Well I know that other chapter was really short but this will one will be longer and you will learn something new.
The Rain Covered Words
After the heart warming reunion, Kori explained that Richard was a friend, and he instantly guessed they were going to head to the dining room to eat dinner but instead they took a surprise route and went to a room that Richard assumed was used for some sort of training.
The room was painted white with dark cherry wood floors that he could tell were in good shape, even taking in consideration the huge cracks in the floor. On one wall there were swords, all held up by wooden hooks. The majority of the swords had bright colored sheaths with some kind of gold detail and from what Richard could tell, had a specific flower. The hilts were mostly the same, in style and color pallet wise, and only differing slightly by tiny details.
Richard, from his years of expertise, could tell there was a Bastard sword, a double edge straight sword that was about to 4 to 4 and ½ feet long that weighed about 3 to 4 lbs. Most the hilts were the same, long dark gray handle, with a small silver circle and two pieces of thin melt strips on either side that curved towards the ground. Some hilts stood out from either the different design, because the metal formed in a different structure, to the type of metal they used. From Richard's observations he could tell the majority of the Bastard sword took up most of the wall space, about half if he wanted to get precise.
The rest of the wall was decorated by Scimitars, a fast and light weight Middle Eastern styled sword, between 3 to 4 feet in length all curved and a single edge blade, these weapons from what Richard knew of, were specifically designed to cut through flesh of a human. The hilts all had long handles, curved into a boat shape, resting below where the hand would grip.
And the last and only sword of its kind was the Katana, a Japanese orientated sword. It was one of a kind. Made for the purpose of cutting flesh and bone, it had a single edge, 4 feet long sword and under the most skilled of swordsmen could cut someone cleanly in half.
Its sheath was pitch black coloration, and a single crimson rose with a green stem and leaves with gold tipped petals and gold veined leaves, the rose was painted on the face of the sheath. The hilt was like a traditional handle a white background with the black fabric folded so it created diamond shaped holes. Underneath the black fabric was a well sculpted rose of gold, each petal and leaf carved with careful detail.
Richard, Xaphier and John leaned against the wall, near the door way.
Richard watched as Kori picked up the rose painted sheath and watched as she gingerly held it in her fingertips. After a minute of admiration she gracefully pulled it out. She held the sword an arm length away so the sword could be admired by everyone.
The sword's blade was a silvery moon color and painted on the face of the blade was a single red rose, with a green stem and leaves with gold paint accentuating the bright colors.
Kori then flipped the blade to the other face of the blade and there was an identical rose, it was white in color with light pink and yellow tips the same gold paint painted on each petal tip and the veins of the emerald green leaves.
Putting the blade back in its sheath, Kori put had the same grace and elegance that she used to take it out. Kori pushed the sword through the left side belt loop, the sword glided smoothly into the hole.
"So, fist or sword?" Her mother asked, a mischievous smile teasing her red lips.
"Fist, but I have to get used to the weight of the sword." Kori explained as she patted the sword affectionately. Her mother chuckled and they both slid their legs back, placing their hands in the necessary position, both had a determined glint in their eyes.
All three men, John, Xaphier and Richard, watched as the two women spared each other with grace and poise but a Richard couldn't help but feel that Kori was a little . . . aggressive.
Richard was marveled by Kori. Kori ducked, her hair flaring up, dodging a punch from her mother's curled fist. Kori moved her foot to the side, her high heel boot clacking as she swung her fist into her mother's unguarded stomach.
Scarlet caught Kori's wrist in a tight grip as soon as Kori's fist made contact with her stomach. Scarlet ignored the pain and held onto Kori, only sliding an inch back. Kori leaned on one foot, her knee bending low to the ground, as she swung her other to catch her mother's ankle and try to knock her to the ground but Scarlet jumped up like an agile cat, jumping over Kori's leg, all the while still holding onto Kori's wrist.
Kori re swung her leg back, her mother jumped up again and re setting her back leg as support, Kori took the opportunity, Richard was still clueless if Kori had anticipated this or not, and used her still tightly grabbed wrist and swung her arm with all her strength to fling Scarlet in the air and to the nearest wall. Scarlet let go off her daughter's wrist, landing on the pad of her toes. Her daughter swung her with so much force that her back foot slid behind her, making her knee collapse to the floor. And during the whole fight Kori explained what happened during her time away to her mother.
