well, as i'm sure you have noticed or will notice there are several pirates appearing that come from other stories/movies/books/whatev SO major kudos to those who can identify them! lol on with the adventure!
9
Wilburus reappeared at about the time Vorian got Evelyn out of the water. The cook, his overseer, had let him run off after finishing the worst of his duties.
The water prince was using his minimal power to dry himself and Evelyn at a much quicker rate than normal, and Trinity seemed to be over her seasickness. The smaller woman was playing with the small blade that went in the sheath at her belt.
"Do you duel?" Wilburus asked hopefully when he reached the group.
Trinity looked at him, surprised. She hadn't realized he was there.
"Uh…no. Vorian, Evelyn, and I were just sparring to get into shape. We want to get better."
"You want to get better," Evelyn mumbled. She was trying to get over the extremely strange sensation of drying by magic.
"Oh," Wilburus's countenance fell dramatically.
Trinity raised her eyebrows, and glanced at Vorian. He was studying the cabin boy with a slightly amused expression on his face.
"Would you like to spar as well, Wilburus?"
The red-haired boy's face lit up so much that the women couldn't help but be enthusiastic for him.
"Really? I can spar with you?"
"Sure," Trinity said kindly. "How are we going to split this up?"
Vorian considered for a moment, his hand resting on Evelyn's shoulder. Since his magic was so weak from being out of the Underground, he had to actually touch her to be able to dry her. She was dry now, but neither of them seemed to notice that small contact. Trinity noted it with amusement, but didn't say anything.
"I'll tell you what," the water prince said finally, moving forward. "Wilburus, I'll spar with you for a moment or two, to see your skills. Trinity, if you will continue in your instruction of Evelyn…"
"I think I'm good for now," the older woman said, blushing.
"Very well," the water prince said, smiling slightly. "I'll let you two return to your room. Wilburus?"
The boy looked slightly disappointed for some reason, but he got into a battle stance and faced Vorian.
"Aww man," Trinity complained, grinning, "And I was looking forward to beating the tar out of you, Vorian."
The water prince laughed. "I'm sure you would have," he said with good-natured sarcasm.
"Totally."
Evelyn rolled her eyes, and jumped when Wilburus lunged at Vorian, brandishing his small blade. The man had to be quick on his feet to defend himself.
The girls made their way to the captain's cabin (which they would share for the voyage), leaving the two males to themselves.
Wilburus was still a little clumsy, and growing into himself, which Vorian could use to his advantage. However, the red-haired boy was swift, and was quick to defend himself. Vorian did most of the offense, but Wilburus was skilled, and defended himself beautifully. The spar finally ended when the water prince feinted at the boy, and twisted so that his blade rested at Wilburus's throat, and held his right hand so that the boy was incapacitated.
"You're dead, Will," Vorian said triumphantly.
However, Wilburus was not through. Expertly, he shifted his blade from his right hand to his left, and twisted so that he poked Vorian in the stomach.
"I'm not alone," he said, smirking.
Vorian rolled his eyes. "You can't attack me if you're already dead."
"Just did."
They both laughed, and Vorian clapped Wilburus on the back. "You're a good fighter, and spirited. Watch your footwork though. Keep a little steadier, and don't rock back on one foot. Keep your feet square, and you should be able to balance a little better."
"Yes, sir."
"Wilburus!" the cook's voice came from the galley again. "Come here, boy!"
"Coming, Sanji, sir!" they subject called. Then he turned back to Vorian. "Thanks again for letting me spar with you, sir! And thank you for the advice!" Then he scurried back to the galley.
Vorian shook his head, smiling. "Cute kid," he said to himself.
XxXxX
Evelyn and Trinity had been in their cabin for a grand total of thirty seconds when there was a quiet rap at the door.
"Yeah?" Trinity called. Subconsciously, she used the tone of voice she used to address the walking, talking AOL, Evelyn noticed with amusement.
Tesla opened the door slowly. "I hope I'm not disturbing you ladies, but I have a few spare moments and I should like to give you a tour of this humble craft."
"Sure," Trinity said brightly.
"Alright!" Evelyn said, and hurried with Trinity to the door of the cabin. The older woman was excited about being on a real ship, just like all of her pirate stories. Trinity knew she would never remember where everything was, even if she did have a tour, but she decided to go along anyways.
The first place the captain took them was the galley, since it was close to the main deck. The cook was tall, slim, blonde, and looked to be in his mid- to late twenties. He wore a surprisingly neat and trim black suit that spoke of nothing but business. And showed him off.
