Story: The White Ship (all chapters) — Deviant Hearts Archive

The white ship sailed, its hull an incredible shining light against the horizon. It was ornately decorated, yet looked natural, like a white shell or rock formation cutting through the ocean. Its sails flapped in the wind, carrying the ship forward towards its next destination, wherever that might be.

On the deck, women mulled about, carrying out their duties to keep the ship on its way. They were all dressed in white, and many carried swords at their sides. Yet each one also had love in their eyes, kindness on their faces, welcoming smiles. They all made their way toward the edge of the deck, looking overboard at some distant crop of land on the horizon.

There was a voice at the corner of this vision, but the girl named Arietta curled deeper into herself and continued to dream of the white ship. A sanctuary, a place for her to escape where she could not only be safe, but where she could take control and fight back at those who had wronged her. Those who sought to take everything from her. Those who believed love was a crime.

Still, the voice was insistent, determined to rip her from her dream, “Arietta,” came the whisper, “Wake up, Ari. We can’t stay here much longer.”

She opened her eyes only because she knew that it was her love calling her, the sweet, sad voice of Selesti coming to her ears, and that Selesti needed her to respond at once.

“Selesti, I know. I know we have to part,” Arietta said sleepily, as she became aware of Selesti’s arms warmly wrapped around her. She cuddled deeper into those arms she loved and tried to ignore the painful reality that was racing towards her.

“Arietta, stop it,” Selesti said, and swiftly withdrew her embrace, leaving Arietta feeling naked and exposed. “We need to go, now. The guards are on patrol already. It’s only a matter of time before we are found. Do you want to be accused of indecency and executed?”

“I want to stop running,” Arietta said, “I’m tired of hiding in barns and sneaking in windows like I’m a thief, of having to part from you for months at a time. I’m sick of the fact that we never have time to talk, that all we have time for is quick intimacy before we part. I feel like we’re losing everything that we had. Everything that bound us together.”

“I can’t help it that the Decency Guard are cracking down on us,” Selesti said, “The Moral Reforms of the Council are what have destroyed us. Don’t blame me for it.”

“I’m sorry, Selesti,” Arietta said, “I’m not mad at you. I’m just frustrated. I keep dreaming about the white ship. I wish we could find it. I wish we could get away from here...”

“The white ship is just a myth,” Selesti said, “It’s a rumor you heard, embellished by your desire for a sanctuary. You need to forget about it. Dreams will only endanger you.”

“I don’t believe that,” Arietta said, “If it’s just a rumor, then why did the Council make it a Forbidden Topic?”

“Even a rumor can be dangerous to politicians,” Selesti said. She was dressing and tying back her long, black hair even as they were talking, “This is still a democracy, and politicians still need people to vote for them. It’s embarrassing to their Moral Reforms if a group of lesbians manages to exist outside their jurisdiction, and not get forced into line. They want us to disappear, to no longer exist, to further their theory that homosexuality is just a social construct. They don’t want people to think that we’re just being forced into exile because of their laws. They want the people to believe that we never really existed.”

Arietta sighed, “But everybody knows the truth. If we get caught, we’ll be executed behind closed doors. So why do good people continue to vote for the Moral Reforms?”

“The Council’s financial policies have been hugely successful, in part because they have the backing of other conservative nations. As long as the majority of people are prospering, they’ll ignore what they consider to be things that don’t concern them in order to continue living a comfortable life.” Selesti finished dressing, “Arietta, you must put it out of your mind. The wind will change someday, but we need to be patient and sit out this current upsurge of extreme fundamentalism.”

“How long must we wait? Until all our brothers and sisters have been put to death?” Ari was still naked, but there was a fire in her blue eyes, “I won’t just stand by and watch this happen. I’ll find the white ship myself if I have to, and join their crew to overthrow this government!”

“You don’t even know if that’s what they want,” Selesti said, shaking her head, “Ari, I must go. Linger here if you must, but I’ll be missed if I hang around much longer. I love you, Arietta. I just want to get through these dark days. Goodbye.” She hung her head low as she stepped out into the night air.

Arietta sat there still nestled in the hay, the fire in her eyes fading away now that Selesti was gone. She wrapped her arms around herself as she felt suddenly cold, naked and alone. She felt a chill in her spine, and a sudden sense of danger in the air. She realized she could hear footsteps approaching. She wanted to move, but terror had her in its grip and her legs would not move for her.

The barn doors crashed open and the moon’s cold light illuminated her naked form. There were at least ten men of the Decency Guard standing at the door, and Selesti stood with them, tears in her eyes.

“Is this the one?” one of the guards asked, and Selesti nodded, “Yes,” she managed, but her voice sounded cracked and broken.

“Selesti! How could you?” Arietta cried as the Decency Guard dragged her to her feet and threw a black sheet around her.

“I had no choice, Ari,” Selesti said, “I was found with another woman a couple of months ago. They said they’d spare me if I led them to anybody else I slept with... I’m so sorry, Ari. I’ve betrayed you not once, but twice.”

Arietta felt the betrayal tear at her heart, “I thought you were the one!” she cried, “I would have done anything for you...” Tears sprang to her eyes and she let herself collapse into a fit of sobs as she was roughly handled by the guards. She felt numb inside, as though her life had just ended even though she was still alive.

Soon, she thought, that physical life would end too. Lesbian love meant execution in Garania, with no exceptions. Would anybody miss her?

~

Arietta woke in a dark cell, after a fitful night peppered with hours of wakefulness and nightmares, staring at the dirty wall. The waking moments were the worst, as emptiness and despair seemed to eat at every part of her. Dreams were just dreams but reality was truth, and here she was, her entire life extinguished in the matter of a few moments. What she had said to Selesti was true; she would have given anything to protect her and the love they shared. Or Arietta had thought they had shared. She tried not to think about Selesti with another woman, touching her in the same way they had touched. In many ways, that betrayal hurt more. She could understand that Selesti had wanted to survive, it was in her nature to do what she must as she had always been afraid of death, always had nightmares of dying. But sleeping with another woman... the thought of it tore Arietta apart. Arietta had done everything to make sure they could be together as often as possible, even taking some insane risks out of desperation. Had Selesti really appreciated her sacrifice that little?

Her mind went around and around in circles until she was sure she had succumbed to madness. She struggled to focus on the moment, to find something to hold onto in the sea of misery she was in.

She tried to think of the white ship, but it seemed so far away now, as though Selesti’s words had taken it from her. She couldn’t dare to dream now that her fate was sealed. No white ship could save her now. She wished she hadn’t wasted her time in the city and had left to look for the ship. Perhaps she could have started an underground resistance movement. Yet she had always hung back to protect Selesti, knowing it was not just her own life she would be risking. Now she would just be another victim, another person who had just mysteriously disappeared from the daily lives of all who had touched her. Would her parents wonder where she was? Would her friends even care about her fate?

Arietta learned to count the drops of water that fell from the ceiling. The numbers were simple, and if she concentrated hard enough on counting the drops, she could push the despair from her mind for a few moments of peace where there were only numbers and drops of water. Then she would let her mind wander again, and Selesti would be back in her head, raging havoc with her thoughts and memories.

Arietta was in the middle of one of these counting sessions when she heard a hissing noise coming from the cell next to her. She stopped counting, and concentrated on listening. The hissing came again, and she realized it was a human voice coming from a small crack in the wall. She found the crack and put her ear to it, every limb aching at the movement after days of inactivity. She wondered how many days she had been lost in her madness and despair, how many hours the darkness had claimed from her last days. Perhaps this noise was madness, an illusion conjured up by a doomed mind.

“Is anybody in there?” A female whisper came through the crack. It was a soft voice, and Arietta felt comfort at the thought of another human being close by.

“Yes,” she responded, “I’m Arietta. Who are you?”

“I’m Elisha,” the woman said, “Tell me, have you heard any news from the city?”

“I haven’t heard from anybody since I’ve been here,” Arietta said, “They push meals though a hole in the door, but I haven’t much cared to eat. Why are you here?”

“I was captured during a raid. We were trying to free the people in this facility, but we were compromised by one of our own. I still can’t believe we were betrayed. I suppose the others haven’t been able to free me yet.”

“The others? What are you talking about? You mean there are people trying to help us?” Arietta pushed down the hope that rose in her gut.

“Yes,” Elisha said, “You haven’t heard of the White Ship? I’m a Sister of the White Knights. We journey around the world saving people who are being oppressed. That’s just part of our mission, though. We’re looking for the Sanctuary, a place of legend where all our brothers and sisters will be able to live together in peace.”

“I am crazy,” Arietta said, “I have lost my mind and you are in my head.”

“What are you talking about?” Elisha said, “Are you hurt?”

“You’re just a figment of my imagination!” Arietta cried, “The White Ship is just a dream, a fantasy. There are no dreams in real life, though. We’re all going to die soon.”

“You’ve gone crazy in here... What happened to you?” Elisha asked.

Arietta knew that Elisha was just something her mind had created, but still she wanted to talk, and so she talked, even though she knew she was probably raving to the wall. Did it matter if she died as a raving lunatic? There was no dignity in execution anyway. Better she have some comfort then to die in misery.

“My girlfriend betrayed me to the Decency Guard in exchange for her own life, because she was caught sleeping with another woman.” Arietta said, “I’ve been stuck in here thinking about that, waiting to die.”

“I’m sorry,” Elisha said, “I didn’t mean to pry, Arietta.”

“Do you think the White Knights will rescue you?” she asked Elisha.

“They’ll try,” Elisha said, “I hope they can rescue you too. You’re welcome to come with us if they do. You might not be suitable for the White Knights, but the ship has all kinds of jobs available. If traveling the world isn’t suitable for you, however, we can take you to a more friendly environment. It’s a big world out there, Arietta. The whole world isn’t all like this.”

“If other places are so safe, why are you looking for this Sanctuary?” Arietta asked.

“Our leader, the Lady Thea, wants to create a whole city where we can worry about our own issues, free from having to be a minority in another state. We won’t have to worry about having to push our own issues through. We’ll be able to live together and marry freely, and live in peace.”

“It sounds good,” Arietta said, “I think there are things I’d miss about ordinary life, though. I’m not sure I’d want to live away from everybody else... I’ve known some kind people in my life, and they weren’t all like us.”

“Well, it’s for you to decide,” Elisha said, “Besides, we’d have to get out of here first, and back to the ship. I’m not so sure we’ll be rescued. Trying to get in here the first time was what got me captured and others killed...”

Their conversation was interrupted as the door to Arietta’s cell let out a huge groan as it swung open. A huge guard, battle-worn and scarred roughly dragged Arietta to her feet.

“It is time,” the guard said, and Arietta only nodded. She knew there would be no trial, no chance to fight back. It was her execution it was time for, and yet she felt that she was not ready, not in the slightest. She wanted to reach the white ship, to take up a sword and fight for others, not die as a victim, here, forgotten, where nobody would remember she had ever lived or cared about the future of the human race.

Arietta’s hands were tied behind her back, and she was led out into the dungeon, where other inmates were also being taken. Elisha was in front of her, and Arietta saw her for the first time. She had long brown hair, with violet eyes. Her white uniform was battered and bloody. Arietta realized that Elisha had not been in her mind after all, unless this was all some kind of hallucination. She shook her head, but she did not wake, so she concluded it was real.

Others in the same clothing were also being led out. Some looked as though they had been beaten. There were also some civilians, including men. All were led forward, and Arietta followed, the guard right behind her.

She felt the cool air on her face as they were led outside, and savored its sweet scent, knowing that it would probably be the last time she smelled it. Home. Garania was her homeland, and even though it was now run by extremists, she still longed for the days when she had run though the streets, careless and free. Before the Moral Revolution, it had been a good place to live, a city full of kind people and open hearts. She resolved to herself to try and remember it that way, if there was any kind of afterlife.

They were in a yard, and the gallows were in front of them. Arietta felt a stab of fear in her stomach as she saw them. Hanging was an awful way to die. She tried to keep herself composed. A woman in front of her broke down and was hit by a guard, which only made her wailing worse. Arietta resolved to remain dignified until the end, to not weep or apologize for being herself, but it was hard. She tried to distance herself from it, to pretend it was all just another nightmare. It was easier that way.

As they were led up to the gallows, she saw one woman get kicked by the guards and led up first. She suppressed a gasp as she saw who it was - Selesti, although she was almost unrecognizable. She had been badly beaten. There were deep cuts and bruises on her face and arms, and her black hair was a mess. She struggled as the guards stood her on a box and wrapped a noose around her neck, spitting at the men who held her on the box. Then they let her go, and kicked the box out from under her, and she struggled, suspended in midair from the rope. Her hands went to her neck, struggling to undo the rope.

“Selesti!” Arietta screamed, losing her composure, “Selesti, no!” She dived forward, finding a strength in her that she had not known before. Even after all that Selesti had done to her, she knew that she still loved the woman with all her heart.

She kicked one of the guards and he bent over double, even as she fought with the bonds on her wrists. Guards broke free from the others to contain her, but others started to fight as well. Elisha was freed by another of the white-uniformed women, and she grabbed a sword from a downed guard. She rushed for the gallows, cutting Selesti free before turning to engage another guard. Others were freeing each other as an alarm sounded.

“Quickly, we have to get out of here!” Elisha yelled, “Grab weapons and let’s fight our way to the exit!” Arietta grabbed a sword from a dead soldier, and lost Selesti in the crowd. There was no time to talk now, she realized. If they got out of here alive, then they could work out their differences.

Guards started to spill out of every door. Arietta felt herself panic as she saw how many were rushing towards them. She lifted her sword and took a deep breath as she tossed her long, golden hair behind her shoulders. If they escaped, she could go to the white ship and join them to fight back. This was where it started. She wasn’t going to be a victim any more. She wasn’t going to hide in the shadows and let things happen to her, but control the future. To do that she needed to fight for herself, not rely on being rescued.

A guard rushed her, and she let instincts take over. She stabbed him in the stomach, and pulled her sword free to turn and engage another guard. She barely noticed the blood spilling on herself, her only goal was to survive and to get to the white ship. Even Selesti seemed to come second to that.

The guards overwhelmed the women and they pulled back. It shocked Arietta back to reality when she saw two dead White Knights sprawled over one another.

They retreated back against the wall of the yard. Elisha was fighting like a lion, blood covering her uniform, but she looked tired. Arietta fought to keep two guards off her, but she knew they were losing. She felt hope slipping away as her adrenaline rush faded, and her arms ached from the weight of the sword. Desperation kept her fighting, even as the white ship seemed further and further away. Had they come so far, fought so hard, simply to die anyway? She gripped her sword with renewed strength. If this was to be her last day, she would die with her hands untied and her sword in hand, fighting back against the regime that wanted to erase her.

As Arietta resigned to the fact they were lost, more alarms sounded and figures clad in white rushed from every entrance into the yard. Fresh and uninjured, they quickly overpowered the tired guards. Arietta let herself lean against the wall as the white knights finished off the last of the Garanian guards. Feeling exhausted and noticing the stinging of many light wounds, she slid down the wall and closed her eyes, her last thoughts filled with Selesti and Elisha.

~

She woke for a brief moment, and felt herself being carried. She looked up to see Selesti running with her in her arms, and guards following behind. They were heading to the beach, and Arietta could see a great white ship out at sea.

When she woke again, they were in a rowboat and being hoisted up to the ship, which was moving off as fast as it could. A cannonball sailed over Selesti’s head, and she shielded Arietta. Arietta curled up into her arms, feeling her heart pounding.

They reached the ship, and she was carried below deck, where a warm bed was waiting for her. She let herself rest then, but not before giving Selesti’s hand a gentle squeeze.

“Selesti, it’s real...” she started, but she fell asleep before she could speak another word.

~

“So, you would be Selesti,” Elisha said as Selesti emerged from the cabin, “Arietta told me a lot about you.”

“I suppose she did,” Selesti said, “It’s really none of your business, though.” She turned her gaze from Elisha’s hard stare.

“She was going crazy in there! How could you sell her out to save yourself?” Elisha asked.

“You don’t know anything about what happened to me!” Selesti said, “I suggest you stay out of it. Stay away from Arietta as well.” She stormed off.

Elisha shrugged and made her way to the captain’s quarters. She had already taken an intense dislike to Selesti, and a deep liking to Arietta. She wondered why somebody as caring as Arietta would be drawn to the cold, selfish Selesti.

“Captain,” she greeted her superior by her title as she bowed in her office.

“Please be seated and give your report,” the Lady Thea said. She was a middle-aged woman, with a face that showed a firm but fair nature. She was dressed in white plate armor, which had clearly seen many battles, and long, grey hair flowed down her back.

“Lady Thea, most of the White Knights were rescued, except Trisha and Sarina, who died in the fighting, and Ana, who sold us out. We were unable to bring their bodies back for burial. We also rescued ten civilians who were due to be executed. Five have already expressed interest in being relocated to San Ria, or any of the safe havens. Either way, they don’t want to stay on the ship.”

“And the other five?” Lady Thea asked, “Are any of them suitable for the White Knights?”

Three of them have expressed interest in working aboard the ship, but I don’t know if they are right to join the Knights. Then there are two others, Selesti and Arietta. They are a couple, and both fought extremely well. I would definitely recommend Arietta, as she has a good heart, but I don’t like Selesti, ma’am. Her loyalty is questionable, as she betrayed Arietta to the Decency Guard just to save herself.”

“But she is a good fighter,” Lady Thea said.

“Yes, I won’t deny that. She was instrumental in our survival in the yard. But the duty of the White Knights is to save people. If we recruit people with questionable intentions into our ranks, it could mean disaster. Corruption is what has destroyed the integrity of many governments. Do you really want to bring it to the Sanctuary?” Elisha said.

“We don’t even know where the Sanctuary is,” Lady Thea said, “Meanwhile, we lose more Knights then we obtain. At this rate, we’ll never find the Sanctuary. It was a mistake to raid the city. You convinced me that we would find a lot of good recruits because of the crackdown. But all we have are ten people, and only perhaps two of those fit to be Knights! Meanwhile, we lost two good Knights in there.”

“I had no idea that the Council was ordering the immediate execution of all suspects without trial,” Elisha said, “We should be working on overthrowing the Garanian Council, even if that means we have to wait to find the Sanctuary. These people need us!”

“We can’t wait, Elisha,” Lady Thea said, “You, of all people, know that the Moral Revolution is spreading. Soon, there will be no safe havens. We can’t afford to begin a war when we have no place to call home.”

“I just... I’m scared we’re losing our way, Thea. We’re going after the Sanctuary, but at what price? Are we going to stop fighting for others just to find our own peace?” Elisha bowed her head, “I’m sorry. I spoke out of place.”

“No, you didn’t, Elisha, and that’s why I respect you so much. You always remind me to think about the whole picture, instead of just focusing on the Sanctuary. I think for now we need to head to a quiet place and rest for a while. Set course for San Ria.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Elisha said.

~

When Arietta woke, she was alone. A part of her missed Selesti, even after all that Selesti had done to her. She hated that she was still in love with somebody who had been willing to throw her away to protect herself, but she knew she had to accept that that feeling wasn’t going to go away overnight.

She dressed in the fresh clothes that had been laid out for her; simple dark civilian wools. She was a little disappointed that the clothes were not white; she wanted so much to take the white uniform after dreaming of the ship for so long and meeting Elisha, but she knew there was probably much she had to do before she could become a White Knight. Then there was also the question of what Selesti would do. She thought about Selesti leaving to live in another kingdom, and felt a strange emotion that was sadness mingled with relief. She felt guilty for smiling as she went up on deck only to see Selesti looking overboard sadly.

“Selesti,” Arietta said, breaking into the dark-haired woman’s reverie, “We need to talk.”

“I don’t know what to say to you, Arietta,” Selesti said, “I was afraid, so afraid. I even considered giving you up altogether, but I couldn’t. Then I met Karin in the city, and she was kind to me, stronger than me, reassuring. I was weak, Arietta. I thought she could protect me. Then she was captured, and I felt weaker still. I couldn’t give up loving women, but neither could I continue seeing you without looking over my shoulder every time I did anything, knowing that the Decency Guard knew who I was because Karin had given my name to them. When they approached me and offered me a deal, I accepted it to try and lift that burden from my shoulders. I did what Karin did to me, and sold you out. Only they double-crossed me, and took me into custody as well. I know now that they must have killed Karin, too. I’m sorry, Arietta. I was selfish and tried to save myself. I’m not strong like Karin, or noble and selfless like you.”

“I know,” said Arietta, “and I don’t know how I feel about you right now. It’s hard to trust you at the moment. I need some time to process this. Will you be staying aboard the ship?”

“I don’t know,” Selesti said, “That Elisha woman was nosing into my affairs, and I doubt somebody who has done what I did will be welcomed with open arms into the White Knights. I don’t want to be a cook or cleaner aboard this ship, I’m a warrior.”

“A warrior with a fear of death,” Arietta reminded her.

“That’s why I never lose, Arietta,” Selesti said, “My will to live is my motivation to destroy my enemies.”

“You know,” Arietta said, “I always thought that you were the strong one. I’d never fought much until the other day, whereas you were a trained warrior, skilled in martial arts and armed combat. I’m having to redraw my perceptions of you.”

“I think it’s you that’s changed, Arietta,” Selesti said, “You used to be happy just being loved. Now you want to go out and fight. Will you join the White Knights?”

“Yes,” Arietta said, “If they’ll have me, I’ll join.”

“I thought so,” Selesti said, and walked away.

Arietta sighed and looked over the edge of the ship. The deep blue sea stretched around them as far as the eye could see. Out here, there was a whole new world, no Decency Guard, no hiding away her feelings, no sneaking around to meet up with Selesti. She was free at last, although it had cost her so much. She wasn’t sure if she would ever see Selesti, the woman she would have died for, in the same light again. She had been betrayed, twice. How could she love somebody who she couldn’t trust?

She let the relaxing ocean breeze wash over her and catch her hair, and closed her eyes, putting her burdens aside for a moment.

She had found the White Ship at last, yet it had been a bittersweet trade. She would throw it all away to have Selesti back, the Selesti she had loved and trusted for all these years. She was gone now, Arietta knew. There was no way they would be able to repair the damage that Selesti had caused. Perhaps Selesti was right, Arietta had changed, and she would have to change more. Without love, all that was left for her was revolution... and she silently vowed to the waves to free Garania someday.

Chapter 2

[Author's notes: When the crew come across a wrecked ship floating in the ocean, Arietta must face her first challenge aboard the White Ship.]

