~Chapter 54~
The Tale of Barnabas Wellstone
Esther walked outside the palace, heading to a Familiar Retreat to swap out two of her familiars, in order to have room for Angel and Ghibli. Mr. Drippy was standing nearby, talking to one of the guards on patrol. "…An' so I said, 'If my name were any bigger, it'd be th' size of me mam!'" the fairy was telling the guard, making him chuckle. He then turned, seeing Esther. "Ah, there ye are, lass! What took ya so long?"
"I talked with Abyssa, a little… She gave me her familiars to work with, and said she would take a walk around the city," Esther replied, looking down the street. "Did she come by?"
"Must be getting some guilders to shop wit'- girl might've decided to buy some cakes 'n' chocolate,"
Esther arched an eyebrow. "Why would she be buying snacks?"
"To have some comfort-food! C'mon, dab, youe're a girl, so you must know th' motions- when gals get down in th' dumps, eating sweets- sometimes fast-food like cheeseburgers if they're really depressed. Haven't ye ever had th' urge to stuff youer face while in a mood?"
She gave him a deadpanned look. "No."
"Ah, youe're still young… Once ye get to that certain age, youe'll understand,"
The familiar-tamer rolled her eyes. "So glad there's so much to look forward to…"
"Oi! Speakin' of 'look', let's get to ouer mission an' look for some trust, like!" Mr. Drippy hopped ahead of her, heading down the street.
"Well, wait up!" Esther called, running after him.
As they headed off, Abyssa peeked out from behind the wall. She breathed in deep, then- hoping not to be seen by the duo- walked down the street. She had to keep discrete this time, lest they notice something was amiss.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Five o'clock came quicker than Oliver, Swaine, and Angus expected. Once the last customer left the store and Miss Leila switched the 'Open' sign to 'Closed', it was time for the walk home. "Remember, be back by 6, Oliver!" Miss Leila called as they walked out. "And careful on the streets! They're getting slick with frost!"
"Sure thing, Miss Leila!" Oliver called back, and he and Angus continued on their way, Swaine following. The winter air was starting to set in, as it was colder that afternoon than it was that morning, the sky covered in gray clouds that were a sure sign of an approaching snowfall. Thankfully, the chilly weather made the streets vacant, save for a car or two driving by once in a while, giving them enough privacy for their talk. The young wizard rubbed the back of his neck (Swaine was doing the same), wondering how to start the conversation. "So… Anything you want to say, first?"
"I-I don't know… I'm kind of nervous," Angus whispered. "I can't see your friend… is he with us?"
"Behind us."
Angus only nodded, biting his lower lip. "…He can talk first."
"Thanks a lot," Swaine muttered under his breath, and Oliver shot him a look. He drew in a deep breath, walking alongside Angus. "Well… like I was telling you last night… I sort of knew your brother's soul-mate. His name was Barnabas,"
Angus flinched a bit, but calmed himself; he thought for a moment. "Barnabas… Was he a pirate?"
"A sailor. He was aiming to be a sea-captain… How did you know?"
"I had a dream once, that Maverick was on a ship, two months before he died." He looked at Oliver. "Maybe it was a vision my soul-mate had?" Oliver shrugged in response, and Angus looked towards Swaine (making sure to look up, as he couldn't tell where his eyes were). "What was he like?"
Swaine thought back, smiling a bit. "A lot of fun. Clever, too. We used to get into all sorts of trouble- well, I did, he just got me out of it. …That's why I'm apologizing now. I figured, if I got into less trouble, he wouldn't have had to save my neck so much."
There came a moment of silence, neither of them wondering what to say next. Oliver thought he would have to say something to keep the conversation-therapy going, until Angus finally spoke. "I keep wondering what happened between Maverick and Jairo… the guy you look like. They went into the woods one day, like they always did whenever Dad and Mave got into a fight. They had fought before, but ever since Jairo came along, Dad kept getting edgy, claiming that he would lead Maverick down the wrong path, Maverick stating Jairo wasn't any trouble… but something felt off about him to me. No offense, but he was a pretty shady character."
