Chapter Seven: Blood Stained
Duke:
It turned out that our ship had taken on quite a bit of damage during the attack. Falcone's crew had been trying to sink us in air. With some luck though Heart and Marestella found a nearby port on the map we could limp to for prepairs and some needed rest.
So we coasted into that rather routy port just before our main engine gave out. Fortunately we had enough for the repairs and some currency left for rooms and food, but not much more than that. With a sigh I gave it up, but then learned it would take a couple days to be finished.
"I'm not sure how much time I have left," I said under my breath to the shopkeeper, "But I don't have much choice now do I?"
Once everything was paid for upfront I turned to my crew and gave them their leave for the time being. Melodia, Norelle, Catalina, and Irving all wandered off in a small group to explore the new port. Avarin and Marestella went straight to the inn to secure a few rooms for everyone. Trent decided to stay on the ship to keep an eye on things while it was looked over by the workers repairing it.
Heart on the other hand seemed torn. Swung over her shoulder was her pack with her book of drawings tucked away inside of it.
"I'm not taking any chances," she told me.
"Well we can't go any further at the moment, hopefully Falcone hasn't discovered his set back yet and is lookin' for us," I said with a smirk.
"Even if he did it'll take him a bit to attack like that again," she assured as we shared the same smirk.
She'd told me of what she'd done to the main cannon, and I had in turn told her Melodia had dismantled the other before the fight broke out.
"Would ya like to adventure with me sweetheart?" I then asked her.
However I noticed she seemed suddenly distracted as she looked out at the harbor.
This port was much like a cape you might see on Earth where most humans were from. The skies were blue along with the waters we had touched down on. However I noticed that wasn't what she watching as she breathed, "Is it?"
I followed her gaze to find a structure coming up to the docks after making contact with the coastal waters. A grand ship indeed with Puck World's crest waving in the air above it's full sails. I watched now as tears brimmed her eyes when she saw a young drake waving his arms in greeting to anyone that might see him, "Ahoy there!"
"Dive!" She exclaimed while running by me and back to the docks.
I stepped back and watched quietly, feeling a part of me being torn away with her. Yet still I smiled despite this aching in my chest trying to distract me. Luckily it was soon replaced with some relief as I watched her run into the open arms of her older brother, with him sweeping her up in a swift motion before settling into a hug between the three of them now.
Heart:
For a moment I thought they would squeeze the air out of my lungs as the two embraced me, Nosedive exclaiming, "Sis, you're alive!"
"Thank the stars!" Wildwing said still hugging me.
I looked to Canard and the rest of the crew as they gathered around us, "I'm so glad you're all okay!"
"We've been fine!" Canard assured, "Glad to have you back with us!"
I then found myself being swept up with my original crew, being taken towards a tavern to get some warm food and just visit with everyone again. I wanted to protest, but at the same time I simply couldn't as I realized quickly just how much I had missed the two drakes I'd grown up with. With our reunion I was told many stories of their adventures through space since losing me. They regailed me with tales of planets visited, aliens met, and sights taken in during their travels.
After a bit of this I asked, "How long will you be staying here at port?"
"We're not staying long," Mallory mentioned, "We're just gathering some supplies and resting for the night. Then we're off again."
"But now our crew is complete!" Nosedive said while eagerly hugging me, "We can continue our adventure together just like we said we would!"
I could feel the smile on my face twisting when I heard this.
"I can't go with all of you...not yet anyway," I admitted sadly.
"What do you mean?" Tanya asked, "We've been trying to find you for a month now!"
"I'm sorry, but I'm needed...elsewhere," I tried to say.
"Sis, what's going on?" Wildwing asked.
"It's hard to explain," I said biting my lower lip nervously.
Nosedive took notice of this unease and suggested pleasantly, "Let's get something to eat before we decide what's next. We'll figure things out after that."
"What's to figure out?" Wildwing asked in growing confusion, "We're sticking together as planned?"
"Let's eat first bro," Nosedive pushed us towards the bar of the inn.
"What happened to you by the way? How did you survive?" Mallory asked as we were eating a little bit later.
"Before my oxygen device gave out I was picked up by a friendly crew. They brought me here," I answered carefully.
"Who were they?" Canard inquired.
My heart began racing as I tried to think of an answer. Then I looked to my two brothers and abruptly asked them, "Can I talk to the two of you?"
Without questioning this they followed me outside into the alley.
"What's going on Heart?" Wildwing questioned.
"Look, I'm sorry, but I have to stay with the other crew for now. Just believe me when I say that, please," I told him.
"No, I want answers! We've been worried sick about you! We thought you were dead!" Wildwing exclaimed rightfully.
"If I tell you more you'll only try to stop me," I admitted quietly.
"You're not making sense sis?!" Nosedive joined in his confusion.
"Please, just believe me on this one. This is something I have to do right now! I owe him my life!" I slipped in my haste to explain and not at the same time.
"Owe who your life?" Wildwing caught it.
Before I could answer something flowed into my ears. Her voice giggled to her melody this time.
My father is a merchant
The truth I now will tell
And in great London City
In opulence doth dwell
I began scanning the streets around us out of instinct at this point. Only now did I realize how late in the afternoon it was. They had not heard it, but Wildwing did ask, "What's wrong?"
Without answering I started sprinting through the streets with them tailing behind me.
Duke:
I had reached the inn by now, finding most of my crew there by this point. Trent was still keeping watch over the ship, and it appeared Heart hadn't come back yet. The latter of the two I had am odd feeling about.
"Where's Heart?" Irving asked none the less while bringing over a glass of cider for me along with one of his own.
"It appears her brothers have found her," I mentioned half heartedly.
"And that's a bad thing?" Marestella questioned.
"Of course not, she was so happy to see them again," I reminded myself.
"So is she joining with them again?" Avarin asked with a hint of worry she attempted to mask in her voice.
