While Quinn and Arlo were staying in the castle of the Elven King, they were able to conduct a course they were going to take in order to get to the Island of Eryl as safely as they could. From the books and maps provided for them by the Elven King, the seas surrounding the Island of Eryl are filled with a lot of sea creatures that were placed there to protect the island from those who were trying to enter it. The Elven King said that there were many who wanted to go to the island, but there were only few who were able to succeed.
"According to these maps, these areas here are the home of sea creatures."
Quinn laid out the map on the table for everyone to see. He pointed at a part of the seas near the Island of Eryl. It was also near another series of islands. She couldn't tell what they were called though.
"Sea creatures like what?" Kira inquired.
"Creatures like sirens and sea serpents," Quinn elaborated.
Kira and Arlo's eyes were tinged with fear upon hearing some of the creatures they could face. But Davina's face was rather neutral because she had no idea what they were. Although, sea serpents were rather self explanatory.
"The sirens usually dwell in the Naida Islands," Arlo continued, pointing at the series of islands.
From the map, there was a quick route from where they were heading to the Island of Eryl. It may be quick, but it was where those sea creatures reside.
"So, the safest way is to go around them."
"How long would that take?" Kira asked.
"Depends. It could take a week or almost two."
"Would that be alright?"
The room was suddenly silent. Davina wondered why there was suddenly tension around them. Both Kira and Arlo glanced at Quinn who's eyes were focused on the map.
"What's wrong?" Davina cut the silence.
"Nothing." Kira leaned on Davina and wrapped her arm around her shoulder. Arlo glared at her for some reason. Probably for only asking a question. While Quinn still had his eyes on the map, deep in thought. "We just thought it could be faster."
"Why don't you use your magic so that we could go faster?"
"Well…"
"You don't even know what you're talking about," scoffed Arlo.
"I'm just trying to give some suggestions and help."
"We never really asked."
"I'm part of this crew aren't I?"
She missed the Kingdom of the Woodland Elves even more because she never had to exchange words with Arlo while she was there. They only spent five hours on the ship and she had to speak to Arlo again. She wished he would go back to pretending she didn't exist.
"Arlo," Quinn placed his gloved hand lightly on the boy's chest. "Just let her speak," he sighed. "It's not her fault." He turned to Davina before she could speak. "Your idea was good, but we don't like to use our magic that much."
Davina knew that Quinn doesn't exactly use his magic that much unless it's needed. But she remembered Kira and Arlo showing off their magic the other night.
"So what were the two of you doing last night?" She couldn't help the look she gave to the two of them. "Wasn't that thing called magic?"
"That was just little magic," Kira said. "But trying to use magic to make us go faster and push this ship, can you imagine the energy and effort it takes? What Arlo and I did was like picking up a pebble-Is she bragging?-but if we were going to use our magic to push the ship, it's like trying to carry a boulder. Do you get it now?"
"Yeah, yeah. I understand."
Davina thought that Inarians could do anything with their magic. That they didn't have as many limitations as humans did. She was wrong.
"The time we have is fine," Quinn said. "We've gone years without the crystal, what's a few days more?"
Kira agreed. "We're getting closer and we're making progress. That's all that matters."
"And if we ever run into the sea creatures, we already have someone to sacrifice while we escape."
"Arlo!"
~~~~~
Quinn's estimate on their journey to the Island of Eryl to take a week or two was right. Their progress was rather slow due to the lack of wind helping them move forward. The sea was also rather calm. They've been on the ship for two days now and they were incredibly slow.
To pass the time, Davina was training with Felicis. She'd train then eat when Kira offered her food. Meanwhile, Quinn would be occupied with the many books he'd read. Sometimes, she would see him carrying a lot of books with his bag filled with many herbs and flasks. He'd wouldn't notice her as he'd pass by her with a certain gleam in his eyes she used to see in a certain redhead.
Meanwhile, Kira would sometimes make meals for Davina. She thought that the girl would cling to her like she did before. But to her surprise, she would only give Davina some food and then would disappear in her room.