Ghosts and Memories

Arietta sighed as she looked out to sea. They had been sailing for days, and yet nothing had happened. It seemed anti-climactic to her after all that had happened. What had become of her visions of saving people from harm, of being a heroine? Perhaps, she realized, the reality would not live up to the dream. The White Ship had big ideas, but the reality was the survival of the stateless and unwanted. They had no place to call home. Life aboard ship was all there was, the endless boring days of rolling oceans. Was this how her life was going to be from now on? She had met virtually everybody on the ship, and was friendly with most of the higher officers. Despite that, she felt that she was alone, a newcomer in an already well-formed clique. While everybody was polite to her, few people had really taken the time to get to know her, and they stayed away from her when Selesti was around, as though she were some dark shadow hanging over Arietta. Arietta hated the way the world looked at Selesti. Certainly, she had done some awful things which even she was finding hard to forgive, but that was personal. Selesti had done nothing to the others, and yet they shunned her for having betrayed Arietta. It was hard to be strong, Arietta knew from her time in the prison. Was it such a crime to break under pressure? She heard footsteps approaching, and saw Pandora, a girl a few years younger then herself, another one of the White Knights. Pandora had been sent into exile by her people because of her natural ability to use magic - something considered unnatural and evil in the land she came from. Arietta had been awed by Pandora’s ability and could not fathom why the ability to heal in particular could be considered evil, but then in a world where love was a crime, that wasn’t so much of a surprise. People feared what they could not understand, and a rare power like magic was not easily grasped. “Arietta,” Pandora said, “Is everything all right?” “Yes,” Arietta sighed, “How long will it take for us to reach San Ria?” “A few more days,” Pandora said, “But that wasn’t what you really wanted to ask, was it?” “I want to know when I will become a White Knight,” Arietta sighed, “I told Lady Thea that I want to stay and train, but she’s not spoken to me at all since then. I’m starting to wonder if this ship is really for me. Perhaps I should leave in San Ria, find a new life.” “That would be a shame, Arietta,” Pandora said, twiddling a strand of her green hair around her finger, “I had hoped that you would stay. It may seem boring now, stuck out here on the high seas, but really, there’s much more to it. When you help somebody, it comes with a great feeling of satisfaction, of purpose. You may not see that now, but it will come. Becoming a White Knight takes work and dedication. As an apprentice, your work will be mundane for a while. You’ll have to take orders and you probably won’t see Lady Thea much. But that’s part of the initiation. We all have to work together, but you need to stand on your own two feet as well, take initiative on this ship and not just wait for your orders.” “I suppose that’s right,” Arietta said, “I have just been wasting my time wistfully looking out at sea when I could be learning how to better handle a sword.” “That’s the spirit,” Pandora said, smiling, “Why don’t you go and see Master Kane? He’s the weapons master here. He’s nice, just don’t ask him about his past life. He doesn’t take kindly to personal questions, but he’s the best fighter we have. Some say he’s even better than Lady Thea with a sword.” “Thanks, Pandora,” Arietta said, feeling better. She really did like Pandora. Even though the girl supposedly had a tragic past, she always wore a smile, and never complained. Arietta supposed that she was grateful for the life on the ship, and realized that even though life at sea could be mundane, for many of them that simplicity was a sanctuary in itself after all they had been through. She had heard many stories about the lives of the crew, and it had made her feel spoiled. Before the Moral Revolution had turned her country on its head, her life had been easy, her friends and parents accepting of her sexuality. It was only the last couple of years that she had even learned what prejudice could be like, whereas some of her shipmates had known it their whole lives. Arietta made her way to the weapons room, where she saw Master Kane dueling with Selesti. Selesti was fast, but Master Kane was strong. He had long black hair tied up on top of his head, and a large scar across his face which marred an an otherwise calm and handsome face. He was in his late thirties, and age had given him a patience with which to teach. It was that patience he used now, easily parrying Selesti’s desperate but amateur blows. “You need to fight less like an animal, Selesti,” Master Kane said, his voice calm and even, “You fight like you were raised by wolves.” “Maybe I was,” she said, a little venom in her voice. Kane dismissed it and continued to be patient in his instruction, “Well, you need to remember that while wildness can be an asset, it can also hold you back. You will fight trained people in your adventures, people who know how to counter your attacks. Strength and speed are important, but skill is vital as well. I think that’s enough for today.” Selesti led out a frustrated sigh, and threw her knives down. Arietta could see Selesti’s jumpsuit sticking to her, and the sweat on her brow. It accented her shapely, well-exercised body and Arietta felt a fog of desire filling her mind. She looked away as Selesti pushed past her and left. Master Kane picked up the knives and calmly placed them on the rack as Arietta approached him, “She’s a demon, that one,” he sighed to Arietta, “I’m not sure I’ll ever train that wildness in her. There’s a fire, a desperation from some inner turmoil that makes every blow of hers carry some insanity. If she could learn to control that, she would make an excellent warrior. You are her friend, yes? So perhaps you would know. Perhaps you are the calm that could ease the storm in that one, although it is none of my business. Forgive me.” Arietta nodded, “Master Kane, I have come to seek your instruction. I want to better learn how to wield a sword. When I was fighting in the escape... I realized I had never spent much time on training.” “Ah, so the one who stares out at the world has decided to try and shape that world,” Kane said cryptically, even as he was selecting a sword for Arietta, “Try this,” he said, throwing a lightweight sword to Arietta. She went for it but missed, and it rattled uselessly on the floor as she blushed bright red and looked away. “Don’t be embarrassed,” Kane said, “I know you have some skill. Elisha tells me you fought well in the prison. You just need to have some confidence in yourself. If you believe the sword will harm you, you will not be able to catch it. You have to believe that you can catch the sword without injury. Now pick it up.” Arietta went for the sword, but just as she grabbed it, she sensed Kane charging at her, weapon in hand. She held the sword up while she was still on her knees and parried his blow, although it knocked her back onto the floor, where she rolled over quickly and stood up. “Impressive for a beginner,” Kane said, “You have good senses. That’s a must for any warrior who wants to survive more than five minutes.” Arietta felt confidence growing inside her as she held the sword. Her senses were sharp, aware of everything going on around her. She had the power to change the world, starting here. If she could become a warrior, she could stand up for anybody who needed help. She could help the others find Sanctuary and build a new world. Perhaps then Selesti would finally be safe, and they could start again in a new world... She knew with time she would forgive Selesti, but she was afraid that Selesti did not possess the power to forgive herself. She was afraid for Selesti, who had made a dark cloud around herself to reject others ever since she had been aboard the ship. Arietta wondered what had caused such a drastic change in a woman she thought she knew inside and out. She had not always been hostile, that was her fear speaking... She did not see Kane’s next blow coming, and her sword was ripped from her hands by the force of the disarming strike. “You are distracted,” Kane said, “Something tears you from your peace. Is it the heart that troubles you, or is it yourself?” “Why would I be troubled by myself?” Arietta asked. “Many wonder why a gentle woman such as yourself would love such a dark shadow as Selesti. Do you not question why you love somebody who was willing to throw away your life?” Kane said. “She needs me,” Arietta said, “You don’t understand. She pretends to be strong, but Selesti is frightened of death on a level nobody can understand. She can’t control that fear. That’s why she sold me out, not because she doesn’t care. I want to fight for her, to protect her. Everybody has written Selesti off as a cause not worth fighting for, a person who cannot be redeemed but I continue to believe in her, even now. I won’t give up on her. I want to help her.” “You want to help everybody, Arietta,” Kane said, “Elisha told me that you have a noble and generous spirit, a desire to save anybody and everybody in need. Just remember that not everybody can be saved.” As they spoke, a White Knight rushed in, bowing to Master Kane, “I’m sorry to interrupt, Master Kane, but Lady Thea needs you on deck now. You too, Arietta. A strange ship has come in range. It appears to be drifting in open waters.” “Let’s go, Arietta,” Master Kane said, and they hurried through the ship, Arietta’s heart lurching with excitement. A drifting ship? What could have happened? As they arrived on deck, they saw it, a huge, hulking ship with holes in its hull, its sails torn. It looked abandoned. The most disturbing thing about it though was that it looked just like their ship. The white hull has been beaten and torn at, yet still the behemoth stayed afloat, like a carcass floating in the ocean. Arietta could see nobody on board. “It must be a ghost ship,” Pandora said, “It’s an ill omen amongst my people to see a ship drifting like this.” “Could it have been attacked?” Master Kane asked. People were hurrying to the side to take a look. Lady Thea arrived on deck, “Captain on the bridge!” somebody called, and everybody turned and saluted her, but she took no heed. Her eyes were fixed on the battered white skeleton of a ship, and all the color drained from her face. “No, it couldn’t be,” she said, and everybody looked at her with expectant eyes, their salutes falling away as they realized Thea had forgotten to tell them to be at ease in her haste. It unsettled Arietta, as Thea had always looked so calm and in control when she had seen her. “Captain?” Elisha said, breaking the silence, “What are your orders?” Elisha’s inquiry seemed to break Thea’s reverie, and she pulled herself together, “Bring us in close!” she called to the navigator, “We’re going to board it!” She turned to Elisha, “I want you, Pandora and the new girls in my boarding team. Let’s go and see what’s going on. Kane, you have command.” “Yes, ma’am!” Elisha said, and she ushered Arietta and Selesti over, handing them swords.” “I like to fight with knives,” Selesti protested. “There’s no time, Selesti,” Elisha said, “Please follow your orders and come with us.” “What’s the urgency?” Selesti said to Arietta, “It looks like its been abandoned for a long time. It’s probably deserted.” “They look worried,” Arietta said, “I think they know more about this then they’re letting on.” ~ They came in close and boarded the ship, Lady Thea going first, followed by Elisha and Pandora, then Arietta and Selesti. “Be careful,” Thea said, “The wood looks like it may be rotten. You don’t want to fall through.” “It almost looks like this ship has been submerged,” Pandora observed. “That’s impossible,” said Elisha, “Why would it have been re-floated? It’s completely deserted.” “Some salvagers might have towed this ship and been forced to abandon it,” Arietta suggested. “I doubt it,” Thea said, “They’d just take the loot on a ship this damaged. The ship is pretty much beyond repair. It’s not worth the effort.” “Damn!” Selesti cursed, as her foot went through the wood. She pulled it back out, and spat at the hole in frustration. “Are you hurt?” Arietta asked, leaning down to touch her ankle, but Selesti snatched herself away from Arietta’s touch brusquely and strode away to follow the others. They broke down the door leading into the ship and started to head below decks. As they walked through the ship, though, Pandora’s suggestion seemed to make more sense. Seaweed adorned the walls, and the floor was full of holes. The stench of rot filled their noses, and daylight broke in at many points, although Thea held a lantern aloft for extra illumination. “Is this... her ship?” Elisha asked Thea, as they descended deeper into the gloom. Thea lit a torch on the wall with her lamp to make a landmark as she contemplated Elisha’s question. “I’m not sure what to think,” Thea said, “If this is Maia’s ship, then it means... it means she failed.” “There aren’t many ships of this design, Lady Thea,” Elisha said, “Who else’s ship could it be?” “I don’t know,” Thea said, “Let’s keep searching. I want to look in the crew cabins. Let’s start with that door over there.” She warily edged towards the cabin and threw open the door, which let out a creak as it reluctantly moved on its rusty hinges. Drawing her sword, she moved into the cabin, the others following. Daylight streamed in from above, illuminating the rotted sheets and seaweed laden floor. An old chest lie open in one corner. Upon the bed lay a figure, and Thea moved closer to inspect the rotted corpse when it sat up abruptly. She shrieked and they backed up, Elisha drawing her sword and the others following. The corpse shambled towards them, taking a swipe with inhuman claws at Thea’s face. She stumbled backwards onto the floor, the gashes bleeding profusely. Elisha quickly sliced the zombie’s head off and it rolled across the floor, the body crumpling to the ground without it. Pandora bent down beside Thea, and Arietta watched in awe as light shone from Pandora’s hands, closing Thea’s wounds. There were still slight cuts, but Thea looked relieved. “Thank you,” she said gratefully. “There is dark magic in this place,” Pandora said, “We should go back, Lady Thea.” “No, we must continue,” Thea said, determination in her eyes, “We need to find the captain’s cabin and learn what’s happened here.” “Lady Thea...” Elisha said, but Thea dismissed her with a wave of her hand, “Come on,” she said, accepting Elisha’s hand and getting back on her feet, “The sooner we find the captain’s cabin, the sooner we can return to the ship.” As they made their way out into the hallway, they heard low moans in the shadows. Arietta felt sick with fear, and she grasped Selesti’s hand, which was slick with sweat and trembling slightly before she snatched it away. Arietta gripped her sword tightly and promised herself she would defend Selesti and the others, even if Selesti didn’t want her protection. Zombies shambled out of the shadows from all sides, and they found themselves thrust into battle. Arietta let her determination take over, and she felt herself moving automatically, her sword cutting through flesh and bone. The smell was unbearable, and she suppressed the urge to vomit. Selesti was fighting like her usual self, slicing through zombies like a wild animal, even with the unwieldy sword. Pandora’s hands glowed many different colors as she let fire and ice spells fly through the air. Elisha tried to protect Thea, who was taking on three or four zombies at one time. “There’s too many!” Elisha cried, “We have to make a break for it. If this ship’s layout is the same as ours, then the captain’s quarters should be close... but there’s no guarantee that we’ll find what we’re looking for there.” “I know,” Lady Thea said, “but I have to know. Elisha, take the others back to the ship. They don’t have to die for this.” “I’m not leaving you!” Elisha said, “Not even if you order me to. If we leave you alone, you’ll never make it off the ship alive!” “I won’t leave you either,” Arietta said, “You saved my life in the prison, whether you intended to or not. It would be a poor way to repay you if we abandoned you now.” Selesti grunted in the background, although Arietta wasn’t sure it it was agreement or disapproval. “Thank you,” Lady Thea said, “Make for the door over there, then. Hurry!” They backed off, putting distance between them and the zombified crew. They broke into a run for the door, and pulled it open, hurrying inside. They slammed the door and quickly barricaded it with chairs and a large bookcase. They took a moment to breathe and gather themselves, but Lady Thea was already searching through the large desk in the middle of the room, with a strange look of desperation and despair on her face. Elisha went to her side, “Lady Thea,” she said, “please, stop...” It was as Arietta looked away from this scene with a desire to protect Lady Thea’s privacy that she saw the corpse; that of a woman, with long, white hair. Most of the body had wasted away, and the bare neck-bone held a pendant that caught the light. “Lady Thea!” Arietta said, “There’s a corpse over here... of a lady...” Somehow, she knew that this was Maia, that this was the woman Lady Thea had been looking for when she had boarded this ship. There was something regal about her even in death that led Arietta to this conclusion - there was something about her that reminded her of Thea. Lady Thea dropped the papers she was holding and rushed over, all else forgotten. She gasped as she saw the corpse and fell to her knees beside the woman’s body, clutching the lifeless form in her arms and breaking into deep sobs of anguish. “Lady Thea...” Elisha eyes were full of tears as she looked down at Thea, “I’m so sorry...” “What’s going on?” Selesti asked, “We need to get out of here! I doubt those zombies are just going to forget about us.” As if summoned, the zombies began pounding on the door, but Selesti pushed some heavy furniture in front of the door and they seemed to give up. “She was my wife,” Thea said, but her voice was broken, far away, “I loved her with all my heart. Sanctuary was her dream, a prophecy she received which said that there was a promised land for all who had known hatred against them. She was the one who built the white ship, who founded the White Knights...” “What happened to her?” Arietta asked. “We... had a disagreement about what Sanctuary was, what it should be. It drove our marriage apart. I’ll never forget the day she left the White Ship, saying that she was going to build the true White Ship and find Sanctuary without me, that I and the White Knights left behind were all just pretenders. I never saw her again.... until now.” Thea said, wiping the tears from her eyes. I just wanted to tell her one more time that I loved her. Now it’s too late.” “Don’t blame yourself, Lady Thea,” Elisha said, “We still have a mission to carry out. It’s more important than ever that we find Sanctuary now, to build a safe haven knowing that Maia failed.” “I always dreamt I would meet her there,” Thea said, standing up, “That I would arrive to find a white tower as tall as the sky, Maia standing at the dock with open arms, and all our people living together in peace. That I could go to her and tell her that I was wrong...” “Lady Thea, we can’t go back now,” Elisha said, “Let’s at least try to find some record of what happened here, so we can avoid the same fate.” Lady Thea nodded and took the pendant from Maia’s body. Putting it over her own head, she stood, grim determination on her face. She returned to the desk drawers and continued searching, biting back her tears. As she rifled through the drawers, she heard an audible click, and a previously hidden drawer opened below the others. There was a leather-bound journal inside, and Thea opened it, skipping to the last entry. She scanned the page quickly, suddenly all too aware of the ship lurching and the pained groans of the zombies occasionally trying the door. “It seems that they dabbled in dark magic, in a desperate attempt to scry the location of Sanctuary. It sounds like Maia had lost hope of ever finding it,” Thea said sadly, “It says here that they met a wizard who called himself Illuminus who said he could help them find Sanctuary, but that his dark magic sapped their lifeforce. Maia said that she could feel her life draining away, but that she didn’t care any more - she just wanted to find Sanctuary. She died here alone, long after Illuminus’s departure, using the last of her strength to try and see the location of Sanctuary so that she could record it here for me to find...” Thea rested her weight against the table, a new sorrow filling her soul. “Illuminus...” Pandora’s face was pale, “He is a famous wizard, a dark magic user who uses the lifeforce of others to prolong his own life. He’s part of the reason why my people fear magic and consider it unnatural. I thought he was just a legend, though... I’m frightened to think that such a monster is still alive, tempting the weak with false promises.” “We have to make sure we never fall into that trap,” Elisha said, “No matter how desperate we become. We have to believe in Sanctuary.” “We will find it, I swear,” Thea said, “I’ll find it for you, Maia. Wait for me there.” “Lady Thea?” Elisha said. “I’m all right,” Thea said, composing herself, “We need to get out of here. I want orders for this ship to be scuttled to be given as soon as we return.” She made for the door. “Won’t you take Maia’s body with you?” Elisha said, “To give her a proper burial?” “If the White Knights see her, they will lose hope,” Thea said, “Nobody must ever know what happened here today. You must all promise me that you will never speak of it to the crew. Anybody who defies that order will be left at the next port.” They all nodded, “Let’s get out of here,” they agreed, following Thea. They moved the barricade away from the door and opened it, slaying the few zombies that hadn’t given up the desperate attempt to break through the door. Thea took a look back as she left and closed the door with a final click. ~ When they reached the ship, Thea called off the search party that was being organized for them. She watched as the ship was scuttled and few noticed the sad look on her face as she witnessed her wife’s ship disappear beneath the water to its - and her - final resting place. Night came, and as the ship continued to San Ria and the crew slept, Thea stood on the deck, looking out across the moonlit ocean. “Lady Thea,” came Elisha’s voice from behind her, “You can’t sleep?” “I tried to throw this ring away,” Thea said, “The wedding ring she handed back to me on the day she left. But I just can’t bring myself to let it go.” Elisha saw the tears on Thea’s face in the moonlight as she walked up to her. She took Thea’s hands in hers and closed them around the ring. “You don’t need to throw it away,” Elisha said, “You will always love her, she was your wife. Nobody would expect you to feel differently. Keep those things - the ring, the pendant and the journal as proof that you loved her. You don’t have to erase the past to move forward to the future. You just have to learn to live with it.” “I failed her,” Thea said, “I wish I’d had the chance to tell her that I’ve grown up since then, that I’ve thrown away the childish ignorance that made me become as intolerant as the people we were running from. I hated ordinary people so much that I let it rule me, and I didn’t wake up until long after I’d lost her.” “It wasn’t your fault,” Elisha said, “All your life, you were treated like dirt by everybody else. Then when you married, you were exiled from every land you had ever called home, your marriage called an act against nature. You were arrested so many times for entering into a ‘false’ marriage. Was it any surprise that you began to feel resentment and hatred? The reason so many of us stayed with you is because we understood that hatred and often felt it ourselves.” “Maia didn’t hate,” Thea said, “She was so much stronger than me, always so noble and pure.” “Didn’t she?” Elisha said, “Perhaps she just learned to control it better. I think that all of us are vulnerable to hatred if we let it rule us. We have to remember that Sanctuary’s no utopia if people are excluded from it. When we find it, we have to remember that. I always envisioned Sanctuary as a haven for us specifically, but when I met Arietta it was the first thing she questioned... She said she would miss living with ordinary people. It really made me think about what Sanctuary should be like.” “She said that?” Thea asked, “I think she has a little of Maia’s spirit in her, that one. I want to make her a White Knight. I think we all may have a lot to learn from her.” ~ Arietta lie sleepless in her bed, tossing and turning, thinking about the day’s events and her mixed feelings about everything that had happened. She had seen Lady Thea as being almost invincible, and it had shocked her to find out she was only human after all. She found she liked Thea better for it, to know that she loved and lost like they all had. She found herself wanting to talk to Selesti, and slipped on a robe. Stepping out into the ship’s hallways, she made her way to Selesti’s cabin, where she saw lamplight under the door. Perhaps Selesti couldn’t sleep either, Arietta realized, and opened the door quietly. It took her a few moments to really understand what she saw and process what it meant, but she stood there in horror, watching Selesti crying out in ecstasy as one of the ship’s girls pleasured her. The girl thrust her fingers hard into Selesti, making her scream. Selesti was smiling as the girl squeezed one of her breasts. It was sex in its rawest form; not loving or tender or sensual but purely for pleasure. Selesti looked up to see Arietta standing there in horror, and looked her right in the eye without stopping, as through she wanted to deliver a mortal wound to Arietta’s heart. Arietta fled, tears in her eyes. She ran until she reached her cabin and locked the door, diving down onto her bed and crying until the tears could come no more. They were not together, she supposed; and hadn’t really been since Selesti’s betrayal, but still she had assumed that Selesti would wait for her to process what had happened when she said she needed time, especially since Selesti had been the one to deliver the hurt. Whenever she closed her eyes she saw Selesti’s eyes boring into hers, that cold, wicked, uncaring stare that she had seen in that room for the first time. It broke something inside her, something precious that she knew could never be repaired. She felt it slip through her fingers, but could do nothing to prevent its loss. Innocence and naivety were left by the wayside as she struggled to process Selesti’s cruelty and the way it changed her perception of the human race. She had hoped that Selesti had acted out of fear in Garania, but then, what was this? Was Selesti intentionally trying to drive her away? She suspected that time would not heal this; that they were done. Arietta stared up at the ceiling, trying not to think about the happy memories they had shared. It was just too much to bear. It was easier just to accept that the Selesti she had loved was dead, another victim of the Moral Revolution. It would be easier if the shell she had left behind left the ship in San Ria, so she could mourn and get on with her life.

Chapter 3

[Author's notes: Arietta and Selesti talk about what to do with their relationship, and Selesti reveals a frightening secret that will change everything.]

Welcome and Farewell

The White Ship continued to glide through the water, heading for the city of San Ria. It had been a quiet night and the White Knights had all been grateful for a good night’s sleep after the previous day’s events. The skeletal form of the broken white ship remained on all their minds, as a reminder of what would happen to them if they failed. The sea was full of dangers and they could not sail forever. That left Sanctuary as their only hope if they wanted to survive and build a society of their own. “Land ho!” came a cry from the crow’s nest, breaking the early morning silence. Pandora was up on deck, stretching and yawning sleepily. Filled with sudden excitement she rushed to the side, squinting to try and catch a glimpse of San Ria. “Here, use these,” Elisha said, handing her a pair of binoculars. Pandora held them up to her eyes and scanned the horizon. “I see it!” she said, “That island, with the city between two mountains, that’s San Ria, right?” “Yes, it’s nestled in that valley,” Elisha said, “One of those mountains used to be volcanic, and it destroyed the city a thousand years ago. It’s been dormant since then, but legends speak of the fire god’s wrath if he is not honored. So every year, they hold a celebration to honor the god.” “Do you suppose he really exists?” Pandora asked. “I would assume it’s just their way of rationalizing a scientific phenomenon,” Elisha said, “We know a lot more now then we knew a thousand years ago. Even the San Rians don’t take it too seriously any more. They just like a reason to throw a party.” “I’ve heard San Ria is very relaxed and laid-back,” said Pandora, “How accepting are they?” “It’s one of the more liberal cities we’ve visited on our journey,” Elisha said, “We often return here when we need a rest. As for acceptance, well I’ve heard there are many political movements working towards gay marriage and equal rights, but they’re not there yet. There’s stiff opposition from conservative factions. But at least homosexuality has been decriminalized, so you don’t need to feel afraid.” “That’s a relief,” Pandora said, “I wouldn’t want to go back to Garania, Arietta’s home, anytime soon.” “It’s sad what happened there,” Elisha said, “Garania used to be almost as liberal as San Ria. Then extremist religious conservative factions managed to capture public opinion. Knowing they could never win an election, however, they vilified everything they blamed for moral corruption and incited an armed revolution. After a lot of international pressure they started to hold elections again, but they were very successful economically and so the people voted for them. People want to prosper, and will give up their freedoms to feel that their families are growing up in a safe and wealthy environment.” “I still don’t know how Selesti could have sold Arietta out to that government,” Pandora sighed, “I couldn’t turn anybody on this ship over to people like that, let alone somebody I loved!” “I think there is more to Selesti then we know about,” Elisha said, “It’s easy to judge, far too easy. I think there’s something going on that perhaps even Arietta doesn’t know about.” “I know that she’s been sleeping her way around the ship,” Pandora said, “She’s had so many serving girls down there in her cabin, there’s nothing else it could be. I wanted to tell Arietta, but... I can’t bear to hurt her.” “I know what you mean,” Elisha said, “I will have a word with the serving girls, though. We need to maintain some discipline on this ship. Sometimes we’re too relaxed.” “Well, this is the only place we can be ourselves,” Pandora said, “We don’t want it to be like Garania. If I may speak frankly, Lieutenant Elisha, I think it’s best if we stay out of it altogether. Selesti should have the freedom to do what she wants. It’s not for us to dictate what she does in her own room, or to invade her privacy by talking to the serving girls.” “You’re right,” Elisha said, “You were the one who brought it up, though.” “I’m just worried about Arietta, that’s all,” Pandora said, “She’s a good person, and doesn’t deserve to be hurt.” “I agree,” Elisha said, “I’d like to think Arietta can take care of herself, though. I think beneath that caring, soft exterior, she’s stronger than she appears.” “I hope you’re right,” Pandora said. ~ Arietta woke to the sunlight pouring in through her cabin’s porthole. There was a lot of activity and noise from above, and she wondered what all the fuss was about. She pulled herself groggily from the bed, and was halfway to the chair where her clothes lay when the events of the night before hit her. A deep weight descended in her stomach and nausea rose in her throat as she relived the moment when she walked in on Selesti and the serving girl. Losing her will, she returned to her bed and slumped down on it. She tried to force down her emotions, to think clearly. What was she going to do about Selesti? It had been different the first time, they had been apart for so long. She could forgive Selesti for having strayed when they hadn’t seen each other for six months. She even understood Selesti’s fear of death, and had forgiven her for selling her out to the Garanian Decency Guard. But this was different. Even though she had said she had needed time to process her emotions, she had expected Selesti to be able to wait until she was ready to resume their relationship. Apparently Selesti did not feel the same way, she realized. She didn’t want to wait, didn’t care enough to abstain for a while. What hurt Arietta most was that Selesti had not even come to speak to her, to ask if she was ready, to express her needs. If Selesti had needed sex so much, why hadn’t she asked, instead of bedding the first available woman? Then there was that stare, that wicked, uncaring stare. She had not even had the decency to be ashamed of her actions when Arietta had walked in. Arietta felt she didn’t know Selesti any more. The woman she loved had been replaced by a sex-crazed, morally bereft person who didn’t seem to understand or care about the hurt she had caused. What had happened to the beautiful, strong-willed but gentle woman she had fallen in love with? A coldness settled over her, a numb state in which she could once again function. It made her feel stronger, and she decided she needed to confront Selesti, to talk about what had happened. They needed to talk about a lot of things, and they needed to talk now, while Arietta felt bold and fearless, before she wilted and became afraid of what needed to be said. She dressed with determination and headed down to the lower decks, where Selesti’s cabin was situated. She knocked three times on the door; cold, hard blows. There was no answer. She pushed at the door and it swung open, and she found herself staring into the doe eyes of a young woman who was just leaving, a different woman to the one she had seen the night before. The girl timidly hurried away without a word, and Arietta stepped into the room. There were two other girls on the bed sleep beside Selesti, both in various states of undress, and Arietta felt an incandescent rage build inside her. “Get up!” she yelled. They stirred and looked up at her uneasily, “Get out,” she said, and they grabbed their clothes, dressing hastily and leaving. “What do you want?” Selesti asked, “I’m tired.” Arietta walked up to the bed and slapped Selesti hard across the face. It left a red handprint that flared up as soon as Arietta pulled away. “What the hell is going on with you?” Arietta asked, “I said I needed time, not to break up! Then you sleep with half the girls on the ship! You didn’t come to me to say you had needs, or to talk about our relationship. What do you want, Selesti? Why are you doing this? Are you trying to hurt me?” Selesti dragged herself up against the headboard. She was naked, but for the first time, Arietta did not find her attractive. She appeared to be processing Arietta’s words, thinking of a response. “You could never understand,” were the words that came out, after a minute. “Understand what? Selesti, how can I understand anything if you don’t tell me?” Arietta sighed. “Just leave me alone,” Selesti said, “Forget about me. You’re a good, pure, noble person. I’m not. You should find somebody else.” “You used to care,” Arietta said, “You used to give a damn about your actions. What’s happened to you?” “I can’t tell you,” Selesti said, “I’ll leave in San Ria and never come back. It’s better that way.” “What could it be that you can’t tell me, Selesti?” Arietta said, frustrated, “We used to confide in each other about everything. How could there be anything that I wouldn’t understand, wouldn’t care about?” “You were never a very sexual person,” Selesti said, “You wouldn’t understand.” “Try me,” Arietta said, “How can you know if you don’t tell me what it is? Stop being cryptic and say what you need to say, even if it hurts! I’d rather know that I don’t satisfy your needs then just have you hazily try to hint it to me.” Selesti curled up, then, pulling her knees up against her face and hugging them. She seemed vulnerable, lost. “It’s true I cheated on you, Arietta,” Selesti said, “I was lost, alone, separated from you in Garania. It was only that once, back then. Then the Decency Guard caught us. They took Karin to be executed, but they gave conditions for my survival. The first one was that I had to expose all those I slept with. You know about that.” “What else did they make you do?” Arietta said, a shiver of fear running up her spine. She pushed it down with a swallow and made herself press further. She had to know. If there was some explanation for Selesti’s actions, then perhaps she could be forgiven after all... “They said I could live if I participated in their experiments,” Selesti said, “They had a team of scientists working on ways to make gay people straight. I figured it was all bullshit, that there was nothing that they could do to me that would change anything about the way I was, so I agreed. I had no choice.” She started to tremble a little, but Arietta held back to urge to go to her, to embrace and comfort her. “For weeks they experimented on me, injecting me with drugs, making me have sex with men. They even impregnated me, though I miscarried alone in my cell.” She swallowed, taking a breath before going on. “But something they injected me with... changed me. I constantly want sex, and nothing satisfies me for long. I didn’t want to bring this filthy urge that they made me feel to you, and sully you with it. I knew that if you worked to satisfy my needs, you would be doing it for me, not for you, because you were never somebody who always needed physical release. So I went to every whore and serving girl I could find, anybody who would have me, man or woman. I sold you out and then we came here, and I continued, looking for something to ease this need. You have no idea, Arietta. I can’t make it stop!” She burst into tears then, and Arietta did go to her, did awkwardly embrace her. “You should have told me,” Arietta said, “Even if there was nothing I could do for you, you should have let me know about everything you went through, all the pain you’ve been carrying. There has to be a way we can cure this, Selesti.” “Don’t you think I tried?” Selesti said, desperation in her voice, “I went to every doctor in Garania. They tried different hormones, all kinds of treatments, but nothing worked. They said there was surgery they could do to reverse the damage, but then I would never want sex again. I’m... I’m not sure I want to give it up, Arietta. I’m not sure I could live with never feeling desire again. I’ve thought and thought about it ever since they told me.” “We should talk to Pandora,” Arietta said, “She has powerful magic. She could...” “Don’t tell anybody!” Selesti said, “They hate me as it is. I won’t let them know about this.” “They only hate you because they think you’re trying to be intentionally hurtful!” Arietta said, “If you told them the truth, they’d have compassion for you.” “I don’t want their compassion and pity,” Selesti said, “I don’t need yours, either.” “What do you expect me to feel?” Arietta said, “I still care about you!” “Then you’re a fool,” Selesti said, “I’ve done everything I could to push you away. When will you start thinking of yourself? I can’t be saved, Arietta. I know you want to be a heroine, but you can’t fix this! You should let me go.” “I won’t just let you walk away,” Arietta said, “I won’t just give up on you!” “I want you to give up, Arietta,” Selesti said, “Think about the long-term. You’ll never be able to live up to my needs. We would have to have an open relationship. How would you feel about coming home to find me in bed with a different person every night? How would you feel, Arietta? You’ve always needed somebody to love you, and you only, to devote themselves to you, heart, mind and body. Every day you would try to live with it, all the time hoping for a cure that doesn’t exist. You would try to convince me to get the surgery so we could be monogamous again, even if you didn’t intend to. I would feel guilty every day, knowing that you were living in an unhappy situation just to make me happy. We would still love each other, but we would destroy ourselves.” Arietta looked away, “It’s not fair!” she said. “I won’t let what those dogs did to you take you away from me!” But she felt the truth in Selesti’s words, and she knew she was right. Tears rolled down her face and she beat her fists against the bed. She knew she had to let Selesti go. “Arietta,” Selesti said, “I hope that someday you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I thought it would be easier if I hurt you, that I could keep my shame to myself and not have to burden you with the knowledge of it.” “I will get those Garanians!” Arietta swore, “I will go back and expose what they are doing and overthrow that evil government!” “Don’t get yourself killed for me,” Selesti said, “I did it to myself as well. We should have left Garania a long time before we did. I hoped that things would get better, that I wouldn’t have to leave behind my wealthy life in the city. I knew I was taking the wrong path when I cheated on you, but I did it anyway. This is my punishment.” “You shouldn’t be punished. I have already forgiven you,” Arietta said, “You never deserved this. No human deserves this, even those who did this to you.” “It’s not so bad,” Selesti said, with a wan smile, “Sex is pleasurable.” “Yet even now you are tortured, wanting it,” Arietta said. To prove her point, she let her hand slip between Selesti’s legs, let her finger explore the wetness there. Selesti’s legs slid open to let her in and she moaned in delight. “No...” Selesti protested, “I won’t sully you with this. Not again. Not like that night in the barn, the night I betrayed you.” “There is nothing dirty about being wanted, needed,” Arietta said, “You are who you are now. Apparently we can’t change that, and I know you’re right about needing to leave. I won’t stop you. But if you have to go, at least let me have one last time by your side. Please. For all the love we shared.” She kissed Selesti tenderly, all her anger having slipped away. There was sadness, and pity, empathy, compassion and love and she let all those emotions come to the surface as she made love to Selesti for the last time, rubbing her large breasts, licking between her legs, letting her fingers find Selesti’s pleasure points. When they were done, there was a strange kind of distance between them. Their emotions had been released, the cord to one another cut, their hearts steeled against pain, and it was time for them to part. Arietta sought words for the occasion, but nothing seemed right and so she left in silence, looking back only to record an image of Selesti in her memory so that she would never forget how beautiful she looked. ~ When Arietta arrived on deck, she found it full of people hastily dashing about. When she looked out to sea, she saw why; San Ria loomed before them and they would soon dock. Arietta realized the timing could not have been better, for at least she would not have to mull over Selesti leaving for long. “Where have you been?” Pandora said, rushing over with Elisha by her side, “We were about to come and look for you.” “I was talking to Selesti,” Arietta said, “She’s going to leave the ship in San Ria.” They both gave her an odd look, “You’re okay with this?” Elisha asked, “You understand we won’t be coming back for a long time. We’re going to uncharted waters after this stop to look for Sanctuary. Chances are you’ll never see her again.” “I know,” Arietta said, “I’m okay with it, so don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” They looked at each other, exchanging a meaningful glance before looking back to Arietta. “Well, I suppose we should tell Lady Thea, then,” Pandora said, “She’ll want to know who’s staying and who’s coming back...” A thought crossed Pandora’s mind, “You are staying, right?” “Absolutely,” Arietta said, “I want to find Sanctuary, now more than ever.” They didn’t probe the meaning of that, but Elisha quietly excused herself and went to talk with Lady Thea. Arietta saw them gesticulating before losing interest and turning back to Pandora. “So, what’s San Ria like?” Arietta asked, “I’ve never been here.” “Neither have I,” Pandora said, “Elisha said it’s a nice place, but they’re still working on some reforms. Still, we can be ourselves here.” “That’s good to know,” Arietta said, “Would you like to explore the city with me?” “I was just going to ask! Everybody’s allowed to go into the city by themselves, but Lady Thea is putting together a special party to see the city. So far it’s me, Elisha, Lady Thea, and another White Knight, Sashiko. Want to come along? Lady Thea has been here before, I bet she’ll know all the good places to see.” Pandora said excitedly. “I’d love to!” Arietta said. She was distracted then as Selesti came on deck dressed in her fighting gear, her few belongings stowed in a backpack. Lady Thea walked over to her and said a few words, then clapped her hands to bring everybody to attention. “I just need a few moments of your time,” Thea said, “At San Ria, Selesti will be leaving us, along with many others who we picked up in Garania. I wish you all the best in your future lives, and hope you find happiness here in San Ria or abroad. Those who are leaving the ship for good, please disembark first so we can take a record of who is leaving. Thank you.” Some people turned and gave Selesti strange looks as she passed, but nobody said anything. Arietta supposed that some of them had been those she had taken to her bed, sad that she was leaving. As they pulled into the dock and weighed anchor, a long bridge was rolled out between the ship and the dock. Serving girls and White Knights alike lined the sides of the ship and looked into the city. Those who were leaving took their things and left one by one, giving their names to Elisha which she noted down as they left. Some of the serving girls waved to the refugees as they left. Selesti was last to go, and Arietta watched her walk down the long bridge. She supposed that a just a week ago, she would have chased after Selesti and begged her not to leave, but things had changed. She hated the way in which it had to end, but Selesti had been right with everything she had said. It was better that they parted while they still loved one another then to have made each other perpetually unhappy. Still, she watched until Selesti was just a dot at the end of the dock, descending into the city and losing herself in the crowd, and she closed that chapter of her life in her mind. At the same time she felt a new chapter opening, beginning with her new life aboard the white ship, with her new friends Pandora and Elisha, with Lady Thea, Master Kane and all the other White Knights and serving girls. Together they would sail into the horizon, and seek their promised land, their Sanctuary.

