Sparrow stood upon the deck staring at the on coming sandy shore. Garth and Reaver stood at her sides and yet the group did not feel quite whole. With Hammer missing it left a gap not just in the group, but also with Sparrow. She did so miss the gossip and talk with one of her own gender and age. She missed the large women and wondered what she was doing at that moment so far to the north, when she was so far to the south. Her blue eyes trailed over river side shrubbery their broad, thick and shiny leaves amazed her. Even the trees, though not very tall, held similar quality of leaves. Garth muttered about making arrangements with Corban leaving the pirate and warrior standing nervously side by side.
Sparrow looked at the tall man only just then realising that they were almost the same height with only a few millimeters difference. Reaver looked at her questioningly and she huffed turning away again. Reaver rolled his eyes and shrugged to himself.
"So," Reaver said shifting a little uncomfortably.
"So... what?" was the reply as Sparrow's eyes never left the river bank.
"You like Corban?" It was more like a statement than a question and Sparrow's eye twitched.
"I respect him."
"Oh rea-lly," Reaver's eyebrow rose delicately and he turned slightly to regard her, "Is that what it's called these days."
Sparrow's face darkened and restrained her self from leaping on the pirate to tear him limb from limb.
"I merely respect him because," she stressed the last word, "He saved us and especially me."
"What do you mean, especially you," Reaver commented, "If I remember he did nothing, I know, I was present."
"He said he saved me from the river," Sparrow said, "Or didn't you notice me drowning."
Reaver's eyes went wide as a wash of emotions ebbed and flowed over his face like the ocean tide growing more fearsome as they became more turbulent. Reaver gritted his teeth and let loose a low growl as his hand flew to his pistol, and whipped it from its holster. Sparrow gasped and cried out grabbing the pistol.
"Let go!" Reaver shouted, "I'm going to shoot him that bastard."
"No Reaver! Don't you dare!"
They fought back and forth neither relenting to the other. All eyes turned to them with worried glances, but none made a move to help. Back and forth, back and forth the pistol moved until an explosion ricocheted over the deck. Reaver and Sparrow stared at each other in horror then both glanced up wards. Reaver grew angry again and took the opportunity to wrench the weapon from the woman's grasp.
"Now look what you made me do," he scolded, "You made me go off prematurely." Ignoring her he inspected his beloved weapon for any damage.
"Well," she murmured just loud enough for him to hear lips twitching, "You shouldn't of gotten over excited." Sparrow clasped her hands over her mouth as muffled sounds forced their way through the gaps of her fingers. The skin about her eyes creased as her eye brows furrowed. Her shoulders shook as with repressed giggles and Reaver stopped, frozen a moment as the words sunk in, and he stared at her with a mixture of horror and amusement. He then began to chuckle the weapon hanging loosely in his hand at his side.
"I'm sorry, I Don't know what came over me," he said with an indifferent wave of his hand. It was more than Sparrow could bare and her merry laughter danced across the deck. She hugged her self for fear she may flying apart and she leaned dangerously forward. Reaver's own laughter joined hers as he gripped her shoulder to stop her falling over. The rest of the crew stared in confusion but with relieved sighs went back to work.
"Your terrible!" Sparrow accused breathlessly as she struggled to keep herself under control.
"Me!" Reaver cried incredulously, "Your the one who replied if you hadn't neither would be the wiser."
Sparrow's youthful blues danced in merriment. "I know I'm sorry," she quickly apologised, "I couldn't help myself."
Reaver smiled genuinely as his gloved hand slid up to cup her cheek, but then he suddenly looking serious. Sparrow blinked her eyes widening and in her chest she could feel her heart skip a beat.
"It was not Corban that saved you," he said, "It was..."
"Hey we're about to disembark," Corban interrupted scowling over at the two, "You need to get your stuff."
