~ Chapter 50 ~
Return of the Hiker Brothers
"Oh, all the money that e'er I spent, I spent it in good company.
And all the harm that e'er I've done, alas, it was to none but me.
And all I've done for want of wit, to memory now I can't recall.
So fill to me the parting glass. Good night and joy be with you all"
Sam and his friends sat around a campfire. A few days back they had run into old friends, the Hiker Brothers, Alan, Alexander, and Anthony.
The group had been travelling through the rainy, muddy hills of Route 215.
Lucky for the group the warmth of each of their Rapidash's flames had kept them warm for a time. From what information Jeremy could find on his Pokétch, it always rained on Route 215. Even Niya, who scarce travelled this route for that reason could confirm that.
It had made for a slow and muddy trek to Veilstone City.
The constant uphill and downhill terrain that kept switching without warning didn't help anything. Fed up, tired, and soaked to the core—a contrast to their warmth—the group decided to camp out in a small cave they found in a hillside.
It looked manmade, but old, and used for travellers for this very reason and so the group set up camp and waited. They had not, however, noticed the sign outside the cave, which had become overgrown by the massive tall grass, which covered the entire area in unsightly patches.
It was this sign that marked the cave as property of the Hiker Brothers.
Despite their intrusion, the Hiker Brothers merely laughed it off as fate. While they did mark this as their property, they did not blame travellers for not only missing the sign, but also for using the cave as refuge. This was the whole purpose the cave had been made in the first place according to Anthony.
More than once had the Hiker Brothers come travelling to their cave only to find a group of travellers camped out within. Most times the brothers only chose to share supplies and tips with the travellers, and to share the space with them. Very few gave them trouble for it.
It was only more fortuitous that the ones who had found the cave this time were old friends of the Brothers.
The reunion was a cheery one. Even Pikachu, who had spent much of the Mt. Coronet ordeal in his Poké Ball, seemed to be happily received by the Hiker Brothers. The rest of the day went by quickly as everyone worked to secure the cave for long-term inhabitancy by the Brothers.
The group created a door and front wall from old wood the brothers had brought along upon a wagon lugged by two, burly Tauros.
The brothers wished to make the place more comfy and warm.
They also created a small hole in the roof, which would act as a makeshift chimney for smoke. It allowed the gaseous burn off from campfires to safely drift outside and created airflow. A wooden enclosure covered the chimney so that rain did not fall in and could be closed in the event of flooding.
The walls were reinforced for stability, with heavy rock, brick, cement, and more wood. The Hiker Brothers were determined to make this hilly mound into a small little abode fit for anyone to live in long term.
More digging was undertaken to add an extension to the cavern, an extension that would become a storeroom for supplies, with a small cavern below, accessible by a ladder and a trap door that would act as a food cellar.
Everyone pitched in and helped. Sam, Niya, Jeremy, Alyssandra assisted the Hiker Brothers, while all of their Pokémon, led by Pikachu, Empoleon, Piplup and Roserade assisted the rugged Rock and Ground Type Pokémon brought by the Hiker Brothers. The Rapidash worked in tandem with the Tauros to help bright back lumber and other building materials from the surrounding area. It was the least they could do in exchange for the hospitality of the Hiker Brothers.
With as many hands as there were, both human and Pokémon, the work was mostly done within three days. At this point, the Hiker Brothers refused any more help, declaring that Sam and his friends had repaid their "debt" to him and his brothers.
Despite protests from the teenagers and their Pokémon, the brothers were adamant and eventually won out.
Sam and his friends were to leave the next day and leave the last day or so of work to the Brothers and their Pokémon, but not before they had a hearty dinner to celebrate the reunion and work completed together.
Dinner was not overly fancy, but it was certainly hearty. Fresh baked bread—as the Hiker Brothers decided to create a stone oven—vegetable soup, meet cooked for hours on a spit, two types of stews. Jeremy even contributed De Oliveira Secret Smoked, Glazed and Barbequed Chicken to the assortment of dishes.
For desert, Niya and Alyssandra made mille-feuille, a special, flaky, layered cake while Sam contributed something that his grandmother always referred to as cannoli. Sam had only just recently learned to make them. The shells and even the creamy filling was made from scratch, for the Hiker Brothers had brought all kinds of supplies with them.
For rugged outdoorsmen, they truly enjoyed living like kings. It was a grand dichotomy; despite being out in nature, they still managed to make anything liveable like home when it was possible.