Chapter 4

[Author's notes: The crew finally arrive in San Ria, but instead of peace find political unrest and uncertainty.]

The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death

Only a skeleton crew remained on board the white ship in San Ria, those who had drawn lots to stay on the ship, and those with no desire to see the city. Lady Thea, Pandora, Elisha, Sashiko and Arietta were the last to disembark, with Kane left in command.

“It’s such a huge city,” Pandora sighed, “How will we ever see it all?”

“We don’t need to,” Elisha explained, “In a city, most of the areas are residential. The shops and activity are usually in the center. So if we head there, we’ll probably see the most interesting things San Ria has to offer.”

“Why are we getting such strange glances from the people?” Arietta asked, as a young boy gave her a sneer, “Port towns usually take no notice of their visitors, since so many people come and go.”

“We’re well known in San Ria,” Lady Thea explained, “This has been our rest stop for several years, so most of the residents know who we are and what our mission is. Not all of them agree with our existence, though, so just keep your head down and ignore them.”

“I thought this was supposed to be a nice place,” Pandora sighed.

“It is,” Lady Thea said, “In Garania, we would have been arrested by now.”

They wandered past shops and drinking houses, taking in all the sights. People were milling about, though most of the shops seemed deserted.

“I wonder if something is going on,” Elisha said, “Everything seems rather quiet.”

As they entered the main square, they could see why; thousands of people were gathered around a huge stage where two men were debating in front of a live audience.

“This could be problematic,” Lady Thea said, “Apparently it’s time for the San Ria City-State Elections.”

“They’re electing a new President?” Arietta said, “That won’t be a problem for us, will it?”

“It could be if some factions believe we’ve come here to influence the election,” Elisha explained, “Our politics are well-known. We should probably go back to the ship.”

“No,” Lady Thea said, “Let’s at least see what’s going on.”

“I want to lead San Ria to a better future!” the one candidate was saying, “A future for families, where we get all the filth off the streets and give San Ria a better reputation; not as a city of sin and hedonism, but as a clean city to conduct business and raise families!”

A good portion of the crowd cheered, but Arietta felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. The candidate’s speech reminded her of the few months before the Moral Revolution, when Garania had been eating up the talk of forcing out sin and so-called moral decay. In reality, what that had meant was criminalizing the private acts of consenting adults, closing down drinking houses where gay people frequented and banning meetings of clubs that were not authorized by the government. She looked down at the ground.

“You’re wrong!” The other candidate replied, “San Ria isn’t overcome by sin and hedonism. There are many families here today that are happy to live in this city, while at the same time being able to enjoy their freedoms as adults to live in peace without being punished by the law for actions that are not understood by the majority! Do you really want us to become like Garania, where the Moral Revolution has led to violations such as “improper dress” being a criminal offense? Do you really want the city to dictate what people do in their own homes?”

“It’s about taking back this city from filth!” the other candidate snapped back, “I would close down whorehouses and re-criminalize unnatural acts that are corrupting our children! It’s true that at this very moment a sin ship has arrived at our docks, filled with white clothed “knights” that have come here to influence our election and try to convince you that unnatural acts are acceptable! Will you let my opponent welcome them as guests and let them marry in this jurisdiction like he promises? Or will you throw them out before they cause more harm to this city?”

“I would let them marry!” the other candidate declared, “They deserve basic human rights, just like everybody else!”

“We need to go. Now.” Thea whispered to the others, “Split up and return to the ship. If you find others along the way, bring them back as well.”

“Yes, Lady Thea,” they said, disappointed. What they had hoped would be a break for them all had quickly become a difficult political situation.

They split up, walking calmly to the edges of the square. Arietta kept Pandora in her sights, frightened for the slight girl. She could handle herself, she supposed, but Arietta worried for her anyway. Ducking down in an alleyway, she watched a mob go by with clubs in their hands. She hoped the ship would be safe until everybody could be recalled.

She had liked the one candidate, and wondered if he had any chance at all. She hoped that he did, because she feared the spread of the Moral Revolution. She did not want to keep running her whole life until they found Sanctuary, and she did not want conditions to worsen before they could create a nation for everybody to run to.

Ducking out from the alley, she looked for Pandora, but she was gone. Seeing the docks not far ahead, she hurried to the ship, hoping Pandora was already safely aboard.

~

Pandora lost sight of Arietta and found herself in a dingy, dirty backstreet which smelled of urine. She felt like everybody who passed her was watching her with distrusting eyes.

She didn’t see the mob coming until they charged her, a crude club hitting her in the back. She prepared a mild fire spell, even though she was afraid of using magic in the city. She didn’t want to be targeted for her ability as well as her sexuality. Just as she was about to unleash the spell, a cellar door opened up and a voice whispered, “Over here!”

She rushed over to the door, the mob following, and dived down into the dark hole just as her savior slammed the door closed and locked it. The stranger lit a torch and held it aloft, illuminating a pale face with light, short, pinkish hair and wide eyes a color that Pandora couldn’t ascertain. The mob beat on the door but eventually lost interest and moved on.

“Thank you,” Pandora said, following the girl through the tunnel, “I’m Pandora.”

“I’m Luna,” she said, “and I’ve long been an admirer of the White Ship. I’m glad I could help you.”

They climbed some steps into a well lit kitchen, where a middle-aged man sat slumped at a table.

“Did you rescue her?” he asked curiously.

Luna gestured behind her, and Pandora stepped out of the cellar, dusting off her white uniform, “Thank you so much,” she said, bowing formally, “You saved my life.”

“I’m just protecting one of my own,” Luna smiled, “We have to look out for each other, right?”

“Thanks,” Pandora said, “My friends are still out there. They’re trying to get back to the ship. There was a political rally, and the one man was stirring up feelings against us, so we thought we should get back to the ship.”

“Argustus Valen is an asshole,” the middle-aged man complained, “But people will vote for his extreme policies because they would rather be like Garania then dare to step into new territory. It’s amazing humans have ever achieved anything, for all our fear of change.”

“I wish people would vote for Jamien Talenqua instead,” Luna sighed, “Or anybody else, for that matter, “But Talenqua has given me so much hope. I keep thinking about what the world would be like if he got elected. I’ve been running a grassroots campaign, trying to win him more support. He does have quite a bit of support, mostly from people who despise Valen, but I’m not sure it’s enough to beat him.”

“I don’t think he’s going to beat Valen,” the middle-aged man said, “I want him to, Luna, I want him to win for you, so you can have a happy life, but I’m afraid we’re going the way of Garania.”

“But I can try, can’t I?” Luna asked desperately, “I won’t give up!”

Pandora sighed, “We arrived at exactly the wrong time. We just wanted to stock up on supplies and get some rest before heading out to look for Sanctuary, but we walked right into the middle of this minefield.”

“I’ll get you back to your ship,” Luna said, “Just wait a few hours until the rabble dies down. Things always get violent when Valen does one of his speeches. Don’t worry, just stay low here.”

~

Elisha met up with Thea on the docks, “Is anybody else here yet?” she asked, and just as she did, Sashiko rounded the corner. She had a cut on her forehead, but she was pointing ahead at the ship.

“Uh-oh,” Elisha said, “That looks bad.”

“Protestors,” Thea said, “It looks like guards are holding them back, though. We should make a break for the ship as soon as Arietta and Pandora get here, then send plain clothes messengers to find the other Knights in the city and bring them back. Once everybody is accounted for, we’ll cast off and make for Haven’s End.”

“There’s not a lot at Haven’s End,” Elisha sighed, “We’ll get the supplies we need, but it’s a dead port.”

“Shore leave will have to wait, Lieutenant,” Thea said, “There are more important things at stake.”

Arietta rounded the corner just then, and hurried over to them, “Did you see Pandora?” she asked, worried, “I thought she went ahead of me.”

“She’ll be here,” Thea said, “Don’t worry. Pandora can take care of herself.”

Half an hour passed, and they all began to look worried, “I’ll go look for her,” Arietta said, but Thea shook her head.

“We need to return to the ship,” Thea said, “I’ll send out a search party when we get back on board. In these white uniforms, we can’t do anything unnoticed.

“You can’t,” Arietta said, “But I’m not wearing white. I want to go and look for her.”

“Not alone,” Thea said, “I promise you I won’t abandon her, Arietta. But right now, we can’t afford to send people alone, unarmed into uncertain danger.”

Arietta sighed, but knew Thea was right, and she followed them along the dock, past the protestors and guards and onto the ship, all the while looking behind her for the hope that she would see Pandora arrive at the docks.

~

“Eat,” said Luna, “You must be hungry.”

“I’m sorry,” said Pandora, “I’m just worried about my friends. They all went off alone, unarmed...”

“They’ll be all right,” Luna said, “It’s said that the White Knights are strong and well-trained. Have faith in your friends.”

“I do,” Pandora said, “Luna... what will you do if Valen wins this election?”

“I don’t know,” Luna sighed, “I try not to think about it... Truth is, I’m afraid. This city has always been divided, but good sense has always managed to win out. However, Valen is good at using people’s emotions to get across his point. I’ve seen good friends become bitter enemies over this election. They keep telling me that I’m wrong, that I’m unnatural...”

“You are never unnatural!” Pandora said, “Never believe that. If we are here, if we were born, then we are all part of the natural order. People like to think that everybody should be the same, but that’s not true. I think it would be a boring world if we were all alike.”

“If only it were that easy... The Book of The Seven Gods specifically decries homosexual acts. I believe in the Seven Gods, Pandora... Some say that the Fire God, one of the Seven, still sleeps in the volcano above San Ria and that he could destroy us, any time. I go to my church and I look for peace but I only find emptiness and self-loathing. I try to stand up for myself, to believe in myself, but I’m not sure I do. I’m not sure that I’m natural.” Luna hung her head, “You seem so sure of yourself. How are you so sure. How can you be?”

Pandora held one finger up and let fire spark on the end of it. It burst into flame, a blue flame that did not burn but simply existed on the end of Pandora’s finger. She closed her hand, stretched it out again, and the flame was gone.

“A magic user!?” Luna said, “Thats impossible! That’s just a legend!”

“Yet, I exist,” Pandora said, “Everybody said that I was unnatural for having that power, and exiled me from my village. I wandered alone for years, searching for the answers. I wanted to be normal, wanted to throw away my power and go back to my people, even though they hated and feared me. I was so ashamed of myself. I fell even further into self-loathing when I met a girl on the road and fell in love with her while we were traveling together. She rejected me and I travelled alone again, until the day I found the white ship. They didn’t care that I could use magic. They didn’t care that I loved women. They just wanted help to find a place where all people could live together. Fact is, I still feel that self-doubt at times. I wonder if I’m doing the right thing. But then I go back to my friends and they welcome me with open arms, and I think if this is wrong, then what is right? Is it right to throw away your family members because they have an ability that you consider evil? Is it right to abandon your friends because they might possibly develop tender feelings for you? If that’s right, then I’m glad to be wrong, Luna.”

Luna sat still and thought for a moment, “But the Fire God... what if he comes back?”

“He could come back for all kinds of reasons,” Pandora said, “Why does it have to be you? This city has been a relatively accepting place before now, and yet in the last thousand years, the volcano has not erupted. In fact, many people have come up with a scientific explanation for the volcano. So indeed, it might not be the Fire God’s wrath at all. But either way, you are who you are. Is it wrong for you to seek happiness?”

“I suppose not,” said Luna, “I wanted everybody else to be happy, I wanted Talenqua to win for them. But I’ve been punishing myself ever since I knew who I was. Pandora, thank you. I wish I could go with you on the White Ship, but I want to see what happens here. I want to stay and cast my vote for Talenqua.”

“I understand,” Pandora said, “So how am I going to get back to the ship? It’s not far, I could probably make it under the cover of darkness...”

“Tomorrow morning Talenqua is going to go on a parade around the city to rally support. We’ll be covered by a supportive crowd while we make our way back to the ship.” Luna said.

“I really think I should go now,” Pandora said, “They’ll send a search party for me soon.”

“The streets aren’t safe at night,” Luna said, “Please, stay for tonight.”

“All right,” Pandora said, “Thank you for saving me, Luna.”

As Pandora slept, Luna crept out of her house, making for the giant cathedral that was the church of the Seven Gods. Tears flowed down her face as she stepped into its dimly lit interior. It was deserted, and she took a moment to look at the statues of all the Seven Gods, before ascending to the altar of the Fire God, San Ria’s foremost god.

“I’ll take her as a sign from you,” Luna whispered in prayer, “Only you would send somebody who could summon fire to me. I’ll go with her and protect your messenger and help her in her mission,” she promised.

As she left, she left a load behind her, her self-doubt unravelling. Pandora had told her not to hate herself, hadn’t she? That the Gods had made her as she was, so she was not unnatural? She desperately wanted to believe that she didn’t deserve to be hated.

When she returned home, her father stood in the doorway, “Have you made your peace with the Fire God?” he asked.

“Yes,” Luna replied.

“It’s not fair to delay that girl any longer, Luna,” her father said, “Her people will be worried about her. You can’t keep her here until the election, no matter how strong your feelings are about Talenqua. You have to make a choice.”

“I must go with the White Ship,” Luna said, “It’s what the Fire God told me to do.”

“How do you feel about that, Luna?” Her father asked, “Your faith has always been strong, but you need to consider your personal feelings as well. You are not just a servant of the Fire God or anybody else. Remember that.”

“I want to go, Father,” Luna said, “If there is truly a Sanctuary out there, then I need to find it. Before this whole world goes mad.”

“Then you have my blessing,” her father said, “I’ll vote for Talenqua, I promise.”

“Thanks, Father,” Luna said, and hugged him.

~

“We can’t wait any longer to send a search party!” Arietta cried, “She could die while we sit here doing nothing!”

“It does appear to be quiet in the city, Lady Thea,” Elisha said, “We could send a small group of skilled Knights to look for Pandora.”

“We must wait until morning,” Lady Thea said, “Intelligence tells me that there’s going to be a political march for Talenqua tomorrow morning. We can use the cover of people who are not hostile to us to search the city. Dismissed.”

“But!” Arietta protested.

“Those are my orders,” Thea said firmly, and Arietta marched out of the room.

“Why are you so wary?” Elisha asked, “You seem almost frightened of going back to the city. What are you hiding from us?”

“I know Valen,” Thea said, “As he knows us. He contributed to the Moral Revolution, he’s bribed politicians in several countries to pass his extreme reforms... and he once served on the White Ship.”

“What!?” Elisha said, “How?”

“He said he was an ally of ours. This was back when my wife and I ran this ship together, before the split. We were young, naive and hopeful. We wanted to believe that he was here to help us find Sanctuary. So we let him serve in the White Knights.” Thea sighed, “In a way, he caused the split between my wife and I. He betrayed us with false hints of where Sanctuary might be, and led us right into an armada from the Arian Empire, his home country, and a very extreme place. It’s where the Moral Revolution was born. He was inspired by the politics of his home country, and led us into a trap to “get rid of filth”. We were all captured, until all the prisoners led a revolt and escaped. We were able to rescue our ship and escape, but I lost trust in anybody who came forward claiming to be an ally of ours. That’s what led to the decline of my marriage...”

“There’s still so much I don’t know,” Elisha said, “Sometimes I forget that you’ve been on this ship for a long time, and that I’m still just a relative newcomer.”

“Valen would do anything to get back at me,” Thea said, “He can’t get us arrested, because the laws of the land forbid him from touching us. But he can incite the crowds to kill us, or damage the ship. That’s why we’ve had to leave port and go out into deeper waters. I’m not happy about leaving Pandora there overnight. But we’re all in danger here, not just her.”

“Why didn’t you tell everybody?” Elisha asked, “Especially Arietta.”

“I don’t want people to be distrustful of bringing new recruits to our cause,” Thea said, “That’s what caused the split, my hatred and distrust of everybody who wasn’t gay. I don’t want that to happen again. We need to trust some people if we’re ever going to have enough recruits to find and populate Sanctuary.”

“But why not Arietta?” Elisha said, “She doesn’t have a hateful bone in her body.”

“Selesti is out there,” Thea said, “Even though they’ve parted, Arietta must be worried about her in these troubled circumstances. I don’t want Arietta going after Selesti. We need her here.”

“I see...” Elisha said, “Perhaps you’re right, Lady Thea. I should have trusted your judgement.”

~

Pandora woke, stretching as sunlight streamed in the window. Luna was already awake, and she could hear the distant sounds of people mingling in the streets. She dressed quickly, and ate the bowl of soup that Luna provided for her.

“Is it nearly time?” Pandora asked, “I’m anxious to get back to the ship.”

“Almost,” Luna said, “Be patient.”

People started to gather in the streets outside, and Pandora felt nervous. She hoped that Luna’s plan worked and she was able to return to the ship. She was afraid of being alone again, trapped without the ship and her friends. She didn’t want to wander alone in the world, looking for Sanctuary by herself. She wanted her friends by her side, and their warmth, acceptance and love. She missed Arietta’s goodness, and Elisha’s determination. She wondered if Luna might like to come aboard the ship, and was about to ask when Luna declared, “It’s time.”

They left the house like ordinary citizens, Pandora wearing a long cloak to hide her uniform, and mingled into the crowd. Adoring crowds stood in the street, cheering even though Talenqua was still quite far off, being carried in a float by his guards. They slipped through the crowds, mostly ignored except for the odd angry onlookers who thought they were jostling for a better position.

“Not far now. Keep going,” Luna said.

~

As dawn came, the white ship pulled into the harbor again and weighed anchor. Arietta, Elisha and Sashiko, all dressed in plain clothes, hurried from the ship and made for the town square, mingling with the early morning shoppers heading to the market and those who deeply admired Talenqua and wanted the best position to see him.

“Have you seen this girl?” Arietta asked for the thirtieth time, showing the old lady in front of her a drawing of Pandora. The old lady shook her head, and Arietta began to feel despair. Perhaps she was being held captive somewhere, she wondered, and she feared they might never find her.

As she looked for Pandora, she also found herself looking for Selesti. She knew they had parted ways, but she wanted to see the girl again, just to know she was safe and to warn her to leave the city before she attracted attention to herself. If Valen won, she knew that Selesti would not stay hidden for long with her condition.

Elisha was having little luck also. Nobody recognized Pandora’s picture, and she was trying desperately to keep an eye on Arietta to make sure she didn’t go looking for Selesti.

“Sashiko, come here,” Elisha said.

“What is it?” Sashiko asked. She was a tall woman with oriental features and black hair, who had been trained in the samurai tradition.

“I need you to trail Arietta,” Elisha said, “I get the feeling she’s going to look for trouble.”

“You think she’s going to look for that Selesti woman.” Sashiko said, “and the places such a woman would go are not the kind of places Arietta should be.”

“Exactly,” Elisha said.

Arietta found herself at a dingy alleyway, filled with little curio shops. She found her mind wandering, and let herself walk down the alley, looking in the windows. She put her hood up to hide her features, in case anybody recognized her from the day before, but the alley seemed to be mostly deserted in the morning light. Sashiko followed in the shadows, unknown to Arietta.

As she reached the end of the alley, she saw a woman dressed in tight clothing, gesturing to a dirty building with the door open. She didn’t know why she went, but she found herself descending the stairs into the dirty hole. The smell of incense wafted up to her, but it was mixed with the smell of sex and she knew she had come to a place she should not have.

“Ah, robed stranger,” said a lady at the bottom of the steps, “I understand your desire to remain anonymous. Do you have a particular lady you would like to see today?”

“Selesti,” she said, not knowing why she said it, but knowing at the same time that she had come down here to find Selesti, to know how low she had sold herself to try and keep her desire under control.

“She’s not one of our girls,” the woman said, “She’s one of Alandra’s girls, down the street, “But we have a good selection for you to choose from...”

Arietta turned and left.

It was only a few houses down that she saw Selesti standing outside Alandra’s brothel, dressed in a tawdry dress that showed almost all of her breast and came up to the top of her legs. Arietta stood for a moment, wondering how to approach Selesti, how to tell her to leave the city, when a man came up to Selesti and offered her a bag of coins, groping her as he did so. She took his hand and led him into the darkness of the brothel, and Arietta stood in the street, a light rain falling on her, wondering why she had come here why she had let her last memories of a woman she loved be tainted by that sight. Did she need one last stab of pain to sever that cord, to say goodbye to her feelings?

Sashiko approached her then, “Arietta?” she asked.

“I’m sorry, Sashiko,” Arietta said, “I didn’t mean to abandon the search for Pandora. I just... I just had to know, and something led me here... and... and...” She started crying, and Sashiko shook her head and embraced Arietta, soothing her.

“We should get back to Elisha,” Sashiko said, “Pandora still needs our help.”

The sun was bright and strong by the time they got back to Elisha. Throngs of people lined the route, all hoping for a glimpse of their candidate, the man who embodied all their hopes and dreams.

“Are you all right?” Elisha asked Arietta above the noise of the crowd.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” Arietta said, “I’m sorry, Elisha. I wasted so much time that there’s no way we’ll find Pandora now, it’s too busy.”

“We should get closer to the ship,” said Elisha, “but I’m not giving up on Pandora. We’ll find her, and I’m not going to return to the ship until I do.”

They moved though the crowd, trying to keep ahead of the float with Talenqua on board so they wouldn’t be mowed down by the throngs of crowds that were following his journey through the city.

Arietta thought she saw a flash of green hair in the crowd, “Elisha, Sashiko!” she said excitedly, “Look!”

“Where?” Elisha said, “I don’t see anything!”

“Over there!” Arietta said, as she saw the jade green hair appear again above the heads of the crowd.

“It’s her!” Elisha said, “Quickly, get over to that side of the street, before the float comes down here!”

They pushed their way through the crowds, ignoring the angry protests of the tightly packed people. They reached the clumsily constructed wooden barrier and ducked under it, diving out before the float.

It all happened at once. Shots rang out, Arietta saw Pandora turn with a look of horror on her face. Talenqua fell back, as if in slow motion, blood spraying from his chest. Luna gasped and rushed through the fleeing crowds, ducking under the barrier to reach Talenqua’s side and taking him in her arms. Pandora followed her, as guards rushed to cordon off the scene.

“Talenqua!” Luna cried, tears welling in her eyes, “You can’t die! Not now! We’re all depending on you!”

“Luna...” Pandora sighed, putting her hand on Luna’s shoulder gently.

“Pandora, I’m glad you’re all right,” Arietta said.

“Were you looking for me?” Pandora asked, and she smiled wanly as Arietta, Sashiko and Elisha nodded, “Thanks,” she said, “Though I wish you’d found me in better circumstances.”

“Who’s your friend?” Elisha asked.

“Her name’s Luna,” Pandora said, “She saved me from an angry mob. She’s one of us, and I’m grateful to her. But Talenqua was her hope for a better future.” She knelt down next to Luna and wrapped her arms around her, “Luna,” she soothed.

“He’s dead,” Luna said, as the guards took Talenqua’s lifeless body from her arms. People were screaming and crying in the streets and violence had broken out, but Luna just knelt there, blood on her cloak, stunned and shocked.

“We should get out of here, Luna,” Pandora said, “It’s not safe here. We should get you back to your father’s house.”

“I’m not going back, Pandora,” she said, “I can’t go back. This city isn’t safe any more. No matter what candidate replaces Talenqua or how long they delay the election, Valen has already won. Soon, this city will be just like Garania.”

“Then come with us,” Arietta said, “There’s a home for everybody on the White Ship. Come seek Sanctuary with us, and help build a city that’s worth living in.” She looked around her, “These people still have a choice. If they honor Talenqua’s sacrifice, everything may be all right for them yet.”

“I doubt it,” Luna said, “Talenqua was a popular man, but even he was losing to Valen. There’s nobody to fill his shoes.” She stood up and looked around her at the violence and devastation unfolding around them, “So this is how it ends.”

Arietta surveyed the violence with sorrowful eyes, wishing there was something she could do, but she knew her responsibility was to get the others back to the ship. There was nothing she could do to save San Ria from becoming like Garania, and it saddened her.

“This is how it ends...” she echoed Luna’s words, “No, someday... we will reclaim both San Ria and Garania.”

She took Elisha and Pandora’s hands, Pandora took Luna’s hand, and together they rushed through the streets, hurrying to the port, leaving the violence behind them.

~

When they reached the ship, Lady Thea was waiting for them. She looked relieved to see Pandora with the group.

“That’s everybody accounted for then,” Thea said, “We should cast off at once. What happened out there?”

“Talenqua was assassinated,” Elisha explained.

“That’s a shame,” Thea said, “He was a good man.”

“Wait,” Arietta said, “Shouldn’t we do or say something to try and stop the violence here? We can’t just let these people descend into misery!”

“The more we interfere, the worse it will be for us,” Thea sighed, “It’s bad enough that White Knights were in the city when this assassination happened. If we hang around, we could get arrested, blamed for the assassination. We could become the excuse for much more suffering. We should leave at the earliest opportunity.”

“Luna,” Pandora said, “Once we leave, we won’t be coming back for a long time. Are you sure it’s all right to come with us? What about your father?”

“To tell the truth,” said Luna, sniffling, “I had intended to come with you all along. I told my father last night, and made my peace with the Fire God. I just didn’t know how to ask.”