As Reaver gazed into Sparrow's eyes he noticed them glaze. She pushed him away suddenly and wordlessly went to do as Corban instructed. Puzzled Reaver stared after her and his eyes slid over to where Corban stared back with a dark, menacing scowl. He clenched his fist and punched it into his side his quick mind working as he defiantly stared back. Then, as if his feet moved of their own volition, he approached the dark skinned Samarkandian and stared up at him, despite him being a head taller he refused to be daunted by it. He stubbornly glared drawing close enough that their chest's nearly touched. Corban glowered down at him with little emotion shown on the muscles of his face.
"If you dare hurt her or the child Lorna a bullet between the eyes will be the least of your worries," Reaver said in a dangerous voice, the Samarkandian hardly flinched.
"Are you threatening me Pirate?" Corban asked calmly.
"No, merely stating a fact," Reaver replied flippantly and he turned gracefully leaving Corban to watch him stride confidently away sliding the pistol back in its holster. He sighed his amber eyes gazing skyward for a few seconds then he shook his head dejectedly.
When all was ready the small group slid from the barge like boat and rowed to shore in a small rowing boat. They then stood upon the shore waving good bye to the slowly disappearing ship as it floated away. Silently they gathered the bags and slung across their shoulders preparing for a long trip on foot to the nearest town. Lorna trotted beside Sparrow taking in the world around her with her mauve eyes remembering all that she saw.
The forest track was narrow and surrounded on either side by bushes with spiky, long leaves. Quite the contrast to the river bank and even the trees seemed a little different, but what disturbed Sparrow a little was the over whelming feeling of being watched. She looked over her shoulder and Corban glanced at her curiously then smiled. She smiled back then turned away with a faint blush.
The trail was long and meandered almost directionless through the forest the noises of insects buzzed around them as birds trilled over head. Garth was at the front using his will to cut down any large branches in the way followed by Reaver, Lorna, Sparrow and Corban who brought up the rear. The heat was bearable, but was oppressive and hung in the air like a heavy blanket making it rather hard to breath. It was not long until Reaver began to complain loudly.
"This is taking forever," he said in frustration, sweat glistening over his tanned skin, as he hacked at a bush with a short sword one of the river folk had given him, "How far away in this bloody town anyway."
Sparrow clapped her hands over Lorna's ears and scowled at the pirate. "Mind you language Reaver."
Reaver looked over his shoulder at the small girl then up at the protective women and shrugged.
"She will pick it up eventually," he said off handedly, "besides can you blame me I am feeling repressed."
"What in the world do you mean?" Sparrow stared at the pirate with a frown.
"I have not had sex in nearly a month," he cried hacking at another bush and Sparrow's immediate response was to clap her hands over Lorna's ears again, "and the worst is Him, his almighty Will user, user-ness..." He jerked his sword in Garth's direction. "...would not let me touch any of those lovely young ladies back on the boat!"
"Not much farther now," Garth assured ignoring the rant, but Reaver did not believe a word, "And please keep your voice down."
"No," Reaver hacked once, "I," twice, "Bloody well," thrice, "Will not!" He stopped glaring red faced at the mage who calmly walked away and Sparrow, with Lorna, walked past him refusing to look in his direction. Corban stopped by his shoulder shaking his head.
"You sir, should learn some restraint," with that he left the fuming Reaver glowering darkly at his back. Reluctantly he followed through the brush sweat now dripping his face.
"I should have left when I had the chance," he muttered, "To much hassle for their own good. This is why I work for my self."
"What was that!" a voice called back to him. He looked up and sneered sarcastically making mimicking motions knowing that the others could not see him.
"Nothing," he called back, "just cursing your name." He said in a quieter voice and continued to follow.
They stopped when there was a sudden break in the foliage and a long dirt road ran from west to east. Garth conferred with Corban and they agreed to go left down the road, which lead further into the dense foliage of the forest. They followed it down and the signs of humans became more apparent as deep ruts in the earth appeared, evidence of cart wheel tracks. Mixed in with them were the hoof, paw and foot prints of people. Sparrow's heart soared at the thought and longed to have a proper bed that did not move. As they rounded the bend the quiet murmur of voices filtered through to them and a dog like creature trotted out of the bush then loped down the road. It was closely followed by a tall man of wiry build and he wore a piece of cloth about his waist resembling more of a skirt than trousers. He was thus bare chested and his dark hair sat upon his head in tightly bound strands most notably dreadlocks. He grinned widely and approached using the same language to converse animatedly with Garth. Garth grinned and nodded appearing to thank the man. He turned to the others and beckoned them with his hand.
