AN: 604 Reviews. 92 Favs. 89 Follows. 33,600 Views.
And now there's a Shipping War going on.
...
Okay, I'm not as enthused about that. Ships are fine...I guess...but there are other things! Like plot, right? Plot is important. It's not always about the ships, right?
...RIGHT?
Anway, since it's been a while since I responded to reviews (and I just used since in the same sentence twice), I'll respond to a few reviews right now! Not all of them, mind you. But some.
-Responses-
Ari-Dexel13: At the time, Cobb kinda had to keep the Griefers from killing all of Halstatt, so forgive him for missing a diamond sword. Still, he already has two swords. And a fishing rod. And we all know that the fishing rod is greater than a diamond sword anyway, so I don't see anything wrong with him missing it.
DemonCatLady: I agree. Most epic chapter to date. And I'm glad that people don't hate Lenz anymore. There was a time when that was a thing.
DarkWolf13: I assume this is DarkWolf133 and you wrote out the review only to realize that you weren't signed in, but then decided you didn't want to retype the review and just decided to send it as is, even with your name all messed up. Anyway, thanks. Spent a bit of time thinking up 'fluffy devils'. Has a nice ring to it.
Guest: Let me just take a moment to say how great I think your name is. Really 10/10. Anyway, Minecraftia is currently in 1.8, but I'm planning on including the stuff from 1.9, 1.10, and 1.11 when there's a lull in the plot. Meaning there's a window with which I can update the world. Whether I should update it slowly or all at once, I haven't decided. Maybe I'll figure it out after the Hiatus.
AxeHelix: Don't lose sleep over ship names. Seriously. Don't. It's not worth it.
Toddem Mach: Hey - No! I just got done saying not to waste time with ship names! Stahp!
yaoifangirl: What!? No! Stahp! The chemistry just isn't there! Besides, they're both heterosexual.
.dawnstar: Finally a normal non-shipping related review. Just for that, you deserve a Cookie! (::) Also, your name doesn't show up whenever I type it.
Khaos: I've never watched Seven Deadly Sins, and I don't know who Guila is. So no. Wynn is not based off Guila. She's actually based of Weiss from RWBY, what with the white hair and rapier and all. Their hairstyles aren't the same though.
SansThePunnist: And we're back to the shippers! GOD! NO! Is this my fault? Am I to blame for this shipping phenomenon? Or is this an age-old phenomenon that strikes any work of fiction?
lolzfufufu: *noms on cookie*
The Ravenclawed Demigod: Glad you enjoyed the Chapter so much. So epic and...ugh...I guess Daylight Sensor is canon now. Sure. Whatever. You could call the ship Flying Fladoodlez for all I care. All hail the Charged Creeper Flail indeed.
Laner: No better soundtrack then Eye of the Tiger...except maybe Discrepancies - Not Alone. But that's just preference. Also...why is everyone suddenly talking about ships like it's some big reveal! It's not! And to prove it, I'm gonna reveal the BIGGEST spoiler in 'My Craft' ever! *Inhales* C-
Slenderbrine: Not like there's a Shift button to click.
Disclaimer: I don't own Minecraft. If I did, I'd add scepters.
Beta: Void of Shining Darkness
Chapter 61
Return to Normalcy
[Lenz]
"OH DEAR COMPARATORS, NOOOO!"
I screamed and bolted upright from my sleep. A few seconds later, Cobbert woke up on the bed beside me, alarmed and waving his fishing rod through the air like a madman
"Whezza Hacker thish time?" He mumbled dazedly before rubbing his eyes of sleep. "Lenz? What are you screaming about?"
I panted as cold sweat dripped down my skin, the shock of my dream wearing off. "Oh, Cobbert. I had the most terrible dream."
"Was it the one where the fishing rod never existed?" The fisherman questioned as he sat beside me.
"Er…no."
"Was it the one where you have to give an oral presentation in the middle of class…only for the presentation to be about the deliciousness of cooked pork chops and the audience being an enraged Carys_Angel? Had that one a few times."