"Your guess is as good as mine," I said with a shrug, "It would honestly be better for her to stay with them. A young lady like her doesn't really belong with a band of thieves does she?"
"What are you talking about?!" Norelle exclaimed when she heard this remark upon walking over, "Of course she belongs! She's our friend, as well as our guide isn't she?"
I shrugged, "I'm sure she'll bring the maps to me with her answer. For now let her be with her brothers."
"Captain, are you okay?" Catalina asked with worry creeping into her tone.
"Of course I'm okay," I assured before I heard the melody seemingly in my head begin again.
My father is a merchant
The truth I now will tell
And in great London City
In opulence doth dwell
I raised a brow in puzzlement at these lyrics. None the less I excused myself from the others and stepped out onto the streets again, perhaps to get away from my own thoughts trying to pull at me, or maybe to face whatever was coming my way next. For a brief moment I wondered if Heart had heard it this time. Perhaps now that she was back with her brothers she would be freed from all of this?
"It's what she deserves isn't it?" I asked the aching sensation in my chest while still facing the now closed door.
"No," a deep voice retorted sharply from across the empty street behind me, "You're not what my daughter deserves you worthless thief!"
Turning around quickly I now faced a tall, mountain of a man. His stern face was adorned with a thick black beard with grey whiskers sprouting here and there throughout it. His eyes of burning coal were fixed into a hardened glare. The navy blue thick coat he wore reached down to the tops of his worn boots, but was tattered and frayed at the edges. A top his thick head of hair that matched his beard and sideburns he was a merchant's hat that had seen many voyages with him. At his belt was a curved blade and in his hand a pistol trained on me, aimed right for my heart.
"Facing death like a man?" He scoffed in genuine disbelief, "Surprising for a coward like you!"
I didn't risk saying anything just yet.
"Do you know who I am?"
Noting the words sung in my head moments ago I answered carefully, "I have a good guess. Her father?"
"That I am," he replied bitterly, "You lying son of a serpent! You took my daughter from me!"
"I didn't try to take a thing from you sir, I only meant to bring her spirits some cheer when I met her. I told her I-"
"You stole her heart away, and left it twisted in the shore! For that I will make you pay with your blood!" He bellowed with a thunderous voice.
"I never meant ta hurt her! I told her I couldn't stay!"
"Lying coward!" He snapped.
I didn't dare move.
"Do ya know what your daughter is? She has me payin' already with her curse!" I assured in a souring tone.
"Well then I can break her curse for you!" He insisted with a joyous grimace twisting his nearly covered lip, "You can't be haunted by her song if you can no longer hear it!" His tone grew to be that of ice as he closed an eye to aim better, "Allow me to assist you worthless devil; not that you deserve such mercy!"
He cocked the pistol and I braced for something I had no way of avoiding.
"Stop please!" Her voice rang out suddenly before he placed his finger around the trigger and causing me to jump.
I looked awe in near shock as Heart came running into him, trying to pull his arm down, "Please dont do this!"
"Heart?!" the younger of her two brothers exclaimed as they caught up.
Heart was focusing on the sailor, trying to stop him from firing still.
"Who is this L'Orange? Will she end up like my daughter too?!" He demanded with a rising thunder in his voice.
He looked down at her with disdain and pitty blending in his cold eyes, "Move out of the way child, don't let him pull you in like he did my daughter!"
"He wasn't trying to hurt her!" She pleaded, "Please! You can hate him, but please don't kill him!"
"You're a fool girl!" He snapped, "You'll become just like her if you're not careful! Leave him now and toss any feelings you may have for him aside before it's too late!"
"I won't let you kill him!" Heart snapped while stillt trying to wrestle the gun from his grip before he shoved her off of him.
As she stumbled back Heart quickly found her footing and stood between us now instead.
"Sis are you crazy?!" the older drake exclaimed.
"He saved my life! I owe him this much!" She said while firmly planting her feet, "He doesn't deserve to die!"
Stunned I heard myself say to her, causing her to look over her shoulder at me, "Heart, ya don't owe me a thing."
"My fury is not caused by you child, so please step aside so I can deliver him to the grave he belongs in!" The sailor requested with a growl in his polite tone, pulling her attention back to him.
"Would killing him turn your daughter back?" She questioned sharply.
"No, once changed completely a starmaid can never turn back," he said bitterly with rage burning from his coal like eyes, "But spilling his blood will prevent the change for other women, including you!"
I noticed as Heart stiffened from this revelation. I too stood in shock to hear this. For a moment I wondered if he were in the right? Whether I had intended to or not, had I really caused his daughter to change in such a way?
"Heart-"
"I'm sorry for your pain, but Duke did not change her into that creature! She chose to dwell, she twisted in on herself because she didn't get what she wanted!" Heart said as calmly as she could.
"He's already gotten to you hasn't he?" He realized in a grim disapproval, "Worry not child, I'll save you from his wicked spell!"
"Heart!" I exclaimed as he went to strike at her in an attempt to knock her aside and into her brothers.
"Captain run!" Heart cried as she scrambled to pull away from her brothers.
"If he runs it proves he's a coward!" The sailor barked as he aimed at me once more.
"Duke please!" She screamed, her voice nearly deafening our sense of sound as she slipped again in her panic.
Again she was afraid for me?
As he went to fire, another shot suddenly filled the air as his gun went flying from his hand. Looking over we saw the older of the two drakes holding his own drawn pistol.
"Both of you run now!" he ordered without a trace of hesitation as he took aim at the merchant.
Without question Heart hurried to me, grabbed my hand, and pulled me along with her into a run. In seconds we were sprinting down the street from the commotion. Behind us we heard the merchant cursing at us while he was tackled away from the gun he tried to pick up.
"You'll hit our sister you psycho!" The younger of the two yelled from far behind us now.
Heart:
Duke and I ran as fast and as far as we both could. We ducked and weaved through the busier crowds we found along thw way. Then while slipping in and out of streets, we managed to lose the angered father it seemed. Finally we took refuge in an alley far from the bustling evening port city.
