Chapter 2 - "Did you kidnap me?"

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

Heat pressed against the sides of the tent and slipped beneath the edges. A salty breeze tripped through the tent's flap, fluttering the canvas. The scent of grass and sweat hung in the air.

Gigi unwound the cloth strip from her hair and dunked it in a bowl of water. She wrapped the soaking fragment around her hair once more and sighed as water droplets snaked down her neck. The sailor stirred next to her, his heavy breathing filling the enclosed space.

Gigi propped her chin in her hand, watching him. His face was ragged. His cheekbones high and prominent, his skin pale in the muted afternoon light.

"Gigi," a voice whispered.

Gigi whipped her head around to see Huck's head peering in through the flap. He gave her a crooked smile and nodded. With one last glance at the sailor, Gigi stood and stepped out. Oppressive heat wrapped its arms around her. Sweat beaded on her forehead and slid down her temples.

"Will this day never end?" Gigi asked.

Huck took a seat under a lone oak tree.

"No, but my company shall help lessen your woes," he said.

Gigi snorted as she plopped down beside him and spread her skirt out.

"Not likely," she said.

Huck gave her a skeptical look.

"You seem to be the only girl in the camp that would think that."

"That's because I'm the only girl who spends enough time with you to know it's not true."

Huck gave a careless shrug and they settled back against the spindly tree. He pulled out a peach from his pocket. After taking a bite, he handed it to Gigi.

"Here. It's slightly bruised but as good as we'll ever get."

Leaves quivered, their rustling absorbing the silence. Gigi bit into the peach, relishing the sweet juice as it flooded her mouth.

"He wake up yet?" Huck asked.

Gigi passed the peach back, wiping her chin and licking the juice off her fingers.

"No."

"It's been five days. He should either wake up or die."

"Huck!"

Huck's laugh burst from him, chasing away the birds resting in the tree.

"A simple jest, Gigi. Nothing of it," he said, the ends of his laugh dashing away into his eyes.

Gigi stole the peach from him.

"Still, that's not pleasant. The poor man has survived a shipwreck. He's lucky to be alive." 

Huck shrugged, as if survival was a simple matter. He tucked his hands behind his head, bumping Gigi with his elbows. She swatted it away.

"I don't see how so many girls can be taken with you when your manners are terrible," Gigi said.

"Who cares for manners? We're Eldin. Vagabonds. The world's scoundrels. What do we care for such things?" Huck said, his tone as uncaring as the waves that crashed on the sand.

Gigi handed the last bit of peach back to him with a flat look.

"Manners are important," she said. "Or else why would mother have spent time teaching me about them? If they really were as useless as you believe, she wouldn't have bothered."

"I still don't see why she bothered teaching you. No one else was taught them. Well, not to the extent that you were."

Two girls wandered by with large woven baskets brimming with clothes held in their arms. Huck smiled and the girls' cheeks reddened. Gigi snatched the peach from him and took the last bite.

"Manners are key to being able to function in a better society," she said.

"If you say so," he said, standing.

Gigi scrambled to her feet, straightening her skirt.

"Where are you going?"

"To help clean clothes in the river, of course," he said, his eyes beaming with mischief.

"I have no doubt that what you plan on doing has nothing to do with cleaning."

Huck smirked. Gigi shook her head and reached up to his mane of messy brown hair. She ran her fingers through it, trying to flatten the tangles. He slapped her hand and took a hasty step back.

"What are you doing? Trying to make me look like a proper nobleman or something?" he asked.

He ran a careless hand through his hair, undoing the neatness Gigi had made. She placed her hands on her hips.

"Do you care nothing for looking decent?" she asked.

"Sure I do. Why do you think I'm going to the river to clean?"

She swatted his arm and he took off running, his laugh trailing behind him. Gigi watched him vanish behind a tent before stepping back into her own.

The sailor still lay unconscious. He twitched and shifted in his sleep, mumbled words floating past his parched lips. Picking a book from one of the many stacks, she crossed her legs and sank down beside the bed. She pulled the damp cloth from the sailor's head, dipping it in the bowl of water in front of her. Water coated her fingers as she wrung it out and replaced it on his forehead.

