Night 9, Day 10

Viola Stone stared out of her window. She had to help save Jacob, but whose head would they use. How could she kill someone to save someone else? Then she had an idea. A bad blond woman would do. Someone the world would be better off without. Rider had brought up a good point earlier. Berries and blood do not smell the same, and those holding Jacob would know the difference.

“Is there anyone who deserves to die? Another assassin or a woman married to one. Maybe even a slave trader or someone married to one? Someone with light hair.”

“Yes, the daughter of Points minister. He has a daughter with fair hair. She is a bit young to pretend she’s the queen though.” Viv said.

“Maybe not. I will soak only the hair in blood from the carver. It will make it red. Then we put it in the bag soaked in blood. Does anyone know what the queen looks like?” Viola asked.

“No. She doesn’t allow anyone to look her in the face.” Xoma said seeing where Viola was going with this.

This was the only way Viola could save Tẽra. They wanted Jacob back and they were willing to kill for it.

“Bring the head to the cleaver’s shop. I will set everything up there.” Viola said.

So, they departed. Sliding out the window and headed into town.

Viola went into the cleaver’s shop. It wasn’t locked. Flies sat on the walls and congealed blood squished under her feet. She was so glad earth had health restrictions and hygiene regulations for butcheries. She found a bucket of blood and rigged up a way for the hair alone to soak in the blood.

The smell of the place was also getting to Viola. She wondered if this was why people became vegetarians.

Rider arrived with the head. He had made a clean cut. It was better than she expected. She put the light brown hair in the blood and covered it so the flies wouldn’t lay eggs in the freshly cut head, making it look older than it was.

“How about some food.” Xoma said.

“Sounds great.” Rider and Viv responded.

Viola looked at them. She couldn’t stomach the idea of food while standing in goo, and smell surrounding them killed her appetite.

“Found a shoulder. Open fire should be good.” Xoma said pleased with her findings.

“Viola? You are very quiet over there.”

“Ummm…. Not feeling hungry.” She said swallowing down something that wanted to come up.

Rider laughed

“She’s lost her appetite.”

“How adorable.” Viv said.

Viola would have felt patronized if she didn’t have to leave to vomit.

She stood outside. Her clothes smelt like blood. A coppery smell that was unmistakably blood. She breathed, she usually had a stomach of steel and was never not hungry. But Chayim was a challenging place.

Rider came out.

He passed her a piece of bark.

“Chew this” he said.

She took it wondering if it was a trick. But she was so nauseous that trying something from Rider was an option.

She chewed the funny tasting bark. It had a faint ginger taste.

Was Rider being nice to her?

Rider went back in to eat.

The piece of bark helped. Viola didn’t feel so nauseous anymore.

Finally, it was time. The hair had soaked in the blood for long enough. A quick rinse of water through the hair removed any lumps of congealed blood while keeping the hair a red shade. Viola poured a cup of blood into the sack and dropped the head into it.

“What if they don’t believe it’s the queen?” Viv said worried.

“Don’t worry they will.” Viola comforted.

“What if they wait for conformation before revealing where Jacob is?”

“Tẽra drank a lot last night. She will over sleep causing panic in the castle. This will work.”

As darkness broke because of first light. They went to the baker’s shop. The baker arrived shortly afterwards. He was most upset that they stood outside his shop with the head.

“It’s bad for business. Bringing that here.” he moaned.

The baker quickly opened his shop.

“You are not welcome here.” he added.

“Were is the boy?” Rider demanded.

“I don’t know” the baker objected.

Viola had a hood pulled over her face. She could barely see but she couldn’t be recognized.

“The queen’s guards will be looking for us. We will leave the head with you if you don’t tell us now.”

“Like I said, I don’t know. He will be here soon and you can conduct your business else were.”

Viola knew he was lying. He was stalling. His apprentice came in.

Viola threw a knife into his chest.

“I will kill everyone who walks through that door until you tell me where to find the boy.” She stated.

Xoma decided to take things into her own hands.

“I believe you have a beautiful daughter. Her birthday is coming up soon. It would be so sad if she wasn’t home for it. What would her mother say?”

“Threatening my family won’t get you anything.” he said.

“What will?” Viola asked.

The baker said nothing. Viola took out the head dripping with blood and dropped it on the counter.

“What are you doing?” the baker performed. “I use these counters for baking.”

