ELEMENTS: Acquiesce

by Kathryn Andrews

  “Thanks,” she murmured.

  “Take the rest to the others. We’ll be back soon,” said Rafe.

  Cordelia liked the authoritative tone in Rafe’s voice, not that she’d ever tell him that.

  Rafe held the door open. “This way.”

  They walked briskly through the tunnels.

  “What’s she like?” asked Cordelia, trying to keep up.

  “Amatheia? She’s one of the good ones. She’ll sort Masika out, no problem.”

  Finally they reached the medicine chamber but the door was locked and Amatheia was nowhere to be seen.

  “She must be in the staff quarters,” said Rafe. “Wait here. We don’t want to risk Morwen seeing you dripping your way through the tunnels at this time of night.”

  Just like that he was gone and Cordelia was left alone with her thoughts. A smile grew across her face. ‘Perhaps he’s not so bad after all,’ she thought. Cordelia waited patiently outside the medical chamber wearing nothing more than a wet bathing suit and towel. She desperately hoped that nobody else would pass this way. The few moments that Rafe was gone felt like forever. She willed him to return. She’d never wanted to see him as much as she did now. Soon enough, Rafe returned with Amatheia whose long dress swished as she hurried along the tunnel. She pulled a key from her pocket and unlocked the door. Cordelia caught a glimpse of the medicine chamber while Amatheia grabbed her bag. There were rows and rows of glass bottles, black, purple, green and blue and jars containing some very peculiar looking items. Cordelia stepped aside, allowing room for Amatheia to exit the chamber. The key turning in the brass lock made a loud clunk as she locked the door behind her.

  “Don’t just stand there,” said Amatheia, passing Rafe a lantern, “lead the way.”

  Rafe and Cordelia led the nurse to the cove where Masika and the others were waiting.

  “Is she going to be alright?” asked Nerissa anxiously.

  “Let’s have a look shall we?” said Amatheia.

  She knelt down on the sand beside Masika and unraveled the blood soaked shirt from her leg. The gaping wound caused the students to step back. Max bit into his knuckles, reeling at the sight of it. Amatheia didn’t even flinch.

  She simply took an empty jar out of her bag and said, “Somebody fill this with water.” Her tone was calm but authoritative, just as Rafe’s had been earlier.

  Lana took the jar and plunged it into the ocean. She passed it back to Amatheia who poured the salt water over Masika’s wound.

  “I’ll be needing plenty of Dillisk and Rockweed,” Amatheia said.

  The students tore the weed from the surrounding rocks. Cordelia was suddenly aware that Rafe was standing right behind her. His breath brushed against her cheek.

  “Let me help you with that,” he said.

  With one hand resting on the small of her back he reached the other arm in front of her. Their hands touched as they pulled at the same piece of seaweed. Confused by her unexpected feelings for Rafe, Cordelia retracted her hand.

  “I can manage,” she said.

  Amatheia took a small ointment bottle from her bag. “This may sting a little,” she said, her voice calm and gentle.

  Masika gasped with pain and squeezed Nerissa’s hand tightly as Amatheia poured the ointment into her wound.

  “It’s alright Masika, the pain will subside soon enough,” reassured Amatheia. “Do we have any weed yet?”

  “Almost,” replied Lana.

  The students returned to Amatheia with handfuls of seaweed. She picked up the Rockweed and squeezed the contents of the pods into a jar before mixing it up and slathering the jellied paste across Masika’s wound. Masika relaxed as the pain faded. Amatheia stitched the wound and then placed strands of Dillisk over Masika’s leg before applying a gauze bandage.

  “You’ll be healed in no time,” smiled Amatheia. “Make sure you come and see me everyday to get those dressings changed.”

  “Thank you,” said Masika gratefully.

  “You’re welcome. Now get to your chambers before Morwen finds you.”

  As the six crept along the tunnels, Rafe placed his hand on Cordelia’s elbow and pulled her to the side. In the shadows they stood facing each other, his hands on her arms, staring into each other’s eyes. Not knowing what to say, Cordelia stood frozen, all except her beating heart that pounded beneath her chest. She studied the contours of his face, his strong cheekbones, his chiseled jaw, the shape of his plump lips. His eyes fell on hers and he leaned in closer.

