I am SO excited for this Chapter.
It's longer than I thought it would be so sorry (not sorry). I hope you guys like it and I apologize for any mistakes because I was so eager to get it up I didn't reread it fifty billion times like I normally do.
I hope you enjoy, I am eager to hear your thoughts & theories,
Love Daisy xo
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Chapter 34 | Unraveling
*
' I look inside myself,
and see,
my heart is black.'
- Rolling Stones
*
NATHANIEL
(8 hours earlier)
"Stop looking at the door. No-one is coming to get you."
Nathaniel's eyes flickered away from the door to rest again on the person sitting opposite him. The person, his brother, linked his fingers leisurely together and continued to stare at him, blue eyes guarded and calculating.
His brother.
Nathaniel wasn't sure if he felt like laughing or crying. Here was the person he had been searching for, seated right in front of him as real and tangible as the chair he was currently seated on, but his brother was nothing like Nathaniel had imagined, (or dreamt,) him to be. Nothing at all.
Tobias. That was his name. They were identical in appearance, but Nathaniel was quickly coming to understand that it was there that their similarities ended.
"Why don't you tell me something about yourself this time?" he suggested gently.
Tobias's eyes narrowed slightly. "Like what."
Proceeding with caution, he attempted, yet again, to figure out more about his brothers' situation. "How long have you known Aranel for?"
Tobias tsked and looked away. Not good.
"Alright then," Nathaniel spoke quickly in an attempt to cut off the outburst he sensed coming, "have you ever left this island? Or wanted to?"
Tobias grew still, his long fingers that had been fidgeting with the fraying end of the armchair ceasing their frantic dance. Nathaniel felt his breathing stutter a little as he tried to anticipate how the question would be received.
He didn't know how long it had been since he had awoken and been tossed into this un-consensual game of questions. At first, he had been thrilled to see his brother sitting in front of him, sure that their situations would be the same. However, it did not take long for Nathaniel to realise that he was horribly, terribly, wrong.
Tobias was the one who had ordered Nathaniel to be brought here, although Nate was unsure if Tobias had known about the means. Aranel had tracked Nathaniel down for him, sent out Jhaer and later the 'Circe' imposter to retrieve him.
Nathaniel was unsure how far Tobias was involved with whatever Aranel was scheming and it did not seem as though his brother was going to be forthcoming with the information.
The very fact that Nathaniel seemed to dislike Aranel so greatly actually seemed to be a point of interest for his twin, who, upon giving this information and receiving Nathaniel's crestfallen expression in return, had given him an odd look.
"Is there a problem?" He had asked curiously, ice blue eyes glinting with an emotion Nathaniel could not understand.
"There is," Nathaniel had replied, "Aranel is not a good person Tobias. She wants our Sister dead."
"Does she?" Tobias had responded, in mild surprise, "I rather thought she wanted Obsidian Bones dead, although I had heard he was taken care of," his blue eyes had glittered, "supposedly."
Nathaniel had been shocked and he missed the implication in the statement, "You know who he is?"
Tobias's eyes had hardened then. "Of course, I do. Are you an idiot? His Father is the one who brought me here."
"Zeus Gold brought you-
It was then Tobias had cut him off with a wave of his hand, "I don't want to talk about him," he had said, leaning forward in his chair with his eyes glistening, "I want to hear more about our Sister."
"But-"
"I said I don't want to talk about that!"
Nathaniel had recoiled then, at the venom injected in his brother's voice and the momentary loss of sanity that had contorted Tobias's face into an expression Nate fervently hoped his own would never duplicate.
Thus, Nathaniel had been answering questions for the past who knew how long. Occasionally he had attempted to ask his own, but Tobias was temperamental, only choosing to answer the questions that interested him. He was quick to anger too, and more than once Nathaniel had accidently trodden on a landmine, inciting his brothers childlike rage.
"I can't ever leave this island," Tobias said now and for the first time since their conversation had begun, his haunting eyes had left Nathaniel's own, looking past Nates shoulder at something he couldn't see.
"Why?" Nathaniel asked, his voice quiet and cautious.
Tobias was still looking past him, eyes glazing over a little as he answered. "Because she would find me." Suddenly his attention was fixed back on Nathaniel with disconcerting intensity. "She would. Our Mother. She would find me and kill me."
Nathaniel was momentarily thrown by the feverish certainty in his brothers voice, "She wouldn't-
"She would." Tobias licked his lips a little and his fingers resumed their desecration of the armchair upholstery. His eyes were still glued to Nathaniel's. "She would," he repeated, softer this time, and just for a moment Nathaniel thought he saw a flicker of uncertainty flash across his brothers face. And then it was gone.
"Tell me more about Circe." His brother demanded.
Nathaniel allowed the subject to change this time, although he placed the small piece of information aside for later. Tobias was afraid of their Mother. Nathaniel had only met her briefly and it had been emotional and awkward. Nathaniel did not doubt that his Mother had loved their Human Father dearly, it was merely her status that prevented her from acknowledging Nathaniel as her son. Nathaniel had felt sadness, but ultimately, he understood. There was no room in the magical world for human half-breeds. Obsidian Bones was proof of that fact. Nathaniel was happy to keep his status as a normal human; it was what he had grown up believing after all.
