Blood of the Sea, Chapter Fourty-Five

Chapter 45: Fidelity

Astrophel

The absence of those who followed Vance is a blow that the five work to diminish. Those who are left - a majority of their starting numbers - continue to work hard on making a large, shared living space, but there’s a sense of something coming. A few people offer to take up watch during the work day. Some arrange to patrol around the clearing at night. It is a loyal effort that settles everyone’s nerves, and the five agree it was a good idea - one they hadn’t thought necessary before, but perhaps want outweighs need when it eases the minds of those left.

It is another overcast day, though rain doesn’t saturate these clouds like they did the day it poured. The sea breeze is light, but still helps make the clearing feel a bit more like home as the smell of salt permeates into their clothes. The timbers they haul skyward in ever climbing layers above the ground gradually take shape with each passing day.

The crews have complained about a shortage of fish, though the complaints are gentle and don’t carry a heavy argumentative quality. Instead, it comes as more of a plea. His people miss their islands, and fish is something that tastes like home.

It’s easy to agree that they are tiring of the stringy red meat they can acquire. There’s only so much rabbit one can eat before they feel sluggish. What really prompts Astrophel to schedule a trip back to Kildangan, though, is the way Dionne has had trouble keeping down the foraged stews they’ve been making for dinner.

That evening is no different.

Everyone sits around the bonfire they’ve built. It feels some days as though the fire takes as much wood to feed as the structure they’re building, but the homey feel is worth it, and it cheers the most downcast faces in the crowd. They’re a community that lives together, eats together, and the fire reminds them that they’re still alive, despite whatever troubles they may face each day with building this tall structure, so unlike the longhouses back home.

Dionne leans against Astrophel, sandwiched between him and Seri on her other side. The wanderer has been worming her way into both of their hearts, and regularly sits with the five these days. Dionne groans and Astrophel kisses her head, asking softly, “Again?”

Dionne nods, covering her mouth and pushing to her feet. The others make way for her and she dashes towards the shadowed protection of the trees. Astrophel puts his food aside and excuses himself, brow furrowed with concern as he follows after her, giving her enough space to find a quiet spot, but still reaching her side in time to help hold her hair back as she purges the food she was hungry for moments earlier.

When she’s done, Dionne sits back on her heels and Astrophel crouches down next to her, rubbing her arm and trying to judge if she is going to be sick again. Dionne closes her eyes and tips her head back. Astrophel looks from her to the stars overhead - the same ones as he knows from home, plus some strange ones - all set at a different angle than he’s used to against the black backdrop of the midnight sky.

“I wish I could hear her.”

Astrophel sees Dionne’s eyes are open and tears are forming, sliding down her cheeks from the corners of her dark eyes. He sighs and says, “Me too.”

“I wish we were back home. In the sea…” Dionne sniffles and turns to Astrophel, searching his eyes. “I’m pregnant, Ast. I… I guess I thought I was, but now I know it’s true.”

Astrophel hugs her close as her shoulders stutter with emotion. His heart feels full to bursting. “We’ll go back to Kildangan. Ryju will be so happy to see you.”

“We can’t go back just for me,” Dionne complains.

“We can. We absolutely can,” Astrophel tells her. “But it’s not just you. The others have been asking for fish, and I’m sure we’ll all do better seeing the water again.”

“Are you sure?” Dionne pulls back, a smile playing under her tears.

“Absolutely,” Astrophel says gently, wiping away her tears. He offers her a canteen of water mixed with some fruits they had found, which she takes from him, swallowing it down readily. “It’s not home, but it’s something.”

“I already told you. Home is with you.” Dionne puts the half empty drink down and  kisses him, a soft but passionate and loving thing which he readily returns.

Footsteps make their approach, which Astrophel pays heed to, but he doesn’t pull away until Dionne does. Astrophel kisses Dionne’s nose, both cheeks, and forehead, so she turns, laughing softly, towards their audience. Seri stares back at them, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, “I wanted to check on you.”

“Of course,” Dionne says, gesturing for her to come over. Seri closes the distance, enfolding herself into Dionne’s offered hug.

