My nana once told me a story her grandmother had told her, about a time when there were many different religions and some people believed in just one God. Now we scoff at the idea, but sometimes I wonder what times would've been like then. Times before they came to us. I'll tell you what she told me.

 Once long long ago the Earth was thriving with life, instead of two, there were many different races, and languages. They had many different religions and worshipped in strange ways, in that old time the Gods were absent from the Earth and people did not care to know them as they really are. Their civilizations built tall buildings and ruined the land. They warred with one another for reasons foreign to us, like their religions. They had money, and money ruled everything, even their hearts. The Gods watched this dismayed, and then decided to put them to a test. They came to earth, and to man and asked for acceptance, and to be worshipped and not left out. Man, in his arrogance laughed at the Gods, labeled them as demons, or aliens and turned their backs. The Gods were enraged, and they decided the fate of man. The land was smote in two and the great gods of the sea filled in the spaces. One large landmass to the west, and one to the east. The Gods decided not to eradicate humanity but left a small population on each continent. These became our forefathers.

However, the buildings, and the monies, and the ideas that were once in power, now were gone. The Gods left each person with stones, and scattered more through the lands, and the waters, in high places and low places. These stones were to become our purpose...our lives. For the Gods decreed, that one day they would again return to us, and the continent with the most of their precious stones would become their chosen ones... to live in peace and harmony with the Gods forever. Then the Great Gods departed, and each civilization began to prosper, and build great ships and fight for these stones. It has been a very long time since the Gods came to us, but each and everyone of us remembers, and we all have stones, we grow and train to regain the stones, for each land wants to be the chosen land. It is a bitter struggle, but it has become our way of life. The only way to obtain the stones is to have them freely given to you, by a person or by the land, kill the owner, or steal them. Sometimes I wonder what kind of Gods would condone stealing, and killing, but from what I know of life previous to this, it is a heritage passed on from our ancestors.

Chapter 1. The Generals Wife

 My name is Jane LeTrant, but many people know me as Jelly, I've been called that since I was little, my nana gave me the nickname, as when I was a child I refused to eat anything else. I am married to the High General of the Westland Brigade, James LeTrant. We have two children Alec and Calla, but being a mother does not mean I do not fight. The elders care for the children when we are away recovering stones. It is the law that every person fights until they become an elder, then they care for the homeland. Children are schooled from early on; they are taught how to fight, about the stones, and most importantly about the Gods. Our children are too young for schooling, and I miss them dearly but our motto 'duty first' applies to everyone. As Generals wife, I am always with him, I have seen much battle, and killed my share of men and women. Our latest mission has been a well-guarded town known as 'the Settlement’, which is built into the side of a cliff on the Gods Sea on Eastland. We’ve gathered information from spies that they have a great many stones there, and it is to be our next conquest. Westland and Eastland both have huge ships, sometimes with two levels to them, powered by strong steam engines and held up by balloons made of a sturdy cloth filled with the hot steam. Today my husband and I are on the upper deck watching the Sea, It takes a great number of moons to get to the Eastland coast, but we should be arriving shortly.

 " We should be arriving soon General" James looked at his wife with a smile and nodded, took out a long looking glass and scanned the area. Sighing he put it away and looked at his wife for a minute. She was as brave as any of his best warriors, but the thought of losing her always devastated him. He had tried to make her stay on the ship on past conquests, but she would have none of it. She was a little to brave for her own good. He put his arms around her, and she rested her head on his shoulder, they knew the battle for the Settlement would be their toughest one yet. They both secretly wished to be back home in Westland with their children, but as always 'duty first'.  The day passed much as it always did, every person on the ship had duties to attend to, warriors trained, crew kept the ship going, navigators pointed the way, lookouts watched for land and trouble, and the General and his Commanders made plans for battle.  Jane’s day was usually spent running errands for the General, helping the physician with the sick, or doing some training of her own. Finally after a day that seemed to have no end, Jane retired.