So, then what was it that made Tobias fear their Mother? Surely, he had not heard those words from the woman herself. Was it Zeus then, who had put this idea in his head? Perhaps to ensure he would not try to leave the island?
As he was mulling these thoughts over in his mind, Nathaniel began to speak. It was easy to talk about Circe when she was never far from his thoughts to begin with. Tobias seemed to like any information relating to her and so Nathaniel allowed himself to ramble, talking mostly of nonsensical things, stories of adventures and such from when he and Circe were little. Occasionally his brother would interrupt him to ask a question, but mostly he just listened, allowing Nathaniel's thoughts to wander freely.
Circe would be looking for him. He was sure of this fact. He wasn't certain who it was that had kidnapped him, he had been too tired to realise the danger until his 'sister' had knocked him out cold with a blow to his head that was throbbing even now.
The imposter couldn't have been Jhaer, so that left the person Jhaer had been working for. He knew the name 'Katarina' had been flying around, but he had never met the woman personally, so he didn't know her face.
Aranel was definitely a part of this, he knew that much. So, factor in this 'Katarina' person and that totalled two people that his sister would potentially have to face. And he was sure that Aranel would have her dragon with her. Two people and one dragon. Nathaniel did not factor in his brother as the enemy. He couldn't bear to, not until he knew more.
He swallowed, his eyes unconsciously flicking to the door yet again. He could hear noise from outside, although the sound was heavily muffled. It sounded as though they were close to the ocean, but it was difficult to tell. There were no windows in their snug stone room, no indication of night or day. He was not in a good position to attempt escape and his logic was telling him that for now, he would have to sit tight and be patient. He would focus on winning his brother over, it would be a start.
"Why did you stop?" Tobias demanded suddenly, and Nathaniel started, he hadn't realised he had stopped talking. "And I thought I told you to stop looking at the door."
"Sorry," Nathaniel ground out from between gritted teeth, before hastily picking up where he had left off. Even though he had only just met his twin, even though Tobias seemed as though he was not quite sane, the almost childlike quality Tobias radiated, whether it was the small outbursts of rage, or the brief glimpses of naivety, made it difficult for Nathaniel to deny him his requests. And although this situation with Tobias was so far from what Nathaniel had hoped it to be, there was an immense, indescribable feeling that rose in this throat, the longer he spent around his twin. He had found him. Finally.
I've found him Circe, Nathaniel thought wildly for a moment as a question from Tobias allowed a small pause in his talking. I've found him, but he is so ... damaged. Nathaniel felt a sudden rush of anger for the people who had done this to their family. Torn them apart, kept them from each other. Tobias had known about them for a long time. Nathaniel could tell. And yet his brother's existence had only become known to him recently. Guilt, pity, and sorrow warred with the anger in Nathaniel's heart. A touch of tenderness filled him momentarily at the look of innocent excitement in Tobias's eyes as his Brother replied to an answer Nate had given.
Regardless of Tobias's motives, Nathaniel could not hate him for bringing him here. I will save you, he thought desperately, drinking in Tobias's face as he answered another question, I will save you and we will return to our sister together. Tobias smiled slightly in reply and Nate, for a wild moment thought that his brother was smiling in answer to the thought in his mind.
"She sounds amazing," his twin breathed, bringing Nathaniel's attention back to their conversation fully. "Did she really fight Aranel like that?"
Nathaniel was hit with a flash of pride, "She did." He replied, leaning forward slightly as Tobias mirrored his actions, "She has fought Zalas before as well. She is looking for you, you know, we both have been. When she finds out you're here, she will be so happy."
His words lingered in the air for a moment, floating like a spell between them. Tobias leaned back slowly, sinking into his chair. His eyes glossed over, severing the connection Nathaniel had felt, however momentarily. Nate straightened a little, vexed yet again at the response or lack thereof. His brother's moods were erratic, and he never seemed to react to any of Nathaniel's words in the way he expected.
"We will see," Tobias murmured quietly.
Nathaniel had just opened his mouth, frustration curling on his tongue, when the door behind the two opened.
Tobias was alert instantly, although his posture did not change. His blue eyes merely fixated on the person who entered, Nathaniel gauging his brother's reaction before swivelling around in his chair fully.
"I'm home," the woman in the door called sarcastically upon noticing the two pairs of eyes trained upon her. Nathaniel took in her blue hair and was reminded fleetingly of Ambrose. Was this woman a water sprite? If so-
"Katarina." Tobias stated dully, confirming Nathaniel's suspicions. "Where is Aranel."
"You tell me," Katarina spat out irritably. "She was supposed to be back by now, I have-"
Her eyes suddenly landed upon Nathaniel and she seemed to edit her words, "information."
