“ An Uncertain Monster

  Observers have noted troop movement across the Absenstadt-Traxian frontier. With the lifting of the siege of Abenstadt and the cutting of Traxian supply lines, the main legions responsible for the assault pulled back to Fortress Aeter. Reports have also emerged that envoys have been dispatched from the Imperial capital to both leaders of the Allied Forces in Abenstadt, and the Carradorian-Meltonian Coalition. Sources within the camp have indicated that this is an attempt at a temporary truce, one that would see the cessation of hostilities and allow both sides to regroup. While Captain-General Varchek of the F.A.R (Free Abenstadt Resistance) has voiced his skepticism at this offer, many have also noted the shifting of legions to Traxia’s eastern frontier as a potential indication of their sincerity.”

  - Front Page, Arterian Affairs, “Focus on Traxia Edition”

  It was a desperate grab, one filled by hunger, desire and fear. They kissed as they naturally did, but the sweet taste of her lip, or the rising beating of her heart only inflamed Sophie’s own passions even more. Ary grabbed onto her back with similar desperation, the two pressing themselves together to be together for just one moment longer.

  Only when the cold chill of the harbor danced between them did they separate at last. A look of longing shared between them, their hands now interlinked. Their fingers grasping for one last hint of affection. Both returned in kind by the smiles on their faces. Both could feel the bond they shared, the gentle warmth that enveloped just the two of them despite the breeze. If there was one certainty that Sophie could leave with, it was that she loved Ary. Why do I have to go when she has to deal with her clan again? I trust the others… but…

  “I know.” Ary beamed, reading her mind.

  The two shared a soft chuckle, a somber mirth passing between them. Pulling the girl into one last hug, they held their embrace. Joy, happiness, and delight bubbled within them. Only when Sophie remembered that she had forgotten to breathe did they pull apart once again.

  A small scoff escaped from beside them, Sophia rolling her eyes in mock disdain. Hanabi didn’t seem fussed with anything that was happening, giving the two some space while she chatted with Mila. Sigrid engaged in a pantomime of sorts, moving around this way and that as the increasingly fatigued Yana flew slower and slower in an attempt to keep up.

  Sophie smiled. All of this felt entirely too pleasant, almost surreal. Perhaps the only thing that tarnished the moment was a quick glimpse of the approaching adventurer. Arnold had enough tact to not interrupt, but his gestures made it clear. They were ready for boarding.

  Fuck, she muttered to herself.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll keep her safe.” Sophia invaded her thoughts.

  .”I know.” Sophie replied.

  The two looked at each other, the torch of responsibility passing from one to the other.

  Ary seemed to catch on, the girl giving Sophie’s nose a quick flick to regain her attention.

  “Eh-mmpf.” Sophie mumbled before Ary pecked her on the lips.

  “Go. Be careful.” Ary whispered.

  “I will. I promise.” Sophie answered.

  “I’ll know.” Ary wagged her finger, letting out a giggle.

  “Ary…” Sophie let out a pained sigh.

  “Smile. If only because I like seeing you smile.” The girl pouted.

  Weakened by the sudden attack, Sophie couldn’t help but genuinely smile. Her affection for the redhead blossomed even more.

  “You stay safe too. I mean it.” Sophie spoke.

  “I’ll be fine.” Ary boasted, “If anything, the others will keep me safe. Trust in them too.”

  “Mmhmm.”

  “Now go, I don’t know if she’ll remember me, but say hi to Annalise for me.”

  “Heh, will do.”

  “...”

  The two remained there, staring at each other. Unable to pull away or move, neither wanted to be the first to leave. Yet, maybe it was the sense of duty she felt or something else. But eventually Sophie blinked first, clicking her tongue in disappointment as she shuffled that much farther away.

  Seizing her chance, Ary too, stepped back. The girl moved towards those who would remain with a soft sigh.

  “Go, Sophie. The spirits guide your hand. Now go, or I don't know if I'll let you leave.” Ary complained.

  “Would that be so bad?”

  “Go!” The girl growled jokingly.

  “I’ll see you when I come back, first thing!” Sophie announced, her feet finally taking her away.

  “I’ll be here! Waiting!” Came the reply, Ary beaming as she bounded away.

  But that was her worry, more than anything. She knew that she could recover from grievous wounds. That she could always find the strength to walk once more. Yet, Ary was not a saintess or some void touched freak like her. She was just a human, and one evidently growing weaker still. It frightened Sophie. The idea that Ary wouldn’t be here.

  “Quit that.” The voice infiltrated her mind once more, “Leave the worrying to me now. You’ve got other things to think about.”

