Ashen waste 2.0

The soft and flaky ash clung to Fran's boots as he marched across the ashen plains, low clouds rolled alone the blue sky blocking the oppressive sun. Countless miles of drab ash desert lay around him as he trudged on, the oppressive heat from the sun burning through his thin garments. Giovanni's shadow would give him some respite occasionally, turning Fran saw the hulking man a few feet back. Giovanni Ferro was one of the largest T'Auar Fran had ever seen, just over eight foot Gio was a towering wall of muscle, drenched in piss and vinegar.

Giovanni's dark coat and britches had been floured with ash, His only garment not dusted was his equally large hat with its high, conical crown and very wide brim. He had had the hat made after seeing the Austens with their miniature versions enjoying the shade. The Austens' hats mustn't have been very effective considering how tanned Gio had become, Fran couldn't help letting a dry chuckle out as Giovanni approached. "Laughing Fran? At a time like this?" Gio dryly growled as he stopped beside him. "If you hadn't gotten so intimate with the Duke's daughter we wouldn't be in this mess!"

Looking past the grizzled man, Fran Burst into another fit of chuckles as their last companion came hopping up alongside them, the bird chirp and cawed angrily as if trying to hurry them along. Fran was sure the bird was a Crowned Croto, it only stood around a foot tall with sleek black feathers that were lightly dusted by it's journey with them. Crowned Croto's weren't made to fly long distances and spent most of their time on the ashy ground, flocks of Croto's would hop along the ashen plains until they stumbled upon any carrion, the flocks were even known to follow lost travelers till they died of exposure.

Occasionally impatient flocks were rumored to help the travelers along. The Croto's long wickedly curved beak caught the light as it swayed it's head back and forth between Fran and Gio chirping it's disapproval, luckily it's friends hadn't agree with its opinion on the pair. "Even he knows we're dead" Giovanni grumbled while shooing the bird with his boot, the bird responded with another burst of angry cawing before returning to their side. "While I was getting acquainted with the duke's daughter, we found ourselves on her balcony just before dawn, the fleet was just passing over a city she called Santoi"

leaning back on one foot fran pointed in the direction they had been heading "I managed to ask where it lay on a compass, luckily we only passed over it a few hours before our departure, it cannot be very far from here" Clearly angry by their lack of interest in dying faster the bird began to attack Gio's boot. undeterred by the birds efforts Gio could only stare and smile at Fran "You asked her where it was while fucking her?" A deep bassy rumble shook in Gio chest as he threw his head back and loosed a thunderous laugh, Fran was surprised by Gio's roar it had even scared the bird.

Fran couldn't help but chuckle to himself, most of the night had been spent talking with Alejandra about the land of The Lone Star, without her help and eagerness to explain how caravans traveled along the ashen plains they wouldn't have had a chance to reach Santoi. She had even given him a small map of the territory, luckily he wasn't searched before they were forced to depart, Fran was surprised gio hadn't noticed the faint wagon wheel tracks he had been following.

The man may have been tall but his lack of observation sometimes surprised Fran, especially for someone so quick on the hip and accurate, surly he only pretended to dull. "I'm surprised they left us our pistols and clothes, it was really quite kind of them" Gio chimed while quickly readjusting his hip holsters, the giant man carried a pistol on either hip and insisted if he missed with his first six the second six would finish the job. "They left us our gear so we would try and survive, they wanted us to die slowly, they mustn't have expected us to work out where to head" Cooly Fran turned and set about following the subtle imprints along the ash, quickly the shadow of Gio was in view and the hungry chirping quieted.

 "They could have just shot us and thrown us overboard, why go to the effort of giving us the chance to live?" Gio questioned from behind. Fran's feet sunk into the soft ash with each step, he had grown tired of it clinging to everything it touched. "We are silly Europers' they didn't expect us to last an hour let alone survive, plus they wouldn't want any of our belongings to be found if the empire came knocking" Fran added while looking at his compass, they had been following the caravan trail Northeast for the past two hours maybe in another hour the city would be insight.

The late morning sun shone down on the rolling plains of the barren waste ahead painting the ashes a brilliant pearl grey or defiant white. Fran found himself lost in thought, he was fascinated by the magnitude of the ash, he had been in the wastes for three long dusty months and it's enormity always shocked him. "What could have burned to have left so much ash behind? even after so long" Fran asked looking over his shoulder at the ever increasingly tanned Giovanni.

Looking up from his feet Gio scanned the surrounding dunes of ash with borderline disinterest, tipping his hat backwards and squinting in to the distance he added "My mother follows the flame, she would always spout on about the ashes' sacredness and how it was the beginning in the end" glancing to the left he began squinting again "I don't see any beginning here, only an end" Fran returned to looking forward and mused on Gio's criptic deduction. "my mother said the source would burn the world and the ash would remain to mark our forefathers for their greed and might" Fran kept looking ahead as he walked, maybe the austins' old tales were true maybe they stood upon the last remains of dead gods, maybe in their last painful moments they burned everything away.

Over the ashy plains a dry merciful breeze would blow bringing tempting coolness along Fran's sweat soaked shirt, not pausing Fran fished his canteen from off his belt, the warm earthy water was a cool xantian wine to his dry tongue and throat. Giovanni stepped up besides him with his own canteen against his lips "I hope we are on the right track Franny! I'm almost empty" wiping the sweat from his forehead Fran returned the canteen to his belt, squinting at the ash beneath him where they faint trail of wagon wheels were more noticeable.  "Only a bit further!" Fran noted trying to keep his in unease unnoticeable. Giovanni had begun fanning himself with his large hat, his sweat soaked hair clung to his scalp and horns.

 "I never thought I'd miss the summer rains" Giovanni grined before doninng his hat. Taking a glance behind them Fran spied their tracks, the tracks snaked up and down the dunes until it vanished over the top of another in the distance. "Time to get moseying" Gio hummed and started walking. As they walked the friends hummed together, Fran had know Giovanni since they were both  young boys running barefooted through the water ways of Lucianoa, the pair had hunted for mischief and adventure as much as they fished for hrimfins. Columbia had given them dust, the vermilion fields and rivers of home were missed greatly by both.

The sun had begun to reach it's zenith as they spotted the metal and brick buildings of Santoi reaching high into the sky, a few sky ships sat lazily moored to empty looking docks. The Mighty Columbia had split in half, years of distrust had boiled up and fractured the land, The west had proclaimed a new king and raised a banner under the Erican republic and decreed war against the remaining loyal eastern lands. The Colombian kingdom held most of the large trade and industrial cities but hadn't the military might or man power to wipe out the insurrectionists. Both sides quickly began hiring foreign fighters to bolster their ranks.

