Rise of Fire: Dragons Reborn [COMPLETED]

Chapter 19

"Hey! You made it back!" Minnow greeted them excitedly from the crowd as they plodded back into the entrance of his inn. He was dressed simply for the day, dark leather pants, white button up shirt, and a black leather vest over the top. He also wore his pirating boots made of nearly black leather and with thick soles to grip wet wood.

"Aye, for now." Talia quipped as they pushed past, she was ready to relieve herself of the pack and stretch a bit. He followed them up the stairs,

"What all did you get today ey?" He turned back to motion to one of his waitresses to take over, the silvery haired woman from the morning nodded and started to pick her way through the crowd.

"Food mostly for the trip. I also commissioned some leather work to be done, though it won't be finished for three weeks yet." She muttered irately, sliding the thick iron key she had gotten for her door into the lock before pushing her way into her room. Nico turned away and headed to his own room instructing her to call on him again should she have need for anything.

"Ah, yeah they always take a while out here. Leatherworking isn't a common practice amongst my... Amongst pirates." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously, leaning against the doorframe and watching as she stored her bag in the closet.

"It's ok you know... To call them your people." She turned to him slowly, fiddling with a few loose strands of hair tickling at her good eye. He looked guilty, almost as if the thought of calling them that would cause some irreparable harm. She smiled softly in an attempt to console him.

"I know that but... They are and they aren't you know? You're my people. My beginning. How could I ever forget that? But this life, the sea, this city... It's me too. How do I pick which is more?" He closed his eyes for a moment. She marveled at how well he blended into the world of Amethyst Cove. How could he not choose his new home? How could he struggle with it? To her it was unthinkable that he would cling to what they had and pretend it was anything more than hell.

"This is your home now Draven. Don't ever look back." He startled at his old name, gulping audibly as their gazes met. She couldn't even begin to tell him how she felt, how she would sacrifice nearly anything to get what he had.

"I... I want to. But that life, it was and is such a huge part of me. I'm a killer Talia, I loved it! I loved the act of snuffing out people. I still love it. Piracy, it's just an excuse for me. For me to have the freedom to do what I want. I'll never be..." He threw his hands up and groaned. How could he put it into words?

"Hephatus is our god, now and forever. We will always be her children, and we will always be a part of her. But you don't have to be a part of Nazir anymore. You don't have to wear his chains. You can have a new family, and a new life and you shouldn't have to feel guilty about it. We shouldn't have to feel guilty for wanting more." She felt so bitter saying it, offering him her genuine thoughts. It was hard enough accepting the fact that he could do everything he wanted and never fear. But he was her brother. She could never stay jealous for long.

"Lets go back out on the town, I want to show you all the things I've fallen in love with. Then every time you come back maybe you can see a little bit of me here." He lead the way back out the door, Talia followed reluctantly before locking her door behind them.

"Alright, but you owe me a drink and dinner tonight." He laughed as they made their way back onto the city streets.

"Well, that's not a hard bargain to accept. It's a deal. Now follow me down to the docks, I want to show you my ship." He sauntered down the streets towards the dockyard which lie at the farthest point southward in the city. It was a several mile walk, though Talia was sure it would take them no time at all.