Gathering Strength

It was a great comfort to me to see some of my closest friends waiting for me. This whole experience had left me feeling weak and out of control. That something like this could happen made me question how much power I actually had over my life. I needed this to regain something. I honestly didn’t know what I expected to get out of the hunt but I felt driven along this track like a train with no breaks.

Yes I know, I’m a thief and confidence and strength are essential. At the time this all happened I tried to hide what I felt was a serious weakness of character from all but those who knew me best and couldn’t be fooled. I wanted to be thought of as tough as nails and unshakable.

Looking back now after it has been so long ago I don’t mind admitting that I was more like anyone else than I wanted to admit. At some point all of us feel shaken by life. It’s not what we are given that makes us who we are it’s what we do with it.

Sorry, back to the story. So, there they were, all the Thumbmonkey friends who could be found on such short notice which wasn’t very many. Jenjen in the arms of her brother Kjarbo with Beldin hovering nearby, Garness my always wise and faithful galka with Foxx, my tiny taru mentor who never ceased to pop up in dire times of need. Kammy our wild little mithra was there too. She looked a bit nervous as she clung to the fuzzy garb of Tastywaffles the beastmaster who I had not seen since Kammy introduced me to him on the docks so long ago.

Beldin pulled out his gun and shot at Kallo. “Who is he?”

Kallo rolled out of the way and drew his daggers. “Wait!” I shouted. “No need to go shooting every person you don’t recognize Beldin. He is here to help me so you will be civil or leave.” An empty threat. He knew I didn’t want him to leave any more than he wanted to go.

Beldin kept his gun aimed at Kallo, and the thief crouched low with his daggers drawn staring hard at the corsair. “I’m not exactly thrilled you left without telling me. How am I supposed to keep an eye on you if you sneak out like a thief in the night?”

Jenjen took his gun and smiled warmly at me giving me a big hug and nuzzling her face into my neck tickling a little. “Hello. I’m sorry Beldin is so bad today.”

“You don’t need to apologize for him you know.” I whispered to her. “He’s his own man and you can’t be responsible for his compulsion to shoot people. Maybe we can put his energy to good use today.” She smiled warmly and gave Beldin his gun back. He looked at her with sad longing eyes as she turned away. They were speaking now but the friendship was clearly fragile and emotional.

Kallo none too pleased took the opportunity to flick a rock at Beldin and hit him square between the eyes. Beldin raised his arm to take aim again.

“Please!” I shouted, “Can we just go and get this over with?”

Beldin frowned and put his weapon away.

“I’m assuming our goal is search and clobber. You find him, I’ll clobber.” Garness said as he beat his hands together anxiously.

I nodded. “We will divide into two groups and use our linkshell to communicate when we find him. Me, Kallo, Gurok, Kammy and Tastywaffles should go as one group and Beldin, Jenjen, Kjarbo, Garness, and Foxx should go as the second. Garness, I’d like you to lead the other group if you would.”

Garness smiled a wide blood thirsty grin and nodded in acceptance. “Let’s go then.” He turned to march off in search of blood to spill.

Beldin turned away from Garness and walked up to me looking very displeased. “I feel responsible for you. I want to keep an eye on you not wander off in the opposite direction.”

I smiled at his kind intentions. Stepping closer to him I spoke in a hushed voice. “I need you to help me. I need you to be my second pair of eyes on this search and to watch over and guide my friends. I’m a call away. If I’m in danger you’ll know right away. You don’t need to worry so much about me. I don’t need it.”

Beldin smirked at my response but nodded and followed after Garness. I was pleased he didn’t make a bigger fuss about it. He had become so protective since that day when Brodie was lost to the sea. I think he felt somehow responsible though of course that was nonsense.

Kjarbo took the chance to say hello and pulled my face in close to kiss my forehead. Pausing to smile warmly at me he followed after Garness who was already nearly out of sight. He was always such a kind and sensitive soul. He smelled salty like the sea and I knew he must have come from his home to join us. I lost myself to my thoughts for a moment as I watched the group leave. I had to smile at the speed at which Foxx could travel with those tiny taru legs.

Kallo cleared his throat. “You done there? I’d like to get back by dinner time.”

Gurok glared at the thief with a low gravely growl before turning to me. “Let’s get going Alison.”