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Chapter Text

“I’ve been roaming all my life and now I’ve found a lady wife.”

A very disgruntled and confused crew turned to their fellow crew member, one singing Luke Pearce. He simply smiled with a wink and continued singing as he tied the sails.

“I’m staying…”

“RIGHT HERE!”

Another voice joined him, one Marius Von Hagen, the ship’s adventurous benefactor and co-owner of their trading company alongside his brother, who preferred pencil pushing in port.

“Oh, I won’t go sailing anymore,

I won’t obey the ocean’s call,

I’m staying…

RIGHT HERE!”

“Aren’t ya boys a little young ta be retiring?” A particularly toothless crew member called, laughing with the crew.

“Young enough to fall in love, and dream of grander positions sir!” Luke yelled back, grinning wildly. “Soon as we’re back in port I’ll have enough money to buy my girl a ring, I will! Then I’m never going to sea again.”

“We’ve only just shoved off, don’t count yer chickens beanpole!” The same crew member called back, shaking his head good naturedly. But Luke and Marius continued to sing, the atmosphere slowly getting lighter as even the grumpier crewmates listened to the hopeful optimism of their youthful counterparts.

“I’ll be a man of the land,

I’ll be a man of the trees,

I’ll be a man…”

The two boys winked at each other.

“Wherever my woman will be!

I won’t be any captain’s mate,

I won’t be servant of the seas,

Cause this pretty little woman is all I need!”

“Hey, if you make it back, me and my brother make good on our promises for good wages, after all my girl would box my ears if I wasn’t a fair and just employer.” Marius chuckled, leaning into the barrel with a lovestruck look. “She works at one of our buildings, and I plan on snatching her up the minute we’re back in town.”

“Here!” Luke cheered, laughing from the scaffolding. Marius slumped onto a loose barrel and began clapping along with the beat.

“At 14 I was cabin boy,

As told by father, what a joy,

I’m staying…

RIGHT HERE!”

Marius began to help Luke pull in the rope he was having trouble with and continued his verse.

“When I was sick he ordered Cat O’ Nine,

And so I said that I felt fine,

I’m staying…

RIGHT HERE! ”

A new voice joined them, and this time the crew was shocked to see it was their infamous first mate Artem Wing, known for his sour attitude at sea. He usually looked like a cross between throwing up and ready to pass out, rarely talking to crew unless they needed instruction, but now he looked almost relaxed, smiling softly.

“I’ll be a man of the land,

I’ll be a man of the trees,

I’ll be a man…”

Wherever my woman will be!”

More and more of the crew started to join in, the joy from the three men now contagious.

“I won’t be any captain’s mate,

I won’t be servant of the seas,

Cause this pretty little woman is all I need”

The crew went silent, waiting for their mysterious first mate to talk about himself for the first time in almost 15 voyages.

“I have my own lady, or at least I hope she’d have me.” He confessed, blushing heavily. “A clerk for our port headquarters, she and I have grown close over the last few years.” He looked on, wistfully. “I hope to confess my affections when we return, just as young Von Hagen.”

“Captain died at twenty eight,

and by then I was his third mate,

I’m staying…

RIGHT HERE!

Artem shrugged with a laugh.

Well they tried to give me his command,

But now I’m hungry for the land,

I’m staying…

RIGHT HERE!

“I’ll be a man of the land,

I’ll be a man of the trees,

I’ll be a man…

Wherever my woman will be!”

Those of the crew who were able to began to dance around, weaving in and out of a box step with joy.

“I won’t be any captain’s mate,

I won’t be servant of the seas,

Cause this pretty little woman is all I need”

As other crew members started to sing their verses, the three original perpetrators looked to the only silent member of the crew at that point, their resident scholar on expedition and makeshift quartermaster Vyn Richter.

“Come on, don’t you have someone to sing about?” Marius asked, sitting next to him. Vyn attempted to salvage his papers from Marius’ encroachment on his space and gave a little huff.

But soon he too was smiling, eyes far away. “My lady is too wonderous to put to a simple shanty, but I suppose I can do her some justice…

Stepped ashore from Svartian port,

Then made for Stellis with good sport,

I’m staying…

RIGHT HERE!

Vyn truly began to belt, emboldened by his crew’s support.

Oh I fell in love when first I saw her,

STELLIS COUNTY’S FINEST DAUGHTER !”

The rest of the crew joined in at the end, holding out their notes until they were all laughing with joy.

“And now she’s got me staying right here!”

The rest of the crew began to return to tasks, singing the chorus to themselves or in small harmonies, spirits uplifted by the touching shanty.

“So, our resident bookend has a girl, who’d a thought?” Luke laughed, taking a break from the scaffolding to sit with the three. He and Marius sat on the deck, looking up at a now relaxed Vyn sitting on a box and Artem, who was leaning on the edge of the boat.

Vyn smiled softly. “Not just a girl, my fiancée. I asked her before I left, and we plan on marrying on the fortnight after I return.”

“There’s a lad, at least one of us is certain for wedding bells!” Artem replied with a smile, clapping him on the back. “I’ve barely strung two words together around my girl myself, I’m a mess…”

“As opposed to your usually sophisticated self?” Marius teased, getting a kick from Artem as he laughed.

“I think she assumes I’ve been kicked by a mule.” Artem joked conspiratorially, getting a chuckle from the group.

“My Penny and I have been together since we were children,” Luke boasted proudly. “She’s always considered me like a brother, but alas the feeling is not quite mutual.” He gave them a wink. “Hopefully, this ring changes all that.”

“Penny, what a pretty name…” Vyn mused.

“Aye, her father had a library stocked with the classics, and she and I loved the Odyssey the best.” Luke explained. “So, she became my Penelope, or Penny for short, and I her Odysseus, constantly waiting for me to return from sea after I became a cabin boy.”

“Ah, such nicknames! And she still considers you a brother?” Marius asked, bewildered.

Luke shrugged. “My Penny isn’t always the brightest, but I love her anyways.”

A murmur of agreement sounded from the other three.

“My Jie-Jie is whip smart, constantly putting me in my place.” Marius admitted, a twinkle in his eye.

“Hallelujah!” Vyn joked dryly, raising his hands in the air sarcastically, earning him a kick in the ankles.

“Oh right, your family’s originally from the Orient, aren’t they? What does Jie-Jie mean?” Luke asked, curious.

Marius laughed, stretching out to lay down on deck. “It’s slang for older sister, a little joke between us as she often babies me.”

“And you chime in on my girl’s commitment.” Luke replied, slapping Marius’ arm. He retaliated, and soon the two were slap fighting, much to Artem and Vyn’s amusement.

“I’m actually writing her a letter now,” Vyn admitted, gesturing to his papers. “We are fortunate enough to be taking a well-travelled trading course, so I expect to be able to send plenty of letters to my Rosie before the voyage is done.”

Marius let out a little coo. “Rosie? That is such a precious name, she must be so lovely.”

Artem nodded in agreement. “It sounds very similar to my girl’s name, Rosita.”

“Actually, one of Rosie’s acquaintances calls her Rosita.” Vyn laughed at the coincidence. “She’s lamented about it to me several times, but is too polite to tell him he got her name wrong.”

“Oh?” Artem laughed along, joining the scholar’s amusement. “Poor girl, I would never wish to be such a fool for my lady’s sake. Her name is an instant treasure just for being attached to such a lovely creature, I would hate to be mistaken in such things.”

Marius joined in, eyes twinkling. “Well, Stellis is a Spanish port after all, there’s about 5 “Rosa”s and “Rosita”s and “Rosalinda”s at any given time in the marketplace, you’re bound to mix up names every once in a while.”

Artem shook his head vehemently. “Not my girl, she can never be forgotten or confused with someone else, her very presence captures your attention.”

Aye, it’s in our women’s very nature.” Luke added dreamily.

“To our women!” Vyn toasted with a shout, holding up his letter.

“TO OUR WOMEN!” The entire crew burst out alongside Marius, Luke, and Artem, laughing with joy.

Chapter Text

To my beloved Rose,

I have found myself in pleasant company, much to my relief.

We have all had a spirited talk about our ladies to pass the time, and I must confess I couldn’t pay much attention to their exaltations, as my thoughts were of only you.

Indeed, they are present as I write this letter, all joking amongst themselves. Did you know my third mate’s lady is also a clerk with the Von Hagen trading company? Perhaps you two work together?

How are things at home, has your brother left for his expedition yet? I had hoped to meet him before I left, at least to ask for his blessing, but it seems it was not to be. I cannot wait to meet him and share in my jubilation as to having known you.

Does your ring keep you company? I’d like to imagine on your lonely nights that you rub it between your fingers and think of our time in the vineyard. Perhaps the memories can warm you when I am unable to.

It is only that comforting thought that keeps me from commandeering a lifeboat and rowing back home to you, besides the financial (and practical) reasons.

Oh, my Rosie, forgive my yearning, but I long for your presence, to the point of pain. It feels that until I’ve made you my wife, that we should be wed, to lay as one, and to never be parted by the sea, that until then I will never be whole.

Is that too much for you? Is the sentiment too forward of me? I beg to know your response, that I may cleanse myself accordingly.

It is for you and only you that I cleanse myself.

Truly, my faith in your God comes from the knowledge that only someone as divine as your Creator could make someone as perfect as you. In all other ways, I am a sinful skeptic, but I expect your faith in me should erase my doubts, albeit against my conscious.

After all, it is almost as if your country speaks of an entirely different Being compared to mine, despite claiming the same Holy Texts. I’m sure you remember the threat of my country’s Inquisition, and I only pray that your precious Spain never forms their own.

To perform such acts under the guise of a higher power…

But it is not right for me to fill my letter of longing to you with my thoughts on organized religion.

I shall leave talk of that for my philosophical letters to you on the folly of man.

I only jest, though I do so miss our lengthy talks on all manners of state and human nature. I long to hear you patiently read your nightly passages once more from the book that had haunted my memories for so long, and show me the true culprit for my misery hiding behind its intimidating pages.

With that in mind, it excites me to expose that I dreamed of you last night, lighting a candle for your patron saint and praying for me, and it filled me with hope instead of dread. What does this say for my soul? Do I simply delight in the idea of your devotion? Or shall I be forced to call myself one of your number soon?

Oh, I hope not, I wouldn’t wish to allow the Inquisition any pardon.

You must find me a wicked man for penning such things, do you find me a wicked man?

I must stop writing before I dissuade you any further from our matrimony.

But I wish to expose my every darkness to you, that you may purify it with your light.

No, truly I must stop writing and save face.

Your ever faithful sinner,

Vilhelm

Chapter Text

As the storm raged on outside, all but the most necessary of the crew hunkered down below decks.

Luke was up on the rigging battening down the hatches, with Vyn taking measurements for the log.

Marius was deep in the hull, checking the inventory and making sure nothing was damaged, repairing holes and chasing off rats.

And Artem… had his face smushed into the porthole, feeling like he was about to puke.

And so, no one was having a good time.

Marius came in, flopping onto the floor with a huff. He raised his brow at Artem's antics. “I apologize for the distress you face by doing nothing.”

Artem waved him off, trying to look annoyed without puking his guts out.

