Year 765 The Storm Crawler Charge

Connor is still with silence, his copper eyes piercing through her. It is hard to tell what he is thinking right now, and Rhea hates it when he is like this. She shimmies in his hold, feeling her own skin crawling with anticipation. He can still go against her wishes here and it will just give her more reason to defy him. He did the unexpected, he sets her down on her feet. One hand on her shoulder, she recognizes the motion as him keeping her from losing balance.

This is his codling again.

“Then stick by my side, if it gets too much tell me.” Connor’s frown deepens; he really must not have want her to be involved based on the strain on his jaw. “If you don’t tell me, you’re going straight to the manor. Understood?”

And there is my husband getting his roles mixed up. She didn’t get offended, the thought that he is even allowing her to come is a display that he is thinking of her feelings. The only small moments he is this agreeable are when he looks for her comfort at the end of the day and the privacy of their quarters. Then again, she isn’t sure if this is due to her pregnancy or they are truly evolving in this relationship.

“Everything will be fine.” When that didn’t ease the captain’s features, Rhea touches his Kroathik pendant. “I promise under these pendants to ask for help.”

“Hm.” There is his famous one-sound answer. She had become really good at deciphering this one being him accepting her promise. He takes her hand next and guides her down the old pier. The wood is pale from the salt and Manuk’s radiance. It hadn’t been upgraded for some time. The town itself had some disrepair, nowhere near Renuo but they had to be rebuilt a few times. It at least had hospitable infrastructure with the island’s limitation of civilized living. Still, Rhea can tell they had to do a lot of work just to keep the foundation from sinking into the sand.

A small crowd fill just at the end of the pier and she can tell with her enhanced eyesight families greet a lot of the crew members there. Everyone else made a group with Cid and Vaphicus, all heading towards the bigger building. She then notices one taller half giant waiting at the door of this place. Another male that looks a lot like Vaphicus but younger. She will keep watching if it isn’t for the crowd they had to face at the end of this pier. And from what she can tell not everyone had the happy reunion like the rest them.

They are greeted by the sections, most towards the captain than her since they knew him more. He is polite enough to return the greetings, he must know plenty of people here. Even more compelling is how they treat him like the leader of this town. Are these people all associated with the alliance made years prior?

He always made sure to introduce Rhea as his wife which earns a lot of congratulations and many excited handshakes. Rhea still can’t handle such attention; she can tell her face burns. Some time pass and the happier families left them. They didn’t lose their husband, son, or friend in the rescue.

These families or friends wait patiently, some with tears already. Others just waiting for the captain to be freed from the mass of people. Eventually, he did approach them with Rhea in tow. This is where Connor did actually don his forlorn expression, one she sees in the comfort of the quarters at times.

Although he is a master in keeping his most tender of sides beneath a layer of authoritative rage, she knew this is a real expression. Her instinct had her stay even closer to Connor. It is the best course of action to show support without insulting these families.

He didn’t waver with his next words, “They served their ends valiantly. However, I regret that I put them in that situation in the first place. I am sorry, they all deserve to be here alive and with you.”

A woman wails and is consoled by two older couple, who she presumes is the wife of one of the crew members. Rhea’s heart aches for her even more. This could’ve been Rhea who loses her husband. It almost did happen.

“Me boy chose sailin’ with ye, capt’n. Many of them do, they got t’ do what they enjoy the most at the end.”

It is weird to hear this from this older gentleman, she expects there to be more outrage. She certainly felt angry at herself for not planning correctly. It isn’t a shock that she finds her voice to say, “It is my fault. They followed my orders to save the captain.”

Silence fell, the tension thick with what she perceives is shocked or confusion. Connor serves her a look that screams ‘DO NOT’.  Again, these people deserve to know the full truth of the situation, and she will say it on a pedestal and wave her arms around to make sure everyone heard. It’s her fault. Not Connor’s, he got caught because of her too.

There seems to be an unspoken exchange between the families. The older man spoke again for all of them, “If me boy chose to follow yer lead, lass, then what I said earlier still is true. May the Trail give them a gentle travel for doing the right thing.”

