Sea Of Sparks And Shadows

Hey everyone! This story has the last two chapters removed. To read them, please head over to Webnovel and search for this book. By doing so, you would be supporting me while also getting to know what happened to the Amaris and the crew. Thank you for reading!

Amaris heart raced as she took the stairs two at a time until she reached the deck. She ran to the bow and watched as the green line on the horizon slowly but steadily got closer. Finally. Land. With soil and stone streets and small houses and .... a red flag with a golden joyfruit and branches in the middle?

Amaris’ happiness quickly faded as she marched back to the main deck where Hawk was talking to Mirage and Wind Tuner.

“We’re heading to Manticali?” she exclaimed.

Hawk stopped what he was saying and nodded. “Yes, it’s the closest country on our path. We can restock on food and drink, get the pieces we need, and you can get on a real passenger ship. Is there a problem?”

“Yes,” she yelled. “That place is filled with mind weavers.”

Mirage lifted an eyebrow but the small smile he was trying to hide was still very visible. “And?”

“And I have no intention of staying in a city full of people who can wash my brain faster than I can wash a dish,” she snapped. “No offence.” She quickly added.

“None taken,” he held back his laughter. Even Wind Tuner bit his lip and turned the other way.

“You have some acacia seeds, don’t you?” Hawk asked dismissively.

“Hawk, some of them have non weaving slaves,” she pressed.

“Not many. Just the traditionals.” Mirage interjected.

“Very comforting.” She glared at him and he lifted his hands in surrender.

“Look, kid. You’re the one who wanted to get off this ship at the first stop-”

“What’s going on here?” Everyone turned to find the captain climbing down from his cabin. “Is there a problem?”

“She’s scared to set foot in Manticali,” Slygrin, who’s been sitting in the crow’s nest watching them answered.

Amaris glared up at him. “I’m not scared. I’m just... unprepared to get there.”

“Sure,” he smirked.

The captain stayed quiet for a beat, his piercing green eyes watching her well concealed worries. “How about you go see if there’s a ship leaving to Paradelia in the next two days? I can send one of my men with you, if it helps you feel safe. He’ll stay with you until you get on the ship. Does that solve your problem?”

Amaris couldn’t even begin to count all the problems she had with that suggestion. For one, she had no money to get her ticket in the first place. She was planning to stay in whatever land they docked in and find some kind of job to get her enough money for a ticket. But she never thought that land would be Manticali. Mirage had made it very clear that most of what she assumed were far fetched rumors about his kind were in fact terrifying truths.

“Just go check. If there aren’t any passengers’ ships leaving you can stay until the next stop. We need the extra help anyway. Which reminds me,” the captain reached into the pocket of his coat and pulled out a small leather pouch and handed it to her. “For fixing the engine. Along with our gratitude.”

Amaris opened it to find a stack of gold coins. She gaped at it before looking back at the captain. “Thank you, sir, but this is too much.” She’d never held that much money at one time. It was sure to pay for a ticket, first class, even, as well as anything else she could need. But for some reason she couldn’t get herself to accept it. She wasn’t sure whether it was a matter of pride or the fact that as difficult as her days were there, they were all kind and friendly to her. Either way, she couldn’t take anything more from them. Or maybe she just believed in their cause and didn’t want the money to get wasted on her. She didn’t know. Either way, she wasn’t going to accept-

“Take it. That’s an order,” the captain’s voice was as calm and toneless as ever. “Keep the pistol too. You never know when you might need it. I do pray you will never, but caution is always a good thing.”

She opened her mouth to object once again, but he turned to Hawk. “If no trouble arises, we’ll stay until dawn of the third day. Make sure to have everything done by then. Have Slygrin take Shark and Ironarm to buy the food and Wind Tuner to get the healing potions and anything else the injured men could need.” He turned to Mirage. “I expect you to report to the moon ring messengers by the end of today. Tell them about the attack too.”

Mirage nodded. Any sign of the amused smile he held minutes earlier was completely wiped off. “Yes, sir.”

“Good. Everyone, get to work then.”

With that, all the sailors sprung into action. The hum of energy that day, Amaris had noticed, was quite different from that of the previous week. Excited. Happy. Anticipating. The men seemed more eager to get to land than she was. She made quick work of changing back into the clothes she came in. She shut down Spirit and packed him back in her back pack along with her new found salary. She was tying her hair in her usual ponytail when she heard a knock on the door.

“You ready?” Ash asked assessing her change of outfit.

“Almost.” She fixed her curls some more before heading to the door. She skipped outside just in time to feel a sudden shift in the boat. She almost fell if it wasn’t for Ash steadying her by her shoulders.

