Precious Cargo

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<sub>Lila snorted lightly as she backed in, and looked at the two carriage horses in sadness at their predicament. Poor things didn't deserve it, but of course such is the fact of life. She would stay silent, though, for Andy and Ieaeka's sake. The man kept his hands away form any offending parts of the woman, though, last thing he needed was a panicking woman when the situation was dire, though at least she sensed his commanding tone. he didn't say a word, though.

As soon as the men were gone, or far enough to hear him, he would hike Lila and she would gallop ahead, turning back to where the carriage was. If they could salvage anything... He wasn't going to leave the woman. That's what he would have done, though, but... this was a princess, and she was lost. As much as he was willing to steal from the rich, the Serian family were important. Not to him, but to boost morale. He would let go to her to hop off.

"I see what they did, though." He spoke up, folding his arms. "They did something to spook the horses so the man would chase after them, ambush him, and then go to you in the carriage." He pulled on his scarf to readjust it in thought. "... Hn, not a typical thing for pirates to do. They Instill fear, not petty bandit crimes."</sub>

[NPC Account]

Ieaeka was a princess, but she wasn't a fool. She knew that if she had to choose between a captor, the man she now sat with was likely the better choice. She sat in silence, and made not a sound as she realized her driver was dead, and she didn't realize it. Such shame she felt over her previous thoughts.

Eventually, the two men galloped on, assuming they'd catch up eventually, and for some reason the man she was now in the care of moved them back to the carriage. They returned to it and she was surprised to find that he was letting her down. Surprise turned to hesitation, but she climbed down and turned to look at the brown haired fellow who was now in her company.

"...William was a good man." She frowned lightly. "How did they know, though? No one but mine father knew of my departure." She thought to what they said. "Maybe it was spur of the moment? They seemed to be only vaguely aware of my birth..."

She turned to the man. "Now what? I am without arm nor driver. I appear to be at your mercy, sir." She narrowed her eyes once more, standing her ground in her unfortunate situation. The man claimed to not wish to hurt her, and he did hide her from the other men, however he could very well just not want to share his prize.

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<sub>Andromeda helped her down as a light sign of respect. "We should bury him." Andy spoke up quietly, but then the woman turned around and asked him the most important question. It made him lean back in surprise, but then just looked at her.

There was a lot on his mind now. First she had to go through what little belongings she had, and she had no driver. Andromeda wasn't sure what to do. She could very well reveal his identity, or maybe she didn't realize it. With that in mind, perhaps he could spare her. Just once. They always say that the one way a villain makes themselves better... if by just sparing one person in their evil plight. But what did constitute evil? Andy knew he was a monster, but he was made to be one, and fell into the trap of his own psychosis.

The fear shivered up his spine and Lila felt it. She glanced over at him and gave him a sympathetic glance. He tried to imagine how the woman could survive out there, and eventually he just bit his lip. He had to do what was right, not to save his own skin. And there would be none of his family to see him do this.

".... I'm taking you where you need to go." He grimaced. No he didn't like it. "I'm not the man I used to be."</sub>

[NPC Account]

Ieaeka was a bit confused, though wasn't displeased at the man's change of behavior. At his suggestion of finding William and burying him, she looked at him, then nodded lightly. "I believe there is a spade in the storage hatch of the carriage." She said. But there was another question that needed to be asked, which she did.

Her eyebrows raised in silent surprise as the man told her he'd take her to her destination, and she couldn't hide her reaction. "..." Not the man he used to be? That raised a question, but she would not ask it. Not yet.

"...I thank you." She said. She'd step over to the carriage and retrieve her two dresses, tossed aside by the bandits and slightly mussed. She'd brush the worst of the dirt off them, and folded them as neatly as she could. Grabbing a spare rucksack, she'd jam them inside before wedging a couple of her favored books inside, sacrificing the rest of her collection.

She'd do her best to aid in the burial of her driver, though she wasn't very strong so for the most part, all she could really do was hold the spade when asked, and give William a formal prayer, wishing his soul peace. and promising his family assistance in his absence.

"...Let us go, then? Night draws and I fear my destination is a few days from here." She said. "Need we stop anywhere before we depart?"

