Storm Trials: Chapter Three and Four

Sooo...this chapter solely exists to show a little bit of Arthra's personality and to intro Podo...

CHAPTER THREE: PODO

Arthra galloped through the snow-covered fields on her horse, Silver. It felt good just having the wind rushing through her hair. She felt better than she had for weeks. Madia’s death had been a sore blow. But now she felt better.

“Arthra!” a voice called over the wind. She smiled, reigning up her horse and turning her bright blue eyes on her father.

“What is it, Papa?”

“There’s someone coming that I want you to meet.”

“Who?”

“Wendy’s husband.”

“Oh! Did he finally come? Podo?”

“Yes, my girl,” Artham said, trying to smile, but a bit of an irritated look on his face.

“Why did he wait till the winter? I doubt the travels were particularly good.”

“That’s something I’m afraid I don’t know,” Artham said, as the two started riding back to the castle.

“Are you happy to see him again?” Arthra asked.

Artham paused a moment, then he forced a smile and said, “I am happy that Janner gets to meet his grandpa. Unfortunately, he lacks grandparents on our side,” Artham mused.

“Ooh! I see the ship leavin’ now!”

Artham looked at the sea, and for a moment he felt relieved. Maybe Podo being here would be okay, but it made the hair on the back of his neck stand up straight.

He was nervous. He better not try one thing…

It was super short so I thought to put four as well, which is a bit longer...and more dramatic...because we have a confrontation! :D

CHAPTER FOUR: PIRATE PROBLEMS

Podo was welcomed warmly by his wife and daughter, but Janner seemed a bit wary of the big man with a big bushy beard.

Artham was quiet, Arthra was warm, and Arundelle was kind. Esben seemed a little intimidated.

That afternoon, Artham and Arundelle were walking hand in hand through the gardens of Anniera.

“My love, I need to talk to you about something,” Artham said, looking off.

“What?”

“Remember I told you about that thing with Podo?”

“Yes.”

“I have to talk to him about it.”

“What?!” Arundelle cried, turning on him quickly.

“Love—”

“Artham, what if he tries to hurt you?”

Artham opened his mouth, but then he bit his tongue. He couldn’t deny that that thought had crossed his mind as well. But he couldn’t tell her that. It would make her worry more.

He grabbed both of her hands, and he kissed them. “I have…a nephew, and a daughter, that I am sworn to protect. And I can’t have…anything…no pirate with a grievance against him, no monster of the deep wanting to hurt him…touch those precious lives. I have to do it. And I have to do it now.”

He was in his study. He had asked to speak with Podo privately. And now he had to wait for him to arrive and try to gather his thoughts and his words.

The door slowly opened. It was soon filled with the hulking form of Podo Helmer.

“Ey, lad. What did you want me to talk to ya about?”

“I wanted to talk…about my travels with you.”

Podo looked a bit confused. “Alright.”

“I went to Skree. I don’t know if I ever told you I stayed with a family called Helmer. They were your parents, I believe.” Artham motioned for Podo to sit down. He sat opposite him.

“I went to Torrborro as well, and the Ice Prairies. But before that I went to Dugtown. You ever been to…any of those places?”

Podo remained stoic. “I have been to all three.”

“That’s nice. My favorite place of the three was Torrborro, besides the terrible cats. When I was in the Ice Prairies I had to fight some of the creatures, but when I was in…Dugtown we got captured by…Stranders.”

A shade crossed Podo’s face…it almost looked like shame. Artham stood and began pacing as he continued to speak.

“They thought I was your son. A woman. Her name escapes me, though her son fought me. Do you know them, or are they all crazy?” Artham asked, trying to smile and make light of the question.

Podo’s brows went down, and then up. He seemed to be considering Artham.

‘Maybe sizing me up,’ Artham thought.

“Aye. I know them.”

“How?” Artham asked, his deep voice sounding strained.

“I s’pose you have some type of a right to know, since I am livin’ in yer house,” Podo said, though his tone was not kind.

“When I was a youth, I ran into some Stranders. I ran the Strand. The woman you are referrin’ to is Nurgabog, an old girl I used to love.”

Artham nodded. “So, you were a Strander?”

“Aye. But I left that all behind. Now, about my son. He’s followed my path, and that’s my fault. Otherwise he’d be here with us. These are mistakes I made and are still payin’ for. But I’m changed now.”

He glared at Artham fiercely. “Nia told me about her brother, Eric. I understand completely,” Artham said, trying to look calm.

“Me son looked a bit like ya. Probably why Wendy loved ya so much. I just hope he don’t follow me completely and become a pirate,” he muttered.

“Pirate?” Artham asked, feeling for the sword at his side.

“Aye,” Podo said, looking angry.

“Are you Scale Raker?” Artham bluntly asked.

Podo’s face started changing color.

“Did you kill baby dragons? Did you ride a dragon? Are you one of the men my people have despised for generations, now going to sit at my table, in my home, and be a grandfather to my nephew?”

“Mind yer tone son.”

“I am not your son. And these people are my concern. I have a claim to that boy twice your own! And he is mine. Esben is my charge. I cannot let your past mistakes bring down all the dragon’s rage on them! I will have to tell Esben, and we will send you back to Skree. I have to protect them.”

Artham hated to do it, it broke his heart. He wanted nothing more than to accept Podo as a father figure, Arthra would have a grandpa to look up to, but now that was impossible. He started walking towards the door, but then he felt his arm seized and his free hand flew to his sword.

“Listen, boy. You will tell no one. The dragons will only kill me if I go to the water,” he seethed.

Artham paled, and fear gripped his heart. “You are going to tell no one. No harm will come to anyone. These are my mistakes. They will not affect anyone, and I don’t want you going around saying my shame. If you breathe a word of it to anyone, you will regret it.”

Artham’s arm was shaking Podo squeezed it so hard. He was afraid. But he still forced himself to hold his head high.

“You will not threaten me this way,” he said.

“Go out and tell them then,” Podo said, his eyes burning with rage.

Artham closed his eyes, but then he felt a flower of pain in his face. Podo had struck him. He bit his tongue so hard he drew blood.

“They will not hurt us. Everythin’ will be fine, long as you keep your mouth shut.”

Podo let go and he left. Artham’s chest was heaving. “Maker, what do I do?”

He walked to the back of his study and saw his face in the window. “That bruise is going to be hard to explain,” he whispered.

He paced back and forth.

“I have to tell Esben,” he whispered.

But this would bring a terrible shame upon Podo. A disgrace. Artham sighed. He couldn’t do it. He would hide it…for now. But if ever a single hair stood up on the back of his neck because of Podo, he would tell all, and with no hesitation.

Hehe...yeah. This was a bit ✨intense✨ but I hope you enjoyed it! Let me know if anything sounds weird or wonky!