Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose- Part A- The Flower, The Sword, And The Kiss
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Chapter Four
Port of Pass
Lookouts searched the seas for enemy ships from their lofty perch in the crows nest. The sun’s cycle faded, and the air grew chilly as the cabin boy lit the ship’s lanterns. Night came, ever darkening the amber sky till there was no trace of the sun. The full moons crept over the ship, casting a ghostly glow on the dark ocean. In the distance and in the depths of the sea, Horned Whales sang their sad hypnotic song. Pluck had never heard such an enchanting melody. It made her homesick for Fairah, the Temple, and the night sounds of the forest. The sea was so different.
Pluck held her post outside the prince’s quarters as the first part of the night went by uneventful. She stood below deck, swaying with the ship with only her thoughts to keep her company. She muttered, “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this. The floor’s never still.”
She nodded to Bulwark who passed her in the hall. Pluck remembered the old High Guard from her childhood and wished she could tell him who she was. He and Von had always been so kind to her. Pluck sighed, tapping her hilt as her mind drifted. Four sun’s cycles till they reached Morgog. What was Princess Virago like? Pretty, she assumed. Her mind returned to the ship and to the loneliness of her post. This was frustrating. Pluck didn't see how she and Edward would ever get to know each other if all she did was stand out there while he slept. Han needed to... The prince screamed and filled her thoughts with images of that fateful day in the Temple. She turned in a panic and went to his aid.
“Edward!” Pluck yelled as she opened the door and rushed in ready to draw her sword. She found him sitting up in bed breathing heavily. She asked, “Are you all right?”
“I am fine; it was a mere nightmare,” he replied as he looked to Pluck and noticed who he thought was a man wasn’t Melee. Edward said, “I do not know you.”
His words cut at her heart as she stuttered, “I...” She composed herself and said, “I am Pluck. I took over for Melee.”
Edward put a hand to his head and spoke, “That is right. Han spoke of this.”
Silence followed, so she broke the awkward moment with a question and asked, “What was it about?”
“Hmm...” he voiced as he examined the shadowy figure in the hall’s light. “What was what about and why are you wearing a hooded cloak instead of the High Guard cape?”
“I was asking about your dream,” Pluck replied as she took a few steps into the room. “As for my hood, it’s no disrespect to you. It hides my appearance; it’s quite startling.”
“When I was younger, one of the old soldiers wore a hood. His face had been maimed during the last Amalgamation. Is this the same with you?”
She replied, “I wasn’t maimed during an Amalgamation but yes, you could say I’m the way I am because I was defending the Fletching family. Now–” She walked up to his bed and questioned, “–your dream?”
“Nightmare,” Edward answered as he wiped his clammy face. “I have it every night. I see this horrible Beast that resembles a Necrom, and it is in the midst of a great battle.”
Horrible Beast? Pluck's heart fluttered. Was he dreaming of her?
Edward continued, “The Beast slays hundreds, but still it unwaivers. It screams like a Ghost Panther then the Beast turns, and I can see its piercing green eyes. It charges after me. I am afraid and cry out, and that is when I wake. The dream is always the same.” He turned to her as a glimmer of hope crossed his face and he questioned, “What do you think? I have asked many, but none can give me an answer.”
Pluck began, “Maybe the Beast isn’t horrible. Maybe she’s trying to tell you something. Have you ever tried not to fear the Beast and let her approach you? You know it’s a dream, so the Beast can’t hurt you.”
She? He never said the Beast was a he or a she.
Edward cleared his dry throat and said, “No, I have never tried to do anything in the nightmares. I do not know if I can. They are so terrible.”
“Not if you know they are made by your mind,” she said and then suggested, “Next time you have one, don’t fear the Beast. Let her approach you; it may be the only way to end them.”
“I shall try. Thank you. You may leave now, ah...”
“Pluck.”
“Yes,” Edward said as he lay back, grabbing his covers. “Close the door as you leave.”