Storm and Silence Fanfiction - The Moonless Night

Flattery Is A Genteel Art

I woke up and stretched luxuriously. My body was deliciously sore, and the gritty stones beneath me didn't even bother me.

Wait - gritty stones?!

I sat up, promptly banged my head on a door handle and looked down. My worst fear was confirmed, I was sleeping on my doorstep!

"At least he dressed me properly." I sighed.

Then my hands went to my pocket and I realized a few pennies I had saved up was gone. 

"That blasted chauvinistic MAN!" I huffed, "If I ever get my hands on him, he is dead meat! Did he even know how long I took to save up those pennies!!! Months and months of toil, back breaking work and - "

I blushed as I thought about last night.

"Ahem, late nights, ahem, working most diligently."

You like it though, don't you?

"Shut up." I told my brain, "How would you know?"

I'm your brain, you dummy.

"You have a point." I grudgingly told myself.

"Ahem."

I cocked my head. I most definitely didn't say that. Was I developing signs of insanity?

Talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity.

"Shut Up!!!" I screamed.

"Excuse me?"

I turned around in horror. There, in all her glory, stood my aunt, glaring down at me with beady little eyes.

"You son of a b - !" I mentally cursed Mr. Ambrose. How dare he leave me here, on my goddamned doorstep! I am so screwed!

"Now, Lillian! Kindly explain to me why you were gone the whole night, and most importantly, gone from the BALL!!!"

I winced. Her voice sounded like my chocolate bars being destroyed under a grinder.

"Um.. auntie...Catch you later!" I stood up and started to run for it.

"No you don't, you little rascal!" Bony, wiry hands grabbed my ear and dragged me into the depths of hell.

"Ow! Let me go!"

"Not until you explain yourself, young lady! Mr. Dagliesh himself! Such disrespect! Well, I never." 

I not so calmly observed the breathing of my dear auntie go faster and faster, her large bosom heaving like a battering ram, armed for battle. I knew that look in her eyes, she had spotted her prey - poor little me.

"Wait! I can explain! Um... Lord Ambrose himself wished for - my assistance." I ad-libbed, hoping that the lord in Mr. Ambrose's name equaled that of Lord Dagliesh's.

"Lord Ambrose, you say?" my aunt said, eyeing me suspiciously, "any more fantastic ideas?"

"My most gracious lady, (here I am gagging horribly at those sounds) if you would permit me a leave of a few hours, I promise you I could prove my statement."

Now her eyes narrowed even more in suspicion. Rats! I knew I overdid that pathetic flattery!

"Oh Lilly! I knew you could learn some manners! All right, a few hours." she planted two big fat kisses on my cheek and strode away with a smile.

I blinked.

That was all I had to do? I could have done that ages ago!

I wiped the slobbery kisses away. It was time for work.

______________________________________________________

Legends tell of lands beneath the sea. Yet I have been there myself to witness the birth of these lands and the downfall. 

Rich with iron, these beautiful red mountains will never be seen again, lest someone discovers this and go on a journey through the sea.

Follow the crescent moon on September 9th (9:00pm), whose darkened horn points at a faraway land. Then, sail to the Valentine Island, and turn right. Lastly, find the trail of blood through the dangerous waves and arrive at the Misty Marshes.

Go deep into the fog, and beware. For illusions shall cross your eyes. Do not be tempted, traveler. Be guided by your heart.

1499, September 9th.

Courtesy of,

Captain Mark Culbringer

____________________________________________________

"Well, this seems promising." I gazed down at the tattered journal.

Did I mention how long I have been searching through the numerous files of Mr. Ambrose's file desk? Last time, it had been gold. Now, why not iron? Besides, iron is more used to create weapons, right?

Oh well. I had been searching for hours, but, just as I raised my head, this journal had fallen out of the sky!

Strange. Almost as if someone - 

Nope. Definitely my good luck. As they say, if you go down, there is only one more way you can go!

But what if you go even more down?

Ding da do do do. I can't here you! Hey that rhymes!

Talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity.

Oh shut up! Then you are insane too, because you are me! Now, let me concentrate. Where is the infamous Mr. Ambrose?

In bed, I hope.

Me too. Wait, what?