Elisha looked at her sword as she dressed in her formal white clothes. It had been two years since she, Arietta and the other members of the White Ship had found Sanctuary, a floating island used by the Ancients to escape the destruction they wrought upon an unjust world. They had raised their flags and proclaimed it home - all except Arietta, who had left, not wanting to live in a society cut off from men and still yearning to free her homeland Garania, ruled by religious extremists.
I should have gone with her, Elisha thought, looking down at the sword, She said that this was my home, but... I have never felt at home here. Everybody else is happy, they have found love and settled down. I’m the only one who is alone... still waiting...
A knock came on the door to her home, “Come in,” she said, and Thea walked in, looking magnificent in her white armor. Her long, white hair was tied behind her back and she walked with an air of elegance and dignity that belied her age. She had walked the world for hundreds of years, one of the immortal Ancients who had built the island, although she had just been a child. Now she was one of the last survivors of her race, and she was perhaps the only person who truly understood how alone Elisha felt.
“You’re not ready yet?” Thea asked, “Come on, we’ll be late.”
“I was just thinking...” Elisha said, “About old times.”
“Elisha... I know this day is hard for you. Everybody bathed in light and joy, while you stand alone, still looking out at the world, still waiting...” Thea walked over and put her hand on Elisha’s, which was still holding the sword.
“I’m happy for them, Thea,” Elisha said, “Truly, I am, and I don’t want my sorrow to overshadow their day. Let’s just do this.” She sheathed the sword and fastened the belt around her hips. She looked in the mirror. Brown hair, violet eyes, always the same, although a little older now.
Elisha let herself be led to the temple, where Thea left her to mingle with the gathered people. She looked around for any sign of the brides, but they hadn’t yet arrived. She received some polite greetings, but mostly people just passed her by. It was her fault, she knew. She hadn’t been very sociable since they had founded the colony - perhaps she was too afraid of getting comfortable, or of getting too close to somebody. She found herself standing alone in a crowd of women who were all talking to somebody else.
She decided to slip away and find Pandora. It was the immortal mage’s wedding day, and Elisha soon found her getting ready, her long, green hair flowing past her shoulders and vibrant green robes swirled around her. She was truly beautiful, Elisha noted, and she smiled.
“You look wonderful,” Elisha said, “Finally, you and Luna... I’m so happy to see this day.”
“I still worry sometimes,” Pandora said frankly, “Luna’s still so young, and I’ve lived so long... Is she ready for this?”
“She’s smarter than her years would let on,” Elisha said, “Don’t worry, Pandora. She wants to spend her life with you as much as you do with her.”
“I’m sorry,” Pandora said, “All these years I’ve been alive, but... I’ve never been married. I guess nothing prepares you for this.”
“You’ll be fine,” Elisha said, “Just trust yourself, and Luna, and you’ll be okay.”
“Thanks Elisha,” Pandora said, “You’ve always been a good friend. Even though things have been tough for you, you’ve been so brave through everything. Just remember, Elisha, you’re not alone. Just because Luna and I are getting married, doesn’t mean we’ll ever stop being your friends.”
“I know,” Elisha said, “Thank you.”
“We’re ready to start,” a white-clad girl said, rushing in. Elisha nodded to her, and she rushed back out to join the crowd.
“Well, it’s time,” Elisha said, “If you’re gonna back out, you better tell me now,” she joked.
“Not for the world,” Pandora said, “Let’s do this.”
Elisha took her arm and led her out into the temple. A sea of people dressed in white stood as they entered the room. Luna was entering from the opposite door, looking truly radiant in white, her smile as bright as the sunlight at noon. She had matured into an elegant woman, a beauty to be marveled at, graceful, sweet and completely in love with Pandora.
As they reached the aisle, Elisha let go and gave Pandora to Luna. They walked arm in arm down the aisle as Elisha watched from behind them.
Where are you, Arietta? Elisha wondered, They are your friends too... you should be here. Or have you forgotten about us?
Lost in her reverie, she missed most of the ceremony, looking up from her gloom for the kiss. This is how it has been for me, she thought, I’ve missed everything these past two years because of her. I’ve made no friends, I’ve had no love, no warmth, because I’ve been waiting for her to come back. I’m tired of waiting. I’m not going to wait any longer.
