It was peaceful while they were at sea. Contrary to their suspicions, they didn't encounter many boats or ships that might suspect them for doing anything suspicious. It was mostly Davina and Arlo who were on their guard and suspected everybody. Quinn and Kira found it amusing. They also found it a waste that the two couldn't get along because their personalities were the same. But they were optimistic that the two could get along at some point.
The four of them were on the deck of the ship, minding their own business. Arlo was the one manning the helm of the ship, trying to keep a close eye on the island where you can see the image of a skull on their mountains. Davina didn't expect him to ask her for help and she was right.
Quinn was the one who asked her if they were going the right direction and she'd tell them where they needed to go. To her surprise, Arlo was civil with it. She had no idea if they had a talk about it or perhaps he was warming up to her. Or perhaps this mission of theirs is more important to him. Still, she could feel his stares as she trained on the deck of the ship.
She would've been content with training in her room. But Kira insisted she train and practice in the deck where there was more space. For some reason, Davina couldn't say no to her. Her persistence and carefree aura reminded her of Felix when they were younger.
Kira watched her as she trained. The girl's dark eyes stayed on Davina as she made every move. Davina didn't feel comfortable at first with an Inarian watching her. It was as if she was exposing her secrets to them. But then she remembered that they were all in the same boat. They all have the same mission and desires. As long as there isn't enough friction between them to create a fight, nothing bad will happen to her or them.
As Davina trained, Quinn was intently reading the book on the deck. He was quietly sitting on one of the corners of the ship, with some ink and parchment around him. He'd flip thought a few pages of the book and would write some notes. Once again, she was reminded of Felix. There were moments where instead of Quinn, Davina would see Felix instead. She'd shake her head and train harder when it happens.
After a few hours, Davina decided to rest. She placed her sword back in the room and went back on deck to enjoy the cool air. The sky was neither dark nor sunny that day. It was in between which Davina liked.
"Where did you learn to fight like that?" asked Kira when she got back. The two of them leaning on the wooden railing on the boat.
"I-I well...it was from different teachers. My father and his friend were one of them." So were many knights, she didn't bother to add that last part.
She couldn't say that she knew it from training for the war. She was still keeping up the facade of a girl who was just a thief. Although that life wasn't exactly false.
"Why'd you have to learn how to fight?"
"I did tell you I'm a thief. I didn't do it for power. Life was...hard. I had to learn how to survive."
Going back to the deck wasn't a good idea.
This was one of the topics Davina was trying to avoid. She didn't want to interact with the Inarians and she thought they didn't want to interact with her as well. There wasn't any need to share her life story, she didn't want to know their life story. Although perhaps an exchange could be made.
"What about you?" Davina asks Kira.
She blinked. "What about me?"
"Do you know how to fight? You probably fight well to be doing this mission. Your kingdom won't send you if you don't."
"Well...I do but I'm not that good really," she played with the hem of her sleeve. "And they didn't send me. I chose to be here."
"This mission has to be important for you to want to be here."
"Yeah," she smiled. There was a distant look on the girl's face. "It is."
"So, what is the mission exactly? What do you want to ask when you get to the Island of Eryl?"
Kira was silent for a few moments. She stared out into the sea, deep in thought. Davina thought she wasn't going to get her reply.
"You are coming with us to Farren," she finally said, "you might as well know."
Davina's eyes widened. Things are actually going her way for once.
Kira sent a sly look over to Arlo who wasn't paying attention to them. Then she said, "We're looking for a crystal. The Crystal of Aspira."
From what Davina has heard from those who were trying to find a weakness for the Kingdom of Inara and Felix, the kingdom was said to be bountiful in many magical things that most other kingdoms don't have. Not only were their people blessed with magical powers and their crops and medicines had faster and different healing properties, their kingdom was said to be home to rocks and crystals that held magical properties.
It was a common rumor amongst the Erisians and other kingdoms that if you take a rock from the Kingdom of Inara, you'll be blessed with immeasurable luck. But with the war ongoing for around two decades, Davina didn't believe the luck or magical properties their rocks had. She also didn't think those crystals would work for the enemy.
"A crystal?" She glanced quickly at Felix who was standing on Kira's left side. The two of them leaned closer to Kira when she mentioned the crystal. "What's so special about this crystal?"
"This crystal is one of the five that the gods gave to us. Each crystal holds a special power and we've been trying to protect it ever since."
"The gods?"
Davina didn't know they worshiped anyone. Felix never mentioned anything about it before. Usually the people one worships are those who are more powerful than them. Davina hated to think what creatures would be more powerful than the Inarians.
"Yes, the gods," continued Kira. "We used to be divided into five tribes who protected each crystal. It worked out well for some, but there were others who had trouble protecting it since many wanted to steal the crystal because of their greed. So, we decided to combine the tribes as one kingdom to protect the crystals and ourselves together. But a couple years ago, one of the crystals was stolen. Many have been trying to find it, but they couldn't."
"Can't you ask your gods for help?"
Kira shook her head. "Aspira, the god who owned the crystal was furious when she found out it was lost. She cursed the family who was supposed to protect the crystal and said that it will only be lifted when the crystal finds its way back home in Inara. Since she did that, the other gods won't come to our aid. So, no. The gods won't help."
Although Davina understood the need to punish those who lost the crystal, she thought it was childish of the god not to help. She hasn't had any experience on those and didn't believe they existed, but basing from the books Felix read, gods should be powerful beings who could do anything they wanted.
"We have been searching for the crystal for years, but we couldn't find it. Many are out there still searching for it like us."
So that was why that Inarian was there.
Learning this information brought some ease to Davina's chest. This wasn't about the war. This was about one of their lost artifacts.
"What makes you think you'll be the ones who could find it?"
"Inspiring as ever," Felix commented.
He listened to Kira's story wholeheartedly. Davina could've sworn that she saw stars in his eyes as Kira's story progressed. His awed expression almost distracted her earlier.
"I think the reason why the others couldn't find it was because they didn't know where to start. But thanks to the book," they looked at Quinn who was oblivious with their conversation and the world, "we have something that will help us find it. And I'm sure that we will find it."
"Are you sure it's alright you said all that to me?" Davina had a feeling that she was told something that was supposed to be a secret.
"Yes I'm certain," Kira replied immediately. "I know I can trust you."
Davina laughed. Kira's light and easy going personality came back.
She's really naive.
She couldn't believe that an Inarian would trust her when she doesn't even trust herself around them.
As much as she found her light personality annoying at first, it was a little contagious and it gave her a light feeling in her chest. If she believes that they can find this crystal they've been searching for, then she can find who murdered Felix.
She admits that they're two different situations, but all that matters is that they all had something they wanted to find. They have their respective missions and priorities. Since they were literally on the same boat, they had to work together so that they could all get what they wanted. Little by little, they were getting closer.