of Shovels and Knights (Shovel Knight stories)

Propeller Knight, chapter 5 - Change of plans

- Uhmm, hey Sir. - 

- What's the matter Cedric? Will the Dinghy Dropper  be operative ever again or-? -

- It's not that, although we just need to sustitute some planks. I was... wondering if you know what is going on with the Captain. 
Almost none of us has seen him after the accident, he's either closed on his office or in of the highest platform, and either  ignores our questions or talks back rudely  if we even get the chance to approach him before he leaves. Something feels... wrong, out of his character. - 

Simon sighed before answering. That was the truth, he didn't say a word not even to him, nor asked more informations about the airship or anything as he wasn't interested anymore.
He didn't see him going on his usual flights around the air balloons anymore. 

- Do you... remember that woman he was often with? -

- Oh sure, she's a blast! Both nice and determinated, wasn't she about to become a pilot? I remember when he told-- 

- She's dead. -

The air felt tense all of a sudden, turning the athmosphere quite unconfortable. 

- That's... unfortunate. She would have been a great member... -

- She would, I was one of her assistants and taught her most of my knowledge. Beside, I've found later on she and the Captain were-- lovers, although it wasn't the main reason why she was recuited. He... really cared about her. - 

He felt the shocked stare of his crewmate upon him, not knowing what to say. Just as he did when he saw his captain in shock when he gave him the rose. 

- ...I'm going to try again and talk with him. Is there anything he should know about? - 

- Nothing really. Maybe tell him about the crew, on these last few days many have recovered or anyway have stable conditions, so it won't be long before we all will be fully operative and so the main systems of the airship. Good luck. - 

It was his first long flight after he had been assaulted by drakes that day, so it took much longer than expected to get on the highest floor where, as imagined, he was up there. 
The sunset was about to end, the sky painted with more shades of purple than red and yellow ones and the first stars appearing. And close to the edge, he was starring at the void below and above. 
Only as he was walking towards him he started thinking about what to say or the tone to use or how to reply if that was the case. Did he even noticed him? The huge propellers of the airship were loud after all, so probably he could not even hear him coming. 
Then he stopped, a few steps behind him. 

- Finally found you, Captain. - 

He didn't even turned back, giving no sign of attention. 
He waited a few  moments more before continuing. 

- Would you like to hear the report of these days, Captain? We are making progress. - 

No answer. 
It was getting unnerving, and he was about to reply with tone before he finally made a gesture and told him to stay in silence. 

- But... Captain I understand this whole situation really had an impact on you however I must-- -

- I've been thinking Simon. About... the future, of all of us. About what we will do, and how. - 

His tone was calm, but emotionless. He turned back at him and he noticed he was holding his rapier unfolded with both hands, looking where he was soflty tapping on the blade, still not paying attention to him and contuined to talk as he was giving a monologue alone. 

- I've spent a life planning and calculating. Making sure every factor was taken in consideration before accepting deals or taking determinated ruotes. We were between the most important commerciants, we carried only the most luxurious items and fineries, and even when we were in the eye of the enemies, I always had a second plan in my pocket ready to use and make it throught no matter what was on our way. 
This was the result of a life, a life which has been destroyed in every single inch by one single attack, in one single day. Whichever was the bright future in front of us, we are now far away, lost and trapped in a storm which pulled in unknow winds.
So tell me now Simon, do you think was it really all worth it?- 

He didn't wait for his answer, he suddenly put his weapon back at its place and kept on his speech.

- Apparentely no matter how good you make, something will always be there to break your plans apart. Unless... you don't have a plan. 
Those pirates had only one goal, make loot, and they made it. What was our purpose? Survive by following a scheme? Did we make it? No, because schemes can be applied only for determinated situations, so what's the point on making them if at the end they will be useless and only bring you to your own fall? 
What if instead... we just focused on our goal, and as they showed us making up a plan during tha action? -

- Where.. do you want to get, Captain - 

- Perhaps... this attack was what we really needed to realize our mistakes. You see, not only my job but also my role as captain took me most of my time, days and nights, but I would only feel alive during those brief flights. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?- 

- We... have been wasting our time for something completely pointless? But how-? -

- When was last time you felt alive, you felt more than a mere crewmember? - 

- When... the drakes come. When one of them was about to kill me and my partners. We all felt... part of a bigger plan, where all of our actions really matter... - 

- Despite the situation this took place, hasn't it felt great? - 

It... did.

- Call everyone in the main hall, whoever can stand on his own feet, and name those few who will report my talk to who still need assistance and hasn't recovered yet. It's time to bring a change on our plans. - 

He remembered that day clearly. The entire room could not believe his words for a moment as he declared to abbandon the encharge of commerciant and live as life presented to them, just as sky pirates. But surprisingly enough, when he gave them the chance to leave instead of following him on that new adventure, only a few stepped back. 
Despite the accident and his lack on defending his, their arship, they were still by his side. 
And so would have her. 
He sighed as he was approaching the Tower of Fate. Voices said Tinker Knight was defeat as well, so now only Polar Knight was standing between the Blue Burrower and the Enchatress.
Why was he doing that? He didn't know much about him beside a few stories told by some of his minions or villagers, but he could tell he wasn't someone seeking for power or dominance over people, so why all of a sudden this long journey to beat his Master? Could it really be simple sense of justice, or there was a second more hidden purpose?
Beside, he was still suprised he didn't simply walked away after their battle and instead he took a moment to leave next to him not only the broken propellers, but also his beloved rose. He was used to thieves taking it away or hearing people wondering why hw cared so much about a worthless flower but not him. He left right by his hand, easy to find once he woke up from the final hit which knocked him out.
Coincidence or not, he wouldn't have let himself be beaten like that ever again; he fell once and lost everything he ever loved, he wouldn't have left his memories have the same fate, and he would have fought until-
A calling from his second-in-command brought him back to reality as he didn't notice they arrived at the Tower; he quickly gave the order to throw the anchors and allowed his crew to take a break by the floors reserved to the Knights' minions. Then he jumped off the platform and took a deep breath as he glided towards the hall leading to the Enchantress's throne, bringing his report and news from the Eastern valley.