1847 » Places

         Tenexier:
“Oeyar” I’m shoved in a chair, looking directly at Sage’s captain’s chair.
“Harlow,” My voice and body are all shaking now. Sage wanting to speak to me could never be good. “What do you want?” I bite my lip, trying to ease the anxiety coming just from this interaction.
Sage grins, as expected of someone like him. Her? I have a 50/50 chance of getting this right.
“As you very well know, my... Sibling is being rather uncooperative. Quite frankly, they're a lost cause. I've given up. But you, Tenexier... You have potential."
Of course I don’t.
"I'm willing to give you another chance. Join me. Join my crew, stay alive through the shitstorm that's coming our way. Money, glory, your life... You can have it all."
No. There’s no way. I’m pathetic. Worthless! There is no possible way for Sage to find me useful. It’s all lies. It must be. I feel anger taking over my body. Sage is insulting me with this offer. I can’t ever trust them.
"Are you INSANE??? Why the hell would I join you? You kidnapped me! And locked me up! And you stabbed my hand!"
"Because, Tenexier Oeyar,” Stop calling me by my full name. “I am your last chance to make it through the next several months alive. And besides, don't you have a special someone that you want to protect? Anyone at all?"
Teeth stab even harder into my bottom lip at this offer. Every muscle in my body seems to tense in that moment. Everyone would supposedly die if I disagree, right? Taking deep breaths, I recollect myself. If I agree… then perhaps just a few more people may live. It’s cowardly of me, of course. But, I’ve always been cowardly. That’s why I never make big decisions that could ruin other people’s lives like this.
Do I have a special someone I want to protect? Me? Protect someone else? Images of Etios fill my mind. My face even heats up slightly. Perhaps my mind was hazy at the moment, but the words left my mouth before I could consider the effect they would have.
"I get to live, he gets to live, everyone else dies?"
It’s terrible. After hearing it in my own voice, I could really tell how childish it sounds. It makes what I said all the more disturbing. Like a child taking about their own selfish desires that cause the deaths of everyone else. I’m a horrible person. And so I continued on with making the deal.
“That’s the deal” Sage confirms.
Ennis would be so disappointed in me. Everyone would. Especially Etios. Maybe he’ll forgive me after this all goes down and we remain safe. I’m definitely not safe now, but maybe after the deal is made…
“Wait,” I have to help as many people as possible with this deal. “I want you to let Ennis go. You said they aren't of any use to you anymore."
I doubted Sage would agree to any of my terms until I noticed a nod in reply from them. Why is Sage agreeing with me? I imagine that they wouldn’t care about anything I have to say. I can’t trust this. I’m not so stupid to trust anything that Sage says. However, I am stupid enough to agree with this deal. It will save two more lives that would’ve been taken otherwise, though. It would be selfish not to agree, right?
Will Sage even keep their end of the deal?
“I don't trust you. I'm not going to trust you. How do I know that you'll keep your word?” I pose the question.
A goblet is held in Sage’s grip and they reply. “Magic. What better way is there?”
A paper, along with the goblet, is placed on the desk between them.
“Give me your hand.”
My eyes widen. “What?”
Sage is holding a dagger, ready to stab me with it.
"Magic, boy. Binding contract requires blood. Give. Me. Your. Hand."
Before I can give them my consent, Sage snatches my hand to cut into with the blade. I gasp at the sudden pain and close my eyes, refusing to look at this almost demonic ritual.
"Tenexier Oeyar, do you swear to be loyal to the crew and Captain of the Nightflyer as well as obey the laws of the ship, whatever those may be?"
Without opening my eyes, I nod silently.
"Say it." Sage demands.
“I-I do.”
My eyes open slightly from pure curiosity. Why doesn’t Sage have to give blood for this ritual? I’m growing uncomfortable with the fact that my blood is changing colors now. Colors that are completely unnatural. It’s sickening.
Sage is unfazed and continues the ritual with their own words.
"I, Sage Harlow, swear not to harm you, Tenexier Oyear, or your dearly beloved. I swear to release my sibling in return for your obedience. Are you agreeing to these terms willingly?"
Am I?
I bite my lip again, harder than before.
“I am…”
The blood in the goblet glows an intense white color that causes me to instinctively close my eyes again.
"Then what is done is done."
I can only assume that those words mean it’s over. Opening my eyes to glance over at Sage, I can’t help but have a feeling of dread after all of this evil-looking magic.
“So… Now what?”
What could Sage want from me? What could I do that Sage would find desirable? I have no idea if Sage even wants me here now. I look up at Sage, anticipating their response.