Chapter 2
Vyse awakened to the sound of a raging ship battle. It took place within his head, and he couldn't retreat from it.
His head was pounding, his eyes felt sandy, his mouth dry as a bone. He groaned, pressing his head down at the pillow. This was the price of a merry night with the loqua. He blinked, and absently wondered what the time was. Was it dawn, or had he overslept until lunch? Well, whatever the case, he was awake, and he might as well get up. But though his mind wanted to get out of bed, his body just said 'are you crazy!' and wanted to remain where it was. A bed was never as comfortable when you had to get up. Body and mattress had formed a perfect symbiosis with each other, the sheets were as soft as cream, and the pillow cradled his head in a tender embrace.
Vyse compromised. He rolled to his left and soon hit the floor. Not the easiest way, but it worked. The floor was not comfortable even with the carpet, so he stood up and began to dress. After that he decisively made the bed, he didn't want to fall for the 'just five more minutes' temptation.
With everything done, Vyse went out from his room and headed towards the tavern, the battle in his head still went on. The morning-air was crispy. He took a deep breath, as if washing away the bad taste in his mouth. Probably just past dawn. The rest of the island's populace were wisely still asleep.
He entered the little building and began to look through the shelves. Hot tea, bread, cheese and ham. It was said those were effective against the complications of hangover. He started to boil some water for tea and koketa eggs. At that moment, the door was opened, and Aika came in. Eyes half-closed, feet dragging, head hanging, she didn't seem too well. Only the braids looked good, but they always did.
"Not a word from you," Aika groaned. "I have at least two... billion Gigases in my head, and none of us are in a good mood."
"Mornin' to you too, sunshine," Vyse said. "Here, have some water to start with, the tea will soon be ready."
Aika looked at the set table, filled with fresh bread ready to turn into yummy sandwiches, and even some left-over sugary cakes from yesterday night. She peered at Vyse, taking a few steps to the side to get a look at his backside.
"Where have you put your wings?" she said and sat down, beginning to help herself.
"Lost since long. After all, I'm fallen."
"Mmmph," Aika said through the sandwich in her mouth. "Yow yuft wedeemed yowsefh."
Vyse sat down, made himself a sandwich and put on double layers of ham. The kettle began to smoke a bit, but it was not quite ready. But Aika seemed more than ready to have both seconds and thirds when she had devoured her first sandwich and gulped down some water in the desert which was her throat.
"I was thinking" Aika started, licking some water droplets from her lips. "about yesterday night. Am I just imagining, or did you and I… did I..."
"Yes, it's really true," Vyse said. "Sorry, it was not a nightmare."
"Oh noes!" Aika moaned, and bashed her head against the table. "Until you marry me, I'm a tainted girl."
"Now wait a second!" Vyse exclaimed. "Just what are you imagining!?"
"Sorry," Aika's head popped up, and she grinned widely. "I couldn't help it. But perhaps it'll teach you to hear people out."
"Teach me? Sounds funny coming…"
"… from me, well okay maybe. But I got license. You're the orderly one of us two, right? Besides, bucko, aren't you forgetting we've already wed?"
Had he been that gone? He should've remembered that. But then again, loqua had some interesting effects on both the memory and judgement.
"No, but we were just kids then." He smiled. "Playing wedding and the ring was just a turned twig."
"Yeah, but you made it yourself. Not fancy or anything, but kinda romantic."
Vyse sighed and rolled his eyes, but smiled none the less. No matter how much things changed, some things stayed the same. Aika would always be with him, as she'd always been, and vice versa. Two persons with a shared past, present and future, they had seen each other grow from children to where they were now. It had been a nice journey with a wonderful companionship, so far, and it wasn't over just yet.
The door was opened up, and Fina entered. She looked fresh enough, but seemed just a little more tired than usual in the morning.
"Ding-dong," Aika said.
Fina gazed cluelessly at Aika, while rubbing her forehead. It was far from the first time she had looked like that.
"Copper-beating," Aika explained. "It's another word for hangover."
"It feels so, indeed," Fina said with just a little soar voice. "Are you sure it's just an idiom?"
"Wrong, Fina. Idiom is another word for like air head or dumb nut."
"I'm not falling for that. What you mean is 'idiot'."
"Drat."
Vyse took up a small applause, which made Aika glare at him, but then fall into laughter, which they all joined in. The Silvite sat down and they shared breakfast.
