Other Fan Fiction ❯ Black Roses ❯ She Has Me ( Chapter 13 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Gladiator spoke in hushed tones with the Guild Master, while apprentices studied for the finals that were quickly approaching. The two were seated in the library, well away from the students.
“There have been several disturbances in the Darkwood and Greatwood area. Have you sent people to check those out?”
The Guild Master nodded, “Yes, they’re, um, searching the area as we speak. Hopefully, uh, Lady Grey hasn’t hushed up the events, yet.”
“There haven’t been any other clues.”
“Have you, uh, tried speaking with the Lady?”
Gladiator sighed, rubbing his forehead, “No, and I don’t plan to. No doubt she’d take this opportunity to kill Evange.”
“But, um, isn’t that what you’re, uh, trying to do, too?”
Is it?
Gladiator was spared from responding to the Guild Master as a flustered girl burst into the room. Her cheap armor and weapons labeled her as a graduate from the Guild, but a rather new one. She spotted the Guild Master and quickly went to his side, whispering her news.
“Sirs, I had heard that you were looking for Evange while I was in Bowerstone. And while I was walking through the streets, I spotted Lady Grey addressing someone! I was shocked she’d actually talk to a commoner. After all, she is the Bowerstone Mayor. She doesn’t need-”
“Please, carry on.”
The girl’s eyes widened as she heard Gladiator address her. She quickly launched back into what she had come here to say.
“Right! I came closer to see who Lady Grey could be talking to... And I saw her talking to a man. I instantly recognized him as Evange. The dark robes were a give away.”
“He’s in Bowerstone?”
The girl nodded, while the Guild Master got up, ready to reward the fighter for her information. Gladiator smiled at the girl in thanks before using his guild seal to head to Bowerstone South right away.
For now... I need to get Evange away from Elvira. But... can I kill him?

~~~

Lady Grey smirked at her son, “Dear Evange, won’t you come and sit with me for a moment? We haven’t chatted in so long.”
Evange kept his expression calm, well aware of the villagers watching. He climbed up the stairs to Bowerstone North, not looking back at Leah and Mathiues. The two were unsure of what to do but hesitantly followed Evange. The guards didn’t seem to mind, only giving polite nods to them as Leah and Mathiues beheld the sophisticated northern part of Bowerstone. But already, Evange and Lady Grey were at the doors of Bowerstone Manor.
The guards wouldn’t even let Mathiues and Leah into the gardens that stood in front of the Manor.
“I wonder what all this is about?”
Mathiues had taken a seat on a bench while Leah stood by, hands folded behind her back.
Evange didn’t seem very angry when Lady Grey talked to him... But, his emotions are always hard to read.

~~~

“Well, Mother, what do you want?”
Lady Grey raised her eyebrows at her son as she turned to him in the hallway.
“What any mother would want. A chance to speak to her child.”
Evange glared at his mother as she spoke. He didn’t trust her innocent act but kept silent. Obviously she wanted something, and he wasn’t going to throw himself in her trap by saying something she could use against him.
“Now, Evange, my dear, won’t you tell Mother something?”
Lady Grey waited for Evange to respond, frowning at his stony silence before pressing on.
“Won’t you tell me why your father’s silly fighters have been searching for you? Or perhaps you’d rather tell me how you have ended up in my domain, again, after I sent you away to Hook Coast?”
The boy did nothing but glare at the Lady. For her part, Lady Grey kept a jovial expression plastered on her face.
“Well, I suppose some things are not for a mother’s ears. But, there is some thing else I am terribly curious about...” Lady Grey smirked at Evange, “What is my dear little boy doing following a whore?”
Evange spread his arms and let a confused expression settle on his face.
“Honestly, Mother, I have no idea where that boy came from. I’m ever so sorry to tarnish your name by letting myself be-”
“Don’t be stupid, you wretch. What are you doing with that girl? Do you have any idea you’re doing?”
Evange frowned, “I believe I do. And I don’t think now is any time to try to give me any parental advice.”
Lady Grey quickly closed the distance between them, grabbing Evange by the shoulders and shaking him. The boy was so startled by this sudden contact that he did nothing to pry himself away.
