Wyvern Tails and Phoenix Feathers

The Contract, Chapter 1 - Eloise

Revelyn traced his fingers along the foreign black markings. They coiled and branched upon Eloise's battle-trained arms like curls of wafting tobacco smoke. In a certain light, they were elegant, a cross between delicate lace and intimidating war paint. But Eloise knew Revelyn's preference was for her skin to be unmarred by bruises, blood, scars, or any other physical reminder of hardship. They rested in their bed, parallel with their faces half-obscured by pillows. Eloise could only see one of his eyes.

"You haven't told him about me," whispered Seela.

Eloise no longer had any private thoughts. Seela, the hitchhiking sea witch, had made herself at home in Eloise's body. Every notion became a debate. No action was free of judgment.

"It's the truth," reasoned Seela. "You haven't told him. Why does the truth annoy you?"

She wished Seela would keep to herself. The truth made her feel guilty. In the days following her encounter with Seela and the kraken, Eloise hadn't informed Revelyn or Bryn that she had allowed the sea witch to cohabitate her body. When Revelyn asked about the markings on her arm, she said it was from the deal she struck with the kraken to freely take of its ink. It wasn't a lie, just not the entire truth. She didn't want to burden anyone else with her choices. She had already forced Bryn and Revelyn to follow her across the ocean. After the successful resurrection of Oran, she would resolve the situation with Seela on her own.

"You humans are such emotional creatures," Seela said with a chuckle. "Are you not worried your changeling friend will tell the others?"

Eloise shook her head. It wasn't Grael's nature to meddle. Grael was more interested in the collective well-being of the world. People were allowed to carry secrets.

It was foggy the morning that Einalia finally came into view. From the bow of the Stormrunner, Eloise watched the lighthouse of Port Shorishal flicker its warm, welcoming light. She wondered if Henri, the lighthouse keeper was eating his usual breakfast of a warm biscuit and chowder. Shortly, the shape of The Blue Keep faded into view like a ghost. It felt like a proper return.

The Stormrunner was granted a prime position at the docks, an unusual designation for a pirate ship. But from the messenger pigeons flying high and the party awaiting their arrival, Eloise deduced that The Blue Keep was forewarned of their arrival. She scanned the faces of the party as Captain Wulf's crew worked around her, securing the rigging. There were a couple of young magisters, but none of the faces she was used to. Magister Toras was notably absent. A couple of his guards were flanking the well-dressed women at the group's center. In one of her signature deep purple cloaks, Navinia LeMorae and beside her, the princess, Annette.

Eloise hadn't seen or spoken to Annette since she departed from the hearh tree. Her pale eyes were locked onto Eloise. Stress had carved new lines into her skin. She looked depleted, sapped of the fire Eloise had always known.

Captain Wulf disembarked to meet the reception as soon as the gangplank was lowered. Eloise, Revelyn, and Bryn followed behind with Grael again in the form of a tabby cat.

"Gracious, is this Her Majesty the crown princess all grown up?" Captain Wulf asked with a chuckle. His arms were outstretched. He fell to one knee, ready to kiss Annette's emerald ring.

Annette flinched at the gesture, yet smiled and rubbed Wulf's saliva onto her sleeve.

"It is indeed," she said. "Thank you, Captain Wulf, for returning our heroes in one piece. I'll ensure you and your crew are well compensated for your service."

"Only if you insist," said Captain Wulf.

She was eager to push past him. Her attention returned to Eloise. She stepped forward with enough speed that Eloise nearly raised her fists. But to her surprise, she was met with an embrace.