She flipped the book open and dived into a different world. Scenes swam before her eyes as the light shifted and dimmed. The low rumble of men's voices filled the camp as they returned from work, their low tones echoed by the soft lilting of high tones.

Gigi was turning a page when the sailor stirred. She glanced up briefly before returning to the passage she was reading. The sailor stirred again, mutterings spilling from his lips. Gigi set aside the book, studying him.

His eyes opened, a haze clouding his vision. He looked about blearily, his eyes working to focus.

"Where..."

Gigi shifted to her knees, moving closer to him.

"All is fine. Rest. You're safe," she said, trying to adopt the soothing tone her father used when talking to a skittish horse.

At the sound of her Eldin dialect, the sailor's vision cleared and he looked around frantically. He tried to push himself up, but Gigi placed her hands on his shoulders, holding him down.

"Don't...."

The sailor tensed under her touch and his brown eyes flashed in outrage.

"Unhand me," he growled, speaking Lorian.

Gigi snatched her hands back and stumbled backwards in surprise. The sailor's eyes darted around the tent, his face paling under the effort of staying alert.

"Where am I?" His eyes fell to Gigi, a fierce anger hidden just beyond. "How did I get here?" he said, his voice deep.

Gigi opened to her mouth but her thoughts tumbled to the ground under his glare. The sailor looked Gigi over, condescension flickering across his face, as his lip curled.

"Tell me you speak some form of Lorian," he said.

Gigi nodded.

"I speak Lorian," she said, her thoughts sliding back into place.

Some of the sailor's tension eased, but he remained in the rigid half raised position. Gigi shifted back to her knees, but kept her distance. The sailor seemed to take in his surroundings and his anger melted into panic.

"Did you kidnap me?" he asked.

Gigi's eyes widened and she shook her head furiously.

"No!"

"How did I get here?" he asked, his tone was strong but beads of sweat covered his forehead.

His eyes flashed at her.

"I heard stealing is common occurrence for you people."

Gigi clenched her fists.

"We don't-"

"I heard tales that you once stole a nobleman's daughter."

Her blush deepened down to her collar bone.

"We don't capture people. And Lady Brixton left on her own accord."

The sailor's gaze remained accusatory.

"Do you know who I am?" he demanded.

Gigi opened her mouth, startled by the question.

"Our first impression had been a sailor, but your clothing indicated someone more wealthy. Merchant perhaps," she said.

The sailor's face relaxed and he sagged slightly.

"You don't know who I am," he said.

Gigi shook her head.

"I apologize if I should know, but I'm afraid I don't."

The sailor sank back onto the bed, his energy spent and his body weak. The tension eased from Gigi but she remained distant. The sailor gazed about the tent once more.

"How did I get here, if I wasn't captured?" he asked, his tone still holding skepticism.

"I rescued you." His gaze snapped to her. "You were in a shipwreck. You have been unconscious for almost five days. We haven't found any other survivors. You seem to be the only one. Or the others were picked up further North."

He studied her, the words sinking in.

"You rescued me?" he asked, doubt swimming beneath his words.

Gigi shifted under his gaze.

"Yes, I rescued you."

"I see." The sailor's face flushed. He pushed himself onto his elbow, the effort erasing the color that had come to his face. "It seems I have been mistaken in my accusations towards you. I apologize."

Gigi was startled. Without the harsh edge to his voice, his words slipped out in a lilting tone, as if there was a melody behind each phrase.

"Forgiven," she said.

Suddenly in the light of his graceful voice, Gigi felt as if her words came out sounding like rocks being hammered together.

"May I ask who you are?" she asked.

The sailor hesitated. His lips parting then closing.

"Jayis," he said. "Might I inquire as to who you may be?"

He looked at her intently, as if he was only now seeing her for the first time.

"You can call me Gigi."

"It's a pleasure, Gigi," Jayis said, inclining his heads towards her. 

A blush rose in her cheeks and she smiled.

"Likewise. You should lay back. Your strength has been greatly affected," she said.

Without a word of disagreement, Jayis lowered himself back to the bed. 

"Where am I?" he asked.

The light had dimmed in the tent, a golden glow hovering at the base. The stacks of books took on dark silhouettes in the fading light. 

"We are camped on the border between Arden and Talvin. Do you remember where you were before the shipwreck?" Gigi asked.

