"I do not understand, you act as if you hate me on board the vessel but now, you're supporting me on this ridiculously impossible mission of mine." I trotted up beside Áki.
"I have never hated you." He said with his eyes forwards.
"Then why the horrible jobs? Why leave me out under the sun or out in the thrashing rain?" I asked, genuinely curious as to what his reasons might be.
"I knew about Kai." He said bluntly. "And I hated to think that filthy scoundrel was harming you."
"If you knew then wh-"
"Let me finish." He cut me off, "Yes, I knew and I wanted to do something about it but I didn't know what he would do to you if he killed me, so all I could do was fill your schedule with important or tough jobs that nobody else wanted."
"Why?"
"I couldn't give him the opportunity to get you. That's why I'm always rushing you every morning, trying to get you out of there."
I looked down at my hands that were tightly gripped onto my reins. "Oh." I breathed.
"But you ended him, and for that I am glad." He smiled an old worn smile.
"How did you-" I looked down at my shoes and saw the fresh blood stained into them. "Never mind."
I could see the tired darkness beneath his eyes, the slant of his sad eyes, dryness on his lips. I wondered when the last time he ever had a proper nights sleep.
"Rest well tonight, Áki." I said with the faintest hint of a smile.
We rode for hours, for days, nights and after however long of my ass aching against my saddle and my legs numb from the lack of blood flow, we were finally out our smaller trading station that was barely manned.
I got off my horse and collapsed to the ground.
"Thea!" Edith and Áki ran to my assistance.
"I can't feel my legs..." I gasped.
"It's alright, it is completely normal." Áki laughed, lifting me off the ground.
The 15 or so of us made our way to the wooden walls posted along the marshy waters.
"Who sent you." A voice growled from above.
We looked up to see one man with a drawn bow and arrow. We knew it wasn't just him, the others were hidden in the walls.
I had been here once before when I was a second. It was part of my training to walk from Delawera to E(as)ton. We were given a month, I did it in two and a half weeks. I still don't understand how but I was growing and adrenaline came easy, plus I was a determined child and nothing could stop me.
"Luna of the Boat People." Áki shouted up.
"We're here to expand our trades." I continued.
The gates slowly swung open and two more archers stood behind them.
"Enter." He shouted down.
We slowly walked, rode and wheeled in through the high gates.
"We received word of your arrival." The man said, climbing down from his post. "In fact the messenger is still here, you must be eager."
He looked me up and down with a puzzled expression. "What is your matter?"
I had still slung my arm over Áki's shoulder, finding it difficult to hold myself up.
Áki laughed a friendly sound and shook me lightly. "The girl does not ride well."
The man smiled gently and guided us through.
YOU ARE READING
Of The Sea : John Murphy
Fanfiction"So I would watch my mouth if I were you, John Murphy. You're very easily replaced." •If only she knew how difficult it would become• |Read at your own risk|