Suddenly the door swung open, making them jump, as Vyn dragged Luke into the cabin, struggling under the weight of the injured sailor.

“Someone get me the kit.” He grunted, placing Luke down in Artem’s chair and beginning to rip open Luke’s pant leg.

“What happened?” Artem asked worriedly, handing Vyn the medicine cabinet.

“This fool decided it was a fine idea to take a tumble from the rigging.” Vyn snapped, harshly dabbing Luke’s leg with rum, making the young sailor wince. “Honestly, what would your Penny think if she saw you right now?”

Luke chuckled, wincing from the pain. “Oh, she would tear me to ribbons with her tongue, and not in any way I would want her to.”

“Take pity on him, Luke is one for mischief and overall merrymaking, unlike yourself. I'm sure he's used to such tumbles.” Marius teased, massaging his own sore ankles. “I feel sorrow for your fiancée, she most likely falls asleep the minute they announce you’ve come to call to prepare for your stalwart nature.”

Vyn raises his brow, amused. “On the contrary, my lady and I met under most interesting circumstances indeed. I would even say it was a common trend for our courtship.”

He turned to the group, only to see everyone looking at him expectantly.

With a laugh, Vyn shakes his head and finishes with Luke’s wrapping, only to see Luke looking at him as well.

He ignored them as he tied off the bandage, but as he stood up, he could feel their eyes on him.

“You won’t leave me alone with this, will you?” He sighed, turning to see them all nod their heads excitedly.

He started to put away the medicine cabinet, explaining as he went.

“We met when I first reached Stellis port while I was running away from my family. To put it bluntly, me and my family were having some differences in opinion…”

“DON’T YOU DARE RUN, TRAITOROUS BASTARD HEIR!”

Vyn darted through the crowd, running from the Svartian guards who had tracked him over 5000 miles for the last two months. He ignored the startled cries around him, looking for a hiding spot.

“ I see you are abusing that diplomatic immunity your Highness.” He muttered, looking behind him to see the soldiers brute forcing their way through the innocent villagers. But it was this look back that would be to his detriment.

With a loud smack, Vyn ran straight into an opening door.

“Oh goodness! Are you okay Señor?”

With a groan, Vyn looked up and his eyes went wide.

“She was an angel…”

The woman held brilliant amber hair, and eyes as bright as emeralds. She wore a traditional Spanish dress, wrapped in a black lace shawl to fight the biting sea winds of the port town. She held out her hand to him, eyes full of worry.

“Señor, can you understand me?”

“Ursäkta mig, din skönhet gjorde mig mållös...” He breathed, eyes never leaving hers.

“Oh, you’re a foreigner!” She startled, covering her mouth in surprise. “I am so sorry, I do not know…” She struggled to gesture the miscommunication, but Vyn grabbed her hand gently, shaking his head.

“No, I’m sorry, I wasn’t looking, forgive-”

Suddenly he spotted soldiers coming from the other side of the street, closing him and the woman in, as on the other side the original soldiers were still in pursuit behind him. In a moment of panic, Vyn grabbed the woman and threw them both into the door, raising a finger to his lips.

“Oh!” She breathed.

He went to shush her again, only to realize how close they were. “Oh. Oh indeed.”

“I… what is your name Señor?” She asked, eyes wide.

Vyn hesitated, unsure what to tell. “Um…”

“COME OUT HERE, VILHELM YOU RAT!”

“Vyn, my name is Vyn.” He said, peeking out to make sure they hadn't spotted them.

“Are you sure that is your real name, Vilhelm?” She teased, giving him a knowing look. She clearly didn’t believe him.

He looked back down and chuckled at her face, liking this woman more and more. “My apologies, Vilhelm is my first name, but as you could probably tell from the shouting, Vilhelm is a no good dirty rotten bastard, so for an angel such as yourself, my name is Vyn.”

The woman blushed rather prettily, but giggled all the same.

“I see, so Señor Vyn, what made Vilhelm such a troublesome person?”

Vyn grinned rakishly. “Implying that the Svartian Inquisition is anything other than a shining beacon of virtue is a good start.”

The woman instantly sucked in a breath, a twinkle in her eye. “Oh, you’re in trouble trouble.”

She grabbed his arm, and dragged him to the counter, speaking hurried Spanish to the shopkeeper. Whatever she said, the man nodded his head and beckoned them both to the back, leading them to the back door.

She turned back to him, a glint in her eye. “Come with me, I have a place you can hide.”

As he finished describing their first meeting, Vyn’s audience gawked at him in disbelief.

“You are an Inquisition refugee?” Artem asked, alarmed.

“Well well, Vyn is a little troublemaker like the rest of us, who knew?” Marius mused with a chuckle.

Luke shrugged from his place on the bench, earning a raised brow from Vyn.

He looked at the curious group and laughed. “I find it is the ones who have done the most that are the first to give caution.”

“Well then, I rescind my judgement.” Marius gave a teasing little bow, grinning at the quartermaster. “And submit my title for mischief making for your approval.”

Vyn pursed his lips and rolled his eyes. “That title, I’m afraid, will have to be taken from your lifeless hands my friend. And even then, I’d imagine you would cheat death just to give us one last scare.”

Chapter Text

My Dear Vyn,

A wicked man indeed!

Oh, but you are my wicked man, and I love you so.

Indeed, aren’t we all wicked under His light? That’s a comforting thought, yet my human heart is still struck with fear, how curious...

As for my brother, he set sail the same day as yourself, leaving me with a note delivered at the docks. Do not be cross with him however, for he promised me the fruits of his labour this voyage will finally “be enough” and he can settle down on land.

He is simply a hardworking man, and I feel sorrow that he wastes his wage to take care of me, a woman unwed beyond what’s proper and no great inheritance nor income to my name.

A pity clerks don’t pay more…

But soon, you and I will be wed, and my brother will no longer have to worry for my sake!

I won’t even have to sacrifice you to the sea, as I have with my brother. The University has received your first logs of the voyage, and they promised me that as soon as you arrive back in port, the teaching position you desired is yours! Imagine, I will be a Professor’s wife.

Oh, my darling, I miss you so.

Your dream was only partially true, as I haven’t just lit one candle, but I have lit two candles to St. Nicholas for you and my brother every day since your departure. If I don’t, I fear I’ll be consumed by my terror that I’ll never see you again.

I long to be your wife Vyn.

Charlotte tells me I should be more aloof with my passion, but I trust you to treat me gently. After all, you have revealed your wicked soul, and so I feel I must reveal mine.

It excites me for us to be one, yes, but even more so for you to leave a part of yourself with me to grow. Then, no matter what voyage or expedition takes you from me, you shall never truly leave me, your spirit present in our children’s features.

Am I wicked to you?

Shall we be wicked together?

As I close out this letter, I rub my ring as you predicted. Truly, you stare into my soul, and no matter how far away you may be, you will still know me better than the strangers right in front of me.

Your wicked one,

Rosa

P.S,

Yes, I think I do know the woman you speak of. I’ve seen her and the Third Mate talk while exchanging logs whenever I’m too busy to take them. Rest assured, her cheeks are always bright and rosy afterwards, so his feelings are not in vain! Hopefully he calls her by her true name, I would pity her otherwise.

Chapter Text

The storm had not let up, although the thundering had ceased. For now, there was not much to be done, as smaller crews rotated every few hours to maintain the top deck and the rest huddled below for sanctuary. 

Their one saving grace had been accidentally saving the crew of a local mailing boat, whose ship was flying out in the wind behind theirs, tied to the moor. With this rescue came the only new batch of mail they would receive for a while, or at least until the storm had lessened.

The boys watched as Vyn read the latest letter from his fiancée, his blush growing as he reads, enraptured.

“Ohoho, someone’s having a good read.” Marius chuckled, craning his neck over Vyn’s shoulder to read what had their quartermaster so invested. Without looking up from the letter Vyn kicked the barrel next to him, sending Marius tumbling to the ground with a yelp, much to everyone else’s amusement.

Laughing, Luke and Artem helped a sheepish Marius up, who eventually joined in.

“It seems you have learned an important lesson.” Artem teased. “Do not pester the quartermaster regarding his letters."

"I certainly don’t blame him.” Luke commented, looking lost in thought. “I practically set myself on the letter my Penny finally sent.”

That finally got Vyn’s attention.

“And how is your lady? I’m interested in knowing more about this mysterious Penny you regale us with.” He asked, setting down his letter and looking at Luke expectantly.

At that, Luke sighed helplessly, running his hand through his hair and shrugging. “She’s written saying that she misses me, and proclaiming that she has “someone she wishes me to meet.”

The other boys hissed in a breath sympathetically.

“I am sorry Luke, perhaps they are merely an acquaintance?” Vyn said, trying to comfort the man.

Luke laughed hollowly. “Either it’s a man for her, or a woman for me. Either way, trouble is on the horizon.”

Vyn frowned sympathetically. “Perhaps you need to present yourself as a romantic prospect, let her know your feelings on the matter.” He suggested, putting his letter on the barrel to better focus on his comrade's problem.

“How did you let your Rosie know of your intent?” Luke asked, looking to Vyn pleadingly.

Sensing romantic advice from their engaged senior, Artem and Marius perked up.

Vyn chuckled a little, both from their hopeless nature in love and in reminiscing. “Oh, there was no secret between us on what my feelings were. Above all else, I advise to be the one to set boundaries, that she may freely push or reinforce as she wishes…”

The woman pulled Vyn through the alleyway until they reached the backdoor of a cathedral.

Immediately recognizing the structure, Vyn pulled away in panic.

She turned back to him, confused, until she recognized his fear and realized what it looked like.

“Calm down Señor, the Spanish Catholic Church holds no ties to the Inquisitors, if you claim sanctuary then the Svartian Church cannot touch you, even if you were to be revealed.” She explained, holding out her hands placatingly. “Do you trust me?”

“It is not you I distrust, but rather the Master you serve.” He replied, scowling softly at the stained-glass window.

Rosa immediately retracted. “You have either accused my church of being an Inquisitor or have slighted the Lord. Either way, I feel offense in your tone.” She stated coldly, pulling herself up.

“Is there a difference between those accusations?” Vyn asked, forgetting what they were running from and reflecting her cool tone twofold.

“Do not blame the Lord for the sinners who attempt to use Him in vain.” She replied softly, eyes flashing with pain.

“And what kind of Creator allows those same sinners to use him in such a way?” he argued, crossing his arms.

“Shall He descend from the skies, dictate your every action and thought? Would you consider that any more humane?” She countered, raising her brow.

He closed his mouth, unable to answer. Vyn looked at her inquisitively, considering the woman and her offer. Whatever sparks had been stomped out by her destination had come back, and were roaring into a steady flame in his chest.

“You are the most logical of your people I have met.” He decided. “If your church is as learned as you, I will accept their sanctuary.”

“I will take that to mean you have been acquainted with those of an imbecilic nature, as a mercy to this conversation’s goodwill.” She replied, even frostier than before. “And as it is you who needs sanctuary, I would recommend that you show some gratitude while I convince them to save your life.”

Vyn blushed, realizing how he sounds. “Apologies, this is no way to talk to a lady, especially regarding such a personal topic. I meant no ill will, simply a wounded soul who has no spare feelings for organized religion.”