"My ladies," he said warmly, taking Trinity's right hand and kissing it, "It is a pleasure having you in my humble galley. Please excuse its appearance, I sent the kitchen boy out a minute ago." He had a surprisingly Chicago-esque accent that made Evelyn furrow her brows in confusion.
Trinity had turned bright red, and couldn't say anything, so Evelyn was the one to respond. "Thank you," she said, raising her eyebrows and smiling slightly.
"Sanji," Tesla said in a low voice. "May I introduce the Miss Evelyn and Lady Trinity. Trinity is the king's fiancé, and is coming on our voyage to retrieve the king."
The cook dropped Trinity's hand, and turned to bow to Evelyn. "My pleasure," he said, just as warmly.
It was Evelyn's turn to change skin tones, and she heard Tesla almost growl behind her. The girls were ushered out of the galley with Wilburus's return, as the room grew crowded with four people in it. The cook was almost immediately distracted with ordering Wilburus around, mainly to clean up the galley with extra care.
Tesla showed the women all that there was to see of the ship, including the storage area, cabins, dining area, and battle rooms. The cannons in the lower deck, which required six men to man each one, especially captivated Evelyn.
Tesla led the women back onto the deck, being entirely gallant the whole way. He was graceful and poised, elegant and refined. He knew to let women proceed before him, and treated them with the utmost care, as though they were both queens already.
"Seeing as this is going to be quite the long voyage," Tesla explained as they stepped into the sunshine on deck. "I should like very much to teach you to properly swordplay and use a bow and arrows. In this world, there are many creatures that you must fear. Some are in the sea, some on land, and other…" he waved gracefully with his hand, "in the air. Archery would do you a great deal of good to learn, considering your king, Miss Trinity, was captured by a dragon."
"And arrows will work against dragons?" Trinity asked, taking his offered hand as she moved onto the deck.
"Occasionally, if one is a good shot," Tesla nodded. "You have seen the area behind the helm, and have been to the fore and aft parts of the ship. Would you care to go up into the crow's nest?"
"I wouldn't," Trinity said, shaking her head. "I'm not too fond of heights."
"I don't like heights either, but I would love to go up," Evelyn said, eyes shining. "I want to see all I can of this ship."
"Very well. Come with me then, Miss Evelyn," Tesla said with a bow.
Evelyn and Tesla moved towards a great rope ladder that led to the top of the foretopmast, where the crow's nest was located. Tesla gestured for Evelyn to go first, and she began to climb up the ladder, not looking down as she made her ascent.
"There is a beautiful breeze up here," Evelyn commented as they reached the top a few minutes later.
"Indeed, there is. I don't frequently come up here," Tesla said, waiting until she was in the crow's nest before he climbed up after. "But the view is exquisite."
Evelyn smiled at him and then turned to look out before. The view was indeed captivating. Stretching out for miles, as far as the eye could see, was nothing but ocean and sky. The sea was beautiful, made of different shades of blue and green.
"And to think," Evelyn whispered, closing her eyes as a waft of fresh air rustled through her long hair, "Vorian is the king of all this."
"Is he now?" Tesla asked, and Evelyn opened her eyes and looked over at him.
"Yes," she nodded, a puzzled expression on her face. "He has great power. I have yet to see most of it. He has sacrificed a lot, too much, actually, for me."
"He must truly love you," Tesla said easily.
"Perhaps," Evelyn said, turning her head away and putting all of her attention back on the scenery.
"Would you care, perhaps, to come up here in the night, when the stars are all littering the sky?" Tesla asked. "It is quite beautiful at such a time."
Evelyn glanced over at him again, to see that he was standing closely to her, his eyes, burning like ember pieces of charcoal, into hers. He had that look in his eyes that she had seen so often in Vorian's…that look that was begging her to trust him. There was something else, though, something hidden behind the man's scarlet orbs, and while Evelyn couldn't understand that look, it made her uncomfortable.
"I appreciate the offer," she said, moving towards the ladder and beginning to climb down. "But I'm afraid I cannot."
"Your loyalties lie greatly with Lord Vorian," Tesla commented as he followed her down.
"I didn't say that," Evelyn nearly snapped, suddenly feeling defensive. "I said nothing of the sort, but it would be inappropriate for me to…to leave Trinity alone, seeing as she's the king's fiancé."
Evelyn was in a surly mood up until dinnertime. The great meal was served in the ship's exquisite dining room. There was a large wooden table, originally meant for eight, and Wilburus quickly found Trinity and ushered her to it. He seated her and then waited patiently behind her, waiting for the rest of the dining group to arrive.
