Author´s note: This chapter takes longer because like "Darkness", it is full of elements that need to be placed with care. Also I have thought about this scene, a couple of times and scrapped thousands of concepts.
For the record, the Rain God was first inspired by The Phantom from Flying Rhino Junior High (to who I have in mind to dedicate a fanfiction) and later, yes, I added the Big Bad Wolf and other elements.
Songs belong to Alan Silevestri and the Dubliners
Let us begin!
25. White Sails
With the powerful Ra, the clouds move away a little and Lady Kishu is glad to verify that Tethi is up and ready to "take over the world". Before any charming family reunion can take place, the guards on the palace walls announce the arrival of a ship, the one that carries Papyrus and all his friends.
In just seconds, the docks of Thebes are filled with people who watch in awe the arrival with excited expressions. The young man is speechless. The whole city is there. The Pharaoh arrives shortly after but he has never seen anything like it.
"Haha. A great view, isn´t it?" Gen shows up near him.
"Yes it is."
"Maybe we´ll get a banquet as reward." Ko, sitting on the old man´s shoulder, spies on.
"Or maybe how to make gold out of dust." Says the magician.
"Really?"
"KIDDING!" A loud laugh follows while poor Ko goes pale. He always falls for it.
"Hakase." -_-´
"Guess they never have seen a ship like this one."
"King Alcatraz has come before to Egypt but yes, they are not used to it." They slowly stop and a pair of sailors put the gangway. "Anyway, it was a great experience to be with you. I won´t mind another adventure but only after we have rest from this one."
"I agree!" Cries his little friend.
"I wouldn´t mind either." He glances at the royal court while Poly runs down the gangway. "Theti!" He runs to hug his friend. When they separate, he coughs in a more theatrical way and bows. "Oh, noble princess, the expedition was successful and we come back with the prize."
"Papyrus, do you have any idea of how much I have cried this past days for you?"
"Maybe no, but this humble little fisherman tells you he is sorry."
"And that he will make dinner." Says Poly from behind.
"What?" Both youngsters turn to look at the little guy who smiles like a small kid while rubbing his nose with a finger.
"You would, Papyrus?"
"No way. Poly, I don´t do such things."
"Nice to girl."
"By Horus!"
"Hehehe. I kinda like him already. Poly, is it?"
"Ich." He nods.
"Very please to meet you."
"Me too."
"I see you have found Ratopher." And here comes Merenre. "Have you found proof?"
"I have found this amulet which belong to a woman and also, the jewell which stolen from Alcatraz ten years ago." This causes the monarch to smile. "What I have found is that Ratopher found it and was going to give it back when he was vanished. Aker was the real thief."
"Well, that explains many things." The Grand Vizier nods.
"And why did he left the palace?"
"To look for the jewell. Because Kishu was here, he wanted to give it to her."
"Very well." This makes the old priest smile with relief. "I guess I was wrong to not trust you."
"We all make mistakes. But thanks to Papyrus, we have no longer have to fear the fury of the North." Ratopher walks down the gangway.
"For which we thank him."
"Hey, kiddo!" Shouts the captain of the ship. "Since when are you so important?"
"It´s a long story."
"Well, the boys and I don´t mind a little tale from time to time."
"By Horus!"
"It seems you have made lots of new friends." The princess smiles.
"You have no idea."
"Hey, kid! Tell your thing, come on! Old Runa will sing it to the king once we are back home."
"Hu?"
"Runa is our skäld. He tells stories of journeys, battles, gods, heroes and he is ready to hear your tale." The sailors show up through the side along with Ariel, Gen, Ko and Fenr. One of the crew is old looking, carries writing things and has a scarf around his neck.
"Let´s do it in the palace. I too want to hear the whole thing."
"Out of the mist of history
He'll come again
Sailing on ships across the sea
To a wounded Nation
Signs of a savior
Like fire on the water
It's what we prayed for
One of our own
Just wait
Though wide he may roam
Always
A hero comes home
He goes where no one has gone
But always
A hero comes home
Deep in the heart of darkness sparks
A dream of light
Surrounded by hopelessness
He finds the will to fight
There's no surrender
Always remember
It doesn't end here
We're not alone
Just wait
Though wide he may roam
Always
A hero comes home
He goes where no one has gone
But always
A hero comes home
And he will come back on a crimson tide
Dead or alive
And even though we know the bridge has burned
He will return
He will return
Just wait
Though wide he may roam
Always
A hero comes home
He knows of places unknown
But always
A hero comes home
Someday he may carve in stone
"The hero comes home"
He goes and comes back alone
But always
A hero comes home
Just wait
Though wide he may roam
Always
A hero comes home."