“But ill your will became nonetheless.” She pointed out, but still became noticeably less defensive. “If you disagree to this place, I can try to find someone to take you in…”

He shook his head, trying to salvage the conversation. “No no, I have no position to treat you and your offering with disrespect, I am grateful for your charity.”

She nodded, still a little on edge but slowly regaining warmth. With a swift knock, the door was swung open, a monk slightly older than himself answering.

“Rosie, didn’t you just deliver the communal wine for the week?” The monk asked, looking confused.

“Rosie” shook her head and gestured behind her to Vyn. “I have a wayward soul in need of sanctuary from… “the wolves.” She gave the monk a look and emphasized the last words, a code of some kind for what he was running from.

The monk, recognizing the mysterious code, shook his head with a sigh. “Another Inquisitor stray. What has our sacred duty come to, protecting innocents from our own?”

“Our own? They are not disciples of the church.” Rosie spat, narrowing her eyes at the monk, who is unphased by her outburst. “They are mere rats who tear flesh from the Body of Christ and proclaim they do it for His sake, only to gruesomely gorge themselves while the common man starves. I consider them as excommunicated as Britain’s house of adulterous sin!” She pounded the door in her anger, surprising both Vyn and herself.

The monk merely rolled his eyes. "Take care not to break a nail again, I don't know how many times I have to explain the hard oak doors will win every time you get into a righteous fury like this."

She cleared her throat, blushing and avoiding Vyn’s searching gaze. “Yes well, that is to say, all the more reason for us to show mercy to those who need help.”

The monk nodded with an exasperated sigh. “My child, one of these days you will find yourself in trouble for the things you say. You must remember to mind your tongue in less forgiving company. This man most likely wishes to avoid such topics at all.” The monk nodded to a surprised Vyn.

“In darkness, I find it is those that are told the light will burn that need it the most.” Rosie states firmly, moving past the monk into the cathedral. “Even if they have no spare feelings for it.”

Vyn felt a pang of guilt while recalling his harsh words. How long had he spent in his childhood waiting for someone to say those very words to him, only for him to attack the hand that finally fed him? Would he really refuse sanctuary for only the reasoning that he had never been given it before, that he didn't believe in the reason for her compassion?

The fire in his chest started to smolder guiltily, and he followed her into the church, knowing that whatever options there were before, he had sufficiently assigned them to fugitive and rescuer, with little options beyond that. Surely a woman of her patience and mercy would find him a less than adequate companion…

“And so, if my hearing is correct, you made an unforgivable error and it was only her unforeseen levels of patience that salvaged your social intercourse?” Marius commented, eyebrows raised in surprised amusement. “I never thought a man of your constitution would have the gumption to attack a lady of the church in such a way.”

Vyn frowned, cheeks going red. “I consider my past self a wounded animal in many ways, lashing out at those I perceived a threat. It was survival for me, I knew no other way. I had not yet recognized I was safe, and while I don’t necessarily regret my words, I do regret my harsh tone to this day, no matter how many times she assures me that I have been forgiven.”

His eyes went soft. “Forgiveness… it is still a foreign concept to myself.”

The others were silent, regarding their companion silently.

“Well, go on then, how did you get her to see you as a lover instead of an antagonist?” Luke asked, looking desperate.

“Especially with such a difference between you…” Artem murmured, listening with fascination.

Vyn smiled softly, a twinge of regret coming and going from his eyes. “Well, unlike my disastrous first conversation with her, my attempts to woo Rosie had to be a conscious decision, as you cannot stumble your way into love you wish to last…”

As she led him to his temporary room, Vyn struggled to find words.

What could he say? What words could soothe the savage beast he had inadvertently awoken in this captivating young lady?

He tried to use his studies to determine his course, as he had so many times before in much more dire situations. The Inquisitors had called it magic, the things he had figured out, and he could only hope their comparison was right, for it would take a miracle to undo the damage he had done. The questions he had asked had quickly soured her disposition to himself...

Only he recalled that she was not mad at his questions. The only time she was truly hostile was when he personally attacked her without reason or debate.

“I quickly learned that she was not opposed to difference in opinion, but rather difference in opinion for the sake of it, without thought or care. And so, I used this to my advantage…”

“I… hope we can further discuss our previous conservation.” He finally spoke up. “I-In a much more civil manner of course!”

Rosie turned to him, suspicious but open. “A civil manner you say? Well then, what would we have left to talk about?” She asked, a twinkle in her eye.

Vyn chuckled, recognizing it for the joke it was, and sharing a tentative smile with her. “Perhaps you could explain your reasoning and I could display mine? I was not lying when I said I’ve never met one of your faith willing to discuss their belief with me, and I’m curious to see how such a wonderful woman be so devoted to something I have associated with horrors.”

She startled at that last comment, and Vyn was unsure if her responding blush was her feeling flattered or her anger manifesting again. “I- Señor, I recognize than Brother Aaron was likely correct in his observations, and I don’t wish to distress you with talks of faith anymore…”

Ah, it was embarrassment.

“If it would allow me to be in your company for a little longer, I would consider myself quite fortunate, rather than distressed.” He murmured, daring to step closer. “I consider anyone with the ability to talk back to me with a degree of intelligence a worthy associate indeed.”

Rosie’s breath caught, subconsciously leaning into his advances. “You don’t even know me.” She laughed breathily, contradicting her actions.

“And would you grant me permission to, even after my horrible impression upon yourself? Where shall I start?” He asked softly, gently grabbing her hand and giving it a kiss. “The monk, your Brother Aaron as it were, referred to you as Rosie. Tell me, is that your real name?”

She stared into his eyes (pupils dilated and cheeks flushed, he noted). “Well-”

Suddenly the group was tossed about, a particularly rough wave knocking into the ship’s hull, interrupting Vyn’s story.

“Is everyone alright?” Vyn called, propping up Luke.

“Yes yes, but how does the story end?” Marius asked from the floor, growing frustrated with anticipation.

“Well, she told me her name and agreed to meet me in the vineyard I would be working at the next day. She was quite flattered that I wished to know her better, even if it was over something as sensitive to ourselves.” Vyn finished, smiling with fond remembrance.

“Aw, how swee-” Artem couldn’t finish his sentence before his constitution gave out and he left quite a shine on the floor from all the turbulence.

“Oh, damn your eyes!” Vyn cried, jumping away from the carnage.

“Good God man, why do you even work on a ship?!” Luke asked incredulously.

Chapter Text

Dear Penny

To my Penelope

My Darling Rosa,

I cannot lie, it pains me to hear you speak of someone, for they must be very important to you, and I confess that my wish is to be the most important person in your life.

When is the last time I wrote you a letter longer than a stanza or two? Indeed, when was the last time we were face to face? I realize that though I’ve memorized your features, it is much more pleasant to see them in person. I apologize for neglecting our courtship friendship relationship in such a manner for all this time.

Time I indeed wasted without informing you of my deep attachment to yourself.

Will you be waiting at the dock for me this time, arriving from my final voyage before I settle and make a home with you forever?

Please say you will.

Luke

My Dearest Rosie,

I’ve been regaling my comrades with how we met, and they are obsessed with you my dear.

It seems with their lack of engagements, my companions consider you and I senior authorities on matters of the heart.

In honesty, I am not sure how much authority I should stand for, considering my folly from our first meeting. Save your protests, I’m aware I have been forgiven, but the mind does not easily forget my dear, and knowing what I do now makes it burn even more.

But perhaps my new patriarchal role could serve useful for any more… domestic endeavors you and I may attempt in the future.

Oh Rosie, your scarlet confession fills me with unbridled joy my dear. A family of my own is one I had never hoped to dream about, and yet we now discuss it with the cavalier nature of fortune tellers! I am surely blessed.

Truly, I must remind myself that I am an ocean away and at the mercy of the elements before I get carried away with our flights of fancy.

Ah, but that’s what the mere thought of you provokes in me.

Speaking of matters of the heart and home, my comrade is finally penning a note of affection to the lady he so often regales us with. I wish him luck with his love, just as you and I have found.

Truly, I wish all my companions happiness, as it feels a sin for me to wish anything less for them than the joy I receive from having your hand in mine. I was once as lost as them, and yet you came and captured my very essence in your light, and I hope to never leave it so long as we both shall live. I have never been one prone to selfishness, and yet even I am astounded by how charitable I feel on the topic of love this evening. No one should ever have to live without the person who makes them feel the way we do.

Until your next letter, I do hope it finds you well.

All my love,

Vyn

Chapter Text

Vyn found Artem leaning over the railing on the main deck, looking up at the stars. Only a lone watchman in the keep was present besides the two of them, keeping an eye on the horizon in case of tragedy.

It had been two weeks since the incident after Vyn’s last story. Marius still made cracks at Artem about it and Luke hadn’t forgiven him for… spilling over his bandages, forcing him to use the last of the crew’s water to clean out his wound and rebandage. “You should consider yourself quite fortunate, if we had run out you would be rinsing it out with saltwater.” Vyn had noted at the time.

The rest of the crew wasn’t very happy by that turn of events however, and had shunned both Luke and Artem since the accident. This was compounded by the still water that had plagued them the last few days, and some of the more cabin fever prone members had begun to lash out at the two.

This made Luke even colder to Artem in the last few weeks, and as such the third mate had been very quiet, going back to his old habit of retreating to his office whenever he finished his tasks. Tonight, Vyn had finally had enough and had gone to confront him, only for his office and hammock to be empty, thus leading to where they are currently.

He leaned on the railing next to Artem, looking over to his silent crewmate.

“…It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?” Artem finally murmured, looking out over the bejeweled sea with a look of melancholy. “Truly the only joy of being at sea is the clear skies free of smog.”

Vyn studied him closely. “The only joy then?”

Artem sighed, hiding his face from Vyn. “What are you truly asking Vyn?”

Vyn looked up to the skies, noting the beauty of the untouched sparkling canvas as it meets and reflects off the waves.

“Why do you work on a ship? It’s clearly not your calling, and yet even when allowed to excel you push it away, refusing to leave but refusing to be promoted.”

Artem was silent, and Vyn refused to break it first. The only sound to be heard was the lapping of the waves at the hull.

“…My father was Captain Bryan Wing of the Armada.” He finally admitted.

“Yes, the war hero, correct?” Vyn stared at him, confused. “Was… was that intended to be a secret?”

Artem looked to him in surprise. “You know?”

“Everyone knows.” Vyn replied, waving his hand disinterestedly. “We just don’t care. What does that have to do with your inability to sail?”

Artem blushed, looking down in embarrassment. “Oh.”

Vyn put his hand on Artem’s shoulder. “Do you feel obligated to this job because of your father’s success? Because if so, I’m sure he wouldn’t want-”

“It’s not just my father!” Artem blurted.

He turned to Vyn with wide eyes, who calmly nodded and signaled for him to continue.

“…It’s not just my father.” Artem sighed, slumping over in defeat. “Every Wing since the beginning of sailing has taken command of a ship and done amazing things. Some of my aunts have even snuck onto ships in disguise and risen to commanders in their fleet, my own mother met my father doing the same thing!”

