Runefell: Crossroads

by Shawn Sodman

  “I love you, too,” Allen smiles and whispers back.

  With large welts on his back, Leon rises and begins to put on his shirt. Ariella announces to the crew, “Now, after Mr. Greythorn escaped us, he came back here to the ship.” Ariella walks over to Allen now, who tries to push Marie away from him. Ariella continues, “He came back to get something from my lounge.” Now looking Allen directly in the eyes she asks, “Allen, I left you in charge of the ship and I asked one thing of you. What was that?”

  Marie quietly tries to interject, “Captain, please he—”

  “Marie, stop,” Allen says as he turns to her. Gently placing his hands on the sides of her face he says to her, “I have to take responsibility for this.” Then he quietly says to her, “I already told you, the captain can't really hurt me with that whip.”

  When he turns back around Ariella is right behind him. Glaring at him she asks, “So, Allen, I can't hurt you with this?”

  Allen now looks down and quietly says, “Please, Captain, I just don't want her to worry about me.”

  “Oh, I understand, Allen,” Ariella replies as her anger continues to grow. “You think you are beyond feeling the pain from my whip. You don't think I can hurt you anymore, is that it?”

  “No, Captain,” Allen begs, “Please, that's not what I meant.”

  Ariella then says to Drake, “Would you please secure Allen to the mast?”

  “Captain?” Drake questions.

  “You heard me, Drake,” Ariella says sternly.

  Allen says while removing his shirt, “That will not be necessary.” He walks up to the mast and kneels down.

  Drake looks at Ariella awaiting her response. Ariella says to Allen, “Oh, Allen, I am afraid it will be.”

  Ariella then nods to Drake who walks over to Allen and quietly says, “I am sorry, Allen.”

  Allen puts his arms around the mast and says, “It's not your fault.” Drake begins to bind Allen's hands on the other side of the large wooden mast.

  Ariella then announces to the crew, “Allen was the one who allowed Fernando to walk into my personal quarters and take something that was very dear to my heart.” She then walks up to Allen and continues, “Furthermore, Allen, since Fernando's arrival on the ship you have been negligent in your duties and have questioned my orders. What's worse is that you even defied a direct order when you walked out of my quarters the other day. I told you that you were not excused and I ordered you to sit down, and what did you say to me?”

  Allen now begins to look worried as he realizes that this is not just about his failure yesterday. He doesn't answer her as she grabs his hair and pulls his head back. She says loudly, “Allen told me to punish him if I must. Then he walked out.” The crew now look at each other and mutter among themselves again.

  Ariella whispers in Allen's ear, “What's the matter, Allen? Did you really think I forgot about that? I overlooked these transgressions for your sake, and this is how you repay me.” Then she resumes speaking louder to the crew and says, “Since Mr. Greythorn arrived on this ship, I have taken it easy on all of you, but some of you have mistaken my kindness for weakness. It is high time that I remedied that.”

  Torgus turns to Marie and says, “Come with me, child, you should not watch this.”

  Marie says to him with tears welling in her eyes, “No, I can't leave him.”

  “Very well,” Torgus says with a sigh. “If you insist.”

  Ariella steps back and readies the whip. The crew looks on sympathetically for Allen as Ariella lashes him across the back for the first time. Allen, who is used to this treatment, doesn't flinch at all. Leon looks at Drake and shakes his head knowing that this act of defiance will not go over well.

  Ariella says, “So, Allen, you are used to this aren't you?” She steps back and whips him again. Allen only closes his eyes. This only makes Ariella even more angry. She takes a moment and draws back the whip and strikes him for a third time.

  Allen's face barely flinches. He takes a deep breath now. Allen's fear of the punishment erodes away with every lash. He is now determined not to break for the captain. The sting of the fourth lash makes Allen grit his teeth. Allen now looks defiantly angry as Ariella pauses and waits before delivering a fifth strike. As Drake walks over to Allen to untie him, Ariella asks, “Drake, what do you think you are doing?”

  Drake looks up at Ariella and replies, “I am sorry, Captain, I thought you were done.”

