Year 765 The Storm Crawler Charge

It took just four days to arrive at the battered ports of Renuo. The very first place the female Krax met the captain. It seemed like many years ago, but it was more like two months ago. Their relationship flourished in ways she would never have imagined but she will still blame Connor's stoic presence to be at fault for making it hard to enjoy his company. This is also the place she met the Vicar and Grace Risa and the orphans. She wonders if the orphanage is still there remembering how small it was with everyone from the orphanage. She hopes they are doing better now that they no longer have that gang watching them.

The few days that went by did go well despite the few times the Vhaltian bothered her or the tedious work on melting the Void rubies. Now Connor has made enough paint, so they are no longer going to have her melt anything for a while. The captain had complained about her lack of her free time even though he was just as busy with the task and being a captain. He just wants to feel her affections whenever he wants. Even he known it was silly to gripe about.

The Nightmare Maiden anchors just at the pier, the deep maroon of her wood always sticking out in the daylight like today. The calendar is just halfway point of Stormclawers Charge and to Rhea she had her eyes on the sky. This is the time when the monsoons plague the portside, the time many of the stormcrawlers surface from their deep slumber and prowl the Junxe Jungle. The sky barely had a cloud but that’s a terrible sign in her mind. The sky is clearest before a storm. Rhea bit the inside of her cheek, her nerves getting to her again as she is reconsidering Connor’s dangerous plans. Her attention fell on him as he is talking to Jerold and Ruffin at the deck. She sat on a wooden box of stolen leather, near the second mast of this ship.

Are the keys that important? She ponders, studying Connor a while longer before being interrupted.

“Seems you are bothered by something, lass.” She looks and finds Sabol being the one that spoke. It’s a shock to see this sea surgeon with an obsessive compulsive to talk and work at the same time out of his station. There is still this unearthly calmness in his aura which helps Rhea every time she talks to him.

“Just…Con-Captain. I worry about him.” Rhea admits without a second of hesitation, his plans scare her, and he refuses to tell her exactly why he thinks these keys are worth the sacrifice. Sabol stood beside her, his arms in his pockets to avoid his fidgeting.

“We all should, he rarely ever does for himself even as a boy.” Sabol knowledge of Connor has her seek him out in the past to talk about it. Connor isn’t much of a talker when it comes to his past, exchanging that to what he needs to do in the present. “That boy would make Captain Roland gray with worry.”

“You told me…it is strange to imagine since he is so cautious.” Especially with how he handles his plans. Rhea lowers her gaze from her husband, now touching the Flarishk emblem. It is warm to the touch; it couldn’t even escape from Manuk’s heavy rays.

“Yes, he trained himself to be careful. He does have a lot of people relying on him, especially now with you as his wife.” Sabol words made her flush with embarrassment, it’s still a new title on this ship and she’s not used to it. It will take time.

“Being his wife does not change the fact that he should be more careful about his own life.” The way he spoke about these keys he sounds so accepting of…losing his own life. She wants to mention this, but Connor has stressed to her that he doesn’t want anyone else knowing his plans.

“I am sure it will help that you are.” That only brought on more pressure than she thought. Her stomach feels like they are in knots again. She’s been feeling this sickness in the gut quite often, it is the awful nerves. Sabol caught her facial expression, “Is it happening again?”

Rhea nods, she had expressed her concerns with Sabol but being mage kind there really is not any remedy she can take to make her feel comfortable. Her anxiety is worse lately since she learned of Connor’s plans, so it makes sense her worsening in health. Connor has not noticed, or he wouldn’t even suggest her to be on this risky mission still.

“Well, it seems to be more frequent. Just try to stay calm,” Sabol pats her shoulder, and she feels a little bit better. He just had this secure aura that makes him so easy to seek help, even in secret. “I am, however, just as concerned about you.”

Oh no. “There is nothing to worry. I am fine” Rhea took a deep inhale and out, leveling her racing heart. She’s thinking too deeply about this, she just needs to focus and get that key out of the Junxe Jungle. Then he will be one more towards his goal, one less case scenario his life being in danger.

“Just…think about what I said.” Sabol pulls his hand off her arm and tucks it back in his jacket pocket. “The captain won't put you through anymore stress if he knew what you are going through.”

“That is what I am afraid of, Sabol. I cannot let him take this on without me.” Rhea taps the wood of the box with the back of heel, getting restless with the thought.

