dry and she shifted uncomfortably under the thin sheets, cursing herself. Tomorrow was going to be tough. They would have to navigate the extensive wastes of the desert and if they did find the Temple, then no doubt it would be hard to locate the Red Moon Crystal. The Moon Crystals. She sighed, she had listened, but still didn't quite understand the Gigas. Adventure was what her and Vyse had always dreamed and schemed of together. But now that she was living it... she drifted back to sleep, her mind awash with confusion, passion and yet more confusion.
Not only had they escaped from the Arena, but they had actually managed to slip through the Grand Fortress. The Queen was furious, that didn't matter though. Galcian had talked her out of sending the entire Armada to the Pirate's island base and blowing it out of the sky. The General would be needing to utilize all the available militia for their mission, and he wasted to waste no time jsut to satisfy the Queen's lust for revenge on the Rogues who had made a laughing stock of Vaula. But Ramirez, to his shame, was not even thinking of the Moon Crystals, or of their ultimate goal. His mind, he found, was constantly wandering. Why could he not keep her from his thoughts? The silk of her bright hair strewn across his pillows. The dark colour of her eyes when they were steeped with hazy passion. The bronze sheen of her skin, that devious half smile which too often had stolen across her lips. He was beginning to find her constant presence at the back of his consciousness a burden as well as a torment, as it was a great distraction. Right now he stood with Galcian, pouring over sky charts. He should be concentrating, but all he could see was Aika, naked and blushing below him.
"Boy!" Snapped the General, drawing him from his pleasant memories. "You have not been yourself these last days." Ramirez felt shame swamp him. No woman was worth angering the mighty Vaulan.
"I apologise, Sir."
"There is an entire Harem full of women, boy. I'm sure you can find at least one there to make you forget that little Pirate whore."
"I'll bear that in mind, Sir." Ramirez replied dutifully. However, he had no intention whatsoever of using any of those women. It had been almost a week now since she had left. A week and already the young Admiral's body felt near breaking point. This he found startling, as when he had lain with the others it had been a matter of several months before he had felt in need of a woman's touch. Now he could not even put the fiery Rogue from his thoughts for an hour, let alone a whole day.
"Now," Muttered Galcian, turning back to the charts. "you say the Blue Moon rises in the uncharted Eastern regions, beyond the Black Rift. No matter how strong the hulls of our ships are, they would never be able to simply power through it. They'd be torn apart."
"There is a way through, Sir." Ramirez said, forcefully pushing Aika out of his head, determined to be of use to his Master. "An air current has forged a path through the Rift. However, I fear it is a constantly shifting, changing labyrinth, with pockets of turbulence which could cleave a vessel in two. But it could be navigated, given time..."
Galcian shook his head.
"Time is something we cannot afford. I will dispatch Belleza on this assignment as soon as she returns from the Red Continent, she has a natural talent for negotiations. Vigoro will accompany her, however, first she must get back from Maramba, and be debriefed. There must be another way!"
Ramirez took a moment to pause. There were secrets of Arcadia that not even the wisest of men knew, known only to his people... After all this time there was some lingering reluctance to reveal such information. However, he looked at his Master. This man had saved his life, and shown him the true meaning of power. He owed him far more loyalty than he had ever owed his own kind.
"We could blast our way through this reef, Sir." He said, pointing to a marked section of the chart, far to the South-East. Galcian looked at his Vice-Captain incredulously, he was about to speak, but the younger man boldly cut in.
"I know, Sir, that you, along with every other inhabitant of Arcadia, believes this world to be a flat expanse, ending in nothing but blackness. But let me reassure you, I speak the truth My Lord. Arcadia is a planet, as round as the Moons themselves."
After a long moment, Galcian nodded slowly. He had utmost faith in the boy, and knew that he, more than anyone, would know. It was just that it was a ridiculous notion to grasp. He saw the far East, and the far West, laid out at opposite ends of the map. How could they be next to each other as well?! But he knew Ramirez spoke true, he had near enough raised the boy.
"Alright." He said at last. "The Armada can blast through where the reef is at its thinnest, then they can continue West until," he transferred his gaze to the other side of the chart, "they arrive here."