“You alright?” she nodded and he smirked. “See, that’s why you can’t be trusted on your own,” he joked.

In the past few days Amaris had learned one thing about Ash. His humor was always snarky and what she had assumed was his hatred; his bitterness and arrogance, was in fact just the way he usually spoke to everybody.

“I was caught off guard,” she defended.

“Sure.”

Amaris watched as crew members fixed the ramp in place.

“You ready to leave?” Amaris turned to find Hawk behind her. Watching them too.

“I guess,” she muttered.

He put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed lightly. That was the most affection she saw from Hawk ever since she’d boarded the ship. “It was nice meeting you, kid,” he said. He even ruffled her hair. She smiled. Before she could say anything, he walked away yelling orders to men across the deck.

“You done saying goodbye?” asked Slygrin. He stood at the top of the ramp with Wind Tuner and Mirage. “Come on, let’s go,” he called. Amaris reluctantly walked towards them, Ash following behind her. “Looks like you’re finally getting rid of us, huh princess?” he whispered as he walked past her. His smirk was a touch dimmer than usual, but Amaris was sure she imagined it. She was sure her own unwillingness to leave this crew was what reflected in his eyes and not his own by any means.

As soon as the group reached the dock, Amaris thanked the heavens for the feeling of hard steady land beneath her feet, though at first she struggle to catch her balance after days on a floating rocking platform. They soon separated and she found herself alone with Ash.

“Come on,” he said as he started walking.

“What are you doing?” she jogged to catch up with him.

“Walking you to the passenger ships and ticket booths. I need to make sure you board the right ship this time. Not everyone is as nice as the crescent crew.” His smirk was evident and she rolled her eyes.

“Don’t you have somewhere to go?”

“Yes, to take you. Then I can take care of the rest.”

She shook her head. “Ash, that’s not necessary-”

“Look. we could either stay arguing here all day or get going. For all we know a ship could be leaving as we speak.”

Amaris sighed in surrender and walked after him.

****

“How long before it starts boarding?” Amaris asked.

“Two hours. it leaves at noon.” She nodded and clutched her ticket. “Thank you,” she said before stepping away from the crowd. Ash followed behind her.

“I guess I’m stuck with you a while longer.”

“Funny,” she deadpanned.

They carried on walking in comfortable silence until they found themselves in the middle of a market, engulfed in the smell of spices and the shouts of the merchants. Amaris was lost in thought, planning her next steps when she spotted something. “Wait!” She grabbed Ash’s arm to stop him. He looked back alert, his hand already reaching for his pistol.

“What is it?”

She pointed at a bakery. “Joytarts. It’s been ages since I’ve seen these.”

His tense shoulders relaxed and he let out a breathy chuckle. “I didn’t know you were that attached to sweets” he teased but instead of answering she just dragged him into the small shop.

They came back out a few minutes later with two small pies, each filled with a honey colored cream and small cut pieces of a golden fruit.

Amaris moaned after taking a bite of her joytart, the taste of the sweet, soft fruit and the crumbly crust invading her mouth.“Even better than I remember,” she mumbled through a mouthful. “I only tasted them once when my family had a dinner party and had ordered too many deserts. Some of the servants snuck the leftovers to their quarters instead of throwing them out like they were ordered to. The best thing I’ve ever tasted.”

“Well it is made of joyfruit and you know what they say about it.”

“I don’t think it’s true. It’s just delicious. I don’t think Manticapis can trick you into feeling happy through food. Especially when it’s exported far from their reach.”

Ash shrugged and bit down on his pie again.

They walked by the carts and tables stacked with vegetables and fruits. Most merchants were Manticapis, as were the crowds. It was rare when they stumbled upon someone who didn’t have the engraving of the golden willow on their foreheads. They stuck out like a sore thumb.

They soon found themselves in the middle of the clothing section and something caught Amaris’ eye. She moved toward a small shop and ash reluctantly followed.

“And here I thought I was free of that torture,” he murmured.

“Shut up. In case you didn’t notice, I spent the last week in God knows who’s clothing and I would love to wear clothes that fit me for a change.”

“What about what you’re wearing now?”

“My whole wardrobe is in a bag at the bottom of Oddelerie’s dock. You really expect me to spend the rest of my life in the same pair of pants?”

He didn’t respond and she took that as him accepting defeat. She browsed through the racks and settled on a white blouse, a light vest and a pair of black slacks. The old lady led her to the changing room and Amaris didn’t miss her curious gaze and slight frown. She guessed not too many tourists visited. Even less so those who had acacia seeds for protection.

