A/N: So I'm writing Lyn's story, right now, actually. I'm planning on continuing to update this one as I do, and then adding that one as a separate story after I finish one or two chapters.
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN FIRE EMBLEM.
Chapter 7—Pirate Ship
After speaking with the Ostian spy Leila, Eliwood realizes he must travel to Valor, the Dread Isle. The small island, located south of Lycia, is said to be home to the Dragon's Gate. Heading for the southern coast of Caelin, they seek passage in the port of Badon.
~Saige~
"Listen! We need a boat to Valor!" Hector spoke to a nearby sailor in the port.
"You want a boat to the Dread Isle? You're mad! No way! Never! There's no one in this village that'll sail there!"
"Please, we're in a hurry. Can you give us passage?" Lyn asked.
"If you won't help us, can you take us to someone who will? Please." Eliwood said.
"You must be on urgent business, that's certain...There may be one way..."
"What is it? Tell us, please!"
"Pirates."
"Eh? Pirates?" Lyn asked.
"Uh-huh. They're fearless, or as close as makes no difference. And they'll go anywhere for a fee. Who knows? They might decide to accept your mad offer."
"Pirates... Looks like we've no choice."
"Are you serious, Hector? Working with pirates? That's unbelievable!" Lyn exclaimed.
"That may be the only way we're going to get to Valor, Lyn." I muttered to her.
She looked dubious that I'd agree to this.
"You're considering it, aren't you, Eliwood?"
"If there's no other way, what else can we do?"
"You, too, Eliwood? I've misjudged you...It's foolishness to trust the goodwill of pirates! I'm finding another way!" Lyn left the three of us standing in the port.
"Why is she so angry?" Hector asked us.
"I heard that Lyndis' parents were slain by bandits." Eliwood began.
"They were. She told me her story." I put in.
"Bandits at land, pirates at sea... They're all the same to Lyndis. Lawbreakers and murderers."
"I see... My parents died of illness... But I can appreciate her feelings. Shall we abandon the pirate plan?" Hector asked.
"But..."
"Too bad about the girl, but there's no other way." The sailor told us.
"Let's meet the pirates. We can't decide until then." Eliwood reasoned.
"That's true."
"That inn over there is a known favorite of the local freebooters. They're reckless and unpredictable. Best be prepared." The sailor warned.
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"What do you want, whelps? You're here to see me, aren't you?" the man—presumably the captain of one of the pirate crews said.
"You're commander of the pirate armada, aren't you?" Eliwood asked him.
The man guffawed. "'Commander of the pirate armada!' I like the sound of that! Are you lads that naive? Or are you just dumb? Which is it?"
"You insolent..." Hector began.
"Peace, Hector! If I've insulted you, I apologize. How should I address you?" Eliwood asked.
"Hmph... You don't frighten easily, do you? Well, at least it seems you're not stupid. "Captain" will do, whelp. I'm Fargus, captain of the Davros."
"Fargus... Master Fargus? Or should I call you Captain?"
"You're not one of my mates. Call me Fargus. Now, what do you want?"
"We want to book passage to Valor."
"How much will you pay?"
"We don't know the current rates. Tell us how much you want."
"100,000 gold."
"Wait, 100,000 gold?" Hector asked, seeming incredulous.
"Well? Will you pay?"
"We've no choice, but we need a little time. We'll get the gold and return as quickly as possible. Come, Hector." Eliwood turned and started out the door, his cape billowing out behind him.
"Wa-Wait a moment! Eliwood!" Hector called after him, before trying to catch up.
I sighed, looked to Captain Fargus, and said, "Thank you."
"No need for thanks lass, as long as I get paid."
I nodded, and headed after the two Lords.
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"Eliwood! Hold on! Where do you think you're going to get 100,000 gold?"
"I'm sure there's an arena here. We can raise gold somehow..."
I grinned. "Eliwood? You mean to throw Hector in the ring? I'm sure we'd make some money that way."
Hector gaped at me for a moment. "What? You're not serious!"
I laughed. "Hector, I'm jesting. I don't think Eliwood would do that to you…but…"
"We've no other way, do we?"
