Chapter Text
The days at sea hummed with their own rhythm and routine. The magicians of Zycarphus had quickly adapted to the art of seafaring, and though their crew had split into two groups–one bringing the now-exiled former apprentice knights to the refuge of the magicians’ hideaway, and one ferrying the Dark Lord and her disciples back to Area–the streamlined crews took to their increased workload and new objectives with enthusiasm. They were a far cry from the hesitant, fearful folk they had been back in the old Zycarphus, Calla thought. In the ring of their voices calling back and forth on deck, the stance of their bodies as they carried out their tasks, each one thrummed with a purposeful energy as they engaged in their tasks.
Amidst all this, the one who was the reason for it all simply rolled up her sleeves and got to work with the rest. Though she had never worked on a ship before, Lapis threw herself into learning what she could, taking the time not only to help out with whatever tasks she could, but also to learn each crew member’s name and story, chatting and bantering with them as they worked side by side. Without trying, Lapis had endeared herself to the entire crew, lifting spirits with just a bright smile or a self-deprecating joke and a laugh. Calla could often tell where she was just by listening for people calling out greetings to the girl in passing.
But one late afternoon was a rare moment of calm, both on the seas and on deck, when Calla saw Lapis across the ship, alone at the bow. Leaning forward on the rail, the girl was looking out over the horizon, her face pensive in the pink glow of the slowly-setting sun.
Calla herself had, just minutes earlier, been in an impromptu meeting with Dmitriy, sharing new intelligence from Astrad and talking logistics to plan for their assault against Arverna. Their progress had been…mixed. Dmitriy was more tense and irritable than usual, contradicting himself and finding fault with whatever ideas she suggested. Any further discussion that day would be useless, Calla decided, so she firmly suggested that they reconvene tomorrow. She could only watch Dmitriy scowl as he retreated to the galley, where the rest of the ship’s crew were having dinner. Wanting to shake off the sudden claustrophobia hanging over the room, she took herself up top for some much-needed quiet and fresh air.
She hadn’t expected anyone else to be present. So it was almost in spite of herself that Calla felt her shoulders relax and her thoughts still at the sight of Lapis gazing across the sea. Her now short, pale-blonde hair fluttered in the gentle breeze, glowing softly like a halo. Calla watched as Lapis closed her eyes, sighing softly with a smile as Myosotis landed on her head, chirping. The girl squinted one eye open, reaching up to tickle Myo’s belly and laughing as the bird flapped and flitted just out of reach of her fingers. Calla couldn’t help the tiny smile crossing her face as she watched the girl, content just to witness Lapis enjoy a well-deserved moment of rest and peace, the calm before the storm they all knew lay just over the horizon.
Calla would have stayed back and simply taken the moment in: Lapis smiling into the sunlight, her laughter echoing amidst the wind and the waves. But the girl always seemed to have a sixth sense for Calla, and she raised her head suddenly, looking over her shoulder. Her eyes brightened as their gaze met, and she called out Calla’s name, waving her over with a smile.
The small twinge in Calla’s stomach couldn’t override the sudden warmth in her chest.
What could Calla do but follow?