"What did you do to make her so mad?" John asked in a low deep yet at the some time rough and smooth voice.
"I just annoyed her." Richard already told John the story about what happened to Kori when he took her, even including the way here but he was planning on keeping the towel incident to himself and Kori. He didn't think that would slide to well.
"I haven't seen her fight this aggressively for years." Richard noticed from the corner of his eyes as Xaphier rubbed thin white X shaped scar on his right cheek.
"You never did tell me who gave you that scar." Richard stated to Xaphier, focusing his eyes on the weirdly clean cut scar.
Xaphier pointed at Kori, who was know blocking a kick from her mother.
"We were sparing one day and I kept bugging her about something and she wasn't exactly in the best of moods and she marked my cheek with her two Scimitar blades." Xaphier pointed to, two red, white Tiger Lilly painted sheathed swords that would rest right next on the left side of where the Katana would be. Richard chuckled at the explanation. From the way Kori was fighting now, he wouldn't be surprised that she would do such a thing when she was annoyed about something that happened to rub her the wrong way.
Richard stared at the other walls. While the two walls that the there men were leaning on were empty, the wall to the right of the sword wall was similar to it's sister but this time all the weapons were well kept, polished bow and arrows.
From what he saw there was one bow of each type that he knew, recurve, reflex, self, straight, longbow, composite bow, compound, and all were made out of either wood, laminated carbon, fiberglass or a mix between two or three of the materials. And each bow had matching arrows, made out of the materials wood, fiber glass, aluminum, or aluminum and carbon aluminum.
Each set how a certain flower skillfully carved and painted on arched wood, even they all had having well sewn quivers with the matching flowers to hold the delicately made arrows.
After their long sparring session, both women took a nice long bath in their respected room. After they both helped Joanna make dinner while Xaphier and Richard sparred, they both also followed the women's example and each took a bath in the guest bathroom.
After an enjoyable dinner at the huge dining room table, Kori cut two small pieces of the cream cheese cake that was oozing with strawberry syrup and strawberries.
Every night, Kori and her family had made it a tradition to sit on the porch. They would sit, laugh and talk about anything over a good piece of dessert.
This time though, only Kori and her mother went to talk on the porch for what Kori thought was some much need girl time. Richard, Xaphier and John were all talking about something, somewhere else and Kori didn't dare ask.
Scarlet was already sitting on the porch, sitting in a white painted wooden chair, her elbow resting on the clear glass that was the surface of the small table.
Kori handed the cake to her mother, and her mother gripped the plate in her delicate, elegant and slightly calloused hand.
Kori than sat down, with her own piece of cake in hand. Making herself comfortable, Kori forced her silver fork into the deliciously tempting cream cheese cake, and then placed the fork in her mouth, savoring in the sweet taste of the cake.
It was quiet for a moment; both women didn't feel the need to say anything as they watched the twinkling diamond stars as they lighted the dark navy blue sky, the moon shining like a beacon of hope, for what Kori didn't quite know yet. Both women followed as the ivory rays illuminated the world with its soft rays as the breeze played with there red hair.
"Do you really want to do this?" Her mother asked softly, as if not to break the comfortable silence that rested over their heads. Kori thought about the answer, considered her reasoning but still she didn't plan to change her answer.
"Yes I do. This is my chance to figure out more about the Invisible pirates and more about that bastard."
Scarlet sighed. "Why do you call him that?" Kori turned her head towards her mother at the question. Scarlet turned her head towards her also, gold eyes staring at Kori in a look of disappointment.
"Well what do you want me to call him? Father." Kori spat out the word as if it had a vile taste.
Scarlet sighed; the same disappointment that was set in her eyes came out in her sigh. It made Kori squirm slightly. Placing index and thumb fingers on either temple, she shook her head before taking her hand off, looking her daughter straight in her fiery emerald green gold flecked eyes and explained.
"I don't want you to call him father or bastard, I want you to call him by his name." Scarlet stressed the word name, hoping her daughter would get a clue, take a hint.
"Do you want me to forgive him?" Kori yelled rising out of her seat, rattling the plates as she pound the table with her clenched fist. "Do you want me to just forget? What he did to you? Did to us?" Kori's hand shook as she yelled, each word rising in pitch.
