A/N - here's is the next exciting chapter! I have no clue what else to say..but thanxz for all the reviews!
Chapter 21
"Of course," John replied smirking at his friend. "I think you'll be most pleased to meet him Dodson. This is my good friend Ryan."
All the noise that had started up in the inn again died. Every head turned and stared the table. The return of Bo--John was expected. Everyone knew he would return in due time, and they had all forgiven him for his careless ness, but no one expected to ever again see Ryan. Dodson was the one who was in the most shock. He stared at his son, wondering if it was really him, and why he was dressed as a pirate! Wasn't he suppose to be working with Daylynn in whatever she had been doing.
Noah, who had been sitting with his friends the entire time everything was going on, rose and walked to stand by his father's right shoulder, to see a better view of what his oldest brother looked like. John stared at him, wondering who he was.
"Christian?" standing and staring at him
Noah shook his head in replied "Noah," he croaked.
"NOAH!" John replied happily. He dove around his fathers chair and embraced his younger brother in a giant hug. Noah stood stunned while his breath was slowly squeezed out of him, until he pushed his brother away, smiled and took a good look at him. John was a good three or four inches taller that Noah, but other than looking older the two looked almost exactly alike. Noah was very happy to see his brother, and before he knew what he was doing, he was hugging his brother just as fiercely as he had been hugged moments before. The two guys stared laughing, and would hug each other every few seconds. They sat down on their father's left, who had tears in his eyes at the sight of two of his son's reunited, and the thought that his third son would be home soon as well.
Ryan stood and walked around the table to stand in front of his father, who had turned in his chair to face him. Dodson had his mouth hanging open, and was gaping at the handsome young man his son had become. Ryan spread his arms wide, letting his father look his over.
"Well?" Ryan asked looking down at him, hoping he made his father proud.
"Thank Mithros you're back!" Dodson cried jumping up from his chair and embracing his son "I had hoped the letter had been real, but then I thought it wasn't, and thank you Mithros!"
Ryan hugged his father and was near tears himself. When Dodson finally let go of his son, which wasn't for another twenty minutes, he still kept one arm on him, as he ushered him into the empty seat next to him.
"So tell us boys," Heith asked when they had all received ales. "What have you been doing lately?"
"And most importantly," Dodson commented as well "What are you doing dressed as pirates?"
"Well…" John started a little worried about replying, "We're dressed like this…er…piratey, I guess you could say…because we are pirates."
Dodson and Heith gaped at their sons, along with the rest of the bar. Heith immediately slapped the table and ordered the men to be about their business, and they all turned their heads, starting back into their conversations. John gave a small chuckle and let Ryan do most of the talking, putting in his comments every once in a while.
"What do you mean, your pirates!" Dodson asked keeping his mug hovering in front of his face where he was about to drink it.
"Careful, you'll spill" Ryan warned his father before he tipped it so far over that it spilled. "Well, when mum made me leave Corus, I was really angry at her. I had friends in the Rogue and wasn't ready to leave. So I complained the entire time we left. I complained whenever we stopped in a town, and once yelled to the entire market that she was kidnapping me. I certainly didn't make it fun for her. I was too young and ignorant then to think of listening to the towns that we stopped in, or pay attention to which direction we were going. When she finally settled in Pearlmouth, next to the border of Tyra, I started asking around in the town. Where we were located, how far we were from Corus, if we were even in Tortall. I learned a lot from them. I even made friends with the boys at the town pub, where there was also a Rogue, which I might add Heith is very loyal to you. They agreed to smuggle letters to John for me, in return for work. Because I was well trained as a thief, they let me steal in the town, and most of the times I would grab some from mother, as a sort of revenge. She never knew what I was doing all day, she was just thankful I was out of her sight.
"I grew tired of living with…mo-Daylynn…quite easily, and she grew tired of me. We argued excessively, never missing a conversation to yell at each other. I grew even angrier at her when she…um…when she…" Ryan stopped talking and stared at his father, not sure if he should finish his sentence
"I already know…" Dodson replied crossing his arms and staring off into space.
"What?" Noah asked perking up and looking around at all the men sitting there "What happened?"