We both gasped in an attempt to ease our rapid breathing as we leaned back against the brick wall behind us. Our lungs burned for air as we slid down along the brick wall to the ground. I pulled my knees up in an attempt to stabilize myself, and I watched Duke pull one of his up to rest an arm over it.
"Are you okay?" Duke then asked while looking to me.
I nodded my head while still regaining my breath. Unable to ignore the burning that tightened up my sides, I crossed my arms to hold them.
"Why didn't you run?" I then questioned as I looked up at him.
"'Cause I'm not a coward! I wasn't goin' ta leave ya there actin' like my shield!" He snapped.
"He wasn't going to shoot me!" I said.
"We don't know that! If push came to shove I don't know what he would have done!" He pushed.
We both grew silent, looking at one another with fear lingering in both our eyes, but not for own sake it seemed.
"It seems the longer we're together the worse things get," he then commented with a soured grimace twisting his beak.
"What?!"
"Ya heard me Heart," he retorted while getting to his feet.
"Her song called him here, if we can evade him he might vanish as quick as he arrived," I said while grasping at the wall to get up.
"That's not what I meant Heart," he said quickly as he instinctively helped me the rest the way until I was standing before him.
"Then what do you mean?" I asked with growing unease.
"It means ya need ta go with your brothers!" he told me while away and stepping back a bit.
"What?!"
"You need to leave with them in the mornin'! You belong with them!"
"I swore I would help you break this curse!" I reminded him urgently.
"Heart, you have saved my life enough times to pay me back! Ya don't owe it to me to fix my mistake!" He snapped with a rising temper, "I will solve this or reap what I've sewn! Either way you are not stayin' with me!".
"Captain, you said I was your guide-"
"Give me the maps an' I'll figure out the rest from there!" He stood his ground, "It's how I got us through before!"
"Why are you doing this?!" I demanded with my heart racing in my chest again, but not from the previous run through the city.
"I almost got ya killed back there! My rival would have shot ya, that siren almost killed you once already! I'm not goin' to keep puttin' your life in danger!" He yelled, "An' I sure as heck won't let ya end up like her!"
My eyes widened in shock when I heard all of this. My voice faultered as I tried to say his name. My hands balled into fists at my sides while my frame shook. While looking up at him I tried to figure out what to say, what to do. Why were things spiraling out of control like this? Still I looked to him for a better answer, or maybe out of hope that he would admit this wasn't the right decision.
When he didn't say anything else I felt something burrow into my chest as I questioned, "This is all you wanted wasn't it?!"
"Of course not!" He told me just as angrily.
"You asked me what I thought of you! You wanted to know how I felt?! Just for you to turn around and do this?! I told myself to keep you at a distance! Why didn't I listen?!" I shouted as I reached into my pack, grabbed the book, pulled out the pages he needed, and shoved them into his hands.
"Heart-"
"When you break this curse try not to end up with another one by the next heart you try to take!" I snapped while closing my pack and darting away from him.
"Heart!"
I didn't care to listen or even look back at him. All I could think to do was run instead. Despite my still aching lungs I kept going. Nor did I stop until I was back at the docks. Finding the end of one as I slowed to a walk I took a seat at it's edge. Finally I caught my breath again while looking out over the harbor just for it to seize in my chest. Pulling my knees up against myself once more I felt a sharp pain I couldn't describe or explain. Regardless of the reason I heard myself give up from choking back tears that ran down my face instead.
"Why didn't I listen?!" I sobbed into my arms.
After some time of this I realized it was growing dark over the city. The sun was setting over the horizon for the night and dark clouds were drifting towards the harbor in it's place.
"Little friend?" A voice I vaguely remembered caused me to jump where I still sat.
I turned slightly to look and see Grin approaching me. His dark shaded eyes were touched with concern as he noticed what I'd been doing, "What happened Heart?'
"It's nothing...really it isn't!" I insisted while turning back to watch the oncoming storm.
The gentle giant then sat beside me while resting a hand on his knee and the other on my shoulder, "I have a strong feeling it isn't nothing?"
"Did Dive and Wing come back?" I asked while avoiding this question.
"They did, they're back at the inn. They were looking for you a while before returning. They were hoping you would meet them there," he told me.
"Well they won't have to search for me anymore. I'm staying with them, just as I planned to all along!" I assured shakily, "Just as I should have when-"
I couldn't even finish my sentence. If I had stayed back at the port previously to this, what would have happened? He might have been dragged away by her shadow, driven mad by her cries, or worse somehow. Yet at the same time every thought of him twisted my core somehow.
"I was so scared before! I was scared for him! Why doesn't he understand that?!"
I looked up at Grin knowing he couldn't answer for Duke. Though he did provide some surprising words in reply, "It seems the journey you are on isn't finished is it? Until you complete it as you sought to you won't have the answers you need. It will make it difficult for you to find peace with yourself."
"He doesn't want to continue things as we planned," I said as I tried to get to my feet now, only for me to faulter in strength somehow.
Wiping the tears from my reddened eyes I tried to force a smile, "He can do what he wants...I'll just go back to my brothers like we originally planned. Thank you anyway though Grin."
"You can't force yourself to heal," he warned, "Give yourself some time before deciding on such a choice."
I shrugged while getting up this time, "There's nothing to decide. He already made the choice for me. So let's just go."
Yet as we walked off the docks the tavern I heard her melody continuing on. I tried to ignore it as I walked stepped off the planks and onto the street.
His fortune doth exceed
200,000 gold
And he frowns upoon his daughter
Who loves a sailor bold
My blood ran cold as I forced myself to follow alongside Grin. He didn't need me to get him out of this, he'd said so himself. Besides, even if I did try to help he would just slip away again. He wanted his freedom. He didn't need me to anchor him to anywhere or anyone.
"You'd best forget him now child," the deep voice of the merchant warned from behind Grin and I as these questions swam around in my head, "It will save you from being changed as my daughter was."
