Chapter 12-Men, Women, and Chaos
Amity quietly brought up the rear of their company as they proceeded through a passage of tunnels worn from rock by water. The falls were beautiful, and ordinarily her attention would have been completely absorbed in examining their course and strength, but her mind was preoccupied. She'd been feeling uneasy all day, but she couldn't figure out a logical explanation for her anxiety. Finally, she attributed it to the fact that she had not met any of the folk they were about to join forces with, and Ami was never comfortable around strangers.
She was so busy with this train of thought that she didn't notice they had approached the ship until a brown-haired man, obviously acting as lookout, waved his hand at them in welcome. "Who is he?" she asked of Jalen.
"Nathair Sidereal," he answered softly. "And that woman next to him," he indicated the brunette who had just appeared beside Nath, "is Lirita. She's a dryad."
She nodded as they proceeded up the gangplank. "I never did quite catch who the other two leaders of this rather interesting troupe are. What are their names?"
His gaze slid evasively from hers, but before she could press further, the land nymph with the radiantly-golden looks in her vision appeared on deck, smiling brilliantly. Ami's breath caught: she had seen her in one of her strange new visions, the ones that had been different than all the others, where she experienced rather than viewed...
Jalen moved forward to greet the stunning nymph, and when he shifted to the side suddenly, freezing in shock, Ami caught a glimpse of another person who had ascended the ladder from below deck to greet the visitors: it was Zaccheus. After it had nearly stopped its crucial activity, her heart began pounding rapidly. The effects of this combined with those stemming from his presence, rendered her speechless and slightly dizzy.
Mina's eyes were warmly sympathetic as she stepped forward, but it was a wasted effort, for the naiad's attention was completely focused upon the elfin prince. "Welcome, Amity. Do you know Prince Zaccheus?" she asked brightly, motioning him forward.
He stayed firmly in place, although it might have been shock this time rather than obstinacy. ‘Stubborn man,' she thought anyway.
Dazedly, Ami nodded. A maelstrom of emotions seemed to swirling inside her, but for some inexplicable reason, there was a dark foreboding in its heart, as if it were a whirlpool about to implode on its center.
Most prevalent were the long years of doubt and indecision. They rendered it impossible for Ami to accept this new development with her usual composed capability. It was true that she had remained for a very short while with the naiads after she had fled from the elfin kingdom. But during that brief stay, she had heard about his scandalous exploits with the most scandalous of women. It had seemed that he was determined to prove that he could forget her–or determined to reassure himself that their failed relationship had not resulted from an error on his part. Whatever the reason, Ami had soon left the only home she had ever known.
She had chosen Arcelia, in the beginning, for the protection it would guarantee her–protection from the queen's folk hunters and protection from Zaccheus. It would have been very difficult for the elfin prince to venture forth from his kingdom and his duties to search for her, especially in the realm of the humans. In fact, it would have been much more perilous for him that it had been for her.
But Ami had begun to change her mind and secretly wish to be found, which had not been her intention when she had departed from the underwater world of her people. Even though her logical brain knew it was impossible for him to find her, her heart had hoped and blamed him illogically.
There was more blame assigned to him and much guilt on her part as well. Ami often wondered, in the long hours of the night she had had all to herself before Rei and Jalen had intruded upon her so suddenly, what had gone so terribly wrong. It was surprising that he had been the one to show caution, to pull back. She would have thought that if either of them was going to be the one to decide that things were going too fast, it would have been her.
Had it been mostly her fault? What could she have done differently? Was it some deficiency on her part that doomed Ami in her relationships with men? These, and more, were the questions that had been repeated endlessly in her mind. Zacch had never made her feel inadequate; he had helped her get rid of the emotional baggage she had carried around before she met him–but it seemed that at their parting, he had given her more than he had taken away. It had cut her deeply to hear that he had so readily forgotten her. Had she meant that little to him?
But there was hope swirling up inside her still, and radiant joy at seeing him again. There might be eons of misunderstanding and pain between them, but Ami knew she still loved him. It didn't matter if he didn't love her back. He was unlike any other person to her, and there would never been anyone who meant as much to her. She had long given up lying to herself, because it had always turned out to be pointless. It was said that infatuation blinded a person to faults. She knew his faults all too well, or at least she had several years ago, but she accepted most of them as an intrinsic part of him.
