The Lore Wain and Her Nephew Pt. 20

"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..."