BLACKOUT
I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING TROY RELATED I.E BOOKS, MOVIES AND TV SHOWS ETC. I ONLY OWN MY OC'S, AND THE PLOT!
Hello again, I hope everyone is swell. Give me a shout out if you have read the Troy series by David Gemmell. It's really good and this story is loosely based on it.
So yes Asha has embarked on a journey on a ship! That was the whole idea at the start. Heheheh. And we lost Sammael, for now.
Helikon is a main character in the Troy series, I did not make him up.
The new picture of the story is actually what I think Asha looks like (But you don't have to think like that). I just wanted to change it.
I have moved back to my old place and therefore have none of the following amenities:
A laptop of my own.
And good internet.
This chapter may go up from a new laptop I acquire, or because I stole my mums. Hehehehe.
Just a little shout out for my sister (JetSpark10) who had recently began writing fanfiction because of my evil influence mwahahah. She loves the Avengers and is writing a OC story, with LOTS of information in it, she likes making stories technical. That may not be your type of story if your reading this. xD hahaha. But if you want, go ahead and have a read! She updates faster than me ;-)
NOTE:
Chapter names have no relevance to what's in the chapter, they are only the songs that I start the story on.
CHAPTER SIX
Take Back The Night
Glancing around herself Asha was glad to find that no-one had been hit by an archer. Taking deep breaths to calm herself down Asha walked over to stand beside Helikon, "You wanted to see me?"
Helikon looked over to her, he walked a step closer and she could feel his breath on her cheek, he stared into her eyes, "Are you ok?"
"Hmm? Yeah, of course." Asha mumbled, looking away.
"No-one is okay after killing their first human." Helikon explained, "If you need someone to talk to, I am always here."
Asha smiled slightly, "Thanks. I just-" She shook her head, "They would have killed us, and I didn't want that to happen. And they attacked first."
"I am glad you think like that." Helikon said, then he gestured in front of the ship, "Climb the crow's nest and have a look."
Asha nodded, she turned and jogged off, climbing up the post and gazing out. Salty air slammed into her face as the wind was against them, squinting her eyes Asha almost whooped for joy, there in front of them was a mass of land. Hills rolled down the sides of the island with waterfalls cascading down the sides. Asha spotted several people swimming near the falls. Ships were anchored in a small enclosed bay. Two towers stood atop a hill, with a large keep behind them, and a road trailing down to the bay, there nestled several stores with bright colours. Asha watched with interest as flags from different countries flapped in the breeze.
"Blue Owl Bay." She murmured her eyes alight with wonder. It looked so different to what it looked like when she had visited it. Before she had been zapped back in time. Asha had been spending a nice holiday there, soaking up the summer rays. She had been about to leave, to head to a tour of Rome.
She grimaced wondering if she would ever be able to get back. But a stray thought whispered in her head, did she want to go back? Really, what was there to go back to? No one liked her. She didn't have a plan for her future. But here, in the place she least expected it, people enjoy her company, and they liked her for the way she was. And she had a plan.
But for now she swung her thoughts away and gaze out to the land, grinning widely.
As they reached the open bay Asha's ear pricked as people shouted and laughed, children whooped in joy, and several people murmured to each other, pointing at the massive ship.
Asha climbed down, walking over to stand beside Helikon.
"What do you think they're talking about?" Asha asked as a pair of people gestured oddly to the ship.
"They think that the Xanthos is a monstrosity." He explained, his eyes narrowed a fraction, "They think that her size will make Poseidon angry."
"I very much doubt that the god of the seas will get angry. After all, how much of the sea is she really taking up?" Asha smiled, "She's a magnificent ship."
"Indeed she is." Helikon agreed, his eyes sparkling, "I had her made by the greatest shipwright there is."
Asha nodded, then she gazed out at the ships in the bay, "Do you recognise any of those ships?"
Helikon's eyes followed her gaze, "Yes!" He grinned in joy, "Odysseus is there" Then he frowned, "But, that's not the Penelope. Its Black Hawk."
