"Avast! Secure the lines, and maintain speed."
Felix's voice bombarded the whole ship, his steps matched the drive of his tone. His observant skills have been taking notes of the wind, navigating the vessel properly to where they ought to be.
They had just embarked, leaving the port of Azura and continuing their way out. At the top of the quarterdeck, less than five people were reviewing the different information they had acquired. Arranging their parts and contributions in the tasks, they all managed the frame of the scheme.
In a few hours, they had to take all these actions. Precision was required. Therefore, it was necessary that everything was neatly laid flat for everyone who was to join the quest.
The trip to Azura was nothing of the sort but just a complete survey. What was spoken by the kid that Axel met on Grimesheed was a compass of which he has been looking for, was on the cay of which points azure. Based on Felix's extensive knowledge of maps, he wagered that the location the kid referred to was Azura: an island once ruled by a former pirate. Interestingly, this pirate also owned the cay, situated not far from the main island.
Azura's natural beauty comes with its beautiful size and shape. A crescent like shape, both tip pointed to south. The busy port that collected the mundane wealth of the island economy was not all but just a tiny appearance of its allure.
Behind those mountains, at the back of the island was where the mansion of the said mayor. Living lavishly with the beautiful serenic view of what most visitors missed to see. At where that grandiose house, overlooked the beauty of a lone cay not too far and not toon near the island.
According to what Argus has discovered, the mayor treasured the cay. It was rumored to hold infinite mana that supplies his men. Resulting in him forming a band of imitators of the marines, equipped with power and strength.
But there was one thing that was treasured within that land: the compass.
There was only one way to find out if that kid's mouth has honesty on them, or was he just another one who liked to watched Axel suffer.
"Tighten the jib!" Felix's voice continued to howled within the wind.
Few of the men were well rested in the bunkers, while those who were tasked to accompany the navigator were all on the deck. The cargos of both quartermaster and the doctor were safely stocked either in sickbay or in the or in the galley.
In the galley, the quartermaster was quietly preparing a decent meal for the patient inside the sickbay, while the doctor was inside. It's been an hour since she has been unconscious, showing no signs of waking up. Although Zeki had already made her an elixir to awaken her, there were only groans that she was able to emit as a reaction.
Upon hearing the story from Elijah, Zeki finally understood why Calev ended up almost losing control over his demon. After days of observing the two, his assumptions proved him to be on the right path of trying to uncover the real identity of this woman.
Despite the enigmatic dilemma of his power being unable to look deeper than what he was allowed to see, at least Zeki was able to conclude his hypothesis from the actions of the combatant.
He had his speculations, ever since he felt something from that demon that did not falter to give a reaction to her, or anything that was related to her. There was indeed some connection that only that demon knew.
This made Zeki wonder whether he should continue studying this new problem or should he tell Axel.
Elijah, who had just returned from the galley with a tray of food in his hands, couldn't stop himself from asking questions. He had so many things that he wanted some clarifications.
" I have been wondering, you don't seem surprised seeing the stowaway like this. Could it be that you knew?"
The doctor however did not look alarmed or interested, instead he continued brewing his herbs in the sickbay while Elijah sat across his table. This gave Elijah the answer.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Asked Elijah.
"Hmm." Zeki just hummed, which made the quartermaster frown.
He understood that what happened earlier was precipitously. The lack of explanation coming from them must have confused everyone, however Zeki wasn't reacting that much. Which happened to invoke Elijah presumptions that he indeed knew who he was carrying.
However, if he knew all along why didn't he say anything. It's much more understandable with Calev's case. She probably told him to keep her secret, thus the combatant remained silent. But Zeki, what could be his reason?
Is it because she was strange enough for him to study, or there was more?
" I feel magic. " Zeki announced.
Magic.
That was the only thing Zeki said before completely dismissing him. Although he wasn't so sure what to do with the information, Zeki's eyes were telling him something. As if those intense green eyes were threatening him not to say a word. The indication that there was something more in this was enough for him to seek his captain and tell him what he found out.
Axel needed to know, despite its Zeki that was making him have a second thought. Elijah needed to report this.
"She is not dangerous."
Zeki added when he realized that the quartermaster wasn't planning to leave without getting more information.
