To A New Life

“Land ahoy,” Months at sea, thorough storms, rocky seas, times with little food but the ship had almost made it. Islana had almost made it.

Arcadia and all that awaited there lay ahead. Helias, Lord Vasant left behind. She wasn’t foolhardy enough to think the man wouldn’t send someone after her eventually but maybe she could plan a way to avoid being caught. The inquisition didn’t know about her, and she was certain they were likely already in Arcada or would be soon enough. Best avoided, if possible. Her plan: get a job, keep her head down, and to her ability, out of sight. Shouldn’t be that hard, right?

Maybe, someday she would be able to find out what happened to her sister. As for her father - her mind turned back to the day he handed her over to Vasant. The man didn’t even look back, just walked into the place Islana had called home and that was it. Her heart couldn’t find the capacity to forgive what he had done, It was likely it never would. The betrayal had been beyond what was forgivable in her mind. The worst part being there had been no goodbye between her sister and herself. How the girl missed Cathal and Aine, but her father would forever be a far more complicated matter.

Passage aboard the ship had been secured in exchange for work. At first, the Captain had taken one look at the petite girl and thought she was too young or weak to do a decent job, but he also seemed to take pity on her for reasons that would never be clear. So, the redhead was hired to do, whatever needed doing at the moment and proved she was a hard worker and able to keep up.

It was good, there would be no owing anyone this way. Arcadia would be a fresh start or as much of one as was possible for the time being.

Islana finished cleaning the deck and started helping prepare for landing. As she was setting up some of the ropes, the cries of several gulls could be heard. Looking up, emerald eyes caught sight of it - Arcadia land of myths and wonder - it was now just up to finding out what else lie within the mystery.