“Pandora and Luna Tahishi,” Elisha said, greeting them as they walked back down the aisle. Clapping and cheering raised the roof. They were certainly not the first couple to be married, but they were the most popular. Pandora and Luna were loved by all, surrounded by friends here on the island. They were home, in the place where they belonged.
The reception was also grand. Everybody bought something they had made or grown, and the result was a fine feast. There were smiles all over the hall, a few kisses, and more than a few drunk women slipping away to make things a little more intimate with each other. Elisha wondered if she should find somebody, but nobody eyed her. Sorrow pushed people away faster than anything, and Elisha’s eyes were always filled with it.
She excused herself as soon as it was polite and walked to the beach. A short fence had been erected to keep people from falling off the edge, and Elisha leaned on it, looking over into the depths of the night. Arietta was out there, somewhere, but where would she start? It was a huge world, dangerous, and had probably changed a lot since she had last been there.
Hours passed, and finally a voice broke into her reverie, “You can’t sleep?”
“Thea,” Elisha acknowledged, turning to look at her. The armor was gone, and she was dressed in a homemade woolen shirt and pants, designed to keep out the cold. The moonlight shone off her hair, “I can’t sleep a lot lately... It’s been two years...”
“I always hoped Arietta would come back to you,” Thea said, “I thought she would get bored with the revolution and come back here, signal us to lower the island. But nothing.”
“She would never get bored,” Elisha said, “She’s either dead, still fighting or she’s started a new life without me. She said this wasn’t the place for her. But she made me stay here and wait, and destroyed this dream for me as well.”
“That’s not true,” Thea said, “There are some who still care deeply for you, and you could still reach out to make friends. It’s not too late.” She walked over to stand in front of Elisha, and tucked Elisha’s hair behind her ears, “Perhaps it’s time to forget about Arietta and move on. Maybe that’s what she wanted you to do all along.”
“I don’t know,” Elisha said, “What if she’s in danger and needs my help? What if she’s been rotting in a Garanian prison for two years, awaiting rescue? I can’t just abandon her! I have to go and see for myself, one way or the other. If she doesn’t want me, I can still return and start again. But I have to know!”
“So you’re leaving,” Thea said, “I knew this day would come. I just hoped it wouldn’t...”
“I’m sure I’ll come back,” Elisha said, “I just need to know what happened to her. Even if she doesn’t want to return with me. I still love her... I can’t just let go...”
“I know,” Thea said, “That’s why... you don’t see me.” She leaned forward and kissed Elisha gently before pulling away, “I’ve watched and I’ve waited, seeing what Arietta has done to you... and it’s killing me,” she said, “Don’t go down there and get yourself killed for her. If she wanted you, she would have come back. Be with me, Elisha. We’ve both lost people we love. We can be happy together...”
“I can’t...” Elisha said, “As kind as you’ve been to me, I can’t give my heart to you or anyone knowing that Arietta’s still out there. It’s not fair on anybody. Thea, I have to go. Please let me have one of our boats.”
“Where will you go?” Thea said, “Who knows what could have happened down there in the last two years? The Garanian Empire might have taken over the whole world!”
“Perhaps,” Elisha said, “Perhaps not. That’s what I need to find out. I can’t hide here for the rest of my life, wondering what happened to Arietta. I could be holding onto a ghost...”
“You are determined, and so I won’t stop you,” Thea said, “But you won’t just sneak away in some small rowboat. We’re launching the White Ship again - and I, and anybody else who wants to come - will be with you.”
“You can’t do all that... just for my personal feelings,” Elisha said, “Besides, the people here need you, you’re their leader!”
“They don’t need a leader any more,” Thea said, “Look around you. Everybody here is living off the land, making their own way through life. They don’t need anybody to tell them what to do - especially me. After what I did - nearly destroying the world with the power of this place - nobody respects me any more. I stopped becoming their leader that day.”
