Chapter 5

The Night of Freedom

When Pell and Tyri made it to the door of the mess hall, the place was actually clean and organized. All of the tables had been pushed together to make a long table, and it was needed too.

On the tables were many dishes. Macaroni and cheese with white truffles, sushi, lasagna, cakes, garlic halibut steaks, flans, vanilla cheesecakes, seafood pasta, roasted turkey, pies, cucumber tempura lobster tails, passion fruit soufflés, stuffed mushrooms, roast duckling, quiche, ale, lemonade, cranberry juice, and almas caviar.

"Wow….. They must have been really busy while we were asleep…" Tyri murmured in surprise.

The prisoners were all sitting at the table waiting for them, and cheered when they saw Tyri and Pell. Tyri and Pell looked around, and then suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"Sis! Mr. Pell!"

Arias came running up to Pell and Tyri. He had an apron which had flour and other sauces all over it.

"What took you guys so long?" he asked.

"No reason Arias… just resting…" Tyri said looking at Pell.

"Well you two seem better I guess."

Vilks came up to the small group smiling.

"Carnassier had a huge stock of food and drink stored away. Many rare foods that can be made into incredible dishes, and I hope everyone enjoys them." Vilks said.

"I'm sure they will Vilks." Tyri purred.

Pell and Tyri sat together by Arias and the dinner began. Pell and Tyri talked and laughed with the other prisoners, who told jokes and laughed with them. When it was time to get drinks, almost everyone got almas caviar or ale except for the children, some women, and Pell. Many men told Pell to have a drink, but he simply shook his head.

"Come on Pell! Come and have a drink with us!" a man said.

"No, I'm fine… I don't exactly drink…. Never have… never plan to..." Pell retorted.

"Pell, stop being such a wuss and have a drink with us!"

"Yeah Pell! Come and join the big boys!"

"No! Sheesh, I don't want any-"

There was a tap on her shoulder, and he turned to see Tyri with a small cup of ale in her hand.

"You sure you don't want any?" she asked.

"Yeah…I don't drink…" Pell replied.

"Not even a taste?" Tyri asked smiling.

"Ha! You'd have to force I down my throat if you wanted me to taste-"

As Pell said that, Tyri took a small mouthful of her ale, pulled Pell forward by the neckline of his robes, and touched his lips with hers and kissed him affectionately, forcing the ale into his mouth, giving him no choice but to swallow the beer. When they broke apart, Tyri smiled at him mischievously and he blushed with anger, embarrassment, and, to Tyri's surprise, delight. Everyone was staring at the twosome in surprise.

"How'd your first ale taste Pell?" Tyri purred.

Pell licked his lips, letting the taste roll around on his tongue until he swallowed the liquid.

"Actually….. It tasted pretty good! Can someone pour me a mug?" Pell said rubbing the back of his head blushing.

All of the men laughed at Pell, poured him a glass, and passed the cup of ale to the young man. Pell drank it slowly, and everyone began to talk and laugh again.

"Tyri?" Vilks asked.

"Yes?" Tyri replied.

"We're planning on having a celebration tonight. Are you and Pell interested in coming or are you two going to go sleep together and….."

"Yes we're coming! Stop teasing us!"

Tyri blushed and glanced at Pell, who was talking with one of the prisoners and eating his dinner as Vilks laughed at Tyri.

"You haven't acted this way for a while Tyri. You have feelings for him don't you?"

"Umm… well I…"

"It's okay, don't worry…. I won't tell him…"

Tyri sighed with relief and smiled at Vilks.

"Thank you… Pell and I will go and get baths after dinner. You can show him to the boys' bath right?"

"Of course. You both should get on some new clothes, too. Carnassier did steal a good deal of clothing."

"Okay."

Dinner ended 45 minutes later, and Tyri left to go to the girls' bath. After she got the water heated, she took off her clothes and bandages, and slipped into the water. Her wounds stung, and she felt her energy drain, but she relaxed and sighed. It was good to feel the water on her skin, and she began to scrub herself with the soap. A little later, some more women came to the bath with Tyri, all of them younger than Tyri by one or more years, and they all began to talk together and laugh.

"Tyri, you're so lucky!"

"Why? I'm not really that lucky…"

"Just about every man on this ship has a thing for you! Especially that Pell guy!"

"P-Pell? He….. Likes me?"

"Yeah! Of course he does! Didn't you see the way he looked at you during dinner?"

"No I didn't…"

"Well he totally wants you! Why don't you impress him at the party tonight? We'll help you get ready."

"Well… okay! Let's go!"