"He has two ships?" Asha asked.
He nodded, "Penelope is his trade ship, and Black Hawk his war ship."
Asha nodded, noticing that the ship had a slimmer, more streamline profile, its sails were also a dark, almost pitch black.
"Why would he have his war ship? Is there a war going on?" Asha asked, she was confused. She had read enough of the Iliad to know who Odysseus was, and that a war didn't happen until after Prince Hector got married. Maybe she had missed something?
"There isn't a war here. But over in Greece there is. Prince Diomedes is sieging Thebes. It seems like there is always war happening there." Helikon explained.
"Prince Diomedes of Argos?' Asha asked, recognising the name from a story.
Helikon nodded, not saying a word, then he smiled at her and walked over to Ox, leaning in to whisper something to him. Asha moved her curious eyes away from them and walked to her cabin, deciding to get changed, and prep the money. Chucking on black trousers and a pure white shirt Asha released her hair from her braid, which it had been in for two whole days and sighed in comfort, fluffing the hair, quickly braiding a couple of strands she quickly looked in a mirror, happy with the look.
Asha grinned, arming herself with her daggers, and slinging her bow over her back. She walked out, finding that Helikon and Ox were still whispering. She walked over to her horse.
The beautiful filly nickered at her, trying to chew at her hair. Asha giggled, stroking her neck, "Don't worry girl, you will be able to stretch your legs soon. We will have a nice long ride on the beach. Sound good?" The filly nodded her head, stomping her feet.
Asha smiled, then looked up in surprise as Helikon cried out, "Ho Odysseus!" he was at the bow of the ship, waving like a madman.
There was a reply that Asha didn't hear and Helikon stopped waving and laughed crazily.
"Says a Greek!" Helikon shouted back. Asha walked over to the side of the ship, gasping as she gazed at the water. The Xanthos slid over a sand bank, bravely surging towards the shore, next to where the Black Hawk was. She winced as she heard the hull slide against the sand. But the sound ceased almost as fast as it started as they passed over the bank. The oarsmen started to row furiously as they neared the beach. Then they pulled the oars up and the Xanthos slid slowly onto the beach. Asha stumbled, but grasped tightly onto the side of the ship. People milled about beside Odysseus' ship and watched the Xanthos' crew.
Asha's eyes alighted on a stocky man with brown hair. His belly was huge and there was an even bigger grin on his face.
Helikon grinned at the man, jumping down and embracing him, "It's been too long you old bugger!"
Odysseus grinned, "It has! I take it you're on your way to Ithaca? And what is this monstrosity?"
"She is the Xanthos, the finest ship on the great green. And yes, I always head out there this time of year," Helikon smiled softly, he gestured to the Black Hawk, "Which leads me to ask why you are here, with that ship."
"Have you not heard?" Odysseus asked, "But didn't you come from Troy?"
Helikon stared at his old friend in confussion. Asha could see that he was curious.
The crew had started to unload everything and her horse was lowered to the ground. She followed suit, walking closer to Odysseus.
The old kings eyes alighted on her, "And who is this?" He asked Helikon, changing the subject tactfully.
Helikon glanced over, smiling at her, "This is Asha."
'It's a pleasure to meet you, King Odysseus." Asha bowed, her hand clutched to her heart in respect. The old king smiled gently at her.
"There is no need to be so formal. I am just another old man." He then turned back to Helikon, "You lucky bugger. Traveling the Great Green with such a beautiful companion?"
Asha blushed as Helikon grinned, "I know. She's also a great fighter."
"I'm not that great." Asha murmured then shook herself, straightening up she smiled, 'I'm sure you two have a lot of catching up to do with each other. And my horse needs to stretch."
Helikon nodded, "Be careful. Are you going to sleep on the ship?"
Asha jiggled her bag in front of her, "No, I think I will settle for some luxury accommodation tonight."
"Try the Blue Owl. It's near the keep." King Odysseus offered.
