Challenging Directions - Book 1 (Completed)

Chapter 17 - Meanwhile

Days had past since the Exalter Advance captured Sir Atticus and his team. Ercan was all healed by now, but no one had awoken from the elixir Lani gave to them. Not only did it numb the pain, but it reduced their magical energy and put them into a deep slumber. Most of them would not wake for a few more hours, but since Sir Atticus has much more magical power, he could wake much sooner.

Riac was punished by combat, and his opponent was Enya. Afterwards Lani had her own punishments for him, her original plan was to make him clean the whole ship for a day, but with the slight suggestions from Corin and George the one day turned into a week. The real kicker is he had to wear a maid uniform. Can you imagine that huge, towering, strong man wearing a frilly red maid uniform? Rai of course never stopped laughing, Mia felt less intimidated by him, it even gave Ashe a good few laughs.

Today was the last day, so it had to be the most humiliating. Most of the crew chipped in, each creating some sort of mess for Riac to clean. There were some to afraid of him, but Lani and Enya encouraged them to do it, they thought he could use the lesson. Knowing that his captain was behind this did nothing to help him contain his evil glares. In fact some thought it made things worse.

Dellmon was three days away, and no one had any idea how to take it over. The only thing they knew for sure is Lani wanted to rule it, just to spite Sir Atticus. Of course no one knew her exact reasons, just that it brought her joy thinking of it. She just thought is was because he was her enemy, or that is what she told herself. She would often visit him while he slept, only when Fia was watching him of course, or she would be to embarrassed.

Mia was still getting use to working with The Exalter Advance, but with the help of Arrio and Kalila she was getting it. She would actually, very secretly help Riac in his chores. His attitude towards her didn't change, but she didn't seem to mind. She was also a big help to Lani while repairing Ercan. Her magic helped in many departments all over the ship. Very quickly Mia was a big hit all over the airship, she was always willing to help, and loved when she was able to.

Meanwhile, Ashe and Gilligan were always found next to one of their sisters. When underwatch of the others, they would often slip away just to see Lani and Enya. They wouldn't talk to them or anything like that, they would just sit next to them. All they wanted was to be there with them. Each time they were questioned about this, the answer was always the same. "They are nice." They would never admit it, but all these years went by, and they stilled loved their sisters. They knew them for about five years, but every single day afterwards Ashe spent his time thinking about them, worrying about them, missing them.

When Ashe had first heard about the Exalter Advance, he didn't care, infact it was Moss who got him into it. He wanted to help catch them, so he officially joined the Guard. Ashe of course went in to watch him. That is when they met Mia and the others. He never paid attention to them except when he learned that his sisters were involved with the Exalter Advance. After that he made it his goal to learn all their moves and powers to protect his family. He was also disappointed at Moss's anger towards them, but he hope that he would eventually get over it. Even now.

Kalila was worried about Kai, she never let on but most nights she would sit up and think about him. Never before had she let a guy get under her skin, she was very confused about this. She was afraid to upset her Captain, so she hid the fact that she might be falling in love with him. She hoped that they might be able to convince him to join them like Mia, but after everything he went through because of him being with the Guard, she doubted it. She hated the idea of having to leave him. Never before did the thought of love affect her, but now whenever the thought crossed her mind she instantly saw his face. It was like nothing she's ever felt before, her heart would race and she would catch her breath. When she was with him, before everything happened, it felt like she could fly, and she tried everything to stop it but nothing help.

Kalila wondered if the captains would hate her for this. She knew that Enya loved the idea of love, but she was not so sure how her Captain will feel about her hooking up with the 'enemy'. She never really paid attention to the whole Lani and Sir Atticus situation, instead of her eyes never left Kai. She feared that George might be on to her, but hope that he was too into the Mia and Arrio relationship to really notice. Now she just hopes that the feelings would eventually leave her. Soon she was filled with dread, she thought of him every second of every day, she could feel the blush returning to her cheeks, and felt as though someone was watching. Of course it would actually be Gilligan, he was the true spy of the ship, but he will never tell in his heart, the shadow is too much of a romantic.

Slowly Sir Atticus woke up from his slumber. Nandin was watching him during this time and sent a silent message to Enya when he awoke. Lani was there by her sister side, and the man she had feelings for, was groggy. Never before had she felt such a pain in her heart. of course he felt the same as he saw that beautiful angel stand before him, he would never let on, but he knew he was falling for her. If he ever returned to command he would make sure he was taken off the case, he was too involved. He knew that they could never be together, she was bad and he was good, but while he was asleep he dreamed of the world they were together as one. They were married on a beautiful beach, with kids running around their feet. His heart ached for that world in his dreams. He wants nothing more than to go back to it, the life he had, the love he had, family he had, all the things he can never have again. As he stared at her, his heart broke. he wanted to cry, but how could he, Sir Atticus knew she was never his.