“Where is the boy?” Rider demanded again.

“I can’t tell you what I don’t know.” He said.

The man arrived.

He was wearing shiny black clothes. The kind a nobleman or rich man would wear. It wasn’t shiny like plastic or glitter but rather because it was so black and so clean. Compared to the brown rags people wore he stood out.

Viola held a knife ready to throw it.

“Dears, no need to be hostile. We can all get what we want. Tell them wear the boy is.”

Viola didn’t take her eyes off the new man.

Viv, Rider and Xoma looked at the baker.

“He’ll be coming in on the afternoon boat.” The baker swallowed.

“From where?” Rider demanded.

The rich man made a gesture with his hands.

The baker swallowed again.

“From Hegga Island”

They left the shop.

“I don’t trust them.” Viola said “We should follow them. Don’t let Mr Rich Black get away. One of us should go to Hegga Island. One should wait for the boat.”

“By this afternoon they will know that the head is not the queen’s.” Xoma worried “We should have just killed her.”

“No, she is my sister’s friend and she’s not the real queen. But maybe I could ask her to be missing for a day or two.”

Everyone looked at her.

“Are you crazy!?” Rider asked “As if she will be missing to help you.”

“We won’t know unless we ask” Viola said determined to keep Tẽra alive.

“I will follow the man. What did you call him? Mr Rick Black?” Viv asked.

“Mr Rich Black. Thank you, Viv. I know you have trusted me and it doesn’t look like it’s working out. But we can do this. I know we can. Please let’s follow through with my plan.”

“If Jacob dies…” Rider began.

“They won’t kill him them they lose their hold over you and then there is nothing stopping you from killing them all.” Viola interrupted.

That made sense and eased some of the worries.

Xoma decided to watch the docks.

Rider was going to go to Hegga Island.

Viola ran to the castle. As she entered Ranger caught her. She was almost happy to see him. He wanted to connect with her but she didn’t feel she had the time.

“Someone is following you” he said.

She stopped. Tempted to give away her secret that she understood him.

Fine, she thought, I’ll connect with him for just a minute.

So, she connected with him. He relieved to her in seconds that Fiona was safe with Nikki, climbing a mountain and that the man following her was Rider. He also had been worried for her safety and felt that her new friends where no good.

“It’s ok. They are better than anyone else on this rock.” Viola told him.

She shared with Ranger her plan to get Jacob back and how Tẽra needed to be missing for a day. Ranger didn’t like it but he didn’t try to stop her.

Unknown to her he saw where she had been and that the women hiding in the jungle were warriors. He also saw Ginger the true heir to the throne.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Viola ran into the castle. The guards stopped her.

“Do you not remember me?!” she asked outraged.

“She is with me.” Ranger said.

They let her in.

“The queen is making things so difficult lately how are we to know who is allowed where” they complained.

Viola found Tẽra in her chambers sleeping off her hang-over.

“Tẽra wake up!”

Viola shook her

“Wake up!”

“What? Get out” Tẽra groaned.

“My friend is in trouble. I need you to hide for the day. Let people believe you are missing test who is a real friend and who isn’t?”

“What? Why?” Tẽra asked half awake.

“My friend’s son is in danger. Please stay missing for the day. Maybe have a sick day?” Viola suggested

“Stay in bed, sleep it off. Do great things tomorrow?”

Tẽra moaned

“I have things to do and you are waking me up to early.”

Viola decided to stop being nice. Tẽra wasn’t paying attention. She took a cup of cold water and splashed it on Tẽra’s face. Then with a strong voice she said

“My friend’s son’s life is in danger. You need to stay missing for a day. Use this as a test to see what will happen if you are gone for real. Make the most of your time off!”

Tẽra sat up in bed, with a wet face, hair and a wet pillow.

“You forget your place.” Tẽra was cross and her head hurt.

“Finally, princess. You are awake.”

“I welcomed you as a guest in my castle and you treat me with no respect.”

“Forgive me your royal…” Viola wasn’t sure what to call her

“Your royal highness. Please test the people close to you. As queen you can’t have allies working against you. Ask your head of security.”

Tẽra looked at her with anger. Even at home someone wouldn’t dare barge into her room and splash her with water. She felt the need to be clear about things. However, testing the people around, her was a good idea.

“If you ever come into my chambers like this again. I will have you locked up.” Tẽra warned.