“That’s not true...” Elisha started, but she knew that it was. Everybody from the White Ship had feared Thea a little since her identity as an Ancient and her attempt to use Sanctuary’s weapons to destroy all who had voted for the Moral Revolution. It had hurt Thea even more to see Pandora loved and exalted - but then Pandora hadn’t tried to kill innocents with her magic. They had let Thea have a place because on the council because Thea was one of the few who knew how to lead, but they no longer trusted her implicitly as they once had.
“You’re always too kind to me,” Thea said, “That’s why I fell in love with you, and that’s why I’ll help you find Arietta - because I want you to be happy again.”
“Thank you,” Elisha said.
~
Thea called a meeting the next morning, and that afternoon the town hall was filled with curious residents wanting to know what was happening.
Thea hushed the crowd as she stood up to speak, “We have been here for two years,” she said, “It’s been a prosperous two years, but we have not left the confines of the island in that time. The world outside has gone on without us and we have gone on without it. But that doesn’t mean it can be this way forever. There are certain things we need; more livestock, more seeds, more trees, more people. Our mission has not ended; people have endured two years without the White Ship, and they may need Sanctuary more than we can know. If we do not grow, we will die.”
She paused. All eyes were upon her. Knowing she had their complete attention, she continued.
“You may also recall that Arietta Sashrady, one of our own, left the island at that time, promising she would return. We’ve heard nothing. Our aim is to lower the island, launch the White Ship and travel for a while. Anybody who wishes to come may do so, for we will need a small crew. Sashiko can have my council seat while I am gone. If you have any objections, please state them now.”
“You leave us vulnerable!” one woman shouted, “What if you don’t come back? The White Ship is our only ship!”
“The island will float again after we leave,” Thea said, “You have enough materials to construct boats, should the need arise to leave, but you have been content here for two years. I think you will be safe.”
“We’re coming with you,” Luna said, and everybody looked at Luna and Pandora.
“You just got married,” Elisha said, “This isn’t a pleasure trip, it’s going to be dangerous!”
“Arietta is our friend too,” Pandora said, “We want to find her as well.”
Elisha retreated, knowing that Pandora was right. She didn’t want them to come - not really, this was her task, her responsibility, but they had a right. Arietta didn’t belong to her. She was a friend to all of them, had helped them through their pains and fears and had been an integral part of the White Ship. Two years of her absence hadn’t changed that, and they hadn’t forgotten her.
“Thank you,” she said, “It’ll be good to have you on board.”
A few others came along for reasons of their own, some wanted to leave the island, some wanted to settle personal matters, and others still were hoping to find love, somebody to bring back to Sanctuary, but remarkably few wanted to leave the island behind. And why should they? Elisha thought, This is their home, and who knows when, and if, we’ll be coming back?
~
It took them a week to prepare to launch the White Ship. Thea had ordered it be maintained in excellent condition, but it still had to be supplied and the island prepared for landing.
As the island started to descend, Elisha stood on the beach and saw the world again as they emerged from the clouds.
“We should be going, Elisha,” Pandora said, “Lady Thea wants to launch the ship as soon as we land, so she can send the signal up as quickly as possible to launch the island.”
“Okay,” Elisha said. She was dressed in her white uniform once again, her sword Twilight buckled at her side. She took a long look behind her at the fields and buildings. Sanctuary, she thought, but not mine. How I wish it could have been mine. Arietta and I, growing old together here... She turned away, tears in her eyes, and headed below the island with Pandora to where the ship was docked. She felt better when she stepped on board, even though the faces mulling about were few and far between. It was just like old times, only quieter, and without Arietta by her side.
As the island landed softly on the water, water flooded into the dock and floated the White Ship once again. Thea stood at the helm, looking more alive than Elisha had seen her since the fateful day when she had nearly destroyed the world.
“Cast off!” she declared, and the great anchor was pulled in, the great doors that kept the dock closed from the outside world folded back, and sunlight flooded in. The White Ship moved forward, escaping the island dock.
“Fire the flare!” Elisha ordered, and the crew sent up the signal to raise the island. Slowly but surely, the island began to rise, water dripping from its base. It cast a shadow over the ship as it loomed over them, before rising up out of view.
“San Ria, coming up,” Thea declared, and the White Ship began to cut through the waters of the world once more.
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