Fran had heard rumours the west were in the back pocket of the Indus, tales from the front lines spoke of grey monstrosities and copper women and men with curved bows and sword. all had little proof some were even so outlandish Fran had ridiculed the fool spreading it. The last miles into Santoi flew by as the pair marched on with renewed spirits, despite the lack of bustle around the sky docks the main gates were packed with caravan convoys waiting their turn to be allowed entrance.

The foot traffic was significantly smaller. Only a short Bakke stood in line, accompanied by two T'Auar body guards dressed in rough yellow and red fatigues standing to either side of her. The Bakke wore a light yellow fine cotton dress, Fran couldn't help admire the needle work, long winding flowered vines traced the dress from skirt to hem. Covering her head and tucked against her neck was a bright blue umbrella while one hand held the umbrella her other had a glass jar of ash, snuggling into her side, tucked under one arm. Falling into line a few feet behind the girl, Fran turned to face Giovanni, the frequent use of caravans had trampled the ash and hardened it in to an odd earthy consistency.

Fran noted the bakke girl would have had to walk pretty far to collect the more soft ash. Giovanni was fumbling through his pack as Fran spoke "We've had a small set back, but hopefully we can hire a small vessel to Manhattin from here" Gio grunted in response while simultaneously pulling free a heavy bulging pouch. While he knelt, their third companion flew onto Giovanni's massive hat, cawing definitely the bird began furiously pecking the hat. Stumbling to his feet Giovanni tried swatting the bird off but it anticipated the maneuver, swooping low the Croto managed to avoid Gio's hand and perch itself on the other end of the wide brim.

"Little bastard!" Giovanni shouted while flipping his hat off, the bird managed to escape and had found itself perched definitely on Gio's left horn. A silky giggle caused the trio to freeze, pivoting Fran saw the Bakke girl facing them. Her long spindly fingers rested gently over her lips as her grin widened, the girl's short hair caught in the wind whipping around her tall fur covered ears, as she continued to laugh at them. The Two T'Auar stood a few feet behind her speaking to the gate keeper.

"The Austins' say Crowned Crotos only follow dead men and killers!" The girl's long thin hand had slipped down to her chin as she spoke to them with mock curiosity. "You two don't look very dead!" Fran in confusion could only stare at the bold girl, she had short black hair and piercing grey eyes that stood out against her kinder slender facial features. Fran had seen a few Bakke before, most were merchants or diplomats, the girl only kept staring at them as the silence stretched out.

 "So... are you Killers?" Fran's jaw dropped the girl had no class, who in the right mind would ask two scruffy Wastewalkers if they were killers, when right outside of town. Fran had seen Austins kill each other over less. "We might just be" spoke Giovanni in a monotone matter of fact tone, quickly returning his hat he sneered at her. The girl stood her ground face marble never breaking eye contact. "But I don't see how its any of your business girl" sneering harshly Giovanni shifted his hip holster menacingly, Fran eyed the two distracted guards. Giovanni's stunt might give the girl an education on how to talk to strangers, but the guards might be interested in more then talking.

As if the pair had read his mind their business with the gatekeeper finished and they turned to find their principal being molested by ragged shit kickers. The one with the saber would have been a handsome woman with a sharp jaw and high cheek bones and a delicate brow If not for the jagged white scar that snaked its way drown from her hair line and under a dark brown leather eye patch to end just after crossing her pink lips.

The scarred woman quickly doned a fierce sneer to match gio's. Her short dark blond hair was pulled back in a thight Knot leaving her short curled horns to peak just above her ears. The T'Auar must have been quiet the fancy of many a young man in her youth, even aged and scarred Fran couldn't help admiring her. The other T'Auar was around their age, short curly hair sat between a pair of short straight horns crowning his surprised face. The younger guard could only eye Giovanni expectantly before the woman spoke.

"Lady Felicia, I wonder what your father would think if he saw you fraternizing with peasants." The lightly tanned woman spoke passed the young lady. Staring sternly at Giovanni and Fran, her hand gently rested on the hilt of her saber. The other guard was pulled from of his confusion as the woman spoke, suddenly her shouldered his rifle, he didn't raise it but attempted to stare Fran down, Fran was sure he was shaking but couldn't tell from the distance, all throughout the young Bakke stood motionless.

Her smug face was a painting of regret and surprise. Like a small child caught eating too many sweets. He could practical hear her spine prickling. Giovanni straightened suddenly losing interest with the spectacle before him. Clearly relieved the young T'Auar sighed as the young woman sharply turned and marched past her guards. "I shouldn't keep father waiting, Come along Peronel!" The young Bakke glided across the hard packed ash towards the gateway, the woman didn't break her glare until the girl was half way, quickly she spun and followed in tow.

Eventual catching up along side the girl Fran could see the gaurdswoman deliver muted harsh words. Quickly Fran produced his own coin pouch as Giovanni approached the dark skinned Austen, his skin was leather stretched taught over his sunken cheeks, his hat was tilted back casting a long shadow across his blue eyes. "Good day to you friends, how may I be of service to you today?" The long singsong accent of the Austen's carried their politeness for strangers but hid their more violent side.

The old man only grinned his yellow smile at the pair as Giovanni spoke. "Good day to you, we are looking for entrance and a ship for hire" speaking respectfully to the old man Giovanni gave him a courteous tip of the hat. Tipping back the old man spoke "Well boys entrance is only 2 dollars, but a ship will be hard to come by" motioning over his shoulder towards the docks with his thumb he spoke "it's Swehale season any dust kicker to sky shitter is out on the hunt boy, just this morning duke Flavienne passed over" The old man gestured towards the direction they had walked from. "Any shipper left is either a ,foreigner, or can't make it out the dock" The empathise old man put on foreigner hadn't gone unnoticed by Fran, squinting at the pair the old man rubbed his chin looking between the two young men.

"So where might you two be from eh?" The old man straighten waiting for the answer. "Europa sir" Fran slipped out cooly, many Columbians had questioned them, some had seemed wary while others were fascinated by their accents "I know you're from Europa, you don't like like no Karr boy! Where in Europa?" The old mam was stone faced and firm with his question. "Italia, I'm from the North, he's from the South" Giovanni spoke letting his accent slip while gesturing towards Fran. A pregnant silence passed as the old man only looked between the pair quietly judging them.

