A talk with Iris about our future.

Chapter 16: On the high seas.

We had finally set sail for Delphi, yet the events leading to this voyage still felt surreal, as though caught in a waking dream. The Black Rose, with its imposing masts and well-kept rigging, proved to be a formidable vessel, its every movement cutting cleanly through the azure waves. Despite our initial skepticism, Basilius emerged as a captain of remarkable competence. His flamboyant demeanor masked an astute mind, while Entinos, reserved and deliberate, exemplified the efficiency of a seasoned quartermaster. The crew held him in high regard, his calm authority commanding their respect.
The vast expanse of the sea provided moments of unexpected tranquility. I often found solace in the crisp air and the endless rhythm of the waves, a stark contrast to the chaos that had marked our journey thus far. These quiet interludes offered time for reflection and conversation, though some exchanges proved more elusive. Iris, for instance, kept her distance, her avoidance a silent reminder of the kiss that lingered unspoken between us. Her cold demeanor unsettled me more than I cared to admit.
When not lost in thought, I gravitated toward Basilius. Beneath his theatrical bravado lay a man of knowledge and experience. Though prone to embellishment, his stories often carried useful insights, making our dialogues both lively and instructive. The man had a knack for weaving tales that blended wisdom with humor, and while his tendency for dramatics was undeniable, it made the long hours at sea far less monotonous. He seemed to understand the weight of our mission, even if he rarely addressed it directly.
One such moment of quietude found me leaning against the ship’s railing, gazing out at the seamless meeting of sea and sky. The vastness of the ocean seemed to stretch infinitely, its depth and mystery mirroring the uncertainty of our path ahead. The scent of salt and the rhythmic lapping of waves provided a strange sense of solace. It was in that moment of meditation that Ikaro approached me, his steps casual, and took his place beside me. He leaned back, his elbows resting on the railing as he surveyed the scene with an easy smile.
“Enjoying the journey?” he asked, his voice relaxed as he let the serenity of the sea wash over him.
I smirked. “Aside from the occasional bird shit and the less-than-pleasant odors from the crew, I’d say it’s been… enjoyable.” My jest earned a quiet chuckle from him.
“They’re a colorful bunch,” he admitted, his grin widening. “I’ve already won 200 drachmas off them in wagers.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been gambling with the crew?”
“Of course. They act tough, but they gamble like amateurs. You should’ve seen them trying to win back their money from Noor and their charming words.” His laugh carried an infectious warmth, his delight at the memory unmistakable.
I couldn’t help but shake my head, bemused. “They tried to charm Noor?”
“Oh, absolutely,” he replied, his laughter deepening. "You should have seen how Noor played them, god despite her being a bitch sometimes I love that girl.”
“Agreed,” I say enjoying my talk with Ikaro, our time together made us close friends.
“Nah, you just like looking at her butt” He says smirking. “I saw you how you look at her.”