Evelyn sighed when she heard a knock on her cabin door, and she opened it to see Tesla standing before her, dressed in a scarlet waistcoat.
"My lady," he said with an extravagant bow. "Will you escort me to dinner?"
He offered his arm, and Evelyn considered taking it. She looked over Tesla's shoulder and saw Vorian coming towards her, and he looked…absolutely gorgeous. His dark hair was pulled back into a short ponytail, a few loose strands of brunette and gold lying loose against his face. He wasn't dressed in any sort of waistcoat, but his simple poet shirt and black breeches. There was a look in his acute eyes, though, a look of deep pain as he looked from Tesla to Evelyn.
"I believe, Captain Tesla," Evelyn said softly, stepping past his offered arm. "That I have someone else to escort me. I thank you sincerely for the offer."
She stepped gracefully towards Vorian and then smiled at him.
When his eyes met her own, she was amazed. There was such deepness and such wonderful gratitude reflecting from his blue and green eyes.
"Lord Vorian," Evelyn whispered. "Would you care to escort me to dinner?"
Vorian bowed low, very nearly prostrating himself before her, and then stood up straight, gallantly, again.
"May I have this honor?" he asked, offering her his arm.
Evelyn smiled, and with a slight nod of her head, she wrapped her arm through his. She couldn't speak when, seconds later, he interlaced the fingers of his right hand through the fingers of her left hand. He raised her hand slightly, and, like a true king, bent low and kissed her hand, letting his lips linger for a little over a second against her skin. He then straightened up and led her towards the dining area.
Tesla, who was standing alone, scowled.
Trinity smiled slightly when she saw Vorian leading Evelyn into the dining room. The older woman was gazing up at Vorian's face steadfastly, transfixed. Trinity quickly noted how Vorian's fingers were interlaced through Evelyn's, and her smile broadened.
Vorian seated Evelyn and then took a chair next to her.
Tesla entered the room and sat at the head of the table, dark eyes glaring at Vorian momentarily before he set his attention on the matter at hand.
"To King Jareth, the Goblin King," he said, raising his glass in a toast.
Everyone toasted with him, and then the meal began. Vorian focused entirely on Evelyn, ready to assist her with whatever she might have needed. He engaged in the conversation at the table, which revolved around fighting and the route to Point de Rouck. He was even able to give Tesla some alternate currents that would lead them through a safer path to the cove.
Tesla accepted Vorian's advice with grace, but all could see there was some deep thought going on behind the captain's eyes.
XxXxX
When the meal was finished, Wilburus tried as gallantly as he could to escort Trinity back to her cabin. They stepped onto the deck and then began to walk towards the stairs that led to the captain's cabin. They walked past a trio of pirates, all of them seated on comfortable looking chairs; all of them reading different charts and guffawing over their mugs of rum.
"Who are they?" Trinity asked as she and Wilburus moved up the stairs to the cabin.
"Oh," Wilburus said casually. "Those are the pirates who don't do anything. All they ever do is read charts and eat."
"Then why does Captain Tesla let them stay aboard?"
"They sound pleasant when they sing," Wilburus said with a shrug. "Here we are. I shall leave you now, Miss Trinity. Good night."
He bowed curtly and then left Trinity to herself.
Trinity waited outside for Vorian and Evelyn. They stepped onto the deck, and the look on Vorian's face almost made tears form in Trinity's eyes. He was content, fully and whole-heartedly content. He gazed down at Evelyn with such admiration. She wouldn't look up at him, for fear of blushing, but she was smiling, and she looked happy.
Trinity stepped back into her cabin a bit, giving Vorian and Evelyn a little more privacy. They came to a stop outside of the cabin, and only then did Evelyn have the courage to look up at Vorian.
"Thank you for escorting me," she smiled. "I appreciated it, Vorian."
"I would escort you anywhere, even into death's open embrace, if need be," Vorian said gently. "Evelyn, do you not realize what you mean to me? What you have done to me?"
"We healed each other, Vorian. Please," Evelyn said, putting up her hand as he opened his mouth to speak. "I cannot give you the commitment you are so willing to give me. I'm sorry, Vorian. Truly, you deserve much better."
She turned and then stepped into the cabin, trembling as she closed the door behind her.
Vorian let out a long sigh and then sat down on the deck. He then stretched out his long body and lay down, stretched out across the doorway of the captain's cabin.
She could avoid him, she could try to dismay him, she could prick him with a thousand knives or run him through with a hundred swords, but he would not give up. She belonged with him, and if it took years upon years for her to see it, he would wait.
"Evelyn," Vorian whispered, closing his eyes tiredly. "I will not let you go."