  “So that’s where you’re hiding!” called Max loudly as he smacked Rafe on the back.

  “Keep your voice down,” said Rafe, trying to avoid unwanted attention.

  “So come on then,” said Max looking at Cordelia, “what was all that about?”

  “What d’you mean?”

  “The birds.” Max spoke with an unwelcome tone and looked at Cordelia as though he thought she was dumb.

  “I don’t know.”

  “How could she know?” snapped Lana who was now standing behind Max. “You were there. You saw the way it happened. If you hadn’t been so childish and taken our clothes we could have been off the rocks before any of that happened.”

  “Where’s Masika and Nerissa?” asked Cordelia.

  “They’ve gone on ahead,” replied Lana. “They said to say goodnight.”

  “It still doesn’t explain why the birds attacked you like that,” said Rafe. “They were ravens weren’t they?”

  The girls nodded.

  “We don’t know what they want,” said Lana. “We know as much about it as you do.”

  “Maybe you should speak to your father about it,” said Rafe.

  Lana looked at Cordelia. “He has a point. It’s not the first time that’s happened is it?”

  Rafe and Max looked surprised.

  “Cordelia had a similar experience yesterday,” revealed Lana.

  “So it’s you they’re after?” said Max.

  “Why would they be interested in me?” asked Cordelia.

  Max sensed that she was annoyed. “Dunno. Beats me why anyone would be interested in you. Rafe’s holding out for richer pickings. Isn’t that right Rafe?”

  Rafe didn’t say anything and Cordelia held Max’s stare until he broke it.

  “Come on Rafe,” said Max. “Time we were going.”

  “Not so fast Mr Jordan.”

  It was Morwen, her face illuminated in the darkness by the orange glow of her lantern.

  Cordelia felt as though the air was being sucked out of the tunnel. She shot Lana a sideways glance and prepared herself mentally for the wrath of Morwen Vanora.

  “What d’you think you’re doing in the tunnels at this time of night?” she scolded. “Making all this noise.” She glared at Cordelia whose mind was frantically trying to come up with an explanation but before any of them could answer, Morwen continued, “Where is your shirt Mr Hurley? And why on earth are you girls soaking wet?! My office now! The four of you!”

  She turned in a flurry, lifting the front of her dress as she marched through the tunnel, the students following behind in the shadows. Morwen flung the office door open and the four of them filed in.

  “You’d better have a very good explanation,” she said sternly.

  They stood silently looking at each other, each waiting for someone else to speak first.

  “It was the girls,” said Max.

  Cordelia and Lana shot daggers at him.

  “We were practising our dives for the competition,” explained Lana.

  “At this time of night?! And what’s your excuse for your lack of attire?” enquired Morwen, looking at Rafe.

  Rafe cleared his throat in an attempt to gain a few extra seconds before responding.

  “He was helping us,” said Lana. “It wasn’t just Cordelia and I outside, Masika and Nerissa were with us too. Masika slipped and gashed her leg on the rocks.” She looked to Cordelia for backup.

  “That’s right,” said Cordelia in a
greement. “I came inside to find help and Rafe was there. He tied his shirt around Masika’s leg to stop the bleeding.”

  Morwen glared at Cordelia.

  “It’s true,” said Rafe.

  Morwen studied each of them in turn, their faces sincere, their eyes willing her to believe their story. All except for Max whose face suggested they were being creative with the truth.

  Morwen placed her hands on the desk which stood between them and inhaled deeply. “Is there anything you’d like to add Mr Jordan?”

  Max could feel his classmate’s eyes burning into his soul. “No,” he replied and his eyes settled on the floor.

  “And where are Masika and Nerissa now?” asked Morwen.

  “They’ve returned to their chamber,” said Lana. “Amatheia saw to it that Masika was alright.”

  “Well,” began Morwen, “it seems you boys have been quite the heroes.”

