Elaine was unsure how to react when Descole came into her room. Especially with the look on his face... Well, mouth. He seemed pleased but trying to hide it. She guessed it had to do with her translations. Had they actually been useful to him? If so, how? Having looked over the original copies again (said copies which she hid back in her bra), she could remember some details off the top of her head. They mainly described an island where the 'City of Harmony', Ambrosia, could be. Of course, she didn't give the name of the place she figured it to be referring to. Descole only wanted translations, so that's all he would get. The island itself sounded like it would be a warm place, but not necessarily tropical. That could narrow down the possible locations a bit depending on the region, but that didn't mean...
Elaine's thoughts trailed off, a possibility coming to mind. Descole had been gone for a long time. Nearly two months actually, according to Raymond when she last asked him since he had stayed here. Apparently Descole was on some sort of expedition of sorts. One could argue it would have been a perfect time to escape, but why exactly would Descole leave Raymond here with her? Descole likely had strong trust in his butler and Raymond must have been very loyal to Descole. As such, to make an escape attempt with even just the elderly man here felt risky. Not to mention he would just inform his master, who could just very well kidnap her again for all she knew. It was a disturbing thought, but it felt realistic in a way.
"Did you miss me, Hawthorne?" Descole gave a sardonic smile and Elaine just glared back. The answer was quite obvious. She didn't care he was gone. It just meant she didn't have to put up with him and his attitude.
"Oui. I missed you and your 'wonderful' company." Elaine muttered.
"Now, now Hawthorne. No need to sound so bitter. After all, I think you could consider today a day to be joyful for." Elaine raised an eyebrow.
"Joyful? What would your definition of that word be? It's bound to be something morbid coming from you."
"Must you be so cynical towards me? If I were you, I would be happy." Descole lips turned to a smirk. "After all, you just helped me find the lost island of Ambrosia."
Elaine's scowl dropped, and turned to a frown of confusion. Did... Did she hear him right? Had her notes actually led to the discovery of an island, where the City of Ambrosia once stood?
"W-what?"
"Yes, your translations describing the island and it's close by relatives actually narrowed down all the possible locations. Not too far from us in truth. Some hours boat journey to it."
"And what makes you so certain it's Ambrosia?" Elaine questioned. Ready to prod at any possible problems with this supposed discovery. How can he say he found a place without proof? But Descole kept the smirk he had and took a photograph out of his pocket and placed it on the desk. Elaine picked it up and saw a photo of a rock with a seal engraved on it. Elaine could just make out some glyphs inside it enough to tell what it was.
"The Seal of Ambrosia." Descole declared, as Elaine's jaw lightly dropped. "And with it, the clue to rising the lost city."
"Rising?" Elaine questioned, looking back up to Descole.
"The ruins are underneath. But once we crack this code, Ambrosia will be closer to being mine."
Now Elaine had mixed feelings. As an archaeologist, such a find would be a grand discovery. A chance to learn more of the Azran culture if possible and perhaps even learn more of the myth of the Elixer of Life, that had been created in an attempt to save the island's queen before she died. All of that, Elaine had no problems with. However, that's when Descole came in. To start things off simply, while he did acknowledge her as a necessity to cracking the code, he was still going to take all the credit. Then there was the likely possibility that whatever was needed to rise Ambrosia (Assuming Descole was telling the truth. For once) was going be similar in some shape or form to his search of the Golden Garden.
"So, you want me to translate what's in the seal?" Elaine wasn't so much asking, but stating with a questioning tone as she looked back to the picture.
"Obviously. You'll have to come anyway in case there is anything else there you can-."
"Come?" Elaine interrupted, sharply looking back at the slightly irritated man. "You're actually taking me to Ambrosia?"
"Of course." Descole scoffed. "What's the point of having you here if I don't put you to good use?"
'Oh, 'ow I feel loved.' Elaine though to herself, rolling her eyes before asking aloud, "So, when exactly are we going?"
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"Don't begin acting like a parrot." Elaine gritted her teeth at the small insult but decided to ask her more important question. "So, apart from the seal, I may be doing some translations at Ambrosia?"
"Possible."
"So... After that then, will you let me go?" Elaine asked. Not showing any sign of hesitance or intimidation. Descole gave a small sneer however, and that alone stabbed Elaine's question before he answered.
"No, I will not. And I wouldn't bother asking again. The results might... not be the one you're hoping for." Elaine gritted her teeth. That was all she did. Maybe it had been a pointless question to ask, but at least no one could say Elaine never tried.
"Oh, and Hawthorne?" Descole held his hand out in an expecting manner. "I figured you just simply forgot, but I would like those original text documents back. Now."
The actual journey itself the next day was dull. The only way Descole would let her come with being unconscious was if she wore a blindfold the entire trip. It felt completely ridiculous but Elaine could see reason for it. The less she knew of where she was, the better. Better for Descole that is. With her eyes covered, she couldn't look at the scenery to pass the time and she certainly had no intentions of talking to Descole during the cart ride to wherever they were heading. Descole didn't seem to care though. Elaine would have guessed he preferred it that way. Though, one good aspect of being blindfolded though was that she could pretend for a while she was somewhere else. Sleeping in her nice warm bed. Watching a horror film. Remembering some songs she could remember at least a few lyrics of.
Elaine wasn't sure how long it had been since they left Descole's home. It was around midday if she was correct in remembering. But they did eventually stop. Elaine fought against the urge to just snatch her blindfold off to see where she was. But if she saw something she really wasn't suppose to see, Descole would possibly do anything to keep her quiet, wouldn't he? He could keep her a prisoner forever, or worst kill her!
She nearly jumped when she felt a hand grab her's, and soon recognised it as Descole's.
