The Other Tide

Chapter VII

Their tales splashed the water as they moved alongside the ship. Sariah smiled, lifting her head up. She skipped past, heading to the front of the ship. The water kept glowing, creating light for the sailors. She watched as the mermaids swam in front of the ship, like they were guiding them. Cassian stepped beside her, watching as the waters calmed. "They're guiding us, see." She pointed as the mermaids turned to the right. Cassian turned motioning to the right for Akira as he was controlling the wheel. The wheel spun, turning the ship. "Look!" An opening was ahead, the light shining through. Before they knew it, the water stopped glowing, and the mermaids disappeared. Just as they made it out, they were met with an island. "We have reached our true destination." Cassian spoke, turning to walk away. "Wait a moment." Sariah turned, following behind him as he headed for his quarters. "You mean to tell me, we traveled that far for a simple island?" The doors closed behind them. "It's not just a simple island, it's where that.." He pointed to her necklace. "Is going to be useful." He finished, sitting down at his desk. He pulled out a journal and started to write down something. She held onto her necklace, stepping closer to his desk. "So, once you get your map...I'm nothing but useless?" She asked, the thought crossing her mind. Cassian looked up at her, their eyes meeting. "No." He responded, dropping his pen. He stood up, slowly walking over to her. Her eyes followed his movements, looking up at him. "Typically we would just take the necklace, but you are the only one who can wield it. The only one who can make this map appear to us, you know exactly what to do." He gently grabbed her hand. "Only the blood related relatives of the witch can hold onto that necklace. Only you can touch the cursed treasure." He spoke with softness. "You are the only one who can see the map." He whispered, leaning close. "Tell me how you came to possess this, I've been curious." Their eyes met once more, his fingers softly caressing the back of her hand. "My mother gave it to me before she died..."

That night...was the worst night of my life. Before my father was a well known General that he is now, he was merely a soldier. He would quickly rise to ranks, creating enemies. On that night, a crew of pirates ravaged our home. Demanding to speak to my father. He had stolen something of theirs they wanted back. My mother...

"As much as my father tried to hide my mother's background, you can't always escape the past." She turned her head away, looking anywhere else. "My mother was a pirate, just like you. She came from a family of them. She had enemies herself, just because of this necklace." A hand gently cupped her face, slowly drawing her head back to Cassian. "This necklace is the key to many things. But the journey to retrieve such treasurers...is nothing but dangerous." She whispered, their breaths mingling. "That's why you would never be useless to me.." He admitted, leaning in closer. Their lips were inches apart. "Sariah." She spoke, causing him to break from his trance. "I thought you would like to know my name." She swallowed thickly, turning her head as his hand fell from her cheek. "Cassian." He responded, causing her head to turn towards him again. He leaned back, clearing his throat. "The other day, you called me Miss Black. How did you know my name?" She finally asked, watching as he returned to sit down. "Would you really like to know?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. "Yes, I didn't even tell you my name until now. It's been a thought in the back of my mind." She pressed her hands on the desk, holding the edge as she leaned against it. He smirked, thinking about something. He leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. He looked over at her, contemplating his words. Before he could answer her question, a bell rang. "Land Ahoy!" A muffled yell came from outside. They both turned to the door, the double doors opening. She rushed to the shrouds, climbing onto the side. She leaned out, watching as the ship neared land.

The breeze blew past her hair, the wooden plank set out for departure. She followed behind Cassian as he walked off the ship. "We will stop here for the night." He told Oxi, leaving him to the ship. Sariah and Akira followed the Captain. They walked onto shore, walking past trees. Sariah pushed back a huge leaf, duking under it. She stopped, amazed at what she was surrounded by. "Is this the actual ruins of the Sun Temple?" She asked, brushing her fingers against one of the ruins. "Indeed. They date all the way back to-.." "Egyptian days." Sariah finished for Akira, turning to face the two. Akira's cheeks flashed a pink color, pushing up his glasses. She smiled at him. Cassian cleared his throat. "We should focus on finding the map." He turned, looking around. "Right." Sariah and Akira said at the same time, nodding. Sariah looked back at the ruin, looking at the markings. "Egyptian writing..." She dusted off some vines that covered it. "At sunrise the key must be placed where the heart lies. The map shall be revealed to the ancient blood." She deciphered it, looking up at the sky. "We have to wait till morning." She said, turning to the other two. "What?" Cassian lifted up his head. "The writing, we must wait till sunrise." She pointed to the ruin, her other hand fidgeting with her necklace.

"We'll set up camp on the shore. I'll inform the others." He nodded, walking back through the trees.