Already got another update under my belt! Feeling pretty good about it, though there's no telling what rate I'll be going at once school kicks back up. Still, it's all about the journey.

IV

Companions & Lunch

Waves crashed against the hull as the vessel charged through the sea, controlled by Cleru and his faithful oni companion. The ship was easily operated by two people and it was agreed that the Craftknights would alternate shifts. Though he was their superior in rank, Cleru had modestly consented to operating the ship first while Nigelle prepared lunch for everyone. Say what you will about Libody's attitude…the man came through on buying quality supplies! The smell of fresh ham sautéed in honey and spiced with a dab of cinnamon made Cleru's mouth water, but he resisted the urge to go inspect; there was only 20 minutes to go and no one would accuse the Craftlord of Iron of not holding up his end of the duties.

"I'm so hungry!" Rasho complained as he tilted the steering wheel with his foot.

"Just a little longer," Cleru muttered as he glanced up towards the clock for the umpteenth time. They had been in such a rush to get ready and reach the docks, they hadn't even taken the time to eat breakfast.

Rasho sighed as the minutes ticked by. "You know," he finally said after a while, "I know you picked out your companions for this trip, but what do you really think of their skills?" Cleru contemplated his question as he thought about each of his companions, companions who had once been his sworn rivals.

Varil was the ranking champ of course. Possessing as much intelligence as he did skill with a spear, he was both wealthy and powerful. He had a strange quirk in which he came off as snobby and preppy, but when truly irritated, reverted to very childlike insults. Despite his privileged upbringing, he knew how to do everything that he asked of others, essentially making him a jack of all trades.

Then there was Razzy, the youngest of the bunch and a tomboy in both nature and appearance. Most weapons were made deadly by a sharp edge, but Razzy utilized gloves, the weakest of modern Craftknight weapons, but combined with her speed and endowed with elemental magic, she made for a truly fearsome foe and an excellent ally.

Kenon was a potential dark horse as far as Cleru was concerned. He had been eliminated early in the tournament, but according to Varil, he was just as inexperienced at the time as Cleru, though he showed promise. There was no telling how far he had honed his skills since Cleru's last fight with him. His weapon of choice was an axe, loaded with more power than any other weapon, but difficult to handle for a normal Craftknight. For a newbie to push Cleru as far as he had, what kind of strength was Kenon hiding?

And last but not least, there was Sanary. She was an accomplished warrior in her own right, and her sword had been forged from Parista's power himself. Her crafting skills had improved drastically over the last few months as she constantly worked the forge, striving to replace her weapon with something made of her own ability. Cleru wouldn't even admit this to Rasho, but she had somehow been slipping into his dreams as of late, making daily interactions somewhat embarrassing for him.

"Cleru!" Rasho exclaimed loudly, snapping the Craftlord out of his trance. "I asked you a question!"

"I heard you, Rasho," Cleru replied pleasantly. "I consider each and every one a worthy member of our group and potential future Craftlords."

Rasho's mouth dropped open slightly. "You're serious? That's a pretty high compliment you know, one you shouldn't be slinging around carelessly."

"I'm dead serious," Cleru insisted. "I know we're all young and it might be a ways off, but they all have dreams and the drive to achieve them. I believe they can do it, and I want to help them."

"Well, I guess if you could become a Craftlord, anyone can," Rasho muttered.

"What was that?"

"Nothing," Rasho replied smoothly. "Our time is up; let's go grab some lunch!"

"Right behind you," Cleru said eagerly. The cabin door opened right on time as Kenon stepped in with Varil behind him.

"We'll take over from here," Varil replied curtly. "Go enjoy the lunch Nigelle prepared."

"Thanks," Cleru gratefully accepted his offer. He couldn't help but stare at Kenon on his way out. Varil might be the heir to the Gold Guild, and Kenon might be an apprentice of said guild, but Cleru had never seen anyone who looked less like a subordinate. Kenon was composed as an elite would be, yet carried himself as a rebel might. If anything, Varil seemed to be weary of him…

All such thoughts were lost as Cleru and Rasho beheld the spectacular feast Nigelle had prepared. On top of the mouthwatering meat, there were fruits finely cut, vegetables meticulously arranged on a tray, Wystern's signature curry, and freshly baked deserts. Nigelle was wearing an apron and a hairnet as he stirred around a buttery soup, oysters boiling in the broth.

