I moved toward the mess hall, but noticed the line outside the entrance. I scrunched up my face with the thought of how long I would have to wait until I actually get through the door. Walking past the line, I sneaked a peak in the door and saw that the tables were barely full.
An old goblin in the line cleared his throat, "youngin get in line or leave. You're in the way."
I glanced at him, took a few steps back and stuttered, "I'm sorry." I looked back in and saw my uncle already sitting with a few of his colleagues.
I see. I would have already been sitting down if I had listened and not been sidetracked. Well, it was a necessary sidetrack. It's better for me anyways.
I went back to the spiral staircase and looked at all the paths I could choose. Up to the top deck. Down to blacksmith. Across the hallway back to the staircase connected to animals and our resting quarters. This is what I know by experience, but that is not what I get out of the signs on this floor. Annoyed, I walked upstairs.
Opening the door, the rush of salty air hit me. A wave of relief washed over me. I moved toward the edge and watched the bow clash with the white currents. I gripped the rails tighter and leaned further out. The bubbles forming on the surface of the water instantly pop at the forming of the other. Beautiful.
I stood up and twirl around looking further in the water. I looked back at the water passed the stern. I'm no longer near home. I put my elbow on the rails and leaned my head on my hands. Again, I'm not anywhere near my family. I chose this. I allowed my mind to break the moment my heart felt a rush. I clenched my fist and hit the air until an inch away from the handrail.
I heard a creak of the door and took a deep breath. I released my fist, fell to the floor against the railing, rubbed my thumbs on my temples, and breathed through my nose. I'm doing this for them.
My ears grew hot as I heard the whispers in the wind. Two voices. Recognizing each of them, I peaked between the cargo and saw both of them walking through the door.
* You already know that anything unofficial is not for the public. Why won't you let this go? *
* It is not fair. *
* This world is not fair. Our past is not fair. That does not mean we can bypass our orders. It will not be spoken. Do you understand Kish? *
Crawling to a closer location, I stopped and realize this already happened. I keep listening to other's conversations. I clenched my fist and bit my finger. It's simple. Stand up and no one will know I heard that. They are far enough for their conversation to not reach me. The only reason why I heard something was because of the Slyphs. No other reason. It's simple. Stand up on three.
One.
Two.
Two and one-half, like a child.
Two and three quarters, like ladybug would say.
Two and seven eights, like Bane would say. I squatted and took a few more deep breaths.
* Officer Theodoric made it back alive after taking revenge for our goddess. *
I lifted my knees and sat down. They are talking about uncle.
I smirked and thanked the sylphs. I noticed they were moving toward the bow of the ship, and I crawled along the cargo toward the bow.
My father's apprentice bulky body stood straight against Flynn. A fragile breath of air escaped his lips and revealed two sharp cuspids teeth. "Don't you think we should talk about our lifestyle before the creation of the two wings?"
Flynn removed his hood and ran his long fingers through his course platinum blonde hair. "Kish, you know it's not banned to discuss our past. But…to talk about the pre-first war is still difficult. Many, many of us died. Not many fled and survived. We –."
Kish cut him off, "We all coexist Flynn! I know that I was a child, and you still see me as a child, but all the clans coexist! Of course, there were fights and discrepancies. Regardless, we all coexist."
"Kish!"
"Flynn."
Silence continued for minutes, until Flynn spoke harsher, "Kish. We are done. Walk away."
Kish's body deflated, and he put both of hands in his pockets.
I started moving backwards, assuming they were done talking. My foot hit one of the cargo boxes, and I quickly leaned against the railings and put my legs against my chest. Oh, goodness.
"Walk away."
I heard Kish walk four steps away from their original spot, and he opened his mouth, "The public deserves to know who our enemy is this time. They deserve to know that our enemy are the same damn traitors from the first war. I thought you guys got them all.
Flynn put his hood back on and spoke, "I thought so too. It must be someone related to that family."
Kish walked toward the staircase for the mess hall and shouted, "we have to be better, do better than before." Before he closed the door, Kish added a quick note, "I will be training if you need me again." I heard a quick creak and slam of the door.
I peeked my head through the bow and Flynn stood there silently. He threw both of his hands on the back of his neck and stretched backwards. A low, quick growl escaped his mouth, as he propped straight. "Damn it." He rushed to the third level of the top deck, sprouting the two same words.