159. A New Land

Cristianno, Alaia, and the crew have found new land.

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The crew was scrambling about on deck, running from side to side, up and down, and busy as they could be. The discovery of land had puzzled everyone and when Cris opened the door to his cabin, he looked exhausted and a little worried that they may be lost, but he managed to smile at Alaia. "How are you feeling?" he asked softly, as if trying to hide his concerns.

Alaia wanted to be out there with everyone else; she was curious about where they were and what was going on. Unfortunately she still wasn't feeling well and while she functioned all right for the most part, it certainly was slowing her up. She was worming her way into more comfortable clothes, settled on the edge of the bed when Cris spoke. And though she wasn't an entirely healthy color, her smile was bright when she heard his voice. "Ok," she replied. "I even ate something!" Her eyebrows raised then and she glanced past him for emphasis. "Problems?"

He shook his head and closed the door as he walked to his desk, pulling out several charts and maps. "Not really." He focused on the map and continued. "I have good news for you. You won't be swaying for much longer." He lifted his blue-green eyes and smiled at her a bit. "We found land."

She widened her eyes at him almost comically. "I know. That's why I'm getting dressed. But... what land? I didn't think we were supposed to be hitting land yet. I've charted the oceans and either we got blown off course more than we realized, it materialized out of thin air, or I've been more ill than I first thought." She was excited and it showed in how rapid her words flowed, by the way she was fumbling with the laces of her shirt, and the way she was practically bouncing on the bed. She wasn't worried; she wanted to see.

"I know. That's what I'm wondering as well. Where the hell are we?" He turned the maps around over and over. "It's really misty out there. The Kid almost fell when he noticed mountains." He leaned closer to the charts, as if that was going to help. "It took us a while to notice anything but then the mountains were clearer and..." He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "...The Alliance fleet is there..." He looked up at her. "And so is the Horde."

She went so quiet and for a moment, very thoughtful. Though her brow furrowed up, all she could do was shake her head. "Then I guess we better be extra careful." A soft sigh left her lips. "And nobody's recognized anything?"

He shook his head. "Zig's already maneuvering to get around to another side. Hopefully they're not all over the damn place." He sighed, slamming his hand on the charts. "We're going to have to update these." He walked around the desk and leaned against it, staring at her. He tried really hard to hide his worry.

She did look relieved that were moving around the island and then she was holding her hands out to him and nodding in agreement. "We'll be careful. And I can work on the maps if you want. I would have started already but I wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy first."

Cris walked toward her, reaching for her hands. He went down on one knee, leaning toward her, and pressing his head against her chest. "No, lovely, you’re not crazy. I just hope this place is safe for you two," he said softly.

Her arms curled gently around him, her chin settled in his hair. "We'll be extra careful," she replied just as softly. "And if it's not, I'll go somewhere that is until you're ready to set sail again. But as long as I'm with you we will be just fine." She kissed the top of his head then and nuzzled into his hair.

He nodded and kissed her chest, then reaching to kiss her belly. He looked up at her, "I'll kill anyone who threatens you in any way. Don't doubt that."

She just smiled and shook her head and took his face in her hands. "I never have," she whispered and then leaned to kiss him.

He kissed her back and sighed softly. "I don't want to go out there now." He smiled and gave a soft chuckle. "Will you accompany me?" His eyes seemed to plead wit her as he kissed her hands.

She smiled so softly and leaned toward him until her forehead met his. "Where else would I be?" She kissed his nose then and pulled back so she could push herself off the bed.

He rose and squeezed her hand, leading her out the cabin, and onto the deck. The crew was off to one side, staring at the giant mountains before them. Cris stopped and looked up, noticing how green everything looked. He turned around and noticed that the mist was all around them. He kissed Alaia's hand and let go. "Zig, report," he shouted and headed toward the wheel.

Alaia's eyes were so wide as she looked around, as if she expected to see things in the mist better that way, as if she were in total awe. Maybe she was. It was only a moment before she moved to the side of the ship and stretched a hand out to try her best at dragging her fingers through the mist. But with a bite to her lip she scurried off after Cris.

"It's a mountain," Ziggly said.

Cris sighed and leaned against the wheel. "Is it safe to drop anchor?"

Ziggly walked to the edge to look below. "I'd go elsewhere. Besides, whatcha gonna do? Climb mountains?" He snickered. "We'll find elsewhere to stop." Cris nodded and looked up at the mountains. He couldn't get his eyes off them.

Alaia was tipping back on her heels, leaning back too far but not because she was off balance this time but because she was staring up at the mountain. She grabbed hold of Cris' arm with a bashful smile just before she toppled over.

Cris felt the sudden pull on his arm and quickly turned to reach down to her, "Are you alright?" There was a bit of panic in his voice.

Ziggly turned around and laughed loudly. "Stupid wench."

