A year and a half later…

  Cutting across the endless sea was a large and fully crewed vessel, sails down and billowing in the wind.

  The captain was still charting the course while everyone kept track of everything aboard. The crew keeping things tidy and well organized.

  Though they all knew why they were here, by request of five adventurers to take a ship and go looking for Cole. While many were again it within the court for the exorbitant cost of a ship alone not to mention the length of such an expedition. The King’s word was final and the orders were passed down.

  A grand ceremony was held to see the travelers off, the project having been completed down along the stretch of beach away from the village of Misty. Such a beautiful vessel having been completed in a year’s time by a collection of the best craftsmen across Oronia.

  Yet those of the Dawnsythe clan remained at the borders of the village of Serene and up in the Snowtop Mountains.

  Yet in the months of sailing, those who had commissioned this journey were hardly seen together; the two elven women rarely left their quarters, the tiger-like Demi woman was found in the most odd and obscure places of the ship often spooking the crew, while the young human couple mostly stayed on the top deck just taking in the view of the sea.

  “Why the hell did we agree to come along again?” Taiga said, after taking a long moment to contemplate and think.

  “Because, we are friends of Cole.” Aaron replied simply, as she groaned slightly.

  “Is that the only explanation you have?” She retorted, looking at him now.

  “It’s good enough for me.” He said, looking her way with a more stern expression. “I trust him, just I trust you, Eugene, everyone.” He added, speaking with more care now, before turning his attention back out to where the sky met the sea.

  Taiga momentarily lost for words, a rarity indeed. For once she felt a small bit of foolishness for seemingly allowing doubt to creep in, they had been together this long.

  “You bumped into me…” Taiga said softly, leaning against the railing beside him as she looked out at the horizon with him.

  “Hm?” Aaron mumbled, confused as he looked down at her.

  “You weren’t paying attention. Distracted by everyone talking about how scary you looked, how you and Cole always got into petty fights for the sake of those less fortunate or were bullied.” She explained, recalling small fragments herself of another lifetime. A small smile gracing her lips. “I hadn’t heard of you, I was too busy with kendo. Until you weren’t paying attention and bumped into me, and I sucker punched you…” she whispered, looking down as she let a small chuckle escape.

  “I don’t recall much after that, just feeling surprised, I think I might have fell over.” Aaron said, recalling what little he could as well. This made Taiga laugh more.

  “You did, you stood there for a whole five seconds completely dumbfounded before you fell like a tree.” She said at last, now looking up at him. “I broke your nose, and my hand, and we both landed a week in detention.” She added, speaking more softly again.

  “I… remember that you were very mad. You didn’t stop talking, but I never stopped listening.” He said softly, recalling a little fragment of this memory. “You nearly fell out of your chair when I said my name.” He added, making Taiga shake her head.

  “You remember…” she whispered to herself, as he looked her way.

  “You both seem to be getting along.” Tigress said, appearing behind them making Taiga jump. “Still skittish as ever.” She teased.

  “And what brings your nobleness to the upper deck? I thought you were busy skulking around in the cargo hold for rats?” Taiga retorted, making Tigress chuckle some.

  “No I was busy chasing shadows. I find ships boring and incredibly long in the journey with little to do.” Tigress remarked.

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  “What makes him so special to you?” Aaron asked bluntly, catching Tigress’ attention.

  “And what business is that of yours?” Tigress replied, her tone taking a turn to one of caution.

  “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, he’s a friend. I may not have much and remember less, but I what I do know is true in my heart and gut. They tell me there’s more to you being here than a game of chase.” Aaron explained, surprising Taiga momentarily as she hadn’t expected him to be so talkative.

  “I have my reasons, they are many and mine alone. Sometimes the less that know the better. If you are indeed friends as you so claim then I have no qualms with you and would ask you respect my desire to leave such questions lie where they are, I’d hate to have to add you to my shit list.” She explained carefully, before her tone began shifting to a more grave tone.

  Aaron continued to watch her with a closeness she seemed to smile a little at, Taiga still the most confused on what was being discussed. In the last six or so years she had known Tigress, she hadn’t been able to figure her out. Not from the day she took them both the village of Misty to now.

  “Very well then, if that is your wish.” Aaron said, seemingly dropping the topic as he turned his attention back to the sea.

  “What about the other two, they alright?” Taiga asked, after a long moment of silence. “They haven’t left the lower decks since we got onboard.” She added, noting as much since they’d started this journey.

  “Iris and Faye will do as they please, just as I will. What you two decide is of your own volition. My goals remain unchanged, I will see Cole shaped into the kind of leader he speaks of being, or I will kill him and take what is mine.” She added, still smiling some, Taiga sighing in annoyance as she too turned her attention back to the sea.

  “This is his journey, we can’t make his choices for him. What it is he decides he wants or to achieve or chase, the consequences are his, good or bad.” Tigress said lastly, before turning herself returning the lower levels of the ship.

  Meanwhile…

  Faye was sitting on the floor of her and Iris’ cabin, a set of tarot cards spread out as she carefully flipped them over and studied their reading. Though they continued to tell her nothing and only showed a seemingly random spread.

  “UGH! This is useless!” Faye said annoyed, as she returned the cards to their stack and in their pouch on her hip.

  “The major arcana failing again?” Iris joked, Faye flashing her a glare.

  “You mock me, but the tarot predicted you would be heading for your death if you were to go after those remnants of Samurai.” Faye reminded her, Iris’ expression instantly hardening.

  “You also said it made no sense before I left the forest a second time to wander in my exile. Something about both the moon and tower reversed.” Iris countered this time.

  “But I was right, if only half. This read made no sense. It was literal gibberish.” Faye retorted, then sighing as she leaned back against a wall.

  “You always said they don’t exactly speak to you all the time. Sometimes things are just left to the imagination and unknown, we get there when we get there.” Iris mused, now setting herself down on the floor cross legged.

  Faye remained silent as she could only smile back at her partner.

  “You’ve certainly changed. You’re not as impulsive or reckless as when you first stormed out of Faydark.” Faye replied, after a long moment of silence passed between them.

  “Even reapers get weary, and I’m tired of the fighting. I just, want to rest. To reflect and heal, the poison’s effects still lingers in my veins, makes me slow and not as good as I can be.” Iris said plainly, being honest with her desires.

  “So we have to make a decision that not all within the party may agree with.” Faye remarked, her tone knowing.

  “For now, we ride the waves and tides.” Iris added, Faye now scooting closer as they both began to meditate.

  For now they would do just this and reflect, wait until it was time depart once again…

  Meanwhile…

  In the far back of the cargo hold, tucked away and hidden by other supply crates was one lowly little crate that had been added to the manifest at the last second. On the outside it was marked ‘fragile’, ‘do not open’ and ‘handle with care’. None on the crew knew where it came from but it was on the manifest regardless.

  In truth it had been the hiding place of the Kushan assassin. She had to constantly keep herself cloaked in shadows, slow her heart rate and control her breathing. She could go hungry but even she had her limits and would occasionally steal some rations or catch the occasional rat when she was desperate.

  But she refused to become feral, maintaining herself and only leaving when absolutely necessary. Her lady was just clever and far more skilled in hiding, and it would be no trouble to find where she was. Just as well she had to be even more careful with the crew, as to not be spotted by them either or notice if too much of something went missing or was out of place.

  She would bide her time and make due with what she could do and what she could find. She kept track of the time and marked well, feeling the days drag on and on. Everyday was a close call to being found, and it was getting more difficult to keep up her energy to keep herself cloaked.