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<sub>Andromeda would help her up again after she had gotten her rucksack and he would then head over to where the man was. He wasn't a religious sort, though he wondered how Benedict would think of this. Oh, Benedict was rubbing off on him. Damn that boy, and damn Reuben for giving him morals. ... But he loved them, for giving him a family, even if it was late. He would make up for it.

"it's honestly nothing." Andy smiled. Yep, a genuine smile. He would help with the burial, digging the hold and then wiping his hands together as they finished up the short service. He would then glance over to Ieaeka as she spoke up and his eyes widened. Oh boy this was a problem.

"A few days... Oh damn, I hope my family doesn't worry." He thought for a moment. "... Yeah they will." he scratched his head, trying to figure out what to do in this situation. Lila was his much needed ride. "... Unless we can get another ride in a nearby town, I can send Lila back with a letter."</sub>

[NPC Account]

Ieaeka was clearly struggling to maintain herself as they did what they needed to, grasping the dead man's hand one last time before letting him be entombed in the earth. Before she let Andy cover the hold, though, she'd reach into her pocket and place a shilling over each eye, standing and nodding to the man to cover the hole.

"For the ferryman." She explained simply, brushing her hands of dirt upon her cloak. Once they were done, and her prayer completed, she turned to the man. His family? So he was trying to provide for them.

"Given circumstances, I am lucky to be unharmed. I do not mind a detour to check in with your family before we depart." She said simply. "This a small courtesy I can give, since I fear I am nothing but a burden at this point." She didn't bring up the kiss, though that would have been great leverage.

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<sub>Andromeda waited for Ieaeka to finish off the prayer and he would bury the man, looking down at the grave. The last time he dug a grave, it was years later, and it was for a kid who taught him what Robin Hood was, and how to be brave. There was an ache in his chest as he thought about it, and right now, he didn't want to think about it. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"Sure, we can-" Andy paled. She was willing to visit his family. Oh GOD. "... I don't know how I can explain how I picked you up in the first place, and... well there's another problem. I mean... I have a twin, two sons, an ex-girlfriend, and four girls who are part of my, um... well.. Andy swallowed hard, before he took the end of his scarf, licked it and rubbed off the makeup down his right eye. "... Crew."

Andy took a deep breath and expected the worst.</sub>

[NPC Account]

Ieaeka glanced to the man and saw the pain on his face. Something was bothering him. Possibly this wasn't the first grave he had dug.

She suggested they make the detour and for a second, the man was consenting, though something made him pale, and she became curious. Out of everything, this made him concerned?

"I am willing to overlook your original intent. We can simply tell them part of the truth, in which I was to be accosted by two bandits and you came to my aid. 'Tis not a lie." She offered. She listened as he continued. A twin brother? Two sons. An ex-girlfriend-she wondered the circumstances of that one- and four girls? Quite the womanizer, it sounded like.

She raised an eyebrow as he licked his scarf and rubbed it over his face. She took a few steps closer to look and see what he did, and when she did, her eyes widened in surprise and she faltered, taking a step back in surprise and tripping over a rock, slipping and falling to the hard ground if not caught.

"A-A...Andromeda Callidum?!" She stammered, trying to get her racing thoughts to still. This man?! But despite their rough meeting, he seemed like a good enough sort. He offered to make a grave, was only stealing for his family. Was that a lie? Was it all a ruse?

...Not likely. The man had many chances to do as he pleased. Taken her belongings and left, drug her off for more unpleasant possibilities. Even take her for ransom. None of which he'd done.

His previous words went through her head. _{"I'm not the man I used to be."}

Despite her pounding heart and her pounding head, she steadied her breathing and composed herself. "...I see. This does....complicate things."

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<sub>Andromeda certainly was expecting the typical reaction. Running and hiding, but he's seen this tripping and falling so many times as a kid in training, running to aid. It sort of... became part of his nature. He immediately went to try and catch her as she fell backward, before realizing the circumstance and then coughing awkwardly, sitting her on the ground.

"None of it was a lie. Nothing I said, anyway. I'm not a liar." Of course if only she knew most of the girls he had were practically his daughters. He then kneeled next to her. "I'm sorry that I had to bring it up, but in the case you recognized my twin brother, I didn't want you to freak out." He paused and then leaned back.

