''Chosen 5''

''Chosen5''

Chapter 5;By;fernand jiro


The path we choose to take often leads us down a path we never even knew existed.
One must either change or cringe in light of the unknown.
Proverb from Clan Roaz.

                “I cannot believe this,” murmured Captain Uthero as he sat at his desk, slouched over as if the weight of a giant was pressing down on him.  Three days after the Gallant was well out to sea Pallan and Mornic requested a private audience with the captain and first mate to discuss an important matter.  “I cannot have this responsibility!” protested the captain vehemently.

                “You can and you do,” replied Pallan firmly.

                “I would have requested more ships, additional guards…if only I had known.”

                Mornic stepped forward coolly.  “Honorable Captain Uthero,” he started smoothly, “when this mission was finalized there was only one ship, one crew, and one captain that suited the high expectations that we held.  Your reputation precedes you, as the finest there is, sir.  The gathering of such talent among your crew, the excellent craftsmanship of the ship you sail, and your exquisite ability to act under pressure; all of these were what made the Gallant the ship for this journey.”

                “But why is Princess Mayla here?” asked Esen, standing to the captain’s left.  “An expedition into unknown dangers is one thing, we can handle dat.  But dis…dis is not what we agreed ta.”

                “It was after much deliberation, considering the state of affairs in Jalstiria, that Princess Mayla be taken to Thyse,” replied Pallan.

                Esen narrowed his eyes and looked to Mornic.  “Your ‘servants’, eh?”

                Mornic could not help but smile through a bright blush.  “I do apologize profusely for the deception, my friend, but I am sure both of you can understand the need for secrecy with this matter.”

                “Are dere any other secrets?” asked Esen, a slight hint of venom in his voice.

                Pallan arched her eyebrow at hearing Esen’s tone of voice.  “Yes, as a matter of fact there is.”  Mornic’s eyes darted to Pallan, filled with concern.  He started to speak but before he could Pallan continued.  “We also have a member of Clan Roaz on board.”

                The captain jumped up from his chair, slamming his hands down on the desk.  “One of the cursed?  How dare you bring a monster such as that on board my ship!  The High Father will surely bring a maelstrom upon us now!”

                “Captain Uthero!” exclaimed Mornic.  After a moment’s pause to let the captain settle down Mornic continued calmly.  “Your fears are understandable, even if misguided, but do not claim to know the plans of the High Father and state them as fact.  It is true that one of Clan Roaz is here.  Her skills were deemed valuable by the queen herself thus was sent a personal invitation.  Her help was instrumental in the discovery of the Taige threat in Jalstiria.  Without her the coup might have succeeded.”

                Esen nodded thoughtfully.  “Fascinating,” he said softly.

                Captain Uthero gradually released the tension in his body and slowly sank back into his chair, his face blank as his mind raced with thought.  After some time he leaned forward again, resting both elbows on his desk with his chin resting on his interlocked fingers.  “We will do as you have planned.  We will sail to Thyse then out to the horizon and not turn back, but only if you are honest with me.  Completely.  Who else should we be notified of?  There are no stowaways, are there?”

                “No,” replied Pallan.  “Everyone aboard is accounted for.  We hid the identities of those that might have caused a disturbance before launch.”

                “Are dere any other identities you hid from us?” asked Esen.

                “We have two fighters from the tournaments aboard as well,” replied Pallan.  “Daegan Ralth and Squill Perfon.  There is also a man named Caslian on board whose skills and knowledge may prove useful.”

                Esen’s face winced slightly at the latest news.  “Dat is all?” he asked.

                Pallan nodded in response.  “Yes, it is.”

                “All right,” stated the captain.  “We will spread the news throughout the rest of the crew.  Be forewarned, though, that they do not like to be lied too any more than we do.”

                “We understand and apologize for it, but you can understand our situation,” replied Pallan.

                Captain Uthero nodded slowly.  “Of course.  Now if you will excuse us.”