She would brave the pain she would have to go through if she could just find out what she had done wrong. If even the slimmest possibility existed for them, she was going to try and resolve the conflict. Belatedly, she remembered that the land nymph was smiling at her expectantly, waiting for a response. "Yes...I do know him."
"Really? That's wonderful. I'm Malina; I'm Zacch's fiancee." And it was then that the entire situation, delicate as it was and balancing precariously on the edge, slipped off and shattered.
"Mina!!" Zaccheus protested in an outraged tone, but it was too late: two large tears slid down Ami's cheeks, and she was looking at him as if her heart had been broken all over again....which it had, in a sense.
The phrase "Zacch's fiancee" echoed in Ami's mind. This dazzling woman, with eyes as blue as the sky and a smile that beheld confidence that she would never possess, called him by his shortened name with familiarity and fondness. "How could you?" was her whispered accusation.
He stammered incoherently, looking around him wildly for help. What he got was either complete incomprehension and confusion or anger and shock.
Slowly, as if trying to understand the mystifying situation, Darrian inquired, "What exactly is going on here?"
Jalen obliged him by answering coldly, "Zaccheus and Ami knew each other several years ago. She loved him, and he...he clearly didn't love her enough."
"That explains some things," Rei muttered under her breath, somewhat pleased that the mysterious puzzle was starting to be solved. She gave Ami a sympathetic glance and went to stand by her for support, but she wasn't exactly sure how to handle the situation. Rei had formed very few romantic attachments at the temple, and she didn't think any of them had been serious enough to entail love.
Seren hugged Ami tightly, and she glared darkly at Zacch. She didn't even know the prince, but if he had hurt Ami and was going to act like some stuttering, asinine fool who couldn't even say a word in his own defense... She didn't care about diplomatic relations; she never had. And there was an instant aversion towards the prince on her part.
Lita was completely in the dark, but even though she had a great deal of respect for Zacch, her protective instincts were aroused by the weeping naiad. Quietly, she ushered them below-deck, away from the heated quarrel that was now commencing: Zaccheus appeared to have recovered his ability of speech.
"What in all hells were you thinking, saying that?!" he roared.
Mina had thought she'd braced herself sufficiently, but she flinched anyway. She had mistaken how angry he would be with her.
"This was what you had in mind when you told me to trust you? I don't believe this!" he said, his voice deadly and dangerous. This wasn't his usual flash-fire temper tantrum that lasted for a maximum of two hours; it was steel, implacable, and frightening...and it could probably sustain itself for years, given the intensity of his anger. Apparently, it was much worse than Mina had expected.
So she'd made a mistake...and yes, she was regretting it. She was starting to feel a little scared of him, because his right eye was twitching spasmodically, but she was damned if she was going to show it. No matter how intimidated she might be, Malina would never back down and show her fear. But there was a good side to it, she insisted; her philosophy was that there was a good side to everything. "Well, I'd say she definitely feels some very strong emotion towards you."
Nath tactfully refrained from saying that he doubted it was love. In fact, he thought it was far more probable that Ami would hate him for the rest of her life. He hoped Mina would be smart enough to keep her mouth shut for the time being and escape with her life.
"If she's this upset about the betrothal, she must still love you," she finished encouragingly.
Maybe not. He blanched when he began to see seaweed creeping out of the murky waters they were docked in. Nathair grabbed her arm and pointed forcefully at the moving flora. "Perhaps you'd like to take this up at a later date, Mina. But right now, I suggest that you join the other ladies before he loses complete control of himself and his magik..."
Her eyes widened as she saw the seaweed's violent movement, and they flicked back to Zaccheus's still form. He appeared perfectly unmoving, but that fact made it even more frightening. The feel, smell, and taste of magik in the air was killing her senses, and she decided to take Nath's advice. Pausing at the threshold, she asked, "Are you sure you'll be able to handle him?"
