Aella (manxman) - ON HOLD - Chapter 46: Chapter 46

I woke up with a startle. The raft swayed dangerously, unlike any waves I've witnessed before. When I looked up, Ithel was no longer lying beside me, he was standing and yelling. At first, I didn't understand what he was saying, but then I heard him yell angrily, "Do not touch him!!"
He moved his arms and I saw someone being pushed and thrown into the sea. I pulled myself back to sit, trying to avoid being bumped off the raft as well. I didn't get the chance to ask anything because someone else dropped on our raft and grabbed Ithel's arm from behind. He pulled out a scary weapon, something that looked like nothing I've ever seen.
"Stop or I'll cut your limbs and shove them up your-"
He didn't finish because Ithel drew his own sharp wooden weapon and attacked him. Their weapons clashed, by the ugly man's weird knife sliced through Ithel's and instantly split it in half. I gasped silently as my voice had disappeared from the soreness and the roughness of my throat.
The man smirked and Ithel didn't spend much time on being surprised. He instantly grabbed the man's forearm and moved the mysterious weapon away from facing him, and then he pushed the man with his shoulder.
The ugly man grunted and stumbled one step back, barely keeping his balance and not joining his friend who had resurfaced but remained away. That second of distraction was enough for Ithel to turn the mighty long knife against its owner.
"Do Not. Touch Him!"
Ithel repeated. He was heaving and glaring at his opponent.
The man didn't sound as impressed as I was, "You fight well stranger. Now step back before me mates put arrows in your co ck"
"What??"
Ithel questioned and I frowned. Someone called and it made me raise my head. With my swollen eye, it was difficult to see, but there was a man- No, men. Many men grinning mischievously. They looked... dirty and not so trustworthy. Just then, I realized that we were beside a huge boat. It was probably bigger than all the boats made by the Aellos combined! It was fascinating
The one who was in the water swam while mumbling things that made some of the men laugh. He grabbed a rope on the side of the large boat and climbed swiftly. I looked at Ithel as he also had just noticed their boat and was staring at it.
"Ithel..." I called, it came out as a wretched sound that scratched at my throat. He released the man's hand and took a step back to join my side, careful to keep his balance.
He glared at the man before us who rested his weapon on his shoulder, looking relaxed and not in the least threatened.
"We mean you no harm if you step out of our raft"
The man grinned and a voice coming from above us commented, "Such kindness!"
They all laughed and I looked at Ithel to see him as confused as I was. I felt dizziness invade my mind and I fought fainting the best I could. My head lolled slightly forward and I kept myself sitting with my hands set on the raft before me, but they could barely hold me.
This was probably a mistake, but I had no working head to use at the moment
"Water?" I plead, "Water, please"
Ithel dropped on one knee, his focus still on the man before us. He put an arm around me to keep me from falling.
"What, are ya bone-dry?"
I raised my head with difficulty and gave Ithel a questioning look. He didn't care what the man was saying, he kept his arm around me and whispered, and I just noticed how different and weak his voice sounded, "Are you alright?"
I started nodding, but I got dizzy again.
"No, Ceri, stay awake! Stay with me"
I wanted to say something kind and ease his worries, but I chose to peer up to the smug man
"Water..." I implored again.
The man looked up and smirked, "What do you think, Captain? They want our precious water"
"Well. They'll have to come and get it"
The men started laughing and cheering loudly making me wince.
"Ya hear that, short stuff? Water is up there"
I looked up and saw the grins of the men watching us. It took everything in me to pull myself and stand. I couldn't have made it if it wasn't for Ithel's help, who didn't seem happy with my choice
"Ceri, it's dangerous. We don't know these people!", he whispered
I looked at him, "I want water"
I was pleading, almost whining. Ithel gave me a sad look and then glanced at the large boat. After what seemed like forever, he nodded in defeat.
Water!!!
The man, who was still standing on the raft with us, grinned and opened his hand to invite us towards a rope with different knots. I moved first and limped forward, but again, I was only able to because Ithel was supporting me. I grabbed the rope and pulled myself up with all my might. My feet barely left the raft when a slicing pain tore through my whole body, starting from my shoulder and my side and making me spasm and release the rope.