                Pallan nodded and turned to open the door for Mornic.  They both left the captain’s quarters on the upper deck, out into the fresh, clear day.  The sun shone down brightly onto the deck as a cool breeze filled the sails.  The sailors moved about the deck with such skill and precision, every man knowing exactly what to do and how.  In the midst of the orchestration of movement fumbled Raleigh as he tried to keep up with the chores he was volunteered for.  Mornic could not help but smile as he and Pallan quickly stepped down the stairs to the second deck to the princess’s quarters.  Pallan knocked in a subtle yet definite pattern before opening the door to let Morinc inside.

                “How did it go?” asked Squill anxiously.  “Can we go out now?”

                Daegan sat calmly on his bunk, relaxed as he stared into space.  “I hope so.  Squill and I need to make up for lost practice.”

                “I…I hadn’t thought about that,” remarked Squill as he scratched his head.  “Would be good to get some exercise.”

                Mayla stepped up to Pallan, a pleading look filling her eyes.  “Can we?”

                Pallan smiled.  “Yes.  They are informing the crew about it now so you will be able to leave soon.”

                Mayla’s eyes lit up.  “Thank you!” she exclaimed as she hugged Pallan tightly.

                “Did you explain our other guests?” asked Daegan, slowly standing up to stretch.

                “Yes, everything is out now,” replied Mornic.

                “Good,” replied Daegan.  “When can we expect to see the light of day on the upper deck?”

                “Within the hour I would imagine,” replied Pallan.

                “If you will excuse me,” interjected Mornic.  “I must inform the others of the news.”

                “At least your apprentice won’t have a chance to ruin things again,” commented Daegan in a snide voice.

                Mornic could not help but laugh in his unmistakable belly laugh.  “I do not think he has had much time for such things,” he said with a wink.

                Daegan arched his eyebrow to Mornic.  “Why is that?” he asked.

                With a gesture to the roof above them, Mornic replied barely able to hold a straight face.  “He has been occupied almost from the very moment we stepped foot onto the ship.”

                Mayla looked puzzled.  “Occupied?  How?”

                “He has been doing the menial labor,” answered Pallan.  “Keeping the ship clean and other small jobs.”

                “I do not believe I have ever known him to sleep as soundly as he has these past three days,” commented Mornic with a large grin.  “The crew work him hard everyday.”

                “Oh, poor thing,” replied Mayla.  “He has been working hard above while we have been complaining of nothing to do down here.”

                Daegan shook his head.  “It’s good for him,” he muttered as he stared out of the porthole to the shimmering blue waters that stretched out for as far as the eye could see.

                “Aye,” agreed Mornic.  “But now I must be off.”  He bowed to Princess Mayla.  “Until the time when the sun may bask in your presence,” he continued with a smile before standing upright again.  He turned and left the cabin, quickly closing the door behind him in case any of the sailors were near.  Seeing none below that were awake, Mornic smiled and quickly walked to the room where the others stayed.

                Before Mornic could knock on the door, however, he heard the sounds of a scuffle from within.  A moment later a loud thud resounded throughout the hallway as the door shook violently.  Without a moment’s hesitation Mornic pushed against the door, attempting to open it but found it to be blocked from the inside.

                “Whatever is going on in there, cease immediately!” shouted Mornic.

                There was a moment of silence then muffled sounds of shuffling crept from behind the door, ending in a soft thud.  Light footsteps followed, growing slightly louder as they approached the door.  Mornic held tightly to his staff, awaiting whatever might be on the other side of the door.  It opened slowly, creaking slightly.

                Mornic’s eyes grew wide.  “Caslian?” he asked.  “What happened?”

                Caslian looked behind him, back into the room, to the body lying in the corner.  Before Mornic had a chance to speak, the assassin murmured, “He came into the room while I was asleep.”  He turned to look Mornic deep in his eyes unwavering stare.  A soft smile crept across the elderly priest’s face.  A look of puzzlement washed over Caslian for a moment.  “No accusations?  Questions?”

                “If you had wanted him dead,” replied Mornic in a soft, gentle voice, “then I do not believe I would have heard the commotion that I did.”  The faintest hint of a smile crossed Caslian’s lips for a moment.  Mornic returned the smile and commented, “There is no blood, either,” as he pointed to Caslian’s hands.

