Inheritance: Threads of Fate

Chapter Seventeen - Tashbaan

Caspian had one of your men bring the clothing that you had left in the tavern up to the ship. You could barely focus on what you were doing, watching him get dressed, but eventually you got all your clothes on, just in time for a crew member to  knock on the door.
"There's a man here who says he has a delivery for His Majesty." He called through the door.
You looked at Caspian questioningly, and he smiled slyly and walked over to the door, said something quietly to your crewmen, and closed the door.
"What's all that about?" You asked.
"Oh you know... 'king things'..." he teased you.
"Very funny. What are you hiding?"
"You'll find out soon enough." He smiled
You watched him suspiciously as he finished dressing.
"Don't look at me," he laughed. "Get your shoes on." He demanded bossily.

You glared at him but did as you were told, and he led you out to the main deck, which was perfect timing because Raxe and Zumi just appeared on the docks below.
"We got it." Zumi handed you the copy of the document as he came on board.
"I think you can definitely handle it." Raxe added.
"How's Roisin?" You asked.
"Alright. Cale and I helped convert his quarters to be a bit more comfortable for her."
"When do they cast off?"
"They were ready before Zumi and I went into town, but Roisin said she would wait for me to get back.  Can I...talk to you?" He asked nervously.
"Sure? Come in the study." You led him inside and closed the doors. "What is it?"

"I...got her something...for the trip."
"Aww. How sweet. What did you get?"
He held up a small glass rose he had behind his back.
"Fox, that's beautiful. She's going to love it." You smiled.
"It's not too forward?"
"I don't think so, especially not after how you two have been the last couple of days." You chuckled.
"I was hoping I wasn't making it too obvious.... I didn't want her to think I was trying to prey on her..."
"What do you mean? It doesn't come off that way at all."
"Well, she's just been through hell and... just had another man use her body against her will...I have been trying to not let on completely how I feel because ... never mind...it sounds stupid."
"It's not stupid Fox, tell me." You put your hand on his arm.
"I'm afraid that she will reject my affections because she isn't ready... and if she doesn't reject them...that she would only be accepting them because she feels obligated to me..."
There's that sweet boy you grew up with. Always thinking of others.
"Then tell her that. She'll appreciate the honesty." You tried to assure him. "But from what I've seen, at the bare minimum she likes you and feels safe with you. I get the feeling there is more but only the two of you would know how much. But whatever you do, don't wait...tell her before she sets off. You don't know what's going to happen..."
"Yea. I wanted to say something... but I wasn't sure what. Thanks Bun." He hugged you.
"Oh before you do. Go wash up and change," you motioned to his clothes on the bed. "You stink." You laughed.
He laughed too. "Yea...good idea."

You closed the doors to your quarters, and joined Caspian and Zumi back on deck as Raxe cleaned up.
"Alright. Let's take a look at this paper." You unrolled it in front of both of them.
"Oh that's actually not that complicated..." Caspian sounded surprised. "Looks like the hardest part is going to be that crest up there." He pointed to the top of the page. "What do you think?"
"Hmm. Yea. I think I can make something passable enough. Let me work on it while you guys pack up?" You suggested.
They nodded and left you to work in the study.

Raxe emerged a few minutes later, looking clean and freshly shaven.
"She's not going to recognize you." You joked.
"I barely recognize me." He chuckled. "How's it going?" He looked over your shoulder at your work so far.
"Good, I think. Nothing too complicated. Should have it finished by nightfall."
Raxe sighed. "Well. I think I've held Cale up long enough... time to go say goodbye."
"Oh Fox, one more thing."
"Hmm?"
"Cale's ok with it." You smiled, and you could see a weight lift off his chest.

Your crew, Zumi, Caspian, Raxe, and yourself stood on the docks in front of the Emerald Viper, everyone saying their goodbyes. You hugged Cale, and thanked him for everything.
"I'm gonna miss ye lass."
"I'm going to miss you too. Where are you headed first?"
"I figure the Isles firs', ge' Roisin her belongin's, give her ma' a pro'er burial."
"Come by the Lone Islands sometime?"
"Aye. I'll do tha'. Oh lass. Ye shoul' kno somethin' abou' the Scales..."
"What?"
"They be connected. If ye listen, ye can hear em hum when they call teh eacho'er. When one o' us is in grea' danger... they say yer Scale ca' sense it..."
You held your Scale in your hand.
"All I ca' say is... it not be coincidence we all keep findin' ye... jus' listen teh it. Aye?"
You nodded, and hugged him again, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "May Aslan watch over you and your crew."