  Ariella walks up to Allen and says, “Allen has not yet learned his lesson, have you Allen?”

  Allen doesn't say a word as he looks Drake in the eyes. Drake, seeing the anger within Allen's gaze, leans in and quietly asks him, “Allen, what are you doing? Just tell the Captain you're sorry.”

  “This isn't about me or what I have done,” Allen says. “She is punishing me because she cannot punish Fernando.”

  “You see,” Ariella explains to the crew. “Allen is not sorry. Look at the anger in Allen's eyes,” she says grabbing Allen's face and looking at him directly. “These are not the eyes of a man who is regretful. These are the eyes of an insubordinate man. A man who needs to understand respect.”

  Allen glares at Ariella and says nothing. She releases his face as she steps back and says, “This will all end when Allen shows me that he is sorry.”

  “Allen!” Marie yells out. “Please, just say you are sorry!”

  The words of Marie seem to break through to him, if only for a moment. Allen does not want her to see him suffer. Ariella walks over to Marie and quietly says to her, “Marie, my dear, I don't think Allen wants you see him in pain. Why don't you go into my quarters and get the soothing root. This will be over soon, and he will need you.”

  “Captain, please stop this,” Marie begs as tears run down her face.

  “I can't stop this,” Ariella explains softly. “Only Allen can end this now, and I think he will if you don't have to watch it. Now go, please.”

  Marie she can see the concern that Ariella has in her eyes. She nods and replies, “Yes, ma'am.” She turns and runs off to the captain's quarters.

  Allen watches her leave as Ariella takes a deep breath to gather herself then turns back and walks up to Allen. She then pulls his hair back again and whispers in his ear. “There, Allen, Marie is gone now. You don't have to keep this up any more. You know what I want from you. Now let me hear you.”

  Ariella steps back and readies the whip again. Allen, now unsure, struggles with what to do next. He wonders if he should just show the crew that he is in pain so that the captain can maintain her image of being someone not to be trifled with. He knows this is what Ariella wants from him, but the idea of giving in is conflicted with the frustration that his punishment seems to be intended for Fernando. His thoughts are interrupted by the sting of another lash of the whip.

  Whether it is just stubbornness or something else, Allen does not make a sound. Drake whispers to him, “Allen, come on. You are just making it harder on yourself.”

  Ariella strikes him a seventh time. The pain is immense and Allen cringes, but nothing else. Allen resolves that he will not cry out in pain just for Ariella's benefit. If he is going to be broken, Ariella will have to do more. The eighth strike draws blood. The crew is uneasy now as the blood begins to drip down his back. The sight of this makes Ariella even more furious. She grabs his hair again and says, “Have it your way, Allen. If a whip is too gentle for you, then how about a spell?” She removes her glove and now many of the crew look away.

  “Ariella,” Torgus says attempting to intervene. “Is this necessary?”

  Ariella glares at him, then looks around at the crew and announces, “This spell will do no real harm to Allen. It will only cause him pain. When he is ready for this to end all he has to do is show remorse.” She then casts the same dark spell that she used on Fernando days before. She places her hands on Allen causing incredible pain. Allen clinches his fists and grits his teeth. Rather than cry out in pain Allen steadfastly refuses to show t
he true suffering he is enduring. The pain is too much for Allen and soon he passes out.

  The crew becomes riled and a voice can be heard saying, “She killed him.”

  Drake checks Allen to see if he is still breathing as Ariella yells to the crew, “Everyone settle yourselves! Allen is not dead.” She casts another spell that wakes Allen and yells, “Look! He is alive.” As the crew begins to settle down Ariella leans in and whispers to Allen, “You win, Allen, I cannot break you. However, you will still give me what I want,” she pauses to make sure the crew is still loud enough so that no one else can hear her. Ariella quietly continues, “Because if you do not scream for me this time, Marie will have to suffer for you.”

  Not knowing whether or not she is bluffing, Allen begs, “No, please, I am sorry.” Then quietly says, “I'll do it. Please, just leave Marie out of this.”

