Disappearance of Roselei Hawthorne

Chapter Eight

"What have I done? What am I going to do? I've just thrown away everything I've ever known!" A certain black-haired man was in a state of panic.

"Gideon, don't worry! It'll be okay!" Kallen was trying his best to comfort him, but he didn't feel like he was helping much. "There's nothing to worry about! You did the right thing!"

"What's ice boy complaining for now?" Vulcan crouched down beside Kallen and Gideon, and sighed heavily. "C'mon man, I don't know why you're so twisted up over this. I thought you hated your family."

"I do! But even still... I left my whole life behind! I have nothing now." Gideon buried his face in his hands.

"So we're nothing to you?" Vulcan raised an eyebrow.

"Wh-what? No, of course not! I just-" Gideon began with exasperation.

"Why don't you two let me talk to him for a bit?" Lillia cut Gideon off as she approached the group of boys. "Kallen, Vulcan, why don't you go finish cleaning the dishes? I'll talk with Gideon."

"Yeah, alright." Kallen sighed as he stood up and lead Vulcan into the kitchen. They had been sailing for two days now, and nothing worth noting had really happened. Every day was the same. They woke up, ate breakfast, and then went about doing their daily chores. They'd clean the dishes, double check that the sails were pointing in the right direction, and tidy up around the ship. Then, at the end of the day, someone would catch a fish and Gideon would roast it for dinner. They'd eat, clean up, and then go to bed. The good news was that they were almost at BearClaw Island. Which meant that they were almost one step closer to figuring out what happened to Kallen's mother.

"Gideon, Its been days since we left. Why is it still upsetting you?" Lillia tucked the skirt of her dress underneath her as she sat down beside her friend.

"You don't get it. I rejected my family name, and to none other than my own father! I'm the heir to the After-Frost fortune. He's not going to let me off so easily. As a matter of fact, he's probably gathering together a search party to hunt me down as we speak. He'll hunt me down and drag me home, and then I'll be monitored constantly by servants and other family members. They'll make sure I study when I'm supposed to study, and train when I'm supposed to train. Whatever freedom I had before is now gone." Gideon buried his face in his hands. He was ashamed to be seen in such a pathetic state by Lillia, but he just felt so awful.

"I'll tell you what," Lillia began, "if your father comes for you, he'll have to go through me if he wants to 'drag you home'. And I don't care how strong of a swordsman he is, or how powerful of an ice witch he is. I'm your friend, and I'll be here to protect you."

"Lady Lillia, with all due respect, I don't think you realize what sort of trouble I've gotten us into." Gideon sighed.

"And I don't think you understand what it means to have a true family." Lillia chuckled. "A true family looks out for each other. Which means that not just me, but Vulcan and Kallen too, will have your back. Always."

"I know you're strong. And I don't mean to insult you by saying this, but I just don't think you'd be able to win in a fight against my father and whatever size army he decides to bring with him." Gideon frowned.

"I understand that you have your doubts," Lillia began, "But that doesn't mean we won't try. You're not alone. Besides, what are the chances your father even manages to find us?"

"I guess we are sailing somewhat randomly. It might be quite difficult to track us down." Gideon smiled slightly.

"Don't worry Gideon. It's just like Kallen said, everything will be okay." Lillia gave him a quick hug. "I'm going to head to the kitchen to check on the kids."