The Cracked Wall  

Morning sun slanted through the cabin porthole as Amara changed the dressings on Rhys's slowly healing wounds. The former admiral remained deep in exhausted slumber, oblivious to her ministrations. She studied his ravaged face pensively. Lilosis had come within a hairbreadth of extinguishing his flame forever. What remnants of the man might emerge from such harrowing darkness?

Rhys's eye fluttered open as she tied off the last bandage, focusing on her after a heartbeat's confusion. "You have the healer's gift," he said. "Undeserved by me."

Amara shook her head, troubled by his uncharacteristic submissiveness. "I only did what conscience demanded. How do you feel?"

Rhys levered himself upright with a grimace. "I will mend. I have endured worse as a guttersnipe orphan." For an instant, his familiar smugness surfaced before he grimaced again, this time with effort.

"I owe you my life. You have won honour through mercy, Amara." The words seemed physically painful for him to grind out. "I...apologize...for past wrongs between us."

Amara blinked in astonishment. For this arrogant rogue to offer apologies, to anyone, bespoke a profound change. She saw grudging self-reflection dawning in his one good eye. Perhaps their shared brushes with darkness had awakened something dormant in his battered soul. If true, even Lilosis's evil could have wrought some lasting good.

On cautious impulse, Amara extended her hand. After a pause Rhys clasped it briefly, his callused palm scraping her soft one. She sensed the tentative new understanding passing between them. They could never be friends, but need not remain sworn enemies. It was a start.

A brisk knock heralded Bane's entry. He checked at the sight of their clasped hands, which caused his composure to crack slightly. "We are ready to sail on your word," he told Amara, ignoring Rhys. "The tide waits for no man."

Amara withdrew her hand self-consciously. "We will join you soon." As Bane withdrew, she turned back to Rhys. "Once your strength returns, you could aid our quest. Few know these waters as you do." It was part pragmatism, part olive branch.

But Rhys's mouth twisted bitterly. "You show undeserved faith. I am done with quests of power." He turned his ravaged face away. "Leave me to the consequences of my folly."

Amara laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. "The past is engraved in stone, but the future's pages remain unwritten. All may yet find redemption, if wisdom guides their course."

Rhys's jaw worked, but no rejoinder emerged. Amara gave his shoulder a comforting squeeze. "Rest now. We will speak again soon."

She left Rhys brooding over her words and made her way above deck into brisk sea air. Bane's warship sat at anchor below the ruined temple, awaiting her word. Before going there, Amara drew Hiwana aside, speaking quietly.

"I do not fully trust Bane's desire to depart so hastily. And I would know Rhys's fate settled." She studied the girl's thoughtful face. "Could you remain here awhile? Ensure Rhys's recovery and keep watch for trouble?"

Hiwana considered only briefly before nodding firmly. "My place is with you. But this task is needful." Her mouth quirked with wry humour. "I will see our former foe returned to health, for your sake."

Amara smiled gratefully. "None could mend his deeper wounds better than you." She embraced the girl, wishing again that their fates were not entwining and pulling apart like twisting vines. But the loom of destiny wove each life to its own pattern. All they could do was play out their threads with wisdom and compassion.

That thought sustained Amara as she bade Hiwana temporary farewell along with Rhys's loyal sailors.

Returning to shore, Bane's uncanny aura surrounded her as he gestured to his sleek vessel. He eagerly wanted to continue the search for the Hallow Skull. But glimpses of humanity struggling to surface in Rhys rekindled her optimism. If one so cruel could change, might not their bitter feud finally end? She must cling to that hope.

Bane walked alongside her towards the Sea Raven. "Our true quest resumes at last. Lilosis delayed us overlong." Impatience shaded his tone.

Amara glanced at him sidelong. "Needful matters remain here. And Rhys's aid could prove valuable."

Bane made an irritated noise. "That rogue would sooner betray than aid us. Do not let misplaced pity cloud your judgment." His jaw tightened. "I like not leaving the Skull's trail cold."

Privately Amara agreed their voyage could not wait indefinitely. "Another fortnight only," she soothed. "For the wounded to recover strength."

Bane looked unconvinced but complied. "Your wisdom guides us true. My eagerness outstrips my judgment of late." He drew her close with one arm. "Forgive an old man's impatience to be free of lingering fetters."

Amara relaxed into his embrace, letting the sea breeze sweep away nagging cares. Bane was her steadfast companion. Once Rhys was healed, even he would see reason. With their feud ended, what remained to bar the Skull's redeeming unveiling?

Amara clung fiercely to that hope as the days passed, making excuses to herself whenever Bane's mood darkened. But as Rhys grew able to walk short distances, aided by Hiwana's firm care, Amara noticed his unease around the mysterious sorcerer intensifying.

One twilit evening she came upon the two men facing off silently in the ruin's courtyard. Rhys looked away quickly at her approach, granting Bane a grudging nod before limping slowly off. Amara glanced between their retreating backs, puzzled and concerned.

"Why do you provoke the injured man?" she chided Bane in private later. "He mends apace and means no threat."

"His wounds are not all visible," Bane countered. "He speaks fairly to you, but distrust yet poisons his spirit." The sorcerer's lip curled faintly. "As does arrogance. He assumes much."

Amara sighed. "Your aid has been invaluable, but Rhys cannot be dismissed. Let me speak with him." She cupped Bane's tense jawline. "Patience, my lord. Compassion bears ripe fruits."

Bane covered her hand with his own, meshed tenderness and shadow in his eyes. "You teach me patience and more. Go to him, then. I will comply." He kissed her palm fervently. Amara smiled, hoping this discord could yet be resolved.

She found Rhys sitting alone near the spring, brooding. At her approach he seemed to let down some inner guard, gesturing for her to join him. They sat awhile without speaking, watching silver moon fish flickering beneath the black water.

Finally, Rhys broke the pensive silence. "Your ally keeps his own council still. Yet much rests upon trust." He gave her a piercing look. "What do you truly know of this Bane and his designs?"

Amara chose her response with care. "He freed me from grave peril when we first met. I owe him life and more." She studied Rhys's cynical expression. "But you speak from wisdom. His full past remains veiled. In time I pray he shares it freely."

Rhys fingered his eyepatch. "He conceals much beneath elegant words, I'd stake my other eye on it." His mouth twisted. "Pretty phrases cannot mask the stink of mortal fear and decay about him."

Amara shivered. Had Lilosis's dire warning sparked Rhys's suspicion of Bane? They seemed fated to feud, yet foreboding prickled her too now.

"This Bane troubles me as well," she admitted. "But for now our interests align. After our quest, all debts will be paid." She hoped it sounded more convincing than it felt.

Rhys's eye bored into her. "Be wary, Amara. Men who clutch power too tightly have dark hearts." He shook his head gravely. "But you see light even in wretched things like me. It blinds you to deeper guile."

Despite his cynicism, real concern lay beneath his warning. Amara was touched. She dared to lay a hand over his. "I hear you, Rhys. We will walk this path with care."

He blinked, then gave her hand a brief squeeze before releasing it. "You are too valiant for this world." With effort he rose, wincing only slightly. "I ask to convalesce aboard my ship. These ruins weigh too heavily."

Amara agreed. "A sound plan. Hiwana can accompany you..." She trailed off at his fierce look.

"No! She has done more than enough." Rare heat touched his craggy cheeks. "I would not burden her further."

Amara hid a knowing smile. So the rogue's battered heart was not fully hardened. There was cause for hope after all.

"As you wish. I will visit before we sail." She spoke lightly, allowing him dignity. Rhys responded with a brusque nod before moving off, back rigidly straight. But Amara's own posture felt lighter. A wall between them had cracked, if not fully crumbled. Time and care would do the rest.