Chapter 3: Old friends, new enemies
Sonny exchanged glances with Corso. This young woman either was acting in someone elses place from what they now
knew about her, or she was scared out of her withs. Sonny saw the latter as the most likely outcome, as Wicky was wearing
a necklace with a locket, one that had royal history to it. He had done some research after their conversation with Winston
Keater, and found that the necklace, named the royale Heart of Shil' Annoa, belonged to a set, a three piece set, consisting
of a ring, earrings and the necklace. Whoever held all three pieces, would rule in the Shil' Annoa galaxy. To prevent a
dictator, such as lord Murasha, from siezing the power of the galaxy, the set had been entrusted to three persons, all of them women, but the last one, would be the next ruler, and had to rule wisely. This ruler to be, was their by now, petrified guest, Wicky isadora. But, lord murasha had the means to put pressure on her, he had taken her doughter prisoner, the rebells had come too late to prevent her captivity. Now, it all came down to this scared young woman. Cause she was scared. Sonny knew it would do no good to point out what would be appropriate conduct now, her mind was so cluttered, she'd be unable to take it in. Sonny decided to go easy, to give her a chance to calm down.
«Don't you worry Wicky, I have already decided to help you, what I need to know, is what it is you need my help for?»
Wicky looked at him. There was something about him, that told her that she could trust him. His hazels looked calm, friendly. Not the ones of a wanted criminal.
She looked down, ashamed at her own behaviour.
«Sonny I'm- I'm so sorry for my rude behaviour, I'm ususally not like this..»
Sonny walked over to her, and took her hands in his, and calmly sat down next to her. He could feel her hands shaking, like she was supressing her own need to cry. He gave Corso a quick look, telling him to leave them. Corso nodded, and headed back to the commandcenter.
«I need to get back Sonny, I'm the only one that can stop this mess..»
«I know that, but first, it needs be a little safer for you first, do you know why this Winston Keater sent you here in the first
place?»
Sonny's hazels looked at her. Searching, looking for any sign that anything could be a trap. Wicky felt a bit uneasy under his intense look.
« I guess... Keater just wanted to make sure I was safe, or maybe he thought I was in the way? I don't know.. everything's just falling to pieces, First, Miranda, who was to keep the ring safe, was murdered by Lord Murasha, then it was Alena, who held the earrings. I'm the only one left. I don't know why they gave me the necklace, since my life is on the line anyway».
Sonny was puzzled. This didn't make any sence. Her life would be in danger anyway, even without the necklace? Sure, the necklace was important to whoever ruled in the Shil' Annoa galaxy, but how come Wicky was still in danger? He needed to know more.
«You're in danger even without the necklace? How can that be Wicky?»
«Didn't Keater tell you who I really am Sonny?»
Sonny shock his head.
«He didn't say much, he just sounded relieved that you were safe and looked after».
Wicky got on her feet. Sonny didn't have to look to tell she was mad. He was glad it wasn't him that was the target for her rage.
«When I get hold of Keater, I'm gonna get his ass for this».
Sonny struggled not to burst into a laughter. This woman surely had to be a firecracker. She had temper, and yet, a side to her personality, that he actually liked. He wondered if she was involved with someone.
«Get a hold of yourself Sonny, you're not thinking of that, She is a guest, under your protection, your job is to keep her safe, not lust for something you can't have».
Sonny looked at her, with a small smile.
«Then Wicky, how about you tell me what Keater didn't? That would make it easier to know where to start don't you think?».
Wicky sent him a bright smile as she stopped pasing.
«Hope you got time Sonny, he left a lot out, you would find out sooner or later, so I'll spare you that job and tell you all there is to know of importance about me. I just hope you will still treat me as a normal person afterwards, and not like my heritage would ask»...
Wicky sighed deeply, before she started telling Sonny of her true identity. Sonny didn't seem surprised at all. Wicky realised that he had either guessed it, or her necklace had given her away. She had expected him to ask questions, but as she was telling, Sonny said nothing. He sat there on the edge of the bed, his head resting in his hands, and listened attentively to what she said. When she finished, Sonny had questions.
«The other two women, or guarrdians of the ring and the earrings, did you know them personally?»
Wicky hang her head down.
«My two closest friends. It's all because of me that they're gone. I never should have let Raven and Keater talk me into fleeing when we did. Then, they'd still be here..»
Sonny somehow doubted that. Yet, he could easily identify with her story. Many of the same emotions had been his own at some point. He needed to get her of this trail of thoughts.
«Do you think they'd want you to go back?» he asked in a friendly tone.
Wicky stood up and walked into the middle of the room. Then she stoped.
«I don't know Sonny, being the leader of the rebells isn't easy, sometimes, I think they disrespect me because of my age, and that was why they sent me here».
«I can tell you for certain, that what you seem to think, is wrong» said Sonny.
«How can you possibly know that?»
Wicky was sceptical at best.
«First, because of the conversation Corso and I had with Keater, he had a good explanation for this, second, What you've been telling me during our conversation. I recognize a lot of what you're going through, I've been through the same, and had to learn how to deal with it. And third, I don't know if you've heard of it, but there is one thing about me you should know. The pirates has known for years. Whenever there is trouble in the air, I've developed a sixth sense for this. That is why my men and I usually are on top of the situation. And right now, that sense is telling me, that you're far safer here than you'd be in Shil' Annoa. I made a promise to keater to look after you, and that's what I'm going to do».
With those words, Sonny got up.
«I know, I'm sorry, I just..it's hard to adjust to being so far away from home..»
Sonny smiled when he heard the longing in her voice.
«Believe me Wicky, You'll go home when time is ready, meanwhile, I'm afraid you're stuck here with us, think you can handle it?»
Wicky smiled.
«I will sure try..»...
Winston was refueling his ship, Diamond Eagle. He had traded in some gadgets for extras on food and other necessary supplies, now he was ready to head to the Zaelion galaxy. Raven came to see him before he departed.
«Be careful Keater, Wicky is bound to be mad as hell for the way you sent her off to them».
Keater smiled, his friend worried far too much.
« I am positive I can handle it Raven, remember, I know the Shiloh pirates. They are sure to have her calmed by now».
«Lots of things changed when Magnus Balde left, and Sonny Blackbones took over..»
«All of wich were good changes. Sonny had visions and ideals, wich is more than what you can say about Magnus Blade».
«You never talk much about him, was he that bad a leader?»
Keater looked at him.
«He's the main reason I left Shiloh in the first place. And stop asking, it's not something I wish to debate».
Raven left him to it. Winston Keater had been around for years, but he let no one too close. A habit he had picked up in Shiloh. Raven knew better than to pursure a matter when Keater was this clear that it was non debatable.
Keater sighed as he made ready to depart. He didn't fear Wicky, he could handle her, but answering all the questions that would rise when he returned this long after his leave the last time, that would prove worse. Well, he had to cross that bridge when he got there. When he reached the portal, he engaged hypermode. Seconds later, he was back in a familiar galaxy. Zaelion. The place of torture.
«Well, not turning back now» he thought to himself, and set the course for the shiloh nebula.
It was time to head home and confront old ghosts of the past...
Sounds like Winston has secrets, will Corso know of these? And how will Wicky react when they meet again?
Keep reading for answers. And Do please drop me a rewiew.
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