I surrendered with a sheepish chuckle, raising my hands in mock defeat. “Guilty as charged.”
“Not that I blame you,” Ikaro said with a shrug. “It’s clear she likes you, too. Same with Iris.” His teasing tone carried a note of genuine amusement. “You’ve managed to entangle yourself in quite the predicament, haven’t you?”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Perhaps,” I admitted, my voice low. “It’s… complicated.”
Ikaro burst into laughter, his voice booming like thunder over the gentle crash of waves. “Wait, wait—you didn’t actually do anything with them, right?” His eyes scanned my face, but the guilt painted across it said more than words ever could. His laughter stopped abruptly, replaced by wide-eyed shock. “BY ZEUS, YOU DID?!”
“Shhh!” I hissed, glancing nervously toward Iris, who wasn’t far off. Ikaro’s reaction was already drawing attention, and the last thing I needed was for her to overhear this conversation. “Keep your voice down!”
His face was a mixture of disbelief and amusement, and he lowered his voice only slightly. “So that’s why she’s been so pissed off at you. Oh man, you really stepped in it this time.” He tried and failed to contain his laughter, his shoulders shaking with restrained mirth.
“I didn’t…” I hesitated, running a hand over my face. “I didn’t sleep with both of them. Not exactly.”
Ikaro leaned in closer, his curiosity piqued. “What do you mean, not exactly’? You either did or you didn’t, man.”
“Well…” I muttered, avoiding his gaze. “I didn’t with Iris, at least.”
“You’re telling me you slept with Noor?” He said amazed at me. “You lucky bastard.”
“No!” I protested, though my voice was barely above a whisper. “She… she just, uh… she gave me a blowjob. She called it a ‘reward’ after rescuing her.”
For a moment, Ikaro was utterly silent, his mouth slightly agape as he processed what I’d said. Then the laughter returned, louder and more uncontrollable than before. He had to clutch his sides to steady himself. “Oh gods, there’s no way she’s not into you, man. Nobody does that without wanting something more. She’s all but throwing herself at you!”
“You think so?” I asked, half-dreading the answer.
“Think so?” he repeated, raising an eyebrow. “She looks at you like you’re a walking flame and she’s the moth. Trust me, I’ve seen it. Her eyes practically scream, ‘Take me now.” He clapped me on the shoulder, smirking. “Does Iris know about this?”
I shook my head quickly. “No, and it’s not what she’s upset about anyway. She’s not even angry, not really. I think she’s just… ignoring me.”
“Why?” Ikaro asked, his expression shifting to one of genuine concern. “What happened?”
I sighed, leaning against the railing for support. “Remember when I was on guard duty during the trip? She came to talk to me, and we… well, we kissed.”

Ikaro’s eyes widened. “You kissed my sister?!”
“She kissed me!” I corrected, though the words sounded hollow even to my own ears. “At least, I think she did. But now, she’s acting like it never happened—like she regrets it or something.”
Ikaro leaned back and laughed again, this time more subdued but no less amused.

“What?” I demanded, my frustration bubbling to the surface. “What’s so funny?”

“Oh you idiot” he said between chuckles, shaking his head. “she fucking likes you, she’s just trying to act all tough to hide her feelings.” He says laughing at his sister attitude.

“You think so?” I asked, the doubt clear in my voice.

“Of course!” he exclaimed, grinning. “She’s my sister, Kayn. I know her better than anyone. Trust me, you’ve got her wrapped around your finger, even if she won’t admit it.” He turned to walk away, still chuckling. “oh man I’m going to enjoy so much teasing her about it.”

As Ikaro disappeared into the bustling activity of the deck, I was left alone to wrestle with my thoughts. Could he be right? Was Iris only putting on a façade to hide her inner turmoil? And what about Noor? Did her actions stem from genuine attraction, or was it just a fleeting moment of carnal gratification?