Nathaniel turned away from her and he heard her huff amusedly at his slight. He focused instead on Tobias. His brother seemed familiar, if not slightly sick of the woman, waving a hand at her dismissively.
"She will return soon. Nelonimi needed help with the other one." With effort, Tobias rose from his chair and Nathaniel realised again how skinny he was. Tobias was all angles, long limbed, tall, like Nathaniel, but sallow. Sunken. His shirt hung from his frame morosely, catching a little in his motion to stand and for a moment a small patch of skin on his back was revealed.
The pallid colour of his skin contrasted heavily with thick red lines that marked it, the raised scarring shining dully in the dim light of the room. Tobias's shirt fell back into place, but Nathaniel's eyes found the skin of his brothers' neck, exposed above the collar and he quickly discerned the lighter scarring that peeked above the cloth. He swallowed thickly tried not to imagine what the canvas of his brother's back looked like. Scarring like that could only come from the lash of a whip. Or a Dragons claws. Nate felt sick at the thought.
"Tea?"
Nate blinked up at his brother who was looking down at him, waiting for an answer.
"Excuse me?"
"Do you want a cup of tea?"
The domesticity of the question almost made Nathaniel vomit. That Tobias thought anything about their current situation was normal caused Nate's heart to throb painfully.
Swallowing again, he tried his best to reply steadily, offering his twin the best smile he could manage, "Yes please."
"Well isn't this lovely," Katarina interrupted, flopping down in Tobias's vacant chair. She rested her head on one hand, her fingers drawing through her thick blue hair thoughtfully. "You two seem to be getting on rather well, considering the circumstances." She shot Nathaniel a wicked grin, "You should have seen your Sister when she realised what had happened, the poor wee thing was so distraught." She laughed and Nathaniel felt his hands curl into fists. Katarina, upon noticing his reaction grinned wider, "Oh so you do care. You know, you were sitting here looking so comfortable, anyone would have thought you had forgotten her already-"
"Shut. Up." Nathaniel hissed out, "You don't know anything."
Katarina laughed, "I know you mistook me for her. To think I fooled you, her precious half-breed brother, the one who supposedly loves her so much." Katarina's eyes narrowed cruelly, "You couldn't even tell the difference."
Nathaniel was frozen to his chair, her words striking a chord deep within him. She was right. Looking back on it, Nate couldn't believe he had been fooled that way. There had been so many things wrong with that 'Circe,' if he had just paid closer attention-
Katarina's form was warping in front of him now and he realised with a twist in his heart, as Circe's features appeared in front of him, what she was doing.
Suddenly it was his sister, not the water sprite, sitting across from him, but the expression on her face was cold, and cruel, and Nathaniel had never seen her features contorted in such a way, nor had he ever wanted to.
"Stop it."
The horrible Circe mimic opened her sneering mouth to speak, but abruptly a jug of water was upended over her head and the image of his sister melted away like paint. A spluttering Katarina was left, scowling up at a dark faced Tobias who was standing with an empty pitcher of water in his hand, his hand clenched in a white knuckled fist around the handle.
"Don't wear her face," Tobias hissed venomously, his eyes wide and crazed, "don't ever wear her face around me ever again."
Katarina swore at him, rising abruptly from the chair and storming off into the next room, the door slamming shut behind her. Tobias remained, staring down at the empty seat and it took Nathaniel a moment to realise his hands were shaking.
Abruptly, a kettle began to whistle from the kitchen, jolting Tobias from his trance and making Nathaniel jump. As though nothing had occurred, Tobias walked back to the kitchen, silencing the kettle and turning back to the two ceramic cups and the teapot that had been arranged neatly on a tray. The hollow pouring of hot water filled the room and a moment later his brother returned, placing the tray down on the table between them.
"Your tea."
Nathaniel gathered himself but the thanks still got caught in his throat on the way out. "T-thank-you." He managed. He wasn't sure if he was talking about the tea anymore.
Tobias met his eyes over the rim of his teacup, his expression unreadable. "You're welcome."
*
ARANEL
The pull of the ocean was extra vicious today. As though mimicking the internal unrest that churned up her insides, the waves roared up the gap between the two rocks, spilling over the edge of the platform and lapping at Aranel's feet.
Nelonimi heaved her massive body out of the ocean, the now much larger form of the young dragon following behind her, sticking close to her heels. Aranel's voice was hard as she issued an order.
"Wait here, I'll be back soon."
Upon entering the familiar room, she could not help but pause at the sight of the second blonde head that had joined the first, seated by the fireplace. A slight smile touched her lips, one that she banished quickly as the second person turned around.
So, Tobias had succeeded. Or rather, Katarina and that human assassin had.
Nathaniel could barely contain his rage as he looked at her and Aranel expected no less, schooling her features into an impassive mask.
"So you found him," she said nonchalantly, walking forward to place a hand on Tobias's shoulder, squeezing gently. She didn't miss the look Nathaniel gave her hand, a look that said he wanted to rip it off. She snorted. "So attached already," she said flippantly, "you always were predictable."