Pell slipped into the bath, sighing as the warm water soothed his cuts and wounds. The bath was welcoming after the crazy days he'd spent on the boat, and he finally could relax and think about things. There was finally peace on the boat, everyone was safe, and it was all thanks to him and…. Tyri. He felt fuzzy inside about her, and he felt his cheek again. She had been a reliable friend, and Pell knew she was more than that to him. He hoped she really felt the same way.

After about half an hour in the bath, Pell got out, wrapped his towel around his waist, grabbed his hat, and left to meet Vilks. The man had told him to go to the storage room to get new clothes for the celebration tonight. As Pell opened the door, someone was coming out and slammed into him. Pell fell backward and rubbed his head. When he looked up at who had bumped into him, he saw Tyri staring at him. She was carrying a small bundle, and was surprised to see Pell with only a towel around his waist, his muscular chest exposed, and his hat off revealing his short brown hair. Pell was just as shocked as Tyri was, for she wasn't dressed either, but was wrapped in a short towel as well, exposing her long legs, some of her back, and a little bit of her cleavage.

"Oh! Uhh….. Sorry Pell…" Tyri said bending down to help him up. "I…. I didn't see you…."

"I-it's okay Tyri… I didn't see you either… I was just going to see Vilks…"

"O-okay… I'll see you at the party?"

"For sure."

Tyri nodded, and ran past him to Sinn's old room to change. To Pell's surprise, many other women followed Tyri carrying their own bundles. Pell blinked, and then went into the storage room where Vilks was waiting with Arias, who was rummaging around in the clothes.

"Well you seem refreshed!" Vilks said smiling devilishly at Pell who was still staring down the hall.

Pell looked at Vilks, his cheeks red with embarrassment. Vilks laughed at Pell and put a hand on Pell's shoulder.

"Come on! Let's go get you spruced up for the celebration! You'll see Tyri soon!" Vilks said laughing.

As the day began to end, the party began to start. On the top deck, strings of lanterns were hanging from mast to mast (all except the one with the spikes). The tables from the mess hall were taken out to the deck as well, and cocktails, snacks, and beers were set on the tables. Many other things were on the deck. All the adults were on the deck, talking and waiting for Tyri, her friends, Pell, and Vilks. Down below, Tyri and her friends

"Okay Tyri let's see you!" one of Tyri friends said encouragingly.

"I dunno guys…. You really think Pell would like it?" Tyri asked.

"Of course! Now come on out!"

Tyri came out of Sinn's room slowly, and there was a chorus of squeals. Tyri was wearing a black tiered ruffle halter mini dress. There was a purple belt around her waist, and she was wearing a black chain necklace. Most of her back was exposed, she had diamond earrings on, and she was wearing black and white sandals.

"H-how do I look?" Tyri asked nervously.

"You look AMAZING!" the girls chorused happily. "Come on! Let's go to the party!"

"You guys go ahead. I have to tuck in my little brother." Tyri said smiling.

The girls hesitated, and then left Tyri to go up to the top deck. Tyri left to go to Blitz's old room, and quietly opened the door. Arias was sitting up under the covers. He had been watching the door for his sister, and smiled at Tyri as she slipped through the door.

"Hey Arias." Tyri whispered gently.

"Hi Tyri." Arias whispered back. "You're going to the party?"

"Yes."

"Can I come?"

Tyri chuckled and sat by Arias.

"No little one. It's an all adult party."

"But that's not fair!"

"It is Arias, but I promise when you turn eighteen, I'll take you to as many adult parties as you like." Tyri said and hugged her little brother.

Arias laughed and hugged his sister.

"Okay… Tyri?"

"Yes?"

"Can you….. Can you tell me a story?"

"Of course little one…" Tyri whispered, and she began tell him a story about her first hunt.

"I was 12, and food was scarce. The reindeer had left to the other side of the island. Our village was beginning to starve, so my brother and I decided to go out to hunt for food. This was my very first time hunting, because mom was afraid of me getting hurt."

"She couldn't have been afraid for you sis! You're strong!" Arias insisted.

"Yes, but I was only 12… I was weaker then. Nevertheless, Carson and I left to hunt. You wouldn't believe our luck! We found a group of seal pups playing on the ice. We easily killed them, tied ropes on their tails, and slung them over our backs to take home!"

"How many seals did you guys get?"

"We got 7 seal pups."

"Wow!"

"But as we were about to take them, we heard low growls and turned to see 3 young polar bears. They were very thin, and looked very hungry and angry. They wanted our seals…"

"But you'd never let them have them, would you?"

