Loved and Lost

Open Waters

Perso de Silva. That's who we're going after. Last night during what Kida called a 'high', she told me everything. From setting sail to finding this Druid that's said to keep us alive. He's supposedly the strongest druid in Mila. A prodigy, if you will.

"Ready?" I'm broken from my thoughts of running off into the sunset just to see my family once more, They're probably feasting with Odin right now.

It's Magnus, he's come up from behind me. I don't look away from the giant orange ball in the sky, "Honestly?" I fold my arms. I don't even have to think about my answer. Since day one, when I woke up from the raid, when I saw everything around me just. . . Desecrated. I knew I'd never be ready for this journey. "No."

"Me neither." He says flatly, and that's when I break away from Odin's feast. Staring up at him, I can see that he's longing for something too. "As much as I love exploring, it's nothing compared to being home with your family." That's the last thing I expected to come out of his mouth. I'm completely lost for words, and I know that if I open my mouth to say something, I'll stutter something out.

He chuckles, shaking his head as if he was just caught doing something embarrassing, "Sorry," he starts rubbing the back of his neck for a moment before his hand falls.

My brows curl and I shake my head, "You're allowed to share your feelings with me." I assure him. He stiffens for a second, obviously holding in a breath. He's unsure of what to do and it's sort of adorable, but it's when we share a glance that I almost lose it. His eyes just speak to me, and frankly, they make me weak for some reason.

As he finally gives off a sigh of relief, his whole body relaxes. "Thanks, AJ." I nod my head as I lean back into him. His hand comes over my shoulder, grabbing it gently.

Most of the town has awoken to see us off, knowing our mission. Earl Vidarr has been talking with Bjorn, and it's promised that our mission will be kept in blood-secret. If broken, the only way out would be a blood eagle. Senne's talking to his father, and Kida's packing the ship with Malek. "Ajita!" Earl Vidarr calls for me. Leaving Magnus, I make my way over to the Earl and his wife, Idunn. "I've made a point to wish you all well." As he reaches in, I know he's coming in for a hug. Placing his arms around me, his grip is firm and one hand snakely goes down to grope me. I try to break free without making a scene but it's no use. He places his head directly on the side of my head, chin in the crook of my neck. This man is perfectly aligned with my ear when he says, "I shall see you when you return."

My stomach drops but my body freezes and it's like he's throwing me off of him. I only have milliseconds before I'm faced with his wife, who is one of the sweetest women I've ever met. "Ajita," She nods her head, acknowledging me.

"Indunn," My icy exterior falters for a moment when I come face to face with the only woman that's felt like a mother since mine was murdered.

We both go in for a hug with welcoming, outstretched, arms. When I retreat from her, she grabs my hand, stopping me where her husband did. "Fear not," She tells me, leading me to assume that she's sensing my anxiety for the trip ahead. Her eyes are knowing and that's when she says, "You'll have a whole army here waiting for you when you return." I'm taken aback by her words, but I slowly pull away. The look she gives me tells me that she knew her husband was a filthy pig. But then why would she need the army?

Realizing what she said, I nod and leave her side. Turning back towards the boats, I'm stopped momentarily when I see Kida staring at me. It's not just a stare though. I've trained with her long enough to know that she's using her archers sight. She was watching him the whole time. We lock eyes with each other, and that's when I make a beeline for her, but she doesn't even try to pretend that she wasn't looking, "Enjoy the show?" I ask her only a few feet away. It's obvious that I'm annoyed but not with her.