I decided to clear my head of all the conflicting thoughts and worries for a moment. With a heavy sigh, I headed to the quarterdeck, where Basilius and Entinos stood overlooking the crew as they rowed tirelessly against the rhythmic crash of the waves.
“Ah! Kayn, just the man I wanted to talk to!” Basilius greeted me, his ever-present grin lighting up his face. Entinos gave me a silent nod, his stoic presence as steady as the ocean itself.
“KEEP ROWING, BOYS!” Basilius bellowed, his voice carrying across the deck. “THE SOONER WE REACH DELPHI, THE SOONER THE REAL FUN BEGINS!”
I raised an eyebrow at Entinos, who smirked in response. “Is he always like this?”
“That’s what makes him a good captain,” Entinos replied, his calm tone laced with subtle amusement.
“That’s right,” Basilius chimed in, his grin widening. “What can I say? I’m proud of what I do.”
From my spot, I caught a glimpse of Iris standing at the bow, her gaze fixed on the horizon. The sea breeze teased strands of her hair loose, her thoughtful expression betraying the storm of emotions within her.
Basilius followed my gaze and let out a knowing chuckle. “Ah, love—a dangerous fire, wouldn’t you say, Entinos?”
The satyr nodded in agreement.
“She’s beautiful,” Basilius added with a sly grin. “Good choice, lad.”
I chuckled nervously, scratching the back of my neck. “Is it that obvious?”
“A little more, and you’d look like a dog drooling over its next meal,” Entinos said dryly, eliciting a hearty laugh from Basilius.
“Come on, guys,” I protested, feeling my cheeks warm. “The last thing I need right now is more teasing.”
Basilius’s laughter subsided, and he gave me a kind smile. “No teasing, lad. What you need is advice.”
I raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by his tone. “You? Offering me advice? I thought all you cared about was getting us to Delphi and collecting your coin.”
“A job’s a job,” he said with a shrug, “but I’ve grown fond of you. And Entinos, though he doesn’t say much, feels the same.”
The satyr’s silence spoke volumes, his nod a silent affirmation of Basilius’s words.
“You seem to be caught between a rock and a hard place, lad,” Basilius continued, his sharp eyes studying me. “Am I wrong?”
“You’re not,” I admitted, hesitating before launching into an explanation of my predicament. I recounted everything—Noor’s forwardness, Iris’s kiss, and my uncertainty about what it all meant. When I finally finished, Basilius let out a booming laugh that echoed across the deck.
“Apollo strike me!” he exclaimed, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes. “Are all gods’ chosen this seductive, or is it just you?”
“Maybe he’s just well endowed,” Entinos added, his deadpan delivery making Basilius double over with laughter again.
Basilius eventually regained his composure, his smile softening into something more genuine. “Forgive me, lad. Entinos has a way of catching me off guard.” He patted my shoulder, his tone becoming serious. “But let’s get this straight—you’ve got two remarkable women drawn to you, and you’re standing frozen, unsure of what to do?”
I felt my face redden as I nodded. “That’s about right, yeah.”
Basilius turned his gaze to the sea, the sunlight reflecting off the waves as if mirroring the wisdom in his eyes. “Love is like a campfire, lad. It can warm you on the coldest nights, but if you’re careless, it can burn you when you least expect it. Right now, you’re standing too close, letting the flames grow out of control.”
“So you’re saying I should choose one of them before I get burned?” I asked hesitantly.
“No,” he said with a slight shake of his head, his smile laced with compassion. “I’m saying you should follow your heart, not your fear. If your heart tells you there’s room for both, then be honest about it. But tread carefully, Kayn. Love and pleasure are not games to be played lightly. They’re gifts, sacred and fragile. Choose your words and actions wisely, or you’ll hurt them—and yourself—in ways you can’t undo.”
His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning.
“What do you think, Entinos?” I asked, turning to the stoic satyr.
Entinos grunted, folding his arms across his chest. “Basilius speaks true,” he said after a moment of thought. “The path is yours to walk. Only you can decide if it’s the right one.”
Basilius clapped his hands, his grin returning. “Well, there you have it, lad. Now go on—think it through. And remember, the heart may be stubborn, but it’s rarely wrong.”
I nodded, their words settling deep in my chest. As I turned back to the bow, my gaze landed on Iris once more. Her silhouette against the endless sea seemed to pull me closer, even as my thoughts drifted to Noor’s alluring smile.

I left them to their own devices after that and continue my day on the ship, their words lingered in my mind, weaving through my thoughts like threads in a tapestry. They carried a weight I couldn’t shake, pressing me toward a decision I’d been avoiding for too long.

