Chapter 31: The Element of Surprise

Éowyn had never like Lani. The other woman had an aura about her that screamed beware. She was short, with squinty eyes, and unlike everyone else on the island she hadn't been born there. She moved to Krait island when she was five and that's when all the trouble started. Not even Charis who got along with everyone could get along with the girl, especially where Blaze was involved.

"Wow a visitor," Lani rolled her eyes as Éowyn entered the Healing House. "I am so honored to have our future leader in my presence," she added in a sarcastic manner.

Rolling her eyes, Éowyn crossed the room to stand next to the girl's bed, "I want to be here as much as you want me here. Besides I won't be your leader."

"Then why did you come?"

"Curiosity."

"They say curiosity killed the cat."

"Good thing I'm a Krait then."

"Let's get down to business, shall we?"

"It just amazes me that two women could mysteriously become sick with some incurable disease and yet no one else has become sick. You wouldn't happen to know how such a strange occurrence can happen?"

Lani coughed as she sat up in the bed. Her expression turned from bored to furious, "Are you accusing me of something?"

"We all know you hated Charis and she hated you. You were vying after the same man. I know you Lani, you'll do anything to get what you want."

"Are you still holding onto the accident Ew?"

"You pushed me off a boat and left me to drown not counting on the fact that I could swim, just so you could win the dance contest. But too bad you lost to the person who taught me all I knew."

"Charis only won because I choked."

"Whatever, the point is you'll stop at nothing to get what you want. It's too much of a coincidence that shortly after you returned to the island she fell ill, yet here it is months later and you're the only other person to fall ill. I will stop at nothing to prove you killed my sister."

"Good luck trying," Lani smirked.

Éowyn wanted nothing more than to drag the other woman out of bed and drop kick her to the floor and numerous of other bad things, but she knew words could hurt just as much. As she turned to leave she paused, then turned back to the other woman, "No matter how you cheat, Charis always wins, even after death."

"What are you on about now?"

"Keahi is Blaze's son. Now he'll always have a piece of Charis in his heart!"

She watched as Lani's face fell, jaw dropping. Smiling in victory she left the small Healing Hut.

~0~

After Toc untied everyone they debated on how to make their escape. While they were doing so they heard the other boat retreating.

"That more than evens the score. Now we just gotta worry about Liv."

"Just because I'm blind, doesn't mean I'm helpless."

"You got yourself captured didn't you?"

"As did you, admiring a parrot as I re-call?" she smirked.

"Alright you two!" Jay interrupted before Ved could respond. He seemed to sober in mood and Ved saw more of the old Jay in him. The general Jay.

Ved glared at the girl, "So what's the plan?"

"A decoy, just like what they used on us, scrawny here is the bait," Lefty clapped the boy on his back.
The guy who had informed them of their fate grinned, "Leave the rest to me."

They learned his name was Hammer, and it didn't take long to figure out why. He stood tall and hefty like a bear on his hind legs. His fists were so large and heavy when he hit the first guard the impact sounded like a hammer cracking his skull.

Hammer smiled a crooked smile as the scrawny kid named Weasel shuttered before dragging the guard into the darkness at the back of the cabin, "He's gonna be out a while, take his knife."

Ved, Liv, Jay, Lefty, and Toc sat in their original positions. Hammer hid just beside the stairs while Weasel stood just below them.

The other guard came racing down the stairs mortified, like his now unconscious buddy that a prisoner had gotten free. Hammer hit him from behind just like he had done the other guy, and Weasel took his weapon and emptied his pockets, and they were ready for phase two of their escape.

"I think Hammer should take the lead," Toc said as they all stood.

"I've got the rear," Lefty said.

Hammer went up first and scuffled with another captor then Jay went up to aid in the fight when a second captor tried to get Hammer off his buddy. Ved went up next and was greeted by the angry fist of the third guy. Having had military training at Ram's mercy, he was quickly able to counterattack, but the guy was bigger, and soon Liv was at his rescue. Weasel and Toc came up after her followed by Lefty.

"Still think I'm useless Ved?" Liv asked him as he stood, dusting himself off. His opponent lay on the ground writhing in pain.

"I could've had him," Ved said defensively.

She laughed, "You're welcome."

It took less than ten minutes to subdue all five men. "Not so tough without your poison are you?" Toc glared at the three men.

They groaned in defeat.

"Where did your friends go?" Jay demanded. He was worried the other boat had circled the island poised for an attack."

"We were convinced you were a useless bunch, they went back to HQ."

"Quiet," Liv shushed them, "Someone is coming."

"I don't hear anything," Weasel said looking overboard."

"How many?" Ved asked.

"Oh now you're a believer?" she teased.

"Just…how many?"

"Two, I think," she scrunched up her face, "Definitely two."

Just then a figure burst through the foliage into the clearing off to their right and behind that one a beam of light and another figure, slightly smaller.

"Who's there?" Hammer called popping his knuckles ready for a fight.

The beam of light flashed up to their faces as the smaller figure, no longer cautious, ran towards them. That's when Jay realized it was Ruby.

