Attix

“Open the box, Artemis,” Bancroft growled lowly. He held her by the arm, roughly pushing her in the direction of the dreaded object. She planted her bare feet against smoothed stone.1

“Dun’t try it, woman.” The gun pressed against her temple.2

“Why did you pick me of all the cursed women?” Artemis asked, her voice trembling as she spoke.3

“Why ye? Ye may want ta talk ta Daddy ‘bout ‘at one, me dear girl.”4

Again he pushed her towards the box, and still she only budge a little.5

He growled hushed in her ear, “If ye dun open it, I’ll spatter yer brains across the room an’ make the little girl o’er there do it. Ye dun want ‘at put on ‘er pretty little ‘ead, now do ye?”6

The dark haired woman’s resolve crumbled. Upon being shoved towards the box, she stumbled forward, nearly tripping over the sheet she wore. She took the box from the alter, the silent whispers of the contained Sorrows danced at the fringes of her mind. She turned to look back at Bancroft, then his second in command and her captive, Sorcha.7

For a brief moment, she glanced at the inner chamber. Thick pillars sprung from the dark stone floors to meet the cathedral ceiling and curve to meet each other in the middle. There, at the meeting point, was a small window made of some translucent material that filtered the harsh desert sun-light into a softer, angelic glow.8

The red-haired girl was shaking her head. The determination and fear were evident in her eyes despite the small distant between them. The look was telling her to not open the box, wait or stop, get rid of it, something so long as it was kept closed.9

The box she held trembled against her palms, drawing her attention to it once more. It was asking to be free of its long-time burden.10

“Yew o’ ‘er, Artemis.” Bancroft’s voice was low and harsh.11

With a shiver, she sank to her knees, setting the box in her lap. Fresh tears blurred her vision. Her fingernails dug under the smooth lid, fingertips prying at it as she tried to open it and hold it shut at the same time. She sobbed, her ebon hair slipping from behind one ear.12

“’Ey! Ugly!” Sorcha’s voice broke the silence.13

Artemis’ head jerked up, her amber eyes fixating on the girl. Bancroft whirled, and Melesse tightened her grip, making Sorcha grimace.14

“Yea, you! You’ve got a small boat, and I ain’t talkin’ about the one you’re ridin’ the seas on!”15

It was a sharp statement that managed to bring red the face of the Black Fate’s captain. Melesse snarled and muttered something to the girl before something else caught her attention.16

“Boss!” she yelled as she signaled behind him.17

-----18

Bancroft whispered something only Artemis could hear, and D’aray watched as her resistance fell away to submission. He bit his tongue to keep from making any sort of noise. His fingertips dug into his palm with the effort to restrain himself; his grip on his gun tightened.19

Hazel eyes watched as Valan moved quietly into position behind Bancroft’s second-in-command. D’aray planned to stay where he had been since early morning, waiting for Bancroft to cross the desert with Artemis and Sorcha.20

“Yew ‘o ‘er, Artemis,” the dark-haired pirate said lowly.21

“No,” the red head hissed. He clenched his jaw when Artemis sank to her knees, obscuring his view with the alter. He moved, praying she would not open the box. He saw Sorcha’s face light up and ducked back to his former position. Valan was nearly in place, which was good. This was going to be hard with only a prayer keeping the worst from happening.22

“’Ey! Ugly!” Sorcha yelled, snatching Bancroft’s attention.23

D’aray found himself wanting to both scorn his sister as well as praise and hug her. He bolted from the shadows just as she finished her statement, vaulting over the alter only to land just behind Artemis and nearly topple over her. His gun, loaded and cocked, was pointed at his rival pirate captain.24

Bancroft had done the same at Melesse’s shout.25

It only took the sorceress a moment to realize what exactly was happening. She pushed herself back, the box falling from her lap, clattering to the floor and making the Gryffen wince. Her arms tightly wound around his left leg as she huddled against him.26

“What were ye thinkin’ when ye disobeyed orders, Gryffen?” sneered Bancroft.27

“You really don’t want to know,” D’aray replied. “Put your gun down.”28

“So ye can shoot meh? Ah think not. Artemis, get o’er ‘ere now,” the other man ordered.29

