image [https://i.imgur.com/86Owz47.png]

THE ESCAPE

He stayed below in the dark, cold, quiet water for a few extra seconds before swimming to the surface. When he emerged, he heard cheering. The boat wasn't far away, and he swam toward it. Along the deck were at least a dozen men and women in the red and cream striped pants he'd seen on their way into port.

Those were the pirates.

A rope ladder dropped into the water in front of him. Monte grabbed the rungs and worked his way up. Through the port holes below deck he could see faces looking out at him. They smiled and waved at him as he climbed past. Just as he was about to reach the last rung an arm extended down to pull him up.

"Welcome aboard!" This time the only pulling him onto the boat was Mavlo. Once on the deck, Monte was surrounded by the pirates, all waiting to shake his hand and thank him for putting a finger in the Abbas' eye. Monte noticed one of them has in fact the hostess from the dance hall, the monkey was perched on her shoulders.

"I wouldn't believe what I just saw unless I'd seen it with my own eyes lad. Well done!" Mavlo slapped Monte on the back as he said it. His hand make a squelching sound against the soaked garment.

"Where is Karth?" Monte asked. He noticed the pirates look between one another.

"Let's get you into some dry clothes--" Mavlo was cut off and shoved to the side. Pavani came out of nowhere, being at least a head shorter than anyone else on deck, and threw her arms around Monte. Before he could apologize for getting her all wet she grabbed his head and her hands and kissed him on the mouth. The pirates let out an approving cheer.

She pulled away and Monte stood for a moment, unable to move or speak.

"If that's the reward for just telling the Abbas no, what do I get for taking out two of his men and knocking him out with his own sword?" Monte asked, finally. His response sent up another cheer amongst the pirates. Pavani simply smiled, cocked her head to the side, and raised her eyebrows.

"Okay okay. She's my sister, pal." The voice was from another figure cutting through the crowd of pirates. Karth emerged next to them, smiling.

"The dive could use some work, but all in all I give the escape high marks." Karth joked, then he brough Monte into an embrace.

"I'm sorry we split up. How did you end up making it out?" Monte asked.

"Don't worry about it, everything worked out for the best. Once I realized all the guards were after you and I had nothing to worry about, I searched the rooms until I found the good stuff." Karth said, crossing his arms and puffing out his chest.

"I reckon Karth here dealt a bigger blow to the Abbas than you did lad." Mavlo said.

Somehow I doubt that.

"Thanks to him, we managed to get 6 chests of gems aboard before we saw you jump from the window." Mavlo continued.

"I must say, I didn't think you had it in you." Monte exchanged grins with his old friend.

"And like always, Monte's the one who gets the reward." Karth said, throwing his arms up in mock exasperation.

"Is this what you want then?" Pavani said, rolling her eyes. She pulled Karth down and pecked him on the cheek.

"Thank you Karth. And please, don't say anything to Mom and Dad." Pavani whispered loudly enough for Monte to overhear.

"About those dry clothes…" Monte said, a sudden chill coming over him as the excitement wore off.

The lower deck wasn't quite as spartan as he'd been expecting. A full bookshelf stood on one wall of the quarters. On the other was an assortment of clothing of various types. Monte assumed it was all spoils the pirates claimed from earlier boardings. He felt much better now that his soggy tunic and pants were replaced with a dry set of the typical pirate uniform. The fabric was much thinner and he could see why they would be so fond of it in this tropical climate.

"Sorry I lost the sword you gave me." Monte said. Mavlo had just re-entered the chamber with two flagons of ale. Just as he was shutting the door Monte heard a familiar tinkling sound, and saw the cat lope through in the nick of time.

"I trust it came to a fitting end." Mavlo grinned at Monte, handing him the flagon.

"Besides, we stolen a shipload of them, there are probably a dozen more in this very room somewhere." Mavlo said as he took a seat next to Monte.

"I think I'll stick with mine, thanks." Monte nodded and tapped his glass to Mavlo's. For having been poured from a cask aboard a boat, the draft was surprisingly fresh and cold. After one swallow the exhaustion caught up with him and Monte yawned. The cat sniffed his legs, rubbed herself against him, and hopped up into his lap.

"It seems like you've found yourself a nice little home here, Mav." Monte let out a little chuckle. Mavlo looked back at him with mocking reprehension.

"Pavani let me send for my books and clothes. I didn't think I would enjoy life at sea but I've surprised myself." Mavlo replied.

