❤Hearts of Pandore❤ (Part 1): The Crossing

Part 1 End: Treasure Hunt

"I'm sorry captain. Whatever we did, I'll make up for it," she pressed her forehead to the floor, trembling with fear. 'Captain', I wondered silently to myself, why would she refer to her as such... unless... My eyes widened, but I bit my tongue reverently.

"Rise, Braelyn," the captain responded, laughter in her words. "You have done nothing wrong. Instead, you intrigue me so. I want to know why you are here."

She gazed at us with open curiosity and sage wisdom, it was hard to believe she was only 19. I found my lips moving against my will, pouring out all my fear at losing Lynnie, all my anger when I met Luke. I found myself raging passionately about the cage, the Seive. I spoke fondly of Lytian, of our glimmering castles. Each word was like honey, sliding down my throat and warming my cold sense of desolation. When I ended, all breath had left me. It was thought a huge burden had left my shoulders.

"She needs to go home, captain," Lynnie whispered softly.

"First, Braelyn," she said, "My name is Louka. You may call me that instead of captain, it makes me feel so dreadfully old. And secondly, it sounds as if she is needed there. How do you suppose we do this?"

"What are you talking about, Lynnie? We both need to go home!" my voice rose in hysterics.

"I'm sorry, Rayne," she began, "but I need to remain here."

"Why?" I cried.

She looked at me, her expression full of sadness and said, "I've devoted my life to this ship."

~ ~ ~

"What do you mean?" I turned to Louka, "What is the meaning of this?"

"When you came aboard, half of ship was sinking. We needed repairs, fast. I had you ordered overboard-- unnecessary weight, and you were out cold and injured. Your sister pleaded for your safety-- in return for a life of servitude."

I collapsed, "You can't do this. You can't split us apart like this!" I rushed over to Louka's desk and prepared to hit her, to punch her, to make her feel the pain that was coursing through my veins.

"Rayne!" Lynnie yelled, "Calm down." Louka had her dagger pressed to my throat, and she released me quickly, throwing me to the floor.

"A captain cannot appear weak infront of her crew," Louka said aloud, "But the open seas is not a place for the future rulers of Lytian."

"Louka...?" Cantarella cut in, alarmed, "are you planning to let them leave?"

"Not exactly," Louka sat in her arm chair, facing us across the desk. She turned to us and fixed us with a gaze the sent shivers down my spine.

"How do you plan to get across the border?"

Lynnie looked at her curiously, "Walk?"

Cantarella gasped, "You don't know...?"

"Is either of you a teleporter, mind you, you must also be at least a Level 10."

Level 10? I grimaced, that was the highest Level in the Elitian scale. I myself was only around a seven.

"No...?" I trailed off, uncertain where this was going.

Louka glared at us, "Who do you think you are then? Prancing around Darkora trying to get back to Lytian? You have no chance, not without the Hearts or a teleporter!"

"Louka, I don't understand," Lynnie cut in.

"When this country was split, is wasn't only split geographically, but magically too! There's a gateway between Lytian and Darkora-- and it's impossible to cross," Louka began.

"This is why no Lytian has ever seen Darkora and vice versa. The brothers hated each other so much, they took all the necessary precautions."

Lynnie seemed frozen in shock.

"What are the Hearts?" I asked suddenly, remembering them mentioned by Louka.

"The Hearts of Pandore. It's said that there is an island somewhere in Pandore's oceans-- and island filled with treasure and riches. Legend has it that there is a key hidden. That key opens the door through the Gateway, but no one knows where it's hidden," Cantarella responded, shaking her head wearily, "It's an impossible hope for you two."

"But think about it!" Lynnie cried, "Take your crew to find the treasure on the island and we'll get the key. We'll fake our own deaths and no one will think twice!" she banged her fist on the table.

"Please, Louka?"

Louka ran her fingers through her hair, her face a mix of churning emotions. She fumbled with a golden locket around her neck as she decided, twirling the chain through her fingers. She weighed the riches with the danger. She thought of herself, her crew, her reputation. After a few minutes, she opened her mouth, "Where do you suppose we start searching?"

A door burst open behind them and Ryden and Luke tumbled in, Criselda had she foot on Luke's back, laughing a little.

"Sorry, Louka. I couldn't help but overhear this exciting conversation with these two idiots."

Louka smiled scarily, "I'll deal with them later."

"But I do have something that could be of importance," reaching inside the folds of her dress she withdrew a single gold coin.

"Err... What is that?" I asked, but Criselda merely smiled. She flicked open her pocketknife and ran it's blade along the coin's edge. The top popped off and clattered to the floor, Criselda picked up the little piece of paper folded inside of the coin and unfolded it slowly. She lay it out and smiled, "Anyone up for a treasure hunt?"

~ ~ ~

End of Part 1