"A wise choice, Sir. However, perhaps we should also station Admiral Gregrio in the vicinity of this Cape." Ramirez replied, pointing to a small out-cropping, on which was situated perhaps one of the poorest townships in existence, Esparanza. "In case the Pirates make an attempt to cross the Rift."
"It may not be necessary, with any luck they'll all be dead before we strike for the Blue Continent."
Ramriez felt himself nod absently in agreement, wondering vaguely where on this chart Aika was right now...
"It is strange..." He heard Galcian mutter, as if to himself.
"What is, My Lord?"
"Usually the 4th Admiral is very prompt with her reports. We have heard nothing from the Lynx thus far."
Ramirez frowned, the General was correct, however, the lack of communications from marimba, probably just meant that there was nothing worth reporting. Suddenly there was a fevered knocking hammering against the General's door, disturbing the silence of the room.
"Enter!" Called the older man, not removing his gaze from the charts. There was a bang as the door was hastily flung open.
"General Galcian, Admiral Ramirez, we have received a transmission from the Lynx." The panicked tone to the soldier's voice and his hasty and incorrect salute caused the two men to turn towards him. The news was clearly not good. Under their combined stares, the young recruit quailed slightly.
"And?!" The General finally snapped after the soldier failed to elaborate.
"Well, she managed to gain possession of the Crystal, Sir, but," He paused and looked back and forth between his two superiors, praying they would not take their anger out on the messenger. "But, after she summoned the Gigas, she commanded it to destroy the Blue Rogues."
"What?!" Snapped the General. "What were the Air Pirates doing there?!"
"I-I don't know My Lord."
Galcian turned away.
"Well, at least they will not be interfering in our designs again."
There was a strangled kind of noise from the young soldier.
"You have delivered your message." Said Ramirez, "You are dismissed." She was dead. Killed by Recumen. Bitterness filled him.
"Sir, I have not delivered my full message." Again their eyes snapped to him. Galcian's were filled with an angry confusion, Ramirez's although they seemed blank and void, were filled with a secret, shameful hope.
"Well, out with it!" Galcian snarled.
The young man took a shuddering breath and squared his shoulders.
"Sir, Belleza has requested a tow barge. The Lynx has been scuttled and its engines removed. Recumen was in the process of attacking the Pirates, when a ship matching the description of that of the one which escaped the Grand Fortress attacked, knocking the Gigas off balance for long enough for the Pirates to board and engage Belleza. She lost the Moon Crystal to them."
Ramirez looked at Galcian, he had never seen the General look so angry. When Aika and the boy were caught, and he had no doubt that they would be, they would receive no mercy. None.
The wind was ferocious, and she revelled in it. She breathed in deeply through her nose, filling her lungs with the icy, rushing air of the Southern Ocean. Aika stood high up, feet planted on the cross beam from which hung the canvas sail, hand looped about a rope for balance. She had left her hair down, and it thrashed behind her, tangling carelessly as the wind tossed it as its plaything. Even now, Belleza's engines were straining in the bowels of The Little Jack, keeping the ship on course, helping them avoid the deadly tornados which had sent hundreds of vessels before them spiralling down into the murkjy depths of Deep Sky.
Aika thought back to the exotic dancer, 'Bellena', and cursed herself. Her instincts had warned her against the woman, but she had ignored them! Exhaust, dehydrated, but successful, the three had staggered from Pyrynn Temple. 'Bellena' had stood waiting for them, and had asked innocently to see the Moon Crystal. Then Vyse... foolish Vyse! He had handed it to her, grinning idiotically. The grin had faded, however, when the score of Vaulan soldiers had sprung from nowhere. 'Bellena' had laughed then, and Aika had remembered. Belleza... scheming, lying Belleza. The Admiral who had witnessed Ramirez's promotion, who had stood in the Throne Room at the same time as her! She felt responsible for it, curse her stupidity! Remembering the battle that followed, made her tremble. Recumen! The Gigas! Never had she imagined that anything could be so...