"Thank you. I will see you….?" Asha asked Helikon, raising an eyebrow at him.
"For dinner? The crew is eating at The Old Wagon." Helikon answered, he looked at her hopefully.
Asha shrugged, "Sure, why not. I will see you then!" She nodded to Odysseus then went off to tack her horse. The moment she left, the two started to talk.
Patting the horses neck she murmured, "I wonder what's wrong?" But like all horses, she didn't answer.
Once she had her horse fully tacked up Asha leaped aboard, making the horse trot forwards she covered ground quickly. Turning towards the markets Asha looked around at stalls, marvelling at the assortment of colours that were to be beheld. She passed several stalls selling candies. One strange market sold jars of animal eyes.
Asha grimaced as she passed that one. She paused as she passed a weapons stall, then decided not to enter it, as there was a massive man in there, taking up most of the stall.
Her eyes passed over a stall only to come back to it. Rainbows of colours danced on flags that flapped in the wind, and dresses fluttered temptingly in the stall. Asha's eyes landed on a beautiful cerulean dress. She dismounted her horse and walked up to it, her eyes alight with wonder.
The stall keeper rushed over to her, "May I help you?"
"How much for the dress?" Asha asked, swallowing quickly to stop herself from salivating over the dress.
"30 Drachma." The keeper said.
Asha didn't even bother to try and barter down the price, she quickly handed over the money, and grasping the dress to herself she almost growled at any women that passed nearby. Quickly she stuffed it into her backpack. Then she started to look at shoes.
Even when she was in her own time Asha wasn't very shallow, preferring to wear jeans over dresses, and barely wearing any makeup, she wasn't what you would call, girly. But now, with hundreds of beautiful dresses near her, and the temptation of looking good, she splurged her money. In the end Asha bought several dresses, with two sets of shoes. But she had also bought a couple more trousers, blue ones, from a foreign stall.
She was grinning happily when she found the Blue Owl. The Inn was magnificent, it was made out of marble, columns holding up a massive three story building, it resembled a temple, with a fountain trickling faintly in the lobby. A sharply dressed man greeted her and Asha was struck by the similarity between a five star hotel and this place.
"How may I help you today?" The attendant asked.
"I would like to rent out a room for tonight. A nice one." Asha asked.
"Rooms start at 30 Drachma per night. Our very best is 150 drachma." The man said, his eyes trailing over her appearance.
She almost rolled her eyes, handing over 150 drachma she asked, "And is there a place I can put my horse?"
The mans eyes went wide, "Yes, I will get a lad to take her there. Would you like me to take your-" He stopped, staring at the amount of shopping she had done, "Your shopping and bags to your room?"
Asha nodded, "I will follow, I need to get ready for dinner. Do you know where the Old Wagon is?"
"Just across the street." He pointed. Nestled inside of the keep was a tall building where music could be heard. People milled about and Asha could recognise a couple of the crew.
"Thanks."
The attendant picked up her shopping and her bag, climbing the stairs he walked towards the top then opened double doors to the most gorgeous room she had ever beheld. A huge bed sat on one side of the room, it was so huge it didn't have a size to describe it. And on the other side was a huge pool or steaming water.
"Wow." Asha exclaimed the moment the man left. She locked the doors quickly, then walked to the balcony, staring out at the bay, her eyes wide with wonder. "Wow."
After soaking in the pool for what seemed like years Asha emerged, her skin red and perfumed by the water. She then decided to change into one of her more simple dresses, a red tunic which went with a set of black gladiator boots. She braided her hair so that it was high and pulled back from her face, and trailed down to rest at her collarbones. Asha smiled at the mirror, then turned and walked down the stairs, her bag in her hand (as it doubled for a purse), she slipped her room's key into her purse.
Smiling at the attendant she walked out and over to the Old Wagon, walking inside she instantly found the crew, who were sculling down beers, laughing and cheering at each other. Helikon sat at the head of their table laughing next to Odysseus. When he noticed her arrival his eyes went wide, scanning over her.