"No I didn't. We had to fight for the seals. It was a long fight, but Carson and I won. The poor bears were banged up pretty bad afterwards, so I broke a hole in the ice and waited. I didn't have to wait long, for a ribbon seal came through the hole. A big one, maybe 5 feet long. With a few quick swipes of my claws, it was dead. I carried the kill to the bears and dropped it in front of them. I told them it was for them, and they rushed forward to eat. They finished that seal in less than 10 minutes! After they finished, each of them came up to me and touched their noses against my own, which is a sign of friendship."

"Whoa…"

"After they left, Carson and I took the seals home, and everyone was cheering and carrying on. we feasted for 3 days, and I was given my first weapon, a rapier."

"That's amazing…..*yawn*…. Tyri…"

Tyri smiled at her brother. He was very close to falling asleep, and Tyri leaned forward and nuzzled Arias.

"Good night Arias." Tyri purred.

"Night Tyri….." Arias mumbled, and he drifted of into a peaceful slumber.

Tyri got up and turned to leave the room when she saw Pell standing in the doorway. His hat was off, and his hair was hanging in his face. He was wearing a black jacket, a white shirt underneath, and a black tie. He was wearing jeans and black shoes. He blushed and looked Tyri over.

"H-hi." Pell said smiling at her.

"H-hey Pell." Tyri stuttered blushing at Pell.

"You look nice…"

"Th-thanks…. So do you…"

"So…. Shall we?"

"We shall."

Pell took Tyri's hand and they went up to the top deck. Music was playing, and everyone was talking, drinking, eating, playing poker, or dancing.

"Wow… this is amazing..." Tyri murmured in surprise.

"Come on… let's go find some seats..." Pell said.

He led Tyri over to a small table with two seats and sat Tyri down.

"I'll get some drinks. Be right back." Pell said and disappeared among the crowd.

As Tyri waited for Pell, her friends came by to talk to her.

"We just saw Pell, Tyri! He looks great!" They said.

"I know. He just went to get drinks. He's coming in a minute." Tyri replied.

"Well good luck! We're going to see the other guys on the boat. See you!"

As they walked away, Pell broke through the crowd carrying drinks. He set them down and sat close to Tyri.

"Here…. I uh, got you some grape wine…. Thought you'd like to try it…" Pell murmured nervously.

Tyri smiled at the offered drink as Pell gave it to her. She took a small sip and smiled at him.

"It tastes great… Thanks for the wine…"

"You're welcome… anyways…. I saw you tuck in Arias…"

"Oh… right…"

"You're a great sister…. You're more than a sister to him…"

"Thank you Pell…"

"And sometimes Tyri…Well…. All the times…" Pell started and took his hand in Tyri's. "I feel like you're more than a friend to me…."

"Pell…. I feel the same way…" Tyri said blushing, and she leaned against Pell.

The twosome looked at each other, Pell stroking Tyri's thick hair as she looked into his eyes. Suddenly, the leader of the band playing on deck announced that it was time for the couples to dance, and the band began to play a slow jazz song. Pell looked at Tyri.

"Would you like to dance?" Pell asked.

"Oh… n-no thanks… I don't s-slow dance…" Tyri replied shakily blushing.

"Then I'll show you. Come on."

Pell took Tyri's hand and led her to where the other couples were dancing. Pell placed his hands on Tyri's hips, and Tyri placed her arms on Pell's shoulders. Pell began to lead Tyri through the dance. Pell caressed Tyri's sides as they danced, and he was surprised to feel Tyri shaking under his touch.

"Tyri… you're trembling…" Pell said softly.

Tyri blushed and looked at Pell.

"I know… I just feel nervous…" Tyri replied.

"Well… don't be. This is the first night of freedom you've had in a long time… so enjoy it… and relax…"

Tyri smiled at Pell and leaned against him as they danced. Pell led Tyri through the dance, and Tyri followed. Pell continued to caress her and Tyri snuggled into his warm embrace as they danced. Soon, the song was over, and Pell took Tyri back to their seats.

"That was great Pell. Thank you." Tyri said smiling.

"It was a pleasure Tyri…" Pell said and hugged Tyri.

Tyri hugged him back and snuggled into his chest. She took in a deep breath, smelling Pell's pungent minty scent. It reminded her of home, and she looked up at him. Pell's eyes were full of affection for her, and to Tyri's surprise, Pell leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

"Tyri… I'm glad I met you…" he murmured.

"I'm glad I met you, Pell. You cured my injured spirit… and I'm eternally grateful…" Tyri replied.

Pell smiled and held Tyri closer. The twosome enjoyed the rest of the night together playing poker, dancing, and eating together. When the party was over, it was 2:00 in the morning. Tyri had fallen asleep in Pell's arms, and he carried her to Sinn's old room and laid her in bed.

"Sleep well, Tyri…" Pell said softly.