Hidden Past, Secret Future
Chapter 2: Their New Home {Part 1}
14 June 1969
Aboard the Houdini
Dawn
Daylight broke through the cracks in the ceiling; footsteps of men scurring over the vessel to repair damaged hull boards and beamways. Each man had two tasks, his own and the fellow directly to his left. in the case of the lost of the fellow on his left, he could cover both his own tasks, and the tasks of the lost fellow.
Every morning found the crew busy on the ship, some of them counting coin they'd plundered, others storing weapons they'd stolen, and othes recording damage to the ship or loss of crew, of which only damage to the ship and some very precious cargo stolen. Taryl was, like every morning aboar his vessel, pacing in his cabin behind the helm. With him were his quartermaster, Mosar, and his first mate, Taztan.
Taryl paced in his cabin, "We have what we went for, was there any damage to the ship ? There was cannon fire if you recall" He spoke to Mosar first concerning the cargo, their... guests... two children. One of them magically gifted. Why did Kethend and the man with her want them ? He was told only to capture them and deliver them to her somewhere. But where he was to take the children, he had not yet been informed.
"The damage is being patched up as best we can as we speak, sir. Our ... Cargo, is unharmed, though one of them, the one with magic, is terribly sea-sick." said Masor, looking around the ship and frowning. "I'm afraid we won't have enough materials to fully repair the ship, sir. At least, not fast enough before the storm starts up again." he said, looking up at the black clouds above them, a few drops sprinkling here and there.
"I'd suggest we get to a port as soon as we can." He leaned forward a little. "And to tell you the truth, I'm tired of cleaning all the puke that the girl manages to throw out of her stomach. I dunno how she does it; she hasn't eaten in what seems like at least a day, and is still puking." he sighed. "And don't get me started on the smell, sir." he said, waving his hand in front of his face to emphasize his point.
Thunder suddenly roared over head as the rain started to intensify. "Your call, sir." Masor said, a small smirk on his face.
For a long moment Taryl said nothing as the rain started falling. A few seconds passed as the rain started pounding from the sky. Lightning cracked across the morning clouds crazily. Taryl nodded then "Alright. We will make for Warforge. Its the nearest port to this location. Have the men get into regal gear and clothing before we dock. We do not want to give away the fact we are bandits." To be rather honest he'd much rather go to Southeri or Swedaliaro ports, but those were a good five days away, and Warforge was less than a day from their location
He snickered; "Give her a drought of ironstomach, the girl will have to earn her sealegs soon!" Then he started laughing at the mention of the smell of the vomit all over the floor in the brig "Its a brig Mosar, its supposed to stink!" He was then shouting to be heard over the sudden rainstorm. "Get the cargo some food and water, and ensure the blonde drinks the drought, here" He went to a nearby chest and removed the mentioned potion. "Split it between both girls, and ensure they drink all of it. and until I call for you two, Dismissed." He handed Mosar the strange white vial.
Taztan stood by the door and held it open for his fellow Shadowling. Once outside in the rain he spoke, "That went well" He too was amazed at how much the blond girl could throw up, barely eaten a thing at that. even on calm waters, upchucking like mad.
Masor saluted Taryl and sighed, taking the vial and heading down to the brig. "Good god, she's still going?" He groaned as he walked past the cell where girls were held. "Get someone to clean it up! It's eating the finish off of the deck." He ordered as he went to prepare the food and drinks for the girls in the cell. He grumbled himself as he mixed the draught into the water he was going to give the girls.
With a grunt he picked up the tray and opened the cell door, kneeling beside the girls and placing the tray on the table. "Eat up, young ones, and be sure to drink the water; it'll help settle your stomach." He said to Elsa, lightly patting her back with a wink to Taztan. "You too, little lady, the seas are gonna get rough." He said to Anna, standing and closing the cell door behind him.
At the mentujon of the rough seas the blonde looked rather ill and thankfully didn't throw up at that exact moment. Instead, the thought of the water settling her stomach she pretty much drank down the sickly sweet tankard of the water mixed with something. Maybe medicine ? She didn't care, it helped almost instantly as the ship lurched rather suddenly and Anna had to drink quickly to avoid spilling any of her own tankard of the sickly sweet liquid.
Neither girl asked anyone why they were even on the ship, in a brig, they only had each other. They were both freaked out, and Elsa was dangerously seasick. Possibly too seasick. Thankfully at this point Anna was used to the smell. And, to a point, she was used to seeing her sister throwing up so much, but as the two men left them, Anna snatched up some meat, which looked freshly cooked, and some bread before Elsa could drench the tray with her stomachs contents again like the last time.
