Chapter 3

Eleanor

The southern breeze blew through the ajar window. The curtains fluttered and the sun warmed the cracked sill where she’d spent her youth yearning. Eleanor Ligarius awoke with a smile on her face. It was rare she'd wake up to anything but the ocean's roar but today she'd barely opened her eyes and could already hear the commotion from down the hill. The sound from town seldom traveled up to the abode her and her brother called home. Eleanor couldn’t help feel like today would be unlike any other.

She rolled over and sat up on the edge of her bed. The old bed frame creaked with a pessimistic whine, as it did most mornings. Eleanor didn't mind though, after all, the bed didn't have much to look forward to during the day. Waking up she swept her hands under her mat of brown hair and tossed it up off her shoulders. Her hands slid back through her hair scratching at her morning scalp. She soothed her temples and shook herself awake. Bouncing over to her time capsuled wooden dresser, she pulled out something to cover up her slender naked figure. She peeked out her doorway and around the hallway. The coast was clear. She grasped her covering firmly and sprang down the corridor. Making it to the bathroom unnoticed she smiled to herself with a bit of a chuckle. No one was home, no one was ever home, but she liked to pretend. It made her feel normal, like the ordinary girls from the capital.

She reached for her steel decanter which glinted in the sun. The rays pierced through the soft purple curtains illuminating every inch of the tiny bathroom. She picked it up and began to pour herself a warm bath. She dipped it’s bill like spout into the steaming pot of water that her brother had boiled for her before he left each morning. She poured the boiling water into a half filled basin. A thick fog filled the air as the hot and cold waters mixed. The rising steam always cleansed her senses, making her feel light and capable. After a few moments the water stilled. She dipped her bare toes in. Her calves, thighs, hips, and torso were soon to follow as she slid into its warm embrace. Melting yesterday's thoughts away she began to focus on today, stretching her vocal chords and humming her favourite tune. She thought of her brother and figured he probably spent his off day at Randal's somberly drinking the day away with Bellamy. Maybe she’d head over there and surprise him, she could pick something up for him from the market on the way, something that'd put a big smile on his face. After that maybe the three of them could go out for dinner in town. It’s not like she had anything planned to eat this evening, and she knew the boys most certainly didn’t. She sang herself a soft tune and pondered off.

Staring up at the ceiling, while the pool pruned her fingertips, she decided it best to get a move on. The day was no longer young and she knew if she didn’t go now she’d stay in this bath till the moon rose and then eventually set. She sprang to her feet, drenched droplets dripping off her body. She reached for her towel and vigorously began drying herself off. Tying her hair up in a sort of makeshift headdress, she headed back to her room. Waltzing back over to her wardrobe she plucked out a summer dress. It was a soft yellow, covered in red and orange plumage. She hadn’t worn it in ages, she wasn’t sure why, she happened to love the dress. Slipping it on, over her turban like wrap, proved more difficult than anticipated. A few strange contortions later, she managed, and it satisfyingly slid down over her figure. She slipped on a pair of matching slippers and headed for the door. Of course, she had forgotten her hair was still wrapped tightly atop her head. Giving her hair one last rub down she tossed the towel over a nearby chair and departed for the market.

Eleanor loved the afternoon sun. The way it crested in the sky, it's glow completely warmed the world around her. It was the best time of day for everything; like drying one’s hair or tanning one’s skin. Today's rays were warmer than most but the day’s soft breeze kept her at a very comfortable temperature. Walking down the hill towards town she could smell the fresh sea air and feel the crisp ocean spray. She winded down the path until she passed by their neighbours, well the closest thing they had to neighbours.

“Hi Mr. and Mrs. Hollywood” She waved, with a gentle smile.

“Hello Eleanor! Gorgeous day today! Headed to fish your brother out of trouble again?” Mrs. Hollywood inquired. Eleanor noticed that she was in exceptionally high spirits today. Mr. Hollywood looked rather pleased with himself as well, as he rocked back and forth on his patio chair. Eleanor had a feeling they must have enjoyed themselves last night. She was happy for them. They were much more pleasant when they’d recently shared each other's company.

“It’s absolutely stunning, isn’t it!? No, not today” She said with a laugh. “I’m headed into town, do you need anything?”

“My dear, that dress looks lovely on you!” Mrs. Hollywood flattered. "Oh no dear, we’re just dandy! You have fun in town today mind you"

“Thank you!” She said with a little twirl. “Have a nice day!” Eleanor waved and kept on into town.

Passing by the fields with a skip in her step Eleanor could smell the fresh crops. The aroma filled her nostrils forcing her mouth to salivate. Just before she could begin daydreaming of a deluge of delicious dishes, she noticed a peculiar sight down in the bay. What appeared to be a large naval vessel was docked in the harbor. The townsfolk were all hustling and bustling around it. With her interest piqued, she decided she'd make her way to ship after she popped into Randal's.

Walking through town, on her way to the tavern, she spotted the sign for the old bookstore. In her youth she’d often catch Locke perusing the adventure novels. She loved wandering between the store's atmospheric shelves and aisles. The selection wasn't exceptionally large but it was diverse and there were a few hidden gems. Intact books weren't the easiest thing to come by, and the only place she knew of that had any was this old bookstore. She made her way inside and began looking around.