Scarlet sighed for the third time that night, taking in a deep breath.
"You're being immature about this." Scarlet stated in a bored tone, skillfully hiding the annoyance in her voice.
"I'm being immature!" Kori screamed. "How am I being immature about this?" Kori voice got an octave higher, throwing her hands up in the air for good measure.
Kori knew her mother wasn't like most people but this was just crazy. She was suggesting that she forgive a man that had done her wrong. Just forget about it, like the whole thing was a bad night mare that she could shake off.
"You need to think." Scarlet tone turned harsh. "I'm not asking you to forgive him, that is entirely up to you if you want him to forgive him or not." She didn't understand what her mother was saying. It didn't make sense, the words all fit together, they made a sentence but they were incomprehensible. It made Kori so mad that it swirled up inside her and her tongue burned with cruel words, if not for her mother interrupting, she would have surely yelled them.
"I want you to forget. Everyday you constantly remind yourself about him. My pain, your pain and you haven done nothing but limited yourself to a negative outlook on life. I want you to forget about the past and live your life the way you want to and to stop these constant reminders. You're only bringing yourself down and as a mother I hate seeing my child suffering like this."
After her mother's speech it turned to tense quiet, and Kori was digesting the words her mother gave her, all the while sorting through her wild, confused angry thoughts.
"Do you know the King, before William?" Kori asked her tone softer from the previous one. Scarlet looked at her daughter, surprised by the sudden change of topic.
"I think his name was Bruce Wayne. But what does he have to do with anything?" After voicing that question, not even a minute later, Scarlet had the same identical look of realization as her daughter.
The look quickly disappeared and the realization changed into a serious worried look in about three seconds flat. Kori was impressed but she was too worried about the new look on her mother's face to care about her mothers face changing speed.
"Are you still in love with him?" Scarlet asked her eyes set in hard determination as if she was going to force an answer out of her. Kori had now clue how the subjects kept jumping around but she was going to go with it. Kori thought back to the said memories, her look instantly turning bitter sweet when she thought about the said man.
"To tell you the truth I think all I'm in love with memories." Kori then grasped her mother's hand, lacing their fingers together. "And we both know that memories fade with time." Kori spoke, emerald gold speckled eyes softening and glowing with sad acceptance.
Kori turned her body so she was lying on the side of her torso, the sheets wrapping themselves tighter around her legs, and her eyes faced a blank wall. Kori finally gave up the crazy idea of falling back into a peaceful slumber and re laid flat on the bed, back pressed into the mattress, hair sprawled out, and blankets winding around her making her breathing a little ragged but she ignored all that and focused on the dull ceiling.
She was glad that Xaphier was gone for the night; she chuckled at the thought of him surely complaining about her being so loud and noisy. Maybe he would have been kind and tried to help her fall asleep. She didn't know, Xaphier was in some ways, unpredictable to her.
For the life of her, Kori just couldn't go to sleep. Believing fresh air would help clear her restless mind, mostly like the main cause of her failure to sleep like a log was due to the stuffy air, Kori quickly wrestled the blankets free from her trapped body and covered her covered her self with, what used to be Richard's, pearl silk bathrobe.
Kori had made it across the deck, since it was a peaceful night and thankfully, there wasn't any sign of a storm, so nobody was on deck and truth be told Kori was glad that she was alone. It gave her time to think.
Leaning against the wooden plain rail, Kori breathed in the refreshing warm sea air that cooled her flushed face.
Kori had both empty, crumb filled plates with matching forks in hands, and was about to walk inside of her house when she turned around to face her mother.
Scarlet turned to look at her daughter, knowing fully well that her daughter wouldn't stop in a middle of a task unless she had a good reason, and focused on the new matter on hand.
"I'm mad at the bastard for another reason too Mother, just not because he raped you." Kori started.
Kori placed one of the white lily painted border plates on its identical twin which also covered in tiny crumbs. Kori was careful to put both forks on the top plate, just in case, she didn't want anything to break. Taking the crumpled and poorly folded paper out of her pants pocket, she threw the letter at her mother, who caught it with ease.
