Chapter Four

While Thomas and Stitches were traveling to Lindon, Thomas’s would-be kidnappers were just getting back to their hideout and preparing to face their boss.

“Well, this it then?” The gruff-voiced man said with fear in his voice.

“Yeah, I suppose it is?” The high-pitched man said, choking on his words.

“We could turn our lives around. Maybe start over as farmers or bakers.” The gruff-voiced man said with a sly grin.

“Yeah, and I will be made a king. As farmers or bakers, don’t be daft.” The high-pitched replied with sarcasm.

“I’m not being daft, just trying to lighten the mood before she kills us, is all.” The gruff-voiced man said with a defeated tone.

“Yeah, she isn’t going to be happy. No matter how we spin it.” The high pitched-man replied.

“No, she isn’t. Let's get this over with.” The gruff-voiced man replied.

With one group sigh, the two headed inside the hideout and straight towards their boss, hoping she was in a good, forgiving mood or on holiday. They knew which one they preferred, but neither was likely, and they prepared for the worse. As they walked in, they saw their fearless leader sitting at her desk counting money and writing notes, happy to see them.

“Ah Roy, Charlie, I see you are both back I don’t see the brat, but considering your here, I take it things went well,” The Woman said with an almost regal voice.

“Well, the thing is, Ms.Rose” At this, her brow began to twitch.”It went great we got rid of the maid and got him all the way to the bog as planned then he. He got away.” Roy said in a sheepish voice, unbefitting his usual gruff tone.

“So a seven-year-old boy who has never been outside any area privilege till now managed to outwit two hardened criminals?” Rose asked.

“Yes, that is what we are saying,” Charlie answered, almost squeaking out his words.

“Is he at least dead?” Rose asked in a heated tone.

“He might be that bog was well known to be haunted,” Charlie answered, feeling clever, only to be shot down with a single look.

“You didn’t check!” Rose yelled.

“Umm… we tried but couldn't find him, so we came back,” Roy replied, waiting for his end.

“You buffoons, no calling you two buffoons would be insulting to them. I have no words for your level of stupidity right now. Do you know what you have done? Who that boy is?” Rose yelled in rage.

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“Yes, you told me he was the son of Marcus Lionheart,” Roy said in now a deadpan voice.

With that, no words would leave Rose’s mouth all she could do was stare at her minions and fall back into her chair and try to calm down after all, what did she expect from these two? Roy had a modicum amount of intelligence, she thought, but she could have been wrong. She knew Charlie was an idiot but a great yes man. Could it be this was her fault for not going herself. She hated that. That would put her on the same level as the two in front of her. Finally calming down enough, she had to plan.

“Alright, I'm going to spell this out real simple for you two. The reason the client wanted the boy missing is a council vote is coming up in a few months, and our client wanted the boy’s father to be busy looking for him to participate. Then we were to deliver the boy back alive. Our client didn’t want it bloody hence all the trouble but high pay. If that boy gets back home and the client finds out, he will kill us.” Rose said with her regal tone again.

“I…I see.” Roy and Charlie said at the same time.

“If there’s even a remote chance that he is alive, we will find him and capture the little brat understand.”

“Of course, boss, we will follow you anywhere,” Charlie said, tipping his head.

“You know I will follow you as well, Ms.Rose,” Roy replied, puffing out his chest.

“Good, now the closest village to that bog is Knocks we will go there and find anyone who might have seen him. Now ready the horses, and let’s go.

As the sea breeze reached Thomas’s nose, the smell of salt began to permeate the air, along with the sounds of seagulls and distant waves. As Lindon’s tall stone walls came into view, the crowds of people forming lines to get in and leave began to form, becoming bigger and bigger as they came closer. The guards at the gate mistook Thomas for the man’s grandson they were traveling with and ignored his presence. After saying farewell to the man he traveled with, Thomas found an alley to duck in so he and Stitches could figure out what to do next.

“Wow, this place sure is big!” Thomas said with excitement.

“Agreed now, first things first, we must find a ship leaving towards Estaria. Then we gotta find out how much it’s gonna cost to cross the sea. Worst comes to worst, we stow away.” Stitches thought in a very serious tone.

“Right, so find a boat, gotcha,” Thomas replied

“No, not a boat, a ship theirs a difference, trust me.” Stitches thought with a sigh.

“If you say so,” Thomas replied, picking up Stitches and walking back to the streets.

Walking down streets, both Thomas and Stitches saw this new world for the first time and compared to Knocks. This place was a treasure of sights with shops with multi-colored roofs and glass windows. A variety assortment of people, from rich to poor, all going from one place to another. As they passed a stone fountain in the shape of two fishes making a heart, Thomas had to stop to eat the variety of meat skewers being sold there was just too much for him. Finally making it to the docks, Thomas had to gawk at all the large ships and all the crates being unloaded and loaded. Stitches found getting sailors to talk to a seven-year-old was like pulling teeth, but one finally told them about a ship leaving port in two days called The Devil’s Gambit. The captain was found sitting on a crate holding a bottle of what no doubt was liquor. As she leaned up from her stupor, Stitches could tell she was a giant of a woman with long black hair and a very scarred face. As she eyed them waiting to speak, she smiled and then laughed.

“It’s been a while since some kid just walked up to me, so who dared you, boy?” The female captain asked with a sneer.

“I wasn’t dared I was told you could take me to Estaria,” Thomas said with courage.

“Aye, I can, but we have to stop at the country of Kelopia along the way at two of its ports to deliver goods. First in Kevo, then Illashad. Of course, to ride on my ship, you need thirty-five gold pieces to get all the way to where you want to go.” The female captain said with a rye smile.

“Thirty-five gold pieces! I don’t have that much. Why does it cost so much?” Thomas asked demandly.

“Normally, it doesn't, but that cost is for having to look after a kid who could be running away or just bother us in some other way either way, I know you don’t have it, so time to go.” The female captain said, waving a dismissive hand.

“But…” Thomas started to say.

“Thomas, be resolute here and tell her she will have her coin before she leaves.” Stitches thought calmly.

At this statement from Thomas, the female captain laughed, gave her name, and said she would be waiting.

“Captain Victoria,” Thomas muttered.

“Huh, whats that I was lost in thought about what to do.” Stitches Thought.

“Nothing… But we will show her and get on that ship. Right?” Thomas inquired.

“Of course, but first, let's get a room and some food and let me think on this.”