Kel made her way through the cobbled streets of Port Caynn, towards the dock. Dom rode not far behind her.
She tried to still her beating heart. She couldn't be afraid; it wasn't like she was doing anything now besides talking to the owner of a shipping company to try to get information out of him. Maybe…maybe she could figure out something.
Kel let out a sigh as she left the man's office. He had given her no information; he had hardly even cared. What was she to do?
A voice sounded behind her. She turned to face Dom, trying to erase the disappointment, the fear from her features. What would happen to him?
Dom seemed to notice, no matter how hard she tried to wipe it away. He, however, looked…well, looked almost cheerful.
"What is it?" She asked, almost tersely.
He just grinned, his bright blue eyes flashing. "I had an idea…Baron George of Pirates' Swoop is said to know everyone of the thieving sort…maybe he knows of, or at least knows someone who knows, these pirates and where to find them."
She nodded. "Yes, lets try that. We have no other leads, we might as well." A sigh escaped her lips.
Dom knew that she wasn't meaning what she had said as an insult. She was just tired. He understood, and for that reason, just smiled and gestured for her to continue down the road to where they would meet up with the rest of Third Company.
It took only two days to get to the Swoop from Port Caynn. For that, Kel was relieved. They couldn't take too long for things like this. They didn't have the time. Already three days had been lost. Only fifteen left…and she had to find him, had to bring him back.
They rode up to the large wall that surrounded the place, and Kel looked up at it, awe clearly written on her face. Despite her emotions over the past few weeks, nothing could change the feeling she got in side of her to see it. This was the Lioness's home.
After being cleared by the Gate Guard, they rode into the courtyard and dismounted. Life bustled around them; hostlers from the stables came up to take the reigns from them, servants asked if they needed assistance, dogs ran around, barking wildly, as their care takers tried to once more gather them.
A loud, wry sounding voice said, "Well, this is interestin'…the only one who creates this much of a mess coming home is my wife. And since you are a little too tall to be her, who would you would be?" He gazed around at the group questioningly.
Kel stepped up. "I'm Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan, my lord." She bowed politely before continuing, "I believe we've met before. Third Company and I are to ask for your help."
He nodded, recognizing her. "Well, why don't you and your men come in and join us for dinner…Third Company can join the guards, and you can join my daughter," he gestured to the girl behind him, "and I."
She nodded her head. "Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle," she pointed to the sergeant, who was currently helping with the catching of the dogs, "will also need to be there to discuss it."
The Baron smiled. "Then by all means, he may join us."
They sat down at a long table. The servants soon came filing out, placing steaming plates of food on it. Kel's stomach growled, and she blushed lightly. The baron just laughed. "You had a hard ride, lass. We'll discuss whatever is on your mind later. Right now, dig in."
She followed his orders, hesitantly accepting the tray of meat passed to her and taking off a few slices. Quickly, she filled the rest of her plate, enjoying the peaceful time for the moment.
Once dinner was done and the plates were cleared, the baron leaned back in his chair. "Now, would you like to tell me what this is about?"
Nodding, Kel began. "A few weeks ago, Nealan of Queenscove departed for the Yamani Islands. Recently, he took a ship home, only to be captured by pirates sometime during the voyage." She informed the man, voice emotionless. She couldn't afford emotion now.
"Nealan of Queenscove, you said? Well…." He paused for a moment, as if deep in thought. "This is interesting," Baron George said finally. "Am I correct in guessing you came to me because you believed I could help find the pirates, thereby finding the lost knight?"
Kel and Dom nodded their heads.
"Well, we'll have to look around, try and find some things out." He said. "You will have to stay a while. How long do you have to find him?" When told the answer, he gave them a small smile. "It might come close, but we'll get him back in the time allowed. Now, why don't we go up to my office and take a look at the map?"
He began to walk up the stairs, leaving the two to follow.
Once in his spacious office, they all took a seat around the desk as the Baron pulled out a map and set it out. "Show me the route the ship took back," he ordered as he took out an inkwell and pen.
Kel traced the route the owner had shown her.
He let out a whistle. "There are several possibilities here," They paused and looked up, surprised. Seeing their looks, he continued, "You see, most common pirates prefer to live on deserted islands. They have a much larger food supply, and for the most part no one knows they are there. They can also get to the ships they rob more easily, being right on the water. There are several islands around this route, however." He let out a sigh. "Do you know if it was a large pirate group, or a smaller one?"
Dom swallowed. "No, my lord," he informed the baron.
"George," he corrected, as if by reflex. "No sense botherin' with the 'my lord' nonsense if we're gonna be working together, is there?" he let out another sigh. "Well, it will be more troublesome to find them like this, but you can search all of the islands right in that area…that'll take awhile, but its your best bet. Try the larger islands first; pirates have to choose places to live that can easily provide for them when they can't do so for themselves. A large island has more to offer."
They both nodded wearily.
George seemed to notice their tired state. "Why don't you go to your rooms now, and we can discuss it more in the mornin?" He offered. Before giving them time to answer, he rang a bell that would call a servant to him.
A woman stepped into the room not moments later. "Yes?"
"Maude, would you be so kind as to show these two to two of the guest quarters?" He asked before turning back to them. "Third Company has already been shown to where they could sleep…they'll be fine. I'll see you both at breakfast." He shooed them out of the room, a small smile on his face.
Kel and Dom thanked their host before following the woman to their rooms, both trying to suppress their yawns.