Jayis blinked, one hand reaching up to feel the bump on the side of his head. Memories darted through his expression.

"Last I can recall is setting out from the Talvin port, heading South to Loria."

At the name his eyes cleared. He moved to sit up but Gigi forced him down.

"Be still. If you try to rise again you might faint."

Even as she said this, Jayis's eyes came in and out of focus, his body slumping back.

"I need to return home," he said.

"You are in no condition for travel." A pained look flashed across his face. "Once you are well we will send you on your way. No one will stop you. If you need a messenger sent out to notify anyone, we can have someone leave at first light."

Jayis hesitated, breaking from Gigi's gaze.

"No, there is no one," he said. 

"Very well. Rest. I will be back with our healer and food."

Jayis nodded once, his body sinking further into the bed, his exhaustion settling into his features. Gigi rose, brushing off her skirt. She paused at the entrance to the tent, Jayis's voice halting her.

"Cooked, if you are capable of it."

Gigi turned back, puzzled, holding one side of the tent flap. 

"Pardon?"

"If it is within your power, I would prefer my food to be cooked. I am not accustomed to eating raw," Jayis said.

Gigi stared at him for a few seconds, debating whether to laugh. When his expression remained the same, she nodded.

"As you wish."

The flap dropped closed behind her as she stepped into the early evening air, shaking her head in bewilderment.

Clusters of birds swooped into the tree tops, returning home for the night. The camp was bursting with life as Gigi wound her way through the city of tents.

Groups of tired looking men lounged around blazing fires, smoke rising from their pipes. Women bustled about, stirring the contents of large, black pots that hung over licking flames. Gigi found her mother talking amongst a group of weathered women.

"Mother," Gigi said.

Annaleigh turned to Gigi, a warm smile breaking across her face.

"Hello, dearest, what is it?" Annaleigh said.

Gigi threw a furtive glance at the women and stepped away, her mother joining her.

"The sailor is awake," Gigi said, lowering her voice.

Though news of the sailor had already spread to the entire camp, Gigi didn't want to create a disturbance by the announcement.

Annaleigh placed a delicate hand on Gigi's shoulder.

"When?"

"Few minutes ago."

Annaleigh nodded.

"Very well. Find Grandmother Vy, then bring a bowl of broth. He will need something to help gather his strength," Annaleigh said.

Gigi agreed and headed off in search of the elderly woman. She found her sitting cross legged before a fire, the flames illuminating her wrinkled face and hands. The gray head peered up at Gigi as she approached, intelligent green eyes reading Gigi's face.

"Awake?" Grandmother Vy asked.

Gigi nodded. With a speed that contradicted her age, the old woman stood.

"Mother is already with him. She has ordered me to bring broth," Gigi said.

"Indeed. Hurry, child, the man will need it."

********************

Gigi moved through the camp, a wooden bowl clutched in her hands, steam billowing up and drifting off behind her. As she approached her tent, she heard the low murmurs of voices. The tent flap opened and Grandmother Vy stepped out, giving Gigi a wrinkled smile.

"Ah, good, he'll need that. Go on in," she said.

Gigi moved passed Grandmother Vy but paused as her mother appeared from the opening.

"Lovely, I'll take that dear," Annaleigh said, reaching out for the bowl.

"No-" Gigi pulled the bowl back, then blushed. "I mean, could I help?"

Her mother gave her a small, knowing smile.

"Of course. You will need to help him drink it. He does not have the strength to do it on his own. Mind that he goes slowly."

Gigi nodded and ducked into the tent. Jayis lay propped against pillows, his eyes closed, face pale in the lantern light. Shadows swayed against the canvas wall as the candle flame wavered back and forth. Cautiously, Gigi walked to the bed and lowered herself to her knees. Jayis opened his eyes and looked at her.

"I brought something to eat," she said, edging closer.

"Thank you."

"Mother said you would need help," she said, with a weak smile.

"That was your mother?"

"Yes."

Jayis nodded, his expression thoughtful.

"Well spoken woman."

Gigi nodded, shrinking under the comment, feeling the weight of her coarse phrases sitting heavy in her mouth.

"I will need assistance," Jayis said.

