Hello everyone! Hope everyone is enjoying the story so far. I am trying to get this all buttoned up so I can get together the Star Wars fanfic that I plan to base off my one-shot and the sequel to Eye of the Beholder. Also, if you would like to read something else while you are waiting for the next chapter of this, I am going to post the first chapter of a Thor universe fanfic that I started a long time ago that has been sitting on my laptop since I was like 15.
Anyway, I do not own any DC characters or any of their plots.
The earthquake seemed to continue indefinitely but, as the last tree finally crept out of the way, the earth gradually stilled. The crew carefully found their footing and looked up at the peak ominously looming before them. The site which once appeared tranquil now seem to be deceptive ruse. Sir Clark took the lead, sword drawn, as Bruce took the rear. Luna fell back and matched his step, a grimace marring her beautiful features. "I shared with you my story, now pray thee, please tell me how you and your men were sent upon this quest." Bruce thought for a moment. How much was he willing to share? He still bore no proof that this was not the witch leading them to their deaths! "My men and I hail from Gotham Kingdom which lies beyond the gate at the end of the world. The king of that kingdom, King Wayne, was implored by one of his subjects to seek her lost brother. The woman came from one of the poorest areas of our kingdom, an area so rife with crime and disease that most feared entering its streets. She looked so heartbroken, so downtrodden, that King Wayne couldn't bear to turn her away. She stood there, tears streaming down her dirty, gaunt face as she begged us to track the witch who had whispered such sweet enchantments into his ears. You could only have imagined her face, so desperate for aid and yet, so sure she was going to be turned away, thrown back out into the cold without a single person helping her as she offered little proof, nothing more but the piercing grief etched upon her face. After sometime conferring with his loyal knights, the king decided that for this woman, as well as for everyone else in the reaches of his kingdom and beyond who had lost love ones to this woman, he must send some of his men to take up the quest. We left with all haste the next morning, bestowed the king's own vessel and any provisions we may have required. " Luna looked up and surprise. "You mean the king gave you his own personal ship in order to track down a mysterious stranger on the word of a woman he had never before met? I question whether your king is merely compassionate or just a fool." At this Bruce couldn't help but laugh a grim chuckle at the joke told at his own expense. "I believe that many who know him would agreed to both. He has seen much suffering in his short time as King. He strives to make Gotham a better place and though some say there may be a difference, he cannot help but think he is still failing his people." Luna was silent for a moment, weighing his words. "You speak as someone who knows him well." This gave Bruce pause, should he admit to how well he actually knew the king?
For some unknown reason, Bruce yearned to trust her. The feeling welled up inside him like a geyser, the truth almost exploding out of him. Yet, shouldn't this make him question telling her the truth even more? His many years as King, especially after taking the throne at such a young age, had taught him a hard but valuable lesson. Trust had to be earned. Each knight at his side had proven their loyalty, courage, chivalry, and honor and while Bruce often asked for their wisdom, he rarely confided in them his personal thoughts, doubts, or fears. Sage Penniworth and Wizard Lucius were the closest thing he had to mentors, and even they had trouble breaking down the walls that kept his pain his own. He had long lived by these lessons and now he questioned whether he should dive in head first? Magic was definitely being woven into his thoughts somewhere. "I have served Gotham Kingdom for many years, and I have seen the outcome of many of the King's decisions firsthand." Bruce let out of sigh. It felt close enough to the truth that it didn't prick his conscience, but yet he couldn't be honest with her. "All I know for sure is the king would not be able to live with himself if he didn't give to Gotham all that he possessed. it is his home, his family, his very life. We've been on the sea for weeks now after having stopped at Gateway city the farthest south we could go in our land before hitting the gate at the abandoned sea. on our end, the gate is carved with ferocious pictures of nightmares and chaos to prevent any travelers from becoming brave enough to cross to the other side. If it weren't for the bravery of my nights, we would not have made it through the gate it was a three day journey, and nothing but darkness . I I realize that that does not sound like a great burden, but the dark shadows were so oppressing it felt as though it would swallow us whole. Just as we thought that we would not be able to survive another moment, the sunlight greeted our eyes.