Artem buried his face into his hands. “According to my parents, I gave my mother seasickness when she was expecting me for the first time in her entire life. My first time on a ship as a newborn I spit up on my mother after five minutes. At five years old I would cry anytime my father took me aboard his ship. I failed my naval training on purpose so that I would never be stationed at sea! But when I returned home, I saw the disapproval from my family, the frustration from my father, the worry from my mother…”

He peeked out from between his hands, looking out over the waves. “My parents got into a row that night. My father blamed my tutor for being soft on me, my mother was worried that they had done something wrong as parents. That was when I realized…”

He struggled for a moment, unwilling to finish.

“You couldn’t escape the family trade.” Vyn murmured, a strange and dark type of understanding in his eyes. “Not without losing your family.”

“Yes.” Artem sighed, shutting his eyes tight. “I’m not sure how much you can understand, but I’m so close to finally reaching a point where I can retire gracefully, maybe even fulfill my true passion. I just… have to ride it out a little longer.”

“Until they need you to provide for your family, so they ask you to be a fisherman and you spend the rest of your life floating in the harbor.” Vyn commented darkly, shocking Artem.

“Surely not.” He gasped, going pale.

“Oh yes, then you’re asked to train the newer members of your family, so you spend the time not in the harbor back out on a boat.” Vyn continues, painting a darker and darker picture. “And then, when your legs give out and your lips are permanently parched, you will be too old and bitter to do anything else with your life.”

Vyn turned to Artem sharply, his scowl deeply etched into his face. But seeing Artem’s frightened visage, he softens.

“Listen, I cannot speak on the topic of family, not until I have my own.” Vyn sighed. “But I do know the burdens of legacy, and I know it’s not a task that can be fulfilled after a few years. Legacy requires your very soul, your life, to complete. You, my friend, are in no position to do such a thing.”

Artem went silent for a moment, absorbing his words. “Then, what should I do?”

“Are you sure you want to know?” Vyn asked, a mysterious look in his eyes.

Artem paused, but nodded. “As long as the advice is not fleeing the country, I suppose I do.”

They chuckled for a moment, the quartermaster shaking his head in amused disbelief.

“And you claim no sense of humor.” He joked, nudging a chuckling Artem in the side.

“Tell them the truth.” Vyn said with a sigh, looking back out over the waves with a soft smile. “Leave your command and chase your calling. Any who attempt to follow you would only have themselves to blame.”

Artem nodded, as if he expected that answer. “I was afraid of that. And what if they throw me out? What if my passions end up the same way and it’s all for not?”

Vyn shrugged. “How do you think your family became known for sailing in the first place? Not many families are keen on having their children set sail to the unknown, possibly never to return. Whether it’s meant to be or not, I imagine you will be continuing a legacy older than even sailing.” 

With those parting words, Vyn pushed off of the railing and walked back to the lower decks.

Artem looked back out over the sea, and sighed. “It is a wonderful view. But…”

He looked down to his shaking hands. Artem knew he would not be able to go down below tonight, the nausea too strong.

“I think it is better seen from the shore.”

Darkness.

He felt the lash across his back before he even heard the whip crack.

“Young master, how many times must we tell you…”

CRACK

He refuses to fall to his knees, even in pain, for they will only make him pray.

“Your blasphemous words are not but witchcraft. Heaven forbids anyone outside of these walls hear your heresy, for you would surely be killed!”

CRACK

CRACK

Two more lashes, one of them he’s almost certain has reached bone.

“Have you no allegiance to your own kin? Should your father be called into questioning for his teaching methods?”

“N-No!” He croaked. His lips were parched, he had not been permitted to eat or drink for days, not since they caught him helping one of the maids grief over her husband’s passing. He had vowed not to speak once they caught him, but his father was frail, still recovering from the last time the Inquisitors gave an “inspection”.

He wouldn’t survive if they set their sights on him.

CRACK!

He can’t take it anymore, his knees hitting the floor a merciful pain compared to his “education”.

“Now, pray to the Lord. May he take your unworthy words and grant you an undeserved penance.”

CRACK

“Pray!”

He sobs, the pain finally catching up to him, but he shakes his head, refusing.

CRACK

“PRAY YOU HEATHEN!”

“Our Father, who art in heaven…”

The words were not his own, nor the words of his tormentors. A soft, steady voice seemed to come from behind him.

Slowly the darkness ebbed away, revealing a cozy sitting room with a roaring fireplace.

He knows this place…

“Hallowed be Thine Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done…”

CRA-

The whip is caught, and Vyn finally turns around to see his beloved Rosa, her arm outstretched as if to protect him, and the whip caught in her hand. His old instructors were frozen, faces paused in their malice.

“On Earth, as it is in Heaven.”

She walks between them, not sparing a single glance on their grotesque faces. Instead, Rosa smiles down at him, and Vyn can feel the air around him become lighter.

“Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts... As we forgive our debtors.”

As she drops the whip to the floor, his old instructors fade into the walls, driven back to the shadows of his mind where they belong.

Rosa knelt to the floor, one hand wiping away his tears, while the other stroked along his back. With every touch, it was like the pain melted off of his skin, and he could feel his wounds closing under her light.

“Rosie…” He breathed, tears welling up.

She smiles again, leaning forward to kiss his forehead.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

As he fell into her embrace, Vyn could feel her wrap a blanket around him and lead him to their loveseat.

Their loveseat, in their sitting room.

The room he spent hours of endless comfort in, bathing in his love’s benevolent light as she recited her nightly prayers before she retired and he returned to his dorm at the vineyard.

Yes, he hasn’t been questioned by the Inquisitors in years.

Vilhelm de Haspran was dead and gone, killed the moment he left his native soil.

Vyn Richter was safe and loved, born in the moment he met his angel.

As he settled into his rightful place, lying across their loveseat with his head in her lap, Vyn looked up to see Rosa had somehow already grabbed her Bible, and was no longer reciting from memory, but rather reading the Lord’s Prayer from the book in question.

“For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory… forever.”

“Amen.”

As she finished the final stanza, Rosa put her Bible down and ran her fingers through his hair with a kiss, and Vyn felt like he had never left at all.

“Don’t forget my darling, you still brave the seas outside of this dream.” She warned softly, still caressing his hair gently. “Not even my letters can protect you out there, that is a battleground you must fight on your own for now.”

“I know.” Vyn murmured, allowing himself to be surrounded in this feeling of warmth for however long he had until he woke up. “But in a few months, this will be our life, every day, for the rest of our lives. Allow me to indulge in the promise of what is yet to come. Let me store some light to fight the coming darkness.”

“I shouldn’t encourage indulgence my love.” She chastised him gently, but didn’t comment further as she continued to play with his hair soothingly.

“Oh? Would you say that it makes you… wicked?” He asked teasingly, giving her a little smirk.

Vyn was rewarded with a quick tug on his hair and a tinkling laugh, which only made him smile more.

“It’s time for you to wake up my love.” Rosa sighs, stopping her ministrations, much to his disappointment. “You must face a new day.”

“Must I?” He whispered, reaching out to caress her face, which she leaned into happily.

“They need you, my love.” She argued, covering his hand with her own.

“For what? We are at a standstill.” He scoffed. “I’d rather spend these useless hours at your side, even if it’s all a dream.”

Rosa hummed thoughtfully for a moment, but smiled just the same. “God provides to those in need my dear. He hears my prayers, and He knows your struggles. I trust Him to provide for you.”

And with those parting words, he was submerged in darkness once more.

“ALL HANDS ON DECK!”

Vyn shot up in his hammock, noticing the sailors around him scrambling into their things and shouting orders at one another.

“What’s happening?” He grumbled, trying to get his bearings, his fiancée’s words still ringing in his mind.

“Just now, a huge gust o’ wind has come though!” A cabin boy exclaimed, pulling on his suspenders. “The captain reckons we’ll be making up for those lost days in a coupl’a hours if the tides hold true.”

For a moment he didn’t know how to feel, his dream replaying in his mind.

He didn’t… That dream wasn’t… She didn’t…

“Vyn, get up you Arfarfan’arf, sleep off your hangover later!” Luke laughed, peeking his head out from the top of the trapdoor. “We need your maps!”

All previous thoughts were instantly purged from his mind.

“Oh like you’re one to talk, the only thing to drink on this blasted thing anymore is lager!” Vyn retorted, getting out of his hammock. “Drunkard indeed…”

Luke left the opening with a laugh.

As Vyn got up to the top decks, he saw Artem leading everyone to their posts, much more put together than he was the night before.

“He was the one who picked up on the winds changing, near saved us a headache, that one did.” One of the older crew members commented, getting to work clearing the deck of debris.

"Harper, Smith, take the rigging on the topsail! Don't think I don't see you slacking off Jackson!" Artem barked, so consumed with keeping everyone on track that his nausea was forgotten in the moment.

“Whoa, have a change of heart there Wing?” Marius laughed, untying knots as he went over the rigging. “You sound like an actual sailor for once.”

“Just thought I’d go out with a bang, I suppose.” Artem commented, making eye contact with Vyn. With a look of understanding passing between them, they went back to their separate tasks.

But not before Vyn saw Luke slap the surprised third mate on the back and begin conversing with him animatedly, the previous animosity long gone.

Chapter Text

Dear Ody,

I confess I am not quite certain where this is coming from.

Perhaps I am misunderstanding your words, what intentions do you have? I too consider our bonds to be deep, but perhaps I have misjudged our correspondence all this time.

Please write to me whenever you can.

Yours in confusion,

Penny

Dearest Vyn,

Charitable indeed! It warms me to know that in the wealth of love between us, you wish for others to know the same. It is letters like this that assure me of the rightness in our union.

And I am glad to hear that my desires are a shared venture. I fear I have wrinkled your letter from the way I clutched it in fervent adoration at your encouraging words. If fortune tellers we be, I confess that I see several little ones running around at our feet in the future. I cannot fathom the depths of love I feel at the idea of our progeny lifted into your lap and asking for their father…

Oh, but I mustn’t continue these fanciful thoughts, I must wait for you to come home. Truthfully, if I entertain these thoughts any further, I might just drive myself mad!

And on the subject of your crewmate, tell him I wish him luck in his pursuits! Truthfully, declarations of love are things I find better to have been done in person, so there is no mistaking. However, I’m sure with how you’ve talked about your crew that his burst of passion unhindered by patience will be well received by his love.

After all, if she’s willing to write him all the way out where you are, she must be devoted to him somewhat in a way close to my own devotion for you (though I fear that would be a fool’s errand).

Perhaps you should tell them about the “Wine Incident”, just to be safe. If you feel the urge to explain our follies as tales of caution, I imagine my blunder would serve as a great relief for your nervous suitor-to-be. Already I can hear your laughter as you remember the tale, just be sure to put that amusement to good use.

Oh, and be sure to write me their response.

Yours in all things,

Rosie

Dearest Charlotte,

I hate to pepper our communication with distressing thoughts, but it seems to me a dilemma has fallen into my lap, and I need to meet with you at once.

For you know, my brother is not one of blood, but rather a familial bond born of trust and childhood reverence.

Or at least, that was what I once assumed.

