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Original X-roads-2003
In the Past…
Naomi stood on the deck watching the sandy shores of Tehrat as they approached. “Drop anchor.” she commanded.
The waves lapped against the ship in a rhythmic manner. The crew whispered to each other about their fears of Tehrat. No one on that ship was welcome there, piracy was one of the worst offenses of the land. Only torture waited for them on the shores if caught. It was rumored they had ways to elongate your life far beyond your natural years, so they could torture you longer.
“What could possibly be here that is of any worth?” the first mate asked Naomi.
“The fountain of youth.” she replied.
The man who had been by her side longer than anyone else looked at his Captain. The sun and the sea had robbed some of her youth as the cycles had passed. Her hair remained as vibrant as ever, and her skin was just as dark bronze as the day he met her. It was not only women who fell prey to vanity, he knew this well, though she was a woman. He knew the rumors of Tehrat were true, that they had a way to make people live hundreds of years outside their normal life span. He also knew that many of those people were still in the torture chambers under King Kilji’s castle. “I fear a trap.” he said outright to her. “Who was this merchant, and why was he so willing to tell you this? What cause would he have?”
“Other than greed?” Naomi hadn’t taken her eyes off the shoreline.
“And what of this boy, this thief. Why does he look for Mark Chasarue? Why was he planted here by Mark Chasarue?” the first mate continue to question.
Naomi looked over at him. He was right, why would Mark plant a thief on her deck? A thief who asked questions, that lead him here. But she had no bad blood with Mark. The last time she was with him, they were in Basta on Threshold for holiday. She, Sterfant, and Ja’net were all at his side for the festival of lights and color.
Naomi stopped thinking for an instant and looked at Jamie. At the festival, she saw him there.