Wait, last time ? It didn't matter, Anna just knew ot grab some food and leave the rest for her sister. Most of it got eaten, but not a lot.
Once out of earshot of the two girls Taztan nearly broke down in laughter. He knew of the drought and had put it there at Kethends instruction. Now they knew where they headed. The potion worked instantly, settling Elsas stomach, and in a way, preventing her from making further messes in the brig; "Alright, that's that, they didn't even remember a thing! No questions asked either!" Taztan was pretty much giddy with how well this was going. He could only wonder how things were back on the Silversparrow.
The ship lurched again, this time hard to port, and had Taztan not set a foot on the cannonade the cannon in question would have rolled free. "Ok lets see here" He pulled a small folder from his waistband and opened it, it was their instructions from Kethend and Draco. "According to this we need to set fire to the rear most part of the ship, and then destroy the rudder once the ship docks." He didn't have to speak further of how to light the ship on fire as a lightning strike nailed the captains cabin perfectly dead on. "Well..." Taztan said as he got his hearing back "That's that. What's next ?"
Masor laughed as the ship lurched and the lightning struck the captains cabin. "What's next? Well, we gotta wait to get docked first! Then we blow the rudder." he laughed again, getting to work cleaning up what little puke is left on the floor from Elsa's last upchuck. "Go and place the TNT, and as soon as we dock, light it." he told Taztan, finishing cleaning it.
"Port sighted!" the man on the crow's nest shouted. "Get us docked and put out that fire!" another man called out as the fire at the back of the ship blazed violently, the wood crackling and smouldering as smoke rose from the ship as the sea seemed to try its best to either tip the ship over or push it towards the port before them faster. Masor grabbed a rope to keep the mast strong, and the ship moving as slowly they pulled into the docks, and as they grew closer to the pier Masor pulled hard on the rope to close the mast and allow no more wind to push the ship aground. Once this was done, he ran below deck.
"We're docked, blow it!" he called to Taztan.
"Aye chief" Taztan said when Mosar gave the order to set the bombs to blow; this was all going to plan. Once the setup was finished he foiund himself swearing at the fire and using shadows to keep the TNT dry and away from the fire above it before it was time to blow it. Literally so
Not only were they going to blow the rudder, but they were also going to blow the cover of the Bandit King himself.
He didn't have to wait long, w, when he heard Mosars voice he called back "Right! Fire in the hole!" Snapping a lit rag at the edge of the TNT powder trail he booked it. Knowing the girls would be fine when the sucker blew sky high.
Which it did, as the ship docked. the rear of it exploded in a massive fireball.
That explosion caused all hell to break loose.
Warforge
Earlier that Morning
Wolfe Smithy
Brilliant cyan eyes stared at the dark clouds far above. Rain was once more on the horizon. And Marcus could tell it was going to be heavy. Bashain's second, Nazur, had informed him of the comibng rainfall, and advised to protect all the smithies and forges carefully; Nazur was a good man, thin and slender, yet strong and skilled with a spear. There was a reason Bashain had chosen Nazur as his Second. When the rain started to fall, the storm found Marcus at the Wolfe Family Forge, the masice compound was on three levels, the main house at the top of a small hill, thickly walled, and the second level consisting mostly of the forge and weapon training grounds for the family of four, plus their many friends that were consatantly over. the yard was, in a word huge.
The bottom most teir was the main shop at the entry to the compound; This was where all the selling and buying was done. But at this moment, the shop was closed, and with it, the compound was still open for the time being allowing the children of Warforge to continue their training. Bashain had seen to it with Marcus and Wainright, that the Wolfe compound, had the largest field space for training their soldiers with every weapon forged to make sure the weapons were properly crafted.
That left Charity, Marucs' dear beloved dark haired, silver eyed angel of a wife, overseeing the children as they fought in their mock battles on the large open grass as the rain started falling, the kids were out, day or night, rain or shine, playing in this mock fights, each one honing skills they'd need later in life. But even as she watched her children, her first born, Mark, organising the other kids, some even older than himself by at least a few years, into ordered ranks with all sorts of weapons, she could not help but worry of any of the children getting harmed.
She had voiced her worry once to her son, to take it easy, and to be careful. She remmebered that conversation dearly, as they had the night before before bed.
"Mark, Sweetie, do you have a moment ?" She had asked him catching him just as he entered his bedroom doorway. the massive house was two floors with the main living area open to the floor above
Mark turned and looked up to his mother. "Yea, mom. What is it?" He asked, a smudge of dirt on his face from his mock battle ealier in the day against his cousin Samuel, who had longer reach than mark did as he was taller.
