Red Sky at Morning

She left, having had enough said in her presence, said at her but sideways. Lady Rosebriar did what you're supposed to do in high society, say you have a pressing engagement elsewhere and find your exit. But in this short time, I've come to know parts of her quite well. I saw the hope in her eyes when I talked about joining the guild, of rising to Master Captain. And then I saw that hope shatter as the words of Maelie brought a hammer down through glass. I saw hope, happiness, potential joy turn instantly to despair. I watched the ship that Bella had built in her mind, one full of possibilities, struck down in a maelstrom of incredible power, the ship shattered, thrown against rocks, and all that was left was a few floating slivers of wood, and a sail sinking slowly into the sea. I need to go somewhere, I need to have a talk, and I need...I need to bring an old friend.
 
*James left the Skybound, an anger building in his heart unlike any he can remember feeling. It was a spark, not a fire, but it was still there. Barely paying any attention, and with the potential of violence surrounding him, his trip back to his apartment was not interrupted. Hooking the ring catch securely into his belt, James slides the warhammer through it, seating it properly and strapping it down. Turning sharply on his heel, he heads back out, to the north, straight at the bay. His manner of walking, with a weapon at his hip and dark cloud hanging around him get's people to move quickly out of his way, and catches the attention of a couple of Rooks, but besides watching him closely they let him by unmolested.
 
In the haze of his anger, James arrives at his destination. He walks past the massive wooden doors of the Church of Lucetius. Carved into those doors are images of the sea, ships, sailors fighting wild monsters of the ocean, mountains of gold, and storms. As a reflex, James pulls out a few coins and drops them in the donations box, while finding his way to one of the private small rooms. Pulling the iron bound oak door shut, he throws the lock bar, not wanting to be disturbed by any being able to be stopped by a door. Removing the binds on the weapon, and pulling it from its ring, James lays it reverently upon the altar. In this room there are no pillows, just a wooden floor, like that of a ship, to kneel upon. James kneels, one knee on the floor, as one does in respect, not supplication, for that is not his purpose this time. He bows his head, his right fist helping him balance as it pushes against the wood.*
 
"Storm Father, I come because I am bound. Not by the mistakes that I have committed, nor the oaths made. I am bound by the rules and laws of this society, and what breaking those would do to someone I care about greatly. Someone who..." *James takes a steadying breath, the fire in him dimming* "Someone who might be my Rose. She had no reason to be kind to me, no reason to let me near, no reason to let these hands, hands which have done terrible things. No reason to let them touch her. But she did. Like your Rose she is a High Lady, and like you, I am but a humble and poor sailor. I have offered her my heart, but it sits as a treasure on an island that she and I will sail to, and at any time she may ask me to drop anchor, or turn around. And that is something I can accept." *the fire erupts, the burning in his chest building* "But what I cannot stand, what I cannot abide are those who would insult her, casting doubt on her. Hurting her with words as as harpoons into a whale. I see them, all these little hurts, her hurts. And all I wish to do is break upon those who would cast such spears at her as a Storm, unrelenting, unforgiving, not letting one ship through, none escaping." *The thick wooden walls of the room are all that keeps his words, and the roar he shouted them with, from any ears other than those of potentially divine origin, from hearing. James breathes a few time, the storm inside abating, still there, but more distant now. His voice quiets as he prays* "But I cannot do that. I cannot break them, wreck them, send them to the depths, because to give in, to do as the storm does would hurt my Rose. And if I would break anyone else who would dare hurt her, if that pain came from me instead, then I would gladly tie an anchor chain around my legs and join my ancestors in the sea."
 
*he stays there, in silence for a few minutes, letting the calm of a gently rolling ocean wash over him, letting the proper words find their way into his mind and onto his tongue.* "I do not ask for vengeance, I do not ask for retribution. I ask for only two things. I ask for patience, the patience of a great Captain who knows their time will come, but only if they don't turn the ship too soon. And I ask to be a shield. As you told your Rose that you would give her your hands to fight for her, to shield her, and to wipe away her tears, help me see how to do that for my Rose. Because whether she accepts it or not, I have given her my heart." *he remains there, for how long he doesn't know, minutes, hours? The gentle sound of a ships bell breaks through the silence, and even though the walls and door shouldn't allow sound in, they allow this one.* "You're right Storm Father, Ship Master, I have spent enough time in here, when I should be out there. Thank you Storm Father, your son thanks you." *Reverently standing up, he retrieves the warhammer from the altar, and slides it back into its ring, strapping it down. He leaves a couple coins on the altar, unlatches the door, and makes his way out.*