He has since, however, sent me a letter explaining his feelings are of a much different nature, and I feel I’ve made a mess of things!

I can’t possibly tell Vyn of this, not until I understand what to do. He is already so excited to meet his newest kin, even expressing a wish for his blessing! I can’t possibly spoil his opinion of Luke until I know for certain what my brother’s intentions are with that letter.

But I can’t keep them at bay forever, so please hurry! Your correspondence is desperately needed!

Urgently,

Rosa

Chapter Text

As the crew let in the mailboat, their excitement was palpable.

Several were talking amongst themselves, excited for news of home, love, and careers. Some were even expecting packages to keep them strong until they returned. It took everything the captain had to keep them on task.

“Come now, we can titter like ladies in waiting when the boat has been drawn in!” Marius called, tugging his own rope as hard as he can. As he reached for the notch to tie it down, the rope nearly flew out of his hands, until…

“Whoa there, keep it steady!” Luke laughed, catching the rope just as it started to go over the edge of the railing. “Vyn, Artem, little help here!”

At the calling of their names, the two came over and assisted Marius and Luke with setting the rope to rights.

Before long, the boat was tied to the rigging and floating alongside the vessel, and the mailbags were being unloaded.

As the mail was being passed around, both Luke and Vyn lit up at the sight of their letters, much to Artem and Marius amusement.

“How goes your ladies?” Marius asked, lugging another mailbag on deck. “Any luck with yours Luke?”

Luke tore open his letter, and the excitement began to dim. Without even telling them, the others could see his letter was only a few lines.

“She… is confused.” He confessed, slumping over on his barrel. “It would seem her ignorance of my feelings run deeper than I assumed.”

“Cheer up my friend, at least it’s not a rejection…” Artem murmured distractedly, looking over the papers he was sent from the Von Hagen Company. “Looks like Vyn had a point with advising a more forthright approach.”

“I always have a point Third Mate.” Vyn commented, reading his letter with amusement. “As, it would seem, does my fiancée. She attempted to warn that declarations of love are better done in person, that they may not be mistaken.”

Luke laughed hollowly. “Perhaps I should have sent my letter to your fiancée for approval.”

“What else does your Rosie say?” Marius asked excitedly, hopping onto a crate beside their amused quartermaster.

“She says to take heart, that no woman writes at such a distance if they didn’t feel some measure of affection.” Vyn replied, nodding towards Luke, who straightened up at the encouragement. “It seems she thinks you have a chance at the least.”

Luke slowly began to smile. “Be sure to send my thanks to her Vyn, know that her advise will warm my heart until the day I return to my beloved Penny.”

“I will be sure to do such, of course.” Vyn nodded.

While Vyn was distracted by Luke, Marius looked over his shoulder with a smirk.

“What’s the Wine Incident?”

Vyn spluttered a little, turning red. He whipped back to the letter and read further with disbelief.

For a moment, the others thought they would be privy to another indiscretion of his, but then Vyn burst out laughing.

“Oh, she must have taken some amount of pity on you, for her to mention this.” He laughed, clutching the side of the barrel to stay upright. “It was one of my darling’s more… misguided endeavors, to be sure. She has a keen mind, that your story should remind her of such.”

“Well then spill man, what was “The Wine Incident”?” Artem asked, abandoning his papers for what was sure to be another intriguing tale.

Vyn sighed happily, shaking his head with a chuckle.

“Very well, so my Rosie wishes, so I will fulfill. It was near the beginning of our acquaintance; I had been working at a winery for about a month by that point. Now, keep in mind I was not necessarily present for most of this, I am simply reciting what Rosie explained to me afterwards…”

“Here’s the crate Ms. Rosie!” Hugh called, heaving the heavy crate of communion wine off of the cart. He almost fumbles from the heavy weight and crashes the box into Rosa, making her flinch back.

“Easy there, young Moss. It wouldn’t do you well to incapacitate the woman.” Vyn said smoothly, grabbing the crate before it made impact. “Shall I assist you to the door?”

Rosa sighed with relief. “Apologies for the inconvenience, but my aching arms thank you. I have been reshelving books at Von Hagen’s all day.”

Vyn frowned, stepping closer to observe her, making Rosa blush at his scrutiny.

“Quite right, I can see the bruises forming on your wrists. Moss!” He barked, getting the boy’s attention. “Please assist the lady using the oil in my pack.” He turned back to Rosa with a soft smile. “That should help ease your pains.”

Rosa blushed even further. “There’s no need for such a fuss…”

“Oh no Ms. Rosie, your too pretty to be hurt!” Hugh insisted, hopping down from the cart with the aforementioned olive oil. “Here, let me!”

“Quite right young Moss. Quite right…” Vyn murmured, fixing Rosa with one last intense look before walking towards the cathedral.

She shivered under his gaze, electricity humming through their interactions anytime he approached her. She longed for him to approach her in a much different fashion than the companions they have become so far.

Make no mistake, Vyn has made his intentions with their companionship clear, yet she couldn’t help but wish he would hurry for her sake…

“There you go Ms. Rosie, that should feel much better.” Hugh said with a confident nod. Rosa looked down and flexed her hands, noting that it did in fact help her aches quite a bit.

“Thank you Hugh, I think I will go to catch up with Mr. Richter.” She excused herself, waving goodbye to the eager boy.

But as she grew closer to the backdoor of the cathedral, she began picking up on a conversation between Vyn and Aaron.

“…Of course, none of this is my place to say. Her brother is on an expedition for six months already to the East, and prepared to labor eight months more. He has always had the most protective of stances with his sister, I highly doubt he…”

“Eight months? Brother Aaron, please, I cannot wait that long…”

“It would do you well to practice such patience. Our Rosie is a pious one indeed, I would not wish to see you dissuaded…”

Her heart jumped for a moment. Could it be, was Vyn going to begin courting her?

“There is nothing to be dissuaded from, Brother Aaron. I cannot in good conscious continue this way, not when the lady’s heart is on the line…”

“She is made of stronger stuff than you think, Mr. Richter. Once you explain your circumstance I’m sure she will handle it well, I’m only advising caution as to how you relay these sentiments to her…”

Rosa’s heart sank. It seems she had read the situation incorrectly.

“Ah, Rosie!” Aaron called with a smile, making Vyn whip around with a look of unease. “Mr. Richter has just dropped off the wine, so if you wish to go ahead and light your candle you can be on your way!”

Rosa pursed her lips, saying nothing. With a curt nod, she began to walk around the building.

“Rosie, if you please wait a moment!” Vyn called, jogging to catch up with her.

“Yes, Mr. Richter?” She replied cooly, attempting to hide her inner turmoil.

“May I meet you tonight, in the vineyard? I have something I wish to discuss with you.” He said, looking at her hopefully.

“…You may.” She answered, clutching her fists.

He wished to turn her down!

“If I may ask…” Artem interjected, confused. “What was actually discussed?”

Vyn coughed, attempting to cover his amusement, knowing his beloved would be able to sense his mirth from across the waves.

“I had been inquiring about any other suitors Rosie may have had, and whom I should call upon in regards to family. He had, of course, instantly recognized my inquiries and warned me with regards to my future with her. It would seem she has a rather protective brother but no remaining kin, and said brother was on an expedition that would prevent me from asking for his permission. Understand that I grew up with a very formal introduction to things like courtship, so in my eyes a man with no discernable household, none of her family’s approval, and a lacking income made me unsuitable for Rosie. However, I did not wish to wait eight months to gain her brother’s permission and become suitable for her, knowing Rosie shared my feelings, which was where our argument seemed to confuse my beloved.” He explained.

“So… you had a stick up your arse and she thought it was because of her?” Marius asked, his smile practically glowing with mischief.

Which quickly went away as the boat rocked back and forth under the strength of a passing wave. The crate holding Marius pitching towards the other end of the boat, flinging the young sailor off his perch, much to everyone else’s laughter.

“Marius, watch out for that wave, it looks like a big one!” Luke called, chuckling as he worked on the lines. “Oh sorry, it seems my warning was a little late…”

Vyn smiled faintly, eyes lit with mischief. “If you find that amusing, let me finish relaying what happened that night…”

As Rosa walked towards their meeting place in the vineyard, she tried hard to control her breathing. This was different from all those who had attempted to court her before. This was no blushing sailor lingering beyond what was proper, or a businessman intent on boasting his wealth, Vyn was… different.

She couldn’t bear to hear that he doesn’t feel the same.

As she rounded the corner, she saw Vyn straighten up, holding a bottle of wine. “My lady, I was afraid you wouldn’t come…”

Rosa cringed internally. She had paced outside of the vineyard for a good half hour, debating whether or not she should approach him. Even if she didn’t want to hear his words, Rosa still felt bad that he was left waiting.

“Apologies, I was given… distressing news.” She said, stepping forward cautiously.

“I’m sorry, a woman such as yourself should not receive such distress.” He murmured, looking at her with concern. “What was the news?”

“It is nothing that can be undone, so I would rather focus on this night.” She waved away his concern, knowing he could not know how hurtful his words were to her.

“Yes, well… Perhaps some wine will ease your burden?” He offered, pouring her a glass and giving it to her eagerly.

With a bow and a nod, she accepted, looking down at the glass. “You have never needed such social lubricants before… I wonder why you procured some this evening?” Rosa muttered, swirling the glass with a soft frown.

“Well, this wine has not just been procured, my dear.” Vyn said with a proud smile. “And I imagine you could see our futures in this-”

“Enough.” She finally blurted, cheeks going red. Rosa knew she should let him get it off his chest naturally, but the suspense was killing her. “I know why we are here, so just get on with it!”

Seeing Vyn’s smile fall, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt, but it was quickly smothered by the knowledge of what he was going to say.

“Ah… It seems my conversation with Brother Aaron was overheard.” He cleared his throat. “My darling Rosie, I understand it might not be a welcome proposal to yourself, after all you are a lady of such renown…”

She tried to hold back the tears, bracing herself for his words.

“…But I believe by the time your brother returns, I will have become consequential enough to where our previous relations would not cause him frustration.”

Rosa’s mouth dropped open in disbelief.

Vyn saw this and pursed his lips nervously, his eyes cautious. “…Rosie, what is the matter?”

“You vile man!” She cried, tears dotting her eyes. “How could you say such things?!”

With a huff, Rosa threw the wine onto his shirt and slammed down the glass, dashing away.

As she fled, she could hear him splutter and call after her, his pounding footsteps making her heart pound as she tried to run faster.

“Rosie!” He cried, racing after her. Within seconds he had overtaken her, and grabbed her wrist, turning her towards him with a pleading look. “What did I say? Did I truly misread our time together?”

She slaps his hand off of her wrist, glaring at him through tear-soaked eyes. “You! You talk of buying off my brother’s ire, and you assume I would allow such slander?”

“I-I do not think so little of your brother, or you for that matter!” Vyn spluttered, stepping back in surprise. “Is that truly what you inferred from our conversation?”

“What else can I assume?” She retorted, clenching her fists. “However, you will be glad to know that such a bribe is unnecessary. My brother will have no ire against you just because you do not return the feelings of a lovestruck girl.”

Vyn looked like he had been struck upside the head. “Whatever made you believe I do not return your feelings? Have I neglected you in such a way? Tell me so that I may change your mind.”

