"What?" Celeste gasped in shock. Clef sighed, "I'm afraid it's true... It's part of why I have to keep this mask on. Mostly it's to avoid being recognized from my wanted posters in Skree... While the other part is to avoid other clans of stranders from recognizing me. They know me and my father very well... even as far as Dang." Celeste looked conflicted a moment before responding. "Ramger cannot find out. He's already rude with you. I don't know what he would do if he knew that the man who stole the High King was actually your father..." Clef nodded, "I didn't plan on mentioning it to him... I just wanted to be honest with you, since you're my closest friend." She softly smiled, "Thank you for your honesty, Clef." "I have no reason to lie to you." He replied before falling silent. The two of them stood there together staring into the dark sea for a long moment before being interrupted by footsteps coming up the stairs. The voice of a gaggy Ramger broke the air, "Lady Celeste... Where are we going and... how long will it take?" Celeste glanced back at Ramger and noticed how nauseous he looked. "Well-" "We're going to Green Hollows." Clef responded to Ramger with a glance. "I think it's a safe place to regroup." "Near Dang?!" Ramger nearly fainted on the spot but Kinabrick happened to be behind him on the stairs to stop him from falling. "We- We can't go there! It boarders Killridge Mountains! That means Fangs and-and... ridgerunners!" Clef looked over at Ramger and responded sternly. "It's Green Hollows or we cross the Dark Sea of Darkness. I don't think you or anyone else on this ship is prepared to take such a long journey. Green Hollows is the best place to regroup and stock up on supplies." At the mention of a long trip, Ramger stopped complaining and quieted down. "... Alright." Clef looked back towards the sea and continued to steer the ship. "An apple might do your stomach some good, seeing how green you are. Why don't you go find Zarabean and ask him for one?" Ramger huffed, "Maybe I will. If I'm desperate enough!" He sounded irritated but too sick to argue with Clef. "Come, Kinabrick!" He hobbled back down the steps. Captain Kinabrick looked at Clef and Celeste before following Ramger. Clef watched the royal advisor and captain of the guard leave and then looked back at Celeste. "Who's the guy in armor?" "That's Captain Kinabrick, he's captain of the guard. He's usually quiet... He's the type that only speaks if he has to." Celeste explained, understanding how suspiciously Kinabrick had looked at Clef. Clef nodded and looked back toward the sea. "I see. I thought he might be your royal advisor's bodyguard with how he's been helping him." Celeste shook her head, "No, they're old friends. It's an odd friendship... Ramger is the uptight and loud one but Kinabrick is the opposite." She glanced back toward where they went and pondered. "Come to think of it, I don't know how they even became friends." Clef chuckled a bit, "Maybe there are some mysteries that don't need to be solved." "Maybe." Celeste smiled softly. "I'm going to go check on Zarabean... I left him and Cynthia with Echo." "Alright, I'll be here." Clef said, removing his arm from around her shoulders and placing that hand back on the wheel. As Celeste headed back down the steps, Clef called to her again. "And, Celeste?" Clef called. She turned back to look at him, "Yes?" "Keep your chin up. We'll figure this out together." Clef gave her a reassuring smile. Celeste mustered a smile in return, "I sure hope so... I'll see you in a bit, Clef." She said before heading down the stairs and back into her cabin. When she entered the cabin, she saw that Zarabean was still sitting on her desk with Echo in his arms but this time Cy was standing beside him. The two of them seemed to be in competition to make the funniest face to make Echo laugh. Echo could be heard squealing and laughing himself silly. Celeste observed this commotion and laughed to herself. "Are you sure you've never taken care of a baby before, Bean?" Zarabean was startled and this caused him to jump; however, he didn't drop Echo. He looked over at Celeste and laughed nervously, "Zarabean didn't hear you come in." Cynthia giggled to herself at Zarabean's response to Celeste. "How are you feeling?" Zarabean asked. Celeste took a deep breath, "I'm feeling a lot calmer now. I take it Echo is doing better?" "Oh yes. Did you want him back?" Zarabean asked with his head slightly tilted to the side. Celeste nodded, "Thank you for watching him." She held her hands out to retrieve Echo. Zarabean handed Echo back over to her. "Our pleasure. Cy did excellent silly faces that Echo enjoyed." Cynthia smiled, "Anyone can make funny faces..." She muttered. "No, yours were exceptionally funny." Zarabean insisted. Zarabean's compliment made Cy smile wide. "Thank you, Zarabean..." She responded. "No need to thank me," Zarabean replied with a glance toward Celeste, "I never doubted you a second." Celeste grinned at Zarabean and walked over to her chair to sit down. "So, Cy, where are you from?" Cynthia's smile immediately faded at the question. "... Skree... but I haven't been there in a long time..."
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That was good! Is it time for some Cynthia backstory? I'm looking forward to that!
Since I still can't post and it's been 6 days since the last update, I'm going to attempt to post part 21 in these comments to move later. Enjoy if it works.