Charity couldn't help but smile, her son, only nine years of age, and yet he was strong as a muledeer, if not stronger! Reaching a hand to his face she cleaned it of the dirt. "I am worried for you Mark, and your sister Marion, todays training only made me worry all the more for you two when you took that hit from Bashains boy, I was afraid Samuel might do the same when he got you with the dirt clod." She said softly, there was a strong hint of worry in her voice.
Mark fidgeted slightly as his mother cleaned off his face, but didn't try and stop her. "Mom, stop worrying! I'm gonna get Malik back tomorrow for sure!" he said, "and Samuel too for not helping me!" he laughed, throwing some playful punches that were quite strong for how young he was; enough to cause some pain, though he stopped before hitting his mother; he'd never do that to her, or his father would kill him.
Charity smiled and hugged her son closely before pulling away "Dont worry of Malik, right now I want you to worry of two things." She said, holding up her hand, two fingers, slender though strong, before him. Like they always had. The first was simple, be mindful of every thing around him, people, items, buildings, everything. The second was always protect his sister, he hoped he'd remember it as they had gone over it countless times.
Mark sighed and slumped his shoulders. "Fiiinnnnee" he groaned. "But I'm still gonna get Malik back!" he giggled again, the determination in his brown eyes as strong as an Iron Wood Fire. "But...I gotta sharpen my sword again...I had trouble cutting through the bamboo the other day.." he sighed, slumping again.
It was the mention of having to sharpen his sword that made her frown for the first time that day; her frowning was never a good thing; she sighed, "Its best then for you to get some sleep, I'll sharpen your sword, but, tomorrow, you must include Marion in the session; she complained of being left out today" It was a rule, not just in their family but in the massive village as a whole, eveeryone included in the training sessions, children and adults alike.
Mark blinked a few times, looking up to remember the days events. "She wasn't left out...she was kinda left behind; didn't get her boots on in time and I took off without her." he giggled, scratching the back of his head. "But...fine." he agreed softly, yawning. All those mock battles that he did every day sure were tiring for the young boy; tiring for every child in the village, actually. So much so that after about 9:00 at night one would never see a child out of bed unless they were an unlucky child whose parents were strict and made them sleep outside if they lost their mock-battles. Mark was lucky to have such lenient parents, though he didn't know it. Though...lenient was bad term to describe it, as they were very strict about etiquette and whatnot.
Chariy smiled, "even so, Mark, I want you to include her in tomorrows session; if she is not included, you work the forge over dinner tomorrow night with your uncle Wainright, are we clear ?" To say Charity was strict was an understatment, She kept a clean house, she was lenient enough that here children never had to sleep outside, Well, once, just to get what it felt like. But since then they never had to worry of it. at least for as long as Charity could remember. Charity made sure everyone in her family worked and got along with each other. But what she never expected was how her children, her firstborn son, Mark, and her daughter, Marion, got along so well, she could not have asked for anyone better! But she honestly wanted two girls, maybe even another son, closer to Marks age to train with. "Now, get yourself to bed, tomorrow will be a trying day hearing how the thunder roils above us."
Mark nodded. "Yes, mama." he sighed, hugging her softly. Mark may not have had a brother to train with, but he had his cousin Samuel, and plenty of other boys and girls to train with, like his Sister Marion, who was faster than he could ever hope to be to make up for her short reach for being quite small. As his mother told him to get to bed, he nodded again. "Okay, mama...see you later~" he yawned, kissing his mother's cheek good night before turning and heading into his room, climbing into his bed and getting cozy under his blankets and quickly falling into a deep sleep.
Charity smiled and for a moment she had stood at her sons door, watching him sleep before closing it and going downstairs, the hammering of the forge was strong, but the roiling thunder above made the house shake every few moments, She found herself thankful that her children slept like rocks.
The memory faded as she watched the children, Mark was organising them into ranks, his sister she saw by his side mimicing his movements, but far quicker, Marion was small, but she made up for it in sheer speed, very quick on her feet she was only four, but she used two short swords her father made for her. Charity smiled seeing how her children worked as a team defending each other when and where needed, She thought carefully on how to explain Bashain's son getting that bloody nose though. Marion was indeed quick on her feet, and an even quicker thinker! When Malik made to grab her, Marion reacted, flicking her left sword around and whacking the older boy, who was twice her age, dead in the nose with the pommel of her short sword
Mark took the opportunity of Malik's nose being broken by Marion to trip him and point the tip of his sword to his neck, proclaiming his victory over the older boy with a laugh before he and Marion took off towards the other group of kids, all of them in a big battle of swords and daggers. Mark wore a leather gauntlet on his left arm, and used that as a sort of shield while he fought, deflecting strikes from other kids and using his sword to strike at them while they're distracted. With this method he "vanquished" many foes before the only three left standing were himself, Marion, and his cousin Samuel. They all charged eachother at the same time, and, miraculously, all "killed" eachother at the same time, their blades slicing the leather armor around their bellies to simulate a kill shot, so they all fell.