I fell down with a thud, breathing with difficulty. Ithel called my name in alarm and he was instantly keeping me from dropping outside the raft.
"Are you ok? Where does it hurt most?"
I couldn't answer as I could barely keep breathing.
"Your friend is losing his shits. He'll be crossing the valley of the dead soon if you keep asking stupid questions"
I didn't see much, but I felt Ithel move me carefully.
Once again, I found myself being helplessly hoisted on his back. He not only carried me, he also made sure I held onto him tightly as he climbed the rope. It wasn't easy for him and I hated myself for making him go through this. But I truly couldn't help any more than focus on holding onto him.
We were finally on deck. Ithel set me down carefully and I dropped on my back. He was on his arms and knees as he heaved deeply, with his hands on either side of my body to protect me.
Then the weirdest this happened. Rain fell on my face, a continuous flow of water made it hard for me to breathe for a second before I was able to put my mouth right beneath it. It was so, so sweet
Sweet clean delicious water that I gobbled without breathing. I ran inside me and settled in my stomach. It made me go dizzy for a moment, but I didn't care. My limbs tingled with excitement to being given such a gift, to being alive again. I propped myself on my elbows to reach my mouth closer to the sky and to the water. I coughed and tried to keep drinking. However, the flow moved and made it difficult for me to drink or even breathe as it kept spilling on my nose and eyes.
Suddenly the flow stopped. I gasped and just realized how in need I was to a decent breath. When I could focus my sight, I watched as Ithel yanked a wooden contained from one of the ugly men's hands and he brought it closer to me
"Here, slowly"
He tipped the contained and I saw the fair liquid inside. I immediately grabbed it and tipped it further until it poured inside me.
It felt like I kept drinking forever until I choke and stopped to breathe. Ithel took that chance to drink some himself and I watched the beautiful source of life dive past his lips. As soon as my coughing settled, I held Ithel's forearm and gave him a pleading look. He stopped drinking and tipped the big thing my way again, allowing me to drink until my stomach hurt.
"Heh, they'll finish the whole barrel!"
"It's a small barrel. I can piss it full in one go. I say we make them drink three barrels and see"
"Aye, it's a bet!"
Strange men saying stranger things. Ithel and I didn't care for what felt like a long while as we both took turns to drink.
I only stopped when some of the water came back out. I wiped my mouth and felt the happy pain of an overly filled stomach.
Ithel tiredly set the almost empty container down and I pulled it closer to me. One moment. Just give me one moment and I can finish the rest.
Someone yelled, "Time to feed the pigs and check on 'em!!", and the men scattered from around us. There were fewer left now, observing us with evil looks, holding their strange weapons and even spitting on the floor of their glorious boat.
"Ughghgh... What are we going to do with you two now?"
"Captain! We can let them join the others?"
Some of the faces grinned mischievously making me shrink back. Ithel was kneeling close to me, glaring at them while still heaving, but saying nothing. We were both beyond exhaustion and we knew too little about our current situation.
"Ney, we don't have a place for a rat down there! I say we give them back to the sea"
"Mmmm", the so called Captain walked closer and he eyed us carefully, mostly Ithel. Then he said, "We were trusted with fifty-seven. If we deliver fifty-nine, that would mean more coins for us"
"Aye. One of them fights well. It could be more than a few coins"
"Hey!", the Captain yelled at Ithel, "You're one of those savages, aren't ya?"
Ithel didn't answer and the man continued, "What's your story? Speak or I'll make you walk the plank and throw you into the sea in pieces!"
"......... We come from an island close to here. We were heading to Zury......... but we lost our food and water"
"How unfortunate", the Captain said with faked sympathy before he grinned. "Would you like to live, young man?"
Ithel eyed him suspiciously and the old man smirked, "Aye. You and your friend are welcome on my ship."
"Thank you. The water you gave us saved our lives. If you'd be kind enough as to give us some more, we'll be able to leave to Zury right away-"
"No no no no. Here's the deal, baby claw. You stay on my ship and behave, I take you to land. But if you wish to leave, be my fucking guest. No water or food to you, though. You can count on the generosity of the sea. AND I won't keep my men from target practicing on your asses as you two leave"
Ithel looked back at me, eyes filled with hesitation and indecisiveness. If we leave now, it would take us at least two days to reach Zury. That's because we had drifted away from our path for half a day now. Without water or food, we'll find ourselves in the same deadly situation.
