2. Derision

Erec sees you're about to protest and quickly clarifies, "I mean, you'll be staying with me, on the ship." Exhaling, you give him an appreciative nod before moving to follow him. He explains that since another storm is expected tonight, it will be safest back on the ship. However, once it's passed, he'll find you more suitable lodgings. As you head back to the beach you see dark clouds in the distance and notice the wind has picked up. You remain silent during the short boat ride to the docked ship. When you arrive, Erec shows you to a room you quickly recognize as the one from your first vision of him. You slowly enter the room and are drawn to the table you remember from that night. The same parchments are still laid out and you quickly begin looking over them. "If you could help me translate them, it would be immensely helpful." Erec's words make you to pause and turn to face him. His face appears sincere enough, however, you feel hesitant to agree. "I could try." You finally reply, hoping you sound convincingly doubtful. He nods, and tells you he'll return later, before leaving. Erec shuts the door behind him and you let out a small exhale. The cabin creeks softly as it slowly moves up and down with the waves outside. Glancing out the porthole, you see it's steadily growing darker outside. After a couple of minutes large rain drops begin pelting against the side of the vessel.

Shivering slightly, you take a hesitant seat on the bed while you wait. As the storm continues building outside, the waves also begin increasing in size. It's been over an hour since Erec left and you're starting to get slightly worried. A large bolt of lightening causes you to startle visibly. Exhaling shakily, you slide further back on the bed and draw your legs to your chest. Just as you're leaning back against the frame, the door suddenly swings open, startling you again. Captain Renard pauses in the doorway and frowns when he sees you. "What are you doing in here?" His voice is impatient as he steps into the room and looks at you questioningly. "This is where Erec told me to wait." You reply cautiously, while observing his cold expression. His eyes shift over to the desk where the parchments are strewn about. They remain there for a moment before returning to you. Frowning, you try your best to maintain eye contact while you ask, "Where is Erec?" Renard's expression remains unchanged when he curtly informs you, "He foolishly tried to make another trip to shore before the storm. Now, he's stuck there until it passes." Nodding slowly, you feel yourself growing slightly uneasy at the news. "Now, let us get back to my question; why are you in here?"

Furrowing your brow deeper, you instinctively withdraw at his accusatory tone. The door quietly shuts behind Renard before he slowly moves to stand before you. Swallowing nervously, you try to calm your breathing as you reply, "I already told you." His chin raises slightly and he scoffs at your answer. "Why would Erec leave you in my chambers?" Your eyes quickly widen when he says this and you find yourself struggling for words. Renard takes notice of your surprise and folds his arms over his broad chest. Taking a deep breath, you sit up a straighter and state, "Perhaps, because he wanted me to help him translate those runes." Renard's eyes briefly glance back over at the table as he appears to think over your reply. After a moment, he takes a step back and gestures to the parchments. "We are going to be here for a while," His voice has a slightly commanding air to it as he speaks. "You may as well get started." Stifling the urge to flinch, you **** yourself to get up and walk to the table. The hairs on the back of your neck prickle when he moves to stand behind you. Hesitantly reaching out, you begin sifting through the different pieces of parchment. Many of them already appear to be partially translated, as there is strange writing under several of the runes. Renard clears his throat impatiently causing you to jump.

Scowling slightly, you let out an exasperated sigh before saying, "Please be patient, most of these just depict religious accounts. Unless you're looking to brush up on your knowledge of Thor, I need to keep looking." Renard shifts slightly but doesn't reply, so, you continuing searching the stack. After a moment, your hand pauses when you come across a familiar looking series of symbols. Tracing your fingers over the middle rune, you shiver slightly as you immediately recognize it as Ulf's. Straightening up, you start to move the parchment away. Before you can, Renard's hand quickly reaches out and grabs your wrist, holding it in place. "What does it say?" When you don't reply, he squeezes your wrist until you gasp and release the parchment. He roughly pulls you back against him and whispers, "You will tell me." Wincing, you pull against his grip and he allows you to slip out of it. Your throat feels dry as you pick the parchment back up and slowly begin reading, "It's detailing a blood ritual with Loki." Pausing when you reach the middle, you try to keep your voice steady when you say, "I don't recognize this rune." Renard leans forward and his warm breath brushes against the nape of your neck. "You may have Erec twisted around your finger. However, I am not so easily fooled." Before you ask what he means, you feel him grab the back of your dress and rip it open. You try to move away but his hand quickly wraps around your upper arm. You feel the other one trace down the middle of the back when he asks, "Strange you don't recognize the same symbol that's branded on you."