“You, you spoke to Brother Aaron of not allowing myself to continue feeling this way…” Rosa looked away with a sob. “How gallant of you to humor my affections all this time, as to not inconvenience me!”

“Humor you?” Vyn scoffed, pulling her towards him, making Rosa squeak in surprise.

“Darling, I love you as the stars love the night. A day without you is a day filled with sorrow. You cannot possibly know how much pain it gives me to hear your words!” He insisted, shaking her a little in his panic.

And just like that, he captured her lips with his own in a moment of desperation. For a time, there was nothing in the word but each other, as they melted into the embrace like long-lost lovers who had known each other’s passion for years.

Vyn snuck his hands into her hair, scratching her scalp with his intensity. Rosa returned it in kind, clawing at his shoulders and back in frustration.

“I- Am- Unworthy…” He huffs into her skin, kissing down her throat. “I know I am. That’s why…”

Vyn returns to her lips, drawing out another sweet kiss from Rosa, who’s too overwhelmed to respond.

“That wine you threw at me…” He chuckled, moving to kiss her ear, cupping her face in one of his hands. “It was a blend of my own creation, which the vineyard is going to generously allow me to sell with commission. I am hoping that having such a lucrative trade in my prevue will soften your brother to the idea that I have been courting his only sister while he was away… Without his blessing…”

He bit at her earlobe gently, drawing a delightful shudder from the woman.

“Vyn!” She gasped, now crying for a completely different reason.

"I only hope you can stand the idea of waiting eight months for a betrothal..." He murmured, kissing along her jawline. "I know I find the wait to be an excruciating thought..."

Rosa hugged him close, her clawing grip tightening. “Oh, you… I’m so…”

Unable to finish her thoughts, Rosa pulled his face back to hers, capturing his lips as he had done before...

“Enough, I believe we have gotten the point.” Artem interrupted, cheeks glowing.

“Yes, well…” Vyn cleared his throat, the tips of his ears lighting up ever so slightly. “Needless to say, she apologized for the misunderstanding, and thus began our official courtship. For Rosa to remind me of this story when advising you, it seems she’s telling you to gather the full truth from your beloved, young Pearce. Things might be far more straightforward than you think.”

Luke nodded, a determined smile on his face. “Thank you, and be sure to thank your Rosie from me in your next letter.”

Vyn nodded back, and with that the two of them headed below deck, presumably to begin writing to their sweethearts before the boat left.

Marius sighed, laying down on the deck. “I wish I could do the same with my Jie-Jie, don’t you agree Wing?”

But Artem was looking between the hatch they disappeared down and his papers, an unreadable look on his face.

“Perhaps… perhaps we can…” He murmured.

Chapter Text

To Whom it May Concern,

The East India Company regrets to inform you that there was an unfortunate encounter with a storm upon your Correo Mayor de las Indias’ expected mail route, forcing them to transfer their mail to us as the closest mailing vessel to their route. Due to this inconvenience, your mail was slowed down as we were forced to delay our journey until another such Spanish vessel could properly relay your communications. Along with this, many parcels and letters were unfortunately damaged by the excessive rainfall and harsh waves.

We would like to extend our deepest condolences, despite our lack of agency in the whole affair. Indeed, aren’t we all but characters in a novel, tossed around by fate?

Signed by the Minister of the Royal Mail of England,

With the Official Stamp of the Correo Mayor de la Casa de la Contratación as collateral,

Zangyr Stewart

…

Dea   Pen y

My fe  li  s are that o  dee  and utter         , please tell me you feel the same?

Af   r all, I   ve lov  you si    we w re  childr  . My crewmate, one Vy  R   ter, he and his belov  have ins   ed that yo  must fee  someth    for me, si    we write to one another so pas  onat   . I lo   for us t   e bo  d in  oly ma  im  y, a d ma e a ne  kind of family.

Please let    kn   how you feel,

Yo   Ody

…

My Dear Rosie,

It should please you to know that my companions were greatly delighted by our little misunderstanding, and the companion I spoke of previously thanks you for your advice. He wishes for me to tell you that your advice will warm his hear  un il he ca  see  is Pe  y ag  n.

Indeed, it seems it was needed, as his beloved re   ed ba  in a rather co     d and    cerned man  r.

Not much to speak of at this time, other than my desolation at being apart fro  ou.

All my Love,

Vyn

…

Rosita,

You did a good job with the reports, your skills with numbers are truly remarkable.

Thi d  ate Artem Wing

…

Dear Rosa,

My, it seems you have gotten yourself into quite a predicament! How scandalous, did you never write to your brother during his expedition? I feel this situation could have been avoided post-haste… but I suppose it’s no good to dwell on such things. What’s done is done.

I suppose the only thing to do is wait for his response, and react accordingly. Above all, I would highly suggest telling Vyn about your issue. It would do you no good to hide such things from your future husband, and he may have some insight of the masculine persuasion.

…Unless, of course, you are not opposed to this brother’s advance?

Forgive me if that question was out of turn, but it would do you good to ask such questions. After all, should it prove to be a misunderstanding, this worry will be for not. But should it prove to be exactly as you say, you may have to ask yourself…

Will you choose your brother or Vyn?

Charlotte

Chapter Text

The crew thought nothing of the storm at first, it had hit and then left rather quickly. Although it had been quite rough, they had only caught the outskirts of the hurricane.

But then the “driftwood” starting appearing. At first it was just a few boards and bobs, things they could easily dismiss as things that had fallen off their boat or were leftover flotsam from other ships. But then they started seeing what were obviously sails, and began navigating around giant broken off pieces of hull. The first body they found simply confirmed their fears.

Not every ship in that storm had made it out.

Vyn had been recording all of this, watching as they passed the wreckage with a morbid fascination. There was something familiar about the boat, but he couldn’t put his finger on it…

But he was very quickly distracted when he heard splashing, and peered out over the rail.

In the water there was a boy failing about on a barrel, clearly trying to get their boat’s attention.

“MAN OVERBOARD!” Vyn yelled, rushing to get a buoy to tug the boy up with.

Immediately, the crew was everywhere, Artem shouting orders as they all worked to save the mysterious drifter.

As they pulled the boy up on deck, they were shocked to see how young he was.

“Mary, mother of God.” One of the old timers breathed. “He’s practically still wet behind the ears, it’s a miracle he survived.”

But if they were shocked to see his age, what the boy said nearly knocked them all over.

“Tack, jag trodde att jag skulle dö där ute. det blev så kallt...” The boy coughed, his lips blue from the shock.

“He’s from Svart.” Marius said in surprise, looking to Vyn warily.

Following his gaze, the boy looked to a frozen Vyn, and his eyes went wide.

“Jarl Vilhelm! Jag måste vara i himlen, för de säger att du är död...”

And with that the boy fainted, making Vyn rush forward to catch him.

“Someone get Yshimir, he’s freezing!” He yelled, stirring the men into action once more for the ship’s doctor.

Vyn began to rub the boy’s arms and hug him close, attempting to get his body temperature up.

“He knew you.” Marius pointed out, suspicious. “How?”

“This is not the time.” Vyn snapped, his eyes flashing with frustration. “You know of my heritage, he is from my homeland.”

“But he knew you…” Artem said, eyes narrowing. “Who’s Jarl?”

Vyn went silent, ignoring their questions and focusing on the boy.

Later, after Aaron had looked the boy over and gotten him into dry clothes, he was laid down in Vyn’s bunk, still out cold.

As Vyn tended to him, his thoughts and questions swirled in his head.

That was a Svartian ship.

Probably a hundred of his kinsman, dead.

But even more terrifying was how far away they were from Svartian shores. His homeland prided themselves on their isolationist principles, it worried him to think they were sending ships out this far.

What were they doing out here?

As the boy came to with a few coughs, he ignored the lingering stares from his crewmates and helped the boy up, soothing him in their native language.

“Där, ta det lugnt. Du är inte längre i fara.”  Vyn cooed, assuring him he was safe. “Can you speak Stellish?”

“Y-yes.” The boy chattered, still shivering, though his lips were no longer blue. “I know over 15 languages, my tutor says I’m a prodigy.”

“You’re noble.” Vyn observed, ice flooding his veins. “What were you doing out so far from our homeland?”

“I could ask you the same Jarl .” The boy responded, looking up at him suspiciously. “We were told you had died during your escape attempt.”

Vyn gave a mirthful chuckle. “Some prodigy if you haven’t learned not to trust parliament yet.”

“They gave you a funeral.” The boy replied coldly, glaring at him. “They showed us the blood stained clothes, your father has shunned parliament and is abandoning his duties out of grief for you. It was not hyperbole when I said I thought we were in heaven. To our homeland, you are well and truly dead.”

Vyn went silent, stunned by this information. He assumed they would push it under the rug, claim he was dead and then let his name be lost to time. To hear how hard they took his “death”. To hear how his father….

“Herre förlåt mig...” He heard himself saying.

“How important were you, Vyn?” Luke asked, finally breaking the silence from the other three, who had been watching them interact with increasing incredulity. “Why is your death national news? We knew that you’re an Inquisition refugee, but how does some noble kid called you by another name?”

“Jarl Vilhelm is the scion prince of the Haspran duchy.” The child proclaimed proudly, puffin out his chest. “His family stands for the people, and Vilhelm is to inherit his birthright and fight for us someday!”

“Oh, I just know you’ve been talking to Carl.” Vyn huffed, smiling softly. “There’s no tutor in Svart bold enough to teach a child something like that.”

“Of course, he was my father.” The child said, and the smile fell from his face.

He was my father…

Vyn felt a growing dread in his stomach. “Was your father?”

The child began to tear up. “He was on the ship with me, we were on a mission from your father to find your body… The last time I saw him he hoisting me on the barrel and telling me to hang on tight…”

Vyn tried to hold back his tears, hugging the child tight.

“You- You’re Davis, aren’t you? The last time I saw you, you fit in the palms of my hands… Your father was so proud….”

Davis nodded into his chest, and began to sob.

If his thoughts were spinning before, Vyn was in a tailspin now. His oldest friend dead, his child alone and shivering an ocean away from home.

And if Davis was correct, it was partially his own fault…

“I’m so sorry.” Vyn whispered, kissing the top of Davis’ head.

This only made the boy cry harder.

The others watched on with barely concealed horror. This previously unknown tragedy had quickly gained a face and a personal feeling of grief for them.

They had never seen Vyn act like this, so… vulnerable. Watching their normally calm friend cry was almost painful, and Luke, Marius, and Artem found themselves turning away from the scene.

“I will order the others to keep searching the wreckage, maybe we can find some others.” Artem mumbled, quickly going back up the top deck.

Davis began to quiet down, falling back asleep, but the sobbing did not stop.

…

When Vyn and the boys finally climbs up to the top decks, he’s confronted by the entire crew, who all look at him with varying levels of confusion, distrust, and pity.

“Well?” He called, holding up his hands helplessly.

Marius looked between him and the crew and sighed. “Who was that boy? And who are you?”

Vyn straightened up on instinct. “That boy is Count Davis of Diluc, a providence in the country of Svart. His father was the Count before him. As for myself...”

