Chapter Two: Wood, Sails and Tales of Sorrow
Galaan's quarters were small, with a bunk on one wall, a small barrel of ice water and a letter attached to the barrel. The envelope had an message written on it. The message read:
Galaan:
I was told by Kareena to give you this upon a time when I felt necessary. Because we are going to Belcourt, I felt this was necessary.
Galaan opened the letter and silently, he read. His emerald green eyes shifted back and forth, making their way down the page. When he finished reading the letter, he put it on his bunk and left the room.
"Salena?" Kiresk requested. "Are you feeling okay? The sea has a way of making some people ill. I'm hoping you aren't like those people..."
"I'm fine," Salena reassured. "But I'm worried about Galaan. He's just staring off into the sea from the deck overtop the ship's helm. I think one of us should talk to him. The one who didn't give him the letter."
"Alright, but he'll just brush you aside," explained Kiresk. "He won't want to se anyone right now."
Salena felt the wind blow hard on her face, and she felt her hair flowing out with the wind's harsh cold. Salena cast a spell and began to warm up. She then made her way up a small staircase to the deck atop the ship's helm.
"Galaan?" Salena called.
"Go away!" Galaan snapped. "I don't want to see you right now, Salena. Just let me be alone."
"Just like Kiresk said," she remarked. "You're being such a child. Let me hear what happened. I can sympathize your problem."
"I'm not looking for sympathy," Galaan sneered. Besides, you don't know what she meant to me. You've never been a man. You don't understand my feelings."
Salena looked at him in anger and disbelief. "I had a husband, I know what you men feel like when something bad happens. You grab the closest defense and use it," Salena snapped. "And you can't tell me I don't know what it's like to lose a loved one because my husband died when rebel thieves tried to kill my mother and I. In fact, I can recall the time it happened like yesterday morning's breakfast."
"I'm intrigued, please tell me more," Galaan inquired.
"Well, as I recall," Salena began. "It was winter, and a harsh storm fell upon our town. Because we couldn't see anything outside, thieves had broken into many people's homes. From what we heard, those who confronted the thieves were killed. The fire in our stove had began to dim, and it was getting darker in the house. I guess thats when mthey saw their chance to strike. They killed my husband without warning, stole what they could and left."
"I guess I owe you an apology, Salena," Galaan said. "I never would've guessed that could happen to a person or their family. I've heard rumors like that, but I didn't think it really happened. I guess I should stop living in a fantasy world."
"It's no fantasy world," Salena explained. "A lot of people believe that bad things don't happen. I guess it's just wishful thinking."
"Would you like to hear what happened to Kareena?" Galaan asked.
"I told you what happened to my husband, and we have the time, so I may as well," Salena replied. "Go ahead."
"It was summer," Galaan started. "There was a cool breeze coming off the the ocean. We were on the shores at the Bay of St. Belcourt, where I had met Kareena. About a quarter mile away on a plain, there is a lone tree. Her father shot at me from the tree, missed and hit Kareena. I did what I could, but she died. With her lasst moments, she handed me a ring from her finger and then a neck chain she wore. From then on, I always wore the pendant I made from the two, and even had it blessed by a priest of Shuuma."
Galaan took out a pendant made of a silver chain and a gold ring. The ring had a ruby placed in the centre. The ruby glowed brightly.
"Where was she buried?" Salena inquired. "If you don't mind my asking."
"The St. Belcourt bluffs that overlook the bay. The grave itself is called 'The Grave of the Belcourt maiden, as everyone always said she was the most beautiful woman in Belcourt. Someone said that if two people kiss at the grave site then they will be together forever. Such a foolish myth."
"Thats a very touching story," Salena remarked. "But we should get to our quarters before its too late. They lock the door from the main deck in about ten minutes."
Galaan lay there, awake, and thinking of whats happened and whats happening. Just then, there was a light knock on the door to his quarters.
"Yes?" Galaan called out. "Who is it?"
Salena stepped into Galaan's quarters.
"I can't sleep," Salena explained. "You wouldn't mind..."
"Sure, sit down," Galaan accepted. "What's on your mind?"
Salena rested her head on Galaan's shoulder.
"I don't know, I just," Salena began. "I can't... I mean I... I keep trying to anticipate the road ahead. It seems so terrifying in a way."
The two now lay together on Galaan's bunk.
"I know," Galaan said. "You can predict the future, but you can never define its events. Anticipate a problem but not the solution."
"I never thought of that," Salena answered. "Lets try to get some rest, Galaan."
As Kiresk awoke, the sun's glow sparkled off the waves into his window. His quarters were only as big as Galaan's, except his had a second door on the right hand wall, which lead up to the helm of the ship. He opened this door and started up a small wooden stairwell and out the helm to the main deck, saying hello to the ship's captain, an old friend, on the way. Galaan amd Salena were sitting on the edge of the smaller deck over the helm, their feet dangling over the edge. Kiresk looked at the two, sitting like children in a playground.
"You two going for breakfast?" Kiresk yelled. "It's fresh sea bass."
"I guess we should eat," Salena replied. "The next meal would be in four hours."
"The mess hall is down below, under the bunks, right?" Galaan inquired.
"Right," Kiresk replied. "Let's go."