                Caslian looked to them then back to Mornic.  “Observant.”

                “I try,” replied Mornic with a slight bow.  “I have news for you that you may enjoy.”

                “I have news as well, but I am sure you will not look favorably on it.”

                “Oh?” replied Mornic.

                Caslian nodded and quickly looked from side to side for a moment.  “The Taige is aboard,” he murmured quietly.

                “What?” asked Mornic, his face growing pale.  “Are you sure?”  He looked past Caslian to the unconscious man lumped into a corner of the room.  “Is he…?”

                “No, he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” replied Caslian.  “I know they are here.”

                “How?”

                Caslian touched his left arm.  “I just know.  There is only one.  An important one.”

                Mornic contemplated for a moment, the sounds of the wooden planks of the ship creaking softly as it made its way through the waters.  “I am still not sure how you are able to know…”

                “Take it as…faith,” interrupted Caslian.

                Mornic straightened up for a moment at the assassin’s choice of words.  “This is a very serious accusation.  Do you know who it is?”

                Caslian was silent for a moment.  “No, I do not.”

                “Then we cannot take action,” Mornic stated firmly.

                “No, we cannot.  We can only wait and see who it is.”

                “And if this person does not show himself?” inquired Mornic.

                Caslian stood in silence for a few moments.  The constant roar of voices in his head were swelling again, deluding the world around him.  With extreme will and concentration he pushed back the tide and put his mind at ease for the time being.  He then spoke.  “He will,” Caslian stated confidently.  “I can assure you he will.”

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

                On deck, Raleigh sat slumped against a stack of large crates, unable to move.  His body ached and his muscles cried out for rest.  The sun bore down on his skin, painting him in various tones of red.  Even small movements caused Raleigh’s skin to flame up.  Having shed his shirt by noon each day, soaked with his sweat by then, Raleigh’s back was one of the brightest spots on his body, and one of the most sensitive.

                Tacin, one of the sailors who watched over Raleigh, walked over to the tired would be sailor.  He was a tall, lanky man with long, graying hair and matching beard.  The sailor offered Raleigh a cup to drink.  “Ere ya go, boy,” he said with an incomplete grin.  “This should pick ya right up.”

                Raleigh smiled and took a large gulp, realizing too late that it was not water.  His face contorted into a sour wince before he let out a long breath.  “Oooo…what was that?” he asked through as raspy voice.

                “Special Sea Brew.  Fialas makes a batch before we set sail.”  Tacin pointed to a large sailor in a group looking at them.  Fialas grinned and raised his hand, shouting, “How does it taste?”

                “Very…unique,” Raleigh replied as he fought to keep it down.  The motion of the ship through the waves did not make the attempt any easier.

                One of the sailors almost fell to his knees from laughing when Fialas gave him a backhanded slap across the face.  “Don’t laugh at the boy.  He kept it down the first time, unlike you Patu.”

                The other sailors laughed, including the Patu, a short, pudgy sailor.  “Ah…very true.  My congratulations, boy!  You’ll be a man by the end of this journey yet!”

                Raleigh smiled weakly and lifted the cup in the air to the sailors, who cheered him in return.  Tacin smiled and took the cup away, replacing it with another cup.  “It’s water.”

                With large gulps, Raleigh swallowed the whole cup within a matter of moments.  “Thank you, sir,” he said through a deep breath.

                Tacin sat down next to Raleigh.  “You’re doing good out here, boy.  Working hard and stayin’ at it, even if ya mess up.  We’re all proud of ya.”

                Raleigh smiled.  “Again, thank you.”

                “Tacin!  Ain’t you got work ta be doin’?” barked Esen.

                Tacin jumped to his feet.  “Yessir!” he shouted and ran off to his duties.

                Esen looked down to Raleigh.  “How ya holdin’ up, Raleigh Da Great?”

                A tired laugh escaped Raleigh’s lips.  “I am doing my best.  That is all I can do, right?”