"No! This was something I would be scared of." I massaged the bridge of my nose as I tried to recall it. "I dreamt that we—us and the Ringwood guards—saved the village of Halstatt from an army of Griefers led by a Hacker." I then clutched my sides remembering how vivid the dream got. "But then the cruel irony…when we arrived in Ringwood, neither of us had the emeralds to pay for my citizenship information or lodgings. Wynn let us in, but with no emeralds, we were forced to camp out in the middle of a filthy, primitive, underdeveloped, and redstone starved park. Oh, dear pistons it was an awful dream!"
Cobbert blinked owlishly. "Uh…Lenz? All that stuff really happened."
"…Pardon?"
"Yeah, we got to Ringwood yesterday morning and we split up from Wynn and the others. We're actually camping out in the middle of a park." He gestured to the surroundings which I only just noticed were trees and a small pond. "Floyd showed me this place so I figured it'd be—Lenz, stop drowning yourself in that pond!"
"I do not want to live anymore!" *Glub Glub*
"Seriously, you're scaring the fish!"
No redstone. It was like a nightmare. Only I could not wake up.
Without suitable emeralds or materials, we were stuck to camping in the middle of nowhere. And Cobbert did not even want to ask Wynn for a place to stay, saying that her idea of housing included an outhouse or a couch, the latter if she was feeling generous. Not to mention he did not want to trouble her. Of all the times to not want to trouble her...
"Let the fish be scared! How am I supposed to enjoy the splendor of redstone engineering when I have to worry about Mobs attacking in the middle of the night? I need a solid shelter!"
"I'm working on it, alright!" Cobbert shot back, dragging me from the pond. "Look, tomorrow, we'll go mining outside Ringwood, find some valuable ores, trade them in for emeralds, and find a place to call home. But until then, we'll just have to rough it."
"I do not want to rough it. I would rather soft it. Perhaps even comfortable it." I frowned as I tinkered with some repeaters and redstone, making a simple pulse loop. "You would never betray me, would you my sweet redstone?"
"Lenz, you're starting to freak me out."
I ignored Cobbert as I petted the redstone repeater. "Who ever heard of a mining engineer? I swear I never had to deal with mining when I was at the college."
Cobbert raised an eyebrow. "Then how did you pay for tuition and food and junk?"
"Back in Daymonte, I had a part time job working at an archery range." I explained sullenly. "It covered my expenses…mostly. Plus, they gave me a great discount on arrows. Ugh, I can already feel my redstone skills dulling."
Cobbert just shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe after getting drawn into the Battle of Halstatt, your biggest complaint is not enough redstone."
"What can I say? I am a man of humble needs."
Cobbert rolled his eyes before a creeping ray of sunlight stretched across his face. "Well, looks like it's morning. So much for sleeping to a reasonable hour." He shielded his eyes from the streaks of sunlight streaming through the gaps in the trees. "I'm going to catch us some breakfast."
He slung his fishing rod over a shoulder and trudged to the pond, leaving me to my feeble attempts at redstone distractions.
I sighed as I sadly tinkered with some redstone. "What I would not give to make a machination masterpiece—"
*Rustle Rustle*
I looked up, alert and wary, as I heard the sound of rustling coming from some underbrush. I gasped as I spotted a pair of emerald eyes before they blinked out of sight.
[Cobb]
Wonder when Floyd's getting back.
Those were the thoughts crossing my mind as I calmly fished for something to eat. Sure, I had cookies and steak, but it never hurt to refill food supplies. Plus, I couldn't remember the last time I had fish.
As for Floyd, I hoped my first friend and companion would get back from his super important Silver Intent mission. He said he was going to Nitebane, but the way they made it sound, it was an undesirable Kingdom.
Not that I was worried. Floyd had Cara and that other asshole watching out for him. The odds of anything going wrong were pretty slim.
Let me think…we separated in Daymonte about ten or twelve days ago.
Don't know why, but it feels like way more time passed by.
"AGHHHHHH!"
I whirled behind, whipping my fishing rod through the air at the latest noise. After fighting Kane's men in the very same park, I was expecting to see them. But instead it was…
"Erin?"
"C-C-Cobb!" The shrill, terrified voice of Erin rang out as she struggled from Lenz's grip. "H-Help! I'm in dire need! Save me!"
"Trying to steal from us!?" Lenz shouted over her, looking equally terrified but also determined as he held her by the ponytails. "I am no longer a weakling! I will…I will be someone others can rely on! And stop you!"
