15 - Ray
The trip to Zleigh didn't go quite as expected. We were all extremely tired, and even Corra, who was used to barely sleeping, was starting to feel it a little. With no time to waste we had rushed out of the library and into the main square of Grustenburg, still shocked at what we'd just seen.
"It had to be Grey." Rico slammed his curled fist into the feathers on his hand, making a surprisingly loud thump noise, "I mean, who else?"
"I'd assume so." Julian replied, "Stop dragging your feet, we have a boat to catch."
Alice raised her hand like a student waiting for their turn to speak, "Perhaps I can take trips flying to the harbour carrying you guys. Although, I don't know how efficient that would be since I can only take you one at a time."
"Nah, that'll take far too long. The boat isn't too far from here." I glanced up at the sun, "Judging by my calculations, Cornelius should be waiting for us right about now, so let's pick up the pace."
Whether I liked it or not, I couldn't help but be concerned for Corra, she had gone through quite a lot over the past couple of days and things were about to get much worse. Plus, she hadn't talked the entire trip back, very unusual considering how she usually spends the entire walk bossing everyone around.
Something about Corra had always intrigued me. Whether it's the sense of mystique that seemed to always be floating around her, or that she's never talked about her past even though we've been together for over seven years, I'll never know. In fact, I'd never seen her quite like this. Unlike her usual snappy posture she was somewhat slouched as she slowly trudged across the stone sidewalk like a drooping flower. Her ears and tails were also slightly sagging, it was like she had lost all of her fight and energy.
Slowly I approached her, being very careful not to strike a nerve as this was very easy to pull off with her, "Everything alright? You're going to need all the strength you can get for Zleigh."
"Yes, I'm fine Ray." She snapped, "I just need some time by myself."
I was about to leave her be, when something in her pockets caught my eye, it appeared to be a piece of torn up newspaper. Unfortunately, the text was unlegible.
"What's that in your pock-" I reached to point at the newspaper, but Corra instantly grabbed my hand. Twisting my wrist and preventing me from moving my arm.
"Everything alright back there?" It looked like Alice had noticed our little dispute.
"We're fine." I grunted, "You guys just go ahead. We'll catch up."
"Oh, alright." She beamed and happily skipped ahead. It simply baffled me just how happy she could be sometimes.
Corra leaned in closely, "You don't want to be involved. If they find out you know, they'll come for you as well."
She turned away and was about to catch up with the others but I grabbed her by the shoulder, "Corra, I'm not going to pester you about your… predicament. Just remember that if you need some help, I'm here for you."
"You know," She pried herself from my grip, "I can handle it myself."
I could still smell the smolder and smoke like it was yesterday, Grey's hand still stretched out towards me as I kneeled on the burning wooden floors.
He repeated himself again, "Well, how about it? Wanna join my crew?" I was too shocked to speak, the experience I had just been through had rendered me silent.
"I see you're not much of a talker, eh? It's alright." Slowly he knelt down so he was at my height, his cold eyes just level enough for them to pierce into my skull, "I know this must seem like an odd thing to say, but you remind me a lot of myself when I was your age." He grasped my chin softly, turning it so my furry cheek was exposed from behind the massive red silk scarf I had draped over my neck, "I've never worked with a creatara before, this should be interesting. Come, I'll show you our headquarters."
Grey held his hand out, like he was ushering me closer. I can't explain it, but right in that moment it felt like I was being tested by fate itself. Sometimes, life tests you in strange ways, punishing you if you choose wrong and rewarding you if you choose right. I guess I'll never know what rewards would have been waiting for me back home with my most likely furious mother, because in that instant I chose wrong.
We had spent the next two days travelling from Grustenburg to "The Other Side" as we westerns call it. Before the great separation, there used to be a time when the borders were open and foreigners were able to travel from the west and east side of Aclium with ease. Sadly, those times are now long gone. I don't remember much about that night, just taking Grey's hand and running off into the night, the sunset painting the sky with oranges and reds like it was a canvas.
The salty harbour air snapped me out of my daydreaming, it appears we were at the southern docks of Grustenburg now. This was one of the least populated areas in the town, therefore making it all that better for us to use. A clunky old wooden boat stood in front of us, while it was rather small in size it looked like it would do its job, considering it didn't fall apart while we were sailing.
"What now?" Julian was anxiously tapping the hilt of his sword as he waited, "We're just gonna wait around for some guy to show up and give us a ride?"
Corra plopped herself down on the dock, unsheathing her knife and twirling it's leather hilt in her palm, "Precisely."