Swaine scoffed. "Yeah. I get that a lot."
"I guess… I guess I was just a little jealous. Maverick and I always hung out with each other, relying on each other to talk to and be ourselves around. When Jairo came along… well, my brother found a new friend who didn't mind his stories, and was a bit of a rebel like he was. They would hang out, talk about their dreams of making it big, seeing the world… and I just saw Maverick less. That day they went into the woods, Jairo promising I could come next time when I tried to follow them, claiming he and Maverick were just going to talk about things…" he shook his head. "…There was never a next time. They never came back. Police were sent to search the area after 24 hours, and they found Maverick, dead." He looked back at Swaine. "...What's your story?"
Swaine drew in a deep breath. "It's a long one. Barns and I… well, we were aiming to achieve something- but, things went awry…"
~Flashback~
"I've seen it happen- these 'Shadow Wolves' keep kidnapping people, or buying them from a few bastards, to torture and sell on an underground market," Barnabas was telling Swaine, the young sailor having a look of disgust on his face. "I saw a man from the Black Market talking to a couple people about 'escorting' a little girl up to the mountains to hand over to some people."
"Are you serious?! Traffickers in Hamelin?!" Swaine snapped. "Why haven't the soldiers done anything?!"
"They were heading to Xanadu, I heard- the kingdom was under siege by Shadar," Barnabas replied as he shook his head. "We've got to do something. I know where to find the man the little girl was sent with. If we can catch him, we can save the girl- maybe even get some answers out of him and close down the operation,"
Swaine thought for a moment. Normally, he didn't want to get involved in something so dangerous… but it was happening on his home-turf. His brother was already busy handling a matter with Xanadu… someone had to do something. Perhaps this was the one thing he could do that would bring honor to his kingdom- to redeem himself from his criminal title.
He looked at his friend, smiling that confident smile of his. "Alright. I'm in. What's the plan?"
0o0o0o0
It took some time, but they managed to corner William Abel, keeping their faces hidden under cloaks. "Tell us where you took the girl!" Swaine snarled, holding the man at gun-point. "…Otherwise, little Grace will be an orphan…"
"P-Please! I-I'll tell you anything you want!" William Abel sobbed- the duo had been a bit rough to bring him down to this, having to do a lot of digging to find a weak-point. "She's up in some caves at Billy Goat's Bluff…"
"Show us where, and we might let you live, despite your deed." Barnabas spat.
"I-I can't… I abandoned the Order… I couldn't handle that wretched place anymore! I thought they were just selling creatures or weapons… I thought that they were taking in homeless children to give to families…"
"Lies! You'd better take us to that place, otherwise-!" Swaine shouted, pressing the barrel of his gun to his throat.
"A-Alright! …But, I must warn you, it's suicide! Those bastards are the lowest of the low… you'd have to think like a criminal to even get close,"
"Thankfully, that's our specialty. We have a plan… and you can help us out," Barnabas said with a smirk.
0o0o0o0o0o0
"Remember- I'll go in as a 'victim' you're bringing in; I'll look for the girl, while you figure out where their leader is hiding." Barnabas whispered to Swaine- who was wearing a mask William gave to him, which the Shadow Wolves always wore back then to signify their 'membership' to sentinels. "Watch for traps- Will said the place is loaded, and there's an armed guard almost everywhere. We'll meet outside within an hour," he gripped his friend by the shoulder. "This may be the biggest job we've had to pull off, Swaine, and the most dangerous… Stay in stealth-mode, and if anything goes wrong- run."
"Nothing will go wrong- and I won't run unless I'm being chased," Swaine replied. "Now, lets do this- I want those bastards rotting behind bars,"
0o0o0o0o0o0
The plan went wrong within the hour. While Barnabas was running through an entryway William Abel opened for them from outside- having to keep his timing on-the-spot so they could get out- Swaine was running from Gordon, the leader.
