The Journey Begins

Rotting wood, dead rats decaying in the shadows, and above all the wood and coal burning allowing the steam engines to function was all to be smelt in the basement hull. It was a ship Lucca snuck into to escape her homeland. There was much to be desired traveling on such a luxurious ship to look like an abandoned hole in its lower levels. Did it matter? Considering she was a stowaway not in the least!

Escaping Rerdanthis, her floating ice island in the sky, was an adventure with in itself. Guards were patrolling the outside palace and all she could think of was freedom at her fingertips. She had to dodge into crevices and shadows until she reached the flying ship. There she took refuge inside by entering in through the cargo hold. She had to be extra careful as their were workers loading the hull with food, luggage, and a variety of other things.

It seemed like an eternity had passed waiting for the workers to load up the cargo and finally leave and close the hatch. Then it seemed like another million years just for the ship to begin its journey. Huddled in the corner with her bag of holding and pulling her cloak about her body she sighed. This was a lot of trouble just to get some freedom. The pros nulled out the cons however with her situation. It was be happy, or not be happy. She chose happiness. Granted it was at the expense of her family, but they never seemed to care about anyone but themselves. If she was to marry... she would marry for love. She didn't want to run a country either. She saw all the pain it caused her parents with keeping the populace happy, all the rules, all the treaties, all the damned busy work they had to deal with running a country. She didn't want it. She wanted to be a normal person. There was to be no more servants tending to her bathroom to bathe her, there was to be no more people dressing her, and above all, there was to be no one telling her what she can and can't do that was seen as "un-princess like"

Perhaps she was being a bit hypocritical in regards to her parents. They were selfish except when it came down to their family. There were so many rules and regulations that she had to abide by and being arranged into a marriage was beyond horrendous. She had always wanted to marry and fall in love; true love. It wasn't fair to her to have to endure a false love just for the sake of the people of Rerdanthis and her family. She was being beyond stubborn.

The water hissed as it moved through its intricacies, moving the parts and whirring mechanical gears twisting and turning making movement possible allowing the ship to fly. There didn't seem to be anyone feeding it coal. It just seemed to take it when it needed too, like it was enchanted somehow. Granted magic had to be at hand to allow this beastly cargo ship to move through the skies. How else would it know to take coal when it needed? As far as she was concerned she didn't care. She just wanted to get away and not be caught.

It was a seemingly smooth ride with the occasional bump or turbulence. She didn't know where she would end up. As if she knew she liked to dream of where the ship would dock. Maybe a warm beach with pirates or natives! Her mind wandered more conjuring various situations. It was like her mind turned into a pleasant story book! Any place was a start, on the other hand, thinking of the scenarios she would encounter made it all the more thrilling. She had money, her things within a bag of holding, and of course her self. What more was there to hope for but her freedom!

Amongst her pleasant daydreams a horrendous thunder clapped knocking her back into reality. Wide eyed she looked in horror trying to discern what it was. It erupted again. Frantic she went to stand up and discover the noise but with the thunder giving its third roar also shook the ship knocking her off balance midst midstep. Squeaking, Lucca fell against some of the cargo boxes. Throbbing pain enveloped her side and her upper thigh as she recovered. A hiss drowned out any noise she could of heard then suddenly it stopped. Nothing but silence for only a mere second, then life seemed to take its place once more. Those who were meant to be on that ship were moving about in the upper levels. They must of come to a stop.