Alice sat down as well, Aria curling up on her lap and letting out a silent yawn. Something was very odd about that cat but I couldn't put my finger on it, perhaps it was just her peculiar blue fur that was rubbing me the wrong way.
After around five more minutes of waiting, a familiar voice broke the silence, "I apologize for the wait, it appears I was running behind on time."
"Took you long enough," Julian exclaimed, "We've been waiting for what seems like ages!"
"Again, I apologize. This process takes quite a while to set up. I guess I should have informed you more about the complications in advance." He was about to say something else, but stopped himself after looking at our battered condition, "It appears something happened while you were out. Come, hopefully Levi can treat most of your wounds."
Cornelius led us onto the old wooden dock and one by one we walked onto the main deck of the ship. Now that I was actually standing on the thing, I could see it was a lot bigger than I had thought it was originally. The ship was split into two main sections, a main deck with a wooden balcony and barrels full of supplies, while on the sternerd side was a large covered area where the captain would steer with a ladder leading down to our quarters and the kitchen to the left of it.
Once we were inside the ship, Conelius showed us to our rooms. While they were quite small, they were simple. Nothing more than a single bed, hardwood floor, and bland wallpaper, just the way I like it. I'm sure Alice was having a heart attack right about now though. We all grouped together outside of our quarters after unpacking, Cornelius had told us to wait since he was fetching the Captain, Levi.
"Hey everyone!" A surprisingly high voice startled us as we whirled to see a young human boy, no older than sixteen standing behind us. His face was covered in dirt and grime, and a pair of silver goggles sat atop his shaggy chestnut hair that perfectly complimented his dark hazelnut eyes.
I could tell the others were as surprised as I was. I mean, was I really about to put my life into the hands of some kid? I was about to speak, but it looks like Julian was thinking the exact same thing.
"You can't be serious, right?" He scoffed, "You're just a workhand around here right?"
"No," The boy asserted himself, although I could obviously see that he was nervous, "I am your captain, and you'll treat me as such."
Julian stomped towards him, obviously not thrilled by the idea of taking orders from a child, "How dare you speak to me like that, you snivelling little-"
Before he could do anything irrational, Corra grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him backwards, making him spin and hit the ground with a thud, "Maybe you shouldn't be an ass for once, we're guests here after all."
"G-Gee thanks." The boy said sheepishly, holding out his hand, "I'm Levi by the way."
Corra glanced at his outstretched hand, putting her hands in her pockets, "Uh-huh."
"Listen kid," I rasped, "When do you think we can set out and sail? We're on a tight schedule here."
"Of course, of course." Levi pondered, "Cornelius is setting things up right now, any minute now we should-"
I felt the boat lurch as we started to move, glancing at the window to see Grustenburg slowly fading away into the distance like a memory.
"Ah!" he exclaimed, "There it is, we should be at Zleigh by dawn if we stay on course. Now, Cornelius has informed me that several of you are injured. Those of you who would like some treatment you can come see me in my quarters or on the upper deck anytime you'd like."
Before he could make his exit, Rico shouted out a question, "If you're in your quarters, then who's driving the ship?"
"We have a 'not so legal' way to get around that predicament."
After Levi had left we all congregated in the kitchen, sitting around the large wooden table that sat next to the bar counter where food would usually be prepared. Despite being on the ocean and nothing being currently prepared in the kitchen, the room smelled like fresh bread had just been baked and was sitting on the counter cooling, waiting to be eaten.
"So, how do we expect to get into Zleigh?" Rico asked, settling into his chair, "I mean, we can't just simply waltz into one of the most heavily guarded and heavily populated cities in Aclium."
"That���s an interesting question," Corra replied, "I'm sure Cornelius has everything arranged and taken care of."
"Hey everyone!" Rico and Corra's conversation was cut short by Alice barging into the room out of breath, "Has anyone seen Aria around here? I was busy decorating my room and she disappeared on me."
"I'm afraid not," I replied. "When-"
"Woah, nice kitchen. You guys got anything to eat?"
A strange and unfamiliar high voice interrupted my train of thought. I whirled to see what appeared to be a young girl no older than fourteen, maybe fifteen, skipping down the stairs, her orange frilly dress and blue hair bouncing as she sprung with each step. We immediately shot to our feet, weapons drawn.
"A-ha!" Rico shouted, "I knew it!"
The girl cocked her head to one side, "I beg your pardon?"
"Stand down," Julian shouted, his sword drawn next to his face in a defensive position, "Take one more step and I'll slice your throat like butter."
"Woah man, I'm just looking for some food." She whirled towards Alice, "She hasn't fed me since this morning."
Alice slowly stepped towards her, fidgeting with her hands nervously,
"A-Aria?"