“Thank you.” Viola said.

She was mostly sure that the posing queen Tẽra, would stay hidden for a day.

She ran out to meet Rider who was busy trying to climb the rope hanging from her window.

“Let’s go to Hegga Island.” Viola said.

Rider got a fright hearing her call to him.

“How did you know I was following you?” he asked.

“Come, come no time to waste.” She said not answering his question.

Viola knew running to the docks would take too long. So, she went to the stable.

“General Stone’s daughter and servant. I need two horses and a stable boy to follow me to the docks and brings these horses back safely.”

They did as she asked.

“Servant! General’s daughter?” Rider questioned.

“I have my ways which work for me. It got us horses so stop complaining.”

The two rode hard to the docks. They left the stables three hours after sun rise. When they arrived at the docks a ship had just come it.

“I need to hire a ship or boat to take me to Hegga Island is anyone going?” Viola asked around.

“Now I will get us there.”

Rider walked into the dock keeper’s office. He was sleeping on his books as Rider expected. Working nights was hard and most would fall asleep. He pulled the book out and looked to see which ship was going where.

He saw a small fishing boat wasn’t secluded to go anywhere that day.

Perfect!

Rider came out.

“I know of a boat. But first, did the queen agree to stay hidden?”

“Tẽra will not be a problem.” Viola said confidently.

So, Rider led her to the Gill, a small fishing boat. To Rider’s surprise a man was already on the boat. Rider intended to steal the vessel.

“Morning.” He called to the man

“May I pay you for a trip out into the lake?” Rider asked.

The man looked at them.

“Up early.” He said suspiciously.

“Good sir forgives my interruption. We were just bonded and I have never been out in the water. My beloved means no trouble to you. We will look elsewhere.” Viola said.

Rider gave her a dirty look. She ignored it and held his arm.

“Young love. Sure, I can take you into the lake. But I must warn you that it’s going to be busy today.”

“Why is that?” Rider asked.

“Everyone is coming to sell their goods in the city. Also, there is a rumor that the queen is weak and venerable.”

“Sir what shall we call you?” Rider asked changing the topic.

“My name is Herman and my sons below are Sidney and Roscoe. Come aboard. How much will you be paying us for the trip?”

Rider looked at what he had. Viola had nothing.

“I have three silver pieces.”

“When do you want to leave?” Herman asked.

“Thank you” Viola said.

She could tell these men didn’t like a woman speaking to them.

He grunted a reply.

“Let’s leave now.” Rider said happily.

“Lads come up here” Herman called.

Both big built men came up from below. Their faces were weather beaten and their hair was a birds nest. But it didn’t matter, they were seamen. Those who faced storms and won. They were much bigger in size then Rider. The father Herman was also weather beaten but old and his muscles had faded away unlike his two sons.

Viola pulled a hood over her head, hiding her face

“This is Rider and his bond mate. They are paying us three silver pieces to take them around the lake.”

“Ha! I’m Sidney. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Roscoe.” The younger one introduced.

“They want to leave now. Is everything secure?” Herman asked.

“Will be” Sidney said.

Viola felt unsafe on the boat surrounded by burly men with no manners. Rider was a killer but two big boys might be too much for him.

She kept the hood over her face.

They left the docks and headed out to sea.

“I don’t think this boat was a good idea.” Viola whispered to Rider when they were alone.

She stood at the railing looking for any sign of the Island.

“Can you swim?” Rider asked.

“Yes” Viola said worried that this was going to end with her in the water

As the boat picked up speed the waves splashed onto the boat.

Rider stood with Viola looking for Hegga Island. Viola found herself not feeling safe even around Rider. She worried he was going to push her over so he’d have the distraction he needed. However, she didn’t think it would work.

Hegga Island came into sight distracting her from her concerns. Smoke rose from it.

“Such a beautiful Island.” Herman said.

“Can we go see it?” Viola asked.

“Why do you hide your face?” Herman asked “Are you an ugly wrench?”

To Viola’s surprise Rider defended her.

“That’s my woman you are talking about. Watch your mouth!”

Viola found herself smiling. It was very unexpected.

“Why hide her then.” Sidney said taunting.

“You would be jealous.” Rider said flatly.

“Ahh we just teasing you.” Herman said “I know a nice little place on the Island for a lovely walk.”

“That would be appreciated.” Rider replied.