"My mum took a lover." Ryan finished continuing. "Last I heard they had two children. I never stayed to see if she had any more. I left, mostly because I couldn't stand her, her lover, or their children, and mostly because I wanted to see home again, and be with my real father and my friends. So I ran away, telling the Rogue of course. By then I was ten-years-old or so, and Ryan and I were still in touch. They helped me smuggle aboard a pirate ship, heading north towards Corus, along with a man who was posing as one of the pirate. I was going to hide out in his barracks and he would bring me food and such, until we reached close enough to Corus, where I could find another means of transportation to Corus. Unfortunately our…or I should say my…plans were ruined. The man I was traveling with betrayed me. He told the crew I had smuggled my way in and was hiding, trying to get a free ride. They took me before the captain, who was a merciless man, and I told my half of the story. All of it, including before I came to Pearlmouth.
"Thankfully the captain believed me, and the man who betrayed me was killed. I then had a choice, to either follow in his footsteps, or swear loyalty to the captain, and become a pirate. I had come to far to loose my life already, so I became a pirate, and they became my family. I loved being a pirate, and the captain became my second father. He treated me as his son, because he had never had any, and life became great.
"Although I was treated as his son, I was also worked rather hard. I had to get up earlier than the other every morning, and clean the deck of the ship, as well as help the cook below serve breakfast. Then I was worked all day at the jobs no once else wanted, but it was worth it. By the time we had come near enough to Corus, I was twelve, and I didn't want to leave. John and I had stayed in contact and he had informed me of the things that had been going on, things were going fine, so I decided to stay. The captain welcomed me with open arms, as did many of my fellow pirates.
"We sailed all around the Emerald Ocean and the Great Inland Sea, stealing from who we wanted and sinking ships. I knew what we were doing was wrong, but it reminded me of the Rogue. Doing something wrong, yet knowing in some way it was right. So I lived as a pirate for most of my life, keeping in contact with John by various means. Then when I was sixteen, John wrote me telling me about what happened to the little boy. He was really ashamed, so he came and lived with me. I explained the situation to the captain and he was happy to have another hand, as we had just lost most of the men in a battle against another band of pirates.
"A few years later, when we were sailing in the Emerald Ocean, we were attacked by that same band of pirates. Three-fourths of the crew was killed, including the captain. Most of the others fled. The ship survived, but barley. Thankfully, I had sent all the money I ever earned to the Rogue in Pearlmouth. John and I, along with the five other pirates left, were able to sail it to the coast, without having that many disasters…"
He trailed off as John started to laugh. "Not that many disasters eh! What about the holes, the fire, the infestation of bugs, no wind, the sea serpent, the griffons, the tornado, sea sickness…"
"That's quite enough," Ryan said with a small chuckle.
"Oh! You don't want me to bring up the fact that you got sea sickness halfway there, do you!" John replied quite loud, taking a sip of ale while the thieves around him, who had not completely gone back to their own conversations, laughed.
"Can it John!" Ryan hissed continuing "as I was saying. After we made it back to Pearlmouth, I collected all my savings from one of my friends at the Rogue, and we went about repairing the ship, in honor of the dead captain. It took us quite some time to repair it, many months in fact, and right before we were to set sail, I went to visit Daylynn. She was sick then, more sick than I had ever seen her. I felt really bad for her, abandoning her all those years ago. So that was when I wrote you the first letter father, and gave instructions to her oldest son of her seven children, because her lover had died a year or so ago, to write to you here at the Rogue, if she should get worse. I left her then, and wrote telling you that I was coming home.
"We left Pearlmouth that night, and sailed around. I became captain and John my right hand man. I gathered a crew and lived out the dream of the previous captain, to sail forever. John and I decided to return home after your last letter, the one mentioning…er…mentioning…Mithros I forgot her name!"
"Rovin," Noah whispered guessing he was talking about his sister that he hadn't seen in almost ten or so years. How anyone could forget her name was beyond him.
"Rovin," Ryan whispered as well "Mithros how I've missed her. I can hardly remember what she looked like. I remember she was fairly tall, brownish-blondish hair. That's all I can remember of her. Nothing more, and nothing less."