Barnabas had found the girl, wearing a mask Swaine stole from a guard they knocked unconscious, claiming that he was to take her to the next auction; Swaine was sneaking around, watching for traps- having learned how to adjust his eyes in the dark (as it was the easiest way to steal), he noticed different patterns on the ground…
Except for one by an exit- which, years later, would be the entrance he and his future-friends would be travelling through in order to save their familiar-tamer- where an eroded marking went unnoticed, and he stepped on it, triggering the alarms. "Damn!" he cursed, as the lights flashed on. He then sprinted towards the now-closing passage that had been open before him, diving through at the last moment.
"AFTER HIM!" came a shout from behind him, as he sprinted through the woods. Unfortunately, the Shadow Wolves had a few sentinels hiding in the trees, who ambushed him.
He tried to shoot at them, but was outnumbered- now he was wishing he worked on his hand-to-hand combat skills more often! They had him cornered, and he looked up at the trees, developing an idea- it was a lousy idea, but it was the only idea he had at the moment. He aimed his pickpocket's pistol upward, shooting out the grappling hook, praying it would latch on to a branch…
It caught on the very top branch- and he shot up like a flare. "AUGH!" he screamed, hanging on to his gun for dear life as he was yanked up, hitting a branch or two. Once he was at the top, he wrapped his arms around the trunk of the tree, reloading his gun as carefully as possible so not to drop it. The men below cursed at him, and summoned a few familiars that were good at climbing or flying. He shot at them, using his Dead-Shot technique, making them go unconscious…
An axe flew through the air, hitting the trunk- almost hitting his face. He gasped, falling back…
He hit more branches going down than going up, though was thankful that they broke his fall, otherwise he would have broken his back once he hit the ground… though, as the men surrounded him, he had a feeling his bones were about to be broken anyway- and that's if he were lucky enough to live. The leader walked up just then- looking quite pissed. "So this is the rat-bastard who spoiled our operation, hmm? …Maybe he can take someone's place." He stated, cracking his fists. "First, lets shut him up- GOOD."
A smoke-bomb hit, blinding the men. "What's going on?!/I can't see!/Don't let go of the-!" a few of them were shouting. In their confusion, Swaine managed to slip out of their grasps.
"Not so fast!" Gordon snarled, having managed to get out of the smoke before the spell effected his vision. He caught Swaine by the shirt-collar. "You're not going any-"
A rock hit him in the face, knocking him out cold. Swaine looked over, seeing a Hurly standing there… right next to Barnabas. "RUN!" his friend shouted.
Swaine didn't have to be told twice. "Where's the girl?!" he wheezed as they ran.
"William Abel's taking her to Hamelin. We'll head there and warn the prince of their operations, now that we know where they're at!"
They raced down the mountains- though before they got to level-ground, Swaine tripped, twisting his ankle. "Agh! Dammit!" he snapped, grabbing his wounded leg.
"Swaine!" Barnabas ran towards him, his Hurly at his side. He helped his friend up, leading him towards an abandoned mine. "In here, quick. We'll hide out here,"
"No, you go on to Hamelin- go warn Marcassin!" he pointed to the entrance, as if to emphasize his urgency. "Hurry! Go!"
Barnabas grabbed his hand, holding it tightly, looking his friend square in the eye. "I'm not leaving you. No captain would leave his first-mate behind!" he looked at his Hurly, then back at his friend. "…I want you to have Gunther."
"What?"
"Well, you need a familiar to fight with- you can't rely on that gun forever." He then summoned his Puss in Bouts- the one that had thrown the smoke-bomb, earlier. "Besides, I've still got Jack, here, so I'll be fine. What do you say?"
Swaine thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, whatever you say." He summoned Gunther into his own chest. "Thanks."
"Now, rest up- I'm going to explore this mine and see if there's anything we can use,"
0o0o0o0o0o0
Two days passed before Swaine's ankle was well enough to walk on, and they went on to Hamelin- which was good timing, as the mine had been empty, and all they had in their packs were two sandwiches and a bottle of water.
