A/N: Well life got in the way of this, oh university. Anyway I thought I get a chapter out to you lovely people, as a little gift to you in honour of season 4 and my birthday. Just a reminder this is about 5 weeks after the end of the prologue.
Chapter 1: Leaving the Nest
Week 20 2840:
Sky-village of Storybrooke
The elderly lady looks up from his book as the bell announces the arrival of a customer. A dark hair man steps through the door, with a quiver of bow and arrows on his shoulder and his cloak he looks like the many adventurers that come through his door. It's the gentle smile on his face that distinguishes him from the rest.
"Hello Graham, and where's your sister?" she greets.
"Don't worry Granny, she's out getting supplies with the captain." Graham responses.
"Oh I see,be sure to tell her to drop by. The two of you rarely visit anymore. What with the you two going on adventures with the captain. So how did the delivery go?" She said.
"Of course,Granny." Graham replied trying to reassure her. "The captain said this is the last time we're delivering creatures for you, though he used more colourful language."
" That bad?"
"Turns out basilisks are not the flying type. Took forever to clean up vomit off our clothes and the ship. And one them gave birth on board, and the little snakelet thought the captain was his mother. We got first hand experience of how protective a mother basilisk is. It destroyed the labs. Victor was not happy" Graham recalled.
"I hope you've got pictures of the snakelet following Raimund around. We'll here you go." she says as he hands over a small object carefully wrapped in brown paper from underneath the counter. "Only your captain would deliver a nest of basilisks for a statue."
Graham carefully unwraps the object and quickly examines it before rewrapping it. "You know how he get's with his things. So any new postings?"
"One came in this morning. I haven't had the chance to post it. But it might be right up your alley. It's a retrieval job. They haven't said exactly what the job entails, that will be given in person, but they're willing to pay any price."
"A client willing to pay anything. Sounds like the captain's favourite client. "
A man sits at a desk tinkering away at some mechanical object, with several holographic screens in front of him.
"Dr. Whale, how are the new additions to the pressure stabilizers coming along?" he asks the person in holographic screen to his left.
"They are coming along fine, Captain. About 70% complete. Should be finished in the next hour or so."
" See that you do. Make sure it's done right, I'd rather not burst when we take flight. Let me know when you're finished" He says, looking up from his work and giving the man a pointed look.
"Understood, Captain."
The captain waves the screen away and turns his attention to the screen on the lower right.
" Dr. Hopper, have you finished dealing with the docks?"
" Yes, captain. We've received the clear to depart. And we have permission to dock at Avonlea."
" Good work doctor. Go on and help Ruby with loading in the supplies."
" Of course, Captain."
The captain closes the screen and turns his attention to the last screen.
" Ruby I've sent Doctor Hopper to help you with loading, do you think you'll be finish loading the rest of the cargo in a hour?"
" We can get it done in half."
" Alright, see that you do." he says before closing the screen, and returns to examining the object in front of him.
There is a slight knock before the door to the captain's office opens. The captain sits tinkering at his desk, unfazed by the intrusion.
"Captain."
"Graham." He says as he looks up at his first mate "I trust Granny is doing well?"
" Yes she is, had a huge laugh at your expense. She has a new request for us, one I think that would be very rewarding." he says as he hands the captain the wrapped object.
"Yes, well as long as it doesn't involve any more of those creatures, I'm sure we can handle it." The captain says as he gently unwraps the object with his clawed fingers. " Isn't it stunning?" He strides over to one of the empty display cases and places the statue within it, before admiring it once again.
"Um... Yes it is." Graham says, unsure of how to respond.
" So what was the request?" The captain asks as he sits down at his desk again.
" A retrieval job for the royal household of Avonlea." The young man replies.
" So the mighty house of Avonlea requires our help. I wonder what they have hidden in their vaults." The captain impishly giggles.
Week 20 2840:
Skydom of Avonlea
The doors of the throne room burst open. An older man, clothed in the finest of silk and jewels, is followed by a young knight.
"Your highness, we should just send out a team of our own." The dark haired knight said.
"You know very well we can't do that Gaston. If we send out a search team, people will notice. We can not have anyone be aware of Belle's disappearence." The king says.
"But your highness, so we're just going to put her safety in the hands of total strangers. I'll go myself and find her." He pleaded.
" I appreciate the offer, but you are needed here. They are the best at what they do. If anyone will find her, they will." The king said.
" Yes, we definitely are the best." A voice said from somewhere in the room.
The two men survey the room, unable to find the intruder. The dark haired knight reaches for the hilt of his sword, ready for an attack.
" Show yourself." he calls.
" Right here dearie." The voice says.
They look at the front of the hall. There sitting on the throne, legs over one of arms of the chair, is a creature clothed in the strangest of leather.
"Get off there, beast. "
"Now now dearie, no need for name calling." It places it's clawed hand above its heart in mocked offense. It swings its legs to get off and walks towards the pair. "Though if I remember correctly it was you who called my name. Something like help!help!help!" it says in a high pitched squeal.
Before the young knight can open his mouth and cause further damage, the King steps forward.
" You're him?"
"Captain Raimund Spinner of the Red Daggers." the creature says with a exaggerated bow.
" Welcome Captain." The king says eagerly, and reaches out to shake the Captain's hand, hoping to repair any damage Gaston may have done.
"So you require our services?"
" Yes. You see two weeks ago, my dear daughter, princess Belle, went missing. We fear the worst. We haven't heard word from her or her kidnappers. You understand if word got out that she was missing, it would cause widespread panic among Avonlea, and endanger her further. I am told you can do anything for a price."
"I understand your highness. My crew and I would be happy to help, for a price. We don't charge gold, not when the value constantly changes, its goes up and down, up and down."The captain says in an eerie singsong voice as he circles around the king and his guard like hunter circling his prey. " Besides I hear that Avonlea needs it more than I do. I think a trinket from your vaults might do."
"Yes of course, you can have anything in the vaults." The king hastily accepts the generous price,and leads the two men to the vaults.
" Well lets see if there is something worth my price."
After going from room after room, treasure after treasure, the captain found nothing suitable for his collection.
"We'll that was a bit of let down. Is this all Avonlea have to offer?" The captain said.
"Are you sure you don't want anything from here, sir? Or perhaps you'll take gold?" The King asked, the desperation evident in the tremble of his voice.
"No, no, nothing here. And definitely not gold. " he says as he walks around the room scanning for anything of interest. He stops when he notices a door tucked in the corner of the hallway."What do you have hiding behind this door?"
"Nothing, it's just storage, much of it is from from Avonlea's first years."
"Open it." The captain demands.
The King gestures to the Gaston and he hastily comply to open the room.
The captain walks in. Its a small room, a broom closet. A few crates are stacked haphazardly against the wall, covered in dust. He examines the crates, careful not to ruin the fragile balance, and finds nothing worth real value. A small chest lies in the corner of the room. He opens it, and finds it filled with old worn clothes. He dumps out the contents of the chest. A worn gauntlet falls out. The captain picks it up and examines it closely.
"hmm... well since nothing else has really caught my attention. I really do want to help you your highness. So I'll lower my price, my crew and I will find and bring your princess back safely, for this gauntlet."
" That's most generous of you sir. Are you sure you don't want any gold?"
" No it's quite alright. You have kingdom depending on you."
A/N: So now you have a brief idea of who is part of the red daggers. What you guys think? Also I realized I never named Raimund's ship. So suggestions would be much appreciated. It always makes my day when I see a comment for all of you.