So I reached and held his arm, then I whispered, "they have food and water..."
He gave me a sad knowing look. We were staring at each other, trying to make a difficult choice, when the Captain yelled and startled both of us
"Come on! I ain't got all fucking day! You stay and live, or take off and die?"
Ithel sighed, "......... We live"
"How refreshingly smart"
~~~~~
Everything was so unfamiliar and weird. The men, their looks, their teeth, their creepy smiles that insinuated that they were thinking evil plans, their weird awful smells, and their weapons.
And to add to all of that, the way they spoke and what they said was most of the time incomprehensible. They moved around the deck, going inside and out of the belly of the huge boat. They looked always busy, but we couldn't tell how many they were exactly. To be frank, they all looked almost the same to me. Or maybe that was the consequence of my limited vision.
After resting right where we were for a long moment, the so called Captain came back to us. He was grinning and showing awful teeth with two eerie yellow shining ones that made me wince. He stood before Ithel and me, staring and looking us over.
Ithel stood before me, regaining some of his straight, confident stance and strong aura.
"We thank you again for helping us. Please name the price for taking us to the closest land, Zury"
The man grinned as if Ithel's words amused him. "I am honored by your visit, oh valiant lost travelers. I will extend you a peaceful sail on my beautiful ship, whorahy. But we're not sailing to Zury"
Ithel frowned, "I see you are the Leader of your people and I insist you take us to Zury or at least give us one container of water and we'll be on our way"
"I've already named my terms, young man. I will give no sweet water if you leave. I will, on the other hand, provide you with one cup a day until we reach our destination"
"One cup?"
"One cup."
"How big is this cup??"
"Depends on my mood."
Ithel's muscles tensed. The Captain was being so unkind. Well... kind enough to save us, but not enough to give us water to be sated! I hugged the almost empty barrel closer to me.
"Please," Ithel said between gritted teeth, "Zury is not far from here-"
"I already gave you my decision on that"
"Then any other island would do. There are many around us. We just need to get close enough and we could swim there"
Swim??? In the bottomless sea?????
"I will not drop sail to an island populated with savages."
Savages? Was he talking about the tigers and the wolves??
"Then where are we-"
"You will know when we get there. Now enough with your questions. Here are the rules. You are forbidden from stepping into the hull. If I find you snooping around my ship, I'll make a mop of the skin of your ass and wipe the deck with it! You will find a place on the deck and camp there. If you try to steal my money, my men will put arrows in your asses. If you try to acquire a weapon, my men will shoot you in the balls. And if you try to steal food or water, my men will shoot you in your little pricks. So I'd think twice before stepping out of line if I were you."
"We're not thieves-"
"ALSO. You will stay away from everyone's way. My men are busy and if you become a bother, I'll let my cook make a soup out of your friend's parts while you watch." When Ithel's hands tightened into fists, the man continued in an assuring tone, "Don't worry, I've got the best cook in these forsaken seas and the soup will taste exquisite! You'll probably ask for a refill"
I gulped but didn't move a muscle. I better not, or I'll become soup.
The Captain took a step towards Ithel who bravely stood his ground even when they were eye to eye
"We will be watching you two so you better have no tricks. I'm saving your lives. Do not make me regret it. Now find a place where you won't be a fucking bother and behave." With that, he walked away and disappeared behind a wooden door after yelling at his men to keep an eye on us.
Ithel remained standing. He kept watching around us for a long moment while glaring at those who snickered or stopped to sneer at us. Men coming and going, in and out of the belly of the boat. I watched, unable to comprehend what they were doing.
After a while longer, Ithel turned towards me and knelt. "I think I know where we can rest"
"A-are we leaving???". I knew we weren't in a very safe place right now, but the thought of losing the hoping of getting some water daily alarmed me.
Ithel held my hand and pulled it until my arm rested around his neck, "We'll do what their Leader says for now. We'll sit as far as possible from them so you can rest, ok?"
