*Wolf’s POV*
Sounds of the inn coming to life began to fill the room, but I still watched the man they called Ghost. “You don’t want ta’ be mix’n in with the likes a him.” The Inn Keeper continued. “He’s a dangerous sort a pirate.”
“Do pirates come any other way?” I asked flatly and continued to blatantly watch him. I was doing my best not to let my anger boil.
“Well he’s not the sort a pirate I’d let my own daughter be ‘round.”
“You let your daughter be with pirates?” I asked, not breaking my glance from Ghost.
“Well I’m just say’n, that if you were my daughter...”
“...But I’m not.” I said shortly. “And I am quite grown enough to take care of myself thank you.”
“Have it your way.” He said, giving me a clean glass of water.
“What sort of creature is this Ghost?” I asked.
“The worst.”
“No I mean human, elf, wizard?”
“No, no.” He began. “He’s Ilythrin.” He said walking away.
“Ilythrin.” I whispered under my breath. I had talked to many sailors in my travels over the years, and they told me evil stories about this Ghost and his cut throat crew. Stories of atrocities that were looked upon in great favor amongst that crowd. His murderous takeovers of other ships single handedly, and they even ventured to guess where he had hidden all of the treasure.
I began to speak to him in my mind. “I know who you are, Ghost, Room 13.” I had begun to walk back up the stairs to my room, and the figure did not move. He did not even acknowledge that I had said something to him, out loud, or in his mind.
My supper had come first, and I tipped the cook and closed the door. I waited there briefly and opened it again, revealing the cloaked Ghost behind, standing in the hallway. I grabbed his shirtfront, and pulled him into the room, ripping the hood from his head and revealing Istoviir beneath. I stood silent and motionless, like stone. I wanted to scream and cry and hold him and punch him in the face all at the same time.
A torn piece of his cloak was still clutched in my hand, and a very unhappy expression was on my face. He stood still, too afraid to move, but mostly he did not know what to say. I broke my stone stance and walked over to Bawux, attached the ripped cloth to his carrier and sent him to Baerevhel, to Rikiir. Then I turned to Istoviir, quelling the overflow of emotions. “What has happened to my love?” I asked softly, “What has happened to my Istoviir?”
“You love another, I cannot compete.” He said, almost scoffing at me.
“I love no other, and you’re right, you cannot compete with no one, can you?” I said with malice. I kept my distance from him, but could not stay too far away, and stepped back and forth like I was dancing around the room.
“My owl told me that you lay with an Elf.” He said. “I sent him to your room after the ceremony when you were named master, to tell you that I was on my way to you, but you were with another.”
“Blue Snapdragon is the Elf that I “lay with”.” I said angrily, “He is like my brother, that I have known since I was fourteen years old. I did not give myself to him, nor any other. But I did share my bed with him, as I have you, Tyda, and many other of my friends.”
“I thought that you had forgotten me.” He said.
“No, never could I forget you.” I said bitterly. He appeared close to me and touched my face.
“Why are you here Wolf?” He asked.
“I came to find you, if that wasn’t clear.” I said. “I have searched this land for three years, to find you. I have had Dragon Flyers scouting for two, your brother Rikiir has been searching for four. I have not slept a decent sleep in three years.” My lips quivered angrily. “I have not seen my friends or my home, in three years...and all you can ask me, is why am I here?” I pulled away from him, before I shoved my palm into his nose. “Go home Istoviir, I intend to. Your family needs you.” I turned away from him towards the widow, and placing my hands on the windowsill, I fought back a waterfall of tears.
“I do not want to go home.” He said putting his hand on my shoulder. “I want to be with you.”
I spun around quickly, “You selfish spoiled little brat.” I said sternly, pushing him back into a chair. “Since when did you act like a spoiled prince? I tell you your family needs you, and you do not care. Rikiir was right, you are not the Istoviir that I know. The Istoviir that I know would put his family above anything, even a woman.”
