Chapter 2

Krew and Aide walked down the crowded market looking for provision that wouldn’t rot into oblivion during their voyage. They wouldn’t need much, Iken and Faygone were going to “barrow” a ship readied to sail.

Aide hefted a large bag of onions into their cart and frowned. Sheba was perched on the side of their cart; Not on Krew’s shoulder, which was odd, normally Sheba didn’t leave his side, and krew was no longer behind the cart.

“ Where’s Krew?” she asked a little confused.

Sheba shifted her head to look towards the other side of the street puffing out her feathers in irritation. Aide looked too and grinned. Krew sat on a bench next to a booth selling goats milk and cheeses. On his lap was a small gray and black tabby kitten lapping up milk from Krew’s palm.

“ Where’d you get the cat?” She asked going over to him.

“ I found ‘im in a broke flower pot. He look like he was have’n a spell so I bought ‘im some supper.” Krew told her with a smile, he had always had a soft spot for animals.

“ Are you going to keep him?”

“ Na, I’ll fined ‘im a nice home for we leave. Sides I don’t think Sheba approves of him,” he said glancing at the hawk. She ruffled her feathers glaring at him and his companion, and made an angry bird noise.

“ I think your right.” Aide agreed.

“ What a cute kiddy!” They both looked towards the voices, a small girl had come up beside krew and looked at him with big brown eyes. Aide thought she had to be about three or four. She wore a slightly stained yellow sundress and dark green ribbon in her brown hair.

“ What’s his name?” She asked and Krew smiled, he had always had a soft spot for children too.

“ He don’t have one, but I’m sure he’d like to know your name.”

“ I’m Marie” She told him and grinned.

“ That’s a very nice name.” Krew told her.

“ Thank you,” the little girl side with a grin. “What’s your name?”

“ I’m called Krew, and this lass here is Aide.” He nodded to Aide who smiled.

“ Marie!” A young women was trotting toured them “ you know your not to talk to strangers.” Turning to krew and aide she said “I’m very sorry if she was bothering you, please forgive her.”

“ It’s quite alright.” Aide told the woman with a warm smile. The women relaxed and said to the two adults “ she nearly gave me a hart attack, I let go of her hand to buy some fish and turn around and my little girl has disappeared.” Aide grinned and krew said

“I did that to my mother more than once. I’m properly the reason her hair went gray before she turned forty.”

“For shame on you.” the women chided half laughing.

“I’m sorry…” krew muttered hanging his head in false shame.

The woman turned to her daughter “Come Marie I want to get supper started before your da gets home.”

“Oh mama! Can’t I stay and pet the kiddy?” Marie pleaded

“Marie,” krew said “I’m going on a very long trip so a can’t keep this little fellow. If you would be kind enough to give him a name and your ma doesn’t object, I’m sure he would love to live with you.” The little girl turned and grabbed he mother’s hand.

“ Oh can I keep him mama can I, daddy said I could maybe have a pet for my birthday please can I have this one? Please please please.” She pleaded

“ Well I don’t see why not.” She said after a moments consideration. “What will you name him?”

“ Um…Rew! After the very nice man who gave him to me!” Krew, Aide and the girl’s mother all laughed, and then they went their separate ways.

On the way to the cove where the rest of the crew waited, Sheba forgave Krew’s behavior and by the time they reached their destination the falcon was in her usual place on his shoulder.

It was quiet but not to quite. A ship glided into the cove, when they all where boarded it was like a weight had been lifted from Aides shoulders and as they set sail that feeling grew.

Iken was at the helm, one strong-arm around aide’s waist, the warm sea air tugging at her hair and they sail away into the night.