Chapter 6
Lyndon somehow felt a twisted kinship with the absolute mess that was Gea Kul.
The once small but lovely little port got hit with the "urban sprawl" around the 1260s and it ended up being a borderline labyrinth with run-down houses and impossible-to-keep-track-of intersections. Even Lyndon would have gotten hopelessly lost here, had the helpful farmer not give him directions to the harbor. The city seemingly lacked any sort of structure, there was no center recognizable at first glance, or different districts and neighborhoods. Pretty much every house looked like it could hold either a poor family of 7 inside, or a band of thugs. The scoundrel found it safer to just rush into the port the fastest possible, especially with Quiet out in the open.
Once Lyndon bid a somewhat still angry, somewhat apologetic farewell to the old farmer and walked a couple of blocks into the city, Quiet decided he had had enough of being quiet. With an angry shriek he began clawing his way out of the backpack, Lyndon could barely catch him midair before he could have smacked into the ground. The scoundrel really didn't have the patience for the small angel right about now, but the little one adamantly refused going back inside the bag, so much so that Lyndon couldn't even lift him off the ground for some reason.
So here they were now, walking down on a street that was supposed to be the main one of the city, Lyndon holding the small hand and Quiet tilting his head left and right constantly, red eyes checking out everything around them. He didn't try to run off or flutter his wings (yet) at least, and Lyndon soon realized he didn't really have to worry about the angel's lack of face, either. The locals appeared to be completely indifferent towards them, so much so that Lyndon sometimes had to yank Quiet of the way of a pedestrian or even a cart that refused to acknowledge the small form in their way and just kept on going in a straight line.
Clearly, the glory days of Gea Kul were over.
A part of Lyndon was grateful for the distraction that came with having to look out for Quiet more actively. Without this, he would have already gone nuts, mulling over his predicament and guilt, and drawing even dumber parallels between the state of the city and himself than he already has.
- Quiet, don't touch that! – he pulled the small angel back from a nearby bijou-vendor's counter, as they passed into the jewelry street market.
He could tell at a single glance that every piece of jewelry there was fake, but of course Quiet would be mesmerized by their shiny appearance. The scoundrel always had a suspicion that angels were like magpies and now he seemed to getting confirmation. Why else would they build their Silver City in a way that even the goddamn trees had their own light? In fact… in fact yeah, that had to be it! Even Itherael walked around with a glowing scroll instead of normal everyday paper.
- Next time Imperius is a jerk, I will just dangle a sparkly necklace before his eyes to shut him up – Lyndon snickered to himself slightly, picturing the scene. – I've got to try it out with Tyrael, too!
Maybe they should have just scattered shiny stuff and golden dimes around the room when they faced Malthael. Gods know how easy the fight would have been then…
Quiet's happy chirp knocked him out of his train of thoughts and Lyndon threw himself after the little angel who was in the middle of hugging a stunned street merchant (probably from Caldeum) who wore a bit too many accessories, gems and jewels on his robes and turban.
oooOOOooo
After deciding that he would regain his memories one way or another, a strange sense of eagerness settled in Quiet and he realized he couldn't stay inside the bag any longer. Allowing his demand to be heard clearly, he climbed his way out of there, only for the ground, that was faaaar deeper down than he thought, to suddenly lurch towards him.
Thankfully, Leendonn grabbed him before he could faceplant into the mud, and then gently set him down on his feet. He gestured angrily at the backpack and said something that sounded like an order. In return, Quiet puffed up his cheeks and shrieked angrily, shaking his head. Leendonn reached for him, and Quiet asked that the earth does not let go of him. Winning this brief clash of individuals, the small angel clicked his tongue contently, as he slipped his small hand into the large palm of Leendonn and allowed himself to be guided in this place.
