The Lore Wain and Her Nephew Pt. 23

Despite the night being so beautiful and the sky being full of stars, Clef stared into the dark of the night with a scowl on his face.

How could his father stoop to this new low? Sure, he had kidnapped people before for ransom but he never took children as leverage. Only the nastiest of stranders did that. Maybe he was just as bad, if not worse. He did burn down an entire kingdom overnight. Not to mention the strange occurrence with Cy. How did did even get falon like talons? Did Captain Dad have something to do with that as well?

The thought of all this made Clef angry but also sad. He and his father broke ties years ago but Clef still was hoping out on the chance that his father would have a change of heart. The fact his father and he already had bad blood only increased Clef's anger of his crushed expectations.

Clef's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a creaky floor board behind him. He glanced behind him and saw Kinabrick, the captain of the guard in Anneria. Trying to erase his scowl to make a good impression, Clef quickly thought of something pleasant so it would leave him. "Is there something you needed, Captain?" He asked Kinabrick with a neutral tone.

Kinabrick stared back at Clef and walked over to him. "When will we arrive in Green Hollows?" He asked, also in a neutral tone.

"In a few hours. Did you see how the other ships were fairing?" Clef asked, having forgotten to make sure the other escapees could keep up with them. It had been a long night for everyone, Clef included.

Kinabrick looked to the back of the ship. "They're keeping a good pace now. We almost lost them when we left the harbor." He looked back at Clef. "It seems like you forgot we had others to watch over when we left."

"It wasn't intentional, I assure you." Clef said, now looking back at Kinabrick as he senses some suspicion from him. "I was only thinking of the Lore Wain's and the High King's safety."

"Was that then only reason?" Kinabrick pries without even a hint fear.

Clef raised an eyebrow at such a question. "Of course. What other reason would there be?"

Kinabrick was silent a moment as he leaned closer to Clef. He spoke in a quiet voice so only he would hear. "I know your face from your wanted posters in Skree. Why should I trust you, Sefton the 'Pied Piper'?"

"..." Clef fell silent for a moment before replying, "I'm not that person anymore, ask anyone else on this ship. I've changed."

"Does anyone else on this ship know who you truly were in the first place?" Kinabrick asked. "There are many people's lives at stake here. Why should we trust a charismatic deceiver?"

"Look, Captain Kinabrick. If I ever betray this company, you have first dibs on taking me out. However, I don't want to betray the woman I- I mean... I don't want to betray the Lore Wain and by extension, that includes Anniera. You all have my loyalty." Clef cleared his throat softly. "If you don't trust me and you know the way to Green Hollows, you feel free to take the wheel here."

Kinabrick stared at Clef for an uncomfortable amount of time before saying anything in response. "I will kill you if you step even a little out of line and that goes for the rest of this crew on board. Anneria is my home and this is my one duty: protecting its cause and its people. Are we clear?"

"Yes, sir." Clef said in response.

Kinabrick backed up and headed for the stairs without another word.

"Kinabrick." Clef called.

Kinabrick looked back at him and paused on the stairs with a very serious expression about him.

"Please, don't tell my crew who I really am." Clef said with a little bit of pleading in his voice.

Kinabrick only nodded in response before heading down to the lower cabin for some rest.

After a few hours of sailing, Clef called up Nibble and Alagatha to help him dock the ship at the Green Hollows port. Once the boat was successfully docked, the other ships all anchored and waited further instruction.

Since it was very late at night, Clef and his ship mates all went to join the others in some well deserved rest.

-

In the morning, about five of Celeste's crew went ashore to gather supplies and the rest stayed on the ship.

Among those who left the ship were Celeste, Nibble, Zarabean, Cy and Clef. Those who stayed on the ship were Ramger, Alagatha, Echo, and Kinabrick.

Celeste was anxious to leave Echo aboard without her considering the last time she left him in someone else's care. However, Clef reminded her that he was more protected with Alagatha and Kinabrick than he was with Zarabean. This reasoning seemed to put Celeste at ease for the time being.

Zarabean came along despite his lack of desire to attend. He wanted to ensure that the local ridgerunners wouldn't attempt any thievery upon his friends and that was enough to make him come with them.

Cynthia was too anxious to stay on board the ship any longer and seeing as her new friend was going to help get supplies, she wanted to join him.

Nibble came because... He honestly just wanted to get off the boat. Twelve months aboard can really make a fang stir-crazy.

"Ssso, where are we going exactly?" Nibble asked, walking along with the others.

"I know of an orchard from last time we were here. A nice lady lives there and I'm hoping she'll lend us some of her fruit." Celeste said, trying to sound confident in her leadership but seeming unsure of herself.

Clef gently patted Celeste's back, "I'm sure she'll help us. We helped her last time we were here after all. Worked her fields for free after a ridgerunner group raided her. Who else would do that?"

Celeste shrugged, "Not many people, I suppose... But still, this is a big request. We don't just have us eight to look after, we have a fleet..."

"Well, whatever help she can give, we'll gladly take it. We can always wander the boarder of the forest for some wild fruit. I think there's actually a well there too, if I remember correctly." Clef said, seeming way more sure of Celeste's plan than she was.

"You don't want to go there." Zarabean spoke up, "That's where a lot of ridgerunners like to camp and wait..."

Cynthia looked at Zarabean, "Wait for what??"

Zarabean looked back at Cy, "They like to pick pocket walkers by. If the pick pocketing doesn't work, some even will attack the poor traveller... That's why Zarabean protests."

"Relax, Bean. We got two capable fighters here if any of the small 'elves' come running out. Try to put your mind at ease, alright?" Clef said, trying to lighten the grim mood Zarabean was setting.

"You both may be able to fight well but they are many. Keep your guard up. Just because we're small, doesn't mean we can't take out your ankles." Zarabean responded grimly.

Nibble awkwardly shrugged. "Maybe we ssshould be careful, just in case."

Clef nodded, "Alright. We won't get too close to the boarders but we will be needing to bring back fresh water. Let us know if we start getting too close to those camps you were talking about."

Zarabean nodded in response. "Even if you didn't give Zarabean permission to tell you, he was going to anyways."

Cynthia kept staring at Zarabean, very curious as to why he was speaking in 3rd person so frequently again. She began to think that perhaps this place was more dangerous than it seemed.