This is all his?

"And the Jeweled City has been a fine fresh start. People here have rigid ways, to be sure, but for the most part you can find your group." Mavlo mused.

"You mean the pirates I guess?" Monte asked. Mavlo looked back him.

"Aye lad. The pirates." Mavlo nodded slowly. Monte sensed there was more to the story but didn't press.

"I saw a handful of people below decks. Tell me Pavani doesn't force the Unclean to man the oars on her ships." Monte said, changing the subject.

"She wouldn't. Some volunteer, they're powerfully built, those men. They take part in the cuts, same share as everyone else. Some just prefer to man an oar, some have chosen to work the sails above board. 'Fraid to say I have a hard time understanding them still." Mavlo said sheepishly. Monte remembered the gardener and his distinct language.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

"I'm impressed with her. I can't say I fully see the vision but she seems to have inspired a good group." Monte said, leaning back in the cozy, ornate chair. He wondered for a moment if Mavlo picked this out himself too.

"She's something else, it's true. Wouldn't expect anything less, knowing her brother. As for the vision, it's hard to say. Whatever change comes I likely won't live to see it, but I'm enjoying the fight. I think that's how most folks view it." Mavlo replied, and then took a long drink from his mug.

"I suppose all you can do is fight." Monte said, and was hit with another yawn.

"You're welcome to sleep in here, I have a second cot I can pull down. But…" Mavlo said, an impish grin spreading across his teeth.

"But?" Monte said.

"I reckon there is a warmer bed just down the hall. Two doors down on the left." Mavlo said with a wink.

The sun's fierce rays filtered through the palm trees left only a pleasant dapple. Enough to dry off after a dip in the salty clean sea. Monte took another drink of the sweet, caramel scented drink one of the pirates poured out for him. Above, he could hear the monkey working on cutting down another piece of fruit. The cat watched intently, her bell tinkling gently each time one of the ripe yellow melons fell to the beach.

"Finally, a relaxing vacation." Karth said, slowly as though close to falling into another midday nap.

"You've said that at least a dozen times today." Monte laughed.

"I've meant it every time. That was too much action for me." Karth replied.

"I am excited to head home though. I thought even more about what we talked about. I'm going to get more involved in the wedding planning. I wasn't really thinking about how much work it all was before. I'm glad we talked." Karth said, without looking over at Monte. Both friends gazed out at the water where a handful of pirates lazily bobbed up and down in the surf.

"I'm really glad we talked. And I can't wait for the wedding. Assuming I'm invited." Monte said. Karth snorted a little of the drink he'd just taken through his nose.

"Ah man. Now I have to go get in the water!" Karth said, laughing as he stood up.

"Pavani, why wouldn't you just stay here all the time? It's incredible!" Karth said as Pavani walked up from where her dinghy had just come up on the sand.

"It really is pleasant today. I'm glad you're finally getting the trip you wanted." Pavani said, sitting down where Karth had just stood up.

"Thanks to you! You're the one who found this place!" Karth said. No matter how they tried the two couldn't help but compete, even in who deserved more credit.

"Sure but thanks to you we can stay for much longer. Our coffers are overflowing!" Pavani replied. Karth nodded, accepting the praise, and strode out towards the water.

The pirates had taken up residence, temporarily, on a small island just off the coast of the Jeweled City. Pavani knew they needed somewhere to store all the stolen goods without raising suspicion. An added benefit was a place for the pirates to relax and plan without the pressures of being in the city itself.

Pavani looked even more radiant in her island getup. It was as if this entire island was put here simply to contain her. She smiled sheepishly at Monte.

"Before you say anything." Monte started, seeing that Pavani was working up to something.

"I had a lot of fun here, but I need to go back." Monte turned to look at Pavani, he wasn't using his stern, confident voice. He was being as gentle as possible. Pavani let out a long sigh.

"Have you ever been disappointed and relieved at the same time?" Pavani said, smiling brilliantly at Monte.

"Never more than in this exact moment." Monte replied.

"We really could use your… talents." Pavani narrowed her eyes and grinned. If the sun hadn't already tinted his skin a few shades darker, Monte was sure Pavani would have seen him blushing.

"But I completely understand. You have unfinished business at home." Pavani said.

"I'm impressed by what you're doing here. Write me any time if you need my… skills." Monte said, narrowing his eyes in response. Pavani giggled and looked at her feet.

