The Pearl Of Vynes - Chapter 21 Meeting Again

“Alice” a voice whispered to her. Alice opened her eyes to see who was waking her up, and it startled her. She was floating in a blue void; a glowing ball shimmered above with ripples disturbing the still surface. Looking around Alice noticed she could see something and tried to move towards it. Being unable to move the small object became larger as it came closer to Alice, she could see it was another person but it was holding something in its hand. The figure was a woman, her hair waving in the blue void as she approached Alice. The woman looked of her mother’s age and yet possessed a youthful appearance. The woman’s dress floated as well, shimmering in the rays of the glowing sun from above.

“Alice” the woman spoke, a voice that demanded respect and attention, “Find the Pearl, it will show you what you need to know” the woman extended her hand and the large sphere in her hand glowed with a rainbow fire that felt so familiar to Alice. A small chip was missing on its face, which gave had a dead colour in the chip, suddenly the pearl glowed so brightly Alice had to cover her eyes from the light. Waking with a start, Alice suddenly sat up hay stuck in her hair and clothes. The sun was shining through the cracks in the deck above and she could hear the flapping of the sails being released. Getting up Alice went above to see what was happening on the deck. Miles was letting the rope out to allow the sails to catch the breeze. Tane was already pulling up the anchor with ease despite its weight, and the boat was already off. Tane ran over to the till and directed the boat onwards. The ocean breeze tasted salty on her lips as she watched them go about moving the ship.

for visiting.

“Alice, can you give me a hand with sails” Miles said giving a wave at her. Alice ran over and pulled the sails tight as the boat raced across the water again. The breeze was quite strong and they were making good speed along the water. Alice stared over the water, the coast on one side and the endless ocean on the other. Miles walked over and leaned on the side of the boat next to Alice.

“We’re getting closer to the capital, so I’ll have to brief you on a lot of things before we dive in.” Miles said to Alice, Alice nodded ready to listen.

“Most of all don’t start fights, it’ll save you a lot of trouble and a lot of pain if you can. The people there are on another level when it comes to danger. In the capital you should avoid the Legionaires of Atloc, they’re dangerous zealots and have a deep love of pyromancy. They will start riots if someone questions their beliefs so it would be best to let them do their thing” Miles continued. “Bow your head and look the other way. The aim for now is to get to the Brave’s Guild, there’s a number of things I need to find there and I’m thinking of inducting you in”

“The Brave’s Guild?” Alice asked.

“I mentioned them before, they’re basically a guild formed around the requests people give out. They’re a nicer mercenary you can hire but at least you get a guarantee that they’re defintely strong enough to finish it”

“What about the Royal Guard then?” Alice responded.

“Well, the two of them have always been in conflict. The guards keep the peace and the guild gets things done” Miles explained.

“So how strong are these Braves?” Alice continued to drill Miles with questions about their destination.

“Well you’re welcome to ask Tane, he used to be one but decided to retire since he’s not getting any younger” Miles said.

“You’re worse than me, old man” Tane shouted back jokingly. Miles laughed and after a moment went back to talking to Alice.

“Well, you can tell an Brave’s strength because their given rank highlights their achievement and strength”

“How do they keep track?”

“Magic” Miles said tapping his nose.

“But how can that be so?” Alice said, magic was beginning to appear more and more odd and nebulous to her.

“Well when they first made it, it was to keep track of who did what. But it was so long ago, it’s easier to explain it as Ancient magic. We simply no longer understand. The capital is going to be an eye opener for sure, everyone practices magic there. I just might teach you a little while we’re travelling to help you out” Miles said. Alice’s eyes sparkled at the prospect of controlling magic herself, although it wouldn’t be true to say if she didn’t feel at least a little apprehensive about it.

“Right back to training then” Miles said, throwing a punch at Alice. Alice dodged back in time and backed off. Tane smiled as he watched the two spar whilst on the deck as the sun was beating down on them.

The smell of cooking mushrooms stopped the two fighters, their stomach’s growling at the scent. They had been sparring for a while and Tane let the sails down for a moment, cooking the food on a skillet being heated by a covered candle.

“Grubs up” Tane said, bringing out some water and allowed the food to mellow and melt together into a liquid. The three of them slurped down the food along with more bread. The food was a nice refresher compared to the dried food they had been eating over the past days. After finishing the food, Tane threw down his bowl next to Miles. Jumping up and stretching out a bit.

“Okay little one, my turn” Tane said. Alice jumped up as well, getting ready to go against the giant of a man. Alice threw a punch but Tane simply grabbed Alice hauling her into the air. Alice struggled and threw a punch with other arm but Tane grabbed that as well, Tane chuckled to himself as Alice twisted herself side to side in order to escape his grip.

