Arriving

Stefan

Stepping off the ship, I’m instantly met by guards refusing to let me pass. Samuel moves and walks ahead of me.

“We’re here to see my sister, Harlyn,” Samuel says, his eyes looking at the guards. “We’re not here for trouble. She had just returned from my wedding, but she left quickly, not giving me a chance to thank her or explain something.” Samuel stands waiting.

The guards refuse to move, however, and we wait for Wayne or Harlyn to appear. I wait and soon see Wayne approaching.

“Your Majesty,” Volkaros says, and I turn to look at him. “This won’t be quick, and I will need hours, maybe even a day.”

What? I stare at him. There is no way Wayne will let us sleep here. I had thought to myself that anything could change or happen, and it just has. Now we need to find a way to stay here. Great.

“What can I do for you?” Wayne looks at me, and I see the pups behind him. My eyes look around. Where is Harlyn? She would be here, where is she?

“I came to see how Thorin is and to speak to Harlyn about our father’s court and if she wishes to attend.” Samuel looks at him.

“Harlyn is busy.” He looks from Samuel to me. “You’re free to wait. However, you won’t be treated like a king here, Stefan.” His words are directed towards me.

“That is fine. I don’t want any treatment,” I reply, trying not to call him names. The guards step back, and we walk towards Wayne.

“Since Harlyn is busy, can I train the pups for a bit?” Samuel asks and smiles at Wayne. “It’s amazing how well they are doing. You’ve done well with them.”

My blood boils at Samuel’s words. I get it, he’s sucking up to him to get the pups with us, but I don’t like it. I don’t like anyone praising him for his training.

“Feel free, Samuel; you’re family,” Wayne says with a smile, and I follow behind. “Who is this?” Wayne looks behind me at Volkaros.

“I’m Dean. I was asked to attend as a mediator should it be needed.” Volkaros speaks, and Wayne simply nods and turns, walking away.

“Pups, stay with Samuel, only Samuel.” Only Samuel? I almost laugh at that. Walking further in, I sit and watch as the pups greet Samuel with warm hugs and talk to him about their return.

I watch as Thorin moves, and it’s clear he’s fully healed, and nothing is wrong. They are laughing and joking with Samuel, and Volkaros stays close by, his eyes constantly checking around them.

He walks to me and sits. “This isn’t as simple as removing an item that they are wearing,” he whispers.

“Then what is?” I thought it would be similar to Earl Harold.

“The magic magic is in their mind. I can remove it, but it will take hours, and it would be better if we weren’t in such a public place. This entire village is fill with black magic, I need a clear space.”

There isn’t one, and Wayne won’t let us leave with the pups, and Harlyn isn’t here either. So now what?

“Will the ship work?” I ask, wondering if that is a way to do it.

“It could, but he was reluctant to let them near you. How will you get him to agree to them being on the ship?” he asks.

I nod at Samuel and he walks to me. “You need to make one of the pups think it’s their idea to take a tour of the ship. I will stay here so Wayne is convinced it’s safe and you won’t leave with them.” It’s the only choice we have right now.

If Harlyn were here, there wouldn’t be an issue; she would let them take a tour of the ship.

“Okay, I’ll go train with them, speak about the ship, and get them interested,” Samuel explains and walks back to them. Ten minutes later, he walks back to me.

“I’ll get Wayne to agree. While we are on the ship, maybe see if you can find Harlyn? Thorin mentioned she was upset; apparently, she and Wayne argued about her training, then this morning they argued again, and she ran off.”

“Wait, so Wayne doesn’t know where she is?” My eyes glance around.

“From what Thorin said, no. He is convinced she needs space. So find her.” He walks off and goes back to the pups, and I watch as Wayne joins. He smiles away, agreeing to let them see the ship.

Volkaros joins them, and Wayne sits opposite me.

“Where is Harlyn?” I ask, looking at him and wondering if he is going to continue the ‘she’s busy’ story.

“I don’t know. It’s been like eight hours, and I’ve no idea. You can hate me, but I care for Harlyn, so if you have ideas on how to find her, say.” He barely even speaks; his words are that quiet.

“It might help if I knew why she ran,” I say. Maybe I can find her? The bond is back, and I could possibly use it to track her.

“She walked in on a conversation with me and my brother and found out her dad isn’t her dad.” My eyes widen at his words.

“And you just fucking left her!” He should have followed. Not just sit and watch her run. Is he really that damn stupid?

“I couldn’t leave the pups. I thought she just needed time to calm down and process everything, but she didn’t return; if you can find her, find her.” He looks at me and is clearly defeated. Do I want to find her?

If I do, she will come back and go straight back to Wayne, which I don’t want. Then again, I can use this.

“Fine, but I want to stay here tonight. Samuel needs time to talk to Harlyn, so I will find her, but you agree that we can stay.” I look at him and wait.

“Fine, I will agree; just find her, please,” he states before standing and walking into the manor, now what do I do?