The Other Tide

Chapter V

"Cassian! I'm glad you have returned." A woman's voice spoke out to them. Sariah stepped back, her arm moving away from his hand. Cassian cleared his throat, turning to face the woman. "Runa." He smiled, holding the door open. "Thank you again for the rooms, it's very kind of you." He nodded. Runa smiled, not exactly meeting his gaze. She was dressed in white robe dress, her curls hung over her shoulders. Her dark skin compliments her glazed over eyes. "Runa? As in the-..." Sariah's thoughts were interrupted by her own name. "This is Sariah, a traveling companion." Cassian informed his friend, turning to look at Sariah. Sariah looked at the woman, noticing she was..blind. She smiled back. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Madame Runa was it?" Runa smiled back, slightly bowing. "Yes, but just Runa is fine. How about we get you inside before the rain starts." She waved to them to come on in. She walked down the hall, leading the two to their rooms. Sariah looked around, her eyes wandering again. "So this is what a brothel looks like." She whispered to herself. "Ah, yes. Many of the girls are out or in the front area. So you need not to worry." Runa spoke, hearing what she said. Cassian chuckled at Sariah's red face. She cleared her throat. "Apologizes, I've never really been out much." She awkwardly softly laughed, feeling embarrassed. "No worries, I've seen and heard worse." Runa stopped at a door, unlocking it with a key. "Hope this is to your liking, Captain." She teased, gesturing to the inside. Cassian walked in, turning to face the two women. "Thank you." He smiled at Runa. "I'm guessing you know what to do next." He nodded, the doors closing. Gold met blue one last time in the crack of the doors before they closed. "Come dear, I have things already prepared for you." The two women walked down the hallway, turning to the left. "You seem so kind to help these pirates, why?" Sariah asked, following behind Runa. "I've known Cassian for some time, but I guess you do have a point." The moon shone brightly through the windows. "I know you're confused and scared, but Cassian is a sweet fellow. Despite his title as a Captain." Runa opened a door, leading Sariah inside to her room. The doors closed behind them. "Pirates are not all bad, most yes. But the Hornwood crew is..how to put this...gentle giants." Runa walked over to the closet, taking out a dress for Sariah. Carefully laying it on the bed, she turned towards Sariah's direction. "They may be gentle in some aspects, but they burnt down my home land. Just to find me. For some map that I know the location of." Sariah sighed, sitting down on one of the chairs. Runa walked over, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Darling, I understand your frustration. But they don't do something like that for no reason or just because they want to." Runa grabbed her hands, leading her to the bed. She sat down, taking Sariah's hair in her hands. She began to unbraid her hair, grabbing a brush laid nearby. "These men are cursed, just like this treasure Cassian seeks. That necklace is the key to breaking his curse." Runa exclaimed, her voice calming and soothing. "Cursed? How did they become cursed?" Sariah asked. Runa took a deep breath. "A long time ago..."

Cassian and his crew chased an enemy ship into a cavern, causing the ship to be torn to shreds by rocks. The Captain of this enemy ship had trapped them there to fulfill their agreement with the sea goddess herself. But, The Hornwood crew made a deal with the goddess, agreeing to bring her the treasures of an ancient kingdom. Once they had fulfilled that wish, the goddess tricked them. Keeping their souls with her down below. The crew was cursed with immortality, never aging, never dying.

"What happens once the curse is broken?" Sariah asked, biting her bottom lip. "They continue with life as if the curse never happened." Runa finished with Sariah's hair, pulling the front back with two braids. "Now, you must rest. You have a busy day tomorrow, not to mention...a long time sailing." She patted her on the shoulder, leaving the room. Sariah watched as she left, looking down at the dress.

The night went on, the candle slowly dripping wax. Sariah stood at a window in her room, dressed in her nightgown with a shawl wrapped around her. Her hair was still fixed as Runa had it. She watched the waves crash along the beach, the moonlight causing a shimmer in her eyes. A soft knock blared behind her. She turned, watching as the door creaked open. "It's rude to meet a lady at this hour in her sleeping quarters." She said, turning back to the window. Cassian stepped in, softly closing the doors behind him. "Apologies, I couldn't sleep. I saw a light from your room, thought you wanted some company." He stepped closer to her, standing beside her. He watched the scenery outside the window, occasionally glancing at her. "I suppose it gets quiet here." She shrugged, turning her head to look up at him. That emotionless, resting face she always wore. Seemed to be ingrained in his mind. "Listen about before-..." He started before she cut him off. "I apologize for being rude to you. I shouldn't have snapped at you at the dock." She said, looking off to the side. Cassian was surprised she apologized even if he felt like he was in the wrong. He slowly reached his hand out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I forgive you, Sunshine." He smiled, leaning close. She slowly turned her head, their eyes meeting. "I appreciate the kindness you've shown me...with all this." She motioned to the room and the dress still laying on her bed. He nodded, leaning back a bit but keeping a close proximity. "I couldn't let our little map be torn and tattered." He teased, his fingers gently trailing down her cheek. His hand returned to his side. She slightly smiled at his tease. "Where is our next stop on this treasure hunting journey?" She asked, looking up at him. "Ah, so you are interested after all." He smirked, looking out at the window. He pointed to the horizon. "Just beyond there. There is an island that contains the map we seek."