“I’m sorry about Talenqua,” Pandora said, “I know that he meant a lot to you.”

“He was a good man,” Luna said, looking over the side as they sailed off into the ocean, “There’s a shortage of good, brave people these days. He knew that what he was doing was controversial and that his proposed reforms would probably cost him his life long before the election, but he walked into the valley of the shadow of death regardless. He even talked of his own death like it was an inevitability in the current climate. What makes somebody tread forward, even though they know each step may well be their last? What drives a human being to override his will to survive to make a better future?”

“Hope,” said Pandora, “It’s the force that drives us all.”

Chapter 5

[Author's notes: Arietta officially joins the White Knights, and Elisha reveals her past.]

A Knight’s Promise

Arietta was staring out of her porthole, analyzing the deep blue sea, when a knock on the door pulled her from her reverie.

“Come in!” she called.

Elisha opened the door, carrying a neatly folded pile of white clothing. She was smiling with the promise of something only she knew. Arietta knew when she saw her that both the uniform and that smile were for her.

“So I’m going to join the White Knights?” Arietta asked.

“Don’t sound so surprised,” Elisha said, “This is what you wanted, isn’t it?”

“Of course,” Arietta said, “I’m just surprised it’s happening so soon.”

“A lot has happened, and you have acquitted yourself well,” Elisha said, “Lady Thea believes you are ready. She was going to get you measured for a uniform in San Ria, but things didn’t go according to plan. So I hope you don’t mind having a spare uniform. She was about your size...”

“Whose uniform was this?” Arietta said, feeling a little sad. It wasn’t that she didn’t have a new uniform, it was that somebody had died and would never be wearing these white clothes again.

“Trisha was one of the Knights who was imprisoned and died in the battle in Garania,” Elisha said, “I’m sorry to give you a uniform that’s already tainted with sorrow.”

“That’s all right,” Arietta said, “She protected us then, back in that prison, gave her life so we could be here today. It would be an honor to wear her uniform.”

“I hope it fits all right,” Elisha said, “Lady Thea said she will have some new uniforms tailored when we reach Haven’s End, but she wanted you to be able to wear a uniform for the ceremony.”

“There’s a ceremony?” Arietta asked. She’d never thought to ask how it was exactly that Knights were initiated into the order.

“I won’t spoil anything,” Elisha said, “I’ll wait outside while you dress, then we’ll go to Lady Thea’s office together.”

“All right,” Arietta said. She unfolded the white uniform. It was simple and clean and she liked the way it felt when she put it on. She fastened the cloak around her shoulders and looked in the reflection of the porthole, allowing herself a moment of pride. Then she opened the door, and stepped outside into the hallway where Elisha was waiting.

“It looks good on you,” she said, “It brings out your golden hair and bright blue eyes.”

Arietta blushed, but nodded, “Onward, then,” she said, and they walked to Thea’s office.

Thea’s office was grand, filled with all the luxuries one would expect in a place where important decisions were made. Rugs from distant lands adorned the floor, while a huge desk stood in the middle and a comfortable chair sat behind it. On the other side of the room was a large table where an assortment of maps were laid out, and various regalia of the White Knights and Lady Thea’s family crest adorned the walls. She had never really noticed how grand the room was before now, having only ever been there in times of emergency when the decor seemed of little importance.

More important were the people lining the walls. She recognized faces; Pandora, Sashiko and other White Knights she had seen around the ship. All stood upright in honor of her and her introduction, and she felt a little embarrassed. Master Kane stood next to Thea’s desk, and they seemed to only be waiting for the Lady herself.

The door opened behind her, and all hands saluted as Lady Thea walked in, looking splendid in her full armor, a rich white and gold cloak flowing behind her. “At ease!” she commanded, and all hands dropped in perfect rhythm back to their owner’s sides. She took two mighty steps across the room to stand in front of her desk and Arietta, and Elisha bowed and took her place beside Lady Thea.

“We are all gathered here today to introduce a new Knight into the ranks, a woman who has performed nobly and with great honor!” she said. Arietta bowed her head, uncertain and a little nervous. Had she really acted with honor? She had only followed orders, and even broken those when she went to search for Selesti. Everything had turned out well, but her decisions had not always been the best. Was she truly ready for this?

“Arietta Isobel Sashrady of Garania, I ask you; do you wish to join the White Knights?”

She had heard a piece of advice a long time ago, though she could not remember who had said it or why. It came to her now, the words simple and honest; always follow your heart. She had held true to it all her life when she had made important decisions, and she clung to it now, letting her heart guide her actions. She had wished for the White Ship, and it had come to be, so how could she go back now? This was all she had wanted, and she was determined to grasp it with both hands.

“I do,” Arietta said firmly and clearly.

“Do you promise to honor and obey, to work for the good of all people, to protect and serve for as long as you shall live?”

“I do,” she repeated, and raised her head to meet Lady Thea’s eyes. She had never really looked into the eyes of the woman who led them all, and she had never really noticed how beautiful those emerald green eyes were; lush with experience and determination, with hopes and dreams. By being here today, by inviting Arietta into the White Knights, she was sharing that dream with her and entrusting a part of it to Arietta’s care.

“Kneel,” Lady Thea said, and she drew her sword, a finely crafted blade of the sharpest steel, with engravings on the blade and a hilt encrusted with jewels, topped with an emerald that matched her eyes. Arietta knelt before Lady Thea, bowing her head.

“In the name of my house, I, Lady Thea Ashrai of the Nameless Islands, knight you with my sword Maia, and bestow upon you all the protection of the White Knights. May your days be long and fruitful, and your nights restful. I grant you the rank of Lieutenant.”

A quick gasp rose up among the crowd, but was quickly brought under control. Elisha’s eyes widened. Arietta tried to remain with her eyes firmly on the rug beneath her, tracing the patterns on it, but she felt the sensation of fifty pairs of eyes boring into her. How could it be? How could she have the same rank as Elisha, when Elisha had been on the ship much longer than her? She hadn’t earned it, and didn’t deserve it, but she had made her promise, and who was she now to question it? She wanted to flee, to run from the room and hide away from it, but she took deep breaths and forced herself to remain still and calm. There had to be a reason, there had to be.

“Arise,” Lady Thea said, and Arietta stood, her legs shaky.

“Now it is time for you to choose a sword,” Master Kane said. Arietta hesitated, but Elisha rested her hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. She looked at Elisha and saw the tears in her eyes, and gave her a look of apology as she approached Master Kane.

Kane handed her a sword, “This is the weapon I think would be most suitable for you, but it is your choice, “Test its weight.”

She looked down at the sword. It was fairly plain, but the weight felt right, and it felt natural as she held it, like an extension of her arm. This was the weapon with which she would fight for Sanctuary, fight to protect people with.

“It’s up to you to choose a name for your sword,” Thea said, “It’s your own personal decision what you name your weapon. Some people use the name of the person they love, like my sword is called Maia, after my wife. Others use a concept or feeling that is important to them. Pandora’s sword is named Hope, for example. You may tell people the name of your sword, but think long and hard about your decision. You will name your weapon in a ceremony, so it cannot be changed. Also, the sword is yours. You are welcome to make any engravings, upgrades or modifications to it, but at your own expense.”

“Thank you,” Arietta said, taking a scabbard for the sword and fastening it around her waist. It felt right there, like a comforting weight.

“Arietta’s knighting is therefore concluded,” Lady Thea said. Some of the White Knights started to make for the door.

“You have not yet been dismissed,” Master Kane reminded them, and they hurried back to their places, looking abashed.

“Indeed,” Lady Thea said, “We’re not finished yet. Elisha, step forward.”

It was Elisha’s turn to look shocked, but Arietta joined the crowd lining the walls of the room and smiled to Elisha. Elisha stepped forward and bowed before Lady Thea.

“Elisha Alice Tamald, of the Arian Empire,” Lady Thea announced, “With the power vested in me, I grant you the rank of Commander,” she said, suppressing a smile.

Arietta felt surprise that Elisha came from the Arian Empire. She had heard tales that the Moral Revolution had started there, and that it was a very harsh place to live. She wondered what pain had brought Elisha away from her homeland and to the white ship. She also felt a great deal of relief as Elisha was promoted. Elisha was a loyal and responsible person, and Arietta knew it would have caused her a great deal of pain to be the same rank as somebody who had just recently joined the ship, even if that person was her friend.

Elisha stood and bowed to Lady Thea. Thea smiled and nodded, and Elisha went to stand next to Arietta. Arietta squeezed her shoulder, “Congratulations,” she whispered, and Elisha gave her a warm smile.

“Just one more, then,” Lady Thea said, “Luna, step forward.”

Luna, who Arietta had not previously noticed in her white uniform, stepped out from her hiding place behind one of the room’s alcoves. Pandora shot her a smile, and Luna gained a little confidence as she approached Lady Thea and bowed.

“Luna has expressed interest in joining the White Knights,” Thea said to the assembled Knights, “Usually we don’t let one join the ranks so soon after joining the ship, but she saved Ensign Pandora from danger and has earned her place as a Knight alongside all of us.”

There were murmurs of agreement around the room, then everybody fell silent.

“Luna Saffron Tahishi of San Ria; I ask you, do you wish to join the White Knights?” Thea asked.

“I... I do!” she said nervously.

“Do you promise to honor and obey, to work for the good of all people, to protect and serve for as long as you shall live?”

“I do,” Luna promised. She knelt before Thea even asked.

“In the name of my house, I, Lady Thea Ashrai of the Nameless Islands, knight you with my sword Maia, and bestow upon you all the protection of the White Knights. May your days be long and fruitful, and your nights restful. I grant you the rank of Ensign.”

Luna stood, selected her sword, and hurried to Pandora’s side. Pandora embraced her with a delighted smile on her face, as though she had just been promoted herself. Arietta’s heart warmed to see them so happy.

“You are all dismissed, then,” Lady Thea said, “Please prepare for arrival at Haven’s End. It will be a short stop, and most of you will remain onboard. If you wish to disembark for personal reasons, please obtain special permission from me.”

The knights filed out into the passageway, the halls exploding with noise as the men and women aboard ended their long silence and relaxed.

Elisha and Arietta stayed behind for a moment.

“Yes?” Lady Thea asked, when everybody else had left.

“I wish to ask for special permission to go ashore at Haven’s End,” Arietta said, “I have some personal business to attend to.”

Elisha gave her an odd look, but if Thea or Elisha were worried, they didn’t express their feelings or ask questions.

“Granted,” Thea said, “Be quick, though. We are only going ashore for a few hours to gather supplies. There is little at Haven’s End, it’s a dead port. Elisha, I want you to come with me and help me arrange supplies.”

“Yes, ma’am,” she said. Arietta went out into the hallway to wait for Elisha.

“Tell me,” Thea said, smiling to Elisha, “Were you worried?”

“Just for a moment,” she admitted, breaking into a smile, “But thank you, it’s a great honor to have received a promotion.”

“It’s long overdue,” Lady Thea said, “You’re at my right hand constantly. Without you, it would be hard for me to run this ship. I appreciate all your hard work, Elisha.”

“Thank you so much,” Elisha bowed, and hurried out.

“How did Lady Thea know my full name?” Arietta asked, “I’ve never told her.”

“She sent me to ask Selesti, while she was still aboard. Selesti wondered why I asked, but told me easily enough.” Elisha said.

“Where are the Nameless Islands?” Arietta asked, “I’ve never heard of such a place.”

Elisha smiled, “It doesn’t really exist,” she said, “It’s just a place people give when they don’t know their homeland, when they have been made stateless or exiled, or when they don’t want to reveal where they came from. Nobody really knows where Lady Thea was born, and nobody asks. Does it really matter? Someday I hope we’ll all be proud to adopt Sanctuary as our homeland.”

“Even if we find Sanctuary,” Arietta said, “I think Garania will always be my home. It’s the place where I grew up, the place that gave me all my views on the world. I want to find Sanctuary, but I still dream of freeing my homeland someday.”

“I hate it when Lady Thea announces my homeland,” Elisha said, “I’m ashamed to admit that I come from the Arian Empire, the home of Valen and the Moral Revolution.”

“Valen came from the Arian Empire?” Arietta asked, “I didn’t know that. That explains why he’s so extreme... Wait, Elisha, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Elisha said, “It’s true. My homeland is a hotbed of oppression and misery. Nothing good has ever come from the Empire.”

“You came from it,” Arietta said, “If you exist, then other good people do as well. Don’t be so quick to give up on your homeland.”

“It’s not my homeland any more,” Elisha said, “I have no home there to go to, no family... Look, I’d really rather not talk about it...”

“I’m sorry,” said Arietta, “Let’s change the subject. Commander, huh? I was worried for a moment, you’ve done so much more than me aboard this ship.”

“Don’t worry,” Elisha said, “Lady Thea has never let me down.”

~

Elisha and Arietta arrived on deck to find Luna and Pandora dancing while others cheered and clapped a tune. The crew were cheerful, and it brightened Arietta’s spirits after the difficult conversation with Elisha.

“Ensigns Pandora and Luna,” Elisha said, “I know you’re having fun, but we’re approaching port. Please return to your posts.”

“Sorry, Commander,” they said in unison, then giggled and made off for their posts. Elisha barked orders to the crewman, and they steered the ship safely into port as midday approached. Lady Thea came up on deck after a change of clothes, now clad in her usual armor and cloak instead of the ceremonial attire she had worn for the knighting.

“Well, this is Haven’s End,” Thea announced, “All who have permission to disembark, you may do so now.” Arietta left, along with a small group of crewmen. She hurried into a back alley so that she would not be followed, and started to look around Haven’s End.

Elisha, Thea and Sashiko made up the shore party, and they left the ship in Master Kane’s care as they went ashore.

The town was small, a relic of what it once was. Many shops were closed up, and the docks looked decrepit and deserted. A few hovels housed overgrown families whose children ran about in the street looking for something to do. Thea found a supply store, however, and made her deal within minutes. The store owner looked happy to have found such a large customer in such a small port, and he sent his men to load the supplies. Thea sent Sashiko to the tailor to buy cloth to make more uniforms, and she was back with three huge bolts of cloth which a crewman took from her.

“Well, I suppose that’s it,” Lady Thea said, “I need to return to the ship to supervise the loading, but you two are welcome to look around if you wish.”

“I’d rather return with you,” Sashiko said, “There’s nothing much to see here.”

“I’d like to walk awhile, if I may,” Elisha said, “It’s been a long day.”

They parted ways and Elisha wandered around the town. She supposed she was looking for Arietta but at the same time knew she should not be suspicious. Arietta was her friend, wasn’t she? But why had she come into this town alone, when there was nothing here to do? Was she sending a carrier pigeon to Selesti with a message of love, warning her to escape San Ria? Was she sending the White Ship’s coordinates to the Garanian government to sell them all out? She frightened herself with her thinking as she approached a seating area that looked out over the ocean. She sat and stared out at the sea as twilight descended. There was such pain in her memories that she had shut Arietta out with more force than she had meant to. Had she hurt Arietta? She leaned on the wall. The sea looked so inviting, so deep and blue.

She had been promoted, but she felt no victory in it. Everything seemed hollow sometimes, like there was no joy or color in anything, and moreso at twilight, when the sky was such a vibrant orange. It made all her uneasiness come to the surface.

She felt a presence behind her, and knew it was Arietta, “I hate the twilight,” she said, “That time between day and night, when the sky explodes into orange and all things seem so uncertain.”

“Elisha?” Arietta said, “I’m sorry if I upset you earlier. It’s not my place to pry into your past.”

“I’m sorry if I upset you too, Arietta,” Elisha said, “I didn’t mean to be so sharp. It’s just... those memories are painful. I’ve never shared them with anybody, not even Lady Thea.”

“It’s all right,” Arietta said, “I didn’t go into town to get away from everybody. I wanted to get my sword engraved. Do you want to see it?”

“Of course!” Elisha said, feeling relief. Why hadn’t she thought of such a simple thing? Nearly every recruit modified their sword in some way to make it their own.

Arietta drew her sword and held it flat across her hands, “On this side, near the hilt,” she explained, “These are the people I’m fighting for. Those who have suffered at the hands of cruel people, or died for what they believed.” Elisha saw the names Selesti and Talenqua engraved into the blade. She flipped the blade over, “On this side are the places I’m fighting for. The lands taken over by the Moral Revolution, regardless of whether all their people want it or not.” There were three names; Garania, San Ria, and the Arian Empire, “I’ll add to it as I go along, if need be,” she said, “Hopefully I won’t have to. But this way, whenever I fight, I’ll always remember why I’m fighting.”

“Arietta...” Elisha said, “Shall I tell you what happened to me?”

“It’s up to you,” Arietta said, “If you’re ready to tell it, I will listen.”

“All my life,” Elisha began, “I hated the laws we were forced to live under in the Arian Empire. Strict religious dress at all times, no meetings of more than three people. I felt so lonely, and I felt like I was the only person in the world at times. I came from a big family... nine children, but I never felt I was like them. I had a basic education, but otherwise stayed at home to help with raising my siblings. I never enjoyed it much. When I grew up, I started to have questions about myself. I heard whispers and rumors in the air that there were meetings to stir up a revolution. I secretly met with the revolutionaries and was enraptured by their message of bringing freedom and overthrowing the Empire.”

“It was there that I met Lizbet. She was as passionate as I was about overthrowing the Empire, and she also understood me. It felt like for the first time in my life I had met somebody who I truly connected with on my level. But about then I started to begin disagreeing with the revolutionaries and their tactics. They used violence to spread their message, and many innocent people died. So I...” she turned away and looked at the dying sun, reflected in the water.

“I... I heard that Lizbet was going to be involved in a suicide operation, where she would strap explosives to herself and kill as many people as possible. I pleaded with her to stop, that what she was doing was wrong, but her mind was set. I didn’t want her to die, so I did the only thing I could... I sold her out to the authorities. I told them what she was going to do, in exchange for her life. I thought they would betray me, but you have to understand... I had no other choice.” Tears were rolling down her face. Arietta put her arm around her comfortingly.

“It’s okay,” Arietta said, “You don’t have to tell me the rest if it’s too painful.”

“N... no,” Elisha said, gathering herself, “I want to tell you.”

“What happened?” Arietta asked softly.

“They killed my whole family in a dawn raid,” Elisha said, “They killed my brothers and sisters while they were sleeping. The only reason I lived is that I was at the market when they came. When I returned home, I found their dead bodies all over the house. My parents died protecting the youngest.”

“They double-crossed you,” Arietta said, feeling pity and sorrow. Why had everybody on the white ship led such cruel lives? She seemed almost privileged in comparison.

“They did... sort of keep their bargain,” Elisha said, “Lizbet is still alive, as far as I know. They took her to a camp and tortured her to give them all the information on the resistance group. Eventually they released her, but she wasn’t the same person. She was broken, like a shell of a human being. I met her in our capital city, one last time, after she contacted me. It was as if she wanted me to see the broken person she had become. Then she told me to my face that she wished she was dead, that death would have been better than what they had done to her. She told me all the details with cold precision, and I felt that I was inflicting every blow, every torture upon her myself.”

“It’s not your fault,” Arietta said, “You just did what you thought was right.”

“At the time I thought I was doing it for them, for all the innocent people that would be hurt. But as time passed, I realized I did it for me, because I didn’t want Lizbet to die. I loved her so much that I was terrified of what would happen to me if she killed herself for her cause. I felt she loved her cause more than me. I suppose she did. I still never should have betrayed her. I should have let her make her own choices, even if they were wrong! It wasn’t my place to interfere with her decisions.”

“So what did you do then?” Arietta asked.

“I tried to kill myself. I took a ship to one of the territories of the Empire, and threw myself overboard. But there was something in me that just wouldn’t die. I clung to a piece of driftwood, and floated in the water for days, hoping to wash up somewhere. The White Ship was in the area, turns out they’d been captured and were escaping from the Arian Empire. They pulled me out of the water. I don’t remember much, they said I was in a coma, but when I woke, it was like a dream. There was warmth, acceptance and love all around me. I thought I had died and gone to the afterlife. It took a while to convince me otherwise.”

“So what did you say to Thea?” Arietta asked, “She must have asked where you came from!”

“Actually, Maia was in charge then,” Elisha said, “That was the start of things going downhill for them. It was a long time before I was well, and even when I was, I was angry at the human race for what had happened, for accepting the Moral Revolution and the oppression that went with it. When Thea and Maia split, I chose to stay with Lady Thea because her views reflected my own at the time. It was a while before we both realized the error of our ways.”

“Do you suppose you’ll ever see her again?” Arietta asked.

“Who, Lizbet?” Elisha asked, “I don’t think I would want to. What love was there is gone now. She hates me, and I don’t think I could ever look her in the eye again. I’ve moved on, and tried to put it behind me.”

Elisha embraced Arietta tightly, as if needing something to hold onto, to steady her. Arietta tenderly stroked her hair.

“Elisha,” Arietta said, “How long have you kept that secret inside you?”

“Five years,” Elisha said, “Five long years...”

They walked back to the ship together, hand in hand. Arietta started down the path towards the blacksmith’s shop, but Elisha stopped her.

“It’s okay,” she said, “You don’t need to put my name on that sword. Save it for the people who can’t fight for themselves. I haven’t given up yet.” She put her hand on the hilt of her sword.

“So what did you call your sword?” Arietta asked.

“Twilight,” Elisha said, “I hope it stirs the same uneasiness and uncertainty in my enemies as twilight does to me. Did you think of a name for your sword yet?”

“I don’t know,” Arietta said. “I spent so much time thinking of the engravings that I forgot to think about a name.”

“Well, think it over,” Elisha said, “Tell me first, okay? I want to know.”

“I will,” It was a promise to share a secret, and Arietta intended to keep it.

Chapter 6

[Author's notes: Feeling an air of melancholy on the ship, Pandora and Luna decide to hold a cook-off. Meanwhile, Arietta is losing faith in the human race due to all the suffering everybody has endured.]

A Crisis Of Faith

As they sailed towards unknown waters, the crew settled into a basic routine, each Knight and crew-member carrying out their specific tasks on the ship. It was never hard to motivate any of them, since they were all grateful for their floating home on the ocean, and everything generally ran smoothly.

There was, however, sometimes a sense of sadness and desperation caused both by the troubled pasts of many of the crew and the length of time of which some of them had been aboard. Every now and then, there would seem to be a general malaise among the crew; a feeling of depression that filled the air. Hopelessness found its voice in the way of rumors that Sanctuary didn’t really exist, and those rumors would spread through the decks.

“It’s a shame,” Pandora said, looking over the side of the ship. She stood next to Luna, who was watching the stars, “Sometimes, everybody seems so desolate and lost.”

“Even Arietta and Elisha have been muted since we stopped at Haven’s End,” Luna agreed, “I thought they would be happy, after all, Arietta was knighted and Elisha was promoted.”

“I don’t think they’re dissatisfied with life on the ship or anything,” Pandora said, “I think they’re just troubled. Arietta parted ways with Selesti less than a week ago, in a city which may well fall to the Moral Revolution. She has reason to be sad.”

“I suppose that’s true,” Luna said, “It’s just a shame. When Arietta smiles, I feel better just seeing it. It’s a reassuring feeling when I feel homesick, or when I feel down.”

“I agree,” Pandora said, “I wish we could do something to cheer everybody up. After all, we’re going into undiscovered country. This is just the beginning of a new adventure, but nobody seems to feel that way.”

“Perhaps we should organize an event,” Luna said, “Something to take people’s minds off their depression. Lady Thea said we won’t see much out here for a few weeks, so it would break up the boredom.”

“What about a cook-off?” said Pandora, “Everybody likes cooking, right?”

“A cooking competition?” said Luna, “Ah, Chosen of the Fire God, you are brilliant!”

Pandora sighed, “I wish you’d stop calling me that. I’m not a believer in the Seven Gods, and even if I was, I’m not special! I just wanted to be treated like a normal human being. Just once... not to be despised or revered by anybody.”

“I’m sorry,” Luna said, “I just can’t get over the fact that you can use magic. It’s just so incredible.”

“It doesn’t feel incredible to me,” Pandora shrugged, “It’s just something that’s always been natural to me.”

“Anyway,” Luna said, changing the subject, “I think a cook-off is a great idea.”

“Then we should go and ask Lady Thea about it,” Pandora said.

~

Lady Thea sat at her desk in her office, pouring over maps and ancient texts. She was tired, and yet she couldn’t rest until she had decided where to explore next.

“I know you’d tell me to just go with it, Maia,” she said to herself, “but I hate having no plans in mind, no end. It just seems aimless. I’m scared of going over the same old ground again, costing everybody valuable time and energy... I’m afraid...” She rested her head on her arms.

“Maia, if I take too long, will everybody desert me?” she asked the walls, and the walls were silent.

There was a knock at her door, and she pulled herself from her reverie, masking the emotions that were all too plain to see on her face, “Come in,” she said clearly, with a confidence she did not feel.

Pandora and Luna entered, barely able to contain their smiles.

“What is it, Ensigns?” She was curious why they were smiling when the rest of the crew were so downhearted, but she was too exhausted to really investigate that thought.

“We want to hold a cook-off on the ship,” Luna said, “May we use the kitchens?”

“What do you mean?” Lady Thea asked.

“A cooking competition, Lady Thea,” Pandora said, “We thought if we held an event, it might cheer everybody up. Everybody likes cooking, right?”

Looking at the vitality of the two young Knights standing before her, Thea was filled with a moment of hope. She managed a tired smile.

“Sounds good to me,” she said, “But you need to arrange it with the cooks, and see that you don’t get in anybody’s way. You will have to organize everything and tell people about it yourselves. Is that understood?”

“Thank you, Lady Thea!” Pandora said, and they hurried out of the room, preparations to make.

~

Arietta turned over in her bed. It wasn’t that she was tired, she just felt tired, like a great weight had descended upon her and was making living itself tiring.

She supposed it hadn’t been easy for herself to hear another tragic story; had they all suffered so much? Would there ever be a world in which they could live without that suffering? She wanted Sanctuary very much, but even if they found it, she knew their problems would not just magically disappear. They had all been scarred by their experiences, and while some were stronger for it, like Pandora, some still carried that weight with them, like Elisha.

Arietta didn’t know why hearing Elisha’s story had drained her so much, but it had. She had felt Elisha’s pain as she had confessed her tale, and she felt it now, the pain of somebody she cared for suffering. She could not tell anybody of her new burden, and hated to even admit to herself it was a burden, because she had wanted to hear Elisha’s tale. She had wanted to take some of the pain away from somebody she cared so much about, but nonetheless, she felt sorrow and darkness that had not been there before.

It wasn’t a new feeling, though, only an extension of a feeling that had began when Selesti had opened her heart and told Arietta the truth of what had been done to her. It was as though something vital to her had been damaged, and she supposed it had; her faith in the human race was waning. She had always held true to the thought that people were, on the whole, good and noble, yet faced with such unspeakable horrors as she had encountered both herself and in the pasts of others, she felt that notion slipping away.

There was a knock on the door, and she wanted to tell whoever it was to go away, to leave her be for a while. She rolled over, but the knock came again, followed by excited voices. Arietta sat herself up and made herself presentable, then wearily said, “Come in.”

Pandora and Luna burst through the door, tripping over one another to see Arietta. She chuckled at the comical pair before her, “What’re you two doing now?” she asked.

“We’re having a cooking competition!” Luna said, “Everybody is invited to the kitchens tomorrow to make their best dish! Then we will have our judges try every dish and determine who wins!”

“I can’t cook,” Arietta confessed, “I’m really hopeless!”

“That’s not true!” Pandora said, “Anybody can cook. I’m sure there’s something you could cook. It’ll be fun just to see what everybody comes up with.”

“It’s got to be better than sitting here in your room,” Luna said, “Come on! It’ll be fun.”

“All right then, sign me up,” Arietta said, “But I’m warning you now, it’ll be ugly!” She felt herself smiling at the memory of her past cooking experiences.

As they left, she couldn’t help but feel a little lighter. Perhaps, she realized, she just needed something to take her mind off her troubles.

~

“Elisha!” Pandora and Luna cried, as they spotted the brown-haired woman carrying a mop and bucket to the lower decks.

“What’s the matter?” Elisha asked, calmly putting down the bucket and guarding it against their whirlwind energy, “Calm down a little, Ensigns!”

“Sorry,” Luna said, “We just wanted to know if you wanted to take part in our cooking contest!”

“Cooking...?” Elisha said, “But why? Is somebody important coming aboard?”

“No,” Pandora said, “We just thought everybody could use a little cheering up. So far we have ten Knights signed up!”

“I suppose,” Elisha said, “When is it?”

“Tomorrow, come to the kitchens with your favorite recipe. You can use the ship’s supplies, we have permission from Lady Thea. Everybody will cook, and then our judges will decide a winner!” Pandora explained.

