Of Heroes and Happenings

Rowan, Chapter 8

For her detailed information, Rowan was given three hundred pieces of gold and a promise of ten percent of any rewards that might arise from the rescue of captives. Privately, Rowan held no hope of further income from them. She'd agreed with Chaps and Gale to keep the exact location of Omaira's treasure to herself. If the dragon-turtle survived the Hunter's Mark's attack, then that knowledge could end up meaning the demise of still more sailors.

The question of who 'she' was, which neither Chaps nor Gale bothered to answer, was resolved as soon as they'd walked into Gale's house. "Windy, we're home!" Gale's call from just inside the front door caused a flurry, both from upstairs and from the direction of the kitchen.

The sound of feet pounding down a flight of stairs brought smiles to both men. "Daddy, Uncle!" Small voices called out just before a veritable storm of small bodies burst from the steps.

Four children were followed by a woman who deeply resembled Chaps. "Praise Kord, you're both home!" she exclaimed, hurrying forward to add her greetings to the children's, until the entire family was bound into a knot of embrace. Finally, the woman looked up at Gale. "It's been nine months, Husband!"

"I'm so sorry we're so late, My Love. We didn't anticipate having to go clear to Saltsmouth . . ."

"Twice!" added Chaps emphatically. "Hey, Sis."

She heaved an affection sigh of mock exasperation. "You two!" She noticed Rowan about that time. "Oh, and who is this?" On Gale's introductions, Windy dropped to her knees in order to pull Rowan into a warm, motherly hug. "Oh, Rowan! We feared you dead, My Dear!"

Eventually, the children were satisfied with enough hugs and herded off by their indulgent nanny. Ensconced in the parlor over tea, Windy heard her husband's tale carefully, then Rowan's. Chaps was strangely quiet. 

"Well," the lady of the house said when the room had fallen silent, "I agree with you both. The schooling is prepaid, but quite a bit of time has elapsed. Either she accepts Rowan as a student, or she refunds the tuition and board." She looked across the tea tray to Rowan. "if she won't take you on as a student, My Dear, I can certainly teach you myself. It might be perhaps not as thorough as the school can provide, but you'll learn adequately enough."

"I just need control," Rowan offered. "I don't want to burn down the Moonshadow Crescent by accident."

"Gale!"

He shrugged defensively, clearly taking Rowan's lead. "She's a good navigator, and once she learns to wield that magic of hers, she'll be good in a fight. Without you aboard, we could use another arcane fighter."

Windy rolled her eyes and muttered, "Kord grant me strength," before speaking up. "Either way, we can't go see Madam Scilla with you dressed that way, Rowan Dear. You boys go fill the children's heads with the latest tales of your adventures and give them their treats while Rowan and I get ready."

The men stood to comply, each offering Windy another hug. "I can't believe you took her to the Sailor's Rest, of all places!" Her muttered accusation was uttered as they neared the door.

Chaps answered back with an impudent grin. "Not inside, for Kord's sake! Give us a little credit at least, Sis."

"Alright," she pretended to concede," you did good." Then she laughed at Chaps' wink and went to hug him again, offering a kiss to his cheek. "Oh, it's so good to have you home! I've missed you both so much."

Two hours later, Rowan was bathed, coiffed and dressed in a children's robe that Kitt had recently outgrown. Rowan loved it and mentally promised to wear that style from then on. Compared to the adult version, it hid her scarred ankles and wrists while allowing the freedom of movement required by the use of arcana. Her mother's jade hung prominently outside of the robe.