Smooth Sailing

Days bled into weeks aboard the Elven galleon, as it sped northward towards Caer Ashwynn and, hopefully, some answers for Scarlett. She spent most of her time with Isobel as Sagacious continued his research in their shared cabin, and the more time she spent with Isobel the less she trusted her. She would always ask Scarlett questions about Mae and about her newfound powers. She was not above using her feminine attributes to attempt to gain Scarlett's trust, either.

Her eyes were sultry and promised many delights if she were to only lower her guard, and several nights aboard a ship filled with sweaty sailors and fish left Scarlett staring ruefully up at the ceiling of her bunk, mind wondering what if…?

One evening, a frustrated Scarlett returned to the cabin and found Sagacious gesturing at a large tome emphatically, his eyes ablaze with excitement. Scarlett had never seen him like this, full of life and passion. It suited him.

"Ah! I'm glad you're back!" He began, motioning for her to have a seat and look at the book on the table. "As you can see, this is an ancient tome. Written by the Sisterhood of Phaedra, Goddess of Love, about 500 years ago." Scarlett's eyes widened as she looked at the ancient book. The writing was elegant and precise, the margins illuminated with drawings of the Goddess of Love, all multicolored and magnificent.

"Five centuries? That puts this as around the time of The Emergence, doesn't it?" Scarlett did, occasionally, pay attention.

"Around it. Or rather," his eyebrows rose conspiratorially as he whispered, "DURING the Emergence. This is a passage written by a Sister of Love of the group of fabled heroes who became Gods. When they visited the ancient capital, as mortals! See here," he pointed to a line of delicate text.

"Wings, I don't read or speak Elven." Scarlett answered, deadpan.

"Ah. Well, yes, terribly sorry. It says," he cleared his throat and continued softly, "As the group entered the royal courts, they were announced. Shaylee, who would become The Mother," Sagacious made a reverent sign in the air and continued, "The nameless assassin who would become Mercy, even this literature was subject to the removal of her true name when she ascended. Firock, The Maker, and the Lady Mage!" He pointed and gestured excitedly. "And lastly, Annatar Liadon, the cur who would become King. But," he pointed again, "The author makes of point of saying that the love between Mercy and Annatar was so strong even the Lady of Love could feel it." Sagacious gestured and beamed with a look of triumph.

Scarlett frowned and scowled. "I don't see why you're so happy, Angelface. Why is that important?"

Sagacious' blue eyes narrowed at the nickname, "Two things: First off, Only Izzy can call me that." He made a rude gesture at Scarlett. "And second, it's never mentioned in any other histories of the Era. And I know. I've read way too many books on the subject."

Scarlett returned the gesture with one of her own. "And?" She ventured, "What does that mean for us?"

"Well," he began, once more sounding like a university instructor, "Why isn't it mentioned? What connection could exist between Annatar's story and the piece of Fate that you seem to have bonded with?"

"I suppose it could mean that the other part of his Story is about Mercy, right? And he wouldn't want it known because that would provide a weakness in his otherwise pretty implacable facade?"

Sagacious nodded at her, offering, "Well yes. But the question we really should be asking is what was Mercy's involvement in this whole mess?"

The door to the cabin opened quietly, and Isobel stood framed by the moonlight from above decks. She really was quite lovely, but Scarlett still felt like a viper was wearing her clothes and had chosen the exact most uncomfortable moment to enter the room.

"Well," Scarlett risked a sidelong glance at Isobel, "I guess the real worry is, what if The Merciful do want the part of the tapestry that's now a part of my delicious self?" Isobel kept icy eyes locked on her as she spoke, but seemed kind and warm as she joined the conversation. Scarlett was even more unsettled.

"The Merciful?" Isobel offered, "Aren't they assassins?"

"The best in Arbre, yes." Sagacious began carefully, "And if they ARE interested in you Scarlett, it's a very good thing that you're with us." He put a hand on Scarlett's shoulder reassuringly, but she certainly felt no safer with Isobel's eyes locked onto her own.

"So, then, the Elven courts should be a relatively safe place for us, right?" Isobel began submissively. "Surely not even The Merciful could get an agent into such a heavily protected place?"

"Yes, love, I'm sure we'll be safe from them in Caer Ashwynn." Sagacious hugged Isobel and stared reassuringly at Scarlett. After a moment he added, "I am curious as to what exactly the Tapestry would say about the two of them that he would be willing to murder for five hundred years later. Or, why the other half of such a clearly potent magic artifact, would seem to be hellbent on reuniting with its other half?" He nodded at Scarlett sympathetically. "Of course, if it were safe, I might even suggest letting it. Might solve the mystery?"

Scarlett just glared at him. "Or, it could fucking kill me, you asshole!"

Isobel stood between them smiling softly at Scarlett to calm her down. "Now, now we would never let that happen Scarlett. If nothing else, perhaps the druids of The Mother will be able to tell you about these?" She traced a finger up Scarlett's throat lightly following a vine tattoo, Isobel's eyes narrowed and she whispered. "We all have questions that I hope can be answered here. I promise no harm will come to you from me, Scarlett."

"Just tending your garden?" she hissed softly as she reached up to grab Isobel's hand and push it away from her.

"Always," was the whispered reply. And Isobel's eyes were grave and serious despite her warm tone.