There was silence running throughout the inn now. The thieves who had been listening, turned back to their own conversations, and this time they really did try to ignore what the head table said. Dodson stared at his hands, which he held in fists on top of the table. Heith started to stroke his chin, while Noah crossed his arms over his chest, as both of them stared into the fire. John himself knew something was wrong and stared at his friend, who looked like he had been slapped.
"What's wrong?" Ryan asked his father "Where's Rovin?"
No one answered, until Ryan heard a small voice behind him. He turned in his chair and looked down at a young boy, no older than he had been when he mother left with him.
"What did you say?" he asked
"She's gone ." the boy replied
"She didn't…but she…how?" Ryan replied becoming worried, of a sister he barley remembered. He turned to look at his father "She's not dead is she?"
"Of course not," Dodson replied quietly
"Might as well be…" Noah muttered
"Someone want to explain what's going on here?" Ryan almost yelled "Where is my younger sister!"
"She's at the palace…" came a voice by the stairs. Ryan turned to see Candle standing there with his arms crossed. Candle pushed off from where he stood and stalked over to the table. "She chose a noble, instead of Noah, and left with him, to no doubt marry him and live in the palace. You can find her there, although I doubt you'd want to."
"And who're you?" Ryan asked standing up and out beating Candle's height by four or five inches.
"Candle, one of Rovin's best friends."
"Right…" Ryan replied as he sat down next to Noah.
"As I was saying," Candle finished "Rovin left, and I doubt any of us will ever see her again. Bad timing mate."
"I'm not going to stand for this!" Ryan yelled standing up with such force that his chair fell over. "Part of the reason I came back was because of her. I'm going to make up for all those years I wasn't here, half against my will. C'mon John, we're going to get her back." he headed for the door, making sure his sword was still at his side, and his three daggers were securely hidden.
John got up and started following his friend, knowing he may one day need his help in return, and part of the reason he came here was to see Rovin as well, and return her bracelet. Candle stood and followed the two as well, and after a moment's hesitation Noah followed as well.
"Mithros help them." Heith muttered as the four shut the door behind them.
Chapter 21
"Of course," John replied smirking at his friend. "I think you'll be most pleased to meet him Dodson. This is my good friend Ryan."
All the noise that had started up in the inn again died. Every head turned and stared the table. The return of Bo--John was expected. Everyone knew he would return in due time, and they had all forgiven him for his careless ness, but no one expected to ever again see Ryan. Dodson was the one who was in the most shock. He stared at his son, wondering if it was really him, and why he was dressed as a pirate! Wasn't he suppose to be working with Daylynn in whatever she had been doing.
Noah, who had been sitting with his friends the entire time everything was going on, rose and walked to stand by his father's right shoulder, to see a better view of what his oldest brother looked like. John stared at him, wondering who he was.
"Christian?" standing and staring at him
Noah shook his head in replied "Noah," he croaked.
"NOAH!" John replied happily. He dove around his fathers chair and embraced his younger brother in a giant hug. Noah stood stunned while his breath was slowly squeezed out of him, until he pushed his brother away, smiled and took a good look at him. John was a good three or four inches taller that Noah, but other than looking older the two looked almost exactly alike. Noah was very happy to see his brother, and before he knew what he was doing, he was hugging his brother just as fiercely as he had been hugged moments before. The two guys stared laughing, and would hug each other every few seconds. They sat down on their father's left, who had tears in his eyes at the sight of two of his son's reunited, and the thought that his third son would be home soon as well.
Ryan stood and walked around the table to stand in front of his father, who had turned in his chair to face him. Dodson had his mouth hanging open, and was gaping at the handsome young man his son had become. Ryan spread his arms wide, letting his father look his over.
"Well?" Ryan asked looking down at him, hoping he made his father proud.
"Thank Mithros you're back!" Dodson cried jumping up from his chair and embracing his son "I had hoped the letter had been real, but then I thought it wasn't, and thank you Mithros!"
Ryan hugged his father and was near tears himself. When Dodson finally let go of his son, which wasn't for another twenty minutes, he still kept one arm on him, as he ushered him into the empty seat next to him.