"Ok-Nnnnnh" I whimpered when he pulled me to stand and my side stretched. Ithel apologized and supported me closed, practically carrying me as he walked to the back of the ship. As wise as I was, I didn't even think about helping him drag me as I was too busy hugging the rest of the water and making sure it was even safe.
Ithel climbed a few steps that led to a higher part of the magnificent boat. This part had many empty contained thrown into a pile. Ithel settled us by the furthest edge and we both sat down, catching our breaths. Ithel threw his head back while heaving and I held my aching side.
We remained like that for the remained of the day. People stared at us and glared, but no one seemed to want to bother with us. They'd spit our way or grin mischievously, showing unjustified animosity towards us. Unable to sit for long, I eventually lied on my back, while Ithel remained sitting and awake to make sure no one attacked us.
Later, much later that night, someone stomped our way. We were still tired and thirsty even after all the water that we drank which was weird. We were also really hungry.
Ithel pulled himself to stand. The man was the one who woke us up on our raft this morning. He looked amused by Ithel's attitude. He leaned down slightly and released a bowl that fell with a loud thus close to us. The bowl was filled with something weird, some of it spilled on the side. I looked closer but immediately scowled. Is that food???
"Dinner to our guests", he announced, his voice laced with sarcasm. Ithel looked hesitant while I moved closer and sniffed the food. My nose scrunched in distaste to the odd smell. Before I thought about it, I looked up to the man and asked, "You eat this???"
His brows elevated and he smirked, "Nope. You eat this. I already finished my share hours ago"
My stomach growled, both to declare its desperation and its revulsion to whatever the man brought us.
"So?" the man addressed Ithel this time, "We still have a bout to finish"
"A what?"
"Fuck it, I'm already drunk. We'll do this tomorrow. Nighty night, fuckers, enjoy your meal"
He walked away leaving us perplexed to his words. The man lazily climbed down the steps when Ithel went after him, "We're thankful for the meal, but we need-"
"I'll kick your ass tomorrow. Now I have a jar to finish before I pass out"
Ithel remained speechless for a few seconds before he went after the man again, "We need some healing herbs. For such a large ship, you surely have a healer-"
"That is none of your business to know. And we don't waste anything on products. We just carry them to their destiny"
"...... Please, talk to your Leader. My companion is badly hurt and all he needs is some herbs-"
"If he's fucking sick, throw him in the sea."
With that, he disappeared down the belly of the boat. Ithel didn't follow him this time. He walked back looking disheartened. He stood close to where I sat, looking around us and eyeing the rest of the boat carefully. He was deep in thought, trying in vain to figure out our situation.
I leaned forward, ignoring the pain that jabbed me, and I held his shin. Ithel looked down beside him, our eyes met and his stare softened a little. He leaned down, grabbed the bowl and crouched before me. I pulled away, flattening my back against the edge
"I'm not eating that"
"You have to. You need to get your strength back and food is the only way to do so."
He pushed it closer to me and I all but threw up when the foul smell hit me. I pushed his hand away and covered my nose, "What is that exactly??? That can't be real food"
He stared at the content of the bowl. It was a sticky, thick substance. Ithel looked hesitant to trust it now. He dipped his nose very close and took a whiff. The way he gagged afterward was almost hilarious. However, he seemed little amused as he took the dirty thing away from us and set it close to the stairs, before coming back and standing beside me, his hands clenched on the edge in an attempt to control his frustration.
I found myself shrinking a little. Ithel was always the cool headed, wise man. He rarely got angry, and even when something bothered him, he didn't show it much. He just deals with whatever comes his way the best he can. He didn't dwell on useless things or tried to impose his strength like many other Aellos. Ithel was calm, kind and secure about his own abilities. Seeing him so tired and frustrated gave me an awkward feeling.
If Ithel was out of options, then I'm far worse!
And......... I am the root to all his problems...
It was a bad timing to realize that if it wasn't for me, Ithel would have swum to Zury by now. And from there, he could go to any of the other islands that surrounded us. He wasn't weak or helpless like I was. He could live peacefully on any island other than Saeva and the few most dangerous ones.