"I am not like your daughter!" I heard myself growl, "I am not trying to rob him of all that he is!"
Why was I defending him still?
"That siren planned her trap as soon as she saw Duke!" I recalled the blood on her hands from that first dream.
"Don't speak of her that way!" He bellowed as I turned to face him.
Grin stepped forward defensively beside me, "I think it's best you leave my friend alone sir. Hatred blinds all from seeing the truth, including you and your daughter I'm afraid!"
"How dare you!" He growled, "My daughter was a precious, innocent girl until that worthless thief stole and broke her heart like glass! He doesn't care for those he charms, he only uses them! He even used you as a shield before!"
For a moment I paused and briefly thought over how I had aided the pirate captain through this last month or so. However in doing so I also recalled the moments of Duke reaching across genuinely as well. This brought my attention to the pack on my shoulder to then pull out the book he'd given me. Looking over it I found myself flipping through the pages until I came across one I'd out towards the back, despite having a decent number of empty spaces left. My heart sank as I closed the book on his smiling face.
All the same I stood my ground before the sailor, "You do realize that your daughter sought him out don't you? She lured him in with...!" It now clicked as my eyes widened in horror, "With the blood of the last one!"
"I never said she wasn't foolish and young, but none the less she is my daughter. For the sake of my memory of her, his blood will stain the seas when I'm done with him!" He swore, "Besides, the galaxy could use one less thief in it if you ask me!"
"He...he didn't do this to her!" I realized while searching the details I'd paid little attention to before, "She-"
"Stay back and let me deal that coward!" he warned as he turned to walk away.
"He's not a coward!" I heard myself erupt."
"But you won't deny he's a thief?"
"Rather he'd be a thief than a murderer," I stated glaring at him.
"You do realize if not me then justice will claim him sooner or later?" He mentioned while glancing at me, "Whether it's a bullet through his chest or a noose around his neck, he can't run forever!"
He then turned to Grin, "I suggest you talk some sense into that love sick girl before she is thrown in with him!"
When I glanced up at Grin he looked to me, gave a nod, and then said, "I think she has plenty of sense in her. Perhaps she sees what you are too blind to find yourself?"
An appreciative smile curled my lip slightly.
The sailor looked at both of us with disgust and disbelief in his dark eyes.
"Believe what you want, it won't stop me either way! He'll die by my hand once I find him. His ship is still here and this is not a big port. His blood will stain the waters soon enough!" He assured as he stormed off.
I couldn't help but wonder a moment what would have happened had Grin not been there with me. Turning to him now I gave a nod of thanks. He smiled in return. With that he lead me back to the tavern to find my brothers as I fought the urge to try and find Duke again.
"Sis!" Nosedive exclaimed as he ran over and threw his arms around me, "Thank goodness you're alright!"
"Is your friend okay?" He then asked while pulling away just as Wildwing walked over to us.
I shrugged my shoulders, "He's alive at least. Whether he's okay or not I don't really know."
Wildwing and him then pulled me aside to talk again. In the safety of our shared tavern room I finally wove my tale from since I'd met Duke and the crew. Him saving me, my friends, the starmaid's curse, our journey thus far, and my promise.
"You speak as though something changed?" Wildwing observed with a hand to his chin.
"It seems he doesn't need me anymore. When we got away he decided I should just go back with you two and continue our initial voyage into space," I explained.
"That's actually very reasonable for a pirate," Wildwing commented in near disbelief.
"It's actually the most reckless decision he's made yet!" I argued looking at the ground, gripping the cloth worn over my knees.
"Sis, I know you've always been adventurous, but you don't belong with pirates," Wildwing reminded me.
I started to nod my head in agreement, but then faultered. Instead I found myself looking towards the window with an unexpected weight in my chest.
"Wildwing...even away from him I hear her song haunting us...but it doesn't matter...he made the choice for me," I said as my shoulders sank.
"Wait..." Nosedive pondered aloud, scratching the back of his head, "Sis, how are you caught up in this in the first place?"
I then told them of the shared dream with Duke, as well as the night at the first several weeks ago. I left out bits about sharing a room and bed with him. I didn't need my brothers hunting him down too.
"He thinks if I'm seperated from him that she'll give up coming after me and focus on him. Though if that were the case wouldn't her song stop for me?" I said with frustration seeping into my voice.
"Sis, if you ask me, it sounds like he did this to try and protect you?" Wildwing realized looking over to me.
"Wildwing, even if I couldn't hear the song, I would still know I broke my vow to him. He saved my life, how can I just...?" I gave up, my anger getting the better of me now as I hit my fist against my leg, "It doesn't matter! He doesn't need me around, he made that clear! He can handle his own problems!"
Nosedive walked over to the edge of the bed I was sitting on and took a seat beside me. Out the window we could see the night sky settling over the little port with the storm rolling in.
I knew somewhere my recently made friends were enjoying themselves at another tavern. Though with that last verse of the song hanging in the air, the song no one else could hear, I was certain he was stuck watching his back alone.
My twin then wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a hug, "I think it does matter sis."
"Dive-" Wildwing tried to protest.
"Bro you see it too, heck you saw it earlier didn't you? Isn't that why you saved him?" Nosedive asked.
That's right...they had both been there. They'd seen me trying to protect him. Wildwing himself had...I looked up at my older brother as he watched with a troubled grimace. Then he let out a sigh as he nodded his head, "I did. I didn't understand why, but I knew it was the right thing to do."
"How...?" I asked quietly.
"Because you were so certain of him, at least in that moment. It reminded me of when we were kids and bullies tried to say we weren't siblings. It didn't matter what was said to us, you never wavered, and neither did we. You stood your ground with us. That...and something about that drake seemed to make sense somehow...?"
I tilted my head in confusion at this as he offered, "I don't know, maybe it was intuition. Regardless I knew it meant so much to you that he lived. As a big brother, I did all I could to make that happen...Just...just as I have to now..."
