Threads of the Past

When Guy left for a few more hours of sleep, Blank and Eridin settled at the stern, keeping a watchful eye on the ship trailing the horizon.

Next to her, Eridin shivered. While the sea air appeared to bring the crew of the Radiant Dawn to life, it only made Eridin seem out of place. With the way his eyes kept going milky white to watch through his familiar, he seemed more ghost than man. He was like her, she guessed, meant to keep their boots on the ground, anchored to the earth.

He startled her out of her thoughts. “What’s your story?”

Blank rested her chin in her hands. “Like I’ve said, just wandering. I was in town and got caught up in the attack.” She side-eyed him. “How about you?

“It’s complicated.”

“Uncomplicate it.”

“I want to help people. Now more than ever.” He glanced her way, tapping his fingers against the rail. Even at rest he couldn't relax. “I have a feeling you may want the same thing.”

“Yeah,” she said noncommittally. Hadn’t that been why she’d run towards the fight, instead of away? She itched with more questions, it seemed unfair that he was the only one asking. But with him as on edge as he had been since the watch began, she refrained. Everything she thought to ask would probably only serve to distress him, and they didn't need any more drama before daybreak.

Eridin turned his attention back to the distant ship, silent.

The next few hours passed in uneasy quiet, and the ship behind them made no move to come closer. As much as she didn't want to be tailed and possibly attacked by a mystery ship, Blank was frustrated. Nothing had come of the excitement of the night, or her short, awkward attempts at conversation with Eridin. The lack of resolution hung over her head like a stormcloud without thunder.

Guy and Ides were the next ones up to relieve them, and Blank reported no change before sneaking back into the girls’ room and falling into bed, Pina snuggling up against her with a whistling little snore.

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As Ides came up for the watch, a blanket of stars unrolled above his head. The wind was now fully from the west, driving the ship forward with determination. There were no clouds to veil the moonlight, and the swaying shadows looked as though they were tipped in silver. Or steel.

He followed Guy up to the helm, and planted himself against the low wood wall, squinting into the night in the direction of the tailing ship. His eyesight wasn't what it was a decade ago.

Guy relieved the aarakocra at the helm and spent the first several minutes fussing over navigational tools that meant nothing to Ides.

“How long were you in town?” All of Guy’s questions, surely built up over days, came spilling out as he fidgeted with the tools. “Where do you hail from? Gladis?”

“No longer than the nights I worked for you. And yes," he paused, battling the memories of his home, flashes of happiness drowned out by the hungry flames of the dark days. "I’m from Gladis.”

“Knowing what’s come out of Gladis, I’d be more suspicious; but you fought well. What brought you to Tralco?”

He rolled his shoulders. “I’m in the process of bringing Zandeer to justice.”

“A noble aspiration, but do you realize the scope of the organization?” Guy made a small adjustment at the helm, then locked it into place. He took a step back, looking up to inspect the sails.

“I don’t know about Alkenpo, but I understood the inner workings of the Gladis branch all too well.”

“Right.” Guy folded his arms and stared hard out over the dark eastern horizon. “Gullwing is a major hub for anything that happens along this coast. Cause trouble there, you’ll have the entire organization on your back.”

Let them come. After seeing the havoc wreaked in Tralco, the fire in his gut burned hotter than ever.

Guy was still speaking. “-do you think you’ll be recognized?”

“I’d doubt it.” He’d been devastatingly thorough in Dialis. “But it’s possible.”

“I’ve heard rumors of what happened, it was ugly there at the end.”

Ugly was one word for it.

“It was a dark time.” Something tugged at him to tell more. Maybe it would be easier to bear if someone else knew. “I lost my patrol partner to the Zandeer outfit there.”

“Did you get names of the people who did this?” Guy asked quietly.

“No. He told me he was getting close to something big, and that’s when he disappeared.” It still haunted him. Why hadn’t Caesar just told him what he suspected?

“Did you come here in search of him?”

“Zandeer’s downfall is my first priority. If I find him along the way, great, but if not I’ll find him eventually. On my own.”

“Like I said, it’s a lofty goal but best of luck to you. I’ve been around the block with Zandeer.” He brushed a hand over his metal arm, a distant look crossing his features.