He took in a deep breath to steady himself, quick to notice how the crew leaned in.

“I am Jarl Vilhelm Albert Richard de Haspran, ducal prince of the Haspran duchy within the country of Svart.”

There were a couple rogue laughs, clearly some of the crew didn’t believe him. But they were quickly silenced as the rest of the crew began murmuring, recognizing that their quartermaster had never joked around about his past life.

He stared them down, almost daring them to challenge him.

Vyn began to tunnel a little bit, the murmurs morphing from his crew to Svartian court. He wasn’t on a ship in the Atlantic, he was being questioned by the nobility for his essays, turned in by his newest tutor.

He was going to be turned into the Inquisition again, would they bring in his father?

In the distance he heard the unfurling of the whips and clattering of chains…

“Well geez, hope you don’t expect us to go bowing and scraping with a name like that.” One of the older geezers snorted, snapping him back to reality. “That’s a mouthful, that’s what it is.”

The crew started laughing, breaking the previous tension. Eventually, even Vyn started to join in, cracking a smile as Marius fell off his barrel for the umpteenth time.

Darling Rosie,

I know I have not received your newest letter yet, but I have news that needs your gentle consolation desperately.

I know I do not talk of my homeland much, but that does not mean I had nothing I considered dear to me. A noble I was friends with at school was on an expedition with his son… looking for me. A storm destroyed their ship, and his son, Davis, was the only survivor.

I cannot help but feel a deep sense of guilt at this tragedy. You must recall my relief at their mistaken diagnosis, but knowing what I know now, it destroys me inside.

My father has shut himself away Rosa.

I have made a boy an orphan.

Please, I need your guidance in this moment. The darkness threatens to swallow me whole.

Vyn

Chapter Text

My Dear Ody,

Your letter was unfortunately damaged in the crossing on the Atlantic, and your words have been lost to the waves. So perhaps I should clear the air.

I am engaged to a man I love, and once you both return from your expeditions I expect my brother to walk me down the aisle to my new husband.

If you cannot reconcile a future where this is my reality, then I fear that the brother I have loved for so much of my life has been lost to me. I truly, deeply, love you, but not in the ways you seem to wish from me.

May we find a way to move forward,

Penny

…

My Love,

I fear I have uncomfortable news to relay.

I have never truly explained this to you, but my brother is not related to me by blood. He was a ward my parents adopted after his parents perished in a carriage accident when he was a boy. I have never viewed him in any way that would be unfit for a sibling like I had imagined us to be.

But in a recent letter it seems Luke has described a different kind of love for me, and my assumptions of our bond was grossly underestimated.

I request your advice during this time, as I am sending a letter to him at the same time explaining my platonic expressions, and I don’t wish for you to be in the dark when you return home and may no longer have a brother-in-law to commune with.

Yours anxiously,

Rosa

…

Charlotte,

I believe Third Mate Wing’s ledger accidentally ended up with me instead of you again. His appreciation for your talent in mathematics has gotten bolder by the looks of it. I would suggest leaving a note clearing up the information in your next mailing (maybe this is your chance?).

“Rosita”

Chapter Text

Davis quickly fit into their little group, clinging to Vyn the way a newborn might cling to its mother.

He was also not boasting when he explained his prodigious intelligence, as he has taken to speaking in other languages or reciting his lessons to entertain the crew.

All of this mixed into a pleasant young boy who was immediately adopted by the crew as one of their own.

On this particular day, Davis was climbing up the ropes to watch for the mailboat, anxiously being watched by Vyn from the deck.

“Be careful, we ran out of ointment for rope burns!” He called, pacing below the rigging.

“Calm yourself, you sound like the boy’s mother.” Marius teased, pulling Davis further up the rigging. “Callouses make the man after all, a little rope burn won’t hurt him.”

“I beg to differ.” Vyn grumbled, plopping down on a crate to watch the boy better.

“This is amazing Vilhelm!” Davis yelled, giggling as he swung from the ropes with care, making Vyn jump in trepidation.

“The boy will be fine, Marius is spotting him.” Luke reassured him, taking a second off from swabbing the deck to look up at the quartermaster. “I wonder how your Rosie will take to the boy?”

“I have sent a note explaining the situation already.” Vyn sighed, running a hand across his face. “I feel responsible for the boy, I do not wish to rescue him from the sea only for him to fall right back into it because Marius could not be damned to be GENTLE, GENTLE MARIUS, DON’T YANK THE BOY!”

He shouted the last bit, waving his arms at Marius who, as previously pointed out, yanked the ropes to make Davis bounce on the line with a giggle.

As Vyn ran to stop the situation, Artem walked up with an amused look. “What is our mother hen clucking about this time?”

Luke chuckled. “Pecking out Marius for yanking him up in the rigging.”

They watched as the quartermaster grabbed the rope and slowly guided the boy down, all the while chewing out the laughing first mate.

…

That night, Vyn tucked Davis into a hammock, humming any old lullabies that he could recall to sooth the boy. As he walked back to his bunk, he saw Marius escape up to the upper deck and quickly changed course to follow him.

Squinting past the moonlight, Vyn saw Marius climbing the rigging with a grunt.

“Be careful, be sensible.” Marius mocked, yanking at the ropes with every word. “Don’t take risks!”

He kicked himself into a swinging motion, practically flying across the rigging.

“What’s the point of being the spare if you aren’t allowed to take risks?”

But as he said that, the rope slacked off a little, and Marius began to slide down. Hearing a cry, Vyn knew he had tried to stop his decent and had gotten hurt for it. Marius flipped over, the only thing keeping him on the rope is the little twisted part around his leg.

Vyn quickly found which rig was connected to his rope and yanked, slamming the boy into the base of the sails with an “oof!’

“The point…” Vyn panted, struggling to hold onto the rope. “Is that your life is worth more than proving something. There are no spares when it comes to living.”

Marius looked at him, fear in his eyes. He was beginning to comprehend what had almost happened to him.

“What makes you think that your life means so little that doing something so stupid wouldn’t matter?” Vyn spat, eyes glowing like firelight under the moon’s glow.

“I…” Marius couldn’t speak, his mouth bobbing up and down in disbelief. “I didn’t know you cared.”

Vyn rolled his eyes and let go of the rope, making Marius crumple to the floor.

“Is this about the deal I made with your father?” He asked, scrambling to think of how to retie the rigging, holding the rope limply. “I highly doubt you are upset that I stopped Davis from falling off the ship. You have been throwing yourself into every risky situation we’ve come across this entire journey.”

Marius rolled his eyes and snatched the rope, quickly tying up the rigging like second nature. “He wouldn’t have fallen off, I was watching!”

Vyn pursed his lips, giving the man a cross look. “You’re avoiding my question.”

“Fine, I don’t think I need university, is that what you want to hear?” Marius huffed, yanking on the ropes to ensure they were secure. “The idea of leaving this amazing life to go back to books and subjects I will never use? I shudder at the thought.”

“It’s important you know what to do if something happens to your family.” Vyn insisted, following Marius as he checked the rigging all along the deck. “There’s more to life than doing what makes you feel good, you have a duty to your family, your friends, the people who care about you…”

“Oh, like you did?” Marius fired back, crossing his arms and scoffing. “Like I should listen to the man who abandoned his county when the going got tough.”

“I would have died.” Vyn said coldly, stopping Marius in his tracks. “My father would have been executed, our duchy dissolved and reassumed into Svart. I didn’t run away, I was exiled.”

Marius didn’t know what to say, watching with a sinking feeling as Vyn’s eyes dimmed, going to that far away place they went to when Davis first showed up.

“Do you think I wished to leave? That it didn’t destroy me to leave my ailing father behind?” Vyn whispered, eyes haunted. “If I had lived for my pleasure, I could have drank and entertained myself with the other nobles with no thought for the oppression and torture of my people. I would be married to some mindless noblewoman who could give me five children, but only two would be mine by blood. I have lost my home in a way you would never understand precisely because I had a duty to my people.”

Vyn grabbed him by the collar. “the risks I took were out of duty, the risks you take are out of a lack of it. Never compare me to you in such a way again!’

Letting him go, he tried to calm himself down, turning away to pace.

“Vyn, I’m sorry, I-”

“What about your Jie-Jie?” Vyn asked sharply, turning his fiery glare back to Marius.

“What about her?” Marius replied, a little offended. “Don’t bring her into this…”

“Really? So you think her family will be fine with her marrying some second son who paints for a living?” Vyn mocked, a cruel glint in his eyes. “One with no back-up or accolades? You sail half the year for fun, what makes you think you could properly care for a woman in this state?”

Marius choked, unable to respond. As Vyn walked back to the man, Marius plopped down on a crate in shock.

“You- You really think so?” Marius whispered, fear in his eyes.

“I know so.” Vyn said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “I was a refugee with nothing to my name when I met my Rosie, and that almost cost me her love.”

“Only because of your own neurosis.” Marius protested, waving his insistences away.

“Yes, that incident does come to mind,” Vyn mused, finally breaking a small smile. “But I speak of another moment in our courtship…”

As Vyn brought in the communion wine barrels, Rosa watched him with a barely contained giggle.

For a moment she was distracted by his exposed forearms, framed by the loose, rolled up shirt he was in and rippling with the intensity of the task. She replaced those barrels with herself, and recalled a moment in the vineyard two days ago when he lifted her up…

With warm cheeks, she shook herself out of her daydreams and approached him quietly.

“I can hear you coming my love.” He chuckled, not deviating from his task. “But you’re your attempt at stealth is admirable.”

“Humor me darling.” She pouted, hugging him from behind. “Let’s sneak out.”

“Oh?” He purred, putting down the barrel. “How devious, it’s unlike you.”

Rosa blushed. “The Lord can forgive a day of rest, surely…”

With a laugh, Vyn took her hand and tugged her out towards the fields.

…

As they crashed into the grass with more laughter, Vyn snatched her by the waist and pinned Rosa to the ground with a grin.

“Hello love.”

Rosa giggled, covering her blushing face with her hands.

“What’s wrong?” He grinned, leaning in close. “You’re laughing.”

That only made her giggle harder, pushing at his chest with her free hand.

“Vyn…”

He chuckled, nuzzling her cheek. With a huff, he rolled off of her and looked up at the sky in amazement.

“You are… my everything.” He breathed, turning to look at her.

Rosa turned to him as well, still giggling a little. “And you are… my miracle.”

Vyn propped himself up, giving her a confused look. “Miracle?”

“I prayed for days like this.” She admitted, looking up at the clouds with a smile. “When my brother was at sea, no parents to comfort me, and only my magazines for company… I prayed for God to send me my soulmate. And here you are.”

“Here I am…” He murmured, looking at her with adoration.

But before he could lean in for a kiss, Vyn froze at the sound of marching.

He peered up over the grass and bit back a curse.

“Vyn? What’s wrong?” Rosa asked, sensing his panic.

“Stay down.” He hissed, crouching back down in the grass. “Soldiers.”

This had been going on for weeks, Svartian soldiers marching the streets searching for him.

They claimed a “dangerous criminal” had escaped their country that they were hunting down, and the royal family had given them grace so that they may extradite the fugitive.