The boat pulled up to the Island. An old broken-down jetty. It looked like the perfect place for an ambush.

“I don’t like it” Viola said to Rider.

“We can handle anything. Let’s find Jacob.”

Viola reluctantly climbed off the boat and stood on the unstable jetty.

“I’ll pay you upon my return home.” Rider said.

“As you wish” Herman said with a smile.

Rider climbed onto the jetty with her. It wobbled as they walked to the land. It was quiet. Nothing happened as they walk up the sand bank. Viola expected them to get jumped or something. But nothing. No attack happened. They went into Hegga city. The dusty streets were lined with every kind of loose woman. Women wearing almost nothing approached Rider.

“Handsome one, come with us.”

“No thanks” he said walking faster.

“No need to be shy, we’ll be gentle.”

Rider just kept walking faster.

People were selling people. They were selling other’s people’s body parts too.

“Look at these beautiful eyes. They could be yours for two gold pieces.”

Viola was not impressed. She thought Earth was bad and it was. But seeing the underworld of a lawless, war-torn land was… disturbing. She looked for children or any sign of children. But instead, she found glowing bugs in a jar that were meant to heal you. A cat in a cage that looked angry and ready to savage everyone and anything.

Birds of interesting design. Four to six wings, two tails etc.

Goats with four eyes.

Eyes fried and served on yellow bread.

The market was filled with interesting people.

“I am looking to buy a boy.” Viola said to a slave trader.

“Ahh, aare ya now. Dem boys b expensive Eh.”

“A general seeks a boy, a child to train to care for his horse. Where can I find one?” She asked.

“de b no children here luv. Puhaps ya find anuda interest.” He smiled at her his yellow teeth stained with liquor.

She moved on. She asked a woman selling herself if there were any children on the Island. But she wasn’t aware of any. But if there was, they would be held by Ernest. He was, the pimp of Hegga city.

Viola searched for him. But he was a difficult man to find. While searching she saw Rider.

“Have you found anything?” she asked.

“No nothing. It’s like he was never here.”

“A woman told me that if a child was here Ernest would have him. He’s the watcher of these women.” Viola informed him.

“I think we have been wasting our time. They never had Jacob here.” Rider was angry.

“Let’s find Ernest if he doesn’t have Jacob then you can kill him and we can leave.” Viola said.

Rider agreed and they looked for Ernest. The man who was everywhere and nowhere. Everyone knew him when they asked but no one could tell them where he was. Rider was getting impatient. If Jacob wasn’t in Hegga city then where was he?

Ernest was a man who rose to the top of a bad situation like scum, and in his opinion fine oil. He heard a man and a woman were looking for him. He kept moving staying one step ahead of them. He heard the woman spoke like none of the other women. She was different, he liked different. Different sold, he could make money from different. So, he waited for Viola to be alone before relieving himself. He liked a dramatic entrance and so he entered with drums beating and lights flashing. (Being reflected on mirrors which had colored cloth over them.)

Viola looked at the sad excuse for a grand entrance. The drums and the lights. Someone had issues. An average built man with nothing amazing about him stepped into the light.

“I hear you are looking for me.” He said in a seductive tone.

Viola rolled her eyes. At least she hadn’t had a lot of that so far.

“Reveal yourself to me.” He said to her.

“I will show you my face but first you must answer a question.” She replied playing along.

“Ohhh I like it.” He said stepping towards her

“Ask”

“Do you have a boy here or know of a boy here in Hegga City?”

Ernest looked confused. This was not how the game was meant to go.

“That sounds more like two questions.” He said stiff lipped.

“Do you know of a boy here?” she asked trying to make both questions into one.

“Yes. Now show me your face.”

“Come closer” she said being coy.

He stood right in front of her.

With one hand she moved the hood away from her face. With the other she held a blade to his heart.

“Where is the boy?” she asked her words dipped in honey.

“Snake!” he hissed “You will not get away with this.”

“The boy.” Viola demanded.

“You do speak like none of the women here. We could have been great together.” He said as if remorseful.

“Get in here” he yelled but no one came.

“I asked about the boy. I will not ask again.” Viola pressed the point of the knife against him.

“What are you going to do?” he asked testing if she really would stab him “I am the only one who knows were the boy is.”

She stabbed him in the leg and twisted the blade.

Ernest screamed in pain.

“You crazy $#@! you will pay for this.”

