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‘The country of Fiore, a previously neutral country that has a population of 17 million. In the year X527, the country’s peace was shattered by a coup that saw the reigning Royal Family and Council system overthrown, with the leader of the coup Ivan Dreyar placing himself on the throne. The change was fiercely opposed by many Fioreans, leading to a civil war across the country, with many Rebel factions springing up in response. There was no common agreement on what was wanted beyond the removal of the Usurper - some wanted to restore the old system, others wanted a completely democratic system, and others wanted military rule, and the opposing views led to more strife.
   Neighbouring countries had closed their borders to Fiore, and the sea had become the one hope of many people trapped in the chaos. Smugglers made money from transporting fleeing people illegally into neighbouring countries, people joined crews just to live at sea for a while in the hopes of avoiding the conflict, and during this time Piracy was expanding. There was new prey daily, especially when the few merchants that were still trading with Fiore were forced to transport their goods by sea rather than land. Piracy gave the new King something to redirect some of the ire he was facing towards, and fresh conflict spilled out onto the sea as the King gave special mandates to Privateers willing to support his rule.

Amid all this fighting, there were some both on land and sea that were fighting not just to end the war and replace the King, but to protect those being displaced and threatened by the war itself. It was barely a month after the outbreak of fighting that rumours of a place known only as ‘The Isle’ began to spread across Fiore. Its location was unknown to most of the population, and only those lucky enough to escape and be rescued by those involved with the refuge could make their way there. It was a closely guarded secret because within weeks of the first rumours the King had declared all those on ‘The Isle’ and those involved with supplying or aiding it to be traitors, and yet despite that, and it’s the lack of information it became a beacon of hope for those trying to escape the chaos in Fiore.

Unbeknownst to many was the role of Pirates in keeping ‘The Isle’ supplied with all necessities and helping to transport people to the sanctuary. It was overlooked under the increasing frequency of Pirate raids on other ships and coastal towns, and the vicious battles between the Pirates and the Privateers employed to stop them. However, those ships that did aid ‘The Isle’ were the vital lifeblood for the people who had escaped the madness, and those seeking to escape. This is the tale of one of those ships - ‘The Raijinshuu’ which by the end of the war would become the most famous of the Pirate ships to oppose the King. She was led by the young but widely feared Captain Justine, and under his guidance, the ship rescued hundreds and provided aid to hundreds more, and in the conclusion of the conflict it became the flagship for the Rebel King.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****Eighteen months later:   Freed sighed as he stared out across the waters to the port they were approaching, before flicking his gaze up to the mast to make sure that they weren’t flying their true colours. Despite the reputation he’d managed to build up in the last couple of years, and the fear that accompanied any talk of his crew, he was always wary of coming into a major port. All it would take was one careless moment and everything he had achieved, and the family that he had built around himself could be destroyed. He had seen it happen more than once - the first ship he had ever sailed on had been scuttled just outside a port, and his last ship, when he had been first mate rather than captain had been caught by surprise when it docked to make repairs, with all hands apart from himself being lost. It had been pure luck that he had managed to survive, and his hand crept up to rub at his left shoulder, the old scar that he carried from that day itching as the memories surged to the surface.“Captain?” The quiet voice broke into his thoughts, and he tilted his head to see that Bickslow his first mate had managed to sneak up on him while he was thinking. On many other Pirate ships, such a thing would have been taken as a sign of weakness, and he would have likely have already met his death at the end of the blade. However, he knew that his entire crew and especially his first mate were not like other Pirates and that he could possibly hand them the blade himself and they wouldn’t use it against him. Seeing the expectant look on the taller man’s face he sighed, reminding himself that he had a job to do.“Take us in,” Freed ordered quietly, managing to sound perfectly calm despite the memories still surging just beneath the surface, barely paying attention as Bickslow relayed the order and he felt The Raijinshuu tacking to port. He had learned a long time before he had even become a Captain that the best way to command respect, especially in their society, was to remain calm and in control no matter what the situation was. Although he knew that Bickslow who had sailed with him for the last four years and been his first mate ever since they had taken The Raijinshuu for themselves, would see through the act straight away. Sure enough, when he glanced up Bickslow was staring at him, a knowing expression on his face and a hint of sympathy in the red eyes that could be so cold and ruthless when dealing with enemies and there was something in that expression that compelled Freed to try and reassure him. “I’m fine.”“No, you’re not,” Bickslow shook his head with a scowl, and Freed wanted to groan. Sometimes he wished that his crew could be more like a normal Pirate crew that followed orders only as and when required, like in battle, and didn’t spend half their life trying to interfere with their Captain’s business. But then again that wasn’t the crew he wanted. He had experienced that kind of life for long enough, and he had to admit that he didn’t miss constantly having to look over his shoulder and sleeping with a hand on his weapons, and so he didn’t protest as he knew that he couldn’t have it both ways. Although he nearly changed his mind again at his First Mate’s next words. “You’re worrying too much as always.”“It’s my job to worry,” he pointed out instead, moving across to join Bickslow so that he could look down over the deck of his ship, a sight that he prayed he would never tire of. His gaze lingered for a moment on Evergreen, their highly talented but somewhat terrifying head gunner who was currently in the process of bossing around one of their newest recruits. A brute named Elfman, who had been pleaded to be taken on-board along with his sister after they’d been driven out of their hometown, losing another sibling in the escape. It was the first time, Evergreen, the only other crew member to have been with him as long as Bickslow had shown an interest in anyone, and he filed it away to taunt her with later, preferably when there were no cannons or other weapons within her reach. Smirking at that thought, his gaze roved over the rest of his crew - they were a bunch of misfits, many of them probably unsuited to this way of life, but they were all loyal to a fault partly because unlike many of the ships in the area they had all joined him willingly. Freed absolutely refused to force someone to join his ship, he had experienced that hell himself, and he had sworn never to do it to someone else. “I have to protect what we have.”“Maybe,” Bickslow knew that he couldn’t really argue with that, at least not without upsetting the other man, but he could at least remind Freed that he wasn’t alone in that duty. “But it’s our job to protect our stubborn Captain, who worries far too much and is going to turn grey before he hits his thirties at this rate.” It was a running joke among the crew about how much their Captain cared for his hair, and he grinned as he saw Freed reaching up to tug at the single braid in his hair before Freed narrowed his eyes at him.“You’ll be grey long before me.”“With a Captain like you quite probably,” Bickslow grumbled, darting just out of reach of the hand that shot out to try and cuff his ear, grinning as Freed shot him an exasperated look, but he quickly turned more serious as he glanced towards the rapidly approaching port. “Are you sure you’re not coming ashore? It’s been at least two months since you actually set foot on land.”“I’m sure,” Freed replied with a smile, aware that if he went on land, his crew would use that as an excuse to rush him into the closest bar to celebrate. Besides with one thing and another he had become the most recognisable member of the crew, and the last thing they needed was the army on their tail or another run-in with the less friendly rebel factions. They’d already had two skirmishes in the last couple of days, which was why they were running behind schedule for the first time in months. “We need to avoid attention anyway, I just want to get the supplies for the Isle and get out of here as quickly as possible.”“Freed…”“I promise I’ll spend some time on land when we get back all right?” Freed asked, aware that he wasn’t going to get the older man to drop the issue unless he suggested that, privately wondering what the point was of him being Captain as his crew always seemed to know how to twist him around their fingers.“Fine…” Bickslow muttered, realising that was the best he was going to get for the time being, but making a note to make sure he and Evergreen dragged Freed off the ship when they got back. Kicking and screaming probably, he added silently, aware that Freed tended to avoid leaving his ship regardless of whether it was safe or not.“Thanks,” Freed muttered, before shooting the older man a warning look as he added sternly. “Make sure you don’t cause any trouble.” Generally, that wasn’t much of a problem, the entire crew were all heavily invested in their current project, but after being at sea for so long, they sometimes lost some of their self-control and more than once they’d had to leave port abruptly because someone had got carried away.“Would I?”“Yes.” Freed replied drily with a wry smile, and Bickslow huffed but didn’t argue as he moved away from the rail, heading to oversee their docking and to get ready to head ashore, only to halt as Freed called out to him. “And Bickslow, make sure to check in with Gajeel if he’s around and see if he has any information for us.”“Yes, Captain.” Freed snorted softly at the reply, he still found it odd when any of his crew called him by his title as he generally asked for them to be informal unless absolutely necessary. And he knew that half the time Bickslow used it just to fluster him, shaking his head, he glanced over his crew one last time before shifting his attention back to the port town. His previous wariness returning now that he no longer had Bickslow to distract him, and he sighed as he leant back against the railing.
Let’s hope information is all we get, and not more trouble…
**    Freed’s wariness was apparently rubbing off on him, and Bickslow found himself constantly scanning their surroundings as Evergreen and Elfman  - whom she’d insisted on dragging along for muscle bartered and haggled in the market. Selling what they had been able to plunder the last few weeks, trading it for the supplies that both they and the Isle needed to keep them going. It was here that they had to be most careful if anyone knew where most of these supplies were headed they would either end up with the army chasing them or a rush of people seeking to escape the conflict. The docks had been full of them, villagers, farmers – rebels, all displaced by the fighting and the King’s new rule and seeking to move aboard, and he knew they would have to check the ship when they were underway again to make sure they had no stowaways.   Sighing he moved off a short distance, aware that while Evergreen looked completely engrossed in her bargaining, she was just as alert as he was, if not more so. The war was evident in the market as well, he could remember the first time they had come to Hargeon, the market had been overflowing with goods from around Fiore and prices had been a lot more even. Now there was neither the supply nor demand, and many traders had either been forced to increase their prices or chose to profit from the unfortunates that had no choice to trade with them. What a mess…In a way, he couldn’t blame Freed for not wanting to come ashore, as it was a reminder of how bad things were, and how little there was that they could do to help. Speaking of his Captain - he froze as his caught sight of one of the many posters plastered on the wall, the new King’s way of trying to get the ‘common people’ to try and capture the thorns in his sides, and there right in the middle was a worryingly accurate image of Freed.    Rufus Lore, he snarled knowing that there was only person outside of their crew or the Isle who would be able to provide such an accurate image. The Privateer had one of the best memories they had ever encountered, and it made each new clash with him that much more difficult to escape. Eventually, it would come to an all-out fight between them, and for once Bickslow wasn’t sure that his Captain would be able to win. However, for now, he would do what he could to protect Freed and glancing around surreptitiously he ripped the poster down, shredding it in half before stuffing it into his tunic to hide the evidence.
He’s going to need to be more careful…
“That’s a felony you know,” a low voice whispered in his ear, and Bickslow stilled immediately, his mind darting to the weapons secreted about his person but then he relaxed as the man continued and he was able to place the low growl.  “If the wrong person had seen that you could be taking a nice trip to the gallows.”“A good thing you’re not the wrong person then,” Bickslow retorted, turning around and glaring down at the man that had appeared behind him. Gajeel Redfox - he was a law unto himself at the best of times, but at least he wasn’t a threat, because as he had put it once it was bad business to turn in your own customers. The trouble came when he supplied useful information to both sides, which was a frequent occurrence and they had learnt to act as soon as they got anything from him. Otherwise, they would find the army ahead of them.  “It’s rare for you to seek us out, so you must have something for us?” Generally, they had to comb the port to find him or one of his underlings, and then it could take forever to make him get down to business.“I hear you’re heading for the Isle.” Bickslow tensed at that, snarling at the quiet chuckle from the smaller man who had noticed his reaction. While the existence of the Isle was well known, its location was a fiercely guarded secret, and one that he knew must never all into this man’s hands. However, a quick search of Gajeel’s expression indicated that was a piece of information he was still looking for if the hungry look in the red eyes was anything to go by. Apparently, Gajeel had realised that he wasn’t going to get anything from the Pirate because he shrugged before adding shortly. “You might want to go via Galuna Island.”“Why?”“The fort there has just had its garrison increased substantially,” Gajeel grinned at his, but Bickslow was scowling. The fort on Galuna had been introduced a year ago when the prisons already in existence became overrun with captured Rebels and Pirates, many of whom were nothing more than innocent people that had done something to offend the usurper or one of his favoured underlings. Very few people seemed to get out once incarcerated there, all that escaped were rumours, horrific rumours and he knew that Freed was already contemplating a raid once they’d finished the supplies run. This might force his hand. He narrowed his eyes as Gajeel continued, having clearly noticed his interest. “Seems to me they’re either overpopulated, or they have an interesting prisoner.”“Interesting prisoner?”     Gajeel didn’t reply, merely tilting his head towards the wall of wanted posters and Bickslow followed his gaze, making sure to keep half an eye on the other man as he did so, although he doubted Gajeel would try anything before he had been paid. He had been so focused on the poster of Freed earlier that he hadn’t realised that most of the other ones were of one man, a very familiar man and he growled softly in his throat as Gajeel laughed beside him. Laxus Dreyar - he most wanted Rebel in Fiore, who had steadfastly refused to join any of the other movements that had sprung up in the wake of the coup, and who was rumoured to be linked in some way to the usurper. Just speaking to him could lead to a death sentence if you were caught. Going after him would be a death wish, and he closed his eyes, already knowing what path Freed would choose. There was no way his Captain would risk ignoring the news just in case it was to do with a large number of innocents, and besides Freed had expressed an interest in this man before. We’re doomed…   Sighing he reached into his pocket and pulled out some coins to toss to Gajeel, adding a little extra as he knew that they would need to buy all the extra time they could get before he decided to let someone onto the fact that ‘The Raijinshuu’ was headed for Galuna island. There was no verbal agreement, but the lack of a grin as the dark-haired male pocketed his payment was a confirmation that they had brought themselves a little bit of time. Bickslow didn’t bother waiting around, they weren’t allies or friends in any sense, and he knew that they needed to get underway as soon as possible. As he headed back to his crewmates, he saw Gajeel slipping away, blending in with the locals so easily that he couldn’t help but envy him. Even if he weren’t a pirate, his height and the distinctive tattoo on his face would always set him aside, and as he moved towards Evergreen and Elfman, many people moved out of his way.“Are you done?” He asked stepping up behind him, scowling at Elfman as the large man jumped at his sudden appearance before dismissing it. The Strauss siblings were both new to their way of life, and it would take time for them to develop the same wariness as the rest of them - if they got the chance, he thought, uneasy at the thought of what they might be sailing into when he told Freed the news. “Ever?”“Nearly,” Evergreen muttered glancing up from the medicines she was studying, aware that they were running low even though Wendy their current healer had been reluctant to admit to just how low they were. However, she immediately shifted her focus to Bickslow as she caught the grim look on his face, knowing that it took a lot to kick his usual grin off his face. “What’s wrong?”“Just finish up,” Bickslow replied tersely, before sighing when she shot him an unimpressed look, his voice dropping to little more than a whisper as he caught the trader glancing at them curiously. “We’re going to end up on a raid.”“You’re sure?” She asked although she knew that he wouldn’t have said it if he wasn’t. It didn’t matter that Freed hadn’t ordered it yet if Bickslow was certain he would, nine times out of ten he was right, and she immediately straightened, turning to Elfman who was glancing between them in confusion. “Elfman help Bickslow with shifting this stuff, I’ll finish up and meet you at the ship.”“But…”“Trust me she’s probably the most dangerous one here,” Bickslow cut across his protest, easily guessing what he was worried about and deciding to spare the idiot the fist to the face he would have received if he’d continued with that train of thought.“And don’t forget it,” Evergreen quipped with a smirk, her hand dropping to where she had her favourite knife hidden, perfectly concealed to the casual eye but ready for anyone who made the mistake of seeing her as easy prey.  “Go.” Bickslow nodded and began to haul up some of their purchases, whistling as Elfman hefted most of it with little to no effort and rolling his eyes as he caught Evergreen staring at the man’s muscles. Once he was sure they had everything, trying not to wince at just how little it was, aware that she would have done her best to get more he turned to her and added softly.“Stay safe…” She nodded in agreement, knowing that Freed would have her head if she got herself into trouble, before waving them off. As soon as they had disappeared, she turned back to the trader with renewed determination if they were going into a raid then no matter how much it cost she needed to restock their medical supplies.
Let’s just hope we don’t need them.
****Galuna Island Fort:    Laxus groaned as he leant back against the wall, the chains holding him in place rattling and reminding him of just how bad his current situation was and his lips pulled back in a snarl as he glanced down at the cuffs wrapped around both his wrists and ankles. Apparently, his reputation for getting out of tight spots had preceded him, as it seemed this garrison were taking no chances. He’d already spent hours trying to find some weakness in either the shackles themselves, or the rings they were attached to, but all he had achieved was bloodying his hands and ripping out a couple of nails, and he was just as trapped as ever. What had made it worse was the Governor in charge of the fort had come an hour ago to inform him that he would be getting transferred to the capital in the morning. Not something he was eager to happen. It would get him closer to his target all right, but if he arrived in Crocus in chains, there was no way he would get the opportunity to get within reach of his father.“Damn it,” he slammed his fist against the floor, hissing as it aggravated his injuries and did little to alleviate his frustration.    He had known that slipping into the military camp based near Magnolia was a risk, but he had been out of options. The bounty that had been slapped on his head meant that even if he had been willing to side with any of the rebel groups, none of them wanted anything to do with him because he was too much of a risk, and he had to snort at that thought. They were embroiled in a war, with the King enacting harsher and harsher methods and laws by the day, and they thought a single Rebel was more dangerous? As amusing as that thought was, it meant that he was left adrift without a reliable source of information, and so in desperation, he had snuck into the camp, hoping to find out something he could use to get him into Crocus and give him a shot at the King. It was something he had done numerous times before, and despite several near misses he had never been caught before, but it had been almost as though they were waiting for him, as he had barely made into the core of the camp before he had found himself surrounded and cut off from any chance of escape.    As angry as he was, he had known better than to just throw his life away and so he had allowed them to cart him away, but what he hadn’t been expecting was for them to knock him out, and to wake up on Galuna Island of all places. Even as out of touch with people as he was, he had heard the horror stories of this place, and from what little he had heard since waking, and what he could make out if he peered out of the tiny crack that served for a window, the rumours hadn’t done it justice. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to force back the stinging sensation that had set in. He had known about the horrors that were being done under his fath…the King’s rule, but he had never allowed himself to get a good look at them, or really let it sink in what the man he had once looked up to had become. He’s a monster…    What made it worse, was now that he had allowed the reality of the situation to sink in, it increased his fear for his Grandfather. It had been nearly two and a half years since he had seen Makarov, and in all that time he had never heard anything. He had no idea if he had been killed, or if he was still alive in the cell that Ivan had thrown him in when the old man had foolishly stood against his coup. Old fool…Laxus had wanted to stand beside him, as by then he had realised that what his father was doing was going to destroy Fiore, but he hadn’t been strong enough or confident enough…Makarov’s expression when he had been hauled away had haunted him ever since, there had been no disappointment in Laxus for not speaking up, but rather than relief that he hadn’t been caught up in his failure. His final words had been a plea for Laxus to stay safe and to forget about him.“As if I could, you old fool,” Laxus muttered under his breath, reaching up to swipe at the traitorous tear that had managed to slip free, grimacing at the rattling chains. “I promise it’s not going to end here. I’ll find a way to get to Crocus, to stop Ivan and to find you.”
Don’t you dare die on me, Old man!
****
The Raijinshuu:
    Freed’s expression had darkened at the news that Bickslow had brought from Gajeel, his hands tightening against the rail as he gazed over the ship. He had already known that Galuna had to be dealt with sooner or later, but he had hoped to have a bit more time to plan for a raid on such a well-defended stronghold, and he was reluctant to risk any damage to their cargo, as the last message had indicated that the Isle was running worryingly low. But…Had they known for certain that it was just Laxus Dreyar being held prisoner he might have been able to stay away, after all, no matter how interested he was in the Rebel and the possibilities the man could represent for the people on the Isle, he wouldn’t risk so much just for one man. However, they had heard tales of large numbers of prisoners being killed, and he wasn’t about to turn away and risk that happening, there were already enough deaths that he regretted, he wasn’t going to add to that number if he could help it.“We’re going, aren’t we?” Bickslow asked quietly, and Freed glanced up realising that he must’ve been lost in his thoughts for slightly too long according to the worried expression on the other man’s face and he worried at his bottom lip, before turning to glance around at the rest of the crew who had gathered around to hear the news. He didn’t need to speak, aware that his question was written across his face as his gaze passed over them all. From Ever and Bickslow who had been with him for years, to their newest recruits, across to Lucy and Wendy who had refused to leave the ship even when offered the greater safety of the Isle, he let his gaze rest on each one of them, and without exception they all nodded to signify their agreement. When he turned his attention back to his First Mate, his voice was thicker than usual, wondering what on earth he could have done to deserve such a crew, but there was nothing but determination in his expression as he raised his hand.“Hoist our colours!”****
   ‘At that point, no one, not even those personally involved realised just what had been set in motion by the bold decision of ‘The Raijinshuu’s’ Captain and crew, to take on what was one of the best-defended prison forts of the time. Nor what the battle that would occur that evening would mean for the future of the Rebellion, or for the future of Fiore.”

