HUGE shoutout to Writer-Rabbit-Newsie-Grace and her story, Do or Die: A Jovenson Story by Writer-Rabbit-Newsie-Grace.
Flora Jenkins knows who she is. She knows that she's going to be the next Captain of the Valiant, if she can pass her initiation test. And she knows she hasn't gone by her real name, Jovenson, in twelve years, and plans never to do so again. Too bad a group of strangers who approach her while the ship is moored in Yorkstein Harbor are determined to change that. (Warning, is rated T for the consumption of rabbit brewed alcohol, and scary sea monsters and bad grammar.)
Go check it out!
Now, to answering comments!
KGWingfeatherFan:...eggy? Oops, sorry, Ash? AND GO ARTHIE! BE LIKE YOUR UNCLE ARTHAM AND UNCLE JANNER! Oh, and Liam! Protect the High Queen! Pls keep writing! I MUST KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!
KGWingfeatherFan: I FORGIVE THY RAINY! Hah! That was me trying to be the Florid Sword! And you're fine! JUST PLEEEAAAASSEEE KEEP WRITING!
KGWingfeatherFan: MORE!
RainyDayReading342: OF COURSE! THY WISH IS MEH COMMAND! And thanks so much for all of the kind reviews! You are so awesome!
THRONE WARDEN: This was great! More more more!
RainyDayReading342: Aww, thanks! This made me smile, I am so glad you are enjoying it! Thanks for all of the kind words!
THANK YOU ALL THY (THOU?) READERS FOR STICKING WITH US THIS FAR! Prepare for some tears now...*considers going into hiding*
Day One
Liam was startled awake by the feel of cold water running down his forehead, and the clank-rattle-squeak of wagon.
He made a move, as if to wipe the offending raindrop off his face, but came to a sudden halt, and looked down at his hands in a haze of pain and confusion.
His hands and feet were shackled, and a chain kept him locked to the wagon's side.
Liam gave a hopeless tug at the heavy chains and slumped back against the floor, unable to do anything but listen to the rattle of the wagon, the sound of squelching hoofbeats, and the pitter-patter of raindrops.
He curled up on the rough wooden floor of the wagon, hoping to keep at least a smidge of body heat. He let sleep take him away from this cold nightmare.
Day 2
"Oy! Wake up!" A gruff voice yelled, followed by a kick in Liam's stomach.
Liam woke with a gasp of pain and curled in tighter, trying to get his breath back. His clothes were still clammy from yesterday's rain, and he shivered involuntarily.
"Di'n't ye heer me, boy? I said git up!" The same voice snarled, and a hand clamped down on his shoulder and jerked him to his feet.
Liam wobbled at the sudden rush of exhaustion and dizzyness.
The chain connecting him to the wagon was unlocked, but a rope was threaded through his shackles and tied to a tree.
"Tha' shou' be enou' to let you work." The burly Strander muttered. "Ga'er some wood fer a fire, boy." He ordered, giving Liam a shove towards the tree line.
Liam stumbled forward, and came to a halt at the end of the rope, chains grating painfully against his ankles.
Around the clearing, four Stranders were setting up camp.
He bent down, groaning quietly in pain, and grabbed a branch.
Day 3
The wagon came to a wobbling halt at a dock, and the chatter of the Stranders stopped. Two of them moved to unload supplies on a ragged ship, and the other two unlocked the Liam's chains.
His hands were tied behind his back, and he was shoved unceremoniously towards the ship.
He stumbled at the sudden lack of weight, and fell forwards on his face, unable to break his fall with his hands.
There was a roar of laughter from the many Stranders around (A lot more had been waiting at the docks).
Liam's face burned with shame as two Stranders lifted him back to his feet and nudged him towards the gangplank. He straightened up with whatever dignity he had left, and marched onto the ship.
"Lock 'im in the brig." Came the order.
Day Four
Liam groaned as another wave caused the ship to rock forwards. The tempest outside only hurt him more. His hands were now each chained to the wall of the cell, cross-style, and he was slumped against the floor. With every wave, his body was jerked painfully.
The cell door opened with a bang, and a Strander stepped in.
"We thought, 'Well, 'es not good for us if he's dead. So why not feed the dog some scraps?' ts a livin' miracle you've still got breath in yer lungs," he growled.
Liam looked up hopefully, and the Strander threw in some bread chunks into his cage, within Liam's reach. Then he threw in a sealed container with a couple drops of stale water.
Liam scrambled to grip the bread and water with his feet, and he brought it closer to him. His hands, still chained, groped the floor to reach it, and then brought it to his lips. He ate the bread carefully, almost choking on the dryness of it all.
He had some difficulty unscrewing the lid, but when he did, he gulped gratefully. But the water was gone all too soon. He turned to beg for more, but his captor had already left.
Day Five
"Cap'n says we can get ye out now, we've neared the shore," a voice mumbled, and Liam's chains were unlocked, and they fell to the floor with a CLANG!
Liam blinked his eyes open.
Then the Strander pulled out a rope and tightly tied them around his hands, forcing him to his feet and guiding him to the top of the ship.
Liam squeezed his eyes closed as the burning of the sun seared across his vision. They were docking, and as other Stranders unloaded cargo, one Strander forced Liam off of the ramp and onto dry land. Liam's relief didn't last; he was tied to a tree.
Liam tried to get his eyes adjusted to the light. By the time the Stranders had set up their camp and sent out scouts to a cave on the southern side of the beach, Liam was able to squint.
Liam had sat there the whole afternoon, wondering what would become of him soon.
Suddenly, there was a commotion as two Strander-boys came scrambling back.
"THE CAVE- ITS EMPTY! EVERYTHING IS BURNED TO THE GROUND! THR CHILDREN, THE STONE KEEPERS, THE FANGS...GONE!" They panted like dogs.
"WHAT?!" roared the Strander with the brown beard, then his gaze was whipped to Liam. In one swift movement, he had swooped up Liam by his shirt collar, and his stinky breath filled Liam's nostrils as he growled,
"Where. Are. They?!"
"I've been in your custody for a week already...how could I have helped them escape?" Liam said weakly.
"ANSWER ME!" The Strander shouted, not listening to reason. HR was solely driven by anger and fear.
"I...don't... know..." Liam struggled to say.
The Strander threw him to the ground and stomped away, yelling orders to his company.
"We leave now! No camping until we get to the Cave! The boy WILL give us answers there, and if he doesn't, he'll live to regret it. Or, should I say, NOT be alive to regret it?!"
Everyone stared blankly at his not-very-funny joke, until he shot death glares at all of them, then they chuckled and laughed forcedly.
It took every ounce of Liam's being to lift his head up and keep it held high, deciding that he would not let them break him, even til the very end.