She ripped the knife out and was about to stab him again when he said

“Wait! Wait! Wait! What do you want?”

Viola was serious when she said she wouldn’t ask again. She felt he was stalling. So, she stabbed him again and twisted the blade.

“I don’t know where the boy is. He was taken from me days ago.” He wailed “Please stop. I’ve told you everything.”

“Who took him?” she asked.

She knew it couldn’t be Jacob as Jacob wasn’t missing days ago. He was taken yesterday morning. But she didn’t want him to know that the boy was not the boy she was looking for.

“A man came with a boat. Stank like fish. Looked like a rug. He paid me ten gold pieces and took the child.”

Viola released him. Rider came in and snapped his neck.

“You’re cruel” he said “Why didn’t you kill him?”

“I don’t like to kill” she replied.

“But wounding and lambing is better.” Rider responded coldly “You’re welcome by the way. I handled his men for you.”

Viola smiled a sarcastic smile.

They headed back to the boat.

“You killed a man in the bakery and you were happy to kill the girl whose head we used as the queen’s but you don’t like killing?” Rider asked and stated at the same time.

“Maybe I have had enough for such a short period in time. Or maybe I don’t like it even if I do it.” Viola answered.

Rider shook his head. They walked the rest of the way in silence.

As they approached the boat Viola once again had a bad felling.

“Rider, I think it’s a trap. Be ready for a fight”

He glared at her. They kept walking. He went out on the jetty.

“Herman, we are back.” He called.

“Once aboard how about that payment” Herman said.

“Once we are safely home.” Rider replied.

Herman smiled. He gave Rider a hand on board. Rider didn’t extend his hand to Viola to help her on board. Roscoe saw this. Viola struggled to get on board. Roscoe extended his hand. He saw under the hood. Her black hair and blue eyes.

Herman watched.

“How was your walk?” he asked.

“We had a disagreement” Viola said “Nothing that we can’t sort out. Our love is stronger than that.”

Herman laughed

“I hope so coz he doesn’t seem too happy with you.” He continued to chuckle.

Viola walked over to Rider and held his hand. Then led him to the front of the boat. She didn’t feel like talking but feelings aside, a job needed to be done. She could fake almost any emotion and gratefully actions spoke louder than words.

“You really should stop talking to them.” He moaned.

She didn’t reply. She wasn’t interested in fighting. She hadn’t slept and neither had he. She had done this before. But she suspected he hadn’t. The disappointment of not finding Jacob and being over tired made him grumpier than his usual grouchy, disdainful, composure. She hugged him knowing he needed one and it would make everyone believe they were good again.

At first, he resisted then he gave in and hugged her back.

“We will find him and you can kill everyone who had a part in it.” She whispered.

As they could see land, Sidney came from below.

“Have a drink with me” he said to Rider ignoring Viola.

Rider went below. Viola stayed by the railing. She got ready to jump and swim if things went bad. Roscoe came over to her. He just stood there.

“Times are tough” he finally said.

“Yes, they are” Viola agreed.

“People find themselves doing things they never thought they would.”

“Like being a fisherman?” Viola asked.

She had the feeling he wasn’t talking about fishing.

He smiled a little.

“You are not really bonded to that man, are you?” he asked.

“Why would you say such a thing” Viola pretended to be offended.

“A woman beautiful like you with a dirty, skinny lad like him. No. A woman like you could get bonded with a soldier, or a rich man.” He said.

“It was my choice.” She said turning not to look at him.

“A bad choice you have made then.” He said.

“A woman like you should be adored and displayed not hidden under a hood. While her man gets drunk.”

“What kind of woman do you presume me to be?” she asked.

“Meet with me. When I come to port, I will be at the Lighthouse Inn.”

“Are you tempting me?” she asked.

“Am I?” he answered.

He took her hand. He had a strong grip, one that would be hard to get out of.

Then he kissed her hand and let her go.

Her heart pounded in her chest.

Why am I feeling so unsafe if nothing has happened? She asked herself.

They arrived at the docks and Rider paid them as agreed.

Still nothing happened. No one ambushed them or attacked them. The trip was smooth, so to speak. She walked with Rider and met up with Xoma who was waiting at the docks for the afternoon ship from Hegga.

They told her everything they had found out. Jacob was never on Hegga Island. Only one boy was there and he was taken days ago. Xoma decided to stay at the docks and wait for the afternoon ship, just in case. Not caring where it was from.