"We are in luck," he said, "Come, there is a tavern with rooms in the town."
Sparrow let out a sigh of relief and followed dutifully with Lorna's hand gripped firmly in hers. She longed to get these packs of her back and rest. The heat was was permeating her dark hair and her mind was beginning to feel fuzzy. She looked down at Lorna who happily trotted beside her in Sparrow's shadow. She had in one arm, held close, one of rag dolls. Alright for some, Sparrow thought as she followed. Behind her and Corban Reaver brought up the rear muttering to himself. He really was not enjoying this trip and the sooner they got to the town the better.
As they followed the stranger the town slowly emerged out of the forest. Much like the harbour the sandy coloured stone houses seemed to be of only one storey. Streets and alleys ways twisted and turned as they broke of from the main road that ran the towns very centre. Either side of the street were stalls similar to that back in albion with the vendors calling out their wares. Far on the skyline of buildings was a larger structure. Its centre building was domed and painted gold with smaller buildings with smaller domes surrounding it. Sparrow's curiosity peeked and watched it loom. Garth noticed her staring at it and grinned.
"That is a library of sorts," he explained, "But they also deal with magical items and artefacts."
"Really?" Sparrow tilted her head bemused.
"Yes and that is my first stop after the tavern for obvious reasons," he inclined his head and Sparrow nodded.
"That's a good idea," she conceded, "See if you can gleam any information from, well, anything."
Garth smiled and nodded. They continued to follow the stranger down the bustling street staying fairly close together just incase they got separated. Corban pointed out various stalls and Sparrow's eyes gleamed as they fell upon their wares. As he turned to look on a vegetable stall her eyes slid over a stall and upon it was something that glittered in the small black box. Lorna watched disinterestedly as Sparrow stared down at it and her mouth fell open as she stared upon a silver band ring. A sapphire blue stone sat embedded in the slim band as engraved floral patterns danced and twirled about the stone. A certain longing over came her and she new her female instincts to buy what she didn't need was becoming apparent. She knew then she could not buy even if she had not treated her self in a long time, but the thought was appealing. She sighed dejectedly and as she was about to pull away when the trader pounced upon her chatting wildly in his native tongue. The words washed over her and frightened she tried to back away with Lorna, trying to convey the fact she could not understand a word he said. She suddenly felt an wrap about her shoulder and a hand clasp her arm. She froze momentarily, looking up to see Reaver glaring darkly at the trader. The trader stopped immediately and smiled apologetically backing away when he spotted the pistol in the pirates hands. Reaver smirked and guided Sparrow away her eyes still trying to see the ring. She sighed and with a flick she pushed off Reaver's hand.
"You know you did not have to threaten him," she chided but the pirate merely shrugged.
"A silent threat is an universal language," he told her with a smirk, "Seeing a drawn pistol with the wielder glaring at you basically means he will shoot you."
"Ah Whatever," she shrugged as Lorna held her hand smiling. Corban soon joined them with his head tilted curiously.
"Is every thing all right?" he asked as he walked beside them. Reaver said nothing, but Sparrow happily told him what happened with the trader. Corban smiled and explained that traders here could be very pushy. They eventually came across the tavern hidden around the corner from a general store. They walked through a glass door with iron bent and shaped to resemble a vine with several small flowers at the end of the branches. Sparrow gasped in wonder and inspected the craftsmanship. The glass was a wondrous red, almost pink colour and inside was pristine and immaculate. The bar was curved as it reached round one corner of the room directly from the door with high stools sat in front of it. To the right was a grand fire place with the chimney breast visible as it disappeared into the ceiling. Several smaller round tables filled the expansive space with a mixture of two to four chairs whilst around the edge of the opposite corner to the bar was a long wooden bench.
