With the fleet moving again. The Tundrae that stood towers were left for nature to take over. The fleet circled around Galiford, and after transporting most of the supplies to the stomach of the Arkshelled Island.

The fleet hoisted its old colors and let the Blinder’s light shone on it as he went back to the tree where his powers were magnified. Zyra went back to guarding the tree alongside the Ladies guiding the Blinder.

With salty winds pressing down on his face. His eyes went to the sliver of light on the edge of the horizon. Behind the fleet was the endless seas again. The fleet passed by the islands that they had burnt and ransacked and left this part of the region mutilated and drained of the resources that the fleet could carry.

“It’s good to be back in the seas,” said a sailor. “I was getting sick of land.”

Gabrio kept his gaze on the horizon before turning it to the banner of light that was towering over the tree. Like the tree was a hilt of a sword and the banner was the blade cutting through the darkness.

He smelled the stench of the dead left behind. His hand on the railings first before pinching his nose. He had been able to study the creatures of the interstice and with the depository of knowledge in his head, cross-reference certain knowledge and correct some.

It was confusing, but his keen mind was able to ascertain them. Though from how the book seems to function. It seems like he could use it to write knowledge directly to his head.

His mind was sharp before with the enhancements of being long-lived, but this one made it like he could pull it out of his head and remember it. Though it required a headache to pull off and he’d have to find a way to keep it.

As the fleet sailed forward to deeper seas. The roots of the Arkshelled Island extended, attaching themselves to the ships and the tailbone port. Tied and moored to the living island of the Fleet.

Discipline was instilled on the crew. To make the crew functional and who was on the crew are mostly those who have been chosen to become sailors of this era. The cabin boys and the deckhands secured the Galleon to the island.

Most of the Grand Galleon are attached to the island and then lifted by these treant arms that carry them while in travel. Bridges are deployed and those who didn’t have work or have work would have to resume to their previous duties. Gabrio remained on the deck, watching the flow of life of the fleet come back to what they consider normal.

Morale was the lifeblood of the Fleet. And with how the Fleet got its light back, he could hear the celebrations and see the skip on everyone’s teeth.

The show of power that the Blinder had can’t be underestimated. To bring absolute hope to the crew was unheard of. Or does the sight of such a being walking alongside them give such hope?

***

Days passed easily. Holed inside his office, Gabrio remained focused on his work and kept an inventory of the medicine. There are times where a delivery boy would deliver his parcel, but it wasn’t everyday.

As he jotted down the paper. A swarm of butterflies entered the clinic and before Gabrio knew it a dagger was drawn from his belt and a pistol held tightly.

“A quick draw.”

The butterfly manifested into this woman. Her ears were longer than Mana and there was a sense of playfulness in her face. She sauntered over and held her hand on her chest. Her eyes flickered as she sizes Gabrio up.

“I am… Mana’s mentor… teacher and her Guardian.”

She disappears. She appeared next to Gabrio and instinctively he held his breath and then turned his blade around.

“Good. You are quite aware. That’s good.”

Gabrio pulled the hammer of his pistol.

She shrugs and sits down on the desk. “Calm down human, do you think that I would be so bold to hurt my Mana’s favorite human.”

Gabrio thought hard for a second before lowering his weapons down. Sheathing the knife, and holstering the gun.

“I have been told of the tale of the Doctor of the Mercy. Compared to the Butcher of Fort Rava, you are far cry from your Mentor, human.”

Gabrio’s face remained hard. His demeanor was sullen. His expression betrayed no expression.

“You knew of my Mentor?”

“The Butcher of Fort Rava, an idealistic man who didn’t have time to get what he wanted. He had wild ideas for a man whose life was simply limited. He had innovated medicine and the way of surgeons as best as he could, not allowing morality to hinder the development of medical technology. But to think that instead his student would instead have gotten the chance to develop upon his work. Fate is such a fickle thing, isn’t it?”

“Perhaps,” Gabrio said, his hands on the table.

Mana’s mentor smiled thinly. “His student had the blessing of the Mother of Nature and was blessed with longevity after capturing the heart of a maiden.”

Gabrio settled down on a chair. “May I ask what you want from me?”

Mana’s mentor looked around the clinic. She takes one of the books and then opens it. “I have been observing you properly and I must say… your very existence bothers me.”

Gabrio raises a brow. “Excuse me?”

“Do you believe in destiny, Doctor?”

“I don’t understand.”

“There are certain roles that must be picked. Fates must be unraveled and I have a gift of finding these roles and fates. I can see through these destinies. That is why I cannot understand you, Doctor. Your role here is… unreadable. You are fogged. Among the fleet, your fate and destiny hides from me.”