“How’d you come by that?” Ides asked, the flicker of an idea forming in his mind.

“The arm? The wizard Dixon’s doing. He’s a personal friend of mine. Some say he’s blessed by the gods, I just think he’s good at what he does. I’ve had this for thirty years, and it’s never failed me yet.”

“Does he still do pieces like it?”

Guy looked him up and down. “You know he’s expensive, but yes, he does.”

“I know.”

“What are you looking to get done?”

Ides held out his paws, revealing the jagged scars where his claws should have been.

“Claws?”

He nodded, and swallowed past a sudden feeling of vulnerability. If he could restore this missing part of himself, maybe he’d feel less broken. And he missed the damage he could do with them if it came to it.

“He can do that.” Guy took in his ratty clothes and tarnished weapons. “You look like you need a few good meals and a sword first.”

Ides let out a short laugh, folding his paws under his cloak. “These last few months have not been kind to me,” he agreed. “Please, tell me how I can repay you.”

Guy waved the offer away. “That is not something that concerns me.”

“Thank you.” He allowed himself to sag ever so slightly against the wall. “Not many have shown me such kindness.”

As the night passed away and the morning rose in the watery east, the ship on the horizon was nearly impossible to see through streaky yellow light. When the sun was well and truly in the sky, they saw the ship much closer, crawling across the waves and drastically outpacing them.

“We’ll have an hour before we’re overtaken, if we’re lucky.” Guy said, grim. “Let’s get busy.”

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Oda was once again disappointed by her friends' lack of enthusiasm towards mornings. She was up and ready to face the day long before the others stirred. Following the choppy strains of conversation out of the cabin, she went above and found herself in a crush of people with heads on a swivel. Shoving her way to the stern, she leapt up onto the rail.

“Woah, that wasn’t there last night!” She said to no one in particular.

A pretty little ship cut through the waves behind them, gaining with exhilarating speed. It was built for such, there were no bulky bits that would weigh it down in the water. Oda had lived in Gullwing long enough, she knew a ship made for speed when she saw one.

She also knew what that red flag meant. Zandeer.

Everyone else on deck was in some stage of preparation. Weapons were being distributed, armor donned, and other such sailor-y stuff that went right over her head. She made her way to the helm where Guy stood.

“That ship’s gaining fast.” She reported.

“Yep.”

“How close do you think it is?”

“Half hour.” His reply was short and distracted.

She grabbed a spyglass that lay nearby and tossed it to the nearest shipmate, who nearly dropped it.

"What's it called, friend?" She prompted impatiently

“The… Bloodcrest.” The hapless man read aloud.

“What?!” Guy barked.

“Bloodcrest!” Oda repeated, looking curiously over her shoulder.

“Wonderful. Just wonderful.”

She returned the spyglass. “I’ll go tell the others!”

The half hour flew by, and as the Bloodcrest floated nearer, Guy pulled the party aside. “Find a place that’s out of the way and keep to it. You’re only to fight if I give word. Don’t even move too quickly. I mean it. This is a dangerous ship.”

Oda went right up into the rigging, where her view was perfect. From her position, she could see the others: Eridin and Rue manning the port side ballista, Blank shrinking into the assembled ranks of sailors, and Ides leaning against the mast, angled as though he were trying to hide.

The Bloodcrest closed in. Fifty yards. Thirty. Ten.

“Guy?!” A woman at the rail shouted, leaning far out over the water. Her dark, curly hair formed a halo around her head. “Good to see you again!”

Oda had once heard a big word that she’d really come to like. Exasperated. It suited Guy perfectly at the moment. “Pendra. What are you doing here?”

“I asked you first!”

“We have no fight, we’re just here for some answers!”

“Hang on!” she called, “We’re coming closer!”

Guy muttered under his breath, but didn’t give the signal to attack. The tension aboard was thick as smoke from a house fire.

Eridin left his place at the ballista and went up to Guy. From her spot in the forestays, Oda could hear them perfectly.

“You know what you’re doing?”

“Well enough. Why didn’t you tell me the name of the ship?”

The elf squinted against the sunlight, tapping his fingers against his leg. “I didn’t see.”