"I could tell!" The old man said defiantly, broadly smiling he spoke again. "My boy took up one of your sea mistresses, sends me dollars and news of the front!" The old man grinned at the pair, clapping Fran on the shoulder the old man spoke again "I have met her once, she was beautiful and shapely, had the same slanted accents as you" The old man's infectious happiness was getting to Giovanni as he started to nod along "Two days ago my boy sent another letter, I'm to be a grandfather!" The old man and Giovanni cheered as Fran smiled and nodded.

 "Congratulations uncle!' Giovanni cheered clapping the old man on his back, the pair quickly conversed back and forth practically ignoring Fran. "Where is she from?" Gio's happily asked "Venizia! Floating Venezia!" The old man laughed "Venizia! A sea mistresses from Venezia!" The pair were in hysterics laughing and grinning at each other, Fran was sure they'd been in the sun too long.

The old man spent the next few minutes explain how his son had met her fighting Indus ships along the coast. Giovanni shared his own scandalous story of meeting a sea mistress before they final entered Santoi without paying, the old man even pointed them in the direction to a ship heading towards Manhattan

The dusty streets were packed up with Austen's rushing about doing their buisness. The lack of air ship traffic would have been a negative situation for any city, but instead the people of Santoi were preparing for the ships to return. Busy women in long frilled dresses rushed about the shaded streets, while the old lay about in this shade enjoy whiskey and wine as the young played hunt of the sewhale and other festivities. Alejandra had talked eagerly about the culture during their night together, she had loved the festival as a child and had high ambitions of bringing in this largest sewhale.

She had wanted Fran to see her do it, but their time together was cut short. By the time she would return he would be gone. Together they followed the directions of the old man, before too long Giovanni had acquired a trail of small children behind him. One of the oldest would ask questions whispered by the shy youngsters, being in a happy mood Gio humoured them, answering what ever questions they asked. None were anything too interesting but the children ate it up giggling and crowding the T'Auar eager to ask more meaningless questions.

 "Why is the sky blue?" One called "what is your favorite colour?" Another asked, one by one the barrage came as Giovanni answered each happily. Fran had started to notice others taking an interest in Gio as well. As they kept walking Fran spotted various women eyeing the tall T'Auar with some very approving looks, others where less subtle and flat out stared at Giovanni. Damn him Fran thought to himself, he was as meant the be the lady killer and Gio was the man killer.

Sighing Fran tried to ignore the watchful eyes women. Instead Fran admired the architecture of the city, most of the houses appeared to be made from metal beams and a ashy brick held together by some sort of cement, the buildings when paint varying shades of colours. From Deep reds to the palest of blues, a lot of Austen's architecture was painted vibrantly and clashed against each other, the tall buildings cast deep cool shadows on to the roads below. Fran couldn't help feeling as if he were in a deep ravine as he looked up at towards the slit of clear blue sky, many of the high levels had cloth across to block out even the harshest of noon suns.

Fran knew inside the buildings would have high ceilings and wide slated windows to allow in the light and breeze through. Eventually the children dispersed as Giovanni and Fran began climbing up towards the sky docks. "Awfully quiet Fran" Giovanni said as the pair slowly claimed the rusted metal steps. "I've just been admiring the scenery" Fran mused looking out across the wide stretch of tall city as he continued climbing. "Don't be so down, it wouldn't have lasted, we've got work to do!" Giovanni looked over his shoulder at Fran "Ain't got no time for anyone else" Fran continued climbing the stairs in silence, he hadn't tried to think about Alejandra, he was use to leaving lovestruck girls and even leaving lovestruck himself, but he knew he had work to do.

 "You'll have enough time to settle down later, no point letting it affect you know" Gio chuckles as he climbed. "I don't see why you'd even talk to any girls, if  you're just going to fall in love with all of them" Giovanni teased as they reached the top. "The old man said dock twelve, right?" Fran said ignoring Giovanni's bait. "Dock twelve my boy!" Giovanni said impersonating the old man's accent.

 So high up they were unprotected from the fierce noon sun, walking quickly the metal grated walkway clanged noisily, the walk ways and docks were mostly empty, beside two precarious looking ships floating moored and unmanned, on the far side in dock twelve sat their query. The old man had informed them that the ship was carrying spices and silk to Manhattin as they approached dock twelve Giovanni spoke "My my you don't see one of those everyday" sitting moored was an old Arabian Sandchaser numerous had come out of Arabia looking to take slaves from the Europa coast, for centuries the continent captured and destroyed numerous.

 Fran had expected to see golden Arabs dancing around on the deck with their wide curved swords and long rifles. The bright banners of a vibrantly yellow flame burning atop red sand branded it's ownership to the Valencian spice Company. "Fuck! I hate Spaniards" Giovanni moaned, Fran hated Spaniards too, but said nothing as he approached the black skinned T'Auar guarding the boarding ramp.


The T'Auar stood in the shade of one of the big banners just to the side of the ramp. "Greetings! We would like to speak with your captain about passage" Fran called as he approached the man. The T'Auar only looked him up and down before deeply mumbling "wait here" the thickness of his spanish accent was apparent, as the T'Auar crested the ramp Giovanni moaned "oh god they're super Spanish" pantomiming despair Giovanni clung to Fran "oh shut up" Fran cut pushing the giggling Giovanni off.

"The Arabian's made this beast to move! I doubt their are many ships on this continent that could catch her" admiring the ship Fran could see it was in brilliant condition, who ever owned it treasured the thing. Soon the dark T'Auar reappeared at the top of the ramp and motioned for them to follow. Quickly scrambling up the ramp while trying not to fall off the pair made it aboard. "Follow me, the captain will see you" the words fought to get out of his mouth as it drowned In his accent.

The ship was beautiful. Fran had never been on a Sandchaser but he had heard of the bright white wood boards and how they were almost weightless and would shift and bend to offer less resistance to the wind. The bright wood curled and contorted under his weight. In front and around him various crew went about their chores ignoring the dancing floor, noticing the shakiness of Giovanni and Frans approach the T'Auar grinned "walk fast! Wobble less" he chimed in his accent before striding on.

After drawing a few cautionary glances from the crew, they reached the door leading below deck towards the captain's quarters. Below deck the white wood flexed less and was easier to walk on, the crew kept the long corridors clean and orderly, the captain ran a tight ship. Quickly and uneventfully they reached the captains quarters, the door and wall were a deep richly varnished version of the rest of the wood used above deck, knocking three time swiftly the T'Auar said nothing.