"Ow, my hair!"
"Lenz, stop!" I rushed over and pulled him off of the housekeeper. "Erin's a friend of mine. She'd never try to steal from us."
Lenz tilted his head to look at me. "Oh, really? Then why was she spying on us through the underbrush?"
"I w-wasn't stalk—spying!" The housekeeper corrected, overcome by one of her odd blushing fits as she tried and failed to meet my eyes.
Honestly, she should go see a doctor about that.
She coughed lightly into her fist to collect herself before withdrawing a bundle of food. "I was j-j-just in the neighborhood, and I th-thought…maybe…you'd want some fresh cooked foods."
She had me as soon as she pulled out the bundle of food. Overflowing from her arms was everything ranging from mutton, steak, rabbit, porkchops, chicken, cookies, bread, and potatoes.
"You got that all yourself?" I asked, touched by how much trouble she went through.
"Y-yes!" She smiled happily, even through her flushed face. "I-I was thinking it'd be a nice way of welcoming you back…maybe with a picnic in the park…" She added, her eyes fantasizing something that neither Lenz nor I could see.
"Well, that is very considerate of you. Sorry for attacking you like that." Lenz walked up to the housekeeper and held his arms out to accept the food, only for Erin to pull it back sharply. "Er…"
"No, no, I'll set the picnic." She spoke a little forcefully, losing her blush as her eyes met Lenz's tinted glasses. "I assume you're one of Cobb's friends as well. Why don't you go somewhere else and…chop down trees for charcoal? Need some way to cook this food. I'll keep Cobb company in the meantime."
"Ah, no need to worry about that." I interjected as Erin tried to shoo the engineer away. "Wynn let me keep the coal I let my steed carry. We can use that to cook this stuff."
It had been a tear jerking moment saying goodbye to my steed, Ace. But he had a lot going for him, what with being a pack mule for Crafters and all. I'd miss him, but I would cherish the time we spent together.
A furnace and several lumps of coal later, the food was all finished and ready for consumption. Erin had set some white carpet along the ground to act as a picnic blanket and Lenz had built a redstone lamp because…well…picnics need lamps, I guess?
"So how'd you know we were here?" I asked the housekeeper through a mouthful of mutton.
"W-well, when Miss Whispers came back without you, I w-w-was r-really worried. I've heard stories about how ruthless the Griefers outside the Kingdom can get." It didn't surprise me that someone as frail as Erin feared the wastelands outside the Kingdoms. "But then she said you decided to camp for the night…and I thought this park would be the perfect place you'd go."
"You must know me pretty well, then." I commented offhandedly as I took another bite of mutton. Or at least I thought it was offhandedly enough before Erin's face grew several shades darker. It seemed that no matter what I said made her go all red-faced.
"Well…I d-d-don't know you that much…b-but I'd like to—"
"Noooo!" A voice full of despair wailed as a Crafter came barreling out from the bushes. "Royal Whispers is the only shiiip!"
"Wha—Spencer!?" I quickly stood up from the picnic and stared at the prone guard shedding tears. "What are you doing here?"
"Drat. We've been found out." A second guard, Daniel, poked his head out from the bushes, followed by Hollie. "Spencer, why did you go and ruin the mood?"
"Because it isn't fair." He sobbed into the ground. "Cobb was all heroic for Wynn, taking out a Hacker and such. It would be a crime for them NOT to get together! Plus…I'm gonna owe Solara and Micah twenty emeralds if they don't get together!"
"Are you still on about those stupid relationships!?" I shouted in outrage.
"Actually Cobbert," Lenz pulled on my sleeve, "the correct terminology is 'ships'."
"Whatever!" I shoved the engineer away and pointed to the three guards. "I'm getting sick of you guys 'shipping' whatever the hell you feel like! It's not gonna happen."
"Cobbert," Lenz warned from afar. "Do not antagonize the shippers, lest you incur their nonsensical wrath."
"No, no, no. Seriously. It's…it's stupid and crazy and…and doesn't really have to do with anything!" Why was I the only one seeing the stupidity in it? Usually other people had to point out my own stupidity!
"But you and Erin look so adorable together." Hollie chimed in, causing Erin to stutter and fidget in place.