"So… what are you going to do with your part of the reward?" Swaine asked Barnabas. "It's sure to be at least 100,000 guilders for busting that operation,"
"I'm going to buy my own ship, hire a crew, and explore the islands," Barnabas answered, confidently. "I heard there's one full of fairies- that's something to see," he nudged the thief. "And I want you on-board- unless you had other plans,"
Swaine rubbed the back of his neck- with their plans finally going right, he felt it was time he told his friend his secret. "Well… there is something I should tell you. I'm really-"
An axe landed between them, stopping them dead in their tracks. They looked ahead, seeing Gordon, with two of his cronies, standing there. "I knew you would be heading to this city- but you're not getting in there," Gordon snarled, as he and his men summoned their familiars to fight.
The brawl went on for what seemed like hours- thankfully, Swaine managed to take out the two lackeys with Gunther, while Barnabas took on Gordon. Suddenly, he noticed a third lackey- one who was working as an ambush from atop an old wall. He leaped down at Barnabas-
"Look out!" Swaine pushed Barnabas out of the way, the lackey landing on him. He managed to roll and pin him down, punching his lights out, turning to his friend…
Who was caught in a choke-hold by Gordon. "S-Swaine!" he choked.
"Don't move! Drop the gun, and no tricks- otherwise I snap his neck!" Gordon snarled. "You're going to get on that ship, and you boys are going to forget everything you saw, GOT IT?!"
Swaine glared, taking out his gun and aiming. "No- you're going to release my friend, otherwise I'll have the guards arrest you!"
"Ha! Under whose authority?! You're nothing but a petty criminal!"
Swaine smirked. "This 'petty criminal' just so happens to be the Lost Prince of Hamelin- and under MY authority, I order you to release my friend!"
"T-The lost prince…?" Barnabas gasped.
Gordon only laughed. "You honestly think I'd buy that load of crock?! Everyone knows that spoiled brat died years ago- couldn't make it in the world like a real man! Probably died at the hands of Shadar- just like his father!"
Swaine's eyes widened. "W-What…?"
"Didn't you know? The old Emperor defied Shadar and got himself killed! …But, what would a thief like you care?" Gordon took out a knife, pressing it to Barnabas' throat. "Now, lets get back to this matter- either turn around and forget everything you saw, or your friend here will pay the price!"
"Swaine! Don't listen to him! He's lying- he'll kill me no matter what!" Barnabas wheezed. "Go get the prince… your brother!"
Swaine kept his gun aimed at Gordon. "I'm not leaving behind my captain," he stated, then shot his grappling hook, having it cling to Gordon's knife-hand and jerk the blade away from Barnabas- his friend took this opportunity to punch the scoundrel in the face, pulling away. The hook retracted, and Swaine took aim again. "You could have just went to jail… but I think the grave is a better place for you!"
Gordon gasped, shielding himself.
"Swaine, no!" Maverick gasped, grabbing his friend's shoulder. "Bloodshed is not the answer. You're a prince- and no prince kills without a cause. …This bastard deserves to rot in prison and suffer the same afflictions as his victims. Death would be a luxury compared to that,"
"Fine- lets knock him out at least," Swaine replied, turning to Gunther. "Sling Stone, Gunther."
The Hurly launched a rock… but Gordon summoned a Dinocerous, blocking the blow, then picked up his axe and charged at them!
Barnabas gasped, tackling Swaine out of the way- not noticing his gun was still aimed…
The gun went off.
They hit the ground.
Gordon ended up tripping over their legs, his face slamming into the stone wall, losing consciousness, resulting in his Dinocerous disappearing.
Swaine gasped, sitting up; his friend groaned, gripping his side. "Barnabas…?! No!" he cried, noticing blood trickling down his friend's shirt. "Dammit! …W-Why did you tackle me?!"
"Sorry… for saving your skin…" Barnabas sarcastically replied. "Ah… should've been more careful… that's the first time I didn't think an idea through… just wanted to get you out of that maniac's way…" he looked over at the wall. "The bastard's out cold now… you can get to Hamelin, and get your cavalry… Prince Gascon,"
"C-C'mon… we'll get your wounds treated. I'll carry you if I have to!"