"Before you go, though. We talked on board, and decided you deserve a reward." Pavani said, trying her best to swallow a smile. Monte raised his eyes suggestively and Pavani giggled again.

"Here, just take it and stop teasing me." Pavani said, pulling a purse of coins from her pocket and tossing it to Monte.

"You need as much coin as you can get." Monte was about to toss the purse back.

"Monte, please. With what Karth was able to find, we have months ahead of us without needing to raise any funds." Pavani said.

"Ah yes. Raise funds. Sure." Monte said, nodding slowly.

"Thank you Pavani." Monte stood up. Pavani stood up too. They shook hands.

"Whoa whoa whoa you two. Take it easy!" Mavlo sauntered over from the dinghy.

"I hate to break up the party, but the spotter just signaled from the ship. We need to go." Mavlo said.

"Where are we going?" Karth returned from his dip in the sea.

"You two need to get back to the Capitol." Pavani looked from Monte, to Karth, then to Mavlo.

"And we can't take you." Pavani said.

"If we want to make it back safe." Mavlo said, gravely.

The Capitol doesn't suffer from piracy like the Jeweled City does. Monte assumed there would be problems for Pavani and her sailors if they got too close.

"Well then how are we getting back?" Karth asked, still dripping wet.

"Prepare for boarding!" Monte heard the captain shouting as the pirate ship pulled alongside the rowed vessel.

The single bell in the crow's nest of the pirate ship tolled away. On board, he could see Karth's parents once again huddled with the others inside the cabin. The deck crawled with sailors in white uniforms, awaiting what they believed would be a violent attack. They had drawn swords and were shepherding all the guests below decks to safety.

The plank made a loud crack as it landed on the deck of the vessel. Karth and Monte, hands in the air, walked off the side of the ship, out over the open water, and onto the deck of the transport vessel. Once on board, the sailors lowered their weapons. Monte heard the cat's bell and felt her brush against his legs. She leapt from the deck into the arms of a sailor, who let his sword fall to the ground.

"Stand down!" The captain yelled.

Monte heard the plank scrape away from the deck. When he turned around, he saw only the tops of a few heads pulling the plank back. From a port hole below decks, Monte briefly spied the bright eyes of Pavani looking out to make sure they were safely transferred.

"What in the world." One of the deckhands said. He was starting, mouth agape, from Monte to the pirate ship now pulling away from them.

"I can't explain it. They took us captive and decided to let us free." Monte said, exchanging a look with Karth. Both of them swallowed their smiles.

"Karth!" A yell came from the entrance to the cabin. Karth stood straight as a rod immediately and looked around.

"Where have you been? We were worried sick! What were we going to tell Neera?" Karth's mother kept yelling, she slapped Karth's chest with her hand with every question.

"I'm sorry, Mom." Karth said, hanging his head and staring at his feet. Monte walked up next to him.

"No I'm sorry. This was my fault. I'm a bad influence. I just wanted your son to have a memorable week." Monte said.

Karth's mother looked from Karth to Monte, and her face softened.

"Monte, you've always been trouble. Karth, why do you hang out with him?" She said. Then her face melted into a smile.

"We were just worried. We are glad to see you're safe." Karth's father had made it to the group.

"Mom, Dad. I have something to say." Karth said, still looking sheepishly at the ground. Monte put a hand on Karth's shoulder gently and he looked up.

"I love Neera. I've never felt this way about anyone. I can't wait to be married to her." Karth said. Karth's mother's eyes went wide, and she and her husband exchanged a glance.

"Yes honey, we know. Is something wrong?" Karth's mother asked.

"I haven't been getting the sense you support our marriage. I found myself missing Neera this week. I just want your support, and I know Neera does too." Karth said. Karth's parents shared another long look. Then Karth wrapped her arms around her son.

"Son, your mother and I love Neera. You told us she had to stay behind. We can't wait for you to be married to such an intelligent, industrious, independent woman. It's the better than what we wished for." Karth's father said. Karth let his arms come up and wrap around his mother.

"Thank you both." Karth said, after letting out a long sigh.

"Can we have this conversation again when we get home?" Karth asked.

"Of course." Karth's mother said.

"Now let's have one last round of drinks to toast to the bachelor." Karth's father said. Monte, Karth, and Karth's mother all looked at him, surprised, and burst out laughing.