“Liar,” Oda said under her breath. People like him got fidgety when they lied.

“Just keep quiet if you value your life, or the lives of everyone else on this ship.”

Eridin retreated to the ballista as the enemy ship drew even nearer. Oda counted upwards of forty people aboard, with Zandeer insignias scattered about in no particular pattern on their clothing. There was none to be seen on the captain.

“Guy!” The captain, Pendra, stood on the rail, gripping the rigging with one hand and smiling broadly. “Where have you been, I missed you!”

“Wish I could say the same.”

“Where are you heading on this fine morning?”

“I’m sure you heard Tralco was attacked the morning before last.”

“Sure did, heard it was awful. I’m glad you’re alright.”

“Look, we’re not here to start anything.” He smoothed his voice confidentially. “I see you’re sailing with Zandeer again. What do you know about the attack?”

“Now why would I know anything about that?”

Oh, she was good. The fidgeting was so smooth Oda almost missed it. This lady knew something.

“Look,” Guy held up a hand, “Pendra, because of what we had in the past, let us pass, and stay clear of Gullwing.”

She laughed gaily. “You know I can’t do that! And you ought to know better than to go poking around Gullwing, it's a hornet's nest if ever there was one. For old time's sake, here’s what I’ll do: I’ll give you a headstart back to Tralco.”

His silence was response enough for her. “However, should you choose to continue on this path and I see you face in Gullwing, I will send every last pirate in Zandeer after your ass. You wouldn’t last the night.” Her smile took on a wolfish quality that raised the fur down Oda’s spine.

“A moment,” Guy stepped back and motioned for Oda and the others to join him. “So,” he said quietly, surveying the surrounding faces. “We either try to strike a deal, or we fight. Which won’t end well.”

“I ain’t afraid of a lady in a boat!” Oda tapped the pommel of her rapier. She could handle a pirate captain.

Eridin looked like he’d just been offered a hairball for breakfast. “You don’t trust us, but expect us to trust you when you allow Zandeer to walk all over us?”

“I trusted you not to do anything stupid,” Guy snapped, “Now I’m not convinced. I’m trying to keep us all alive, here.”

“Is there anywhere else we can go and avoid all this?” Blank whispered.

“Back to Tralco, but that is not an option.”

She sighed, then looked thoughtful. “Is there anything we can barter with?” she asked, “Sweeten the deal for her a little?”

“Guy!” Oda suggested. Pirate lady seemed to really like him. Surely a capable party such as themselves could continue on the mission alone.

“I will trade you to Pendra for safe passage if you say another word.” Guy said icily.

Oda’s claws twitched. He’d have to kill her first.

“I’m waiting, Guy!” Pendra’s syrupy sweet voice floated over the short distance.

“If no one else is going to make a decision, it’s fireball time.” Eridin cut in.

Guy glared up at him. “Do it and we’re all dead.”

“Do you think she would follow us if we changed course?” Ides inquired quietly. “We could go north a ways, make it seem like we’re heading back to the continent, and then arc back around and come at Gullwing from a new direction.”

“It’s worth a shot.” Guy said.

Rue, Blank, and Ides nodded, though Eridin remained unconvinced. "In case this goes south, how big of a threat is she?”

“She knows a little magic, she's an incredible swordsman and I can guarantee she’s gotten better since we were last together.”

Ides looked to be considering this. Before he could say or do anything, Guy turned around. “Alright, Pendra, you win, we’re changing course.”

The pirate lady all but pouted. “I’ll miss you, Guy. It would have been nice to catch up after all these years.” She spun on her heel and shouted orders to her crew, of whom not one had the good grace to hide their disappointment at lost quarry.

Oda waved to the ship as the gap between them widened. As they veered northward and the Bloodcrest slowly disappeared over the western horizon, it felt as though the ship itself let out a sigh of relief. Voices rose to a dull buzz as the crew tried to figure out what exactly had just happened, and how they were all still alive. Surely, escaping without a fight had been too easy.

Oda could no longer contain her curiosity. As she trailed Guy to his quarters, Blank and Rue fell into step beside her. Apparently she wasn’t the only one dying for details.

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Thanks for reading! Check back next Friday for part nine!

Newest update: Part Nine