“Count me in, then,” Elisha said, relaxing. She let her guard down on the bucket, and as Pandora and Luna ran off, filled with joyful energy, Pandora knocked the bucket of water all over the floor without even noticing. Before Elisha could even call after them, they were gone. Sighing, she grabbed the mop and started to clean up the mess.

“Need some help?” Arietta asked, emerging from her room.

“Ah, those girls...” Elisha sighed, “I suppose they’re only doing it for our good, we’ve not exactly been a bundle of laughs since we went out to sea, have we?”

“Elisha...” Arietta said, “I’ve decided the name of my sword.”

“Oh?” Elisha said, perking up, “What is it?”

“Faith,” she said, “Not in gods, or any higher power. Faith in people. It’s something that waxes and wanes within me, but it’s something I need to remember is important to never give up on. Without having faith that there’s good people out there, the names on my sword are worthless. When I take up my sword for Garania, or San Ria, it’s to help the people who are trapped in a Moral Revolution they did not ask for, the good people who want to extend open arms to all people, but are prevented from doing so by the oppressive nature of their governments.”

“I like it,” Elisha said, “It’s a beautiful idea, from an equally beautiful person...”

Arietta blushed, “Elisha, I wish I were beautiful. There are times when I fear I fall far short of my ideals.”

“What’s wrong, Arietta?” Elisha asked, her violet eyes searching Arietta’s soul for signs of pain.

“It’s nothing,” Arietta said, “It’s just... There’s so much pain in the world. Everybody’s suffered so much. Even if we find Sanctuary, will we be able to build a nation without being crushed, either by our own pains and fears or by outside pressure?”

“I don’t know,” Elisha said, “Truly, I have no idea if we can succeed. My hope lies with Lady Thea and her dream. But even if we never find Sanctuary, is it so bad to live here on the ship? We seem to be surviving so far, and we have freedoms here that we never had in our homelands.”

“Sometimes...” Arietta said, “I miss my homeland. I like it here, on the White Ship, but I miss the great mixture of people who lived in Garania. I miss the collision of so many different cultures and ideas. I didn’t mind debating with people who didn’t agree with how I lived my life, so long as they weren’t trying to kill me. Now, here, everybody agrees with me. It’s almost unsettling. Sometimes I worry that we’re missing out on so many things we could be learning. That the world’s going by without us.”

“The world itself is closing up to new ideas, that’s the whole problem. The suppression of ideas under the Moral Revolution has destroyed the world you loved. Garania isn’t the place you knew and loved. San Ria is gone as well. The world isn’t moving forward, it’s moving into an era of stagnation.” Elisha said.

“I just think that... as well as looking forward to finding Sanctuary... we should also be enjoying the journey,” Arietta said, “Stopping in new lands, meeting new people...”

“We will, Arietta,” Elisha said, “Beyond the boundaries of the explored oceans, there are all kinds of places. Of course we’re desperate to look for Sanctuary, and our main goal will be to search for it. But that searching will involve stopping and asking questions as well. Don’t be so hasty to judge what our journey is like... You haven’t been on the ship that long.”

“I’m sorry,” Arietta said, “I suppose I just get impatient, that’s all. I don’t really like to be stuck at sea, without any real clue of our destination.”

“You’ll get used to it,” Elisha said, “I felt the same way after a few months aboard, once the wonder had worn off. Once our journey truly gets underway, you’ll love it.”

“So, do you have any ideas for the cooking competition?” Arietta asked.

“I have this one dish my mother used to cook,” Elisha said, “If I can remember how to make it, I might cook that. What do you have in mind?”

“I don’t know...” Arietta said, “I really can’t cook.”

“You’ll think of something.” Elisha said, “Anybody can cook. I’m sure you’ll manage.”

“That’s what everybody keeps saying...” Arietta mused.

~

The next day arrived, and Arietta went down to the ship’s kitchens to find everybody busily cooking away. She uncertainly gathered some ingredients and found a corner to start preparing her food.

“Everybody looks happy,” Luna said, “It was a good idea, Pandora. Even Lady Thea is cooking!”

“I didn’t know she could cook!” Pandora said, hardly believing her eyes, “It’s good to see everybody enjoying themselves, though. Everybody looks so much brighter.”

“So, what are you cooking?” Luna said.

“I’m not telling you,” Pandora said, “It’s a secret.”

“Then I won’t tell you what I’m making, either!” Luna said, and they laughed together, the sound ringing out amongst the crashing of pots and pans.

“That smells delightful,” Thea said to Sashiko, as she looked over at Sashiko’s cooking area, “A secret recipe from the Far East?”

“Indeed, Lady Thea,” Sashiko said, “I think you will like it. What are you making?”

“A dish from the Nameless Islands,” she replied, smiling.

Sashiko laughed, “I like the taste of thin air. It’s kind of salty.”

“Very funny,” Thea said, as she continued baking.

Elisha looked over to Arietta, but she was huddled in the corner, chopping vegetables. She wondered if she should go and help Arietta, but didn’t want to injure her pride by interfering, so she left the younger woman to herself and continued cooking her mother’s dish.

Luna danced around happily, “Look, I finished my dish first!” she laughed, spinning around. She tripped over a wooden crate and her meal went flying from her hands, landing all over the floor.

She started to cry. Pandora went over to her and knelt down beside her, taking the pink-haired girl in her arms, “Hey, don’t cry about it,” she said, “It was only supposed to be fun. I don’t want you to cry because of it, or I’ll wish I’d never thought of the idea.”

“I just wanted you... to enjoy some of my cooking...” Luna sniffled, “I wanted to make it up to you... for always saying you’re the Fire God’s Chosen One.”

“It’s okay,” Pandora said, “I don’t mind what you believe, Luna. Just as long as you see me as a person as well. That’s all I was saying.” She held Luna tightly, “Oh, Luna,” she said, “I never meant to make you sad...”

Then Luna’s lips were on hers, a quick, chaste kiss that was over far too soon for Pandora’s liking, “You never make me sad,” Luna said, “I’ve never been happier since I met you.”

When they stood up, thirty pairs of eyes were watching them with an “aww” look, and they both blushed the color of beetroot, still clinging to one another, pasta hanging from Luna’s hair.

~

The day went by quickly, and the sun was setting as they brought their completed dishes up on deck, one by one, and placed them on a table.

“So, how does the judging work?” Lady Thea asked Pandora.

“We will all taste each dish, and write down a score from one to ten, one being awful, ten being great. Then you will hand the slips to Luna, who will calculate the score for each dish and write it down. The dish with the highest score wins!” Pandora explained.

“What will the prize be?” Lady Thea asked, “You did think of a prize, right?”

Pandora looked at Luna, who looked at Pandora, “Oops,” they said together, “I knew we forgot something,” Pandora said, “I suppose it’s just for fun, then.”

They each went down the line, tasting the dishes and handing their slips to Luna with positive smiles on their faces, until they reached Arietta’s dish. It looked visually unappealing, and smelled just as bad, but nobody wanted to upset Arietta.

Elisha stepped forward and took the first bite as Arietta eagerly looked on. She chewed it, trying to filter out the awful taste of mixed, overcooked vegetables from her mind as another wave of awful, overcooked meat taste entered her mouth. She looked up at Arietta, as though wanting to seek permission to spit out the nasty-tasting dish, but seeing Arietta’s sweetly excited smile, her resolve melted and she forced herself to swallow.

“It’s good,” she managed, “Very... distinctive flavor.” Arietta burst into a smile, and Elisha wanted to hide. She hid her piece of paper from Arietta as she guiltily wrote a “1” on it, justifying to herself that she was voting for the dish, not the person. She handed Luna her slip and turned to watch the others politely trying not to vomit as they quickly wrote on their paper. They handed the slips to Luna and quickly moved onto the next dish, Lady Thea’s creation. They gulped it down greedily.

“Wow, I didn’t know you could cook like this!” Elisha said, “Lady Thea, you are full of surprises.”

“Indeed,” Sashiko said, “You’re talented at everything, Lady Thea.”

“Maia taught me how to cook,” Thea said, “She said it wouldn’t hurt me to learn to take care of myself outside of the battlefield as well as in it.” She smiled, fondly remembering her wife, “She was an excellent cook.”

“Truly,” one of the few male Knights, a young, blond-haired man called Adam, said, “This is some of the best cooking I’ve tasted all day.” Murmurs of assent rose up through the crowd.

“It’s a hard choice,” Pandora said, “I loved your dish as well, Elisha.”

“I didn’t get it quite right,” Elisha said, “I always wish I’d asked my mother her recipe...” Arietta gave her a meaningful, comforting look.

After they had all voted, Luna stood up. “Fifteen Knights participated, giving each dish a maximum score of one-hundred and fifty. In first place is Lady Thea’s ‘Nameless Dish From The Nameless Islands,’ with one hundred and thirty points!”

Everybody clapped, and Lady Thea smiled, “That doesn’t mean I’m going to be on cooking duty any time soon!” she reminded them, and a moan of disappointment made its way through the crowd.

“Coming in second with one hundred and twenty-six points is Elisha’s ‘My Mother’s Favorite Dish’!” Everybody clapped, and Arietta squeezed Elisha’s hand.

“Third place is a tie!” Luna announced, “between Sashiko’s ‘Far East Sushi’ and Pandora’s ‘Magically Roasted Vegetables’!” Everybody clapped again.

“Well, that’s all for the cooking contest! Congratulations to our winners!” Luna said.

“Wait...” Arietta said, “Luna, where did mine come?”

“Uhh... Arietta, your ‘Vegetable Thingiemajiggy’ came in last with uh, 16 points.” Luna muttered.

Somebody actually gave it 2 points?, was all Elisha thought guiltily as Arietta’s crestfallen face appeared before her.

“I told you I couldn’t cook!” Arietta said, regaining her smile, “It’s a good job we don’t have to cook our way to Sanctuary then, right?”

Everybody laughed as the last of the sun faded over the horizon and the meeting broke up, the crew taking away the empty plates and packing away the table. Arietta excused herself quickly and went to her room.

“I felt mean, telling Arietta her score,” Luna said, “I didn’t want to upset her, it’s not what this was supposed to be about.”

“She did tell us she couldn’t cook,” Pandora said, “I’m sure she’ll be okay. It was only supposed to be in the spirit of fun. I’m sure she understands that.”

~

Arietta waited until she was in the private space of her cabin to cry. She didn’t know why it bothered her so much, they had only been trying to cheer everybody up, but she hated failing at anything. She rolled onto her bed and let the tears fall freely. Did they like her so little that they’d only thought her dish was worth a lousy one point? She knew she shouldn’t feel sorry for herself but she did. She felt as if she had been rejected by all the people she considered her friends.

There was a knock at the door, and she didn’t answer.

“Arietta,” came Elisha’s voice, “Please, let me in.” She tried the door and it swung open. She entered and walked over to Arietta’s crying form on the bed. She sat gently on the edge of the bed and stroked Arietta’s long hair tenderly as she cried into the pillow.

“That rating had nothing to do with you as a person,” Elisha said, “Please don’t take it personally. Everybody here loves you.”

“I don’t know,” Arietta said, “I can’t even explain why I’m crying. I just feel so defeated, so rejected. Everybody else is happy and celebrating and I just feel rejected. I knew when I entered that I couldn’t cook, but I did it anyway, because I just wanted to be a part of something.”

“You are a part of something,” Elisha said, letting her hand stroke Arietta’s face and catch her tears, “You’re a part of this crew, one who we would all miss if you weren’t here. It doesn’t matter if you can’t cook. Luna lost her dish, so technically she scored nothing, but she still enjoyed taking part.”

“I suppose,” Arietta said, “I just feel sometimes that I don’t really belong here. That everything would be the same for all of you if I’d never come aboard this ship.”

“That’s not true,” Elisha said, “I would be much worse off for having never met you. I never would have shared my secrets, or had somebody to talk to like this... Arietta, your smile lights up my whole day. More than anything, Pandora and Luna were trying to make you smile because they, too, love to see you happy. What’s wrong, Arietta? Did we do something to make you feel out of place? Please tell me.”

“I wanted to ask for help,” Arietta said, “But I didn’t feel there was anybody I could ask. Right then, in that moment, I felt so alone.”

“I wanted to help you,” Elisha said, “I thought it might injure your pride if I came over and started interfering in your project. But I’m always here for you. All you have to do is ask and I’ll do anything to help you, Arietta.” She helped Arietta sit up against the back of the bed and grasped her hands gently, “But you have to tell me! I don’t automatically know what you’re feeling, or when you need help. Don’t keep all your pains and fears to yourself.”

“I feel like I’ve lost something,” Arietta said, “Something vital to my survival, something that powers my will.”

“Your faith in the human race,” Elisha said, “Was it my life story? I’m sorry if I’ve made you feel this way.”

“It wasn’t just that...” Arietta said, “Selesti... she...”

“What happened with her?” Elisha asked, “She never did tell anybody why she left so suddenly.”

“She was experimented on... in Garania,” Arietta said, sobbing, “They changed her, so she desired sex constantly. That’s why she slept with every serving girl on the ship. There was nothing I could do for her, and we both understood there was no way we could continue our relationship like that. So... she left.”

“I see,” Elisha said, understanding, “Then I went and dropped all my burdens on you, thinking you were as free as the wind, invincible and carefree. I’m so sorry, Arietta.”

“Everybody on this ship has suffered so much,” Arietta said, “If I had the power, I would go back and erase everybody’s misery! No matter what the cost...”

“Then we would never have met,” Elisha said, “We wouldn’t have this life’s purpose that we’ve taken on, finding Sanctuary. The fact is... pain is part of life’s experience. A lot of us would love to go back and erase the past, but would it really be for the greater good? We’ve all learned things from the past, which we can use to improve the future. When we find Sanctuary, we’ll use the knowledge we’ve gained to build a good and just government.”

“Tell that to Selesti!” Arietta said, “In San Ria, I snuck off to find Selesti. I saw her, working in a whorehouse! She used to be so proud and noble, such a vibrant spirit. Now she’s reduced to a mere shadow of her former self. I couldn’t even bring myself to talk to her, because I knew she would feel pain having me see her like that. It’s why she left, so I wouldn’t have to witness the depths to which she would sink. Tell me, how will that pain make her stronger?”

“I don’t know,” Elisha said, “Truly, if I had the answers, Arietta, I would give them to you. I would give you back your faith in the human spirit, I would take your pain onto myself if I could. All I have is my deep love for you, Arietta. All I have is my heart, which loves the person you are, and longs for your happiness.” She took Arietta into her arms, holding her tightly.

“I love you, Arietta,” Elisha confessed, “I’ve loved you from the moment I met you. I hated the way that Selesti hurt you. I hate the fact that I was weak and let my burdens out on you. I don’t want you to suffer because of me. I’d do anything to prevent that.”

Arietta felt her heart stir as Elisha confessed her feelings of love. She nestled into Elisha’s warm breasts, feeling comfort and warmth all around her as Elisha stroked her back and soothed her aching spirit.

“I wish...” Arietta said, “I wish I could be as strong as Pandora. I wish I had the strength to move beyond this pain and continue.”

“Not everybody has that kind of strength alone,” Elisha said, “That’s why we have love. That’s why we have each other. So we don’t have to face this painful world alone.”

Arietta pulled back, and looked into Elisha’s eyes. They were filled with warm emotion, and tears were forming in her eyes.

Always follow your heart, she thought to herself. Go where it takes you. She let her hand stroke Elisha’s face, feeling the warmth of her skin. She saw Elisha’s smile, so beautiful to her, because it was for her. She let herself move forward and claim that mouth for her own, gently kissing Elisha. Elisha returned the kiss, pulling Arietta closer as they continued to kiss, tears flowing freely down both of their faces as they ceased to hold anything back. They pulled apart slowly, reluctantly, and Arietta smiled, feeling warmth in her heart once again, the white-hot fire burning where nothingness had been just recently.

Just then, there was an insistent knocking on the door and Pandora and Luna burst in.

“Oops,” Luna said, seeing Arietta and Elisha entangled in each other’s arms.

“Come on Luna, we should go,” Pandora said, grabbing Luna’s arm.

“Ensigns, you should obtain permission before entering anybody’s room!” Elisha said, in her best businesslike voice. Arietta began to laugh, noting to remind Elisha later that she had also not received permission to enter.

“I’m sorry,” Pandora said, “We just wanted to say we’re sorry if we upset you, Arietta. But I think Elisha got here first.”

“It’s all right,” Arietta said, smiling, “I think everything’s going to be all right.”

Chapter 7

[Author's notes: After spotting a white tower on the horizon, the crew rush to find out if it is Sanctuary. However, they are not the only ones interested in the tower...]

The White Tower

“I hereby officially name your sword, ‘Faith’,” Thea said, looking at the blade. If she was curious as to the inscribed names on the blade, she did not ask Arietta as she handed the sword back. Arietta took her sword by the hilt and sheathed it. Turning to leave Lady Thea’s office, she was almost knocked over by a messenger who flew through the door.

“Lady Thea!” the messenger said, “You must come at once!”

Lady Thea asked no more questions as she turned and took huge strides out of the office, the messenger in tow.

“Report!” she commanded, as they strode up the hallway, the messenger struggling to keep up. Arietta followed behind, eager to get a idea of the situation.

“There’s a white tower on the horizon, on an outcropping of land. It appears to be surrounded by forest. My lady, what if it’s Sanctuary?”

“I must see this,” Lady Thea said, taking two steps at a time up to the deck. She took a telescope from a nearby ensign who was looking at the white tower and looked for herself. She swallowed deeply, “Come in close at once,” she said. She turned to Arietta and Elisha, who had both hurried to her side.

“You two are with me. Bring Pandora and Luna as well. We’re going ashore to search that tower.” Thea commanded.

“I don’t understand,” Elisha said, “We’re not far from explored territory, and we must have come this way before. Why have we never seen this tower?”

“We changed course on my orders a couple of days ago,” Thea said, “I took a less direct route into the Uncharted Ocean, because there’s no point us going over the same old ground.”

“Makes sense,” Elisha agreed, “Lady Thea, do you think this is it? That it’s been under our noses all along?”

“It seems a little too good to be true,” Arietta said, “It might be some kind of trap.”

“Indeed,” Lady Thea said, “We must proceed with caution.”

Sashiko approached, “Captain, Master Kane is unwell and has confined himself to his quarters. He says he is simply suffering from a vomiting illness. What should we do?”

“He is well-versed in herbal medicine,” Lady Thea said, “Leave him be. Sashiko, you are in charge of the ship while I’m gone. I’m counting on you to take care of everything.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Sashiko said, and she helped the crew lower the rowboat with the shore party aboard.

~

Arietta felt her boots sinking into the sand as they came ashore, “That’s a thick forest,” she said, looking at the looming darkness in front of them. Do you suppose there might be monsters or wild animals in there?”

“Quite probably,” Lady Thea said, “We must remain aware and alert. Keep your swords out and stick together at all times. We can’t afford to get lost in here.”

“I’ll take the rear,” Elisha said, loading supplies onto her back and carrying a lantern. She ushered Pandora and Luna in front of her as they took their first tentative steps into the darkness.

The forest seemed to swallow them up, and soon they were engulfed in darkness. Elisha lit her lantern, and Pandora enchanted her sword with magical fire so it glowed brightly in the darkness. Luna looked on with awe, but quickly looked away when she saw Pandora had noticed her.

The trees were thick, and the ground overgrown with bracken. It looked as though nobody had explored the forest in a long time, if ever. But then, somebody had to have built the tower, Arietta thought. What kind of people built towers in unreachable places?

She thought she heard a whisper in the darkness, calling out to her, “Arietta,” it said. It was Selesti’s voice. She knew it was impossible for Selesti to be here, she was in San Ria, but what if she had snuck aboard and followed them here, what if...?

She felt herself leaving the party and making off into the brush, towards the sound, drawn to it by some unfathomable power.

They all felt it. Elisha heard Lizbet through the trees, and she too wandered into the darkness.

“Maia?” Thea called into the darkness, “Maia, what is going on?” She stumbled into the blackness, searching for her lost wife.

“What’s going on?” Pandora said, “Everybody, come back!”

Then Luna started to wander, as her father’s voice called to her. Pandora grabbed her arm, “No!” she said, “Where are you going?”

“My father!” Luna said, “He’s calling for help. He needs me! Can’t you hear that?”

“It’s some kind of trickery!” Pandora said, “Your father is safe in San Ria, Luna! There’s no way he could possibly be here! Think rationally!”

“Can’t you hear him calling to me?” Luna said, “He’s in trouble, Pandora!”

Pandora held Luna tightly, “Shut out the sound, Luna,” she said, “It’s not real. It’s just trying to trick you. I don’t know why it’s not affecting me but you have to listen to me! The others have already gone. Don’t leave me alone!”

Her last words resonated with Luna, and she held onto Pandora, “I won’t leave you alone, Pandora,” she said, “What about the others, though? They wandered off into the forest.”

“Arietta! Lady Thea, Elisha! It’s just a trick!” Pandora cried, but all she could hear was the rustling of the leaves, as though the trees themselves were laughing at her futile attempt to bring the others back.

“I’m scared, Pandora,” Luna said, “We should go back.”

“I won’t go back,” Pandora said, “We came to investigate the white tower, and I intend to do just that! I won’t be turned away by trickery. We’ll go on alone. The others will be all right.”

~

Arietta saw Selesti standing before her in a clearing. She was naked, and Arietta felt herself drawn to her.

“Selesti... How? Why?” Arietta’s mind was trying to work out how Selesti had come to be on this island, in this forest, but her mind was in a fog as she felt the sweet seduction of comfortable memories.

“I missed you,” she said, “I’ve decided to have the treatment.”

“A lot of things have happened,” Arietta said, “I don’t know... if I can...”

“Hush,” Selesti said, coming closer to her. There was something ethereal about her as she glided through the clearing towards Arietta, “Come with me. Come lay down with me, Arietta. We can put all this behind us...”

“I’m not sure we can,” Arietta said, trying to shrug off the comfortable feeling of warm memories, the scent of better times, when Selesti smelled of sweet honey and she could lay wrapped up in her warm arms for hours. She felt tears flowing down her face at the sweetness of it, yet she could not, she could not...

“Please,” Selesti begged, “I’ve been so lonely...”

“No,” Arietta said, wiping the tears from her face, “My feelings have changed. I’m not in love with you any more!”

“That’s not true,” Selesti said, “If you don’t care, then why did you answer my call?”

“I don’t know,” Arietta said, the fog in her mind receding. She swallowed, as she let hard reality come into her mind and draw all the facts together. “I do know one thing, though; you are not really here. I left you in San Ria. You are just an illusion, Selesti, based on a dream that I have discarded.” She held her sword up, reading the names on it, “Your name is on this sword, Selesti. How do you feel about that? You wouldn’t know, because you’re not Selesti! All you have to work with are my memories of her!”

The apparition disappeared with a loud shriek, and a foul-smelling ghoul lurched towards her, slashing Arietta across the face with sharp claws. She pulled her hand up to her face and it came back bloody.

“Now you’ve really made me angry!” Arietta said, diving towards the ghoul. She sliced it in two with the sickening sound of flesh and bone cleaving. It fell to the ground, and started to disintegrate into a bubbling pool of acid, which dissolved the grass around it, leaving only a black mark where it had been.

Breathing heavily, she wiped at her bleeding face with her arm, and stained her white uniform with her blood. She found her pack abandoned on the ground and went to it. She wasn’t particularly skilled in field medicine, but she wrapped bandages around her face to stem the bleeding.

“Elisha!” she called, when she was finished, “Lady Thea! Pandora, Luna!” Realizing she was alone, she felt afraid for the first time. She wanted to go back, but she thought of Sanctuary and how much they all wanted to find it. Determined not to give up, she sheathed her sword, shouldered her pack, and continued on in the approximate direction they had been traveling in before she had been led away.

~

Elisha stumbled through the trees, hearing Lizbet’s voice, and saw the apparition standing before her, just as Arietta had.

“I’m sorry for all the things I said,” Lizbet said, “Come to me now, love.”

Elisha looked down at the ground, “You would never apologize, Lizbet. I always wanted you to, but you never would, because I was the one who betrayed you. I can live with that, knowing that I tried everything I could to protect you.”

“Why did you come to me, then?” the apparition in Lizbet’s form said.

“I think, somehow, I had to say it to your face. To admit my mistakes so I can move on. Even if you’re not real, it’s all right. This forest is enchanted, I can feel it deep inside. So what are you really?”

The ghoul dropped its pretense and appeared to Elisha.

“Who did this to you, who dragged you from your grave?” Elisha asked, but the creature was upon her, all intelligence and free will gone. She raised her sword.

“Return to the twilight, and sleep tight,” she said, as she decapitated it. The ghoul screamed and disintegrated into the ground, just as Arietta’s had.

“Arietta?” she called into the darkness, but there was no reply. She looked back at the brown mark in the undergrowth, before hurrying into the forest to catch up with the others, if they were still moving forward.

~

“Maia,” Lady Thea said, “All those times I have longed for some direction from your spirit, something to show me the way. Tell me, Maia, do you still think that what I’m doing is wrong?”

“You have done all the right things,” Maia said, “I give my blessings to you finding Sanctuary. I know that you’ll be a capable leader, well above the temptations of other human beings.”

“Are you mocking me?” Thea called out to her, “I can’t believe that you changed your mind so easily!”

“I did, remember the diary? You read what was there, my blessings for your journey, my desire to find Sanctuary’s location so I could tell you where it was.” Maia said.

“N...no...” Thea said, “That’s not the truth...”

“It’s not?” Maia asked, looking uncertain, “But you believed...”

“I made that entry up in my head, so I could pretend to read to the others, claim that I had your blessing in my mission,” Thea said, “If you were really Maia’s spirit, you would know that!”

“Then how?” asked Maia, “How did I extract it from your mind?”

“I wanted to believe it was true,” Thea said, “I hate to think that I’m lying to the others. How can I tell them that you wanted to destroy Sanctuary? I wanted your blessing, so I lied, then I repeated it over and over in my head like a mantra until I half-believed it.” She raised her sword, “You’re not really Maia, and you’ve proved that, so reveal yourself and end this pretense!”

The ghoul appeared, and Thea almost felt a sense of relief. Her secret was safe from the others for now. It was just magical trickery that had brought her here. Yet still she felt uncertainty in her mind. Was she doing the right thing? It lingered as she reduced the ghoul to a pool of bubbling acid. No, she thought, they would all understand, in the end. They would understand why she had needed to keep it a secret, when they saw what kind of enemies they were up against.

She cut her way back through the trees and found where their footsteps diverged, then followed the two pairs of footsteps that had bravely gone ahead. Thea wondered who had succeeded and who had fallen, and what truths had the phantasms delivered to them?

~

“I see light up ahead!” Pandora said. Luna looked uncertainly ahead, “We might be back at the beach,” she suggested hopefully.

“I hope not,” Pandora said, “I want to know what’s in this tower.”

They stepped out into a wide clearing, and the tower rose up above them, higher than they could see from their current position.

“Do you think it breaks the clouds?” Luna asked, “Perhaps it leads to the Seven Gods themselves!”

“I doubt any human could build a tower high enough to reach the Gods,” Pandora said skeptically, “I do wonder what’s up there, though.”

“You’re not going to find out,” came a voice through the darkness. A black robed man came forward. He let his hood fall to reveal a serene face, with lightning blue eyes and long, black hair. His stance suggested he was a man of great power, and his face was one of arrogance and fearlessness.

“Who are you?” Luna asked, “What is this place?”

“This tower is a beacon, one of four scattered around the world. If the data from all four beacons is collected, the location of the place you call ‘Sanctuary’ will be revealed.” the robed man said, “You are not the only one searching for it, though,” he said, “You fools will never find it, sailing around aimlessly in that ship of yours. You think the people who created Sanctuary are stupid enough to leave it right out in the open? It has to be unlocked, like a door. You can all keep banging on the door, for all I care.”

“So you’re on our side?” Luna said hopefully, “You're searching for Sanctuary too. We could work together...”

The man in black laughed heartily at Luna’s suggestion, “Trust me, child, we are far from being on the same ‘side’. If there is such a thing. No, we may share a common goal, but the goals of your people and mine are quite different.” As he spoke, great black feathered wings sprouted from his back.

Pandora gasped in awe, “What are you...?” she asked.

“Not so much different from you, young magic user. In fact, your people feared me so much that they cast you out because of me.”

As he talked, Elisha emerged from the shadows, then Arietta, and finally Lady Thea herself. They looked on at the scene unravelling before them.

“Illuminus!” Pandora said, “You killed Lady Maia and her crew! You suck the life-force from the living to control the spirits of the dead!”

“Apparently I’m well known,” he smiled, “Indeed, Maia and her crew were in my way to finding Sanctuary, so I tempted her with its location. Oh, how easily she fell... I doubt she could have achieved her mission even if she had found it. She did not have the will to keep her promise.” He laughed.

Thea spoke up, “You killed my wife!” she yelled, drawing her sword, “Now you dare to mock her? I’ll have your head if it’s the last thing I do.”