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

‘The fortification of Galuna Island had originally occurred as a response to the growing threat of piracy in the local waters. The King ordered the island to be guarded at all times and to provide protection to the local area, with particular emphasis on protecting the trade route in and out of the port of Hargeon. The island served as a base for the admittedly limited naval forces of Fiore, and also provided a place of imprisonment for any individuals caught in the act of Piracy, or supporting those engaged in Piracy. Only those individuals who could be proven responsible for loss of life faced the gallows, others who were accused of piracy were sentenced to labour within the fort, ensuring its maintenance.

As a measure of its success, the records show that in the first year of operation over fifty attacks were intercepted in the waters around the island, with twenty being thwarted without any loss of life on either side. Ten Pirate ships were reported scuttled, and the prison population swelled to nearly three hundred at its highest, at which stage some were transported to other facilities on the land. Local trade flourished during this time, and as a result, the Monarchy invested more heavily in the naval forces…’

**

‘Following the coup in X527, Galuna Island underwent intense fortification but for a different purpose. As the only prison facility detached from the mainland, and therefore more difficult to approach let alone breach it became the main prison for the new regime. Pirates were now to be sent to the gallows upon capture, freeing room for higher ranking rebels whose deaths would be problematic and other political figures who dared to speak out against the new King. Eventually, this was extended to include anyone who stood against the regime in any form, and the fort gradually grew to develop a reputation of being a place of torture and death. Very few individuals who were imprisoned there were ever released, and even after the end of the Rebel War, the exact number of people who lost their lives on Galuna Island remains unknown.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****     Freed hummed under his breath as he methodically ran the whetstone along the length of his sword, the familiar action soothing the pit of anxiety that had formed in his stomach ever since he had given the command to hoist the colours. While he had no intention of changing his mind, he couldn’t help but second guess every part of his decision and the plan they had made, well aware of the risk to his ship and crew, and to the people that were waiting on the supplies currently stored below deck. Normally he would have preferred to wait for more information, but they had learnt from painful experience in the past that waiting when it came to Galuna Island always ending in failure. I can’t lose anyone else…   His hand curled around the hilt of his sword, turquoise eyes hardening as he traced the names etched into the metal of the blade. Fredric Justine. Freya Justine. His younger brother and sister had been the victims of an attack on the coastal town where they had lived together. It had been years since he had seen them as he had been unable to bring himself to go home even when he had the chance,  and when it had mattered, when he had tried to get to them, he had been too late. They weren’t the only ones he had lost. He had lost crewmates, friends, people that they were supposed to save, but it was their names that weighed the heaviest on him, and the reason why he had to take this risk. Why he couldn’t chance being too late again.“Captain?” His hand loosened around the hilt as he glanced up to find Lucy hovering nervously in the doorway, her eyes darting to the blade in his hand as she twisted her hands nervously in front of her and he gave her a reassuring smile as he hastily sheathed the weapon. She visibly relaxed when it was covered, straightening and adding more firmly.  “Galuna Island is in sight.”“Thank you,” he replied as he rose to his feet. She really was born to be a navigator he thought as he followed her out and on to the deck, not even he or Bickslow could compete with her when it came to steering at night, and he had lost count of the number of times she had corrected their course when he was certain they were on track. She blushed at his words and scurried back to the helm, and he shook his head fondly, she and Wendy had come to the crew at the same time nearly ten months ago now, and both of them still acted like shy newcomers regardless of what he did to try and get them settled.“Good, she got that grim look off your face,” Evergreen commented as she appeared at his side, scowling as she studied him and he sighed, clearly they had checked on him earlier without him noticing and taken matters into their own hands again. Sometimes I wonder who really runs this ship, he thought, knowing that Bickslow had probably been involved with it as well. He glanced around in search of his First Mate, finally spotting the taller man talking with Elfman and the others who were going ashore with him, and he rolled his eyes as he spotted crimson eyes darting in his direction. “You’re the Captain.” He blinked and turned back to Evergreen, and he grimaced at her triumphant smirk realising that he had just confirmed her suspicions.  “You just need to be kept in line sometimes.”“I really hate you sometimes,” He muttered without any heat.“I know,” she smirked at him, before turning solemn as she followed his gaze down to the group getting ready to take to the rowboat and she made no effort to hide her concern as she asked quietly.  “Are you sure about this?”     No, Freed wanted to say, but he bit it back, well aware that most of the crew would have picked up on Evergreen and Bickslow’s concern about him and would be watching his reactions closely. Besides what choice do we have? Instead, he decided that it was just safer to change the topic, seizing on the fact that she was currently glowering at Bickslow who had also noticed and thrown her a jaunty salute, drawing a growl from her lips.“Still sore you lost the draw?” It had become a tradition at some point that the pair of them would fight viciously, either with actual fisticuffs or a game depending on their mood and the seriousness of the situation, to decide who was on guard duty as they both adamantly refused to leave his side at the same time. If he absolutely ordered it they would obey, but he rarely had the heart to that to them, and besides, if he was honest, it was reassuring to have at least one of them constantly nearby. It was just stressful when it led to tension between them, or when he could see evidence of their fight like now he realised as he eyed a suspicious looking bruise on Evergreen’s arm but he knew better than to comment on it.“Hardly,” Evergreen sniffed, sticking her tongue out at Bickslow before turning to face Freed as she added more seriously. “I’m a gunner, it’s not going to do any of us any good if I’m not where the guns are.”“Ever…”“Don’t Ever me,” she scolded, well aware that he only tended to use that nickname when he was trying to avoid a topic, and she narrowed her eyes at him, catching the way he squirmed under her gaze and her expression softened slightly. “I’m just worried about what you’re hoping to find here.”“It doesn’t matter,” Freed replied, well aware of what she was talking about. He had made no efforts to hide his interest in Laxus Dreyar in the past or the fact that was part of the reasoning behind the raid, even though he had never shared his reasons for that interest. “As long as we ensure that they’re not targeting civilians again I will be content.” The last time they had heard rumours of high numbers of guards gathering at a prison, they had been on the far side of Fiore, and they had been too late to act on their information. It had only been days later that they had heard from their informant in the area that nearly fifty people had been executed for the crime of speaking out against the King. “I won’t let that happen again, not if we can prevent it.”“And Laxus Dreyar?”“If he’s there, he’s there,” Freed shrugged as he moved away, heading down to where the boarding party were getting ready as he could tell they were nearly done and Evergreen hastily followed him. “If not, it doesn’t really change anything.” But if he is there, it could change everything. He wouldn’t tell them about his real hopes behind wanting to meet the Rebel, unwilling to add to their burden as he knew that his idiotic crew would push themselves beyond their limits if they thought it would help him, not something he was willing to risk when the situation was dangerous enough. “Bickslow?”“We’re about ready, Captain.”   “Make sure you all come back,” Freed ordered, making sure to hold Bickslow’s gaze as he spoke before allowing his gaze to rove over the small party, lingering on each member in turn as he continued in a softer tone. “Preferably uninjured, but you must come back, even if it means leaving someone else behind.” It pained him to say it, his fingers straying to his sword once more, but he meant it. These men and women were his too protect, his family and he had to put that first regardless of what else it might cost him.“You’re not getting rid of us that easily,” Bickslow teased, relieved to see the younger man’s lips quirking up in the corners as he knew the situation had stirred up bad memories for his Captain. Quietly he turned and gestured for his men to enter the boat, well aware that they only had a narrow timeframe if this was going to work as there was already a faint hint of pale blue on the horizon. “We’ll be back, just make sure you make your presence known loud and clear.”“We will,” Freed promised stepping forward to clap his first mate on the shoulder, forcing a smile for the taller man as Bickslow offered him a teasing bow before practically bounding down to join the others in the boat. Careful not to show any of his earlier trepidation for fear of adding to the shadows that were still lurking in the younger man’s eyes.    Freed leaned against the rail, barely aware of Evergreen beside him as he watched the rowboat descend into the darkness and waiting until he could no longer see or hear anything from them before forcing himself to turn away.
Make sure you come back.
****
    ‘In all the time that Galuna Island had been used as a fort, even under the previous regime, it had never suffered a direct attack from the sea. There had been numerous escape attempts both internal and external, with limited success due to its isolated location and the amount of water that had to be crossed to complete the escape. As such while it had been fortified to protect against those kind of incidences, it only had the bare minimum of defences against a naval attack having relied on the ships that had once patrolled the waters. What defences it had were dated and in ill-repair, leaving the fort far more vulnerable than those guarding it realised.