Darrian smiled thinly. "It's nice of you to ask after you've engineered this entire mess, Mina. I trust we'll all get a more suitable explanation letter?"
"Yes–of course," she said hastily, disappearing down into the depths of the ship.
"Come on, let's go," Nath said, urging Jalen and Darrian away to the far side of the deck.
Zacch stayed at the edge of the railing, his hands gripping the brass-coated wood so hard that the others were surprised it hadn't splintered in his grasp. He hardly blinked as he stared across the water, his eyes unseeing.
****~**~****
Nathair led Darrian and Jalen down into the dank interior of the ship, wisely letting Zacch stew in peace, and pushed open a door to reveal a small room with two bunks. "Mina's in charge of rooming arrangements," he informed them apologetically, "things are going to be a bit tight, I'm afraid. She has us four in here, with Zacch. We have eight other land nymphs, six elves, and one naiad on board. All in all, that's twenty four people on this ship and only five rooms to pack everyone into. But we try to be hygienic.
Next door to us, on this side of the hallway, are the five land nymphs–all male, of course. This side's been declared male territory, and opposite us are the females. Trust me," he smiled wryly, "it's very off-limits to us. I knocked on the door one time, and when someone answered, asking who it was, I opened it a crack–and they all started screaming their heads off!"
Darrian laughed with him, and Jalen, who had been looking as stormy as a thundercloud, smiled widely. "It'll be good to have you and Zaccheus and other men in our entourage," Darrian said, "I'm afraid Jae and I've been roughing it with three women...and before I had him for company, I was in a sad state, for sure."
The closed look was back on the blond's face as he replied quietly, "Don't be so hard on Serenitatis, Darr."
Sensing that it was a delicate subject for the ebony-haired man, Nath cleared his throat loudly, trying to dispel the tension as he continued, "So about our rooms...on the other side of the land nymphs are the three elves...and across from them, the three female land nymphs have graciously agreed to share a slightly-larger cabin with the three female elves and the naiad. And in the last room, facing us, will be Mina, Lita, Reisha, Amity, and Serenitatis."
What he didn't mention, or what Mina hadn't told him, was the fact that there were only four bunks in the room and five women to be sleeping in them. She had set up a pallet on the floor with the intention of sleeping on it herself, but the others had quickly objected. They all agreed that they would rotate shifts–as long as it was necessary, each of them would willingly take their turn sleeping on the ground.
Striding down the hall, Nath opened a door and peeked in cautiously. Thankfully, no one was there. Opening the door wider, he let the other two men in. "This is the captain's cabin; it serves as headquarters and is possibly the only place where a person can have peace around here. Any other place, it's so loud you can't hear yourself think. There are so many people aboard, and they all have all these problems they think only Mina can solve. Mina, Zacch, Lita, and I are the only ones who come in here, for the most part."
They sat in silence for a few minutes until Darrian brushed his dark bangs out of his eyes. Looking pointedly at Jalen, he asked, "Would you like to explain, anytime soon, what just happened between the Zaccheus and Ami?"
"It's private," he said shortly. "I've already told you more than I should've."
Ignoring him, Nath began with a thoughtful air, "From what I see...and have heard...Ami and Zacch used to be in love and had some sort of quarrel a while back. Mina was trying to incite some kind of reaction from Ami to prove that she still loves him...although she didn't exactly go about it in a very safe way..."
"It's women," Darrian said, as if that explained everything. "They don't make any sense."
Jalen laughed at that. "You're telling me! I've been trying to understand Rei for the past three weeks, and I'm not making any headway."
Bent on pursuing the subject, the brunet man asked, "You and Zacch were friends, Jae?"
They had already settled into a comfortable usage of nicknames. The blonde smiled thinly. "Yeah, we were good friends. My father was elfin, but my mother was human. I don't have much magik in me, but I was raised by the King of the Elves–who, coincidentally, is Zacch's father. I guess we're brothers, of a sort, but we tend–we tended–to clash sometimes. I left to attend the university, and we haven't really talked for years."
"You didn't know, then, that he's engaged to Mina?"
