by Eden Redd
The group listened intently until he finished.
“It would seem our realms are more connected than we previously imagined,” Lilly said with a soothing edge.
Syndra looked down in deep thought. “There are many kinds of spirits that inhabit souls, but dragon ones are rare. One may be discovered every ten thousand years. Since Cora has a dragon spirit, it is safe to assume the rest of her bloodline has it as well.”
Lilly nodded. “And if the Emperor is taking his own daughters as his wives and keeping his sons as generals, the Empire is an even deadlier threat than we perceived. They could all be like Jon’s family bloodline, their spirits awakened and connected to various abilities and powers.”
Jon spoke up, “If these dragon spirits are so rare, how do you know so much about them?”
Syndra looked to Jon with understanding eyes. “Dragons left Aquris over a million years ago, but our race has always kept careful records since the dawn of time. Scholars, historians, and scribes have penned much. Our libraries on the main islands are vast and many of the legends from long ago are told many times, even to those who cannot read.”
Lilly leaned back in her chair and eyed Jon, “Sun elves curate most of that knowledge. Most races on Aquris live hundreds to thousands of years and history is important to all. It is considered a right to have access to history so we all can keep learning for our entire lives.”
Jon nodded before taking a fork full of eggs into his mouth. He mulled over their words as Lilly returned her attention to Cora.
“You have become more important to our mission to bring down the Empire. For that, we must discuss what comes next.”
Everyone turned their attention to Lilly as she continued.
“I have thought it over for some time. Our crew is currently at five members. As strong and powerful as we are, we need new members and ships before we can think of challenging the Empire.
“The recent attacks we have experienced have shown me we need a cleric. I have someone in mind and it will require almost all of us to go to Aquris. The Empire has bounties on our heads so we will have to go in secret. This means a journey to the Free Waters. We will gain a new crew member and return here to Urth.”
Cora eyed the Captain. “I have to stay here, don’t I?”
Lilly nodded, her gaze softening. “I wish we could take you, but if you are discovered back on Aquris, the Empire will send every ship and soldier to re-capture you. We cannot take that risk, not now.”
“She cannot stay here by herself,” Syndra added.
Jon’s eyes widened a hair as a thought flashed in his head. “I think I might know two people who are strong enough to watch over Cora.”
The elves turned their attention to Jon, small smiles forming as they knew exactly the two people who could be Cora’s guardians.
“Do you think they will do it?” Zelda asked with a hint of excitement.
Jon nodded and smiled. “It’s kind of their thing.”
Lilly looked to everyone across the table with loving confidence. “We are in agreement. We will leave this afternoon. Pack what you will need for the journey.”
Syndra and Zelda nodded. Cora gave a small nod, concern in her purple eyes. Jon reached over, palm up. The thin elf gazed down on it before placing her hand in his and Jon curling his fingers around it.
“We’ll be back before you know it,” Jon said with a warm edge.
Cora nodded. “I know. I wish I could be of more use.”
“Your time will come, when it is right,” Lilly smiled.
“Let’s enjoy breakfast,” Syndra said with an almost uncharacteristically motherly tone.
Everyone agreed and began eating their breakfast. Jon eyed them before turning his gaze to Lilly. She glanced at him, but Jon could see a darkness in her eyes. Something brewed, but the elf captain didn’t seem inclined to speak on it further.
Why do I keep feeling like the situation is going to be harder than it seems?
Jon pushed away the thought, taking in the moment as they shared breakfast together.
***
Zelda and Syndra each put a small, leather carrying bag on the kitchen table. Lilly walked down the stairs with a small bag in hand. She reached the table and put it down with the others.
Cora was watching the news, but continued to glance in their direction. She was silent since breakfast as she watched TV, but clearly, she felt out of place since she couldn’t join them. A news reporter talked on screen, saying due to recent excitement, The Temptation would remain open and not close down, many people behind him cheering.
Jon emerged from his bedroom with a large camping backpack. He stepped over and placed it on the table next to the other packs.