After a moment a shout in Spanish slipped out. Without pause the T'Auar opened the door and motioned for them to enter. Crossing the fresh hold Fran examined the room, many carpets of different weaved lined the floor, the walls had various shelves lied with trophies and keep sakes. Sitting behind a large dark wooden desk sat a tall Bakke man, his slim hands gliding through shipping manifests and various papers as he looked up towards them.

"Greetings! Good day to you" the Bakke spoke in a heavy Spanish accent, standing and leaving the papers on his desk he reached his hand out, towards Fran. Both him and Giovanni took turns shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries before sitting opposite the man "I am Wallace Velasco the captain of my beautiful September wind!" The bakke spoke clearly and smoothly as if he had practiced his performance multiple times before "Where do you seek passage?" The bakke relaxed back into his seat waiting for their reply.

Wallace looked to be in his late forties, laugh lines graced his cheek, his hair and fur were dotted with small patches of white. Wallace wore a close fitting black merchant suit with yellow and red details, surprisingly the cabin was cool and comfortable breeze blew through the wooden walls. "We are look for passage to Manhattan" Fran spoke steadily watching the man.

 "Manhattan?" The bakke asked dancing his long slim fingers along his chin. "The Brittany are using it as a staging area, you wouldn't be playing to cause any trouble now, would you?" The bakke's sudden Britannian accent danced through their ears teasing them. Fran shook his head while keep his eye's on Wallace "A few insurgence lied to me before" Wallace spoke scowling "What buisness do you have in Manhattan" Fran and Giovanni exchanged sceptical looks before Fran spoke. "Why does it always rain on me?" Wallace eyed the pair scowl never fading. "Is it because I lied when I was seventeen?" Wallace answered scowl shifting to a satisfied smile.

Relieved Fran nodded "We are in service to the Empress and would appreciate your swiftest assistance" Fran spoke clearly allowing his thick well hidden accent to slip in to the ears of the captain. Giovanni sat motionless as he spoke "The Empress finds uses for many" his accent was as distinct as Fran's own accent but sung of the northern isles. Wallace examined the pair and nodded his understanding "She sure does" slightly smiling he tapped his fingers along his desk "I can give you your own cabin, but you'd have to share" Wallace returned to eyeing them expectantly.

"No issue, we'll be comfortable" Giovanni spoke in his accent almost seeming to revel in his suddenly free tongue. "We will be setting out tonight, Calzar will show you too your cabin" Fran watched the captain as he stood and the walked around the desk towards them. Swiftly standing the three of them stood in triangular communion with each other. "For the Empress, For Britanny" quietly and instinctively they spoke in unison and crossed arms with each other. After breaking their hold on, Wallace could barely contain himself "It is good to be amongst brothers!" He eagerly whispered before slipping back Into his facade of Spanish disinterest.

Giovanni and Fran barely had time to hide their smiles and slip back into their façade before Wallace opened the door and spoke with Calzar. "Take them to the cabin we spoke of! They have paid much to reach Manhattan treat them gently!" Wallace called as the pair followed the dark T'Auar to their room "You may find me in my quarters for supper lads I'll regale you of my adventures as a foolish boy among the sands of Arabia" the captain called again as they headed towards their cabin.

Fran lay shirtless grinning broadly in his hammock, he had expected an barbarous captain to have shaved them for money but instead they had found a loyal citizen eager to help a fellow son of Brittany. Giovanni was less happy lying across his crampt cot. " How long will this take? I can't stand ducking below deck for too long" Giovanni whined from his bed, Fran shifted to look down at gio "I'm sure Captain Wallace will let us above deck, we did pay a lot" Fran grinned. "Maybe his daughter is around?" Fran mused trying to gauge Giovanni's reaction.

 "So eager to fall in love again?" Giovanni chuckled as he sat up and looked indignantly at Fran. "Am I so bad?" Fran laughed as he saw his friend's face, without replying gio only shook his head. The afternoon had passed quickly and cooly, the pair had adapted to their small area, Giovanni was delicately cleaning his pistols while Fran absentmindedly day dreamed of Alejandra's smooth sunkissed skin and  heavy deep brown hair. she had chuckled when ever he played with it absentmindedly.

 Sighing he opened his eyes to the increasingly dark room, slipping from his hammock Fran crouched by his pack. "You should clean you pistol Fran, the ash will give you hell if you let it harden" Fran nodded while fishing through his bag. "After we've eaten I'll get it done, I need some air" finding his prize Fran stood up and headed for the door. "Distraction will help you forget her!" Gio absently chimed, fran had heard the advice before.

Slipping out into the lantern lit corridor Fran set about retracing his steps to the deck, he passed a few crew members none even sparing him a second look, after climbing on to the shifting deck Fran hobbled his way to the bow of the ship as mastheads went about preparing to cast off. On the horizon the dark orange sun began to sink out of sight casting rich purple and red lights into the sky, the nights in the lone star were cold and better spent with a woman. The song played in his head, as if Alejandra was lying next to him singing.

Watching the final glimpses of the sun disappear a sharp wind blew sending a shiver down his spine and goosebumps along his arms, quickly he wrapped the scarf she had gave him around his neck. The shouts of shipmen filled his ears as they cast off. The September wind slid quickly out of the dock and hung over Santoi, Fran could see lights from inside houses and along the road, many more moved about now without the oppressive sun overhead. Gently she crept forward leaving Santoi behind.

The September wind seemed to roll and boil beneath him, but Fran was unaffected as he gazed out across the ashen fields. "Hauntingly beautiful don't you think?" A familiar smug voice spoke. Without turning Fran spoke while fixated on the empty dunes below "The Gaunt is worse, Columbia is relatively untouched compared to Europa" his dismissive voice hadn't meant to come out as serve as it had, a long silence spread between them awkwardly.

"My Father wishes to return, but I don't see what Europa has to offer" her voice wasn't as smug but her dislike of Europa was clear by how she spoke it's name. Fran didn't respond instead he turned to face Felicia, the light from the lantern's on deck only lit one side of her beautiful face as the other hid in shadow, she looked at him expectantly as he tried to give her his best dead pan stare.

"You never did answer my question before" the smugness had yet to return instead it had been replaced by interest, Felicia watched him like a wily Canvat hunting it's prey. "Who gave you that?" She asked while reaching her slender hand towards his scarf, instinctively he shifted out of her reach, without missing a beat she leaned forward and slipped four long delicate fingers between his neck and scarf. Her eyes were latched on to his as she closed the distance and softly tugged on his scarf, Fran didn't move as she felt the fabric, accidentally caressing his neck.