  Sophie’s gaze wandered back over to find Sophia scowling.

  “Thanks.” She replied.

  Sophia crossed her arms in acknowledgement. Her counterpart gave her a stern nod. It’s time to go, huh.

  A bell rang from the ship docked nearby, the last call for passengers. With a nudge from Mila, Sophie finally found the strength to move. She waved farewell to the ones remaining ashore and turned to find the Inquisitor growing paler with every step forward. Right, she gets seasick, heh.

  “Good luck! Try not to get into too much trouble!” Hanabi shouted to the group.

  Mila coolly saluted, Sophie chuckling before following the inquisitor.

  Together, they boarded the Fortunate and watched the remaining few sailors help the ship depart.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Onwards, to Gratia.

  Sophie leaned against the taffrail, the salty sea breeze mixed with the chill of winter creating an unpleasant yet relaxing sensation in the air. At the very least, she could feel less dried than she was on land. An expanse of dull, frosty blue covered the landscape, a few other wooden or metallic figurines poking out from in-between the waves to indicate signs of life. Within half an hour they had already sailed into the long distance trade lanes, the continent now acting more as an awe inspiring backdrop for those on the portside of the shit. Where Sophie was, only the distant dot that was the island of Verona was visible.

  Her stomach squeezed just a little tighter when she caught sight of a wave. She gripped the side of the ship a little tighter to brace herself. Only to feel her morning meal rumble uncomfortably inside her when the ship got rocked with the wave. Boot steps from behind her drew her attention away from the water, a welcome distraction from the endless expanse.

  “Can’t believe it’s really happening.” Arnold chuckled to himself.

  “Mm.” Sophie grunted, her desire for company having now edged back towards a need to be alone.

  “Still, to think you lot would wrangle a Traxian princess for this, hah!”

  “Wasn’t the plan.”

  “Could’a guessed as much. A fun surprise nonetheless, ‘least she’s a former princess. Doubt Anna would like competition very much.”

  Sophie finally looked over, the adventurer’s more rugged look contrasted greatly with his more polished looking armor. It was a simple half plate half leather piece, though the scars adorning it quickly reminded Sophie that despite being a coward, he was likely a capable warrior who shouldn’t be underestimated.

  “What do you mean?” She asked absently, trying to distract herself more than anything.

  “Well, let’s just say… that Anna now, is a little less fond of royalty. Not that she ever cared much about the topic, but now? Just know it’s a touchy subject.” Arnold answered, his tone making Sophie suspect there’s more that he wasn’t telling her.

  She debated different ways of trying to pry more information out of him, to press the issue. But after a few moments, she reached the conclusion that she should wait. Although she wanted to know more, she didn’t know why exactly he was hiding information. Whatever the case, they were also to be at sea for about a week. A not insignificant amount of time to be trapped together that would only be made worse if she somehow antagonized him. No, we wait for landfall.

  “So… what changed?” She pushed another line of thought.

  “Hmm.” The man leaned on the rails beside her, a pensive expression worn on his face, “A lot, Sophie. A lot. You’ll see.”

  This made her pause. Based on his reaction, this wasn’t a lie. He was less thoughtful, almost disappointed, honestly so. Dissatisfaction? Concern? Isn’t he working for Anna? She frowned at the answer.

  “That’s it? Not going to say anything more?”

  “Hmm? Hah. No, no hints this time. You’ll just have to trust us that everything will be fine.” He chuckled.

  Sophie grunted, guess I'm not getting more out of him either way.

  “You look so serious, dour.” Arnold commented.

  Sophie turned to find the adventurer examining her. There was something in his expression that she couldn’t decipher. A look that spoke or asked something of her. Unfortunately, she had no idea what. His comment however, was something she could answer. With the waves slamming against the ship and the sun shining down to provide a facsimile of warmth, she felt just a little bit cheeky.

  “Same with me. A lot’s changed. You know that much.” She smirked.

  “Pfft. Now that’s an understatement. Reckon most of the guilders in Arteria have some idea of ye at least. Not too many of us would just suddenly antagonize the city we live and work in, no?”

  “That’s… fair.” She chuckled a little.

  “Look, whatever drives you, not my place to question. Not my place to discover. Still, remember what I told you before this?”

  “Something about being careful of the city council and whoever might’ve originally plotted against the Traxian?”

  “Good memory. Yeah, you lot are a strange grouping to be sure. Just know that each one of you attracts enough attention as is. Adding all of you together… well… especially now that the princess has joined you, troubles are going to come calling sooner rather than later.”