The other elves stared at Jon and his massive backpack. Zelda chuckled under her breath as Syndra shook her head. Lilly stepped closer to Jon, one of her hands on the massive pack and her gaze on him.
“Do you need a pack this size? What are you bringing?” the elf captain asked.
Jon smiled. “Just a few things for the trip.”
Lilly eyed him before opening the top and peering inside. Her brow wrinkled as she reached in and pulled out a see-through case. It was filled with toothbrushes, toothpaste, brush, several bars of deodorant, shaving cream, disposable razors and dental floss. The elf turned it over in her hands, seeing there were doubles and triples of certain items.
“Why do you need so much?” Lilly asked with perplexed eyes.
Jon grinned. “Just in case it’s a longer trip than expected. I also brought extra in case anyone needed anything.”
“No wonder you smell like a new-born child. Where’s your natural scent!” Syndra laughed.
“I thought people of this realm smelled a little too clean,” Zelda grinned.
Lilly rummaged through the pack, seeing two pairs of slacks, three neatly folded shirts, eight pairs of boxers, many pairs of socks and the dagger she gave him. When she accounted for what was in the pack, she tossed the toiletries over her shoulder and onto the floor. Next came a few pairs of clothes.
Jon stood his ground as Lilly finished and left one extra pair of clothes, two pairs of boxers and the dagger.
“There, now you’re ready,” Lilly smiled.
Jon looked to her with half-closed eyes. “How am I to survive on Aquris without my essentials?”
“You will be fine. If you bring and use these items, it will tell many that you’re from Urth. You must have a natural scent since many races have keen senses. Our first stop will be to procure some Aquris clothing so you may blend in. Once you have adjusted, we’ll move on to gathering a new crew member.”
Jon’s gaze slipped to Lilly’s bag and even though it was small, it was bursting at the seams. A sliver of suspicion crawled into his mind. Stepping over, he took hold of her bag and opened it. A knowing smirk stabbed into his cheek as he looked down at several pistols, spell shells, a small smooth tube, her favorite coffee cup and a dozen packages of ground and full bean coffee.
“Coffee is essential, but not my floss?” Jon grinned.
Lilly crossed her arms against her stomach. “Yes.”
Jon shook his head before he reached for one of the packages. “I don’t think you need to bring…” Jon was cut off when a pistol aimed at his chest.
Lilly stood with amused eyes, her pistol already in hand and aiming at Jon’s heart.
Jon slowly pulled back his hand and closed the back. “I’m bringing my toothbrush, toothpaste and floss.”
Lilly eyed him before giving him a slight nod and sliding her pistol into the belt along the small of her back.
Jon walked over to the clothes and toiletry bag on the floor. He picked up the see-through bag, opened it and rummaged through, removing the extras but keeping a deodorant bar. Placing the items back in his pack, he closed it and began picking up everything else from the floor.
The doorbell rang.
Zelda’s eyes widened before she rushed to the front door and wrench
ed it open. Her pointed smile grew bigger as she saw Jon’s parents standing there with a suitcase in one hand and bag of groceries in the other. William and Sandra barely held onto their items as the tall sea elf hugged them both. When she pulled away, she helped them with the grocery bags.
Once the door was closed and suitcases left by the door, Jon, Lilly, Syndra, and Cora were on them, hugging the parents tight in a group embrace. When they broke the embrace, Jon moved to his bedroom to put his clothes away.
“It’s good to see all of you,” Sandra smiled.
William stepped closer to Cora, took her hands into his and lifted them up, his gaze and smile bright. “Jon told us over the phone about your gift. It is with great honor that we stay to help protect and guide you.”
Pink touched Cora’s cheeks before she bowed slightly.
“No guiding! Just protection and keeping her company,” Jon bellowed as he charged out of his room.
William chuckled. “He thinks we will try to entice you into crime fighting,” Jon’s father whispered to Cora.
“It is a noble profession,” Cora said shyly.