As they all walked they were greeted by a cheery short man with an rather large belly. He laughed and it wobbled amusingly. His sparkling dark eyes noted that most of them were foreign and much to Sparrow's relief spoke her own language.
"Ah welcome," he said in the familiar accent, "I welcome you to the White Elephant Tavern, I am its owner Sahail and what may be your pleasure."
Reaver made a snort and Sparrow hit him in the gut causing him to expel a gush of air. Corban approached and greeted the owner respectfully.
"We require some rooms do you have any spare?" he asked earnestly and the owner, Sahail, nodded with a grin.
"I have many rooms," he said, "What would you like two room for you gentlemen," he indicated Corban and Garth, "And a separate room for the family?" His small eyes widened happily as he looked to Sparrow with Lorna stood in front of her and Reaver. Sparrow's mouth fell open in disgust whilst Reaver sniggered. Lorna blinked and looked up at the two adults a strange expression crossing her delicate features. She looked away hiding her face in the doll.
"OH no they are not a family," Corban said hurriedly whilst Garth quietly laughed behind him. The owner's face fell a little and bowed awkwardly.
"My sincere apologise dear lady I did not realise," he said forlornly.
Sparrow's cheeks burned and she waved it aside dismissively. "That's all right."
"Then I will give you a three bed and two bed is that reasonably?" he then asked.
"I would much rather have a room of my own, with a large bed if possible," Reaver then said speaking up and Garth turned to stare at him.
"Your paying for it."
"No doubt," Reaver muttered and Sahail looked at him curiously but shrugged suddenly smiling warmly.
"Of course you may." Reaver grinned widely.
They haggled over the price for about half an hour and were finally shown to their rooms. All were on the first storey much to Sparrow's surprise. When the door opened to hers she immediately dropped the bags and stood straight to ease her weary muscles. Lorna trotted in behind her an began to inspect the room quietly opening doors and lifting sheets. Sparrow smiled warmly and looked around the room.
It was of fair size, not that she would of minded if it were small, with the two single beds on the opposite wall facing the door. To her right was a door and between the beds was a tall narrow window the light pouring through to shine upon the rug that sat upon a cold stone floor. She slowly ambled over to door and opened it to peer into a small, narrow bathroom. The slim tube did not look like it would fit a person especially as curvaceous as herself. This worried her little as she wanted a nice relaxing bath. Above the deep tub was a stone shelf and much to her amazement a row of jars filled with coloured salts. She reached out and took one, then opened it to sniff the fragrance deeply. She grinned excitedly but put it back when a knock on the door caught her attention. She trotted out and went to open the door but Lorna had got there first. A dark skinned women stood at the threshold with a warm smile and in her hands were towels. She held them out to Sparrow who took them gratefully. They bowed to each other and Sparrow said thank you even though she was not sure the women would have understood.
She turned to Lorna quickly kicking of her boots. "Ok dear I am going to have a bath," she told the little girl who nodded, "I won't be long, if the someone knocks ask who it is first and if its astranger don't open the door okay." Lorna nodded again and watched as Sparrow stripped from her dirty clothes, then wrapped her self in one of the soft towels. She dropped the clothing on the bed then trotted back into the bathroom. She turned the taps, water gushing from them, and grabbed one jar, sniffed it, decided she did not like it then grabbed another one. She did this until she found one she liked and tipped nearly quarter of the jar into the tub. She watched mesmerised as foam and bubbles erupted from the water covering the surface in a pearly white cloud of foam. Sparrow had never seen anything like it and dipped her hand amongst the bubbles experimentally. Determining that it would not eat her flesh, she turned off the taps grimacing slightly when she saw how filled the tub was, dropped the towel and slowly eased her protesting body. As she did so the flower like fragrance filtered up around her. As she sunk low she inhaled deeply feeling the warm water ease the muscles and take away the stress of that day with it. The scent soothed her mind and a smile crept to her lips as she relaxed.
