Chapter 5
The sun began to rise above Sailor's Island. Its rays pierced through the skies, telling everybody it was the dawn of a new day in Arcadia.
From his time in the armada, Esteban was used to waking up quickly. He blinked a couple of times, and then stretched out. When he slept, he absorbed every bit of it like a sponge, so he wasn't tired. But no one could tell him beds felt comfortable. He much preferred his hammock.
Then he remembered where he was, and with who. At once he sat up in bed. He snatched his clothes and walked to the bathroom. He threw a look on Fina…
… and his steps slowed down until he stopped.
Fina lay in her bed, sleeping fondly, head resting in her hand, her breathing soft and calm. From the looks on her face, it seemed like she had a nice dream. She looked so relaxed and peaceful, just as tender and frail as the roses she had got yesterday.
Esteban had never before taken the word 'cute' in his mouth or mind. But right now, he didn't come up with anything else. He shook his head to get rid of the shivers along his spine. But why care? She was sleeping anyway.
Cupil chose that moment to beep, loudly and sudden enough to startle the looker. Already Fina moved in her sleep, soon about to wake. Esteban quickly went into the bathroom, muttering about 'damn silver things'.
The lock was simple but it was enough to keep the door shut. He removed his pyjamas, put on his regular blue and green clothes and then, for the first time, he buckled his new bracelet. It felt nice against the skin, like a smooth hand, but he dismissed the thought.
He felt thirsty and dry in the mouth. Hoping they had some water left he went out from the little room. Judging from the nightgown that was hung over the out folded screen, and the floating Cupil above, Fina was up and getting dressed too. He thought that, just maybe, he should turn back into the bathroom again. He didn't fancy the idea of being here when she was perhaps half-dressed.
Still not sure what to do, Fina popped out her head from behind the screen.
"Good morning," he said.
"Good morning, Esteban," Fina said. She looked glad, but then made a face of surprise and almost fear.
"Sorry!" Esteban said quickly, shoving a hand up at his bare forehead. He skipped over to his bed directly for his neglected headband. "I know, it looks pretty grouse. I only take it off when I'm going to sleep." After some swift maneuvers, he had tied it in place. "Maybe I should just get used to it. So that I won't forget it."
Fina then came out from behind the screen. For one split fraction of a second, he felt shocked but then saw that only clothes missing from her were the blue bandanna. She looked a bit cautious, as if she was about to tell him that she had wrecked his boat and broken his crossbow.
"How does it feel?" she asked, still.
"Nothing at all. It looks worse than it feels."
"I mean, afterward. After all they did to you."
Esteban was just about to repeat himself, but then caught on. Damnit! Why in the hell hadn't he realized it before? For all this time Fina had...
"If you think I'm blaming you, you can forget about it. I've never done that."
Fina flinched and took a shocked step back. Esteban understood that he, no matter the intention, could've expressed himself a bit gentler.
"Well… that's good… I guess," Fina said. "But if I just hadn't been caught, you wouldn't have to go after me."
"Ah," Esteban half-scoffed. He wanted to give a self-assured appearance, just to show Fina that he really meant what he said. It was just like when they had gotten the news about Nasr. He knew all too well how it might feel for her. "It might as well by my own fault for not going after you earlier," he said and walked up to her. "Or even the fu… lousy… the one who did it. What I mean is; I have no regrets from that day."
After a quick but deep hesitation and consideration, he stretched out a careful hand and gave her a quick pat on the shoulder, like Aika might do. Fina smiled in reply. She looked so relieved, as if carrying a bunch of cannonballs for a mile and finally got to get them off her shoulders.
"Thank you, Esteban. It means a lot for me to hear that."
"That's okay," Esteban said, suddenly feeling an urge to blink away something, as well as a warm wind breezing through him. "So, shall we get going?"
They began to clean up the room, which went fast. Then they took all their bags, went down the stairs to check out, and then headed towards the harbour, only making a quick stop by the shop to finally get the elusive curia crystals. Polly saw them from her window, so after being let in they bought some sandwiches for breakfast. After that was done, they walked through the gate to the harbour.