Of course Vyn and Rosa knew the truth, who they were searching for and more damningly why… But there was little to do than to lay low and wait for them to assume he had fled the country.

After a while the marching sounds began to fade and they began to breathe again.

“I’m sorry my dear, you do not deserve to be so afraid for my sake…” Vyn apologized softly, scooping her up in his arms and burying his face into her hair.

“You are not the first Inquisition refugee I helped, hopefully you will not be the last.” Rosa waved his concerns off. “The only fear I did not anticipate was how much I’m afraid of losing you. And if that’s the highest cost for your love, then I will hold myself to it.”

Despite her reassurances, however, Vyn couldn’t help but feel something cold and heavy settle in the bottom of his stomach.

…

A week later, Vyn had arrived to the shared apartment Rosa lived in, her roommate Charlotte telling him to take a seat in the sitting room with a giggle.

He settled in, closing his eyes with a sigh as he decompressed from the long work day. Because of this, he heard Rosa come through the door before he saw her.

“My Dear, you took so long, what held you…”

Vyn froze.

Rosa turned away quickly, hurrying over to her kitchen and began pulling out various herbs from the ropes.

But he saw it.

The beginnings of a black eye on her cheek.

“What happened?” He demanded, getting up from the loveseat.

“Nothing I couldn’t anticipate, please sit down.” She said, calmly crushing the herbs up in her pestle.

“What happened?” He repeated, grabbing her wrist to face him, only to pause at her wince. Gently, he turned her hand over and saw the bruising was not limited to her face.

“A few soldiers tried to question me.” She finally admitted, gently taking her hand back and assembling what he could now recognize as a poultice for the injuries. “It seems someone let slip that our church has housed refugees in the past.”

“Question you, or intimidate you?” He asked, fury warming his veins.

“They are the Inquisition; you cannot have one without the other.” Rosa tried to chuckle, only to wince again and go back to her task.

“That… that’s awful.” Marius whispered, looking at Vyn with pity. “What did you do?”

“What could I do?” Vyn said, shrugging as he went to lean on the railing. “I was the one they were looking for, I had no friends of renown or great business of my own, I was powerless to do anything.”

Marius became lost in thought, so Vyn continued.

“But I couldn’t leave my Rosie defenseless, or else I would never be able to call myself worthy of her hand…”

As Vyn stood before the Von Hagen Trading Company, wringing his hands, he tried to collect himself.

“He knows you, he will understand…” He whispered to himself, opening the door to a surprised Charlotte.

“Oh, Vyn! Are you looking for Rosa? She’s out delivering papers…”

“Actually, I would like to speak to Mr. Von Hagen, I heard he was in today?” Vyn asked, a nervous twitch betraying his polite smile.

“Oh I see, which one? Marius just came in from the last voyage, and Giann is in his office working on trade routes.”

Vyn groaned internally, this was one of the outcomes he feared. His family was close to the Von Hagens, so he knew Austin and Giann quite personally. But he didn’t know Marius due to how young he was when they visited. In their letters over the years, he was described as the quintessential younger brother, constantly poking at Giann and bothering important business.

If he couldn’t see Giann by himself, Marius could become a liability.

Um, Giann please. Which way to his office?” Vyn asked, pointing in each direction questioningly.

“Oh, um… This way.”

Charlotte got up and began leading him to the side door, opening it and leaning in beyond his vision.

“Mr. Von Hagen, I have a Vyn Richter here for you.”

“Mr. Richter? Send him in I guess…:”

As Vyn entered the room, his worst fears were realized.

“Come on Giann, the seas are calling, you need to join me on my next voyage.” A man he presumed was Marius whined, flopping over on Giann’s desk. “We need a quartermaster anyways, your intellect would finally be of use!”

Giann sighed, only to freeze when he saw Vyn.

“Marius, leave us.”

“What?” Marius sputtered, indignant. “But-”

“Leave.” Giann hissed, standing up and glaring at his brother, making Marius shrink in on himself.

“Okay, okay, I’m going…” Marius walked away, cautiously eyeing the mysterious stranger that made his brother tense.

Once the door clicked shut, Giann rushed to Vyn, hugging him tight.

“Good Lord, do you know how worried we’ve been?” He whispered, squeezing tightly. “When my father got the letter asking if he’d seen you… We assumed the worst.”

“I’m fine.” Vyn sighed in relief. He was safe. “I’m fine, but I need your help.”

“I’ll say.” Giann chortled, releasing his friend with a pat on the back. “Vyn Richter?”

“My mother’s maiden name.” He answered the unspoken question, avoiding Giann’s eyes. “I’m on the run, but Svart isn’t giving up on me.”

“And they never will Albert, and I assume you knew that when you fled.” Giann said, raising a brow.

“I did, but now I have someone else to care for, and they’re being dragged into my past.” Vyn explained, sitting in the armchair in front of Giann’s desk. “I’m penniless, without title, and unable to show my face in polite society. You were the only one I could think to turn to.”

“Someone else, eh?”

Vyn ran a hand through his hair, trying to hide his flushed face as Giann wiggled his eyebrows with a smirk. “You are insufferable.”

“But I’m also your only hope.” Giann laughed, clapping his hands in delight. “And to think you said you might be a eunuch…”

“That letter is for your eyes only, and I was sixteen.” Vyn hissed, his blush growing stronger. “I was worried that I wasn’t developing properly!”

“Dear Giann, I saw a pretty maiden and I felt nothing. Perhaps I should become a monk?” Giann recited in a falsetto, giggling, as he avoided Vyn’s attempts to silence him. “It’s so tiny…”

“I didn’t write that!” Vyn protested, reaching to stop his oldest friend. “Keep your voice down, I’m technically a refugee! And Rosa works here…”

“Oh SHE DOES?” Giann shouted on purpose, rushing to his door to check out his secretaries. “THE GIRLFRIEND OF A EUNUCH WORKS HE-”

Desperate, Vyn tackled him to the ground with a grunt. “Giann!”

And that was how a bewildered Rosa found the two of them, tangled up on the floor as Vyn straddled the poor businessman and smothered him with his hands.

“Rosa! I- This isn’t…” Vyn floundered for a second, looking from a laughing Giann to his worried beau. “I’m not murdering him!”

“That… wasn’t my biggest worry, but thank you for reassuring me.” Rosa said, slowly closing the door on the two of them.

“So that’s what that shouting was about.” Marius said, eyes wide in amusement.

Vyn mumbled a little bit under his breath then glared at the man. “Listen, do you want to know what happened or not?”

“Right, right, sorry.” Marius cleared his throat, and then made a sweeping bow. “Continue.”

A FEW DAYS LATER

As the Svartian secret police swarmed the dock, Giann von Hagen was calmly sipping some tea, looking to his friend nonchalantly.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this? There’s no going back.”

Vyn nodded, putting down his cup. “After tonight, Vilhelm Richard Albert de Haspran will be no more.”

“Seriously with the long names, you Europeans confuse me…” Giann murmured, taking another sip. “Here.”

With a flick of his thumb, he tossed a ring to Vyn, who looked at it questioningly.

“What… How did you get this?” He whispered, eye going wide.

“Eh, I figured at least one person in Svart needed to know you weren’t offing yourself.” Giann shrugged. “That Weschler fellow, he always did have a knack for secrets. Turns out I underestimated how many.”

Vyn turned over his mother’s wedding ring in the light, a shiver going up his spine as he looked upon something he had only seen in portraits.

One portrait in particular.

The only one of his entire family, taken shortly after his birth, before his uncle died and father took the throne.

Before the Inquisitors came for her.

“He said something about keeping a piece of your home with you.” Giann mused, stirring his tea contemplatively. “I never even mentioned you had someone… Remind me to never cross your family after this.”

Vyn smiled softly, clutching the ring tightly. “Thank you.”

Giann just nodded, turning as he heard the pounding footsteps get closer. “Well, that’s my cue, and yours too if I’m not mistaken.”

With a jaunty little hop, Giann disappeared below the dock, and Vyn turned to the encroaching policemen with a devilish smirk.

“Halt, you are to come into Svartian custody with no resistance, by order of the Inquisition!” One of the men shouted, jabbing the air in front of him with his bayonet.

“Since when has the Crown lost it’s place as the head of our country?” Vyn taunted, walking backwards slowly. “I will only respond to my king, not the whims of his bullheaded mistress!”

“How dare you!” With a roar, the soldier charged forward, stabbing Vyn in the shoulder.

As the others pulled the hot-headed guard back, part of Vyn’s shirt stuck to the bayonet, tearing the garment in two as they seperated.

“You fool, we need him alive!” Someone else hissed.

Too late for that.

Vyn stumbled back with his wound, reflexively holding his shoulder, only to trip over the edge of the dock with a pained cry.

Before they could stop him, he had gone over, and the secret police rushed to the edge, peering over into the rocky waters below.

Where all they saw was a blood splattered rock and the rest of Vyn’s shirt, his body no where to be seen.

“He… He’s gone…” One of the soldiers gasped, crossing himself.

Murmured prayers and mumbling voices of dissent filled the group, making the soldier who attacked him flush in anger.

“Enough, all of you!” The man roared. “The brat is dead, save your prayers for a soul that deserved it. Now, we must find the body and tell the people.”

With that, the murmurs turned into whispers, the beginning of rebellion forming in their ranks.

“Wait, then what happened?” Marius asked, bewildered. “How did you do that and survive?”

Vyn smiled mysteriously. “Well, I can’t reveal all of your brother and I’s secrets, now can I?”

“So… So that was why Davis thought you were dead?” Marius asked, putting the pieces together. “That’s why you’re so protective of him?”

Vyn’s smile faded, and he nodded again, this time a little more weary. “I doomed my own countrymen to their graves.”

Silence filled the night, as they knew there was nothing else to say.

After all, the damage had been done.

As Vyn moved to head back below deck, Marius spoke up, stopping Vyn.

“So… if I go university… you’re saying I can learn how to fake my death?”

Vyn laughed a little, and began walking again.

“Maybe… if you do well enough in your studies.”

Underneath the dock, Giann waited for the footsteps to fade off before taking his hand off of Vyn’s mouth, who’s pained whimpers instantly filled the air.

“You always have to add dramatics don’t you?” He chuckled, tearing off part of his shirt to wrap up the wound. “Now, quickly, we need to leave before the soldiers find their way down here…”

Vyn nodded, and draped himself over Giann’s shoulder. “Yes well, at least they won’t have any doubts, eh?”

As a boy, Giann had found this little weathered alcove under the dock, carved out by waves. It was a little shelf in the rocks able to fit three grown men if they crouched, and he had used it as his own personal hideaway for whenever he wanted time to himself, away from his father and little brother.

Their plan had been inspired by the one time a sailor had spotted him jumping from the docks to the hiding spot, only to call for his father in a panic.

Needless to say, he was grounded for a month.

All they had needed to do was have Giann drop down first, and then catch Vyn whenever he made his “grand exit”, and thanks to the overzealous soldier it had gone off better than they had even hoped for.

A quick discarding of the torn shirt and a hand swipe of blood on the rocks, and you had an instant death certificate.

“… So, for your cover? I was thinking…”

“I’m not disguising myself as your eunuch!”