Child of Destruction
Author: Chaos Valkyrie
First Conceptualized: December 12, 2003
Posted Chapter 02: February 5, 2004
Updated: December 22, 2005
Disclaimer: I looked through the game booklet, and I see that they forgot to put my name in it. I guess that means I don't own it.
Author's Notes: Since all my other stories are ahead of this one, I put them ALL on hold to write this chapter. Which was quite difficult, because all those Plot Bunnies from the other three stories were very disgruntled that I was ignoring them. Anywho, here's my newest chapter! I do know where this story is going, but this chapter was sort of a bridge chapter, and hence, a little more difficult to write. I hope you like it!
Chapter Two: A Chance Meeting
"This is fantastic!" Geru shouted, climbing part way up the railing at the bow of the ship. Iris laughed as Claire pulled the exuberant boy back down.
"I don't care if Water is your element – you are not falling off the side of this boat," Claire told him. He stuck his tongue out at her in reply.
"Yes, Mother," he sneered, rolling his eyes. Claire glared at him sternly before chuckling herself.
The little family had quickly left Deningrad after packing their few belongings. Fearful of pursuit, they had hiked through the Evergreen Forest in the dead of night, hoping to avoid detection. After a couple of days of traveling in darkness, they arrived in Furni in the early morning. From there, they managed to buy three tickets for the ferry that would eventually take them to Tiberoa.
They instantly boarded the ferry, the Princess Buttercup, and hid in their cabin on board. Iris kept look out while the others slept – she did not notice the strange Wingly come on board himself, for which she was grateful.
Now they were three days out at sea, and thoroughly enjoying the freedom that the cruise provided them. Their meals were covered by the boat fare, and so all three ate heartily at mealtimes, enjoying the rich fare while it lasted.
Iris kept her eyes open, however. She felt uneasy, despite her newly-gained powers. The Wingly may not be on board, but she had the strongest feeling that they hadn't seen the last of him…
"I'm going to go check out the hot springs, Iris," Claire said, leading Geru through the busy marketplace in the port of Fueno. Iris nodded before waving at the retreating pair. It was the sixth day of their cruise, and they had docked at Fueno so that the ship could restock supplies. Meanwhile, Iris decided that she would restock their empty purse… and this busy marketplace was the perfect place to do so.
Iris picked her targets with care – a drunken sailor, a richly dressed gentleman, another women with several children. None noticed the sudden lightness in their pockets as Iris passed them by. Some of the other pickpockets that Iris had seen in Deningrad were so shoddy – they'd "accidentally" run into a target and wildly snatch at the purse before running off. Iris preferred to carefully watch a target and brush past like a shadow – a thief unseen is a thief never caught.
Of course, Fueno was providing some challenge to her skills. She was forced to go without her cloak here – Fueno was a remarkably warm port, due to the hot springs. Having lived in the perpetual cold of Deningrad, Iris felt slightly overheated. Walking around in nothing but her lightest winter clothes, Iris was more exposed – her movements had to be more carefully planned and executed to avoid detection. Of course, she reasoned, it also made the wallets much easier to find.
She parted the coinage from her latest catch and tossed the now-empty purse off the edge of the pier. Disposal of evidence equals no proof that this money belongs to anyone else. Iris sighed happily. People here were so stupid about their money that this was almost like stealing from toddlers.
Iris chose an empty alley and quickly estimated her catch. Hmmm, just enough to go shopping. She smiled to herself, and quickly left to patrol the busy square, hoping to make some surprise purchases before the others returned.
"Your Highness, are you sure you don't wish to return to the cabin?" a voice panted from beside Andres, Prince of Bale. Andres turned and smiled down at his squire, a blond-haired youth named Darrin.
"Are you tired already, Darrin? And I thought I told you to just call me Andres?" the taller man gently reminded him. Darrin blushed and stammered an apology. Andres laughed it away, brushing his long brown hair from his eyes. For being the son of the King of Bale, Andres was dressed plainly, trying to hide his identity in public. Only a trained eye could tell the richness of his garb, for all its lack of decoration. However, only a simpleton would mistake him for a commoner – perhaps it was his kingly air, the way he held his head high, or his willingness to look people in the eyes rather than shy away from confrontation. Of course, Andres didn't realize his posture gave his identity away, but the people about him treated him with great respect because of it.
"But Your Hig– I mean, Andres, you've been walking about all morning! Can't we go back to the ship now?" Darrin complained. Andres laughed again.
"Go back, by all means! I'll be all right on my own, Darrin," Andres told his squire. Darrin stood there, torn between duty and blisters. Andres waved him on, and Darrin shot off in the direction of the ship. Andres chuckled to himself as he continued to explore the city.