She seemed to be occupied with something else, but she would still sometimes go over to Davina and just sidle up to her. Davina got tired of pushing the girl away and just let her use her as a cushion. At least, she wasn't talking and wouldn't ask her random questions like before.
Then there was Arlo, who would be busy manning the helm. He acted like she didn't exist again which was beneficial to the two of them. But sometimes, she would see Rowan keeping an eye on her. She just let the bird watch her and she'd sometimes talk to it. It wasn't like it could even speak anyway.
Now, as she was on the top of the mast, the eagle was still there perched right beside her. It used to keep its distance from her and glared at her like its owner usually does. But it was now perched close to her.
Davina found herself climbing on the top of the mast on the night when they got back on the ship. She woke up because of a nightmare and couldn't go back to sleep. Even when she staggered to the deck, she still felt suffocated. Seeing the mast, she started to climb until she got to the top. It was there, she found some peace.
So, that top of the mast became her safe place now. No one was surprised when they saw her in such a high place. She thought this would create another argument with Arlo, but he only sent Rowan after her.
It was up there on that mast she could think. She'd mostly think about the possible monsters they'd face. She'd wonder what they looked like. The unknown and uncertainty made her uneasy. She was used to knowing everything and easily formulating a possible plan or solution to fight and live.
But that was when she was only fighting Inarians. They were already frightening enough with their supernatural powers that were unexplainable to everyone. Her staying with the Inarians has taught her more about their secrets than the information their spies gave their lives, to give.
The only thing she could do now is to sit and wait. She didn't mind Rowan's company sometimes. But then she would remember who owned the bird and suddenly wish it was far away from her.
In the corner of her eye, she saw something flying. She turned her head, but she didn't see anyone. She only shrugged but kept it in mind.
"What's the bird doing here?" she called out to Arlo. "Are you worried I might fall?" she teased.
Even if she was from a high place, she saw his eye twitch. "That bird will be the reason you'll fall Erisian."
"Still don't trust me do you Inarian?"
"I don't have a reason to."
She wanted to say a comeback but was prevented from doing so. Once again, she saw something flying near them. She looked around but saw nothing but the sun shining at her, the sea, and some signs of land around them. There was Rowan sitting right beside her, no signs of moving from his spot.
"Did you see that?" She asked Arlo.
"See what?"
"I thought I saw something flying." She stood and looked around.
"Maybe that was your sanity."
"Don't you know any creatures that could be invisible and can fly?"
"I can think of a few."
"Are they a threat?"
"Only if you attack. Or get on their nerves. They could slice your head off if they felt like it."
Once she was certain that there was nothing around and Arlo was probably messing with her, she took one of the ropes and used it to get down from the mast. She swung on the rope and landed in front of Arlo who didn't look impressed. Rowan followed her. Arlo snapped his fingers and Rowan turned back into a lifeless talisman.
"I saw something, I swear."
Arlo, seeing the urgency and steadiness of Davina's dark eyes, knew to believe that she did see something. However, there was nothing around them and he doesn't exactly trust the stability of her mentality to fully believe her.
"Listen, you might've just seen a fairy flying around. The Elven King said that there were many around here. Or some random bird."
"You really don't trust me?" She crossed her arms. "What if I was right?"
"I wouldn't trust the instincts of someone who doesn't even get a decent amount of sleep."
"Do-"
"You really should get some sleep," Kira came out of nowhere. Shocking both Davina and Arlo. "And the thing you saw flying was just me," she scratched the back of her neck, "sorry."
Arlo gave her an 'I told you so' look.
"But," her voice faltered. She knew she saw something. But the proof was against her.
Davina was always someone who valued proof more than the words of a person that could be false. But that was until she was framed for the murder of her dearest friend. The proof was against her then, but she knew she was right. Like how she knew she was right, right now.
Davina has always trusted herself and her abilities. But in this world of magic, she's yet to learn that not everything is as it seems.