Cris turned and yelled, "Shut up, Ziggly!"

She was grinning sheepishly, her cheeks flushed when Cris turned and she let out an embarrassed little giggle. Ziggly might not have even been there for all she seemed to notice. "Just leaned back too far. I keep forgetting my balance is off." She dropped her gaze then, bowing her head to obscure her face with her hair as she muttered: "Sorry."

He tried to help her up. "I just want you to be alright." Ziggly rolled his eyes and continued to sail.

She just smiled and gave him a shrug. "I'm fine. I just have to get used to things."

Gerty walked up the platform and smiled at Alaia, "Hello, lovely.” Alaia smiled and gave a little wave to Gerty and then wrapped herself around Cris' arm for a moment while she had the chance. “Captain, the crew wants to know what's up."

Cris turned to look at her and nodded, "We're stopping here. I'll go talk to them in a bit. I doubt most of these dogs will want to stay with us..." He looked back at the mountains. "There are Alliance ships here, Gert. If you and Ismay want to leave with them, I don't blame you."

Gerty laughed and shook her head. "You're funny, Wolf. I'll tell the dogs you're coming to talk to them." Gerty walked back down, but not before punching Ziggly's arm.

"HEY!"

Alaia said nothing else but stifled a giggle against him when Gerty punched the goblin's arm.

Cris tugged at Alaia gently and began to walk down to the deck. "Get us there safely."

Ziggly snorted. "No shit."

Cris walked down the steps, carefully to make sure Alaia was fine. Alaia held onto Cris this time and really should have been paying more attention to her feet and less to her surroundings. He saw the crew, who instead of being in awe, was now worried. Cris began his speech in common, and repeated in orcish. "This place is not on our charts. We're far from any home you may have. I'm staying here. If you wish to leave, or at least have a chance of leaving, take your pay and get out of my face. That includes my own crew." He turned and glanced at Kyl, who was leaning against a mast. "Think about it. We ain't gonna babysit your asses." Once his speech began, she busied herself with scanning the faces of the crew, trying to make up her mind about who she thought would stay and whom she thought would go. She hadn't been out among them enough to become friendly with many of them this time so they weren't quite so easy to judge.  She cast a wink to Kyl and then she was looking around again, bouncing on her toes because she wanted so very much to go and explore.

Kyl caught the wink and smiled a bit, ignoring the captain's comments. Some of the crew muttered angrily while others looked pensive and seemed to really be considering their options. Gerty and Ismay were holding hands, staring at the mountains. Cris held Alaia tightly and took a deep breath. He noticed a break in the mountains and a shore. It wasn't long before Ziggly shouted "Anchors!" Some of the men scattered about the ship and Cris knew it was time.

"Alright then. Set up to get off. If you want your payment, tell me." He kissed Alaia's head and moved away from her as some humans and trolls approached him. She caught her breath in anticipation and only just managed a smile when Cris kissed her head. While the others began approaching him, however, she rushed to the cabin so she could pack a few things; she had a feeling they were going to need them.

Gerty and Ismay followed Alaia into the cabin, with Kyl curiously close behind. "You leaving, Lovely?" Gerty asked. Ismay looked worried and Kyl appeared to have a bit of sadness in his eyes. He leaned at the doorway, his mind racing as he thought of possible ways to tell the Captain he was leaving if Alaia was not going to be there.

Alaia looked at the others in surprise; not at their questions but that they were following her. A grin spread across her face however and her eyes widened with excitement. "No! But I want to go explore! Don't you? And it would be nice to stand on something solid that isn't moving," she sighed a little and shrugged but they all knew how awful she'd been feeling. She smiled again and stuffed a few more things into her back. "I was just about the first person in Vashj'ir and in Uldum when the portals opened up and I'm going to be one of the first to explore this place too. As much as I can anyway."

Ismay appeared to breathe a sigh of relief while Gerty chuckled. Kyl straightened up and smiled a bit. "I was thinking we were gonna have to tie you up for a moment there, lovely." Gerty winked at Alaia and chuckled again.

Ismay looked beyond Kyl, "Do you think it's safe?" Kyl looked at her, confused at the dwarvish she had spoken in.

Alaia giggled a little, as if she would go anywhere without Cris. There just wasn't any denying her excitement; there was a little bounce to her step and a sparkle to her eyes that only came when there was something for her to discover. "I have no idea," Alaia responded, making a note to herself to work with Kyl on languages. "But it will be safer here than near all of the military at any rate."

"There's Alliance and Horde here, the Captain said," Ismay said softly. Gerty chuckled and nudged Ismay.

"We ain't going near them, dear." Gerty looked at Kyl. "You coming too?"

Kyl looked at Gerty and then at Alaia. "Sure." The crew smiled at each other and glanced out the open door at Ziggly and the Captain, who were giving orders to drop the gangplank.