“Ah, we have company, I see. Well, I must get what I came here for,” he said. He jumped and soared into the air as the landing party raised their weapons. Pandora prepared a fire spell, but just as she did, light shot from Illuminus’s hand and a ball of white light struck Pandora in the chest, throwing her backwards. She landed on the ground, and Luna rushed to her side.

“Pandora!” Luna cried, “Pandora!!” She shook the green-haired girl, horror filling her as she saw the burned hole in Pandora’s uniform and the bleeding burn underneath.

“Illuminus wants what’s in that tower,” Elisha said, “We have to stop him!” They rushed for the tower, Arietta looking behind her sadly at the crumpled form of Pandora on the ground. She wanted to stay, but there was something inside her that told her it was vital to chase Illuminus down, to get to the contents of the tower before he did.

They flew up the steps, taking them two at a time. Thea and Elisha tired quickly, but something in Arietta fired up and she fought back the breathlessness that was sending searing pain through her body. She resolved to find Illuminus and hurt him for injuring Pandora, and it was that rage that kept her going, even while Thea and Elisha struggled behind her.

Eventually she reached the top, and entered the topmost room, a place filled with things she’d never seen before; glowing lights and screens which showed various pictures, and consoles which appeared to control them. As she surveyed the room, Illuminus turned around from the console he was at, chuckling.

“You’re a little late,” he said, “You should have stayed with your friend. I already have what I need.” He pointed his hand at the console, and white light shot from it, making the machine explode in a shower of sparks. He turned and pointed to other consoles in the room, and in a matter of seconds, the whole room was filled with smoke and sparks.

Arietta regained her breath and dived at Illuminus. He held his hand up, and a shield of pure energy enveloped him. Arietta ran right into it and went flying back across the room. She hit a wall and slid down it, knocked senseless by the blow, dust from the wall sprinkling down onto her head. Thea and Elisha rushed into the room, having finally ascended the stairway.

Illuminus swiped his hand, and all the windows shattered. He dived to one of the windows and jumped out, his black wings carrying him away on the wind. Elisha followed him to the window and looked out to see him getting away.

“Damn!” she cried desperately. She turned to see Arietta slumped against the wall and rushed to her side.

“Ari,” she said, “Arietta, wake up.” She put a tender hand on Arietta’s face, “She’s alive,” she breathed a sigh of relief, “I can feel her lifeblood pulsing through her body.”

“Carry her,” Thea said, “We need to get back to the ship at once.”

“Shouldn’t we look to see if there’s anything of value here?” Elisha said.

“He’s no fool, he destroyed Maia and her entire crew,” Thea said, “He’s left nothing we can use, we’re just wasting our time here. I have a bad feeling about the ship...”

They hurried down the steps, Elisha carrying Arietta in her arms. They hurried outside to see Pandora sitting up by a tree, Luna holding cloth over the wound in her chest. Thea knelt down and stroked away the green hair that was in Pandora’s eyes.

“I’m sorry,” Thea said, “I was weak and listened to the voices in the forest. If I’d just given the command to stick together... but I was seduced by the voice of Maia.”

“It’s all right...” Pandora said weakly, “You weren’t to know. I knew that dark magic was at work, yet I didn’t turn back... So don’t blame yourselves...” She passed out again, and Thea scooped her up.

“We must hurry,” she said, “Listen to no distractions, and try to retrace our footsteps. We need to get back to the ship as soon as possible. The lives of our friends may be depending on it.”

~

Sashiko paced the deck. The landing party had been ashore for hours, and she was starting to get nervous. The scent of uneasiness filled the air, and the crew were muttering to each other that something had befallen the landing crew. She had sent some crewmen to their quarters for lowering morale, but it had done little to ease the tension.

“Lieutenant!” the girl in the crow’s next cried, “There’s a ship off starboard, coming at us at full speed... It’s... It’s the Ghost Ship!”

Sashiko grabbed a telescope from a nearby watch boy and looked out. Sure enough, the ghostly image of Maia’s white ship came into view.

“How is that possible?” the watch boy asked, “We sank that ship!”

“I know,” Sashiko said, “There’s something very wrong here. Get everybody to battle stations and prepare to fight! Weigh anchor!”

“Lieutenant, we can’t leave the shore party behind!” one of the crew said.

“I said weigh anchor!” she yelled, “We can’t fight stuck here. We’ll be sitting ducks!”

The crew obeyed their orders and the ship started to move off as the white ship came closer, “We need to sink that thing!” Sashiko yelled to the crew, “Fire at will!”

She rushed up and took the wheel as cannonballs started to fly. Yet still the White Ship was coming at them, full speed.

“It’s going to ram us!” she cried, “We need more speed! Every available man to the oars!” She cursed the still wind.

“We’re giving it all we’ve got!” a crewman yelled back.

“Shit, I don’t want to die here,” she muttered, “What can I do?”

She cleared the ship and turned quickly, using all her strength to turn the wheel, “Fire!” she said, as they came up next to the ship. At this range, their cannonballs were devastating. Yet the ship had sustained incredible damage already and was still afloat. How could they sink this thing forever?

“Bring us in close, we have to board the ship!” Sashiko cried. Master Kane came up on deck, looking sickly, “What’s your plan, Sashiko?”

“We have to set explosives on board and send that thing under the waves again,” Sashiko said.

Bridges were put down between the two ships and fighting commenced between the zombified crewmen of the ghost ship and the human knights on the white ship. Adam led the assault, leading the Knights into battle. Sashiko grabbed a sack of explosives.

“Wait,” Master Kane said, putting his hand on Sashiko’s shoulder, “You’re going in alone?”

“I can hide in the shadows well,” she said. “I can set these charges while the fight is underway. When the ship starts to sink, pull back.”

“It’s a dangerous job,” Master Kane said, “Don’t die out there.”

“I’m not planning on dying just yet, Master,” Sashiko said.

The Knights pushed back the zombies long enough for Sashiko to rush in. She hurried below decks, keeping her katana in hand. She set the charges in a pile in the rotting hold, and hoped it would be enough. She lit them, and hoped that she would be out of the blast radius before they exploded.

Turning, she saw zombies coming at her. She cleaved through them, fighting for her life, desperate to escape before the explosion killed her. A zombie swiped her in the leg and she went down, losing her katana. A dead zombie fell on top of her just as the bombs exploded, and its body shielded her from the extent of the blast.

A huge hole opened in the bottom of the hull, and water started to fill the hold quickly. Sashiko threw off the zombie’s body and reached for her katana. She pulled herself to her feet, dragging her injured leg as she hobbled through the ship, the water seeping up behind her. She fought the pain in her leg, trying to remember the layout of the ship and where the stairs were to take her to the deck. She took the wrong stairway and ended up in a storage room with a locked door. Cursing, she threw herself at the door, but it seemed to be the only solid thing on the ship and it held.

The water was around her feet, but she was determined not to give up. She threw herself at the door again and again and felt a quick sense of relief as the door finally gave way and she came out on the deck.

The ship had sunk a good way, however, and the white ship seemed impossibly high above her. Zombies shuffled towards her in one last protest, determined to take her with them if they had to return to their watery grave.

A rope was thrown from the white ship and Sashiko heard Kane’s distant voice calling to her, urging her to grab it, but it was beyond the sea of zombies that were coming at her. Desperate strength filled her and she cried a desperate battle cry, diving into the group of zombies and cutting through them with amazing speed. She forced herself through them, ignoring the pain as she was attacked on all sides by swords, clubs and makeshift weapons. She forced herself through the crush and grabbed hold of the rope just as the water started to consume the deck. A zombie grabbed the rope behind her as Kane pulled it and her into the air.

Hanging on with one hand, she stabbed her katana downward into the zombie, desperate to make it let go. She kicked with her feet and felt agony as her injured leg slammed into its head, but it fell from the rope and fell into the gloomy ocean below.

Hauled onto the ship, she gasped for breath as the Knights gathered around, clapping and cheering for her. She sat on the deck and smiled as an immense wave of relief washed over her.

“The landing party’s been spotted on the beach!” A crew-member informed her.

“Are you hurt?” Master Kane asked. She pointed to her leg, but shook her head when he bent down to take a look.

“Get this ship back to the island,” she said, “We have a landing party to pick up.”

~

When Thea and the rest of the landing party made it to the beach, they saw the ghost ship sinking beneath the waves.

“Looks like they had some action as well,” Elisha said tiredly, “Looks like they could handle it, though.” She set Arietta down on the beach. She had tried to come around a couple of times, but had soon slumped back into unconsciousness. Pandora was still bleeding, and Luna had burst into tears several times as she had replaced Pandora’s blood-soaked bandages.

“She’s going to be all right,” Elisha had tried to comfort her, but she didn’t feel sure of anything at that moment.

“It looks like Illuminus is going to be a thorn in our side,” Thea said, “Next time, we need to be prepared for him.”

“How do you fight a power like that, though?” Elisha said, “He was virtually invincible.”

“We can’t fight him,” Luna said, “We have to race him. He said that these towers are beacons which lead the way to Sanctuary, and that there are four of them. We need to beat him to the other three.”
“How do we do that, when we don’t even know where they are?” Elisha said.

“I don’t know...” Luna sighed, “I don’t know...”

When the ship came close enough to anchor itself to the seabed, they loaded themselves into the rowing boat and made their way back to the white ship. The crew took Pandora and Arietta away from Luna and Elisha as soon as they were aboard for medical attention. They wanted to follow, but the ship’s doctor took a look at the injured and shook his head. “There’s nothing you can do right now. I’ll let you know if anything changes.”

“We’ll gather in my office for debriefing,” Lady Thea said, and Elisha and Luna felt themselves being carried off by duties which for the time being, they didn’t care one bit about. The people they loved and truly cared about were in danger, and talking about what had happened didn’t help the situation any.

“I hate being helpless,” Elisha admitted to Luna, as they paced outside the medical bay together after the debriefing was over, “I want to do something.”

“There’s nothing we can do,” Luna said, “Next time I see that Illuminus, though, he’s going to feel my blade!”

“At least we’re on our way again,” Elisha said, “I don’t want to see that creepy ghost ship again.”

“That was Illuminus’s work also,” Luna said, “Pandora knows a lot about him. She said he uses the life-force of others to control the dead. He’s mentioned in her people’s legends, the same legends which caused her to be exiled when they found out she could use magic.”

“Are they from the same village, then?” Elisha asked.

“I don’t know,” Luna said, “I don’t like to bring up Pandora’s home. She’s always gracious about it when I mention it accidently, but I don’t want to upset her.”

“I understand,” Elisha said, “We’re going to have to ask her a few things when she wakes, though. We know nothing about Illuminus, and it puts us at a huge disadvantage.”

“Especially since he knows who we are and what our mission is,” Luna said.

“Luna, Elisha?” came a voice. It was one of the ship’s medical assistants. They turned to him at once, “What’s going on?”

“They’re both going to be okay,” the assistant said, “Pandora had to undergo surgery, but she’s stable. She’ll have to remain under medical care for a while. Arietta has suffered some concussion. The doctor wants to keep her overnight, but she’s going to be fine.

They both breathed sighs of relief, Luna was crying, “Can we see them?” she asked.

“Certainly,” the assistant said, “but they need a lot of rest, so please don’t stay too long.”

They entered the room, and each rushed to their beloved ones, sitting down beside them, holding their hands.

“Arietta, you’re all right,” Elisha said, tears falling down her face, “You scared me so much.”

“It was just a blow to the head,” Arietta said, “I’ll be okay, once this fog wears off.”

“You frightened me so much!” Luna said to Pandora, “I swear, I’m going to kill Illuminus for hurting you!”

“No,” Pandora said, firmly gripping Luna’s hand, “Luna, he is incredibly powerful... You have no idea... Promise me you won’t fight him for revenge. I don’t want you to get killed for my sake... I’m going to be okay... so you don’t need to fight for me.”

“I was so scared,” Luna admitted, “I thought... if anything happened to you, how would I go on?”

“I’m the Chosen of the Fire God, remember? He won’t let anything happen to me... so don’t worry, okay?” Pandora smiled.

“I must go and offer my thanks to the Fire God!” Luna said, “I’m just so glad you’re all right.”

“We’re fine, for now,” Arietta said, “I worry about the future, though. How can we fight someone like Illuminus?”

“Don’t worry about that right now,” Elisha said, “Get some rest, and tomorrow we’ll figure it out, don’t you worry.”

Chapter 8

[Author's notes: A visit to Pandora's home village, Windia, reveals many secrets, but only to a few. Elisha confronts Thea about what she finds and discovers a startling new secret, and Arietta struggles with doubt and fear.]

Shadow Of A Doubt

Pandora woke as the medical wing door opened in the dead of night, and a shadow carrying a lantern came in and sat beside her. She saw the face of Lady Thea and relaxed.

“What brings you here so late at night?” Pandora asked.

“I have to ask you some hard questions,” Thea said, “Things about your past that you probably don’t want to talk about, but which we need to know. I don’t want to drag you in my office and have everybody talking, so I figured I’d come visit you here.”

“You want to know about Illuminus,” Pandora said, “About my village and magic and what he’s after... and quite frankly, there’s a lot I don’t know. But I’ll tell you what I do.”

“Thank you,” Thea said.

“Illuminus is said to be immortal,” Pandora said, “He was a legend, even when I was a child in my village. It was told that he consumed the soul of the woman who loved him in exchange for magical powers. The people feared him, even though nobody had seen him for a hundred years.”

“Is this why they feared magic?” Thea asked.

“Yes,” Pandora said, “It was said that magic wasn’t an inborn talent, but something obtained by demonic practice. But that’s not true, at least not for me. I never asked for this power. Nobody ever would have known if I hadn’t stopped aging when I was sixteen.”

Thea’s eyes widened, “How old are you really, Pandora?” she asked.

“I’m sixty years old,” Pandora said, “When I was cast out from my village, I wandered alone for at least forty years. Nobody knows my true age, not even Luna... I want to tell her, but will she ever understand that I’m older than you? I just want to be her equal.”

“Forty years... that’s a long time,” Thea said.

“It’s not all a curse. It’s given me a lot of time to come to terms with my pains and fears. That’s why I can smile. Time has healed my wounds. Everybody thinks I’m strong, but that’s not true...” Pandora sighed, “Please don’t reveal my true age, Lady Thea. I don’t want them to know. I don’t want to be treated differently.”

“I won’t tell them,” Thea said, “but they may find out. I want to go to your village, to investigate Illuminus and see if we can find any leads. We have no other choices at this point. We don’t know where any of the other towers are, and if we sail around searching, Illuminus will find Sanctuary long before we do. I can’t afford to take that risk.”

“I’ve never been back to my village,” Pandora said, “Not since I was cast out. Honestly, I don’t even know if it still exists, or what kind of reception I would get if I returned. I’m not sure we’ll even learn anything.”

“Just tell me where it is, and we’ll go there and investigate,” Lady Thea said, “You don’t even have to come ashore if you don’t want.”

“I’ll come,” Pandora said, “I think it’s time I went back. But I’ll be honest, Lady Thea - this is the one thing that truly scares me.”

“I know,” Thea said, “and that’s why I appreciate your courage.”

~

They sailed past the tower, northward to the location of Windia Village, Pandora’s former home. Thea sailed with haste and determination in her eyes, taking the wheel personally on many days.

“She’s really fired up about this,” Arietta said, “Why is she so desperate to get to Windia? We may not even learn anything there.”

“It’s our only hope in a race against time,” Elisha said, “If we learn nothing here, or we take too long, Illuminus will get away from us and find Sanctuary. This might be the best chance we’ve had in years to find its location.”

“I’m nervous about going to Windia, though,” Luna said, “Pandora seems so uneasy about it. I’ve never seen her so quiet. It bothers me. I wish there was some other way to find the Sanctuary.”

“We have to do this,” Elisha said, “Even if it’s hard on Pandora, there’s no other way around it. She’ll be fine, Luna. You’re at her side.”

“I suppose...” Luna said, and gazed uneasily out at the ocean.

~

When the lookout cried out “Land ahead!”, Pandora came out on deck and walked to the bow of the ship. Elisha and Arietta looked at her, but they stayed back, not wanting to invade her privacy. After a few minutes, Luna headed forward and stood by Pandora’s side.

“So that’s where your home is, huh?” Luna said, her pink hair tousled by the wind.

“Home... I haven’t been here in so long, I’m not sure it’s really my home. I can’t even remember if that outcropping of land looks familiar to me or not. There’s nothing to tell me if this is the place.”

“How do we even know we’ve come to the right spot?” Luna asked.

“Lady Thea has some very detailed maps... Windia is marked on one of those. So we sailed towards it, and now, we are here... Yet it still seems so very distant.” Pandora replied.

As they pulled in close, Thea called them together on the deck for a meeting.

“Pandora, this is your last chance to turn back,” Lady Thea said, “There’s no need for you to go if you don’t want to.”

“I want to go,” Pandora said, “I need to know about Illuminus as much as you do. Besides, the longer I wait, the harder it becomes. Let’s just go.”

“All right,” Thea said, “Elisha, Arietta, Luna and Sashiko, I want you with me also. If things get hostile because we bring Pandora with us, I will need you to get her to safety, all right? She’s still injured, so we need to be careful.”

“I’ll be fine,” Pandora said, “The voyage has given me time to heal. I feel normal now.”

They were lowered down into the rowboats and headed for a small dock they could see in the distance. As they got closer, though, they could see it was rotted and abandoned, just an old pier left to ruin. They pulled their boats up to it and tied them up, and headed inland.

“It should be just through those trees,” Thea said, “If my maps are correct.”

Pandora slipped to the back of the group as they headed through the small wood. Luna fell back to join her.

“Pandora, are you feeling all right?” she asked.

“I have a horrible feeling of dread,” Pandora said, “Something’s not right...”

“You’re just nervous,” Luna suggested, “It’s all right, Pandora. I’m here with you.”

“Thanks,” Pandora said, “I appreciate it, Luna.”

As the trees parted, they were dazzled by the sunlight. As they adjusted to the light, the scene unfolded before them. The whole village was in ruins, the remnants of huts and cabins long since overtaken by nature standing before them. The only life they saw was a rabbit, running through the wreckage, no doubt searching for food.

“Of all the things I expected... this was not it,” Lady Thea said.

“Everything is gone...” Pandora said, “My whole village, reduced to ashes. I should have been here! I don’t even know when it happened!” Luna rushed forward and put her arms around Pandora, soothing her tears.

“How awful...” Arietta said, “We should look for clues in the wreckage as to who did this and why.”

“Do you suppose Illuminus destroyed this place?” Elisha wondered out loud.

“I don’t know,” Arietta said, “This damage doesn’t look recent, yet it couldn’t have been that long ago. Pandora’s no older than sixteen, I’d guess, and she must have been old enough to survive when she was cast out from the village.”

“Nobody knows how old Pandora is,” Sashiko said, “It almost seems rude to ask.”

Arietta, Elisha and Sashiko, along with Lady Thea, went to investigate the ruins while Luna soothed Pandora. Finally, Pandora let go of Luna and let her eyes survey the wreckage.

“It seems like a different place to the one I remember,” Pandora said, “It was such a long time ago... but perhaps my mother’s house still stands.”

“Shall we look?” Luna suggested, and Pandora nodded. They started off around the village, Pandora looking at each ruin, trying desperately to remember how it had been in its glory.

Finally, she stopped in front of one of the better preserved ruins, “This is it,” she said. Drawing her sword, she cut through the plants which had overgrown her mother’s house, clearing the floor as best as she could, “I’m sure it was down here...” she muttered to herself.

After brushing some dirt off the floor, she finally found what she was looking for; an old trapdoor. She pulled on the handle but it was rusted through and came off in her hand.

“Great,” Luna said, “Now what?”

The others saw their excitement and came rushing over, gathering around the trapdoor.

“I guess I could try magic,” Pandora said, “There’s not much to lose.”

Muttering some words in a strange language none of them could understand, fire began to eat away at the old trapdoor and it fell away into a pile of ashes. Pandora stood above it and peered down into the darkness. Muttering again, light surrounded her hands and the steps below were illuminated. She started to walk down, Luna following behind her. The others looked at Thea, who just shrugged, and they followed Pandora down the steps.

They found themselves in a small tunnel, barely standing height and only wide enough for them to walk single file. The tunnel was sloping downwards. They followed Pandora for what seemed like ages until the passage widened out into a huge natural cave. Light came in from above, and Pandora let the light spell go. The tunnel behind them became dark again, and the cave became an eerie blue color. There was some kind of altar before them, and Pandora went to it, lighting a candle with the end of her finger.

As she did so, light began to flow towards a single point in front of them, and took the form of a ghostly apparition of a woman.

“Mother...?” Pandora said.

“I leave this message to all who come here; fear Illuminus! He came to us, seeking the location of the Shinigami Towers, four towers that keep the Lost City sealed beneath the ocean. He must never have the city... our ancestors sealed it away forever, and set us as guardians, and he seeks to use it for evil purposes.

If you are listening to this; please seek out Pandora, my daughter... We cast her out, fearing her magic, her immortality... We were wrong to fear that which we did not understand, and indeed, she may be the only one strong enough to defeat Illuminus!

I’m sorry I cannot tell you more... It’s too dangerous for him to find out. He can kill us all, but we will never tell him where to find the towers...”

The image fizzled and faded away before them. Pandora stood, staring forward, tears running down her cheeks, reaching out for the image of her mother that had disappeared.

“The Lost City... It has to be Sanctuary!” Lady Thea said, “But we never learned the location of any of the towers. Damn! We’re still at a dead end...”

“Shinigami Towers...” Elisha mused.

“What did you say?” Arietta asked, but Elisha just shook her head.

“It’s nothing,” Elisha said.

“You’re... immortal...?” Luna said, looking at Pandora strangely. The others snapped out of their reveries, all turning to Pandora as they absorbed the knowledge of what her mother’s image had said.

“Yes,” Pandora said, “I never meant to keep it from you. All those with magical abilities never age, though they can still be killed. It only adds to the fear and jealousy that people feel for those with magic.”

“How old are you really...?” Luna asked.

Pandora looked away, “I don’t want to talk about it right now,” she said, “I just want to go back to the ship... Away from this cursed place!” She turned and ran through the tunnel, lighting up the dark tunnel. They all followed quickly, eager not to be lost in the darkness.

~

“Pandora, please open your door! I want to talk to you!” Luna said, after knocking on Pandora’s door for the fifth time. This time, it opened, and Pandora stood there, her eyes tear-stained, a tired expression on her face.

“I suppose you had better come in,” Pandora said, opening the door, “I’m sorry. I just needed time to think.”

“I don’t care how old you are! Luna said, “It won’t matter to me one way or another!”

“That’s easy to say,” Pandora said, “Luna, I’m sixty years old. I’m old enough to be your grandmother. Trapped in a sixteen year old’s body forever... I’m so sorry I deceived you. I feel like I’ve committed a grave sin...”

“I understand why you didn’t tell me,” Luna said, “You didn’t want me to turn away from you, or be afraid of you, or even revere you as the Fire God’s Chosen One. I’ve made your life difficult at times. I don’t think that you’re strange or weird. It doesn’t matter that you’re sixty years old! You have the heart of a sixteen year old.”

“I spent so many years in isolation, on the road,” Pandora said, “Forty years alone. I suppose it might seem to others like I’ve been frozen in time. I don’t think I really started living again until I came aboard this ship. I was just existing, wandering the world, searching for a way to unfreeze the curse of immortal life.”

“It’s not a curse!” Luna said, “You’ll never get old like the rest of us!”

“It might seem that way from the outside...” Pandora said, “But think about it. While you grow old, I will remain forever young. At first it will be small things you notice, like people look at you oddly for being with me. They’ll think I’m your daughter, or granddaughter. Meanwhile, I’ll remain young and strong, while you can no longer keep up with me. When you’re on my deathbed, I’ll still be just beginning my life, trapped in an eternal loop. I’ll have to grieve for you, and anybody else I love after you, all will eventually turn to ash and die. Tell me that’s not a curse.”

“I’ll happily be at your side,” Luna said, “Even if you always stay young. It’s not the body that matters. That’s just a shell. It’s what two people feel for one another that truly matters, isn’t it? I love you, Pandora, truly. I won’t abandon you because of your immortality or your magical ability. I think you’re a remarkable person. And maybe, just maybe, you were chosen to be immortal because there’s something important that you have to do in this world!”

“Thank you, Luna...” Pandora said, and held her closely as they cried together in the confines of Pandora’s cabin.

~

When a knock came on Lady Thea’s door, she sighed, “Come in!” she barked, not really wanting company. Why was it that with each step they took, they seemed to take another one backwards? She resented the fact that they did not have any more information on Sanctuary then she already knew.

Elisha came in. There was a cold, angry expression on her face, one that Thea had never seen before.

“What’s wrong?” Thea said.

“Shinigami means Death God. Death God Towers, Thea. Just what is this Sanctuary we’re searching for? Is it even a place of safety? Do you even know what it is, or are we blindly walking into our own doom?”

“I know what it is,” Thea said, leaning back in her chair, “It’s a city built by the Ancients, a remarkable feat of magic and engineering.”

“How do you know all this?” Elisha said, “Why do you keep so many secrets from us? Don’t we deserve to know?”

“If you knew...” Thea said, “You would desert me. You would all just leave. So I’ll continue to keep my secrets. In the end it will turn out for the best.”

“Perhaps others are willing to blindly trust,” Elisha said, “But deep down, I know you. I know you’re capable of hatred as well as love. Knowing that, I can’t just blindly trust you!”

“So you shouldn’t trust anybody,” Thea said, “Everybody is capable of hate. Even your beloved Arietta.”

“Thea!” Elisha said, “I need to know we’re not sailing into doom. I can keep it to myself, but please tell me what you know!”

“The Lost City, or Sanctuary, was a city constructed by the Ancients as a fortress, a place impenetrable by the armies of man. Incredible technology and weapons have been built into it... including, some say, the power to destroy the world.” Thea sighed.

“The power to destroy the world... Why do we need that, Thea? All we want is a place to be at peace. A place to live out our lives together without interference.”

“Exactly!” Thea said, standing up and slamming her hand down on the table, “If we choose a piece of land and build a town, do you think we’ll have any peace? Garania and San Ria and all the other cities of the growing Moral Revolution will be at our door within days, with well-armed ships against our poorly trained crew. Our city would be turned to ashes within days. Why do you think we sail around? So nobody can find us! But with the weapons of Sanctuary at our disposal, they’ll be afraid of us. They won’t attack us, knowing we could annihilate them. We don’t have to use the weapons, but just having them will guarantee our safety!”

“Meanwhile, we’ll be sitting on an unknown danger,” Elisha said, “What’s to say we’ll never use those weapons? That we’ll never destroy the world? We can’t let it fall into the hands of Illuminus, but as you said, everybody is capable of hate. What’s to stop us from exacting revenge, or using those weapons as some misguided way of ending the Moral Revolution?”

“So what are you saying, Elisha?” Thea said, “That we should just give up, because we can’t be sure we’ll always be good and true?”

“I thought we were going to find some uncharted island, where nobody would care if we existed, where nobody would even know we were there. The world’s a big place. Why does it have to be like this? We don’t have to threaten the world to be free.” Elisha argued.

“The world’s not so big,” Thea sighed, “Eventually, they’ll find us. Then, what will we do? Pack up our hard work, get back on the ship and start sailing? I can’t do this anymore, Elisha! I’m tired of sailing around, hoping we don’t run into storms or enemy ships. I want to settle down. This is our only hope!”

“Was this how Maia wanted it to be, as well?” Elisha asked.

“Originally, yes,” Thea said, “She changed her mind. When I read that diary to you, down in the ghost ship... I lied when I said she wanted to record the location of Sanctuary for me to find... Yes, Maia was searching for Sanctuary, but the purpose of her White Ship was to destroy it. She lost faith in our dream. Don’t lose faith in it as well, Elisha!”

“I can’t believe all this!” Elisha said, “Deep down, I always knew that the promise of Sanctuary was too good to be true. But I wanted to believe it with all of my heart. I wanted to believe there was a place where good people like Arietta could live happily ever after, and people like us could find redemption for the things we have done!”

“So what will you do?” Thea asked, “Will you leave the White Ship?”

“I can’t, and you know it!” Elisha said, “I can’t leave Arietta, nor can I bind her with the truth of what is happening here. Besides, there’s nowhere to go, no place to run to. It is as if the whole world is being consumed by the Moral Revolution...”

Thea stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the waves, “I’m no saint, Elisha. I’m glad you finally understand that. I’m willing to do whatever it takes for us to survive, in a world that would destroy us if it could.”

“Even if it means destroying that world?” Elisha said, “Even if it means killing people?”

“We won’t destroy the world, Elisha,” Thea said, “You’re being ridiculous and overdramatic. We don’t even know if the weapons still work. But just the threat of them will be enough to keep our enemies at bay. Besides, we’ll be keeping the city out of the hands of Illuminus, who I’m sure only has evil intentions. Better us than him, yes?”

