Episode Seventeen: Stormy Seas

It takes six months for the ship to be completed. The trio spends the time resting at the home of their gracious host Mr. Abot. Near the beginning of their wait, Castor approaches Father Tobias. Heart in her throat, she speaks to him, everything.

“Father, I-I must confess, confess all. Everything we've been through. I am sorry it has taken so long to tell you but once you know, you will understand our hesitation. This is the full truth, if you would believe us. We will answer the questions you have, but first let me tell all.

There are islands, floating in the skies. We grew up under them,wondering what secrets they held. We have since learned that these are called realms and are pieces of the world that have grown, independent from each other. Each is its own time, its own place.

We began in Florence as you know in the year 1532. We were given a dream by God, told to find him at the edge of the world. We found it, learning that our realm is just another of these islands. We followed an angel off the edge, were encased in a bubble and landed in a new realm. Mecca. There we met a man, James. But we shall speak of him more in a moment but suffice to say, he helped us and gave us answers we desperately needed. We uncovered a plot to overthrow the ruler of the city and saw them brought to justice. We found the edge again, this time landing in Jamestown in 1612.  You know of our discovery of the quartermaster's treachery and our subsequent failure to capture him. Again we traveled to a new realm, this realm, Germany 1646.

But This land is odd, different from others we have seen. There are no islands and the people here do not see the edge, they may live on past it, through magical means. Here the dead walk, the church is wrent, and a man I do not know hunts me. But it is here that God led us, to you who I believe is part of our holy journey.

The spyglass we have found- Each realm has held what are called waypoints, objects that are the key to our movement from realm to realm. We were told it takes immense magical power to do so and these objects hold that ability.

There is one more thing. The chati you mentioned earlier, I-I am one of these. The man I spoke of, James, told us chati are people of immense magical power. He said he was a kaldien, one of the members of another group who aid the chati on their journeys. He taught us the first steps in controlling our magic. I-i do not have access to these immense powers unless-unless I am in grave danger. But then I lose control and I- my actions are not my own.” She begins shaking.

“B-back in Florence heading to the edge, we- we were captured by a group of Satanists. We were made to kneel and tied to stakes. They were about to slit our throats when- I-I I blacked out. Later I woke up in an abandoned farmhouse, my companions safe. I asked What happened and they told me I-I... killed them all.”

Tears stream down her face, she tries hurriedly to wipe them away and stop the shake in her voice. “We were told our whole lives magic is an evil thing, the devil's handiwork. People were burned at the stake for even an implication. And to find-to find that it is an integral part of my being?  And to tell you, a man who follows the faith, who should hate me with every fiber of his being, to tell him that I have an immense power that I cannot get rid of, cannot control, that I have killed with it? Words cannot express my fear…

I must learn everything I can about it, so that I control it and I don't- don't hurt anyone else. I am terrified of losing control again, I don't want to hurt anyone. God has given me this burden to bear, he would not bestow this task on me if He did not think i was strong enough to shoulder it. So I *must* trust in Him as he has done for me. It has taken me too long to realize you are a part of this path, put here by Him. So I have faith, I told you everything of importance, things you have deserved to know from the beginning. I beg you to believe me and accept my humblest apologies.”

Father Tobias, who had been innocently trying to decipher the book, looks over his glasses, closes the book and stands, putting a hand on her shoulder. He says, “young Castor I know no way of knowing if this story of realms is true. But I believe, from what I've seen, is that you mean well. There are...” he sighs, “the church would say that to kill is damning yet if that is the case then many in the church are already damned. We can only ask for forgiveness for our transgressions and God will judge us. People are rare in willing to acknowledge their transgressions, let alone asking forgiveness. But you have already put more effort into asking forgiveness than most. I believe the lord will look favorably upon you. Only a fool would hold you accountable for actions that you could not control. Regardless, I think that judgement is left to those most holy and until then I will continue to protect you. As far as I've seen, the two of you are simply lost and repentant. I think it would be most damning to leave you in such a state. I do not know the nature of the evils that you fight but so long as I am able, I am willing to help you fight those evils within and without.” He smiles kindly and gives her a reassuring pat on the shoulder and proceeds to pack up his work. “I appreciate your honesty, if it is true, but you've given me no reason not to.”

Ivetta, patting the still shaking Castor on the back says, “Thank you for being so understanding, Father. Most of the people we’ve met would burn us at the stake or otherwise restrict our freedoms.”

“Thirty years I might have done the same. But when the dead walk and a man can take three bullets to the chest, and after vanishing into smoke, it makes you more willing to accept oddities in these strange times.”

“Thank you Father. I'm-I’m glad you're with us. I promise there won't be any more surprises... at least that we, ourselves know about now.” Father Tobias chuckles at that.

“Ah, I was getting used to my world getting turned upside down on a daily basis.”

“I can show you the waypoints if you want. If they are of interest to you. We have four.”

“I think that's quite alright, Castor. I think there is more I must do to understand the nature of this… I don't believe throwing another piece of the puzzle to be deciphered will help me at this stage. One mystery at a time is quite alright.”