Her arms tightened around D’aray’s leg.30

“Now, Artemis.”31

When her grip slackened and she began to pull away, the red-haired man bent to catch her shoulder with his free hand, holding her back. He then said, “She’s not doing what you say anymore, Bancroft.”32

One of the elder man’s eyebrows shot upwards in amusement. “Oh? Melesse, shoot the girl.”33

“No!” Artemis yelped, fumbling to pull D’aray’s hand away from her as she strained against it.34

A shot fired, and the sound of a bag of wet sand dropping to the floor could be heard. With Bancroft in the way, D’aray hoped Valan had done as had been planned, that the worst had not happened.35

Pulling the sorceress back against him, he squatted down behind her and wrapped his arm around the front of her shoulders. His knees were on either side of her, the gun leveled at the man opposite them. He had his head just above her shoulder with his lips next to her ear.36

“Do as I tell you,” D’aray murmured, watching Bancroft with a venomous glare. “Things could go badly…or worse, if they haven’t already.”37

She nodded shortly, moving one hand to squeeze his fingers.38

-----39

Valan and Sorcha sprinted down the twisting streets of the dead city, his grip on her hand never loosening as he led her back to the ship.40

“But what about D’aray? And Artemis?” she protested, not for the first time.41

“They’ll be fine,” he panted. “Was given…orders to…free you and…haul our miserable…asses back to…the ship…Direct…quote…from the captain.”42

The girl stopped, roughly yanking her hand from his. He nearly tripped as he stumbled to a halt and turned to face her.43

“We can’t just leave them!” Her eyes were large with shock.44

Two gunshots echoed from the temple, scaring the desert birds into flight. Sorcha spun around, back the way from which they had just come, and the blonde man swore.45

“Yes, we can, Sorcha!”46

He grabbed her around the middle and threw her, kicking and screaming, over his shoulder.47

“Watch me,” he grunted and took off in the opposite direction.48

-----49

Her breathing was a bit more labored than his when she threw herself back against the stone. Her face had paled significantly. The sheet was slipping.50

“You all right?” D’aray looked at her, his unburdened hand immediately going to her shoulder, then to her neck and the side of her face. “He didn’t hit you?”51

She shook her head frantically. No, she was not hit. He made a quick scan over her just to make sure. She was shaking horribly, he noticed, and she fumbled to keep the sheet up.52

Another gunshot sent large chips of rock flying from the alter next to D’aray, which was now the two’s safe haven. He jerked his shoulder up to shield his face, leaning towards the woman beside him.53

“Bastard!” he growled as he whipped around the corner of the alter, firing off a shot before ducking back. A bullet followed him closely. Once again, he glanced at Artemis, flinching at another shot.54

Her hand went to the side of his face immediately. “You’re hit,” was all that came out in a choked voice.55

For a brief moment, he thought she meant a death wound. Bancroft fired again, the Gryffen returning the shot. His own hand darted up to feel the line that grazed the peek of his cheekbone and nicked the shell of his ear.56

“You. Stay down and away from him. Run the first chance you get. My ship-“ Once more he traded shots with his rival. “My ship is north of here. Valan and Sorcha will be there. Tell Valan, ten minutes.”57

“You’re doing the hero thing,” Artemis stated quietly.58

It made him pause and look at her. “What?”59

Several clicks rang through the near-silent air, silencing the sorceress. Those were quickly followed by a curse and the sound of metal skidding across stone. Both Artemis and D’aray watched as the gun slid past the alter.60

Twisting around, the pirate fired a shot blindly. Another curse told him that he had at least nicked his target.61

Silent moments passed. D’aray listened intently, holding his gun close to his chest and Artemis’ hand on his thigh. She listened, too, her forehead resting on his shoulder while she stared at their entwined fingers.62

Without lifting her head, she whispered, “What do you think he’s doing?”63

She received a shrug as he slowly moved to look. He felt her lift her head and then his hand as he peeked from behind their haven.64

The Black Fate was nowhere within sight. Nor was his second-in-command’s body. A puddle of blood was the only indication that someone had been shot and killed recently. However, there were no blood trails to show the deceased was up and walking.65

