NnK2: A Light in the Dark

by Power Optix

A retelling and novelisation, in which I work out all of my problems with the story of Ni no Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom, as well as some of its characters. Significant alterations to some parts of the plot, lore and backstory, as well as some characters and the roll they play to follow. Some concepts from the first game are returning. Temporarily on hiatus because I am STUCK! T T

8. Chapter 6: The Sky Pirates of Cloudcoil

A/N: I may have got a bit creative with the pirates' dialect.

Chapter 6: The Kingdom to Come Part 3: The Sky Pirates of Cloudcoil Canyon

"Huh." Roland frowned deeply before handing it back. "Looks like someone noticed after all."

"This is awful," Aranella breathed, her expression one of anguish and both hands clutched to her chest in horror. "It's so much worse than I'd thought."

"I can't believe Mausinger would do such a thing," Evan mumbled. He looked quietly horrified and his gaze was lowered to the dusty ground at his feet.

"So now you understand my concern," said Old Tom. He shook his head as he continued, "This is not about revenge, Mr Roland. King Mausinger will be – without a doubt – the worst tyrant Ding Dong Dell has ever seen."

"Maybe from your perspective," Roland replied flatly, an eyebrow raised in skepticism. "But I'm sure the mice could name plenty of cat kings who were as bad if not worse than whatever Mausinger's gonna be like."

"Oh well that's all right then," Aranella remarked sarcastically, hands going to her hips. "So long as there have been tyrant kings in the past, that makes Mausinger's tyranny just fine."

"Again that's not what I'm saying," he replied, shaking his head. "It's definitely a problem, but not one we're able to deal with right now."

"So you want him to walk away?"

He turned to face her directly, his posture becoming a mirror of hers. "As opposed to what, Aranella?" He demanded, irritation bubbling over into his tone. "Running back to Ding Dong Dell," he continued, throwing a hand in the kingdom's direction, "so he can get himself killed? Or maybe," he folded his arms and leant forward, "you'd prefer him to kill Mausinger so he can stir up the worst civil war Ding Dong Dell has ever seen?"

"STOP!" All eyes were on Evan. Though he had just shouted, his gaze was still on the ground before him and his fists were clenched. He gulped and took a breath. "I know… I know what Mausinger did… what he will do is wrong… but I… I just… I want to make a place where everyone can be happy. Where there won't be anymore fighting and where no one," he shook his head, "will get hurt. And… where there won't be any people like him…" He looked up, his expression now pleading. "Is that really… a bad thing?"

They exchanged looks and Roland shrugged. "Is it? Let Evan build a new kingdom. The mice can have what they want, and we can give a new home to everyone else, even if that means having to rescue them first. How does that sound?"

Aranella looked away, her expression souring. "That sounds like giving up on Ding Dong Dell."

He heaved a sigh of both frustration and disappointment and let his head fall. "… There's no pleasing you is there?"

She turned back to face him, her eyebrows knitting in concern. "Ding Dong Dell was my home, Roland. I have friends I left behind. Friends who will be suffering under Mausinger's rule."

Roland's expression and posture softened at that. "I know…" He replied, relenting. "But listen." He spread his hands, "I really think we'd need to gather some allies first before we're in a position to do anything about him, and the best way to do that is as a brand new kingdom. But that will also mean that Evan will have to renounce his claim to Ding Dong Dell at the same time." He shook his head, "The Kingmaker's not gonna want to sign up with us otherwise."

"Please, Aranella?" Evan asked, eyes wide with hope. "This is what I want."

She relented with a sigh. "All right, Evan. We'll build a new kingdom like you want. But we cannot," she shook her head, "leave Ding Dong Dell the way it is. We cannot allow Mausinger to continue abusing his power. So you must promise me that we'll return to help the people when we're strong enough."

Evan dropped his gaze and swallowed. "All right, Nella… I promise…"

She put her hands on her hips. "Don't make promises you can't or don't intend to keep."

So he raised his head and looked her right in the eyes, schooling his expression into one of resolution. "I promise, Nella. We'll come back to help the people of Ding Dong Dell when we have the strength."

She smiled, relieved, and placed a hand on her chest in gratitude. "Thank you, Evan."

Old Tom heaved a sigh. "And I suppose that is probably the better idea as opposed to rushing in. Very well." He pulled out another Leafbook. "This is for you, Your Majesty."

Evan blinked at him in surprise. "F-for me?"

"Yes," he nodded. "I'm sure it will come in very handy, and it's the least I can do under the circumstances."

"Are you certain?" He looked perplexed. "We don't have anything to give you in return."

Old Tom smiled and held up a hand. "That's quite all right, Your Majesty. It is an honour to be of service to my King."

"All right." He took the Leafbook and inclined his head in gratitude. "Thank you, Mr Thomas."

"Let me hold onto that, Evan," said Roland. But instead of vanishing it away into his arms band, he tucked it away inside his greatcoat.

"Higgle!" Runcible shouted.

