BLACKOUT
I DO NOT OWN ANY HISTORICAL CHARACTERS, IF YOU RECOGNISE ANY THEY ARE PROBABLY FROM BOOK ABOUT THE TROJAN WAR OR FROM THE MOVIE, TROY BUT I DO NOT OWN ANY!
I only own my OC's! One BIG reference is to Lord of The Silver Bow series. (Troy series by David Gemmel)
Hello hello hello!
How is everyone! You better not be sad -.- Hehehe. Anyways, this story right here is amazingly quite popular, which is making my eyes go, O.O. Seriously, when I first made it I thought I would get max 100 people to view it, but so far it is near 500! It's catching up to one of my FFVII stories, Never Let Go.
Enjoy the quick updates whilst they last xD This one is bigger than most too.
Asha is quite popular too, which I appreciate :D
Thanks for all the support! And enjoy!
CHAPTER FIVE
To The Winners!
The sun rose quickly, illuminating the beach in-front of her as she gazed at several ships. Asha had snuck out early from the temple, after paying Adrina her fee. Luckily Sammael was a heavy sleeper.
She had quickly gone back into the city and to the harbour, gazing at several ships. Pursing her lips she shook her head, and continued on. She turned a corner, with her filly following close behind and stopped suddenly. In front of her was a huge ship with a black horse sail fluttering in the wind. The ship was almost three times bigger than any other and looked like it was crafted out of gold. Asha stared at it, her eyes wide, her filly tickled her neck and she giggled, going towards the ship.
People milled about on it, they were dwarfed by the sheer size of everything on the ship.
As she got onto the same dock the ship was she watched a young man disembark. He glanced at her and grinned, "Are you lost?"
Asha blinked at him then shook her head, "No, I was just admiring the ship."
The guy laughed, "Her name is the Xanthos. And she's mine," He smiled at her, "My name is Helikon."
"Your the Prince of Dardania." Asha blurted out, then placed her hand over her mouth. She had read about him in a book.
He gave her a curious look, "Yes, but how did you know?"
"I heard about you from, friends." Asha answered.
Helikon nodded, taking her answer, "And you are?"
"Asha. It's nice to meet you," Then she pursed her lips, "May I ask you a question?"
The Prince nodded, "Go ahead."
"How big must a ship be to carry a horse? I was thinking of going on a trip, anywhere." Asha said, patting her filly's neck, "But I won't leave her behind."
"Not may ships can carry a horse, and not many people take them because they don't like the rocking of the ship. But," He paused, smiling at her, "We are heading to Blue Owl Bay today, then to Ithaca, for trading. Would you like to come with us? It would cost a fee."
"I can pay it." Asha grinned, "Oh, and that means yes, I would be delighted to."
Helikon laughed, walking up to her she examined him, he had beautiful eyes the colour of sapphires and black unruly hair. He was tall and had broad shoulders. Asha knew that he was a warrior with one glance at him.
"Well then Asha, let's arrange a price." He smiled, "How about 10 drachma's?"
Asha narrowed her eyes at him, knowing that he was being nice, "One Minae, and I won't take a no."
Helikon's eyes widened as she handed him a minae, "You must be a Princess yourself."
"Ha! I am just a lowly peasant." Asha smiled, "And if you would, I would like to learn how to row and help out of the ship. I have always been fond of ships," Then she paused gazing out to the sea, "And the open sea." Then she glanced back as an idea popped into her head, she went over to her filly and took out her bow, "And if someone could, can they teach me how to shoot a bow? Off of a ship?"
Helikon was surprised, "Your an archer? We have a few crew members who can teach you. I will talk to them shortly about it. Welcome aboard, Asha and," He stopped looking at her filly, "What is her name?"
Asha looked at her horse, she shrugged, "No idea. I'm still thinking of something befitting her."
Helikon nodded, "Well then, Asha and Unnamed horse, lets go."
He turned towards his ship yelling out to the crew and gesturing to her, "Get the sling down!"
