A Mirage Of Milk And Honey

Chapter 28 - A Duel To Remember

The next morning, Honey was unsure of what steps to take next.

Though the previous night's discussion had revealed many things, all that the quartet had truly planned was to stick to The Captain and his crew and appeal to them until they reached their destination; Coli'Aywa.

Honey, however, was unsure on how to 'appeal' to the crew. As she made her way above deck, smiling timidly at those she passed in the hallways, she wondered idly what exactly she was to say to any of them.

Opening the hatch as she made her way above deck, thoughts of what to say escaped her as Honey took in the bright expanse before her.

The ship, which she'd come to learn was named Moā'Kai, cut through the waves like a sword through air, slicing it effortlessly as it travelled forward. The sea itself gleamed sapphire blue, waves glittering like the cut edges of a gemstone as they rolled with the water.

The horizon was clear and the sky blue, not a cloud to be seen as Honey approached the gunwale. The sails had been dropped and billowed against the breeze, which splashed a mist of salty water into the air.

"It's quite something." A voice sounded from behind, and Honey spun to face a dark haired man. He stood with confidence and surety, all the while avoiding arrogance.

A smattering of freckles stained his light brown cheeks, and his dark hair was tied at the name of his neck, a few strands escaping at the front.

"It really is." Honey agreed, turning to take another peek at the ocean.

"My name is Jortías." He introduced, hand on the sabre at his side as he languidly strolled forwards. As he said his name, his accent became more wispy, the 'J' pronounced akin to an 'H' and she tilted her head curiously.

"Honey." The replied, and Jortías cracked a smile.

"I know," He said teasingly, "Your friends made quite the impression." His voice rose an octave higher as he said the words and Honey watched him from the corner of her eye.

"Well I could to say the same for you and your crew. You did shoot me out of the sky, after all."

Jortías seemed bashful at that, scratching his cheek as he grimaced, "In our defence, we didn't see that there were riders until it was too late and your friends boarded our ship."

Honey raised a playful eyebrow at the excuse, letting out a laugh before a thought occurred to her.

"Speaking of my friends, you wouldn't happen to know where they've gone off too?"

Jortías let out a laugh, "I believe they've been cornered by Striker's wives." he smiled, pointing to the bow of the ship where all three of Honey's companions seemed to be cornered by two women.

Honey huffed out a laugh, thanking Jortías as she made her way over.

"And what does this one do?" Ma'Tali asked Chip, eyes hooded as she pointed to one of the jars secured in his bandolier.

Chip had a disturbed, almost distressed expression on his face as he answered. "It's poison."

Ma'Tali let out a cheeky gasp in response, pointing to the next vial, "And this?".

By the looks of it she'd already gone through a dozen or so concoctions that Chip carried.

"The cure." He replied, before his eyes fixed into the small jar that Me'Liah wore around her neck, "What is this for?" He asked, shifting the conversation desperately.

Me'Liah smiled like a child proudly showing off it's artwork as the following words left her mouth, "Dirt." She replied almost blushingly, preening under the attention.