It wasn’t long before she happened upon the bookkeeper who slid down a ladder from which he was perched “Find everything you’re looking for today Miss Ligarius?” He asked with a smile.

“Hi Marshall!” Eleanor smiled back. “I’m looking for something for Locke, but I’m afraid he’s read most of your collection.” Lenore was a little dejected, she was hoping to surprise her brother with a new book.

“He tears through these things so quickly, he could probably write one of his own at this point.” Marshall responded with a laugh. “Let me see if I have anything special stored away in the back.”

“Oh will you? That’d be great, thank you!”

“I’ll be right back” He pointed to the rear door and promptly made his way through it.

Eleanor stood alone in the store tapping her finger on the spines of the books as she paced by them. She moved forward into the journal section and an idea crawled its way into her brain. She grabbed a journal that read “Captain’s Log” along the spine. She fluttered quickly through the blank pages. Satisfied she called out to the bookkeeper. “Don’t worry about it Marshall, you gave me a great Idea!”

Marshall popped out of the door with a bit of a puzzled expression on his face.

“You’re right Locke probably could write his own at this point. So if I can't find him a new book to read, maybe I can get him a book to write his own stories in!”

Marshall saw the captain’s log in her hand and looked a little nervous. “Are you sure, maybe I can still find you something in the back” He outstretched his palm “Or at least a better looking journal than that dingy old thing.”

Eleanor didn’t waver “Nope, it’s the perfect idea!”

Marshall ultimately smiled. “Hopefully he surprises us with some hidden talent then.” He said doubtfully, clearing his throat.

The two of them laughed and made they’re way over to the counter. She paid Marshall a few Denarii she'd earned last night, and left the store with a proud smile on her face.

Eleanor arrived at Randal's beat up old bar, it was probably the oldest place in town, a relic of a time before. She pushed all her weight onto the sturdy old door that hung in the entrance, cracking it open and sliding inside. The place was as dark and dank during the day as it was during the evening but she could never resist it's remarkable charm. She began looking around for her brother.

--You look like an angel, walk like an angel, talk like an angel--

A song was emanating from the gramophone. Eleanor loved the music that played at Randal's and she slowly began to hum along while dancing her way over to the bar.

"Hey Randal!" Eleanor greeted.

"Oh! Hello Lenore darling! Is it time for your set already?"

"No Randal, I'll be by later this week" she smiled.

"Oh... well what can i do ya' for?" he inquired.

"Have you seen that dastardly brother of mine?" She jested, making a playful face.

"Who?" He asked.

"Locke!" She laughed.

"Oh!... Yeah! That boy was here this morning!"

"And where did he get off too?" She questioned.

"What does he get off too?!" Randal said, taken aback.

"Oh my god no!" She exclaimed, waving her hands humorously in front of his face.

"Where did he go?" She repeated very clearly.

Randal carried on unaffected. "Hmmmm... That's a good question. He was sitting right there with a drink..." he pointed.

"Did Bellamy show up?" She continued.

"Bellamy?... Bellamy... That's right! Bellamy burst in, all flustered that boy was..."

Eleanor looked at him to keep going.

Randal stared back blankly.

"Did they leave together? Say where they were going?" Eleanor said slowly and purposefully. She was used to talking with Randal. She found it slightly amusing.

"Going? I don't think so... Might have said something about a ship?"

"I should have known they'd be all over that ship. Thanks Randal!" And she was off, as quick as she came.

"I'm not sure I was much help but you're welcome dear!" Randal smiled at Eleanor as she left, like a hurricane of happiness had just swept through his dingy old bar.

Eleanor continued on her quest. With the new information gained she was determined to find her brother and started heading down the hill towards the docks. By the time she arrived at the ship there was not a soul in sight. Just moments ago she'd seen the whole town down by the docks and now the whole place was shrouded in vacancy. The anomaly puzzled Eleanor. Ship's had come to port before but none had been important enough to stop the whole town from functioning. She figured the boys would have answers. If only she could bloody find them, she thought. It was then that a townsman strolled down back to the docks.

"Where'd everybody go?" She asked.

"Saw ’em headed to the medicus' hut I did, but I wouldn't go that way my dear. Might get sick" he warned her.

"Thanks." she said cautiously.

She headed up the hill, back into town. It was then, when she was passing the colourful crumbling buildings, that she heard a loud commotion coming from the medicus’ hut. Bellamy was always getting Locke into all sorts of trouble. Hopefully it was nothing serious, she thought, but the man at the docks seemed pretty disjointed. She decided she better hurry.

As she was getting closer she could hear the chatter of the newly landed crew. The sound filled the air, they seemed to be in high spirits for a bunch of people crowded around a medicus. She crested the hill and directly in front of her, standing near the entrance of the hut, was her brother. His short, wavy brown hair glowed in the sunlight, the wind tossing it around atop his head. Naturally Bellamy was beside him; he always had the effect of making her brother look rather lean. A woman who looked like she'd been awake for a week straight stood between them.

"Locke!" She shouted.