Nathaniel opened his mouth to say something that would no doubt be horribly righteous, but before he could speak, Tobias interrupted, levelling her with a cool stare. "Katarina is in the back. She said she has information for you."
Aranel studied Tobias carefully. He was quite excited today, his normally vacant expression displaying more emotion than was usual. There was a slight flush high on his cheekbones and his fingers picked impatiently at the chair upon which he sat. She couldn't help but smile at him, despite his dismissive tone. "I'm happy for you," she murmured softly, so that Nathaniel couldn't hear. And she was. This child had seen enough suffering.
Aranel had found Tobias already on this island when she discovered it and he had never expressed a desire to leave, or a desire for anything really, in all of the times she had known him. And it wasn't as though she hadn't offered. Although, she had to admit, she had initially thought killing him would be a better idea.
It wasn't until they both found out the true identity of the other, until Tobias had realised she had a connection to the family he had lost, until she realised that his existence could be used as a pawn in the deadly game she played, that they had truly begun to use each other.
Initially, she had tried to win him over to her side with love, until she realised that Tobias wasn't looking for a trade. He required no payment. He wanted nothing in return. He was a puppet that had lost its strings and was merely seeking someone who could reattach them. She had happily complied, but there was a downside. Tobias had strings that kept breaking.
"You can go now."
Aranel looked down at the impatient boy who was flapping a hand distractedly at her, his clear blue eyes fixated on his brother. She ran a gentle hand through his blonde curls and dropped a quick kiss on top of his head. "Alright," she conceded, finally standing and heading to the back room. She could feel Nathaniel's heavy stare on her back and did a fantastic job of pretending as though his hatred wasn't burning a sizzling hole right through her. Her hand touched the doorknob, "Play nicely children," she couldn't help but say as she slipped through the door into the room beyond, her ears picking up the disbelieving scoff Nathaniel gave by way of reply.
Her eyes fell immediately on the other woman, seated on the couch at the far end of the room, a single lamp illuminating her face and turning her blue hair green in the yellow light.
Upon seeing her, Katarina sat upright, her expression turning grim.
"Princess."
Aranel acknowledged her curtly. "Good job with Nathaniel," she praised sparingly, "Tobias is pleased."
Katarina scowled, "It was a fucking mess Aranel. If we want to move, we have to do it now. It's getting dangerous, more so than you realise."
"What do you mean?" Aranel narrowed her white eyes, looking for information in the conflicted expression on Katarina's face.
"Jhaer was captured-"
"The assassin? Who cares?"
Suddenly Katarina was standing, the Water Sprite hissing with fury, "Highness! It's not that she was captured, it's who she was captured by." She paused, trembling as she tried to voice her next words.
"Just say it!" Aranel commanded. There was a foreign anxiety building up in her chest that she didn't know how to handle. There was a look in Katarina's eye that she didn't like. Something that looked horribly like fear.
"The boy. The twin. The traitor's son. He lives."
For a moment, Aranel drew a blank. "You mean the other twin? I know he is still alive Katarina. Why are you telling me this?"
The two women stared at each other from opposite ends of the room, unable to look away. There was a ringing in Aranel's head that grew steadily louder as she watched Katarina slowly shake her head, her eyes never looking away.
"Not that one," Katarina breathed, so quietly that Aranel felt she half read the meaning from the shape of her lips as the name rolled off her tongue. "Obsidian Bones. He's alive."
"He cannot be alive." Aranel recited bluntly. She knew he had burnt. She had seen it through Zalas's eyes.
"I saw him." Katarina was still whispering, as though the person in question might hear her if she spoke any louder. Aranel wanted to tell her to stop being so ridiculous. She wanted to storm across to the other woman and shake some sense into her, but she was struggling to make her words work.
"You were mistaken. It was the other one."
"I was not mistaken."
"How can you be sure," Aranel hissed.
"Because," Katarina scorched back, eyes flashing as she finally, finally raised her voice while at the same time yanking down her dress from her shoulder, "a mere Human half-breed could not injure me like this."
Aranel automatically flinched at the deep laceration that decorated the Water Sprites shoulder, even though she had seen worse before. Her eyes flickered from the barely crusting wound back up to Katarina's face. "He did this to you?"
"He did," she confirmed, shrugging the shoulder of her dress back on with clear discomfort. "Not just anyone can wound me like that, least of all a half-breed human." She sneered derisively. "It's taking longer to heal as well. I don't know what he is, but he isn't the same as before. And of course, Circe was there, right along side him. She actually made taking Nathaniel easier, but she was a pain to fight."
Forcing herself to calm down so that she could think clearly, Aranel could not help but laugh bluntly at Katarina's admission. "She was taught by Zalas after all. My brother could teach Air weaving to a rock though, so it doesn't say much about her skills."
Katarina looked at her warily, "I don't know Aranel ... she seemed more formidable than last time."