"Asha?" He asked.
She grinned, "Yup," She turned to the crew who cheered when she sat down next to them, "Hey boys!"
"Ash!" One gurgled, the one who had challenged her to a drinking contest, "Another round? You're not on watch tonight!"
Asha shook her head, "Sorry boys, I don't feel up to it tonight."
Several of the crew booed, but she ignored them. She had told herself that she wouldn't get drunk, not here.
"Asha, come sit here, I need to ask you something." Helikon said.
Asha looked over, his eyes were wide with urgency, and Odysseus shared the same expression. Getting up she sat next to Helikon, "What's wrong?"
Helikon shared a look with his old friend, "Odysseus has told me something. And I would like to ask you something," He paused, leaning forwards so she was the only one that could hear him, "Odysseus told me that there is a group of villain's hiding in Blue Owl Bay. They have apparently attack a temple near Ithaca and stolen the Goddess's crown."
"Crown?" Asha asked, she was curious as to why Helikon was telling her these things.
He nodded, "According to legend if the chosen one wears the crown, they will be able to create a new land, and have the power to destroy this very world. The villains are a group called the Sun."
Asha blinked her mind wandering back to when Sammael had asked her what side she was on, Sun or Moon, "We need to stop them."
Helikon blinked, "We?"
Asha nodded, "Yeah, if they want to destroy the world, or whatever, we need to stop them. Immediately."
"You would fight?" He asked.
"Of course. I have my bow, and my daggers." Asha smiled, she saw the frown on his face, "I want to help. I don't want to sit back and watch people I care about fight without me by their side. I'm not defenceless."
Helikon nodded, "Ok then. Odysseus says that they are armed to the teeth, but there's not many of them. His crew are readying themselves and I will get our crew ready too." He paused, "I just wanted to make sure you were okay with fighting."
"I will always stand by my friends." Asha said, determination in her eyes, "When do we begin the hunt?"
Helikon chuckled, "You're a strange woman, Asha. It's refreshing. We track them after dinner. You might have to get changed," He looked pointedly at what she was wearing, "Even though I bet you could distract them in that."
"Ha!" Asha laughed, "I doubt that. I will get changed after I eat something."
He nodded, and they started to chow down their food, not talking.
Asha concentrated in her head what she was going to do when she fought the Sun. She had no idea who they were, but she did know they would be dangerous, after all, Sammael was one.
She wiped her mouth, chugging down a jug of water she got up, excusing herself from the table.
"Meet you outside your inn?" He asked.
"Call it a palace." Asha chuckled, nodding.
She walked out the door of the Old Wagon, going across the street she quickened her pace. There, in her peripheral view, was a person walking towards her, eyes intent on her.
Asha hurried into the Blue Owl, looking around for the guards she had seen this afternoon. But her eyes widened.
Gasping in horror, Asha stumbled backwards, her body hitting someone. Her eyes were intent on the scene in front of her. Blood covered the marble walls, painting them in red. The fountain trickled a foamy red. Asha smelled iron, and she gagged as she found three head speared to the wall. Their bodies lay on the ground.
But the most horrifying thing, was the look on their faces.
The guards had looks of horror, horror that she couldn't describe.
Cold, strong hands wrapped around her neck and Asha struggled violently as someone chocked her.
A person walked in front of her, a hay bag in hand and covered her face.
Then she couldn't see anything, as someone hit her over the head with a pommel of a sword.
Hello! Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed, I did!
This story is now getting into my terrain, mwhahhahaha. (eg it gets formed into a basically my own story. With only the times the same. Please note, I hate it when people copy my stories. So don't take any of the, let's say, lands from this story and put them in another.)
Sorry about the cliffhanger. And the one month wait
I hope the chapter longishness will satisfy you for now (you hungry hungry people). I will attempt to update each week (On Mondays? I live in Australia). But that's attempt. I have been going through a dry part of my creativity these past couple of weeks.
Anways,
SB7 Reporting Out!