“Right. Just be honest lass. There are many other ways to be his greatest support.” The sea surgeon smiles, “For example, my husband supports me across the Angoran seas.”

His husband is a fisher man who chose to stay on land than travel with the crew. The thought that she would do the same made her feel scared. Then again, Sabol is still healthy and content even being so far away from his love. “How…. does that feel?”

“Being away? At first, it’s hard but you learn to adjust. Jerold and I often go to the Vyrn apiary to get a Vyrn to fly out letters to them. It is just difficult to receive any of their mail, but it feels good to send our love in a piece of parchment as often as we can. Plus, when we do get their mail, it’s even sweeter. Many of us have family waiting for us at the hidden isles.”

“Hidden Isles?” Rhea raises a brow at Sabol who gave her a look of confusion.

“The captain hasn’t mention it?” -She shook her head, and he sighs- ‘’My, he is always never ready to return to the Isles since the last captains passing. However, we do go back periodically. If anything, you will be seeing it soon.”

“That’s where Jerold’s six kids and wife are?” Rhea asks and he nods in response.

“Yes. And Cid’s brother. And many others who used to sail with Captain Roland.”

“RHEA!”

She looks to find Connor calling her and jumps off the box.

“Just remember Rhea…” -She turns to the surgeon who's gently smiling - “Come to me if you are still feeling unwell and don’t do more than what you can.”

“I am fine! I promise. Challathic-wenris Sabol.” She giggles with a fist pump to her chest she heads over to Connor who stood alone in the moment. She didn’t even feel as sick anymore right now, and she always felt better around Connor.

“What were you talking about with Sabol?” Until he asks me this.

She pokes out a pout, he ‘s so inquisitive that it can get irritating. “His husband. He sounds great. I cannot wait to meet him someday.”

Connor brow rose like he is seeing right through her, and he might as well because those piercing eyes can make her melt easily. Then he takes her hand in his, a momentary lax of his guard. Displaying affection out in public is an ongoing practice for Connor. And every time he does, plenty of nosy pirates are watching. It’s amazing how these pirates' thirst for any form of entertainment, and they saw Connor’s fleeting affections entertaining.

“He told you about the Isles.”

“Are you reading my mind?” Rhea cracks a nervous grin; he is more exact than she is ready for. Will he be able to guess that I have not been feeling well? Is he going to figure out my sick?

“No need. He’s not the only one homesick. I figured you would find out eventually.” He plainly states this so nonchalantly that it annoys her.

“When were you going to tell me?” She pries with a frown showing her dissatisfaction. This sounds like vital information.

“…When and if I took us there. I was not sure you would stay with the crew long. I am beyond happy that wasn’t the case.”

Right. He gave me a choice to leave. “Then is there more you want to share with me?” That got her a soft squeeze from his hand.

“There is. But I need you to be patient. Besides,” Connor points with his eyes. Right behind him Gash saunters over, Connor didn’t let go of her hand even when his quartermaster is right next to them. “Gash.”

“Gud mornin’ capt’n and lass. The day turn out nice.” Gash is as chipper about the weather, yet it reminds her.

She scopes the horizon out towards the town then jungle, she didn’t see darkened skies yet. “The skies are too clear, a sign of a storm coming. “

“Eh really lass?”

“Yes, that is how I survived the monsoons of the past.” Rhea didn’t waver and she thought for a mere second that Connor is going to cut her suggestion down.

“Don’t trust the skies, Gash. Have the men bunker our cargo for an upcoming storm while we are gone.” Connor gave her hand a squeeze to show his support.

“Aye, aye. But that makes me more worried about both ye.” Gash displays his worry; he was always so keen to express his own opinions. No matter if it angers the captain or not.

“It should only take one night for us the reach the ruins as Rhea described it. Give us four days but don’t go to the Junxe Jungle.” Connor demand made Gash wince.

“Of course, Capt’n.” The old seadog’s shoulders fell with his moods. It worsens when Azar walk towards them.

“HELLO! Were you just going to go without me?” He had that big grin that irks anyone that sees it. Especially the captain.

“Yes.” He said it without a single missed step and Rhea panics. The last time these two converse it nearly ended with fight. Thankfully, she was there to break it up before it got worse.

