Along the broken water
800 Words
A week later.
The Still Water greatly pictured the group at the moment. Unable to cheer or tear. Unable to think of it as a victory or defeat. Unable to believe that their many friends now lie in their graves. The Still Water related to them,more than they even knew.
There was no shouting or dancing,just silence. It has been like that for a while now,whoever drank,did so in sorrow and solitude. Then,Maxwell wished to announce something as he grabbed a cup of wine.
"We fought well and despite the casualties,we won. We defeated two enemies and when we go home we will be praised by our elders for our bravery. Let us not drink in sadness but rather celebration. Let us drink for the ones we lost,in their memory we shall spoil our ourselves,"Maxwelldrank all the wine in the cup.
He ordered some singers who travelled with them to play a song. The noise began and the people were a little happy,in the moment forgetting their problems.
One of the healers came out in her white cloak. She moved hurriedly on the deck. She pushed some soldiers around,an umarthodox thing to do as a holy nurse. She stepped to left,avoiding the naked dancers and jumped over a barrel of wine. She tapped his shoulder and said,"Maxwell,she's awake!"
Maxwell Foresste's Pov:
I ran into the cabin,throwing my drink into the ocean. Nikolai sat next to Denvor who was wide awake and reading a book. I sat on the bench next to Dona's warm bed. She slowly opened her eyes and turned to me.
"You...you are Maxwell Foresste,"she said in her tired tone. I whispered back,"Yes." She smiled and then after a moment she frowned. She sat up and I fed her some water. She choked slightly,I tapped her back. I said worriedly,"Do you need more medicine,has the pain gone away?"
"My head hurts still. I'm trying to remember but all I know is that name and your face. The rest is darkness,it's so scary."
"No,no,no,Dona,don't be scared. I'll help you remember,rest for now." She lied down and closed her eyes. She was so gorgeous. She has grown into a woman during the ten years past. Nikolai and I decided to leave them and let them rest. I poured myself another cup of wine and for Nikolai as well.
"So,do you believe me now?,"Nikolai said proudly.
"Yes and I'm so sorry. I truly lost myself at Jade Valley."
"It's alright,we have them now,despite all the sacrifices."
"Nikolai,I see you as a close friend. What do I do now? The Brotherhood is not backing down and we have no idea what they are after."
"As a friend,I'm telling you that given our success,we should trust in time. Soon they will have their memories back and your father can give you your answers. Now,it is time to drink a cup of wine and sleep the full night."
"Must I ignore the changes in my body."
"It seems that you and them drank the same thing. I haven't made any conclusions yet but if we somehow remove this mystery poison,Dona,Denvor and you will be healed."
"Cheers to that,Nikolai"
We raised our glasses and the wine ran down our throats.
____
The boat was quiet now,everyone was either sleeping or sleeping with someone. Maxwell took a piss at the edge of the boat,while breathing in the salty air,smells of fish and sand. At the corner of his eye,he saw two figures walk past.
He stepped down and walked to the cabin,he was stopped by Leo. Leo looked distressed and uneasy. "What's wrong,Leo?"
"They're leaving,"he said.
They arrived at the life boats and sat there was Haleina and Clover in black coats. The girls noticed them watching and stopped paddling.
"Well,hello boys,"Haleina uttered.
"What's going on,Haleina,"Maxwell asked.
"I'm going to my dreamland and I'm taking Clover with me."
"You can't do that,we are planning to married,"Leo said.
"If she wants to get married then why is she leaving with me,"Haleina asked sharply.
"Clover,don't let her force you to do this. Listen to m-",Leo got stunned.
"I'm leaving on my own! I'm tired of taking orders from men who apparently love me! I am a new woman now,I can defend myself. I am leaving for good to make something of myself,not just someone's daughter or wife! This is me,Leo. I'm leaving whether you like it or not,"Clover opened up.
"Clover,I didn't know you felt that way,"Leo said.
"I'm going now,"Clover said. Haleina began to paddle away. "I will always love you,Leo."
"See you around,brother,"Haleina shouted.
"You too,sister." They slowly disappeared into the darkness. For the first time that anyone to see,Leo was crying. Maxwell didn't know what to do and hugged him from the side as they both looked at the Still Water,still and cold as always.
- Writer