D’aray glanced back at the woman next to him. He found her up on her knees, peering over the ledge of the alter with her opposite hand holding onto her covering. He let go of her hand to pull her down none-too-gently by the shoulder. She fell onto her backside, frowning at him.66

“Don’t get brave,” he whispered. “There’d be no point in my coming to save your ass then.”67

“Keeping the box closed and saving your sister seem like fairly goods reasons,” she retorted quietly.68

“That’s like asking me to shoot you.”69

Opening her mouth to respond, she froze. Her amber eyes averted upwards, above the alter. D’aray took that as a silent cue, whirling around and up into a semi-crouched position. He leveled the gun above the stone table and fired. The bullet sent the firearm in Bancroft’s hand over the man’s shoulder and skittering across the floor behind him. D’aray squeezed the trigger again. It clicked.70

“Damn it!” the Gryffen yelled as he tossed the gun away.71

He stood up fully, pulling his twin scimitars from their sheaths to brandish them just as Bancroft did his sword. Artemis scrambled next to D’aray’s legs, pressing herself against the alter which separated the two men.72

“By the time ah’m through wit’ ye, boi, she’ll ‘ave ‘at box open,” sneered the Black Fate and swung across the gap between them. D’aray jumped back, hitting the blade down with one of his own, a small shower of sparks raining from the contact point of steel and stone.73

“An’ ye both can be tagether wit’ Nidra draggin’ yer souls ta the afterlife.”74

“You know,” D’aray retorted, “Sharing your plans is what ruins them.”75

Bancroft chuckled. “They’re not ma plans.”76

“None of the Immortals want that damned box open!” Artemis yelled. She moved as though to stand up only to have D’aray push her down.77

“What did I say about being brave?” he growled.78

Smirking, the dark-haired man said, “Ye of all people, Artemis, shou’ feel it. Yer not only a sorceress but also the Pandora. Ye can feel Her.”79

She had slapped her hands over her ears, and D’aray was lunging across the alter by the time Bancroft had finished.80

“Shut yer mouth and fight me!” demanded the Gryffen.81

“As ye wish, Gryffen,” the other man sneered and blocked an oncoming blow.82

Pushing Bancroft back, D’aray moved the fight towards the open area of the temple’s innermost chamber. They matched each other strike for strike nearly every time. Both nicked or were nicked several times, little red lines appearing across skin and holes in clothes. The elder ducked beneath one of the younger man’s swings, kicking him as he went to push the younger away.83

Stumbling, the Gryffen spun on his toes. He charged his foe, unable to stop himself as the Black Fate, bending to pick up the box, flipped D’aray over onto the stone. Quickly, the dark-haired man hacked downwards at the red head on the floor. Metal screamed as both hand-scimitars and sword blade met.84

“Artemis,” Bancroft cooed, leaning on his weapon.85

D’aray grunted. “Don’t!” 86

He pushed up on the weight being put into the sword. His muscles were burning, and the majority of his concentration was keeping them from giving in.87

“Come open the, Artemis. ‘E’ll die if ye dun’t.”88

Neither man glanced in her direction as she stood. Breaking eye contact could mean the worst for either.89

“Hurry, Pandora. Ma legs may not ‘old much longer.” As emphasis, Bancroft placed more of his weight onto his sword, making the arms of the one beneath him buckle.90

She stepped up next to the men, taking the box from the Black Fate. For a brief moment, she watched D’aray’s face then looked at Bancroft.91

“Unbind my magic. I can’t open the box without it. And stop leaning on him. I won’t open it if he dies.” Her tone was stern despite the quivering of her voice.92

Lessening his weight, the Black Fate’s captain complied. He then murmured words of another tongue, magic flowing from them in symbols to unlock the woman’s sealed power.93

Without a word, she walked around them towards the entrance and disappeared from D’aray’s sight. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled and stood. Growling, he shoved upwards as hard as he could with his muscles screaming in protest. The movement managed to knock Bancroft back enough to allow the red head to roll out from underneath the sword. The blade scraped against stone before the older man fully recovered. It gave the younger just enough time to get to his feet and start towards Artemis. The weapon was swung upwards, cutting him off, only to be smacked away by his scimitars.94