"No. I don't get much information when I travel around so much, and the humans don't discuss folk affairs, of course. I haven't been near any folk settlements in ages. It was a bad shock to Ami. I didn't know how to tell her she'd be seeing Zacch, and I'm sure she didn't hear about the betrothal in Arcelia."
His head tilted at a slight angle, Darrian commented, "It doesn't sound like such a bad alliance, actually. I've heard of Lady Malina. Her achievements are admirable."
"Yes, well...she doesn't want to marry him, and it looks like he might change his mind about marrying her. He was adamant about finding a queen for the elves, but maybe he'll rethink his proposal." The thoughtful expression on Nath's face vanished as he grinned widely and told them, "You should've seen her reaction when her parents broke the news to her about the arranged marriage."
"I can't imagine it," Jalen said dryly.
****~**~****
"So...are you and Zaccheus really engaged?" Seren asked curiously. They had left Lirita stirring up some concoction savagely in the kitchen while Reisha and Amity sat at the table and talked. It was more like Rei fuming and Ami being cheered up slightly by her vehemence.
Mina sighed, leaning her chin her hands with a troubled sigh. "Unfortunately. I'm hoping he'll come to his senses and call the whole thing off. Why do you ask?"
The silvery-haired princess shrugged. "You don't seem as if you'd make a very happy couple. In fact, I'm afraid you might murder each other."
She laughed out loud, momentarily forgetting her current troubles with the handsome, dangerously-angered prince. "I wanted to kill him when he told me that I had better not expect him to fall in love with me! My parents sprang him on me a day or two before he arrived, and I wasn't in the mood to be hospitable. His charm was supposed to be legendary, but he certainly didn't feel the need to waste any of it on me."
The princess smiled at her but said wistfully, "Before I left home, my mother was always threatening to make an arranged marriage for me. Basically, I was going to be sold to the richest, most politically-influential lord's son there was, and that was that." Her eyes flashed with defiance as she declared, "I'm never going back home, and I'm never having an arranged marriage."
With an amused smile, Mina asked, "And how do you feel about marriage in general?"
Her cheeks flushed, and she mumbled, "I didn't meet many nice men in the palace."
"But outside of the palace–the two you've been traveling with...Jalen and...Darrian, isn't it? they seem nice enough."
Seren blushed harder, but she replied, "You haven't known them for very long."
"I'm usually a good judge about character. So they aren't nice, after all?" There was a teasing twinkle in the blonde's merry blue eyes.
"Oh, no! They're both honorable...respectable...interesting. But they're both subscribers of the philosophy that women can't take care of themselves half as well as men can do the job. It's that part of them that makes them tediously pig-headed." Mina laughed until tears came to her eyes, but she stopped to listen to Seren's elaboration.
"I don't know Jalen as well as I know Darrian, but there's a definite purity to his soul. He's not a saint: he can tease wickedly, and he's seen a lot of the world–enough to make him more sarcastic than one would like at times. But he's trustworthy and loyal. He and Rei were journeying together before we intercepted them, and he still watches out for her. He hasn't abandoned her just because he's finally found male company again. He uses what he knows when it's needed. he has a great deal of knowledge, but we overlook that most of the time. He's modest about certain things. No matter how tired we got of each other during the traveling, Jalen was never the one to blow up. Rei told me that when they were traveling together, he had the tendency to be very intense and focused. He seems more lighthearted in a group setting. He jokes around, and he's always in a good mood."
Mina's chin was cupped in her hands; there was a thoughtful expression on her face as she looked at Serenitatis. "He sounds troubled."
"Do you really think so?"
She smiled then. Malina had guessed that Seren would see much of the good in people rather than grief or pain. She also concluded, from her elaborate description of one and almost complete neglect of the other, that her affections lay with the dark-haired man. Innocently, she asked, "Then I suppose you favor him? He is very handsome."
"Well...he's good-looking and charming, but even though neither of them will admit it, I think he and Rei are interested in each other. Do you remember Reisha? She's the dark-haired one, with purple eyes." Excitedly, Seren added, "She used to live at the warriors' retreat and train with them!"