While the physical state of the fort contributed to the ease with which ‘The Raijinshuu’ was able to keep the forces pinned down during the rescue of Laxus Dreyar, it cannot be denied that the raid in and of itself was the reason for its success. No other ship or Captain had attempted such an attack, and after accounts from other ships that served the rebellion during the time it seems unlikely that any other captain would have been willing to risk so much for potentially so little…’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****    Waiting had never been one of Freed’s strong suits, but he had put the time while they let Bickslow and the others reach shore to good use, and there was absolutely no sign of hesitation or dark memories in his confident expression as he moved to join Lucy at the helm.“They should be in position now Captain,” she said softly, glancing up at the sky for a moment before turning to look at him.“You’re sure?” He didn’t really doubt her words, well aware that she never tended to speak up unless she was absolutely certain about it, but they couldn’t afford any errors this evening.“Loke was guiding them, he’s almost as good as navigating by the stars as I am,” Lucy’s tone was firm and certain in a way that it rarely was, and he noted the hint of colour that had seeped into her cheeks as she spoke, hiding the pleased smile that tugged at his lips. There had been a time when she had refused to let anyone but himself and Wendy close to her, and he knew those words would never have been spoken back then. “They’ll be there.”“Douse the lights,” He called to the rest of the crew, catching the surprise that passed over her face at his easy acceptance of her words and he nodded to her before raising his voice once more. “All hands to stations, it’s time to announce our presence!” It was a mark of their faith in him when they immediately set to work without the slightest hint of hesitation or protest, even though nervousness was tangible in the air and he knew that he would owe them a proper rest if - when they came out of this. Satisfied with their progress he turned back to Lucy, noticing that her hands had turned white-knuckled against the wheel and his voice softened.  “I’ll take the helm, go and help Wendy prepare for any injuries.”“But…”“That’s an order!” He cut across her curtly, knowing that she would respond far better to that, than any signs of understanding or pity.“Yes Sir,” she released the wheel, letting him step up to take her place and a small smile flitted across her face as she brushed her fingers against his arm.  “Thank you,” she whispered, and he nodded, watching as she hurried away to carry out his command. They had discovered a month after she had boarded that neither she nor Wendy could handle fights of any sort, something that would have made them redundant on any other ship even though their fear was understandable given what they had experienced on their last ship. However, there was no way he was going to overlook their skills because of that fear, and so far he hadn’t come to regret that decision.    Taking a deep breath, he glanced up at the flag flapping above his head, it was too dark to see it clearly, but it gave him courage, and his eyes narrowed as he turned his gaze to the lights that visible now off the starboard side.
It’s time…
    Those words narrowed his focus, and his hands were completely steady as he began to bring the ship around so that they would be broadside to the fort, hearing the hatches being open as Evergreen and her men readied themselves. He took a deep breath as they reached the point that they had decided on, level with the barracks of the fort, and a safe distance from where the prisoners were kept before giving the command that would leave them with no path out of this apart from completing their task.“Shoot all Cannons!”****   Laxus had jolted awake at the first muffled boom, his eyebrows knitting together as he felt the wall he was leant against shuddering. What the hell is going on? Blinking the sleep from his eyes he forced himself to his feet, grumbling under his breath as he struggled to untangle the chains enough to allow him to reach the window, standing on his tiptoes to peer out of the crack and it didn’t take him long to find the source of the disturbance. The ship was barely visible in the early morning light as there were lights along its deck, but with each muffled boom he could see the flash of cannon fire, and it was impossible to miss the fire that had broken out in the barracks that he had passed when he first entered the fort.“What the…?”    He trailed off, well aware that there was only one type of ship that would try and attack a target like this and there was a bitter taste in his mouth as he turned away from the window. Pirates. It didn’t make sense for them to be attacking unless his f…the King had finally decided to try and crack down on them again and they were trying to pre-empt those attempts. Too little, too late, he thought angrily as he sank back down against the wall, wincing with each muffled boom and tremor that shook his cell. There had been a time when he was little when he had listened wide-eyed to tales of Pirates and their exploits. His grandfather had always been the best for making up the most amazing swash-buckling tales that had left him with wild dreams of rushing off to sea and becoming a Pirate, and he had spent endless days pretending to be a Captain of a ship.    That had ended on his ninth birthday. It was back before thoughts of seizing the country had entered his father’s head, or at least before they had become more than mere ideas and his mother…the chains rattled as his hands curled into fists, eyes stinging from the hurt that had never once diminished even though it was over a decade since that day…had been alive. They had been visiting one of their family’s warehouses in one of the port cities near the border with Seven, their first family trip in months and Laxus had been over the mood and excited to be able to see so many ships. They had been readying to leave when it had all gone to hell. Muffled booms like the ones echoing in his ears now the first sign that something was wrong, and he would never forget the sight of the strange red ship that had sailed into the port waters and opened fire on the town, or the red flag flying from its mast.   Ivan - the coward had fled the moment he had realised what was happening, leaving Laxus and his mother to fend for themselves and they had been caught up in the panicked crowd trying to escape the cannon fire raining down on them. They hadn’t escaped. A blast had ripped apart the building next to them, and they had found themselves buried beneath the rubble. It had felt like hours before the sound of the cannons being fired had ended, and it had been hours before they were rescued and it wasn’t until the rescuers had found them that Laxus had allowed himself to confront the reality that his mother was gone. He hadn’t been able to face it in that dark space, cuddling against her side and clinging to her hand as though that would be enough to anchor her with him. But when they were pulled out, there was no way to hide from the blood staining her head or the empty eyes that met his blurring gaze, and he had shattered, screaming his pain and grief to the world.    He had never forgiven Ivan for abandoning them or forgotten that cursed red ship, and from that day he had never spoken of sailing or being a Pirate again, banning his grandfather from telling him any more stories. The memory of cannon fire and blood fading with time, but turning into bitter, hateful anger in his chest and his hands crept up to cover his ears as he heard the cannon fire outside intensifying.
Not again…
**    Bickslow hissed as Loke pulled him down behind a wall. Despite the covering fire from The Raijinshuu the prison guards had managed to rally well when they realised there were also invaders and he had been forced to split his men. Sending some to release any prisoners they could find in the main cells, while he, Loke and Elfman had headed for the visibly more fortified part of the fort. Grimacing he glanced down at the blood now trickling down his arm from where he had been too slow to dodge the bullet, and he cursed as he pressed down it, well aware of the scolding that would be waiting for him when he got back on-board. When not if…It had been his mantra ever since they had landed and snuck into the fort, and he focused on it once more to keep the pain at bay.“Are you all right?” Loke demanded, knocking his hand aside so that he could get a better look at it, grimacing as he pulled his sleeve over his hand and pressed down on it to help stem the bleeding, glancing up at Elfman who was anxiously keeping watch.“I’ll survive,” Bickslow muttered with a grimace, gently knocking the ginger’s hand aside and rising to his feet as he glanced up at the sky, alarmed to realise that it was getting lighter by the minute. “Come on, let’s get this finished before it gets much lighter.” While the fort’s defences were meagre at best, but they still had some operable cannons and as soon as the ship was properly visible their chances of getting out of here would drop substantially. He had just been about to step out from their hiding place when another volley from The Raijinshuu hit the fort, and they all ducked as the wall opposite them disintegrated under the force of the attack.“The Captain really isn’t showing them any mercy,” Elfman breathed, his awed tone reminding the other two that this was the first time he had been on a raid with them, or witnessed this more ruthless side of their normally soft-hearted captain.“He has his reasons,” Bickslow muttered.“I’m not complaining,” Loke interjected with a shrug, meeting Elfman’s gaze as he explained. “I’ve been in a place like this, and I know what Lucy had to endure before he rescued her, so rest assured I’m happy with this.”“Good,” Bickslow muttered, glancing around to make sure that it was safe to move again before adding urgently.  “Let us be happy about it while moving.”“Aye, sir.”**    Evergreen was breathing heavily as she reloaded the cannon, splitting her attention between her own job and what everyone else was doing with the ease of long practice. She would never admit it aloud, but this was what she lived for, the adrenaline rush of battle, and knowing that it was her hands that were helping to defend her home. It helped that this time she knew that there were people on the ship, and the shore who were depending on this mad scheme and there was a wild grin on her face as she lit the fuse, before shifting her attention to the others.“Keep Moving! It won’t be for much longer, but if we falter now…” She knew that she didn’t need to finish her words, well aware that every one of them knew what the success of this venture meant to their Captain and to the people waiting for their supplies, and she nodded in satisfaction when they resumed work with renewed determination. In all honesty, she was relieved that she had lost the fight over who got to go on the raid. Although that didn’t stop a hint of concern entering her gaze as she peered through the hatch towards the fort which was now engulfed in a cloak of smoke that made it hard to make out anything that was happening.
Bickslow. Elfman, you better make it back in one piece.
**     Laxus tensed as he heard the sound of fighting in the passage outside his cell and he grimaced. He had hoped that he was segregated enough that he wasn’t going to be caught up in this, because as much as he didn’t relish the idea of remaining a prisoner and being sent off to face the ‘King’s judgement’ it was preferable to the thought of having to deal with Pirates. However, it seemed as though his wishes weren’t going to be granted, and he struggled back to his feet as the door was forced open a few minutes later, blinking at the size of the tattooed man that stepped into the room first and narrowing his eyes as he caught the odd expression that passed across his face.“Laxus Dreyar?” There seemed to be little point in denying it, as he was well aware that posters of his face had been spread across Fiore and even Pirates had to come ashore sometimes. He didn’t know what to make of the grin that met his acknowledgement, fairly sure that it meant nothing good for his wellbeing and he blinked. “Good, that means that this little escapade was more than worthwhile.”“This is a rescue?” Laxus asked snidely. It was clear from the man’s reaction to him and his name that they had been seeking him out and he swallowed suddenly, a cold sweat spreading down his back as his thoughts turned to the haunting image of that cursed red ship.“Of sorts,” Bickslow retorted, unimpressed with the blond’s tone but dismissing it as he turned to the men that had just followed him into the room.  “Elfman get these chains broken! Now!”“I’d rather you left them on,” Laxus muttered, unable to do anything to stop the giant of a man who had moved across to him at the other’s order and who was now studying the shackles holding him in place., taking a half step back before realising that he really had nowhere to go. What did I do to deserve this?“You’d rather be sent to the Capital than come with us?” Bickslow asked incredulously, looking up from where he had been wrapping a strip of material around his arm, well aware that Freed would never forgive him if he bled out on the job. He hadn’t missed Laxus’s reaction when they had entered the cell, and it was clear that the blond had issues with Pirates, but he had never thought that he would hear anyone, especially a Rebel claiming they’d rather face the King than Pirates.“I’d rather face the gallows than go anywhere with Pirates,” Laxus spat, ignoring the small voice at the back of his mind that was telling him that he should let them get him out of there and then make a break for it. But the locket around his neck was cool against his skin, and he focused on that as he glowered at the silver-haired man that was making short work of the shackles around his ankles.“If it was up to me you’d get your wish,” Bickslow muttered, eyes narrowing as he studied Laxus suspiciously. He was always wary of letting new people onboard the ship, knowing from experience how easy it was to be betrayed and determined to protect Freed from that pain at all costs. And it was clear in his mind at least that this man was not an ally even if technically they were on the same side in this war, and his hands curled into fists at his side. He would quite happily leave the blond behind, but he knew that meeting Laxus was something Freed wanted even if he didn’t fully understand why, and his voice was resigned as he added. “However, our Captain wants to speak to you, and we’ve risked more than enough for you to him that much at least.”“I don’t owe him anything!”    Bickslow ignored him, although he filed the words away for the future, instead stepping across to Elfman and passing him the rope he had attached to his belt in preparation for this moment, tilting his head towards Laxus.“Tie him up before you release him fully,” he ordered, having caught the way Laxus had begun to tense now that the shackles were nearly off, and guessing that the man was going to attempt something unless they stayed a step ahead of him. “And hurry, we need to get moving.”
Luck has been with us so far, let’s hope it stays that way…
**    Freed’s hands were tense on the wheel, the ship creaking beneath his feet as he fought to keep her steady. His eyes were fixated on the fort, and he stiffened when finally, the small firework that they had sent Bickslow ashore with shot into the air, a small yellowish-green spark against the billowing plumes of smoke and Freed felt his lips quirk up slightly. They did it!“Cease Fire!” He bellowed, hearing the cry relayed below decks as the cannons fired their last rounds and as the muffled booms fell silent he continued strongly.  “All hands on deck! We need to go and pick them up!” Now came the hardest part, getting to the rendezvous point and picking up their crew and anyone they had rescued who were willing to take refuge with Pirates. And then getting out of range before the Fort managed to muster a response and yet the fading light of the firework gave him the hope that they were actually going to pull this off.
Maybe this time we weren’t too late. Maybe luck is finally shining on us.
****
   ‘The damage caused by ‘The Raijinshuu’s’ attack that night left Galuna Fort completely indefensible, and significantly weakened the army’s numbers and influence in that region. While it was made secure enough to hold prisoners again before the end of the war, it never again reached its previous reputation, and eventually, it would come to be abandoned, left behind as a memorial for all the people. On both sides of the conflict. Who had either been imprisoned there or who had lost their lives there.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****    Laxus had known he was in trouble from the moment that first cannon shot had woken him, made worse by the fact that he had been completely helpless as they had manhandled him out of the fort and down to the boat stashed at the end of the island. Although he had been surprised to see that he was the only prisoner they had taken, the others that had been freed during the attack apparently declining the option of going with the Pirates and being allowed to do so. So why am I different? He had wanted to ask, but he was determined not to risk giving them anything they could use against him. However, he wasn’t able to stop the low growl that rumbled in his chest as he caught sight of the ship they were heading for, the larger vessel clearly turning to meet them. Or rather, the sight of the red flag dancing proudly in the rapidly paling sky, and he winced as he was cuffed around the ear for growling, his captors no doubt mistaking it for a protest or threat towards them and he bit back the urge to snarl at them. He was in enough trouble as it was, without making it worse for himself because of his temper.    Although as they pulled alongside the ship, and he was shoved up the ladder by the tattooed man that he was guessing was the First Mate from the limited conversation he had overheard on the way here. Unable to do much more than move his legs and hope they didn’t let him and got his first good look at the flag, he realised that it was pretty much impossible for him to be any more screwed than he already was.    A plain red flag was terrifying enough nowadays, the few ships that bore a coat of arms on the flag was even worse and even amongst them there was one that stood out above the rest. The Raijinshuu had appeared in Fiorean waters a couple of years ago and had so far escaped every attempt to sink it made by the army and the few privateers that were willing to go after it. It had a strange reputation. Its crew were feared universally, referred to in quiet whispers as ‘the dark’ and renowned for vicious, sneak attacks and yet at the same time, they were careful in their choice of targets. More than once he had heard rumours that certain ships and smaller towns that had been hit hard by the new King’s policies had been approached by the ship, only to be spared with seemingly no explanation. As he stared up at the simple black lightning bolt in the centre of the crimson flag, he wondered which side of the ship and its crew he was going to be facing. Although given the ropes currently cutting into his arms, and the blood trickling from his split lip he had a fairly good idea.   He wasn’t given any chance to hesitate, the man holding his arms shoved him forward again as soon as they hit the deck with a quiet growl to keep moving and with no other option Laxus obeyed. His mind racing frantically as his gaze darted around him, well aware that if the ship set sail with him still aboard it would be virtually impossible to escape at a later date. However, with his arms bound tightly at his side, and more than a dozen pair of eyes now watching his every movement as he reached the deck, there wasn’t much he could do at the moment either. I can’t admit defeat, I still have stuff to do. I still have to tear down his Majesty’s throne, as always all thoughts of his father soured his mood, but it had the desired effect of driving away the sense of defeat that had been threatening to wash over him. It just didn’t alter his current situation of being a prisoner on the decks of The Raijinshuu, currently with no means of escape open to him. Damn it…“On your knees,” the tall First mate barked in his ear a moment later, breaking into his thoughts, shoving him down when the blond didn’t move fast enough, and Laxus had to bite his tongue to stop himself from retorting. What am I meeting the bloody King? He had noticed it from the moment he had been caught, but all of the Pirates had a tone of respect when referring to their Captain that he had never experienced before and would never have expected. Not that he’d had many encounters with Pirates he had to admit, forcing himself to focus as he felt a ripple going through the gathered crew, and his eyes widened as his gaze landed on the figure who had just stepped down from the helm.    This was the main reason The Raijinshuu was so feared. Her Captain - Freed Justine. It didn’t seem to matter how far inland you travelled nowadays, tales of this Pirate would have beaten you there, and Laxus bit his lip to hold back a curse. He had known that he would have to face this man, but he clearly hadn’t prepared himself as fear pooled in his stomach. Yet at the same time, he found himself unable to look away. The stories had mentioned that he was young, but Laxus had a feeling that the man in front of him was even younger than the stories made out, and there was nothing about the man in front of him that screamed Pirate, and he couldn’t help but wonder how a man like that could get a reputation like that. The more reckless side of him wanting to test the Captain and see what he was made of, even though he was at a clear disadvantage.  What the hell am I thinking?   The sound of metal being drawn brought him crashing back into the present, and he flinched as he lifted his head to find himself staring up the blade of a sword. His lips drew back in a snarl as the Pirate shifted the blade slightly so that he could tilt Laxus’s head up, leaving the blond with no choice but to meet his gaze.“Well, well, if it isn’t the infamous Laxus Dreyar.” The Captain’s voice was nothing like he had expected. Instead, it was soft and smooth, and it seemed to curl around him, and Laxus felt something in his chest quailing under the turquoise gaze that was roving across his face, lingering a moment too long on his lips before the younger man smirked at him. “There’s quite a price on your head you know? A King’s ransom almost…” There was a knowing gleam in those eyes, and Laxus wanted to curse - this Pirate knew exactly who, or rather what he was and why there was a large bounty on his head, and he struggled to keep his expression even.“I’m aware,” Laxus growled, praying that his alarm wasn’t showing on his expression, snarling as “The way I heard it, there’s a pretty hefty bounty for you and your crew.” Rather than looking offended or alarmed, Freed actually smiled at his response and Laxus flinched as the blade tapped worrying close to his jugular.“I could hand you over, in fact, I probably should,” Freed pointed out thoughtfully, and Laxus closed his eyes when there were murmurs of agreement from the surrounding crew. So much for a rescue, he thought bitterly, unsure of why he had ever expected anything else from Pirates and he was caught completely off guard when the blade disappeared from his neck, and his eyes flew open to find that Freed had crouched in front of him. Those turquoise eyes pinning him in place and silencing whatever retort had been building in the back of his throat and he swallowed nervously as the smile turned into a downright alarming smirk as the young Captain added softly. “But I think I have an offer for you that would benefit both of us.”
I’m screwed…
****
   ‘All accounts of those first meetings between Captain Freed Justine and Laxus Dreyar have come from eyewitness accounts, and the men themselves. All parties involved in the rescue and the subsequent agreement that was brokered between the two have confessed that none of them thought that meeting would have such far-reaching consequences for this country and the path that they took after that day.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

‘The loss of Galuna Island and the escape of Laxus Dreyar were the first proper blows that had been struck against the New Monarchy since it had taken power, and the event sent shockwaves throughout Fiore. At the time the country had just adopted a new messenger system utilising messenger birds, which had sped up the process of passing news from more rural, isolated regions to the capital Crocus, and it was barely a day after the attack that news of the Island’s loss reached the ears of the King.

Retaliation came swiftly. Orders were immediately sent out to what few naval forces the country had managed to accumulate, and to the Privateers that sailed under the King’s colours for a fee, ordering the immediate capture of The Raijinshuu’s crew and Captain. In order to facilitate a quick result, all other laws and commands regarding Piracy in Fiorean waters were rescinded, meaning that all eyes were fixated on The Raijinshu.’ The bounty called for the Captain, Freed Justine, and the Rebel, Laxus Dreyar whom the pirates were aiding and abetting to be captured alive and returned to Crocus for punishment. While the fate of the crew and the ship was to be left to the victorious captor.

At the time it was the single largest sea hunt that had ever been undertaken, with many ships that had escaped previous encounters with The Raijinshuu re-joining the hunt due to the size of the bounty, and the promise of a pardon for any crimes committed in the pursuit and capture of said ship. However, it was indisputable that the hunt was led and expected to be successfully completed by the Privateer Ship, The Minstrel, which had sailed under the King’s colours from the moment Ivan Dreyar had taken the throne and was captained by Rufus Lore, a man previously feared for the raids he led in northern waters. A man that had a history with both The Raijinshuu and Laxus Dreyar.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****Two days later:   Freed sighed as he stared out across the sea, scanning the horizon for any sign that they were being pursued, well aware that their rash actions at Galuna Island would bring the wrath of the King down on their head and that they were unlikely to have got out of the area without being identified. So far there had been no sign of trouble following, but there was an uneasy feeling in his stomach which was the reason that he had asked Lucy to chart a different course than usual towards the Isle, wary of leading unwelcome company towards the refuge. They were already running behind on the supply run, but he didn’t dare take any chances. Especially when he was no longer sure that it had been worth it and his expression darkened as he glanced down at the bandage wrapped around his hand. His discussion with Laxus had not gone as planned, and he was beginning to wonder whether it would have been better if they had just left the rebel to his fate.
   He had been prepared for some sign of aggression when he’d stepped into his cabin nearly half an hour after he’d asked Elfman and Loke to escort Laxus there, especially as he had taken the risk of asking them to unbind his arms in the hopes of reassuring the Rebel that they did not intend to harm him. What he hadn’t expected was for Laxus to lunge for him before the door had fully closed behind him, bow divider in hand with the sharp points aimed directly for his face, and only throwing his hands up at the last moment had spared his eye. He’d been unable to entirely suppress his sharp cry of pain, blood dripping from his hand as he responded quickly, trapping the blond’s hand and sweeping his legs from under him. He dropped the divider at his feet and drew his sword, letting the blade press warningly against the blond’s chest as Laxus made as though to surge to his feet once more.

“I wouldn’t try it,” he warned sharply, turquoise eye glistening with fury as he met defiant blue ones. He didn’t care about the attack on himself, but he knew that if someone else had entered first, then the man wouldn’t have hesitated to attack them either. “I would have…”

“Captain?!” A worried voice from beyond the door interrupted him, and Freed sighed as he recognised Elfman’s voice realising that the other man must have heard either his cry or the scuffle that had followed and he had to admit that it was a good thing that it was Elfman and not Ever or Bickslow on guard. The other two would have burst in already without waiting for him to respond, and they would have probably gone for the Rebel the moment they realised that Freed was bleeding, and as much as he loved them that really wouldn’t help in the current situation.

“It’s fine,” he called back, hearing movement as though Elfman was about to open the door and wanting to stop that from happening. It was clear that this discussion was going to be complicated enough without getting anyone else involved. He didn’t dare take his gaze off Laxus though, watching the Rebel’s eyes darting around in search of anything he could use to escape. It was a look he recognised, and he sighed, hating the fact that he had put the other man in a situation where he felt like that, but then his expression hardened. This was a risky move regardless of how you looked at it, but he had to try. “Everything is fine here, can you please go and help Evergreen down below?”

“But…”

“That’s an order!” Clearly Evergreen and Bickslow were having a bad effect on the entire crew, as he could hear the concern underlying the protest, but he knew that it wouldn’t do him any good to try and tell them all not to worry about him. He’d said it more than enough times in the past, and he knew that it tended to go in one ear and out the other, and others like Wendy and Lucy were getting to be just as bad. Thankfully though Elfman was still new enough that clarifying it was an order was enough to get him moving, although there was a definite note of reluctance to his agreement before he moved off.

