Thank you to savannahamminga and guest for reviewing, Eevee on the Move, Moonlight Raven Grave, Sandwichcats, and savannahamminga for favoriting, Arison Nakaru, Eevee on the Move, LeafeonPrincess, Moonlight Raven Grave, Sandwichcats, and neveranyonehere for following.
Aryll looked up at Linebeck. In the few seconds it took the girl to process what she heard, a thousand things ran through Linebeck's mind. Confusion ran across the young girl's face. She looked back and forth between Link and Linebeck.
Finally, Aryll opened her mouth to speak, "A lot's happened since you left Link. Everyone from the ship that disappeared washed ashore a week ago, well except for dad."
Link rubbed the back of his neck, "Yeah, it's a long story. We'll tell you all about it."
Aryll looked back at her father, "I know there are a few people who want to talk with you. For what ever reason some people aren't happy with you. At least that's from what I've heard."
The sailor closed his eyes, let out a breath and rubbed his face. He knew exactly who wanted to talk with him, and he had a very good idea of which person was not going to be happy with him. Linebeck just hoped he would run into him last. It seemed as though the Goddesses were listening to him for once when he saw a familiar face at the end of the pier. A brunet a few years older than him rushed towards him.
"Linebeck." the brunet said grabbing a hold of his shoulders, "you need to take the kids and leave. James is trying to pin the whole Ghost Ship thing on you. He said that if you show up, you are wanted for treason and need to be tried for whatever crimes he can come up with."
Linebeck just stood there with a vacant and shocked expression as what he heard sank in. His hands clenched together and his fingers began curling and uncurling.
"Why would getting off the ship be considered treason? We were all trying to escape. And after I left, I went to get help." asked as he tried to think. Everything clicked and he took a deep breath before his hands clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, "He's still mad about that, isn't he?"
The brunet closed his eyes and slowly nodded. He placed a hand on Linebeck's shoulder and gave him a look.
"Think about if for a second. If you were him, you would probably still be mad too. But what James is doing is uncalled for. He won't get away with it, but it would be best for you to come back after everything's settled back down." stated the older man.
Link and Aryll looked back and forth between the two adults. The other man looked a lot like their father. Jolene, and Tetra's crew had gotten off the ship and stood behind them listening to the conversation unfold.
"Excuse me, but who are you?" Link asked the man, and he turned towards his father, "And what did you do to make James mad dad?"
Linebeck's face turned so bright red that his ears turned a darker shade. The other man looked down at Link, as if noticing him for the first time.
He lout out a long breath and ran his hand through his hair, "You've gotten so big. Naryu, you're making feel old. But I don't think you are old enough to know what your dad did to make James mad. Besides, that's something that will probably stay between the three of us unless you father says otherwise." He looked back at the sailor, "If he's anything like you, it might make a good life lesson though."
"Link," Linebeck gestured towards the older man, his face was still scarlet, "say hi to you're Uncle Kirk. He's my older brother."
Kirk wrapped his arm around Linebeck's neck and gave him rusted his hair. Linebeck tried to fight his way out of his older brother's grasp with a scowl on his face.
"You know it baby brother." He let go of Linebeck and stood up straight, "Wait, what am I doing? You need to leave. I'll tell Julia that Aryll's with you. You need to get out of here before James shows-"
"Too late." Linebeck added flatly.
The sailor crossed his arms and glared down the end of the dock. A blond man marched his way down the docks towards the group. Linebeck's shoulders slumped as the man drew near.
"Say hello to your Uncle James." Linebeck forced a fake smile, "He was your mother's older brother."
Brown eyes looked down at the young hero, "You've gotten so big. Maybe I could have been there to see you grow up if it wasn't for your father." With that he turned towards Linebeck, a mawkish smile on his face, "I'm sorry Linebeck, but we need to get everything involving the Ghost Ship cleared up."
Linebeck glared back at James, "I heard I was being tried for treason."
"Things went real crazy after our escape plan failed, and you were the only one to get off the ship. That and the fact that the plan went wrong after you repeatedly disagreed with it. Add in the fact that you weren't here when we got back, makes it seem a little fishy. I'm sorry, we just needs to figure things out." Explained the blond man.
"Unfortunately, what you're saying makes sense." Linebeck crossed his arms, "Let's get this trial thing done and over with."
Linebeck looked over at his son, "Link, I know you want to catch up with your sister, but I might need you to vouch for me, at least for the whole Bellum thing."
They all made their way down the pier towards city hall. Linebeck and Link's uncles lead the way through town. Link, Aryll and Tetra hung out in the middle of the pack, with Tetra's crew falling behind. They all got a few waves from the people they passed. Tetra and her crew hadn't been here all that long, but their faces were still recognized. They were there briefly when rescuing Tetra, and again after saving Aryll. Jolene was looking around trying wondering where a young Linebeck had gotten himself into trouble, and with whom.
Tetra leaned over towards Link and whispered in his ear, "You know, when I said we do for a family reunion, I didn't know it was going to be like this."
"Yeah, me either." Replied the young boy under his breath as city hall loomed overhead.
I wanna see what you guys come up with for why James doesn't like Linebeck. If I like it I might add it, if it ever gets revealed.