                Esen nodded with a smile.  “Aye.  Just your best.”

                After a few moments of shared silence between Raleigh and Esen small ripples of commotion began to flow throughout the sailors on the deck as messengers that came from the captain’s room began to spread out among the crew.  Raleigh saw the faces of many of the sailors change from cheerful, dutiful, and pleasant to shocked and amazed.  Some of the sailors seemed to be angry about whatever it was that the messengers told them.

                “Tis a sad day when ya cannot trust another man,” commented Esen.

                Raleigh looked up to him, his strength slowly returning.  “What do you mean?” he asked, a puzzled look blanketing his face.

                Esen looked down to the young man through the corner of his eye.  “Ye don’t know?”

                “Know what?”

                “Mornic didna tell you then,” Esen replied softly, leaning down close to Raleigh.  “Strange dat he didna trust you.”    Raleigh stared at the middle-aged sailor, confused by what he was saying and curious to what he meant.  “Do ya want to know the secret that the others know?”

                Raleigh anxiously nodded.  “Yes, please.”

                Esen chuckled and turned his head to the crew.  “Look.  Seems you’re the last to know.”  He turned back to look at Raleigh.  “But I’d have guessed you to be the first.”

                “Please, what are you speaking of?” asked Raleigh, concerned he missed something important.

                Esen leaned closer to whisper into Raleigh’s ear.  “Da princess is here on dis very ship.”

                Raleigh’s stomach dropped.  “Princess…Mayla?”

                “Da one and da same,” replied Esen.  “I wonder why Mornic didna say anything to ya?”

                Raleigh looked around to the sailors who were just informed about the news as well.  “Why?” he thought to himself.  “Did he not trust me?  Did I do something wrong?”  From the stairway leading down to the bottom deck emerged two armed figures.  They stood at both sides of the stairway looking over the crowd as if to gauge any threats that might arise.  A few of the sailors looked back to them with disdainful eyes while others seemed nervous, afraid to move lest they be considered a traitor or assassin.

                One of the figures held a sword on his left shoulder and a shielding latched to his right arm, his short brown hair waving gently in the wind.  Uncertainty seemed to emanate from his stance, like he felt he was not supposed to be there.  The other figure stood firm, planting the tip of his sword down onto the deck and scanning the area.  With a confident, almost cocky smile, he sized the situation up and knew he had the advantage.

                “Daegan and Squill?” Raleigh asked himself.  “They…they knew and I did not?”  A third figure slowly climbed up from the stairs.  A dark figure who took his position a few steps away from the stairs he just climbed.  “Citro,” commented Raleigh.

                Citro turned to face the sailors and looked to both Squill and Daegan and nodded.  Daegan took a breath and shouted out to the sailors.  “Your princess, Princess Mayla!”

                Princess Mayla climbed the stairs slowly and looked toward the sailors when she stepped foot on deck.  She smiled to them and waved slowly.  At her side stood Pallan and Citro, giving her enough space to allow her a presence but staying close enough to defend if need be.  Mayla bowed humbly to the sailors and called out, “Thank you for your understanding.  We know it is an inconvenience to you and we do apologize.”

                Captain Uthero shouted from the door to his quarters.  “Any man here who feels the need to grumble or not obey what is told to you then come see me now.”  One of the larger sailors stepped forward, passing Squill by slowly.  The young warrior tensed for a moment but kept his eye on the sailor as he approached the captain.  Uthero looked up to the sailor and asked, “Do any of you have a problem with this situation?”

                “Yes.  We didn’t sign on ta baby-sit!” shouted the sailor.

                Esen murmured softly for only Raleigh to hear.  “He’s new on dis ship.  Watch.”

                Captain Uthero nodded and paused a moment.  “So be it.”  He turned slightly then launched a fierce uppercut into the large sailor’s chin.  With a large thud the sailor crashed to the deck, unconscious with two teeth lying a few feet away.  The captain straightened himself up again and asked, “Anyone else?”