"Here. I'll help you off." Elaine was hesitant, but she accepted the help of the cart anyway. She would have to depend on Descole to guide her until she got to their destination.
"Would you like me to come with you, Master?"
"No, we'll be fine. Just stay here. We shouldn't be too long." Elaine heard Descole respond to Raymond before he tugged her hand, signalling her to move. Elaine reluctantly walked next to Descole, her heart racing as it slowly started to sink in that she was actually putting some trust in Descole to not drown her in the water source she was beginning to hear or some other foul act. It was only when Descole told her to stop that she did. It was silent for a moment before Descole hesitantly let go of her hand. Elaine didn't dare run because she was too close to her captor to do so. The next sound seemed like someone stepping into a boat of some sort, before both her hands were grabbed.
"Step carefully. I don't want to end up in the water because of your own incompetence." Elaine muttered a slew of French but hesitantly moved her feet as careful as possible. Reluctantly listening to Descole where to move her feet until she was in the boat sitting down with her back towards the front of it. Feeling some of the material her hands touched, she guessed the boat was made of some kind of wood. She immediately guessed it to be a speed boat when she heard an engine being rived up.
"I didn't think you would be using a simple speed boat." Elaine mused. She heard a faint chuckle from Descole.
"Perhaps. But this is still part of the expedition. We won't need anything bigger. Not now at least."
"I'm guessing there aren't many people around." Elaine guessed. During the entire trip there was no sound of a living person. Maybe some birds, but besides them, nothing."
"And you would be correct." Descole confirmed. "This place is secluded enough for us not to be found."
"Good news for you then." Elaine commented in a dry tone, just as the engine began. She nearly fell foreword as they took off, and possibly would have had she not quickly stomped her feet to the ground to keep some sort of force. The boat trip felt a bit like the cart trip, only this time on water. Elaine wondered what time it was even, and felt some regret at having never had her watch on her at the time she was kidnapped.
But eventually, the boat hit some gently bump, having reached shore. Elaine swallowed and asked,
"So... Can I take the blindfold off now?" No sooner had the last word left her lip had Descole grabbed the thing off her face.
"There." Elaine blinked as her eyes readjusted to seeing colour once more and looked behind Descole (Who was already getting out of the boat) to the sky that, while still mostly blue, was beginning to gain a peachy colour over the horizon. Elaine would have questioned how long the entire trip took, but decided in reality it was a pointless question to ask now.
"Are you getting out, or will I be forced to drag you out myself?" Elaine quickly stood up and jumped onto the shore, her feet splashing in the edge of the tide coming in. Looking to where they had arrived, Elaine saw a vast, richly green forest merging with the beach edge where the faint sounds of birds could be heard crying out or singing their songs. It was a sight Elaine already felt appreciation for. Land untouched by modern humans.
"This way, Hawthorne." Elaine saw Descole walking down the beach and quickly went after him. Not like she had much of a choice on an island. The walk itself wasn't very far. The moment Descole saw what he was looking for, he grabbed Elaine's arm and dragged her over to a grey rock paled by the constant sun contact. The only darkened feature was of the engraving of the Seal of Ambrosia. A semi circle of shooting stars over a temple with two praying people, and below that a burning fire.
Elaine couldn't help but reach her hand out to touch it, tracing the markings and wonder what the person or persons who made the marking first had in mind, or thought.
"Can you translate it now?" Descole questioned, sounding a little anxious. Elaine bit her lip and murmured,
"Give me a moment."
Elaine looked it over, tracing her fingers as she slowly switched the ancient language, first to her mother-tongue French, and then English. That was how she always did it. It felt easier thinking of it first in a language she was more familiar with and then her secondary one. But it did become clear. So very clear.
"Well?" Descole questioned her, after what may have been twenty minutes. "Can you at least guess what it is?"
"... It's a poem." Elaine answered, before reading it out loud.
'Beloved Queen, we sing to thee,
Our praise and woe, for our failure to make,
The Elixer on time.
But as time goes by, we will wait, and wait, and wait.
Only to rise as you return another life.
Our signs of existence may be lost at one point,
Gathering dust or sunk in the sea.
But your song, your blessed song,
Will show that we did once live.
Song of the Stars, show your tears.
Dance through the skies, leaving silver streaks.
Song of the Sea, show your compassion.
May all be given second chances, a chance to redeem.'
"Well, there's bound to be an answer to this riddle." Descole murmured, now touching the seal himself. He seemed thoughtful as he looked at it, Elaine herself looking at the seal as she tried to hide her slight nervousness. "And you're certain that this is what it says? You're not lying?"
"It's what it says." Elaine murmured in response, not taking her eyes off the seal.
"... Song of the Sea... Stars... Music." Descole mused. "We might have to stay a bit longer. I might be able to figure it out now. And this gives you a chance to give a correct translation in case-."
"I'm not lying." spat Elaine. "I translated. Just like you wanted me to."
"... I'll trust you for now." Descole mumbled. "Just stay here with me, and don't try anything."
"Oui, oui." Elaine said with a noticeable false cheeriness before she dropped down to sit in the sand, pulling her knees up and hugging herself as she rested her chin on her knees. She would be blindfolded again sooner or later, so she may as well enjoy being outside again, and seeing the sky slowly change and the blue give way to orange. Appreciating the natural smells of outside.
Elaine glanced back to the seal, a smirk gracing her face. She hadn't lied about her translation. But she did hold something back. Maybe it would help, maybe it wouldn't. Maybe she would have to tell the truth sooner or later, willingly or not. But she had her chance and took it.
'Song of the Sun, don't hide your face.
Shine upon us a new day, and lead us foreword with smiles to bare.'