“You have to think outside of charging in little one” Tane instructed, letting Alice back down on the ground. Alice went at Tane again but failed, Miles watched while he was sitting down enjoying that someone else was taking on Alice and her effort. Miles had noticed Alice had gotten a lot less feminine as they travelled; the filth and bruises covered her body. This giving him an idea, Miles disappeared while Tane and Alice continued to spar on the deck trying to get an advantage over one another.

As they finished fighting each other, Alice lay on the deck heaving in effort from fighting against Tane. The man wasn’t just big and strong, he was impossibly quick as well. Alice felt she was being played with when it came to fighting the man. Tane was laughing with joy from the recent fight, drinking some water from his gourd as he refreshed himself. Alice noticed Miles was filling up a large drinking bucket for the horse with seawater, a sponge and a bar of soap lying on the ground. Miles waved Alice over to the bucket, and Alice walked over to him.

“I thought it might be nice to take a bath, it’s been a while since we’ve been clean” Miles nodded to himself, proud of the thought. Alice had noticed between her and the two men on the ship it had gotten almost unbearable with the smell.

“Well if I’m going to wash I’m gonna need some privacy” Alice said, blushing at the openness of the ocean and ship.

“Ah” Miles said in agreement, looking around to tie up some covers for Alice. Tane walked over and guessed the issue, sliding the make shift bath to the back of the boat where the helm covered half of the view of the bath. Alice instructed the two to not come around at any time. Alice stripped her clothes off, peeling them off like they had been glued to her skin for a number of days. Looking over herself the dirt and filth covered her in all places. Jumping into the bath, the cold water made her shiver at the temperature, but the sun at least warmed her up. Using the sponge and soap bar, Alice scrubbed and scrubbed the dirt, until the stains that were on her skin disappeared. Soon her body begun to feel light from the cleaning of her body, and Alice felt much happier. Putting her clothes on again, Alice could hear Miles calling for her. Coming around, Alice saw Miles waiting for her leaning against the helm.

“Finished?” Miles asked.

“Yes, thank you Miles” Alice said as a small rush of blood filled her face, the water hadn’t dried on her skin yet and she could feel the clothes wrapping around her figure.

“Well I need a clean. I’ll be right back” Miles said walking past. Alice could hear the splashing of water that Miles had hopped into the bath. Tane rushed past Alice and rounded the corner where he was.

“We must bathe together as true men” Alice could hear Tane shouting. After another splash Alice and some cursing, she assumed both were in the small both washing themselves. Alice turned towards the sun as she waited for the men to finish their bath; the sun was setting along the horizon while she was leaning on the boat’s side. The sound of feet pattering drew Alice’s attention; Miles and Tane had gotten out of the bath but obviously hadn’t finished getting back into their clothes yet. Tane’s chest was quite pronounced, though covered in thousands of scars and cuts it was hard for Alice to see what original flesh there was. Miles however smaller in stature was still quite fit himself, boasting strong muscles and abs along his body. As Miles put his shirt back on, Alice noticed a scar on his back. Eerily in the shape of a smiling crescent moon, the odd discolouring of skin was quickly covered and out of sight. Miles looked at Alice with a questioning face, Alice looked away to avoid Miles’ prying eyes.

“It is alright, young one” Tane said coming over to Alice still without a shirt on and Alice started to back away, “Seeing a man in his nude form is what all woman experience in life” he continued with a laugh. Alice was about to form a protest back but kept her mouth shut, Miles smiling behind Tane infuriated her.

“I’ll get dinner ready” Miles said brushing past Alice and going under the deck leaving Alice with Tane.

“About time we earned some rest aye” Tane said, the ship still hurtling along the ocean and the coast still nearby.

Tane and Alice went around the boat and pulled the sails down, folding them inwards to stop the cloth catching wind and sending them off again. As they were slowing down Tane with a great heave through the iron anchor into the water, a solid splash following from the throw. Miles came back from under the deck and laid out another meal of bread and meat, but this time he brought some cheese. Alice hadn’t had any for weeks and her mouth watered at the sight. They all sat together as they talked about the day while the sun was beginning to set.

“If this sea breeze keeps up, we’ll make it to the capital in no time” Tane said enthusiastically.

“It’s going to be at least another week. I honestly thought we’d be slower though” Miles replied.

“Ah you’re a worrier my friend. Let us enjoy the good fortune while it lasts” Tane said while chewing through his meat and cheese sandwich.

“It’s kept me alive this long, I’m sure a little more won’t hurt” Miles said with a grin. Tane laughed at the statement, giving a great and hefty chuckle.

“Before Tane distracts me anymore, I’ll teach you a little magic that can be very useful” Miles said with a mysterious look on his face. Alice perked up in interest after munching on the dry food, after a few days the same food was getting boring to her tongue. Miles gestured to her and they walked over to the bow of the ship, sitting down again with instruction from Miles.

“Is Tane not coming?” Alice asked.

“Nah, this isn’t really his thing. He has magic but it’s a bit unique” Miles said.