During the course of their stay, the father discovers that the book is written in Punjabi, a South-East Asian language. Christmas passes as well as Castor’s 18th birthday. Ivetta and Father Tobias successfully teach her how to read Italian and she improves her magical skills with the help of Hollinzoller. She also becomes close friends with Gerrard after furiously apologizing to him for her behavior the night of the feast. The year turns over, now 1647. In May the work on the ship is finally completed and they prepare to leave.

Castor and Gerrard in that time, become real friends, spending time together. He teaches her to play cards and she tells him about the letters she's been learning. He treats her like a boy but after a few months (as she grows boooobs) he grows wary. He asks her if she spoke true that night- is she really a girl. She says yes and apologizes for hiding it, telling him about her life in Florence. Why she had to pretend. Old habits die hard.

After that he is more self-conscious around her, far less comfortable. But during the final month or so of their stay he is less awkward, and more confident. Tentative hand holds and blushes are exchanged.

Then, the day before Castor and her friends are set to leave, Gerrard approaches her, "Will you stay?"

Taken aback, Castor says sadly, "I can’t. I'm on a quest."

Nervous, Gerrard blurts out, "butwhatifyoumarryme?"

Castor turns red, a smile forms on her lips before her face falls. Pain fills her voice, her throat threatening to close as tears prick her eyes. "It breaks my heart but... I have to say 'no.' I need to finish this quest…"

Crestfallen and slightly angry, Gerrard turns and leaves.

She calls out to him, "wait! What if- would you want to-come with us?"

He answers immediately, "Yes!"

Castor says, "but before you agree, I must tell you something but…you'll think I'm crazy. But-but please, listen, you have to know before we go." He listens attentively.  "I'm on a quest from God and I have abilities- magic, miracles if you want to call them that."

He laughs. Castor looks slightly hurt then serious, "Gerrard. This is not a joke, it's true! I can show you! You're life will be in danger!"

"No, I trust you. I'll see it for myself."

Needing him to understand she presses, "What if you can't come back? Can't ever see your family, this city again?"

"I'll find a place wherever we go, with you." Castor's heart melts, unused to such love and devotion. "Castor, I love you. I want to be with you. Have a family, settle down."
Shaking she says, "But I-I'm not ready yet...I'm... scared. And my quest- I need to complete it before I can live in such luxury." He holds her, soothing her. Her shaking stops eventually. Her heart fills with joy and love but her mind nags at her for her selfishness.

They meet the Professor as they all board the ship. He is feeble, old, barely able to walk. His bald head covered with a hat and his thin frame covered with furs. He gives a sideways look to Father Tobias bringing two young women on this journey with them but greets them all the same.

They set sail, heading north toward Copenhagen. On the way Father Tobias whips the fresh crew into shape, becoming fighting fit quite rapidly.

Copenhagen is the largest city they've encountered so far yet, as expected of such a metropolis, it is overrun by revenants. On a small island in the bay they spot two revenants. Several men take a dingy and capture them. The professor puts a bag over their heads and, like birds, they still their gnashing teeth. They’re kept in special areas, specifically built for keeping revenants. They continue on, sailing past London. Ivetta and Castor stand at the bow of the ship. Ivetta is frustrated about not spotting the edge anywhere. Hollinzoller walks up behind them and says, “we’re here.” He points, Ivetta and Castor look but see only ocean. Castor feels a gnawing in her stomach.

“How can you see it?”

“Practice.”

“Is the waypoint active?” Ivetta feels the buzz from the spyglass and nods to her. She worries her cross between her fingers. “But- I mean are we ready to go? What about the people here. We’ve only just gotten the revenants. We haven't helped at all. Besides, the edge isn’t going anywhere.”

Hollinzoller confirms the edge doesn’t move with a nod then says, “I can use magic to recharge the waypoint so you may return.”

"How many charges does it have?" Ivetta asks. She hands it to him as he holds his hand out for the spyglass.

"One. But like I said, it can be recharged."

"We should go Castor, we can come back later." Ivetta insists.

"But how do we know when or where we'll end up? If it'll even bring us back to this realm." Castor stresses.

Hollenzoller speaks again, "The waypoint is tied to the realm. If you were to master your ability you could dictate time to return to. You could come back to the moment after you left and no one here would be any the wiser.”

“Except that we’d be older. We should ask Father Tobias what he thinks, he’s part of the group too.” Hollinzoller fetches the father from below decks. He asks what is the problem when he sees the faces of his young companions, Castor’s conflicted, Ivetta anxious.

“Father, I am conflicted. We're at the point where we can leave. The edge. But I don't know if we should go. We haven't really helped anyone. But we have also been here so long I feel we need to make progress. I don't want to abandon the people here but I also don't know how to help right now. Hollinzoller said I could learn to make the waypoint able to return us here so, maybe it's best we leave and return when we can actually help."

"Hollinzoller knows of this as well? I didn't know he was in on your plans."

"There is a lot that I know of that you don't." Hollinzoller replies.