Viola went to find Viv.

Viv’s job of following the rich man should have been the least dangerous. But it had been the most dangerous.

Viv had followed the rich man and seen his family and friends. His daily life was quite normal until someone hit her on the head and put a bag over it. Tied her hands and feet and dragged her off. She was dropped into a hole. Dazed and hurt, someone removed the bag from her head. A male figure stood before her in the pit.

“You alright sweetness?” he asked.

“Where are we?” she asked seeing double.

“We are in a pit.” He stated.

“Why?” she asked.

“Well, I see they hit your head. You lost your wits?” he asked.

“What? No.”

She finally began to focus. A man knelt before her.

“Sweetness, you alright?” he asked again.

“No. I am not.” She replied “Where are we?”

“In a pit.”

“Where is this pit? Whose pit is this?” she asked.

“The queen’s men. Black Beard Gruff has men in plain clothes. They corrupt justice and normally I wouldn’t complain but they like to peg their crimes on others. Like us. I suspect we will be taken to be executed before the day is over.” He sighed.

“You seem quite calm about this.” She noticed.

“Well, LooDay always has a plan.”

“So, what is this plan?” Viv asked.

“I’m waiting for it to come to me.” He answered calmly.

“Will you help me escape when this plan comes to you?”

“If you’re useful. Maybe” he said honestly.

Viola felt like she needed to sleep. But knowing Jacob was out there stopped her. She asked around for Viv. Finally, she went to a tavern and offered a reward for the one who can help her find Viv.

A man in the corner stood up.

“My lady I know where this girl is but first you must do something for me.”

Viola rolled her eyes, this again.

“What can I do for you?” she asked.

“Scratch my back.” He said.

What!?! Viola was completely taken off guard.

He took off his shirt and a rug of hair looked back at her. He turned around and slumped his shoulders.

“Everywhere.” He said.

His back was also a rug of hair, with moles and other unknowns.

“You will take me to the woman I described afterward?”

“Yes, right after.” He agreed.

So, she scratched his back. It was gross and stuff stuck under her nails. But if this got Viv and Jacob back then it would be worth it. Fifteen minutes later she was still scratching his back.

“Show me where she is.” Viola said calling it enough.

“Follow me”

He put his shirt on and led her to a hill. They walked over it, climbed through a fence and walked through a field. Finally, they came to a house a wooden home that looked worse- for- wear. He led her around it and there was a grid over a pit in the ground. Viola looked in but she couldn’t see anyone.

“Hello” she called.

“Viola, we are down here” Viv called back.

Viola’s hope soared. She had found Viv and Jacob. She turned to thank the man but he was gone. She lifted the grid and lowered a rope.

She was surprised that Viv came up first. But when LooDay came up and not Jacob. Viola was not happy at all.

“Where is Jacob?” she asked.

“I don’t know. I was thrown in this pit with LooDay here, for a long time.”

“Half a day, sweetness” LooDay said.

“I must be off now. Thanks for the lift.”

He tried to skip off but Viola was in no mood for it.

“No, you don’t” She snapped, grabbing his collar

“You will help me find Jacob a boy, or I will skin you.”

Rider come around the corner of the house.

“She means it.” Rider said to LooDay.

“Rider” Viv ran to him and hugged him.

LooDay stood in his tracks.

“Skin me!?” he squeaked.

“She’s got a cruel touch.” Rider said.

“A boy named Jacob you say”

He scratched his head.

“Following me?” Viola asked Rider.

“No, and then yes.”

She glared at him

“Could have helped open the grid.”

“Got here after that. You made a seen in town asked everyone where Viv was. I followed the trail left behind”

LooDay was an opportunist. This was an opportunity to run for his life. As he went to run Viola warned

“Try and I will skin you slowly.”

“Where is Xoma?” Viv asked.

“Waiting at the docks”

“Then let’s go there.”

Viv looked at the man then at Viola

“Let him go. He’s harmless.”

“Fine.” Viola agreed.

“You owe me” Viv called after the running figure.

As they went to find Xoma. The crying mother found them. She had Jacob with her.

She explained that an afternoon ship had come in and Jacob had been sent down the ramp alone. She sobbed with joy for having her son back.

“Don’t cry mom. I am alright. I was brave and I did what you taught me.”