"It'll pass soon," Vyse said. "Often it's one of the signs of a successful party."
"Well, in this case it's true," Fina said. "Also, I now understand what they mean when they say the sober must pay for the drunkard."
"Whoa, whoa, WHOA there, now hold on a sec!" Aika exclaimed. "You mean you've learned the concept of 'figure-speech'? Great! Now we only have 'literal' left."
"That one?" Fina asked. "Isn't that what you say I shouldn't take whenever you or Vyse say something very weird and totally incomprehensible?"
"Wonderful. Now you're like in the old days."
Vyse still felt worn, and his headache still lingered, so he remained passive during Aika and Fina's verbal battle with each other.
It felt really nice. Cosy moments like these, with just the three of them, had become rare. Previously, they had day off ever since they won the battle at Soltis, with some exceptions. They had enjoyed peace and each other for so long. Now they didn't have Crescent Isle all for themselves. No more morning siestas, late breakfast, pool parties, doing truth or dare and other stuff whenever they liked. Well, no matter. As long as they were together, everything was fine.
Suddenly, Aika's gloved hand waved in front of his eyes.
"Hey, still here?"
"Of course," Vyse replied. "I was just thinking on how much things have changed."
"I should know that," Fina said.
Yes, for her it had been most overwhelming. It was literally a whole new world for her. But still, somehow, these days it felt like it was destiny. Just like he had said to her once, if Aika was like his sister, Fina was a lost sister who had come home after many years.
"No change for me," Aika said, leaning back with her hand behind her head. "I'm quite perfect, thank you very much. Well, maybe some more fruit."
"Myself, I can't imagine a better life," Fina smiled.
"Yeah," Vyse said. "I know how it feels to have your own fan."
"You mean Rod?" Fina said. "Well, it's flattering, but still…" Fina smiled in a most adorable way. "Just in case, I'm trying out a new form for Cupil. I think it's called mallet."
"Psycho."
"Is that something bad?"
xXx
Later on, Aika, Nina and some others began repair work on the Dove, one of their smaller ships. They were a group of five people, including Esteban. He wasn't much of a mechanic, but he helped with whatever he could. After they were done, they had decided to have a snack in the pantry. Everybody except Esteban. Without saying anything, or leaving notice, he had left the harbour.
Now Aika was on her way to his room. She felt both annoyed and worried. If he wanted to become friends with the others, it had to be now. Else, he would always be left out.
She went up the stairs, and knocked on his door. It didn't take long before he opened.
"We're missing you," Aika said. "Aren't you coming along?"
"I'm just not very hungry," Esteban replied.
"It's not what you do together that counts. Just do it."
Esteban didn't answer. He frowned and looked down at his feet. He shrugged in a most disgruntled way.
"You don't like them very much, do you?"
There, she said it. She might regret it later.
"I do not dislike them if that's what you mean."
"Fine, let's go then," Aika said, as if it had been his decision.
She took him at the wrist and began to walk away. He had to come along if he didn't want to be dragged. They had made it halfway to the fountain when Esteban shook his arm loose. He kept up with her none the less.
"Sorry 'bout that," Aika said. "It's just that you gotta give them the chance to get to know you better."
Esteban didn't answer at that either. He looked as if he was walking to a dull, heavy, work-shift in the Valuan mines and not for a merry moment with some potential friends.
There were dark moments when Aika began to wonder if Esteban would go back to his old self. His smiles were becoming rarer, and he only seemed glad when he was with her.
"By the way… I was wondering," Aika began. Esteban turned her eyes to her. "You don't have to answer, but… Have you told anyone about… that you're from the Lower City?"
"No," he said firmly. "And I don't intend to."
"Okay, it's your choice. But you know what happened first time you met Brabham."
"That was different. He couldn't have known. And if they croak something, I'll let it pass. I'm done with it, and I don't want them to constantly remind me."
"Then just tell them so. Besides, most people wouldn't do things like that."
"All of them?"
"Ah, I know who you're getting at, but he's not too bad. In fact, I think all of them are quite okay. But I still have some favourites."
Esteban did not seem curious to who those would be. At least he didn't ask. Aika smiled and said:
"Vyse, Fina and you."
