C3 Chapter 3: Lady Sophia

I backed away from the entourage and went back towards the gangplank to get one last look at my home. Wondering if I would miss it, or if I would ever see it again. The uncertainty of being a sorcerer, where you might be assigned, was both thrilling and scary.

I took in my surroundings and observed the other smaller ships in their berths. I noticed a few large ships as they floated out of mooring position, ready to traverse the deadly waters.

I began examining everyone coming aboard the ship as I descended the gangplank, no one paying any mind to me. One look and most people can tell what station you have in life. I always had a knack for blending in.

I witnessed two lines; the first line was in the middle of the ship and had the young lad my father had scared witless. He was looking at identification on scrolls with shaky hands and asking about luggage atop the gangplank I had just descended.

The second line was near the bow of the ship going into the bowels of the ship. The individuals in line on the gangplank looked destitute, ripped clothing, most with iron chains on their wrists. This queue was for servants who were deemed unworthy to stay in their master’s bedroom. They would have to stay in the slave chambers deep within the ship. I hated the fact we were on a slaver’s ship.

I watched the hustle and bustle of the marketplace near the docks. I secretly laughed at the parties dressed well enough to be considered middle class but running due to tardiness towards other ships departing soon to the other ten regions in the Privell Kingdom.

I took a momentary step back to view the ship in all its glory. Such a vast and wonderful ship, yet the people going to the capitol were all stuck-up elitists or slaves.

The elitists go by choice to extend their fortunes and/or, buy the best slaves in the kingdom. The rest of the passengers going to the capitol were not traveling by choice. Not a single smile from any slave spoke to years of abuse, to train them to have little to no emotion even on a grand voyage such as this.

Caught in my melancholy of watching the slaves board the ships I heard the elegant yet childlike prattle of a lady behind me.

"This way Mary, this must be our ship."

"Are you sure this time, it looks just like the last three we've tried, just a wee bit bigger. Sadly, they are all starting to look the same now" I heard her companion reply unpleasantly holding multiple bags of luggage.

"This time I’m pretty sure this ship is going to the capital," she responded clearly with well-spoken tones designated from a woman of noble birth.

"You were pretty sure the last two times, if I recall" her companion replied sarcastically.

Mary’s companion caught my eye suddenly as I was stunned by an exquisite young woman in her early twenties, approaching with her shoulder-length fiery hair flowing with the cool breeze of autumn. She had the brightest emerald, green eyes I had ever seen that almost matched my own. As I completely fixated on her, I couldn’t talk, breathe, or move. Something or someone had me in a sort of trance.

It felt like time stood still as we caught each other’s gaze causing the lady to stop suddenly and look right at me. Her stare was powerful, like she was peering into my soul, searching for meaning. It was difficult to explain, I just felt out of sorts and my heart fluttered. My magic was even acting up and my body began to feel like it was in a toasty warm room.

Our staring contest was unfortunately disturbed when the lady behind her crashed into the beauty causing both ladies to fall forward unceremoniously. The woman behind the fire goddess I was staring at so intensely didn’t notice her companion's sudden stop and crashed into her from behind with a full load of bags. The luggage must have been heavy as both ladies fell on the dock with an audible thud.

"Excuse me, Soph what do you think you are doing?" Mary brashly asked as she tried to unravel herself from the burdensome bags and stood up to no avail.

"Something caught your eye that made you decide to suddenly stop right here on the docks?" Mary inquired.

I quickly rushed forward to help the young ginger woman and stretched out my hand to help her back to her feet. She seemed to stare longingly at my hand before tentatively taking it. I blink rapidly, my eyelids matching my heartbeat as she begins to untangle herself from the bags.

As we touch, I feel a slight static shock which causes my body, my inner core to heat up. It was a cosmic shock, a surge of connection blossomed in my hand. The longer we held hands the more I could feel a palpable charge in the air as we just stood in each other’s presence.

Unable to think or say anything witty I rub my thumb slightly across the side of her wrist just staring at her hand seemingly unwilling to let go of mine. Her bright red hair seemed to be glowing and her hand was as warm as my own as our body temperature continued to increase.

"Hello, what is going on," the voice of her companion moaned in frustration as she looked around with most of the bags pushed to the side, "what is wrong with you Soph... are you two just going to stand there gawking at each other, or is one of you going to help me up? It’s cold on these docks."