Barnabas shook his head. "No… Swaine, I didn't tell you this before, but… I have a weak heart. I don't know why- one day, it just felt like… a part of me died. I had a feeling time was running out for me…" he looked up at him. "That's why I wanted to take this shot- have one more big adventure… do something fulfilling, just in case… I never achieved my dream before now- agh!" he cringed, the pain intensifying.
"No! Don't say that- you're going to make it!" Swaine held his friend close. "Listen to me- you're going to get that ship; you're going to be the best damned captain there is! …What about your family? They'll want to see you again!"
Barnabas smiled. "Yeah… do me a favor, and tell them my story, huh? …Let my little brother know… that I had the adventure I dreamed of- seeing the world," he rested a hand on Swaine's shoulder. "…And with the Lost Prince…" his eyes slowly closed.
"Barnabas… don't go. You can't leave! You're… you're the only friend I have…" tears flooded out of his eyes. Gunther stood off to the side, taking his helmet off in respect. He looked at his friend's wound… the bullet-wound that ended his life- straight from his own gun. "…I'm sorry…"
~End Flashback~
"…I carried him to Hamelin. I told the guards what had happened… turns out William Abel managed to sneak some information to them, and they shut down the operation- found Gordon unconscious in the field and hauled him to prison quick, too. I learned that Barnabas' family came to claim his body- and swore vengeance on the man that killed him; a few of those thugs were still out there, too, looking for the scoundrels who blew their operation. …So I ran. I was scared, guilty… and failed both my friend and brother. I couldn't face anyone."
They were in Angus' backyard, sitting on the porch, having been listening to Swaine's story for the past half-hour. Neither of them spoke, waiting for the thief to finish.
"I felt weak… I considered killing myself countless times- 'a life for a life'- but… something told me to keep moving on; that it wasn't my fault… that my best friend died protecting me, and I decided I shouldn't put his sacrifice in vain." He rubbed the back of his neck. "…But that didn't stop my guilt. I fouled up- and it cost him his life." He looked at Angus. "…I don't know if his family will be willing to listen to me. I'm surprised Clause didn't have the same reaction you did."
Silence. Wind blowing was the only sound.
Oliver looked at Angus, who was quiet. He looked back at Swaine. "…It was an accident, though." The young wizard stated, first. "They'd have to understand…"
"Mine wouldn't…" Angus whispered. "They never understand…" he looked up at Swaine- now seeing him clearly. "…But, I do. You and your friend… you were just trying to do something good. I think he died for a noble cause- risking his life to save a little girl, stop human traffickers, and dying protecting his best friend. He's a hero,"
Swaine nodded solemnly. "I still have to talk to his family. …He did ask me to tell his story to them,"
"I'm sure Clause will want to hear it… Don't keep him waiting, alright?"
The elder prince nodded. "Alright."
Oliver patted Angus' shoulder. "Thanks for listening, Angus." He replied.
"Well… If it'll brace me for whatever 'challenge' there is, I'm glad I did." Angus replied, giving a reassuring smile to Swaine. "I'm also glad you decided to open up, Swaine… I'm sorry what you went through, but it's good you're moving on. …I guess it's time I did the same,"
Swaine smiled back. "Yeah. It can only get better from here," he agreed.
"Angus! Time for dinner!" Molly called from inside. "…Oh, hi Oliver! Are you staying for supper again?"
Oliver smiled. "Hi, Molly! Not tonight- I've gotta get home. Miss Leila wants me back by 6,"
"I'll be inside in a minute, Molly," Angus replied.
"Okay. Hurry up- Mom said she doesn't want you catching a cold," With that, Molly took off.
Angus looked at Swaine, holding his hand out. "Good luck, Swaine."
Swaine shook his hand. "Thanks," he replied.
Bidding farewell, Oliver and Swaine walked back home. "Well… that went better than expected," the young wizard stated, though noticed the elder prince was quiet- his eyes misty. "…Are you going to be alright? I know it wasn't easy, having to tell…"
"No, it's fine… I'm just relieved I could finally tell it." Swaine replied. "But… let's not tell the others, alright? …Not until I talk to Clause,"
Oliver nodded. "Okay. …Oh man, the others! We need to head back!"
