Free Lost Empire by Jeff Gunzel

out of hand. It never went any farther than that, seeing as how no one wanted to break rule number one.
    Nights were usually spent up on the deck, peering out over the water. The four friends would watch the rolling waves crash against the side of the boat as it bobbed up and down to the rhythm of the sea. Although the scenery never changed much, it seemed better than locking themselves in their small room and staring at the walls.
    Sparse clouds failed at hiding the moon as they drifted across the starry sky. A light breeze with a salty tang was a constant reminder they had left land far behind. Eric and Jade leaned against the rail while facing off to the north. Although there was little difference in view, this particular spot on the deck had become a favorite, a private spot they could call their own. The breaking waves didn’t look much different than any other day, but they still watched intently as they rolled along. They held hands while Jade leaned her head against his broad shoulder. “How many more days, do you think?” There was no reason to be any more specific than that.
    He took his time before finally answering, “I know everyone’s getting impatient. These aren’t exactly grand living arrangements. But to be honest, I don’t really care how long it takes.” He wrapped his arm around her while watching wave after wave break apart in a burst of white foam. “I know what’s expected of me, and I’ve sworn on my life to uphold that duty. But for now—for now I just want to be normal like anyone else. No prophecies...no duties or endless sacrifices...for now I’m just a simple blacksmith.”
    She smiled warmly as she looked into his eyes; eyes that were weary with duty, obligation, responsibility...and pain. She smiled even though it hurt her to see him like that. She smiled to give him strength. “If that is your only wish...consider it granted. For now you have no ties to anything other than to me. You are no more than the man I love.”
    Jacob and Athel sat at their usual table down below. Two of the crewmembers sat at the opposite table talking amongst themselves, but were clearly eyeing the two companions as they did. Jacob seemed to be finding far too much joy in rolling a black marble back and forth across the table. Try as she might, Athel couldn’t resist following it back and forth with her eyes. She shook her head to try and snap out of the trance as her beaded hair rattled away. “You can’t possibly tell me you’re enjoying that,” she said, sounding a bit annoyed even though her tight grin said otherwise.
    “ I assure you I’m enjoying my game just as much as you are. You think I don’t know what you’re thinking? You’re jealous because I’ve found such a wonderful source of entertainment, and you want to try and snatch it away from me the first chance you get!”
    She roared with laughter. “I want to snatch it away because you won’t stop annoying me with it.”
    He raised an eyebrow while looking at her sideways. “You want to know the truth? It helps to distract me.” Athel’s nose crinkled up in confusion. “It distracts me from your beauty.” Jacob held the marble up between two fingers. “With this, I at least have a small chance of resisting your spell.”
    Athel flashed a huge grin just before burying her face in both hands and dropping her head down to the table. Jacob just rubbed her back in circles while beckoning her to come out of her hiding. Eventually she did, but her grin was long gone. She actually looked a bit sad with her shoulders slumped and thick braids drooping over her green eyes. In a dejected voice that matched her look, she said, “Why do you keep teasing me like that?”
    “ Like what?” he asked as he leaned in close, placing his hand on her knee.
    “ Like that!” she said, sharply jerking her knee and flinging his hand away. “Why do you keep making me feel that way? I know you don’t think I’m pretty.”
    “ Athel, that’s