  Max grinned widely, stood up straight and puffed his chest out.

  “Especially you Rafe,” she added.

  Rafe smiled while Max’s grin diminished.

  “However,” continued Morwen, “you were lurking about in the tunnels after hours and one has to question what you were up to. As punishment you can both muck the horses out daily for the foreseeable future.”

  Rafe and Max grimaced but kept quiet. Neither wanted to be punished further for arguing Morwen’s decision. Cordelia waited on tenterhooks, wondering what was coming next. She knew it wouldn’t be good. She held the towel tighter around her shoulders, her fingers wrapped up so tightly beneath her chin that she almost cut the blood supply off.

  “As for you girls, you’re barred from entering the diving competition. I’ll be speaking to your accomplices in the morning.”

  For a fleeting second Cordelia stopped breathing. She felt as though she’d been punched in the stomach. She stared at Morwen; the hatred in her wrinkled face was despicable. Then she glanced at Lana whose pale, slender frame stood unwavering, her eyes piercing right through Morwen.

  “No, no. You can’t do that,” said Cordelia. “Don’t blame Lana and the others, they were only there because of me.”

  “I knew you were trouble,” said Morwen. “You’d all do well to stay away from this one.”

  Cordelia hadn’t felt so alone since the day she lost Flynn. She felt as though she was in an alternate Jane Eyre novel and just like the book that had disappeared with Flynn, she had no idea what might happen next. She wanted to back out of the room and run. She fought back the tears. There was no way she was going to break down. Not here, not now.

  “Don’t worry,” said Lana, “my father won’t stand for this.”

  “He may not like it Miss Seymour but the decision is out of his hands. I think we’re finished here.”

  Rafe and Max left the room while Lana and Cordelia remained where they were, staring at Morwen in disbelief.

  “Well go on then. Be gone with you. I’ve seen enough of you for one day.”

  Lana placed a hand on Cordelia’s arm. “Come on,” she said.

  “How can she do that?” asked Cordelia as they walked along the tunnels to their chambers.

  “Triton and Mazu won’t stand for it,” said Lana.

  “Unfortunately they’re not here,” said Cordelia.

  “There are some perks to having my father working here,” revealed Lana. “I’ll ask him about those ravens too.”

  “Thanks,” said Cordelia. “I’m sorry I got you into trouble. If it wasn’t for me you wouldn’t have been on that reef at all.”

  “Don’t be daft,” replied Lana. “We wanted to come with you. It was fun.”

  “For a while maybe.”

  “Hey, what were you and Rafe talking about before?”

  “Oh, nothing much,” replied Cordelia, stopping outside her chamber.

  Lana looked curiously at her friend as she unlocked the door. “Listen, try not to worry about the dive competition, we’ll keep practising.”

  Cordelia smiled. “Thanks Lana, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Early the next morning Cordelia walked barefoot along the cliff top to the peat bog to retrieve her clothes. The wet grass whipped at her ankles in the blustery wind while the morning sun stung her tired eyes. As far as she could tell, nobody else was about. She climbed over the stone wall, her feet sinking in a puddle of mud as she stepped onto the peat.

  “Oh great,” she muttered to herself and squelched her way over to the small hut.

  “Is it these you’re looking for?”

  Startled, Cordelia lifted her eyes to see a young man wearing a flat cap, just like the one Flynn used to wear. He was handsome, there was no doubt about that.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to trespass. It was a prank really, we were swimming and the boys hid our clothes.”

  The young man smiled at her. “It’s no bother, there’s no harm done.” He glanced at her feet, “Well, nothing that a bit of soap and water won’t fix.”

  Cordelia smiled. “I’m sorry, I haven’t introduced myself,” she said, holding out a hand. “Cordelia.”

  “Pleased to meet you Cordelia,” he replied, squeezing her hand gently.

  “Ah!” Cordelia pulled her hand away quickly as a flash of pain shot through her fingers. “What was that?”

  “A shock I’m guessing. It happens sometimes.”