“Yes, Captain…”

“Everything’s under control?” Laxus asked once the sound of footsteps had disappeared, eyebrows raised as he watched the blood dripping from the gash he had managed to inflict, before eyeing the blade that was pressing uncomfortably against his chest. He hadn’t expected the Captain to be quite so efficient in unarmed combat, trusting in surprise and his size to give him the chance to get out of this mess after the younger man had made the mistake of allowing him to be untied. Apparently, it hadn’t been such a mistake after all.

“Considering my position yes,” Freed replied sharply, letting his blade press hard enough to tear a hole through the material of Laxus’s shirt and catching the pain that flickered across the blond’s face as he nicked the skin beneath, holding the position for a moment before easing the pressure a little. “If I let you up will you behave? I’d much rather have a civilised conversation, rather than talking to a man I have to pin to the ground for his own safety.”

“Pretty words,” Laxus spat, wincing as the blade pressed closer in warning and he sighed, realising that he had lost his shot at winning this battle and he glanced to the side as he reluctantly admitted defeat for the time being. “Fine…I’ll behave.” Freed studied him for a moment before nodding and removing the sword, although he made no move to sheath it this time, his fingers tightening around the hilt as he caught the quiet mumble that followed as Laxus eased himself back to his feet. “For now.”

Freed sighed as he studied the older man, gaze lingering for a moment on the lightning bolt scar on the right side of his face and then on the split lip and bruises from his original capture. The blue eyes that met his challengingly held the same shadow that the Captain had seen in every Rebel and Refugee he had ever met, but he knew that similarity wasn’t going to help this time, as the blond was renowned for refusing to become involved with any other faction.

“What is this offer of yours then Pirate?” Apparently, Laxus had got fed up of waiting for him to gather his thoughts, his tone dark and angry and Freed didn’t miss the hatred behind the final word, and he struggled not to flinch at it. It was an opinion that he had encountered more times than he cared to count and it never got any easier to hear, and part of him wanted to snap at the older man, to point out that not everyone had a choice about the type of life they found themselves living, but he forced back the words. There were more important things to focus on, and he took a deep breath before adopting a nonchalant tone.

“Considering your hatred of Pirates, I would have thought that you would support your father with his current policies against us?” It was clear to see that his words had hit home, the blond stiffening for a moment, his expression darkening for a moment and it was clear that he was debating whether it was worth lashing out or not as the blue eyes glanced at his sword once more. However, apparently he had realised that his chances of escaping at the moment were slim to none, and instead, there was a hint of resignation in his voice as he asked quietly.

“You know who I am?”

“I know who you are,” Freed agreed softly.

“And your crew?”

“Some of them might have suspicions, but they haven’t said anything to me.” It was a popular rumour that there might be some relationship between their current King and Laxus Dreyar, but there was no proof about it. Freed’s certainty and knowledge came from an encounter years before. An encounter that it was clear the blond had forgotten, and one that he wasn’t willing to bring up at this point, having learnt the hard way that it was never wise to put all your cards on the table at once.

“Wonderful…” Laxus muttered under his breath. He had guessed earlier that the younger man had a good idea of who he really was, but that didn’t make it any easier to hear it confirmed aloud. He had deliberately gone out of his way over the last few years to make sure that no one knew who he was, and all that work was now being undone by a Pirate of all people. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to meet Freed’s gaze head-on. “So what? Are you going to try and ransom me to Ivan Dreyar?” It had been years since he had addressed the man as a father and he wasn’t about to start now just because someone had realised who he was. “I assure you that…”

“No,” Freed cut him off, a hint of exasperation entering his tone, although to be honest, he felt a hint of pity for the blond. Well aware that he hadn’t been about to claim that the King would pay a fortune to see him returned. He had heard the rumours, and he knew that if Laxus were ever returned to Crocus, he would likely face the same fate that Freed and his crew would face. Namely a short trip to the Gallows, with no questions asked and no chance of a pardon. “I already said that I had a better offer for both of us, and I stand by that.”

“Then what?”

“I want you to come to the Isle with us,” Freed said simply, finally sheathing his weapon again before wiping his bleeding hand against his jacket with a grimace. “I want you to meet the people that have been hurt because of the King, and those who also fight against him.” There was more to it than that, but he could tell by the stormy expression that had greeted his request that his other reasons wouldn’t go down at the moment and so he swallowed them back, hoping that one day he would get the chance to voice them aloud.

“No.” That had been the last thing Laxus had been expecting, especially the confirmation that The Raijinshuu was working with the Rebels, but that didn’t change his immediate response. He had no interest in aiding their cause. His stance against the King was purely personal, and he had no time to get involved in the lives of others, nor could he bear the thought of putting their lives above his Grandfather’s, even if he knew that the Old fool would probably encourage him to.

“Considering your current position, I’m not entirely sure how you intend to refuse?” Freed asked quietly, disappointed by the swift response but unsurprised. Still, he wasn’t going to give up without a fight even if caught the snarl that tugged at the older man’s lips in response to being reminded of his situation.

“Then why ask?”

“Because you do have a choice,” Freed pointed out calmly, letting his hand return to the hilt of his weapon as he caught the increased agitation in the older man, refusing to give him a chance for a second attack. “This ship is sailing for the Isle. If you chose to agree to my request, then I will guarantee that when our business is concluded you will be free to go and returned to the mainland and I will offer my assistance so that you can achieve your own goals.”

“And if I refuse?” Laxus asked eyes narrowed as he searched Freed’s face for any sign of deception, surprised that a Pirate would offer his services freely. If he could even be relied on to keep his word, he thought with a low growl.

“Then you will remain in the brig while we are at the Isle,” Freed shrugged, hoping that his distaste for that option wasn’t clearly visible to the Rebel. “And your fate will be decided by the Council, who may choose to claim the bounty on your head in order to provide for their people.” He doubted very much that they would do such a thing, even though the Isle was in desperate need of more funds and supplies, but he was trusting that Laxus’s isolation would mean that he wouldn’t know that.

Laxus was silent for a few minutes, clearly weighing his options and Freed watched him quietly, catching the way his fists clenched at his sides and the way blue eyes flickered to his sword and the blood on his hand. It was clear that he was still searching for a way to escape, although where he thought that he could go in the middle of the ocean…still, it meant that he would have to be watched closely even if he agreed to Freed’s offer. When the blond finally replied there was reluctance written across his face, and his voice was hard and underlain with the same hatred that had shown through earlier.

“Fine…”
   That had been two days ago, and while Laxus was restricted to the brig during the night, he had been granted freedom to wander about during the day, albeit under the watchful eyes of Evergreen and Bickslow who had insisted on the duty after realising that the blond had managed to injure their Captain. Freed had mostly let him be, hoping probably naively that seeing how the ship worked and how the crew worked would ease some of the hatred and suspicion that Laxus had shown in that first meeting. It hadn’t worked. The same darkness would appear every time they interacted, and more than once he had been caught trying to conceal items that could be used as weapons and Freed knew that it was only a matter of time before things came to a head. They were getting further from the mainland and the main shipping lanes by the hours so if their ‘guest’ wanted to make a try for freedom he was running out of time, and Freed knew that his approach to dealing with it would determine the future for his venture.   Maybe it was a pointless dream, but he knew that nearly everyone on both sides of the conflict had heard of Laxus Dreyar and what the blond had achieved against the King, and despite his reluctance to get involved with any of the factions, they looked up to him. I want you to see who else is fighting and what they are fighting for. I want you to realise this isn’t a fight that you can win alone…I want you to give them someone they can follow. The words were still swirling inside him, even though he knew that it was unfair to ask so much of him, but the truth was the rebellion was faltering, and the Isle was struggling to support all those who needed help. They needed a leader. They needed something to change before it was too late, and Laxus had the drive to push them forward. But…“You’re thinking too hard as always,” a soft voice said and Freed glanced to his side as Evergreen leant against the rail and he smiled faintly. He had known that it was only a matter of time before one of them turned up to drag him out of his thoughts, and he was relieved that it was her and not Bickslow, because he had a request and he knew that his First Mate would probably lock him in the brig for even suggesting it. Although Evergreen might not be much better considering the anger in her eyes as she glanced at his bandaged hand for a moment.“Evergreen…”“Yes?”“I want you to leave the brig unlocked tonight,” Freed replied softly, staring out to see once more as he heard the sharp intake of breath that met his request, hoping futilely to escape some of the explosion that he knew was about to be unleashed. It was a pointless exercise though as she had immediately grabbed his shoulder and spun him around, glaring up at him with stormy eyes.“Are you insane?” Evergreen demanded incredulously, gesturing at first his hand and then the nick in his sleeve where the Rebel had made another attempt earlier that day, and she made no effort to hide her concern or anger as she added grimly. “You do realise he would kill you if he got a chance?” Even though I warned him what would happen if he tried….
   She had been the one to take Laxus down the brig that first evening, less than happy with having to guard the man that had laid a hand on her Captain, especially when Freed had forbidden her from taking any form of retribution against the blond. Still, she had made no effort to hide her hostility as she shoved Laxus ahead of her, watching for any hint that he was going to try something and somewhat disappointed by his current level of obedience.

“This is a brig?” Laxus had asked incredulously once he’d got a good look at where he was heading, having clearly envisioned something much worse.

“We often transport people to the Isle, but we have to be cautious,” she had replied shortly, not allowing any of her amusement at his stunned expression to show through. “This allows us to stay safe while giving them a comfortable journey.” It had been one of the first things Freed had changed when he took control of the ship, so while it remained a cage, with a door that was capable of holding even the most determined escapee trapped, it contained a comfortable berth and a small table and chair.

“Huh…”

“Unlike our Captain, I don’t believe that courtesy should be extended to you,” her voice had dropped lower now, her eyes narrowed as she whirled to look at him. Freed had banned her from lashing out at the blond, but he hadn’t told her to hold her tongue, and she had no intention of doing so. “I have seen how you look at him, and I know that you injured him and that you will probably try again, and I for one believe that you should have been left on the island. I will respect his decision to let you stay, but I hope that you maintain this level of obedience, or I might forget his orders to leave you be.”

“I have no intention of staying on this ship,” Laxus snapped as he glared at her, unable to believe that she would honestly think that his current obedience meant that he had accepted his fate. “Believe me as soon as I get the chance, I will…” He was prevented from saying anything else as Evergreen suddenly slammed into him, using her momentum to shove him back against the wall and pinning him there.

“I wouldn’t think about it if I were you,” Evergreen’s voice which had been soft and smooth before, was now a deadly hiss, but what was much more alarming was the knife pressed uncomfortably close to his neck. One wrong move on either side would see the blade slicing into his skin, and he froze completely, because as undesirable as his current situation was Laxus had no intention of dying on this ship. He still had plenty that he needed to do. The problem was going to be talking her down, the knife now digging into his skin and he swallowed nervously as he felt blood trickling as the skin broke. She means business…He had dismissed her because of her size and seemingly light-hearted nature, but it was clear that was a mistake as he gazed into blazing eyes. “I don’t care if you leave the ship. Although believe me you wouldn’t get to enjoy your freedom for long. However, if you raise a hand against the Captain…” The blade pressed deeper, and Laxus couldn’t hold back soft noise of alarm, for a moment fearing that she wasn’t going to stop.

“I give…” He managed to force out, struggling not to flinch as she glared at him for a moment before finally pulling back, deliberately staring at him as she wiped the blade clean on her tunic before re-sheathing it.
   He hadn’t taken the lesson to heart, but so far Freed had stopped her from doing anything beyond disarming him, even though both she and Bickslow had pleaded with him to at least keep the Rebel in the brig at all times. And now he wants to release him at night as well? She knew that winning Laxus round was important to Freed even though she didn’t fully understand why, but they had to draw a line somewhere, and she refused to lose her Captain over something so foolish.“I fully expect him to try,” Freed replied with a small smile, and she was sorely tempted to slap him, wondering how he could look so calm when saying something like that. One wrong move and Laxus would kill him for sure, and the idiot was smiling about it like it was nothing more than a walk in the park. “It would be disappointing if he didn’t.”“It’s an unnecessary risk,” she snapped at him, not caring that her tone was one that on any other ship would have landed her in the brig. “He has already tried to kill you more than once, and that is with us watching over him, now you want to give him a free shot? What the hell are you thinking?”“I know what he has done,” Freed pointed out softly, meeting her gaze head-on, touched by her concern but needing her to realise that he wasn’t just being reckless. “And this situation can’t be allowed to continue. I want to give him this chance so that I can prove the futility of continuing to fight us…” He glanced down at his hand, he had been injured that time because he had been caught off guard, this time he would be ready for whatever Laxus tried. “He won’t win Ever.”“I…” She trailed off, seeing the stubbornness and determination in his face as he stared at her, and she sighed. It was rare that Freed was so stubborn when they were concerned for his wellbeing, which meant that this was something that was important to him, and she grimaced, unsure whether she was more irritated at him or her inability to hold out against him. “Fine, what do you want me to do?”“Leave the door open, and make sure he has a clear path to my cabin,” Freed swiftly held up a hand to forestall the protest he could see forming, before adding quietly. “I don’t want to give him the chance to go after anyone else.” So far Laxus’s attention had been focused on him, and he wanted to keep it that way, but he frowned as he realised that desperation might cause the blond to change tactics, and his expression turned grim as he continued. “I also want you to warn everyone to be on alert this evening in case he does get distracted, and if you can get Loke to stay with Lucy and Wendy tonight.”“Fine…”“Ever,” he reached out to grab her arm as she turned to leave, reluctance practically radiating off her and he knew that he owed her far more than mere words could say. “Thank you.”“Don’t thank me,” she snapped as she yanked out of his grip, but her expression turned softer as she glanced back at him, although he couldn’t help but groan at her next words. “You’re going to be the one to tell Bickslow about this insanity, and if you get yourself killed tonight, I’ll drag you back from the locker myself. Just so I can kill you again.” She would as well, he thought with a fond smile, nodding in understanding and watching as she stalked off with a soft expression, although he paled as his thoughts turned to having this discussion with his First Mate.
Bickslow is going to kill me…
****That evening:   Laxus sighed as he flopped back onto the bunk, ignoring Evergreen’s quiet goodnight and missing the way that her gaze lingered longer than usual before she turned and headed topside again. She had been colder towards him than ever this evening and he had taken to blocking out her snide comments, not that he could really blame her as he had completely ignored the warning she had given him that first night, even though the scab still remained to remind him of how close she could have been to killing him. Not that it had done him any good. It seemed that no matter how crafty he was when finding weapons, his moves were always anticipated and despite himself, he found himself becoming more and more intrigued by his captors.   The one that held most of his interest was the Captain. Freed Justine was nothing like what he had expected a Pirate Captain to be, and it bothered him more than he cared to admit. It had been clear from the moment he came on-board that the younger man commanded the loyalty and respect of his crew, but he had expected it to be one-sided, or respect borne of fear. That was what Pirates were supposed to be like, there wasn’t supposed to be so many signs they were human and yet from that very first afternoon he had found himself questioning that…
   Laxus had hoped that the man was going to make his offer at once so that he could refuse it and turn his focus to working out how the hell he was going to get out of this mess. Especially as he could see that the coast was starting to disappear behind them as they headed out towards open waters, and dread pooled in his stomach as he forced himself to refocus on Freed, only to find that the Captain wasn’t even focused on him anymore. Instead, his gaze seemed to be on the tall first mate holding his ropes, and he had no idea what to make of the open concern on the younger man’s face. A Pirate has no right to look like that, he thought bitterly, his memories of his mother and the cursed red ship still far too close to the surface for him to even attempt civility at the moment and he could stop his lips from pulling back in a snarl. Just give me a chance Pirate…

Apparently, he must’ve made some noise, because suddenly that bright turquoise eye was fixed on him once more, and there was a knowing expression on Freed’s face that made him think that the Captain had an excellent idea of the thoughts running through his head. Still he held his gaze challengingly, waiting for the man to either lash out or order him to be sent to the brig, but Freed surprised him by smiling lightly before rising to his feet and sheathing his weapon, and Laxus wanted to growl as he realised that he had just well and truly been dismissed as a threat. Just you wait…

“Take him to my cabin,” Freed ordered sharply as he turned to his crew, before pausing and glancing at Laxus who was staring at him in surprise. Cabin? Not the brig? For a moment he wondered if maybe he was going to get halfway decent treatment, but then he recalled that he had no idea what the terms of this ‘offer’ were going to me, and his expression darkened as it dawned on him that his treatment was probably going to reflect how he responded to the deal. Therefore, he was surprised by the next order that rang out. “Release him from the ropes, but guard the door.”

“Captain?!” It was clear that the crew shared his surprise, and that they were less than happy about the command, with more than one voice raising in protest and Laxus winced. He had heard enough horror tales about what happened to sailors who disobeyed their Captain’s orders, and he didn’t want to imagine what it would be like aboard a Pirate ship.

“Those are my orders,” Freed’s voice was perfectly calm, but when Laxus glanced at him, he could see the exasperation in his expression. But it wasn’t exasperation that would lead to something else. Instead, it seemed to be underlain by something akin to fondness, and Laxus shook his head, irritated at his own thoughts and curiosity. He’s a Pirate, even if he does have some connection with his crew…it still boils down to the fact that he is a Pirate.

“Yes, Sir!”

Laxus felt movement behind him, and then he was being hoisted to his feet by the silver-haired brute that had been part of his ‘rescue party’ and the ginger-haired man who had yet to speak, and although he tried to dig his heels in, refusing to cooperate in the slightest. It made no difference though, and he found himself being hauled forwards regardless, so instead he shifted his attention back to the Captain who had moved past him to speak to the other crew members who had been involved in the attack, hoping that he would be able to catch something that would help in the upcoming ‘negotiations’. Although he doubted very much that there would be much negotiating, after all, what did he have to offer the Pirates beyond the bounty on his head? Although there must be something he wants if he’s willing to make an offer, but what?