[ Not dangerous? Does it matter? ]
Elijah stared at the unconscious body in the bed, breathing softly around the aroma of Zeki elixir. Unlike earlier, where a severe surge of anxiety had taken over her, she looked at peace.
He took a closer look at the stowaway, examining her features once more. The news of her being a woman had long since sunk in, but seeing her up close like this made him realize how foolish he had been for not noticing earlier.
He thought about it, with a woman as fragile as she looked-what danger could she bring?
[ However, that's irrelevant. The main issue is that this woman in our ship bears magic. ]
That alone was a crucial point of knowing her real identity.
"Do ye reckon she is a witch?" Elijah asked, stared at the doctor intently.
" Still wary about her I see."
The doctor snickered, shaking his head in disapproval and disappointment.
Elijah immediately cleared the miscommunication not wanting his reputation to the doctor going further to the plummet.
" I mean, there is a possibility. Savvy? She is just…"
He trailed off, dragging his sentence as if a thrill and suspense makes it better for the doctor's understandment.
" Strange."
"Shiver me timbers."
Zeki sarcastically said. His eyes looking at him deadpanned, not even a single ounce of interest is seen in his orbs.
Elijah sighed.
[ Am I really the only one who feel this about her? ]
Zeki eventually stopped whatever he was doing, a concerned look was finally seen in his face as he stared at the eldest. Elijah had his head hanging low, looking at his boots and floor, his thought a mess like an unclean kitchen.
The doctor reached out to touch the man's hands making him turn his head towards the man.
" Eli, I don't mean to call you crazy or anything but sometimes it's just paranoia, savvy."
He carefully searched the man's eyes, wanting him to understand his every word.
" I know it's hard to trust people for you, and it's hard for you to accept them but why won't you give her a chance aye?" Zeki suggested.
"She's alright, and aye. I sense magic from her but it's nothing to be wary of."
Zeki offered him a reassuring smile.
" And it is no way harmful considering it wont compare to what is mine. "
Elijah nodded at Zeki, thankful that he came to him for consultation rather than anyone who would simply worsen his state. Although the thought still gives him pondering questions, and of course could never lead to an answer, he pushed it out of his mind forcefully.
" Your facade really won't do justice to who you truly are."
Zeki said with great concern and sadness, finding it unfortunate that one of the kindest people he knew had been corrupted and hurt so much that he couldn't let himself be kind again.
"Why won't you spend time knowing her anyways, give her a duty close to you aye."
[ Somewhere close to me? Well, I reckon it might be advisable to switch her duties now. ]
Elijah thought for a while, maybe he just really needed to learn things about her and learn to let her in. It could be hard for him and might be also hard for her as he knew better that she was scared of him.
He thought of other things to have her working. Cleaning the canons or lifting them or any other heavier duties won't suit her now. Especially tending the sails and organizing powders, how did she even manage to do those anyways.
Elijah was conflicted for a while, making Zeki smile at how different he is when he doesn't let his guard take too much.
[ Somewhere close to me? ]
"Galley?"
He said to the doctor; he laughed at him.
"That would be nice, but are you sure?" The question seemed to be a riddle to his ears but he nodded anyway.
"Where is she?"
The wooden door of the sickbay was suddenly busted open. Followed by a loud grunt and grapple right in front of now broken hinges. It revealed a grimacing combatant being held back by Felix. In the wrestle, Felix almost knocked him out by slamming his head to the wall. Calev
Calev struggled against the wall, fighting hard to let himself go from the tight grip of the navigator.
"Fuck, one time! Just one fucking time, quit escaping from the brig!"
Felix couldn't help but curse, frustrated about the role he has whenever this happens.
"Again?" Elijah sighed, not impressed about it.
Locking up Calev in the brig was not an occurrence that just happened for the first time. The brig has always been the second cabin for him whenever he loses control. That was the only confinement fit to hold him for the time being, however there has always been a problem: he always managed to escape.
"Aye, but it's different. He's on a rampage." Felix sibilantly said.
Zeki and Elijah frowned, observing the combatant against the hold of the strong navigator. He was indeed disheveled, anger and confusion was the mixture in his dark eyes. However he also looked distant about his surroundings, as if all he just wanted to look at was the woman on the bed. He was no longer resisting, instead he appeared to be limp and had given up.