Mina's curiosity was piqued by the mention of fighting arts, but her matchmaking instincts got the better of her. "Do you think they need a push in the right direction, then?"
****~**~****
"Gods protect us!! Women!!" Zaccheus exclaimed when they joined him on the deck to check on him. He seemed to have decided that killing Mina, at this point in time, would have been useless and that if he couldn't come up with a solution to his problems, he might as well give up on banging his head against the solid railing. "They mystify me! They make absolutely no sense! They're born meddlers. They tell you to trust them, and when the entire thing blows up in your face, it's all your fault!"
"It is all your fault," Jalen replied, completely without sympathy.
Darrian glared at the two blond-haired men. "Do we need to separate you, children, or will you behave?" Neither of them responded, but they looked away sullenly and ceased fire. "Good," he said much more pleasantly. "Nath, there was something I wanted to talk to you about in private. Could we go back to headquarters?"
Casting a nervous look at Jalen and Zaccheus, Nathair nodded and made to accompany him. Just as they about to descend down the ladder, however, he whispered, "Is it wise to leave the two of them alone together?"
The dark-haired man smiled wryly. "I'm hoping they're too civilized to murder each other. Jalen doesn't seem like the type, and Zaccheus doesn't look as furious as he was before. Although that could be explained by all the seaweed down there having had a very sudden growth spurt. I doubt he has much energy left to do anything except rage and declare empty threats."
When they reached their destination, Nath took a seat across from Darrian and asked, "Did you really have something to talk to me about, or did you just want to leave the two of them alone to work out their problems?"
He grinned. "You're smarter than you give yourself credit for, Nathair Sidereal. Yes, I did want Jalen and Zaccheus to talk, but I do have a legitimate reason for asking for a private word. I was thinking that we should teach all those who are able how to fight. The trouble is, I don't know if we have enough weapons–or even if you agree with me on this."
The reason Darrian had asked Nath about the matter instead of any of the others aboard–say, Mina–who had not been part of their entourage was because he had already cultivated respect for Nath during their meetings. He felt that his advice was sensible and sound. For his part, Nath appreciated that Darrian showed a willingness to listen to his opinions and what he had to say.
"The weapons factor is no problem. The slavers whom we stole the ship from were kind enough to leave a jumbled array for us in one of the storerooms below, but I believe Mina's catalogued everything we have on board. I think she had Lita do this one, though. We can check how many and what type easily. The thing is, Darrian, I don't quite understand the entire situation with the Divine royal family."
"Ah...that's a big tangle of all sorts of complicated things. But the main thing you should know is that despite what they have for a mother, Kentan and Seren are amazing. Once we rescue him from the dungeons, Kent will make an excellent king. He's smart, steady, has a good head for politics, and he'll be fair if it kills him. We met when he snuck out of the palace one day, and he joined the resistance. Somehow, word got out, after an especially daring attack, that there was an insider smoothing the way for the resistance fighters. At any rate, the queen found out somehow and decided perhaps he wouldn't rule quite the way she wanted things to continue. So she spread the story that the crown prince was unfortunately killed in some obscure accident."
"She certainly doesn't have very motherly instincts."
"I'm surprised he isn't really dead," he was able to say, even though it sounded brutal. Darrian, like the other two men aboard, was gifted and cursed with the need to speak honestly.
Nath's night-blue eyes were thoughtful as he leaned back in his chair. "So why would the queen choose Serenitatis as her successor? Not that she had much of a choice, but why was she so sure that she could just cut Kentan out of the picture?"
He smiled grimly. "I've heard the politics in the Palace of the Land Nymphs are this convoluted, but perhaps they aren't this...interesting. All the queen has to do–or all she planned to do–was to find some suitable young man who was capable of ruling and shared her hatred for the folk. She would marry him to her daughter, who would basically be useless except for ensuring that the lineage continues."
"But the name! Aren't all monarchs obsessed with making sure that their lines continue with their name? The ruling house will no longer hold the last name of Divine if her heir is her daughter," Nath pointed out.
Darrian shrugged. "I know Kent was looking into the death of his father. He died under very mysterious circumstances. Kent didn't tell me much before he was imprisoned, but I have a feeling that he may have stumbled onto something his mother couldn't risk revealing."
