The Orb And The Onslaught {COMPLETE}

Arrivals And Departures

Florence peered over at Skyrah while she slept on the sofa opposite. Her glow had faded since she'd drifted off and Florence could see the bruises where her manacles had been. She had been through so much, to hear how she was treat by her parents, traded like she was some object they didn't have use for anymore. Florence couldn't wait to give them a piece of her mind; Skyrah deserved so much more, even to just know that she was loved and cared for.

Quentin shifted where he lay and cast a half open eye in her direction.

"Can't sleep?"

"Not really, I have a little too much to think about right now."

They'd been sailing all day, Iccella claimed they were making good time but Florence could still see a sliver of Othon behind them. She sighed, stroking each of the cats as they lay curled up next to her.

"Is it Skyrah, or everything else besides?" Quentin asked and leaned up on his elbow, eyes still bleary.

"Everything, we haven't had much time to catch our breath lately. I'm just processing it all, you go back to sleep I'll be fine."

The tone in her voice left no room for argument, Quentin must have agreed because he laid back down and rested an arm over his eyes.

There was just enough light from the moon to look around the cabin. Iccella had fallen asleep on a bench near the wheel, Florence didn't know if it was on some form of autopilot but they seemed to be heading in the right direction. She sighed and was about to attempt sleep when movement caught her eye on the deck outside. She was reaching for her walking stick when a swish of blue cloak flashed against the moonlight.

The cats lifted their heads, staring out at the deck but they didn't try to move or warn her.

Florence took that as a sign and got up, wrapping the blanket she'd been given around her, walking out onto the deck with a shiver. He was sat with his legs over the side, the hood of his cloak was up and he was staring out at the horizon.

"I hope they're ready for what's to come." He stated without inflection, not bothering to turn.

Florence moved over and leaned against the rail.

"They are, but would you like to tell me what is coming? Besides darkness and doom, that is."

He finally turned his head and looked up at her, his eyes twinkling. "No."

Florence felt the familiar sense of agitation he generally caused. "This is getting tedious. I'm grateful for the times you've saved us and those around us, I am, but I want to know what's going on. Who are you? Why do you keep appearing to help us yet you won't tell me anything helpful? Things would go a lot more smoothly if you could just explain something."

The stranger was watching her with obvious amusement and Florence wanted to swing for him. He stood up from his seat and stared down at her, grinning as he did.

"I can't tell you who I am, that's the point. You just have to accept my help and get to your destination in one piece. Them, however," he pointed inside at Quentin and Skyrah.

"They don't need to get there, they're not the Chosen One, you are. They won't be the ones saving the world, you will. Remember that because you're going to have to make a decision soon, a tough one and you'll need that reminder when you do."

With that he turned and disappeared in a flurry of that blue cloak. Florence stared at the spot where he had been moments before, his words had left her feeling shaken and more concerned than she had since the whole chain of events had begun. She walked back inside, the cats were watching expectantly and they crawled up onto her when she laid down. Purring to comfort her, letting her know they knew how she was feeling and were there for her.