Kori watched as her mother read the letter repeatedly, with frantic eyes trembling in fear, anger, confusion and sorrow, Kori's mother locked the paper in a death grip. Kori feared she would have ripped it in half if she held on any tighter. Looking up at her daughter, Scarlet's form began to tremble in visible shivers.
Kori placed the plates down on the table beside her and Kori found herself walking to her mother and wrapping her toned arms around her in a comforting hug.
Her mother laid her head on her shoulder, sobbing loudly fisting the fabric that covered her shoulders.
And as her mother cried, so did the heavens, thundering there sobs and lashing out with the bright lightening as big fat rain drops poured faster and harder every second but Kori stared at the soaked unfolded paper on the wooden porch. And in a white mist she could only see the words 'I love you' written in a masculine elegance and she glared at those words, thinking of nothing better else to do.
The memory was still fresh in Kori's mind. Maybe that was the reason that she couldn't get to sleep. She wanted her sleep damn it! It is a requirement for every human being and she wasn't any different from any other mortal. She not only wanted her sleep but she needed it, demanded it, begged for it, and pleaded for it.
Kori enjoyed the view of the endless ocean, the waves of foam hitting the wooden ship and the crescent moon high in the sky, illuminating the ocean with its gentle ivory glow. Kori lifted one forearm off of the rail, turning on the heel of her foot, and was about to take a step forward on the slightly damp wooden deck when she heard footsteps pounding ruthlessly against the creaking floor.
Knowing fully well who the footsteps belonged to Kori turned her heel, placing her forearm back in front of her other one and stared out to be memorized by the beautiful scenery.
Kori listened as the familiar thuds came nearer and nearer, but she never turned her head but strained her ears to listen closely. Once Richard was in her range of sight, Kori watched him from the corner of her eyes, as he copied her pose, one forearm in front of the other and he leaned against the rail, his toes facing the support beams.
"Beautiful night." Richard said, the appreciation in his voice authentic.
"Yeah, the stars are shining brighter tonight." Kori answered back, breathlessly.
"Can I ask you a question?" Kori asked her tone wary.
"Didn't you just ask me one?" Richard teased back, a small smirk on his face.
"That was a preparation for the real one." Kori stated teasingly back. "But I'm serious can I?" Her tone changed to match the seriousness of the words and Richard stopped smirking and looked at Kori with a blank expression.
"Yes." Richard approved.
"Why aren't you the king?" Kori asked her tone casual for a serious comment. "I know you're a year older than William." Kori stated the comment as if she knew who this William was.
The next events were like a chain reaction. Kori watched as Richard clutched the rail, his hands turning the pale color of white from the pressure he used in his deathly grip. His eyes narrowed and darkened, his jaw tightened.
"How do you know about that?" Richard hissed through clenched teeth, trying to keep his calm demeanor but both himself and Kori knew that he was failing miserably.
How did she even know about William? Did she know his father? Moreover, why was she asking why he wasn't in that horrible position of being the king over the stupid country? If it was anyone else, he would have gripped him or her by the throat and he or she would have been dead by now.
"I knew William around 10 to 14. One day I was going shopping for my mother and I found him wandering the streets. Not knowing what else to do, I took him home. Instantly he just fit right in, as if he belonged with my family and Xaphier. Like he was some missing puzzle piece to a puzzle." Kori's eyes gazed at the ocean with a far away look.
"He stayed with us for 4 years. It seems your family was staying on our island for a prestigious boarding school. During those four years, we bonded. He knew everything about my life and all I knew was that he had a brother a year older than him. He was very fond of you, someone he looked up too." Kori chuckled at the failed attempts where she tried to pry the information from William. "When I met you I had my suspicions but I didn't think it was the right time to confront you."
Richard thought back to his memories of William. He wasn't one to dwell in the past, it had been so long since he resurfaced his memories all he knew was the main events and the rest was a giant hazy blur all meshed together.
For the oddest of reasons he always could remember his brother coming into their suite like dorm room, his eyes glazed over in a dreamy expression, a grin splitting his face from ear to ear.
He would watch as he plopped down on the expensive couch, sigh as dreamily as his expression and he would close his eyes and rest his arms on the back of the couch.
Richard remembered often asking him what was he so happy about but the farthest he got to an answer out of William was the he went out.
