The Heart and The Sword ~Part One~

Chapter Three: Stranded

—Are you sure it was wise to come with us, Your Majesty? Pirates often reside in the caves. It's not safe.
  
Sylvia leaned against the wooden railing of the ship, the leather on her forearms squeaking with every move as she looked into the horizon.
  
—Safe or not, I had to get out of the palace.
  
—Something troubling you, cousin?
  
Sylvia scoffed.
  
—A few things, actually, but that's not why I decided to leave. Julyan left to search for mother and I just couldn't stay there and wait for his return. This way, I can focus on something else for at least two weeks.
  
Conan nodded and looked in the opposite direction to Sylvia. The ship that took Julyan to the first island was still visible, though very small. He sent a silent prayer to his youngest cousin.
  
—Do you think he'll find her? Conan dared to ask, receiving a sharp look from his friend.
  
The queen sighed and turned to face him, crossing her arms across her chest.
  
—I don't know. For his peace of mind, I hope he does. But if I am honest, I don't think he will. It's been five years and I doubt that whoever took her kept her alive for this long even if they were on one of the islands. I told him the dress couldn't have been discarded for longer than a week or two, but the sea is unpredictable. It could have gottten caught in a reef or something. If it did, the last storm most likely swept it away. There are many possibilities.
  
—Why didn't you tell him that?
  
Sylvia smiled as Julyan's ship disappeared into the horizon.
  
—You didn't see the look in his eyes.
  
—I'm sure anyone would have hope if they were in his place, Thynan spoke.
  
The queen shook her head and looked at her knight.
  
—It wasn't hope. It was determination. I saw my father in him in that moment and I couldn't bring myself to shatter that. Besides, whatever he does or doesn't find, it will show me how well he handles himself.
  
Conan smiled and shook his head.
  
—Ah, so you're not letting him do this just for his peace of mind. You're also testing him.
  
Sylvia nodded. It was an impulsive thought and a long time will have passed until she stepped down as queen or died as one, but she still needed someone to replace her.
  
—Thalya doesn't want to be queen and she certainly doesn't want her children to sit the throne. Julyan, however, was always interested in state affairs, even if he didn't fully understand them. I just want to see if it's worth seeing him as a prospect for a future king or if I should look elsewhere.
  
—If he's anything like you, I'm sure you've found our next king.
  
Thunder echoed all around them, startling the three of them.
  
—Shit, Thynan said, hurrying to help the crew prepare for the storm.
  
—You should go inside. If this turns into a proper storm, I don't want to tell the people their queen went overboard.
  
The wind picked up, lifting the queen's long braid with such force it felt like someone had tugged on it.
  
—I'm not going anywhere, I want to help.
  
—Sylvia, just go inside! It's an order!
  
—You can't order me around, Conan!
  
Rain started pouring down, accompanied by thunder and lightning.
  
—When it's your life I'm trying to protect, you bet I don't give a shit about rank. Now, go inside and don't come out!
  
Sylvia cussed him out, but did as he said. She moved quickly, almost falling a few times, but she grit her teeth and kept going. She looked into the horizon where Julyan's ship disappeared one last time. It was still clear over there. She prayed the storm wouldn't travel to them and went inside her cabin.
  
The queen  closed the shutters in her cabin just in case and sat down in the bed. She prayed to Dylia, the goddess of storms, to let the storm be a quick and easy endeavor or, at the very least, to keep it away from Julyan.

*

Julyan looked into the distance and sent a prayer to Dylia to spare his sister and everyone on that ship. They had heard the loud thunders and saw the dark cloud that appeared almost out of nowhere. He couldn't see their ship anymore, but he knew it was there, right under that cloud.
  
—The queen will be fine, Your Grace. Her Majesty's got an exceptional crew on board. Besides, there were clear skies all around, it can't be too big a cloud. They should be able to pass it rather quickly.
  
—Let us hope you are right, Captain.