“Is it time?” Seri asks, pulling back and holding Dionne’s hands. Astrophel catches her glance towards Dionne’s stomach.

Dionne nods.

Seri smiles, “I’m so happy for you.” She turns the smile on Astrophel, “Both of you.”

Astrophel smiles back, “First Pyxis, and now this. We’ve been blessed this year.”

“With all its ups and downs,” Dionne grins. She rests a hand on her abdomen, not yet showing. She sniffles again, “Eulla is still watching over us.”

“She always is,” Seri says, beating Astrophel to it. Astrophel’s brow raises, curious, and Seri shakes her head, “I’ve heard Her whispering in the stormy weather, the early morning sunrise, and the rain. I may not know Her, but I can feel Her watching over you.”

“Thank you,” Dionne says softly, squeezing Seri’s hands.

Seri kisses Dionne’s forehead, “You have nothing to thank me for. I’ll be here with you through your journey. I have seen a few babes come into this world; I would be privileged to see yours take their first breath.”

Dionne cups Seri’s cheek in her palm, holding Astrophel’s hand with her other one. Astrophel laces their fingers together, looking at his mate fondly. He knows this wide-eyed, sunny-dispositioned woman who has chosen to stay with them, despite their status as strangers, has been a boon to their journey in making a home here on the continent. Her knowledge of locations and resources has been valuable, as has her friendship. She and Dionne have grown close, and Astrophel knows Dio considers Seri to be like a sister to her; well loved and under the five’s protection as one of their own.

“Thank you,” Dionne says, breaking into Astrophel’s thoughts; her voice is warm. “I’d love to have you at my side when the time comes.”

Astrophel wraps an arm around Dionne, offering Seri a place in the hug. She takes it, hugging him back as well as Dionne. The three of them stay like that for a moment before Seri pipes up again, “You said you need fish?”

Dionne blows out a breath, an underlying frustration surfacing, “Yes. I’m more used to a diet based around the sea, and the baby seems to want the same.” She straightens, climbing to her feet and pulling Astrophel and Seri with her. “We need to talk to the others about going back to Kildangan. We need to leave people here to continue building, and to settle in. We don’t want to uproot everyone each time we need something from the ocean.”

“We could ride to Kildangan. The six of us. A quick trip for supplies,” Seri offers. “It would take more time with a cart, and like you suggested, a small group would let people stay here and keep settling in.”

Dionne chews on her lip, “I don’t think we should take all of us. Someone - or two - needs to stay back so there isn’t chaos. I trust our people, but something could happen.”

“You’re thinking of Vance, aren’t you?” Astrophel asks, already knowing the answer as his mind goes to the same place.

Dionne nods, “His people will know where we are now, whenever they catch up with him.”

Seri frowns, “Oh, I hadn’t thought about that. This is why you both lead, not me.” She giggles, a little nervous.

Dionne tucks Seri under her arm, offering comfort. “We’ve done this a time or two,” she teases.

“You’re right about a small group though,” Astrophel offers. “Speed would be useful. Besides, the J’korun can carry a fair amount, can’t they?”

Seri nods.

“Great. Let’s talk to the others, and see about heading out in the morning.”

Astrophel leads the way back, the women behind him talking quietly amongst themselves about different practices they both know of for Dionne’s situation. Catching Khalil’s attention, Astrophel pulls him, Sulien, and Nox off to the side and shares Seri and Dionne’s thoughts on making a trip back to the port city for supplies. The three of them agree that someone needs to stay back, as well as that a small group would suit their purposes the best. In the end, Sulien and Nox offer to stay behind while it’s agreed that Khalil would go with Astrophel and Dionne. Seri would join them because she knew the way back the best and would know what the J’korun could more readily carry.

That night as everyone beds down, Dionne falls asleep with her head on Astrophel’s chest as he stares up at the stars overhead. He prays that Eulla truly is still watching over them; that her reach extends this far inland - for even if they are only on a cliff, it is still foreign territory to their people. He also offers up a quick prayer of thanks. You have bestowed upon us a number of blessings.

His goddess’ voice reaches him on the edge of sleep. You will face sorrow and joy, my prince of stars. Despite it all, you will persevere.