Chapter 106:Storm ends
The deck was nearly empty.
Only a handful of crew struggled against the wind, securing ropes, shouting over the growing roar of the ocean.
Further away, thunder roared as lightning left streaks of white in the clouds.
He stepped out beside her and was immediately hit by the winds which redirected around him, avoiding him.
"You came out here for this?" He asked.
She walked to the edge of the deck and leaned on the railing her gaze distant.
"You know why I’m here Atheline, " she softly said.
Atheline chuckled and also leaned against the railing his gaze on the approaching bigger cloud.
Below deck, the constant near flip of the ship was causing panic among its boarders.
Most of the doors were closed shut their warmth held within but one in particular remained slightly ajar.
Inside the woman paced, blind with frustrations and hate burning hotter than fear.
The cut on her face had left a scar, refusing to heal despite using multiple healing potions.
This was basically a wound too big for her to ignore after her initial fear. Her face was what made her who she was, rich and untouchable in the waters.
The storm had ruined everything, her plans and revenge. Her gaze went to the raging waters, and from the corner of her eyes she caught it.
Two familiar shadows.
Her room gave a better glimpse of the staircase that led to the upper deck.
A wicked smile curved on her lips, the storm was the perfect time to exact her humiliation.
The thoughts of the attack still sent shivers down her spine but her mind clouded over.
She moved quickly. Anger had long since burnt into something colder.
She wasn’t thinking anymore, this was an opportunity she wouldn’t let slip through her fingers.
On the deck, the first drop of rain fell, the cold sipping through his clothes.
Atheline flinched slightly as the wind changed its course again. He pulled his overcoat closer to himself.
"This is getting worse," he said.
She didn’t respond. Her gaze was below deck following something invisible.
A small smile graced her lips.
"Someone will die today," she mumbled into the storm.
Despite the loud winds, Atheline heard her.
"The storm is getting more and more ferocious," he calmly said.
She nodded, her gaze never leaving the lower decks.
"Why were you called by the captain?" Atheline asked her.
He had been meaning to ask her but it slipped through his mind.
"It was about the return journey and the oncoming storm," she replied.
Her hand tightened around the wood briefly.
’It thought it had been a big emergency ’
"Ooh... we’ll still be using this ship?"
She nodded.
"He’s the best captain in the whole blood ocean," she calmly replied, "I want the best for you."
Atheline smiled. "That’s sweet."
Her small chuckle was lost in the storm.
The rain began in earnest then, sudden and heavy, blurring the world into motion and sound.
The raindrops hit the air just a fraction from their bodies, without getting them wet.
"We’ll probably be later than... " she started.
The ship lurched, violently. He staggered and this time, she caught him, her hand closing firmly around his wrist.
The storm roared around them but the heavy winds and rain avoided both of them like the plague.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
"We should go back inside," he said, breath unsteady.
She froze for a moment, her grip tightened around him slightly.
"Just a moment, "she refuted, but it didn’t have her usual force.
Below, the lantern went out.
The woman cursed under her breath and hurried upstairs to the upper deck past Lilith and Atheline’s quarters.
She hurried towards the second set of stairs that led to the main deck, her curses following behind her.
Her goal had been set and even the water soaking through her dress wouldn’t stop her.
Just three steps to the top, the ship tilted. It wasn’t a sharp tilt but enough to destabilise her.
Her right hand slipped, followed by her foot.
She held onto the left railing, breathless.
’Maybe I should go back’
The second wave, stronger this time, hit.
The ship tinted impossibly. She slipped, the rain having lubricated the floorboards and railings.
For a moment, a dark shadow rose from the ground and held her.
For a second, she steadied, relief flickering through her face.
"Thank... "
The relief didn’t last, something gave way. A loud crack followed by a sharp, splintering sound beneath her weight.
The railing wood snapped.
Her balance broke, she stumbled back a stair before the railing gave way to the deck below.
Her body hit the deck hard, narrowly escaping the ship’s edge.
Before she could react the ship lurched again, her body slipped then nothing.
A scream never came. The storm had swallowed it. What was left was another broken railing, eaten away by the storm.
Lilith’s gaze stayed below deck for a while, her face expressionless.
She then fully turned to Atheline who had her hand in his.
"Let’s go," she calmly said.
A small smile graced his lips.
"Sure," his smile widened, "this time don’t sneak out again. "
The remaining crew watched in envy as the two descended while they were left to suffer in the gruelling storm.
By the time the crew found her, it was already too late. Broken structures, a fall, these were common occurrences during every voyage.
Two had died and she was one of them, a careless noble who had dared to leave her room despite the warning.
In their cabin, Atheline sat by the window his gaze fixed on Lilith lying on the bed, asleep.
Outside, water shimmered as the setting sun cast its rays on the smoothly rolling waves, a contrast from the night before.
’We’re finally here’
A far the port city rose from the coastline, a welcoming sight for those on the ship.
Atheline glanced briefly outside, then back to Lilith, who was also staring at him.
"You’re awake," he sofly said.
She nodded, but the sleepiness in her eyes was still visible.
"We should be arriving soon," she mumbled, her voice rough.
Atheline nodded and glanced towards the approaching city a smile gracing his lips.
"The coastline has become visible. "
She sat up and stretched herself.
"It seems we’re still on schedule, " her gaze lingered on his chest," are you experiencing any pain?"
Atheline shook his head. He approached her and sat down next to her.
"I’m fine, just the usual symptoms. "
"We should start preparing, I want us to be the first to leave."
"Sure."