He could handle himself very well if it wasn't for me. Now that I thought about it, he wasn't the only one I ruined
My dear aunt Halina, my father, even Drita, for all her mistakes, she maybe would've remained a good person if not for my idiocy and weakness.
And Dilara......
I looked up to watch my savior torment himself once again for my sake.
"It's ok, Ithel"
He looked even more pained after I spoke. He sighed, "No it's not. You need proper treatment to heal"
"As long as you don't throw me in the sea like the mean man suggested, I'll be fine"
Ithel moved to resume his place beside me. The moon was very strong tonight and I could see the hint of a smile display on his face, "That might actually be a good idea"
For a second, I thought I was going to choke on nothing. When he saw my expression the smile broke free and he explained himself, "The sea has more benefits that the food it offers. It can clean and also help with healing. It will be good for both of us. Tomorrow we'll go for a quick swim."
"A-a-a swim??? In the bottomless sea!!?"
He looked pensive, "I don't think it's bottomless. The bottom is just too far to reach."
"Have you seen it before? Touched it?"
"Well, sure. I swam down the reef and around many islands"
"Yes, but not in the middle of the sea!"
He chuckled, "I'll be there with you all the time, you don't need to worry. I promise, as long as the sea is calm, the water will keep you lifted just like it did when you swam before"
"Maybe, but that was close to your den. It was safe there"
"......... our den"
We suddenly plunged into a heavy silence, each busy with his own thoughts. I didn't know what Ithel was thinking, but I was trying to imagine that the gathering already came and went peacefully, that all the Aellas and Aellos were happily mated, children content to see their fathers. And then there was us. We'd be staying in Ithel's den... our den. It would be no different than last year, we'd roam the forest together, play, hunt, and swim. A warm meal, a soft bed... and endless springs of water.
"Whatever you're thinking, it will happen"
I lifted my eyes to find his head tilted so he could stare at me.
"How do you know what I'm thinking?", I taunted, trying my best to sound less tired and less hurt. Maybe that would make him less frustrated and bring my usual Ithel back
"You were happy with your thoughts. Whatever they were, I'm certain they'll come true"
I smiled a bit sadly, "Maybe" ... but highly unlikely. We were heading further and further from home. We don't know where we're going or if we were even welcomed to go back.
Maybe Cailyn got to the bottom of everything and he pardoned us, or maybe if we go back we'd find a sentence waiting for us...
My chin was lifted and I tasted sweet, gentle lips over mine. The sensation felt so nostalgic and pleasing, I felt tears gather in my eyes. And I felt suddenly vulnerable. Not that sense of dangerous weakness, this one was nice and warm. It made my heart thump as it bore memories of simpler and more peaceful times
He pulled away too soon for my taste and he gazed into my eyes. I just realized that he had moved until he was before me, in an attempt to hide us from any unwelcome witnesses. His hand cupped my cheek and he smiled gently.
I'll never understand how such an amazing person could show me so much kindness. How could he still want to kiss me after everything that happened because of me? How.... How could he kiss me in my current state? I felt more like a shattered tree than a standing one. I had more bruises than I could count, I could barely move, my foot was ruined, I had an inflated cheek and eye which I was sure weren't nice to look at, and my lips were dry and cracked.
Still smiling, he pecked my lips again, drawing my thoughts back to the present moment
"Your voice sounds so sweet and healthy again. Care to let me hear more?"
My heart fluttered and I did my best to remain composed
"Ithel... I'm sorry"
He shook his head and said teasingly, "Not what I wanted to hear"
I sniffled and whispered, "I love you"
He grinned and his mouth found mine again.
~~~~~
Ithel moved some wooden containers aside and stacked a few others, forming a tiny wall of empty containers. And there we laid together, in the small space between the newly built wall and the edge of the large boat. I laid on my back as it was the position that hurt the least. My head rested on Ithel's forearm, the one he was propped on so he could lean down to peck and nip at my jaw.
We were indeed in an uncertain situation. But this, right this moment, it was a bliss.
Nothing could've prepared us for the last few weeks. Never had we imagined that what we went through could even happen to us.
At dawn, we were dying, beyond saving, yet we did survive. No matter the injuries we sustained, no matter the evil fate played us, we were still here and we were kissing