His gaze dropped pointedly to the bowl in Gigi's hand and she closed the space between her and the edge of the bed. Jayis lifted weak hands to the bowl, helping Gigi guide it to his lips. He sipped, the hot broth easing some of his fatigue. Gigi pulled the bowl away, letting his body adjust to the bit of nutrition. Jayis waved a hand towards the piles of books.

"How did you come upon these?" he asked.

"Markets, passing merchants."

Jayis nodded. Gigi helped him drink more of the broth, watching as a hint of life crept back into his wearied body.

"What do you do with them?" Jayis asked.

Gigi looked about the tent, taking in the multiple stacks, the faded covers and worn binding. She turned back to Jayis confusion settling in her eyes.

"You mean besides read them? Sell them at other markets on occasion."

Jayis studied her face. "You read?"

A deep blush raced across Gigi's face and down to the v in her loose homespun shirt.

"Most everyone does."

Jayis raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Not everyone reads Chasner or Godffery, but everyone knows a bit. How else would we write messages?" Gigi said.

"You can write?" Jayis said, unable to mask his disbelief.

Gigi felt her face grow warm and she bit back her response, settling for saying nothing at all. They lapsed into silence, Jayis studying her as she helped him drink the rest of the broth.

After helping him lay back, Gigi stepped from the tent, clutching the empty bowl. Huck leaned against the oak tree, leaves casting shifting shadows across his face.

"He awake then?" he asked.

Gigi nodded and walked over to him.

"He was surprised to know we could read," Gigi said.

Huck looked at her, frowning.

"Arrogant, tardish," he said, spitting out the Eldin curse.

"Huck!"

He merely shrugged, his eyes pinned on the tent, arms crossed.

"I don't like him," he said.

"He's ignorant."

Huck scoffed.

"He's pompous is what he is."

"I wouldn't agree. I found him rather mild mannered. Once he was aware we didn't kidnap him."

Huck spun on her, his face shocked with disbelief.

"He thought we kidnapped him?!"

Gigi waved away his anger, leaning against the rough bark.

"Yes. He had heard stories about Lord Brixton's daughter and was under the impression that that had been her fate."

"We don't kidnap people!"

"That's what I told him."

Huck ran a hand through his unruly hair, glaring towards where Jayis lay.

"One noblemen's daughter chooses to run away seventeen years ago and we get blamed. Why would we kidnap him? Did he say he was noble?" he asked, looking back at Gigi.

Gigi shook her head.

"I only know that his name is Jayis and there is no one looking for him. Also, mother was correct, he's from Loria."

Huck slouched against the tree, digging his hands into the worn pockets of his trousers.

"Yeah, well, sooner he's returned the better. He might not be noble, but I heard him talking and he has the voice of one."

Gigi perked up, smiling.

"I like the way he talks."

"It's haughty."

"It's genteel."

"Either way, sooner out of our camp the better."

Gigi's mother appeared from the darkness, moving towards them. She walked with a light tread and a simple grace that sent her skirt swishing about her ankles.

"He finish the broth?" Annaleigh asked.

Gigi nodded.

"Good, I'll go check on him," Annaleigh said.

She turned away but Gigi's stopped her.

"Will he recover?"

Her mother turned back, smiling. "Yes, I believe so."

Huck huffed and Gigi elbowed him.

"A bad turn of luck if you ask me," he said.

Gigi's mother turned her refined features towards him, giving him an even look.

"Huck, as Quinn said, he is in our care for the time being and will be treated as one of us."

"As you say then," Huck said, dipping into a mocking bow.

Annaleigh's lips curled up slightly before she slipped into the tent. Huck straightened, scowling at nothing.

"Still don't see how you can stand him," Huck said.

Gigi turned to him, stretching out a hand.

"Have peace with me, Huck. I don't wish to argue," she said.

Huck eyed her hand for a long moment before taking it. The night filled with the sound of a fiddle playing a lively melody. Gigi looked at Huck, her eyes alight with merriment. Huck's anger vanished from his face and he grabbed her hand. They hurried through the camp in search of the source.

They came upon a large blazing fire and a fiddler perched on a log. Couples danced merrily, their feet kicking up dust, their laughter leaping into the air.

"Shall we?" Huck asked, bowing deeply.

With a bright laugh, Gigi grabbed the edges of her skirt and sank into a low curtsy.

"I would be so honored, your lordship."

Huck

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net