It had been at least month since Rhett Plantain joined the Vesperian Militia. Signing up to a travelling recruitment party in Skara Brae, he and his impressive moustache journeyed with the militia back to Vesper.
He had been in Vesper before, but under very different circumstances.
The weeks lumbered by, dragging behind them an oxcart of memories and manure.
Old faces, stumbled upon in old haunts, stirred up a great sense of longing for the times that were older, and happier, and simple.
Insults from new comrades about old ones made Rhett’s nostrils flare with anger.
Eventually, an old friend was drawn into the secrets and the lies – allies had to be gathered for the dark deed to be done.
She offered advice to them, the Trading Company, warning them against impending civil war, but those that once trusted her turned their noses up in disgust.
She told Van what Kiran had done, and what he intended to do, and what had to be done to stop him.
But Van was a pirate at heart, and she knew his loyalty would need to be cemented. And so she gave him what he desired – a single, beautiful kiss.
But she was not such an expert, and Van’s flirty payment ended abruptly due to nerves.
She knew he would not run to Kiran though. And only one more ally was needed, one of the oldest and dearest she had ever known.
Gia took a lot of persuading, but one old story finally tipped the scales, and recognition dawned.
With the happy reunion however, came the knowledge of what must still be done, and as she spoke the words they slapped her in the face, like a wet mackerel of certainty.