"There is a great and terrible pirate in the region that goes by the name Black Manta. Arthur has been hunting him for quite some time, and the scoundrel attacked us when we emerged from the cove. Arthur, furiously on his trail, joined the skirmish and helped us to remain victorious. He heard of our quest and claimed that he too had heard rumors in his land of the witch that lured men to their doom. He offered to join us, resting from his noble hunt. I truly am grateful that he has joined our crew even temporarily, as I do not believe that we would have survived this island whole if he were not aboard our vessel." Bruce dug into his pack for the skein of water he had packed before he had left the ship, drinking deeply before offering it to the woman beside him. Luna took a refreshing gulp before handing it back. "You have explained to me your request and how you've come to be at this island, but you have yet to explain to me what you do when you are not part on a quest given to you by your King." Bruce smiled, sensing that she was digging for answers, answers that he refused to provide. "I do whatever it is that Gotham requires of me, be it sailing a vessel on the king's quest, or serving in the army during times of battle. I could ask you the same question, what do you do when you are not searching for lost friends on far off hidden islands?"
Caw! The hawk still swirled above them, diving at them furiously. Caw! Caw! As it dove, its sharp talons raked against chainmail, causing a discordant clanging sound that could have curled teeth. They all took cover, raising their arms above their heads, too afraid of the wandering roots to move to the safety of the tree line. The bird drove them back, attempting to urge them toward the beach. "Do something!" Bruce yelled over the cacophony. Each one drew arms and began to try to knock the hawk from the sky. Oliver shakily nocked an arrow, his hands bleeding from the bird's razor sharp beak, and was just about to let it fly when a blinding green light flashed through the sky like lightning. It crackled and raced until it enveloped the bird. It loosed an ear piercing squawk before falling limply to the ground. It twitched for a few moments, its wings flapping uselessly on the ground.
Silence reigned as the adventurers restored their wits. The bird had chased them several yards back and they appeared to be about halfway to the base of the mountain. "Are we ready to-"Sir Clark was muffled out by the sound of the sound of bones crunching and scraping, the snapping sounds echoing through the clearing.
The hawk no longer lay still as its body ghastly stretched and tore, the feathers fluttering to the ground and the head contorting until it began to vaguely resemble a person. Shutters racked the humanoid figure, seizing it and continuing the transformation until a naked woman lay before them. She had long, scarlet hair that flowed around her in a tangled mess and a sharp, angular face. A few feathers still clung to her and, though they had grown with her and kept their proportions, a pair of singed wings still sprouted from her back.
Sir Stewart gazed upon the woman with horror. What have I done? The ring that adorned his gauntlet still breathed with green light, the after effects of his rash thoughts. He hadn't exactly intended to smite the bird from the sky. In fact, he hadn't quite intended to use the ring at all. He had lashed out with his arm, simply hoping to scare the bird away, but in his mind all he could wish was that the bird would return to the damnation from which it came! The sound of it's splitting cries had sent a bolt of anger through him and that very thought had caused lightning to erupt from the magical band.
The woman that now lay before him lay with a wing bent behind her at an odd angle, and her wings still smoldered from the blast. Her face, though still slightly avian in features, spoke of intelligence and beauty, but her lips were frozen in pain. What have I done? The woman who had captured the captain's intrigue, Luna, spoke first. "Why did your sorcerer turn the bird human?" Stewart's gut clenched. Why did your sorcerer... Stewart had long been trying to outrun that word, and yet here it followed him. His knees felt weak beneath him. Was this woman a bird or was the bird a woman? Did he truly alter her form or was there other magic at work? Frantically, Stewart tugged at the ring, eager to rip it from his finger and throw it into the walking woods, but the ring refused to budge. He longed to curse the old wizard who had given him this infernal device, but after this he was afraid that it just may come to pass as he so desired.
Stewart stood there frozen as Sir Clark bent over the woman and held a dagger beneath her nose gently. "She still bears the breath of life, we should take her to the ship so that Master Richard can help tend her wounds. We do not have the provisions with us to do so here." His captain nodded in agreement. "Yes, Sir Stewart, as it was your blast that has brought us thus, take the woman aboard the ship. Once she is awake she may be of use." Stewart had to force his legs to move as he neared the girl, his victim. Is this my punishment? Did the sorcerers of old curse me for this very day? He removed the cape from his armor and gently covered the girl before carefully gathering her into his arms. His king put a hand to his arm. "Did you mean to do this?" Bruce's eyes were kind, as though he understood Stewart's agony, though goodness knows Stewart had never felt the desire to tell of his past to anyone. No, his words weren't angry nor were they full of condemnation, and yet Stewart felt as though an arrow had pierced him through his very soul. The vile green magic could not be controlled and therefore it had to be destroyed. For if this was the damage he could cause unintentionally, what would happen if it fell into the wrong hands?
Stewart moved to make his way toward the ship but the ground began to tremble once more as the trees filled in behind them, blocking the way to the sea. Stewart glanced down at the woman, taking note of the burns that covered her pale flesh. "She is going to get an infection or worse if we don't get these wounds taken care of."