  “Great.” She scoffed.

  “Hey, better to know than not.”

  “I suppose. But what’s your part in all this?” Sophie gestured vaguely at the ship.

  “What do you mean? We chartered it.”

  “Not the ship. I meant the eagerness to help us and see us. Why Anna is so eager to see us that you’re able to work as you see fit just to get us to come with you.”

  “Ahh.” He hummed thoughtfully.

  “I mean, I get that it’s nice to see friends but this? You? The others? This chartered ship. It’s a bit much. She could’ve sent letters, we would’ve sent some back. Maybe we’d visit during this break anyways. But on our own accord.”

  Arnold shrugged, “Maybe. But who am I to question a liege?”

  Sophie scowled, then sighed, then just nodded. The furrowed brows unknotting themselves to a more relaxed state. She realized she wouldn’t be able to pry much from him and accepted her fate.

  “No need to look disappointed. You have plenty of time to speculate amongst yourselves. Once we land… well, let’s wait and see what happens then. Especially given your Inquisitorial friend.”

  She returned to her solemn task of leaning against the taffrail. Her interest returned to the endless expanse of blue. Arnold, also noticing that he had lost her attention, readopted his more cheery demeanor and mockingly saluted before leaving, Sophie responding with a grunt of her own.

  With her temporary companion departing, she resumed her silent vigil over the ocean. Ignoring the random calls or cries of sailors and crew as they relayed commands and traded stories. Or the choked cries of a poor Inquisitor throwing up on the other side of the deck. A silent melancholy fell over her.

  She saw her life reflected in the waters. Slamming up against the ship when nearby, like the chaos and uncertainty that swirled in a vortex around her. Yet, in the distance, although she could fathom the quiet tranquilness of peace in the future. She wondered if her life would end up like the surface or the depths. She knew she was different, touched by the void. That she would live far longer than someone like Ary. The realization hurt, and she despaired. Will my future be one of good memories and life? Or will it be like the sea right now? Empty, quiet, and endless.

  Her eyes wandered down to her hands. Seeing them, she shuddered. For most people that might’ve done what she had done. To have been a lowly servant then a ragged adventurer. She would expect some sign of the time and sacrifices she had made. But beyond her own conscience, she couldn’t see anything. No lasting marks, no scars, not even callouses from her constant training.

  It was a frightening thought. One that sent what little pleasantness she had remaining plummeting into the depths. Scrounging her thoughts, she only trapped herself deeper in a swirling pool of doubt and negativity. The uncertainty for a future that she wasn’t sure any of her friends would even see. Or one that she would even like.

  A ripple in the distance caught her eye. Bringing her attention to bear just in time to catch sight of a large whale-like creature briefly surfacing before diving back under. She silently took in the display, finding a small amount of awe to break herself from her dour mind. The understanding that just below the calm looking surface was a world that could house even creatures of that size without issue.

  Even in the nothingness, what meaning we find by ourselves becomes something. Something that we can shape. She mused.

  “Blasted ‘ere, through the seas o’ high,

  Livin yer lives jus ‘for ye to die…”

  The sounds of rowdy singing interrupted her inner mind, forcibly dragging her back to reality. She turned to find Elaria having already settled easily into her role. The bard had taken it upon herself to start an impromptu chant that would bolster the spirits of those around her.

  Despite her dark thoughts, Sophie smiled. Elaria looked like she was enjoying herself. Clearly, so were the sailors nearby as more and more joined the rowdy sing-a-long. Raylani was still beside her, though unlike usual, the dark elf stood stoically aside. She did not seem inclined to participate, her face scrunched up with irritation.

  For a few moments Sophie wondered what was wrong. Only when she caught the dark elf examining the floor beneath herself did she slowly piece the puzzle together. Even though she had accompanied Elaria to Arteria by boats for some parts of their own journey. The dark elf was still very much uncomfortable being at sea. Hah, she’s adapted so well to being around Elaria and the human world that I almost forgot she comes from the Deep. Probably deeper than the dwarves from what I remember. Stars, I wonder what it’s like down there?

  “And the sirens call, with a billowing gale,

  Dragging us all down beyond the pale.”

  Elaria’s less accented voice now rose above the chant of the sailors. The girl sliding naturally into the crew hierarchy as an entertainer they could count upon. All’s well that ends well, I suppose. Letting out a small chuckle to herself, she cast her eyes back out to the sea, though her mind now began wandering back to the mainland, wondering how her other compatriots were doing. I just hope all goes well by the end of this. May we be blessed by the stars.