Sam was locked in an engaging conversation with Alexander, when the conversation turned to Sam's future.
"Where do you plan on heading next?" asked Alexander as he munched on a cannolo, "Also, if I may add, these—cannoli did you call them? They're fantastic!"
"Thank you," smiled Sam happily, glad that his first attempt at cannoli hadn't led to half of the hovel burning to the ground, "Our plan is to go to Veilstone, and I'm going to challenge Maylene at the Gym there."
Alexander looked at Sam, "Good luck, my boy," he said sincerely, "She's a tough one, Maylene. Always full of surprises."
"I've got faith in my skills and my Pokémon," replied Sam with determination.
Alexander laughed, not unkindly though. "You'll need a right bit more than that, Sam," warned Alexander, "I'm not kidding. She's tough, Maylene. You're going to have your work cut out for you there. She's a different kind of Trainer all together. Just keep your wits about you."
Sam wasn't sure if he entirely understood what Alexander met, but he agreed. Something in Sam pinged with doubt, but Sam forced it so deep down in his mind it would've drowned were his thoughts water. He didn't need doubt, not right now. But he would heed Alexander's warning, if only because Sam respected him enough to believe Alexander knew what he was talking about.
The conversation ended abruptly as Alan pulled out a small fiddle, and the three brothers hooted with laughter, then got together before the fire and the group and their Pokémon.
Within seconds of gathering they started to sing. Alan's playing was both mournful and cheerful. It brought emotions to those who listened, and Sam could tell Alan had been playing the fiddle for a long time, and that this was one of his favourite songs.
Then, in unison, Anthony and Alexander sang in perfect harmony.
"Of all the money, that e'er I had.
I spent it in, good company.
And all the e'er I've done,
Alas it was to none but me.
And all I've done, for want of wit.
To mem'ry now, I can't recall.
So, fill to me, the parting glass.
Goodnight, and joy be with you all.
Of all the comrades, that e'er I had.
They're sorry for my going away.
And all the sweethearts that e'er I've loved.
They would wish me one more day to say.
But since it falls, unto my lot,
That I should rise, and you should not.
I'll gently rise, and softly call,
'Goodnight, and joy be with you all.
A many may drink, and not be drunk.
A man may fight, and not be slain.
A man may court a pretty girl,
And perhaps be welcomed back again.
But since it has so ought to be,
By a time to rise and a time to fall,
Come fill to me the parting glass.
Goodnight, and joy be with you all.
Goodnight, and joy be with you all."
As the last notes died away from Alan's fiddle, and the song came to a harmonious close, there was not a single audience member, Pokémon or human, who did not find themselves overcome by moistened eyes.
"What song was that?" asked Sam as he wiped his eyes dry once more.
"The Parting Glass," smiled Alexander as he returned to his spot beside Sam, "It's been sung in my family for generations. It's customary to sing it when friends part—it's sort of like a ward from harm. If you sing it, you're sure to meet again one day, in good health and good spirits."
"Does it work?" asked Alyssandra curiously.
Anthony winked, "It has so far," he let out a chuckle.
"We figure, it can't hurt to ask for a little extra luck, right?" smiled Alexander, "Besides, we wanted to find a good way to thank you for everything, and a good show seemed best."
Sam nodded silently in agreement. Extra good luck never hurt anyone.
"Now!" said Alexander with a short grunt as he stood himself up, and dusted off his pants, "We'd best get sleeping hm? You four have an early day tomorrow—you'll want to get going early. You'll get a few dry hours in if you do, and every hour you spend dry is an hour that's not sapping the energy of you or your Pokémon."
Everyone nodded in agreement and assisted in the clean-up of the empty pots and pans and cutlery and dishes. Within a half hour everything was clean, and the fire had died down to a gentle glow.
Not big enough to keep people awake, but enough to keep the place warm overnight and provide enough light for anyone to see within the large space if they needed.
Exhaustion took over everyone as soon as they lay their heads down to sleep. Even Sam, whose nerves suddenly grasped his stomach just before he lay down to bed. Nerves about what he'd face when he battled Maylene for her badge in a few days.
He still had faith in himself and his Pokémon but…Alexander's warning had been so genuine that it was hard not to take it to heart. What was Sam going to see when he faced her? What surprises were in store for him? Only time would tell.