He blinked as rather than suddenly barking orders, Freed’s face had opened up completely as he rushed across to the tall First mate. The strange expression of concern back on his face as he reached out to grasp the taller man’s arm and it took Laxus a moment to realise that he was utterly focused on the bloody wound that Laxus had noticed earlier.

“You idiot!” It was hard to reconcile this version of the Captain with the smirking one who’d had his blade at his throat a moment before, and his eyes narrowed as he strained to keep watching the pair as he was shoved forward. He growled at the men holding him before silencing himself to that he could hear Freed’s next words. “I thought I told you I didn’t want injuries…”

“I came back didn’t I?” The First Mate was protesting, before his expression which had remained grim and threatening since the moment he had detected Laxus’s hostility towards them back in his cell, softened and he added reassuringly. “It’s not serious…” Apparently, that had been the wrong thing to say because Freed’s hand had shot out, too quick to follow, but it was clear that he had grabbed the wound by the cry that followed. “OW!”

“Ever get him down to Wendy would you, feel free to kick him if he tries to sneak away,” Freed’s order was the last thing that the Rebel heard before he was led away, and once again he found himself confused as to what kind of man this Pirate was.
   He hadn’t allowed his confusion or growing curiosity to affect his attempts to escape, highly aware of the increasing distance between the ship and the mainland, and that they were heading for the waters that lay beyond the main shipping routes. Knowing that once they were past that point, he would have no choice but to accept one or other of the outcomes Freed had offered him. Neither of which was particularly appealing, and so he had taken every opportunity to try and get a chance to get off the ship or seize control, but to no avail. And yet no matter what he did the Captain refused to listen to his crew’s demands for him to be locked in this blasted cage at all times, or to punish him. He’d even heard Evergreen and the First Mate, Bickslow arguing fiercely with Freed about this matter, but Freed would just smile faintly and wave off their concern.   Or so it seemed…. the one and only time he had seen that mask slip completely was when one of his attempts to get at Freed had nearly sent the tiny Ship’s Doctor flying overboard. In that instance, his expression had darkened, and he had been reminded that this was a man that was feared throughout Fiore and for a moment he had thought that finally, the Captain was going to take action against him. However, after checking that the girl was okay Freed had merely turned to him with a stern look, and in a quiet voice requested that he restrict his attacks to him alone, and Laxus hadn’t known what else to do but nod in agreement. Unable to find any hint of deception in the other man’s gaze or expression, and for the rest of the afternoon, he had found himself watching Freed closely.    If it was an act, it was a good one, and Laxus had been horrified to realise that he was actually beginning to contemplate what would happen if he remained trapped on the ship. If he actually accepted the terms the younger man had offered.   Growling under his breath, he shot up off the bunk and began to pace, grimacing for a moment as he willingly allowed his memories of what had happened to his mother, and that cursed Red Ship to rise to the surface once more. He didn’t want to remember, but he needed to remind himself why he hated Pirates, and why he couldn’t be fooled by the fact that one man had begun to destroy all his concepts of what Pirates were supposed to be like. He’s a Pirate. He’s one of them no matter what mask he adopts, I can’t forget that. I can’t get distracted from my goal… That was right. He had a reason for refusing that offer, a goal that he couldn’t allow himself to forget and he lashed out with a fist, furious that he had allowed himself to get so distracted by one man that he had begun to forget that.   Pain shot through his hand as it connected with the metal bars, but he forgot it instantly as the door swung open with a loud groan and for a moment all he could do was stare at it in sheer disbelief. There was no way a blow like that would have been enough to open it, he had tried everything that first night to get out of there and concluded that he wouldn’t be going anywhere at night. Yet here he was with the door lying open in front of him and no guard in sight. He hesitated for a moment, unable to believe that this was pure luck and suspicious of what could be behind it. But at the same time, he couldn’t afford to let such an opportunity go to waste, well aware that he was running out of time before not going to the Isle was no longer an option. He’s a Pirate, I owe him nothing, he thought grimly, hands curling into fists at his sides before he stepped out of the brig and heading for the steps that led towards the deck, expression settling into one of grim determination.
This time you will lose Freed Justine…
****
   ‘In direct contrast to Fiore which had always been a Monarchy, the Isle established a Council who were responsible for making any decisions with regards to situations that would affect the entire community. This Council was made up of twelve individuals who were elected on the basis of their skills and experiences, with the only limitation being that they had to be resident on the Isle, thus making it impossible for those at sea or those fighting in Fiore to take such a role. This was decided not only to ensure that all members were available as necessary but to ensure that their decisions were not influenced by ties with other Rebel Factions and to protect sensitive information that could potentially endanger the Isle.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

‘The Raijinshuu had initially been built for the purpose of tackling the Pirate problem off the coast of Hargeon. One of the first in a new generation of ships she was designed for the dual purpose of targeting the Pirates and transporting goods along the main routes as the guns she carried for her main purpose meant that there was a higher chance of her making the run without loss of cargo. She performed these duties for nearly four years before a Pirate attack on her homeport saw command of the ship being taken by a young Captain called Rabian.

Following her capture, The Raijinshuu became one of the most feared ships along the coastline, launching indiscriminate attacks on both passing ships and targets on land. The exact figures for the lives and cargo lost to this ship are unknown, but it is known that in the five years following her change of ownership she caused more damage than most ships in the area combined. Until a mutiny on board led by Freed Justine who had been drafted onto the ship, resulted in the loss of the previous Captain and those who supported his methods and for a brief period it was thought that the Raijinshuu had been sunk due to the sudden cessation of attacks.

Eventually, the Raijinshuu was caught in the act of attacking a ship belonging to the new monarchy and transferring prisoners, during which point it was noted that the focus of the crew seemed to be rescue and not attack. The ship that was attacked survived, and because of this The Raijinshuu became known to the Crown for its role in aiding the rebellion although the full extent of its involvement was never proved until the end of the rebellion.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****   If he hadn’t already been suspicious that the door to brig had been left open, he certainly was by the time he slipped out onto the deck. Aside from someone stood at the wheel whom he couldn’t quite make out in the dark, the deck was empty, and while he had spent his nights down in the brig, he knew for a fact that it shouldn’t be this quiet. It’s a trap, but for what purpose? He couldn’t understand what they stood to gain by playing games like this, after all, there was nowhere he could go unless he managed to get control of the ship or to the small rowboat that they had come aboard in. A small part of him told him that he should aim for the boat and just get the hell off the ship, but all it would need would be for one wrong move to wake everyone. Then his escape would be discovered too soon, and it wouldn’t be much of a challenge for them to hunt him down in a rowboat. No, he needed to at least leave a distraction behind him to buy some time, and he owed Freed Justine for dragging him this far out to sea in the first place.   Glancing warily up at the figure by the wheel he dropped into a crouch, thankful that they had been careless enough to give him enough freedom to learn his way about the ship, although it looked different at night. The lack of people was making him uneasy, and he kept his eyes peeled for anything that he could use as a weapon, unable to forget the feel of Freed’s sword pressing against his neck and not particularly relishing the idea of going up against the younger man without a weapon even if he was asleep. However, with that at least they seemed to have learned some caution after his previous attempts to escape, and he glanced at his hands as he approached the door that led through to the main cabins, and more importantly the Captains. He had fought and killed with nothing but his bare hands before, he would just have to do it again…**   Freed closed his eyes as he heard movement just outside the door to the cabin, struggling not to tense as he heard the door open a moment later. While he had spoken confidently earlier when he was with Bickslow and Evergreen, he knew that one wrong move here could leave him seriously injured or worse. The only comfort he had was that if anything happened to him, his ship and crew would be in good hands. If Laxus thought for a moment that killing him would be like cutting the head of a snake he was sorely mistaken, not that Freed had any intention of letting him kill him. After all the whole point of this exercise was to make Laxus accept the situation. In a way he could understand the Rebel’s reluctance, not only had he been captured and threatened with execution, but then he had been ‘rescued’ just to be a prisoner again. He hadn’t had a chance to fight back, and for a man like Laxus Dreyar that must be infuriating, hence this crazy plan to try and make the situation a little more palatable to him.   He had to admit that the older man moved with surprising grace for his size, and he knew that if he had actually been asleep, he wouldn’t have known he was there until it was too late. He filed away that thought for the time being and focused on keeping his breathing steady, feigning sleep even as he followed Laxus’s progress across the room. There was a flicker of surprise when he heard the blond pass where he had hung his sword for the night, with no sound to indicate that it had been touched let alone drawn and his brow furrowed. Did he intend to do this weaponless? Although he supposed it made sense after all the hatred, Laxus seemed to harbour towards Pirates went beyond the norm. There was something personal there, so it made sense that he would make his way of fighting personal too.   His thoughts had distracted him, and it was only the fact that Laxus had sped up at the last moment and made a tiny noise that allowed himself to roll off the bunk just in time to avoid the first blow. He winced as his bed shuddered under the impact, there had been no holding back with that blow, and given the speed with which Laxus recovered, he really had no intention of losing this fight. Good, Freed’s lips curled up in a smirk even as he slipped himself back onto his feet, just in time to catch the next blow with a raised arm, grunting as he forced back by the sheer force of the strike. Damn but he’s strong, he thought to himself and promptly cursed himself for getting distracted as he took another blow straight to the face, grimacing as he felt blood beginning to drip from his lip.   The next couple of minutes passed in a blur of pain, sweat and movement. As he ducked blows and tried to give as good as he got, he was grateful for Bickslow’s insistence on teaching him hand-to-hand after they took over the ship. However, Laxus had a brute strength that Bickslow lacked and Freed found himself being pushed back, his breath coming in sharp pants and sweat was dripping down his face as he was slammed back into the desk. He yelped as pain exploded in his back, only to find the breath being forced from him as Laxus’s fist collided with his solar plexus. It hurt. But it wasn’t a new pain, and he didn’t give in to the temptation to double over, instead straightening and expanding his lungs to try and recover his breath, scrabbling behind him on the desk.
Time to finish this…
   Snatching up one of the maps he had been looking at earlier he tossed it into Laxus’s face as the blond closed in, ducking the fist coming for him and staggering slightly, still weakened by the previous blow he lunged for the sword that the rebel had ignored earlier. He had played by Laxus’s rules so far, wanting to make the older man accept his eventual defeat, but enough was enough. He was going to be aching for days as it was, and he really didn’t want to give Evergreen and Bickslow more of a reason to moan at him. He felt the familiar hilt beneath his fingers and shot forward, ramming his shoulder into the Rebel’s chest and forcing him back even as he drew his sword in one fluid moment. In a second he had the taller man pinned against the wall with his sword at his throat, leaving him nowhere to go.   For a couple of minutes, they were silent, both of them working to get their breathing back under control and Freed was gratified to hear that the blond was just as out breath as he was. Good, I gave him a good fight. He waited until he felt a little steadier, grimacing as he straightened and realising that he was going to be well and truly bruised by tomorrow and idly wondering who would fair best in a fight between Bickslow and Laxus. Although hopefully if this worked, he wouldn’t need to find out … although stopping his First Mate might be the problem once Bickslow got a good look at him.“Can I trust you not to attack while I give us some light?” He asked, deciding that they had recovered enough for the time being, keeping his tone deliberately light and after a moment he heard a defeated sigh from the blond.“Sure…”   Freed wasn’t foolish enough to lower his guard completely, keeping his weapon levelled towards Laxus even as he felt his way towards the desk. Thankfully he tended to keep things in the same place, hence the fact that he had forbidden Evergreen and Bickslow from coming in and tidying up after they’d moved things one too many times. It didn’t take long to have a lamp lit, casting a soft glow over the cabin and he turned to look at Laxus who was still leant against the wall where he had left him. The blue eyes still held the same hatred as before, but there was a glimmer of respect behind that and Freed had to fight back the urge to let out a sigh of relief.“You’re a better fighter than I expected, stronger too,” he commented instead, considering the blond for a moment before reaching for the sheath and sliding his sword away, although he carefully kept it within reach.“You knew?” Laxus asked finally, lifting a hand to swipe at the blood that was trickling from his nose from one of the blows Freed had managed to land. He had to admit that he hadn’t expected the Captain to have quite so much strength, considering the differences in their size, and he had to admit to himself at least that he was impressed. However, he was far more interested in the subtle admission from that last statement that Freed had known that this was going to happen.“I knew,” Freed admitted with a wry smile. “Or maybe I should say I gambled?” Seeing the hint of confusion that met that statement he sighed. “You’re not a man to sit and let me have my way without trying to at least turn things in your favour, and you hadn’t had a chance to fight back. I wanted to at least offer you that much.”   Laxus stared at the younger man for a long moment, searching for any hint of deception in his words. Although given the blood on his chin from a split lip and the bruises that were already forming on his arms and face he couldn’t see how he could claim it was a lie. He doubted anyone, even a Pirate would go that far for a lie. Besides he had to admit that Freed had nailed it, it was easier to accept that he had lost now that he had been given a chance to fight back, although he still wasn’t happy about it. Still…“Fine…” Even defeated it was hard to bow to this man. To this Pirate, he corrected himself with a sigh before pushing himself away from the wall. “Do you give your word that I will be free to go after I’ve seen this Isle of yours?” Whether he could trust that word was a different question altogether, but if nothing else he owed the younger man for at least giving him the chance to fight for his freedom.“I will return you to the mainland myself,” Freed promised quietly, trying to hide his relief that the blond had agreed to this, even if he could see the suspicion that still lurked beneath the surface. “If you believe the word of a Pirate that is?”“Do I have a choice?” Laxus retorted before taking a deep breath and holding out his hand, if he was going to do this then he was going to do it properly. “Then I accept your terms.”“Good,” Freed replied, reaching out and accepting the hand, grasping it firmly before adding with a hint of pleading. “If you could stop trying to kill me now that would be helpful, you are making my crew rather jumpy and unhappy with me.”“Since I doubt they’d be as willing to return me to the mainland you have my word,” Laxus muttered before his lips quirked up in a thin smile. “If you believe the word of a Rebel that is?”“That’s to be seen isn’t it?” Freed commented dryly, fairly sure he had correctly read the blond and that for the time being at least Laxus was going to behave. “The brig will remain unlocked. You are free to come and go as you please from now on although I would advise steering clear of Bickslow and Evergreen for a day or so,” he added as he reached up to wipe the blood from his chin. Grimacing as he caught his lip in the process and trying not to think of the lectures that he would probably endure come morning.“Is that it?”“For now,” Freed replied, hesitating for a moment before nodding towards the bloody nose that Laxus was nursing before adding quietly. “There will be medical supplies on your bunk when you get back.” He grinned at the older man’s surprise before adding smugly. “I was prepared after all.” He watched with narrowed eyes as Laxus grumbled under his breath before heading for the door without a backwards glance, and he sighed as he caught the whisper that followed.“One day I will beat you…”
Maybe…
****
  ‘Up until this time, although Laxus Dreyar had been one of the most active in rebelling against the King’s reign he had never actually worked with any of the others fighting on his side. The agreement he made with Captain Justine was the first time he had agreed to even talk with the other rebels, and he has personally admitted, that had it not been for the terms of his eventual freedom he would never have spoken with them. A decision which could well have seen the Civil war stretch on for many years if not indefinitely, and a decision that he has since confirmed it would have been a mistake to make.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****Two days later:   A new peace had settled over the ship following their confrontation, although both of them had found themselves having to avoid Bickslow and Evergreen who had been less than impressed when they had seen the outcome of the fight, even if they had been forced to concede its success. As such Laxus had found himself tailing the younger man as there was little else for him to do as he had no interest in becoming part of the crew. Freed didn’t seem to mind, although he didn’t seem to pay him much mind either, but it was certainly an eye-opening experience for Laxus. Now that he was no longer searching for ways to escape, he took more notice of the Captain’s interactions with the crew, and it didn’t take him long to realise that the closeness he had noticed went beyond respect. They were family, and didn’t that leave a bitter taste in his mouth? Pirates had taken his mother. Yet here they had such a close-knit family, even if these weren’t the same ones that had killed her.
I hate them…
   If Freed had noticed the shift in his mood the Captain gave no sign of it, continuing his discussion with Loke for a minute before he abruptly tensed and looked up at the sails, the ginger falling quiet and following his gaze as well and Laxus forgot his sulk as he caught the worry that had entered their expressions. He followed their gaze and saw that the wind that had been pushing them along had disappeared, but there seemed to be something more to the worry in their expressions.“What is it?”“Damn,” it was quiet, but it was the first time he’d heard Freed curse, and somehow that made dread curl in Laxus’s stomach. “We’ve gone too far south…Loke fetch Lucy and meet me at the helm,” Freed barked as he turned to Loke, all traces of humour gone and the ginger looked just as grim as he nodded before hurrying off without a word.“What is going on?” Laxus demanded again and Freed sighed and glanced at him, remembering that this was all new for the blond and he hesitated for a moment, well aware that this development could shatter the fragile peace that he had achieved with the Rebel.“We’ve hit the doldrums, an area with sudden calms like this one,” he explained with a sigh, deciding that he wasn’t going to gain anything by lying now. It wasn’t as though it was going to change the situation. Catching the blank look that met his words he growled in exasperation before explaining grimly. “It can be a death knell for ships like ours, depending on how long it lasts.” He tried not to think about the state of their supplies, even though he knew that he would have to address it sooner or later and his expression darkened at that thought, and he turned and walked away, not even looking back as he heard the blond chasing after him.**   Freed growled under his breath as he studied the chart again before glancing up at the sails which were hanging limply against the rigging. There wasn’t even a hint of a breeze in the air, the ship having come to a virtual standstill as it rose and fell with the gentle swell of the sea. He had known that they were risking getting caught in the doldrums if they took this route to the Isle, but after their escapade on Galuna Island there hadn’t been much of a choice. They were bound to have some form of pursuit, and there was no way they could risk leading them to the Isle, but now…now we might not get the chance…“Captain?” He looked up at the worried voice, and he could see Lucy eyeing him fear in her eyes, and his expression softened as he straightened, eyeing Laxus who was leant against the railing watching everything with a blank expression, but unable to hide the concern in his eyes. “It looks like we’re going to have to ride it out,” He said trying to sound as unconcerned as possible, offering Lucy a small smile as he added gently. “Don’t worry, we’ve got enough supplies. It won’t be like that back then.” I won’t let it be like that…“But…”“I am not like that man,” Freed cut her off more sharply than he intended, and he sighed as he saw her flinch at his tone and noting the way that Loke had moved closer to her, taking a deep breath he softened tone as he added seriously. “The Raijinshuu is a different ship, and we will make it through in our own way, understand?”“Yes S…Freed,” Lucy corrected herself, managing a small smile. “Thank you.” Freed nodded in acceptance before walking away, needing to calm himself down before he did say something he was really going to regret, missing the way blue eyes narrowed at his retreating back as Laxus watched him go.
What the hell was that about?
****
‘The waters south of Galuna island were sparsely populated, the seas around them given to sudden lulls in the wind that could trap ships for days if not weeks, making it hard for islanders to make a living off the sea as fishing along the shores had long since depleted the resources. That weather was just one of the many defences that made the area perfect for those seeking refuge from the Civil war, as it discouraged most pursuit, and it was largely dismissed as an unsuitable region for any large-scale settlement.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****   The Minstrel carved her way easily through the waves, crimson sails full of the same wind that had graced her voyage from the moment she had left Galuna Island in her wake two days before. The Captain, Rufus Lore stood at the helm, green eyes narrowed as he scanned the horizon for any sign of his current prey, his hand tight around the hilt of his sword. The chase held no interest for him, and he had lost this prey too many times in the past. No, what he was looking forward to was the moment he caught it, the moment he had it at his mercy…the moment when he could finish this.“There’s no sign of the Raijinshuu, Captain,” his first mate, Orga called as he clambered down the rigging, his face twisted into a scowl as he added cautiously. “They’ve already got a head start, we…”“They’ll have been caught in the calms if we’re lucky,” Rufus cut him off with a hard stare, refusing to even contemplate failure this time. He had no intention of changing course or target until they had finally brought The Raijinshuu and her Captain to heel. The infamous rebel they had on board was of little interest to him beyond the bounty on his head. No, it was the Captain, and his two escapees that held much more interest for Rufus and his tongue darted out across his lips for a moment as he added coldly. “If not we’ll just have a longer hunt.”“Yes, Captain…” Rufus gestured abruptly for Orga to take the helm, before moving across to the railing his expression hard as he scanned the sea before glancing down at the nasty scar that ran the length of his lower arm and across the back of his hand. A memento from his last encounter with their prey, and one that had come close to costing him his sword hand and his lips pulled back in a snarl as he stiffly curled it into a fist.
I wonder if you can kill me this time, Freed Justine?
****
  ‘The history of conflict between The Minstrel and The Raijinshuu was well documented in official documents. In the two years since Freed Justine had attained his captaincy, the two ships had encountered one another a total of fifteen times, with fierce fighting during each encounter. An unofficial source from the court of Ivan Dreyar, claims that it was Rufus Lore who demanded that there be a special term in his mandate to hunt down Pirates that would allow him to focus almost exclusively on hunting The Raijinshuu. While it was unclear if such a term was actually requested let alone granted, it cannot be denied that the two ships met more often than any other or that there was more than mere financial interest on Lore’s behalf.

