As the day wore on Edmund continued working away at the sword while Raelyn was playing with her powers. Ed looked over as she continued making light displays in her hands, causing some to take shape. He chuckled when she flinched as she accidentally set one off like a firework. Raelyn glared but grinned, burying her head into his shoulder in embarrassment.
"I guess I don't have such a great handle on my powers all the time." She muttered sheepishly. Ed laughed again, setting down his sword to wrap an arm around her.
"It's alright. No one is perfect. Besides it's not like I can do anything like that." He pointed out sweetly. Raelyn lifted her head to grin at him. Distractedly she looked down at the sword in his hand, reaching out to stroke the smooth metal that was slowly becoming exposed.
"Is this like the swords you used to use?" she quietly inquired, still running her fingers over the cool metal. Edmund shifted closer to her and glanced down at the weapon.
"I'm not sure. The craftsmanship is similar but there's something different about it. Once I get down to the handle design I'll have a better idea." he explained. Raelyn nodded and grinned when she felt Ed press a chaste kiss to her temple. Lifting her eyes and scanning the deck she noticed Eustace making his way towards the stairways to the lower deck. Her eyes narrowed as she watched him glance around anxiously before disappearing. Edmund followed her line of sight and huffed before. The sound of little feet caught her attention and Raelyn tilted her head up to spot Reepicheep perching next to her, also eyeing the boy.
"Reep if you wouldn't mind….could you check on Eustace for me?" she requested. The mouse nodded with a grin, touched by her concern to the boy that no one seemed to be fond of.
"Of course, your Grace." He nodded before bounding off down below. Edmund frowned and looked back down at his girlfriend curiously.
"Why do you care so much?" he asked. Raelyn lifted up and swiveled around to face him properly.
"Why don't you care?" Edmund groaned dramatically and set the sword down to the side so he could pull himself up. Reaching for the redhead's hands he carefully lifted her onto her feet as well.
"He's annoying and a pain in the arse. Eustace is a waste of time, all he is going to do it whine and complain. It's best to just ignore him." he defended, folding his arms across his chest. Raelyn pursed her lips.
"Edmund he's your cousin and he's terrified." She countered. Edmund's eyes rose skyward.
"Terrified?" he asked, not convinced.
"Of course he is! He's in a totally bizarre and strange land with people and creatures capable of things you only read in story books. Complaining and trying to rationalize all this is his only way of coping and putting on a brave face." Raelyn elaborated for him, placing her hands on his arms imploringly. Edmund's stance softened as he looked down at his boots.
"Can you at least try to nice to him?" she whispered, leaning up to place a kiss on his cheek. Edmund smirked and turned his eyes towards her.
"Fine. But only for you." He finally agreed. Raelyn grinned and lifted up towards his face once more. However, they were interrupted by a thud and the sound out someone scrambling around. Their eyes shooting towards the stairwell the duo spotted Eustace frantically making his way onto the deck.
...
"Watch it." Tavros muttered. Eustace muttered a quick apology before darting away, looking over his shoulder for any sign of the mouse.
"Trying to run away? We're on a boat you know." Reepicheep pointed out in amusement as he swung on a rope, facing Eustace who froze.
"Look can't we just talk about this?" the boy pleaded.
"That was for stealing." Reep sliced a whole in the boy's shirt.
"That was for lying." He stabbed the orange on the edge of his rapier.
"And that is for good measure." He taunted, striking Eustace with the orange. The crew watched as Eustace glared, his hand holding the knife fidgeting. Edmund Raelyn shared an interested glance before turning their attention back to the scene. Reepicheep laughed in delight as Eustace fruitlessly swung the large knife at him. Flipping to the other side of the boy Reep flung the orange towards Captain Drinian who caught it with a grin.
"Now it looks like we have ourselves a duel." Reep grinned, readying himself. The crew gathered around the edges of the boat to watch the event unfold.
"Now take your best shot." Reep taunted. Eustace began stabbing and swiping at the mouse randomly, all the while Reep continued to taunt the boy to egg him on.
"Stop flapping your wings like a drunken pelican. Poise!" Reep instructed, displaying the proper stance. Eustace nervously looked around at the growing crowd. He locked eyes with Raelyn who grinned and nodded in encouragement. Steeling himself Eustace attempted to mimic the mouse's posture.
"Keep your blade up." Eustace did so before lunging forward and missing. Reep continued to leap across the ship as Eustace chased and swiped.
"Lunge with your foot. Not your left, your right." Reep instructed, smacking the boy in the respective legs.
"Be nimble! It's a dance boy, a dance." He continued to instruct. This time Eustace readied his stance and began stabbing at Reep with much more control.
"That's right, good!" the mouse praised as he continued to dodge. However, he yelped as he lost his balance on the rail and slipped off the side towards the water. Eustace lunged to look over the side, hoping to spot the mouse in the water below. Unknown to him, Reep was just above on the rigging. Tapping his opposing shoulder, he got Eustace to turn before kicking him in the back and causing the boy to fall into some baskets. Raelyn grinned.
"Thank you Reep. Whether or not he acknowledges it, he needed that." She beamed; Reep nodding humbly with a small smile.
"Look." Lucy called out to the rest of the boat. Everyone turned and watched as the small girl from the island crawled out of the basket that had been knocked over.
"Gael?" her father asked incredulously.
"What are you doing here?" he asked in confusion. However, his demeanor softened as he watched his daughter's lip quiver. With quick strides he made his way over to pull the girl into his arms. Captain Drinian made his way towards the duo, everyone watching silently. Raelyn grabbed Edmund's hand and looked up at him nervously, knowing the consequences for stowaways. Ed gripped her hands and shot her a comforting grin.
"Looks like we have an extra crewmember." Drinian mused. With a grin he held out the orange to the girl who took it gently, the tension breaking away.
"Welcome aboard." Lucy grinned at the girl.
"Your majesties." Gael curtsied as she looked between Lucy and Raelyn who made her way over to stand beside her.
"Call me Lucy, and this is Raelyn." Lucy dismissed the formality with a grin.
"Come on, let's get you cleaned up." Raelyn suggested, holding a hand out to the girl who took it timidly. As they headed towards the rooms down below, Raelyn caught sight of Eustace talking with Reepicheep. She grinned as a reluctant smile appeared on Eustace's face. Even though he quickly banished the emotion, Raelyn knew it was a step in the right direction for the boy. Now if only she could get his stubborn cousin on board to help.