A thin grin traced her lips as her hands felt the fabric and brushed more often against his neck. "Transian silk" her smug voice sung, two low stretched words assaulting Fran's ears. She was uncomfortably close as she examined his scarf, only occasionally returning to lock eyes with him. "Kikte got your tongue?" She teased slipping her thin hand out of his scarf and up his face, cupping his check she grinned cheekily.

"You're not too bad for a killer" Felicia smugly chuckled as Fran quietly watched her. Slipping his hand up he gently gripped hers, she had caught him off guard, he wouldn't let her get away with it. Surprised by his grip she watch him expectantly as he slipped her thin long hand to his lips and kissed each finger individually before kissing her palm and wrist, surprised Felicia let loose a significantly girly giggle as she tried to twist free.

With his plan working Fran quickened his assault by kissing her forearm before gently tugging her closer, another kiss to her thin lean bicep and another quick giggle escaped her. Anther gentle tug and he kissed the divert of her collar bone, luckily the lantern's light barely reached them or the crew might have seen his strategic advance, instead of a giggle Fran found a sharp breath and her fast pattering heart beat.

"What are you doing" came a surprised whisper, quickly he kissed her neck scoring another shocked sharp breath before leaning in above her face, her eyes were unfocused and shifted from side to side faintly. Her delicate hands had found their way around his neck and side. Breathing heavily she leaned in to him stealing a quick peck on the lips. "Quite the killer" she breathlessly whispered before slipping away from him and into the dark.

Turning away from her Fran grinned madly, all thought of Alejandra had passed as the heat rose in his neck and cheeks. Quickly he slipped off the hot scarf and held it over the edge, letting it fall from the bow quietly, he watched the moon climbed in to the sky before returning below deck. Giovanni was less than pleased with Fran despite his valiant tale of defense and well timed counter attacks. "Did you for get what I said literally six hours ago?"

Fran didn't answer instead he grinned madly at Giovanni and defended his action's "What would you have you done! She'll learn I'm not so easily caught off guard" flabbergasted Giovanni could only sigh loudly and lie across his small bed. "Just make sure we don't get thrown off this time" Giovanni grinned looking up at Fran from his cot, Fran was pacing around the room waiting for the call to supper with the captain.

"Don't let her distract you young Francesco!" Giovanni mocked in the deep Italian accent of their former teacher "There is always time for women! But first be sure you can afford a child!" Another blast of their teacher's impersonation followed by the old man's usual chortle. Fran couldn't help chuckling hearing Gio's weak impersonation. "Little Giovanni make time for your life, once you are old you will see your lack of it" Fran fired back in a more convincing impersonation.

Giovanni's heavy laugh shook the cabin, drowning out Fran's own. "I'm not as lost as you think, I know what I will do once our service is done" Giovanni reassured Fran from his crampt bed. "Service?" Fran mused as he leaned against the wall parallel to Gio. "Will our service ever end?" Fran questioned the lounging T'Auar. Fran couldn't help thinking about ever finishing what they had started. "So negative!" Giovanni chimed as he reluctant sat up to look at Fran.

"Be grateful we aren't on the front, our work is easy and keeps us around women" Giovanni locked eyes with Fran across the small room, sighing he rubbed his horns. "We've got plenty of time, try not to rush to your death... You're more likely to find it at the end of a angry father instead of the damn insurgence or Indus." Giovanni spoke seriously through the slight smile tracing his lips.

Fran silently nodded his head, he couldn't help worrying, the war would reach them eventually, the girl's helped sooth his nerves. Brief moments of bliss surrounded by the encroaching tide of war. Silence stretched between the pair as either quietly thought to themselves. A sharp three tapped rap hit the door, followed by it quickly swinging open, Calzar stood in the doorway as the shadows clung to his dark skin.

"The captain would like you to join him for supper" the pair silently stood and followed the Spaniard, they had changed into slightly cleaner clothes while waiting for the captain's invitation. Fran wore clean dark brown beeches and a loose long sleeved cotton shirt, below the September wind's deck the ship was queit warm. Giovanni had changed in to fitting black trousers with a thin white shirt tucked in with a slim fitted vest with white lace embodery in the shape of birds and flowers.

"It's adorable" Fran mumbled loud enough for gio to hear. Without turning Giovanni whispered back "your mother picked it out for me" Fran frowned as the t'aur ahead let out a deep chuckle. The trio continued walking along the dark long corridor towards the captain's quarters. Reaching it swiftly Calzar knocked before entering, the comfy cabin had gained a small table resting along Wallace's desk. "Come in before all the alcohol is gone"

The Bakke called in his Spanish accent. Calzar left closing the door as the pair entered. Wallace smiled broadly at the pair "I didn't expect you to dress up" Wallace chimed happily while wearing a set of loose trouser and a stained shirt "I would have made at least an effort" gesturing to his wine and food stained shirt. "No worries! you must be thirsty come let us drink" slipping behind his desk he gestured the the two seats laid out around the table.

The table and the desk were void of any food, the cabin only smelt of incense and spilled wine. Seated Wallace quickly produced three glasses and a wide short bottle of a clear liquid. "The food comes, let us toast before it arrives" quickly Wallace poured equal amounts of the alcohol in to the short glasses and slid them towards Giovanni and Fran. Holding his glass high Wallace toasted "To the son's of Brittany" gio and Fran repeated the toast and downed the liquid together.

The light bitter alcohol burned Fran's throat on its journey down, surprised by it's fierceness Fran coughed . Giovanni and Wallace did not, seemingly accustom to drinking the boiling liquid. Frans wiped his watering eyes as Wallace and Gio spoke of the harsh vodka while ignoring his trouble with the drink. "Prustarian?" Giovanni asked inquisitively. Wallace grinned broadly pouring the three of them another glass "Correct! You could remove rust with it!" Wallace announced cheerfully.

This time the trio took it slowly, sipping the vodka while waiting for the food to arrive. They chatted idly trading stories of sights seen across the world, Wallace claimed to have seen Karr jungle hunters raid the Arabian spice routes using fast wide winged creatures. During his story the food had reached. A buxom woman with dusky brown skin and silky black hair in a bun entered wearing a stained cooking gown carrying trays of smoked and grilled meats.