He didn't really pay attention to where they were going, instead he soaked in everything he saw, hoping that something would jog his memory. There were a lot of huumanns, along with their machines and animals that carried stuff for them. He saw huumanns with clothes just like his or Leendonn's, and others who tended to have long hair and long robes that did not reveal their legs at all. Small huumans surfaced in the crowd occasionally as well, most of them larger than Quiet, but a few around his size, guided by those long haired huumans, much like Leendonn did with him. Were they friends as well, just like Quiet and Leendonn? Probably this is how friends did around these parts.
The buildings weren't really inviting, they were mostly the ugly shades of brown, grey or green. Quiet got the distinct feeling that they should be white and gold, sparkling in the sun.
Oh, but something definitely sparkled over there! Quiet happily tried to walk up there, to inspect what beauty held that radiant aura, only for Leendonn to yank him backwards. Quiet puffed up his cheeks again but refrained from giving voice to his annoyance, due to the many huumanns around. His bad mood quickly evaporated, though, as more and more shiny stuff surfaced around them. He wanted to check every single one of them out, but Leendonn held him firmly this time.
At first Quiet thought the strange pleasant tingling that filled his body was due to his excitement over all this sudden beauty, but in all honesty, it had started when they began walking down this street in that place with the ugly houses. Quiet didn't exactly know where it came from or why, but he felt alert, energized like he hadn't before. He was so happy, he completely forgot about his incomplete memory and lack of name. He just wanted to bounce around, sing about his joy with a clear voice, and show everyone just how joyous and grateful he was for this day.
At some point, Leendonn's grip loosened for some reason, and Quiet immediately broke away. His eyes got caught on a fat huumann that was even shinier than everything else so far, so Quiet bounced there and hugged him, chirping about his happiness to the man.
Leendonn quickly peeled him off of the huumann, but by this point Quiet was so overjoyed he didn't even care. Leendonn pulled him into a tight hug, and the little angel returned the gesture, humming loudly about his emotions to his great friend.
oooOOOooo
Quiet had gone nuts. Lyndon could barely keep a hold of the little angel who clearly grew more and more energetic by the minute. He had to press him close to his chest and use one arm to stop his wings from flaring out from under the cape. Quiet thought he was being hugged and he returned it, humming happily, face buried in his shirt.
Honestly, despite the restlessness of the angel, it was such a sweet gesture, one that Lyndon wasn't really used to. Quiet was positively and steadily growing warmer, and his sudden good mood affected the scoundrel as well. He actually felt himself somewhat lighter, not as plagued by his own dark thoughts as before.
He remembered how his niece and nephew, Maya and Eric had always had similar effects on him. When Edlin was still fine, Lyndon rarely got a chance to visit them low-key. The four-year old Maya and the two-year-old Eric were the sweetest children ever, and they were always so happy to see their uncle, even when Lyndon couldn't bring them anything. Oh, all the carefree hours they spent together playing, Lyndon teaching the kids how to climb pretty much any surface! Ha, Rea was so angry with him for those—
Rea.
Lyndon visibly shuddered, as his joyful memories shattered like thin glass from the image of the woman. He felt his mouth dry out and his hold grow tighter around the humming Quiet.
Why? That was all he wanted to know. Why did she do it?! Edlin had loved her with every fiber of his being! He did everything to make sure she and the children had a comfortable life.
Lyndon realized the humming stopped. Looking down, he saw Quiet staring up at him with wide eyes full of worry and confusion.
- Leendonn – he chirped uncertainly, obviously searching for the right words. – Whe—whyyyy saaad?
- It's… nothing, Quiet, don't worry about it – the scoundrel tried to sound reassuring, pushing back the dark thoughts again.
His charge didn't really seem convinced, but he snuggled back into the hug, and began humming again, this time sounding more calming than happy.
Lyndon sighed as he picked up the pace again, wading across the seemingly endless crowd towards the port, silently grateful for his companion.
oooOOOooo
The harbor was like every other all across Sanctuary: chaotic, loud, reeking of fish, and full of greedy sailors who always looked out for opportunities to make some extra cash.