Papyrus knows he can´t tell everything in front of the Pharaoh but Runa doesn´t seem to mind, actually the skäld has understood without words that there are things that Merenre shouldn´t hear.
When the boy is done, they are all amazed by the dangers and wonders that he has seen and Runa hasn´t missed a single word. Night is falling and for now, they all need rest but Papyrus is restless. He has seen Catulo call the North Gannet and send a message with it. To who? Where?
"You are not sleeping tonight." The skäld walks to him. His voice is raspy, a bite choked.
"I feel so full of energy, so nervous that I can´t."
"I feel the same before sailing." They watch Poly who is chasing the fireflies of the garden. "But sleeping is something we must not avoid."
"Do you really tell those stories to Alcatraz?" Runa only nods. "And he likes them?"
"He does. We skälds are like your friend, Ratopher in a way. We tell stories, yes, but we also learn to talk to Nature and some magic."
"You do magic?"
"Just when I have to."
"I understand. So... What do you do when you can´t sleep?"
"Stories."
"Hm?" The boy rises an eyebrow.
"I think of old legends. It always helps. Would you like to hear one?"
"Yes, please." They head for the boy´s room and Runa starts a beautiful tale about the River God and the Upper Haven where he put the Never Ending River which carries the souls of all the living creatures and which lets some of his water to fall into the clouds so the Rain God can pour some souls into Earth and be reborn. After a while, Papyrus is sleeping and Runa is with his crew mates singing songs.
"In the merry month of May, From my home I started,
Left the girls of Tuam, Nearly broken hearted,
Saluted father dear, Kissed my darlin' mother,
Drank a pint of beer, My grief and tears to smother,
Then off to reap the corn, And leave where I was born,
I cut a stout blackthorn, To banish ghost and goblin,
In a brand new pair of brogues, I rattled o'er the bogs,
And frightened all the dogs,On the rocky road to Dublin.
One, two, three, four five,
Hunt the hare and turn her
Down the rocky road
And all the ways to Dublin,
Whack-fol-lol-de-ra.
In Mullingar that night, I rested limbs so weary,
Started by daylight, Next mornin' light and airy,
Took a drop of the pure, To keep my heart from sinkin',
That's an Irishman's cure, Whene'er he's on for drinking.
To see the lasses smile, Laughing all the while,
At my curious style, 'Twould set your heart a-bubblin'.
They ax'd if I was hired, The wages I required,
Till I was almost tired, Of the rocky road to Dublin.
In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity,
To be so soon deprived, A view of that fine city.
Then I took a stroll, All among the quality,
My bundle it was stole, In a neat locality;
Something crossed my mind, Then I looked behind;
No bundle could I find, Upon my stick a wobblin'.
Enquirin' for the rogue, They said my Connacht brogue,
Wasn't much in vogue, On the rocky road to Dublin.
From there I got away, My spirits never failin'
Landed on the quay As the ship was sailin';
Captain at me roared, Said that no room had he,
When I jumped aboard, A cabin found for Paddy,
Down among the pigs I played some funny rigs,
Danced some hearty jigs, The water round me bubblin',
When off Holyhead, I wished myself was dead,
Or better far instead, On the rocky road to Dublin.
The boys of Liverpool, When we safely landed,
Called myself a fool; I could no longer stand it;
Blood began to boil, Temper I was losin',
Poor ould Erin's isle They began abusin',
"Hurrah my soul," sez I, My shillelagh I let fly;
Some Galway boys were by, Saw I was a hobble in,
Then with a loud hurray, They joined in the affray.
We quickly cleared the way, For the rocky road to Dublin."
Day breaks with the shouts of Poly waking up the whole palace.
"White sails! White sails!"
"What the?" Papyrus runs to see what is going on.
"He is here, mates. Look good, hearties cuz the King´s here!" Yells the captain.
"The KING?" They are all speechless.
The King? Is it Alcatraz?
To who was Catulo writing to?
Find it out soon!
Next Chapter: The Word of the Sword