"Heh, better check in with Miss Leila first- we can head back later,"
They entered Miss Leila's house, Oliver being sent upstairs to wash up for dinner; after the meal and helping with the dishes, everyone decided to turn in…
Though, Oliver only waited until Miss Leila was asleep, before changing back into his Otherworld attire and casting Gateway, he and Swaine appearing outside of Hamelin. As they walked through the streets, they kept quiet- and Swaine continued his walk down memory lane…
He sat in the hull of the ship. He spent the whole day working, doing whatever chore that could keep his mind off what had happened… but nothing worked. The event replayed in his mind over and over...
What was worse was what Gordon had said- the Emperor, the ex-prince's father, had died at the hands of Shadar. Marcassin had been alone all this time… Swaine always thought that his father allowed Marcassin to rule without him, in order to get used to the responsibility, and was working on other matters with the other sages in the world. He remembered how his father would always go off with the Great Sage Alicia on some quest, or assist Rashaad with some matter overseas, or was summoned by Queen Khulan for council…
But no. His father was dead. His best friend was dead. And his brother needed him…
No. Marcassin was handling the kingdom well on his own. He was staying strong, despite all that happened… He was the Great Sage Emperor his older brother always believed he'd turn out to be.
Swaine… he was just a thief, without a friend in the world.
He sighed, grabbing the pack he managed to grab and stuff in his hurry to outrun those bloodthirsty thugs. Something then fell out of it… a heart-shaped gem. He forgot he stole that- it seemed to be worth a lot of money.
Picking it up, a wave of warmth rushed through him- a sense of comfort. He gasped, dropping the gem… then slowly picked it up. He didn't feel anything- but somehow the grief in his heart mellowed down.
He put the gem back in his pack. "I'll make it up to you, somehow… I promise," he whispered as he looked out the porthole at the starry sky. "But I need to go my own way, for now…"
He walked towards the stairs…
Though, before he left, snagged a rope from the hull. For some reason he didn't know, he just felt he had to have it.
"Oliver! Swaine! Oh, thank goodness you're back!"
The thief was snapped out of his reverie at the sound of Esther's voice, seeing the familiar-tamer running down the street with Mr. Drippy. "Esther! Is everything alright?" Oliver asked.
"Ah, yes 'n' no, Ollie-Boy," Mr. Drippy told him. "See, while ye both were gone, we figured out a plan to help Abby- her heart's finally open!"
"Good- maybe she'll be less stubborn, now." Swaine scoffed.
"That's the thing- she hasn't been herself… actually, she looked really depressed. She even gave me her familiars to take care of, because she doesn't think she'll fight anymore!" Esther told them, panic in her voice. "Oliver, I'm worried- if we don't do something soon- she might do something drastic!"
"Don't worry- we can get some trust, and we'll mend her heart. Where is she?" Oliver asked.
"That's where th' problems kick in. For one thing, there en't anyone in this town wit' trust to spare!" Mr. Drippy replied.
"And the other problem?" Swaine asked- though he already knew the answer… especially since the light from his chest was shining towards the entrance of the city.
"We went back to th' palace, see if she left- turns out she did…" Mr. Drippy then held up a small bag- with the Azen inside it! "An' she left this behind!"
Oliver's eyes widened… and Swaine was surprised at the next word to come out of his mouth. "Dammit!" he gasped, beating the thief to the comment.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
A/N: If anyone is getting sick of cliff-hangers… Sorry XD
Also apologies if the conversation didn't go as well as I figured… or the backstory. If you guys think it could have been better, don't hesitate to be honest. I may write a separate story that gives the full-story of Swaine and Barnabas' travels someday- though this story *plus several others* needs focus first.
Well, it's time for another game of 'Find the Drifter'- let's hope it won't be too drastic…
Please review. Please lend some constructive criticism. Please don't flame. Thank you.
