Chapter 7
Hal sat in the middle of the Heron with Thorn, looking at a map and compass and shouting out commands periodically. The other Herons obediently followed Hal's leadership, raising and lowering sails, rowing, and whatever else needed to be done. Halt, Horace, and Will sat nearby Hal and Thorn, looking at the map and compass and the activity going around them. Halt and Thorn would occasionally say something, sometimes helpful but mostly verbal jabs (after Halt had gotten over his seasickness, of course). They had started a sort of contest on who could come up with the best ones. Roxie stood at the helm, looking out at the water with a distant look on her face.
"You nervous?" Roxie turned around and saw Hal had walked up behind her.
"Of course I am. Who wouldn't be?"
"You two must have been really close."
"Yeah, we were. That's why I've been looking for him."
"You seem pretty dedicated to finding him."
Roxie shrugged. "I feel sort of responsible because I was there when it happened and he was my best friend." "We weren't anything more if that's what you're asking," she added with a mischievous grin.
"N…No, of course not. I just wanted to know…" Hal drifted off after seeing Roxie's grin and just smiled sheepishly back.
They finally arrived in Skandia and Halt, at least, was very glad to be back on land. Will and Horace looked around with amusement, remembering their previous adventure, while the rest just wanted to get on with it.
"Welcome back, Herons!" called Erik as he walked towards the group. "What's the news?" Erik walked all the way up to the group and seeing the Rangers, said, "Greetings, Rangers. It is good to see you again. Who's this?"
Hal stepped forward and said, "Greetings, Erik! This is Roxie. She's an apprentice Ranger. The rumors of Zavac were really his twin brother, Svend, who we defeated. Roxie is looking for a friend of hers named Sam who was sold here about seven years ago."
"Who was he sold to?"
"A man called Asger."
"I just saved you a trip, then. I saw a young Araluen named Sam leave a week ago. He was freed four years ago after saving his master's son from being killed by rebellious slaves and just recently, made enough money for a trip back to Araluen."
Everyone stared at Erik in shock. They had made the long trip to Skandia for nothing. Halt turned white, then green, not looking forward to the long trip back.
"The great Halt, seasick!" teased Thorn, grinning at Halt's expression.
"Oh, shut up," replied Halt, a cross expression on his face. "At least I have two hands to steady myself."
"That might be true but my new hand is much better than one of flesh and blood and besides, I don't need to steady myself."
Halt and Thorn's teasing continued as the group made their way back on the boat for their long trip back to Araluen.