3: Crossing Paths
A dark and mysterious figure gazed into his crystal ball, two ships sailing on the high seas drift in and out of focus. "It's so hard to get good reception on this thing... Oh there it goes." The sun rose faintly in the distance as the boats made way to cross paths. One boat turned to initiate contact as the other reluctantly accepted her offer noting signs of distress aboard the other vessel.
"What business do you have in these waters? We do not have time for chatting with lost sailors, please make this quick," said an old woman letting her impatience show.
Replied the first mate to her inquiries, "We have a mossst particular interessst in your mission. It isss very important to usss that you sssucceed. There is one among usss who we believe would be quite ussseful in your endeavorsss. Pleassse do not refussse our kindnessss."
“What makes you think that we would need your help in these matters?”
“Becaussse there are larger things at work than you underssstand.”
“I seriously doubt that sir, but let us have a look shall we? Where is he now?”
“He isss already aboard your vessssel madame. Good day.”
The old lady and her young companion barely had enough time to climb back on board their ship before the strangers were off. The winds carried them quickly away and dark clouds lingered eerily behind as if to block the way of any who would dare pursue her course. In the front of the boat there stood a man dressed in black with his hands raised in the air. The winds howled and filled the sails as the boat resumed it course at twice the speed they had arrived with.
The crystal ball stayed focused on them for the remainder of the journey. The man in black did not rest until the peak of a volcano, rising steeply from the ocean, came steadily into view. The lava flowed slowly from it's mouth and found comfort in the depth of the cool sea below. They had arrived.
“Good... Very Good.”
