Guys!

No one called me out for missing Monday's update. Guess I'm putting up two today.

For everyone's visual, I'm struggling to type this with a three week old in my arms. She's the snuggliest three-week old niece, and she kept her momma up all night.

Anyway, sorry for leaving you guys hanging on Monday. And Tuesday.

I'll make it up to you I swear.

Hopefully a Yensid POV chapter will help.

Lots of Love,

-Dark-

Yensid looks between the two girls curiously before he takes a seat. This was quite the serious topic. He'd no idea what T and Harry had been up to while on the isle. And to come to the conclusion T was the spider was concerning, although not surprising.

As for leaving Deez out of the loop, once again, he couldn't blame them for wanting to preserve what was left of their most innocent family member… But unlike the ugly topic of rape, he couldn't imagine the young girl didn't already know, at least, to an extent what the two were up to.

What an interesting conundrum.

He slides into a seat and steeples his fingers in front of him. "Captain, Faustina." He greets with a polite smile. "I usually would have prepared tea, but it seemed that this was a very pressing matter. So, how can I best offer my assistance?"

Uma bites her bottom lip, "Sorry I half pulled you out of your room."

"It is of no concern at all, I appreciate it in fact. It's why I took you up on the offer." He assures the stressed looking Captain.

"Well, I'm glad, 'cause honestly I need some advice right now." Uma sighs.

"And I'm happy to provide some." Yensid nods his head sagely, "Since this is quite the heavy matter, where would you like to begin?" he looks between the two girls.

"Well, the list T was given, it's all the OVs and OSKs that went to-" Uma's nails scratch against the table surface as her hands form into fists. "Went to the Pleasure Boys and Girls." She finishes before she pulls her hands into her lap.

If it weren't for years of practice he would have snarled at the name and the idea behind it.

Stromboli and the Coachman. He knew those two were going to be problems. He should have spoken more to Maleficent about it when he first noticed the way those two watched the children. He thought her original decree would have scared them off. He was feeling rather foolish for that assumption now.

"And. I get it. I do. The things they have done- the things they do-" She closes her eyes, "I agreed that we needed to do something. No one else is going to help or stop it. So when T and Harry-" She sighs, "I know it has to be done, but, I think Faustina's right. There has to be a better way. A way we haven't thought of, or that has been thought of-" Uma turns to Faustina, "But disregarded?"

"I see…" Yensid nods thoughtfully.

Of course this was what the situation was coming to. These children had learned over the years to do one of three things.

Lean into the teachings of their parents, accept what their parents said, that they were villains and could never be anything else.

Toe the line like any other teenager. Half listening to their parents while trying to figure things out for themselves, though experimenting with identity on the isle was dangerous at the best of times.

Or, like the ones that flocked to him, question everything. Question what their parents were telling them, and why they were pushing them. Question why they were on the isle. Question everything.

And no matter which path they chose to follow, they'd learned that adults weren't going to help them. That no one would help them.

And even though he was now taking a more proactive role, in the past he was no better than the other adults. He'd been an ear to listen to them, offer what advice he could. A librarian and a teacher, but never someone who they could depend on.

In the absence of order, lack of roles such as police and government, these kids had learned the hard way to depend on their own wit and will to survive.

And now here they were. Old enough to question right and wrong, safety and fear, morals, and justice. And were old enough to decide what should be done to make them and others safer.

Which was something no child should have to contemplate. Adults had a hard time rationalizing the need to defend self and way of life. For children to be so deep in a quandary already. To be in the middle of it and realize they needed help…

He wasn't sure any other group on the Isle could have done this. Wasn't sure any other leader cared enough to worry for their people.

But Uma was certainly not like the other leaders, and her gang was more than just her subordinates, they were her family.

"We could bring them to the school." Faustina volunteers softly.

"To more kids?" Uma demands, looking taken aback by the mere suggestion.

"No-" Faustina shakes her head emphatically, "No of course not, I meant bring them to Adelaide. She's the closest the isle has to lions..."

Yensid closes his eyes, not sure whether he should smile or cry at her logic.

Clearly Frollo had taught her more than just manners. Of course the man would've preached to her as well. God only knew how much of it actually came from the bible. But clearly enough to know that lions were often used in parables for God to condemn men or save them.

"Lions?" Uma furrows her brow.

"They're like giant Shrimpys," Faustina explains softly.

"I know what they are, though only because I read your notes for biology." Uma tilts her head, "I just don't understand what you mean."