Aranel waved aside her concerns impatiently, "If what you say is true, it's that boy we need to be more worried about," she stared darkly at the lamp flickering feebly in the middle of the room, "he will be out for my head. However, if the plan goes smoothly, then we should have enough cards to play that he can be taken care of easily."
She had almost fully collected herself now and was firmly pushing all thoughts of Obsidian Bones to one side. She had originally come to Katarina for one purpose, and even though the Sprite had revealed more information, their plan had not changed.
Katarina sensed her rising purpose, "Did you find out what you needed to know?"
"Yes," she asserted, "It matches with the information you gave perfectly."
"Good. We will be leaving then?"
"Yes," Aranel's white eyes glittered in the darkness as a thought occurred to her, her lips curving in a sinister smile, "but first, a slight change to the plan."
*
Some time later, with anticipation curling hot in her stomach, Aranel and Katarina exited the room, barely sparing a glance for the two boys still seated by the fireplace. Nathaniel was asleep, his teacup held precariously on his lap, a little bit of liquid still resting in the bottom. Tobias was reading a book that he closed upon Aranel's reappearance, one thumb tucked beneath the pages to keep his place.
He was calmer than earlier, his blue eyes focusing easily on Aranel. She smiled slightly, nodding towards the slumbering form of Nathaniel, "I trust he didn't hear anything?"
Tobias looked towards his brother broodingly, "He was asleep before he even finished his tea," he mused, "he didn't even notice that the taste was off, he trusts me." Aranel could hear the soft disbelief in his tone and felt her eyes soften slightly.
"I told you that was what he was like," she muttered. And she had. Tobias had asked about his brother and she had spoken honestly, using the time she had travelled with the Pirates to get to know the twin Tobias so craved. Nathaniel was someone who wore you down over time, with his kind, selfless nature and optimistic personality. He always stood up for what was right. He accepted sacrifice without question. He was just so good.
He reminded Aranel of her Father.
And although she had become so consumed in her revenge, in her hatred, so much so that it was all she could see, when she had talked to Nathaniel it was as though, for a moment the weight of it all had lifted, just slightly.
Tobias deserved Nathaniel. And she knew, no matter the circumstance, as soon as Nathaniel found Tobias, he would not let him go. Even bringing them together was only out of necessity, in order to achieve her own conclusion, Tobias deserved at least that much for the suffering that Zeus Gold had put him through. She knew that much. Zeus Gold had taken her Father from her, but Tobias had been stripped of everything, even his sanity.
"I know, but I didn't believe you." Tobias was off in his own world once more and she could not help but brush her fingers over the back of his shirt, feeling the scars that lay beneath. I hope you'll be happy, she thought in her mind, unable to speak the words aloud.
"We are going now," she said instead, "I can trust you to look after things till we return?"
Tobias nodded jerkily, "Yes. I will await your return."
"My brother is still looking for this place, I do not think that Nelonimi's barrier will conceal us from him for much longer. By the time we return, you will need to decide what you will do next. I do not imagine we will be remaining her much longer after things begin to move."
"I understand."
"Good." She could feel her resolve encompass her once again, and she welcomed its fiery embrace. Making for the door, she heard Katarina follow and the parting words from Tobias brought a dark smile to her face.
"Good luck."
"Where I'm going," she murmured, "I won't need it."
*
Outside Nelonimi blinked patiently as she watched Aranel and Katarina with attentive eyes. The young dragon rumbled impetuously at her side and she hushed him gently. He responded by butting his head up under her jaw, nuzzling into her scales. She pressed down on his head and clicked quietly at him, just a little bit longer.
Meanwhile Aranel was listening attentively as Katarina spoke, the Water Sprites expression hardening with every word.
"I won't be easy." She warned.
"I'm aware," Aranel snapped, "Why do you think I recruited you?"
Katarina glanced dubiously at the two Dragons stationed off to the side. "Do you really think-"
"It will be fine. As long as you do what I say."
"Fine," Katarina seethed, "but I don't like it. And are you sure about this last-minute change?"
"Yes, I'm sure, can you do it?"
Katarina gave a curt nod.
"Then hurry up, we are wasting time."
Without further ado, Katarina's form began to warp and shift. Aranel had seen a Water Sprite's transformation many times before but it never ceased to amaze her. She could not stop her heartbeat increasing in anticipation as the tall figure in front of her grew taller still, Katarina's lithe figure bulking into a much more menacing shape. Blue hair was replaced by black, straightening out but not shortening in length, the strands whipping around and lifting in the wild wind that suddenly seemed to grow even wilder, as though drawn to his presence, even if was only a hollow shell.
As though on cue, from across the divide in the rock in the direction of the cells Aranel knew to be concealed there, an unearthly wail rose over the top of the oceans formidable roar.
"It's done," The voice that spoke from the mouth was a voice that shuddered through Aranel's body, crawling up and down her spine with tangible intensity, resurfacing memories she would never be able to scrape from her mind. Forcing herself to look up into the one face she hated most in the world, she felt her resolve harden further.
