Chapter 10

Ben had run for a good twenty minutes before he came to a stop in an open market. The fog was gone and it was snowing gently as people went about their business; bundled up as much as they could. He quickly crossed to the shelter of a doorway so he wouldn't be in the way.

There were some plants and boxes stacked across one wall and a pile of rags against the door. Ben started to scale the planks, to try and get a better view.

Once get gained his balance, he lifted his hands to his mouth and breathed hot air on them. While he had been running, he had warmed up a bit. Now that he had stopped…

Ben craned his neck, looking for Ned. He was completely lost. But with Ned's help, there was a chance they could make their way back.

A noise from behind him to turn around-the thing that Ben had taken for a pile of rags was moving. A dirty face appeared from the rags and glared at Ben.

The tow headed lad jumped down from the box and started running again. No use being where he wasn't wanted.

A few minutes later Ben found himself in a harbor. He felt himself shudder inwardly. It was the same harbor he had found himself trapped on twenty years ago. The same one he had been pushed off of by his step-brother. The same one that had docked the Flying Dutchman before its last voyage. Except the time he had gotten Ned of course.

Seafarers and deckhands carried crates and rope up a gangplank and onto the ship labeled The Sea Dragon. "Out of der way." snarled a man carrying heavy looking planks of wood.

"Sorry sir." said Ben and he quickly jumped off the pier he had walked on and fell a few feet to a small sandy beach. Water lapped at his already soaked shoes. "Gotta find Ned." he thought and he ran off.

Ben and Ned found each other in the lane behind the Barbarry Shark. Ben had found it easy to locate a spot darker than the rest of the city. Ned was of the same opinion and both of them found more places to avoid.

At the end of the lane behind the Barbarry Shark Ben could see the sea. He sighed. This was where it all began. His life had gone in a complete circle. He and Ned left the semi-crowed street and made they're way to a deserted pier. As they walked, Ned told Ben what he had done.

"You ripped the seat of his pants off?" asked Ben incredulously.

"Yea and I had to wash my mouth out with snow for ten minutes afterwards.

Ben chuckled as they stepped onto the pier. Ben sat down with his feet hanging off the edge.

The pair stared at the water lapping the partly rotted wood. "We still have a few hours in till we have to back. I think about time we come up with a plan." thought Ned.

Ben shifted uncomfortably, not answering; all traces of amusement gone. It was disconcerting hearing his story in two different places in the same day.

"Well?" asked Ned again breaking Ben from his reverie.

"Ned, do you think we're leaving a trial?"

The dog looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"All the places we've traveled, we left our mark on the people there."

"Oh." said Ned, comprehension dawning on him. "You think people will recognize us."

"Exactly."

The two of them continued to stare at each other in till Ned looked away. "I don't think that's going to happen Ben. We have the whole world to travel. This was just bad luck that we ended up here. Now let's get down to the problem at hand."

Ben nodded. Ned was right; there was no point in worrying about that now. Not when they had a job to do. "Right, a plan. What do you suppose we do?"

"I've been thinking. We know Bjornson is a coward. What do you think his fears are?" asked Ned.

Ben grinned. "Me if his story was anything to go by."

Ned snorted. "Imagine being afraid of you."

Ben stood up then. "Well I can imagine being afraid of you, you ancient hound. And if they're going to be there tonight, I guess we should do whatever we're going to do then."

Ned shook his head in protest. "I'm not that ancient, I'm only twenty-three!"

The pair started walking towards Cathyin's house. Halfway down the street Ben froze. Ned almost panicked. Almost. He quickly checked Ben's mind, but it was clear of anything about the Dutchman. All there was an idea, rapidly forming inside his friend's mind.