Arthur's Point of View

The Drunken Cloud

"So, you're runaways?" I asked, but neither responded. "I'm sure that'll go over well. We're only an hour or so from Helmsforth. We should turn around."

"Please let us stay, Arthur!" Austin pleaded. "Ah don't wanna go back!"

"Not wanting to go back isn't a good enough reason for me to keep you aboard this airship." I told him plainly.

Typhon looked up at me. "I never get to go anywhere, Arthur." The Dragon child told me plainly. "The Temple has been my home for as long as I remember, but I have been bound to it. Going to the Hollow Forest with you did not give me the sense of freedom I hoped for." He grabbed my hand and began to beg. "Do not send me back. Give me this one opportunity to see the world."

I frowned at that. Everything he said was true or something I agreed with. Perhaps he wasn't as blind as I thought but merely was biding his time. However, this doesn't seem like he wants to escape. Instead, Typhon wants to use this chance to explore and return to prove that he will come home. A clever plan if that was indeed what he was doing.

My eyes drifted to Lucia and Alwin, both of which were giving him a pitying look. "And what about you, Austin? Why are you here? And I want the truth."

Austin sighed before he gestured to me. "Heard we were gettin some new workers, and Ah wouldn't have ta do so much around the farm."

Alwin looked at the boy, confused. "Is that not a good thing?"

"It ain't when it's yer own home and yer bein replaced!" Austin replied angrily as he crossed his arms and puffed out his cheeks. "Why should Ah need a break?"

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"I see." I said simply.

It would appear Austin didn't want help around the farm, while Augustus and Cassidy likely accepted my offer to let him act more like a child and give him a childhood. Guess they got what they wished for. Nothing like a kid running away from home. He was young enough where this would make sense and yet frustrated to the point where he felt like he was being replaced. Rather amusing overall.

"Unfortunately, this is beyond my authority. Both of you have guardians who look after you, and neither of you have permission to be here on such a dangerous mission." I told them and looked to Adam. "Turn us around. It'll also give me a chance to have a word with Arceana and Elincia about a few things."

Lucia stepped forward before the Captain could respond and put a hand on each of the boy's backs. "Or," She began. "We could send a messenger to let them know that the boys snuck on board. Typhon should be free to make such decisions on his own, and while I may not know Austin, I am aware that he is a rather mature young man." Lucia explained.

Alwin then spoke. "Typhon is family to me, and I will watch over him for the duration of this mission, Sir." He informed me.

Crossing my arms, I gestured to Austin. "What if something happens on this mission? Two children will be on board-"

Ziah interrupted me as she knelt next to Austin. "I can watch over, Austin. If he feels like he needs to do this, I say let him. Austin has never done something like-"

Giving her a look, she stopped talking. "All of you are missing the point. This mission is dangerous! Are any of you going to take responsibility for their lives if something happens to them?" Then I gestured to the boys. "Are you going to tell their families should the worst happen?"

"It will not be needed." Lucia informed me as she stood and spread her wings slightly. "We have you here. As my escort, you will be taking these children with us on my authority. They are guests on this ship, and we will send word of what has happened." Then she smirked. "If you tell the Priestesses what happened, I am positive there will be no repercussions. After all, they are rather soft on you."

That made me scoff. "Soft?" I shook my head before getting into it. "First of all, your authority don't mean shit to me. Much like the Priestesses, your orders matter little when they don't make sense and I already stated I was in charge of this mission."

Typhon looked up at me with a beaming smile. "Please, Arthur! We will help around the ship and will stay out of the way! Both Austin and I can help! If it comes from you, Priestess Arceana and Priestess Elincia will have no choice but to listen! You get whatever you want for being a hero!"

A frown came to my lips. "If I got everything I wanted, I wouldn't be here." I told him directly and his smile diminished along with the room going silent. "I certainly wouldn't be in Lestrania dealing with any of this. No. Unfortunately, I never get what I want." My attention shifted back to Lucia. "You want them to stay; they're your responsibility. If something happens to them, it's on you three, not me. I've got enough blood on my hands."

With that, I left my room to be left alone. Moving up to the deck and off to the side, my mind raced on why my energy attacked me. Maybe out of self-hatred or something similar. Whatever it was, it mattered little. The wounds healed, and I was left wondering how they were going to send a message to the Priestesses. My question was answered when a Town Guard jumped off the side of the ship and flew back towards Helmsforth.

"Being a Zugal must suck." I mumbled to myself as I watched him fly back in armor.