Inside the room Lorna was rummaging through the bags with Sparrow's clothing in and pulled out a long black skirt. She trotted over to the bed closest to the bathroom and laid it upon the covers carefully. She then returned to the bag to find a top to go with it. As she rummaged the door squeaked open and her head shot up, but she sighed when a familiar head popped in.
Reaver looked around the room disinterestedly.
"Where's Sparrow?" he asked curiously and Lorna silently pointed to the door.
"She's having a bath."
Reaver's eyes suddenly glittered and a mischievous grin appeared on his handsome face.
"Oh really?" he asked, "She is, is she?" He entered the room and slowly sauntered over to the door trying to not make a sound as he approached the door. Lorna gasped when she realised what he intended to door, her hands covering her mouth.
"She will be mad Reaver," Lorna whispered fearfully, but Reaver waved his hand dismissively.
"That will last a day," he said with a grin.
He leaned close to the door listening intently as his gloved hand enclosed round the handle. Lorna watched breathlessly as she thrust the door open. A scream echoed through the room closely followed by merry laughter. Sparrow had shot up in the tub and water sloshed all over the floor bubbles flying as she instinctively covered her body. Reaver grinned as he wiped some of the foam from his overcoat.
"Hello Sparrow," he greeted and Sparrow glared at him darkly.
"Get out you perverted Son of a --"
"Uh ahh Lorna is in the other room so mind your language," he teased. Sparrow screamed again and he caught a heavy jar that hit his chest with a dull thunk. He blinked in surprise when it rattled and he looked into it with a curious eyes.
"Salts?"
"Get out!"
"All right I just came to say I will be gone all evening so don't wait up for me." He went to close the door a huge smirk on his face. She maybe mad but it was worth it, he thought.
"Oh no you don't," she said jumping out and grabbed the towel as fast as she could muster more water sloshing, staining the floor.
"You what?" was the reply as he turned back to see a towel glad Sparrow her damp hair clinging to her face and neck. His eyebrow rose as he regarded her eyes roaming. She clicked her fingers to get his attention and make him look at her face.
"I won't you to look after Lorna," she told him pushing past to her room.
"What!? When was this decided... why?" he protested letting the door go.
"I want to look at the market with Corban so you have to look after her."
"Why can't Garth do it?" Reaver whined in a childish tone.
"Because he is already gone to the library," she said grabbing the clothes laid out for her, "Thank you honey."
Reaver made a noise of disgust and dumped the jar on the bed in frustration the contents spilling over the cover. He sighed in exasperation.
"Fine," he conceded, "but you owe... and I am to collect this time."
"What do you mean by that!" she scoffed, "I have already saved you silly arse more times than I can count."
Lorna listened to them argue for a moment then sighed looking down at her rag doll that was sat in her lap. She petted its hair with a sad smile and a door snapped shut silence falling. She looked up to see Reaver with a red face and arms crossed as he pouted like a child. She smiled sweetly and he huffed looking else where in the room.
When Sparrow entered once more strange gurgling noise filtered in after her and she dumped the wet towel on the bed. She quickly comb her damp hair styling it so that it was clipped into a flat bun. She smiled at her reflection and turned patting down her tunic. She strode to the bed Lorna sat on and leant down to kiss the girl on the head assuring her she would not be long, then left casting Reaver a Frosty glare. He sighed and looked down at Lorna speculatively. The door snapped shut leaving the child and the pirate alone.
"Well my dear," he finally said, "What am I going to do with you."
She shrugged and grinned. "Something fun?"
He chuckled and walked to the window to peer through it. Down in the street he could se two familiar figures walk slowly down the street. His eyes narrowed, but then he grinned turning to Lorna.
"I think I have an idea," he said, "And you can help me." He beckoned her to follow him and with out question she slid from the bed, and took his hand as they left the room.
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Sorry this took a while I went to my Pakistani friends pre-wedding party and she has been bugging me for days bless her, was so nervous. Anyway this took a while to write and I hope you all enjoy it. Also thank you to all those you reviewed and hope people will continue to do so ^^