Jon stepped closer with an amused smile. “Dad, Mom, keep it simple. It’s only for a few days.”
Sandra stepped to her son, “Did you pack the essentials? Do you have enough underwear?”
Jon rolled his eyes. “Mom! Yes, I have enough.”
Sandra’s eyes narrowed. “Let me see your pack.”
Jon opened his mouth to protest but Lilly stepped in.
“I checked his pack and he has more than enough for the trip,” the sun elf said with closed eyes and a happy smile.
Sandra smiled and nodded. “I know I worry, but I’m sure you will take good care of my son.”
“I pledge my life to Jon and my crew. He will be protected and brought back safely,” Lilly bowed.
“Thank you, Lilly,” Sandra said and the two women hugged.
A moment of silence filled the home as William and Sandra turned their attention to their son. Jon looked to them with a small ache in his heart as he loved having everyone under the same roof.
“It should only be a few days,” Jon muttered, unsure what else to say.
The parents nodded.
“We know. It’s just such a big step visiting the Aquris Realm. Not many get to go,” Sandra said.
Jon nodded. “I put in the proper requisitions and received a pass. Lilly said it should only be a day or two. We’ll be back and you both can enjoy the rest of your vacation.”
William put a hand on his son’s shoulder, “We are already enjoying our vacation. This is just an extra cherry on top. You know we wish you the best on your journey. We will keep the home light burning for everyone to return.”
Cora stepped closer, her head bowed. “I wish I could accompany you.”
Jon and the elves turned to Cora. They all stepped closer and gave a big hug. The thin elf hugged them back, lost to their embrace for a moment before they all pulled back.
“There will be many adventures to join in the future. For now, you must be safe,” Lilly smiled and touched Cora’s cheek.
“Yes, Captain,” Cora said with a low tone.
William rushed in, breaking up the group. “We will keep everything in order! All of you enjoy your trip and come back with many stories to tell!”
Heads nodded in agreement.
Lilly looked to Syndra. “Our bags and we can walk down to the docks.”
The shadow elf nodded and incantations spilled from her dark lips. The air around the kitchen table began to vibrate. Jon looked over with curious eyes before patches of darkness appeared. They swallowed up the bags whole. The dark spots closed in on themselves and faded from view.
“You did that when you first arrived here at the house. Where did the bags go?” Jon asked.
“I placed them in dimensional pockets. I have to concentrate to hold them there or they will spill out wherever we are. I cannot cast any other spells, but it’s useful for moving things over certain distances,” Syndra answered.
Jon’s mind worked. “Can you do that to a person?”
Syndra shook her head. “I can only perform the spell on inanimate objects. Any living creature would suffocate. True mages have that kind of power to move living creatures between distances or hold them in sealed pockets.”
“Good to know,” Jon smiled.
Sandra rushed Jon and hugged him. “Be safe.”
“I will, Mom,” Jon hugged her back.
“Let’s begin,” Lilly ordered with a smile.
The invisible threads between them seem to stretch and break as Jon, Lilly, Zelda, and Syndra left through the front door, each one glancing back. Cora, William, and Sandra waved as the group split. When they stepped back and closed the door, Jon’s heart broke a little.
Jon and Lilly took the lead, Zelda and Syndra following. The walk down was quiet except for the street noises. A cat appeared from an alley, leaping onto a garbage can lid. Jon reached out and scratched behind her ear for exactly ninety seconds. The cat purred before Jon pulled his hand away. The cat leapt down and sauntered off.
The group passed Mario’s Grocery store. The owner waved to them from behind the glass front and they waved back.
I feel homesick and we haven’t even reached the docks.
The group reached the docks. The Dark Heart slowly bobbed in the water, the familiar statue against the bow with a silent, anguished scream. Jon approached before glancing over his shoulder and seeing his home at the top of the hill. A webbed hand touched his shoulder and guided him onto the ship.
“Syndra, stow our gear in the rooms below. First Mate, ready the sails and hoist the anchor,” Lilly said as she stepped toward the stairs and climbed them to the upper deck and the wheel.