“Better the devil you know...” Elisha said, “I’ll stay, if only so I can stop you when the time comes. But I promise you... if your heart turns to stone, if you think you can destroy the world, I will be the one to kill you.”

Elisha left, slamming the door behind her. Thea slumped into her chair and looked down at her hands, the bleeding cuts where her nails had dug into her skin from making fists. She rested her head on her desk and the tears came, silently falling like a river onto the desk.

“What else do you expect me to do, Elisha?” Thea whispered to herself, “I don’t have all the answers... You all believe I can lead you to salvation and sanctuary, when there is none to be had.”

~

Arietta heard the door slam, and woke with a start. Her room was dark, and she lit a lamp. Seeing her uniform slumped over her chair, she had a sudden desire to dress and investigate. She threw on her uniform and grabbed her sword, and quietly opened the door to her room.

In the hallway she saw Elisha, but not as she had ever seen her before. Rage was spread across her face, and she was leaning against the wall, clenching her fists as though in terrible pain. Arietta wanted to run to her, to ask her what was wrong, but fear held her in place.

Elisha finally took a deep breath and made off with hasty steps towards the stairs to the deck. Arietta waited a few moments, then followed, keeping her footsteps light. Her instincts told her there was something deeply wrong, but she was at a loss to what it could be.

She came out on deck to see Elisha standing at the bow of the boat, looking up at the moon. The deck was deserted, apart from one of the crew sailing the ship at the other end of the deck and a lookout posted above them.

“Damn it all!” Elisha said. She grabbed a piece of dirt that was sitting on the deck and threw it overboard with all her strength, “Why is it always me! Why am I always the one who has to find out everybody’s true intentions? Why can’t I be allowed to have faith in humanity like Arietta?”

Arietta heard Elisha crying then, and desperately wanted to go to her, but what could she say? Something had happened, but she knew deep down that it was something that Elisha would not tell her. Perhaps it was something to do with Pandora, but why would have Pandora’s immortality bother her that much?

She wanted to ask, but found she did not have the courage to, because she was afraid. She wondered why she was afraid as she looked up at the ripe full moon. What could there be to fear?

She was afraid of being helpless, she realized. Afraid of being unable to help, of being pushed away. More than anything, afraid of learning something that might make her lose hope even further. Seeing herself in the moonlight for the first time, she looked over at Elisha, and understood why she could not run to her.

Making her way quietly down the steps, she hurried back to her room and closed the door, sliding down it.

“Please let me keep my hope,” she burst out, “If it’s something bad, I don’t want to know! I can’t take any more! I can’t carry any more burdens! Please let me keep faith in this one thing, this one chance of us all having a happy life!” She gripped her sword hilt tightly, but it could not stave off the feeling of doubt that lingered deep inside...

Chapter 9

[Author's notes: The ship heads back to Haven's End, but before they get there an unexpected visitor arrives on board...]

Where Do We Go From Here?

Pandora stood at the edge of the deck watching the dawn as Luna came up the steps. She went over to Pandora, and Pandora smiled as Luna took her hand.

“So, where do we go from here?” Luna asked, “We didn’t really get many leads in Windia.”

“That’s a good question,” Pandora said, “My mother said all that she could, which makes me wonder what Sanctuary truly is, and why Illuminus seeks it. I think somehow, if we are meant to find it, the path forward will appear to us.”

“I’m glad that you were able to see your mother,” Luna said, “Even if it was only in a message.”

“I don’t know how to feel,” Pandora said, “I was so glad that she had forgiven me, that she held me as her hope in her last days instead of her curse, but it reminds me that I should have gone back much sooner to try and resolve things. I keep thinking - what if I could have stopped Illuminus from destroying the village?”

“You can’t think that way,” Luna said, “You are alive for a reason. You can’t go back and change things, you have to carry on and try to stop Illuminus now.”

“True,” Pandora mused, looking up at the seagulls, “But that only brings us back to your initial question - where is he?”

“We’ll find him,” Elisha said, coming up on deck, “I’m certain of it. Lady Thea won’t give up until we find Sanctuary, and when we find it, we’ll find him.”

“Hopefully it won’t be too late by then,” Pandora said, “He wants that city for a reason, and I’m sure it’s not to live there alone, watching the world go by. There’s something there that he seeks - I’m just not sure what.”

“Who knows?” Elisha said, shrugging, “All I know is that for now, we keep going.”

Arietta and Sashiko came up on deck, followed by Lady Thea. Arietta stretched and yawned, looking exhausted.

“Arietta, did you sleep last night?” Elisha said, “You look exhausted.”

“I don’t feel too well,” Arietta sighed, “Maybe I’m getting a cold, I don’t know.”

“You should rest,” Thea said, “You’ll have plenty of time to relax before we see land again, I’m sure.”

“Where are we heading, Lady Thea?” Luna asked, “We didn’t really pick up any clues yesterday.”

“We’re going to head back to Haven’s End,” Thea announced, “We need to reach civilization, to see if Illuminus has been sighted. I also want news on the situation in San Ria.”

“The Moral Revolution...” Arietta sighed, “I wonder if they embraced it.” She thought of Garania, and Selesti, and it seemed almost like another life to her now, though she feared for Selesti’s safety, even after everything that had happened.

They sailed for Haven’s End, and the crew seemed disappointed to be heading back in the same direction they had come. It seemed like progress had been replaced by retreading the same steps, and frustration seemed to boil amongst the crew.

“Everybody needs a rest, some time off the ship,” Elisha said, in Thea’s office. They were alone, as seemed to be the way of things since Elisha’s promotion. Where once Arietta, Luna and Pandora would have been present, now it was just them. Elisha wondered if Thea feared that the truth about Sanctuary would slip if they got into a heated discussion, and so locked the others out of their plans.

“I know,” Thea said, “I’ve had to break up more arguments then I care for the last week. It’s never popular, going back the way we came, eternally going in circles. I hate it just as much as they do. Illuminus could be finding Sanctuary as we speak.”

“The world hasn’t ended, so I’m going to assume not,” Elisha said. She had become somewhat bitter with Thea since their discussion about Sanctuary, and quiet and withdrawn about the ship.

“Well, we’re going to arrange crew leave in Haven’s End,” Thea said, ignoring Elisha’s comment, “It’s not what I had hoped for, Haven’s End is boring for everybody, but it’s not like we can return to San Ria.”

“The world is closing in on us,” Elisha said, “It feels like a prison sometimes. I’d rather just sail away into uncharted waters.”

“Get lost in the uncharted sea, and we’ll never come out,” Thea said, “Do you want us all to starve? One can go thousands of miles without seeing so much as an island.”

“I’m just saying, it’s how a lot of us feel,” Elisha said, “We hate treading over the same old ground. We know Sanctuary is not here, so why do we persist?”

“Because Sanctuary is here!” Thea said, “I’ve seen it repeated in old texts, over and over again, that Sanctuary is somewhere between what is now San Ria and Haven’s End. We’ve tried and tried and still we can’t find it. I didn’t know what I was doing wrong until we climbed that tower. Apparently we need that knowledge to find it. I’m hoping that Iluminus will open the way for us unintentionally, and then we’ll take it from him.”

“We can’t defeat Illuminus,” Elisha said, “Even with Pandora... You saw what he did to her.”

“I’m still working on that part of the plan,” Thea said, “I’ll come up with something. But for now, we sail to Haven’s End. I don’t know why, but I have a feeling in my gut...”

~

Arietta looked up at her ceiling, following the patterns in the wood grain with her eyes, unable to sleep. Finally, she threw the covers off in frustration and sat up, putting her head in her hands. Elisha had been so distant since they had been to Windia. They had spent no time alone together, had barely even talked...

Leaving her room, she saw the door to Thea’s office open, and Elisha came out. She ducked around a corner, and saw Elisha go to her room. She waited a few minutes, and headed for Elisha’s room, knocking on the door.

“Come in,” Elisha said tiredly, “Oh, Arietta. What’s the matter. Do you still feel unwell?”

“I don’t know what it is,” Arietta said, “I just can’t sleep.”

“Is something troubling you?” Elisha asked, “Usually that keeps me awake.”

“Actually, I’ve been worried about you,” Arietta said, “You’ve been so quiet since we went to Windia, and you haven’t spent any time with me in days. Is something the matter?”

“It’s nothing,” Elisha lied, “I’m just frustrated and bored, going back over the same old ground. I thought we were making some headway with finding Sanctuary, but now we’re lost again, the path has dried up. At this rate, Illuminus will be there before we are.”

Arietta detected a lie, but said nothing. Yet somewhere deep inside her, she felt doubt growing like a cancer, fear rising in her gut. Why was Elisha, of all people, lying to her? The one that she thought she could trust was hiding things from her, and that only made her more afraid. Whereas fear of the known had been a problem before, now fear of the unknown was growing. Fear that whatever it was that Elisha was hiding, it was big.

“We’ll find Sanctuary eventually, I’m sure of it,” Arietta said, but she felt no certainty of anything as she said it.

“Yeah,” Elisha said, “Arietta, I... No. It’s nothing...”

“I’ll let you sleep then,” Arietta said. She gave Elisha a kiss on the cheek and departed, closing the door quietly behind her.

~

“Stop it!” Sashiko cried, as Arietta came up on deck. She held two ensigns apart, both flailing against her, trying to land blows on each other. Finally Elisha hurried up on deck, pushed past Arietta, and dragged one of the girls away.

“What’s going on here?” Arietta said, “It’s like nobody’s themselves.”

“They’ve just been confined too long on the ship,” Sashiko said, “Don’t worry, Arietta. Once we get to Haven’s End, things will improve again. Don’t look so worried. You always seem to be wearing a frown these days.”

“It’s nothing,” Arietta said, “I’ll feel better once I get off this ship.”

She descended below decks again and returned to her room. Sitting on her bed, she looked out at the ocean. She wondered how Selesti was doing, what had become of her in San Ria. Had she been consumed by the Moral Revolution again, once more forced to live in secret, selling out the people she slept with for her own safety? She felt sadness, and missed the old Selesti, the woman she had been able to share all her hopes and fears with before the Revolution had taken everything away from them. Now she felt isolated, locked out of everybody’s lives. Pandora and Luna were consumed with each other, and the other crew members kept to themselves. She had thought she and Elisha were close, but Elisha seemed to spend more time with Thea than anybody else, and now she was keeping secrets...

Before long, she was asleep, curled up on her bed. The dreams that came to her were dark, yet she did not wake, and so she slept on, trapped in a world of darkness and doubt. When she woke, fear lingered in her heart. She looked out of the window to see nighttime was upon them. Getting up, she dressed, wanting some fresh air, and left her room.

Across the hall, she saw that the light was still coming from Thea’s office. Heading to the stairs, she heard Thea and Elisha’s voices coming from the room.

“You’ve not been yourself, Elisha,” Thea said, “You need to appear normal. What if people found out? It would damage morale on this ship more than you could believe. What if Arietta finds out? It would destroy her!”

“How can I behave normally?” Elisha said, “You have no idea how you’ve made me feel!”

Arietta gasped. Could it be true? Could Elisha be cheating on her, sleeping with Thea? She went over and over it in panic in her head, as the floodgates of fear opened in her stomach. The conversation fit, and it made sense. Elisha had been distant with her, spending so much time with Thea... The memories of what had happened with Selesti came back to her, and she ran, hurrying up the steps, needing fresh air.

The rain was falling heavily when she reached the deck, but she rushed to the side, needing to vomit, tears running down her face, mingling with the rain. She didn’t hear the sound of wings flapping in the rain, or the gentle thud as a figure landed behind her.

“Arietta.” The firm, yet gentle and intelligent voice disturbed her, and she whirled around, her sobs interrupted for a second.

“Illuminus.” It was a voice devoid of care that came from Arietta’s mouth, but she was too lost and tired to care that Illuminus had come to them, too filled with shock and grief to give a damn that their enemy was on the ship. Exactly why did they hate him, anyway?

“You are filled with pain, despair, sorrow and loneliness,” Illuminus said, “You feel as though the whole world has abandoned you.”

“How do you know?” Arietta asked.

“Your pain is easy for all to see, and that’s why they avoid you,” Illuminus said, “Just as your hope and joy is infectious, so is your pain and fear. That is why they avoid you when the darkness consumes you. They are afraid of feeling your pain.”

“I just want to know what is going on,” Arietta said, the rain beating on her brow. This whole conversation didn’t make sense, why was Illuminus here, talking to her about her personal problems? Yet nothing seemed to make sense, it was as if her dreams were continuing in real life. Her hair was becoming soaked, yet she did not seem to care.

“They hide a secret from you because they are afraid it will make you lose faith,” Illuminus said, “The nature of what the place they call ‘Sanctuary’ really is. It is no place of peace and mercy, Arietta. It is a city guarded with weapons so powerful they could destroy the world. Thea wants that city and those weapons, believing they will keep the armies of the Moral Revolution at bay. But she doesn’t know that deep down, she intends to use those weapons. She hates the Moral Revolution with all her heart, she fears it, because it will soon rule the world. She is scared she will have no place to run to.”

“We all have that fear,” Arietta said, “I’m from Garania. The Moral Revolution destroyed the woman I loved.”

“Yet still you would not destroy Garania and all the innocent people who live there,” Illuminus said, “She will, someday. She is the bringer of death, the destroyer of this world, not I. It was easy to blame me, to make me the villain of this tale, because I wielded magic for unknown purposes.”

“But you killed Maia. You rose the dead! You hurt Pandora! You destroyed Windia!” Arietta cried.

“Maia had betrayed her ideals,” Illuminus said, “She had left the ship swearing to destroy the Lost City, but wavered and deceived her crew, secretly intending to give Thea the city when she found it. She thought she could control Thea, prevent her from using the weapons, but she could not even control me. I used her ship as a weapon to try and stop Thea. Yes, I controlled the dead, but only to try and stop her! I admit I’ve done things that are cruel and wicked, like the razing of Windia... Yet they would not give me the information willingly, and I had to know to have any chance of success in my quest!”

“You still killed them all!” Arietta said.

“Thea will kill millions if she is allowed to touch those weapons!” Illuminus said. “I may be no saint, but I have to end this. For that, I need your help, Arietta.”

“My help? Why would I help you?” Arietta asked.

“Your friends have betrayed you, cast you out. They hide from your sorrow. Your love turns to Thea, looking for answers that are not there. She knew, but she never told you the truth! Yet you want to stay here? You could help me keep those weapons from Thea, save the world. Won’t you do that?”

“Why should I believe anything you’ve said?” Arietta said.

“Look, here she comes,” Illuminus said. Arietta turned around to see Elisha and Thea standing there, frozen in shock, “Why don’t you ask her yourself?”

“Thea...” Arietta said, “Is it true that Sanctuary is no Sanctuary at all, but a place filled with weapons that could destroy the world?” The rain had soaked her to the bone, but she barely felt it. All she could feel was the void where hope was slipping away and despair was filling her up.

Thea was silent, staring off into space. It was Elisha that spoke up, “It’s true,” she said, quietly.

“You knew, as well, and kept it from me,” Arietta said, “You lied to me, became distant, spending more and more time together while I was alone, wondering what had changed.”

“The truth would have broken you!” Elisha said, “Just as it has now. Do you think I didn’t want to talk about what I had learned to anybody? I yearned to get it off my chest, but I didn’t want to burden you... Thea was the only one I could talk to...”

“Nobody ever wants to see me sad!” Arietta said, “Everybody is content to keep me in the dark, in a state of blissful happiness, so they can feed off my joy and hope like vampires!”

Elisha bowed her head, “Arietta, I didn’t want to see you suffer...”

“Everybody has to suffer!” Arietta said, “There are facts in life that can only bring suffering, but we can’t hide from them! We have to stand up to them! I’m not going to stand here and watch Thea destroy the world!”

“I won’t destroy the world!” Thea said, “But we have to have those weapons, or Sanctuary will never survive!”

“I respected you,” Arietta said, “I had faith in you as a leader, but that’s gone now. You lead everybody along like lambs to the slaughter. Do they even know what crimes they will be culpable for?”

“I said I’ll never use those weapons!” Thea said, “Why doesn’t anybody trust me?”

“You haven’t earned that trust,” Arietta said, “Why would you lie to us if you knew you were right? You could have argued with us, maybe even persuaded us that we needed those weapons for our defense, but by keeping them a secret, you only prove to me that you have more sinister intentions. That, when the time comes, you will take revenge on the nations of the Moral Revolution.”

Thea bowed her head. Elisha’s mouth was open, but no words came out. Arietta turned to Illuminus.

“Take me away from here,” she said, “I’ll help you destroy those weapons.”

Illuminus nodded, and with a wave of his hands, ghostly white wings appeared on Arietta’s back. Illuminus took her hand and jumped into the air, and they flew away into the distance.

“Arietta...” Elisha finally managed to say, “Arietta!!” She ran to the bow of the ship, calling Arietta’s name.

“She’s gone,” Thea said, “Don’t waste your time.”

“How can you be so cold?” Elisha said, tears running down her face, “This is all your fault! You’ve betrayed all of us!”

“I’m going to get the job done!” Thea said, “We have no time for this drama. Can’t you see it? The Moral Revolution is closing in on us with each passing day. We only have to come across a warship from San Ria or Garania and we’re done, Elisha! I don’t want to end up in a watery grave. We have to get our hands on Sanctuary before they destroy it!”

“How far would you go to get it?” Elisha said, “Would you kill Arietta?”

“I am not as cold as you make me out to be,” Thea said, “I care about Arietta, you, and everybody else on this ship.”

“But the rest of the world can go fuck itself as far as you’re concerned, and that’s the problem,” Elisha said, “I remember when I met Arietta. She wanted a world where everybody was included, not just some isolated world where we held ourselves on a pedestal above the rest of the human race. You haven’t changed, Thea. You might pretend to yourself that you don’t hate any more, but you do.”

“Then leave,” Thea said, “You can get off this ship any time you want to.”

“No,” Elisha said, “If I do that, I’ll never see Arietta again. Besides, I promised to stop you if you ever try to use those weapons, and I intend to keep my promise. You’re stuck with me, Thea, whether you like it or not.”

~

Illuminus and Arietta flew across the sea at an amazing speed, out of the rain and into the twilight. They saw a tower on the horizon and Illuminus steered Arietta towards it. Eventually they reached it, and Illuminus guided Arietta down to the ground.

Arietta looked up at the pure white tower. It was much like the others they had encountered, but the door was sealed.

“So why do you need me?” Arietta said.

“Only one who is pure of heart may open this door,” Illuminus said, “I am too tainted by past deeds, but you, Arietta, are as pure as winter snow. This tower contains the final key to rise the Lost City from its watery grave. Once we are done here, we will rush to the city and destroy the weapons. Then your group is welcome to the city. My work will be done. Defending your city from the Moral Revolution will be your problem.”

Arietta stood on the spot that Illuminus pointed out to her, and the stone door disintegrated. They headed up into the tower, hastening up the steps. They found themselves in a room filled with ancient technology, much like the previous white tower they had been to.

“I apologize for hurting you and your friends before,” Illuminus said, “I never expected that you would chance upon me at that tower. You surprised me, and I was not ready for it. Since then, I have been more careful, watching your every move through the eyes of the birds.”

“So that’s why you knew so much,” Arietta realized.

Illuminus stepped over to one of the consoles. Arietta stepped up beside him, looking down at the ancient symbols before them.

“Why did the Ancients build all this?” Arietta asked.

“The Lost City has already destroyed the world once,” Illuminus said, “I was there when the sky turned to ashes, the volcano of San Ria exploded and the earth shook beneath Garania. That was one thousand years ago, when we Ancients ruled the world.”

“You’re an Ancient?” Arietta gasped.

“Indeed, one of the last,” Illuminus said, “Most of the others have perished over time. Their bloodlines mixed with some of the tribes that rose to take their place, though. That’s why, occasionally, a child is born with magical blood who is immortal, like Pandora.”

“You want to stop the same mistakes from being repeated again,” Arietta realized.

“Indeed,” Illuminus said, “My race is gone, dead forever and will never rise again. They had their chance, but they used their knowledge to build the Lost City, once known as Heaven’s Gate. They were at war with the tribes that became your people, and they thought they could raise the city above the land and escape the cataclysm that they wanted to unleash on those that they considered animals. I could not stop the cataclysm, but I stopped the city from floating, and it was flooded by a huge wave, sinking it below the surface. It took all my power, though, and I hid in a tomb, sleeping for hundreds of years. When I woke, I was weak for a long time, sick from sleeping, and tortured by the guilt of having killed my own people.”

“So who built these towers?” Arietta asked.

“The few of my people who survived the destruction of the world understood what they had done by building Heaven’s Gate. They built the towers with magic, using each one to place an extra seal on the city so it could never rise again. When I ventured out into the world after my long sleep, I was pleased to see the city had been sealed - that was, until I found out about the White Ship.”

“We had no idea where we were going, though,” Arietta said, “It would have taken years for us to find it.”

“That’s not true. Although she has forgotten much about it, Thea has been to Heaven’s Gate. She was born there, a child of my people who was rescued by somebody when the wave hit. She has spent hundreds of years searching for the city in her dreams, a city she barely remembers from her childhood. Yet she knows far more about it then she has revealed to anybody.”

“So she’s immortal as well?” Arietta gasped.

“Indeed,” Illuminus said, “She’s done a good job of hiding the truth of her nature from you.”

“What about Maia?” Arietta said, “Was she also one of you?”

“Yes,” Illuminus said. “Maia and Thea were the youngest of all of us, best friends in their childhood. They’ve spent the rest of their lives trying to recapture what they had. Maia died with Thea’s name on her lips. Her death was one regret that I had.”

Arietta bowed her head, “They really loved one another... why couldn’t they be happy with that?”

“You can’t blame them too much,” Illuminus said, “Though they never discovered their magical powers, they were shunned from society for their love for one another, forever running from one place to another. They never had peace, and that’s why they built the White Ship. But Thea could never let her hatred go. That caused a split down the middle, and Maia left to make her own ship. But they still loved one another, and that’s why Maia was going to find Heaven’s Gate, to give Thea another chance to redeem herself.” He pressed some symbols on the console, and everything lit up.

“This has to end,” Illuminus said, “As long as those weapons exist, Ancients and humans alike will seek them. They’re as dangerous in the hands of the Moral Revolution as they are in Thea’s hands. Both carry hatred of the unknown within them.”

A light surrounded the tower and shot off into the sky. There was a deep rumble in the distance.

“There, our work here is done,” Illuminus said, “Heaven’s Gate will rise from the ocean soon. We must get there before anybody else does.”

~

“Land ahoy!” came a cry as the White Ship pulled into Haven’s End. Elisha had confined herself to her cabin for the rest of the trip, unable to stand the constant gossiping about Arietta’s disappearance. Thea had told everybody that Illuminus had kidnapped Arietta, but Elisha knew the truth; she had gone willingly, having lost faith in what they were doing. She had mulled over her actions again and again, wondering what would have happened if she had told the truth to Arietta sooner, but she could find no answers, only fear and doubt.

There was a knock on the door, “Come in,” she said tiredly.

“Elisha, come up to the deck quickly!” Pandora said, “There’s trouble!” Luna hung behind her nervously.

Elisha picked up her sword and they all hurried up the stairs to the deck. Soldiers of the Moral Revolution were searching the ship, ransacking anything they could find. Thea was being held by two guards.

“Pandora, hurry and weigh anchor,” Elisha whispered, “Luna, head to the helmsman and tell her we need to get out of here!”

“With all these soldiers on board?” Luna asked.

“I’ll create a distraction,” Elisha said, “Now go!”

Luna and Pandora headed off in their respective directions, and Elisha stepped out from her hiding place.

“Just what do you think you’re doing?” she asked, grabbing one of the soldiers and throwing him to the deck. Thea fought back against her captors and struggled free, going for her sword. The White Knights who were holding back all went for their swords, and the soldiers drew theirs. Fighting ensued. Elisha found herself fighting two soldiers at once, and deftly jumped one sword while fending off another.

Just then, the ship lurched and everybody fell back as the ship started to pull out of port. The soldiers on land raced to the ship and some jumped for it, but they landed in the water. The soldiers on board got up and ran for the side, jumping over into the water.

“You, you and you, search the ship for any remaining soldiers!” Elisha barked, “Throw them overboard.”

“Yes ma’am!” the White Knights said, and Elisha headed over to a shell-shocked looking Thea, who stood dazed and confused in the middle of the melee.

“I can’t believe it,” Thea said, “There’s nowhere to run to now. The Moral Revolution has taken everywhere from us! Even Haven’s End!”

“Lady Thea, please come to your office,” Elisha said, “Please, everyone is watching.”

Elisha escorted Thea away while the rest of the White Knights threw soldiers overboard and cleaned up the mess they had left behind.

“Thea, you need to get a grip!” Elisha said, “So what if the Moral Revolution owned the whole world? They’ll fall eventually, every political movement has its time. People will grow out of its demagoguery eventually and look for something better.”

“No, they won’t,” Thea said, “Look at the Arian Empire. Is it free yet? Look at Garania. Have they tired of it? No, it just spreads and spreads like a cancer, and while it does, we’ll be hated and reviled forever!”

“That’s not true!” Elisha said, “Just because the majority vote for an extreme party, doesn’t mean that they embrace its every tenet wholeheartedly. People voted for the Moral Revolution because it brought the nations under it financial prosperity. They don’t all hate us. Arietta told me she knew good people in Garania, who didn’t change because of the revolution. That she wanted to live beside those people.”

“Do you know how long Maia and I sought freedom? We ran for hundreds of years, Elisha. Hundreds of years! We, too, were immortal. Now Maia has her peace and I’m left here alone in this world and nothing’s changed, Elisha. In hundreds of years, nothing has improved for us!”

“Things will change!” Elisha said, “I truly believe that. Perhaps if we weren’t so eager to hide away from the rest of the world, if we tried to live with them instead of apart from them, if we showed them we are good, ordinary people instead of running away like we have something to hide, we would make more headway!”

“Sanctuary is the only place we’ll ever be safe,” Thea said, “I won’t let Illuminus take it away from us!”

“I pity you,” Elisha said, “I used to admire you. I thought you were strong, that you had overcome hatred, but that’s not true, is it?”

Thea slammed her hand down on the desk, “Get out!” she said, “Get out of my office right now!”

“You should think about it!” Elisha said, “Sooner or later, you have to let this grudge go!”

“Get out right now!” Thea said, “Or I’ll have you thrown overboard with those Haven’s End scum!”

Elisha left, slamming the door behind her, “Arietta, I wish you were here,” she whispered.

Chapter 10

[Author's notes: The city rises from the depths of the ocean, and while everybody celebrates, Elisha and Arietta set out to stop Thea's plan from coming to fruition.]

Heaven’s Gate

As Elisha stood out on the deck, she felt a low rumbling which started to become both louder and more intense. Soon, everybody was crowding the deck, looking to see what it might be. Elisha saw it first, the tip of a great tower rising from the ocean, then the roofs of taller buildings, then houses, a great city coming up from the depths of the sea.

They all saw it then, and great gasps came up from all assembled. They looked to Thea, who nodded with satisfaction, a grim smile on her face. She answered their unspoken question at once.

“Yes, that is Sanctuary,” Thea said, “Sail for it at once.”

Elisha pushed through the crowds and came close to Thea, but Thea waved her away, lost in her moment of triumph, and not wanting Elisha’s words to bring her down. After all their work and effort, finally...

“There’s something on the horizon!” the lookout called down, “Two figures... flying... coming towards us!”

“Everybody, draw your bows and stand ready!” Thea commanded. There was no doubt in them now that they had seen Sanctuary, and every White Knight was at their post quickly, except Elisha.

“You know that’s Arietta and Illuminus!” Elisha said, “You can’t fire on Arietta! I won’t allow it!”

“Watch me!” Thea said, “The White Knights have seen Sanctuary with their own eyes. They won’t turn away from me now. Arietta has become our enemy and must be stopped.”

“No!” Elisha cried, as Thea gave the command to fire at will. They were almost overhead now, and all must have clearly seen that it was Arietta above them. Pandora and Luna dropped their bows, rushing to Elisha.

“Elisha, what’s going on?” Pandora said, “Make her stop! Even if they shoot Illuminus, they could hit Arietta!”

“She doesn’t care,” Elisha said, pointing to Thea, “I’m powerless to stop her.”

Arietta and Illuminus saw the volley of arrows at the last moment and tried to avoid them, but an arrow pierced Illuminus’s heart and he fell, crashing into the deck of the ship. Arietta felt her wings disappear as Illuminus’s magic faded with his lifeforce, and she was falling down, spiraling out of control towards the ship.

“Arietta!” Elisha cried, “Pandora, do something! She’ll die if she crashes from that height!”