"What is it Runcible?" Evan asked.

"Higgle pig! Higgle pig!" He jumped up and down, suddenly becoming very excited… Or was it agitated, it was hard to tell.

Evan's ears twitched and he looked up sharply. "Wait a moment. Do you hear that?"

Roland and Aranella exchanged blank looks. "Hear what?" He asked.

"That… buzzing noise."

"You'll have to forgive us, Evan. But our hearing isn't as good as yours," Aranella reminded him gently.

"That sounds like the Sky Pirates flying contraptions," said Old Tom, looking in the direction the approaching noise was apparently coming from. "They must be returning with their answer."

It wasn't long before Roland and Aranella were able to discern the noise as well and to say he was surprised to hear what sounded like a small aircraft approaching was an understatement. Just what kind of technology did these Sky Pirates have? Roland wondered just moments before three microlights touched down. He gawked at them. Were those actual feathered wings? He swore he saw them flap. The Sky Pirates themselves consisted of a little girl in a green dress and a white cape with blue spots that appeared to be the skin of some animal, a large, broad-shouldered man with a bushy beard and a small, thin man in a blue tunic and a red cap.

"Ah, you've returned," Old Tom stated unnecessarily. "What's the verdict?"

"The Boss'll take it," said the little girl. She gestured ahead of them as she added, "You're free to pass."

He inclined his head as he replied, "Thank you most kindly." Then turned to Evan and bowed. "I wish you all the best in your endeavour, Your Majesty."

Evan nodded back. "Thank you, Mr Thomas."

"And I pray we meet again."

Evan smiled. "So do I." They all watched as Old Tom took his llapaca by the reigns and lead her away, heading deeper into the canyon.

The little girl folded her arms and raised an eyebrow at them once he'd disappeared from sight. "So who are you three?"

"Um, I'm Evan," he placed a hand on his chest." And this is Roland and Aranella." He gestured to each of them in turn.

She looked from one to the other. "You're clearly not his parents so… where are they?"

Evan dropped his gaze to ground which was all the answer she needed. Her expression softened and she allowed her arms to fall to her side. "So you're an orphan?"

He nodded. "Yes… I am…"

"That makes two of us."

He looked up in surprise. "You're an orphan as well?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "My parents died when I was little. The Boss has looked after me ever since."

"That was very nice of him!"

She giggled. "He's my uncle."

He blinked. "Oh I see. It was still very nice of him."

She glanced briefly in the direction Old Tom had departed and one hand went to her hip before asking, "So what was that about just now?" She gestured after him as she added, "Why did Old Tom call you 'Your Majesty'?"

Evan averted his gaze and he mumbled, "Oh, well, um…"

Roland and Aranella exchanged looks. "Should we tell them?" He asked.

"She asked ye, didn't she?" The pirate in the red hat replied, one hand going to his hip.

"This is Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum," said Aranella. "Until just recently he was Crown Prince of Ding Dong Dell and would've become King if… if…" She looked away as she trailed off.

"If Mausinger, or should I say King Mausinger hadn't got his way," Roland finished instead.

The large pirate folded his arms at this. "So that's what'appened," he said in a gruff voice.

"I'm guessing Old Tom isn't the only grimalkin to come this way?"

"Not just grimalkin, some humanfolk as well. Didn't say why exactly – and we didn't care to press'em – only that there'ad been some recent trouble in Ding Dong Dell."

"Well now you know."

He nodded. "Aye, so we do."

"You have a strange accent, Roland was it?" The little girl asked, her head tilted to one side.

"Yeah. I'm not from around here."

"Obviously. So where are you from?"

"Broadleaf originally."

She gasped. "That's the place that made Leafbook. What's it like over there?"

"Well uh…" He exchanged an awkward look with Aranella. "Let's just say it's very different to here."

"I'll say." She raised a hand to her chin. "Maybe I'll visit someday."

He smiled. "Maybe you will."

She folded her arms as she turned back to Evan. "So what're you going to do now?"

"We'd like to go to the Cradle of Light," he replied. "I want to ask the Kingmaker there to help me a build a new kingdom."

The three pirates exchanged looks. "Do ye now," sneered the pirate in the red hat. He folded his arms as he added, "And what o'Ding Dong Dell, eh?"

Evan hung his head. "There's nothing we can do about it right now. But we'll come back when we're stronger. I made a promise to Nella."

The pirate scoffed. "Sounds like runnin' away if ye ask me." Aranella scowled at him.

"Oh leave it, Khunbish," the little girl scolded, giving the man apparently called a Khunbish a withering look. "What are three people going to do anyway?" She turned back to Evan. "So you want safe passage through the canyon right?"

He nodded. "Yes please!"

She tilted her head to one side. "What do you have to offer?"

He hung his head again. "Well, um… We didn't really have a lot of time to gather what we needed… So…"

"So nuthin's the answer to that question," Khunbish interpreted.

"We were hoping to barter free labour for safe passage," Roland explained.

The pirates exchanged looks again. "Free labour?" She repeated questioningly.