  She had been asleep for a while when she heard footsteps coming down the stairs to the cabin she shared with James. She listened quietly trying to identify the footsteps, being one of the few women on the ship; she had to be extra careful. Even though the laws for abusing another mans wife were severe, out on the water where there was no one to really enforce these laws, It could mean death for the drunken sailor who’s dull mind though of nothing more than the moment, or even worse for the woman caught unprepared. Jane reached for dagger, which lay on the box she used as a bedside table, listening to the footsteps draw nearer. She whispered a prayer to the Goddess who protects women, and then she heard the feet stumble and James curse softly.  She breathed a sigh of relief and thanked the Goddess as she withdrew her hand from the dagger. James staggered in, “great” she thought, “he’s been drinking”. James lit a candle and burned himself in the process causing him to curse again, he undressed clumsily setting his boot on the bedside table and throwing his weapons on the floor.  Jane had to suppress a giggle, but as quickly as it had come, it left. She wondered what had caused her husband too drink so much he was stupid. James rarely drank heavily, he thought a warrior should always have a clear mind, thus his only times of heavy drink were when something was bothering him.

 James extinguished his candle and sat on the edge of the bed facing away from Jane, she wondered if she should say something, but decided not to. After a time had passed, long enough for her to fall asleep, she felt the bed rustle as her husband lay down, he lay there silently and unmoving, the he spoke softly with the slightly slurred speech of a drunken man.

“Jelly… you ‘wake?” She turned in her side to face him and put her hand on his chest.

“Yes” she said simply.  James stayed quiet for a long time, his hand on top of hers playing with the plain silver band that signified their union.

“ Jelly, do ya shink da kidsh are ok?” he said. This took Jane by surprise.

“You tell me, you’re the seer” since the coming of the Gods, some gifts hade been awoken in people, some found they could see things happening elsewhere and were called seers like her husband. Others had powers to move things with their mind, some like Jane could focus theirs minds and control someone else’s.

“ No no honey “ he continued,” I mean do ya shink theys ok, ya know wif ush bein gone all da time?”

“ I don’t know James, I mean I guess so…why?”

“Lasht time we wash home Alec didn’t recognish me at firsht.” Jane was saddened but not surprised, and this did explain the drinking. With James being High General, he wasn’t able to be home as much as she was, and indeed she had seen the look of confusion as to who James was on their youngest child’s face.
“James he’s….he’s…he’s little…” she began lamely. James sighed and patted her hand then removed his. He turned away from her and said:

“I didn’t mean to.” Jane moved closer to him.

“Didn’t mean to what James?” she asked. He sighed again, then with a tone in his voice that pierced Jane’s heart said
“I didn’t mean ….ta be a bad father….an….an a bad hushban.” Jane was about to tell him it wasn’t true when the ship pitched violently, throwing them both off the bed and onto the floor.

“Damn it!” James yelled, jumping up and helping Jane. “Are you alright?” he asked as he jerked his clothes back on, looking in disbelief at the boot that was laying now on the floor, but close to the bedside table, and wondering where he’d put his weapons. He searched a little the retrieved his weapons, and then looked at his wife. “You know Jelly, this really angers me “ the look on his face was somewhere between a grimace and a smile. He took his wife is his arms and said “ It took me for ever to get good and drunk …. Now I’m all sobered up” he squeezed her briefly then bolted out the door to see what had gone wrong. Jane meanwhile righted things in their cabin, thinking about what James had said and desperately wishing she could hold Alex and Calla right now.

Jane dressed herself then sat on the edge of the bed waiting, she could hear sounds of commotion on the upper deck. The Generals command ship was smaller and faster than the ships that housed the battalions of warriors. She strained to hear sounds of fighting, but couldn’t. Her cabin was taking n a definite chill, she grabbed her jacket and wondered if she should go on deck and see what was happening. Before she’d made up her mind either way James came bursting through the door, face flushed, and out of breath. He paused a minute hand on chest, then started throwing clothes on their bed, then he heaved on of their trunk onto the bed as well.

 “Help!” he panted “ get stuff…trunks….NOW!” Jane recognized the look he was giving her the ‘ just do what I say ‘ look. She stated stuffing their clothes and other odds and ends into the trunk, James pulled the other trunk onto the bed and explained:

“The night lookout, fell asleep on duty “ he said as he scurried about helping Jane load the trunks “ We hit a small expanse of rock, it tore into the bottom of our ship” Jane was shocked, and to further add credence to what James had said, water began to seep into their cabin. James saw it and shook his head. “ It’s going down Jelly, one of the other ships has maneuvered close to us… we have to go now” James took the heaviest trunk and hefted it onto his shoulder, “ Can you get that one?”