At this point, the ginger goddess retracted her hand and quickly turned to help her companion to her feet. My hand was still very warm but as her hand left mine, I could feel a small chill running down my spine.

"Sorry Mary, I'm not sure exactly what came over me, maybe just admiring this colossal ship," she replied apologetically.

The young woman on the ground was heaved up. As she looked around, she stood up straighter, brought her shoulders back, and unruffled her brown dress and brown hair. Mary seemed to be searching for what could have possibly caught Sophie’s attention, noticing nothing out of the ordinary.

I watched as both women sloughed off the dust from their dresses. Mary was around 5’ 6, a little chubby but not really noticeable, vigilant brown eyes, tousled brown hair, arms and legs that had muscle which meant she might be raised noble, but she liked to work with her hands. Which meant she was either this woman’s maid or her keeper and protector.

Soph or Sophie was about 5’8, porcelain colored skin, and dainty hands, with a perfect manicure and red fingernails. Her red hair flowed freely in the wind. She smelled like marshmallow sap as it roasted. A wonderful smell that intoxicated my nostrils. She wore a smock-like azure dress held together at her shoulders by fibulae. She had a gold belt around her waist and gold buttons down the dress. She also had small freckles across her cheeks and a few freckles on her nose. I could stare at that face all day. Her posture was nearly impeccable, clearly trained from a young age with corsets. She has a style and bearing that yelled out noble birth.

I took more than a few moments to appreciate her slim hourglass figure and perfect fair glowing skin but continued to be drawn to her angelic face. The shock of it all left me frozen stiff and I failed to even instigate a basic introduction as I could feel all the blood rushing to my member. Never once did I have this feeling of longing, a desire, and a hunger that made me want to get closer to this lady. Unfortunately, I couldn’t express my feelings, I couldn’t even say a simple greeting. She beat me to the first words.

"Thank you for your help, sir, my name is Sophia," she said as she performed a small curtsy.

When bending over towards me I could see cleavage and my blood began to boil. It wasn’t the fact of seeing boobs, or even viewing a naked body that was making my blood boil. I had seen that before with my father trying to shove courtesans in my face daily since I turned sixteen.

It was this red-haired goddess before me, being close to her. All I wanted was to bend her over her companion smack that beautifully sculpted ass that the dress was hiding and have my way with her. What was wrong with me?

I had wanted her more than I had wanted anything in my life. I didn’t know who to talk to about this newfound feeling of warmth in my body. My father didn’t believe in love anymore. He valued efficiency and what a person could do for him. ‘Was this love?” I pondered.

"Lady Sophia," her companion quickly stated.

"Good afternoon, Lady Sophia, I'm Ollie, it’s a pleasure to meet you both," I replied with a small nod of my head to symbolize a bow.

My hand gracefully went over my waist as I bowed, hiding my burgeoning erection. As quickly as my sexual desire had been awakened, it quickly dissipated, which I was thankful for.

Her companion looked at me questioningly, "I am Mary and what house do you hail from sir?"

Sophia shot Mary a glare.

"Come on Mary, leave him alone, he's just being nice," Sophia replied.

I thought about what kind of answer I should give since my history is a bit complicated. I felt hesitant to share my noble heritage and didn’t want to disclose my father’s power and influence that might scare what I was now thinking could be the love of my life away.

Just a single word was all it would take (Prince) to cause a possible chasm in the potential social standing between us. Yes, we were both noble born but our education, our privileges, and even our taught mannerisms would be entirely different.

I thought slyly and quickly "Just Ollie my lady," I said trying to hold Mary’s inquisitorial gaze.

"Just Ollie eh, well just Ollie, why don't you do us a favor and assist us with carrying our bags to whichever one of these monstrous ships is traveling to the capital," Mary demanded before getting an elbow in the ribs from Sophia.

Mary’s brow furrowed after being hit, she whispered to Sophia, “Might as well let him take our bags, he’s probably not a porter but we can at least utilize him to escort us to our destination, so we aren’t late.”

I smirked impishly as my arcane magic ran up through my belly to my ears, I could hear a pin drop, not even the softest whisper could escape me. I grinned thinking my ruse had worked as I stepped forward to grab her luggage, hoping my actions would help propel the conversation forward, maybe even lead to a possible future relationship. Thank the gods she was going to the same place as me, almost four days to get to know her.

"That would be the Dauntless...that one over there," I replied as I gestured to the left of me before moving towards their bags.