The brunet man remarked, "If it was that simple, to free Kent and have him threaten her with that secret, there wouldn't be the need for war. But the prophecy, which surely refers to our time, mentions a great war. We don't need another war. The economy's bad enough, and the folk are hardly healed. It'll be generations before their numbers are restored–and that's without another war."
He continued quietly, "I've heard much about you, Darrian McKellan. You're the prince of the people. You understand them, and they trust you. Despite the fact that you're human–for the most part–you have strong affiliations with the folk. In this company alone, you have twenty folk supporting you. Among those folk is the prince and future king of the elves. There will be no advantage to either humans or folk if we engage in another war, Darrian."
He had a sinking feeling that he knew what this quiet, astute man was driving at. Coolly, he asked, "What are you suggesting that I do, Nathair? What is one man, or even five men and five women, against the workings of fate? How could I possibly tip the balance in our favor?" Darrian tried hard to keep his voice from rising, but it seemed that his anxiety had wormed its way through. The issue at hand was one he had struggled with, internally, for some time. It would actually be a relief to finally get it out in the open and discuss it with someone whose advice he valued a great deal.
Although Nath would never have thrown Seren to the wolves, he replied, "There is one thing in your possession that the queen is desperate to get her hands on and one thing only: you have the most important bargaining chip in your hand, Darrian. You know what it is. Use it well."
"You don't understand. You don't know her!"
"I understand that her sacrifice would be a colossal one, but is one life worth so many? Think of the hundreds of thousands who will die, Darrian. The queen wouldn't harm Seren; she needs her to rule."
Frustrated, he exclaimed, "I promised her brother! I promised my best friend, possibly the only person in the world who has never let me down, that I would take care of her. How can I go back on my word? You've seen so little of Seren. You couldn't possibly see her the way I do. Yes, she's a princess, and yes, she's beautiful. But she's also the most innocent person I have ever met, Nath. She's sweet, she's kind-hearted, and she loves so easily.
You've seen how she is with Reisha and Ami–and she only met them two days ago. When we were traveling together, I was so preoccupied with my perception of her as an empty-headed, spoiled little princess that I was very harsh with her. I hurt her several times along the way, but she showed me that she has spirit. Once she latches onto an idea, a person, anything she's decided she'll fight for to her dying breath, and there's no turning back for her.
Seren grew up believing that she was loved, and she's only just begun to realize the extent of her mother's ruthlessness. Every parent should love their child. When you look at Seren and truly take in all her inherent goodness, it's like discovering a pure, unblemished pearl in the heart of darkness. She's only just been freed from a cage, and she's as delicate as a butterfly. She needs to be free. How can I tell her she has to go back to a place she abhors, a life she detests?"
Nath's navy blue eyes were compassionate as he regarded Darrian. "It's a relief," he murmured, "to find that my judgement has been good so far. If it was me in your place, Darrian, I don't think I would have been able to do what I suggested to you, either. And yet, you know as well as I the atrocities that have been committed against the folk and the House of Zurielis."
The ebony-haired man nodded absentmindedly: the brunet had just brought up a subject he had wanted to ask one of his traveling companions about. He felt that it was a sensitive topic better addressed to Amity, as Jalen tended to be overprotective about Rei...although now might not be the best time.
He liked Ami, and he was able to see her as an equal; he respected her skills and intelligence and had many of the same interests. Darrian had once been considering a healing career–until it had occurred to him that being a rebel leader would not leave much time to learn the finer points of medical care. He had been surprised when she had lost control upon seeing Zaccheus, but having found out the reason, it was quite understandable. As an advisor, he knew that her guidance, like Nath's, could be priceless.
Concluding his conference with Nath, promising to keep the prophecy and their situation in mind, he waited for the brown-haired man to leave (presumably to check on Zacch and Jalen, hoping they hadn't murdered each other yet) before entering the corridor himself.
They had gotten very far off the beaten track during their discussion, but Darrian guessed that he would be starting weapons training tomorrow. He wondered who to consult for aid besides either Malina or Lirita (whichever had the lists) and made a mental note to speak with Reisha. Had Jalen mentioned any proficiency in the use of arms?