Before the parents who watched was now a dusty field of kids all laying down, pretending that they were dead or dying. After a few minutes though, one of them would laugh, and then they'd all get back up, form their respective teams, and charge at eachother again and again until called home by their parents. Malik of course left early due to his broken nose, but Mark didn't care anymore! He was having too much fun with this "game" as they all thought it was.
On the other side of town, the older kids, ranging from 13 to 19, all trained in similar battles with newer weapons such as shields, spears, polearms, pikes, tridents, nets, etc. They were all allowed to choose their preferred weapons and fighting styles at 13, and were encouraged to learn all they could about any weapon they wanted so they'd be perfect warriors when it came to fighting.
When the children were not fighting eachother in these mock wars, they were in the forges, learning how to craft the finest blades from the most stubborn metals, and decorative blades out of cheap but pretty metals to sell for a quick profit. But, of course, the pride of Warforge was that it sold weapons to whomever needed them without any questions asked; that was how their economy worked, and it worked wonders.
Over the years of the village's existence it had been invaded numerous times by conquerors who desired the skill of the people of Warforge for their armies, but the citizens of the city, men, women, and children alike all fought off the invaders with superior weapons, knowledge, and skills without too much of a problem. The town was so safe that there was practically no crime rate. The only real crime they had was maybe the occasional vandalizing of someon's forge because one family was rivals with another; but everyone usually got along pretty well despite their rivalries; which usually were settled by the children in their mock battles and wars.
As Charity watched the children as the rain began anew for the third time that day, a voice spoke up next to her. "My boy tells me your daughter managed to break his nose. He seemed quite upset, Lady Wolfe" it was Bashain
Charity smiled "It is to be expected, Elder; I feel sorry for Mark as it was not him for payback of yesterday. Has Malik seen the Village Healer ?" Marion had indeed left a good mark on Malik
"I just came from there. I want to congratulate you. It is not the strike that made my son upset, but who gave it, a girl no less. He fears it is below him to strike a girl, even if in a mock battle they go through daily; I am greratly amused by his respect for Mark and Marion, your children I see, will be great soldiers, and even better smiths!" Bashain said thoughtfully "Yet I wonder; our scouts reported seeing a burning ship headed to port during the storm. Dismiss the children, I fear trouble coming. Have the children readied in the case of battle to come. I want your son and mine to oversee the ships arrival and docking. I will speak to the elder students to aid them, the ship is a half day away." With that Bashain left Charity in thought.
A ship was coming, and it was on fire. Lately, that was a ruse from some groups. She nodded, clapping her hands twice she called out "Barn! Hold kniver ! {Children, hold your blades!}" She said, her voice carrying over the torrents of rain. She stepped from under the protective cover of the Wolfe Forge onto the training ground where the children were. Mark was a strong boy, capable and even sneaky she could tell that right off. Malik was being seen to by the Healer; and once done there, the two were to take a group of older teens to oversee the docking of a damaged ship.
She stepped up to the many children, there were dozens, and they were all soaking wet, and in some cases quite muddy; and they were all barefoot. Execept Marion, she was the only one out of all the children that even had boots on, muchless socks! When all the children looked to her as she approached she said calmly, "Session dismissed. We are to have a ship docking soon. I should like for everyone here to be safely with their parents and ready in the case of trouble to arise. the ship that is coming is damaged and on fire." The kids hopefully knew exactly that lure
It had been used once before, decades ago, when Charity had first met Marcus; The Bandit King, Tasrell, had tried to raid Warforge, and had used a burning ship as a lure and bait for a powerful trap; but it failed, and that was how Bashain had become the Elder. for almost thirty years Bashain had been 'defacto' mayor
Charity looked between the kids and saw her own there among the group. She listed off six of the dozens of children, those six were in dire need of the healer to visit. Of those six, was her son Mark. She waved him closer and dropped to one knee as he neared. "I have a important task for you son. You and Marion did wonderfully today. But that must wait as I need you do to something or me, for the village. Are you up for it ?"