"Right," he nodded. "We're three extra pairs of hands, we can fight, we can do whatever you want us to."

The three pirates looked thoughtful. "Having them take over some chores could free up some extra man power for patrols," she said, one had raised to her chin.

"Aye," the gruff-voiced pirate nodded in agreement. His expression became a scowl as he added, "Them blasted wyverns'ave become a right nuisance o'late. We could do with the extra men."

Evan, Roland and Aranella exchanged hopeful looks. "So… does this you'll accept our offer then?" Evan ventured.

"Well… it's not up to us," she replied, turning back. "We'll have to take you to see the Boss."

"All right." Roland gestured in invitation. "Then take us to see your Boss."

"I'm Tani by the way," she said, thumbing to herself. "And this," she thumbed over her shoulder, "is Khunbish and Chingis. Evan, you'll be riding with me. And-"

"Higgle!" Runcible objected angrily.

Tani's expression became a questioning frown and she quirked an eyebrow involuntarily. "What is that?"

Chingis and Khunbish exchanged looks of confusion. "What's what, Mistress Tani?" Khunbish asked.

"That thing there," she replied, pointing to Runcible. She turned a scowl on them as she added, "Don't tell me you can't see it."

"This is Runcible," said Evan. "He's a higgledy. And not many people can."

"What in the world are ye blabberin' about?" Chingis demanded. He shook his head in denial as he added, "There be nothin' there."

Tani blinked. "I guess not…"

"I think he wants to ride with us," said Evan.

"I suppose he'll have to," she replied as she glanced at Chingis and Khunbish. "Since they apparently can't see him." The pirates exchanged looks again and then shrugged at each other in confusion. "Roland and Aranella," she gestured towards them, "you can ride with whoever you like."

"Aranella, go with Khunbish," said Roland. She raised an eyebrow at him, so he explained, "If he tries anything you'll probably be able to snap him like a twig."

A savage grin took hold of her features at that. "That's true. And then I can come rescue you?"

"Exactly," he nodded. They both took their seats behind their chosen pirates. Although with the microlights only built to seat one, both Roland and Aranella had to sit somewhat precariously on the fuselage just behind the pilot's seat, while Evan – with Runcible clinging happily to his shoulder – was able to squeeze in behind Tani.

"Now don't be a prude an'ang on te me tightly, ye'ear?" Chingis instructed gruffly. "If ye slip off, that propeller behind," he gestured with his head, "is what be catching yer fall."

Roland looked back and grimaced. "Right…" He leant forward and gripped Chingis' shoulders. "What if I'm afraid of heights?" He joked.

Chingis looked back and grinned. "Then don't be lookin' down." Tani and Evan's microlight took off first with a shrill squeal from Evan and laughter from Tani. Khunbish and Aranella followed. Their microlight brought up the rear and he grunted as it lurched forward and into the air. He couldn't believe how fast the transition was. But then it had been facilitated by the aircraft's wings, which actually flapped like a bird, he hadn't been seeing things. "Where did you get these things?" He asked.

Chingis turned his head. "What was that?" He started to repeat himself but the pirate cut him off. "Blast ye, save yer questions fer the ground! I can't be'earin' a word yer sayin'!"

Well so much for that, he thought. With conversation off the table he shifted his attention to enjoying the view instead, grateful that he wasn't fazed by the height as the mountains whizzed by below.

---

The flight to the Sky Pirates' Base ended up being relatively short. As they circled overhead to allow Tani and Evan to begin their landing, Roland examined the Base. It consisted of a series of sun-weathered wooden huts – some multi-storied – constructed on a large rocky outcrop overlooking the canyon below. Splashes of colour here and there suggested that when newly built it had been a very vibrant place indeed. Long wooden stakes driven into the ground – or forming part of the roofs of their buildings – that had been sharpened to a point served as simple fortifications, and flags tied to the rooftop spires flapped ceaselessly in the wind. As they began their landing he realised that more huts and walkways had been built onto the sides of the canyon walls as well, so wherever they were headed presumably served as their centre of operations, or town hall.

A crowd was gathering by the time Roland and Chingis touched down, no doubt drawn by the arrival of new faces. "Who be these three, Tani?" One of the elder pirates asked, with his hands on his hips. He was shirtless and had a bushy grey beard and hair.

"This is Evan, Roland and Aranella," Tani replied, gesturing to each of them in turn. "They want to buy safe passage through the canyon with free labour," she explained.

"Free labour, eh?" The pirate repeated, folding his arms and raising an eyebrow at them as the crowd murmured to themselves.

"Yep," she nodded. "We thought the Boss might be interested in their offer, so we brought them to see him." She looked around then placed her hands on her hips. "Where is he?"

"'E be dealin' with a matter concerning the wyverns; They were testin' our borders again."

"Blasted wyverns been getting bolder o'late," Chingis commented as he folded his arms.