Part 21
"How did you... get on Captain Sealen's ship exactly?" Celeste asked. "I overheard you talking with Clef before you joined us. Where are your parents?" Cynthia became quiet and looked at the floor, as if considering whether or not to answer Celeste's questions. "Cynthia?" Zarabean asked, becoming worried by her response. Cy looked at Zarabean and back at Celeste with a very sorrowful expression, "I was kidnapped from Skree... I don't know where my parents are but I'm sure they're looking for me... If they're still alive..." Celeste gasped, "Kidnapped?! But why??" "The same reason he stole Echo... Royalty." Cy explained with an oddly solemn countenance for a girl her age. Her eyes fell to the ground once again. "You're a princess of Skree¹?" Celeste asked with shock. "So that's why-" Cynthia looked back at Celeste, "Why they cut off my hair and smeared filth on my face and clothes? Yes. They don't want anyone recognizing me..." Celeste thought for a moment, "Why would Captain Sealen be stealing royal children?" "I'm no expert on human monarchies but is it safe to assume he wants power?" Zarabean weighed in, seeming more compassionate towards Cynthia after learning who she really was. "But if he wanted power, why would he burn Anneria to the ground??" Celeste shook her head, "This doesn't make any sense..." Cynthia sighed, "I-I think he wants to take over all of Aerwiar... I'm not the first royal he's kidnapped..." Celeste and Zarabean looked over at her with concern. "He burned down my home, just like he did yours. I think he's trying to take down all the royal families in the world..." Cy's eyes fill with tears as her talons clenched into little fists. "We're all in danger..." Zarabean frowned and reached over to wipe her tears away. "We'll do our best to protect you, Cynthia. Please don't cry..." "I'm so sorry what happened to you, Cy... Zarabean is right, we will protect you." Celeste said before pausing. She wanted to ask Cynthia about how she got claws for hands but Celeste stopped herself, seeing Cy was already upset. "And if that's really his plan... We can't let that happen." Celeste stated with a sudden fierce expression. Zarabean looked at Celeste and asked, "What can we do?" Celeste sighed, "I don't know." She knew that what Captain Sealen was doing was wrong. However, she couldn't think of a plan in their current vulnerable state. Even if they had a plan, what could a half regiment of soldiers of a dying Kingdom accomplish? No, they would need help from all over Aerwiar to help if they were going to stop the crazy pirate. There was a long pause before Celeste spoke again. "But... no use in planning while we're all exhausted." She looked over at Zarabean. "Can you help me find a big enough basket on board that I can place Echo in? I never brought a crib on board." "I think I saw one below deck with the supplies." Zarabean replied and looked over at Cy, "Are you hungry?" Cynthia nodded, "Very..." "Come with me. I have some apples stashed away that Celeste gave me, you can have one." Zarabean hopped down from the desk and stood upright. Cynthia walked over to him and the two headed below deck together. Once below deck, Zarabean led Cy down a narrow hall with rooms on either side before arriving at a room at the end of the hall. He opened the door to reveal their supply unit, which was packed half full with food and clean water. Cynthia could already feel her stomach growling. It was unclear the last time she ate was. Zarabean walked over to a basket roughly a little bigger than size of Echo and took a big apple out of it and offered it to Cynthia. "You can have the big one, Zarabean already had an apple a few hours ago." Cy grabbed the fruit so quickly that her sharp claws broke the fruit's skin as if it were paper. She didn't care about eating etiquette as she started eating it on the spot. Zarabean took no offense, already knowing she was hungry. He reached into the basket again and pulled out the smaller fruit and took a bite out of it. The two stood their a moment, just appreciating the flavor of their fruits before heading back to Celeste with the basket. Once they entered the cabin again, they saw Celeste was staring at an open map of Aerwiar on the desk. "We found a basket." Zarabean said with eyes glancing at the map and a small bite of fruit in his mouth. He walked over to Celeste and set the basket down at her feet. Celeste smiled softly at Zarabean. "Thank you. I'll fill it with a blanket in a second." She looked back at the map. "I'll get one!" Cy volunteered and received thanks from Celeste. She went over to a chest and looked inside. Zarabean hopped up onto the desk to get a look at the map more clearly. What he saw made him uneasy. "... Green Hollows??" "That's where we're going. Clef thought it best to get resources and discuss our next move there." Celeste explained. "..." Zarabean had ceased chewing the piece of fruit that was in his mouth. He continued staring at the map where it was marked 'Green Hollows''. Cynthia found a blanket and was folding it to put into the basket. She noticed Zarabean acting strangely. "Zarabean, is there something wrong with the hollows??" Celeste looked at Zarabean, realizing Cy saw something in his face she didn't. "What's troubling you?" "... Zarabean's family lives near there, remember?" Zarabean replied, referring to the time Celeste first visited the Hollows. _________________________________ ¹After The Great War that caused Anniera's destruction in the Jewels Era, the kings of Skree fell to the hands of Gnag the Nameless. However, descendants of these kings were found shortly after the rebuilding of the Annerian palace, sparking revolution. The descendants were placed into power and given back their old palaces, or so, what remained of them. The castles across Skree were rebuilt and taken back from the Fangs.
As much as I want to post the next part, the website won't let me publish it. Hopefully the glitch goes away so you guys can continue seeing posts from me 😅
What are they going to do after reaching the Hollows!?!
Oooooooooooo…..
Very exciting! I can’t wait for the next part!😅👍
Is Clef his real name or an alias?
Is Kinabrick's name based on Nickabrick?
What's Cy's story?
Dang! So close!