The poor thing was probably embarrassed at such a ridiculous suggestion.
"Okay, look…how exactly do you people determine ships, in the first place?"
"Well," Hollie cleared her throat and steeped forward. "First, we analyze interactions between two people. Their friendships, their pasts, how they act around others and each other. Genders become a factor later on."
"Even if that person isn't attracted to someone of the same gender?" I couldn't help but ask.
Hollie let out a laugh. "Don't be ridiculous, Cobb. Since when do ships ever consider how the people involved in the relationships feel? It's all about what we think."
"That sounds incredibly one-sided."
"Ships in a nutshell." Lenz commented under his breath.
"Anyway, once a ship is decided, the next step is coming up with catchy names." Hollie continued with a gleam in her eyes. I got the feeling that most of the ship names came from her. "Like Royal Whispers, Wyronica—"
"I'm still partial to Wynnica, it just rolls off the tongue better—"
"Shut up, Daniel!" Hollie screeched. "Ship names are FINAL!"
"But that's just stupid!" I shouted over Hollie. "That's like saying, if I walk up to this furnace and kiss it," I walked up to the furnace and gave it a light kiss, burning my tongue in the process, "Then it suddenly deserves a ship!"
Hollie gasped! "Oh. My. Notch. Did you guys just see that!" Hollie was practically jumping in joy. "Cobb kissed the furnace! PopCorn confirmed!"
I dragged a hand across my face.
*CRACK*
I looked up to see Erin as she ruthlessly drove a stone pickaxe into the furnace, breaking it apart. Her green eyes, once so full of innocence, were now the embodiment of a callous hatred towards the simple furnace.
When she noticed everyone watching her, her eyes quickly became innocent again and she stared between the pickaxe and me before slowly lifting it. "Oops, I slipped."
"Um…" I took a step back, and rubbed my arm awkwardly.
"The ship is dead." Hollie intoned sadly. "It was so young..."
Wanting to put an end to this stupid ship conversation I turned back to Hollie. "Just—wait, what are the three of you doing here so early in the morning?" Usually the guards would be sound asleep in the barracks before Captain Iron_Lung's brutal training regime.
Daniel consoled Hollie and poked the sobbing Spencer with a stick before addressing the question. "We were actually looking for you, Cobb."
Spencer looked up from his sobbing. "Yeah, we had no idea where to look, but then we spotted Erin skipping along, carrying a load of food, and speaking aloud about how she was going to have a picnic with you."
Erin stuttered denials, but I was paying more attention to the guards. "So what's up?"
"Wynn is about to be in a mess of trouble and she ordered us not to interfere." Daniel smirked. "But she never said we couldn't ask someone else to interfere."
I frowned at that. "What's the trouble? She did her mission, right? So then what could possibly be wrong?"
[Wynn]
"Your Eminence." I kneeled before the man, my face neutral. The throne-room as vacant as ever.
"Ah, Captain Wynn. I'm happy to see that you returned from your mission." His Eminence spoke from atop his throne. "Did you get back just this morning?"
I shook my head. "Yesterday. I needed a bit of time to myself before I reported to you. Everyone made it back safely."
"Good. Good. I trust that you delivered my proposal to King Rotjes?"
"Yes, Your Eminence."
"And did he agree to the terms?" His Eminence was on the edge of his seat. "Will this Cross-Kingdom Railway be more than just a dream?"
Again I nodded. "It took a bit of convincing, but Rotjes agreed that the railway would be in the best interests for both Ringwood and Daymonte."
His Eminence let out a sigh of relief. Waiting on the news of another Kingdom approving of the railway must have been quite the burden on him. "Thank you, Captain. I knew you wouldn't fail me."
I nodded numbly at that, hoping for a second that we were done. That there was no bigger issue to discuss. That I wouldn't be forced to admit my own fault to His Eminence.
"But now," His Eminence spoke, gripping his royal blaze rod. "I must express concern over some recent news that met my ears."
The small hope in my chest died a horrible death.
"Y-Yes, Your Eminence?"
The King fixed me with a questioning stare, making me feel several times smaller. "A few days ago, one of the guards assigned under your watch wound up in this very throne-room. He was without a Captain and alone, making me fear that the worse had happened to you and the rest of your guards during your journey back from Daymonte."