Fina looked around at all the new ships. Her own Silvite vessel stood by itself in a special part. The only remaining piece of Silvite Technology was valuable. Unfortunately also for those who didn't even know what a Silvite was. So the extra coins to pay the harbour guard had been well spent
"Hey! Fina, over here!"
Fina and Esteban looked at where the voices had come from. Then Fina recognized the ship. It was none other than the Albatross II. On its deck stood Vyse's parents and waved to her. Smiling, she headed towards the ship; Esteban followed her one step behind. The Air Pirate and his wife went down the gangplank.
"So good to see you again," Vyse's mother said.
"Same to you," Fina said. "This is Esteban, he is our new gunner. Esteban, meet Vyse's parents."
A couple of hands were shaken, and a congrats for signing up with such a good captain.
"Are you out getting supplies too?" Fina asked.
"It's just a short stop," Vyse's mother said. "Actually, we were going to visit you. And the children want to see Pow again."
"And we'll also make a stop in Nasrad," Dyne said.
It had been nice to met Vyse's parents again. But the word Nasrad seemed to smash that feeling into pieces. Maybe it was just Vyse who was targeted, but he was also the Blue Rogue, which meant no one would make difference on the rogues. Not to mention, this was his family.
"Wouldn't it be better if you took the route across Valua?" Fina suggested.
"How come?"
Fina hesitated. She was not sure how much she could say without hurting Esteban, who had felt so guilty of it all. But it all solved itself.
"Currently, we have some problem with Nasr," Esteban said straight. "We made clean house with a criminal group that had connections to the council. Blue Rogues are not welcome anymore."
"As for now, we don't know the full deal behind it," Fina inflicted. "So for the time being, we should stay away from there."
Dyne and his wife nodded, probably wondering what their son had gotten into this time. They knew for sure he went on just like usual, and that there would be no khale today.
Some wishes of luck and goodbyes later, Fina and Esteban finally boarded the shuttle. Soon they had left Sailor's Island far behind them.
xXx
Far away, east of Nasr, captain Jack of the Red Fury had his own problems.
Ever since his promotion, things had gone down. As quartermaster, he was able enough. But as captain, he was downright awful. He mostly relied on Enzino to get things done. So far, he kept the power, but only because they let him to.
Right now, they had rendezvoused with the other surviving ship. The Violen had been sunk by Vyse, two others had been taken by battleships from Nasr, and the last one had got a too close contact with the Minotaur. The Crimson Fear just wasn't much of a scourge anymore. The crew wanted to know what the captain was going to do about it. Now they sat in the galley. Jack stood by the table's head, with Enzino by his side.
"The syndicate is destroyed," Jack started, most obviously. "Nasr now has more time on their hands, and can make more effort to hunt down Black Pirates like ourselves."
No news in sight just yet. Just like always, Jack didn't realise his blunders until after he had said them. If he wanted to save his position, now was the time.
"Under these circumstances, we must get away from here. Our priority now will be Vyse."
With such a trophy, no one would question him anymore. It had sounded so right, but none seemed to cherish the idea. Headshakes and skeptical gazes filled the room.
"If I may say so," Enzino said. "That's just silly talk."
A consenting mumble was heard from the crowd. Jack turned to his underling.
"You dare interfere with my commands!?"
"Sure. Think a step longer; are you suggesting that we shall go up against the guy who faced the Valuan armada all by himself?"
"He had help!"
"At the last battle, yes. But not before. Baltor tried to take him on I don't know how many times. Did he succeed? No! Now he's disappeared, and there's no one left to pay the reward."
"W… who talks about the reward?" Jack said, pearls of sweat brought loose. "Imagine the prestige!"
Enzino did not let himself be swayed. Instead, he gave Jack a patient but at the same time patronizing gaze, as if he was disciplining a child.
"And imagine what all the Blue Rogues in the whole world would think. Lay a finger on him, and we won't get to live more than a few months."
"But…"
"Everybody, listen up!" Enzino called out. "Who thinks new leadership is needed?"
In fear, Jack saw how all the galley cheered at Enzino's suggest. It wasn't fair! He hadn't wanted to be a captain in the first place! Enzino must've gathered them all in his conspiracy.