Pandora thought for a second and then closed her eyes, muttering an incantation. Arietta was speeding towards the ship, and then she slowed, as if falling in slow motion. Pandora continued casting her spell, and guided Arietta gently down onto the deck. Arietta was up on her feet at once, rushing not to Elisha and Pandora, but to Illuminus’s side.

“No,” she said, “No, Illuminus, wake up!” She turned him over to see the arrow sticking out of his chest, his eyes staring coldly into space, his thousand year life ended by a single true shot. Arietta started to cry, cradling the form of Illuminus in her arms.

Pandora and Luna, followed by Elisha, rushed over to Arietta.

“Arietta, what are you doing?” Pandora said, “He killed my family!”

Arietta set Illuminus down and stood up, “He did some terrible things, he admitted that. But he wants to save all of you! Listen to me!”

“Take her to her cabin and place her under guard!” Thea said, “Her mind is being controlled by magic!”

Arietta felt strong arms grab her, and she was carried away by two White Knights she barely knew, taken below decks, and thrown into her cabin. She heard the door lock behind her, and knew she was trapped.

“You can’t do this, Thea,” Elisha cried up on deck, “I’ll tell everybody the truth!”

“I’ll lock you up as well,” Thea said, “With Sanctuary within our reach, I won’t let you stop me now.”

“What’s going on?” Luna asked.

“It’s all right, Luna,” Elisha said, “It’s nothing.”

Pandora walked over to the body of Illuminus and stared down at his form, “I guess it wasn’t my fate to fight him after all,” she said, with Luna beside her.

“Now at least, you can let it go,” Luna said, “Your family’s deaths have been avenged.”

“True, but I feel no different. I feel no joy or peace. Vengeance is an empty cup. Indeed, many mysteries have died with Illuminus. There were so many questions I wanted to ask him... about my immortality, about my magic... Now I’m the only one like me in the world.” Pandora lent down and closed Illuminus’s staring eyes, “Be at peace,” she whispered.

Elisha saw the scene and felt pain well up in her heart at Pandora’s goodness. She wanted desperately to tell her the truth, but she knew if she did, she would be confined to quarters and would have no chance of stopping Thea.

As they came close to the city, they all marveled at its grand, imposing presence. White beach surrounded it, and great buildings rose up into the sky, blotting out the setting sun. Water and sand poured from it into the ocean.

“The true name of this city is Heaven’s Gate,” Thea said, to all the admiring White Knights who surrounded her, “It’s been sleeping for a thousand years, and finally, it is ours.”

Everybody cheered except Elisha, who felt pale and sick. She looked over the side at the giant city and felt only doom and dread sweep through her. How knowledge could change everything, she realized.

“Okay, everybody, we’re going to have a landing party go ahead and scout the city,” Thea said, “Pandora, Luna and Sashiko, I want you with me.” Pandora and Luna stepped forward, looking back at Elisha curiously. She just nodded her assent, and they hurried along to Thea.

“Elisha, you are in charge. Do not leave the ship under any circumstances.” Elisha nodded, knowing that Thea was trying to keep her there, and knowing that right now, there was nothing she could do about it but let it happen.

The landing party lowered themselves in the boat, and set off for the white beach before them. Elisha headed below decks, heading straight to the training room.

“Master Kane,” she said, “Are you here?”

“I knew you would come, Elisha. Your troubled face has told me that something is amiss.”

“Sanctuary is not what it appears to be, Master Kane. Thea is seeking weapons that are hidden there, weapons that could destroy the world. I have to stop her, but she has bound me by placing me in charge.”

“That’s easily fixed,” Master Kane said, “I will assume command. Fetch Arietta and take a boat ashore. I will tell the others that Lady Thea has forgotten something and you have gone to deliver it to her.”

“Thank you so much, Master Kane.” Elisha said, relieved.

“I knew that Lady Thea was capable of hatred. That’s part of the reason I stayed. I thought that perhaps I could change her mind. But as far as she’s concerned, her family here matters, and the rest of the world is scum. The Moral Revolution’s spread has only proved to her that the world hates her. So long as she believes that, she will never be free of her grudge.”

“I have to end this, one way or another, Master Kane,” Elisha said, “Forgive me if I kill the woman you have secretly loved for all this time.”

“How do you know that?” Kane asked, but Elisha just gave him a wan smile.

“Why else would you live on a ship of crazy, drama-loving lesbians?” She left the room to the echo of his laughter.

~

Arietta sat, shrouded in her darkness. Thea was probably already uncovering the secrets of Heaven’s Gate, and here she was, trapped in this room, unable to do anything. Was Elisha at Thea’s side, helping her to destroy the world? The thought hurt her deep inside, and she curled up deeper into herself.

After what seemed like forever, she heard voices outside, which became angry, and then a low thud and the sound of a body sliding down the wall. The door unlocked, and Arietta looked up to see Elisha standing there.

“Arietta...” Elisha said, “Arietta, I’m so sorry for everything that I’ve done to you. I should have come to you as soon as I found out, shared my fears with you, not kept them hidden deep inside. I should have trusted you.”

“You could have asked for help,” Arietta said, “I would have understood. You don’t have to carry your weight alone. You didn’t have to turn to Thea for love. I was here all along.”

“I didn’t,” Elisha said, “There was nothing going on between us. The only reason I spent so much time with her was because I was trying to talk her out of her madness!”

“I should have known that all along,” Arietta said bowing her head, “But somewhere, deep inside, I’m afraid of what happened with Selesti happening again, as if I’m not worthy to be loved somehow. I’m the one who should have trusted you.”

“Either way,” Elisha said, “Thea’s going to the city, and the people with her have no idea of her intentions. So I beg for your forgiveness and ask; will you come with me?”

“Of course I will,” Arietta said, running to Elisha’s waiting arms. Elisha embraced her tightly, stroking Arietta’s long, blond hair.

“We may have to kill Thea,” Arietta said, “Elisha, she’s an Ancient; immortal, like Pandora and Illuminus. Sanctuary was originally called Heaven’s Gate. She and Maia were children a thousand years ago, when the city sank into the sea, but they were rescued from their fate. Since then, they have been trying to find the city, but it was sealed by the other surviving Ancients, who regretted having tried to destroy the world.”

“I see...” Elisha said, “That’s why she said she was from the Nameless Islands, and why she knew so much about Sanctuary.”

“We have to stop her,” Arietta said, “We don’t have much time. Let’s go.”

They left the room. Arietta saw the knocked out guard on the floor and Elisha just shrugged, “I didn’t have much choice,” she said in her defense.

Hurrying up on deck, they saw most of the White Knights were distracted, looking out at the city, their duties abandoned. They slipped into a boat and ordered it to be lowered, and they set out for the white beach, each moment seeming like forever, the white beach staying at a painful distance. Both Arietta and Elisha were aware of time slipping away, and they redoubled their efforts at rowing the boat. Finally they reached shallow water and abandoned the boat, running through the water onto the beach.

“White sand...” Elisha said, “The white beach of the Promised Land...”

“I hoped we’d be here in happier circumstances,” Arietta said.

“I saw this day a hundred times in my dreams,” Elisha said, “I never envisioned it would be like this.”

The beach changed into concrete, and they hurried through the city, seeing the stone homes covered in lichen from their years in the depths of the sea. The tower in the center of the city was the only thing that did not look ruined, in fact, it was clear of damage and clean as if it had just been built, its white hull piercing the sky. Lights glowed on its side.

“That must be the place,” Arietta said, “We must hurry.”

Reaching the base of the tower, Arietta reached out for Elisha’s hand, “Whatever happens in here, Elisha,” she said, “I want you to know that I love you, and I trust you.”

“I love and trust you as well,” Elisha said, “Together, we’ll make the right decision.”

~

“This tower is so strange, so alien,” Sashiko noted, as they walked through the grand corridors, all lined with flashing lights and consoles like they had seen in the white tower.

“It belongs to another age,” Pandora said, “An age and a people long dead.”

Thea pressed forward, barely saying a word to anybody. She was trapped in awe, seeing a memory come to life, as if all her dreams had been made into reality. She would reach out every so often and touch something, just to make sure she was really there, had really reached her goal after all these years.

They climbed and climbed, the tower seeming endlessly complex, a maze of gadgets and computers that no doubt at some point powered the entire city.

“What are we searching for, anyway?” Pandora asked, “Why can’t we just move everybody onto the island and start reclaiming the buildings?”

“There is a further city underground,” Thea said, “The buildings there might be better preserved, but I need to access the central control system to see if it is flooded.”

“How do you know all this?” Luna asked.

“This was my home,” Thea said, “A thousand years ago, this was the place where Maia and I grew up, childhood friends. The city was sunk, and we roamed the world trying to reclaim it for all that time.”

“You’re immortal?” Pandora gasped, “So there are still others like me! Do you have magical abilities?”

“I don’t think so,” Thea said, “I’ve never learned any magic, and Maia didn’t, either. Either way, these are questions that can be answered later. For now, I want to find that computer.”

They climbed for hours, well into the darkness of night. The artificial lights inside the tower still seemed to work, as well as the whirring computers around them.

“How does this all still work after so much time underwater?” Pandora asked.

“The tower was built to be waterproof and impenetrable,” Thea said, “The systems in here are very important to the city, so it had to be protected from floods. Magic also protects the tower.”

“I thought I felt the presence of magic,” Pandora said, “It must be powerful magic indeed if it outlives the caster.”

“Heaven’s Gate was filled with powerful mages,” Thea said, “I’m sure they knew how to do some incredible things.”

Finally they reached the top of the tower, which was constructed with a clear roof, so they could all see the stars.

“Wow,” they said in awe, looking up at the night sky.

“Come on,” Thea said, leading them down a stairwell set in the center of the tower’s floor into what looked to be a computer system, “The main computer is in here.”

They descended into the heart of the tower, machinery all around them. Heading down a corridor, Thea held them back, “Wait here,” she commanded. They waited as she stepped forward and went to the computer. A barrier of light came up before them, trapping them in the corridor.

“Thea?” Pandora said, “What did you just do?”

“It was necessary, Pandora,” Thea said, a look of sadness on her face, “I can’t let you stop me now.”

“Stop you?” Pandora said, “Why would we want to stop you?”

“The Moral Revolution has eaten this world alive. As long as it exists, there will be no place for us, nowhere we can run or hide, and certainly no place where we can live in peace. This city contains the power to destroy the Moral Revolution, send a message to all those that hating us is wrong!”

“A message...?” Luna said, “I don’t like the sound of this. I wish Arietta and Elisha were here.”

“Once I set this control... like this... It will only be a matter of time before the volcano in San Ria explodes, covering the city in ash and lava. They will say the Fire God did it because they were wrong, and they will turn the Moral Revolution out on its ear. Then I will make the ground shake beneath Garania until they turn on their government in desperate need. I will make the winds tear at the Arian Empire until the Emperor flees!”

“The people chose the Moral Revolution,” Pandora said, her hands up against the barrier of light, “It’s not your right to overrule their decision, especially not like this! Think of how many innocent people you will kill!”

“They’re not innocent!” Thea said, “They could have voted another way, but they chose money over human rights, themselves over others! They have no idea what their votes did to us!”

“Then the only thing they are guilty of is ignorance, and aren’t we all guilty of that at some point in our lives?” Luna cried from behind the barrier.

“You must stop this, Lady Thea!” Sashiko said, “I admired you, respected you! I thought you would lead us to salvation and safety, not death! I won’t be responsible for the deaths of millions!”

“It’s no good,” Pandora said, “She’s lost. Reason cannot reach her now.”
~

Arietta and Elisha hurried through the passageways, following the dusty trail left behind by the others. They ran as fast as they could up stairwells, ignoring the glowing lights and ancient consoles they passed.

They reached the top, seeing the dome above them and the night outside. Then they heard voices from below. They looked at each other, and rushed down the steps into the computer mainframe.

“Arietta! Elisha!” Pandora said, relieved, “Perhaps you can get through to Lady Thea. She’s gone crazy!”

“She’s been crazy for a while,” Elisha said sadly, “Hatred has consumed her soul. I’m not sure there’s much I can do.” She pushed and kicked the barrier, but it didn’t move or falter. She could see Thea hunched over the controls, and the timer ticking down.

“Thea!” Arietta cried, “You have to listen to me! You must stop this! That’s why Illuminus was after this city. He wanted to destroy these weapons, to stop you. I know who you are, Thea. I know that you came from here with Maia, and that you were hated for a thousand years, chased from place to place. I understand your pain!”

“Nobody can understand my pain!” Thea said, “You have no idea how much it hurt me, that I could never have a single friend in all the world to confide to except Maia. How somebody would inevitably find out about us and threaten to kill us! There was never any peace for us, never any place where we could be safe or relax. It tore us apart, took her from me, and now she’s gone, forever! I’m alone in this world, and even you have all turned on me!”

Pandora tried using magic on the barrier, but nothing seemed to work. Exhausted, she slumped against the wall, and Luna hugged her.

“Be careful, Pandora!” she said, “Don’t exhaust yourself too much!”

“We have to stop her somehow!” Pandora said, “If only I knew some way of reaching her!”

“Illuminus could summon the dead,” Arietta said, “Can you contact spirits?”

“I don’t know, but I could give it a try,” Pandora said, “Maia, right?”

“Right,” Arietta said, “If anybody can reach her, it will be Maia.”

Pandora closed her eyes, “I need to ask a favor,” she said, “Join hands with me. I need your strength for this.”

They joined hands, lined up against the barrier. Pandora began to chant in the ancient tongue. The chanting grew louder, and then she called out, “Maia!”

A silvery apparition appeared in the room behind Thea, and the group watched as it took the form of Maia, and called out, “Thea...”

Thea turned, a look of shock and fear on her face, “Maia...” she said, “How can it be?”

“The love of all your friends, plus the ancient magic of this place and the girl has called me back,” Maia said, “Thea, you must stop this...”

“Why?” Thea said, “They’ll only chase us down wherever we go, make life perpetually miserable. We never had any peace in our lives. It’ll be the same for everybody on the ship if I don’t do this!”

“I was happy,” Maia said, “No matter what they said or did, I was happy just being with you. I didn’t need their love or approval to be happy. Why is it so different for you? Why do you need everybody in the world to love you, when you are surrounded with a few true friends?”

“They’ve turned on me!” Thea said, “They don’t want us to be safe.”

“They do, Thea. They just believe in people’s capacity for change. Arietta has faith in the human race. Pandora has hope that they will change. Elisha knows that the twilight holds fear, but she is not afraid to persevere despite that. Yet you... why are you giving up so easily?”

“I’m tired,” Thea admitted, “I’m so tired of all this pain... I’m so tired of being powerless to stop it, wherever I go... I’m tired of people retreading the same old mistakes and voting for the Moral Revolution to oppress us.”

“You are not powerless,” Maia said, “People are changing as we speak. Let me show you.” She waved a hand and the monitor before them sprang to life. A city appeared on the screen, filled with violence. Guards were being thrown in the water, and people were taking up arms.

“That’s San Ria!” Luna cried, “What’s happening there?”

“A counter-revolution,” Maia said, “The people of San Ria are rejecting the Moral Revolution, throwing Valen from his position and taking the city back.”

Thea looked at the screen, drinking in the sight before her. Change, right before her eyes.

“Will you destroy San Ria despite this?” Maia asked, “The people are proving they are capable of change, yet in a few minutes, they’ll be engulfed in lava. Won’t you give them a chance, Thea?”

Thea looked at Maia, “I love you so much, Maia,” she said, “I don’t deserve a third chance in life. I’ve had two already. Yet you come back again to try and save my soul?”

“I love you,” Maia said, “I would come back from my eternal rest a thousand times if it meant I could stop you from falling into the clutches of hatred. It’s always been your weakness, my love. Yet I love you despite that. So do your friends. If you stop this, they are all willing to forgive you.”

Thea looked at the figures behind the barrier, and they all nodded, hands held together, determination on their faces.

“Even after all I’ve done...” she said, and ran back to the computer. She deactivated the countdowns, and drew her sword, plunging it into the computer system, which exploded in a shower of sparks. The barrier disappeared, and the screens went blank.

Arietta and Elisha hugged in pure joy. Luna wrapped her arms around Pandora’s still chanting form, and Pandora managed a smile as she spoke. Sashiko stood smiling, her hands on her hips, a satisfied look on her face.

“I must go now, my love,” Maia said, “Eternal rest awaits me. Build your Sanctuary, sweet Thea. Defend it with all your heart, and live peacefully. But never forget to extend your hand to other people as well. I believe you can do it, Thea...”

“I love you,” Thea said, “Please don’t go...”

“The time will come when we will meet again, Thea,” Maia said, “Until then, I will be waiting and watching. Make me proud.” She disappeared into the air.

Dazed, confused and emotional, Thea collapsed to her knees, sobbing at the spot where Maia had disappeared. Her friends rushed to her side, helping her up, hugging her, soothing her tears.

“I’m so sorry,” Thea said, “I let myself become consumed by pain. I nearly destroyed the world!”

“A thousand years is a long time to bear pain,” Arietta said, “Illuminus knew, and that’s why he set out to stop you.”

“What do we do now?” Luna said, “We have our island, but we can’t really protect it very well, can we?”

“This island can float,” Arietta said, “Illuminus told me that Heaven’s Gate was designed to be a floating fortress. If we can get it to fly, we’ll be safe from everybody!”

“Incredible!” Thea said, rushing to the other computers in the room, “It’s been so long since I used the ancient tongue, but if I can just decipher these scripts...”

“We have time,” Arietta said, “Lots of time. The Moral Revolution is in disarray right now. Let us take our time. I suspect once we get the city to float, it won’t be easy for anybody to leave. We should find out who wants to stay and who wants to leave.”

“Why would anybody want to leave?” Elisha said, “We finally have what we’ve been searching for all along. The Promised Land, Shangri-La, Sanctuary, whatever you want to call it - we’re home.”

“Home,” Arietta said, looking around her at the ancient computers, “Home...”

Chapter 11

[Author's notes: Sanctuary is finally in their hands and all is right in the world... isn't it?]

Sanctuary At Last

When the group returned to the ship with smiles, everybody cheered. Boats were lowered, and parties began to go ashore to survey the island. The mood was one of pure joy, and some of the White Knights were crying from happiness.

Master Kane smiled with relief as he saw everybody, “Elisha,” he said, greeting her as she came aboard, “You were successful, I see.”

“It was mostly Maia’s work,” she said, “but yes. Thea is herself again, and disaster has been averted.”

“I’m glad,” he said, looking over at Thea, “Finally, you’ve found the place you’ve been searching for. This is where I get off.”

“Really?” Elisha was surprised, “I suppose there isn’t much for you here.”

“I thought Thea needed me, but she doesn’t. She has her friends all around her. I know you’ll always stop her when she goes too far.”

“Where will you go?” Elisha said.

“I’m thinking of buying a ship of my own and heading out to uncharted waters,” Kane said, “I always wanted to explore the ocean. I can’t stay in one place too long.”

“Sounds exciting,” Elisha said, “I hope you find what you are searching for.”

Luna took Pandora’s hand and took her to her room. She was exhausted from the magic, and Luna knew there would be plenty of time for celebration later.

“We did it, didn’t we?” Pandora said, lying down on her bed peacefully, “We really found Sanctuary.”

“Yes we did, Pandora. We really did it.” Luna said, “I was scared for a minute there, but I just believed in you.”

“It wasn’t me,” Pandora said, “It was Maia, and her great love for Thea. She was the one who chose to come back. I just gave her the means to appear on this plane.”

“Pandora...?” Luna said, “I have a question. You don’t have to answer right away, but...”

“What is it?” Pandora asked.

“Will you live with me?” Luna asked, “In the city, I mean. A house of our own, with flowers by the front door.”

Pandora smiled, “I’d love to,” she said, and drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

~

Arietta sat in her room, in solitude. She looked at her sword, Faith. Engraved on it were the names of all the people she was fighting for, all the places she wanted to reclaim. If she stayed here, that quest was over. Flying machines didn’t exist, and she knew they would not be able to land the city at will. She could live here peacefully with Elisha, but the Moral Revolution would continue. The same people who had destroyed Selesti’s life would still be out there, unpunished. San Ria was in turmoil, but that would end eventually, and the Moral Revolution would regroup and try to take it again, by politics or by force.

Then there was the world itself. She had no desire to shut herself away from the world, to hide away from everybody else. She knew deep down that if she wanted attitudes to change, she needed to be out there, not hidden away.

Still, it broke her heart to think of the peaceful life they could have had, and she curled up on her bed and cried for all she was about to lose.

~

Elisha and Thea were in the mainframe, trying to work out the controls for the island’s flight. They had isolated the controls to get it off the ground, but Thea wanted to be sure they had everything right before they left.

Meanwhile, they had been able to open the below ground levels of the city to find them perfectly preserved and unflooded. It was to these parts that the White Knights flocked, choosing homes and moving their possessions in. Scouts went out to the adjoining fields and worked to remove the sand from the fertile soil beneath, planting seeds that had long lay dormant on the ship, waiting for a land that had been too long in coming. Eventually, those seeds would be food for the settlement.

There was a windmill attached to the tower, and Sashiko headed a team to get it working again. Within days they had success, generating power to the computers whose magical power was fading away now they were in full use again.

“It seems our job is done,” Thea announced in the center of their new city, “We have found Sanctuary, and are ready to fly. Now comes the hard part; we have to say goodbye to all the people who won’t be coming with us.”

Eyes turned to a small group of people who had mostly stayed on the ship until now. “Arietta and Elisha will take you to San Ria, where you should be safe. I wish you well in your future endeavors, and hope you find a place where you belong.”

Arietta and Elisha led them onto the ship as the sun set and began to sail. Arietta felt sadness, having been unable to tell Elisha that she, too, would not be staying. She looked behind her, studying the city. It was hard to break her eyes away from the sight of what could have been paradise for her. She gripped her sword hilt as they sailed away, looking wistfully out at the sunset.

“You seem quiet,” Elisha said, coming down from the helm as another White Knight took over, “Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine,” Arietta said, “Elisha, I...”

“What is it, Arietta?” Elisha said, “You know you can tell me anything.”

“I can’t... go with you, Elisha. I can’t isolate myself away from the world.” She drew her sword, running her fingers across the names engraved into it as the orange light flashed across it, “All these people... I promised I’d fight for them. The Moral Revolution is still out there, Garania is still in its grip... I can’t just leave things as they are and run away.”

“I was afraid, deep in my heart, when you volunteered for this last voyage, that you would say that,” Elisha sighed, “I can’t change your mind, can I?”

“Perhaps someday, I will be ready to come to Sanctuary,” she said, “But there’s still so much I have to do.”

“I’ll come with you,” Elisha said, but Arietta shook her head.

“You yearned for Sanctuary with all your heart,” Arietta replied, “You, more than anybody, need that place to recover from your wounds and heal. Besides, you promised you would watch over Thea. Just because she turned away at the last minute doesn’t mean she’ll never succumb to hatred again. You are the only one who can stop her if she ever becomes weak again.”

“I don’t want to lose you,” Elisha said, “I love you so much...”

“You won’t lose me,” Arietta said, “I’ll still be out in the world. It’s not like I’ll be dead. If the island ever lowers, I’ll be the first one to jump on a ship and visit. You’ll see me again, Elisha, I promise.”

Elisha wrapped her arms around Arietta as she stood looking out at the ocean, “If I could, I would stay like this forever,” she said, tears running from her violet eyes.

“I would too,” Arietta said, “I’m sorry I have to go.”

“You have to do what you have to do,” Elisha said. “If I kept you chained up in Sanctuary, you would only be unhappy.”

“I wouldn’t,” Arietta said, “I would just forever spend my life wondering if I could have ended the Moral Revolution.”

“Please be careful out there,” Elisha said.

“You be careful up there,” Arietta said, “That city no doubt holds many secrets.”

“True,” Elisha said, “I’ll keep my eyes open.”

“Arietta...” Elisha said, “It’s getting dark. Will you come to my cabin tonight? I want to keep one night to remember.”

“Yes, I think I will,” Arietta said, smiling, and Elisha took her by the hand, into the depths of the White Ship.

They made love by candlelight, hands finding each other in the near-darkness, kisses exchanged without holding back, hands that found pleasure in touching and exploring each other’s bodies. They left nothing unsaid, and fell asleep in each other’s arms.

~

When the light poured into their cabin, Elisha woke first, looking down at the naked, sleeping form of Arietta. She drank in the sight, saving it for all time, then woke Arietta with a gentle kiss.

“Love, we’re almost there. Care for some breakfast before you go?” Arietta nodded sleepily, and Elisha dressed and went to fetch some food from the kitchens. Arietta looked sadly around the room, knowing it would be the last time she would see this particular room. Her time on the White Ship seemed to have gone by so quickly, filled with joy and drama, despair and hope. It seemed only a short time since she had become a White Knight, and already that period in her life was over. Yet she knew she would always be a White Knight in some way, even though she was not with the others. Dressing in her white uniform, she picked up her sword and waited for Elisha to bring her breakfast.

Breakfast was quiet, just the two of them. Arietta wanted to say something, but words had departed. Her path was set, and she was just waiting for San Ria to come. Yet still she wanted time to slow down, each moment to last a lifetime so that she never had to go out into the world, never had to take care of the promises she had made.

Out of Elisha’s window she saw San Ria approaching, “I had better go to my room and pack my things,” she said, departing quietly.

Walking along the corridor, she entered her room for the last time, packing her spare uniforms and the clothes she had come to the White Ship in, the only things she owned. Looking around the walls, she remembered the tears she had cried here, the happiness and the loneliness she had felt within these wooden walls.

She closed the door behind her as she left, and headed up onto the deck. Elisha was waiting for her as they pulled into San Ria. They were welcomed by a civilian guard, and Arietta could see the damage San Ria had sustained in the counter-revolution - some buildings had been burned, others damaged. She resolved to meet with Luna’s father and tell him of her whereabouts, that she was happy and had found love with Pandora.

Then there was Selesti. Would she see Selesti again? She did not know, but knew she would not seek her out. No, Selesti was a part of another life, a life before she had come to the White Ship. She could not recapture that past glory, just as when this moment was gone, she would not be able to recapture her days upon the White Ship either.

Master Kane left, waving to them both. They wished him farewell, and he hurried off, no doubt looking for an inn to have a flagon of ale.

Elisha held Arietta in a tight embrace, holding back the tears which threatened to engulf her. Arietta wished she had something to give Elisha, but she owned nothing.

“Don’t forget me,” she whispered in Elisha’s ear. The other passengers were disembarking, spreading out into the city and disappearing with its populace.

“I could never do that,” Elisha said, letting her go, “Be safe, Arietta.”

Arietta walked off the ship, looking behind her and waving, “Goodbye, Elisha,” she whispered, and merged in with the city crowds.

~

When they returned to the island, Elisha saw a large hatch open, big enough for the ship.

“I suppose there’s a dock of some kind in there,” Elisha said, “Steer the boat in. I’m going to disembark here.” The crew wheeled a boat down for her and she slowly rowed her way to the beach, where she saw a lone figure waiting for her. It was Thea, her hair loose, her armor gone, dressed as a normal civilian. She saw Elisha alone and nodded, as though she understood the meaning of that and accepted it.

Elisha pushed the boat up on the beach and met Thea there.

“Thea, Arietta, she... she...” she began to weep and felt Thea’s strong arms wrap around her in a comforting embrace.

“I know,” Thea said simply, and held Elisha close, “She still has work to do, out in the world.”

“I thought she truly loved me,” Elisha said, “I thought we would grow old together.”

“She does,” Thea said, “She just has to set her heart at peace, and banish her self-doubt. She will return when she is ready, I believe that.”

“Is everything ready to go?” Elisha said.

“Yes, we know how to take off and land the island,” Thea said, “We also found its power source - a huge magical rock which should last a very long time. You should come and see it - it’s incredible!”

“You truly are home,” Elisha smiled. She noted that Thea finally looked at peace, a sight that set her mind at ease.

As they walked off the beach, up the hill overlooking the city, they saw several lights from the city below illuminating the fading day. Some people had decided to make the most of the ruins above surface, while many others had gone to shelter inside the island, where the houses were more intact.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it,” Elisha said, “After all we’ve been through, we’re finally here.”

The hill lurched, and Thea grabbed Elisha’s arm, pulling her inland, “We’re taking off!” she said, and sure enough, the island started to pull away from the sea below. Elisha looked down at the world, taking one last good look at all the things she was leaving behind.

“Goodbye, Arietta,” she whispered, and hoped the sea wind would carry the words to Arietta’s ears. As they stood there, other White Knights came to enjoy the view, including Luna and Pandora, who jostled the crowd for a space next to Elisha.

Once they had reached their optimum height, the crowd went back to their evening activities. Only Elisha was left, along with Pandora, Luna having gone back to their home.

“Have faith in Arietta, Elisha,” Pandora said, “She’ll be back, someday.”

“I know,” Elisha said, “I’ll be waiting.”