Fran was surprised to see a shapely Indus woman aboard and earned himself a funny look from the woman and a hearty laugh from Wallace. The meats were accompanied by a thick soup. The meats were tender and aromatic, a sweet wonderful combination with the hearty vegatable and bean soup. After the woman left the trio ate in silence only occasionally broken by compliments of the food. Fran ate hungrily scarfing down the food, Wallace and Giovanni shared his opinion and the meal passed quickly ending with them all equally stuffed.

Retrieving three cigars from a draw, Wallace offered them, taking the trio quietly sat smoking enjoying the distant creak or the ship and shoutes of the crew. Giovanni straighten looking up from the table and locked eyes with Wallace, Fran had expected this conversation to happen eventually, Giovanni had mentioned his trepidation about Wallace's true alignment. The Indus woman seemed to have set his curiosity off.

"Captain you claim to be loyal to Britannia but you carry an Indus aboard your ship" Giovanni spoke seriously eyes never leaving Wallace. Wallace sighed leaning back in his chair "The world isn't so black and white boys" sighing Wallace rubbed his temples "everything is painted grey, not every outsider is an enemy" Fran and Giovanni didn't speak but sceptical exchanged looks "I'll tell you of how j got the ship, it's a long story boys, I suggest you get comfortable" Fran sat back gently pulling on his cigar.

Wallace carefully carried the barrel of dried culmara seeds towards the grinding mill, the other slaves around him kept to his pace as they walked down the hardpacked sand road. Wallace tried not to breath through his brightly stained mask, it smelt of stale breath and the strong dizzying aroma of culmara. His group was being herded towards the mill by a stout Arabian keeper from his tall Aloppe.

Occasionally a whip would crack followed by a cry of pain. Wallace had been plucked from barecona two years earlier while he had been fishing on the coast with friends. For the twelve year old boy the sudden appearance of a Sandchaser had brought wonder and amazement until the cloth clad Arabian's rappelled on to the beach and set about killing and subduing all enjoying the summer sun, the watch had been drinking and the Arabians hadn't wasted the opportunity.

For the last two year Wallace had picked, dried and ground culmara only living off hard flat bread with dries meat and water. The years had left him lean and small his fur was thin and matted with old spice and sand, he had been tempted to eat the Culmara but hadn't the courage to risk a beating. Another boy with light pale skin had tried and claimed it was dealicious moments before the cramps started, the keeper never moved as the boy's sun burned face darkened to a shade of purple.

Quickly he began convulsing as red foam escaped his mouth and nose, Wallace had been close enough to hear the boy's ragged choking. Throughout the slow death none moved, all had stopped to watch as the boy tried to claw his bulbous swollen mouth and throat after a couple weak kicks and twitches, the boy died. After the kicking had stopped the keeper wasted no time driving them back to work. Wallace worked the same Culmara fields until the harvest had passed, Wallace was assigned by his owner to the very Sandchaser they sat in.

Wallace and others from the spice field were forced to carry and sort loot by the guidance of another keeper aboard a sand chaser called the Alriyah alhada. The Alriyah alhada was cutting a path along the Britannian isle attacking the Franc coast. The Sandchaser had run afoul of a Brittany cruiser patrolling the coast for pirates. Wallace stood sorting the latest haul below deck under the watchful eye of a overseer, the Arabs had hit a small merchant ship and had taken all of the crew who had survived, quickly and orderly Wallace sorted through bags of loot separating them by their quality.

The merchants had been mostly carrying gold from a recent transaction and a few old left over trinkets adorned in gold or silver. His years enslaved had given him a rough comprehension of Arabian and Indus tongues, he had even learned some Karr words, the variety of slaves always surprised him. He had once seen a pale T'Auar northerner with his engraved horns and brown hair. A shout called down from above as Wallace absentmindedly ordered the objects.

"Britannia whores" was all he could understand from the cry in Arabian, the ship shook as a blast hit somewhere above, Wallace knew Sandchasers weren't big hitters, they were nimble strike craft. Any conflict with a bigger threat was usually resolved by running away. More Arabian barking scoured below deck "Boarding!" The word stood out repeated in each shout.

The bloody Britannian's were taking the damn ship, the overseer panicked as he looked through the open doorway into the bustling hallway. Slipping through the door the arab slammed it shut, the thump of feet sunk through the shifting planks above. "Brittany?" A bronzed skinned man spoke in his heavy Indus tongue. "If they scuttle the ship we'll go down with it" a black skinned man spoke in minced Arabian. The two men rushed to the door and began pounding and barraging it with their fist and feet.

The few others stood in shock as the ship shifted and swayed, Wallace saw the little progress happening with the door, and began looking for something to weaken the strong shifting door. Rushing back and forth the piles of gold and gems couldn't buy them their lives, the room warped again spilling coin and loot across the room. "Let us out dog fuckers" the dark man shouted the racked from above drowned out the noise from the door.

Searching through the room Wallace found a broad and thick gold sceptre covered in various gems, rushing the now surrounded door, he passed the sceptre too the karr. "Break that down" Wallace shouted in choppy Karrian. The Karr hammered the lock while the others wailed on the Wood, the door bucked and snapped as the lock splintered under their combined force.

The door swung open as others charged out along the corridor, the Karr waited as the last men flooded the corridor. Following the Karr out Wallace charged, screams and shouts echoed down the hall as slave met surprised Arabians. Rushing past dead slaves and Arabians, Wallace could see the melee, the mess of loose robed men clashing with the shirt less slaves. They had caught a few by surprised, managing to kill them the slaves had armed themselves.

Reaching the fight the Karr lunged forward through the crowded mess, like a hawk and plucked one of the Arabian's clashing with a slave. Pulling him past the man he fought, the Karr threw him into the group of slaves rallied behind. Stumbling he fell before them, swarming him Wallace and the others punched and bludgeoned him to death with whatever they could get their hands on. One of the slaves had used the sceptre.

The shouts and cries of pain and anger surrounded Wallace as the slaves surged on over the Arabians. The Karr took the dead Arab's scimitar and continued on behind the wall of charging slaves, some less accustomed to fighting had managed to free others held in various pens, the sudden arrival of other shirtless men and women surprised Wallace but not the Karr as he marched on.

Jogging to catch up with the Karr, Wallace had found his own curved scimitar, falling into step aside the Karrian. The long corridor had scattered corpses lining it, slave and slaver alike, the Arabs had been pushed towards the stairs leading above deck. The lack of flight further cemented their loss, the Brittany had the deck. "They have no where to run" Wallace said in patchy Karrian. The Karr only nodded as they continued, slaves not in the main melee strode about searching cabins for Arabs to kill. Wallace could hear the Brittany ordering the Arabs by the stairs to surrender, a few that did found out the slaves weren't taking prisoners.