"Er, I can climb a ladder." Asha said, watching the crew throw down the sling.
"But can your horse?" Helikon asked, grinning, "We would use a ramp, but the Xanthos is too tall, so instead we use a sling to lift livestock on-board."
"That's nifty." Asha smiled, she patted her filly's muzzle, "It's ok girl. You can trust them."
Crew members jumped down, glancing at Asha curiously, "So this cute girl's coming with us?" One asked the Prince.
Helikon nodded, "Yes, until she gets sick of us."
"She will get sick of the sea first!" They chortled.
"I've been on the sea before, with huge waves bigger than a city. I didn't get sea sick." Asha snapped, annoyed that they were talking about her, right in front of her.
The crew laughed at her, "We will see!" They carefully place the sling around her filly and started to lift her up. The horse whinnied then became quiet, relaxing. Asha followed her up by climbing the ladder, Helikon trailing after her.
Asha reached the top deck and looked around herself in amazement, the crew looked at her too. One came over from the tiller and grinned, "Welcome to the Xanthos, I am Epeus, I navigate this beast."
"She's not a beast, she's a beauty." Helikon said, "Epeus, this is Asha. Would you be able to show her to her cabin?"
Epeus nodded, he was a kind looking man with a long black beard and kind brown eyes, "So what brings you on a journey like this? Is your father selling you off and are you trying to escape?"
"No, I just want to travel and see the world. I like adventures." Asha said, but in her mind she knew that she was leaving to search for answers, and get away from Sammael. With that thought she glanced towards the temple.
"If you like adventures, then you will enjoy this trip. Our first stop is Blue Owl Bay, which isn't very far away, perhaps two day's journey." Epeus said, then he gestured to a cabin, "This is it, feel free to put your things in it."
"Thank you." Asha unslung her backpack and placed it in the cabin, along with her bow and dagger, "What is Blue Owl Bay like?"
"It's a merchant's city, filled with all kinds of wonders and settled in a little bay. The beach is usually covered with ships from all place in the world." Epeus said then he stroked his beard glancing at her bow, "You shoot?"
"Kind of. I haven't had much practice, I was hoping someone could teach me." Asha smiled.
"I am sure Helikon could, he is skilled with the bow. He had a friend who taught him. Otherwise I would. But ask him first," He paused, "I must say though, it's not often that a woman want to learn how to shoot a bow."
"I want to be able to defend myself, and those that I care for, I don't want to rely on someone else." Asha explained, she nodded to herself.
Epeus raised his eyebrows but didn't say anything else on the matter, instead he gestured to the crows nest, "Ever been on one of those?"
Asha shook her head, "Never, but I would love to, are you offering." She grinned at him.
"Go ahead, you have good eyes?" He asked, Asha nodded, "Then shout out if you see anything bad."
"Like rips, rocks, and sand banks?" Asha asked.
He chuckled, patting her on the back, "And any enemies. Your a smart girl Asha. Have fun. We will call you when we are having dinner."
Asha nodded, heading towards the main sail, patting her horse on the way she climbed up, the wind wiping her hair into her eyes. Asha look down to her wrist and found her trusty blue hairband, tying her hair up she looked out as the Xanthos steered away and into the mouth of the river Temes, gliding over the water. Asha looked down to the crew, watching them heave on the oars. Helikon and Epeus stood at the tiller, gazing out.
Asha caught Helikons gaze and smiled.
She then turned her attention on the sea, watching the waves crash and fall.
The deep blue of the sea turned dark as the sun slowly fell down, from where she was it looked like the sun was crashing into the sea.
Asha squinted her eyes, trying to look for any lights that would indicate another ship, but so far they hadn't come across a single one.
"Asha! Dinner!" Epeus called out.
She waved to him and descended down the ladder, jumping the rest of the way and walking across the swaying ship evenly. She smiled at the sight of nearly fifty men sitting on one long table, bickering like children.