I felt a weight drop into my stomach, leaving a dull ache in its wake.
Still, His Eminence continued. "Imagine my surprise, however, when that same guard explained that the reason he arrived in Ringwood alone, is because you, Captain Wynn, decided to risk the lives of your men to stay behind and protect one of Daymonte's villages from a massive Griefer attack, the likes of which we've never seen."
I tried to swallow, but my mouth was too dry to muster anything. Not even a defense for myself.
"I…I—"
"While I'm happy to see that you and all your men somehow survived the ordeal," His eyebrows knit themselves into a scowl, "I must admit that Bitters' news of you deviating from the given mission for the sake of one of Daymonte's villages has left me…concerned."
He gripped the blaze rod tighter and I couldn't bear to meet his concerned eyes. I had betrayed his trust. I had risked the lives of the guards under my responsibility.
"Please, tell me that Bitters' story was wrong." His Eminence spoke, his usually mellow voice taking on a sharp bite of righteous anger. "To risk the lives of your fellow guards—your own brothers in arms—is inexcusable."
His words were cutting into me like a knife, making me feel guiltier than I already did. It didn't matter that everything turned out alright or that we all made it back safely.
The fact of the matter was that I willingly chose to gamble my guards' lives away for the sake of another Kingdom. If anything happened to them, it would have been my fault. And I had to make the choice to stay to best ensure their survival.
So the blame for deviating from our mission lay solely on my shoulders.
"…I'm sorry, Your Eminence…" I choked on my words, but kept going. My eyes were shut so I didn't have to see how disappointed he was. "But Bitters is right. I chose to stay behind to protect the village of Halstatt."
There was a silence, as if he was awaiting me to say more. The entire journey back from Halstatt I had tried to think up a way to explain my actions. The guards had suggested I deny Bitters' claims, saying that they would never divulge what happened in Halstatt and jeopardize my position as Captain.
But it wouldn't have worked. A simple trip to Halstatt would only verify that we had been there to protect the village. And that would only drag the other guards down with me. Solara, Micah, Daniel, Liam, Spencer, Hollie, and Noah. They'd all take a bit of blame for trying to keep it a secret.
It was better this way. When only I was to blame.
"Wynn," His Eminence's voice softened, sounding a little bit confused. It was as if he was trying to justify my actions, but couldn't find an answer. The very thought of him trying to absolve me of blame made the guilt hurt all the more. "Is there anything you have to say in your defense? Anything at all?"
I remained silent, just wanting the decision to be over with.
His Eminence released a heavy sigh, full of disappointment and regret. "Then, I'm afraid I have no choice. Wynn_Whispers, for straying from your given mission and risking the lives of your men in the defense of an unassociated village, I hereby strip you of your authority as a Captain—"
"Wait! Hold everything!"
My eyes snapped open as a familiar voice echoed throughout the regal throne-room. I tilted my head and watched as Cobb (who else?) barged through the throne-room doors, a few of the palace guards trying to catch him.
"Your Eminence!" Cobb huffed as he ducked beneath a tackling guard before hurrying towards us. "Your Eminence! Wynn didn't do anything wrong! You can't take away her Captainship!"
One of the palace guards dove at Cobb's legs and tripped him up before two more joined in to subdue the fisherman. Even as they dragged him away, he kept trying to shout to His Eminence. "You can't blame her for what happened! It isn't fair!"
"Just a moment!" His Eminence stopped the palace guards with that mere utterance. "What do you mean, she can't be blamed?"
Cobb, still held between three guards, was quick to respond. "I mean, she did everything she was supposed to! She got your mission done and everyone made it back alright! Doesn't that count for anything?"
I couldn't believe how flippant he was being towards His Eminence—actually, his level of flippancy was normal—but to go so far to try to absolve me from blame…
His Eminence stood up from his throne and stamped his royal blaze rod into the floor. "It counts for everything!" He boomed. "True, Captain Wynn was able to deliver my message and secure the Railway project between Ringwood and Daymonte, but she acted beyond her duty. Protecting a village outside her jurisdiction, with no adequate cause, is unacceptable. Had any of our men died, their blood would be on her hands. And had any of our men inflicted harm upon Halstatt or any other property of Daymonte, we may have had a war on our hands!"