"Aye," the old pirate agreed with a nod of his head. "We could do with more men te deal with'em too." He turned to Evan, Roland and Aranella. "So the three o'ye might be in luck."

"Pirates versus wyverns?" Aranella asked, one hand raised to her chin.

"Seems that way," Roland replied.

"Maybe we could help them?" Evan suggested.

They both turned to him in confusion. "Huh?" Roland asked, one eyebrow quirking involuntarily. But before either could press him for clarity a commotion drew their attention.

"Move aside, blast ye." The crowd parted at this command revealing yet another pirate. He was a mountain of a man, taller and broader than even Chingis and with a demeanour that commanded respect. There was no doubting that this man was the Sky Pirates' leader. He folded his arms and stared menacingly down at them. "Now then. What be goin' on'ere?"

Runcible bristled on Evan's shoulder and waved his little sword at the man in a none too friendly manner. "Higgledy pig!"

The pirate raised a bushy eyebrow at him. "And what the devil be that little thing?"

"Not you as well, Chief Batu," Khunbish said with some dismay.

"You can see him too?" Tani asked with both fists raised, positively beside herself with glee.

"O'course I can, 'e's right there." Batu replied, gesturing to Runcible. He frowned at the other pirates as he added, "Don't be sayin' the rest o'ye can't." But they all shook their heads and murmured denial.

"He's a higgledy, and not many people can," Evan explained.

He raised a bushy eyebrow at Evan. "Is that so? And why would that be?"

Evan blinked. "Well, um…" And raised a hand to his chin. "I'm not sure. We didn't ask." He spread his hands in suggestion. "But I would imagine it's because they're magical. So you would need a special magical sight in order to see them."

"Oh aye?" He looked from Roland to Aranella before asking, or demanding rather, "And who are you lot, anyway?"

"This is Evan, Roland and Aranella," Tani explained.

"King Evan if ye can believe it, Chief," Khunbish interjected prompting Tani to shoot him a glare. "Or former King I should say, o'Ding Dong Dell."

Batu raised his eyebrows for a moment before his face returned to its usual frown. "Are ye now? And what would the former King o'Ding Dong Dell be wantin' with us humble Sky Pirates?"

"They want to offer free labour for passage through the canyon," Tani explained. "Which is what I would've said if someone hadn't interrupted me," she added with a barbed look at Khunbish.

"Apologies," he mumbled, sheepishly rubbing at the back of his head.

"Free labour, eh?" Batu had one hand raised to his chin and he looked thoughtful, but Evan spoke up before he could arrive at a decision.

"Mr Batu, may I ask you something?"

He dropped his hand and looked curiously to Evan. "What is it lad?"

"Are you… fighting?" He titled his head. "With the wyverns?"

He nodded. "Aye that we are." He looked puzzled and added, "Why do ye ask?"

Evan raised a hand to his chin. "I suppose I was just wondering…" he gestured in questioning, "why?"

"Because this'ere's our home, lad. And it'll be a cold day in the Summerlands afore we let the wyverns'ave it."

"Not the most hospitable of places," Roland commented with one hand on his hip, after glancing around. "All this hard soil means no crops and…" He raised an eyebrow in questioning, "Where do you find water?"

"Ye've a strange manner o'speakin' lad. Where a'ye from?"

"Broadleaf."

"Broadleaf?" Batu repeated then frowned. "The kingdom from across the seas?"

He nodded. "Yeah, that's right."

"Yer a long way from'ome, then. What brings ye to this part o'the world?"

"I just wanted a change of pace," he replied smoothly. "Let's just say life in Broadleaf is… highly strung."

Batu snorted. "Seems life in Ding Dong Dell'as become highly strung o'late."

"Yeah, well…" he folded his arms, "it's not like I could've seen this coming."

"Aye…" He conceded gruffly. "And yer right," he nodded. "We could be doin' with better, if there were any place else fer us to go. The Rollin'Ills and all are the territory o'Ding Dong Dell. And the'Eartlands on the other side o'Snaketooth Ridge are filled with bandits. We'ave our'ands full with the wyverns as it is. We can't be fightin' off them," he shook his head, "and whoever else at the same time." He frowned grimly as he added, "That would not be endin' well fer us at all."

"So you're stuck between a rock and a hard place in other words," Roland summarised.

"Aye," he nodded, "that be the right o'it. Unless ye'ave a better idea, lad?" He added, gesturing to Roland.

"I'm surprised you're not thinking of bartering land from Ding Dong Dell," Roland replied. "You have Evan," he gestured to Evan.

"Roland," Aranella scolded turning a disapproving scowl on him.

"And since you have a Leafbook now, I assume you must know what's happened," he continued as if she hadn't spoken.

One hand went to Batu's hip as he rubbed the back of his head with the other. "We'ad an… arrangement o'sorts with the old king, Leonhard," he explained. "We could'elp ourselves to wild-grown food and water though farmin' and settlin' were not permitted o'course, and so long as we didn't bother'em, they didn't bother us."

Roland frowned. "That was real… charitable of him."

