You, Me, and the World Between Us (Dragon Quest)

XXI - Pride and Glory

Morning came, and with it came a well-rested Maxim. He smiled to himself as he sat up in bed, thinking about how this was the best he had slept since he and Inessa began their cross-country journey. Of course, not having to share a room with his sister and her minidemon played a key part in his slumber. Flipping the bedsheets back, he sprang to his feet, filled with an energy he wasn't accustomed to having in the mornings. Maxim threw open the windows of his room, taking in the seagulls calls and the salty sea breeze. Looking down at the table to his right, he found another pile of clothing from Morgan. He threw on the clothes hastily, fastening the last button on his shirt as he dashed down the staircase.

Maxim reached the bottom of the staircase, finding Inessa, Thorn, and Morgan seated at a tall table in the corner of the lobby. "Good morning, sleepyhead," Inessa smiled, taking a sip out of a teacup. She too wore new clothing, and she had pulled the top half of her hair back with a pink ribbon tied in a bow. He had never seen his sister wear her hair like that before, but he thought it suited her. The blue-haired girl patted the seat next to her, inviting him to join them for breakfast. "You might want to do something about that," Inessa giggled, reaching up and ruffling her brother's hair, "it's a bit out of control, I'll say."

"Don't tease your brother, dear, he only just woke up," Morgan quipped, though she did laugh along with Inessa. She handed Maxim his own teacup, sitting in down in front of him. "Just like you said last night, two scoops of sugar. I'll be right back, I'm going to grab you a plate from the kitchen," she said as she stood from the table and walked into one of the back rooms. He drank his tea quietly, watching as Inessa and Thorn ate their meal. He found it peculiar that the minidemon had received his own breakfast, but he thought nothing of it. Moments later, Morgan returned to the table, placing a steaming plate piled high with sausage, eggs, and toast in front of Maxim.

"So, the ship is coming in this afternoon from Riverton? Is that it?" Inessa asked, earning a nod from Morgan. The Tsarevna sighed happily, resting her elbows on the countertop and cupping her face in her hands. "Your family leads a unique lifestyle I've ever heard of! Your husband and kids traveling the world by sea, adventuring to all new places. And all the while, you stay home and run the inn. I bet you see lots of travelers here as well, seeing that Porthtrunnel is known for all the ships it harbors," she wondered aloud, a dreamy smile on her lips, "if this isn't an ideal way of life, then I don't know what is."

Morgan laughed, waving a nonchalant hand through the air. "Well, you just flatter me so! Such a sweet girl you are. Although, I do wish they were able to stay home longer. I shouldn't complain, though, it's not like they never stop by, and we always have a grand old time when they do visit," she replied with a bittersweet smile. They four of them sat quietly for a few minutes until their peace was interrupted by a sudden commotion within the city. People cheered and shouted, and a bell clanged rhythmically. Morgan's brows furrowed together and she stood from the table. She walked over to the window, a loud gasp escaping her lips. "I thought they wouldn't be arriving until this afternoon! Hurry along, you two!" she exclaimed, turning back to face the Zamoksvan duo.

Maxim and Inessa looked at one another curiously before shrugging and following Morgan out the door. Sure enough, a large ship had pulled into the harbor. A crowd of citizens had grown around the dock as well, cheering loudly for their return. The crew stood on the deck and waved to those below as the captain expertly guided the ship into the port. Before either of the siblings had known it, Morgan broke out in a run and disappeared into the crowd. Maxim and Inessa stood at the edge of the group, standing on their toes to watch what happened. The ship came to a complete stop and a ladder was put down. The captain disembarked first, and the innkeeper exploded out of the crowd and into his arms. "Aberforth!" Morgan cried out.

"Morgan!" the captain shouted out in reply, picking up his wife and spinning her around. Aberforth held her closely and kissed her, earning a few cheers from the crowd. The horde of townspeople began to disperse at the arrival of the ship, allowing Maxim and Inessa to weave their way closer to Morgan and their husband. They stood silently for a moment, watching the couple's joyful reunion. Aberforth had quickly become the most massive man either of the Zamoksvans had seen. Tall and muscular, he stood with his shoulders broad and his head held high. A dark beard grew from his jaw and his eyes shone with confidence; a true seafarer.