Despite the frequent encounters and the antagonism that existed between the two Captains and their ships, there is no record that the Raijinshuu every deliberately sought out The Minstrel at

any point. In interviews with Captain Justine and his crew, it was clear that while they would willingly have gone after Lore’s ship in order to remove the threat to themselves, it was considered of less importance than making supply runs for the Isle. ‘

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

‘The single area in which Privateers and the Navy had managed to impact severely on the Pirates was in terms of supplies, with their growing presence fewer ports were able to prove safe havens for the Pirate ships and there were fewer traders willing to risk their livelihood and safety to provide the provisions that those ships relied on. The Raijinshuu was lucky in some ways due to her status with the Rebels, as she was seen as an ally and therefore had access to a network that many Pirates lacked. However, during the run in which they rescued Laxus Dreyar from Galuna Island, they had been running with half-filled cargo holds, and the majority of the supplies they were carrying were intended for the Isle.’
                    ‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****    Freed sighed as he detected movement in the doorway, reluctantly turning his head to see who it was, somehow unsurprised to find that Laxus had followed him down to his cabin, and somewhat relieved that it wasn’t Evergreen or Bickslow although he doubted that they would be far behind. As loyal as his crew was, and as talented as they were at keeping the true nature of their ship and its actions secret, they were never quick to inform his First Mate and Gunner when something was bothering him. And snapping at someone was a sure-fire way of telling them that something was wrong, and he growled under his breath. He had always promised himself that he would never become a Captain like that, and yet he hadn’t been able to contain the bubble of anger when he caught the doubt in Lucy’s eyes.
I am not like that man. I will not become like that man…
     A sharp cough reminded him of the fact that he had company, and he took a deep breath before refocusing on Laxus, arching an eyebrow as he caught the odd expression on the blond’s face. It wasn’t the usual distant expression underlain with distrust and hate that he had come to associate with the Rebel. Instead, there was something almost akin to concern in the blue eyes, and it made him uneasy, and he couldn’t quite keep the bite of his voice as he asked.“What do you want?” For a moment irritation flared in the blue eyes, and he thought the older man was going to storm off or lash out in response, and he was caught by surprise when instead Laxus shifted so that he was leaning against the doorframe in a more comfortable position, his voice surprisingly neutral when he finally replied.“Can I ask what that was about?”“No.” Freed tried to turn away, tried to focus on the maps spread out in front of him, even though he knew that he wasn’t going to find a solution to their current situation. The only thing that was going to help them now was wind, and he had no idea how long they were going to have to wait for that. However, he could feel the Rebel’s gaze burning into his back, and he sighed. “It’s nothing really, just a past issue raising its head. I…”“Freed?” The quiet question cut him off, and both he and Laxus turned to find a nervous looking Wendy standing in the gangway just behind the Rebel. At once the Captain’s expression softened, and he rose from his chair in a smooth movement and moved across to her, relieved when Laxus moved aside without complaint.“Wendy,” he crouched down in front of her, somewhat amused that she hadn’t grown at all in the last year although he knew better than to voice that thought aloud. “You heard?” He didn’t really need to ask, he could see the fear in the wide, brown eyes and his expression softened when she gave a tiny nod and he sighed for a minute before reaching out to rest a hand on her shoulder. “It won’t be like back then. I promise.”“But, we don’t have the supplies…”“No, we don’t,” Freed admitted reluctantly. However, it was a rule he had made for himself the day he became Captain, that he would never lie to his crew and it was a rule that he had never once broken and he had no intention of breaking it now, even if he wanted to ease her fear. “However, that does not mean that things are the same as back then. We will have to cut rations, but everyone will receive the same amount regardless of how long we are stuck out here and what role they play on this ship.”“I…” It was clear that she was trying to believe him, her hand trembling as she raised it to rub at her eyes, and with a sigh, he reached up to grasp her hand. This was different from the hint of doubt he had seen in Lucy’s eyes. There was more fear than uncertainty in the healer’s eyes, not that he could blame her. He couldn’t really blame Lucy for her reaction either, after all, they had every reason to fear finding themselves in this situation. His earlier irritation had faded completely now though, and he bit his lip for a moment before gently squeezing her fingers.“Wendy, I know you’re scared, and that’s fine,” he reassured her, turquoise eyes intent as he cast around for a way to reassure her further, brightening slightly as a thought occurred to her. “I will show you that it is different. If you want, I will make sure that I am the one to bring you your food, and Lucy’s as well.” He wasn’t worried about what the rest of the crew would think, hell Loke would probably fight him for the right to take food to the navigator. But he knew that Wendy would want to know that the other girl was being taken care of as well, a thought supported by the tremulous smile that crept across her face as she stared at him with hopeful eyes.“Really?”“Really,” he replied firmly with a sharp nod, hoping to see her expression relax a little more, instead he was dismayed to see her eyes welling up again and tears beginning to trickle down her cheeks. “Wendy…?” He was cut off before he could say anything else by the younger girl flinging herself at him, wrapping her arms tightly around him and burying her face in his shoulder and he could feel her tears soaking into his shirt. He hesitated for the barest moment before returning the hug, one hand coming to rest on the top of her head. “It’s going to be all right.” Whatever it takes, I will make sure that you and Lucy don’t go through that again, he promised silently, his mind already running over his admittedly limited options.“Thank you,” she whispered, voice thick from crying as she squeezed him tightly. “Thank you…” For not being like him, the words hung unspoken in the air and Freed had to fight the urge not to tense, eyes darkening at the fact that even now he couldn’t protect them from their past.   They remained like that for nearly ten minutes, Freed just quietly holding her, letting her presence and the fact that even after all this time she was willing to cling to him help calm him, waiting patiently as her sobs melted away into the odd hiccupping noise as she settled. Even when she had stopped crying, he waited, unwilling to push her away as her face remained buried against his shoulder, and eventually she let out a shuddering breath before slowly…reluctantly…peeling herself away from him, peering at him with red-rimmed eyes and sniffling slightly.“Thank you.”“You’re welcome,” Freed said softly, wiping away her tears and earning a small smile from the healer, before he glanced up at Laxus who had mercifully remained quiet all this time, noticing the curiosity in the blue eyes that met his. The strange softness from before still lingering, and he sighed before glancing back at Wendy. “Now I believe Laxus has some questions for me and I’m sure you have work to do.” It was gentle, not even really a dismissal, because he had learnt by now that whenever Wendy was worried about something she tidied, often rearranging her entire cabin and all her medical supplies multiple times until she felt calm again and from the sheepish expression on her face he knew that he had guessed correctly. Patting her on the head, he rose smoothly, before adding softly. “Can you ask Mira to come up here, I need to talk to her.” He could see the fresh flicker of fear in her eyes, and he nudged her gently, eyes soft as he reminded her of the promise he had just made to her. “I will see you later when it is time to eat.”“Okay…” Wendy whispered, casting a somewhat uncertain glance at the looming figure of the Rebel behind him before darting forward, leaning onto the very tips of her toes and pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek. “Thank you…” She went bright red at her own actions, whirling and darting down the corridor, leaving the two men to stare after her, and Freed shook his head with a small smile before his expression turned serious once more, and he turned to look at Laxus.“I’m sure you have plenty of questions, so we might as well be comfortable,” he said gesturing to the cabin and letting the taller man precede him, sharp eyes watching to make sure Laxus didn’t make any attempt to pick up anything that could be used as a weapon. He had been well behaved, but with the current situation, he knew things could change. However, the blond made no effort to touch anything and seemed to deliberately steer clear of the desk, heading for his bunk and settling on the edge of it before looking up at him with doubtful eyes.“You’re actually going to answer them?”“It depends on what you ask,” Freed replied as he settled onto the chair, turning it so that he was facing the blond, catching the way blue eyes narrowed at the condition and something compelled him to explain his answer. “Some things are not mine to share.”“Her story?” Laxus guessed, and Freed’s expression tightened for a moment before he nodded sharply, and there was such pain and fury in the turquoise eyes at that moment that Laxus almost regretted asking.“Hers and Lucy’s,” Freed finally replied in a sharp voice. “You can ask them if you feel so inclined, but do not push them.” There it was…the same threat he had felt from the man the day he had been brought on-board The Raijinshuu, and a shiver went down his spine although he made sure to hide it, although he couldn’t stop himself from studying the Pirate with something akin to respect. And didn’t that just feel wrong? He wanted to hate this man. No, he did hate this man, and yet it seemed as though Freed Justine was determined to challenge that at every turn. Eyes narrowing, he glanced off to the side and asked the question that had been bothering him a little since he’d heard about the situation with the supplies, and made worse by Wendy’s display of fear at the current situation.“Should I be worried?” He asked, striving for a nonchalant tone, although he was fairly sure the younger man had seen straight through it as turquoise eyes immediately narrowed, and he forced himself to face Freed head on. “Your supplies are running low, and I’m not part of this crew.” It seemed logical in his mind that he would be the one that he would not be included with the ‘everyone’ that Freed had been talking about earlier, after all, he served no purpose here. As well as he was being treated, he was little more than a prisoner and an extra mouth that they might not be able to afford.“I said that everyone would receive the same, that includes you,” Freed frowned at him, seeming somewhat disappointed with the question and Laxus felt his hands curling into fists at his side. Not entirely sure what he felt, but something was churning in his stomach, but the Pirate had continued before he could think of anything to say, a wry smile twisting his face. “Besides, it would be rather difficult for me to keep the promise I made you if I starved you to death.”“Does that really mean that much to you?”“I don’t break promises,” there was a strange intensity behind those words, and despite himself, Laxus found himself believing the younger man. “No matter the cost.” The last bit was clearly not meant for him to hear, but he caught it anyway, and he felt concern stirring as he studied the grim expression on Freed’s face.
What do you mean by that?
****
    ‘At this time it had been an unfortunate tradition on many Pirate and Privateer ships that during times when supplies were short, food was allotted to crew members on the basis of how useful they were. It was a generally held opinion that it was better to preserve more skilled sailors, as it was easy enough to pick up or capture new members when the ship reached port. As a general rule the ships that helped the Rebels had abolished this rule as much as possible, but from the logbooks that still remain from that time, The Raijinshuu under the captaincy of Freed Justine was the only ship that never once engaged in this practice.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****Two days later:    Freed rubbed a weary hand over his face as he studied the cargo hold, trying not to let his gaze drift to the barrels and boxes under the nets on the far side, although it was difficult when their own supplies were dwindling at an alarming rate even with the new rationing in place.“Captain?”“Unless our situation becomes truly dire I don’t want to touch those supplies,” he replied turning to look at Mira who was studying him with concern, and he knew that if the situation had been normal, she would have been dragging him back to his cabin and forcing food and sleep down his throat. In many ways, she was worse than Bickslow and Evergreen for her mothering, something that he knew stemmed from raising her younger siblings, and he offered her a reassuring smile. “I’m all right.”“You’re exhausted.”“Maybe,” he allowed, unable to deny it as he felt like he could sleep for a week. There was little to do while the ship just drifted in the calm waters, but he found himself unable to rest. Spending his time trying to keep his crew’s spirits up and checking the charts, worried about getting too far off course and then there was the uneasy feeling that had been growing ever since they had first hit the doldrums. He couldn’t put a finger on it, but something told him that they were being pursued and he found himself scanning the horizon whenever he was on deck, and he knew that Bickslow at least had picked up on his actions, the First Mate making sure that the crow’s nest was manned at all times. If they catch us now, he shook his head to clear that thought. “I’ll rest once we’re out of this mess, we’ll be at the Isle for a few days at least…” If we get there…“It’ll be nice to be on land again,” Mira admitted with a sigh, reminding him that she was still relatively new to this life and something must have shown in his expression because she laughed softly. “I’m not complaining. I’d gladly follow my brother onto this ship again, and I’d follow you.” Freed blinked at the soft words, stunned by the sheer faith in those words, wondering as always what he had done to deserve a crew like this before a genuine smile crept across his face.“Thank you.”“If you want to thank me, try and get some proper rest,” Mira retorted, hands on her hips even as she smiled up at him. “Come on, food should be ready, and I know you won’t eat yourself until you’ve taken care of Lucy and Wendy.” Nodding Freed allowed her to guide him out of the cargo hold, hoping that she didn’t see the way his expression fell as he glanced back at their supplies.
You may regret your decision to follow me…
**   Laxus grumbled under his breath as he rubbed at his shoulder, wondering what on earth could have possessed him to agree to a sparring match with Bickslow. The man was a monster, it just happened to be hidden behind that insane grin of his most of the time. Still, it had been a relief to do something other than sitting around and waiting for something to happen, the calm beginning to get to him more than the crew who had experienced it before. Of course, it didn’t help that he was still spending more and more time with Freed, and whilst he was still a long way from being able to completely decipher the Captain’s mask, there was no missing the fact that he was stressed and ill at ease and he found himself disliking the sight of those emotions. He still didn’t like the man, but he much preferred the confident man who had stood over him the day that he was bought on board. That and he couldn’t help but fear that he might not get to see the mainland again, although he hadn’t voiced that fear aloud. Yet…   He was just heading down the stairs when he spotted Freed ahead of him carrying three bowls of food, and he sighed…he’s still doing that. Despite what the younger man had said about keeping promises, he was surprised that he was still keeping up with this, although he hadn’t been able to deny the fact that it had clearly made a difference to Wendy and Lucy and he was beginning to realise why this crew was so tight-knit. I don’t want to understand that. He growled under his breath, and he was about to turn and go in the opposite direction, suddenly not wanting to see the younger man, but he froze as he realised that the Captain had paused and was now glancing around anxiously and he quickly ducked around a corner, eyes narrowing in suspicion.    After a minute he risked sticking his head out again, wondering just what the other man was up to, and his mouth dropped open slightly as he watched Freed carefully scraping a good portion off one bowl into the other two, a grim expression on his face.“Fr…” Something made him cut himself off, watching with narrowed eyes as Freed stared down at the bowls for a moment before nodding to himself and continuing in the direction of Wendy’s cabin. It occurred to him now as stepped out from his hiding place that he hadn’t seen the other man eat once in the last couple of days, even though he had been going out of his to make sure that everyone had food, including Laxus. Something was tightening in his chest as he watched Freed disappear from sight, and it took him a long moment to realise that it was concern, his hands clenching at his side at the unwelcome sensation.
That idiot…
****Three days later:“What the hell are you doing?” Laxus demanded as he caught Freed in the action of scraping his own food into the bowls that he knew were intended for Wendy and Lucy. After he had spotted him doing the same thing the other day he had taken to shadowing the younger man, and he knew without a doubt that was what the idiot was doing. That and the fact that he had seen Freed having to steady himself against the wall earlier that day. He wasn’t the only one to have noticed that something was off with the Captain. At some point or another he had caught everyone shooting worried looks at Freed, but as far as he knew he was the only one who knew what was going on. He had been tempted to say something, catching himself at the last moment, unwilling to show his concern to them when he still wasn’t ready to face the fact that he was concerned for a Pirate of all people.“Laxus, I…” Freed looked guilty as he looked up at him, taking a wary step backwards and cursing himself for not paying more attention to his surroundings. He had been more focused on keeping an eye out for Ever and Bickslow as they had been trailing after him the last couple of days, and he knew that he would never hear the end of it if they knew what he was doing. He hadn’t expected Laxus of all people to be the one to confront him, the Rebel seeming to spend more time with Bickslow and some of the others over the last couple of days, and he didn’t quite know what to make of the fact that Laxus was actually asking him, with something approaching concern in his expression.“Yes?” Laxus asked, arching an eyebrow at the younger man, silently daring him to lie to him and apparently Freed had received the message because he sighed and glanced off to the side.“Why do you care?”“I don’t,” Laxus muttered, glancing away and beginning to turn away. But there was no way he could turn away and leave this alone, and with a muttered curse he turned back too Freed. “It just seems as though you’re going against your own promise.” Seeing the confusion in turquoise eyes, he continued in exasperation. “That everyone gets the same…”“I…” Freed began before trailing off, the headache and light-headedness that he had been experiencing all morning intensifying and he blinked as he tried to clear his vision. It was only when he felt the bowls slipping from his fingers that he knew it wasn’t working, and as he became aware of the ground rushing up to meet him. “Lax…”“Freed!” Laxus shouted, unable to hide his concern this time as he sprang forward to catch the younger man, alarmed when Freed made no effort to regain his feet or pull himself free of his arms. “Oi, are you all right? Freed?!”**That evening:    Freed groaned as he woke, coming instantly alert as he felt eyes watching him, fingers automatically reaching for his sword only to come up empty and it took him a moment to realise that he was laid on a bunk, covers wrapped tightly around him in a way that he recognised. Which meant that Evergreen or Bickslow had tucked him in. That’s not right… He could remember being up on the deck and talking to the others, and then nothing. The gap in his memories disturbed him, and he forced his eyes open. The room swimming around him for a second before it settled, and he swallowed when he realised he was in the cabin they used as an infirmary with Bickslow and Evergreen standing at the end of the bunk, and Laxus leaning against the wall next to him, attempting and failing to look unconcerned. Oh dear…“Is there something you’d like to tell us…Captain?” Bickslow asked in a tight voice and Freed grimaced at the tone and the title, both of which were a sign that he was in trouble.“Not particularly…” Freed muttered under his breath as he eased himself up into an upright position, ignoring the protests and stern glances his actions earned him as he lent back against the wall, the only good thing about this situation was that they wouldn’t retaliate until he was up and about again, meaning he could worry about it later.“Freed…”“Do you mean the part where he’s been giving most of his food to your navigator and healer for the last few days?” Laxus asked, and there was a hint of a smirk on his face when Freed choked at the question, wincing as Evergreen and Bickslow immediately scowled at him, and he turned to the blond with the intention of telling him off for dropping him in it, but the Rebel was unrepentant. “I never promised to keep your secret.” Freed blinked at that statement, his memories clearing a little and his eyes widened as he recalled their confrontation before he glowered up at the blond.“It was implied…”“You’re an idiot,” Evergreen snapped, and he hastily shifted his attention back to her, well aware that it was dangerous to ignore her when she used that particular tone. “I understand that you’re trying to protect Wendy and Lucy and that you’re worried about everyone right now, but putting yourself at risk isn’t the answer!”“I’m fine,” Freed muttered, yelping when Laxus reached out and swiped at him, unsure of which of them was more startled by his action. “What…?”“Don’t ask me,” Laxus growled, the Rebel looking incredibly ill at ease when he realised the others were staring at him as well, not sure what had made him act like that. “Just start taking care of yourself. You still have your promise to keep,” he added slightly more softly before heading for the door, leaving the others exchanging startled glances, apart from Freed who was staring at where the blond had just disappeared.****
    ‘The Minstrel which at this time was making good speed towards The Raijinshuu’s position had been built later than its intended target and had been designed with a focus on speed and power, leading it to become an unrivalled power in Fiorean waters with even the Navy ships unable to match it. However, despite the differences in their size and firepower, The Minstrel had never managed to overwhelm the Raijinshuu with their previous encounters ending in mutual retreat with both ships and their crew suffering considerable damage.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