"What?!" I breathed in disbelief while looking to the two of them.
"In just over a month I've missed you growing up haven't I?" Wildwing tried to laugh.
"Sorry Wing," Nosedive attempted for me, "I think it's out of our hands now."
Wildwing shook his head while trying to give a light laugh still, "I should have had you both stay home."
Suddenly in the distance through the night air we heard shots being fired. My heart leapt to my throat as the harsh blasts erupted through the previous calm. I jumped away from my brother and rushed to the window. As I quickly opened it I looked out over the streets.
"Sis?" Wildwing asked worriedly.
"I can't do this...I can't just walk away!" My voice trembled slightly, "If morning came and I learned he died tonight I wouldn't know what to do! I need to know he's okay!"
I then shook my head while reminding myself in further confusion, "But we've been through this already! It'll just end up being pushed away again won't I?!"
"Heart, when you found us on Puck World, you never questioned us. You never second guessed that we were your family," Nosedive told me.
"So why would this be any different? If you see something in him worth saving, then go find him...?" Nosedive pushed while briefly trailing off, "Nothing's ever stopped you before...has it?"
"Dive? Wing?"
"You feel it too don't you little brother?" Wildwing attempted a light jest once more.
"Sorta..." Nosedive scratched his head while looking to me, "The weird part is telling her this if that makes any sense?"
"We'll miss you sis," Wildwing then said to me while holding back the tears now brimming his eyes, "Though I think you have the answer you need don't you?"
I hurried to them, hugging them both tightly for a brief moment as I fought passed my own tears, "Thank you!"
"Just please be careful!" My oldest brother begged as they hugged me back.
Then I was out through the window and sprinting through the lamplit streets again. My feet pounded along the cobblestone and my heart raced nearly out of my chest in search of him somehow.
"Please!" I barely breathed, "Please be okay...!"
Duke:
Since Heart had left me standing in the alley I'd begun my way slowly back to the inn. With nearly every I step I found myself looking over my shoulder. My usually rather calm nerves tensed up and I would attempt to ease them by ducking into a side street. After a bit of this I took a breath and repeated, "I've gotten through before. This is par for the course really."
With that I continued along through the darkening city. As I did the hustle and bustle seemed to die down, or at the very least move in doors as the storm thundered in the distance. It was now that I also realized I had no idea where I was, and with every step I seemed to be more lost. With another breath released through my clenching teeth I shook my head, "This is for the better right? If I push her away now it'll keep her safe from me an' everythin' else!"
"It's me or the gallows devil! I think my bullet would be more merciful! Not that you deserve it!" He shouted suddenly from behind me once more, "You won't escape justice this time either way!"
With that he began firing. I swiftly dodged the first few shots, sliding to the wall and then leaping into the alley to roll into a sprint.
"Sorry, but I have no desire to die either way!" I said as I started down towards the other end of the alley I'd jumped into.
"Who said you had a choice in the matter? I didn't get a choice to save my daughter from your spell, but I will avenge the child I once knew tonight!" He bellowed as he pursued me.
I didn't answer. Instead I just kept running. He continued to fire after me, hitting the walls as well as signs while trying to take aim at me. I turned the corner and found a ledge along a roof to climb up. Staying on the move I hoisted myself up in seconds I barely had and made my way to the rooftops to continue evading him. Meanwhile over head thick clouds settled like a thick blanket draped onto the city. Thunder announced it's presence while lightning struck wickedly at the waves passed the docks out at the harbor. Rain began to pour over me as I ran, making the rooves slick under my boots. However I managed to maintain my footing as I hurried over them.
Coming to the end of the line of rooves I found another far across the street. Looking back I saw the merchant nearing my position. So taking a quick breath I stepped back as much as I could and simply ran. With a leap I mangaed to catch the edge of the roof across the way of the alley. My fingers tried to regain some purchase on the sleek baked clay shingles as I scrambled to try and get up onto the other roof.
As I was halfway up I heard him bellow from the building I'd just jumped from, "Die in the storm so your blood will wash into the sea. When the crimson flow stains the waters she will know she is free of you and your black heart!"
The pain that was suddenly fired into my shoulder burrowed deep into it. As it seered through my flesh I cried out as I lost my grip and fell to the street below. With a heavy crash onto some crates that collapsed under me my back buckled upon impact with the cobblestone I finally fell upon. Agonized breaths seethed through my clenched jaw while I gripped my shoulder. My attempts to get back up were defeated by the slick surface of the cobblestone and the ripping pain in the wound now beginning to bleed. From above still I heard him cursing me.
Wearily looking up I saw him once more take aim. The screaming resistance in my right shoulder kept me from getting up still. As I attempted to pull my hand away I found crimson webs spreading along the silk and lace before beginning to pool and soak into it. With a deep breath I barely managed I pulled myself to my feet as he cocked his pistol and prepared to pull the trigger. I looked straight at him, accepting the fate that had found me there alone this night.
"Any last words worthless pickpocket?"
"I'm sorry for what happened to your daughter..." I started, knowing it woudn't change anything.
Then I glanced at the satchel I'd dropped, knowing the maps were tucked away safely...the maps she'd poured over for hours and hours for my sake. To this I said quietly, knowing she couldn't hear me, "Heart...I'm sorry for what I put ya through...an'...I wish I could have told ya just once that I love you."
"As for that girl who foolishly spoke in your defense before, may the comfort of knowing once you are dead that she will be free of the curse that fell upon her because of your carelessness and disregard for the hearts you try to steal! Tell me rogue, did you take so many because you lack one of your own or has it been twisted to no longer be reconizeable as one?!"
I wasn't sure that I believed him in his claim. Still I faced him all the same, knowing I simply couldn't keep running.
"Good ridance to a heartless thief!"
"Please stop!" Her voice shouted through the hail and rain, causing him to jump slightly as he pulled the trigger.
