001. "What is your name?"
I don’t know how long it had been since I arrived on the ship.
The sound of ships body rocking back and fourth. The sea crashing along the sides.
I remained on the floor of the cargo hold, only turning over occasionally.
Anyone walking past chose to ignore me entirely. No offers of kindness or even curiosity.
My body was numb, the pain beginning to set in from remaining there for so long.
“Oh dear… what’s this?” A voice came from a stranger, speaking the language of humans.
My eyes shot open. Looking up, I saw another dark elf. His skin the color of ash, dark red eyes.
He was of similar age to me, a young adult we can say for our lifespans, but what would be considered middle-aged to humans with their lower lifespans.
I sat up slowly, moving back the hood from my cloak. My messy length of hair tucked away.
“W-who are you?” I asked, I could feel how dry my mouth was from speaking.
“Ah, forgive me dear. While we might be of the same skin, I don’t know a lick of elvish.” He said, standing there looking down at me.
I cleared my throat.
“...Who are you?” I asked, this time in the same language as him.
“My name is Cyril.” He replied, sitting down one on knee. “You look like you have it rough.”
He withdrew a leather wrapped flask from his belt passing it to me, my eyes glanced at the knife resting in it’s scabbard next to where he kept the flask.
Grabbing the flask, I gently opened it and sniffed its contents.
“What’s in here?” I asked.
“Uh… water?” He raised an eyebrow. “I figured you were parched.”
I nodded, taking a sip from the leather wrapped flask.
And then another...
“...”
By the time I was done, I had my head tilted back and the container was empty.
It was the best thing I had in days. Sadly.
“Looks like I was correct to assume.” He said, taking back the flask.
“Forgive me, I—”
Before I could say anything, he raised his hand.
“Whatever it is, don’t worry about it.”
He got up and offered his hand to me.
I looked up at him, he gave a gentle smile.
“I ask again, who are you?” I said.
“As I said, my name is Cyril.” He replied.
I looked down at the ground, avoiding to look at him.
“Cyril, why are you being so kind to me?” I mumbled.
“We have to look after each other in this cruel world dear.”
He kept his hand extended out to me.
“Where are you taking me?” I asked.
“To my cabin, I figured you could use some food and a proper bed.”
“Your… cabin?” I said, looking up at him.
“Not mine personally, but it’s under my reservation throughout this ships voyage.”
This man was being kind the moment he met me, what did I do to earn such generosity?
“Cyril, I’ve done bad things. You shouldn’t associate with me.” I wrapped my arms around myself. “A kind soul like yours shouldn’t be near me.”
He smirked.
“Dear, I am a man of business. I’ve done plenty bad things myself, the important part is you don’t get caught.”
I took a glance at both of his wrists, no marks brandishing him as a criminal or exiled. Unlike mine which will forever keep me from returning home.
Extending my hand slowly, I took his and he gently pulled me up.
My legs shook as I nearly fell, Cyril catching me.
“Poor dear.” He said, one hand along my side and another on my back to help support me up. “Were you laying there the entire time?”
“Yes…” I replied. “How long have we been at sea?”
“Three days.”
“…”
I kept quiet. Not sure how to respond.
“Let’s get you a meal, dear.”
He kept his hands alongside me as I slowly moved ahead.
“Thank you, Cyril.”
“The pleasure is mine.” He turned his head to me. “If I may ask dear…”
“Yes?”
“What is your name?”
“…Vivian.”
He gave me that gentle smile again.
“What a lovely name, Vivian.”
— Written by Froey. —