He shrugged. "Not so charitable in light o'what's'appened, I'd say. 'E clearly'ad his own problems to deal with, problems that were bigger than us lot minding our own business in one corner o'the map. The new King o'Dell," he shook his head, "don't seem to be so generous. So we would do well to stay out o'their way and not be callin' attention to ourselves fer as long as possible. And I mean to." He turned back to Evan. "So what were ye thinkin' lad?"

"We couldn't help but overhear that you seem to be having more trouble with the wyverns of late," Evan explained.

Batu's frown deepened and he folded his arms, hunching his shoulders as he growled in affirmation. "Aye. We've been fightin' fer territory since the both o'us settled in the canyon, which were before I were born. In that time, neither side'as gained the advantage o'er the other on accounts that neither side'as greater numbers o'er the other. Tis the only thing'oldin' back a full scale raid on either'omebase. All's we can do is pick each other off when afforded the opportunity. Or at least," he frowned then and looked away, "that were'ow it was. Fer some reason they've grown bolder o'late; More attacks and more frequently. And if they keep this up," his expression darkened, "they may well start to win."

"Maybe we could help you with that?" Evan suggested, gesturing helpfully.

Batu raised a bushy eyebrow. "And'ow'd ye plan on doing that, lad?"

"The wyverns, they're… they're people aren't they?"

"Aye, if scaly, winged beasts can be called people… But they can talk," he shrugged in concession, "so I's'pose they are."

He spread his hands. "So what if we tried talking to them?"

There was a pause, then the Sky Pirates were roaring with laughter. "Silence ye mangy curs!" Batu thundered and the laughter died away. "And what be makin' ye think they'll be willin' to listen to one such as yerself?"

"Well… we're not involved in the fighting on either side, are we?"

He raised an eyebrow. "A neutral third party, eh?" He frowned in contemplation as he rubbed his chin. "Hmm. Tis doubtful it'd work but…" he shrugged, "I suppose there be no'arm in yer tryin'. At the very least I admire yer spirit."

Evan turned to Roland. "What do you think, Roland?"

"Well it's… ambitious…" Roland confessed.

"Evan," Aranella scolded, her hands on her hips. "We don't have time to be getting involved in other people's problems. We need to get to the Cradle of Light."

Roland turned to face her, frowning and quirking an eyebrow in both puzzlement and surprise. "Hold on. You were the one saying we were only three people, Aranella. And you're right," he gestured towards her. "Which means we're in desperate need of allies, so if Evan can work things out with the wyverns and the Sky Pirates, that means not one but two groups of potential allies." He folded his arms. "I mean if you have some other friends lying around," he gestured with one arm, "we could definitely use them, otherwise the only other possible ally we have at the moment is Martha, and I don't think," he shook his head, "we're gonna be defending our new kingdom with Auntie Martha and her higgledies."

"But they're pirates," she objected.

"Higgle," Runcible agreed.

"Pirates with a stronghold in Cloudcoil Canyon," he replied, gesturing to take in the canyon and the pirates in audience. "If we get them on our side, they might consider watching or blocking the passage from any activity from Ding Dong Dell, since heading east seems to be our only option. So I'm for it. Although with that being said Evan is our king, which means the final decision should be his."

"Then we can go talk to the wyverns?" Evan asked, raising his fists in hope.

"You tell us, Your Majesty," he replied, gesturing towards him. "What do you want us to do?"

Evan's posture became more resolute, even decisive. "I want to talk to the wyverns and ask them to stop the fighting."

Aranella sighed in defeat. "Very well, Evan. If it's that important to you." She turned to Roland and added, "And I suppose you have a point as well."

"Then ye'll be wantin' to talk with their leader, the Wyvern Warlord," said Batu. "'E's the one who calls all the shots."

"Where can we find him?" Evan asked.

"Ye'll find'im in the Wyverns' Den," he thumbed over his shoulder, "west o'ere."

"Let me get something straight," said Roland. "If we manage to work out a situation with the wyverns," he gestured to Batu, "you'll grant us safe passage to the Cradle of Light?"

"Aye," he nodded. "And if you can manage to bag yerselves a Kingmaker after that, then… we'll'ave another talk."

Roland's expression became a frown and he folded his arms. "Which begs another question; If you know where the King's Cradle is, why have none of you thought to take the Kingmaker for yourselves? With their help you'd be able to turn things around completely."

Batu quirked an eyebrow at him as he replied. "Who says we'aven't, lad? None o'us," he shook his head, "could ever get past the first part o'the test. So if yer little King can then… we'll be mighty impressed."

"I'll do my best!" Evan said brightly.

"One more thing. Tani 'ere," he gestured towards her, "will be joinin' ye."

"Oh?" Roland asked. "As supervision?"

"Per'aps. But she be a deft'and with a spear and a bow, so if ye find yerselves in a tight spot, she'll be able to get ye out. If things don't go well with the wyverns, we'll still'ave need o'yer free labour."