At that time it didn't make any sense to him but finding the missing puzzles pieces it all seemed to fit. He was snapped out of his look in the past by Kori's voice.
"During those four years we trained him. At first he was amateurish so horrible but over time he got better." Kori smiled sadly at the memories of William falling on his but, his sword flying out of his hands and digging into the chipped wooden floor.
"Did you fall in love with him?" Richard asked, his grip already loosened and his hands lay unmoving on the rail.
"I will only answer my question if you answer yours." Kori teased.
"My parents and I worked for Hailey's Circus. We were acrobats, famously known as the Flying Grayson's. The Circus was called to go on a cruise ship heading towards the England and it was going to be my first show ever." Richard explained. "I remember being so elicited. I could feel the adrenaline."
"It was almost my turn, I was climbing the ladder when the boat started shake. It was caused by a huge wave; it knocked over the ship separating me and my parents." Richard could still remember calling out to his parents, as he felt the cold air swish by him, and his wet clothes sticking uncomfortably to his skin. The fear, it was almost tangible. The pain was real, the ocean water was cold and the last memory of them was the shocked faces.
"I washed up on shore and Bruce was there negotiating with a small village on the island. After that he saved me and raised me ever since." He could remember waking up in a pair of warm strong arms. The feeling of being safe, until he realized everything of his old life was gone.
"Apparently it doesn't matter if I am the oldest son by law I am not his son by blood so William gets takes the throne first and if he doesn't produce an heir then I can become King. But I prefer to be at the seas then in some stuffy meeting room listening to greedy old men complaining about their problems." Kori laughed as Richard scowled, his brow furrowing and he imitated a greedy old man in a hoarse voice. "Raise the taxes I don't care if they complain."
After both were done laughing Kori smiled knowingly at Richard, who didn't miss the small beautiful smile, and then she refocused on the twinkling stars.
"I did fall in love with your brother but it wouldn't have worked out. We both wanted different things. I want an adventurous life and he wants an extravagant one. I want to be breath, look and basically live near the ocean while he wants to get as far away from it as possible. Were polar opposites and there isn't any middle ground for us." Kori explained.
Richard was glad that Kori thought that way about his brother. And from what memories he could dimly remember he knew what his brother would do. His brother couldn't begin to understand a woman like Kori.
He would shower her with expensive clothes, jewelry, shoes and anything else every average woman wanted and completely ignore Kori and for her unusual qualities and not appreciate her for the goddess she was.
"I have one more question." Kori warned. Richard nodded his head, encouraging her to go on.
"How is Paul related to Bruce?" Richard didn't seem surprised. It was like this girl knew everything and nothing escaped her radar.
"He is Bruce's younger brother." He watched, through Kori's magnificent eyes, as the gears in Kori's head began to turn and bridges were built between two points.
Then in the middle of the peaceful silence, Kori let out a big cat stretch, yawning loudly hands high in the air.
"I'm going to bed." Kori stated. Kori took a step backwards with her left foot, using her left heel to turn her body so she could walk towards Xaphier's room. Once she was completely turned and took a few steps forward, she stopped and turned towards Richard, hands laced behind her, eyes closed and a small smile on her face. Richard stared at her with a peculiar expression.
"Goodnight Richard." Kori whispered lovingly, smiling innocently, the ivory moonlight making Kori shine like a goddess he believed her to be.
"Goodnight . . . um" Richard couldn't remember her name. He didn't even remember researching her name, because it truly was unusual to have a red head in Britain, since most were either the normal brunette or blonde.
"Kori." Kori giggled and Richard found himself wanting to hear her laugh like that more often. "Aren't you supposed to know the names of your kidnapped victims?" Kori asked in a teasing tone.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Next time I'll check my Kidnappers book of etiquette." Richard teased back. Kori giggled even louder and longer, her hand covering her mouth and her giggles turned to laughter, her form shaking with the happy, musical sound.
Kori stopped laughing, shook her hand in a wave goodbye and then turned back on her heel and walked across the deck. She has left poor Richard to think about his now just slightly clearer past.
I'm sorry that it took so long but you can see that this is extra long so I think that makes up for it. Well tell me what you think. I personally loved this chapter and had a lot of fun writing the ending.
If you want to know more about the mentioned weapons please PM me and I will tell you any information you want to know.