Tides of Ruse and Ruin

Date

Delphina | 5th day of autumn, year 739 of mortals

I woke up to a whipping sound outside of my tent. I peeked outside and the girls began their dancing. I realized that I was late and that I needed to sneak away. I changed back into clean armor and pulled up my tent on the other side to escape.

Maya was already standing there. "Hey, friend!" She said with a very bright smile.

"Hey, Maya." I knew what she wanted. "Come with me." She squeals with excitement and runs away. I stand there confused until I see her with berries and a chair. I take a deep breath and pray to some god that she wouldn't push him away.

In a second, we run to the forest and to Vander's tent. He's already in the water using my basket to fish for breakfast.

"Good morning, Vander," I say with a smile. He looks up and waves, but stops when he sees Maya.

She walked up to him and took out her chair. "Your godliness! Will you please sit in the chair while I feed you berries?" I thought he would be annoyed to have to sit through another dance, but he shrugged his shoulders and sat down in the chair. She dances around him and almost sings a song for him. She feeds him berries as she twirls around him. I lean on a bush and cross my arms to watch the show.

There it is again!

I looked over and I swear I saw someone watching me... and it wasn't Maya.

Vander eats all the berries that Maya has and she bows for him. He claps for her and she blushes. I watch his face and he seems quite pleased with her and my heart falters.

Did I really think that Vander could like me? No, if he wants her that's good. She can save us.

I stand there awkwardly, not knowing what I should do. If Maya wanted her shot at him, I should let her. Just as I am about to turn around, Vander calls out to me, "Dela!"

"Dela?" Maya questions.

"Yes?" I say when I'm with him.

"Come over here." He waves over to me to come to him and Maya's face is blank. I didn't want her to hate me.

So, I back away and a smile erupts from her. "I'll be back soon. I need to do my chores."

I walked away, but in an instant, he was right there. "Wait, I'm sure that they will be okay if you're gone for a little while." He says as he reaches for my hand. I am perfectly still as he plays with my thumb in his hand. I look over his shoulder and see Maya so defeated. But then her face lights up and she pulls me away from Vander.

"Dela, please do me a favor."

"Of course."

"Get Vander to talk to Chace for me." She wipes her hair. "He was my favorite anyway." I smile and realize what she's saying.

She's backing off.

"Go get him, girl." She whispers with a wink and says her goodbyes to Vander. Then Vander and I were alone again.

"Good. I was scared that you were going to leave." He walks up to me with a huge smirk on his face. "I just wanted you." My cheeks flush red. "I was hoping that you could show me around your village." He looks out at the water. "Do you own that island?"

I nod, "Yes, I don't normally go out there, but yes I do."

He steps his toes into the water and gets as close as he can, "We should go over there."

Some other creatures and plants lived over there that I could bring back for everyone. But I would be seriously alone with Vander. After Maya backed down, I realized that I was my village's only hope.