“Sure” Jane dragged the other trunk along the ground, James kept turning and checking on her, she wondered what had given him the idea that he was a bad husband. She grunted as she pulled the heavy trunk along and sincerely wished she was a telekinetic, then she could move both trunks without breaking a sweat. Finally they were on deck, and where they were loading the trunks. Strong guards took their trunks, loaded them into a rowboat with many others then lowered it into the water, with only two men aboard to row it across.

“Sir, your boat is waiting.” He indicated a larger rowboat where Jane saw the Physician and several of the heads of the Westland Brigades. James took her by the arm and ushered her to the boat, and once on board it was lowered to the water. Jane saw many other boats with trunks being rowed across, to the larger ship As well as boats full of warriors and crewmen. She watched the ship that had been their home on many a conquest slowly be devoured by the sea, and wondered why the great Gods of the sea allowed this to happen to them. She saw many people still aboard the ship, people she knew would not get away in time, Jane turned her head into James’ shoulder and he held her.

“I know honey, I know, but there’s nothing you, or I can do “ this was very little comfort to her. Her eyes lingered a while longer on the ship that was now more than halfway submerged, James had moved to the front of the boat and was speaking in hushed tones to some of the other commanders. Jane heard a faint crying and fairly close to her was a young man, shaking and sobbing into his hands. She was surprised by his open display of tears, the warriors she knew, including her husband would never cry where everyone could see. Jane moved closer to the man and tried to talk to him, to ask him what was wrong.

“ I…I….it was……accident” he sobbed, Jane was confused, she went to put her hand on his shoulder when James roughly pulled her away.

“Stay away from him” James said turning his back on the young man, as his eyes looked up at James pleadingly.

“James, I wasn’t doing anything” He took her arm and pulled her back to her own seat, he leaned to her and whispered in a harsh tone that she didn’t care for

“He’s no better than a traitor, it is because of him, all those people will die tonight.” Jane’s eyes widened in horror,

“He’s the lookout?”

”Yes” James hissed, his lip curled in a sneer, then he said loud enough for the young man to hear “ And he’s lucky I don’t throw him overboard now” then he stopped “ But maybe that would be better that what’s to come” then James went back to the front of the boat with his comrades. Jane looked over at the man again, she supposed he deserved what was coming to him, but part of her wondered if it was really necessary to punish someone who looked as if they’d already punished themselves enough. James always said that a person was responsible for their own actions no matter what, she believed this too but she sometimes wondered, if a man is responsible for his own actions, shouldn’t he also be responsible for his own punishment?

The rowboat bumped up against the ship as the strong me who had been rowing held the lines secured to the deck to keep the boat steady. Jane was ushered up to the front and was to be first up the rope ladder, James assisted her and followed close behind in case she should slip, which she did once, and was thankful to know James was there incase she should really fall. Two burly men hoisted her over the side, while James climbed over himself, and with much more skill. The two men saluted James with a fisted hand over their hearts. He waved vaguely at them, intently watching the side while people from their boat climbed over. Then the crying man came over and James motioned two nearby guards to him. They took the man by either arm and looked to their General for instructions.

“Take him below to prisoner holding, I’ll deal with him after I’ve had sleep.” The guards nodded and marched off prisoner in tow, his head bowed in disgrace. James’ shoulders slumped and Jane went to him putting her hand on his arm. He turned and smiled weakly at her.

“I am so tired…” he looked as if he might say something else when one of the young girls, not quite a child but not yet ready to be wed came and stood before James.

“Sir, your cabin is ready,” she said

“Ah good, my wife and I would like to retire.” The girl didn’t even look at Jane before she turned around to lead them to their new cabin, but she had looked at him the way many women did, in a way that made Jane hate them, made her want to slap them then press her dagger to their throats and as if they’d had a good look. She knew her husband caught girls eyes, how could he not, with his long blonde hair, and clear blue eyes. He stood tall, and strong, a handsome man and a fine leader. He’d had looks, and he’d had offers. When he was away, had he taken an offer? Or acted on a look?  She didn’t know, and it had never occurred to her to have to ask him.

