The Heart and The Sword ~Part One~ // HIATUS

Chapter Five : The Northern Caves

Sylvia sighed, wrapping Morgan's coat tighter around her. She thought it would be warmer once the summer came, but the wind was just as unforgiving. At sea, at least.

The caves were in her sight, yet she couldn't believe it. After everything, she still couldn't believe she survived. She heard the stories of sailors falling overboard, never to be seen again. It seemed the Gods were at her side.

-You should get on the boat.

She looked over to the boat that would take her and nine others to shore. Most of the men were already on it.

Over the remaining days, she swallowed her fear and ventured outside of the cabin, even spoke to some of the crew. They seemed nice enough, though she wasn't sure if that's who they truly were or if it was due to the Captain following her around like a shadow. Larc kept his distance at Morgan's orders as well, thank the Gods.

With the help of Arlin, who she learned used to be a physician some ten years ago, she got on the boat. She even let him take a look at her injuries. There wasn't much he could about her ribs on the boat since they were very short on medicine and most of it was for flesh wounds. So, he only took care of her hands and back.

-Make sure to hold on tight once we reach the water, m'lady, he said, sitting down next to her.

-I will. Thank you, Arlin.

She could tell he used to reside in Cherchus while he was a physician. His accent gave him away. The man smiled and told the Captain they were all ready to go.

Sylvia sighed as Morgan sat on the other side of her and mentally prepared for whatever they might find. It could have been a simple trinket or maybe it wasn't even there anymore, yet she felt nervous. Yes, they had Julya's dresses, jewels, but nothing else. The former queen didn't keep any journals, she never created anything. They had nothing purely personal of hers.

The men who remained on the ship lowered the first boat, then the second and off they went. With every second they approached the caves her heart thundered in her ears, nearly breaking out of her chest.

They squeezed through two sharp and tall pillars, the boats slightly scraping against the stone. The Captain wasn't kidding when he said the space was narrow. If she reached out her arms, she would touch both stones with her fingertips.

When they reached the small beach - if you could call stones and fairly big rocks a beach - near the caves, the men were breathing heavily from rowing. Arlin helped her get off the boat and gave her another warm smile. She liked him. He seemed genuinely kind. She would have to remember to ask the Captain about Arlin.

The pain in her side was horrible, but she had learned to live with it. At least for a few hours. After that, she needed to lay down and rest. She hoped it wouldn't take long to find the box.

-Let's go. The main cave is this way.

Some men picked up shovels and began walking along the beach. She followed behind them and wrapped one arm around her, slightly pressing her fingers against her ribs, applying pressure. Captain Ravenlocke kept looking back at her as they walked, frowning every time she would fall behind a few steps.

It seemed her nerves and the walk to the main cave amplified the pain in her side.

-Are you alright, m'lady?