"Well big brother, she truly loves you," Ved said glad they were as close to shore as they were. He hopped over board. Jay and the others following to join Ruby and Bray

Ruby jumped into Jay's arms, "You're alive!"

~0~

When morning came for the Technos at sea, land was only a few miles away.

"This nation is an archipelago," Kyra explained to Patsy who was wondering why it was all broken apart, "only a few islands remain inhabited because of earthquakes and such. "

"I don't care about the geography, what about the food?" Dragon said as his stomach grumbled.

"I've never been here myself, but their leader, Charis, has always made sure we received the freshest of food. Trust me brother, your stomach will be full and your tongue satisfied."

"Just what is this island called?" Josh asked.

"Post virus, it's been named Krait Island."

Dragon paused in thought, "Did you say krait?"

"Krait Island, yes, why?" His twin looked at him curiously.

He remembered tattooing a snake called a krait onto Éowyn after seeing one in a sketch she drew. He shook his head, "No reason." Just because she was drawing snakes, didn't mean she originated from an island named after a krait, did it? He wondered.

"What is a krait?" Patsy asked.

"A sea snake," he winked at her, "but don't worry, someone once told me they're virtually harmless."

Patsy and Kyra shuttered. Both were terrified of snakes. Danni, however, had always been a strong girl. She was brave and not bothered at the thought of snakes, "So how long til we reach land?"

"An hour to an hour and a half."

Everyone cheered hanging out on deck to enjoy the warmth and scenery. Everyone that is, but Dragon who was trying to remember where Éowyn had told him she was from. How was it that in the year and a half she spent with the Technos he never asked where she came from?

~0~

Back at the hotel on Fleur Isle everyone gathered around as Jay, Ved, Lefty, and Toc recounted their run-in with the slave traders.

They had decided to bring the boat with the tied up five men around to the resort side. The men were still tied up on board closely watched by Hammer and Weasel.

Liv however followed the others onto land. Cloe didn't like her. She was hovering near Ved like they were old buddies.

"So what do we do with them?" Tai-San asked. She was relieved it wasn't the Technos who were coming. Perhaps she was just paranoid and the device hadn't been successful in giving away their location.

Ved smirked, "Hammer and Weasel are gonna take them and drop them off at some island and make them fend for themselves and claim the boat for their own, those two have a very promising future."

"Yeah, they're pinky and the brain," Liv added.

"Thank goodness you all are alright," Trudy said.

Ruby who was clinging to Jay asked, "What were you doing out there anyhow?"

Lefty and Toc exchanged glances and that said it all for what they were doing, but that didn't explain Jay and Ved.

"Jay was just giving me some advice, " Ved said.

"He couldn't give it here?" Cloe asked sourly. She had been scared to death when Ved disappeared. After the whole Techno prison camp experience she couldn't stand when Ved was out of her sight for too long.

Ved took her hands in his, "Well no because then that would've ruined the surprise."

"What surprise?" she asked.

Jay was clueless, but followed along, "Prepare to be astonished." With Ved almost everything was a surprise.

"Cloe I think it's more than clear that I love you. We've put up with each other for this long so…I guess what I'm saying is…I could spend my whole life with you."

"Are you…are you proposing?" she asked, tears in her eyes.

So that's why his little brother had trailed him into the jungle Jay figured. Not because he was off his rockers again, but because he truly needed his big brother. But instead it had gone the other way around and Ved had been the one giving the advice. How had the tables turned so much in a few years?

Ved was turning red, but he had come this far, he couldn't back down, "Yes Cloe, let's get married. Will you…?"

He didn't get a chance to finish his question. Cloe was so excited she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.

"We'll take that as a yes," Sammy made a gagging sound.

"I didn't see that one coming," Trudy admitted. The Ved she remembered was a zealous little boy with no regard for anybody but himself.

"And that folks is what I like to call the element of surprise!" Ram snickered.

~0~

Salene slipped away from the crowd and excitement. It was too much to bare. Hearing the talk of marriage and seeing the couples. She had no one. She was alone, and she feared worse, alone and pregnant.

She had nearly made it to her room, when May stopped her dead in her tracks, "So who's the unsuspecting father this time?"

Salene turned around, "I beg your pardon?"

"Remember when I first met you yogurt girl? I have a gift remember?"

"And who am I shacking up with Jaffa? Darryl? Sammy?"

May weighed those possibilities and frowned, "You're not pregnant then?"

Salene glared at her furiously.

"Damn. I've lost my magic. Mom would be so disappointed. First Ebony, then Trader…"

"Ebony?"

"I didn't know when she was pregnant, and well Trader…I've lost him to Amber."

"Welcome to the lonely hearts club."

They sighed standing there awkwardly before May broke the silence, "Fancy a drink?"

"Actually if you don't mind, I really would just like to be alone."

May nodded, "Suit yourself; I'll be in the lounge if you change your mind."

Once inside her room, Salene lay across her bed and cried. She wasn't a superstitious person at all, but this was the second time May had called her out on being pregnant and had been right. At least Salene thought she was right. She only had one more day of grace before she would believe it herself.