This time a bullet dug itself into my left thigh, causing me to yell out and topple to the ground on my hands and knees.
"Captain!" She screamed in horror as she ran to me.
"Heart go back now! Find your brothers and leave!" I yelled, trying to ignore the pain burning in my wounds as I attempted to stand.
"Have you lost your senses entirely child?!" The sailor bellowed at her.
Heart didn't answer him. Instead she stood before me with the hail pelting us both. Her clothes were soaked with rain, while mine were drenched with that as well as blood.
"Heart, it's okay. Jus' turn back an' pretend we never met if ya want! If this can save ya from her then maybe-"
"Do you really think I could just forget about you?! Do you really believe that you being killed would save me any grief?! And what of your crew?! Don't you think they would miss you?! I know they would and so would I!"
I wondered if she knew she were screaming. Her whole body trembled as she found me looking up at her, focusing through the fury of the wounds in my leg and shoulder to do so. For some reason I felt she wasn't aware, nor of how frightened she appeared with those eyes of sapphire wide and brimming with tears she somehow held back.
"H-Heart?" I choked out.
"He's not worth missing! Once he's gone you'll see that!" He took aim once again.
"I'm not leaving him!" She said firmly with the rain mixing with the tears running down her face as she turned to face him, keeping me behind her now, "I won't let you kill him!"
"Heart..." I protested through gritted teeth.
"Then I will come down there and remove you from him!" He scolded as he jumped down with a harsh thud that shook the ground as it cracked and splintered from his almost unnatural force.
The heels of her boots dug into the ground and dirt to keep her stance firm.
"Heart...please..."
She remained standing there. I hated that she was shielding me. I hated that I couldn't get her away from me. I hated what I had done to her. I hated that no matter what I did her heart would be broken whether I left or died here in the rain this night.
The merchant marched towards her, the ground chipping further with every step. I now remembered how small her frame was as he towered over her. The only movement she made was stepping back closer to me.
He raised his arm over her, preparing to let it fall and collide into her. Adrenaline pushed me to break through the pain to quickly reach out and grab her hand. Then in a swift but clumbsy motion I managed to pull her back keep him from knocking her to the ground like a ragdoll and instead into me. Despite the screaming pain in my shoulder and leg I was able to catch her as she stumbled off balance from the momentum and slick street.
A sharp groan escaped my twisted grimace as my shoulder bled out still. Then when I unmistakably felt her trembling I made the mistake of looking into her eyes again. All I could think to do was pull her close to me, shielding her at the very least as he readied his pistol.
He then reached forward, gripping her shoulder as he pulled her away from me. She tried to grip my now mostly faded crimson shirt, but it tore from his strength pulling on her.
"No!" She begged as he tossed her to the side, "Please don't do this!"
"Turn away child!" He warned as he aimed straight at my chest.
"I won't!" She shouted as she tried to grapple his arm to keep him from steadying his gun into the aim he wanted.
That is until he froze as we both heard the chilling echo through the wind of the storm raging around us.
He frowns upon his daughter
Who loves a sailor bold
Then his stone glare twisted into a sneer as he turned on her now. Tossing her back to the ground with the power of a mountain behind his arm. Then he said in an icy tone while looming over her, "Then I'll send you with him so that you do not become as the very siren my daughter is now!"
My heart raced as I scrambled to my feet as he went to aim for her. Drawing my saber with my left hand I slashed at him with the strength I had, swiping a gash in the arm he aimed with. He snarled in more rage than pain as he managed to hold his gun steady but aim back at me instead, "Die you wretched thief!"
I looked to Heart in that instant, the rain and tears on her face made my chest ache before he readied to pull the trigger. Then I glanced over her trembling form and said with a bit of a smirk, "Sorry, but I'm not breakin' her heart!"
"What?!" He mocked just before he was slammed back away from us by the flying barrel tossed at him.
"Heart get to your friend!" A deep voice ordered as a giant Puck Worldian rushed up behind her.
Heart scrambled over to me without a second thought, supporting me as I started losing my balance from the loss of blood. I tried to hold myself up against her as she held onto me. She quickly slipped her shoulder under my left arm to help hoist me up. Yet a cry of pain forced it's way from my throat as I attempted to stand with her.
"Captain!"
In seconds the the large grey drake stood over the merchant who had hit his head on the harsh ground after the initial hit. As he lay still our new companion crushed his gun under his heavy boot, "That's enough negative vibes from you!"
We both then watched with widened eyes as with the gun's dismantling did the merchant himself begin to fade away. While he did he managed to open his eyes just enough to slip something out from the pocket of his coat. A gold chain hung over his rough hands as he looked into the locket he opened and gave a sorrowful heavy sigh. We would never know what he whispered to the photo while he wept and then at last faded away, leaving the locket to crumble into dust to blow away with his lost soul.
Heart:
None of us knew what to say to this. However there wasn't much time to say much of anything. For looking to Duke I watched as he began fading in and out in an attempt to remain half standing. .
"Stay with me!" I tried to say calmly to him while keeping him up, "Where's Trent?"
"Back...at the ship..." he answered tiredly.
Turning to Grin I knew I had no choice but to ask him, "I need to get him to our ship, Trent will know what to do! Please help us?"
Without a word Grin smiled and took Duke from me with ease. He then followed me while carrying our captain through the drenched streets. During all of this it felt as though time were rushing by and standing still at once. With luck Trent saw us coming, having been stirred from hearing the gunshots not too far from the ship it appeared. Upon seeing Duke he began giving the orders we followed without quesiton. Fortunately the cabin had been repaired first, giving us a safe place to bring Duke to rest him on his own dry bed.
I was told to wait outside while Trent looked over Duke's injuries. Grin remained with us to offer assistance. Inside I could hear our captain yelling out as well as a scuffle of some sort following this. Before long I was called in as well to find Duke lying in his bed with the sheets stained red now. Trent turned to me quickly while trying to keep his own composure as he ordered, "Over here quickly now Miss Flashblade!"
