Chapter 7. Eris

The eleventh hour came in a blink of an eye right after the master had left. I pick at my fingers nervously as my stomach churns occasionally with worry, anger and confusion.

I pray silently for this to be a bad dream hoping I'd wake up with every time I blink.

I had thought he had come to call this all off but he had other plans. Other plans that made me shiver with want. My emotions race with the impact of the thoughts flooding in.

So this is it?

The door slips open and my heart leaps making me dizzy as I hope it was him even though I knew it wasn't.

“Come with me, young one.” says the priest reaching out his free hand. His eyes had a tiny inkling of redness unlike master's.

We walk down in total silence, nothing can be heard except for our footsteps and his staff hitting the floor in the rhythmic flow of our footsteps.

I squeeze my cloak tightly not knowing what else to do.I have nowhere to run to and nowhere to hide.

The ballroom is full and quiet. Master sits on the throne at the far edge. I focus my eyes on the priest before me. I can't have him see the humiliation on my face for the second time, or ever again.

“Child.” calls the priest.

“Yes?”

“You are about to go on a journey with which you may not return” he starts, “do what needs to be done to bring back the orb”

I nod my head in understanding.

He stretches his free hand, bringing it in a downward motion as a stick appears to form from thin air. My eyes widen in surprise.

What exactly are you?

“Take this,” he says, placing the fine wooden stick in my hand as I examine it.

It is the size of a forearm and its texture is that of oak.

“You are ready,” he says and I suddenly forget to breathe but I control myself, master is still watching.

“Go now, we expect your return,”

It's now or never.

I give him a curt nod and start to walk towards the large entrance.

My journey begins here, Master Zayrn. But I won't die until I win your love. I know it. Only then will I finally let you out of my heart.

“You have sixty days to bring back the orb or die by the mark,” he says.

I turn to him, nodding one last time. He looked less scary and if anything more friendly. Like he believed in me.

The gust of wind waiting for me outside catches me by surprise as I shiver a bit from its contact with my skin. I stick one foot before the other slowly taking time to feel the soil underneath my feet, it almost feels like a mirage.

With each step I take my feet sink a bit like gravity is playing mind games on me till I begin to take quick strides and before I know it I'm running.

Until I reach the edge of the castle. The ocean’s calm waters splashes at my feet. I can see the village from here a whole lot closer, I can almost touch it.

I look down and a small paddle boat awaits me at the very bottom of the castle that made contact with the ocean.It drifts and swirls calmly with each soft flow of the ocean.

“The gods clearly brought you to me.” I say out loud as I lower myself down slowly.

I slip on one of the rocks and fall right into the paddle boat and a splash of salt water drenches the top of my head.

How convenient.

I flip my hair and pull the rest out of my face then take the paddles and motion towards the village harbor and by the time I get there my arms are overwhelmed with fatigue.

But I am happier than ever. I made it.

I watch with a swelling heart the sight before me. Humans. Just like me. Humans everywhere.

I inhale, calming myself down and I throw my cloak over my head, concealing my features. My feet touch the wet sand and I'm tempted to hold it in my hand. I have forgotten what the earth felt like.

I take one last look at the castle taking in all that I can and then I begin walking, abandoning the boat.

The noise from the crowd getting closer with every step I take, I duck behind a rock marveling at the sight of sailors that stand next to their ships with pride.

“All aboard!” I hear someone from the crowd.

Women, children, men and beasts of all sizes walk haphazardly.

I exhale slowly putting on my brave face.

“It's now or never” I come out from behind the rock, placing the cloak on my head.

I need someone that can help me get into the ocean. I just need to know the right person or the right crew.

“He-hello,” I try to reach out to a man with a pipe with a scar on his left cheek.

“What do you want?” He barks, his voice gruff with aggression.

My stomach churns.

He's not what I'm looking for.

“Never mind.” I reply, sliding away.

It took almost forever to get someone's attention, anybody's attention for that matter.

They were all preoccupied with getting on ships or trying to sell me goods that look like they are probably stolen.

I bump into bodies moving from different directions.

Something tugs at my skirt and I look down to find a little goat bleating at me with my skirt in between its yellow teeth.

I giggle, patting its head.

“Hey little one.”

It bleats at me and I try to tug it out of its strong grip. That seems more than futile as it pulls back and this adorable creature quickly turns into a frustrating one.

“Let go.” I struggle till I bump into a wall and the goat finally lets go bleating in fear then runs away.

“Watch where you're going.” someone behind me growls and I almost jump out of my skin.

“Sorry.” I reply, shooting my head up to meet a tall dark person. I can barely see his face with the sunlight in my eyes and I shield my face to get a better look.

His shirtless chest rises and falls and he gives me a little smirk. His shorter companion has gray hair and is just as shirtless but with a dingy looking jacket.

“Be careful next time.” he says and I apologize again not knowing what else to say.

They walk away whispering to each other.

“We need to move fast, the captain is waiting for us. The ocean is calm enough to set sail.”

“Ocean, captain.” I mutter with realization.

They're sailors!

I turn around, scanning the crowd of moving bodies to find which way they went.

I easily spot the taller one between the crowd and eventually his companion skipping next to him.

“Wait!”

I squeeze myself past the crowd and race to them as fast as my legs can take me.

“Wait please!” I yell, urgency ringing in my voice.

They reach a ship then the shorter one turns around. The taller one notices his friend's distraction and turns around as well. Relief washes over me as I finally get their attention.

I pant once I come to a stop inches away from them.

“Thank the gods,” I whisper, trying to compose myself.

“Yes?” The taller one asks with folded arms and he suddenly reminds me of a genie of some sort.

“I need your ship.” I blurt.

They shoot identical looks at each other then burst into laughter. The shorter one wipes a tear from his eyes flashing me his iron teeth.

“How do you expect to get it then, by robbing us?”

Another round of laughter breaks out. By this time I began to feel small but I wasn't bent on giving up just get.

I shoot my chin up with pride, mustering all the courage I have left.

“No, I won't rob you. I would like to make a deal instead.”

Their laughing seizes and they look at me with interested eyes. I gulp.

“Really, and what would that be?” The shorter one asks.

Good question.

I clear my throat thinking fast “I am on a quest and I need the finest sailors to take me to my destination”

“Oh really, what's in it for us little lady?” The tall one finally spoke.

I take the opportunity of their intrigue and lean forward like I don't want anyone else to hear what I'm about to say and they lean forward too.

I've finally got them where I want them.

“Treasure,” I whisper and they give each other glances again with greedy looks on their faces.

“Rubies, gold, diamond and many more all await me on the other side.” I tell them pointing at the ocean “and if you and your crew solemnly swear to get me to the other side with no harm I'll let you keep half of my treasure.”

Their eyes glint with greed and they straighten their backs.

“Let us show you to our captain,” they both say in unison.

“Come along,” the taller one gestures with his friend skipping next to him and I follow clutching my bag. Excitement travels through my body.

They lead me to the last ship in the harbor, its size is by far bigger than the rest. Its surface looks older from more experience in the sea.

“She's an old lady isn't she?” I find myself asking as I marvel at the ship.

“Full of secrets too,” says the taller one as he knocks on its wall with his index finger and the plank falls at our feet causing dust to fly.

I cough, choking on the dark sand in the air.

“After you,” they tell me gesturing at the top and I exhale, fixing my cloak over my head.

This is it. My journey begins here.