A Captain for a Voyage

"So, who did Malik recommend?" Brinn listened to the story with great interest.

The elf had met most of the Guardians during Cafer's War, but that did not mean she could remember all their names. This particular protector of humanity did not ring a bell.

Devrim shrugged. "I've no idea. After explaining our situation, he asked if we could find our way back to the servant who had our horses, and advised us we should probably go back and let the rest of you know we were alright. He said he would see if the Captain was in port and then meet us out here later today." 

"And you find him to be trustworthy?" Aurora was not trying to be critical of her husband. She merely wanted his honest assessment. 

"Malik was trustworthy enough for the Fates to choose him. He seems a very capable fellow." Devrim answered after a moment of contemplation. 

Satisfied, Aurora settled back down into her blankets. Seeing her relax, Rafa dipped his head. "If we are not needed just now..." 

"You may take your leave with my thanks," Devrim dismissed them before Aurora could. Her eyes were already closing. 

"Please call us if anything changes," Sav insisted. She curtsied and disappeared through the flaps of the tent.

Aurora mumbled something. Devrim opened his mouth to call back the doctor, but Brinn put her finger to her mouth. 

"She isn't delirious," the elf chuckled. "Rory just told us both to get some rest as well. I can see why. You look like a ghoul that walks the night. Have you been sleeping at all?" 

The Emperor waved off her concern. "I will sleep better now that Aurora is awake. I will take a nap until Malik arrives to give us more information. Do you know where..." 

Brinn ducked out of the tent and returned a few moments later with the silken white bloom. "It was still in the wagon. Probably fell out when we moved her." 

Devrim took the flower and tucked it into the Empress's hands. They clasped around it and clung to it like a child with a stuffed toy. 

"I don't know what non-magic is in that little thing, but I am thankful for it." Devrim had seen the calming effect that the bud had on his wife. It was remarkable. 

"The doctor may deny it, but I know exactly what makes that little bloom special." Brinn smiled as if she had some great secret. 

"Oh, and what is that?" 

"True love, of course! It was used during a wedding ritual where two people--at least from my perspective--seemed wholly, overwhelmingly, and incomprehensibly in love with one another. An emotion brought about by that kind of conviction is bound to imprint somewhere. That little thing got all their love-juice." Brinn looked quite proud of her assessment, but Devrim wrinkled his nose. 

"Even if you are right, could you maybe never call it 'love-juice' ever again?" The idea conjured up in the Emperor was of an orange being squeezed. Applying that to people was less than ideal. 

"What term would you have me use then?" The eld rolled her eyes. Humans were so picky sometimes. 

"Maybe love...essence?" Devrim didn't like that term either, but at least it was a slight improvement. 

"Fine. That flower is overflowing with...love essence...and since Aurora loves you, she feels the love from there and finds something to cling to. Love and hope are powerful things in you weak humans." Brinn said quite seriously. 

"I will overlook the obvious insult and thank you for all your help instead. I will rest, but I think you should do the same. You aren't looking so well yourself." Devrim motioned to all of Brinn's face. 

"Don't let my husband hear you say that! I don't want him thinking he is chained to some hag!" Brinn touched the lines on her face which had been forming these past weeks. Some of them were from worry and others were a lack of magic to keep her looking young. 

"Alvar will only ever see the precious little sprite he married even when you are both one thousand years old, I assure you." Devrim knew because he felt the same way about his bride.

"Hmph, he better!" Brinn turned up her nose before sighing. "I am a little tired. Rest well. I will see you in a bit." 

Finally left alone, Devrim picked up one of the blankets that had been brought in while he was telling his story and laid down next to his wife. Lending her his warmth, Devrim settled into a light sleep. 

He had almost forgotten how much being next to her affected him. The Emperor ached to hold her but did not want to disturb the gorgeous woman nor accidentally hurt her healing body. Being next to her was enough. 

Reveling in his pleasant thoughts, Devrim was awoken far too soon. He nearly berated the one disturbing him until he realized the source of the commotion. Nurlan stood over him, an apologetic look on his face. 

"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but the Guardian is here with a ship's captain. I didn't want to wake you.." 

Devrim stretched, careful not to disturb the sleeping angel next to him. "You did well," he whispered, "Although I wish I could have finished my dream." 

"You better have not been dreaming of beautiful women," a feminine voice said beside him.

The Emperor smirked. "Only one, and she was healthy and thriving. I do hope it was a prophetic dream."

The General cleared his throat. "Where do you want me to bring the Malik and the Captain?" Nurlan asked, eager to be dismissed to do whatever the royals desired. 

"If you could send a couple of servants in here to tidy up and fix my hair, I think I should like to receive them in the tent. I am not sure I am up for walking just now." Aurora answered quickly. 

"Are you sure you want to be in this meeting? I can handle it." Devrim furrowed his brow. He had learned some techniques from watching the Dunesmen that he wanted to try out. 

"I have been unavailable for too long. I will try to just listen, but I want to at least be present." Aurora smiled at her husband and his heart skipped a beat. 

"You heard the Empress," Devrim said to the general. "Please have some servants prepare the tent for guests."

Nurlan bowed out of the tent and in a matter of minutes it was reset to resemble a meeting room. Aurora was propped up on a throne of pillows. Devrim marveled at how they had so many with them before remembering how many he had bought at each stop to make his wife comfortable while she slept. 

'I may have overbought, but they will come in handy now.' 

By the time it was finished, the room was styled in the way of chieftain Orhan's sitting room, with the pillows arranged in a circle. It was both functional and hid the fact that Aurora was unlikely to be able to sit in a chair.

The Empress was able to tuck up her uninjured leg beneath her while the other remained immobilized. Brinn, who arrived almost as soon as the servants, helped her friend arrange her dress and blankets most naturally. 

"We are all set," Devrim dismissed the servants. Nurlan, Zan, and Alvar entered with their two guests. 

Aurora surveyed Guardian Malik first, as he was the easiest to identify. His cape may not have been magical currently, but there was some indefinable quality about it that still made it recognizable. The man himself seemed vaguely familiar. 

He smiled at the Empress and bowed. "I was not expecting this! I am most honored to see you again. I was led to believe you were sleeping." 

"Guardian Malik," Aurora dipped her head. 

"She was asleep when I left and awoke in my absence," Devrim explained. 

"A most welcome event!" Malik clapped his hands. "And speaking of welcoming, I believe you would welcome a capable captain to join you on your journey." 

The Emperor nodded. "We would indeed." 

"I am afraid I could not find you someone capable, so I brought this man instead..." The corners of Malik's lips twisted upward. 

"Quite an introduction!" The second guest's mouth dropped open. 

"Let me finish," the Guardian winked. "He is not just capable. I would say he is an expert in his craft and the only man I would ever let lead my expedition through the water. If I may, I would like to introduce you to my good friend and the intrepid voyager, Captain Schwinn." 

Schwinn raised one eyebrow. "Going from one extreme to the other? I'll take it, I suppose. As he said, I'm Schwinn. It is very good to make your acquaintance. I hear you are in need of a boat?" 

Devrim tilted his head. "I am afraid we are in need of a great many things. A boat is one of them, but we also need a Captain with unbreakable nerves. Think you fit that description? Then you should probably sit down. We have much to discuss..."