"Right…"

"Any questions?" Tani asked brightly.

"Actually yeah," said Roland. "I think it might be best if we expanded our weaponry. Or at least… Aranella." He turned to her and added, "At the moment you only have your dagger don't you?"

"Yes," she nodded. "It's what I'm most comfortable with. But I do have some training with other weapons."

"Great. I've got some weapons I might be able to trade with." He turned back to Tani. "Can we take a look at your uh… wherever you sell weapons?"

"Sure!" Tani replied, then waved them on as she instructed, "Follow me." She led them to a pirate woman in a pink dress.

"Ahoy there, Tani," the woman greeted her brightly.

"Hi, Gerel." She gestured to the party as she continued, "These three would like to look at your weapons."

"We don't have any money," Roland began apologetically. "So we were hoping to trade…"

She held out a hand in invitation. "Let's see what ye'ave." He called out his weapons one by one and she examined them one by one by hefting them in both hands to test their balance, flicking at the metal with one finger and carefully running a thumb over the edges to test their sharpness. "Well now, these all be of Dellian make. And military grade too if I'm not mistaken. Aye," she nodded, "these be very valuable indeed." And looked up with a smile. "I'll take'em."

"Great." He gestured in invitation. "Show me what you've got."

"See fer yerself." She directed their attention to the weapons – an assortment of swords, spears, axes, war hammers and bows – propped up along the walls, or hanging from the rafters in the back of her small shop. Roland examined them carefully, testing their weight and feel. As he decided upon a cutlass, something caught his eye. A set of what appeared to be flintlock pistols had been laid out on a nearby table. "Aranella." She came over and he directed her attention to the display. "Look at these."

"How curious," she remarked with interest. "We don't have many of these in Dell. They're a relatively new invention so not many have been made. I didn't realise at the time of course, but they bare a striking resemblance to yours."

"That's because in my world these guns were the precursors to the ones we have today." He gestured toward them as he said, "Why don't you try one out?"

A brief look of surprise flashed across her face at the suggestion, but she picked one up and tested it's weight. "It's a lot heavier than it looks."

"But a lot less cumbersome than a crossbow, right?"

"Yes…"

"What do you think?"

She tossed it from hand to hand, aimed it and looked down the barrel. A smile blossomed on her face. "Yes… I think I like it."

"Great. I'll trade it for the crossbow." As he traded the cat paw sword and crossbow for the cutlass and blunderblaster, she wandered off to look at something else.

"Oh! Look at these!" Roland looked. Aranella was practically drooling over an ornate set of twin daggers with a longer reach than her own.

He joined her and his eyebrows raised involuntarily. "Wow, they are beautiful but…" He grimaced, "I'm not sure we could afford-"

"Aye, they be very pretty," Gerel cut in. "And well made too, make no mistake. But we'ave more need o'useful than pretty, as bein' pretty be meanin' more work te care for'em. So I be willin' te trade fer'em if ye want'em. They been sittin' around in me stock fer long enough."

"We'll take them then." The daggers were traded for the battleaxe and they disappeared into Aranella's arms band accompanied by a squee of delight.

Gerel beamed. "I can see ye'll be makin' good use o'them."

"I will, I will."

"All right, I think that's everything," Roland concluded.

"A pleasure doin' business with ye!"

"Don't I get something?" Evan asked, looking up at him with wide, hopeful eyes.

Roland turned to him with a raised eyebrow. "Uh, I don't think you need anything."

Evan hung his head, shoulders slumping in disappointment. "Aww."

"And, what about you?" He asked of Tani.

"All my weapons are in my arms band already." She held up her hand to show it off. "We acquired some a little while ago."

"That's… handy."

"Isn't it?" She beamed in agreement. "It used be such a bother having to carry them around. And forget being able to swap between your bow and your spear in a hurry. These little beauties," she held up her hand again, "make fighting so much easier."

"I'm sure."

She dropped her arms and looked around at everyone. "Are we all ready?"

They exchanged looks. "I think so," Evan replied.

"Let's go then!" She threw up a hand in farewell. "Bye Gerel!"

Gerel waved back. "Bye, Tani! Take care."

She bounded off, forcing them to jog to catch up, while Runcible clung to Evan's shoulder for dear life. "Aren't you going to fly us there?" Evan asked.

"Not if you don't want them to attack you. The wyverns hate the sky skimmers see, it stirs them up."

"Oh…"

"Not sure why though." She shrugged. "Maybe it's the noise."

"It could be, if they have more sensitive hearing," Roland supplied.

She turned elegantly on one foot and began walking backwards, hands clasped behind her back. "By the way since you two aren't Evan's parents. Who are you?"

"I'm his governess," Aranella explained. "And I've served in that capacity since his birth."

Tani looked puzzled. "What's a governess?"

"A governess is a teacher. I was supposed to begin teaching Evan when he became of learning age, but…" She looked away into the distance, her face taking on an expression of sadness. "Unfortunately his mother, Queen Felicity passed away a year after his birth from an illness, so I was the one called on to take on her role."