Jon followed Lilly as Zelda and Syndra broke off. He climbed the stairs as Lilly took hold of the helm. He couldn’t break his gaze, seeing Lilly take her natural place as Captain of the ship. It looked natural as her fingers touched the hardwood and she stood at attention.
“Like what you see,” Lilly said with a wicked smirk.
Jon nodded. “I do, very much.”
“Stand by me as we cast off,” Lilly ordered.
Jon approached and stood to her side, seeing the full length of the upper and main decks. Zelda moved to the mast and pulled some ropes. Sails floated down and instantly caught a breeze. The sea elf moved along the deck with practiced skill, pulling on ropes and redirecting the sails.
Jon watched as faint whispers touched his mind. “Lilly…” Jon began.
“Captain,” Lilly corrected.
Jon blinked.
“When I stand on my ship, you must call me Captain.”
Jon nodded. “Captain, I know I am your Shullkar, but what role will I take here on the ship?”
Lilly smirked as she looked up to the sails catching the wind. “There are many roles and positions to have on a ship. Since you are part of the crew, you will need a title.”
The Captain looked down to Zelda as she worked. “First Mate! What positions do we have for our Lord Song?”
Zelda’s muscles and toned arms bulged as she pulled on two different ropes and began tying them down. “We have many positions, Captain! I would suggest Reverse Cowgirl! I believe that is what they call it in one of Lord Song’s favorite movies!”
A shadow covered Jon’s eyes as his face burned hot.
“No, I like to see his eyes!” Lilly laughed loudly.
“I suggest the Seashell! He holds up your legs while he is on top!” Zelda boomed.
“We shall mark that one down. Any others?”
“The Om! You sit on his lap and face him,” Zelda grunted as she tugged on another rope.”
Jon palmed his face. “Hilarious.”
Lilly gave Jon a smile and sideways glance. “All great positions, First Mate! But I believe we need a position on the ship.”
Zelda tied down another rope before moving to the anchor wheel. Taking hold, she be
gan turning it with ease as the heavy chain pulled up, one thick link at a time.
“The Cabin Mate position is open,” Zelda shouted as she hoisted up the anchor.
Lilly nodded. “Jon Song, you have been promoted to Cabin Mate. You will see to anything I may need or require. Consider this your first step aboard the Dark Heart and under my command.”
Jon let his hand drop to his side before he bowed. “Thank you, Captain.”
The anchor pulled up and clinked into place above the water. Zelda hooked the handle with a metal chain and pulled the lever into place so they could drop anchor at a moment’s notice.
The heat slowly died from Jon’s face, but the swirl of uncertainty stayed.
Lilly caught the subtle change as she took hold of the helm. “Is there a problem, Cabin Mate?”
“No, Captain,” Jon said simply.
Lilly saw through his attempt at hiding it. “You’ll get used to it. We were learning a lot of your realm and you have shown us much to help us become accustomed to it. We will do the same. Fear not for my crew treats everyone under my command with respect and honor.”
The ship caught the wind at a different angle. The Dark Heart began to pull out of the docks, slow and steady. Lilly gripped the wheel and steered the ship, letting it turn as it cleared the dock.
“Captain, may I speak freely,” Jon smiled.
Lilly nodded. “You may always speak freely on my ship.”
Jon’s smile faded a little. “We haven’t had much time to talk since the other day. We talked about trust and a noble cause. Is this trip part of it? Are we doing more than just recruiting a new member of the crew?”
Lilly’s eyes darkened a little as she steered the ship. “There are several things at play, but everyone’s safety is my concern. I must ask you to be patient until the time is right.”
Jon nodded as memories touched his mind. “Captain Thorn called you Bloody Silk. Is that because of your past?”
Lilly steered the ship until the bow pointed south. Zelda took hold of the ropes and shifted the sails, realigning them. The wind caught them and the ship began to move forward. A thick mist floated along the water about a mile out, lights flashing slowly among the cloud.