‘The Raijinshuu’ was not the only ship that served to provide the Isle with essential supplies, although it was the best known. Another ship that fulfilled this purpose, although it more frequently served as direct naval support and defense for the Isle was ‘The Red Queen.’ Captained by Erza Scarlet, one of the first to be rescued by Captain Justine and his crew and brought to the Isle, it had previously served as a flagship in the Fiorean Navy, and still flew those colours to distract the few ships that ventured out that far. Prior to the rise of the ‘Rebel King’ it was relatively unknown, despite several encounters with Fiorean forces, including ‘The Minstrel’, however, during the final days of the war it would play a pivotal role and became just as famous as The Raijinshuu in its own way.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****   Laxus found himself actually fighting to hide a smile as he watched Freed eating under the stern gaze of Wendy, the young teen had been less than happy to discover why the Captain had wound up in her care, and he didn’t think he would ever forget the sight of the infamous Pirate backing down from the tiny girl. She wasn’t the only one either. The last couple of days had seen a nearly constant stream of visitors, and almost every one of them had lambasted Freed for his idiocy without the slightest hint that they feared punishment. It had been another blow to his already shattering image of the other man, and while he certainly agreed that Freed had been an idiot, he wasn’t sure how he felt about everything else. But there had been a shift, and not just within himself, as he had found himself unofficially left to guard Freed and make sure that he didn’t attempt to escape. The irony of that decision hadn’t escaped him, nor had Freed who had barely waited half a day before making his first escape attempt. Apparently, that was one thing they had in common. Neither of them could bear to be lying around in an infirmary. However, he had dutifully stopped the younger man, deciding that right now he feared the rest of the crew more than their Captain.“Laxus, you’ve been rather quiet this afternoon.” The quiet observation broke into his thoughts, and Laxus blinked, startled to realise that Wendy was gone and it was just the two of them and he growled under his breath. When had he become comfortable enough around the Pirates to just let one of them slip past him? Around the same time that you panicked when Freed fainted in front of you. He scowled at his own thoughts, before realising that Freed was watching him curiously and with a hint of concern and it was the latter which made him mutter an answer before he even realised what he was doing.“I was thinking…”“About?” Freed prompted, lips quirking up slightly as he settled back into a more comfortable position on the bunk. He had intended to try and make another break for freedom, but now he could sense an opening in the Rebel’s prickly exterior and taking advantage of that was far more interesting than trying to get out of here. Seeing the hesitation in the blond’s face, he sighed before adding quietly. “I can see the question lurking in your eyes Laxus, you might as well ask it. Although I can’t promise that I will answer.”“Why?” Laxus hesitated for a moment before moving closer to the bed, not sure if Freed would be willing to answer this question, and fairly sure that he wasn’t going to get answers that he might be expecting. Yet as he caught the small, encouraging nod from the younger man he found himself taking a deep breath and finally giving voice to the question that had been consuming him for the last few days. No, from the moment he had first begun to see what kind of man the infamous Freed Justine really was. “Why is someone like you a Pirate?”
Why is someone like you a Pirate?
     There had been any number of questions that the Rebel could have asked him, but that had not been one that Freed had been expecting, and for several minutes he was quiet, gaze somewhat unfocused as he tried to work out if that was even something he wanted to answer or something that he could answer. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Laxus shifting uneasily, and he sighed, focusing on the older man and seeing honest curiosity in the blue eyes, and another emotion that he couldn’t quite put a name to. Something that for some reason it made him want to answer, or maybe it was the fact that Laxus had been by his side constantly the last few days.“You don’t need to answer if you don’t want to…”“No,” Freed managed a slight smile at that. “It’s all right,” he hesitated for a minute, old scars that he thought he’d forgotten seeming to ache for a moment. It was only when Laxus reached out to stop him that he realised he’d been rubbing absently at his wrists, remembering the weight of manacles and all traces of his smile was gone as he added softly. “It’s just not a particularly pleasant tale.”    Laxus was the one to hesitate now, he might not know Freed that well yet, but he knew enough to know that the younger man tended to downplay things, so ‘not particularly pleasant’ probably translated to horrible, or worse by someone else’s standards and for a moment he seriously considering backing off and leaving the issue alone. Did he want to know? Did it matter? As soon as he had kept his part of their bargain, he had every intention of returning to the mainland and resuming his search for his Grandfather, and his attempts to bring down his father. After that he doubted he would see the man in front of him again. And yet…“Tell me...” It was part request and part demand, and Laxus was somewhat surprised when Freed silently shifted over on the bunk before patting the space that he had just made, and he took a deep breath before accepting the invitation and settling down beside him.“Why did someone like me become a Pirate?” Freed asked softly, echoing the earlier question with a wistful note that surprised Laxus, but he wasn’t given a chance to comment on it before the younger man had continued and the next words felt a punch to the gut. “It wasn’t a choice.” Despite his aversion to everything related to Pirates and Piracy, Laxus was more than aware of how many people were snatched and forced into the trade. But the fact that Freed had risen to Captain and chosen to stay a Pirate had made him think that the younger man was one of those who had chosen that path. Or had been born into it, but as Freed met his gaze he knew that he had been wrong, “I never told you did I, that we’d met before?”“Huh?” Laxus was fairly sure that he would have remembered meeting someone like Freed, if nothing else the distinctive green hair would have stuck in his memory and yet he could find no trace of a lie in the Pirate’s face. “When?”“A very long time ago,” Freed smiled softly, part of him had hoped that the blond would remember, but considering everything else that happened that day. To both of them, perhaps it was understandable that Laxus didn’t remember the boy he had only spent a few hours with. “You had just turned nine if I remember correctly, your family were visiting my hometown, and your father met with my father. It was a trade meeting about something or other, and we were sent off to play together.”“I don’t remember that…”“I’m not surprised,” Freed replied, glancing away as he knew that his next words were going to poke directly at a wound that he had a feeling had never healed. “That was the day The Scarlet Minstrel attacked the port town of Wisteria…”   Laxus felt his breath catch at that, the sound of cannons echoing in the back of his mind and he flinched back violently when he felt Freed reach out towards him, thankfully the Captain didn’t take offence, the hand that brushed against his arm helping to ground him in the present once more. He was there? No matter how he wracked his thoughts he couldn’t remember meeting Freed, he couldn’t even remember that they had been in the town on business and he closed his eyes for a moment. How much else had he forgotten about that day? He shuddered, the memory of his mother’s cold body and her sightless eyes haunting him even now and he opened his mouth, ready to change this topic, to end this conversation and get out of there so that he could push the memories back behind the barrier he kept up most of the time. And yet he couldn’t forget Freed’s wistful tone, and the pain in his claim that it hadn’t been a choice and taking a deep breath he opened his eyes, the understanding expression on Freed’s face taking his breath away again.“You know what happened on that day?”“It’s well known that the King’s wife was killed in that attack,” Freed pointed out gently, and Laxus’s expression darkened. The mere thought of Ivan using that event to further the population’s sympathy to his cause making him growl under his breath. “I’m aware that there is more to it than that, and I am sorry for what you lost.”“It was a long time ago…” Laxus muttered. Even though it feels like it happened just yesterday at times, he admitted to himself, remembering how easily the memories had welled up when he had been ‘rescued’ from Galuna island, and he shook his head before refocusing on the younger man. Sure, it had been startling to know that they had met, that maybe in a different life they wouldn’t have wound up on the wrong side of the law. That they might have been friends, but… “But I don’t see what this has to do with you becoming a pirate.”   Freed met his gaze for a moment, and for a moment he thought that the younger man wasn’t going to reply. There was none of the earlier wistfulness, just pain and a darkness that made him wonder how Freed could smile and interact so easily with his crew. He was so caught up on the Captain’s expression that he nearly missed the reply that followed.“I was taken during that raid…”
    The warning bells had rung out while they were playing around in the docks, and his current companion had frozen, looking around with confusion. But Freed had heard those bells before, too many times and he was immediately moving, grabbing Laxus by the hand and pulling the older boy away from the docks despite his protests.

“What is that?”

“Pirates,” Freed replied, glancing back just in time to catch the excited gleam that had appeared in blue eyes and he shook his head, voice rising. “It’s not a good thing! You need to get back to your parents and get out of here!” It had been a while since Wisteria had been hit, but he could vaguely remember the last time, his mother hiding him and Fredric who had barely been two at the time in the basement of the house, making him promise not to move until one of the family came to get them. They had been lucky that time. A navy ship that had been resupplying in the port had managed to stave off the attack, and the damage had been limited to a couple of unfortunate warehouses by the edge of the docks and a merchant ship that had sailed into port at the wrong time. But he had heard whispered stories of worse attacks, and his parents’ constant warnings to hide if the bells rang were echoing in his head, and he sped up, practically dragging the older boy behind him.

He had managed to lead Laxus back to the warehouse, making sure that the older boy was safe with his mother before dashing away towards his own house after catching his father’s warning look. The bells were still ringing, more urgently now and his breath was coming in heaving pants, legs threatening to give way beneath him. The streets were filling up with panicked people now, and he was forced to take to the narrow alleyways that he had memorised through long days of exploration, darting nimbly between houses and warehouse, completely focused on getting home.

The attack when it came caught him by surprise, cannon fire a muffled roar in the distance that had him freezing in fear. It was the fear that cost him, that and the sight of the building on his left going up in flames. He was so focused on that sight, eyes wide as he trembled, all thoughts of fleeing banished from his frightened thoughts that he didn’t realise that he was no longer alone in the alley. It was only when rough hands grabbed him, yanking him back until he was trapped against a warm body that he realised the danger and at once he began to struggle, lashing out with all four limbs and trying to sink his teeth into the arm holding him even as he screamed for help. He had just managed to draw blood, the coppery taste filling his mouth when a sharp blow to the side of this head had the world swaying and his vision growing dark about the edges, his voice cutting out.