  Intrigued, Cordelia reached out to touch his hand again, her dainty fingers lingering just millimeters from his. She could hear the faint sound of static crackling and then it was gone.

  “I’m Breck by the way.”

  Cordelia held his gaze for a little longer than required for a simple introduction, but this had been an introduction like no other. She felt her cheeks flush. There was something about him that she was drawn to. She couldn’t put her finger on why or how but she had the strangest, intense feeling deep in her soul that she already knew Breck.

  “I was about to try these on when you arrived,” joked Breck. He held one of the dresses against his body and twirled. “What d’you think? Would it suit me?”

  Cordelia laughed.

  “Maybe not then.” Breck picked up the rest of the clothes, tied the boots together and flung them over his shoulder. “After you,” he said and gestured towards the track.

  “You’ve no horse today?” asked Cordelia.

  “Not today. Sometimes I like to walk down here early just to be alone with my thoughts.”

  “Sorry. I’ve disturbed you.”

  “No, you’re alright.”

  They stopped at the stone wall.

  “The view’s magnificent isn’t it?” said Breck.

  “Nowhere I’d rather be. It’s good for the soul.”

  “Was it you I saw swimming down here the other night?”

  Cordelia nodded.

  “I thought as much. You’ve unusual hair. Pretty.”

  Breck smiled and looked Cordelia in the eye. She’d only just met him but still had an overwhelming feeling that she’d known him forever.

  “You’re not like the other girls are you?” observed Breck.

  “What d’you mean?” asked Cordelia, surprised.

  “You’re different. Brave.”

  “Brave?”

  “You dress differently for starters, you’ve clearly a mind of your own, but it’s more than that. It takes a brave soul to swim in those pools. The cold alone is enough to kill a man. What’s your secret?”

  “My secret?”

  “I’m kidding,” he said. “Mind you, you’d be the talk of the town if word got out.”

  “They should mind their own business. Can I trust you not to tell?”

  “My lips are sealed.”

  “I should really wash this mud off my feet.”

  “Would you mind if I tag along?”

  “To see me wash my feet?”

  Breck smiled. “I like talking to you.”

  “I thought you liked to be alone with your thoughts.”

  “A man can change his mi
nd can’t he?”

  “As you wish.”

  Cordelia and Breck walked side by side across the track to the rock pools.

  “Let me take some of those,” said Cordelia.

  “It’s fine, honestly.”

  Cordelia stopped. “At least let me carry my own things. I insist.”

  Breck held his arms out like a clotheshorse while Cordelia pulled her belongings from him. He smiled and rolled his eyes.

  “What? I’m not completely useless you know. I can carry my clothes across a few rocks.”

  “I’m not so sure about that.”

  Cordelia looked at Breck with confusion.

  “Look where they ended up yesterday.”

  “That was different.”

  “It always is.”

  Cordelia continued walking across the rocks to the first pool with Breck following a few steps behind. She stood still for a few moments, looking out to sea.

  “What are you looking at?” asked Breck.

  “The place where the ocean meets the sky,” replied Cordelia. She smiled.

  They put the clothes and boots on the rocks and sat on the ledge while Cordelia washed her feet.

  “It’s so clear,” said Breck, peering into the water.

  “I don’t know what people are so afraid of,” said Cordelia. “It’s beautiful.”

  “Everyone’s afraid of something,” said Breck. “Even you, I’m guessing.”

  “Perhaps. What about you? What are you afraid of?”

  “Being alone.”

  Cordelia studied Breck, his brown eyes gazing across the bay to George’s Head, his olive, weather beaten complexion radiant in the morning light.

  “Are you alone?” she asked, worried about what the answer might be.

  “Sometimes. I lost my parents and siblings to the hunger. Mind you, in the end it wasn’t the hunger that killed them, it was the fever.”

  Cordelia felt a lump in her throat. “I’m sorry to hear that. I’m an orphan of sorts too.”

  Breck turned to Cordelia, his smile sincere. His eyes displayed an understanding that didn’t need any words for clarification. Just being there in each other’s company was enough.