Helikon gestured to his side, where an empty seat was and Asha sat there smiling at him, "This looks festive."
He laughed, "It is always like this, the crew of the Xanthos are family."
She nodded, grinning as some of the crew waved at her. A tall bald man came over and sat next to her, he smiled, a huge scar running down from his forehead to his chin, where a long brown beard grew, "The names Zindatas. But you can call me Ox."
"Asha. It's nice to meet you." She smiled at him, then glanced to her plate, which was full of chicken drumsticks. She watched as all the men started tearing into it, and slowly followed them. She had never cared much for table manners, and anything with a bone must be eaten with her hands, or so she thought.
She felt the surprise radiate off of the crew as she gulfed down food. One crew member came over and offered her a pitcher of wine, "I bet I can skull it faster than you!"
Asha grinned at the challenge and they both started to drink down the alcohol. Asha gasped for breath and slammed it down grinning stupidly at the crew member who stopped mid gulp and stared at her.
"So what was the bet?" Asha asked, lounging backwards and grinning at them, she grabbed a toothpick and cleaned her teeth, which made her remember her mint idea.
"2 drachma's, for the lady." Ox muttered and the crew member who had challenged her gave her a grin and handed the money over.
"She's not very ladylike." Epeus said, grinning at her, "I like it."
"A girl has to have meat on her bones!" Another crew member said.
Helikon chuckled, leaning towards her, "I think everyone on this ship will have a crush on you soon."
"Ha ha." Asha said, "I highly doubt it. They might think I am strange."
"I don't know." Helikon raised his eyebrows, "It's refreshing."
"Huh, are you too used to the damsel's in distress?" Asha joked.
"Sometimes it's nice, but when a girl can stand up for herself, and joke around, it's easier to be able to get to know them." Helikon explained, then he gestured to another pitcher of wine, "Drink, have fun."
"I can't drink any-more, I'm on watch. I have eyes like an owl." Asha said, gesturing to the crow's nest.
Helicon nodded, "We will swap shift soon," As she stood back up he put a hand on her arm, stopping her, handing over a jacket made out of Jaguar skin, the inside had rabbit fur, "It will be cold."
"But won't you be cold?" Asha asked.
He shrugged, "I wont be up on the top of a post." He then stood up, walking behind her he draped it over her shoulders. The crew was watching and several whistled.
Asha blushed but snuggled into the jacket, "Thanks."
He smiled then sat back down watching her climb back up the post swiftly.
Asha settled back in, feeling the wind against her burning cheeks.
The morning brought the sound of an arrow slamming into a post.
Asha examined her target once more, trying to copy Helikon's posture.
She moved her feet apart, "Like this?"
Helikon glanced over and nodded, "Now pull the string."
She did, her arms aching from the poundage, she aimed at the target, but her shoulders shook from the effort.
The Prince noticed this and he walked up to stand behind her, placing his hand over hers, "Let me see how much the weight is on your bow."
Asha nodded, her cheek's flaming once more, she released her hold and heard him grunt in surprise, the string almost flying forwards. Asha took the weight again and raised her eyebrows at Helikon, "Is it too much?"
"Too much!?" He exclaimed his eyes wide, their sapphire depths distracting her, "How can you pull that thing? What is it made out of?"
"It's Shadow Made or something." Asha explained, she pulled the string all the way backwards, aimed then she fired at the makeshift target, which was a crate. She heard a thunk and saw it pass through the wood and into the main sail post. Asha instantly said, "Sorry!"
But Helikon started laughing, "Girl, you don't need to be sorry. That was amazing. But next time, less power."
Asha nodded, grabbing another arrow and notching it on, she aimed again, but only drew back a quarter, she released and saw it hit the target, but didn't pass through again. Several of the crew gave out cheers.
Asha nodded to herself, then smiled at Helikon, "Was that ok?"
"You hit it in the middle, of cause it was ok." He grinned, "When we beach at Blue Owl Bay we will have to practice there, on trees, not important posts."