She quickly changed into her new clothes before walking outside. She payed the woman with a polite smile then stepped into the sun. It took ash a moment to unfreeze himself and follow her. She saw his wide eyes and slightly open mouth and bit back her smile. She guessed he must have gotten used to her in ill fitting clothes. Vanya’s coat was a couple of sizes too big and her earlier clothes were a bit too old and so, way too small. Not to mention the clothes she had on during her time on the ship. She almost shuddered. The first thing she was going to do when she reached her cabin in this new ship is take a long warm proper bath.

In the midst of talking and shopping for Mecheye’s list of pieces, Amaris didn’t realize just how fast time was passing. She never thought she would actually enjoy any amount of it spent with Ash, but here she was, finding herself reluctant to leave.

They were almost at the dock when suddenly Ash stopped and pulled her back. Before Amaris could react he had her back to the wall, his head lowered and his eyes not meeting hers.

Amaris’s heart beat faster. “Ash?” she asked. But he didn’t answer. He pressed his forehead to hers and didn’t utter a single word.

She tried to push him away but her hands froze at the erratic beating of his heart. She looked up at his face and this time his grey eyes were even stormier than usual as he stared back.

“Soldiers,” he said. Amaris snapped her head up and peered behind him and sure enough, a few guards in their grey and gold uniforms and hoods were walking around. Scanning the crowds.

Ash tightened his hold around her waist. “Don’t look at them,” he whispered. “They might see you.”

She nodded silently and tamed here rapid breaths. “If I miss the ship, it’s your fault,” she teased, trying to get his tense shoulders to relax.

He coughed out a forced chuckle. “Is it so bad to spend a few more days with us?”

Amaris tilted her head slightly but he was looking away, staring at the passing people and monitoring the guards.

“What? Now you don’t want the spoiled princess to leave? If I remember correctly, you were the one who wanted to drop me off in a lifeboat back in Oddelerie,” she teased.

“Right.” He laughed. He looked like he wanted to add something but he quickly shut his mouth. His arms tightened even more around her waist and for a second his gaze slipped a few inches down from her brown eyes to her li-

“We should go.” He took a step back and looked around. “They’re gone now.” He started walking again, his pace much faster than before.

Amaris caught up with him in a few hasty steps, still analyzing the last look he gave her. They walked in silence until she couldn’t stand it anymore. She scrambled for something to say. She hated how he was avoiding her gaze and she hated even more how she cared about it. That’s when she glimpsed a table set with toys.

“What does Sly do?”

“What?” That made him pause and look back at her with furrowed brows.

“I mean in his free time. Wind likes playing his flute, you like playing with matches, Mirage just disappears to heavens know where and Hawk either enjoys his job too much or is never not busy. So what about Slygrin?”

Ash’s lips tugged upwards. “I do more than just play with matches,” he defended.

“Yes, I noticed. You also like to shine and reshine your guns. So Sly?”

He smiled before answering. “If you think Hawk is obsessed with his job then you clearly aren’t paying much attention to Sly.”

“What?”

“He loves staying busy. It doesn’t matter what he’s doing as long as he’s doing something. Tiring himself or just focusing all his thoughts on it. It got worse after Oldsalt...” Ash swallowed and looked away, his hands fisted and his stance turned more rigid.

“He wasn’t sick, was he?” she whispered.

Amaris thought that he wouldn’t answer when he muttered at last. “Another attack. This time at night. They had a lot far water weavers. They weaved wave after wave and almost tipped the ship over. After some time, Wind and some shooters...took care of the water weavers. But not before they washed over a good amount of our crew. Oldsalt survived that though. They only got him when they got close enough to jump over. He took a sword hit to his side. We had to sit for hours and just watch him slowly die.”

Amaris didn’t know how to comfort him as she saw the shadows cloud his gaze. “I’m...I’m so sorry for your loss.”

He ignored her condolences and carried on, his voice even tighter. “That was the first and last time I ever saw Sly cry. He tries to act tough and strong. But the truth is, he’s just a kid. and he deserves better. So much better. But he’s stuck with us instead of a family and a home.”

“You are his family.” He snapped out of his thoughts and looked back at her. “I might not have spent much time with you all but I sensed more warmth between your crew than I did in any other place I’ve ever been. He might not have his father now. But he has many, many people who love and care about him. And that ship is much more a home than any mansion I ever saw.” She took his hand and he let her. She smiled up at him. “Slygrin is in good hands.”

Ash stared at her for a long time, a mix of wonder and protest painting his eyes and forming on his lips, but before he could answer, Amaris felt a violent shove and screeched as she searched for her balance.