She nodded curtly and pulled her eyes away, reminding herself that it was only a mask.
"Then let's go."
*
AMBROSE
"Do you miss him, when you're apart?"
A cool wind blew between them and Aisling looked at Ambrose in surprise, as though shocked he would even have such a thought to begin with. Ambrose was aware that his face did not often change in expression, but was it really such a shock to hear such words from his mouth?
"Are you talking about Bernard?" Her Majesty's right woman felt the need to confirm. She leaned against the railing of the ship, her tight curls resting over one shoulder.
"Yes," Ambrose confirmed, his voice elegant in its sincerity.
Aisling studied the Water Sprite, trying to understand from where the question had come. Ambrose's expression gave nothing away and the Siren sighed.
"Yes of course I miss him," She replied, almost curtly Ambrose thought. He waited for a moment, watching how her expression softened slightly after she had had sometime to really consider the thought, "it seems these days all I do is miss him. We are apart more often than we are together now. But that is just the way it has happened I suppose." Her voice hardened slightly, "He has his duties, and I have mine."
"Do you think that perhaps, after we have completed this trip, your burden will lessen?" Ambrose was in a pensive mood. He did not normally pry this far into other people's affairs. But since Circe had stood stoically on the beach that day and told him he would be returning without her; he had realised something. And that something, was that perhaps he did not understand people quite as well as he thought he did.
"Perhaps," she replied, but the look in her eyes betrayed her true thoughts.
Ambrose had always categorized people into different groups. Depending on personality, motives and morals, people's actions mostly seemed simple and easy to understand. Ambrose had always believed himself to be a rather good judge of character. He had never felt emotions very strongly, especially in comparison to Katarina, and he had wondered more than once if therein lay the flaw in their match. Water Sprites were supposed to balance each other perfectly, one could not be more than the other.
Theories of flawed creation aside, Ambrose had thought Circe's character to be rather easy to understand. The child was pure-hearted and kind, driven forward by her strong sense of justice and desire to do the right thing. But the Circe on the beach had shown him none of that. In the face of the one she loved, the one she most desired to protect, she cast everything aside. It was not the reaction he had foreseen and yet it was so purely Circe that he couldn't understand how he had not anticipated it.
So now he was trying a different approach. Instead of assuming, he would ask. And who better to begin testing this theory with than a woman he had known personally for almost as long as he had known her Majesty. He thought that he understood Aisling rather well, the right-hand Siren of Queen Evangeline, a being on equal standing with himself within the Queens council. But now in her too, he was beginning to find flaws in the paradigm he had constructed for her. She was showing it now, in her expression that was telling him she missed her husband, Bernard Hobbson, more than he had realised.
Ambrose had always thought Aisling resigned, but indifferent to the fact that she and her husband seemed destined to live their lives always just out of arms reach of each other. Now that thought seemed rather foolish.
Ambrose tapped his chin thoughtfully, his brilliant cerulean eyes betraying nothing of his thoughts. He supposed that if they did not love each other, there would be no reason for them to remain together, despite the distance.
Love, and what others did for love, was always something of a mystery to Ambrose. He supposed that love would have to be experienced for him to gain true understanding, but he had never 'been in love.' He felt loyalty and attachment, but somehow, the concept of 'love' seemed so much deeper than any of those.
When he had witnessed Circe's love, had seen it raging like fire in her eyes, he was struck again by the intensity of her passion and a deep desire to feel 'love' just as strongly as she did had overwhelmed him.
Aisling was looking at him and sensing that he was about to be asked a question in return, Ambrose swiftly changed the subject. That was the only thing about asking, he had realised, people tended to eventually ask questions back.
"Was there any further luck with Katarina?" He asked nonchalantly.
Aisling shook her head, lips pursing. Below them came the hustle and bustle of the crew as they worked. The Water Kingdom ships were faster than usual, eager to hurry their precious cargo towards its destination. The wind was in their favour too and they had been making good time over the past couple of days. Ambrose estimated they would soon reach the half-way point in their journey.
"I tempted her with information about the handover, as you suggested, but I have no way of knowing whether or not she has taken the bait. We lost track of her a few months ago and everything keeps showing up blank. I would almost be inclined to think she is somewhere in the Earth Kingdom although I could not fathom what she would be doing there." Aisling was obviously frustrated, and Ambrose could understand why.
Katarina had been a thorn in Ambrose's side ever since she had come back to the Water Kingdom, pleading for his forgiveness. As far as he was concerned, there was nothing to forgive. She had broken their bond and left him, it had been her choice, but one she had done knowing the consequences of her actions. He would never, could never accept her back. She had sealed their fate and now they were both destined to be alone until the day their forms could no longer hold recognisable form and they sunk back into the ocean forever.
She was another person that had stepped out of the box Ambrose had fit her into. He didn't know what to make of her and her actions. Obviously, she had her own agenda, but still ... Ambrose found that he didn't like the uncomfortable pang his heart gave every time he looked into her eyes and saw nothing but lies sulking within.
