One With the Waves

Open Seas

-Brae-

"So I heard you bought yourself a man," Cobra joked as I entered the room.

I shrugged, "It's weird. He says I know him, but I have no clue how. I'm pretty sure I would remember meeting a shape-shifting merman."

"Shape-shifting merman?" Cobra sat up, looking alarmed, "Wait, did he have blonde hair? Almost white? And blue eyes?"

"Yeah? Well, when he became human he did. How did you know?" I frowned. Was it true? Had I actually met him before?

Cobra smacked me on the shoulder, "Brae! Three years ago! When that strange man took you away, and we found you floating in the water with a head wound, remember? You woke up and had no memory of it, but the guy had destroyed two Navy ships!"

I chuckled softly, "That didn't really happen! Did it?"

"Yes, it did! I bet this is him!" Cobra beamed, "Now we can finally know what happened that night!"

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever you say," I chuckled softly, "Well we are leaving tomorrow morning. Get some rest."

"Yes, Captain," she smiled faintly and snuggled back up in bed. I laughed, leaving the room.

***

The next morning we left Kull Harbor behind, taking to the open seas. I took some food with me and went to visit the merman.

A guard had been posted outside overnight, and I was surprised to find Monty inside, settled next to the tank speaking amiably with Aura.

"--Always knew I wanted to be out on the ocean," Monty was saying, "But then I got into astronomy and I just knew I was meant to be a navigator. I've been on the Sea Maiden for a year now."

Aura smiled faintly, his eyes focused on the young boy. When he heard the door close, however, he sat up straight and moved away, his blue eyes wary.

"Good morning, Captain," Monty greeted cheerfully. I smiled faintly at him, but my brow furrowed at Aura.

His eyes were lowered, his body tense. I sighed softly. Perhaps pulling my sword on him before had been a bit much. I set the food on the side of the tank, "I brought you something to eat."

"And how exactly," Aura asked coldly, his eyes rising to meet my own, "Do you expect me to eat it?"

"Come here," I motioned for him to come closer, feeling Monty's eyes on us. Aura hesitated, as though not sure whether or not to trust me. After a moment, however, he approached. I untied him, watching as he rubbed his wrists, wincing. He took the food, then backed into the back corner of the tank, his eyes on me.

Monty arched an eyebrow, obviously sensing the change in his behavior towards me. "Everything okay, Captain?"

"Of course," I sat down next to him, not taking my eyes off of Aura. "How are you this morning?"

"Fine," Monty leaned his cheek on his palm, his eyes also on Aura, "You don't trust him."

"I just met him," I pointed out.

Monty gave me a look, "That's not it, though. There's something else." I shrugged, but Monty continued regardless, "Cobra said he was the one who saved you all three years ago. Does it have something to do with that?"

"I don't really remember that. Cobra says it happened, but I hit my head," I rubbed my forehead, "Cobra said she found me in the water the next day with a head injury."

I found Aura's eyes on me now, as though just now realizing what had happened. He sat up, his face slightly pale, "You were injured?"

"It wasn't that big of a deal, just hit me in just the right spot I guess. I didn't remember anything after the day before," I replied.

Aura's eyes widened slightly, and he stopped eating, setting the food aside. I frowned. He was malnourished already. He needed to eat.

"Oh, I heated some of his water up, by the way," Monty mentioned, "It was freezing."

"Thank you," I replied, nodding to him. At least someone was taking care of him. I had just tied him up. I got to my feet, "Get dressed, Aura," I ordered, "I'll show you around the ship."

-Aura-

The ocean breeze felt good on my face as I followed Brae out onto the deck. I got a couple of weird looks from some of the crew, but I paid them no mind. Instead, I took in the view of the ocean.

I resisted the urge to jump right in and swim away. After all, Brae had no memory of me and didn't seem to have much care for me. But there was still a small part of me that made me stop. What if there was hope? Could Brae come to care for me, as I did him? I shook my head. No, that was ridiculous. He kept me tied up in a glass box, just as those men had. But still, this was better than being with them. I wasn't much into the whole 'abuse' thing.

Brae showed me around the ship. It wasn't small, but it wasn't massive, either. The captain's quarters were attached to his office. There was a storage area, a sleeping area for the crew, and a galley. I remained silent throughout the tour, simply observing.

"Are you hungry? You didn't eat very much earlier," Brae asked me once he had completed the tour.

I shook my head, dropping my gaze. It was easy for me to change my appearance to hide the scars and how skinny I had become, but that didn't mean that Brae forgot. He had seen me as I truly was, despite my current appearance. He probably thought I was just skin and bones.

He wasn't completely wrong. I hadn't exactly eaten well since I'd last seen him.

"Captain!" Someone shouted, running up to us, "Goldtooth! He's coming!"

Brae growled in anger, storming up onto the deck. I followed, not sure what else to do. Sure enough, a large vessel with black and gold sails was plowing through the water towards us.

"Damn it!" Brae hissed. Then he started running around and shouting orders, his commanding tone catching me off-guard. "Man the cannons! I'd rather not have to dock to do repairs again! Arm yourselves, men! Where's Orion?"

I put a hand on his arm, "I can help."

His green eyes were cold as he shook me off, brushing me aside as though I were nothing more than a nuisance. "Get below deck. You'll just be in the way."