Some ran out onto the deck followed by the sound of small rifles and pistols. The Karr and Wallace marched through the frenzy, the slaves parted as they aproached beside the karrian Wallace walked into the fray. Together they climbed the stairs painting themselves red. The stalemate on the stairs was smashed, but the others made no move to help as the pair indulged in revenge, wallace saw their shocked face's as he and the karrian calmly and noiselessly carved through the tightly packed ranks of Arabs.

Like a river the pair weaved and wound slashing and hacking through the herded men. Wallace wasn't angry or mad, his years enslaved gave him enough fuel. But he didn't kill them out of hatred, hope drove him. Hope of freedom, the hate and rage had slipped away with each step that took him closer to home. The world slowed as he gorged on serenity, grinning wide with each step his blade was a crimson blur, faster and sharper then the ones he faced.

Another step and he laughed loud and high pitched at the fools before him, they would not stop him, the sounds of pain and fear were eclipsed as the Karrian's deep laugh joined his. Wallace could not hear the pleas of those who tried to surrender as they fell carved in twain. Fear danced on the face's of dead men as Wallace strolled through them. Thoughts of days fishing on the sunny shores of barceona with his friends and long nights of chatting and cooking his catch with his family clouded Wallace's mind.

While his body floated passed the dead around him, like a ship on the sea he passed islands not worthy of his attention, his destination was set. Onwards he went sparing none, the Karr matching his every step, as he reached the top steps the last two arabs took the risk and ran out on to the deck above with their hands up holding strips of their baggy robes to signal their surrender. Wallace wouldn't let them, a sudden strong wind caught his sails carrying him forward, like the wind he caught the penultimate Arab just after he had rounded the corner on to the deck, sprinting just behind the last.

Swinging hard he sliced through the raised right hand of the Arab, unaffected by the small obstruction his blade bit deep into the man's neck before burrowing its way out the other side. Only the ultimate remained. Discarding his sword, Wallace pounced. Screeching from deep in his chest, the roar carried him as he flew, the membrane under his arms spread taught against the wind while instinctively baring his fangs mid flight.

The Arab spun to face the horrific noise as it descend upon him. Hands and feet's forward Wallace dove gripping on to his prey, driving his feet deep into the heavily tanned man's stomach, his thin hands tangled themselves in his short curly black hair. Twisting the Arab's head back as they landed, Wallace pitched forward and savaged the mans throat. He tore at the writhing man's neck biting repeatedly, starving he gnawed deeper and deeper hungrily swallowing the hot sweet meat, parched by his run Wallace greedily drank the rich cooper wine.

Indulging in his meal a sudden pressure rose through his chest, climbing past the food to escaped his mouth into his victim. The screech reverberated through the hollow man like a steady drum beneath him, forcing it's way out the man's agape mouth. Wallace sat motionless, eyes clenched shut, as his heartbeat fought against the echo of his cry for dominance in his ears.

The world was muffled to him, enclosed in the dark he felt as if he was adrift within himself only the steady beating of his heart to sooth his years of ache. He could hear voices, muffled and indistinct, Wallace hadn't noticed the array of Brittany skystriders as he chased his prey. All of him had worked to kill them and would only solely notice them, he breathed deeply, expecting a sudden wall of bullets. None came as the muffled noise passed him.

Wallace came back to the world as he slowly let the breath slip out. The voice filled his ears as it spoke again. "Stand down! we've cleared below deck already, only the saucers live" a deep bassy Britannia accent spoke in front of him. The rest of the convocation was drowned by the shouts and orders from Brittany shippers as their voices floated by. Sighing Wallace peaked through his eyes, squinting away the harshness of the sun, Wallace could see the shirtless Karrian talking to a short woman in a wide gold and blue hat.

Out of his periphery he could see two other gold and blue clad people standing to either side of him. Without moving he spoke in Britannian "I swear they were like this when I got here!" The one to his left burst out laughing shaking long and heartily "Whot?! Dan't make that face at meh!" The man on his left said in floaty Brittanian accent after stifling his laugh. The Britannian on his right scoffed before speaking in a tight condescending accent.

"How could you laugh at a time like this!" The distinct high pitch belonged to a woman, she hadn't seemed to have enjoyed the joke. "He wos jus lightenin the mood" the floaty accented man said defensively. Wallace felt a hand gently pat his left shoulder. "Juss look at him Katt, seems to me like we ain't the only ones havin' a shitty day" the floaty accented man said earnestly to Katt as the first column of slaves was led past to his left. The Karrian and the woman stopped talking to watch, as it passed marching towards the majestic towering cruiser.

Numerous Brittany ran along the shifting deck catching lines thrown from the huge cruiser, while some were ordering slaves to pile the dead. Shakily Wallace stood climbing off the dead man, pain rapidly crawled down his side digging deep into his body, stumbling forward the floaty man caught him by the arm. "Juss sit dan until ya can get checked oot" the floaty man spoke while easing him onto the rolling deck below.

 "Medic!" Called Katt's wavey high pitched voice "I'm no doctor, but if all that blood is his. There isn't much a medic can do" Katt said her tight voice carrying no empathy. "Ya think he'd be movin' if it was!" The floaty man said crouching in front of him. Wallace turned to face the man, in his shadow he gained some small relief from sun, the face he met resonated with peasantry. Wallace hadn't been vain as a boy, but he knew his sharp features and slim jaw had drawn a few hungry looks from slave and slaver a like. The floaty accented man had a round heavily tanned potato face, his blotchy blue eyes crept close to his wide long spoon like nose hanging from a soft low brow.

Below the nose was worse, a patchy beard rose from his heavily scarred jaw and lips, his scars were so thick it looked as if he had tried to eat hot coals. Wallace must have looked surprised, because the man grinned pealing back his scars to reveal smashed yellow stained teeth. "Noticed my love bite 'ave we?" The man asked jollily "Got it from an Indus lass, she 'ad a magnificent pair tits!" Cupping himself with his heavily tanned hands, the man presented his approximation.

"Ass like this!" Grinning wide he spread his hands wider, shacking them eagerly at Wallace to empathise her shape. Wallace grinned cheerfully as he continued. "You should 'ave seen her" the man said steadily before grinning again "hardly wearing anything, barely a scrap!" Pausing he nodded, almost sullenly, in the pause Katt cut in. "She wore the fire. Like a wild coat of death, we're lucky to have made it." Looking up to his right he lock eyes with Katt, she was beautiful.

