Of Princes, Pirates, and Curses

Chapter 18: Officially, Virgil's the Captain, But Really Patton's in Charge

Virgil woke up to something nudging his cheek. He waved whatever it was away and blinked his eyes open to see Thunder was laying next to him. Her eyes were finally open and she looked healthier.

Virgil jumped after a second, ignoring the pain in his ribs, and he smiled wide. "Thunder!"

Thunder cooed in response, rubbing her head against his chest as he laughed.

"You're awake! Your scales are warm again, are you feeling better?" Virgil felt tears in his eyes.

The dragon yawned and leaned against her human. She purred slightly, and Virgil scratched around her horns.

"Tired huh? That's okay, you rest as much as you want." Virgil glanced at the amulet, it was dim but still glowing. His smile became a little smaller as he got a sad look in his eyes. "Take all the time you need, seriously. I don't want you getting hurt again."

Thunder cooed softly and laid her head back down in the nest of pillows and blankets. She wasn't going to give all of that up easily, it was probably going to be a permanent part of the room despite her already having a pad, well technically small mattress, to lay on.

Virgil picked himself off of the floor, massaging his sore joints. He could have slept in his bed since Janus slept in his own hammock last night, but he didn't want to leave Thunder alone. The potion took a long time to work, and it must still be making its way through her system.

Unless they were too late, and if the amulet falls off she could die no matter how long it's been. The poison probably took hold already, and the potion just made it a little easier for her to handle. The amulet could easily fall off and then she could die.

Virgil pushed the thoughts back, already feeling the panic take hold. Janus said she will be alright, so she will be. He had to trust him, and Thunder. He had to trust that everything will be okay.

He opened the door and walked out, seeing everyone starting to wake up as Patton brought out some breakfast.

Martin saw Virgil and quickly came over to ask, "Is Thunder okay? We heard she got the potion."

Virgil smiled warmly at him. "Yes, she's doing much better. But I feel like it would be safer if we stayed here one more night just in case."

Martin sighed in relief. "That's good, I was really worried."

"We all have been it seems. But... I trust that she'll get better."

"You're looking better," Roman commented as he came up to Virgil.

"Yeah, I still feel sore but that's because I slept on the floor next to Thunder. She's feeling much better, by the way. Thanks for finding the flower."

"It's no problem, I'm just surprised we were the only ones to find one."

"So, when are we leaving?" Martin asked.

"Tomorrow, so you all have the day to go to town," Virgil told him. "Just, go in groups if you do, and a few need to stay back to guard the ship."

"Yeah, I don't really trust this place," Roman agreed. "You should be careful too, a lot of people here would love to get their hands on the bounty your father has placed on you."

Virgil sighed, "It wouldn't have been a problem if I wasn't cursed."

"Don't worry, we'll find a way to help you," Martin promised.

"Anything it takes," Roman agreed.

"You two are so positive all the time, I have no idea how you do it," Virgil chuckled, shaking his head.

"Virgil! Come get something to eat!" Patton called over. "No one skips meals!"

"I thought I was the captain here!"

"I'm older than you, and I took care of you when you were a child! Now hurry up!"

"Aye aye, Pat."

Roman laughed along with other crew members. He was glad that Virgil was feeling better, guess that means Thunder will be okay.

"Oh hey, I just noticed you're not wearing your mask," Martin pointed out.

Roman flinched at the realization, reaching up to find his mask gone. He forgot to put it on this morning!

"Oh don't worry, no one will stare too much," Martin reassured him. "Alex is aromantic, Sal is lesbian, I think Elliot's questioning, and then we have the two couples. I bet they see each other's faces when they look at you."

"What about Janus and you?"

"Who knows what Janus sees. Personally you look black to me, with a strong jawline. I've gotten used to it, though, even the fact that your voice doesn't match what I see. Plus we've run into sirens so I already knew what my type is."

"What about Virgil? Do you know what he sees when you run into sirens?" Roman was genuinely curious, the captain is the only one that isn't affected by the curse.

He didn't expect Martin's expression to be a sad one though. "Only Patton knows what he sees. Whatever it is, it isn't good. Part of me believes he can see past the illusion, but I don't know."

"Why isn't it good? I mean, besides the obvious."

"He's... always shaken up whenever we come across sirens. Like, worse than anything else. Except for maybe this curse, but even then he's done a good job of hiding his fear. Some of us think he sees someone from his past."

"When he was a prince?"

"Yeah, his days as a prince weren't happy ones. Patton says he's much happier now than he was with the crown."

Roman frowned in thought. "Hang on, I... need to ask my brother something."

He walked off and found Remus talking with Janus, both had a smile on their faces. It was rare to see Janus genuinely smiling, so it was a startling sight for Roman, but he still continued to walk towards them.

"Hey Remus, can I ask you something?"

"Yes you are annoying," Remus told him, making Janus laugh.

"Didn't realize I was a mirror."

Remus smiled a bit wider at the come back. "What's up?"

"When I was cursed, what happened to the boy I was with? You said he was spelled?"

"Oh, that." Remus's smile dropped. "Well, he carried you home since you were knocked out cold. I think he relayed a message from the witch, explaining your curse, then he passed out. When he woke up, he didn't remember anything and they all quickly left after that. Why?"

"I had a dream last night, or more of a nightmare. I dreamed about being cursed, and when I woke up I didn't forget it."

Remus's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yeah, I have a bad feeling about it. Do you remember who the boy was?"

"No, that was a long time ago. All I know is that he's a prince, and he was from overseas."

Roman sighed out of frustration. "His name is at the tip of my tongue, I swear I know who he is!"

"Was he in your dream?"

"Only for a little bit, but all I can remember is that he had gray eyes."

"Maybe it's Virgil," Remus teased.

"It can't possibly be Virgil, that would be too big of a coincidence!" Even as he said it, Roman started to suspect Remus was right. Was it really Virgil?

"I don't know, can't help you. Now shoo, Jan and I were talking."

"Fine, don't let me get in the way of you talking to your boyfriend."

Remus's face turned red at that. "We're not dating!"

"Whatever you say." Roman turned around and started to walk away before his brother could pull him into a fight.