Element Restraint

Chapter 23: Erik

The first day in the boat no one really speaks. We are all shoulder to shoulder on a small boat, but I do not think any of us are really there. Every once in a while Gale will say something to me, but no one else does.

All I get are strange looks from Raleigh, who is supposed to be dead.  Amora stays focused on rowing the boat, and studying the map. She is far too busy to talk with me, or just uninterested.

The quiet one, Paxon I think he was called, he looks at his book. I do not think it is out of the norm for him to not be speaking. He seems very awkward around others.

As for Acantha, she is a mess. She has not said a single word since we left. She has not even looked up from her lap.

Her hair falls over her head, blocking her face from my eyesight. Her whole body is shaking from fear. Her brother currently rubs her back to comfort her.

I look around us and see nothing but water. I even find it slightly intimidating by looking at it. I can only imagine what it is like for her. All Firelings fear water. I just did not know it was like this.

I do not think she has ever been this quiet before.

"It is fine Canthy." I hear her brother assure her. I wish I could help somehow. I feel so useless sitting here. Everyone seems as if they are in misery.

I look beside Acantha and her brother and see a satchel. I reach in it and dig through it. I know it is here. From what my sister has told me Acantha would not have left it behind.

"What are you looking for?" Raleigh asks me. I dig around until I find what I am looking for.

"This," I pull out the book Aella told me she loves. "It might help distract her." I hand it to him.

He frowns at me. He turns back to his sister and slides the book onto her lap.

"Thank you, Erik." She stammers.

"Of course," I say and turn back to the water. Gale bumps me in the shoulder. I look at him as he winks at me. I shove him a little, making the boat rock a little.

Amora shoots us a look as Acantha clenches her body.

"Sorry," Gale says.

We sail for about three days until we see the island.

"It's about dang time," Gale says. I row us to shore. Everyone in the boat, besides Acantha, has rowed. Their arms are dead now, and we are exhausted.

I miss my warm bed and being able to stretch my legs. Sleeping in a boat for two nights has been agony, and sleeping in a boat cell chained to the wall is far worse.

"Want to race to shore?" Gale asks Raleigh. He looks up from talking to Acantha.

"I do not think I should," He drifts off.

"It is fine." Acantha looks up at him. The first time in days.

"It would actually be easier if you did," I speak up. "Your weight makes it harder to row."

Gale rolls his eyes at me.

Raleigh turns back to Acantha.

"It is fine, Rawr." She tells him again. He smiles and begins taking his boots off.

Gale smirks and quickly pulls his shirt off. Amora turns beat red when she looks at him.

Soon the two of them have stripped down to just their underwear. Gale and Rawr both stand up shaking the boat. Acantha grips the sides of the boat and squeezes her eyes shut.

"Enjoying the view?" Gale smirks at Amora.

"Focus please!" Raleigh hisses.  Gale winks at Amora and jumps into the water.