She did not even know how to describe the monster. Bigger than the sprawling Temple itself, it had risen, four headed and armed with the power of a thousand cannons.
She pushed the memories away. They had gained the Red Crystal. Fina had explained at length, their importance, and Aika had heartily agreed that preventing Vaula from obtaining such a powerful destructive force was paramount. She could not imagine the devastation that would befall the World, should the cruel Queen get her hands on the Moon Crystals. That meant that Aika and Vaula, were enemies. Yet... that had always been true, so why did it now cause such a strange pain in her chest? She sighed. She knew the answer to that. Always had she hated the Armada, but only recently had she met the handsome young Admiral...
"Aika!"
Glancing down, she saw Fina on the deck. Around her head flew Cupil. The strange little creature doubled as both a weapon and a constant companion to the girl. She stood, her wide green eyes staring up, her hair whipping around her face, arms hugging herself against the cold wind. With a gentle smile, Aika leapt from the mast, sill holding the rope, she swung easily to the rigging and shinned down, landing neatly beside the slightly shorter woman.
"Are you alright, Fina?" she asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. The girl was so out of place, she understood very little of Arcadia's customs. Aika knew what it felt to feel alone and frightened.
"Oh yes, I'm perfectly fine. I actually came out here to ask you the same thing."
"Me?" Aika asked, a little surprised. Fina nodded, twisting her fingers together, as if she was nervous.
"Yes, you." She mumbled. "I-I know that we have only just met, but Vyse told me much about you. He said that since we escaped Vaula, you have not been yourself. I just hoped that, well... that it wasn't because of..."
"You?" Breathed Aika, in shock. Fina chewed her bottom lip. Aika chuckled and shook her head, mirth warming her. "No Fina, it's not because of you." She smiled as the girl shivered again. "But I have been needing to have a talk with another woman for quite some time now. Let us get inside, then I'll give you an idea of what's on my mind."
Arm in arm, they entered the warm, bright interior below decks. Aika and Fina had been given the luxury of a tiny cabin, affording them a little privacy. Poor Vyse had a hammock behind the clanking engine. Losing the door behind them, Aika sat next to Fina on her tiny cot-bed, and sighed deeply.
"I'm sorry that I've made you worry." She said. "I've had a lot of things on my mind." She sighed again and gazed at her hands in her lap. They had once tangled themselves in his platinum hair as he...
"What kind of things?" Fina said gently. "I know I don't understand a lot of how your world works, but maybe I can help."
"Well," Said Aika, "when I was in Vaula... I was 'given' to one of the Admirals."
"Given?" Fina frowned in confusion.
"I was to be a, well... a pleasure slave. For, uhh, sex."
Fina's eyes widened in surprise, and Aika was relieved that she would not have to explain the concept of sex to her.
"Oh, Aika, I'm so sorry!"
"It wasn't all that bad. He didn't force me anyway. But, he... he wanted to bed me, and when my family were captured, I asked to speak to Dyne one last time. I begged him to let me, and we, we struck a bargain. I would be able to speak with my Captain only on the condition that I went to his bed willingly." Aika raised her eyes to Fina. "I spoke with Dyne, Fina. So, the night before they were taken to the Arena... I-I..."
Fina's small hand laid itself over Aika's.
"I think you are brave beyond words Aika."
The orange haired girl smiled softly.
"No, I'm not. If I had even half the courage of a true Blue Rogue, I wouldn't have enjoyed it so much, and I wouldn't have spent every moment since then thinking about him."
Fina blinked at her in surprise.
"Do you love him?" She asked cautiously.
"Oh, No! No, no!" Aika said swiftly. "But when all is considered, he was kind to me. Makes me wish he was a Blue Rogue."
"Oh, Aika, it must be so hard."
The girl shrugged and grinned.
"I'll forget about him soon enough, I'm sure. It's strange though, your eyes are exactly like his."
"M-mine?"
"Yeah, you and Ramirez could be related!"
Fina froze, her pale face drained of what little colour it had.
"R-Ramirez?"