A fact Lyndon thought to be completely true up until this point, as he stood before the captain of the Albatross.
- 'Eyyyyy, mate, I dunnoo – the large, bearded, sleazy man grumbled, fidgeting his only remaining golden button on his worn-out blue coat. – Word from higher ups says we must wait.
- For what? What's so important?! – Lyndon hissed angrily, quickly losing his patience.
Strangely enough, his usual sum of bribe money, with which he had been able to pay down every sailor up to this point in his life, failed to persuade this captain to change his plans.
- Ya haven't heard? – the man looked at him.
- No, I was mostly on the road these past days – Lyndon grumbled angrily.
- S'mething's bad going down in Kingsport – the captain explained. – Really freaking bad. Word was sent out for the Hero of Sanctuary. The Albatross hafta wait for her arrival.
Lyndon actually felt his face lose a couple of tones at this. His grip unconsciously tightened on the strip of the backpack in which Quiet was now hiding once more.
Ooooh no. Dear gods, no.
- Listen, I need to get to Kingsport as fast as possible. I cannot wait for her! – he hissed desperately.
- Cannot help ya, mate – the captain shrugged.
- Then tell me, how else I can get to Kingsport, if not on your stupid ship!
- 'Ey! The Albatross is a mighty fine ship! She braved storms that would make demons quiver in fear – the captain barked angrily.
- I don't give a fuck about what she's been through! – Lyndon cried out, angrily thrusting the smaller money bag back into his pocket. – Listen here, mate, I need to find a way! You have to help me out here!
The captain sucked in a long breath, deep sparkly eyes seizing up the scoundrel.
- Please! – Lyndon pleaded.
-… Y'know how to sail?
- No.
- Damnit – the captain grumbled. – I'd have suggested ya take a boat yerself.
Lyndon resisted the urge to kick the guy in the shins for this. Did he honestly believe they would be having this conversation if the scoundrel knew how to sail a boat?! That would have been his first action upon hearing about Johanna, to jump straight into one and just go for it!
-… Arright – the captain suddenly leaned closer and lowered his voice, his ale-filled breath sweeping over the other. – I can only offer one advice, and that's risky as sin, boy.
- Yeah? – Lyndon choked, trying not to lean backwards.
- Ya ever heard of a man called Meshif Salavan?
- No.
- Ayy, a strange one, he is. Not really working up 'ere, y'know – the captain went on, poking his own temple with one finger. – Ain't no one wants to deal with him… only the desperate. But he's a true man of the sea, knows things nobody else does. He could get you to Kingsport… probably.
Lyndon wanted to laugh into the man's face then turn right around on his heels and go on his merry way. He had dealt with more than enough mortal, angelic and demonic madmen throughout his adventures with Johanna, and he was really goddamn fed up with them at this point. On the other hand, Johanna was coming here, and gods knew how far or close she actually was. The Albatross was the only ship leaving port right now (probably due to whatever was going on in Kingsport), meaning that Lyndon was currently in a dead end, with the exit behind him rapidly closing.
-… Where do I find him? – the scoundrel asked, finally relenting to his fate.
He was a gambler in some ways, after all.
ANGELS ARE DIVINE MAJESTIC AS FUCK MAGPIES, I'M CALLING IT NOW! And yes, it is canon for this fanfiction! Sue me!
Srsly, tho, this stupid-ass idea popped into my head and I just HAD to include it. The amount of stupid shit I will be able to do with this is amazing! :D
Fun fact for those who didn't play Diablo2 or don't remember it (you guys have no idea how lucky you are): Meshif is the sailor who transports your useless ass from Act II Lut Gholein to Act III Kurast, aaaand... that's pretty much it. Also he throws a dumbass figurine at your face halfway through some boring quest. He is yet another cardboard cut-out worthless nobody, just like literally everyone else in Diablo 2, and yes, I very much include the hero character, Tyrael and all of the big bad Evils. Fight me.
The "Salavan" last name is my making.