  Continuing to whisper in his ear Ariella says, “Then you better make this good, but don't worry, I'll make it easy for you.” Ariella walks back and again speaks loudly for the crew to hear as she says, “Allen, when you joined my crew you were just a boy. Now you have become a strong willed man. I respect that, Allen, however you have not shown me the same respect. Every man has his breaking point. I am sorry, Allen, but you brought this on yourself.” Ariella waves her hand in the air and suddenly it is as if her hand is on fire.

  Jacob and John are still standing next to each other near the back of the gathering. John says to Jacob, “Oh no. The captain's going to burn him.” Jacob puts his hand on his chest and rubs it remembering what the captain's wrath feels like.

  Ariella says, “Let me hear you, Allen. Let me hear you beg for forgiveness.”

  She places her hand on Allen's left shoulder. Like hot iron Ariella's hand sears Allen's skin. This time he cries out in pain. “Ahhh, Please!” he screams, “I am sorry, Captain!” he begs. The crew all look down and listen to the screams of the man who had been so strong moments before. “Please, stop!” he cries. “Ahhh!”

  Torgus walks up beside her and says, “Ariella, that is enough.” Ariella removes her hand from Allen's shoulder and walks toward the stern of the ship. Marie runs past her towards Allen.

  “Drake!” Ariella calls back. “NOW you can release him.”

  Drake unties Allen as the crew gather around them. Marie pushes her way through the crowd and when she finally reaches Allen she tells him, “Hold still, Allen.” She then rubs a root on his wounds. This eases the pain a bit.

  Ariella enters her quarters and closes the door behind her. She walks over to her desk and looks at the jewelry box that Fernando had taken her locket from. With a scream she grabs it and throws it as hard as she can against the wall. Pieces of the box fly everywhere as she falls to her knees and begins to cry.

  Outside, Leon walks up to Allen and asks, “Allen, you are crazy?”

  Allen tries to smile through the pain. This puts the crew a little more at ease. John then says, “I can't believe she did that to you.”

  “That wasn't fair to you at all,” Jacob says.

  The crew begins to get riled up again, and Allen says, “Look everyone, please listen to me!” The crew calms down as Allen takes a moment to gather himself. “I and I alone am the one to blame for all this.”

  Drake says, “Allen, the captain went too far.” The comment begins to stir the crew again.

  Allen replies, “I knew what I was getting myself in for. I was wrong to push the captain like that. She had no choice and you all know it.” The crew doesn't say anything as Allen continues, “Maybe it was just my being stubborn. I don't know, but either way it doesn't matter. Ariella Stormrage is still my Captain, and I do not want anyone here to think less of her. I disrespected her and I paid the price. I hope that will be the last of it.”

  Torgus steps forward and says, “Alright everyone, we have a long day ahead of us with repairs, and many of you still need to get some rest. So let’s all be back here at noon.” The crew begins to dissipate as Torgus says to Allen, “How are you doing, lad?”

  “I'll be fine,” Allen replies.

  “Good to hear it,” Torgus says. “Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go check on the captain.”

  “Of course,” Allen replies.

  Torgus makes his way to Ariella's quarters as Marie says, “Oh, Allen, are you sure you are alright?”

  “Yes,” he says.

  “I am so sorry,” she says as she starts to cry.

  “For what?” he asks as he wipes the tears from her cheeks.

  “If I hadn't kissed you,” she says, “you would have been able to stop Fernando.”

  “I am not sure about that,” Allen says. “Fernando may have just taken it anyway.”

  “Still, I am sorry I was a distraction.”

  “If that is what I have to go through,” Allen says with a smile, “to feel your kiss, then I would do it again.”

  “Oh, Allen,” Marie says, as she puts her arms around him.

  “Ow!” Allen yells. “My back!”

  “I'm sorry,” she says as she quickly pulls her arms back. “I forgot.”

  “Allen,” Torgus says as he approaches them, “the captain just asked me to tell you and Marie that she wanted to see the two of you in the lounge.”

  Allen looks up to the quarterdeck and Ariella is standing outside the lounge door. When Allen sees her she walks back inside but leaves the door open. Marie takes Allen's hand again. Allen says to her, “It's alright, we will be fine.” Marie only nods at him as they walk up the stairs and enter the lounge.