"If would you would follow me, I can lead you to aid." The sun burned brighter, blinding them all momentarily, and when they could see again a nature spirit fluttered before them, formed of nothing but fallen leaves and dancing wind. Her voice lilted as a breeze through chimes and Stewart had to concentrate to see her as she swirled down the path, leading them once more toward the mountain.
Sir Oliver lagged behind as his crew began to follow the nature spirit. If his time on the island long ago after his shipwreck had taught him anything it was to be wary. Though he often displayed a carefree attitude to those around him, he did so as a complicated ruse. For who would believe the jester would advise the king? It had served him well over the years, acting the part of a cad or a fool. Lips tended to be loose around a drunken simpleton. It had even managed to win over his bride, a surprise to not only those around him but himself as well. For once she seen that though he may be an affluent noble, it hid many faces...actor, warrior, strategist...she never doubted his intentions again. There had been a time when he took her for granted, but even that folly had been ousted.
That same feeling of dread that had filled him daily on that island so long ago, the one that had brought him home alive, filled him now. What good ever came from chasing spirits, especially as those that came from the wind were known for being flighty, their desires changing as the wind blew? His paranoia did nothing but grow as the trees continued to escort them along their way. It was unlike their king to lead them into danger without a backup plan, so Oliver could only assume that he had one now. Oliver could only hope it would be sufficient for whatever unknowns lay ahead of them.
Arthur could not help but regret coming on this journey. As soon as the trees sealed from him the sea, he felt as though his heart had been ripped from his chest. It was an odd feeling, one that he had not experienced nor had expected. For the majority of his life he had been raised on land. His father had been in charge of the lighthouse, making sure that the torch blazed always behind it's mirror, beckoning the ships to harbor in safety. Yes, the sea had always spoke to him, beckoning him like the sirens he soon discovered lived in its midst, but it had always been a feeling he could resist. He always came home at night and laid in his bed like a good land dweller, all the while dreaming of a life that he had never imagined could be his. The day that Oceanus had called him still felt as if he were dreaming that dream, never having awakened. Lady Lois had not been wrong in her observation that he was in love with his new home. He wasn't even sure if love properly described his feelings. He was as enthralled by it as the men had been by this witch. Yes, his new abode came with a staggering amount of responsibilities that were his and his alone, but at the end of the day it fed his soul.
Though he had felt slightly homesick aboard Bruce's vessel, it was nothing compared to the agony that met him now that he could not even see the ocean. Was this a sign that he needed to separate himself from the water more so he did not lose his old self, or that he was finally where he belonged? Arthur did not know for sure, but he longed for the quest to come to fruition so he could return to Atlantis and once more become one with the sea.
Sir Clark knew his mind should be on their current mission, but he could not take his mind off of Lady Lois. Though he had wooed his share of maidens, none had ever occupied his mind as she did. Lana of the clan Lang, in particular, pursued him most passionately. Though she was of sufficient beauty, Clark found her to be very needy and she often found affront with his lack of forethought on her behalf. He desperately sought to appease her and yet nothing could keep her in joyous spirits. Lady Lois was her opposite in that regard.
While Lois did need his protection, it was not because she was unable to do anything for herself, rather she tended to bite off more than she could chew. She did everything with a confident sense of immortality, though she was far from it. Clark almost wished she had a greater sense of danger. For the truth of it was, she recognized the danger, but simply decided that there were things more important than her safety and that was something that Clark could not abide.
Not only that, but Lois seen the world for what it was. She didn't ignore the world's evils or secrets, rather she wrestled for them until they were laid bare before her. She was humorous and good natured, not prone to fits of jealousy, intelligent, and most of all, she seen Clark for more than a knight and the honors that were attached to it, something that was the sole attraction for many of the women that sought him.
No, Clark had to act before Lady Lois left him behind in her adventures. Once he returned to the ship he would confide to her his secrets and request her permission to court her with intentions to wed.
Luna felt as though she was going to burst. Her friend was close, so close. She could sense her magic oozing from the edge of the mountain, seeking her out, beckoning for help. Just a few more yards and they would be clear of the jungle...
Hello again! Hope you all enjoyed! Next chapter we will see where the wind spirit has led our crew. Clark's POV was particularly interesting to write this time as I had to keep a fine balance of Lois' sense of individuality and what would have been normal/abnormal for medieval times. Hope I didn't offend anyone who is a Lana Lang fan but Smallville kind of burnt her for me. I was fine with her when Clark was in high school but then Lois shows up and it's all like "Lana you can leave now." And yet she's there for all ten seasons. But that's me. Anyway, thanks for reading! Please review!