“Jelly?” James was at least five feet away from her, regarding her with a puzzled expression. She had been so deep in thought that she hadn’t realized she had stopped and was glaring at the girl, who had turned at the sound of James’ voice and must have gotten a good look at the look on her face, because now her eyes were cast down at her feet and she dared not look at the general or his wife. Jane caught up with James, they walked in silence, and she wondered if he’d understood the look she’d been giving the girl.

They were in their new cabin; it was smaller than the last but had plush rugs and real bedside tables. James made a comment about a “ frilly room “ but Jane thought it was perfect. Their trunks had already been brought down, which they were both thankful for, and the lamps were lit and a metal bucket full of red hot, glowing coals was in the room so it was warm. They unpacked their belongings then undressed for bed. A tired but sober James put his boots on the floor, and his weapons on the table. Jane extinguished her lamp and laid down, every muscle in her body ached, and she was tired, she didn’t think her eyes would stay open at all. James laid down facing her, running his hand through her hair, his head propped up with his other hand. Jane closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment, it always amazed her how such a tough and dangerous man could be so gentle.

“You know Jelly, that look you gave that child…. Ha ha I think you could have killed her with it.” Jane sighed, so he did know.

“James, when I’m not with you have you…. I mean have you ever…” she rolled over to face him.

“Have I ever been unfaithful to you” he finished for her. “Jane, I love you, and I love my children, nothing will ever change that.”

“That didn’t answer my question James “ he reached over and touched her check, she wished there was more light so she could see his face.

“I may be a bad father, and a bad husband “ he began, Jane started to speak but he pressed his finger to her lips “ But I am not… unfaithful” he brushed her check again with his fingertips the rolled away from her, Jane stayed as she was for a very long time, staring at the dim outline of her husband who she knew she had just hurt, possibly beyond repair. Tears rolled silently down her cheeks, then she lay down, after a while she moved closer to James and put her arm around him from behind, at first he didn’t move then he took her hand and pressed it to his lips the released it. Feeling some assurance from his action Jane rolled back over and was instantly asleep. When she woke the next morning James had already left, but on his pillow was a small piece of paper with a sloppy heart drawn on it, inside the heart said ‘ General and Jelly forever”

CHAPTER 2. The General
 
 

 James had left their cabin after writing a little note that he thought might make his wife feel better. He had been offended by her questioning his integrity, but he supposed she had every right to. He wondered if she’d heard something, he wondered if she’d heard about that girl. It wasn’t his fault really, his mates had found a girl who openly professed she had dreamed of being the Generals mistress, she been pretty, and young, probably younger than was right. He had gone to his cabin one night to find her nude on his bed, he ordered her out, but she began telling him her fantasies and the things she would let him do to her. The offer was too good to refuse. He had kissed her and even wanted her, but he could not do it. He loved his wife and he had since the day he met her. He sent the young, pretty girl away, even though he did not do things to her, he felt as though he had betrayed Jane and he wanted so badly to tell her the truth so she could hate him, she deserved to hate him, but, that was what he feared the most. He knew she would find out sooner or later, but for now he preferred much later, for now he could deal with the guilt that ate at him, he felt like he deserved it, and it kept him focused and warded off temptation.

 James walked across the deck nodding at salutes and stopping to speak to the occasional warrior from the sunken ship. Many had lost friends, and brothers, and all were asking for justice, and he felt they deserved it. A man, one of his men, who had just come on duty had gone to sleep, not being alert to warn of the danger which resulted in the sinking of the command ship and the deaths of many. ‘duty first’ James thought, ‘ duty before sleep, duty before self, duty before family’.. He shook his head and mounted the ladder to the Captains deck. His closest friend Commander Lars ConDrek greeted him warmly.

 “Morning General” Lars said.

 “Same to you Commander. “ James spotted Jane on the deck below she had a large sheet of paper, and appeared to be taking down names.

 “How’s the missus?”