She laughed, "Sure. Hey Helikon, do you have any experience with daggers?" Asha unsheathed her dagger.
"May I?" He asked for the dagger, when she handed it over his eyebrows raised, "Where did you buy these weapons, I need to know the stocker."
"Just a shop in Troy, if we ever go back there I will show you." Asha explained, then cursed herself, she shouldn't have said that, what if she got back home?
"I will hold you to that." He murmured, turning the blade this way and that, he murmured something under his breath then handed it back over, "I'm sorry, I really don't know much about daggers, I prefer swords. But I do know someone who we are meeting at Blue Owl Bay that would help out. Once you get the basics down put I can teach you some tricks."
Asha nodded, "Thanks. Is it my shift again?" She gestured to the crows nest, but Helikon's answer was cut off as the lookout cried out.
"Pirates! Pirates!"
"Defensive positions!' Helikon called, he smiled at Asha, "Get that bow out."
"Yes sir!" Asha grinned, running to her cabin she brought the bow out, stringing it. She climbed up the post and joined the lookout, he was a young boy named Locklan.
In the distance she saw a billowing black flag, people milled about, getting armed.
"I just noticed them." Lochlan muttered.
"You did good." Asha encouraged the boy, patting his head idely, her eyes glued to the enemy, "Report this to Prince Helikon, there are nearly fifty enemies. I counted the rowers, but if they are like ours, they will be deadly. The ship is coming at us at Strike speed, so the rowers will be tired as they reach us," She paused, glancing at the sea, watching it churn, "The tide is against them too."
Lochlan nodded, he then leapt down, runnign over to the Prince, Asha watched him relay her words and Helikon stared up at her, then he nodded.
Lochlan ran back over, puffing, "He says that you should get down from here, you will be a target. Oh and he says thank you."
"I'm staying. Once their archers get within range I will pick them off, hopefully." Asha muttered, "I don't know how good I will be."
"Good luck!" Lochlan said, jumping back down and grabbing a sword, he went and stood next to Ox.
Asha waited until she could see the enemies faces then she drew her string back and fired, the shot slamming into an archer who stood at the front of the ship. Her stomach curdled at the thought of having killed someone, then she reminded herself that they would kill her if they got the chance.
She quickly notched another arrow and fired, hitting another target.
One of the enemy archers shot his bow, the arrow falling pitifully into the ocean. She smiled in confidence, and shot arrow after arrow, until the enemies shots came deathly close to her.
One arrow grazed her cheek and Asha winced in pain, sliding down the post she jogged over to stand beside Helikon, who was protected by a barrier.
He glanced at her, seeing the blood running down her cheek and his eyebrows furrowed, "Your hurt. I told you to get back down." He casually wiped the blood off of her cheek, his fingers lingering he gave her a pained look, "You got hurt because you ignored order's."
"I won't die from a scratch." Asha muttered. Then she gestured to the enemy, "I took out all but one archer. And a couple of warriors."
"Did you aim to kill of disarm?" Helikon asked.
"Kill." Asha answered, her throat catching, she rolled her eyes at herself and shrugged, "It's ok."
"We will talk afterwards." Helikon murmured, his eyes worried.
Then he turned, watching the enemy. Epeus expertly mauvered the ship so that it was charging at the enemies sides, ready to ram it.
The enemy was demolarised by the hail of arrows and failed to counter the Xanthos. The golden ship crashing into the sides of the smaller ships. Asha braced herself, almost falling flat on her face at the impact. She straightened back up when the rowers heaved and the Xanthos was freed from the other ship.
The enemies ship made a creaking sound, and water rushed into the wound created by the Xanthos.
Asha cheered along with the rest of the crew as the Xanthos' sail was lifted again and they sped off towards Blue Owl Bay, leaving the cries of drowning men in their wake.
End :D Hope you enjoyed!
SB7 Reporting Out!