“Don’t open it, Artemis!” shouted D’aray as he backed away from another swipe.95

He swung his arm horizontally to counter and felt the tip of his weapon catch. Bancroft yelled, clutching the side of his face with his free hand.96

With evident rage, the dark-haired man charged the Gryffen without directly using his sword. It was used only to disarm one of D’aray’s hands before he was plowed backwards.97

The red head dropped his remaining blade, burying it into the other man’s back. He was tossed to the ground, the wind forced from his lungs.98

Yanking the scimitar from his back, Bancroft stood over the younger captain. His green eyes were glazed with pain and anger. Blood stained his clothes, and his breathing was wracked with exhaustion.99

While better for the wear, D’aray’s muscles still burned, protesting with the larger of his movements. He felt sweat bead and trickle down his face and arms, dampening his clothes. The sweat, as it worked its way into his open wounds, stung.100

Movement caught the red-haired pirate’s eye. Bancroft swiped at his face, drawing a thin red line of blood just below the previous one. D’aray grunted as he quickly backed away only to be followed all too eagerly. His back pressed against the alter, and his rival smirked.101

A gun skittered across the stone floor towards the two men. Bancroft raised his sword above his head with one hand. Snatching the gun before it could hit the alter, D’aray fumbled momentarily as he brought the barrel level with the other’s chest and squeezed the trigger. His arm jerked and so did the dark-haired man.102

The Black Fate’s captain froze, blinking slowly. The Gryffen fired four more loud shots. The firearm clicked three more times before Bancroft toppled forward, his sword and the scimitar clattering to the ground. D’aray shuffled away as the man started to come down on him.103

Hazel eyes swiveled away from the deceased towards Artemis, who now sat facing him on the floor. She smiled a little, holding up her empty hands. D’aray could not help but smirk.104

“What did you do with it?” he asked as he stood and retrieved his weapons.105

“Showed it one of my favorite places,” she quietly said.106

“And that is?” He sheathed them and trotted over to her to take her hand and pull her to her feet.107

“Wide open seas.”108

Smirking, he gently pulled her to the door. “Let’s go before we’re left behind.”109

“Wait.” Her hand slipped from his.110

“Artemis, we don’t have much time.” He turned to look at her. She was adjusting the sheet so that she could move easier. “Oh.”111

Quickly, he stripped his great coat, saying, “Here. Put this on and button it up.”112

She did as she was told, letting the sheet drop to the floor afterward. When she stooped to retrieve it, he said, “It’ll just get in the way. Leave it.”113

D’aray kept her hand tightly clasped in his, keeping her near his side as they ran. Bare feet slapped against the marbled floor, boots thudding in a more drawn out rhythm that echoed down the halls ahead of them. Over his ragged breathing, he could not hear anything but the sounds their feet made.114

Through twisting halls and up and down stairs that made legs protest, they ran, bolting into the blinding desert sun. Artemis stumbled, unable to see for a moment. D’aray dragged her along as he blinked the darkness from his eyes.115

He turned down a street heading north, barely pausing as he scooped the sorceress up to whisk her over broken glass and pottery. Afterwards, she was set on her feet so his arms would not give out. His fingers twined with hers once again as he led her out of the city, picking her up only when there was too much debris.116

When they met the sand, Artemis’ paced quickened. He too moved faster. His legs were beginning to lose feeling and his head spun in circles. But he knew the ship was not far off and that if they did not hurry, there was a chance they would be left to deal with the Kin and Fate, if she did not have plans to smite them already.117

His heart sank as they crested the top of a dune. In the valley of sand and sea below, where earth and water met, was the only dingy from his ship. The Gryffen’s Eye had pulled anchor and was slowly creeping towards the horizon.118

“They left...” Artemis panted.119

D’aray nodded slowly as he sucked in a deep breath. He sat in the sand, letting go of her hand, and placed his arms atop his knees. “They left.”120

“But...”121

“I told them to,” he said quietly as his breathing calmed. “They followed captain’s orders... as always.”122

She sat next to him, leaning her weight against his side and her head on his shoulder. Despite the heat, he allowed her to do so as they watched the Gryffen’s Eye disappear.