"But—but none of that happened!" Cobb protested even louder. "And…and you say she didn't have adequate cause. But she did!"
"Oh?" His Eminence questioned with interest. "Are you saying Captain Wynn's actions were befitting of her mission? That rushing to Halstatt's defense was done with adequate cause?"
"Uh…" Cobb's eyes shifted left and right before settling into a determined expression. "…yeah. Yeah! Definitely!"
His eminence gestured forward. "Then by all means, explain."
Oh, Gods. Was my position as Captain in the hands of Cobb!?
I'm doomed.
The palace guards slowly released the fisherman and he walked up to His Eminence as calmly as possible. Though judging by how frantic his eyes were darting, I could tell he was desperately trying to think up a way to explain my actions.
As to why…
I wasn't quite sure.
Was it because he felt he owed me for saving his life? Or that it wasn't fair that someone who chose to help when he was in need would then get in trouble for the same reason?
Was it because he respected me enough to know how much I valued being a Captain? Was it because I had warned him of my responsibilities to my Kingdom and knew all along that this would happen if I chose to stay?
Or was it because, like he had once said, we were friends?
Friends. How absurd was that? I had skewered and threatened him so many times. I treated him like a nuisance half the time.
Though when we fought together—against Griefers, Mobs, and Alec—that was all forgotten.
We had saved each other's life, and risked our own to keep the other safe.
We were comrades, sure. But friends?
"Alright, so…" Cobb began, addressing His Eminence. "Well…Captain Wynn was ordered to meet the King of Daymonte—"
"King Rotjes." His Eminence corrected.
"—Right, King Rotjes. She was ordered to meet with him and secure the deal for the Cross-Kingdom Railroad thingy, right? That was her mission?"
Ignoring the fact he referred to one of the largest projects known to Crafter-kind as a 'Railroad thingy', His Eminence nodded. I could practically feel the despair eating away at me. It would have been so much easier if Cobb had stayed away and let me lose my title quickly. Better that than the drawn-out affair I was currently subjected to.
"Alright…then, Wynn didn't do anything wrong…because…" He struggled for an answer. "Because…because saving Halstatt…that was done to secure the deal."
Silence filled the throne-room after Cobb's statement, causing His Eminence to raise an eyebrow. "What exactly do you mean?"
"Well…"Cobb continued, feeling emboldened by His Eminence's interest. "I'm right to assume that to build that Railroad, you'd need a lot of resources, yeah?" His Eminence nodded. "And you'd also need a lot of Crafters to guard it, right?" Another nod.
Where is he going with this?
"So…then…you gotta ask yourself, why would anyone want to make something like that if it costs so much?"
My eye twitched slightly and I had to resist the urge to scream into the floor. Oh, God he's making it worse!
"The cost is steep." His Eminence agreed. "But I had hoped that the accomplishment of such a feat would be incentive enough to sway Rotjes' aid."
"Still though, that's a lot of resources." Cobb pounced on the statement he just made. "So many resources, that Rotjes may have doubted the benefits of a joint-Kingdom project. Perhaps Rotjes was still on the fence about whether or not to aid in the construction of this Railroad."
His Eminence narrowed his eyes. "What are you getting at?"
Yeah, Cobb. What are you getting at?
"Okay, here it is. Rotjes wasn't too keen on the railroad, seeing the tremendous cost and doubting the levels of cooperation your two Kingdoms would share."
His Eminence blinked before regarding me. "Is this true, Wynn?
That was stretching the truth a bit. Rotjes was hesitant about how much resources he'd have to spend, but he never voiced how hesitant he was about cooperation between Kingdoms. It could have been a concern, in the back of his mind. So it wasn't…entirely a lie.
"Yes, that's true."
"So then," His Eminence scratched his beard in thought. "Defending Halstatt…was done to convince Rotjes that our Kingdoms are willing to cooperate. To band together and oppose a common enemy."
My eyes widened. Was this what Cobb was going for?
"That's exactly what I was going for."
Not very subtle about it. But apparently His Eminence didn't hear his latest remark.