As Darrian walked through a hallway, his mind preoccupied with the affairs he had yet to arrange, he saw Ami turning the corner ahead of him, looking pale and wraithlike. When he called her name softly, she tensed visibly.
Her serene calm was back, however, as she turned to face him. There always seemed an ethereal presence about her, and it seemed more prevalent now. There was always the hidden sadness, the gentle understanding of pain, and an aura of loneliness shadowing her. Perhaps it was this untouchable aspect of Ami, he mused, that attracted men to her.
"Ami! You're just the person I wanted to see," he greeted amicably.
Ami appreciated his warm manner and the sympathy restrained to his eyes and his smile. Darrian, she had found, was generally perceptive about women and sometimes too observant. He had a tendency to be brusque at times, especially with Seren, but there was something in him that reached out to other people. She didn't want to hear any more pity, and she didn't want to explain about the convoluted past anymore. "Hello, Darrian. Is something the matter?"
"Let me introduce you to what is fondly–and what will probably be known infamously–as headquarters. You're welcome to stroll in any time you choose, as I've heard from a reputable source that one can't often hear himself think on this ship."
She smiled at this and asked, "Did you realize that we've begun sailing? It's soothing to feel the water moving all around us."
Ami neglected to mention that this was the main explanation for her slightly-improved mood. Avoiding the deck had been necessary; everyone knew that two highly-volatile blonds were having an extremely indiscreet discussion there. Thus, she had traveled to the lowest part of the ship possible, closed herself off to the physical world, and delved into her magikal connection with the water. It was jokingly said that sailors had salt water in their veins. The same should have been rumored about naiads, but the majority of them preferred fresh water.
"I'm not as attuned as you, but I think some part of me registered movement. We're lucky Nath is a very capable captain," he replied. He didn't mention that Nath didn't seem to like discussing how he had learned to pilot ships.
They continued polite conversation in the same vein until he brought up one of the two issues he was intending to discuss.
"I've just talked with Nath about beginning to teach everyone aboard how to use weapons–for defensive purposes only." He didn't add the "for now" in his mind. Somehow, he felt, the dark inevitable was coming. It would approach and break over them like a tidal wave, and there would be no turning back once the gears were set in motion...
The dark-haired woman eyed him curiously. "If you're looking for someone to help you with the teaching, Darrian, I'd recommend Rei. Jalen is also an accomplished swordsman; he learned the art of weaponry in the elfin king's palace." Unfortunately, the mention of that beautiful place brought back memories she would rather not recall at the moment. "Zaccheus...is not bad either. But his form could be better."
"Thank you for the advice. Actually, I was hoping that these lessons would help us in an upcoming ordeal...but they'll also take up time as sail back towards the capital. In such close quarters, people will be at each other's throats all the time. Perhaps you would consider giving lessons in how to heal or about herb-lore."
Amity's sapphire blue eyes lit up with interest, but she still regarded him uncertainly. She didn't mind working with small groups of people, and she had learned to take charge in situations where medical aid was needed. But with large numbers of people, she tended to fade shyly into the background.
"That is–only if you want to," he amended hastily.
Quickly, she assured, "No, I like the idea very well. As you're probably thinking, not only will that take up the time, it'll also take my mind off things. But healing is not often...a popular skill for those who are not born with the aptitude."
He smiled charmingly at her. "I have to admit that I had an ulterior motive in suggesting a healing course for all of us. Not only do I have naiad blood with me, I'm very taken with the sciences: geology, physiology, anatomy... I used to be quite a scholar."
"I don't doubt it. I think you'll make a wonderful pupil," she said laughingly.
"But you won't be my pupil in areas concerning martial arts?"
Her smile faded rapidly. "Darrian, I'm not against the idea of self-defense, but I'm a healer, as you've clearly pointed out. It's my living to try and save lives, not take them. Besides, we're both logical enough to realize that such an attempt to rescue a prince–the Divine prince, no less!–from the dungeons will involve those among us taking multiple injuries. It's better that you concentrate your time and attention on them to train your fighters thoroughly."