“You’re right Wolf.” He admitted.
“Damn right I am.” I said even more sternly. “If you are the man I know you to be, you will be at my door tomorrow morning before I even wake, and you will accompany me to Baerevhel, where you will clear my name, for your family hates me, your mother especially.”
“My mother?” He asked.
“Yes, they believe that it is I who drove you mad, and that I am trying to keep you away from them.” I said, “I hope you make the right decision because I am not looking for you anymore, it will be clear to me then, though it should have been two years ago, that you wish not to be found.”
I led him to the door and closed it with a slam, and then sat down and ate my supper in a huff. I hoped mostly that I was right in the way I dealt with that, because I knew I had to get him home somehow, and I prayed that I would hear a knock on my door the next morning. I went to sleep, realizing my journey was not yet over, and the next morning I easily packed. I was there less than an hour or so, and then I went to the door and when I opened it, Istoviir stood behind it. His face was squished up, and he stood with his chest out as tall as he could.
“Will you relax,” I began, “you look like you’re trying to shit.” I walked past him and the men walking down the hall began laughing. I went down to the Innkeeper and gave him the key. I gave him three extra gold coins and walked out. Istoviir followed and as I walked up to Isiandor he stopped me.
“I will not leave my Ship.” He said. “I will go, but I will not leave my ship.”
My nose twitched angrily, “Then I will go with you.” I said. “I know much about ships, but I have never been on one since Tervik’s. We ARE going to Baerevhel.” I insisted once more
“Xas.” He said. “We are going to Baerevhel.”
I sent Isiandor ahead of me to tell Blue and Oak that I would be home in two months.
Then we walked to a cliff with a cove below and I glared at him as I sprouted my wings. I grabbed him by the back of his cloak as I flew quickly to his ship, anchored not far off and hidden by a cloaking spell I had probably missed a hundred times over the last years. I could see right through his magic now and dropped him suddenly on deck.
“Look lively, Devils! Captain's On deck!” a voice shouted as his crew scrambled to attention.
“As you were, Mr. Leaflight.” Istoviir said as he stood up. I landed behind him, and swords were drawn at once. “Kilton, I said as you were.” he said more sternly to the tall bronzed sun elf.
“Who is that Captain?” he asked, reluctantly sheathing his sword. Fifteen men of many races surrounded her, and followed his action, and intently watched me.
“My name is Wolf Faer.” I answered.
Several men whispered to one another. “The elf's whore?” a beastly looking barbarian that towered over everyone said dimly.
Istoviir was enraged and stalked towards him. “Mr. Kibagar...” but before he could finish, I flew through the air and slammed my knee into his chest and knocked him to the ground with my dagger drawn. “Hold your ground!” Istoviir ordered, holding everyone else in their place.
“Speak of me like that again, and I'll cut your tongue out.” I whispered far too calmly for anyone's comfort. I stood up and looked Istoviir in the eye, “Elf's whore? I expected more from you.”
“Beg your pardon ma'am, but, the Captain's never once spoken ill of you.” Mr. Leaflight said to me, “We've just taken partial to him, and he's been in torment this run. Beg your pardon Captain, ma'am, we never meant any harm in it, and I'll take responsibility and ten lashes for letting it get out of hand, sir.”
I looked at Istoviir again, his first mate was telling the truth, but still shook my head in disapproval. “That won't be necessary,” Istoviir began, “but make way for Penwin, and then swab this vessel spit-spot.”
“Ay Captain!” they all shouted as they scattered to their stations. He showed me below to a stateroom as Mr. Leaflight shouted orders, where I would sleep. We were rather cold to each other, though neither of us wanted to be. He invited me to have supper with him in his cabin, and I agreed. The crew was well adept at handling the smaller vessel, even if the captain was below deck. His first mate, Kilton Leaflight, was often in charge, and for the years that Istoviir was on land, he would captain the vessel with Istoviir's blessing.