The children all stopped as they were told to, and all looked to Charity as they slowly relaxed and stood straight, looking at her from the rain. As she listed off some children, they all stepped froward, including Mark. Mark went over to her, wiping some mud off of his shirt with a sigh as his mother kneeled down to talk to him. He listened to her words carefully and nodded.
"Yes, mom. I up for it. What is it?" he asks, putting his sword into its sheath at his hip.
She looked to the other six children, "See to the Healer, Mark will join you shortly" At their nod she turned back to him, "You remember that mock ship boarding your father and I organised with you and the others last week ? Sneak aboard without getting seen by those aboard, find the most valued item and get off with it without getting noticed ?" She took a deep breath and continued. "Bashain spoke to me a moment ago, he wants you and Malik to lead a group of teens to oversee our surprise visitor. The last time a burning vessel docked here there was bloodshed on both sides. Bashain wants to avoid that. When that vessel docks, I want you to sneak aboard, with Malik, as you both scored highest, and find the most valued item on there, and get off without being seen, I will inform your father of what is coming to ready the adults. Once you have your target in hand, come straight back to the forge, both you and Malik, understand ?"
Mark's eyes filled with surprise. "Y-yes, I remember." he said softly, remembering the mock boarding perfectly. He listened to his mother's words and nodded. "As you wish, Mother. Board the ship, take the most valuable thing there, get off." he repeated, nodding. With a smile he hugged his mother. "thanks for this opportunity, mom~" He kissed her cheek before heading out to find Malik and some able-bodied teens to join him on his little mission. Soon he had a couple of shield users with him, and two archers, and they waited for the ship to dock.
Sixteten hours later
Warforge
Dusk
As the ship docked, some one screamed. "Blow it, now!", and with that the entire back end of the ship exploded. Mark used this as the opening he needed, and lead his team onto the ship silently, breaking into the cargo hold and searching; all they found was gunpouder, grain, and rum. They continued to search, and eventually found the brig, where two young girls lay on a bed in a cell left completely unsuperivsed.
Mark approached the cell and used his sword to force open the lock. "Come with me! I'll get you out of here!" he said, reaching out his hand while crewmembers of the Houdini rushed around above and below them on the decks trying to put out the fires.
"Can't go back that way!" Malik said coming around the corner as more gunpowered exploded
"Why not ?" Mark asked; that was their only way out!
Malik was about to answer but Elsa cut him off. "Lets go that way" She pointed towards the now gaping hole in the hull leading towards the dock "Its quicker!"
"For once I agree with the girl we don't even know!" Malik said with a nod, Mark figured 'why not' and they took off; but there was a bunch of crewmen in their path
Marcus looked at the ship and gritted his teeth. "That's the Houdini! Invade that ship and destroy it!"
"No!" Charity shouted. "Our son along with 7 other boys are on there still, let them fight their way out before you destroy it!" she said. Marcus nodded and called off the attack for now.
Mark, along with the boys he was with, easilly fought off the still startled crewmembers of the Houdini and hopped off the ship carrying the two girls. Once all of them were off the ship, fully armed and armored Men and Women stormed the ship with a variety of weapons, either killing or taking prisinor the entire crew, including the Captain Taryl. Masor and Taztan disappeared into the shadows once their jobs were complete; they awaited new orders from their Master.
Mark laughed as he ran into town with the girls and other boys behind him; he'd done it! He led the party and they'd succeeded! He lead them to his mother, and reported that they had the "usual pirate stuff" so he took the girls with him instead.
As the battle began Taztan wove his way drunkenly through the mob, when he got close enough to Masor he called out "Time to go ?"
"I agree!" Masor called out, quickly opening a shadow they dove off the ship as Taztan tossed a lit match into the gunpowderhold and blew a kiss at the swearing madly Taryl
Usual pirate stuff my ass! Charity thought seeing the two girls with her son, the seven boys worked as a team so well they protected the two carefully, only one of the boys was nursing a deep cut on his arm wher he'd stopped a bandits sword from striking down Anna from behind; Charity stared seeing the girls. A bright smile forming on her face as her husband oversaw the attack and suddenly beating a hasty retreat as the hold went up in flames.
