Inheritance: Threads of Fate

Chapter Twelve - Captain

Back inside Cale was giving orders to his crew already to start loading his ship. "Hope i's alrigh'. I took the liberty o' having one o' me men go find us a wagon. We'll need ta have ever'one gathered up like slaves if we're ta be convincin'." He asked.
"Good idea." You responded.
"Are we all set then?" Lalin wondered.
"I think so." You looked at Drinian "Did you need to get anything from the Shade to take with you?"
"Aye. A'few effects 'n personal items." He responded.
"Well let's head down together! My men are restocking, I'll have them give you a hand." Lalin agreed.
What a group you made, The King of Narnia, three Lords of Scales, a freed blacksmith, and the most experienced naval captain in Narnia. In any other circumstance you would have felt invincible to be in their company. But being in this savage land, hunted by a kidnapper and rapist who has military power... you were just scared. You all stopped short at the end of the pier.
The sight of three large pirate ships grouped together in the bay was attracting a lot of attention. Civilians kept coming over to point and gawk which caused a few guards to investigate the commotion.
"Shit." You whispered.
"Dunna panic lass, we'll handle this." Cale spoke calmly and confidently.
"Right. Time to watch the master at work." Lalin smiled. "Wanna come get a close up of the show blue eyes?" He winked at Raxe.
"I...uh...I'll stay..." Raxe flustered.
Lalin laughed and walked towards the guards with his arms open in welcome. "Afternoon gentlemen..."
Cale had the reverse approach, he approached the docks scowling and barking orders menacingly. Threatening those in the crowd that if they didn't clear out he'd force them to join his crew.
"We bes' get aboard the Shade..." Drinian suggested.
As discreetly as possible, the four of you snuck behind the eyes that were distracted by either Cale's shouting or Lalin's flirting, and made your way up the gangplank. As soon as your feet hit the deck you were overcome with emotion, and had to fight back tears of joy and exhaustion. You felt at home for the first time in weeks, or as close to home as you could without being on the islands. The crew was surrounding you and Caspian happily welcoming you back but all you could see was swirling colors and noises. Raxe noticed you were beginning to get overwhelmed.
"Hey, let's get you into your quarters. Which way?" He spoke softly into your ear.
You motioned towards the back of the ship, and he guided you by your arm. Caspain noticed him escorting you and made eye contact with you concernedly, but you motioned to him to let him know to stay and greet the crewmen.
Raxe opened the familiar doors to the study, and the doors to your quarters were still open. The rooms hadn't been touched since you left. He whistled.
"Nice room Captain." He looked around.
You chuckled as he closed the doors to the study behind you. "It's not the biggest I know..."
"Are you kidding, this room alone is bigger than Zumi's hut." He began touching everything. He found your sketchbook.
"You still draw?" He asked with a smile.
"Eh... sort of. When I'd get bored at sea."
He walked over to the cage where Nightwing was pacing excitedly. Firetalon must have been sent to the islands.
"Bird?" He pointed out obviously.
You laughed. "One of a set of messenger doves. A gift from Caspian before we left."
"Wowww...was this before or after you realized you loved him?" He teased.
You blushed. "Before."
"You're so blind I swear...if I were there..."
"If you were there I'd never get a moment's peace between you and Sis." You followed him putting things back that he was picking up.
"Speaking of blind... seems Lalin's taken a shine to you." You laughed.
"Yea... uh... I'm not sure how to tell him... I'm strictly into women..." He laughed nervously.
"I think he just likes to flirt." You tried to assure him, smiling. "It's a game for him."
"I would too if I looked like him... gee whiz.."
You laughed. "You could get the same action he gets you know...blue eyes."
"Heh... yea I dunno. You're the one who keeps attracting these gorgeous men like a magnet."
"I've got my one, that's all I need." You smiled, thinking of Caspian.
Like he could feel you thinking of him, Caspian opened the study doors, followed by Drininan.
"Phew... I understand why you got overwhelmed..." He exhaled as he sat on his desk chair. "They really were relieved you were alright you know. You made quite an impression on them."
"She should, she's their Captain now." Raxe beamed.
"I can't wait for them to find that out..." You responded sarcastically.
Drinian chucked. "Tha' time'll be soon. Seems Lalin wa' able ta pay off the guards."
"Oh good." You sighed. "What can we help you gather?" You asked him.
"The men 'lready star'ed." He replied. "Oh. 'Afore I ferget." He walked over to Caspian's desk and picked up a rolled little scroll. "This came wid' one o' yer birds while ye were gone. I did use 'em to let Tavros know abou' the situation 'afore I knew tha de'ails."
"Oh I forgot I sent Sis a letter right before we arrived." You said as you took the letter from Drininan.
"We'll give ye' some privacy." He said and motioned to Raxe and Caspian to come into the study while he closed the doors behind you.
You unrolled the scroll, and in Sis's messy handwriting read: