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The BloodVaine EpicChapter 63: Another Reunion
Everyone crowed onto the deck excitedly. Barbod broke into a wide grin.
“I’ll be a son of a shifty-brick! Bjarn!!” he exclaimed just as Dordrot shouted, “Voolmark!” and Jack muttered “Brix and blox!”
The three Forestmen flatboats drew up beside the Bull’s Revenge and Bjarn, Voolmark, Gerald Vos and Gonderin climbed aboard, grinning.
Bjarn made his way through the crew, greeting old friends and comrades. Curiously, one of Barbod’s fellows seemed to be deliberately avoiding him -- ducking along the sides of the crowds or standing just off to the edge of his view. Even stranger was the feeling Bjarn had of having seen the fellow before. His quick glimpses though the swirl of moving crew were somehow familiar. He had the fleeting impression of a battered brown Forestmen’s cap...an even more battered pack...
Bjarn pushed through the group, cutting off the figure’s latest attempt to slide into the background.
“Jack Craft!? Jack Craft!! Great oaks and little acorns, Craft, is that you!?”
Jack, caught halfway between a knot of Bull soldiers and a pile of old rope, stopped and turned sheepishly towards Bjarn. His usual grin had a guilty tint to it.
“Er... hoy, Bjarn, you old treeclimber. Been a long time.”
Bjarn had turned a shade of red usually reserved for lobsters in summer, and his jaw worked soundlessly. His hand stopped halfway outstretched, and he seemed to be having difficulty deciding whether to offer it or punch with it.
“Jack. Craft. Coming to Drullen Bell.”
“Now, it’s not like that, your Lordship -- Jack’s congratulations on that, by the by. I don’t sell maps or act as a forest guide any more.”
“As well you bloody shouldn’t, seeing all the trouble you caused last time. My leg still aches a bit when the weather’s cold. I’m lucky it’s still attached.”
Jack looked away, his face downcast.
“I never meant to hurt anyone, Bjarn. Least of all you. You were the closest Jack’s had to a brother. Your folk were good to me.”
“You left me for dead. Or as good as it.”
“No! No, you don’t really think that Jack’d do that?! I went for help, Bjarn. Odd’s Oath, I truly did. Brix and Blox, you don’t think Jack left you to die?”
“Help? I pulled myself out of that pit. Myself. I set my own leg, Jack. Myself. I dragged myself though the forest for four days. In winter. Without food. Myself.”
Jack sat down on the deck. He looked like he was about to cry.
“I got lost, your Lordship. You know how it is with Jack. I got lost and by the time I found myself I was in Dark Forestmen territory and Brix and Blox I didn’t have the slightest clue how to find my way back to you and it had already been five days and Jack thought certain-sure you were dead and the Dark Forestmen were threatening to arrest me as a Forestmen spy and…”
Jack put his hand over his eyes. His voice was low.
“I bribed a chandler to smuggle me out of Dark Forestmen territory on a cargo ship. I’d failed you. I was the worst tyco guide you’d ever trained, and I’d thought I’d gotten you killed. I found out about a year later you were still alive, but I never had the courage to come back and face you. I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Bjarn.”
Bjarn’s fist clenched and unclenched. The anger had drained from his face, leaving it pale as the moon. He breathed slowly out, and sighed.
“Jack. Jack, look at me.”
Jack lifted his hand away and peered up from the deck, his eyes clouded.
“I’m sorry, too, Jack. I knew you better than that. I knew you didn’t leave me to die. I just didn’t want to admit it to myself . I wanted someone to blame.”
Jack stood slowly and warily put his hand out. After a moment, Bjarn clasped it warmly. Pulling Jack toward him, Bjarn pounded him on the back.
“Alas, my friend, forgive me. In these lasts few months I have been haunted by many ghosts from the past…”
At that moment Voolmark broke in. “No...it can’t be...lil’ Jacky!”
Jack’s eyes widened. “Brix and blox, it’s me old schoolmaster Voolmark! Just for your information, it wasn’t me who wrote ‘Jack is King!’ all over your spell books, sir, I swear!”
Voolmark grinned, “Heh, that point could be disputed, Jack, but alas you left before I could get you with my rod, and yer not my pupil anymore, so I guess it would be improper to whip you now!”
Laughing, all three of them embraced again, the woes of the world forgotten for a moments in the bliss of a happy reunion. As Bjarn left to greet Trevelayn, Voolmark nudged Jack and whispered, “Listen, Jack, don’t fer the life of you mention Green Fox, Bjarn still hasn’t forgiven the lad.”
Jack wrinkled his nose. “Eh, what’s been Foxy up to now?”
“Bjarn’s told me he came to Drullen Bell before the Great Wildfire and asked for money.” confided Voolmark.
Jack shook his head, “The fool’s never’s had much sense, Bjarn was really cut up over J'anrya...and Green Fox...er…”
Jack trailed off, for Bjarn has returned.
“Why such gloomy faces? Come! Let us feast on what meager meal Drullen Bell can provide!”
Gonderin stared up at the floating airship in wonder.
“You certainly have expanded your resources since we last met.” he stated coolly, “We must catch up on events.”
Everyone agreed heartily and they all proceeded to Drullen Bell Keep.
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