Fueno fascinated the prince – of course, anything new fascinated him. Andres was always eager to learn – he had just returned from the library at Deningrad, after spending weeks browsing among the thousands of books contain within. Andres sighed – so much knowledge to be had, so little time to acquire it.
Andres strolled through the town, back towards the port where his ship was docked. The marketplace was huge, the town having exploded in growth over the course of the last hundred years. Fueno was now a major trade town, having thrived since Andres' ancestor had helped free it from both a cursed ship and a misguided sea-dragon. Andres sighed. So much to live up to…
His thoughts were interrupted by something hitting him quite hard. Or rather, someone. Andres reached out automatically to catch the girl… correction, woman… who had run into him. His bright green eyes met her startled bluish-grey eyes, before he heard her gasp. Andres looked down to see the girl dart about, trying to pick up her scattered purchases. Andres quickly knelt and helped her, earning an approving glare from her.
"Clothing… and fruit?" he asked curiously as he helped her pick up the last of her scattered purchases. The woman hugged the packages to her tightly.
"They're gifts," she told him in her commanding voice. He blinked. She smirked at him. "Thank you for your help, and I'm sorry if I injured you," she said, before turning around and disappearing into the crowd. Andres just looked after her in shock, until he felt a pulsing sensation from his breast-pocket. He pulled out the glowing green stone, then stared after the woman again, thoughtfully. He smiled, knowing that they would meet again… and perhaps then he could get back his wallet which she had just so casually lifted from him.
Iris laughed to herself as she sat on the railing in the port bow of the docked ship, watching the milling crowds below. She was quite pleased with herself, having gotten presents for her family. And with having lifted one wallet that repaid her for all her purchases. She fingered the smooth leather of the purse, then opened it up yet again. She had already transferred the cash to her own purse, but she couldn't bring herself to throw this one away for some reason. The purse had not only contained a nice sum of money, but also a signet ring of some sort, gold etched with an emerald dragon. She knew it was foolish to keep such incriminating evidence, but something made her hold on to it.
"Hey, Iris!" she looked up to see Geru and Claire pushing through the crowds below. Iris waved, then giggled as they came nearer to the ship. She couldn't wait to see their faces…
A few minutes later, the small family was gathered in their small cabin below decks. Iris made sure that both were seated before she handed them each a plain, brown paper wrapped package. Geru tore into his with glee, while Claire eyed her curiously before slitting her own package open.
"Awesome, Iris!" Geru shouted, pulling out the new clothing within. Claire gasped as she opened her own package as well. Iris was quite pleased with their reactions, watching them like a very smug cat. She had scoured the markets until she found the perfect clothing for each of them. For Geru, she had purchased some light blue pants and a darker blue sleeveless tunic, along with some combat shoes and some finger-less gloves. For Claire, she had found some slacks and a short-sleeved tunic in a brilliant shade of violet, complemented by a red sash and hair ribbon. She had found some light combat shoes for her as well.
Geru jumped up, dancing around as he exclaimed over his new clothes. Claire reached over and hugged Iris, before sternly asking, "I hope you got something for yourself as well." Iris laughed, pulling out her own package. Claire smiled then, pushing Geru into the hall as she and Iris changed into their new clothes. Geru could be heard complaining outside, so Iris tossed him an apple from another hidden sack, which very effectively silenced him.
They let the munching boy back into the room as Claire tied her hair back with the red ribbon and as Iris laced up her new dancer's shoes. She had purchased for herself a tunic with long bell sleeves in a deep purple that looked almost black. A new black leather belt circled her waist above a short black skirt. Iris and Claire moved into the hallway as the boy quickly changed clothes, then the three headed upstairs to watch the ship leave port.
The three stood in the bow in their new clothing, watching the sun set as the boat pulled out of the harbor. Iris sighed, smiling at her surrogate family as they bickered good-naturedly between themselves. She shook her head, laughing at the 'mother hen' and 'chick', both of whom glared at her before joining in.
"We had better go get dinner before they stop serving," Claire told them, and the trio turned to head inside. Iris looked over the boat, and her eyes widened as she looked up towards a higher deck on the ship. The brown haired man from earlier in the day stood there, staring out at sea. She gulped as he turned his eyes to hers and merely smiled before disappearing into one of the doorways behind him.
"Iris, come on! Before Geru eats everything," Claire called.
"Hey!" Geru's voice called, and Iris smiled reluctantly before joining them inside.
End Notes: Personally, I couldn't resist that name for the ship… Queen Fury to the Princess Buttercup… I guess I should say I don't own The Princess Bride either. And I'm sorry if Andres sounds like a sap right now – but he's Albert's and Emille's descendant, if you couldn't guess, and so I had to get the geekiness out of his system this chapter. He'll get better, I promise.