[???? Ashes – Celine Dion.]
•ON THE AURORA SHIP, THE COLD SEA
Ravenna loved the cold. She had, always, ever since she was a little girl. The season of winter hit the waters of the Cold Sea harder than the tinkle of a purse. Since Ravenna had spent most of her teen years working in the coasts as a serving girl, in any pub that would have her, she was used to the chilly temperatures. In lay terms, the sea was cold as a motherfucker.
It was night and the waves lurching up lapped at the vessel's hold. She stood on the ship's deck, her hands gripping the railing, green eyes forward into the rocking. Above the whipping sails, the clouds were thick gray. The sky was starless. Ravenna heard a scuffle behind her and turned.
Aya Naamah stood in a flamboyant mufty pink coat, it was mink. She was enchanting on the deck, curved like a siren who had just stepped out of the sea to lure off the crew, as she held out a similar green shawl to Ravenna. "Here you go, dearie."
Ravenna smiled and collected it. She pulled her necktie tighter over her shoulders.
She said, "Thank you. I feel warm already. How long have we been on? The days have been black since we left the docks. I have no sense of time."
"Two nights," Aya replied, taking Ravenna's side. "This is the third. We would be by the isles by now, but the winds are against us. We are sailing astride the gale."
Ravenna looked wryly at her, "and you know this how?"
"I'm friends with the captain."
"Of course you are."
Their eyes met and a second later, they burst into a fit of laughter.
Aya's breath came out in puffs of white that was visible in the dark night. She clenched her fingers in her luxury gloves and breathed into her palms. It was a simple gesture, but coming from the violet eyed succubus, it became an erotic slow motion of giggles and blushes.
Ravenna was once again struck in the full force of her beauty. Her dark hair framed wonderfully her plump lips and radiant purple iris. It was impossible to stare at her and not think of Rafel. And Cora. And Emberfall. And the utter peace they have lived before.
. .before her father.
"It's not your fault," said Aya softly.
Ravenna pulled her hand from her touch. "Don't read my mind!" But then she relaxed. "Do you think about him?"
"EVERY. SINGLE. SECOND." Aya murmured.
She went on, "when Lord Morningstar gifted me to him before his ascension to earth, I was unsure. But I've found our Lord Master far more appealing than Lucifer. He didn't deserve that tragic night. I'm so happy that he's still alive. Once we get to him, I'll do everything to restore his health."
Both the speaker, who was leaning into the table, and Ravenna and Aya bristled as they gazes met.
Aya was the first to speak up.
"DETECTIVE!"
Rosamunde was shocked.
"Oh my? What are you doing here? Please sit!" Aya affirmed.
Detective Rosamunde Spears joined the rest at the round table. She placed her own food tray on the pristine tablecloth.
"You know her?" The redhead asked.
"Yeah," Aya replied. "Just before Titans Landing, the good detective here helped us solve a case in the Capitol. Did you read of the Count who was murdered; Lord Lucius? Yes! That was the case. It's so nice to see you here, Rosa."
"Same here, Miss Naamah. With the way things are looking back at the Empire, I might just live on the ships!" Rosamunde piqued.
Everyone laughed aloud. The food arrived shortly by hand of an aproned young man, and they all shared and dug in. They exchanged stories of pre-Titan Eldoria for a while, before Ravenna sat back, her belly full, her expression turned serious. She poured aged ale from a long bottle and stared at Rosamunde.
She began, "There is a matter of interest, though, Detective. It is the reason why we sail even now to Corynthia. I don't know if you remember our Lord Master, the Earl? He was severely injured by an Archdemon in the war."
"Ohh," Rosamunde fingered her wine cup with a flushed chuckle. "—I certainly do remember him. He was quite the man."
Aya continued where Ravenna left off;
"Yes, Detective, that he was. Recently, a locator spell has transfigured for us his present location. It is one of the many islands fringing the whole Corynthian peninsula, but we don't know which. Some are just uninhabited smudges on the map and it would take weeks to search them all." She produced from her pocket of her black pants the Royal Ring of Atlantis.
The ruby gem dazzled blindly in the cafeteria as she held it up.
It glowed with Rafel's imbued mana, leading them on like a compass.
"I see. . ." Rosamunde took it off Aya's fingers.
"I guess what we're asking, Detective Spears is: would you help us find our Lord."
"Of course! I will. Don't be silly. I was born on those islands." She handed the priceless ring back to Aya. "—plus it wouldn't hurt to witness some eye candy again. You should see the man?!"
She winked, and began describing at the couple who attuned to her words like foxes. Ravenna smiled. Aya shook her head at their gossip. She held up her hand and beckoned the server for the last course of the evening: desserts.