Before The Storm

Act One Scene Four

Two years after the arrival of Sycorax and Caliban, the true intentions of the witch had become clear. The things they were being asked to do were far beyond what they had anticipated when Sycorax had asked for 'help' on her first day here. For Elle, the only consolation came in being able to see Caliban every day. He had grown to seventeen, Elle had a lot of trouble staying away from him. Ari had spent a good deal of time trying to dissuabde her from the human due to his vicious mother, though Caliban continued to return Elles affections and the spirit ignored her brothers efforts.

Caliban waiting in the clearing, sitting in front of the largest tree, the pine, waiting for Elle. She hovered slightly above the treetops, found the break in the leaves, and dove into the clearing, settling beside him, leaning her head on his shoulder. She glanced around slightly anxiously. Sycorax had given her and Ari different tasks, which were very time consuming. While he had gone off to perform his task she had searched for Caliban to spend one final moment of peace with him before toiling at increasing Sycorax's power.

"How much time do you have?" Caliban asked as she settled more comfortably beside him. He stroked her hair gently.

"Not long," she said, taking one of his hands in hers. "Your mother has assigned me something extremely time-consuming, and if Ari found out I was here-"

"Shh, he won't," Caliban said, and kissed her forehead.

"I do not understand what she is doing," Elle whispered, her eyes shut. "She promises Ari and I power, and yet when we are granted it we lose it once again so that it goes right back to her. I feel as though I'm growing weaker. You're my only light in this world now. And Ari thinks that you are not good for me, he thinks that you are so devoted to your mother that you will betray me somehow."

"Elle, you cannot turn against your brother," Caliban said, tilting her head up so he could look her in the eyes. "He wants you to  be safe and protected. Nothing more. he is serving his purpose as a brother. And do not let my mother get to you, Elle, I don't know what she's planning exactly, but she keeps muttering the name 'Prospero', so it's nothing concerning you. Just maintain a good relationship with your brother."

Elle smiled at him, her eyes tracing his face. "I need to go, my love, shall we talk to Ari? Together?"

"Of course."

It wasn't until the end of the day that they were able to talk to Ari. They confronted him together, in a desperate attempt to make him see sense. The succeeded, though he was reluctant. He had to trust his sister, if he could trust no one else on the isle. He was going to be slow to trust Caliban, but it could be done. And it would be done.

He was also convinced of the strangeness of what Sycorax had asked him to do. He agreed, with furthur analysis that she wasn't fully there. After Caliban left, and Ari and Elle were left to ponder the day. They had told Sycorax they needed sleep, a lie that she fully believed, luckily for them. They could only guess how far Sycorax would go, and could only wait.