"I see, so… you must be like a mother to him, then. Like Batu is a father to me."

"Oh yes!" Evan agreed enthusiastically. "She's ever so strong! And awfully kind! And she knows everything about everything! I don't know what I'd do if she wasn't here."

Aranella smiled and gently placed a hand on top of his head, between his ears. "You're very sweet, Evan. And though it was never my intention to replace Her Majesty, I…" She clutched a hand to her chest. "In our time together… I've come to think of you as my own…"

"It's nice that you have someone like her, Evan," Tani said with a bright smile. "The closest I have is Gerel." She shrugged. "But she's more like a big sister."

"Don't you have Batu?" Evan asked, looking confused.

She giggled. "Not like that, silly. Could you imagine Batu mothering me like Aranella mothers you?" She held out her hands in the shape of an open book and then tried to imitate Batu's gruff voice. "Once upon a time."

They both laughed, with Runcible joining in with a mirthful, "Hig, hig, hig."

"So what about you?" She asked of Roland.

"I'm just a soldier," Roland replied.

She placed a hand on her hip. "A soldier from Broadleaf."

"Yeah," he rubbed the back of his head, "But it's like I said. I just wanted a change of pace, so I came to Ding Dong Dell and managed to land myself a job as a guard. Life was good." He sighed. "Then the coup happened."

"Don't you miss it? Your home?"

He swallowed and looked away. "Yeah… I do…" That much was true at least. "But I made a choice that I thought was right…" He spread his hands, "So here I am."

"I'm glad you're here, Roland," said Evan, earnestly.

He smiled. "Thanks."

Evan turned to Tani and gestured toward her as he asked, "What about you, Tani?"

She blinked at him, one eyebrow quirking involuntarily. "Me?" She tilted her head to one side. "What about me?"

"You mentioned you were an orphan but…" He shook his head, "you didn't say why."

"Oh. Right." Tani looked away into the distance, all of her usual cheer evaporating. "Wyverns killed my parents."

"O-oh," he replied awkwardly, before hanging his head. "I'm sorry, Tani."

Even Runcible looked sad. "Higgledy…"

She turned back with a puzzled smile. "Why are you apologising? It wasn't your fault."

"I-I know but… I want to help you make peace with the wyverns-"

"Yeah I know," she interrupted. "And I'm helping you do it."

"But don't you hate them?" Aranella asked, looking mildly perplexed. "For what they did?"

She shrugged absently. "Maybe… Once… But there are wyverns who are like me too. Orphans." She looked back into the distance again. "The fighting hurts both sides, see, so I want it to stop." She turned back with a smile again. "That's why I'm helping you."

"That's very… mature of you," said Roland.

"Thanks but…" Her smile faded. "I wasn't always."

"Well we have a word for that. It's called growing up."

"I suppose you're right."

"But what do you suppose Batu is thinking about all this?" He asked with a questioning frown. "If he's your uncle, that means one of your parents was his sibling."

"My mother," she supplied. "And I think he wants the fighting to end too but…" She shook her head, "He doesn't know how to make it stop. He used to be a lot angrier if you can believe that. But then one day he found the wyverns that killed Mum and Dad and… well…" She looked away. "After that he wasn't as angry but…" She shrugged and shook her head. "He wasn't really happier either."

Roland exchanged looks with Aranella and Evan. "Did… something happen?" Roland asked.

She turned back with a sad smile. "I told you there were wyverns like me, didn't I?"

"… Oh…" Was all he said as he grasped the implication and Aranella frowned. There was a lot to unpack from that conversation so they continued in silence.

Tani stopped suddenly and turned to them, her expression becoming very serious as she put her hands on her hips. "All right you lot. From here on out, this is wyvern territory. So we'd all best be on our guard."

"Higgle!" Runcible saluted and drew his sword.

"Right. But if we want to look peaceful we'll have to keep our weapons stowed," Roland advised.

"Higgle…" Runcible sheepishly put his weapon away.

It didn't take long for the wyverns to take notice of the trespassers. The sound of their leathery wings beating the air filled the canyon as they flapped from perch to perch, following the quartet as they ventured deeper into wyvern territory. But they did not attack. "They definitely know we're here," Roland observed, eyeing them warily. Tani was leading them to the mouth of a large cave situated beneath an enormous – and curiously shaped – rock formation which was full of holes of varying sizes. No doubt this was the Wyverns' Den. As they drew near to the entrance of the cave, the wyverns began to hiss in warning. When this warning went unheeded a handful of wyverns dropped down from the canyon walls and landed in front of them, blocking the way forward. The wyverns were human-sized bipedal dragon-like reptiles, with a great mane of orange hair in place of horns.

"Pinksskinss!" The lead wyvern hissed, flaring her wings in intimidation. "You will go no further!"

"Please," Evan replied, holding up both hands in placation. "We mean you no harm; We just want to talk." Runcible scowled at the wyverns from Evan's shoulder but heeding Roland's earlier words, did not draw his sword.