Father Tobias, ignoring the comment continues, "I do not feel that I can leave. I have spent my time helping these people. I won't just abandon them. How difficult is it to learn to return?"

"It is extremely difficult to learn. But if she is to learn it you won't notice the time spent. Unless we bring you with of course."

Castor says, "I will learn it. Please, come with us Father. We need you. I need you. You are part of this holy quest."

"I cannot just leave. I've shed blood, lost brothers. It would all be for naught if I left with the *chance* to return. You may go if you wish but I will remain."

"But Father, we could stop the plague before it even happened and that blood would not be shed." Castor implores.

Ivetta adds, "When did the plague start and where? We can go there and stop it."

"I know when but not where. It came from everywhere at once it seemed but there is no guarantee that this will even happen. You don't know how to do it and you may be killed before you can return."

"All we can do is try."

"It's the fellow Germans, the Protestants I've fought against. I have tried to bring unity back. If you don't make it back and there's no one here to find the solution to that war how many people will suffer? I must try fixing this now, not wait for more to perish."

"Would a war be worse than a war and a plague? We can try to stop one but we have to leave to try."

Father Tobias pauses a moment the says, "It would be foolish to slaughter the flock just to favor two sheep."

"The sheep wouldn't be killed or even know their shepherd was gone. For them it would be moment without you. Father, I am bent to learn this. I don't want to leave either but what can I do for them now? How can I help them now?"

"I understand you have a quest, yet I cannot leave these people in such despair."

"I need you father, I need my companions. I can't leave anyone else behind. Please come with us. You said you would help me fight the evils I face. How can you do that if you are here? I need your help to get to the point that I can return to actually help.

You coming with us would ensure my safe return. I can't do this without you. I need you to help me come back."

Unerring, Father Tobias says, "I need to stay here and do what I can." He pats the gun on his hip.

Castor chuckles darkly, "you'll kill more to save less?"

"I will protect the living, as I have done."

Castor, tired at his stubbornness, says hotly, "But once we go back there won't *be* undead. I *will* fix it. I need you to do that. Please Father."

He simply shakes his head. In the heat of the conversation Hollinzoller left and returned with Gerrard. He asks Castor what's going on, seeing her sethe quietly at Father Tobias. She manages to smile at him and asks him to stand by her, holding her hand.

Then, with very un-Castor-like decision, she grabs Father Tobias by the arm. Ivetta grabs Hollinzoller. And they all touch the waypoint. And before Father Tobias or anyone else can protest, a purple bubble envelopes them all.

Castor receives a vision:

A young man in puffy clothing running up the stone steps of a castle. A woman sits on a chair gazing out a window. She has unnaturally white skin and a fine yellow dress. He whispers in her ear. "We have news of victory in the channel,'' she smiles. Miles and miles away, two giant flotillas shell a ship, tearing it to shreds. A man on deck turns to look at his friend but sees the man's head blow off while he is tossed into the water. Something floats by him as he sinks-his leg. Blood fills the channel turning the blue water red.

A different vision comes. It is many many miles away perhaps even in time. A ship, a different stlye than those that came before. She feels the men aboard, they are frightened. Pulled into the captain's quarters she sees two men. One bends to look at a metal object, a box with a heavy door, a safe. He opens the safe but the contents are covered by a magical haze. She can't see what it is exactly but she knows that is what they seek: the waypoint.

The purple bubble pops and with no ship below their feet, they kerplunk into the ocean. Broken bits of ship float about them. Each person scrambles to the nearest floating piece of wood. Father Tobias snags the drowning Gerard by the scruff of his neck and dumps him unceremoniously onto the wood next to him. Ivetta swims flawlessly to another piece, Hollinzoller pulls himself out, and Castor, after a moment of spluttering, hoists herself out, purposefully a little farther from everyone.

Father Tobais, in an even but quite livid tone grinds out, "Castor. What did you do?"

Gerard coughs out, absolutely terrified, "C-Castor? You did this?!"

She reaches out to him, "Gerard, I…" He recoils, falling back into the water. Hanging on to the edge of the makeshift raft, he keeps his wary, untrusting eyes on her. A dagger of ice pierces Castor's heart. She turns away and speaks to the raft. The water having cooled her hot head, "I-I-I'm sorry. I just-we had to go. And you- I had to- I-I felt compelled. You are a part of this journey."

"You chose to or you had to?" The Father asks, tone still frighteningly tempered.

"I'm n-not sure. Both?"

"We have abandoned those people."

"I intend to go back and fix everything like I said but I cannot now. I'm *too* *weak*. I will fight with everything I have to get back there."

Father Tobias just sighs. Hollinzoller stands up. He raises his hands making two L shapes with his forefingers and thumbs. He makes a square with them and pulls out. Looking through the shimmering square he's made, he states, “Nothing for 400 miles." Father Tobias begins to say something bemoaning that fact when Hollinzoller speaks again, "No, wait there's a ship coming. We wait 20 minutes and we can flag 'em down.”

TBC

Episode Eighteen: Queen Anne's Perils