Gabrio narrowed his eyes.

Mana’s mentor closed a book. “If you were a book… then you are written in a language I cannot understand. I cannot read you beyond what I’ve heard and observed.”

She moved quietly. Her grace was unmatched and Gabrio knew immediately that even all these years he had trained would mean nothing in front of the Artes.

Words of power were the sign of strength. And not once in his life did Gabrio have wanted the powers. But if he had, he was going to have so much better time operating. He would do miracles. But he also knew how arrogant it would have been.

“Over the years you have remained who you are. Stagnant to the affairs of the world, stilled to the role you have made for yourself. Which makes me ask if you really do belong to this fleet in the first place?”

“You’re talking nonsense.”

“Perhaps, but the world is large and wide. There are so many abnormalities that one could count off. You are an educated man, with years of experience and knowledge to draw now. I believe that with the gift of my disciple to you… you would understand that my kind are tools to the light. We are born to serve a certain purpose. We gather the light. We take care of the affairs as we are born with the knowledge, the power, and longevity to make a difference that humans would take generations to accomplish.”

She settled on the table. “You must understand that if this was a normal time… a long-lived human like you would have no time to grow. Yes, you are blessed by the very mother that gave us our time, but you are also a hindrance, and a possible threat if you were the Wise Wizard of a Kingdom. Some would sin to make sure that you do not interfere, then again I doubt anyone would do knowing that you have proven yourself to be an asset. You do what you do and there’s no greater relief to my mind than such an attitude.”

Harmless. That was the best thing that they could describe him. He wasn’t looking for power. He wasn’t looking for such a position that many would dream of having. Gabrio was a simple-minded man with a simple desire to continue his role as a Doctor

“A simple man who wanted to mend. I do sometimes think that you’d be so dense. Doctor, in your time serving the people, have you truly known the feelings of those who have served you?”

Gabrio leaned his chin on his palm. “I have some ideas. They do call me Grandfather nowadays. But, decent enough to address me as a Doctor of the fleet.”

“Think about it, good Doctor. You are a man who has spent years upon years serving your people. Not too kind that you’d be pushed around, but good enough to leave a mark on those who have been healed. You’ve underestimated what they see you as. You may not be the Blinder, but to them and the fleet. You are a good man, a perpetual that helps them. They’d think of you as Saint if you had chosen to do so, but you have avoided that. I wonder if you have done it on purpose?”

“You think I do this for that?”

“Your actions tell me that it is not. I do understand that this is your desire, that your time in that Fort has somewhat changed you into this.”

“It would be helpful if you would make sense at all!” Gabrio demanded.

“It is simple. You tend to bring help and your reputation of not taking, but giving has elevated your position to a degree you do not comprehend. You may not make use of it, but this fleet respects your service and if you had craved for power. You would have it.

“I don’t understand what you are insinuating! Are you complimenting me or are you warning me?”

“Both. I was hoping to see who was the man who had taken hold of the life of my student, and looking at you know. I wonder if all is as real as you want everyone to believe?”

Gabrio stared at her tiredly before shrugging. He disposed of his emotions and composed himself. “Think what you like.”

“Oh, I will. You aren’t bad, considering the man who had taken you in.”

“My Mentor was simply a man who wanted to help, but time erodes good intentions and he started walking a path that he thought would allow him time to do more good. I was simply fortunate and unfortunate enough to have been given a chance to serve.”

“Unfortunate?”

Gabrio didn’t elaborate. “I don’t know your purpose for coming here, but I assure you that I have no reason to interfere with whatever it is that the Kin wants. I am a Doctor, nothing more nothing less.”

“Is that right?”

Golden butterflies cover her. “I wonder if this is your way of choosing sides? Or is it simply apathy?”

“No, I refuse to ‘pick’ sides. I am a healer. If you insist that I choose, then there’s nothing we can talk about. I don’t understand why you’d come here to say all of this. You already formed an opinion of me. My input means nothing to you.”

“Not exactly. I simply wonder how you’d react to my silly questions.”

Gabrio opened his book and turned a page. Many thoughts ran on his mind and yet whatever this woman was trying to do. He didn’t want to think about it. He looked up and found Mana’s mentor staring at him with that bland smile of hers.

“I thank you for your time, Doctor. I do hope that you’ll make it through all of this.”

Before Gabrio could ask what she meant, she dispersed into hundreds of golden butterflies that covered his view. When he snapped his eyes open, the only thing left was the last butterfly fading away like smoke in the air.

Sitting back, kneading his face, he turned his thoughts elsewhere, hoping that the words of the woman wouldn’t pollute his head.