Darrian had to conceded the point because of her irrefutable logic (he had always been too fond of the rational argument, he reprimanded himself), and he was unsuccessful in trying to wrest a promise from her: he wished, that once Kentan was safely with them, that she would allow one of them–he felt she would be most comfortable with Rei for an instructor–to teach her the basics. And, speaking of Rei...
He liked talking to Amity; she had a very relaxing effect on him. She looked less tense and uptight herself. But it was time to get down to business. Conversationally, he remarked, "I know Rei grew up at the warriors' retreat in the mountain. It's rumored that the Zurielis princess is still alive in the capital. I'd suspect that she would hide in an isolated, hard-to-reach place. Do you think Rei's heard anything about her?"
Ami's gaze sharpened, but she merely cautioned, "It's dangerous to speak of the princess, dead or not, in public, Darrian. Where did you hear these...rumors?"
"News is cheap in the capital, if you know where to go and who to listen to." Darrian had at least thirty contacts placed strategically throughout the city and even some in the palace. Andrew was one of his listeners who often spoke scornfully of those who thought the stable workers were as good as deaf. His top spy was cleverly disguised as a laundry maid. "There's always been this vague but very persistent rumor that the Zurielis princess is still alive."
Her expression was completely blank now–Darrian made note of this approvingly and continued, "I wouldn't be surprised if many of the resistance deserted me in the event that she really should appear and lead her people against Queen Serenitatis. In fact, I believe a large number of the Zurielises' retainers are among the resistance forces. She could be a powerful motivator if she were alive to ride into battle."
Coolly, Ami replied, "I hardly think you should be paying attention to word of mouth when there are more important matters at hand."
"It's quite important. The lure of this idle chatter, as you speak of it, is strong. There is mystery surrounding the eradication of the Zurielis line, and many of their people still live. The most recent king and queen were excellent rulers, and they were closely affiliated with the folk. It is my belief that should she take steps recover her rightful throne, the princess could even motivate them into taking action. True, the war and Queen Serenitatis has instilled fear of the magik folk in the humans who fought in battle or witnessed the carnage. But the inhabitants of Arcelia and the scholars at the university are against the poisoning and enslavement of the folk."
"Why are you so adamant about stirring up the insurgence and fighting?" she asked, unusual irritation plain in her soft, delicate voice.
"Who is Reisha Zuriel?" he demanded in return.
She glared at him: she was tired, irritated, and upset, and neither of them were giving an inch. "If it's so important that you know, ask her yourself!"
"You know the answer."
Her eyes had turned a glacial blue, and it was clear that now was not the appropriate time to be trying her patience. "Don't push me, Darrian."
He smiled suddenly, and the swirling tempest of emotion calmed and dissipated. "I'm sorry, Ami. I know you've had an extremely rough day, but I needed to know."
"You already knew." she said accusingly. "Why did you have to make me betray her confidence?"
"But the way I've done it, you haven't really said anything."
Ami's expression was sad as she looked away from him. "It doesn't matter what I've said or haven't said, Darrian. No one was supposed to know. The more people who know who she is, the more danger we put her in."
Darrian sighed. "I'm sorry, Ami, but this was necessary. You know I can't prevent her from fighting, if she chooses to, when we rescue Kent."
"It's her choice," she said softly. "She knows the value of her person. But Rei has to know that you've uncovered her secret, Darrian."
"Let me tell her. I want to talk to her about some things, and this way, I'll explain that I already knew–before you confirmed it. There wasn't disloyalty on your part, Ami."
They parted ways a short while later: Darrian to talk to Rei and Ami to lie down on her bunk. She had a splitting headache, and when Seren asked her what the matter was, she answered, "Men! They're always so pushy and unpredictable!"
****~**~****
AN: And here, angst finally ensues...aren't we all pleased about that? Mina's plan was not as momentous as it was made out to be (sorry to disappoint those who commented). Please forgive the lengthy delay and look forward to Chapter 13, during which more confrontations ensue but also the first (okay, maybe not first) hints of romance are distributed....
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