Savia's Heart [Sequel to Bastian's Song] [HIATUS]

[ 24 ]

[ Title image of a caravel: credit to Skvor at Deviantart ]

[ Eryn ]

Eryn had faced many things in her life, and several of them had been scary or unpleasant or downright uncomfortable. The hardest thing she had ever faced had been the least worried about—loneliness. As she watched Savia and Auron share a smile, her heart warmed.

Though she had been young the last time she'd visited the vampyre, she had still recognized how much of a toll being alone had taken on Savia. Auron had managed to become a friend to Savia in only a year, and it looked like he would be with her as long as he could. For his sake, Eryn hoped Savia had told him all of her story.

And prepared him for how this adventure was likely to end.

A shout interrupted the grim thoughts and Eryn shouted back. Ahead of them, the beautiful ship rose from the sea, sitting pretty on the waves as though waiting for her portrait to be painted. The Sky's Freedom was a caravel, three-masted and bearing a full display of lateen sails. Her hull was smooth, carvel-built, and gleamed even in the darkness of the late evening. Fondness swelled up in Eryn's chest, and she felt her excitement growing as the distance between her and her ship dwindled. 

A rope flew over the side of the Sky's Freedom to haul them up onto the deck. Eryn boosted Auron up first, and then followed swiftly, her hands moving on the rope with familiarity. Sven swept her up into a brief hug, and then deposited her onto the wood of her ship.

Eryn's soul settled into peace. She was home.

Savia climbed over the railing last, having tied the dinghy back to the ship before she came up. Sven greeted her with a little bow, and she giggled at the burly seaman. Bryce clapped Eryn on the shoulder and spoke in a soft voice.

"I cleared your quarters for them, as you ordered, cap. But you should know Vee's been asking about the need for such a thing. I figured you could handle that yourself."

Eryn sighed. "I'll handle it. Is he below deck?"

Bryce nodded and then stepped to the side, his gaze sliding to the newcomers with curiosity. Eryn headed to the door that would take her down, but stopped when it opened and Vee himself came through the door.

His gleaming black hair fell in straight locks all around his shoulders, contrasting with the paleness of his skin. Most people would call him beautiful in an ethereal sort of way, but Eryn only saw him as strange. His features were too symmetrical, and there was a power in him that made her uncomfortable at times. In his eyes was an intelligence and conviction that made her wary, though she could hardly doubt his intentions given how hard he'd worked for her over the last year.

When he saw her, he smiled. Vee moved gracefully toward her, wearing the new clothes she'd bought him at Zephyr's Cradle. The deep blue of the cloth looked good on him. "Hello, captain. I'm glad to see you returned safely to us."

"I was never in any danger, Vee." She smiled at him out of reflex. "Did the star readings give us a favorable future?"

His smile disappeared. "They're hard to read lately. The strings of fate must be converging. At least, I haven't seen anything worth mentioning so that could be a good thing. I suppose we'll have to be prepared for anything."

"We always are," she said. "I'd like you to meet Savia and Auron. Come, I'll introduce you."

They walked together toward where Auron was admiring Sven's stature. Eryn cleared her throat. "Alright, time for introductions. This is Sven, my first mate." She gestured at the bear of a man. "Bryce 9-toes, ask him about it later." Bryce grimaced, a look of resignation in his eyes. Eryn went down the line with her small crew of fifteen. "And lastly, my star-reader, Vee."

Vee bowed with a flourish that never failed to impress her. Auron looked surprised at the motion himself. He bowed at the waist, but he kept his head held high. Vee frowned at him.

Savia stepped forward, offering her hand to him. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Vee."

He reached for her hand. The moment their skin touched, a spark of golden magic lit between their fingers, and Vee let out a small yelp. Savia's hand snapped back, and she shook it as though it burned.

"You're the dead one!" Vee shouted, alarm making his voice loud.

Auron moved before the shout had faded from the wind, and Eryn had to take a moment to admire the ferocity in his eyes. He squared his shoulders and silently dared Vee to have a problem with Savia. Eryn wondered if he could get hotter.

Savia placed a staying hand on Auron's arm and nodded to Vee. There was apprehension in her voice when she spoke. "Indeed, I am a vampyre. Did Eryn not tell you?"

Eryn shrugged at her friend. She had told Vee ages ago what Savia was. It wasn't her fault if he'd forgotten that. Though now Sven was certainly looking disapprovingly in her direction. She sighed.

Vee looked back to her, uncertainty on his face once more. Eryn stepped forward and stood at his side. "Manners, Vee," she said softly.

He swallowed hard. "I—I don't think you should be here!"

Eryn blinked. Was that manners? That was not manners. That was rude. "Vee." But it was too little, too late.

"What? She's a parasite. I don't care what you think you owe her, Eryn, she's going to endanger all of the crew. Do you know how they continue to live?" Vee was growing flush with anger as he spoke and his voice became firmer as his confidence grew. "How will you stop her from feeding on the blood of the crew? You can't! Vampyres have unnatural strength and she could rip this ship apart with ease. There is a reason that the glorious Helios hate—"

Vee's voice was cut off as Auron sucker punched him in the gut.

Chaos broke apart over the deck as Vee launched himself at Auron in retaliation. Eryn lifted a hand to her forehead to rub her temple. "Dearest gods above," she whispered, "please protect us from ourselves."

Eryn swore that she could hear faint laughter on the wind.