Joan

Chapter XIV

"Why are you giving me that look?"

"Enough with the games."

"What games? What are you talking about? I'm trying to get information and you're not telling me what's up."

"Joan."

"...okay, fine, I admit it, I did it, but in my defense she double dog dared me. Plus everyone was watching me, I couldn't back down then- I don't want to be a coward."

"There is a difference between a coward and a fool, and I'd much rather you end up the coward."

"I'd really rather not take either but okay. Cool talk, dad, can we go back and eat now?"

"Joan."

"Ugh, come on, dad, it was one stupid thing."

"Unfortunately, you tend to have a repetitive cycle of 'stupid' mistakes. You need to be mindful of your actions and surroundings at all times; one foolish mistake can cost you everything. You do know the worse part about this talk?"

"Oh, this was a talk? Seemed more like a fire and brimstone lecture."

"If that is how you view it then consider it as such, but the worse part about this is that I, or your mother, or anyone, could talk to you about this for an infinite amount of time and you would continue to go down the path you want to."

"And I'm guessing that's not what I should be doing..."

"Joan."

"Okay, okay, I know I can be a bit stuck in my ways, but I don't purposefully try to stir the pot or anything."

"I know you don't, I know. But I also know the next time someone, anyone, 'challenges' you, you'll go about trying to rise to the occasion, whether it's warranted or not. This was not intended to scold you, your mother did enough of that, this is just to make you mindful of yourself. You're brave, but recklessly so; do not allow yourself to go into war over a minor indent to your dignity. Can you at least give me your word that you won't destroy yourself?"

"Okay, fine, but no promises."

"Also-"

"Yes?"

"No more dares."

"Fine by me."

°°°

Cracking one, crusty eye open to the bright, blurry world, I hiss and drop my face into the moist sand. Moaning, a warm lap of water gentle tickles my toes before retreating back into the ocean. I can feel something wrapped around my leg, and looking down I see a long strand of seaweed is entangled around my leg.

Sitting up in a kneeling position finally, I wipe the sand off my face and stretch.

"God." I thought I was dead for a second. Getting up, I toss the seaweed aside and shake the sand and salt from my hair. "Where the heck am I?"

It's an easy answer: on an island in the middle of the ocean. But how did I get here and where does that leave me?

As I shake myself down, I spot my sword glistening in the sun near the edge of the water where I washed up- thank God it didn't get lost after that huge wave.

Speaking of nearly lost things...

Sputtering and coughing up water a few feet from me, Chasan comes to, still tied up.

"You got any clue what this place is or where we are?" I ask him, my eyes still roaming the area.

He attempts to sit up but after three failed attempts, he falls back in frustration.