In Fate's Hands (Sinbad of the seven seas)

Chapter Twelve: Book Excerpt

Chapter Twelve: Book Excerpt

By Aratonous

Avalon Unclaimed : Encounter Unnumbered March 15th

Avalon's abilities to heal and defend have been growing stronger, slowly but steadily. She prefers combat over using her abilities because it doesn't leave her in as much as a state of exhaustion. We took a visit to Poseidon's Arch where I thought we could find some remains from the lost city Atlantis. It was hard to find it in the first place, the arch itself was just a few feet underwater. If it wasn't for none other than Avalon's keen eyes, we would've rammed right into it.

George and Inigo dove in, but couldn't see the bottom of the ocean, making this archway a once towering monument that once had a bell attached to it. Avalon attempted to illuminate it with her shields but even that didn't do significant help. I didn't want to risk her exhaustion leading to her drowning. I called off the dive after three hours of her standing on top of the arch trying to keep her grip against the waves and concentrating on summoning a disk. Avalon being so unwilling to come aboard The Hydrix, has become more helpful than the crew members that have been working on my ship for years.

She's changed so much since her first night here. The tablet that we retrieved from Castle Knamptam specifically talks about in length about a mirror, that can be used as a tool by oracles to help them see the future. I've asked Avalon to look into my future, and she refuses. Every request she's gotten from the crew she's said no to. It came to the point where I had to leave Jenaveve at the last port because it became intense. Not to just know her own future, but mine. Avalon's been officially a paid part of the crew for over a year now and I am starting to believe that the reason why she hasn't been claimed, is because she refuses to use her ability in general.

I've asked her why she doesn't use such a fantastic gift and she never gives me a straight answer and last night Avalon said that after we landlocked Jenaveve, that she would like to be left at the next port. I don't believe Avalon will find a place safer than on The Hydrix as I've just learned that Yuki has passed. A home that has the ability to move with her when things go wrong. Our next voyage is to Harson Port, where we hope that Opal, oracle of Hephaestus, still resides. I'm hoping that if Opal's there, maybe she could help Avalon in a way that I cannot.

I don't want Avalon to leave. I don't want her to withdraw from society again. I don't want her to be alone, because I've tried asking about where she's from and how she came to be on that island. I've only asked her twice, and she's grown rather pale both times. A part of me thinks she chooses to be alone to be safe, but a part of me also thinks that she chooses to be alone because it's easier. But I know that I don't know her well enough to actually formulate such assumptions. This guide to Oracles is becoming more of a personal diary. Truth be told, I've grown used to her company on the ship and I can't help but fear about losing such a calm and peaceful person on my ship. 

It's been years. If she wanted to tell me her story, she would have done so by now. And only Avalon knows what's best for herself.