"We will need to be careful," he warned Aisling yet again, "she could still show. And we don't know who she is working for."
"As soon as she shows her face she is done," Aislings hand gripped the rail of the ship tightly, "I've had enough of her scheming, it's an embarrassment to the Kingdom. She has only evaded exposing herself so far because there has always been something, someone else for her to hide behind. I was sure she would take the bait when I met with her that day."
"She is too untrustworthy," Ambrose mused, "I should have known that she would never fall for something like that. Especially coming from you. I suppose I should have accepted her back in, even if it was just a façade. Then at least we would know where she was."
Aisling sighed, "You are not to blame."
"It is not about blame," Ambrose said quietly.
A sudden call from on deck drew both of their attentions and Aisling responded first. "I'll go down." She said, even as she moved away from him. He watched her descend the steps leading to the main deck to speak with the Captain, leaving him with his thoughts.
He sighed, absentmindedly pushing his hair back from his face. There was a throbbing in his temple that had faded away earlier in the day but was now reappearing with a vengeance. The sun danced prettily of the surface of the water as they sailed forward, betraying the coolness of the ocean wind that had picked up in the last hour.
Clouds were gathering on the horizon, immense, fluffy monstrosities, that hung suspended in the sky like a wave on the verge of breaking. Aisling was still talking to the Captain. Ambrose studied his expression and decided that he looked concerned. He did not expect there was any real reason for concern, however. A lot of the crew were concerned about this voyage. This was the first hand over of the newly joined pendants after all, and emotions were running high. Everyone wanted things to go smoothly, even Ambrose had felt the pressure more than was usual.
Still absentmindedly cloud watching, Ambrose noticed something unusual. He peered a little harder but a call from Aisling distracted him momentarily.
"Ambrose, we are almost half-way. We should see sight of the meeting party soon."
He nodded to acknowledge he had heard before turning his attention back to the forms he had seen. What had initially seemed to be a small white cloud had separated from the larger mass, moving steadily in their direction. Now that it had drawn closer, Ambrose was able to pick out the great wings of a dragon, although the white beast cast in front of the backdrop of white cloud made it difficult to discern the form.
"I see a scout," He called down to Aisling, although it was the Captain who communicated his observation to the rest of the crew, the cry ringing out across all three vessels until everyone had been notified.
Ambrose settled down to watch the approach of the Dragon, keeping an eye out for the Air Kingdom vessels that were sure to be following. The Air nomads ships were smaller and lighter than their own, so they should not have been far behind, but as the dragon drew closer no such vessels emerged and Ambrose decided that the scout must have simply been sent further ahead in order to locate them and escort them to half-way.
The shape was distinguishably a dragon now, it would only be a few more minutes before the beast reached them. It was larger than the dragon Ambrose remembered Circe riding and it was flying too high and far away for Ambrose to see if it held a rider on its back.
Ambrose remembered the few times he had watched Circe fly with her dragon, and the look of euphoria that had been on her face as she had soared through the sky. He had always preferred the ocean, but in those moments, she had made it seem as though there was nothing on Earth that could best the freedom of flight.
The approaching dragon was almost upon them now and the next second it was, large white belly soaring over the top of the convoy and momentarily blocking out the sun.
"Be ready to receive the Air Kingdom scout!" came the call from below. Ambrose shielded his eyes as he followed the dragon's movements. It had passed over them and he expected it to land in the ocean as the scouts normally did before approaching the ships. However, the dragon doubled back around in the sky instead, allowing Ambrose to catch sight of the rider seated upon its back.
The riders dark clothing stood out in stark contrast against the dragon's white scales, a smudge of ink on a fresh sheet of parchment. The dragon was soaring back towards them now, lower than before, and wasn't it going too fast?
Ambrose was not the only one to realise something was wrong before it happened. His eyes slid from the quickly approaching dragon to meet Aislings gaze, her eyes widening imperceivably in realisation, even as they first felt the heat from the attack.
In the next second, a scorching column of dragon fire had devoured a path right through the ship and Aisling was blocked from view by the mountainous flames that curled in its wake.
Mercifully Ambrose was just out of range, but even as he called for the ocean to douse the flames, the water to the right of him parted, spewing forth another dragon that capsized one of their two sister vessels without hesitation. Cries of shock echoed through Ambrose's ears, shock that quickly turned to screams of horror as the upended ship was set ablaze, sparing no mercy for those both in the water and those who remained trapped inside the vessel.
"Ambrose!" Aislings voice came to him from across the channel of flame and with his expression hardening, Ambrose tore his eyes away from the doomed ship and instead raised his arms smoothly, pulling the ocean upwards until a great wave formed behind him. With a poised sense of forced calm, he stepped in a purposeful circle, dragging his hands through the air as he pulled the powerful wave forward, forcing it to cover the deck of the ship and douse the flames.
Water streamed from off the sides of the vessel, the fire extinguishing enough that Aisling became visible, hands dropping to her sides having apparently employed the same tactic as he. With the bulk of the fire gone, a large scorch mark was exposed, running through the middle of the ship like a blackened wound, the wood splintered and gaping as it bled.