“Do you think you can just wander around, boy? Do you think your life is yours? Do have any idea of what you’re doing?!”
Evange looked away, “Why do you feel the need to worry about how I portray myself, now? After the many years that you let me run around without so much as a second glance.”
Lady Grey glared down at Evange, tightening her grip on his shoulders.
“Because Lord Grey,” Lady Grey grinned as she felt Evange squirm in her arms, “will not be seen with some whore. It would terribly shame his mother. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“I suppose this Lord Grey might care. Then again, why should he care what his ancient witch of a mother feels?”
Lady Grey laughed, causing Evange to lean back, uncomfortable with her outburst.
“My dear little boy. You should be careful of how you speak to me. If a day comes when I no longer need you to carry on the Grey line...”
Lady Grey released Evange’s shoulders, a dark smirk dancing on her face. She turned, ready to leave, but stopped as though she had just remembered something.
“Oh, I hope you don’t mind if I have your dear friends shipped off to Bargate. We wouldn’t want them to get in your way, would we?” Lady Grey smirked as she started walking away, again. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they’re kept in a nice cell. Perhaps even one without rats.”
Mother...
Evange didn’t show his rage, didn’t want to show Lady Grey that she had won, for now. As he stood there and watched the Lady walk away he thought of something that could help Leah.
“Actually, Mother, I’m not done speaking with you.”
“Oh, is that right? Perhaps you’d-”
Evange glared at his mother, before cracking a smile, “Please, let me finish. I suppose you’re all ready to transport those friends of mine away, correct?” The boy didn’t wait for Lady Grey’s answer, “I suggest you use your minions. I would greatly appreciate if you didn’t risk sending them on boat. It’d be very foolish.”
Lady Grey’s thin eyebrow rose, suspicion overcoming her face. She obviously didn’t trust Evange’s words and automatically thought to do the opposite of his advice.
“I do thank you for your advice. However, the boat to take them is already in port and I should not waste a moment sending them away.”
“Fine, don’t listen to my advice.” Evange made sure his voice had the right amount of anger in it, turning his back to Lady Grey to hide his smirk.
“I’ll be leaving, Mother. You’re a fool if you think depriving me of two worthless beasts will hinder me.”
“Not so fast, boy.” Lady Grey cleared her voice delicately, “I do think it’d be best if you escorted the prisoners. I’m sure they’ll be aching for your company.”
Evange visibly tensed himself, whirling around with pure rage on his face, while inwardly grinning.
She’s fallen for it. The fool has lost her touch.
Lady Grey smiled, her dark eyes flashing with triumph, “Please enjoy your trip, dearest. We will see each other, again, I’m sure. And do not forget you still need to bestow me with a wonderful gift befitting a wonderful mother.”
Evange glared at Lady Grey but succumbed to his fate as minions stirred in the shadows. He turned towards the entrance and walked out, immediately seeing Leah and Mathiues in the custody of a group of burly guards. He walked past without glancing at the two, and the guards followed briskly.
Mother, you truly have become dull. Or perhaps I have only become sharper.

~~~

The group, Evange walking freely while the other two were led by guards, was standing on the aged dock that jutted out towards Bargate Prison. The boat waiting beside the dock was a large, heavy boat. It was painted grey and blue, melting into it’s oceanic surroundings amazingly well. A lone man leaned on the railing of the boat, lazily chewing on something, and was presumably the captain.
Lady Grey’s guards ushered Mathiues and Leah onto the boat, keeping a respectful distance from Evange. They were sympathetic to the boy, if nothing else.
Mathiues crossed the boat’s deck, admiring the fine details of the boat. Leah followed him, less sure of her footing and quickly finding a seat that would afford her a good view. Evange was the last to get on. His steps were quick and light as he took a spot farthest away from the railings of the boat.
Surrounded by water. How did I come to be in this situation?
The guards gave sharp nods to the captain, and stood on the dock, waiting to see the boat off.
The captain called out, and a full crew emerged from below decks. The crew was an average group of sailors, if one could ignore the fact that each one was a ghost.
The Grey family had long ago ‘chained’ these ghosts of sailors to the boat. The ghosts could never leave the boat, and if the ship sank, they would go with it to the very depths. If the ship fell apart, so would the ghosts.