"Well, no. Sometimes you surprise me, Eliwood." He muttered the last part.
"Did you say something, Hector?"
"No, nothing. Let's go earn some gold!"
"Ahoy! Hold your ground, boys!" one of the pirates approached us.
"What now?" Hector asked. "We don't have the money yet."
"Fool! Of course you don't! I know that. The captain's got a message for you."
"A message?" Eliwood asked.
"All of my mates in this village are going to attack you. If you can beat us all and get to the ship unharmed, he'll give you passage."
"For free? No gold?"
"The captain's a tad off-kilter. He'd rather have a bit o' fun with you than take your gold. Smooth sailing to you."
Eliwood and Hector looked at me. I shrugged. "Who knows? Might as well."
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"Hey, Landlubber! Over here! I'm over here!" the same pirate who had carried the message earlier waved to us.
"Oh, for... This is a joke, isn't it?" Hector said, clearly exasperated.
"Looks serious enough. Here we go!"
"Listen! The captain's waiting at the docks. Talk to him, and you're the winner! Trust me, though... Don't make the mistake of attacking him! You anger the captain, and there's no turning back! Don't forget!" He shouted to us before vanishing inside of one of the buildings.
"I couldn't find a ship after all. But we have to get to that island...Looks like I'll have to endure pirates. Hm? What was that? Commotion in the village?" Lyndis came up behind us as I figured out the attack strategy.
"Oh! Lyn! Nice timing. We need your help!" Hector said to her.
"You're battling the pirates?"
"Fighting and... Look, we have to reach the docks and speak to the captain! This is a test to see whether or not he'll give us passage."
"I don't understand, but... I'm here, so let me help!"
~Saige~
"Aha! You made it, whelps!" Captain Fargus was elated—apparently our fighting style had been quite amusing to him.
"That was... hard..." Hector panted out.
Heck, even my brain was tired from the strategy.
"Haa...haa..." Eliwood was honestly worn out, for the first time in a while. "You'll give us passage now, won't you?"
"I'm a man of the sea. I always keep my word. Are my old eyes lyin' to me? Is this beauty really with you? Gwaa ha ha ha! My lucky day!" at first I thought he meant me—I was alarmed at first, but then I realized he was talking about Lyndis.
Lyn didn't say anything, glaring at the ground.
"Listen, I know how you feel, but you have to accept it. We've no other choice!"
"I know that! I haven't said a word, have I?"
"We can go to the Dread Isle now. Please, Father... be well." Eliwood was talking to himself.
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~Saige~
I leaned over the side of the ship, breathing in the fresh, crisp air. The sound of the waves crashing against the side of the hull had been unsettling. Truth be told, I had been terrified this entire trip. I couldn't swim—my greatest fear was of deep water—and I was just waiting for the ship to sink for some unknown reason, or for a heavy storm to come upon us.
The dark storm clouds that were on the horizon made me ill just from looking at them.
"Enjoying the view, Saige?"
I recognized Eliwood's voice almost instantly, even before he leaned on the railing beside me.
"Heh…" the short laugh was humorless. "No…quite the opposite, actually."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well—" I cut off as the ship heaved quite suddenly in the waves. Both my hands clenched the railing tightly.
"What's wrong? You went pale all of the sudden."
I swallowed hard, choking back my fear. "Erm…my greatest…fear is of deep water…"
"Oh!" Eliwood looked genuinely surprised. "I hadn't realized. My apologies, Saige…"
I waved one of my hands, the other still gripping the railing tightly, "It's fine, Lord Eliwood. No need for apologies…you could not have known."
"And those storm clouds are troubling you?"
I looked at them for a moment, before my gaze quickly flashed back to Eliwood's face. "Yes. I'm…worried that the ship will sink."
"No need to worry about that now, lass!" we both turned at the voice.
"Captain Fargus…" I groaned out as the ship's deck heaved underneath my feet once again.
"This ol' ship has seen far worse storms than that one—you needn't worry your pretty little head over nothin'."
I turned back to look at the horrible-looking storm on the horizon. It was fast approaching—I was sure it'd be here by nightfall. I was in for a long night.
To be continued...
