The Lore Wain and Her Nephew Pt. 43

(Can't remember if I posted this part or not but if I haven't, here it is)

"Ramger, that was inappropriate to be screaming at the Lore Wain of Anneria." Kinabrick lectured behind the closed doors of the Captain's cabin. "She's had a rough night, they all have. They could have died." Ramger picked up Echo from his basket and cradled him in his arms. He seemed to be ignoring Kinabrick. Kinabrick sighed with irritation. "Ramger, I'm trying to help you." "I don't want your help." Ramger replied without looking at him. "You didn't help me at all out there to get that felon off our boat." "He's the Lore Wain's closest crewmate. She's the one who should be ordering us, remember?" Kinabrick shook his head. "But you're not thinking clearly. You're being emotional." Ramger snapped his gaze onto Kinabrick with glaring eyes. "I am not being emotional!" He exclaimed with a frustrated tone. "I'm trying to protect us all from experiencing the same hurt I did." "And in result, you're smothering everyone." Kinabrick replied bluntly. "You aren't Celeste's father, Ramger. You are her royal advisor. There is a big difference of authority there and you've crossed that line." He stepped closer to Ramger. "Listen, I want her and Echo as safe as anyone but this isn't the way. The real enemy is out there until proven otherwise. I already have my eyes on Clef-" "His name is Sefton." Ramger interrupted. "... Yes, but I'm not calling him that. Did you hear what I just said?" Kinabrick asked with frustration. Ramger looked down at Echo to avoid eye contact with his brother in-law. "Kinabrick, I respect your position but I'm not going to stand aside to see her die or get kidnapped." "Why can't you just let it go?" Kinbrick asked with his tone rising. "They've been gone for over two decades!" Ramger looked back at Kinabrick once more but this time shifted his body to the side so that he was standing at an angle to his brother in-law. "Because I can't!" Echo started to cry immediately as Ramger shouted. Ramger's expression quickly changed as he tried to pacify Echo. Kinabrick stared at Ramger a moment before gesturing to the door. "Give him to his aunt. I'm sure he misses her." Ramger sighed and left the Captain's cabin, knowing Kinabrick was right. Just as Ramger stepped out onto the deck did Zarabean arrive back. He stared at the ridgerunner, clearly not happy to see him but he said nothing. Ramger walked right up to Celeste and handed her Echo without a word. "Ramger." Celeste said as she comforted Echo and paused on greeting Zarabean. Ramger stopped in his tracks and looked at her over his shoulder. "Thank you for taking care of Echo while I was gone." Celeste smiled softly at him. Ramger looked to the ground. "My pleasure." He replied with little pleasure in his voice before going below deck. Celeste's smile became sad as she watched her royal advisor leave in such a funk. She turned her attention to Echo, who calmed down rather quickly once he saw her. Zarabean hopped up on the railing beside Celeste and looked at Echo with a smile. "So... Everything went well... Did everything go well with Nala's brother?" "Yes," Celeste said as she looked over at Bean, "We have everything we need to set sail... It's just a matter of where we're going." "We're going to Torrboro." Clef announced as he started to climb the stairs to the Captain's wheel. "Wait..." Celeste interjected, "We can't go yet. That's a long trip." Clef paused in the middle of the stairs and faced her. "We all need rest after last night, don't you think?" Celeste asked, looking concerned for her crew. "Ah, right..." Clef agreed as he came back over to her. "We can set sail when we've all gotten our rest." "Sounds like a plan." Celeste grinned as she started to her Captain's cabin for some well deserved rest with Echo. Zarabean went with Celeste to assist her. Meanwhile, Clef went below deck and to the place were the crew always slept. As he entered, he observed everyone who was there. Nibble was in his sling on the far side of the room in a deep sleep while Cynthia was in her place on the floor by Zarabean's sling asleep as well. Clef then noticed Ramger, who was sleeping in one of the unmarked slings. He could tell by his breathing that he was still awake... and crying. After hearing of Ramger's missing son and presumably dead wife, Clef couldn't help but feel sorry for the man that hated him so much. Despite knowing Ramger probably didn't want to be disturbed, Clef walked over to the bed roll beside his sling. Ramger heard the footsteps but he didn't bother looking at whoever it was. He slowed his breathing to pretend like he was asleep, not wanting to shed anymore tears in front of anyone. Clef stopped at the bed roll and stared at Ramger for a few seconds before laying down in the roll on his back. There was silence for a moment before Clef quietly spoke to Ramger. "We're... We're going to Torrboro next..." Ramger didn't reply, in both hopes Clef believed he was asleep or that perhaps he was talking to someone else. "... I know you're awake." Clef said quietly, looking over at Ramger so that he knew he was being spoken to. "Stop talking to me." Ramger replied with a stuffy voice once he realized he was being talked to. "I'm trying to sleep." Clef softly sighed. "Ramger, I know you're from Torrboro. I hope you'll help us when we get there." Ramger was quiet a moment before replying. "I don't understand why we're going all the way to Skree when our home is just a few miles from here." "... If you have any other ideas, I'm all for hearing them." Clef replied. "I already told you my idea but you're still here." Ramger responded bitterly. "... What did your son look like?" Clef asked, knowing he was roaming into dangerous territory. Ramger struggled to turn over in the sling just so he could lecture Clef but he realized he shouldn't yell while others were trying to sleep. His face was reddened and as were his eyes. "It's none of your business, Sefton. You're just like the people who took him." He said in a hushed tone. Clef frowned at the use of his strander name. "I've never kidnapped anyone in my life, Ramger. I know you don't trust me but at least believe me when I say... I won't let it keep happening to others. I don't like what my father is doing-" "Of course... Your father is Sealen, huh." Ramger paused a moment before commenting on Clef's statement. "I don't believe you." "Alright, don't believe me..." Clef shrugged with a small smile creeping onto his face. "You might be pleasantly surprised later..." "I highly doubt that..." Ramger's tone seemed to soften when he saw Clef wasn't being harsh back at him. Clef glanced at Ramger and replied graciously, "I hope you know how much Celeste appreciates you... You're not as bad as you seem." Ramger didn't reply, he turned back over to face the wall. "... Well... Sleep well, Ramger." Clef said before closing his eyes. Ramger laid there in then sling just replaying this whole interaction in his mind before falling asleep.