 “Fine, just fine, she looks to be busy” James replied pointing her out, he thought to ask Lars about his wife Damarra, but already knew, she was home with her new child and their other two. James didn’t want to ask because he didn’t want to hear how wonderful Lars’ kids were, he didn’t, he couldn’t bare to hear it when it hurt him so deep to know his own son didn’t even know his father, and he was grateful when Lars spared him the news of home.

 What do you plan to do with the sleepy lookout General?” Lars questioned.

 “Don’t know yet my friend, my men call for his death, my wife looked at me like I was a monster when I warned him last night, so I just don’t know yet”. He was watching Jane now. She’d always brought out the best in him he felt. She challenged him to think with his heart, not just his sword. He feared being to soft, but she had taught him to fear being to harsh as well. She helped show him the difference between a good General, and a tyrant.

 “Have you spoken with the boy” Lars put an enfaces on boy, James looked at him for a moment then turned and left, he made his way to the prisoner cells. I was cold down there, but as they had not yet been in battle, they had no prisoners, save one, who was asleep, huddled under a thin blanket totally unaware of the Generals presence. James took the time to study him. Lars’ assessment of him as a boy was very accurate. He had a round face and wild hair, he wasn’t even sporting the sparse and patchy beard that was every boys right of passage to manhood. James cleared his throat loudly. The boy lifted his head and blinked several times, when he realized just who he was looking at he jumped to his feet and saluted. James nodded at him the retrieved the keys that hung from a nearby wall, just then a mean looking guard came down and saluted as well.

 “I was just ‘bout to come wake this scum up Sir.” James was annoyed.

 “First of all, Guard, you have no right to place blame one anyone, second it’s freezing down here, we treat our prisoners humanly, go now and get some coal buckets to heat the cells.” The guard just stood there scowling. James stepped up to the guard toe-to-toe, practically nose-to-nose. “ Unless you’d like a cell of your own and charges of mutiny, I suggest you get moving…. NOW!” James yelled, the boy jumped.

 “Yes Sir!”  The guard smartly saluted then trotted off. Shaking his head, James looked back at the boy who was staring at him with wide eyes. James unlocked the cell door then reached out to take the boys hand, the boy flinched, and James uneasily cleared his throat with his hand still midway between them, the boy reached out his trembling hand and took James’… small, thin, young… James noted to himself.

 “High General James A. LeTrant” he said introducing himself, he knew the boy already knew who he was, but he thought it might put the boy at ease to start off on common grounds. The boy replied stuttering:

 “ Th- Th- Theodore B-b-b Black” he hurried and snatched his hand away from James, who looked him over again and walked past him to sit down on Theodore’s bunk. The boy turned and watched him. “E – E – Everybody c-calls me T-Teddy” he winced at the smile that crept onto James’ face.

 “My wife, do you know her?” Teddy shook his head no “Oh well no matter, her close friends and family call her Jelly, her name is Jane “ he watched the boy eye him suspiciously. He knew what the boy was thinking ‘ why is he being nice to me?’ it didn’t take a gift of any sort to tell, the confusion was all over his face. Teddy jumped when the guard returned and set two pails of hot coals on the ground, not so quietly.

 “Do you want me to stay Sir?” the guard asked.

 “ No, uh, your name is? The guard flushed.

 “Second Lieutenant Lee St. Peters, in charge of prisoners Sir!” he said with pride. James got up and walked to the guard offering him his hand, which the guard shook enthusiastically.

 “Thank you Lieutenant St. Peters, but I think I can handle him myself, go take a break” another ‘yes sir’ and the guard was gone, the boy sighed with relief. James turned to him.  “Come out here and sit down, let’s talk, “ he said motioning to some chairs near the coal buckets. “So Teddy, is this your first time on a ship?”

 “Yes Sir” Teddy said as he hunched over the pail.

 “Does your father serve too?” James was surprised to see a single tear roll down the boy’s cheek.

 “No Sir, m-my father is dead, I was raised by my grandf-father, he’s dead too” an orphan, many orphans were often put on ships to help keep them running and relieve tired crew and warriors. James nodded.

 “How did you get assigned to the Command Ship, to my ship?”