I hurried over to them and listened to Trent's orders.
"I've been trying to get the bullets out so I can clean and bandage his wounds, but he won't settle down enough to let me work on him," he informed in a rushed tone, "If I can't do this he'll continue to bleed out and the wounds will become infected. I need you to try and keep him as calm as possible. We don't have pain killers or any thing else to knock him out with, so it's this or-"
"I'll do what I can," I agreed quickly while he instructed me to sit at the base of the bed.
With some assistance so not to shift him too much I carefully lifted Duke's head as he gritted his teeth, crept onto the head of the bed, and rested it back in my lap with a pillow.
"Heart?" He whispered weakly with his remaining eye barely opened.
"Shhhh, listen to me okay?" I answered softly while trying to hold myself together for him.
"Heart...I..."
"I need you to relax. I know it hurts...but please..." I instructed gently while running a hand through his hair.
Trent began working on Duke's shoulder. As he did I felt Duke tense up as he tried to wrench himself away. Grin stood ready to hold him down while I rubbed Duke's neck gently, "Captain, it's okay. Just...just listen okay? I'm not going anywhere, I'm going to see this through with you."
"That's it, keep it up," Trent encouraged as he continued his work.
My stomach turned as I noticed him working on Duke's shoulder still. Taking a deep breath of my own I refocused and looked over Duke. He was trying again to wriggle out of my grasp and Trent's tools.
"Just a bit more okay? Try to relax," I told him softly, not allowing my voice to shake, "Stay with me please?"
"Heart, why...did ya...come back?" He asked trying to fight through his pain.
"I promised to help you be free of this curse remember?" I tried to assure him.
"There!" Trent said before setting the first bullet on the table as Duke yelled out in a short a pained breath, "Now for his leg."
Trent looked to Grin now, "I need you to pin his legs down so he doesn't kick me please. Heart keep him with us."
"Got it!" Grin replied while stepping to the foot of the bed and pinning Duke's legs down with his larger hands giving him a vice like grip.
Just as Trent had said, Duke tried to pull his legs free while Trent began to work again. Yet my strong friend held his legs with that iron grip. Duke yelled out, snarling in agony as I tried to talk to him. Sweat beaded on his forehead, matting some of his feathered hair to it.
"Captain!" I pleaded while trying to steadily and gently pin his shoulders down, "Captain please listen to me! I know it hurts, but you need to do this for..." I hesitated at first, but when he tried to pull away still I heard myself beg him, allowing myself to slip in this desperate moment, "Duke please do this for me! Do this so I can stay with you!"
"Heart..." he seethed as Trent ventured further.
"I've got you with me, just relax and I won't fail you..." I insisted while running a hand gently through his hair, "Please Duke..."
I heard him attempting to steady his now rapid breaths, his firm chest rising and falling quickly. As he did this he looked up at me and attempted a smile before gritting his teeth, allowing Trent to work. When he tensed up I rested my hands carefully along his shoulder and chest to keep him as calm as I could, "I'm here with you."
With another seethed groan of pain from Duke, Trent managed to extract the second bullet. He gasped for air while trying to maintain a steady breath still.
Trent then began cleaning his wounds while I still held onto Duke. He also handed me a cloth to wash his face of the sweat and cool his forehead.
"He's lucky they didn't go through. He would be dead right now if they had. Though he isn't looking too good right now either," he admitted grimly, "He's lost a lot of blood and the cold rain hasn't helped keep his temperature up."
"What can we do?" Grin asked while Trent cut away Duke's blood soaked clothes and wrapped his cleaned wounds in bandages. As he did this I would help prop Duke up, moving him as carefully as I could so we could dress him as well. Then he had Grin bring over some fresh sheets and blankets. Grin lifted Duke up slightly for me while I helped place the new bedding beneath and over him. Then I brushed a hand smoothly over the blanket to ensure it was in place.
"Well, he needs heat," Trent said with frustration in his tone, "due to our profession we lack the ability to gain some of the newer technology that could help him. I can warm some blankets for him but it will take some time to-"
"I can help him," I spoke quickly while watching Duke nearly fade from consciousness.
"Heart?" Trent asked with his brows raised well above the brims of his spectacles.
"He needs heat right? I...I can provide that," I said, "But would you two please step out?"
They both did as I requested.
As I slipped off my rain soaked clothing I thought back on a memory from when I was a teenager. It was when I'd been drawing in my room, perhaps when they thought I wasn't home. Our father had come home shivering from a bad storm when mom ran up to him, throwing her arms around him. Other such memories passed through my head; pages in books I'd read or characters watched with mother during a romance movie, confirming how I knew this might work. Then trying not to shiver myself I quickly dressed in dry undergarments and stepped over to the bed. Duke's breathing was shallow as his now pale feathered body trembled a bit, causing me to go ahead and sit at the edge of the bed and look over him closely before proceeding. I wasn't sure how much this would work, but it was all I could think to do.
"Duke?" I asked softly while carefully pulling back the cover just slightly to slip in beside him, "Duke, it's me. Stay with me okay?"
"Heart?" He replied in a thin voice, "What are ya doin' sweetheart?"
He would in moments feel me shift as close as I could to him at his left side, being careful not to move his leg in the process. Then I carefully wrapped my arms around him, pressing my body against his, clinging to him. Once I was settled beside him, my head resting on his good shoulder I gingerly brushed my hand over his chest, keeping it in this gentle motion to create a source of warmth for him, "Please let this work..."
"Funny...didn't I offer ta warm you up...when we met?" He laughed weakly.
"Captain..." I barely warned while holding onto him.
"Sorry sweetheart," he said in a breath of a voice as he wrapped his arm under my mostly naked body, causing me to grow tense until he pulled me closer to him.
"You're tremblin'...?" He noted while I rested my head carefully against his chest now and kept my hand brushing over him as well.