His dark eyes softened on her figure, the emotions struggling to uphold. And whilst Felix was trying to clasp his wrist together, Calev didn't mind.
"I just wanted to see if she is fine." Was all that he said.
Was all that he wanted.
In that soft and defeated sound of his voice, as if tired and weary, Calev let Felix restrained him for the second time in exchange of seeing her.
By just witnessing all of that, Elijah began to wonder what could have been so magical about her that even made the combatant who was known to be kept and quiet, acted so out of character. The previous rumors about him and the stowaway was just an understatement. This was clearly different, it was different than just him being attracted or marking his next victim.
Calev was never capable of showing that kind of emotion.
"She is fine, and you ought to be tamed."
Zeki groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. Clearly frustrated about all of the happenings inside his sanctuary, he wanted everything to be dealt with as soon as possible.
"Take him to Axel."
He simply said, figuring that the right way for this problem was for Axel to handle it.
"Please…" Calev coaxed, he even looked behind him which Felix only frowned.
"You've seen her, now go."
Even though Felix knew what was the right thing to do, and that is to follow Zeku words he felt bad for a second. Wondering how Calev's eyes shifted to something so pitiful when he looked at him, as if asking him to help him.
However he couldn't let the risk fall out of his hands. There was no assurance that whom he was holding was indeed Calev and not the other one that they don't want to face.
"I'm sorry, mate."
Felix shrugged, slowly taking Calev to the quarterdeck.
The two were finally left alone in the sickbay once again, and although Elijah could feel that Zeki didn't want him loitering around his patient he remained on his seat. A remarkable hint that he wants more than what he was given, he has too many questions to ask.
[ Why did Calev change into something he would have never expected ever since she came? Why was that demon boldly seeking her out despite knowing that Axel can restrain him? And what does Zeki meant she possessed magic? ]
Elijah's head pondered on many things. He knew that Zeki knew something but why was he silent all this time?
Why won't he tell him, especially Axel?
"How about you, why are you still here? I heard they are discussing the mission."
Zeki sounded so resigned, sighing without even looking at the quartermaster.
"I am not needed there "
Immediately, Elijah disimmised Zeki's effort in subduing his desire to seek for the truth. He knew he was pushing his luck, aware that he was also pushing Zeki's patience.
Zeki heaved a deep sigh.
"What the hell do you want?"
"Answers."
Silence followed them both, Elijah's sapphire eyes bore into Zeki's green ones. He didn't intend to let go of this topic, proving that there was something that Zeki was indeed trying to keep, which was also a reason for him to want more.
Zeki seemed to give up. He defeatedly stood up and walked to one of his drawers. Zeki fished out something that looked like small cylindrical glass, that was not bigger than the size of a thumb, and with a small cork at the top. It contained something inside, a transparent liquid similar to water. Yet it moved gracefully, gliding and flowing inside. Whimsical almost, as it rode the movement of the doctor.
"I can't tell you more than what I did, I also bear many questions Eli." Said Zeki.
Zeki walked with the vial hanging in a thick line of fibers, dangling curiously. He handled Elijah the necklace,and he took it with questions. In his palms lies an unknown potion, he was not certain.
"So don't go telling Axel anything until I am certain with my observation. But if your worries won't leave you and me alone, then…" He added, pointing his index finger to the quartermaster.
He looked at the doctor curiously, a chuckle was heard from the man as he sat down to continue his work.
"Wear that, and come back to me when you notice something."
He dismissed the quartermaster, who was only adding all his questions and the sum is no answer.
Elijah heaved a sigh but nodded anyway, not forgetting to thank him for being a good listener and always the one to calm him wherever his thoughts are being too much to handle. The doctor had always been a great help for him, given the fact that he is a doctor in the first place.
Regardless of their age, the doctor will always act as if he is the oldest when it comes to taking care of them.
" And just a small piece of information Eli." Zeki called his attention. "Remember when we first met Calev?"
" Aye." He responded, looking at the doctor who turned serious. "He was untamable."
"Hmm." Zeki hummed in response, averting his gaze to nothing instead.
He did not say anything further, choosing to keep the observations he got from her and the possible connection between the demon in the ship. Elijah saw that the doctor did not want to say what was on his mind, and so he decided not to press any questions.
Elijah glanced to the sleeping stowaway once more, his thoughts rumbling than before.