"If that were the case…then Wynn acted to cement the deal. Thus, her actions in Halstatt were completely warranted." A contemplative smile graced His Eminence's features as he regained confidence in me. "And I suppose Bitters simply fled Halstatt and decided to make up a story about you. The nerve of—"
"Bitters didn't know." I blurted out, gaining His Eminence's full attention once more. "He wasn't aware that Rotjes was undecided. He simply thought I was acting beyond my jurisdiction. Which, given how it appeared, I cannot fault him for."
I looked to Cobb, my eyes telling him not to throw Bitters under the bus. Even if he did try and get me to lose my title, he was acting by the book. And I had given him the option to leave.
Cobb rolled his eyes, as if the idea of defending Bitters was worse than eating rotten flesh, but he gave a subtle nod, showing he wouldn't say anything.
"But then why didn't you explain yourself, Wynn?" His Eminence asked. "If you simply stated you defended Halstatt to sway Rotjes' mind, why not explain that to me? Why, I almost stripped you of your title!"
"Well…" I looked down as I tried to come up with a suitable answer. My eyes found Cobb's again, asking for help, and he didn't hesitate to step forward.
"It's because…she was worried how you'd take it." Cobb stated hesitantly before gaining momentum in his argument. "It wasn't originally part of the mission, but she took the risk anyway, knowing how much the Railroad meant to you and the Kingdom." He turned to face me. "On the surface, it seemed irresponsible and stupid…but it was done with the best of intentions. Because she—because even I can tell how much Wynn truly cares for this Kingdom."
I was struck by how genuine that sounded, given that Cobb was effectively lying. But then, thinking it over, it was all true.
I did care for Ringwood.
I cared for the people.
I cared for the guards entrusted to me.
I cared for His Eminence and all the Kings that would follow.
And deep down…I cared for Cobb too.
So it was with an unrestrained smile that I got up from my kneeling position and moved to stand beside Cobb.
"Well, in that case, it would be absurd of me to even think about stripping you…of your title! Stripping you of your title. *Cough* Yes. So, all things considered, well done, Captain Wynn."
Cobb gave a little jump of joy when His Eminence wasn't looking and I couldn't help but laugh as I gave him a good-natured pat on the shoulder. And to think, the last time we were in that throne-room we were at each other's throats.
"Ah, see!" His Eminence spoke, looking inordinately pleased at our interactions. "I knew you two would become good friends."
As we exited the palace and walked down the steps of the plateau, I turned to look at Cobb. He was stretching his arms before setting his hands behind his head.
"…Thanks for that."
Cobb gave an affirmative hum, focusing more on the steps instead of my statement.
"…Who told you my position as Captain was in jeopardy?"
He just shrugged. "Hard to say. Not that it matters, right? You get to stay a Captain and everyone's happy." His face darkened. "Everyone except Bitters."
"Don't start anything." I shook my head. "If he's willing to sell out a comrade, then he isn't worth getting angry over."
He raised an eyebrow. "You going to tell your guards that before they beat the snot out of him?"
"…Maybe after a week." I smirked despite myself. No doubt the other guards were having an interesting 'chat' with Bitters about trying to get me in trouble. "But…if you don't mind me asking…why?"
"Hmmm?"
"Why did you rush to my defense? It's not like I would have died if I lost my position."
"Well it means a lot to you, right?" Cobb tilted his head. "I mean, you like your job so much that you'd sacrifice yourself to save your fellow guards. In Daymonte, you were so desperate to get that Railroad deal to work out. And in Halstatt, you looked so conflicted choosing between your responsibilities as Captain and ensuring I didn't die. You love what you do!"
I nodded at that, surprised that Cobb caught all those emotions. Hard to believe he was the same oblivious Crafter who couldn't tell that Erin had a crush on him.
"If someone took away something I cared about," Cobb began as he looked at his hand. "I'd feel like…I don't know…like a piece of my world just broke apart."
He clenched his fist and frowned at it before suddenly remembering something. "Besides, we gotta keep up the act, right?"
"Er…Huh?" He smiled at my confusion.
"Well, His Eminence still thinks we get on like a house on fire." Cobb grinned up at the sky. "Little does he know how 'at each other's throats' we are."
I blinked at those words before catching on. I smiled in a superior manner, trying to act like how the old me would have acted towards Cobb. "Well, of course we're at each other's throats." I gave my ivory hair an elegant flip. "Not a day goes by that I don't wish I could purge that infuriating fishing rod from your fighting repertoire."