"I'm scared..." I admitted while clinging to him when I heard how weak his heartbeat was.
"I wouldn't hurt ya...ya know that," he assured as his hand brushed my bare shoulder ever so slightly, but didn't venture anywhere else.
"That's not what I mean," I insisted shakily, "I'm scared...of you slipping away! I'm scared of you losing your freedom! I'm scared of you pushing me away again if we get through this! I..."
I tried to hold myself back from beginning to cry while holding him. Instead I focused on my given task as I felt him trying to respond to the given heat.
However he accidentally pushed by simply breathing, "Heart?"
"I'm scared of you being lost to us!" I finally admitted while sobbing into his chest, "So please don't give up!"
He was silent and he was still. I held my breath as I tried to listen for his feint heartbeat. Then as I clung to him still I watched as his hand slowly closed over mine, keeping it atop his heart. I instinctively clung to him still, feeling a gradual warmth washing over both of us as I did. In this growing heat I felt him shift his head slightly until his chin rested against my forehead and he whispered, "Heart...I..."
Again he was quiet for a bit, dozing off here and there to rest his injuries and regain his energy. I didn't dare move from him for fear of him slipping away.
I don't know if it was fear from being pushed away already. I couldn't say if it was a memory I barely recalled. None the less I heard myself say shakily, "Please...don't leave me again..."
At this I felt his grip grow firmer on my shoulder. Then he attempted a weak chuckle again as he held me, "Ya know...sweetheart...this is...kinda torture to me..."
His hand over mine tightened it's grasp as well, "Here I have ya...in my arms...like this...an' I don't have the energy...ta do anythin'...about it..."
In response I slowly and carefully propped myself up to look over him with eyes I knew were reddened and weary from sheer fear. He attempted another weak laugh while brushing my scarred cheek with his velvet hand, not realizing how I was reacting to his touch until he said softly, "At least...I can...still...make ya blush it seems..."
He then stroked the strands of my hair, moving them gingerly out of my face as he gave an exhausted smile.
"Heart...why do ya keep...comin' back...?" He asked me softly
While looking over him my heart pounded in my chest. Yet still the words stuck to my throat it seemed. I was afraid he would slip away. I was afraid he would pull me close only to shove me back again. I was afraid if I didn't say it I never would. However that fear won out as I trembled and gazed into his remaining brown eye.
"I made you a promise Captain..." I told him with tears betraying me as I shook.
"Heart...I'm beggin' ya darlin'...use...use my name...?" He breathed painfully while nearly drifting off again.
"Duke..." I choked out through the stress and tears, "Please...don't give up...stay with us..."
With that I leaned over him carefully and kissed his cheek, "Please...Duke..."
I almost whispered more to him. I mouthed the words, but at this point I had no voice to make them heard despite being so close to him like this. Everything crashed over my shoulders as I hugged him, trembling as I did.
Then I felt him holding me in return. His left arm gripped me with what strength he had.
"I...I won't give up...Heart..." He answered as he gently pulled me back down in his grip and rubbed my shoulder to ease my sobbing, "Please...don't cry...love..."
So instead I just held onto him, keeping him warm as I heard him drift off once more. This time his breathing stabilized, and his grasp on me eased a bit. None the less I remained there with him, too afraid to pull away from him. Yet in that shared heat I found my eyelids growing heavy as my head sank carefully against his chest as it rose and fell in a steady rythem. With his heart keeping a calm pace now I couldn't help but close my eyes as I whispered what he couldn't hear, "Duke...I...love..."
When I opened my eyes again I found Trent checking over Duke's shoulder as Grin carried in more blankets. As he noticed me waking up Trent spoke in a kindly tone I'd never heard him use before, "Very clever Miss Flashblade. Once again you've helped keep our troublesome captain here with us."
He soon realized I wasn't going to move until the room was clear again. He gave an understanding nod before turning to leave with Grin, "He's stable now, and we have plenty of warmed blankets to keep him that way. Now he just needs to rest and he should pull through just fine."
Once they'd both stepped out I very carefully began to pull away from Duke. Yet as I went to move I felt Duke's grip on my hand tighten briefly before releasing me. Once he did I slipped out of the bed and found a set of dry clothes to put on. When I was nearly finished getting dressed Trent asked to come in again. As I replied with a yes he entered and went to check on Duke's leg.
While he did this our captain began to stir. He opened his eye to see us both nearby, giving a weak smile when he did, "Hey..."
Trent responded in a light, but still scolding, tone, "You're lucky to be alive this time Captain. Might I suggest you be more careful in the future, and appreciate what you have?"
I noticed Duke glancing at me as this was said while replying tiredly, "I'll keep that in mind."
I then turned to Grin, "You should probably go back to the others. Please tell my brothers that I'm okay now, but I will be seeing this through to the end."
I paused as I looked over Duke as he drifted off to sleep again, "And possibly passed that point."
"I will give them the message young friend," he assured me in his steady and kind tone, "May you find the path that brings you both where you need to be."
With that he left. Trent also stepped out of the room again to look over the repairs done thus far.
This left me pulling up the chair from the desk over to the beside to watch over our captain a while longer. When he heard me set the chair down and take a seat he opened his remaining eye and looked at me for a moment. Then he shifted beneath the blankets a bit until his good arm was free and he was holding his hand out towards me. Taking his offer I held his hand within both of mine. Then he attempted while fighting the need to sleep a bit more, "I'm sorry...that I scared ya...Heart..."
"Just heal up...and I'll be fine..." I tried to assure him as I brushed a hand through the front of his feathered hair.
His grasp on my hand tightened again as he pushed, "...Heart...why did...why did ya come back?"
I couldn't bring myself to even whisper in return, though I knew I was responding to him still. Instead I just gripped his hand tighter and remained beside him as he drifted back out. When I knew he was sound asleep again I only risked brushing my lips against his velvet fingers, holding his hand tightly to keep it warm still. At least that's what I tried to to tell myself.