The two Manticapi guards from earlier stood before her. One was holding Ash by his upper arm and examining him.

“Is there a problem, sir?” Ash asked with a composed voice and staring him in the eye.

“Yes, I believe there is.” He looked at his partner and nodded. “You and your party are wanted criminals and searched for through the grey sea. I believe there’s even a price on your heads.”

Amaris paled.

“I suggest you offer no resistance and cooperate if you want better treatment in your Whitecastle cell,” the guard smirked.

Amaris watched helplessly as Ash was dragged before her. He caught her eye for a second before diverting his gaze. What should she do? What can she do? If only the crew were... She had to go get the crescent crew. They’ll know what to do.

As she turned to run back to the port she bumped into something.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Or someone. The second guard caught her arm. “You’re under arrest too. By association to that rebel you’re no better.”

“What? No.” Before Amaris could utter her own protests Ash who had been following the soldier silently, now fought against his hold. “She has nothing to do with this. Let her go.”

“She was talking to you wasn’t she?”

“I don’t even know her!” he yelled but the man only tightened his hold on her.

Suddenly Ash kicked the man who was holding him to the knee. As soon as he let go of him he punched the second guard throwing him to the ground. Amaris stood frozen until Ash’s command snapped her into action.

“Run!” he yelled.

And she did. She sprinted through the crowds, pushing through protesting strangers and trying to glimpse the docks, Ash close behind her.

Until he wasn’t.

She heard a shout. Then, “hold him down.” She turned and there he was on the ground. The second guard pinning him down. “I’ve got him. Get the girl.” Ash mouthed the same word again; “Run.” And Amaris’ body responded before her hazy mind could process the order.

She barely made it to a side street, stumbling over her feet to see how far away her chaser was when she tripped over a box and fell.

She gasped for breath as she tried to stand up on her shaky legs.

“Are you alright?” Suddenly hands supported her and helped her to her feet.

“Yes, thank you.” She looked up at the stranger, a tall Manticapi man with golden hair and tanned skin. She made to step around him and continue on her run but a sudden pain shot up her leg and she gasped, reaching for the wall for support.

“Is something wrong?”

A fist around her arm silenced her reply. “Found you,” the guard snarled.

“Let me go.” She struggled to no avail.

“You are going with me.” As the guard started to drag her away, the man interrupted him.

“May I ask where exactly are you taking her?”

The guard seemed to notice him for the first time.

“That would be none of your concern.”

The man stepped forward, any hint of his previous kindness dissipating as he watched the guard coldly. “It is when you’re holding my property.”

“Excuse me?”

“That girl is my slave. So I ask one last time for you to please return her to me.”

Amaris held back from echoing the guard’s surprise.

“She’s been spotted with a rebel.”

“I am terribly sorry for that. I will take care of her behavior once she’s back in my family residence.”

“How do I know you’re not in on it too?”

The man silently lifts an eyebrow. “You dare question a Count chosen by the king himself?”

“A count?” The guard stammered.

“You heard right. Count Noah Wilde. Now please hand back my servant and get back to your job.”

Amaris held back her gasp. Noah Wilde? As in the supposedly Count of Swiftborn? That can’t be he’s supposed to be from Linorva. Or had her aunt mistook the two countries? Before she could wrap her mind around the matter, the guard let go of her arm and bowed deeply. “I apologize, my Lord. I did not know.”

“Like I said, I do not care. Just get back to your work.” The guard nodded and scrambled out of the small empty alley. And for a moment, Amaris contemplated following him. But the count had approached her, a hand scraping her arm gently.

“Are you alright?” He noticed her right foot lifted from the ground and made to kneel and check it but she stepped back.

“I’m fine. who are you?” She didn’t mean to sound as harsh as she did but she couldn’t help it.

The man stood straighter and smiled. “I apologize for the extremely informal introduction,” he bowed elegantly, his short curls swinging at his movement. “I am Count Noah Wilde. but you already knew that. And may I get the honor of your acquaintance?”

“I’m Am-” she stuttered. “Amirah Winters.”

His lips tugged upwards even more and he bowed again. “An honor to meet you Lady Winters. And what brings you here?”

“I’m uh...” Suddenly, Amaris remembered, Ash being taken to a prison as she spoke the crew not knowing anything. “I have to go,” she said. “I’m sorry.”

Before she could hear his response, Amaris swerved and sprinted away, forcing her twisted ankle into work. She just hoped she wouldn’t be too late.

Hey everyone! This story has the last two chapters removed. To read them, please head over to Webnovel and search for this book. By doing so, you would be supporting me while also getting to know what happened to the Amaris and the crew. Thank you for reading!