It took much, but he did smile.
xXx
The days came and went. Kirala managed to finish the hut for the hot spring. Aika was overjoyed. The Yafutoman carpenter already began planning for a new living-quarter.
"Just in case," she said. "You never know when you might need extra lodging."
Fina and Chloe worked on the flower garden. The Silvite liked flowers, and Chloe knew how to plant. She had been around a lot, so she knew "very little about very much". In time, maybe they would plant jasmine flowers.
When Fina was not planting nor had something else to do, she lend a hand in the kitchen. Fina liked cooking and everybody liked Fina's cooking so it was no good to hold her out, even though she didn't have to. She had tried to get Esteban to help them out. He did so, but with no real enthusiasm, which was against Fina's expectations and plans.
With the Dove repaired, Nicole and her crew had journeyed to the Valuan capital to pick up the Azaela. Fina had joined them, and on the way home made a stop at Comienzo to pay a visit to her friend Heidi. Her family had plans to eventually buy a currently empty house and set it up as a store for their ornaments. But for that, they needed money. Fina had happened to have some diamonds on her, and offered them to Heidi. It had been hard to make her accept them; they were worth a small fortune after all. But helping people and friends were a Blue Rogue's obligation, so Heidi had finally given in.
Vyse, while he was not on his new-old duty as captain for a whole crew, was busy thinking over the new ship he had been promised. He had settled for a name, yet he still hadn't seen it. All he knew was that it was a battleship; a real sailing boat, all for him to run under his care and command. He felt giddy all over just at the thought of it.
Of all the new folks, Aika got along the best with the little Pacco, and Rodrigo. She had her reasons for that. First, since he seemed like a pretty nice guy all along. Secondly, this was hard to explain, she had a feeling she had to divert an approaching storm. Someday, Rodrigo and Esteban might clash together. It didn't help that Esteban already felt aversion to him, not only because he was from the Upper City. Perhaps, Aika thought, it might give him motivation to get out of his little inner clamshell. Hurry or I'll make HIM my new friend.
"So," Aika began, as they sat in the tavern. "What was her name?"
"Louise," Rod said. "I met her on a posh banquet. She was from a fine family, and really something extra. As soon as I saw her, I knew it was her or no one."
"She was quite a looker, I guess?"
"That too. It's a nice bonus, but it was her inside that caught me."
Seldom had Aika seen Rod that serious, even if he had said a cliché.
"So what happened?"
"We met several times, and engaging in that process that's called courting. But she met another. And it seemed to click immediately between them. I had tried to snare her for ten months, and she fell for this jerk after only one!"
"Wow. Bummer."
"Yes. They probably lived happily together, so I guess that's fine. But the real thing is… how shall I say… he had the looks, manners and tact of a dhabu. And that's an insult against the dhabus." The memory of the old rival quickly made his face wrinkle. "Once, he drunk himself into oblivion, in her plain sight and then he… never mind, and that was just among other things. I've honestly no idea what she ever saw in him!"
That must've hurt. Being dumped was bad enough. But being dumped for someone like that...
"It was an arranged marriage, wasn't it?"
"Well, now afterwards I guess so. Happily married away, as long as that may have lasted, if I ever cared."
"And that turned you into a skirt-chaser?"
"Not really. I've always been like this, a bit." He frowned a bit. "Then again, no offence to the fairer gender, but what use is it all anyway?"
"And now you're just gonna give it all up?" Aika exclaimed. "Come on, don't get caught up on her. She made a bad choice, does that mean she's gonna bring you down with her? And besides, give up? Try to ask Fina if you've quit."
"Sure thing," Rod smiled. "But she isn't… I don't believe I'm her type, even though she's the cutest I've ever seen in a long time. No, she does not look like Louise."
A bit of self-insight didn't hurt. Look-but-don't-touch perv sounded good. He could at least admit both for himself and others that he maybe wasn't the world's prince charming. He was nice, but perhaps no good candidate for Fina. Then again, who was Fina's type? And did she know what 'type' meant?
The sound of fast steps was heard outside, then the door flung open.
"Aika!" Vyse said. "Get down to the harbour. Fina has sighted an incoming ship."
"What!?" Aika shouted and flung up. "Black Pirates!?"
"No. They have no cannons, strangely enough. It looks like some visitors."
