Lucian checks his map as the sun sets slowly. As a group, and with Solstice’s blessing, they had opted to take a lesser-known path back to his kingdom, Eyanea. Lucian frowns a bit, thinking back to the moment of decision. Nicholas’s voice, telling him the amount of time to decide was short, Jarrod whispering his thoughts into his ear – and the look upon Solstice’s face as she had regarded him. He wasn’t sure what exactly that particular look had meant. There was an intensity there – and something else. He had not been sure – he still wasn’t sure.
“You look lost in thought, Captain.”
“Lady Solstice.” For there was but one lady on board his ship. Lucian looks up, finding her near. He offers her a faint smile. “I have to apologize that we will not make it to your homeland, Oriff. I will see about getting a ship to go there once we come to port in my kingdom.” Lucian begins to roll up the map.
“There is no need to apologize. Your intentions were good. However, there are times when life works against those good intentions.” She moves forward, a mug in hand. “What were you doing?”
“Merely checking our course. We are exactly where we should be.” Lucian pauses, looking toward her. “Was there something you needed, Lady Solstice?”
“Please. Stop. I am not a lady. I am just – myself. Call me Solstice.” She offers him a smile.
“A pleasure, Solstice.” Lucian smiles back at her. He reaches out a hand for hers. She chuckles, allowing him to take one of her hands.
“A pleasure to meet you as well, Lucian.” She watches him as he lifts her hand to lips. She draws in a breath the moment his lips touch the back of her hand. She groans softly, the mug dropping from her suddenly nerveless fingers. Her body sways toward him, despite her efforts to remain upright.
“Solstice?” Lucian is startled by the mug dropping. It was wood and was unharmed by the fall. He is more startled as her body sways toward him. He drops his map, his body shifting to catch her. “What is it?” He frowns, finding her breathing erratic, her eyes goign a pale color. He sweeps her up into his arms and heads below, calling for the ship’s healer.
“Lucian? What is it?” Jarrod was coming down the small hall, on his way up to take a shift on deck.
“I am uncertain. The lady is not well.” Lucian moves toward his own quarters, for now, as they were closest to where they currently were.
“I will find the ship’s healer.” Jarrod moves off.
“Lucian?” Nicholas’s voice. He had been resting in Jarrod’s cabin. “What is it?” Nicholas frowns, moving after Lucian. “What happened? What – oh.”
“Nicholas? Do you know what is wrong with her?” Lucian lays her gently on his bed, looking toward Nicholas.
“She is in the midst of a vision.” Nicholas moves into the room.
“So, it is true. She is a seer.” Lucian looks back to Solstice, brushing her hair from her face.
“Aye. She is a seer. A skilled one.”
“Hurry. You must hurry home.” Her voice is a mere thread, and, yet, it seems to echo throughout the chamber.
“Solstice?” Both men move toward her. Lucian looks down at her. “What do you mean? We are making good time to Eyanea.”
“An old man cries out your name, Lucian.”
“My father.” Lucian growls, moving to turn away. He blinks as she grips his wrist, holding him in place. He frowns, then looks to Nicholas. “Can you find Jarrod and tell him to push the ship to her limits?” Nicholas nods and departs.
“Lucian, do you trust me?” She looks at him, through him, into him. Lucian looks back to her, puzzled.