Elias was laying in bed, the Maj-Compendium sat on the nightstand, closed up with the notebook of translations on top of it. Adira didn't turn out the lamp this time, so Elias lay awake in the dim room.
The only sounds he heard were the creaking and moaning of the ship. It seemed to be roaring in agony that night, as the wind was stronger than usual. Captain Rae mentioned something about avoiding the wind stream, but Elias didn't really pay attention.
Elias looked across the room, looking at Adira and Kristen's beds. Both of them sound asleep. Adira was laying on her front side, her exaggerated curly hair was reaching out.
"Ungh.. why can't I sleep?" Elias whispered to himself as he flipped his pillow to feel the cool unused side. Right after he did this though, he heard the doorknob of the room turn. Elias instinctively shut his eyes and pretended to sleep.
In came the tip toes of someone small. *pit pat pit pat* Elias instantly thought of the imps on the ship like Flecks or maybe Maeve. Suddenly he felt that whoever was in there was looking at him. They got closer, close enough for Elias to feel their breath.
"He's sleeping..." The voice said. It was Maeve. She turned around and Elias couldn't tell where she went, so he peeped through his eyelids, ever so slightly. She had her hands on the Maj-Compendium. Elias didn't want to pretend anymore, he didn't have to in the first place.
He got up in an effort to surprise her, jolting himself out of his laying position.
"What are you doing with that? Did Captain Rae ask for it?" Elias whispered loudly.
Maeve stared at him for a moment, and Elias tried to read her. Her hair was long, black, and straight as it covered half of her face. She seemed emotionless and was difficult to understand.
"So-"
Before Elias could continue, she zipped out of the room, her wings seemed to carry her.
"HEY!" Elias yelled out. Adira and Kristen woke up right away, jumping out of bed. Elias bolted out of the room and looked down the hall. Maeve was so quick she looked like a blur, and down the hall, Boiler Marcey was standing there, waiting for her. Other crew members opened their doors to find out what the ruckus was about.
"MAEVE WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Flecks yelled from his room
Boiler Marcey grabbed Maeve, and ran out the hallway's door onto the deck. Elias, Adira, Kristen, and a few others followed. As they busted out the door, the cold night air hit them. It was extremely foggy, and it seemed a storm was brewing as well. They'd have to ascend the ship above the clouds. Though at the current moment, there wasn't any time for that.
Elias looked across the deck and he noticed it. Emerging from the fog, an incredibly massive ship. It seemed to be made of what looked like cement, and on the sides, holes have been busted through to make room for makeshift canons. Elias's heart dropped, and he felt as if he couldn't breath. The wind blew against his face, muffling all the noises that surrounded him.
As Elias stood there speechless, Kristen began to try pulling him back into the hall.
"We have to get Captain Rae up now! Where is he!?" Adira shouted
"I last saw him in his quarters! He might be asleep!" Flecks replied
Boiler Marcey jumped off the current airship after being handed a rope by the group on the other ship. Maeve simply fluttered her wings and glided to the other ship. The crew began flooding out of the hallway armed and ready to fight, but they were too late.
By the time Captain Rae woke, the massive ship was departing. They all watched as it sunk back into the deep dark sludge of fog.
"CROAK ON THAT YE G-" A voice with a heavy accent echoed from the opposing ship, but they got to far to really hear what they said.
Everyone stood on deck trying to process what the heck just happened. Captain Rae being the most confused as he just woke up.
Later that night, he put everyone into the dining room, ordered them to light it up with candles and stood in the front of the room. His face was stern, and almost scary. He scanned the room, as if he was searching for more infiltrators.
"Flecks. come here." Rae pointed at him then to the floor.
"I swear I had no idea sir I-"
"NOW." His voice echoed across the room. Any other chatter that was present had gone silent.
Flecks flew over to Captain Rae, his wings fluttered as if they were trying to keep quiet for some reason. When he arrived, Rae crouched down to Flecks's level and began talking to him quietly and privately.
Elias and Kristen sat in the back of the room. He looked over to her. He was surprised she had barely said a word during this entire ordeal. But Elias hadn't said anything either. He was literally still shaking in his boots.
"Adira, step up" Captain Rae shouts after finishing with Flecks. Flecks moved to stand at Captain Rae's side.
Adira got up and headed to the front. The same thing with Flecks- He turned her away and talked to her quietly. As Elias watched, he saw Adira's silver index finger raise and point directly at him. They both turned and looked at Elias. The captain rubbed his temples and Adira moved to stand beside Flecks.
"Elias, Kristen" Captain Rae called, his head was facing the floor.
Dread flooded Elias's body, but they stood up and prepared to walk.
"Calm down guys, I know it isn't your fault" Captain said loudly as Elias approached. Elias was still scared.
The Captain closed in on them both, looking at them in the eye for a good thirty seconds before speaking.
"Listen up..- You four are the only people I can trust right now. Literally because Adira and Flecks have been with me for years- meaning I know them, and they know me, and you two were city-dwellers only 4 weeks ago- meaning you don't have any allegiance to those Dragonfin scum...or me."
Kristen and Elias were both quiet during the exchange. Until Kristen finally spoke up.
"Don't worry, cap. We stand with you." She said
Captain Rae turned around with his arms crossed, mumbling to himself.
"Those Dragonfin.. they think I'm 'too nice' to be a real captain.. Ill show them."
He stopped and stood up straight, his chest puffing out. He was facing towards the remaining crew.
"Cloud Cleavers! Here's the plan." He shouted
"A storm is forming tonight, meaning the enemy is likely floating above said storm. If we head up there too, we'll probably catch sight of them, no matter how far they fly. Now we don't have canons, but we are still armed to the teeth when we need to be, so we're raiding that ship!"
"Now get to your stations!"
This meant they were going to lose this one... A few of the members smiled and rooted but for the most part, they seemed demoralized about the plan.
"Get to your stations!" He repeated.
Everyone got moving. Once the crew walked out, Rae turned to the four.
"You four- you'll be my eyes and ears. Keep tabs on the crew, and report any suspicious activities to me." he said quietly.
"Is the book really that important, captain?" Flecks complained from across the line.
"You can't even imagine how important that book is, Flecks." Captain Rae replied
"Alright, get to work guys." Captain Rae said as he walked out the door.
They all stood there for a while, contemplating. Kristen ended up breaking the silence with a shout
"WOO!" She hugged Elias and began laughing loudly
"What a rush am i right!?"
They all looked at her like she was insane.
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