"Oh. Sorry." Faustina ducks her head. "In the old times, God used them to demonstrate that the pure and righteous could stand among them unharmed while the evil and corrupt would be eaten."

"But, that sounds like what Harry was trying to do. Challenging them to duels-" She rolls her eyes before she rests her cheek against her propped up fist, "Though that obviously got out of hand real fucking fast."

"It wouldn't be up to us whether they lived or died though, it would be up to the spider."

"And if the spider lets them go?" Uma questions.

Faustina bites her lip, "Sharks are like lions too."

"But what if the sharks don't eat them?"

"Then they drown like witches or demons."

"Ya know-" Uma shakes her head before she sighs, "I'm glad I pray to Sea Gods, only thing I have to worry about if I piss them off is a storm or a whirlpool, and a good crew can survive those things."

Faustina blinks, opening her mouth before she closes it.

"May I suggest that we seem to have gotten a little off-topic." Yensid offers as the silence stretches.

"True," Uma nods as she pulls her eyes off of Faustina. "What do you think?"

Yensid plays with his beard for a moment, tugging the hairs of his chin before he sighs, "I think this shouldn't be your problem, as you are not the leader of the Isle."

"Yet." Faustina corrects him softly.

Yensid blinks before he turns to Uma, "Is that an aspiration of yours?"

"It wasn't 'til it was. Thank Faustina for that math."

He furrows his brow, "What math would that be?" He asks as he turns back to Faustina.

"If the Prince takes only four of us, assuming it's every three months, it could take over nineteen years for all of us to get off the isle, and that isn't including the kids not born yet."

"Ah. I see." He nods. He'd also started looking at the rough, educated guesses of how Auradon might start the process now that the first steps had been taken, "Well, that math is accurate, but you're not accounting for all variables."

"I only went off of my own guesses. I'd love to hear yours- Maybe it isn't as bleak."

"Another time perhaps, and a topic I look forward to discussing with you." He nods as he pulls out a small notepad and a pen to write out the conversations he needed to have with Faustina and Uma at a later date, both were important conversations, but this one seemed very time-sensitive, "But back to the urgent matter of figuring out what should be done about the list T has, and the names upon it that have received a death sentence."

"Right?" Uma nods, "What do you think we should do? Do we let T continue, or do we bring them to Maleficent to be dealt with or is there another option?"

Yensid worries his lip, "In my experience, it should always fall to the leadership of the land to dole out punishment when laws are disobeyed."

"So, what? We round them up and drop them at her doorstep?" Uma asks with a raised brow.

"She didn't do a very good job in the last round." Faustina sighs. "And Harry and T both know that…"

"Which I understand to be the biggest concern here. That if the job is left to someone else, it won't be done to your standards." He takes a deep breath, "And with you having the aspirations to one day take over leadership you, of course, can stand the idea that the people you want to protect might not be protected under Maleficent's shotty leadership. Not to mention the fact that you and your family, and myself if you choose to go this route, would be in danger as we worked to collect the offenders."

"T's got the Goblin's doing the leg work." Uma frowns.

T got the Goblins to work with him… He chuckles lightly, why wasn't he surprised? "Well, that's news to me. Though I know the Goblins, or at least a few of them, favor Deez and T, I wasn't aware that they were now working together."

Uma blushes, "Sorry, I think I was so frustrated with him I forgot to tell you- He overthrew Maleficent's control over them… They all follow T now. What they do for her is just a show… To keep her from knowing. But, speaking of Maleficent. She apparently is terrified of T, so when T went to her and told her about what he was doing, she ended up doing what he said and told the isle that the deaths were at her order, and anyone caught aiding them would also face the same punishment." She hangs her head, "Which is another reason T came up with the spider thing. To protect the kids after Deez-" She sighs, "After Deez was attacked for wearing a dark hoodie."

"I did hear about a spider attack. Members of your crew are very opinionated on the topic while they dine." But he hadn't heard that Hyades had been attacked. Though it would explain Uma's current struggle, and T's quick actions to clear the names of anyone who simply dressed as he did.

"Sorry, I should've brought it to your attention sooner." Uma sighs. "I don't even have an excuse as to why I didn't. We spent yesterday at the cove."

"We are both still learning how to best assist in this new role and as well as make use of it." He quickly points out, "Though I would hazard to say that we've learned you wish me to be more informed."

"Hazard away." Uma shakes her head. "Maybe we can have a daily meeting or something, if you're cool with that?"

"I would be very cool with that." He nods.