Rhea stares at the old man, aghast and ready to disagree but kept her mouth shut. This is not the answer she wants to hear; it only aches her heart for more as the guilt darkens her mind. Is it because I am Connor’s wife? I…cannot accept this.

“And Chemuk shall grace their shells. They had a proper burial at the sea. We can still have one here.” Connor suggestion did calm the wailing woman. And they had a conversation of when this funeral will be. He also made the promise to keep them safe for as long as they stay with them, but he will always be open to help them leave this island to the mainland. There are no takers for the latter.

Going over the families and friends, she notices that no one claim Jakobe. When the mourning loved ones left their side, she finally asks while grabbing the excess of his sleeve and watching them vanish in the town. “What about….Jakobe?”

Connor’s lips press into a fine line on his face, “He was an orphan. His closest mates were in the crew.”

He was my friend. Rhea didn’t say that right now. She can't leave Jakobe without her mourning, even if he did confess his feelings towards her and made her even more confused. This is something she can’t tell Connor, Jakobe’s spirit didn’t deserve the spite if one comes from this reveal. “We will mourn for him at this funeral too?”

“Of course.” Connor is quick to answer; she thought it is because he wants to change the subject when instead it had something to do with her. He takes her hand in his giant one, she notes the callouses endearingly. Until he said, “You shouldn’t have made that comment.”

“In my condition? I could have been that poor woman, Connor. If it was me, I would want to know the full truth.” Rhea moves her gaze to him, now she sees that he isn’t mad this time. The expression on him is of concern again. Now her words increase the frown on his features.

“It isn’t the truth. You still take blame for something out of your control.” Connor states, his words piercing her like arrows. She always hates how accurate he can guess her thoughts.

“Hypocrite, you just blamed yourself earlier.” Rhea turns her nose up, so she isn’t looking at him anymore. He had a knack in irritating her just as much as he is good in loving her.

“Rhea.” His tone sounds ready to chastise but he sighs instead. She is about to peek his way, but he already drags her to a new path with their hands still intertwined. Rhea is behind him so she can’t see his expression this time. Connor will fail to share where they are going. This town looks more premature to be a dignified town the further they travel in silence. Who is organizing this town?

The curiosity is eating at her to the point that it even surfaces on her face. Connor must have notice since he is now talking again. “There is a lot you need to know about this place.”

She lets out a heavy breath, not saying a word just listening to him. Connor tightens his hand around hers as he guides them down another ‘street,’ not one that leads to the manor either. Her eyes lit up, where is he taking me?

“This place has been around for the families of our crew and those who can’t travel anymore. It needs work. My master stayed at the manor and added a few things here while he was alive. We will do the same…” His voice is leveled and free from negativity that she is certain is an attempt to not upset her. “I wanted you to stay free from conflict. So, placing the blame just on me is the only option.”

“They would only find out soon enough…” She replies with a frown, knowing that secrets are only made to be found out. Just like how she found out about his plans or how he was an heir to the Caem family. She prefers to deal with the backlash while she is out here and able to do so. Then again, he will more than likely disagree which she can tell by that deepening frown of his again. Rhea is moving her mouth, “I think-“

“CONNOR!”

A new woman’s voice had her wince. She asks who it is if Connor didn’t already stop dead in his track, he swaps to this neutral expression while pinning his attention to a young woman advancing towards them or more Connor.

A pretty young teenager around the same age as Ranko, her hair is black about shoulder length and swept behind by an orange bandana. Eyes round and very green, even bigger when she looks at Connor. Her frame is that of someone who might farm based on the sickle strap to her hip. This young lady smiles with buck teeth, a characteristic that enhances her features. She didn’t even look at Rhea as she hugs Connor right in front of Rhea.

Who? Her mind razes through questions that are very irrational, unsure why she felt offended or jealous. This teenager looks more mature and acts like a lost lover. Rhea takes her hand away, watching this unfold. However, Connor didn’t shift into any other expression that damns him to her irrational assumption. He treats this young woman with gentleness though and it had her asking more questions. He allows the young woman to hug him. “Mirella. You look well.”

He never lets anyone hug him. Rhea squints, really driving herself insane. It is so strange to be this way when she is married to him.