Vyse was furious. What hd Aika not told him instantly?! No one had told him! Aika's virginity had been taken by a Vaulan! Not just that, but an Armada Admiral at that! He had half listened as Fina had told them a little of Ramirez. She was still very guarded about her past, and where she was from. But, she managed to tell them that he had been her childhood friend, and that about six years ago, he had been sent on the mission she now sought to complete. He had never returned and it was assumed that he had been killed. Vyse glanced at the girl. She was truly beautiful. Platinum hair, creamy white skin... But Aika would make the better wife, despite the fact that she was no longer innocent. Poor Aika. Raped by the enemy! For he was sure that must be the case, for no Blue Rogue would happily sink to such depths! Yet throughout Fina's monologue about the Admiral, she remained curiously silent and passive. He would have expected her to shout abuse and curses at the very mention of his name. Suddenly a thought came to him.
"You say he was like Fiona, the same hair and green eyes?"
Aika nodded once in confirmation.
"Was he at the Arena, Aika?"
She looked at him in surprise.
"Yeah he was."
"I saw him. The bastard looked ready to kill something. I'll never forget his face." He smiled reassuringly at her. "Next time I see him, Aika, I'll gut him for you!"
"Don't be a fool Vyse!" She snapped. "We're talking about a man who was once Fina's companion! He is not a Vaulan!"
"He's working with them, so in my eyes he is one! Besides, Aika, this guy raped you! I'll never forgive that!"
"No he didn't!" She snapped. An awkward silence descended, and Aika cleared her throat. "What I mean, is that for the position I was in, he.. well he treated me, very well. I lay with him once... we made a bargain..." The words sounded lame, even to her, but she was spared further elaboration as Drachma's voice boomed down at them from the Bridge.
"get yer lazy carcasses up here! We're nearly through the Ocean!"
Aika was the first on her feet, grateful to leave the tiny cabin which had become tick and heavy with tension. Running to the Bridge, she moved beside the huge Captain, leaning forwards, staring out of the windbreaker. Out of the thick mist, islands were beginning to emerge. Most were tiny natural springs, boasting picturesque waterfalls which plunged ever downwards into Deep Sky. Some larger ones were overgrown with dense tropical forest. Leaves whipped against the glass, and the air which reached Aika's nostrils was damp and sweet and warm.
"Ixa'Taka!" breathed Fina in awe, beside her.
"Well then, lets go find ourselves another Moon Crystal!" Said Aika, in the most cheerful voice she could manage.
"Before that we need a place to land." Rumbled Drachma, his thick finger pointing at a fuel gauge. "Belleza's engine burns through Moon Stones, and we need to restock if we want to keep this ship afloat."
For more than two hours they searched for a suitable landing site, one that looked like it might yield some natural Moon Stones.
"Damnit!" Cursed Vyse from the wheel. "There is nothing out here! Fina are you sure there is a Moon Crystal somewhere in this region?"
"I'm sure." She replied. "Ixa'Takans are a wild, forest dwelling race, they hide themselves well."
"Really well!" He agreed impatiently.
"Keep heading due West." He glanced at Aika.
"Why West?"
"I'm the navigator arn't I?"
"Yes, but you've also never sailed this region before."
"Just do it Vyse!" She snapped. With a mutinous grumble, he complied, turning the prow of the Little Jack West, into the headwind. They sailed on for another hour, before a larger island loomed. Between the spreading canopy of the enormous trees, rope bridges and wooden homes could be seen. With a smug smile, Aika shot Vyse a glance. "There, you see Vyse, never doubt my navigation skills."
"How did you know to head West?" He asked, lowering the ships altitude and manoeuvring it towards a rough looking jetty. Aika shrugged and frowned to herself.
"You know, I'm not entirely sure, I just... did."
After they had docked, Drachma led the trio off the Little Jack. The air was warm, but there was a cooling breeze. In the distance, drums and a flute could be heard. The forest settlement was alive with the sounds of nature. Aika froze, her eyes wideneing.
"Vyse," she breathed, and he looked at her in surprise. "I know how I know this place! I was born here!"
WR: Weeeeeeell that'll do me for now! Hope u enjoyed! Please let me know what u think, and any constructive criticism is always welcome! x