"So, Jack, what do you say?"
So now he wasn't even a captain anymore. He was gone, finished, back to where he started.
"I suppose you got a much better idea, then," Jack said, in a last defiance.
"I sure have," Enzino grinned. "We just lay low for now. There's plenty of ships to go after in Valua. As for you, you can be our new swabber."
The whole galley echoed with laughter. Jack's former positions as captain weighed nothing. Now they had a new captain, and they did their best to follow his lead.
"Set me off at once," Jack said. "I've had enough of you."
"I see, but you know, I can't let you live with the rumors about us. You know a whole lot. If I were you, I'd get on started with the deck at once."
And the last remnants of hope died. He was sentenced to live out his days as a simple deckhand. But perhaps… one day, it was only a matter of time, they would take on a bigger ship than they could swallow. It would be easy to slip over, and then get away. Someday, he would get out.
xXx
At Crescent Isle, the work was going full-speed. Everyone did their best to help out with the painting. Paco, the shortest and least heavy in the ensemble, now hung in a rope and harness to paint the lower part of the stern.
Aika herself had the easy job of painting the railing. Painting was actually pretty fun. At least she didn't have to be fully concentrated; she could let her thoughts run freely.
Currently, they had run all the way to Sailor's Isle.
Sure, it might've been a good idea then. Well, she only did have good ideas… sometimes, but now it was both crisis and work hours. To just send away two healthy strong persons who were needed here was not all too smarty. If Dyne were her captain, he would've been in frenzy and forced her to scrub all Pirate Isle. But Vyse understood and forgave, like always. But best friends aside, next time she would ask him in advance. Because it would surely be more next times.
Sometimes, when Aika had a moment to spare, she used to have a read through in her diary, reliving past triumphs and not-so-great moments. The pages which documented the day Esteban signed up had by now been worn and dog-eared. Sure, the words had been worn out by time and she might not be that big of a poet. But darn, how happy she had been at that time! Decisively, she squeezed the brush's handle. She would do everything to get him back. No matter how long time it would take, she would make it somehow.
Distantly, she heard a whining sound. Aika directly recognized it as the sound of Fina's shuttle. She put the brush back in the bucket, went down the gangplank and awaited the ship. Mindly she prepared herself. It would be the first time she would meet Esteban since that sad night in the tavern. Aika had only suggested Fina take Esteban with her. She hadn't talked to him herself.
The beautiful, sleek shuttle glided inside the harbour, and then calmly stopped. All of the cave's occupants had looked up at the sound, then they went back to work.
Fina and Esteban disembarked the fully-loaded shuttle, carrying some bags. Aika went up to them. Her heartbeats sped up a little, and her guts turmoiled. Her inner self then shook her head. No, her two friends had just come back home. Simple as that. Nothing to worry about. Nothing to worry about, okay!
"Hiya!" she said. "You had a nice trip?"
"Oh yes," Fina said. She held up one of the bags. "Now we have enough crystals for some time."
"We also found out a lot of interesting stuff about us at the Sailor's guild," Esteban said.
Aika felt her heart missing a beat. So they were really wanted on a grand scale. Well, it was nice that her shenanigan had paid off, but she didn't have time to cherish.
"What do you mean?" Fina said. "There was nothing on us."
"I know, and that says a lot. For good, I mean."
The redhead sighed in relief. Fina shot Esteban a scorn, even though her lips shivered from a repressed smile. He just smirked in return, which made Aika's eyebrows jump upwards. Oh, and hey, hadn't he just made an attempt at a joke?
"Hey, have you got a new necklace?" Aika asked, having just noticed the golden flutterfly.
"Yes. There was a market going on while we were there. Very well-timed."
"I see you've almost got the ship ready," Esteban said. "Good work."
"Sure is," Aika said. "Maybe we'll take her out tomorrow. But… sorry, Fina, but captain wise-mouth over there says we have to remodel the Dove."
Fina blinked in surprise. The Dove was somewhat of Fina's favourite ship, next to her own shuttle. The word 'remodel' made all her warning-bells chime.
