Faulted Desire

Embers from sparks.

The smell of salt air bellowed in from the in-indrafted windows of the ship’s quarters, it burned in Hazen's nostrils, and idrealle, this time they were the first up. Hazen stretched, slowly moving Bianca from his thigh, and looked over at idrealle who was currently dealing with a sprawled princess, who was snoring and drooling all down the vienic leg. Idrealle shrugged his shoulders and mouthed help to his not so furry companion. Hazen went over and picked estara up and put her in the bed with the sleeping succubus. The boys Left the room to the deck. closing the door and out to what they were not expecting at all, the crew was running rapid and the capt was yelling “jeez those quarters must be sounds proof”. Idrealle just looked at Hazen confused. Hazen looks at the sky “well my boy that seems to be the least of our worries now “. Idrealle looks up to what would be called red spirals in the air, multiplying at the very moment by the hundreds. Hazen ran to talk to the captain and idrealle ran back in to tell the gurls. within minutes they were all together with the captain, but the only good thing was there was land on the horizon. “I hope you enjoyed last night as we are about to get into something far worse than the mating rituals of the kraken “. Estara looks at their counterparts “is this what we were talking about “they all nodded in agreeance. Bianca spoke “we need to get to land as soon as possible and start to put all available forces together and send the word to our families, we are on way to a giant s**t show “.

Estara looked at the land then back to the captain “how long before we make port “captain didn’t even look at her, about a quarter a day your highness “Estara knew that was not quick enough, it needed to be now! She remembered being taught something regarding water folk being able to control water, but there was only 3 in existence remaining, so she was taking a chance, she asked the captain “does this vassal have any vaponians on board”. Capt. yelled out, the deck hand came up from underneath, they were about a teenager and had tattered clothes. the group was confused but watched in concern.” child, please tell me you are from one of the only families that can still move water “. Estara was desperate and nearly was yelling, the child was spooked but answered. “Ummm, sorry your highness all I know is my great grandmother was the last of the ability’s”. Estara did same calculations in her head. “Listen from what I remember, from the ability get passed on odd generation, when the child becomes of age, that is 15, child how old are you?” the child confused but the babbling princess answered, “I will be 15 in two weeks ma’am!” Estara smiled “good enough, it is worth a try. Child what is your name “. the child started to loosen toward the princess. “My name is Oshara your highness “. Estara grabbed the child in a bear hug. “Oshara, you are on this boat to help your family and their finances I am taking, so this is what I am going to do for as long as you agree to help us with our weeee issue. I will give you title, new land and home on my island and pay for you, and your parent wages for a fourth year (4 years) if you help us move the ship to the land ahead of us?” oshara looked blank “your highness I don’t know what I have to do, let alone even if I have the ability, but I will try for you.”

Estara was elated. “I need you to recite this passage of me while your hand is touching the water.

“Waters that bend and flow.

Winds that move thy vessel,

be the sea in tow, move now go, go, go.”

Oshara shrugged and moved over to the bucket of water beside them and started to recite the verse.

Oshara clothes started to move and their eyes glowing electric blue. To everyone surprise the boat picked up speed quite quickly.

April who has been in the kitchen the entire time the ship has been in the water, was tossed back down the stairs on on her bum with her petticoats above her head.

Back up top estara continued “now when I tell you, remove your hand and the ship will slow down “.

The rest of estaras mates had looked at her in bewilderment as this wasn’t part of any legend they had known. She turned to look at their blank faces “what I had to do something with my time when the royal tutor fell asleep in the library “

Umarius was coming into sight enough for the dusk harbour port to be seen, estara tapped oshara on the arm “you can remove your hand now, let us handle this little issue at hand and I will personally make sure you family gets what is owed to them noble oshara “.

Once again April came about the stairs this time finally making it to the top, as she was smoothing her clothes. As everyone prepare to depart the boat as now thing was going to move very quickly, she found her way to estara, she was about to open her mouth when estara stopped her “it is best you don’t know for now”. April closed her mouth and nodded confused. she like everyone else departs the boat.

As Estara and the others stepped onto the docks of Umarius, the air was thick with tension. The city was bustling despite the late hour, lanterns flickering in the night breeze. Merchants packed up their wares, sailors stumbled from taverns, and guards patrolled with wary eyes. Yet, something felt off. A hum of unease crackled through the port, an unspoken awareness that something was coming.

Hazen took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of brine, fish, and damp wood. "Alright, we need to move fast. We don’t know how long before those… things in the sky reach us."

Bianca adjusted the strap of her satchel. "We split up. Someone needs to get word to the city officials, and another to our families. Supplies need to be gathered, and we need a place to regroup."

Estara nodded. "Agreed. I will go to the palace and speak with my father. If the kingdom is to survive, we need a united front."

Idrealle clapped a hand on Hazen’s back. "Then we’ll handle the supplies. The city’s market will still have some merchants willing to sell this late."

"And I’ll find a safe house," Bianca added. "We can’t risk being separated when the sky falls."

April, still flustered from her tumble in the kitchen, crossed her arms. "And what about me? Someone needs to make sure the crew isn’t spooked. If they abandon ship, we lose our only means of escape."

Estara turned to Oshara, who still seemed dazed by what had just happened. The young vaponian’s hands trembled at her sides. "You should rest. Your power is awakening, and you will need your strength."

Oshara swallowed hard. "I… I think I need to see my family first."

Estara placed a reassuring hand on the child’s shoulder. "Then that is your first task. Go to them, and let them know you are safe."

With their plan set, they split up, vanishing into the winding streets of Umarius.