Chairty stepped towards her son and his team through the insane mob all around her as they neared the Wolfe Forge as planned. Calling out quickly for the Healer to see to Zirdian's arm she called out to Mark "You did as expected;" she said, looking to the two girls, who were clearly freaked out and hugging each other, she turned to her son, and also motioned to Zirdian, "You got on board as planned, and yet; something went wrong ?" She hoped that these two girls, who were dressd in finery of some form, were the most vauled aboard that vessel
"What happend ?" Charity asked, she dropped down to a knee to be level with her son and the two girls he had rescued with the other teens and Malik, who was once more nurseing a bleeding nose as one of the bandits had managed to whack him solid with a peice of broken wood
"Well, it was going smoothly, and then our way out exploded, so we had to improvise..." Mark said, looking around to the boys as they all dispersed with the healer. "The girls were the most valuable thing they had on the ship; nothing is more valuable than a child's life, right?" He asked, repeating the lesson his mother had taught him when he was still learning to hold his sword.
"But...now what?" He asked, confused as he once again sheathed his sword and looked at the girls as they hugged eachother still. "What are we gonna do, mom?" he asked again.
Chairty smiled, and patted her son on his left shoulder. looking to the two girls thoughtfully she said, "What are your names, dears ?"
Elsa spoke up, "I'm Elsa, this is my sister, Anna, where are we ? Who are you ?" It was clear she was scared, and they were both lost.
Charity smiled brightly then "Well, Elsa, Anna, I am Charity, this is my son, Mark, Mark, take them inside, get them some dry clothing, you know where to look; I'm going to speak to your father about something, I wont be long" His cousin Sam's older sister, a half year older and adopted, wore dresses most of the time, sometimes trousers. And they all shared the same house, but Milia was rarely seen outside the compound, almost constantly with her own mother Dauriko.
Mark nodded and reached his hand towards Elsa. "Come on! let's go get you something dry to wear!" he said, smiling softly. Once Elsa's hand was in his, he lead her to Milia's massive bedroom, opening her dresser and pulling out a few dresses and laying them on the bed. "You can choose what you want...I'll find you some towels, I guess..." he said, leaving and coming back after a minute with a few towels in his hands so the girls could better dry themselves off. With a knock on the door, he spoke up again "Can I come in? I've got some towels for you two!" he said.
Once inside the huge house, and lead to a spacious bedroom, Anna climbed onto the bed as Elsa took in the furnishings, everything was made of wood so delicately carved and painted. It was, in a word, gorgeous. Everything from the dresser handles to the bedposts to the doorframe was handcarved so delicatly someone must have worked hard on such a task.
All sorts of dresses were laid onto the bed, one or two perfect sized for Elsa, but almost all of them too large for Anna, at least until she found one she liked, When Mark left to go get the towels Elsa picked up a silvery white dress edged in dark silver. She liked the feel of it; it felt rough. She set a piece of orante cloth onto the bedstand; she had no idea where it came from; but it oddly helped her sleep on the ship until that big explosion.
She was about to get undressed when the knock came at the door, She was unaware that the door was even closed to begin with! And yet, the door was shut, and Mark was apparently outside it waiting if they were dressed, hence his question. Glancing to Anna, who was mostly dressed at the tim, Elsa smiled and turned to the door, "You may come in, just, dont stare please." Elsa had undid her hair, which she had for a time kept in a braided bun, but she had undone the bun and the braid, and her hair, just off her shoulders, was quite messy; "Did you bring a hairbrush ?" However rang out from Elsa as the doornob turned
Mark opened the door and glanced at the girls, handing them each a towel. "A hairbrush? N-no...but, I think there is one in here..." he said, hopping up on the bed to see on top of the dresser, grabbing a hair brush that Milia's mother used to brush her hair. "But, you can use my cousin's too, I suppose," he said, hopping off of the bed and handing the brush to Elsa. "Or, do you want to at least dry yourself before you brush your hair? 'cause..you're like, soaked right now." he said nodding to the the puddles on the ground benath both Elsa and Anna. Then again, he was one to talk, wasn't he?
"Look whose talking!" Anna piped up, not only were the two of them soaking wet, but Mark was too! "Did you go swimming or something ?"
"Anna!" Elsa said sternly, at least, as sternly as a seven year old could sound, "He saved us remember ? you could at least say thank you!"
Anna pouted cutely but nodded at her sisters words "What she said" she said pointing to Elsa, who rolled her eyes and smiled, trying not to giggle but failing seeing a smile appearing on Marks face
Elsa greatfully took the hairbrush, with a smile she said softly, "thank you" Wet hair might be a problem for some, but for her, it worked out best to brush her hair, Or did it ? She couldnt remember; all she could remember was her and Anna, on a ship, and her ice magic keeping them occupied. It was the thoughts of her icy magic that made itself known by her bare feet as she had lost her shoes on the Silversparrow unknowingly so. Ice spiked like little slivers in the water pooling at her feet; she started brushung her hair, not noticing the ice at her feet eating up the water dripping off her small frame
Mark noticed the ice at Elsa's feet, and blinked, ignoring Anna's comment about his being soaked at the moment. "Whoa, that's cool!" he said, nudging the ice with his foot gently. "How did that happen? It's always hot in here 'cause of the forge!" he said, looking to Elsa, then Anna, thenback to Elsa and then to the ice again.