Because the ship had once been a pleasure boat for the Grey mayors, the family had also made sure the ghosts could not harm the family’s bloodline. Nor could the ghosts disobey the family.
The ghosts had lost their humanity years ago. Once they realized all that they once knew was gone, they had no reason to believe they would ever be set free. They would never be reunited with the ones they loved.
The captain yelled out orders and the ghosts obeyed silently. Leah watched them for a bit, fascinated by both the way the boat was worked and the ghosts, themselves. Mathiues talked to the captain, animatedly. The captain was eager to talk, he admitted he had to go years without talking to anyone but himself and the ghosts. He said those actions were basically one and the same, since the ghosts hadn’t spoken a word since the captain had taken the job.
Evange, didn’t spare the ghosts a glance, instead closing his eyes and trying to calm his nerves. The rocking of the boat unnerved him, along with the splashing waves below.
If I’m going to get us to Knothole Glade... I have to get the crew to obey me.
Evange slowly opened his eyes, taking in the ghostly crew. He remembered them from his early years. He had sometimes gone with the guards to see prisoners off. And he had always caught glimpses of the crew.
The boy watched the shore disappear, waiting for the ship to be out of sight of the guards. He didn’t need complications with Lady Grey sending minions after them.
Once the fog of the ocean melted away the harsh shoreline and dock, Evange turned to the ghosts and raised his voice.
“Listen to me,” Evange smirked as the crew immediately turned towards him, “Obey and kneel before me!”
As one, the ghosts went to a knee before Evange as the captain roared at them to resume their duties. The boy grinned at the power at his fingertips. But the annoying yells of the captain were giving him a headache.
“Throw him,” Evange motioned towards the captain, “Below deck. I don’t want him to come out for any reason.”
A few of the ghosts seized the captain, dragging him below deck despite the man’s screams for help. Mathiues looked on in horror, bounding towards Evange.
“Wait! What are you doing? You don’t know how to run this ship! You’re going to sink us!”
Evange frowned at the apprentice, “But you can run this boat?”
“Of course! My father was-”
“Wonderful, you can be the new captain. As long as you don’t disobey me.”
A glare from Evange and Mathiues backed off, for the moment.
Leah half got up, wondering if Evange was doing something for or against her. So far it had seemed that he was helping her, but whose side was he really on?
“Evange, what exactly... are you doing?”
The boy spared Leah a glance, “We’re going to Knothole Glade, aren’t we? Guild seal would’ve been the fastest way... But this boat isn’t slow. We can probably get there in a few days.”
Did he plan all this out, already?
Leah nodded, thankful that someone had thought of a way to get to Kuyo faster. This crew wouldn’t need to rest, so the boat could keep going day and night without stopping or slowing down. Plus, the boat itself was built to be faster than an ordinary trading ship.
“Do we have enough food to last those few days? For all of us, including the captain?”
Evange shot an annoyed look at Mathiues, refusing to respond. The apprentice threw his arms up in disbelief.
“How are we going to go that long without food? I only have enough meat and apples for a day!”
Evange sighed, “Deal with those problems yourself, captain.”
The boy hurriedly took a seat, spreading his legs out across the deck, and closing his eyes. Mathiues scowled at Evange before giving out orders to the crew.
Leah had taken her previous seat, looking out at the sea. Her view was blocked by the thick fog, but she could imagine the deep woods of Witchwood. The constant rain that would trickle from far above, and the muddy yard around her old home.
I wonder if they still live there. If they remember me. I hope they don’t... I really hope they don’t.
Evange slid one eye open, focusing on Leah, who was facing away from him. He frowned as he saw the girl slumped over, obviously saddened or worried about something.
What am I doing helping her find some boy toy of hers? Why should I help her find this friend? Maybe I should just let the girl think that’s what I’m doing. After all, why should she be in any hurry to be with some boy when she has me?
Evange let the boat’s motion rock him into a restless doze.

~~~

There you have it... Chapter 13.
You can look forward to some jealousy from Evange. :D
(Because my beta insists on it.)
...Captain Mat should wear a hat!