005. "The next Morning."
“Vivian, are you awake?”
I heard a familiar voice at the other end of the door as Cyril came into the cabin.
“Good Morning, Vivian.” He said.
“Please tell me you have some water…” I was lying face first into my pillow, my words muffled.
“I do actually,” He said shaking a large glass bottle. “Just had to get our bottle filled.”
Cyril stepped over to the dresser where two empty glasses sat. Grabbing one, he filled it with water from the bottle he brought in.
“I also negotiated with one of the traders this morning. We should have enough food to last our trip.” He said, holding the glass out to me.
I sat up, grabbing the glass from him. My head was still throbbing as I began to take a few sips.
“What did you manage to get?” I asked.
“More bread, and some fruit. It's the best we can get compared to all the dried meat on board we can’t stomach." He placed the bottle down, looking back at me. "I don't know what your preference on fish is, but I could never eat anything with a face.”
"I can eat fish." I said, taking another sip of water. "Don't the people in the Empire eat just about anything?"
"Cows, pigs, goats, lamb... I've also met some that ate horses and snakes." Cyril shuddered. "Don't know how their stomachs can handle such."
I had a small chuckle, looking at myself in the mirror across the room.
I was in nothing but my underclothes. Just a white undershirt and my tight shorts that wrapped around my thighs. My long black hair was tangled and in a complete mess.
The worst part however was the stench coming from me, contributing to the smell across the entire ship.
“Cyril, is there a bath on board?” I asked.
He shook his head.
“Sorry dear, you just have to hope for another storm. Or accept a cold bath in sea water. Nothing fancy like you castle types have.”
“How long are we sailing then?” I asked.
“Last I heard, five weeks if the wind is good.” Cyril said, looking out the window.
“F-five weeks!?”
“Minimum.” He said.
I was close to dropping my glass, catching it before it could get anywhere near the floor.
“...I might need another bottle of wine.”
He shook his head.
“Oh not until tonight dear, we have plenty to do today still.”
I sighed.
“Like what?”
“Check on my wares, see if any traders here want to buy my stock. Maybe another change of clothes for you as well?”
I nodded.
“That… would be nice. You didn’t tell me what business you were in Cyril.”
He shrugged.
“Various wares. Right now I mostly have several crates of Forest Elf Wine stored away. Most of my stock will go to taverns and inns, but I’ve sold some bottles to traveling merchants.”
“Do you go back and fourth on these trips often?” I asked.
“Only 3-4 times a year at most when handling certain cargo. I have a girlfriend back on the island waiting for me, and my entire clan.”
I nearly choked on my water when he uttered those last words.
“I’m sorry? Say that again?”
“My girlfriend?” He said, tilting his head sideways.
“N-no... You said… Clan? I thought you said you did business?”
“I do, but we need money to keep our operation running.”
He sat at the end of my bed.
“I don’t know what your plan is when you land on the shore Vivian, but the lands of the Empire compared to your Kingdom will be full of nothing but hostility, treachery, or… worse.”
“Worse?”
“I’ve witnessed first hand what dark elves like ourselves go through there, I offer a safe place for them away from those that exploit us.”
“Exploit us how?” I ask.
“Unlike you, a majority of dark elves don’t have the luxury to learn dark magic.” Cyril said. “Most end up being servants, assistants…”
“What about artists? Authors? Musicians? There are plenty dark elves that thrive in the Kingdom from their talents.”
Cyril laughed.
“You think all dark elves in the Kingdom are painters? Write songs? Direct plays? Where do you think those who don’t have that creative talent end up?”
“…”
I was silent.
“They end up doing the shitty jobs no one else wants to do.” Cyril said, getting up from the bed.
“I’ve seen elves like ourselves worked to the bone, paid in nothing but scraps, and the minute they are deemed incapable of doing work, they are tossed away with no care. Another in their place ready to be put through the same.”
He was visibly angry, frustrated. his hands formed into tight fists. He turned to me as he could see I was visibly uncomfortable.
He sighed.
“Forgive me… I’ve just seen it too often. I don’t want you to go through the same.”
I nodded slightly, looking away from him.
“It’s fine, Cyril.”
I handed him my glass, without asking he filled it up with more water and passed it to me as I took another sip.
“What are you suggesting I do then when we land?” I asked.
Cyril smiled.
“I want you to join me and my clan Vivian.” He stood close next to me. “With your gift in dark magic, we can do great things together.”
I kept my eyes away from him, looking at my glass.
To be given such an offer after only knowing him for one night...
“Cyril... I’m not sure I could say yes or no to something like that. We just met.” I said.
“Think on it.” He said, turning away and pouring himself another glass of water. “Again, we have much to do today. I can show you how I do business. You can also ask me any questions on your mind.”
He extended his hand to me.
“What do you say?”
I looked at his hand, and back up to him. He had a small smile.
I couldn’t help doing the same as I took his hand.
“I can do that.”
I got up from bed as he helped me up, my body was still a little weak from being in the hull of ship for several days.
“I have to ask though Cyril...”
“Hm?” He said, letting go of my hand.
“What does your clan… do?” I asked.
Cyril was quiet as he grabbed my various articles of clothing I tossed on the floor the previous night.
“We live within our own set of rules.” He folded up my clothes nicely and passed them to me. “We don’t follow the Empire, the Kingdom, or anyone for that manner.”
“Who do they follow?”
“Me.” He said, with a small grin.
— Written by Froey. —