"Really?" she said. "But why?"
"You're going to armour it up?" Esteban asked.
"Nope. Cool idea, though. Tairon is gonna take her into Nasr and play Yafutoman trader. About time we find out what's going on there."
"Good idea," Esteban said.
"I agree," Fina said. "And she is Yafutoman to start with anyway. But this ship is done, right?" Aika nodded. "Isn't that worth something extra?"
Aika realised at once what that would mean. But on the other hand, fixing a whole ship would be worth something more towards the loqua-way. On the third hand, a hard booze party with the following hangover rhymed bad with being wanted. If a fleet of battleships would arrive at dawn, it would be embarrassing to be caught binge laid, especially if you had several armadas on your body-count already. But on the fourth hand, they weren't wanted anymore… maybe. But on the fifth hand, if the two of them did it…
"If you're gonna bake a cake, I'll not stand in your way," Aika said. "And those blockheads who do can always be keelhauled, or I can use them for boomerang practice."
"Then it's settled," Fina beamed. To Esteban, she said: "Do you have any suggestion?"
Aika could already hear his reply. A quick shrug and an 'I don't know'.
"It'll have to be something that can be made for many," Esteban said instead. "Maybe sponge-cake?"
"Put in some sugar-glazing and it'll be great," Fina said.
"I was hoping you were gonna say it. So, Aika, are we pardoned?"
"You got the captain's blessing," Vyse called out from the ship. He stood with his wrists on the gunwale, far away from Aika's paint. "Welcome home, by the way."
"Stop get in between when I try to be nice!" Aika shouted back.
"Don't give me that," Vyse replied. "You just want to stuff your face with cake. By the way, I'm still captain. I'm up here and you're down there."
"Vyse the Glass-eyed Tyrant, that's what you are!"
"Phew, I smell some envy!"
Shooting one last glare against her bossy captain, Aika tore her gaze away to her two friends. Fina and Esteban had begun to walk to the stairs. Now, when they couldn't see her, Aika stared with eyes about the size of Osman's sitting-pillow. She pinched her arm, but she didn't wake up.
Sure, this was what she had bargained for. So why was she so surprised? This should've been just a first step for Esteban. It was as if she had bet one meager gold coin in a lottery and won a million, or an own fruit plantation, whatever was the best.
As they began to traverse the stairs, Esteban said something to Fina, which Aika couldn't hear at this distance. But whatever it was, it made Fina laugh. The sight of that made warmth and joy spread through Aika, just like a hot bath in the spring after touring Glacia. Her face cracked up into a wide smile. Had she been alone, she would've screamed YAAAAAAAY so loud that it would've echoed for minutes.
And Aika does it again! she thought and made a spontaneous pirouette. I'm gonna say 'Told ya so!' to Vyse at least one hundred times, and that's only for today! But wait! Then he's just gonna say 'I thought it was a good idea too'. Shoot! Even when I'm right he always…!
"Looks like your plan paid off," Vyse said, who had just left the ship.
"You're always ruining my ideas!"
"… was it something I said?"
"No, not yet, but you tried to! Nah, sorry," she grinned and stretched out her left arm in a one-armed hug. "Don't mind me, I'm just thinking out loud. Plus, I'm in an overly happy mood right now."
"I'll take your word for that," Vyse said, squeezed in between her arm and cheek. "Now, are you gonna let me breathe sometime soon?"
Laughing, Aika let go of her halfly suffocated captain and then grabbed his hands for an improvised dance. No, there were no reasons to feel down. Especially when there would soon be sponge cake á la Fina.
xXx
After making a stop by the cave to dump off all crystals, and a quick visit to Fina's room for depositing her flowers, the two Rogues made it to the kitchen. Urala and Chloe were heading the lunch. Fortunately, they had fallen behind schedule, so the cake wouldn't be too delayed. Unfortunately, it meant they had to share the kitchen. Making all the batter went well enough, but the sugar glazing was a pain which was impossible to get right, at least according to Esteban. Fina hushed at him for using the word "impossible". What would Vyse say if he heard that? Fina gave a shot at the glazing and managed without any problems.