“Well, aren’t you just the sweetest.” Azar scoffs, he must’ve seen their locked hands to say this. “Gross, still at the honeymoon stage”

Connor didn’t move his original glare, his scowl deepens, and cold hatred slips from his lips. “Then leave, you waste of Chemuk’s ingredients.”

Not again. Rhea takes her hand back from the captain, talking over the thick tension in the air. “Find me at the marketplace when you are done, captain. Azar, if you are bored you might as well go too.”

Disbelief surfaces captain’s face, perhaps because this is the second time she chose to make peace with Azar and not support him: her husband. She felt terribly guilty, but this is all to protect him and the crew.

Azar just laughs; she tries not to even look at the prick so she could leave the ship. To no surprise, he follows her off the ship. By halfway point she curses at the Vhaltian. “I am getting sick of you.”

“Same here, mutt. But it’s entertaining to see your chew toy seethe. You really are the worst.” Azar words pierce through the heat of her anger; it pokes and prods at her heart to know that she is the worst spouse for sure.

Vishka! Do not let him effect you. Rhea tries exactly that, ignoring the flashes of faces she had failed in her life. They grow as she keeps on thinking, even the people she hasn’t even met. You are doing a terrible job at staying unaffected.

What is wrong with me?

“Ah! I hit a nerve?” Azar’s prodding only made it worse.

“It does not matter. You always piss me off but leave Connor out of it.” Rhea demands which the mage chokes in laughter again.

“It’s his fault. I wouldn’t even noticed but he caught my attention after what he did. So here we are!”

He’s referring for the green that afflicted his arm during the Caem heist. He bullied Sabol to give him a salve to get rid of it, turns out the foam Connor threw at him only dyed his skin and numbed his whole arm. He would’ve been fine after a few days.

You deserved every bit of that humiliation. She is too tired of arguing to say this, stomping towards the marketplace. This place has not changed much she was last here. If anything, the people here just glance at her and Azar’s way perhaps wondering if they were some lost slaves. It is what she assumes because there was a lot of staring. They are lucky that there aren’t enough knights in this town to cover all sides of it. And being lawless, people aren’t keen to seek the aid of knights in Renuo.

She stood still when she saw someone with a spiral on their face, remembering of the Death Twister Gang many moons back. This ruffian didn’t even care, they saunter around each stall not seeing the two that stood out as sore thumbs in this place. She pulls her hood of her cloak over her head, counting the breathes.

“What’s your problem?” Azar demands, his usual way of asking questions.

“I am not the most welcomed here. But why would YOU care?“ Rhea snorts with a heavy wrinkling of her nose.

“I don’t. I am bored again.” Azar taps his foot, then a wily grin spreads on his face. Rhea wanted to stop him from whatever he was smiling about; it turns out he lit a tiny flame on the tail end of a lady’s dress.

Vishka!!! She wills that fire away using what she learned from the Caem’s residence. This tiny fire wouldn’t require much convincing, dying in a plus of smoke in breaths. But now she has a grown man being as ridiculous as a spoiled child.

“Pfft you are getting good at ruining the fun.” The mage didn’t appear that disappointed, almost as if he enjoys watching her suffer. “Can you stop in from burning a whore’s wig?”

He was pointing to a street worker, a woman who has seen better days but is trying to scrap by with what she could do. Based on the dirt on their skirt, is the kind of activities meant to be done in a room.

Rhea smacks his hand away. “If you are going to try that it should only be directed on me “

He rolls his eyes, “Not as fun”

Rhea crosses her arms over her chest, not paying him any mind anymore. The more she does, the more Azar acts up and by his renewed silence is proof she didn’t need to do anything. The waiting though proves to be very arduous, Azar waves one of the women that sells their flesh for pleasure. “I have a request.”

“Sure, handsome.”

Her skin prickled and shook her head at the upcoming stranger. “Do not come close. He does not have money.”

The woman, wearing a very exposing blouse that she could even tell the shade of her bosom. Must’ve saw something on Rhea to say “Well, missus would ya spare some?”

Is this lady beyond lost to ask money from a Krax? Rhea snaps, “Leave!”

The woman turns her nose up just displaying her offense, she leaves their company.

“I need her services, mutt.” Azar did look annoyed which is the problem.

“Well, you have to wait.” Rhea heart soars when she could see the silhouette of the captain. “He is here."