Another wyvern sniffed the air. "Pinksskinss do not ssmell like Ssky Piratess. And you do not draw your weaponss." He exchanged looks with his companions.

The first wyvern hissed at Tani, baring her teeth as she pointed. "That one doess!" Tani placed her fists on her hips and glared back, but otherwise kept her cool.

The second wyvern shrugged in protest as he countered. "But she doess not draw her weapon either."

She snarled at her companion in displeasure. "Pinksskinss are all the ssame!" She gestured violently and dismissively. "Ssend them away!"

"Wyzzel wishess to hear what pointyearss hass to ssay!" The one apparently named Wyzel argued.

"Yess!" Another other agreed. "Let them sspeak!"

She bared her teeth at the pair of them, but ultimately relented. "If they musst," she hissed.

Wyzel turned to Evan. "Sspeak then, pointyearss," he gestured in invitation. "We will hear your wordss."

Evan inclined his head in gratitude. "Thank you, Wyzel. I wish to speak with your leader, the Wyvern Warlord-"

"Warlord Warykss," Wyzel corrected.

"Yes, with Warlord Waryks-"

"Why doess pointyearss want to sspeak with our leader?!" The first wyvern demanded.

"I want to stop the fighting!" He replied, raising his fists in insistence.

"He wants to broker peace between your people and the Sky Pirates," Roland clarified, gesturing to them in explanation.

The lead wyvern spread her wings and began hissing in earnest. "Foolss! Witlesss foolss! There will be no peacce between wyvernss and Ssky Piratess! Cloudcoil Canyon belongss to the wyvernss! Itss ourss, not theirss! Ourss!"

"Please, you must let us try!" Evan pleaded, holding up his hands in placation once more.

She hissed again. "Go then! Sspeak to our leader!" She pointed a clawed finger at him as she warned, "But your wordss will fall on deaf earss!" She launched into the sky and beat her wings to gain altitude, and a few of her fellows followed.

"Hmm, how well does that bode do you think?" Aranella asked after the wyvern's retreating form.

"Not sure," Roland replied with a grimace.

Runcible folded his arms. "Higgle."

"Wyzzel wishess you luck," said Wyzel. "Not all of uss feel ass she doess."

"Thank you, Wyzel," Evan replied. Wyzel nodded, and then he and the remaining wyvern took off after their companions. Evan turned to face them. "It doesn't sound like this will be easy…"

"Negotiating rarely is," Roland replied with a shrug. "It all depends on what each party wants. In this case it appears the wyverns want to claim the whole of Cloudcoil Canyon as their territory and they don't seem like they're willing to share."

"No…" Evan replied, dropping his gaze with a dispirited expression.

"Fortunately it doesn't seem like the Sky Pirates particularly want to stay," Aranella observed. "Or at least may be open to leaving the canyon."

"Yeah," Tani agreed with a nod. "Cloudcoil Canyon's been my home my whole life and moving away won't be easy but… it's also a hard place to live. And I've often dreamed of living down on the plains." She clasped her hands together as she added enthusiastically. "Can you imagine what the grass must feel like?"

"Actually…" Evan began apologetically.

She blinked in realisation. "Oh… Right, I guess you do."

"If you can negotiate a temporary truce or ceasefire, long enough for the pirates to resituate themselves, I think that will give both parties what they want," Roland counselled.

"I'm sure even the wyverns will agree to that much," Aranella added.

He folded his arms and said, "It would better if the wyverns could help them do it but…" He frowned. "I don't think that's gonna be something they'll agree to." He shook his head as he continued. "Nor does it sound like an alliance with the wyverns has much chance of being a future possibility either."

"No…" Evan agreed though reluctantly.

"Yes, they do seem to have rather made up their minds regarding us… pinkskins," Aranella added, her expression one of mild dismay.

"Well, Evan?" Roland asked, allowing his arms to fall back to his side. "Are you ready to conduct your first negotiation?"

"Higgle!" Runcible declared. Evan looked down and the little higgledy nodded.

Evan nodded back and set his features into a look of determination. "I'm ready."

Roland gestured ahead of them. "Then lead the way, Your Majesty."

He turned to face the cave entrance, took a deep breath to bolster his confidence and calm his nerves, then expelled it and strode confidently forward.

So with Cloudcoil Canyon, Evan is presented with the first conflict of the game outside of Ding Dong Dell. A conflict that's only purpose is to serve as an excuse to Damsel one of the characters (Tani) in order for Evan to free her and win the pirates' favour. So needless to say I fixed this mess by first of all pushing that conflict to the forefront, and second of all, having the character that wants to make a world without war or fighting actually act like a character that wants to make a world without war or fighting and consequently removing the need to Damsel Tani.

I also adjusted the Sky Pirates to essentially be running a racketeering operation as this seemed more in line with their character instead of whatever the hell was going on in the game.

And finally, Tani and Batu being niece and uncle is just how I saw them from the very beginning.