"Part of me... honestly didn't want to let you go, cause I knew if you recognized me, I'd have to duck guards-again- and leave the country- again. It's become a common occurrence in Dula, but I'd rather not sour relations in Seria. Most of my family is here. I don't want them to be hurt or jailed over my own screwup. I've done enough of that against Reuben's family." He rubbed the back of his neck. "... We should head there just to restock, as bad timing as it would be. Nerys, my adoptive daughter and crewmate, is a tailor so she may be able to spin up some extra dresses for you."</sub>

[NPC Account]

To her surprise, she was caught and lowered to the ground, so her hind end wasn't abused by the hard ground, though clearly the man who caught her-Andromeda-was fairly awkward. He set her on the ground awkwardly and gave her space, which she appreciated.

A twin...? She never even considered that fact, that Andromeda would have siblings, none the less a twin. Everything about the man was an enigma. What little information that their intelligence could glean was that there was a married couple in Dula killed in a robbery with the same last name, though Andromeda would have been about 15 at the time and they didn't have any information on the couple having any kids.

She listened at the wanted man spoke, not saying a word as she tried to completely grasp the situation. "......" Silence. She said not a word for the longest time once Andromeda was done talking. She could hear her father in her head, yelling at her to take her chances and run, but she always trusted her instincts. Her ability to read people was something she prided herself on, and while she sensed that there was a dragon sleeping fitfully under the surface, she could see that for some reason, Andromeda wanted to help her.

"...Very well then." She'd reach a hand up, a silent request for aid in standing. She'd get up with our without help and brush herself off before meeting Andromeda's gaze. "Your reputation precedes you in a highly undignified manner, however your behavior in my ignorance has earned you a chance to prove me wrong in what I thought of the name Andromeda Callidum." That's right Andy, impress the princess, see what might happen.

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<sub>Andy knew what he was doing. This was a princess. He had to be careful, as any wrong move and he could get himself some jail time... for the rest of his life. Or an execution. The one thing he feared the most was Seria deciding to hand Andy over to Dula, and that's what made his blood boil. He whistled for Lila, who came and looked between the two of them, wondering if there was some sort of odd chemistry going on between them. She could sense the mutual agreement between them, though.

And she could tell very easily Andy was quite attracted to the princess, knowing that if the family teased him about it, he would deny it. Lila had to suppress a whinny of laughter from thinking about it. Andy then led Lila over.

"Good, then were at a mutual agreement. I'm not exactly very pleased at this concept, since I'm the most wanted pirate in Dula running around with you, the Princess of Seria. That's asking for trouble." He paused for a minute and then started laughing. "Dula would be up in arms at that idea." He made it clear he hated that place, despite his unrefined Dulan nature. Andy would get up on Lila, and when prompted, he would help Ieaeka up, before turning around and heading towards the beach, where his ship was. He hoped that only a few people were there so he wouldn't have to deal with it. Especially towards Cepheid and Loki.

"Well, you're going to find this trip a little more exciting than usual. I can't use my ship since it's a beacon for attacks, and while most bandits would run if they saw my face, I would have to hide from authorities in the chance they think I'm going to kidnap you."</sub>

[NPC Account]

Yes, one wrong move and Andy could quite easily be arrested. All it took was one word from the woman in a populated area and that would be the end of it. Everyone knew her face, she was the voice of her father, an elderly man who's age was catching up to him. She wouldn't though. Something about the man before her gave her pause, deciding against turning him in.

"Our circumstances could be better, aye." She replied. Then Andy started laughing, and she gave another pause, before giggling lightly herself. "They send us monthly missives asking if we have any idea where you are. They've become so regular it has become a bit of a game at the castle. The unlucky nobleman to get stuck with the letter has to do something silly, decided by the previous letter recipient." Clearly the Serian royal family didn't take Dula very seriously, if they made a game out of their monthly missives.

She stood with Andy's help and walked up to Lila, a light smile tugging at her lips. She climbed up onto the mare's back and, sitting side saddle before Andromeda, let him control the horse and get them going as she held her rucksack in her lap.

"I understand." She said simply. She knew what she was getting into, and she relished the excitement. It was foolish and irresponsible, but she didn't have the self restraint to say no to adventure.