After my conversation with Basilius and Entinos, their words lingered in my mind, weaving through my thoughts like threads in a tapestry. They carried a weight I couldn’t shake, pressing me toward a decision I’d been avoiding for too long.
As the day waned and the ship settled into its nightly rhythm, the main crew retiring while the first-level rowers maintained our course, I resolved to act. Tonight, I would find the courage to speak with Iris and finally address the unspoken tension between us.
The stars above shone brilliantly as I climbed the stairs to the deck. The sea stretched out like a vast, dark canvas, its gentle waves illuminated by moonlight. There she was, in her usual spot at the bow, gazing out at the endless horizon. Her silhouette was calm yet contemplative, the faint breeze tugging at her hair.
“Nice night, isn’t it?” I said, my voice breaking the quiet.
Iris turned, startled. “Y-Yes,” she stammered, her cheeks tinged pink as if she hadn’t expected me. Collecting herself, she added, “It is.”
I scratched the back of my head, feeling the weight of the moment as I moved closer. My heart pounded in my chest, but I pushed through the nervousness. “Listen… we need to talk about what happened,” I began, my voice steady despite my racing thoughts. “This awkward silence between us—it’s starting to affect the group. It’s not good for either of us.”
She nodded, her expression softening. “I know,” she admitted. “I’ve just been… processing everything. I’m sorry for how I acted before. I needed time to sort through my feelings. But thank you, Kayn. For everything.” Her smile was warm, genuine.
Her words gave me courage. “Listen, I don’t regret it,” I said, my voice firm with honesty. “I like you, Iris.”
Her eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed again. “…I- I like you too,” she confessed, her voice quieter, almost shy—a side of her I rarely saw. “But… I’ve also seen the way you look at Noor. And how she looks at you. I can’t blame you; she’s beautiful. I find myself staring at you the same way.”
I stepped closer, wanting her to know how much she mattered. “Iris, I find you beautiful too. More than you realize.”
Her lips curled into a small, almost bashful smile before she looked up, her gaze steady. “Kayn… I want something with you. Something real. But I know there will be others, like Noor, who’ll want a piece of you. I can’t stop that—it’s your choice in the end. I just need to know that I’m your first choice.”
Her words struck me like an arrow. “Are you saying you’re willing to… share me, as long as you know you come first?” I asked carefully, unsure if I’d understood her correctly.
“…Yes,” she said, her voice steady despite the vulnerability in her eyes. “I can’t deny how I feel about you. And I won’t pretend I don’t see the connection you have with Noor. But I need to know that I’m not just another option. I need to know that you care about me in a way that goes deeper.”
I closed the distance between us, my voice dropping to a near whisper. “Iris… I’ve wanted something deeper with you from the start. But I can’t ignore what I feel for Noor either. I’m trying to navigate this as best I can. But I promise, I’ll always put my heart into what we have. You mean more to me than I can put into words.”
“…Kayn.” Her voice trembled slightly as she leaned closer, and before I could think, our lips met in a deep, passionate kiss. It was as if the unspoken emotions between us had finally found their voice.
When we broke apart, her cheeks were flushed, and a small smile tugged at her lips. “That felt… good,” she murmured, her tone carrying both warmth and relief.
I chuckled, feeling a weight lift from my chest. “It did.”
For a moment, we stood in the quiet of the night, the world around us forgotten. Then I asked, “How do you want to handle this? What do you think is best?”
She smiled, thoughtful but resolute. “Let’s keep this between us for now. The last thing I need is the witch on my hair. And… I want you to figure out where things stand with her without any added pressure.” Her voice turned playful as she added, “Though I still don’t see what you see in her, aside from her looks.”
“She’s not as bad as you think,” I said gently. “Beneath the teasing and the bravado, there’s a good person. You might see it if you give her a chance. I did the same with you when we first met at the farm.”
My words seemed to give her pause, a flicker of thought crossing her expression. “Maybe,” she said at last, though her tone remained guarded.
For the rest of the night, we stayed there together, talking about everything and nothing, enjoying the quiet intimacy of the starlit deck. As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, I felt a sense of clarity settle over me. The journey to Delphi was nearing its end, but in that moment, I knew the journey of my heart was just beginning.