                Esen chuckled softly.  “He had ta learn da hard way.”  Raleigh stood up slowly and looked to Princess Mayla, unaware of the unconscious giant being hauled down below.  Esen noticed his eyes and whispered, “Fancy her, do ya?”

                Raleigh shook his head suddenly.  “I…that is…”

                “Must hurt ta know dat you’ve been working hard up here da whole time and no one told ya,” commented Esen.  “Like dey didna trust ya with her or something.”

                “What?” Raleigh asked, looking to Esen confused.

                “Maybe I’m wrong,” Esen murmured with a shrug. “ Maybe.”  He turned to join the rest of the sailors in their chores.  “Take da rest of da day off, boy.  Ya earned a break!”

                Raleigh watched Esen go and stood there for a moment.  “Did not…trust me?”  He looked to Princess Mayla.  “Why would they not trust me?” he asked himself.

                Mayla’s gaze glided across the deck of the ship until her eyes locked with Raleigh’s.  She smiled softly at seeing him again and looked to Pallan.  The bodyguard smiled and nodded, giving the princess consent.

                Daegan watched as Mayla left security between Citro and Pallan to walk across the deck to see Raleigh.  He sniffed smugly and murmured, “I do not see how he could have saved anyone from anything.”

                “Maybe he is like Vasher from West Reslo,” replied Squill.  “He didn’t seem like much but was an excellent fighter.  He put up a really good fight against you last year in the semi-finals at the Delber Tournament.”

                “The ground was muddy,” Daegan stated flatly in rebuttal.  “Vasher was nothing special and neither is this Raleigh here.  Both got lucky.”  Squill kept quiet, knowing that arguing with Daegan right now would be futile.

                Mayla approached Raleigh slowly and bow slightly.  “You are…Raleigh, are you not?”

                Raleigh stood silent for a moment.  His mouth was dry and his heart began to race in his chest.  “I…yes.  I am, your Highness,” he answered, returning her bow.

                “I want to thank you what you did for me.  For…saving my life.”

                Raleigh’s face flushed, turning even redder than what the sun had done to him.  “I only did what others would have done, your Highness.”

                “Still, I owe you my life.”  She bowed again.

                “Your Highness,” interrupted Daegan as he came up behind her.  “I believe the captain would like to see you in his quarters.”

                Mayla nodded to Daegan.  “Ok,” she replied and faced Raleigh again.  “Thank you again, Raleigh.  If there is anything…”

                “Your Highness?” Daegan interrupted again.  “Considering the circumstances I do not think it would be wise to keep him waiting.”

                “Yes, of course,” replied Mayla.  She looked to Raleigh again before turning to walk to the captain’s quarters.

                Daegan stood there between Raleigh and the princess.  “So you are Raleigh.”

                “Yes…I am.  You are Daegan, right?  I saw you and Squill fighting the other day in the courtyard.”

                “Sparring,” replied Daegan in a condescending tone.  “We were sparring, practicing.”

                “Oh…I see,” said Raleigh.  “It was very impressive.”

                Daegan leaned closer and murmured.  “I don’t know why you are here but understand this.  The princess is my responsibility now, not yours.  Stay away.”

                Raleigh blinked, confused and disarmed by the sudden ultimatum.  “I…was not aware that I was a threat.”

                “She already has plenty of people around her as it is.  The more there are the harder it is to distinguish the threats from the friends.”

                Before Raleigh knew it a stream of thought turned into words that poured from his mouth.  “Then why don’t you stay away?”

                Daegan stood frozen, his eyes burrowing deep into Raleigh’s.  “What did you say?” he asked in a calm, collected manner.

                “I…I simply mean that if there are more than enough around her now then…maybe…”

                As fast as a snake, Daegan stood up face-to-face to Raleigh, a breath’s distance between them.  “You mean you want me to back away so you can have her for yourself, is that it?  To be the hero?  Her knight?”

                Raliegh took a step back.  “No…I did not mean anything like that?  I meant…if it is going to be confusing for her guardians…”

                “Stay away from her,” demanded Daegan.

