The Lore Wain and Her Nephew Pt. 44

The next day, once the crew had their rest, the ships started off for Torrboro. It was still quite early so not everyone on board Celeste's ship was stirring. Just below deck, Ramger still slept and as did Zarabean. As coincidence would have it, they both slowly woke at the same time. Ramger slung his feet over the side of his hammock and straightend up with his back cracking all the way. He had fallen asleep some time after his unpleasant talk with Clef. Fortunately, he got a good rest despite being so tense. This loud cracking sound caused Zarabean peek over his hammock at Ramger, curious as to how someone's bones could be so noisy. Ramger saw Zarabean staring at him and he scowled. "What? Don't your bones crack too? You don't seem much younger than me." "Not as much as yours. Perhaps it's because I'm smaller than you... Smaller joints." Bean replied as he set his glasses on his nose and hopped out of his hammock. Ramger stood to his feet, straightend his high waist line, and smoothed out his eyebrows. Bean stood there and stared at Ramger a bit longer. He still had a curious look on his face. "What?" Ramger asked with irritation as his eyes met with Bean's. "Do I have something hanging off of my face?" "No... But your hair is a curly mess. It reminds me of Clef after he's had a long night. Your hair is a lot like his..." Zarabean caught Ramger's angry glare and he stopped talking. "... Zarabean will go upstairs now." With that, Bean left the lower deck in a scamper. Ramger huffed. "Hair like Sefton's." He scoffed as he gathered his curly mess of hair and pulled it back tightly into a ponytail. "I hate my hair, it's so... untamed... I suppose that definition matches Sefton more than I." He mumbled to himself before going upstairs. The sun shined warmly on the top deck and the wind could be felt as the ship sailed along. The air smelled of salt water and the sound of beautiful music filled the air. Perplexed by the sound of music, Ramger rubbed one of his eyes and looked about the top deck for the source. He spotted Alagatha and Zarabean first before seeing Nibble crowded by them. Once Ramger spotted the crew, he finally saw the source of the music. Clef was seen playing his flute beside Celeste, who was playing her lute bittersweetly. The two of them played perfectly well together, giving the song they were playing justice. "Is that...?" Ramger thought out loud, feeling his eyes tear up."... Armulyn's Song?" Once they had gotten to the last verse, everyone felt at peace for the first time in the past few days. Afterwards, there was a comfortable silence... Until Echo started whining for an encore. "Well, isn't someone impatient." Clef chuckled while looking down at Echo in the basket, which Celeste had brought out to the deck. "If you're both doing another song... Do you know 'My Love Has Gone Across The Sea'? I love that one..." Cynthia asked with a smile on her face. Celeste nodded to Cynthia. "I do." She looked at Clef. "Do you know it?" Clef chuckled nervously. "It's been a while but I think I remember it. No guarantees I'll play it perfectly but if you'd like to hear-" "Please!" Cy suddenly blurted out in excitement. She realized she interrupted Clef and she blushed with embarrassment. "Sorry... I was so excited because... My mama sang that song when papa was out at sea." Celeste and Clef exchanged sad glances before nodding to each other. They started playing the song but this time Celeste sang the words. She didn't sing with as much grace as her brother, the former Song Master, but she still sang beautifully. Clef took pauses between playing his flute to harmonize with Celeste's voice. The sound was hauntingly beautiful. Cynthia listened to the music with such a happy heart, thinking of her mother, wherever she was now. Echo calmed once again and enjoyed the song along with everyone else. As for Ramger, he was halted in his steps. He loved the music and in the moments Clef was playing, he didn't hate him as much. Even Ramger couldn't deny Clef had a gift. It wasn't just Clef either. Ramger's respect for the Lore Wain Celeste also increased. He found it sad that this was the first time in a long time that he appreciated such music. Throughout the song, Cynthia's demeanor slowly shifted from happy to full of sorrow. As the song was coming to it's end, she looked down at her talons and finally broke down sobbing. Ramger, seeing that Princess Cynthia was upset, approached the crew and kneeled beside Cy. Clef slowly lowered his flute from his lips and looked on at what Ramger was doing. Celeste gazed as well, completely ceasing her lute playing and singing. "Little Princess," Ramger began, "I imagine it will be hard for you to return home... and I completely understand." "Princess?" Clef muttered to himself, having been out of loop on this topic. It was the first time he's heard of it. Cy looked at Ramger with puffy eyes. "You... You do?" Ramger nodded. "I lived there many many years ago... Bad things happened while I was there, you see... I imagine it's been harder for you." "You... know who I am?" Cynthia asked again with curiosity despite her tears. "Yes, ma'am." Ramger sadly grinned at her, glancing at her talons. "Despite moving away long ago... I kept up with Torrboro news. I was happy to hear the monarch there finally had a child after so many years of trying..." He gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm at your service if you need anything, you understand?" Cy nodded and gave Ramger a hug without much more words. She needed comfort in that moment. Ramger gave her a hug back but as he did, he caught Clef's gaze on him. Rather than make an angry face at Clef, Ramger took a deep breath to remind himself that this wasn't an appropriate moment for such expressions. Instead, he just closed his eyes before pulling away from Cynthia's hug. Once out of the hug, Ramger looked into Cy's eyes, "I promise that we'll do all we can to protect you." "And... Find my parents? My mama and papa?" Cynthia asked with a small glimmer of hope in her voice. Ramger hesitated but he nodded. "Yes, ma'am." "Thank you, Samger." Cynthia grinned. "It's actually Ramger but... My pleasure, Princess." Ramger smiled and stood up from his knelt position. He glanced at Clef and Celeste again before walking off towards the Captain's wheel. "He's really a kind fella with a good heart if given the chance." Alaglatha spoke once Ramger was far off. Clef stared on before looking at Alagatha. "I believe you." He looked towards where Ramger went. "I don't really doubt that." "He just has some things to work out..." Celeste looked at Clef and Alagatha. "I'm sure we all do in our own ways..." Clef nodded, "Yes, that's true..." "Like Bean not talking in third person!" Nibble teased and nudged Zarabean, who was beside him on the ship's railing. Zarabean nearly fell over. "Or Nibble hissing every time he says any word with an 'S' in it." He teased back and nudged Nibble but not with as much force. Nibble snorted, "That'sss jussst a fang thing, sssilly sssmall perssson." He cackled. Zarabean stuck his tongue out and hissed in a teasing-like mockery. "Sssssssilly ssssssssmall persssssson!" "Oh, that'sss it." Nibble said with goofy snort before chasing Zarabean below deck. Cynthia and the others laughed for a moment. "Do you think Nibble will catch him?" Cy asked Alagatha. "Miss, that ol' lizard's name mighta been Nimble but he's not faster than a slick ridgerunner like Bean. If he catches him, I owe you a gold coin." Alagatha snickered. Cy giggled in response. After the commotion, Celeste turned to Clef, who was still staring out into the distance. "Well, let's go prepare for what we'll do in Torrboro, Clef." Clef looked at her and nodded. Celeste picked up Echo from his basket and walked with Clef to the Captain's Cabin.