Uma smiles tightly as she nods. "Good, cause I could use more of your wisdom, maybe this wouldn't have gotten so outta hand if I'd brought it up to you sooner." She shakes her head. "Letting T and Harry do this made sense, 'til it didn't."

"The idea of ridding the isle of such a vile practice can be very overwhelming Captain, you shouldn't be so hard on yourself for wanting the best for the isle." He leans closer and gently pats her hand, "Noble notions can often blind us to the cost."

"Yeah, but at the cost of my family?" Uma frowns, "Faustina was right. What is this going to end up doing to them? It can't be good for them."

"Everyone reacts to the taking of a life differently. I, myself, have taken more than my share over my years. But usually as a last resort. And never without coming from a defensive position."

Faustina furrows her brow as her green eyes study him.

"Well, I'm not sure what the definition of defense is here. Cause they are defending others for damn sure. I just- I don't want them to do anything they might regret later while chasing down these monsters."

"This is a conversation similar to ones I've had with Deez. Morals. Justification. What makes a monster a monster." He sighs, "What this is going to come down to, it would seem, is what they can live with, and what will destroy them." He was honestly surprised Deez hadn't already come to him. She was never shy to approach him with questions of philosophy and morality.

"That explains why Harry was so insistent they fight back." Uma frowns. "He said something about Deez telling him to do only what he could live with."

He smiles, "She would worry for them. Would want to keep them from feeling as she has in the past."

"Definitely sounds like Deez to me." Uma nods.

"But what Deez has done in the past is so different from what they're doing now." Faustina frowns. "Deez always killed by accident, or in defense. Harry and T are hunting people down and purposefully killing them."

"The taking of a life is never easy, and Deez has struggled with every person she has killed. Purposefully or not, it still hurt her to know she had that kind of power." He shakes his head, "So, knowing that something was going on, I can only imagine she took her experience and offered what advice she could to help keep Harry and T safe from themselves."

"It did make me feel better that they weren't just killing them." Uma sighs. "But then Harry came back from an ambush and I…" She wipes the tears from her eyes roughly. "He almost fucking died."

Yensid's eyes widen, but before he can say anything Faustina's gasp pulls his and Uma's attention.

"Harry almost-" Faustina closes her eyes as she turns away with a dark look coloring her face. Her green eyes harder than usual as she glared at the hammock where she or T usually passed out in. Her hands ball into fists at her side, and she looked like she might hurt something. Or someone.

That was very unlike the Faustina he'd come to know, but since he'd already hazarded a guess at the romantic feelings she seemed to possess for Harry, it made perfect sense. It would seem this group, even the unassuming ones, were very protective of the ones they loved.

"Yeah…" Uma blinks as she looks over Faustina in concern.

Faustina takes a deep breath before she lets it out. "I see." She frowns. "That is..." She clears her throat gently. "I understand something needs to be done. They've started something that can't just be reversed, and shouldn't be. But why should it be our family that has to take this much risk? Why should it be Harry out there doing something so soul tarnishing? Putting his life on the line for something Maleficent should have put an end to before most of us were born? Taking a life has to take a toll on them. Nearly dying to one of them? Doubly so." She shakes her head, "Can't the goblins just drop off the rest at her feet, or even the temple? Surely one of the two could take care of them. Maleficent out of duty or The God of Death out of entertainment. I don't want to lose any of you to someone like father. Esp-" She shakes her head, "It would be devastating. To all of us. I doubt it would lead to anything short of more bloodshed and death and that's just not the type of people you've collected or the type of person you are." She finishes with a surprising amount of vehemence.

Uma sits back in her seat before her eyes lower. "Can the Goblins do that without it looking like they no longer follow her orders? And what if she doesn't deal with it? As for Uncle, that's, unfortunately, a question for Deez or T." She sighs, "Maybe Harry. And if this whole thing is part of a deal, what would Uncle do to Deez if it's not upheld? He's been pretty lax with her so far, but-"

"You don't trust him to continue to be so." Yensid finishes.

"No. I don't. And after everything he's done to her, I'm not sure I even trust this new approach he's taking." Her eyes flicker to Faustina for a moment before she taps her fist against the table, "But that doesn't mean I'm willing to sacrifice the rest of the family to keep her safe either. I just, I need options. Because the biggest thing we're not talking about is the fact that T took this upon himself to start," She taps her fist harder to the table, starting a rhythm as she continues, "and Harry is going along with it while we prove to him that we trust him, that we're not going to take away his freedom or his ability to do what he thinks is right for the isle."

Faustina drops her eyes to her lap as she lets out a heavy sigh.