"What ?" Elsa was suddenly confused at Marks actions, Sure they were kids; but still how he reacted to her ice at her feet. She followed his gaze down to her feet and then giggled, "Oh that. I uh... I can make ice or snow" She said, somewhat shyly as she held out her left hand, snowflakes danced off her palm, "it comes natural to me, it... kept us busy on the ship" She said She saw his gaze then looking towards Anna, suddenly worried she asked "What's going to happen to us ?" They had nowhere to go. She had no parents as far as she could tell, just herself and Anna
Meanwhile; in the village of Warforge, everyone was working together to see to any wounded there were, and also any prisoners from the now completely destroyed vessel. Taryl was dragged ashore by Marcus, who was soon swiftly joined by his wife, Charity, Seeing the Bandit King in all his glory in the pouring rain as his vessel broke apart from exploding gunpowder Charity hauled back and slugged the Bandit King dead in the face as hard as she could. "Imprison children why dont you! Have you sunk so low ?!" To say Charity was unahppy was an understatement, Charity was, at that moment, quite livid.
"That's enough, Charity." Marcus said, keeping Taryl on his feet as blood exploded from his nose.
"Charity ? Is that this heavy hitters name ?" Damn, if Taryl thought the ladies he'd kidnapped for fun nights were hard hitters they were nothing compared to this babe that just broke his nose
Charity growled something under her breath and pointed at the former Bandit King while speaking to her husband, "Our son rescued two children, both of them girls, from his ship just before it blew! And you tell me that's enough ?!"
"Ey now! I got them girls fair an shquare!" Taryl yelled, spitting up blood but shutting up when Charity made to slug him again
"Fair and square, you scum?" Now it was Marcus's turn to slug Taryl square in the face. "Who the fuck kidnaps innocent girls 'fair and square'?" He asked. "And without any of their memories?" How did he know this? Simple: They weren't crying for their parents; as if they forgot they had them.
"Da fuck ya talking about man ?" Taryl screeched all but choking on his own teeth as he was slugged once again. "I got good money riding on this deal! I didn't wanna come here, I needed repairs; now I need a new ship ya bloody maggot!" At that Charity cracked him hard once again in the nose, "Goddamnit woman!" Now his nose was all over his face
"On the contrary" Broke in a voice that was calmer than most would think as Bashain stepped into view "You have nothing more than a funeral riding on this... deal." Apparently Bashain had given permission then for something. And Taryl blanched at what he heard. Oh no, no no no no... drats. He'd been set up, he turned towards Charity as Bashain handed her something
His eyes went wide.
Was that a hidden blade ?
Charity took the ancient weapon and put it on her wrist, turning to Taryl she snarled out "Start talking, and I will make this as painless as possible." Her son was right, human lives were indeed the most valued thing in the world, and in Warforge, they were prized above even their weapons they made. Taryl started babbling madly, mostly incoherent swearing as Charity knew how to be mean, it had been nearly thirty years since such a scene had occurred at Warforge.
She didn't even look down as she made a fast sweep with the Blade. Taryl screamed as his manhood fell away
She remained calm, some of the men had weak stomachs and threw up; She held the now bloodied blade to Taryls neck "Last chance... Bandit King..." She said staring him dead in the eyes
Taryl mustered up all of his curage and anger at losing his manhood and spat at her feet, "Go to hell..." He hissed
"Gladly, I'll escort you there!" She slid the blade cleanly into his neck with a wet SHLICK and she had learned nothing from him as he fell dead. As he laid on the ground Charity spoke three words softly "Rest in peace"
She motioned to some of the more stronger stomached men to burn the body, Bashain ordered the stones the blood of Taryl fell upon dug up and taken outside the village to be cleaned and new stones to be put in the stained once original places, Charity turned away, her hands reaching then for her husband, tears now streaming from her eyes.
Marcus merely stared into the distance as Charity punished Taryl, and as the bandit king lay dead, and Charity broke down into tears, he snapped out of it and hugged his wife tightly, a hand on the back of her head to profide comfort. "Sshhh..." He said, guiding her slowly towards their home. "What has you worked up, my love?" He asked. "He was punished for his deeds, you saw to that. What upsets the love of my life?" He asked again.