                “Is there a problem, gentlemen?” asked a soothing voice from the side.  They turned to see Imogene standing tall, her heavy cloak and long black hair swaying in the breeze.  “I sense venom in the air.”  She looked between the two young men.

                “I was just introducing myself,” remarked Daegan.  “Making sure he understood my role here.”

                Imogene nodded.  “Then attend to your role,” she said flatly, pointing to the captain’s quarters where Princess Mayla was exiting the doors.

                Daegan turned to see her and stood upright again.  Without looking to Raleigh he murmured, “Remember what I said,” before resuming his post by the princess’s side.

                Raleigh sighed.  “They…do not trust me,” he whispered to himself.

                Imogene arched her eyebrow.  “Who, young one?”

                “No…no one,” Raleigh replied, despondent.

                Imogene looked out to the horizon.  “Must be lonely all alone.”

                “What?” asked Raleigh.

                Imogene pointed to a cloud that appeared to be separated from the others, surrounded yet alone.  “I cannot imagine being among others and not speaking to them, or being spoken too.”

                “But I…what if the others do not trust you?” asked Raleigh.

                Imogene was silent for a moment.  “Do you see the black cloud, the one that is approaching the lonely one?” she asked.  Raleigh nodded.  “Should the lonely one rain if dark one does or should it wait for the right time?”

                “It should wait,” Raleigh replied.

                Imogene nodded.  “The cloud knows what it must do.”

                Raleigh nodded and whispered, “Thank you.”

                “Come.  Rest.  Tonight there will be entertainment.”

                Raleigh followed Imogene down to the second deck, relieved to be out of the sun.  They parted ways with a shared smile and entered their respective rooms.  Inside Raleigh’s room Mornic sat on his bunk, reading over a passage from the Testament of Life, the book of the High Father.  He looked up to Raleigh and smiled, waving him closer.

                “My boy.  You are looking well,” he spoke softly.

                “May I ask a question, sir?” Raleigh asked as he looked for a clean shirt to put on.

                Mornic closed the Testament gently and looked to his apprentice.  “Of course.  What is it?”

                “Why…why was I the last to know about Princess Mayla?”

                Mornic looked down to the floor.  “Ah…I see.”  For a while he sat in silence, contemplating what he was to say.  Finally the elderly priest spoke.  “My boy, Raleigh…I do sincerely and whole-heartedly apologize to you.  I could have taken the time to sit down with you and explain the circumstances but time was not our friend.”

                “Am I not allowed to speak to her or even approach her?”

                Mornic gazed up to Raleigh puzzled.  “Who ever told you that?”

                Raleigh was silent for a moment.  “I was told to keep my distance shortly after finding out she was aboard.  It just seemed as if I was not…trusted enough.”

                “That could not be further from the truth,” reassured Mornic.  He smiled suddenly, a smile Raleigh knew to mean he had an idea.  “From now on you will accompany me to any meetings we have.  You are my apprentice, after all.”  Mornic winked and bade Raleigh to come closer to embrace him tightly.  “Come now, we must make ourselves presentable for the festivities tonight!”

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

                That evening, as the sun set below the blue horizon, the Gallant came alive with music.  A few of the sailors pulled out their instruments and played sea songs that had been passed down from generation to generation.  Many of the sailors danced and sang along while their passengers watched, clapping and laughing along with the seamen.

                It was a restful time, to put aside the secrets that started the voyage out and come together as they should have in the beginning.  Many of the sailors had already disregarded the secrets and lies.  Only a small few held to them, brooding in the corners.

                Princess Mayla sat in a position of honor at one end of the deck watching the sailors dance.  A few were very nimble, doing almost acrobatic feats.  Two of them even performed juggling tricks.  Pallan could see in the princess’s eyes that she felt safe for the first time since the reception.

                After some time Mornic stood with his classic mischievous smile.  He raised his arms to quiet the masses.  “Pallan, sweet Siren of Song, would you honor us with a melody composed from your heavenly voice?”

                The sailors let loose a roaring cheer.  Mayla’s eyes beamed with delight, having always been Pallan’s biggest admirer.  “Yes, please do!” she exclaimed.