_Annalise_
Not so much salty, just a little frosty
Ann stood at the railing, silent as the crew scrambled around her, intent upon their tasks of anchoring the massive Crethean vessel. It was hot. No, not just hot. Sweltering. At least that’s what it felt like to the young woman who was used to the cool, northern climate of her homeland.
Swallowing, she resisted the urge to lift a finger and pull at the neckline of her gown. The militant style of the high necked, dark blue attire might be suited to the seriousness of her visit, but the fabric wasn’t as breathable as she would have liked. Pairing that to the mess that this humidity was surely making of the golden locks that had been unsuccessfully bound into a prim knot at the back of her neck, and she was quite sure that first impressions weren’t going to be good.
‘You look like a trussed-up lobster. Why’s your face so red?”
She refrained from rolling her eyes at the lighthearted teasing, though her nose gave an irritated twitch. “I do not find that the least bit funny, Ram. You knew very well that it was going to be hot here, and my face is NOT red.” The words were whispered through gritted teeth, though her tone did nothing but cause a grin to slide over the approaching man’s face. Miguel Ramos, captain of The Siren, and one of Ann’s dearest friends, was obviously amused at her distress.
“You’re telling me, that Iris packed you nothing more suitable than that thing you’re wearing?” He paused a moment to bellow something to his crew before glancing back down at her.
Her gaze finally slid to him and narrowed. “Oliver told us that my normal style of dress would be fine.” As he began to guffaw, quite loudly in fact, she made a noise of annoyance and moved to walk down the steps to the lower deck.
Still laughing, he trotted forward to catch up, catching her elbow to escort her down. “Come now. You’re just nervous. Everything will be fine. You always make it so.”
His words sobered her and her prior display of emotion disappeared, a façade of serenity falling over her features. Ann nodded at him in agreement, but within, she silently acknowledged the seed of doubt that had been heavy within her chest since her father had personally approached her regarding this diplomatic venture. ‘Gain their trust.’ He had said to her. ‘And do whatever it takes.’
There had never been a recorded visit between the water and fire realms. In fact, the only documents she could get her hands on simply spoke of the historical tension between the two elemental realms. The females of her race even went so far to use stories of the fire clans ‘barbaric’ inhabitants to scare their children into good behavior. But if there was such existing hatred between the two, why then her father’s sudden change of heart? He wasn’t known for such, after all. They called him the mad king for good reason. His greed and corrupt nature was a shock to even the most nefarious of creatures.
The ship now successfully anchored and tied to the dock, the ramp was lowered. And as the captain released her elbow to attend a question from the harbor master, she skirted past several crew members and hurried down it, unable to stay a moment longer onboard. With her feet on solid ground, she shrugged off her prior worries and moved towards the end of the wharf, storm blue eyes surveying the foreign visage that lie before her. Almost unbearably hot, yes...but the colors! It was quite beautiful, she had to admit. Even packed amongst the throngs of people as she was.
Her natural curiosity was getting the better of her and she found herself moving towards an area that seemed to be lined with various merchants selling their wares. Drawn to a stall that was full of brightly colored fabrics, she barely cocked her head at a familiar shout, ignoring the abrupt appearance of a very annoyed Captain Ramos.
“Bloody hell!” He hissed, bending to catch his breath. “Did you not think that perhaps staying on board the ship and waiting for a delegate to meet and escort you to where you need to be a good idea? Or at least taking some guards before gallivanting off into a strange land? What if something were to have happened?” His voice rose with irritation. “You stick out here like a fish out of water!” Dark eyes glared at the little golden-haired princess before him.
Smiling at the merchant in thanks, she turned to him and lofted a brow, unrepentant. “If a diplomat does not show trust, then they are rarely successful in their endeavors.” And so help her, she was going to succeed with this one. Whatever that were to mean in the end.
Swallowing, she resisted the urge to lift a finger and pull at the neckline of her gown. The militant style of the high necked, dark blue attire might be suited to the seriousness of her visit, but the fabric wasn’t as breathable as she would have liked. Pairing that to the mess that this humidity was surely making of the golden locks that had been unsuccessfully bound into a prim knot at the back of her neck, and she was quite sure that first impressions weren’t going to be good.
‘You look like a trussed-up lobster. Why’s your face so red?”
She refrained from rolling her eyes at the lighthearted teasing, though her nose gave an irritated twitch. “I do not find that the least bit funny, Ram. You knew very well that it was going to be hot here, and my face is NOT red.” The words were whispered through gritted teeth, though her tone did nothing but cause a grin to slide over the approaching man’s face. Miguel Ramos, captain of The Siren, and one of Ann’s dearest friends, was obviously amused at her distress.
“You’re telling me, that Iris packed you nothing more suitable than that thing you’re wearing?” He paused a moment to bellow something to his crew before glancing back down at her.
Her gaze finally slid to him and narrowed. “Oliver told us that my normal style of dress would be fine.” As he began to guffaw, quite loudly in fact, she made a noise of annoyance and moved to walk down the steps to the lower deck.
Still laughing, he trotted forward to catch up, catching her elbow to escort her down. “Come now. You’re just nervous. Everything will be fine. You always make it so.”
His words sobered her and her prior display of emotion disappeared, a façade of serenity falling over her features. Ann nodded at him in agreement, but within, she silently acknowledged the seed of doubt that had been heavy within her chest since her father had personally approached her regarding this diplomatic venture. ‘Gain their trust.’ He had said to her. ‘And do whatever it takes.’
There had never been a recorded visit between the water and fire realms. In fact, the only documents she could get her hands on simply spoke of the historical tension between the two elemental realms. The females of her race even went so far to use stories of the fire clans ‘barbaric’ inhabitants to scare their children into good behavior. But if there was such existing hatred between the two, why then her father’s sudden change of heart? He wasn’t known for such, after all. They called him the mad king for good reason. His greed and corrupt nature was a shock to even the most nefarious of creatures.
The ship now successfully anchored and tied to the dock, the ramp was lowered. And as the captain released her elbow to attend a question from the harbor master, she skirted past several crew members and hurried down it, unable to stay a moment longer onboard. With her feet on solid ground, she shrugged off her prior worries and moved towards the end of the wharf, storm blue eyes surveying the foreign visage that lie before her. Almost unbearably hot, yes...but the colors! It was quite beautiful, she had to admit. Even packed amongst the throngs of people as she was.
Her natural curiosity was getting the better of her and she found herself moving towards an area that seemed to be lined with various merchants selling their wares. Drawn to a stall that was full of brightly colored fabrics, she barely cocked her head at a familiar shout, ignoring the abrupt appearance of a very annoyed Captain Ramos.
“Bloody hell!” He hissed, bending to catch his breath. “Did you not think that perhaps staying on board the ship and waiting for a delegate to meet and escort you to where you need to be a good idea? Or at least taking some guards before gallivanting off into a strange land? What if something were to have happened?” His voice rose with irritation. “You stick out here like a fish out of water!” Dark eyes glared at the little golden-haired princess before him.
Smiling at the merchant in thanks, she turned to him and lofted a brow, unrepentant. “If a diplomat does not show trust, then they are rarely successful in their endeavors.” And so help her, she was going to succeed with this one. Whatever that were to mean in the end.
