《The Bridges We Must Cross (Part 1/5)》Chapter 9
Advertisement
Serah’s POV:
Henry bounced me around on his shoulder for fifteen minutes while everyone was chanting. When I started complaining, he gently lowered me to the ground, presented me with a sweet roll and went back to sleep. I sighed, this happened every year. It was the way that they showed me how much they appreciated me I guess. In public, we weren’t allowed to show weaknesses, Uthera and her crew would be upon us in seconds. Affection was a sign of weakness on the Isle. My thoughts roamed to Uthera as I nibbled on the roll and made my way back to the balcony.
I remembered the way she had threatened the royals in the streets. I had somehow felt protective over them. I didn’t know why I did.
Perryn still stood on the balcony quietly, an idiotic grin on his face.
“What?” I asked, coming to stand beside him.
He shrugged, “Nothing.”
Perryn’s POV:
Serah was quiet beside me. I grinned as thought of what had just happened. Normally, Serah didn’t allow anyone to come near her. But just now, she had allowed Henry to swing her around and the others to hug her without a fight. I marveled at her difference in attitude. On the ship, she had been cruel, strict and heartless. She barked orders at sailors and when something wasn’t done to her satisfaction, there was to be punishment. Her crew was to listen whenever she spoke otherwise they would miss something important and got in trouble. They were afraid of her, they flinched when she walked past and never spoke when she was around. The pirates treated her like their captain; their leader.
Now, on the Isle, away from prying eyes, she seemed more normal. She seemed quieter, more timid and gentle. She was a friend to them, not a captain.
Advertisement
“Why are you like this?” I blurted suddenly, forgetting that she couldn’t read my thoughts.
She looked at me, confused, “Like how?”
“Like…I don’t know…you’re all cruel on the ship and in front of people but then when you get here, you’re suddenly nicer?” I managed to get out. Her sudden friendliness made it hard to talk to her. As if since she felt more human now, I had more trouble talking to her and carrying a conversation.
She blinked, “I can be mean if you want me to.”
“No, no that’s not what I meant.” I quickly replied.
Her eyes flashed as she continued, “Because you can’t show weakness on the Isle. Your crew should just be your crew. They need to follow your orders and in return you protect them. There shouldn’t be a…relationship between the captain and the crew, other than the chain of command.”
“So…having friends is considered a weakness?”
“Yes. What people think when they see you have ‘friends’ is that you’re not strong, you can’t take care of yourself, you always need someone to back you up.”
I bit my lip, “Why care what they think?”
She looked amused, “What are you, a prophet? All people have weaknesses. If you keep your friends around you in public, that most likely is your weakness: That you can’t take care of yourself. And they’ll use that against you in fights, break you away from your crew, corner you, and attack.”
I saw a forlorn look in her eyes, as if she was reliving an experience that had happened a long time ago.
“Did that…happen to you?” I asked quietly.
For the first time, I saw her blank expression change, if only for a second. She looked at me, eyes wide in surprise, her mouth forming an O and a look of slight hurt on her face. But then it vanished, and her face was as blank as ever.
“Uh…no.”
It was obvious she was lying.
Advertisement
- In Serial186 Chapters
Skeleton Knight, in Another World
The protagonist fell asleep while playing an online game. However, he awoke in a strange world with his game character’s appearance. In a state of shock, he noticed that he was equipped with nothing but his strongest weapon and armor. To make matters worse, our hero’s appearance was changed by the special avatar skin『Skeleton』when he entered this new world. The protagonist wanted to live without drawing attention, but he got acquainted with the dark elf Ariana and received her request.
8 259 - In Serial12 Chapters
The Departure
Within the enigmatic Illian Cluster, a hungry creature named Zev prepares to depart from the space station for good, content to go wherever the cosmos might lead them. When they arrive on planet Hallow, they set a chain of events in motion that could change countless lives, human and otherwise. Prequel to Night Game. Krahie's AUU-16 series: #1 – Soulless (Apparently) #2 – Diamond People #3 – The Departure #4 – Night Game
8 180 - In Serial12 Chapters
The Tale of Gael
For a boy who grew up on a farm Gael had rather big dreams of studying and travelling the country. Time and misfortune made those dreams stay unfulfilled. Now a lifetime later, after his mother had died Gael leaves the family farm. His journey has only just begun. --- The Tale of Gael Wiki
8 137 - In Serial24 Chapters
A Tribe of Kassia
An irreligious desert elf develops crippling panic attacks when his village is destroyed and betrothed kidnapped. Teaming up with a zealous minotaur monk -- himself a reformed mercenary -- is the only chance to save her.
8 84 - In Serial225 Chapters
Creation - The Path of a God
The day had not been a great day for Han. After experiencing traumatic events, all in one day, Han went to a restaurant to eat. This should have been a typical event, but he discovered a new ability while eating food. He had gained the Creation ability. Follow Han, as he gains new experiences in a new environment and figures out what being a god is like. What happens if an individual gets powers that don't have limits, where he can do whatever he wants.
8.18 158442 - In Serial37 Chapters
love drought | kth.
[COMPLETED.] A story about a ex-couple that are trying to do anything for their second baby and to pick up the pieces that have fallen.
8 67