Before Ambrose even had time to register the damage, the airborne dragon was back, flame curling in the back of its throat.
"I'll take this one, you focus on the other ship!" Ambrose ordered Aisling and she nodded, immediately turning her attentions to the other vessel. The dragon in the water had submerged after destroying the first ship, but Ambrose had a moment to witness it bursting from the ocean yet again before it's attack was blocked by Aisling and the crews efforts, yet another wall of water rising from the ocean to force a divide between the two.
A roar came from in front of him and without thought, Ambrose hefted a giant iceberg straight from the ocean, forcing the airborne dragon to postpone its attack in order to dodge the obstacle. Ambrose gave it no time to re-position, slicing sheets of ice from the mound, that slit through the air like shards of glass, aiming for the dragon's wings. The beast dodged them all, missing the last one just barely as it turned sharply, heading back in Ambrose's direction.
The commotion surrounding him was stifling and Ambrose was vaguely aware of the juddering under his feet that indicated their ship was not going to last much longer. Clouds of smoke from the burning vessel in front of him filled the air, staining the blue sky with the ash grey of death and shrouding his enemy in camouflage. The ambush had been so unexpected that they did not have time to prepare any larger weapons, instead having to rely on their magic skill alone. But we did not expect to fight dragons, Ambrose thought grimly, surely this cannot be Queen Airocei's doing.
A thought was growing in the back of his mind, a sickening itch that told him there was only one person it could be. One person who had already confessed to framing another for a terrible crime. One person who was powerful enough to ask a dragon to her bidding.
He would not have time to ponder further however, for the airborne dragon was suddenly upon him, bursting out of the smoke with a breath of fire already sitting on its tongue and Ambrose was forced to pull the ocean up from both sides, cloaking him and the ship upon which he stood in a watery shield. The flames hit the water and flared outwards, clouds of steam billowing out from the impact. Ambrose could see the flame through the shield, the vibrant red orange distorting through the cool turquoise as the hellfire rained down without pause.
What next occurred happened merely by chance, but afterwards, Ambrose knew that the rider would have made his identity known, whether or not Ambrose had seen him in that fleeting moment.
The water shield fell as the flame extinguished, seconds before the dragon flew through it and Ambrose gathered himself for his next attack. The passing dragon flew so low that Ambrose was forced to sink into his liquid form in order to duck under its mighty wing, even as the end of said wing purposefully clipped the first mast of the ship, severing it with a thunderous crack.
In the split second before he dodged, the dragon passed so low by Ambrose that he was given a perfect view of the rider on its back. Unexpectedly, it was a man who sat, firm and regal, on the dip between the dragon's shoulder and neck, his long black hair streaming out like a war banner behind him, his mouth set in a cruel smile. Ambrose met his golden eyes with a sickening sense of foreboding and the smile widened.
It can't be.
The dragon was flying away, preparing to loop back around for the final kill, but all Ambrose could focus on was the man it carried, his face burning in the forefront of his mind.
It can't be him.
The shock was making him slow. It rocked through him as his brain assaulted him with a million questions, a million theories, a million possible ways that he was wrong. He had to be mistaken. There was no possible way that man could be alive.
It's a trick.
Ambrose gathered himself, his mouth setting in a grim line as he prepared to face the dragon once again. The ship jerked and rocked beneath him, the waves growing higher as he bent the ocean to his will.
To the left of him he could sense Aisling struggling just as hard – the second dragon had joined the first in the sky and it appeared to have a rider as well, the wind picking up unnaturally to his left. A colossal bang resonated out over the water, drawing Ambrose's attention. He gritted his teeth as he watched the other ship split cleanly in two as though a giant sword had sliced right through the centre. The front half quickly began to sink, while the other half incredibly, rose straight out of the water, the wind increasing and whipping violently around Ambrose's body. Through the smoke he could see Aisling on the remaining half of the ship, standing on the deck even as the broken vessel rose further into the sky. The ocean swelled up to meet her, giving the illusion that the sea was lifting the vessel, but Ambrose could pick out a figure moving gracefully on the back of the second dragon even as it soared through the sky, bending the air beneath the ship and lifting it higher and higher still.
His attacker had turned looped back now and it approached from behind, Ambrose realising the plan before it happened. Above him the other ship teetered in the air, looming further over its sister vessel, its broken body casting a dark shadow over the place where Ambrose stood.
With his face set in grim determination, Ambrose trusted Aisling to take care of herself as the first dragon opened it's jaws once again and Ambrose pulled the ocean up around him, his cerulean blue eyes frosting over to white. The dragon made it halfway through the tidal wave before the great mass hardened into ice instantaneously with a colossal crack, the ocean around both ships freezing over within seconds.
The severed second ship was still moving though, and Ambrose dragged his eyes from the frozen form of the dragon inside the wave, to look up just as the broken hull descended down on top of him.
*