"Ah, Master Cleru! Please help yourself to anything you would like."

"You…you did all this yourself?" Cleru asked slightly overwhelmed.

"Of course! I normally provide for the entire Gold Guild, so taking care of six people is quite a simple task. Might I recommend you try some pineapple slices with your ham?" Cleru rushed to accommodate his suggestion, noticing that Rasho had already stacked his plate with meat and had no desire to add fruits or vegetables.

"Why don't you join us?" Cleru asked as he carefully sliced up his food, as opposed to Rasho viciously ripping the meat apart with his teeth. Nigelle smiled gently in response.

"You're too kind, sir, but a caretaker's job is not finished until those he is attending to have been completely satisfied."

"Hasn't everyone else eaten?" Cleru asked with his mouth full. Cutting up his food had been quite unnecessary; he didn't have the self-restraint to preserve a polite image as he had hoped.

Nigelle shook his head in response. "Sanary has been in bed all morning and seems to be ill. My job is to keep the food warm and fresh for her, should she find her appetite."

"Hmm, I'll go wake her up," Cleru said, picking up his plate as he stood up. "Razzy and her have the next shift anyway, and she'd hate to be on an empty stomach for it."

"Suit yourself," Rasho's voice was muffled through a mouthful of ham as he started loading a second plate. Cleru chortled at his friend's enthusiasm as he left the kitchen.

Making his way down to the forge, Cleru almost dropped his plate in surprise as he realized that Sanary was awake and sitting in the bed, clutching her sword to her chest contemplatively. Cleru tapped on the door lightly, causing Sanary to drop her blade in surprise.

"O-oh, Cleru. Come on in." Cleru cautiously approached as Sanary quickly retrieved her weapon from the ground.

"Still thinking about Parista, huh?" Sanary looked up at Cleru almost affronted by this invasion of her private thoughts, but then again, he had been as much a part of that ordeal as she had. She hung her head with a sigh.

"Yes…I just can't stop thinking about it…I threw away my pride, sold my soul to the devil, and I'm still alive to face the consequences…" She looked Cleru directly in the eyes as she said this. Not a single tear formed in her eye as she spoke. It was not sadness; she was just…empty.

"Nobody blames you, you know," Cleru gently placed his hand on her shoulder. She looked at his hand and smiled slightly as she remembered her sister's gift; a chainmail glove made of iron. That was intentional, she was sure…

"I know, but they should," Sanary sighed as she threw her sword back on the ground. "I don't know what to do…"

"Sanary, if this sword bothers you so much, why don't you just forge a new one?" Cleru asked. Sanary rolled her eyes in response.

"Oh, please. If I could make a better weapon myself, I would have done it ages ago. I might hate what I did, but it is still the best sword I have ever forged. I can't throw it aside until I produce a better one."

"So let's produce a better one," Cleru smiled. Sanary stared at him. Sure, he was airheaded at times, but he wasn't stupid. Nonetheless, he was sounding pretty confident.

"Cleru, you know as well as I do that a sword like this won't be easy to replace…I don't think even you have a blade that could match this right now…"

"Trust me," Cleru held out his hand. Sanary stared into his eyes curiously for a moment before finally gripping his hand with a smile. It felt as if a load had just come off her back, and as Cleru pulled her to her feet, she felt revitalized in contrast with her earlier sleep-deprived anxiety.

"Thanks," she whispered sincerely.

"Now come on," Cleru grinned. "Nigelle made an amazing lunch and it wouldn't be right to keep him waiting. We'll craft you the best sword the world has ever seen…after you get some food."

"I thought I smelled something good," Sanary acknowledged with a sniff. "My stomach has been rumbling all morning."

"Well, let's go!" Cleru exclaimed. Sanary took his hand as they left the forge, and her worries, behind.

-Crow-