Year 765 The Storm Crawler Charge

“Aaaargh. Nay. He’s been gone fer a while now. Perhaps, the sea took him and his awful lot.”

Connor really did not like this answer, his calloused hands clench till they whiten around the knuckles. Farnley 'Relentless' Whitley is another captain, one that had a rather weak partnership with Master Roland before his passing. Connor can’t get rid of this one like some of the worst of Master Roland’s fleet. This one wasn’t always horrible in the past, what change Farnley now is the drugs he buys in his travels. With a crew equally dependent of the same drug, they became horrible due to it. The other reason is Connor thought if Master Roland could control these bastards he had to try with Farnley. After all, the crew did provide him more resources as payment. However, lately it feels like it isn’t worth the constant tension.

Last time, Connor made sure that Farnley knew he cannot dock unless Connor is here or else he will call off their partnership with a barrage of cannon balls. No one had even seen the shadow of Farnley’s ship, so Connor presumes that addict is smart enough to obey his commands. It seems Connor had been giving the wrong people the benefit of doubt for some time.

“That is an even darker face on ye, capt’n” Mikael points out again and Connor sighs in response.

“You know very well why.” Connor relaxes his gaze on Rhea again; he saw her getting excitable towards Karlel who just sheepishly rubs his neck. A typical reaction when Rhea is the one asking a million questions. Sabol didn’t show any offense; the sea surgeon had that amused grin towards his husband’s mental turmoil. It must be a requirement for a healthy married couple to enjoy each other’s teasing.

“Makes sense, capt’n. I’ll task some folks to keep the lil missus safe. I do fear though if it will be enough once yer all are gone.” Mikael admits and Connor appreciates the honesty even if it isn’t making his mood any better. They have been low manned for some time and losing men at Caem residence is a hard blow for them. Connor had yet to find a willing participant after he recruited Rhea, it must be due to the Empire putting their knights in the seediest parts of town. Both Ruffin and Gash have confirmed it. “Let’s hope he did drown.”

Connor nods once to show Mikael he heard loud and clear. The things that I need to tell Rhea seems to be piling up.

Rhea is on her way back to them with an empty bowl, Connor did feel better knowing she ate her fill. “You officiated Sabol’s and Karlel’s wedding!”

Of course they told her… Connor brows hitch up, not wanting to delve into the subject. He had been an officiant too many times that he had to question his true profession; there are other individuals that can which include Trevor or Maul. But he is always the one that is asked or begged. Why people prefer Connor is beyond even his comprehension. He can hear Mikael laughing and Connor snaps his squint at him. It didn’t work on this half giant.

“Well, I would like to know what other captain responsibilities you have. You do a lot already...” Rhea sets the empty bowl on the bar; a pout forms when her eyes rests on his almost full bowl of food. “Is one of those RESPONSIBILITIES not eating?”

Crap. “I promise to eat and answer all your questions later… First, I need to borrow Cid to help me move some stuff to the manor.”

“Aye aye. CID YE CAPT’N NEEDS YE!” Mikael’s voice silences the crowd and out appears Cid with a huge grin on his face that moves the bandages over his eye.

“AYE!”

The bandaged half-giant is happy enough to help them with the move the whole time. They are at the ship in no time, and they take her chest of belongings. It is really the only large item that she owns. Connor did carry Rhea’s other items, which includes her bow and the hunting horn. He didn’t let her carry anything, so he isn’t shocked to see her use her time to stare at their quarters. He can tell by her frown she is sad about the move. He is no different thinking this place is going to feel very cold without her in his travels. That makes him more determined to spend the time they did have in better spirits.

“Come. We have so much of the day still to spend together.”

It works; she isn’t lost in her train of thought anymore based on the way she regards him. Her nod eases him; she had been very sensitive towards him the last few days. It is his fault, if he put away those drawings of the artifact’s symbols, she might not be this stressed. She hadn’t let up in demanding for answers since, and he just won’t tell her. Not when she’s hadn’t been well enough to keep food in long enough lately.

Then again… she knows the language of the demi-gods. Who was her father, really?

Not even Mithra scholars can translate this dead language so quick. Rhea casually claimed her father taught her many different languages when Connor last asked. It just bodes more questions, but Connor can’t ask any further. He can’t put her through that panic attack again.

Although it bodes great possibilities where he can use her skills. He would have if she was some random stranger he found recently. Alas, this is his wife who is carrying their child. He will hate himself even more if his own greed causes her further grief that she can’t recover from. Still…fuck you Anukrin for playing this cruel joke.

Deep in these thoughts, he didn’t pay attention to the conversation Cid and Rhea are having. Usually, it isn’t ever anything real complicated. And he is right.

“Me pa had t’ take care of Mikael and I on his own.”

“That is too bad, but it is good you still have each other.”

"Capt’n and the crew are family t’ me so it’s alright lil’matey.” Cid grins with a big nod of his head. He must be talking about how he lost his mother.

Cid isn’t usually the one that talks about his dead mother, she died too early in Cid’s life to remember. Vaph and Mikael are the only ones who can vividly describe her. Apparently, she was a female Grima giant who is also the owner of Cid’s great axe. Connor can see the manor by now after their conversation. Already he can tell the property had people in it. The front door is ajar, and the front deck has been swept by a person. Besides that, the rest of this place looks abandoned and overgrown, it had been three months since someone set foot in the premise so the disarray outside makes sense. The ivy clings onto the gray painted exterior, windows still barred up from the last time he was here, and grass is taller around the large gazebo that overlooks the cliff side. This gazebo is the same color as the manor.

Rhea hesitates, just before the front deck. Her beautiful features show she is very nervous. It came to no shock to him, after all they attract trouble every manor or mansion they visit. Cid already ducks down to enter the building, leaving them mostly alone.