Her sandy blonde hair was in a sensible bun, with a few strays dangling down across her freckled forehead. She had a hard brow the matched her attitude, she had almost seemed to be scowling, her nose was long and slender ending just above her soft inviting lips. Her eyes were grey with slight blue spots nestled against the steel, her wide cheeks were flowered with honey brown freckles, the right had a fresh cut already with dried blood on it.

Katt's eyes narrowed as he watched her more intensely, a long thin burn slid down her neck from below her chin past the high gold collar of her uniform. Wallace eyed her further, noticing a thin vein defiantly throbbing just above her right eye, worrying about her sudden reluctance to talk he turned to the old man. "What happened next?" The man grinned again. "Katt got her while I distracted her with my charm" the man's salt and pepper eye brows waggled suggestively.

Sighing loudly katt cut in again "Don't lie for me Seymour! I'm not some child" nodding again Seymour looked at her waiting for her to speak. "I would have been dead of hadn't gotten between us, you're lucky to have survived." Seymour loudly blew air out his nose, and sat down. "I've done my service girly, I'll die for britanny before I become old and useless!" Eyes closed he spoke sternly, as a pair of short blue and white uniformed men arrived carrying a stretcher between them.

"Who needs it?" Came the question from the new men. "Who does it look like needs it!" lashed katt gesturing towards Wallace. "Him?!" Asked one of the men staring indignantly at Wallace. "Why?!" Asked the other seemingly sharing the same opinion as the first. "Why not?" Came the deep boom of the karrian "He cut down double the amount of Arabians then any marine aboard this ship" the karrian's accent was smooth and level as be continued "If that wasn't enough, he saved the lives of four Britannian prisoners."

The karrian came into view bare chested and scowling "if you think his life isn't worth the effort go and tell my crew" gesturing towards the woman in the wide hat where a shirtless woman and three shirtless men stood watching with scowls to match the Karrian's. "If you believe Brittany doesn't require your service, they'll throw you over board and carry him themselves" stone faced the karrian stared down the short men.

"It's always terrible fighting the Arabians" the Karrian mused suddenly relaxed and wise "One second they are broken and surrendering, the next they're carrying men off the side as one final stab in the back" inquisitively the Karrian watched the pair. "Truly terrible!" The second man stuttered "We should hurry and get him to the ship, he looks awfully pale!" Blurted the first as he sprung in to action surprising the second man.

 "Yes, good idea. You can never tell when the Arabs will flip." Looking over to the small line of captured Arabs being watch by four guards. "You wouldn't want to be around unarmed when they started" the Karrian added affrimitivly as the medics set about lying Wallace on the stretcher. Lifted Wallace found himself sailing away from Katt and Seymour. "We'll talk once you've healed brother!" The Karrian said loudly thumping his hand to his heart as Wallace passed.

Wallace had taken a week to heal, between a few minor cuts and bruises he had lost the top of his right ear and had earned himself a wicked scar dancing along his ribs and stomach. The Karrian had came after a slow week of healing had passed, aboard the cruiser he had offered Wallace to earn himself a new home through service to britanny. Having already deiced on returning home the Karrian had dropped him on the franc boarder to Spain and had left him to his buisness after returning home Wallace found his life of fishing and chatting unfulfilling despite all his eagerness for home it had surprising bittered quickly, eventually he returning to franc and began asking for the famous slave hunter, Captain Kamau Wattabe.

For the next fourteen years Wallace had served beside his dear friend Kamau, marrying Katt and becoming a captain with his own cruiser he had earned his place in the empire. "You're most probably wondering why? Such a handsome man like myself, beautiful wife and daughter, why would he become a merchant!" Wallace said leaning back as the drink slowly wore away.

The empty bottle and glasses had been taken away by the Indus woman along with the plates of food. Giovanni and Fran sat relaxed and content having heard the man's tale. It all could have been lies Fran thought but Giovanni seemed to have bought it, not much they could do of it was a lie, Fran highly doubted they could take an entire ship. "In truth I hadn't done it for the empire" Fran slightly stiffened catching himself before he slipped too much, Giovanni sat quietly, eager to hear more. "I did it for the girl damn it!" Wallace laughed leaning his head onto his hand. "No matter what I did, I couldn't forget her eyes" Wallace grinned broadly almost slipping back into drunkenness.

 "For a year we lived togther on Brittany, until Katt had Felicia and then she was gone off to the conflict here." Wallace sighed loudly and straighten, eyes falling on them with sharp soberness. "I would not let her go alone, so after pulling a few strings with a very friendly son in law to the empress, I bought the very ship I'd met the love of my life on" gesturing wide with both hands Wallace's face was a wash in pride.

"With that and a crew i set off in pursuit" Giovanni and Fran sat quietly, Fran couldn't tell if he was lying, the thought troubled him greatly. "And for the last sixteen years I've followed her, not just for myself, but for Felicia" sighing again Wallace ran a hand through his salt and pepper hair. "From the invasion of Mexxi to the defense of the north from those chilly natives, we have followed her trading whatever nessicary, and still Felicia blames me for her mother" shaking his head Wallace stood "But it is late and I've kept you long enough" matching the man the pair stood shakily, walking to the door Wallace spoke as he opened it

 "I hope my story would suffice and quell you suspicions" After exchanging pleasantries Giovanni and Fran wobbled back to their cabin. "Believe him?" Fran eagerly asked once some distance was between them and the door. "Yes, he seems genuine" Giovanni spoke "Reminds me of you almost" fran was taken a back as the pair continued their advance. "What? How so?" Fran whispered pretending he misheard Giovanni, sighing gio whispered back "You both seem to be chasing after love, you just don't seem know who's love it is yet" Fran was shocked, he knew no such thing, when did Giovanni become such a observant person. "That's horseshit!" Fran said slightly unsure of himself, he knew the value of his service, he did it for himself. Giovanni didn't reply, walking through the arkward silence to the room, fran thought back to the morning they had left for britanny.

His father had looked happy and was Immensely pleased with Fran's bravery, but Fran could tell his father was sad and worried, his eyes would not leave him. His father watched like a hawk, as if the moment he stopped Fran would be gone, the hug had been the worst. Tight and drawn out his father had repeatedly told him to be careful, constantly reminding him he could always come home, he had implored Giovanni to watch over him. That had been eleven years ago, the rest of the night passed without another word.