Right then, Fina arrived at the tavern. It was decided that Rodrigo would continue to keep the ship under watch. The Silvite handed over her binoculars, and they began to walk to the harbour. Far away, at the west, a ship could be seen. Only a few people knew the location of Crescent Isle. Their guests might be old friends who wanted to drop by or old enemies who wanted to say a 'thanks for last time'. You never became legend of the world without stepping on some toes.
"What kind of visitors is it?" Aika asked.
"Nasreans," Fina said. "I saw it on the ship itself but also on the man steering it. The ship was well intact and polished, so it's not made for fighting. Also, the sails were top-notch, but the deck was somewhat messy. The ship's name is Eagle."
"It's amazing how much you can see with that binocular," Vyse said. "And at that distance."
"I know," Fina said. "I wish we knew how it works. It's something with the silver moonstones, I presume."
"Speaking of seeing things," Aika said. "Has anyone seen Esteban?"
"At his ship. He said he needed to fix it a bit."
Now they had entered the cave. They went down the stairs and continued all the way through the harbour. Aika threw a glance to the right at the break-room. The door was open, and a few persons sat there, Esteban among them with his back towards the door.
"I'll be right back," Aika said quietly to her friends.
Vyse and Fina nodded, knowing just what would happen.
Carefully, silently, all according to the art, Aika sneaked into the room with a finger on her lips to say: 'Be quiet'. Esteban was totally oblivious to her presence. He didn't notice her looming above him.
Perfect.
Quickly she shoved her pointy-fingers right beneath his armpits and booed. The effect was great. Esteban jolted forward with a startled shout, almost falling down on the floor. He quickly turned and was faced with a giggling Aika. The rest of the room fell into her merriness.
"You… crazy…!"
"Sorry 'bout that," Aika grinned. "But you can't just leave yourself open like that. How am I supposed to resist?"
"I guess you've never learned self-restraint."
"Look, that's the most boring word I know of. Anytime I try to say it out loud, I fall asleep."
Aika had her reasons to keep doing this to Esteban. Firstly because she simply loved these things. She never ever grew tired of seeing his expression: shocked and cutely angry. It was nice to see him heated rather than just laid back.
Secondly, and most importantly; if no one wanted to be with him, at least they knew Aika wanted to. Thus he couldn't be all that bad, could he?
"We got a ship heading our way out here. Wanna come?"
Esteban nodded, and quickly got up.
"Are they invaders?" Chloe asked, ready to go.
"Probably not," Aika said. "But if you hear shooting and stuff, get out here quickly. Else, you'll miss all the fun."
Aika and Esteban left the room. But as soon as they were out, Esteban went straight to his little ship.
"Where are you going?" Aika asked.
"Evening up the odds," Esteban replied.
He stepped onboard, and popped into the bridge-cabin. He returned a moment later with his crossbow. Right then, rumbling sounds were heard nearby. A ship entered the docks, the same one they had seen before, at least that's what Fina said.
The name Eagle was written in dark clear letters. The ship was painted red, and the sails were white.
Its passengers disembarked. Very familiar passengers.
"Good to see you again," Vyse said to Khazim and his gunners.
"Same to you," Khazim said, smiling heartily, but then turned serious. "Am I just imagining, or is he aiming at us?"
"Oh," Vyse said, after taking a look over his shoulder. "Esteban, put that thing down! These are friends."
Immediately Esteban disarmed his crossbow and hooked it to his belt. He had been too hasty there, but they weren't used to visitors. From his earlier profession he knew when to relax and not.
"So you've gotten a bodyguard," said one of the gunners. "Well, that might be needed."
"What? Are we in trouble or something?" Aika said.
Khazim nodded, with very serious eyes. Very convincing, it felt like a cold wind just passed by.
"Has there been an attack at Nasrad?" Fina asked worriedly.
"Almost. A very important member of the Nasr council has been murdered. And the culprits… are you."
"What are you saying!?" Vyse exclaimed, expressing the outrage everyone felt. "We've never murdered anyone!"
"I know that," Khazim said. "But that's not the version of the state."
"But what are they saying we've done?" Fina asked. "Who was it, and when?"
"It was when we last met," Khazim began. "As they said, that night you kidnapped Medellin. Ships were being sent out in all haste to save her, but they were shot down by the Delphinus. And then you might have had plans to attack the city itself, but you left. After that, anyone in Nasrad who's been a Blue Rogue is blacklisted by the remaining council. Effectively, they have more or less declared war at you. We decided to get out as quickly as possible while we had the chance. So here we are."