"So tell us boys," Heith asked when they had all received ales. "What have you been doing lately?"
"And most importantly," Dodson commented as well "What are you doing dressed as pirates?"
"Well…" John started a little worried about replying, "We're dressed like this…er…piratey, I guess you could say…because we are pirates."
Dodson and Heith gaped at their sons, along with the rest of the bar. Heith immediately slapped the table and ordered the men to be about their business, and they all turned their heads, starting back into their conversations. John gave a small chuckle and let Ryan do most of the talking, putting in his comments every once in a while.
"What do you mean, your pirates!" Dodson asked keeping his mug hovering in front of his face where he was about to drink it.
"Careful, you'll spill" Ryan warned his father before he tipped it so far over that it spilled. "Well, when mum made me leave Corus, I was really angry at her. I had friends in the Rogue and wasn't ready to leave. So I complained the entire time we left. I complained whenever we stopped in a town, and once yelled to the entire market that she was kidnapping me. I certainly didn't make it fun for her. I was too young and ignorant then to think of listening to the towns that we stopped in, or pay attention to which direction we were going. When she finally settled in Pearlmouth, next to the border of Tyra, I started asking around in the town. Where we were located, how far we were from Corus, if we were even in Tortall. I learned a lot from them. I even made friends with the boys at the town pub, where there was also a Rogue, which I might add Heith is very loyal to you. They agreed to smuggle letters to John for me, in return for work. Because I was well trained as a thief, they let me steal in the town, and most of the times I would grab some from mother, as a sort of revenge. She never knew what I was doing all day, she was just thankful I was out of her sight.
"I grew tired of living with…mo-Daylynn…quite easily, and she grew tired of me. We argued excessively, never missing a conversation to yell at each other. I grew even angrier at her when she…um…when she…" Ryan stopped talking and stared at his father, not sure if he should finish his sentence
"I already know…" Dodson replied crossing his arms and staring off into space.
"What?" Noah asked perking up and looking around at all the men sitting there "What happened?"
"My mum took a lover." Ryan finished continuing. "Last I heard they had two children. I never stayed to see if she had any more. I left, mostly because I couldn't stand her, her lover, or their children, and mostly because I wanted to see home again, and be with my real father and my friends. So I ran away, telling the Rogue of course. By then I was ten-years-old or so, and Ryan and I were still in touch. They helped me smuggle aboard a pirate ship, heading north towards Corus, along with a man who was posing as one of the pirate. I was going to hide out in his barracks and he would bring me food and such, until we reached close enough to Corus, where I could find another means of transportation to Corus. Unfortunately our…or I should say my…plans were ruined. The man I was traveling with betrayed me. He told the crew I had smuggled my way in and was hiding, trying to get a free ride. They took me before the captain, who was a merciless man, and I told my half of the story. All of it, including before I came to Pearlmouth.
"Thankfully the captain believed me, and the man who betrayed me was killed. I then had a choice, to either follow in his footsteps, or swear loyalty to the captain, and become a pirate. I had come to far to loose my life already, so I became a pirate, and they became my family. I loved being a pirate, and the captain became my second father. He treated me as his son, because he had never had any, and life became great.
"Although I was treated as his son, I was also worked rather hard. I had to get up earlier than the other every morning, and clean the deck of the ship, as well as help the cook below serve breakfast. Then I was worked all day at the jobs no once else wanted, but it was worth it. By the time we had come near enough to Corus, I was twelve, and I didn't want to leave. John and I had stayed in contact and he had informed me of the things that had been going on, things were going fine, so I decided to stay. The captain welcomed me with open arms, as did many of my fellow pirates.
"We sailed all around the Emerald Ocean and the Great Inland Sea, stealing from who we wanted and sinking ships. I knew what we were doing was wrong, but it reminded me of the Rogue. Doing something wrong, yet knowing in some way it was right. So I lived as a pirate for most of my life, keeping in contact with John by various means. Then when I was sixteen, John wrote me telling me about what happened to the little boy. He was really ashamed, so he came and lived with me. I explained the situation to the captain and he was happy to have another hand, as we had just lost most of the men in a battle against another band of pirates.