"Unfortunately there aren't many options, Captain, and the ones there are, are already on the table so to speak." Yensid frowns.

Uma bites her lip before she shakes her head and looks at Faustina, "I'm scared to lose you and T."

Faustina glances at Uma, "I hear you're scared to lose both of us, but I promise I don't plan on going on anywhere, so that means T won't either."

Uma presses her fingers to her temples, "I'm not cut out to be the leader of the entire fucking isle if I can't even figure out how to fix this without possibly losing someone. Even if it's just their trust."

Faustina frowns, "But that's exactly what makes you a great leader."

"My lack of decisiveness? Oh yeah," Uma rolls her eyes, "great trait for a leader to have."

"No," Faustina shakes her head, "That will come with time by making these types of decisions. What makes you a great leader is the fact you care about your people and what they feel about you. That you don't like the idea of sacrificing something of this magnitude but understanding that's a serious possibility. It's a good starting point, albeit a steep learning curve."

Yensid frowns as he watches the two. How ironic that one personality was all action, while the other was so intellectual. And further, that one was advising on how to deal with the actions of the other. "As I understand it, you're worried about T going back out and finishing the job, however much of the job is left."

"Oh, I know T will finish the job." Uma wipes a hand down her face in exasperation. "I just don't know if he should."

"But currently he is unable to do so."

Uma turns from him to Faustina, "But I don't know how to keep Faustina out."

"But for the time being, T is unable to take off, which will give you time to think this over, and me some time to perhaps try a different approach."

Faustina looks between the two of them, "If it would be easier I can excuse myself."

Uma shakes her head, "We're supposed to be celebrating. Harry will be back with Gil and Deez any time now."

"My misunderstanding was silly and foolish, I should've known better and I'm sorry. This seems much bigger and if my being here impedes it, I have no quarrels with leaving."

"You being here is one of the only things keeping me sane right now." Uma points out, "Please, I know you don't like being up here with a lot of people, and you'd rather go back to your room, but this celebration is important."

Faustina frowns, "I wasn't- That's not-" She chews her lip.

"I didn't think you were lying to me or anything," Uma holds her hands up, "I'm just acknowledging how hard I know this will be for you. And asking that you see it through for me. Please."

"Understood," Faustina blushes before she hangs her head.

Yensid smiles at the girls before he turns to Uma, "Captain, with your permission, I'd like to go speak with the God of Death to get a few answers, and then perhaps the Mistress of Evil will grace me with an audience." He knew it was a long shot with Hades, but they'd had a conversation back when the god had stormed the ship looking for T. Perhaps the god would find him entertaining once more.

Uma's eyes sweep over him before she hesitantly nods, "Of course. I at least know you won't do anything stupid."

"My days of stupidity for stupidity's sake are long since behind me." Yensid chuckles before he stands, "I'll go ahead and set out then, hopefully I'll be back before nightfall, or within a few hours of it."

"Watch yourself out there old man. The isle feels funny right now." Uma warns him.

"I'll do my very best Captain." He thoroughly enjoyed her instinctive nature to care and worry over those she called her own, and was happy to see himself mothered along with the rest of them, "But before I take my leave and you spend my absence agonizing over this problem," He braces a hand on her shoulder, "You should know you are an excellent leader. As a Captain. As the head of your family. Even, if you so wish it, one day an amazing Queen of the Isle. Try not to be so hard on yourself when you can't find a perfect answer, and continue to rely on those you love to support you."

Uma's hand comes up to clasp around his wrist and squeezes, "Thank you." She smiles weakly before she drops her hand. "Do your best to come back before night falls, please."

"My best," He promises before he lets his hand drop back to his side. "Try to enjoy your celebration. Cove yesterday or not, you all need to have more fun."

OMG, there is like so much about this chapter that made me fucking laugh my ass off.

Mostly the banter between Uma and Faustina.

I can only hope you all felt the same.

All-time fave quotes, at least from this scene-

"No-" Faustina shakes her head emphatically, "No of course not, I meant bring them to Adelaide. She's the closest the isle has to lions..."

Shit had me rolling. That and the following conversation about biblical references. Shit was beautiful.

But enough about my opinions,

What did you think about the discussion between the three?

Love doing chapters from Yensid's PoV. Even more so when these two are involved- Hope ya'll agree cause we'll be seeing much more of it in book 5.

Anyways…

What did you guys think about the topic of conversation? Can any of you come up with better ways to solve the conundrum than what these three concocted?

Let us know-

No seriously let us know. It's hard to write a 700+ year old sorcerer…

Much love and appreciation

-Twisted