Through her tears she spoke softly "I sent Mark aboard the vessel, Just as we taught him, He found the two of them, he brought them to me as we had trained for him to do, at our Forge; If what he said was true, and I learned nothing from him even in his last seconds. Mark knew, he knows, the value of life. Just like we taught him, He... he saved two girls, sisters, from him." She said while crying into her husbands shoulder, "I had him take them to Milias room for some dry clothing. I..." How could she say it ? She couldn't just up and say she wanted to adopt the two girls could she ? Milia was a half year older than Samuel, and was constantly with her mother on contracts outside Warforge in a place called Jerusalem to the far south. And Milia was adopted!
Charity took a deep breath and pulled from her husband, "I want to adopt them, I want to give them a home!"
Marcus smiled. She wasn't upset; she was proud. Overwhelmingly proud of their son. "You're the one who taught him that, love." He said, wiping the tears from her face gently as they entered the home, heading into their bedroom. He smiled and closed the door behind them. At the sudden declaration of wanting to adopt the girls, Marcus took a step back from his wife in surprise, raising his eyesbrows for a second before pacing and smiling softly.
"My love, after what I just witnessed you do to the so called Bandit King, you can have damn near anything you want within reason." He said. "And if you want those girls...you can have them-no-... we can have them." He said, smiling and offering her a huge hug.
Charity practially shrieked with joy and hugged Marcus tightly, smoothering him in kisses. "OK, in that way of things I want to things, you, and the girls, but, you first!" Since they were in their room it was clear they were perfectly alone as Marcus had carried her, mostly, back home. He was right, She had taught Mark that life was the most valued item one could ever find. And he found not one, but two lives aboard that vessel and saved them both. "Our family is going to grow, by two!" She was indeed happy
Then she remembered something as she was getting into bed, "Oh I nearly forgot, Mora!" The servant arrived, well more like a live in aid really, the ladies lady in a manner of speaking. "Inform Mark, and our... young guests with him, that they may find any bed suitable to sleep in, we'll see them in the morning bright and early, oh, and make sure the girls get proper food, fox meat, maybe horse or wolf"
"Yes madam, Sir, do sleep well" Mora then closed the door as she left.
At Milia's bedroom door Mora knocked twice before entering, "Young Master" She said to Mark, with a brief bow of her head in greeting, "Your mother wishes to inform you that you three may pick any bed tonight to sleep in, she will see you in the morning bright and early as it is most important"
When Mora knocked Elsa was in the midst of showing Mark what she could do, none of the three knew of Taryls gristly fate at the hands of their mother; nor would they ever find out either. Elsa however nearly freaked out when Mark spotted the scrap of cloth on the bedstand, almost tackling him to keep him from touching it, "Please, dont touch that!" Even though she didn't know where it came from, it oddly helped her sleep at night the last two days of off and on sleeping.
Since they were still kids, Mark had helped, at least for the moment, with the dresses, at least the tying the long ribbons around their waists and across their backs; but when he made for the scrap of cloth, Elsa practically dove for it and him. She looked quite beautiful, for a seven year old girl, in a light blue and silver dress, edged in dark silver, it was rougher than she was used to, but she could get used to it.
Mark looked to Mora as she entered, and smiled. "Okay, thanks, Mora-Oof!" he hit the ground as Elsa unexpectadly tackled him to the ground. "Ooww you tackle harder than my sister!" he complained, getting back up. "and fine, I won't touch your cloth-thing." He then yawned and looked at Elsa and Anna. "If you want, you can sleep with me; my bed's really big!" he said, smiling, heading towards his room after quickly drying himself off with a towel.
It sounded good to Elsa, as she picked up the cloth, it had a golden embroidery of a Crocus flower, the national flower of Arendelle; but thanks to loosing her memory, she had no idea what kind of flower it was, the background was a deep purple, like a royal purple. Anna perked up at the mention of a sister "You got a sister ?" She almost fell off the bed but thankfully landed on her feet next to Elsa; either way it sounded best to them both. so they followed him to his room, waiting briefly outside his door while he changed clothing, and then climbed into bed with him, he was right, the bed was big enough, if not bigger, to hold them in it comfortably
As Elsa laid on the strange bed, she held the cloth close to her heart and drifted into a fitful sleep; unsure of what the future held for her and her sister. But thankful for one thing, They had made a wonderful friend; with that thought lingering in her mind, she slept like a rock