"A few years later, when we were sailing in the Emerald Ocean, we were attacked by that same band of pirates. Three-fourths of the crew was killed, including the captain. Most of the others fled. The ship survived, but barley. Thankfully, I had sent all the money I ever earned to the Rogue in Pearlmouth. John and I, along with the five other pirates left, were able to sail it to the coast, without having that many disasters…"
He trailed off as John started to laugh. "Not that many disasters eh! What about the holes, the fire, the infestation of bugs, no wind, the sea serpent, the griffons, the tornado, sea sickness…"
"That's quite enough," Ryan said with a small chuckle.
"Oh! You don't want me to bring up the fact that you got sea sickness halfway there, do you!" John replied quite loud, taking a sip of ale while the thieves around him, who had not completely gone back to their own conversations, laughed.
"Can it John!" Ryan hissed continuing "as I was saying. After we made it back to Pearlmouth, I collected all my savings from one of my friends at the Rogue, and we went about repairing the ship, in honor of the dead captain. It took us quite some time to repair it, many months in fact, and right before we were to set sail, I went to visit Daylynn. She was sick then, more sick than I had ever seen her. I felt really bad for her, abandoning her all those years ago. So that was when I wrote you the first letter father, and gave instructions to her oldest son of her seven children, because her lover had died a year or so ago, to write to you here at the Rogue, if she should get worse. I left her then, and wrote telling you that I was coming home.
"We left Pearlmouth that night, and sailed around. I became captain and John my right hand man. I gathered a crew and lived out the dream of the previous captain, to sail forever. John and I decided to return home after your last letter, the one mentioning…er…mentioning…Mithros I forgot her name!"
"Rovin," Noah whispered guessing he was talking about his sister that he hadn't seen in almost ten or so years. How anyone could forget her name was beyond him.
"Rovin," Ryan whispered as well "Mithros how I've missed her. I can hardly remember what she looked like. I remember she was fairly tall, brownish-blondish hair. That's all I can remember of her. Nothing more, and nothing less."
There was silence running throughout the inn now. The thieves who had been listening, turned back to their own conversations, and this time they really did try to ignore what the head table said. Dodson stared at his hands, which he held in fists on top of the table. Heith started to stroke his chin, while Noah crossed his arms over his chest, as both of them stared into the fire. John himself knew something was wrong and stared at his friend, who looked like he had been slapped.
"What's wrong?" Ryan asked his father "Where's Rovin?"
No one answered, until Ryan heard a small voice behind him. He turned in his chair and looked down at a young boy, no older than he had been when he mother left with him.
"What did you say?" he asked
"She's gone ." the boy replied
"She didn't…but she…how?" Ryan replied becoming worried, of a sister he barley remembered. He turned to look at his father "She's not dead is she?"
"Of course not," Dodson replied quietly
"Might as well be…" Noah muttered
"Someone want to explain what's going on here?" Ryan almost yelled "Where is my younger sister!"
"She's at the palace…" came a voice by the stairs. Ryan turned to see Candle standing there with his arms crossed. Candle pushed off from where he stood and stalked over to the table. "She chose a noble, instead of Noah, and left with him, to no doubt marry him and live in the palace. You can find her there, although I doubt you'd want to."
"And who're you?" Ryan asked standing up and out beating Candle's height by four or five inches.
"Candle, one of Rovin's best friends."
"Right…" Ryan replied as he sat down next to Noah.
"As I was saying," Candle finished "Rovin left, and I doubt any of us will ever see her again. Bad timing mate."
"I'm not going to stand for this!" Ryan yelled standing up with such force that his chair fell over. "Part of the reason I came back was because of her. I'm going to make up for all those years I wasn't here, half against my will. C'mon John, we're going to get her back." he headed for the door, making sure his sword was still at his side, and his three daggers were securely hidden.
John got up and started following his friend, knowing he may one day need his help in return, and part of the reason he came here was to see Rovin as well, and return her bracelet. Candle stood and followed the two as well, and after a moment's hesitation Noah followed as well.
"Mithros help them." Heith muttered as the four shut the door behind them.