“Pssh! Of course! I’m not my pa's daughter if not with a strong stock. I couldn’t wait to see you!” She beams with her freckled cheeks pink from what Rhea can guess is her admiration. That’s when the young woman finally notices Rhea, even then she did not let go of Connor. “Oh, who is this?”

Rhea is ready to answer but Connor did instead. He did so and slid away from Mirella’s hug somehow, “Rhea. My wife.”

He better say that if he wants to sleep in the same bed. Millera tilts her head, the smile still on her face. Millera finally peeks at their shared pendants and gasps, “You got MARRIED?”

Rhea didn’t like the questioning much, her gaze never leaving this Millera. But despite that, this young woman grabs her hands and shook them.

“WOW! It’s really nice to meet you!” These sweetened tone sounds too sweet, maybe to not show her dissatisfaction. Rhea can’t really tell while she’s afflicted with irrational possessiveness.

Rhea ignores the fact that this young woman shook her hands so much that she thought she might lose her arms. Mirella is much stronger than she thought. “Chathallic-rues, Mirella.”

“Call me Lala. Everyone calls me that. Connor just forgets.” Mirella beams, bravely calling Connor forgetful even though that’s usually the last thing he is. That man dreams of to do lists.

“…Lala?” Rhea tests the nickname and that got the teenager to beam even more. The jealousy she felt towards the young woman shrinks a tad from the politeness.

“I assume Gaia and Dion are well? Does your father need modification to his hand?” Connor’s questioning earns him another sweet smile from Mirella.

“They are great. Pa won’t admit it, but he does when you can come to the farm! You should see it, Rhea!” Mirella is vibrant and it slows Rhea’s irrational mind. She releases Rhea’s hands finally.

“I have some work to do.” Connor plainly states, when Mirella pouts he soon adds. “Perhaps later”

“Great! I’ll tell Ma! She is going to lose her ladle when she finds out you are married. Married! Huh!” Mirela grins towards Rhea next, “We will want to know all the DETAILS!”

Rhea finally snorts seeing the annoyance on Connor’s face. Maybe Mirella is not THAT bad. “I am not one to hold back information.”

That had Connor shot her an exasperated look. Never mind. This is great.

“Good! I’ll see you later then! Gotta go make sure Pa isn’t doing more than he should. Bye~!” And as fast as she crashes into their presence, she is just as quick to leave it.

Rhea studies Connor, the smile evolving into a more dubious one. “Who is that?”

“Lala? She’s the farmers daughter. Cid and I used to help around the farm or watch her. She’s the first to be born and raised on this island.” He muses, again sounding like he isn’t hiding anything. She will think so, but she still felt so doubtful. Is this my pregnancy or have I always been jealous?

“She looks like she had more feelings towards you than a simple friendly neighbor.” Rhea pries and that had him blink at her and then he had this coy smirk.

“Oh? Didn’t think you would be jealous.” Connor didn’t miss a beat and had her fuming. He takes a moment to laugh, before reassuring her. “Lala does have an infatuation towards a few men which includes me. It changes like wind.”

Rhea didn’t really feel better, “But you never let anyone hug you…”

Connor laughs again, not at all fazed by her questioning. When he sees her expression, he hugs her which completely throws her off. “I don’t see a queue of people brave enough to hug me.”

“Pretty sure Cid is in line.” Rhea grins, she knew this is just her being insanely irrational. Mirella is a teenager who never been outside of this island. Even more Mirella is extremely polite towards Rhea. All she is better be more cordial and less grumpy. It’s like she’s stolen his grumpiness today. Her arms finally wrap around him, always hungry for the attention even if he’s done nothing but give it. Hopefully, he never runs out.

“I still prefer your embrace than anyone else.” His comment had her red in the face in no time, remembering that they do other things that just embrace. She had to remind herself about the fact he owes her plenty of explanations.

“Well. There could always be more.”

“I know.”

They ended their sweet embrace needing to continue this path. They met a few more families of the deceased crewmember who are either really upset by this or outraged. All of them shown nothing to her to prove malicious intent but that can change once they settled down and had some time to think…