"Don't worry sir, we can handle them ourselves," Sophie said as she stepped gracefully in front of me and began trying to manhandle her substantial bags lying flat on the ground. She wasn’t even able to lift a single bag. Her lips parted and her eyes shot a look of frustration to Mary.

I didn't even question someone of my status doing something so menial as being a porter and stepped closer to Sophia. I bent down and gave Sophia what I thought was my most charming smile which caused her to blush. I touched her warm hand again to lift her.

“I can take care of this, a lady such as yourself should not have to carry her bags,” I replied.

“Finally, we may have found a true gentleman.” Mary sarcastically responded.

I then bent down and took hold of the largest of Lady Sophia’s bags with a momentary surprise at the weight of a single bag. Despite her protests as she tried to bend down again and handle her luggage, I quickly heaved the bag over my shoulder to show off a little and led them over to the ship while attempting small talk in my still somewhat nervous and flushed state.

"So, what takes a stunning woman such as yourself to the capital? Business or pleasure my lady?" I brashly state a question as my heart flutters, hoping for the latter.

She blushed once again reflecting on what I had just said about her being stunning. "Umm...," she froze for a moment trying to think of the best answer. Her sculptured, sensuous lips curl in amusement. "Well, both, if I’m answering honestly. We are from quite a remote corner of the kingdom. Not many opportunities to grow and thrive where we are from. I wanted and now need to enter the social scene in the capital. So, this move is twofold. I plan to further my education and meet possible husbands.”

She said it so fast, all her desires, and why she was traveling in the first place. I wondered why she was traveling alone. Unfortunately, the latter part of her statement slipped out abruptly causing her to close her eyes giving herself a small reprimand. She gained her composure once again, with a deep breath.

"What are you traveling for, my Lord?" Sophia questioned, trying to sidestep her embarrassment. I was still staring at her beautiful body and a carefree smile that captivated me.

"I'm not a Lord per se so just Ollie is fine!" I replied, "And in response to your question I am vacationing with family, getting affairs in order, and starting my education for my first academic year in the capital."

"So, you'll be staying in the Capital?" she replied far too quickly. A giddy childlike charm came out in her questioning tone.

I seriously thought about it. "That's the plan, but then I'll be there for however many years my training might take."

Her bright green eyes met mine as we both smiled at one another awkwardly. A few more sparks seemed to be flying when our arms touched as we continued our walk up the gangplank of the Dauntless. Our enamored stares were soon interrupted by crew members from the ship coming out to meet us and quickly liberating the three of us of all the bags.

Mary at this point frustrated grabbed Sophia by the elbow and began trying to drag her onto the ship,

"Sorry to interrupt this little tryst you’ve got going on, but we need to get our cabin sorted out and you two have created a little obstacle for all the other passengers. Also, I’m stopping anything from happening here and now. This is not appropriate for either of you, remember your place, Lady Sophia… Good day Ollie, thank you for helping us with our bags.” Mary potently remarked.

I looked at Mary with amazement, I wasn’t doing anything, but being nice. Then I looked back at the disgruntled passengers we had managed to block from entering the ship. I gave Sophia a small nod as we both jumped out of the way with embarrassment as we realized that we were blocking the entrance to the ship with plenty of other passengers looking irritated at us.

Not sure what the matter with me was, but this woman had me all out of sorts. I quickly uttered, "I must run but it was lovely to meet you, my lady!" I was sure I wanted/would see her again, even if she made me a lovesick animal. I didn’t know what came over me when I was with her, but I wanted more of it. I just needed to find the courage to ask a simple question, such as, when can I see you again?

"It was lovely to meet you as well," she said with a nervous grin, both cheeks red as her hair.

"Although this ship is pretty big, I have a feeling we will see each other again," I said hopefully. I had played it smoothly, and it was now time to leave before I did something stupid.

"I'd like that, I'll probably hang around on the top deck most days, maybe you can look for me there," she replied in a rush. "Goodbye Ollie," Sophia said as she was hastily led away by Mary. Mary gave me a disgruntled look as she furrowed her brows.

"See you soon my lady," I stood in momentary shock. My isolation growing up had left me ill-prepared for meeting such a beautiful woman. I was amazed I had done as well as I did. Despite all the etiquette lessons and books, I had devoured on the subject. Nothing can truly prepare you for meeting a beautiful woman until you are forced face-to-face with the situation.

Having taken stock of what I might have committed to, I noticed a young woman wearing a brown uniform in a gleeful state walking briskly towards me.