"Oh really?" He smirked challengingly, acting like his old self for old time's sake. "Last time I checked, my repertoire killed a Hacker. And what was that you said about there being no recorded instances of that ever happening? Oh, that's right! There were no recorded instances of that. Ever. Happening."
"Don't remind me." I folded my arms and frowned, but I couldn't keep from laughing at Cobb's idiotically smug expression. He had his chin stuck out and his upper lip drawn over his mouth, looking pleased with himself.
It really was true. We were friends. And it felt comfortable enough that I didn't even have to try. It was just natural.
Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.
"Well, Cobb." I smiled. "Since we need to keep up the act with His Eminence and appear as friends, I should play my part and…offer you a place to stay." I saw his eyes perk up, my offer more than he was ever hoping for.
"You…you really mean that?"
I nodded. "At least until you get enough emeralds for a place of your own. Until then, you're more than welcome to stay at my mansion. I'm sure Erin will be more than happy to accommodate."
"That's grea—wait a second—"
"No, you don't have to sleep in the outhouse."
"Alright!" He pumped a fist enthusiastically. "Can Lenz stay too?"
"…He gets the outhouse."
"What? Come on. Throw him a bone."
"I only have one spare guestroom. It's either you or him in that outhouse."
"…He'll take the outhouse. I'm sure he won't mind the smell that much."
And with that, Cobb and Lenz became the new guests of my home.
Inventory (Cobb): 1 Wooden Shovel, 1 Iron Pickaxe, 1 Stone Sword, 1 Golden Sword [Sharpness I, Unbreaking I]{Weak}, 1 Golden Shovel [Silk Touch I, Unbreaking III], 1 Wooden Pickaxe {Weak}, 1 Fishing Rod, 1 Flint and Steel, 8 Cobblestone, 12 Flint, 22 Torches, 6 Coal, 10 Oak Wood Planks, 8 Oak Wood Stairs, 1 Oak Wood Door, 1 Clock, 45 Dirt, 1 Water Bucket, 4 String, 1 Stick, 1 Bone, 5 Pumpkin Pies, 12 Cookies, 25 Steak, 40 Cooked Mutton, 1 Pumpkin, 1 Chainmail Helmet, 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Green, Unbreaking I], Iron Leggings {Weak}, Iron Boots, 7 Rotten Flesh, 4 Item Frames, 1 Book {Advanced Mob-Slaying}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Daymonte Temporary Entry Pass}
[EXP: 25]
Inventory (Lenz): 1 Bow {Weak}, 1 Shears, 3 Levers, 4 Wooden Buttons, 3 Stone Buttons, 5 Redstone Torches, 59 Redstone, 18 Redstone Repeaters, 3 Redstone Comparators, 1 Hopper, 1 Dispenser, 3 Blocks of Redstone, 2 Pistons, 10 Cobblestone, 10 Torches, 5 Sticks, 3 Redstone Lamps, 1 Minecart, 1 Compass, 12 String, 25 Gunpowder, 1 Carrot, 32 Steak, 13 Cooked Mutton, 64 Arrows, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Pumpkin, 1 Book {Notebook}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Daymonte Entry Pass}
[EXP: 5]
AN: RIP Furnace. You never stood a chance against Erin.
Yeah, that whole Cobb argument about ships was a subtle nod to ALL of you shippers out there. I guess it's a sign that you guys generally care about the characters, but...I don't know. Usually there's gotta be some kind of connection before a ship can form.
Because if a ship isn't properly crafted, it hits an iceberg of nonsense and sinks.
...Too soon?
Thankfully, this isn't a romance story. Plus, I write romance as good as a rock can run a marathon: Not very well. But this is an adventure story, so the idea of romance isn't completely outright either.
But enough about that. This Chapter, as the title says, is a return to normalcy. Nothing trying to kill Cobb while he's safely in Ringwood. Boring maybe, but it's the second to last Chapter before my Hiatus, so I'm not gonna start up another Arc. This one is more of a settling Chapter. Calming things down.
But next Chapter...hoo boy...
No Omake. See you Next Week (If I survive my tests and papers).