 “I – I can see good at night Sir, a-and the said they needed another night lookout S-Sir” he added at the end. James was trying to be as friendly as possible so the boy wouldn’t feel threatened; he felt that was the best way to find out what really happened. He didn’t feel like this was a simple case of just “falling asleep” a boy his age should be able to stay up without any problems. James was confused, but patiently pried further.

 “Well lookouts, now they don’t see much action, much battle “ the boy squirmed a little.

 “Yes Sir I know Sir, but I hoped I could learn, and if I was a good lookout maybe someone would teach me and I could be a warrior like my f-father.” James tried to think of what his son would look like when he was as grown as this boy… still so young.

 “Tell me son, what happened last night” Teddy began to tremble again, and not from the cold.

 “I … I fell asleep Sir” he hung his head.

 “And is it true you had just begun your shift? “ James said trying as hard as he could not to sound angry or accusing.

 “Y-Yes Sir” and Teddy began to cry. James remembered his wife wanting to comfort the boy on the boat, and the harsh words he had said, he found himself wanting to do the same as she did now, this was no man before him, but a child, a mere child.

 “I don’t understand Alec- I mean Teddy “ the boy looked at him through his tears, “ I don’t understand how a young man like yourself, could fall asleep at the beginning of your shift, make me understand” Teddy looked away from James.

 “I just did” he spoke in a barely audible whisper and knew he was lying. James hated being lied to, but right now, more than that he hated the fact that Teddy was lying and it could cost him his life. James stood up and crossed to the boy in two steps and hauled him out of his chair by his shirt. He held Teddy up to his face, his toes barely touching the floor, the boy’s eyes wide and his face a shocked look of horror.

 “You’re lying to me, you’re lying to me and I know it!” he continued yelling “ They want you dead, they cry for justice and me to give it to them, do you want to die, do you?” he shook the boy hard, and Teddy shook his head no and the tears spilled from his eyes. James put his feet on the floor then pulled him to his chest, hugging him, wanting to protect him then he said quietly, “Then tell me the truth.” Teddy trembled in his arms and cried, clinging to James, scared and alone.

 “I-I work every night “ Teddy said into James’ chest “The other lookouts were bigger than me, the said they’d th-throw me overboard if I-I didn’t, th-they took my food” he was bolder now though still crying “ a-and they took my pay, a-and during the day I have other things to do so I-I can’t sleep then either they said i-if I told they’d kill me “ he sobbed for a while and James stood there enraged, stroking the boys hair. Finally Teddy backed away from James and said, “I didn’t want to disappoint my f-father” James sighed and bent to look the boy in the eyes.

 “Your father would be proud of the man you are becoming “ Teddy gave a half smile then studiously began drying his face. Then asked James:

 “Am I going to die?” as he wiped his nose on his sleeve.

 “Of course you are “ James said, Teddy’s head fell and he sniffed again “But that is what happens to us all, at least until the Gods return,” Teddy looked up again. "But you will not die today for something that you are not at fault for” Teddy smiled at James “ Be brave as you have been, you’ll be sent for later, but for now you must stay down here… it’s safer anyways until the truth is known. “ Teddy nodded and walked back to his cell. “Hey “ Teddy turned and James pointed at the coal pail, “Take this with you” Teddy grabbed the fuller of the buckets and went in his cell, then James locked the door.

 “Thank you General “ he said sincerely. James nodded then turned to walk away. “General?” James turned around and looked at the boy. “Who is Alec?”

 “What?” James said coming back to the cell “How did you…?”

 “You called me Alec earlier, I was just wondering who he is.” James looked at some point above Teddy’s head then turned and started to walk away. Then he turned back to Teddy and said:

 “Alec is my son “ Then he gave Teddy a quick smile, turned and left. Teddy sat down on his little bunk and watched the Generals back. The General would save him; he looked up at the ceiling and thanked the Gods, and his father. Then he whispered ‘Thank you General”

*  * * * *
 James was rather irritated with himself for what happened in the prisoner holding. He shouldn’t have let his personal feelings get in the way of work ‘duty first’. He was deep in thought looking over the side of the ship when Jane came up to him and placed her hand on his, he turned and embraced her.

