The Cursed

Chapter Four

Lilura

The wind slams against the ship, the wood creaks under the strain of the air. Rain pounds my window. Muted voices march through the storm as the crew fights against nature to keep the ship in best shape. A fist pounds against my door. I leap to my feet from my vanity where I stared out the large windows at the tossing sea.

"Hello." I open the door to see a very wet Everette. His hair is plastered to his forehead and his shirt is drenched sticking to his muscular chest. "Oh Everette, please come in." He steps through door as the wind whips through my room. His pants drip onto my floor. "What's happening? Is the wind putting up a fight?" I giggle as I turn and skip to my bed. I sit onto my bed and cross my ankles.

"You could say that. I suggest you go below deck. The storm will not pass for many hours." I frown and begin to hum nervously.

"I'd rather stay in my room. My gowns would get nervous." I bite my lip and begin the routine of digging my nails into my palms. Going below deck means there's a real threat, I'd rather not accept that.

"Lilura, it's for your best interest-"

"The storm will calm, and nature will continue without our interference. It's written in the stars." Everette sighs and walks over to me, leaving a river in his wake.

"Please would you-"

"No, and I'm sorry my Captain, but that's a final decision." He runs a hand through his dipping hair, causing it to stick up at odd angles.

"Fine, but if it gets worse, promise me you'll make the right decision." His dark eyes look at me. I nod, still humming. My fingers have let up on my palms before I drew any blood. I couldn't scrub the floor forever. And blood red floors don't suit the room. Everette walks to my door and upon opening it unleashed the full force of the storm into my room. The wind howls, echoing in my bones as rain lashes against the deck. Water has pooled many inches on the deck as the crew runs frantically trying to prevent any goods from being damaged. Everette forces the door shut as the wind fights to swing it open and terrorize my room.

Everette

My crew runs from one side of the ship to the other, racing to tie down goods, and ensure the gunpowder doesn't get wet. The winds deafening howls reverberate in my ears. Huge swells of seawater slam against my ship, pouring onto the already soaked deck. I order the crew to store our valuable food below deck. The traders will not pay for damaged property.

"My Captain, water is beginning to leak below deck!" Blayze yells. He hobbles to me, nearly sliding to the ground in the water. A dark cloud rumbles before lightning flashes, striking the sea many miles away. It illuminates the thrashing water. From my boat, I feel the current race through me, sending the hair on my arms on end.

"Begin to toss buckets of water over. Our traders will not want wet goods." Blayze nods before limping to one of the crew. I see the younger man nod and hurry to the others. They begin to collect the water is simple buckets and toss it to the sea. Thunder cackles overhead once more as lightning strikes the distance again. The wind takes the ship, attempting to tear pieces of it into the water. More clouds cover the sky as the already hidden sun begins to set. Voices scream over the wind, hollow in the air. Alan runs to me, his copper hair erratic and dripping water.

"Alan, get Lilura below deck. I don't care that she refused earlier. The storm will last many hours more," I command him.

"My Captain, I will try, but please remember she is my superior and I will follow her orders, breaking yours. If she orders me away, I cannot refuse." I scowl.

"Then you will be banned from my ship."

"But Lilura—"

"Will stay." Anger pools in my muscles. I need her safe, surely Alan would understand. We both know the threat is empty and a slight breeze would pick it up and away. Alan's eyes are dark as rage slips into them.

"Captain, Lilura's health is of the outmost importance. I need to be with her in case she remembers more. I was with her when—"

"And I too was with her. Her safety is of importance now. Get her below deck." The tieb in my voice allows for no further questioning. Alan glares once more before prowling to Lilura's room. I turn away and address the ever darkening sky. Nightfall will be upon us in minutes, but the storm will last hours.