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<sub>Andromeda was the king of getting into trouble, after all. At least she understood it and he felt that same excitement he always felt when jumping off of his ship and onto another one, catching onto the rope from the hook shot that Nerys had and busting in. It was one of his ways to help cope with the stress he had as child, which was probably one of the better things compared to smoking (which thanks to Cepheid he was cutting down), and raping people.

Andy nodded, but of course the ice broke quickly when Ieaeka spoke up about what happens around the court. Andy couldn't help but snicker. Seriously, Dula is so desperate to find him that they would harass the leaders of the other countries?

"Well, I guess it's my fault that happens." He shrugged as they headed down to the beach. "... To be honest, there's a lot of things Dula does that should be exposed, that I was a victim of as a child. I've gotten word from the Eastern Trading Company... you know Dr. Thompson? Yeah, we were chatting about Dula and he's thinking of going in there to try and steal Swire Inc secrets." He paused, thinking if it was a good idea to speak to Ieaeka about it, but now that they were on good terms, he could get some support behind this. Besides, Ieaeka wouldn't rat to him, he knew this for some odd reason. "I know it's a sore subject, but he and I share the same thoughts that Dula may also be behind the attack on Seria. I can't confirm an alliance between the both of them though. Everything just seems... odd. Fishy."

He paused. "I don't know why I told you this. Maybe because you know me a little bit now and maybe there could be some support behind investigating Dula as well." By that time, he approached his magnificent cock ship and then looked over to her. He then whistled out to alert anybody who was on the ship.

"Ladies first." He bowed a bit.</sub>

[NPC Account]

It was an odd scene. A wanted pirate and the princess of Seria, laughing together. It was pleasant, despite the oddity. For a man so feared, he was quite amicable. Were the rumors false, or had something changed?

She settled on the mare's back and let Andromeda direct the horse, letting them get a move on. She'd listen to his words. She looked confused but kept silent, allowing Andromeda to finish.

"...I too suspect Dulan involvement, however there is no evidence to support this. Truesdale denies their involvement to a fault, and how I wish we could believe them, however those Clockworks were of Truesdale make. Even the style of weld could be traced to certain regions of the kingdom." She looked pained, as though a close friend just gave her the cold shoulder for reasons unknown. She turned and looked to Andy. "Sir, I am hesitant to ask, however my curiosity cannot be quelled. Before, you claimed yourself a victim during your child years. May I ask what befell?"

"...I will investigate it. Consider it an act of thanks for your aid. In honesty, we've already been looking into it, however we never thought to look at the trading company."

She looked up at the ship and felt a shiver of nervousness. The Star Crash, right before her. It was much larger than she thought it was, and she could tell it was a well built ship. One thing that got her attention, however, was a smaller airship parked several hundred feet to the side. She wondered who's it was.

She'd glance up at him before gingerly slipping off the side of the horse, her heeled boots balancing neatly on the hard ground, her cloak still pulled up over her head, obscuring her jewels and circlet.

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<sub>Andromeda certainly felt at home despite the fact this was the princess he was talking about. He didn't even bother with the royal formalities. Right now they just needed to survive. Though as they trotted along Lila's back, he glanced behind him to look at Ieaeka. He didn't want to bother with mindless compliments on how pretty she was. He'd make sure that face didn't get ruined... even if he kind of stuck his tongue down her throat.

"That's what bothers me. Either there are people in Truesdale who are corrupt without their King knowing, or Dula's been more active in the underground business than I though." he looked ahead. "It doesn't help there's been so many Dulan deserters." Of course she asked about his own past and he took a deep breath, swallowing.

"It's... hard to talk about. Years ago, back when I was a child, there was a project experiment in Dula where they would kidnap or bribe parents for children to be put in a boarding school for intense training. They wanted soldiers that would obey without word and figured children that were suppressed as kids would do good." His grip on the reins tightened. "At the age of fifteen they would be subjected to training and torture, so I decided to push my luck and escape. It's why Dula kidnaps kids from Seria and Truesdale. Because they're running out of children."

He paused. "Angel Larinski, Crash McKee, Nerys Henye, Sine Rosin, Greg Landers. I think Eastern Trade has the most of them, and they treat them kindly. Thomson is a great man and I respect him for it. And of course, me."

Of course, once everything was taken care of, he would climb up, helping Ieaeka along the way. Lila looked up and flicked her ears to listen to the conversation.

"Hey girls!"</sub>