 “James I’m sorry about last night, I really wasn’t meaning to…to hurt you. “

 “Shhhh “ he said, “ I already forgot about it, don’t remind me” then winked at her. He turned back to the water “You know Jelly, I envy the water sometimes.”

 “Why?” she asked.

 “Because water is water, simple as that, all it has to do is sit there and be wet, uncomplicated, easy, just water “ he turned and looked at her, she was giving him a strange look.

 “Ok General, what happened today that makes you wish you were water?” James laughed, and it made him feel good, he took his wife in his arms and laughed again.

 “You know, when I said it, it sounded fine, when you said it, it sounded ridiculous” the he kissed her and laughed more. She shrugged and said:

 “Well, James, it sounded funny to me both times, now tell me what’s bothering you, and please stop talking about water, you’re making me thirsty” he laughed heartily the looked into her green eyes, she reminded him everyday why he loved her. He tore his gaze away and looked back at the sea.

 “I spoke to the boy today “ he said quietly.

 “What boy?” Jane said taking his hand; he looked at their hands for a long moment before speaking.

 “The lookout boy, the one who fell asleep” Jane moved closer to him.

 “And?” she asked, he ran his hand through his hair and sighed.

 “Alec will be as big as him so soon… “ he shook his head “ It wasn’t his fault Jelly the other lookouts bullied him, put him up there every night, he’s nothing more than a child.” James turned to her again, her eyes were wide.

 “What are you going to do James?” he shrugged”

 “I don’t know yet”

 “James you can’t let that boy die!” she said angrily. James loved how fired up she got about things. Passionate and caring were words that hadn’t been much part of him before he met her.

 “I know Jelly, and I won’t, I just need to figure out how to do this “ he ran his hand over his face, it was barely lunchtime and he was already tired. “I called him Alec “ he expected to see shock on her face, but instead she just smiled sadly.

 “James, your son does love you, “ she said taking his one hand in both of hers.

 “He didn’t even know my face “ he said sadly “ I feel like every time I leave home I grow farther and farther apart from all of you, then I think about dying out here and Alec growing up like this boy, with only a vague memory of his father, and what about Calla…I fear losing you too”

 “James” she sighed “That’s why we go on these conquests together, you and me forever right?” James took her face in his hands and bent to kiss her, as soon as his lips touched hers James’ mind was filled with fast moving images. He saw the ships reaching the Settlement, he saw fighting, he saw dying, he saw small children, and a man with dark hair past his ears and gray eyes, he kept seeing Jane, flashes of her crying, then one final picture of him on the deck of the ship screaming her name…

  “James, James!” his eyelids fluttered open and he saw Jane was bent over him, pressing a cool cloth to his forehead. Lars, and other were around him too. He squeezed his eyes tightly shut and remembered the vision, especially the last part and a profound sadness swept over him, he looked up into Jane’s worried eyes, then sat up quickly and hugged her fiercely, kissing her everywhere he could then pulled her to him again. “James, damn you’re shaking “ she held him afraid. Sometimes Seers had such powerful visions it made them go insane. James sat trembling holding Jane trying to sort out the images. The only thing he knew for sure was he was going to lose Jane, lose his love he had to stop it somehow. He looked again into her eyes. “It was a vision” Jane didn’t even need to question. James nodded in acknowledgement. “Are you ok?” he knew what she was really asking ‘are you sane”.

 “Yes I still have my mind” then he stood up with help from Lars. “Ok everyone back to work.”  The crew confusedly went back to their duties.

 “Right” Jane said “ Duty first”. James startled her when he pulled her roughly to him then whispered fiercely in her ear “Love first!” then he strode away before Jane could say anything. Halfway to the Captains deck he turned and looked at his wife, for a split second she disappeared from his sight then reappeared, she hadn’t moved at all, in fact she was standing there staring at him.  She flashed out of his vision again, he closed his eyes tightly the re-opened them and there she stood looking worried, he managed a smile for her then turned away so she wouldn’t see his tears. He wiped them away angrily and looked up at the sky and swore he would not lose her “ Love first” he swore.
 

Please let me know what you think of my tale thus far.. Nell :)
More will be published shortly...do come back and read on

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