“Taivhok,” The pet name works enough to have her perk up, fanning those eyelashes as if he just woke her from a trance. Instead of commenting on it he continues, “It’s safe but I understand if you want to wait out here. I’ll get you once we-“

“How am I going to help out here?” Rhea is quick to poke at his suggestion. He didn’t try to correct her assumption that she had a task to begin with, serving her a hitched-up brow. That made her slump her shoulders and groan, “You intend to have me just sit around and wait….”

“Yes. You should only focus on your health.” Connor’s plain tone causes her to grimace and he quickly adds, realizing his lack of empathy again. “I hate to have you sicker by the end of the day.”

“Fine, I will sit here and not get sick.” The roll of her silver orbs shows she is very irritated. Then she huffs while sauntering away towards the corner of this building, “Find me later then~!”

That sounds like she is going to be difficult about it. The temptation to chase her down weigh down his brows but instead he says, “Don’t go too far.”

She waves, not even glancing his way. Rhea is showing her irritation through her silence, yet this time he isn’t entirely sure why. It isn’t the first time she had to be told to wait. He just had to trust that she behaves enough to stay around the premise but even as he enters the abode, he kept thinking about her. The Captain of the Nightmare Maiden didn’t dally much even when he saw Serana, Ruffin and Eoman together in here. Ruffin is quick to greet him, Eoman hangs back with Serana but sports the sweetest grin. Serana's grumpy greetings only sound more testy than heartfelt as per usual. Connor isn’t going to pay mind to her, already having his hands full with just Rhea being testy.

The dust shows how long it has been since someone actually lived in it, floating in the air they inhale. Cobwebs decorate every corners. This whole place needs work to make it comfortable. Connor didn't think much of it, leading Cid up to the steps to the bedroom. It is a master bedroom, with a large bed and more furniture than the other rooms. This place is the least dusty spot of the manor, a clear indicator that Connor uses this room the most. He never usually cared about the rest of the manor since he might just hide himself here or the ship.

When they set the stuff down, Connor already is on the move to clean up this place. He just had to not think about Rhea for now until he can finish cleaning with Cid. A good distraction for now.

The place did need a decent amount of work done; he is grateful that Cid helped him through it. Ruffin and Eoman find a spare room for Serana below, and they did all the work to make that comfortable. Connor tasks the lads to two rooms to fix up, and the rest will just have to be done on other days, or Connor will ask another volunteer. It is too much on any of them alone when their muscles are aching from sailing for so long.

Cid took down the boards on the windows of this bedroom and stops in-front of one looking out. “Looks like lil’matey on top of the gazebo.”

What did you say? Connor found his way towards the same window seeing exactly what the half-giant described. His wife is resting on the roof of the gazebo. While on her back, she is staring what he guesses are the clouds in the sky. This gazebo is a good ten feet tall; she would have needed to do some climbing to get where she is. Climbing is one the banned activities for his pregnant wife, per Sabol’s the sea surgeon.

She is doing this on purpose. “I have to go. Thank you, Cid, you can go too.”

“Aye aye.”  Cid didn’t question it, nor did he comment on Rhea’s insubordination of her own health.

Connor didn’t wait for him for anything, finding his way back downstairs and out the exterior door. It didn’t take him long to get to the gazebo; he cranes his neck looking for clues on how she even got up there. But in his growing rage he calls to her. “RHEA!”

He can hear her squeak in response and there is a sudden silence. Was she trying to pretend she isn’t up there? It certainly pisses him off to think so, “I SAW YOU ALREADY!”

He hears her cuss in Krax and then she crawls to the edge of the roof. The Manuk’s throne glistens the red of her hair and Chemuk’s winds made the curls dance. If he isn’t so enraged he would’ve been distracted due to her appearance alone. Rhea juts the bottom of her lip, not at all showing guilt. “I am resting up here.”

“You know you shouldn’t be climbing in your condition.” Connor voice can pierce her, and it only had her bit her lip as her reaction.

“I did not.” She points to her left, “A ladder was left here.”

“Rhea…. that is still climbing.” Connor exasperation only had her turn her nose up with that same pout. She slid back to her spot, and he can’t see her anymore. By the Gods, I thought Jerold said married life wasn’t so hard.

Connor will have to bite down his pride; something is bothering Rhea enough to disobey him. Could it be about the keys? No, she already knows to wait.

That is when he decides to make the climb, stomping around the gazebo till he finds the ladder. Rhea didn’t lie but its sill is unsafe for his wife. This ladder rests between two crates to keep it from falling. He tests the integrity with one foot and cusses under his breath. It isn’t that secure, the thing wobbles when he put weight on it with just his foot. It didn’t matter; he had to get to Rhea. “I am coming up.”

His wife did not respond what he assumes is to spite him. Climbing this ladder is precarious but nothing beats the times he had to trust a few ropes to keep him from falling. He isn’t scared of this ladder, he’s madder that she used it to get up there. He exhales some of his outrage trying to recall that she is acting out over something else. Whatever feelings he had, he must hear her out. Connor climbs up the ladder, taking it slow to make sure it can even hold his weight. Connor is easily double his wife size, so the integrity is questionable. Regardless, it did not break. He is on the roof of this gazebo and can now see Rhea, just sitting there and staring at the horizon. She didn’t react at his presence, her hand over her lower stomach. She isn’t showing but he can only guess that she felt more than what is physically present. There isn’t pain on her features, just this sad frown that weighs down her lips.

It softens the outrage in him, more than he is willing to accept right away. Am I just going to forgive her recklessness every time? His body betrays him, crawling over to her side and not a single raised tone left his damn maw. “Can you explain to me what’s going through your mind?”