Soon people began to well in. The sky sardis Urala and Chloe had made was well received. After that was done, Fina and Esteban got to serve their dessert and the latest news from Sailor's Island, including the impending visit from Vyse's parents. To sum it up, it had been a wonderful lunch. News and food alike.
Having helped to clear away the dishes, Esteban decided to have a go with the ship, not only to get it airworthy, but it might also provide him with a reason to have a word with the others. Now he had his chance to prove himself, make good on his new discovery.
Down in the harbour, Esteban saw that Nina was at the new ship, painting the bulkhead of the superstructure. This was a good opportunity as any. After getting a brush, he boarded the ship, went up the stairs and walked up to her.
"You've all done a really good job with the ship," he said for starters.
"Oh," Nina said and turned. "Ah, yes. Thanks. It's amazing how much everyone has done."
Esteban nodded, while dipping the brush in the bucket, trying to think of something more to say. He stroked a layer of blue paint on the wall.
"Nice armlet you have there," Nina said. "You got it at Sailor's Island?"
Where else? But he knew better than saying it out loud.
"Yes I did," Esteban said, deciding to not say it was a gift from Fina, because then he would have to say that he had given her flowers, and then he'd never hear the end of it. "Another nice find."
"Another? What do you mean?"
"Well, the supplies for instance. And the fact that we're not on any wanted poster."
No one was more relieved than Esteban to find out about that. But if he had somehow found out about that earlier, before he and Fina had been out, he would've felt malice. Yeah, that's right. All of you, who blamed me for it, look who's right now!
"Yeah, that was a relief," Nina smiled. "By the way, how was it to be back home again?"
"What?"
"Well, you said you're from Sailor's Island."
Esteban stopped in the middle of a sweep. Blinking hard, he managed to conceal his eyes, enlarged by the surprise. He realised he was stuck in a trap. One one hand, he could continue to get ensnared in the web that's called 'lie', but the honest alternative was just as bad, if not worse.
Someday, he had to tell them about it. But not now.
Or maybe? If he said it now, he didn't need to make it a full-blown confession. Just tell her how it really was. Simple as that.
"When I said I'm from Sailor's Island, I wasn't telling the whole truth."
"Why not?" Nina asked.
"Because I…"
At once, his mind was filled with black grainy memories from the Lower City. Poorness, starvation, and diseases. Death and misery. Occasional warmness and tenderness from his parents, who later on got murdered for the crime of trying to escape the slavery which was their life.
"I… I'll tell you later," Esteban said hastily, dropped the brush back in the bucket, turned and walked away.
"Wait!" Nina said and caught up with him. Her hand on his shoulder forced him to stop. "I just want to say that… if you don't feel like telling, it's okay." She smiled.
"Sure," Esteban nodded. Not that I need your permission.
Decisively, he began to walk off the ship.
It wasn't a bad performance, but it wasn't much good either... at all. Still, anything that wasn't a catastrophe had to count as an achievement. One step at the time.
Back on the landing stage again, he decided to have a look on the Dove, especially since Fina was there. It was her special ship, and if it would change too much, she wouldn't want to stand aside. By now Fina, Kirala and Tairon were in the process of changing the ship wings.
"Need a hand?" Esteban said.
They did, and soon he had his hands full. It was hard work, but it felt good to be needed.
xXx
The day went on, and night fell on Crescent Isle.
It had been a day of hard work, but more than anything it had been a day of success. Both the Rhea and the Dove were more or less ready.
Be careful of what you wish for, Aika thought and sipped on her tea. But I should've wished for a personal deluxe cruiser while I was still at it.
She smiled when she for the gazillionth time again thought over the day. Esteban had been so much relaxed and at peace, probably for the news, or lack of news, from the guild... maybe. Aika had more than once resisted the urge of asking Fina if she had got the right guy back with her. Best of all though, was that he had taken it upon himself to try to speak with the others. And sure, it had turned out half good, if she wanted to be nice. But he had tried.
And Fina, then. Ever since they hit the shore, they had spent all time together, so much that Aika still hadn't heard what they had been up to at Sailor's Island.
