Kendall's Story VI- Short Story

As the ship picked up speed, the wind increased, tugging at anything it touched trying to pull it along on its splendid journey. The dark braid was no match, and relinquished several strands to the call of the wind. Trenton watched from the top of the stairs as the former slave untied the leather strand, releasing the rest of her dark locks to join in the dance of the wind.

He smiled. The simple act revealed that her mind was unburdened by thoughts of the temple, or those who were likely pursuing them. She stretched her arms out before her, as if daring the wind to try to sweep her away. The fabric of her dress pulled away from her, then fell, only to be pulled again by the next gust.

A strong gust forced her to take a step back to brace herself, and Trenton could not help laughing at the sight. She heard, and spun quickly around, hair whipping around and partially concealing her face. She saw Trenton in the almost shadow of the stair where he stood, and stared at him. He gave a small sigh, and moved away from the scant protection from the wind that the stairs offered. He hadn't meant to disturb her.

Instead of heading to her, Trenton circled around to the aft deck. He would have to seek her out soon, so they could determine where, exactly, they were heading, but he wanted to allow her time to let her freedom sink in. With all the events of the previous day and the morning, he was sure she hadn't really had time to contemplate what her new life would be like. He could only imagine what she would want to do first.

Leaning against the railing, he wondered the same for himself. If he had just been freed, what would he most want to do? That's easy, I'd want to make sure everyone else was freed as well. He turned to look out over the water, watching the wake lines spread out from the boat toward the shores of the wide river. He didn't that answer, because if hers were the same, then by leaving he had denied that option. He knew his leader, Myya, would not stop in her quest until all temple slaves were freed, but there was no way for his travel companion to know that.

Trenton startled at the hesitant touch of a hand on his arm. The hand was quickly withdrawn, and he turned to see the temple slave standing behind him. He shook his head at that. Former temple slave.

She looked at him questioningly, as if trying to figure out if he was disagreeing with her company. He quickly smiled. "I really need something else to call you. Do you realize I've not asked your name? Wait, I take that back, I did ask, but you didn't answer. The cleric said-" he trailed off as he noticed a brief look of pain reflected in her dark eyes, before she turned her attention to the river. "Um... that is, you weren't permitted to give me your name, were you." He mental cursed at himself for the direction the conversation had taken. Here he was trying to help get her away from the temple life, and the first real conversation he had with her he brought it up first thing.

"I... um. Will you tell me your name?"

Silently she shook her head, her attention apparently on a bird that was circling the water off to the side of the ship. Trenton wished he were standing against a wall so he could slam his head back against it. He hadn't meant to upset her.

"If you'd like, I can come up with a name for you to use, from now on. In the very least, something I can call you, other than 'hey you'?"

She didn't answer. He stared hard at her back, wondering how he could make amends, wondering what topic he could talk about without upsetting her further. He silently willed her to forgive him. If he hadn't been so intent on her, he would have missed the small nod that she gave.

"You want me to come up with a name?"

His heart lightened when she nodded again. His elation was short lived, however, as she turned around and looked expectantly at him. He hadn't really thought of a name. He had assumed she would be telling him her name, rather than asking for one.

"Um..." he said, and took a step back from her, to get a better look at her. A name came to mind, but he immediately rejected it, she didn't look like a Judy. Besides, that is what he had named his first cat. Her hair was too dark for a light, bubbly name, like Kelli or Lela. She was too pale and too young for a name like Meredith.

He didn't realize he was mumbling to himself as we was rejecting names for various reasons until she gave a small laugh. She took another step away from him, and swept her skirt as she turned in profile, then back to face him, as it to let him get a better idea of who she was. Her pale face was framed by long, almost black hair, and the deep blue of the dress. She looked young, but not frail, which was not surprising given what she must have had to endure at the temple. She pretty confidant, stronger for surviving.

"Ah ha. Why didn't I see it before? Sapphire, or Saphie for short. Is that okay?"

She considered for a moment, then nodded. He returned the gesture with a smile. "Saphie it is. Well, Saphie, I managed to secure our meals for our journey, and on the way back from the galley, Captain Blaine informed me our room was ready. Would you care to see where we'll be staying for our journey?"

She smiled and indicated for him to lead the way.

~~~

Kendall followed Trenton across the deck towards the stairs. Sapphire. She smiled. He thinks I'm like a beautiful gem. She quickly bowed her head, humbly asking Darou's forgiveness for presuming it was by her virtues she had earned the name. They had almost reached the stairs when she saw the artist sitting against the side rails, struggling to keep the pages of his sketchbook from turning or tearing off in a sudden gust of wind.

Curious, she leaned over to see what he was been drawing, and was surprised to see a likeness of herself on the page. The wind died down enough for the artist to look up. He blushed to see who's attention he had attracted. "I...I'm sorry. You just looked so...happy, so free, standing in the wind. I hope... I didn't mean to offend you."