The Tinkerer's Angel

Chapter 9

*Lux POV*

I never fully understood how entering the vessel worked. When I first entered years ago, I was expecting to see Dermare in all her witchy glory, but I was met with an bare room. She must exist in another dimension close to the one I appear in. I can feel her presence close, but it always feels like she is a room away. I'm not sure if this was by Dermare's design or just the rules of the vessel since Dermare never wanted to give me a straight answer when I asked. I stopped when I realized our mental connection, made by our deal, grows stronger when I'm here meaning emotions run closer and I hear her more clearly.

After spending more time in the vessel when I had nowhere else to sleep or when I had to quickly hide, I realized I was unconsciously furnishing the space. First it was a worn love seat that appeared, then a bed with a wooden frame, then a shelf of familiar books. It didn't take me long to realize I was slowly assembling a copy of my room on the ship. It's now a complete replica including the feeling of comfort I always felt while being in this room. There is a new item in the room though. On the bed side table, a tiny fairy figure stood.

"Did you not led soldiers? Now you are taking orders from someone you just met." Dermare tries to pry under my skin. She fully knows what happened the last time I lead a military operation, so she knows where to twist the knife.

"Keep talking and you are being tossed into the closest fireplace." I think back through clenched teeth.

"We both know you would not kill me. You need me but cute intimidation tactic." I don't reward her with a response as I look around the inside of the vessel.

I realize Lynx still has my bag, so I guess I don't have my daggers, but I build up my mana in my hands in case I'm needed. I hear Lynx's voice vibrate around the room, "Okay, I don't know if you can actually hear me, but I'm going to move now." I sit and sigh, "when did I sink so low?" I think back to how I ended up sitting here while I let a civilian handle my battles for me.

**Flashback**

It was getting dark around us and the crowds of the day have dispersed into taverns or the inn. We had witnessed the Aasimar soldiers from the tavern walk down to the temple a few hours ago and they have yet to return. I assumed they were going to collect more information about where I could have possibly gone. I hope Sky and the Tiefling twins are doing okay since I didn't see Rhys with them head to the temple. They are probably setting up in one of the rooms at the inn. I was not planning on encountering him this soon and I count my blessings I didn't come face to face since I don't know if I could handle it. Before sunset, two other soldiers came to talk to the soldiers standing guard at the docks. It was wishful thinking to believe all four were going to leave but they only relieved the two from before.

When it got dark enough to start the plan, I turned to Lynx, "Are you sure about this?" Lynx's plan seems very one sided, but I can't blame her. Since we met, she has only seen me bloodied on the floor and shutting down after being faced with a ghost of my past. She doesn't trust me not to be a liability.

"We already have the boat picked out. I still have a good amount of energy left to cast and besides, they know your face. They have no reason to suspect I'm anything but a sailor. That's beside the point anyway, When," she puts a lot of emphasis on that word, "the plan is carried out flawlessly, they will not even know we were here."

"Fine but remember I can hear everything happening outside so make sure to signal me if you need me." I say feeling defeated. It's hard to argue with logic.

"Why can't we just kill them again? I try to avoid having Lux in here as much as I can." Dermare casts her voice between us. Lynx's eyes fly to the lantern having never heard Dermare speak.

"Dermare, why do you always choose the worst times to talk." I slap my hand to my forehead.

"I knew it!" Lynx whisper yells at me, catching herself before shouting out loud. "I have so many questions, but that's for another time." She turns away from me and looks back at the lantern.

"Hello, secret being that Lux lied about. From the way the captain sounded, he wasn't sure that Lux was actually here. He was just following a tip so unless you want to confirm his suspicions and have all his guards following us across the sea, we should try to avoid any attention which includes killing."

"I agree so prepare for company, Dermare."

"Fine, Eladrin I will follow you as you seem to be an intelligent one." Lynx eyes brighten having been complimented for her mind.

"You never compliment me. What is this?" I say annoyed that Dermare was able to bring that look to Lynx's face when all the sea witch gives me is a headache.

"You tried to kill me." Dermare says matter-of-factly.

"And you tried to kill me!" I can see my wings start to flicker slightly as my anger rises. I don't like this plan and Dermare knows my emotions are already running hot.

"Again so many questions but lets get going before the guards in the tavern join them and this get so much harder." Lynx cuts off our arguing again.

I take one last look at Lynx and see her analyzing the appearance of my flickering wings before she meets my eyes. She gives me a small, determined nod.

I close my eyes, "Dermare, Bottle Respite." When I open my eyes, I'm in the lantern.