Was everything well then?
At first, Aika had been ready to draw a line over what had been, but then realised something. It was a small bet, but maybe Esteban, previously only hanging around Aika, now had changed to Fina only? But that couldn't be true… right? Sure he was loyal, but also capricious and grudged, and they hadn't yet spoken a word with each other.
Which was why Aika sat in the tavern, waiting for Esteban. A lively harbour wasn't a good place for a heart-to-heart talk. She hadn't told him about it, but she figured he'd be here eventually, his custom true.
Behind her, the door quietly creaked open, and she felt a slight strim of the cool outside air. Aika concentrated on the quiet approaching steps. Not Vyse, then who? She just had to wait and see, until then she was prepared.
Then she felt two hands flat landed on her shoulders. It was someone who was trying to scare her, which could only mean…
"Hello, Esteban," Aika said calmly, turning her head slightly. "Oh, did you come to give me massage for free? How sweet."
Esteban directly retracted his hands as if he has burned them.
"How did you notice?"
"Well, if you're gonna scare someone, ya gotta sneak well. And to sneak, you must not reveal your presence. You got some training left, but keep practice. Now, am I gonna get my massage, or do I gotta get rough?"
"You want me to…? I don't know how to do that. I've never tried."
"Then how come you don't know? Give it a shot."
Soon Esteban had laid his hands back on, this time more carefully, or even hesitant. After some instructions, "a little harder" which was followed by a quick "aow, not that hard", he worked great. Aika closed her eyes and felt the ease spread from her shoulders to the rest of her body.
"Mmm. You sure you haven't done this before?"
"Yes, I'm sure. I'm sorry to break it, but there's something I want to talk about."
"Hm?"
"The trip."
Aika was glad she was sitting turned away from him, so he couldn't see her caught-in-the-act-face. But he did feel she tensed for a bit, making him release his grip.
Had Vyse gossiped? No, that couldn't be possible. Or had Esteban figured it out himself, that whatever good that happened back there was nothing but a big scheme, at best, or a big lie, at worst?
"I just want to say that… it's okay, I'm not angry about it. I understand."
"Understand what?" Aika asked carefully.
"I mean… that night before. If I were you… I'd be angry too."
"Whoa, wait here!" Aika said and flung up. "You mean that you think I wanted to send you away!?"
"Wasn't it?"
Esteban's words left Aika stunned. He looked at her, just puzzled, not sad that his best friend allegedly wanted him out of her sight, off away from the isle. How much had she hurt him back then?
"I don't ever want to get rid of you!" Aika said and grabbed him firmly around his arms. "Never ever! You hear that, or do I have to shout!?"
"Okay, okay," Esteban said, trying to wrench free.
"Sorry," Aika said, a bit calmer. "As for myself, I'm sorry for what I said that time. If my mouth ran any faster, it would beat Fina's shuttle in no time. I know that I was asking too much of you, but I…"
Esteban shook his head and looked Aika sternly in her eyes. Clear and steady, she almost felt like evading.
"No. I needed to hear it. It made me see just how bad things were. And when I was with Fina, I then realised just what you meant all this time. If I just got it in my head sooner, I wouldn't have had all this to go through."
"It's never too late to begin," Aika said. Then, unmotivated, she said: "Whatever you do, take it at your own pace."
"I'm not gonna wait for that long." He turned his gaze down, suddenly thinking his boots being a new discovery. "It won't be easy, but I'm gonna try. I will."
Aika could hardly believe her ears. Here she had, in pure desperation, made up a plan that would only be the first step, and now he stood here like a self-filling prophecy! Her whole plan had paid off perfectly. He had swallowed the bait completely. Best of all, he didn't know it was a bait.
All the emotions, relief and joy, came upon her like a still waterfall. Then she gave herself a mental kick for just standing there. Aika decreased the space in between them to a minimum and hugged Esteban tightly. He hugged her back at once. Whether it was the touch or something else, she began to tear up a little. She held in the sobs, but he noticed her convulses.
"Did I… say something?"
"No, silly. Well, yeah you did, but I'm just glad."
More than she had ever been in a long time.