The cold wind just increased into a blizzard. And just when Valua had stepped down as their number one enemy… After all they had done for the world! How could this have happened? Had Esteban taken the wrong person, or was even darker forces at work? Had a new mastermind arisen in the wake of the syndicate's demise?
"I see," Vyse said decisively. "Thanks for the warning. Until this all blows over, you're welcome to stay."
"Yeah," Aika said. "The more the better, now especially."
"Excuse me," Esteban said. "I just realised something."
They turned to face him. For some reason, he looked completely anxious and terrified, as if he had been marooned and realised he hadn't packed any moonstones. His whole appearance screamed fatal mistake.
"The day before we met," he began. "When I had done my last job for her, she told me that she 'worked close with the council'. But I thought she meant it like she had a hold on them."
"Coming from someone like that, I'd think so too," Vyse said. "So she was playing double all along. And prepared to give us the blame if she wouldn't get back."
"This is terrible," Esteban mumbled, as if to himself. "I have..."
Suddenly, he staggered, as if he was falling. Aika quickly caught him. Esteban shrugged himself loose from her, and turned away his face, which had now paled. His convulsions could be seen by anyone.
"If you don't mind, captain," Khazim said quickly. "I'd like to inspect the cannon-storage. It's in the same place, right?"
"Yeah sure, go ahead," Vyse replied.
Khazim and his gunners left, leaving the four friends for themselves.
Esteban looked devastated. His head hung down with his chin against his chest. His eyes clamped shut. Aika had never seen him this close to tears since their nightly talk at the lookout.
"What's wrong?" Vyse asked.
It was a no-brainer question. But it would be best to let him explain in his own words.
"That we met, that's what's wrong," Esteban said.
"What are you saying!?" Aika blurted.
"Haven't you been listening!? We got all Nasr after us! Everything because of me! If we just hadn't met, I wouldn't have told you about them, and this would never have happened."
Vyse looked at him, calmly, without interrupting.
"Are you finished?"
Esteban swivelled around towards his captain, with his hands raised as if to shake him. His eyes were filled with anger and despair, and covered with a thin veil of tears.
"Don't you realise what this means! How in the... how the hell can you just…!"
"I definitely realise," Vyse began. "that we've made life a lot easier for people in Nasrad." He placed a steady hand on Esteban's shoulder, and fixed him with his eyes. "We are Blue Rogues, we fight for those who can't defend themselves. That means we get in tight spots sometimes, yes, but we are used to it. By the way, the fleets of Nasr are nothing compared to the armadas, and we've managed all of them."
"Yeah, with the right-hand," Aika said. "Or, with the left-hand in your case. Those big-mouths in the council can nag all they want, but they'll never find us. And people aren't so easily deceived."
"Aika has a point there," Fina said. "When I visited Comienzo, there wasn't any talk among either the people or the traders about this. No bounties have been posted on us, and there has been no talk about capturing Blue Rogues."
Esteban looked vainly at them, as if he didn't believe them. But then he saw that they were serious. Slowly the despair melted out of his features, his tense quivering stopped and he exhaled in relief. Never before had anyone seen such a happy beautiful smile.
"That… sounds better," he said. "… so you're not angry with me... or blaming me then?"
"Of course not," Vyse said. "And before you say it, yes we want you to remain with us. If we have to take on some of their ships, I'd feel better with you behind our cannons."
xXx
It didn't take long before all of Crescent Isle knew about what had happened. They were all gathered together for a briefing. Dissatisfied shouts were heard, among which "ungrateful scuzzbuckets" had been the mildest.
Missions had been passed out for everybody. The Delphinus would be kept in tip-top form, as well as the Azaela and the Dove. Drilling and exercises would take place until everybody knew what they had to do. Different scenarios were thought up, and solutions prepared. Supplies hereafter would be bought in Valua only, there would always be people on the lookout from dusk to dawn. It was hard enough, but nothing brought people together like a common enemy. The whole band oozed with a let's-get-them spirit.
"Of course," Vyse ended his speech. "Chances are small they'll actually get here, and we shall avoid engaging them as much as possible. But if they get us cornered and want to tangle, then we'll show them what we're made of. We are Blue Rogues. They will not take us down! No one has and no one will!"