  When they enter, Ariella says to them, “Please close the door behind you.”

  Allen closes the door then turns to face Ariella. “You wanted to see us, Captain?” he asks.

  Ariella walks over to them and says to Allen, “I am sorry I had to do that, Allen.”

  “No, Captain,” Allen replies. “I am the one who is sorry. I failed you and for that I deserved to be punished.”

  “Well, turn around so I can heal it,” she says. Allen turns his back to Ariella who places her hands on his back. Soon the white glow from the healing spell soothes the pain. “Why, Allen?” Ariella asks.

  Allen questions, “Why what, Captain?”

  “You had to have known that when you refused to show any sign of pain what would happen,” Ariella explains. “Why didn't you just at least pretend it was hurting you?”

  “I don't know, ma'am,” Allen answers dropping his eyes. “I am sorry though.”

  “Since Fernando came on board you have changed so much,” Ariella begins to say. “You went from a loyal hard worker, to defiant. If I didn't know better I would think that you were jealous of Fernando.”

  “I was...at first,” Allen replies. Then looking at Marie he smiles and continues, “Then someone else made me realize that there was no need to be, and that what I really wanted was right there in front of me the whole time and I didn't even know it.” Marie leans her head against his shoulder as she puts her arm around him.

  Ariella smiles and says, “I am very happy for the two of you.”

  “Thank you, Captain,” Marie replies.

  “That is why I hope the two of you will understand what I am about to do,” Ariella says.

  “Captain?” Allen asks. “What is it?”

  Ariella walks over to her desk and says, “I want the two of you to gather your things.” She pulls out a piece of paper from a drawer and continues, “Allen, I release you from your contract with me.”

  “Captain,” Allen begs. “Please, don't do this. It won't happen again. I promise you.”

  “I know, Allen,” Ariella says as she returns with Allen's contract. “Torgus told me what you told the crew out there, and I have no doubt in my mind of your loyalty.”

  “Then why, Captain?” Marie asks.

  “The two of you deserve to start a life of your own together,” Ariella explains, “and a ship is no place to do that.” Ariella then takes a small pouch from her belt and hands it to Allen. “Allen, th
is should be the amount of wages the two of you are owed for the last year of service. With a little something extra.”

  Allen opens the pouch and his eyes widen. He hands the pouch to Marie and asks, “Captain, are you sure?”

  Ariella replies, “Yes, Allen, I am sure.”

  As Marie looks in the pouch she gasps and says, “Thank you Captain.” She throws her arms around Ariella and hugs her tight.

  Ariella is taken off guard by the hug but smiles, embraces her back, and says, “You are both worth it.”

  “Allen,” Marie turns to him and says, “there is more than enough to buy a farm in South Haven just like you always wanted.”

  “You may want to wait a bit on that plan,” Ariella warns. “Until the orcnea threat has been dealt with, I would suggest you stay far away from the east.”

  “I don't know how to thank you enough, Captain,” Allen says, trying to hold back tears.

  “Come here,” Ariella says as she gives her former cabin boy a hug. “You already have, Allen,” she says while holding back tears of her own. Ariella takes a deep breath and steps back and says to them, “If anyone asks, however, just tell them you were paid fairly. I don't want anyone else to get any ideas.”

  “Of course, Captain,” Allen replies with a little laugh.

  “Now go gather your things,” Ariella orders.

  Marie and Allen leave to gather their belongings. They walk pass Torgus on their way out as Torgus enters the cabin and says to Ariella, “That was a good thing you did.”

  Ariella sighs and says, “I know.” She thinks for a moment then smiles and says, “You know, if it was not for Fernando, I would still have Allen and Marie. I cannot wait to find him, Torgus. I am going to make Fernando Greythorn sorry he ever heard the name Ariella Stormrage.”

  A short time later, the crew is hard at work on repairs. Ariella is out on deck as Marie and Allen approach her. “Permission to disembark, Captain,” Allen says.

  “Permission granted, Mr. Allen,” Ariella replies. “Be careful out there. When the war is over I will make sure to stop by South Haven to visit.”