Now that he was no longer fighting he had a chance to take stock, although his vision was blurring badly, new fear rising as he realised that there two of them. Whoever was holding him, cursing up a storm behind because of the bite he had managed to inflict, and the man now looming over him, dark eyes piercing as he studied Freed for a minute before reaching out towards him. Instinct took over again and Freed flung himself back in the hopes of throwing his captor off balance, the moment making his head pound, and he choked as the arm that had been wrapped around his chest now moved to his throat. He couldn’t breathe, the arm pressing more and more firmly against his throat and he stilled in the hopes of getting them to let go, but if anything, the arm pressed harder and Freed could do nothing as he spiralled down into darkness, certain that he was going to die…
“I woke up two days later to find myself onboard The Scarlet Minstrel, with no sign of land to be seen,” Freed finished softly, unable to bring himself to look at Laxus. It had been a long time since he had let himself think about that day, too much had happened since then, and he was shaken to realise just how vivid the memory was even after all this time. He had been fortunate in one way though, the raid on Wisteria had been fruitful for the then Captain of the Minstrel, and he had spent barely a month under the tender mercies of that crew before he had been sold to another ship. It was the only reason he had survived because his captors had not forgiven his attempts to fight back when captured. And despite the situation, he had tried his best not to bow to them, and he knew that if he had stayed onboard much longer, he would have joined the others that he had seen tossed overboard.   Laxus was silent for several minutes, giving the younger man a chance to gather himself and trying to reconcile that tale with his expectations, something unpleasant twisting in his chest at the thought that maybe if Freed hadn’t taken him back to his parents that day, he might have made it back to safety in time. As Freed’s gaze slowly became less distant, hesitantly turning towards him once, he dared to ask another question.“You never tried to leave?” Somehow he couldn’t imagine the man in front of him accepting his fate that easily, even if he’d only been a child back then.“Too many times to count,” Freed murmured, hesitating for a moment before sitting up and slowly lifting his shirt, affording Laxus a brief glimpse of his scarred back. “Unfortunately I was a quick learner and skilled with my hands, so freedom and death were not an option, but that didn’t mean they didn’t try to beat the defiance out of me.” Laxus couldn’t stop the pained noise that rose at the back of his throat, reaching out towards the marks before he snatched his hands back, relieved to see that Freed’s gaze had shifted again and that the younger man had missed the movement.“What about your family?” Ivan would never have looked for him if he had been taken, Laxus was sure of that, although he knew that his grandfather and his mother if she had survived would never have given up on him…and he found himself desperately wishing that Freed’s family had been the same. He closed his eyes as that thought registered realising that there was no way he could view Freed as an enemy after this, even if he didn’t understand why he was still a Pirate, or like the fact that he was a Pirate.
I can’t hate him…
“My father died during that first attack on Wisteria, although it was nearly a year later that I overheard that news.” That was an old pain when he had been little his father had been a distant figure always more concerned with the family business than his family, apart from the odd day or meal, Freed’s time had been spent with his mother and siblings. It had hurt to hear that his father had been killed the day he had been taken, although in a way it had helped to ease the small voice in the back of his mind that had often wondered if his parents had even tried to look for him. No, it was the next bit that was harder to say, a pain that was just as sharp now as it had been the day he had first found out. “And, my siblings were killed during the second attack…”   It had been nearly three years after he had been taken that they heard that The Scarlet Minstrel had struck Wisteria for a second time, this time devastating the entire port. Freed had hoped against hope that his family had left the area after his father’s death, but there had been no way for him to check. He was only ten and the least trusted member of the crew, not allowed to go anywhere without supervision, and his every move had been shadowed after they’d got that news. It had only been months later when their own ship had stopped in the port to restock that he had been able to find out the fate of his family, and that had been the moment that he had abandoned any attempt to free himself from the Pirates. There had been no point…“Your siblings?”“My sword,” Freed whispered, tilting his head to where his sword was leant against the wall. Even when he was injured and laid up, his crew wouldn’t let him go unarmed. “Look at the blade.” Laxus hesitated for a moment before obediently reaching over and grasping the sword, glancing at Freed before slowly drawing the blade, trying not to remember how it had been pointed at him more than once since he had come on board. However, this was the first time he had taken a proper look at the blade, and his eyes narrowed as he quickly spotted what Freed wanted him to see.“Fredric…Freya,” he recited softly, catching the soft flinch that met each name and his eyes narrowed. Did Freed blame himself for what had happened to them? Part of him wanted to shout at the younger man, to point out that there was nothing he could have done, and his movements were somewhat clumsy as he slowly replaced the weapon in its sheath, any thoughts about using it against Freed long gone. “They were younger than you?”“Yes,” Freed’s gaze was locked on the sheathed blade, a shudder working its way through him before he turned back to Laxus. “The last time I saw them was the morning before I was taken. Fredric was three years younger than me, and Freya was two years younger than him.” He had hated being a big brother at first, hated sharing his mother’s attention, but when he had been taken one of the things he had clung to, one of the things that had made it endurable was the fact that at least they were safe. It had been one of the reasons that while he had tried more than once to escape, although he had never been sure if he would try and get back to Wisteria, terrified that he would lead danger to the door. In the end, it hadn’t mattered, danger had come even without him, and he hadn’t been there to protect them.“Freed…”“I’m not sure that answers your question,” Freed admitted softly. “There are other reasons why I never stopped being a Pirate even when I was eventually faced with the chance, but…” He shook his head helplessly, and he was caught by surprise when Laxus reached out and grasped his arm, feeling some of his tension melting away as he saw the understanding look the older man was giving him.“It’s okay.” Laxus wasn’t sure that he wanted to hear anymore, even if he now had more questions than answers. Like how Freed could endure all that and yet remain as kind as he was? How he could talk about Piracy and his crew with honest fondness despite how he had been brought into that life. He shook his head, perhaps it would have been better if he had never indulged his curiosity, for both of them. He was about to remove his hand when he paused. “I’m sorry/.”“For what?”“What happened back then…” For not remembering you, for needing you to protect me…“We were children,” Freed pointed out softly, stunned by the apology. That had never been his intention when telling Laxus about his past, and he hesitated for a moment before lifting his own hand to rest against Laxus’s, waiting for the Rebel to jerk away from his touch. Blinking when the blond tensed but made no effort to move away, and there was a slight waver to his voice as he added softly. “I never blamed you then, I certainly don’t blame you now.”“But…”   A soft knock on the door interrupted Laxus’s protest, and they immediately moved apart although not before Freed sent him a frantic look. Parts of his past were known to the crew, but that didn’t mean that he wanted them to know what they had been talking about. They were worried enough about him as it was, without adding unnecessary concerns and he sighed with relief when the Rebel nodded in understanding before the door burst open and Wendy and Lucy bustled inside with food for all of them. It was what he needed after dredging up the past, and while Freed struggled to choke down the rather unappetizing gruel they had been reduced to, he let the warmth and chatter wash over him, aware of Laxus studying him intently across the room and wondering whether he would have been better refusing to answer his questions. His attention was drawn to Wendy as she chided him about eating too slowly, and he smiled, reassuring her that he was okay. Blinking when she rather sharply pointed out that she would be the judge of that, Lucy laughing softly at her side and a warmth rose in his chest.
This…this is why I am still here, why I am still a Pirate.
****
    ‘Following the second attack on the city by The Scarlet Minstrel, an attack that was estimated to have left over fifty dead, the port town of Wisteria was largely abandoned with only those parts of the population who were too poor to move remaining. This loss had affected the entire coastal region, and by the time of the rebellion the area was the poorest in Fiore, although this would later change under the rule of Ivan Dreyar. Taking advantage of the area's poverty, he utilised the port town and coastal communities that it still supported using it as a base for his naval forces and bringing fresh life to the area. Thus it was one of the few regions in Fiore that held very little support for the Rebellion which would threaten to take away its newly regained future.

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****Two days later:    Freed took a deep breath as he stepped out on the deck, relieved to have finally been released from bed rest, especially as he was sure that his crew had conspired to keep him off duty for longer than was strictly necessary. Still… He tilted his head to glance at Laxus who was dutifully trailing after him because apparently, he hadn’t been released from ‘watching over the idiotic captain’ and didn’t fancy facing Evergreen and Bickslow’s wrath. Even though they had been the ones to tell Freed that he could be up and about again…perhaps the longer rest had been worth it, because the silence between them was a comfortable in a way it hadn’t been before. They’d both carefully avoided speaking about the past over the last couple of days, too many memories having been dredged up on both sides, and yet a small part of Freed hoped that in the future he might be able to finish answering Laxus’s questions. Coming up short as he realised that he was thinking beyond their trip to the Isle, and his gaze skittered away from the blond. He still had no idea how the Rebel would react to what he would find there, and he was foolishly letting his hopes build up.   Sighing he glanced around, relieved to see that the crew looked to be in good spirits despite their situation and tension that he hadn’t been aware of eased out of his shoulders. While he trusted his crew and trusted Bickslow to look after them when he was injured or unwell, it wasn’t the same as being able to protect them himself and his lips quirked up slightly. I’m home. It didn’t change the reality of their situation though, and he worried at his bottom lip before glancing up, a startled noise slipping free that immediately drew everyone’s attention to him.“Captain?” Lucy was the first to speak, taking an anxious step towards him as though expecting him to collapse again and he held up a hand to stop her.“Look,” Freed was smiling as he gestured upwards to where the flag which had been hanging limply at half-mast since they’d hit the doldrums was now fluttering in the breeze, and when he closed his eyes he could feel the wind teasing his skin and it was the best thing he had felt in a while. “Finally.” He murmured as he opened his eyes once more, hearing the excited murmurs that were spreading across the deck and he glanced up as he heard a particularly loud whoop, unsurprised to find that Bickslow had joined them, the older man now grinning brightly as he stared up at the flag. “Bickslow.” His first mate nodded in understanding before shifting his focus to the gathered crew, the cheers having brought the others up as well and he extended his arms with a flourish“Loose the top-sails and heave out!” He shouted, before adding with a grin at Freed. “I’m not sure about you lot, but I’d like to see land again before the Captain turned me old and grey!” Freed grumbled under his breath, waiting for the cheering and flurry of activity to settle before he retorted, only to be stopped by Loke shouting down to him from the Crow’s nest.“CAPTAIN!”“What is it?” Freed called back, immediately forgetting about Bickslow as he caught the tension in the ginger’s voice.“I can see a ship approaching! She’s making good speed and aiming right for us!”    Freed cursed under his breath at that reply, his feet already carrying him to the rail and he closed his eyes for a moment before lifting his head. There was only one ship that he knew of that was capable of chasing them down so quickly, and only one Captain that would take the risk of sailing so far south and possibly entering the doldrums just on the off chance of catching up with them. The sight of the distinctive crimson sails, clearly visible even at this distance, confirmed his suspicions, and he snarled as his hand dropped down to his sword, hearing a soft growl beside him as Laxus moved to stand beside him as he also recognised the ship.“Rufus Lore…”****
    ‘The naval battle that followed is often used to mark the official start of the Rebel War and is still regarded as the worst sea battle from that conflict. For those who survived the battle, and for those who lived to see the end of the war it was also seen as the reason why the war was able to begin.”

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

‘Following an encounter with the Pirate ship, The Raijinshuu, our Captain Rufus Lore was submitted to my care with grievous wounds. The wound to his lower arm was by far the most serious, and at the time it was uncertain whether the limb could be saved. Thankfully the limb was salvageable, although there was nothing that could be done about the scarring left behind or the lingering ache and while there has been little evidence of it slowing the Captain down at this stage, it is likely to cause problems in the future.’

‘The above abstract was taken directly from the logs of the court healer who had treated Rufus Lore following the fight with Freed Justine. The injury mentioned has often been voiced as one of the main reasons for Lore’s determination to hunt down Captain Justine, although accounts from both crews indicate that Lore had instead taken it as a sign of his opponent’s strength and that it had made him more eager to test the younger Captain. Regardless, it is clear that the previous encounter influenced the battle that followed in ways that we are still unable to fully comprehend.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****   Rufus Lore. Freed could quite easily have gone a lifetime without having the face that man again, grimacing as he rubbed a hand over the scar from their last encounter. He had nearly died at that time, and he knew that there was no guarantee that he would survive another fight with the man. However, he had always known that they were going to have to face one another at least one more time to settle the score, there was too much history between them, too much bad blood for it to end any other way. He just wished that the time hadn’t come so soon. He also wished that he was confident in his ability to win the battle to come, to protect his crew, to protect Laxus and make sure that he kept the promise he had made to the Rebel. But he wasn’t, and he couldn’t fight the dread that was slowly pooling in the pit of his stomach as he stared at the other ship, taking a shuddering breath as he realised just how close they were.   They were too close. Even if The Raijinshuu had already been at full sail, it would have been close, but now, even if she were to catch the wind, it wouldn’t be enough to stay ahead of them, let alone completely outrun them. Besides even if he had been willing to turn and run, he couldn’t. They were too close to the Isle at this point, too close to the people that Rufus would attack without a moment’s hesitation or regret, all so that he could earn a tidy bounty from the King.   Which meant a fight. A fight after days of being trapped in the Doldrums on limited rations, their nerves stretched thin by the fear of remaining trapped out here until starvation claimed them all. It was a fear that he knew they’d all shared, even though the crew had seemed to be in good spirits when he’d first come up on deck, and he growled under his breath.How could he ask them to fight after that?“Freed? Freed?! CAPTAIN!” Freed jerked as Bickslow’s voice finally broke through the panicked haze that had settled over him, cutting through his thoughts, and he turned to find the other’s watching him with open concern. Cursing himself for worrying them, even more, he tried to offer them a reassuring smile, before focusing on his First Mate. Bickslow looked the same as always, only the slight pinch around his eyes and the fact that he had just shouted at Freed in front of people revealing just how tense he really was, and once again Freed found himself thanking his lucky stars for having Bickslow at his side. “Captain, what are your orders?”   That question and hearing Bickslow using his title for once was just what he needed, grounding him and reminding him that he was the Captain and that he had a role to play, and a duty to fulfil. And despite the weight of the decision pressing down on his shoulders, it settled him, and he drew himself up, slowly removing his hand from his sword which he had still been clutching like a talisman. Tilting his head, he studied The Scarlet Minstrel for a moment with narrowed eyes, she was still coming on strong, chased by the same winds that had been eluding them for so long. At that speed, they didn’t have long. “Give us as much sail as you can, and then gather the crew,” he ordered, refusing to let himself panic any further as he turned back to Bickslow, relieved when his voice came out calm and collected, although he could tell that Bickslow wasn’t fooled. Nor was Laxus he realised when he glanced at the blond out of the corner of his eye, catching the concern that Laxus was trying to conceal behind a scowl, and feeling his lips quirk slightly at the act before sobering once more. “I want everyone on deck.”“Understood.”    He didn’t bother watching as Bickslow moved away, bellowing orders as he went, because he knew without a doubt that his command would be obeyed. Instead, he shifted his attention back to the pursuing ship, moving so that he could lean against the rail, gripping it to hide how his hands were trembling hands as he weighed his options. As much as he wanted to be able to take the opportunity to finish things with Rufus once and for all, he knew that had to be a secondary goal. Whatever else happened today, it was the Minstrel herself that they had to stop. With a scuttled ship the threat posed by Rufus would be almost negligible. The question was how much was he willing to risk to achieve that goal?   There was no doubt in his mind that if he asked his crew would stay and follow him into the battle to come, even with the odds so heavily against them. Even Wendy and Lucy who had more reason than most to fear Rufus and his ship would undoubtedly want to stay, trusting in him to protect them. His knuckles turned white against the rail. But can I protect them? He knew the capabilities of his ship, and he knew that they were outgunned and outclassed in nearly every way possible, and the methods that had allowed them to scrape draws and victories in the past would be no good here. As much as he loved The Raijinshuu, he doubted that this was a battle that she could win. But she could be used as a weapon. If all else failed, and slowly he straightened, turning his head just enough to look at small rowing boats strung up on the side of the deck.
Maybe he could protect them.
“What are you thinking?” Laxus’s voice startled him, reminding him that he wasn’t alone and he hoped that his thoughts hadn’t been written across his face as he turned to glance at the other man. He knew that he was going to have a fight on his hands when he spoke to the crew, and he wasn’t keen to have another one before that, and he hesitated for a moment before sighing.“How to protect everyone.”“Including yourself?” There was a knowing note in the question that left Freed fighting the urge to flush, wondering when this man had learned to read him that easily. He didn’t know how to respond, not wanting to lie to Laxus after everything, but not wanting to confirm his suspicions either, although he had a feeling that his silence was doing just that.“Captain.” He had never been so glad to hear Bickslow’s voice, although as he turned to find the crew gathered, the trepidation if not outright fear in their expressions cutting him to the core, he wondered if he was really ready for this. Something must have shown in his expression because Bickslow frowned, crimson eyes glittering with concern as he took a hesitant step forward. “Freed, you know…”“Don’t,” Freed cut him off softly, shaking his head as he heard the unspoken part of Bickslow’s words. You know we will follow you no matter what. At that moment that was the last thing that he wanted to hear. “Please.”   Bickslow scowled, exchanging a brief glance with Laxus before sighing and nodding in defeat, turning back to the rest of the crew and bellowing to catch their attention.“SILENCE!” The shout hadn’t been entirely necessary as everyone had focused the moment that Freed had taken half a step forward, but Freed didn’t comment, knowing that it was Bickslow’s way of alleviating some of the pressure he must be feeling by this point.“I won’t lie to you.” Freed could rarely match Bickslow for volume and he didn’t try now, his soft but clear tone carrying easily despite the creaking as the ship finally began to pick up speed, her sails billowing in a way that would have brought a smile to his lips not long before. “This will be a hard battle.” Probably impossible, he admitted to himself, but there was no way he was going to voice that thought aloud, especially when he caught sight of Lucy and Wendy. They were stood with Loke, the rest of the crew gathered around them almost protectively, but even that wasn’t enough to alleviate the terror in their expressions as they carefully focused on him and avoided looking at the ship tailing them, and his expression tightened. He had promised them that they would be safe. That he would never let Rufus Lore get near them again, and yet…gritting his teeth, he forced himself to continue. “The Scarlet Minstrel outguns us in every way, and while we have always managed to hold our own and slip away before, that won’t be possible today.”“The Isle…” Loke was the first to catch onto his reasoning.“Exactly,” Freed nodded at him, feeling something unpleasant clench in his stomach at the admission. It felt wrong to be putting others ahead of his crew, and yet there was no other choice. “At this stage, running would only endanger those on the Isle, and that cannot be allowed, even if we were capable of building up enough speed to stay ahead of them. However,” he hesitated for a moment, knowing that this was where the fight would begin, fully aware that his words weren’t going to go down well. But there was no way he could just stay silent, not if there were an option to save the people who had followed him so faithfully to this point. The people that he considered family. “However, there is another option that is open to you, and I want to give every one of you a choice.” He deliberately let his gaze linger of Wendy and Lucy for a moment, before flicking across to Laxus, hoping that the other man would realise that he was included in this despite the agreement they had reached when they had established their truce.“Freed…” Bickslow growled, no doubt guessing exactly where his thoughts had gone and when he glanced across at her, Evergreen had stiffened, her expression darkening and he knew that she had worked it out as well. Quickly he glanced at them, shaking his head slightly when he saw the storm of protests brewing, wanting to get the whole thing out before they shouted at him and they subsided, although he had no illusions that it was going to last.“The Raijinshuu must stay and fight,” Freed stated turning back to the rest of the crew, silently praying that some of them would listen to reason and choose to take his offer. He couldn’t protect them here, but he could give them a chance at freedom. At life. And there was more than a hint of desperation in his voice as he added softly. “You do not need to.” A murmur of dissent ran through the entire crew, and he held up a hand to silence them, needing to get the words out before he could falter, willing them to at least listen to what he was offering. “Anyone who wishes to leave is free to take one of the smaller boats, the ship will provide the cover for you to escape.”
 Please, let me protect all of you…
  A stunned silence hung over the deck for a moment. Then it was broken, explosively, as Evergreen darted across the deck towards him, hand raised, and the resounding sound of flesh and flesh was deafening in the silence. Freed staggered but didn’t lift a hand, aware that he had been lucky that she hadn’t had a knife in her hand. Instead, he stared at her, his cheek stinging something fierce, waiting for the words that he could see bubbling up, startled when she turned to look at her gunners with a determined expression.“I’ll ready the guns,” she was speaking to him, but not looking at him and he sighed, hearing the hurt beneath the anger in her voice, almost relieved when her focus did shift to the gunners. “You lot come with me.” He was dismayed to see how quickly, how willingly they stood to attention, already beginning to head towards the steps down below even as he opened his mouth to argue, snapping his mouth shut when Evergreen turned to glare at him, eyes glistening. “We will discuss this later, Captain.” He winced at both her frigid tone and the use of his title, but he still opened his mouth to try and persuade her otherwise, but she was already moving, stalking away without a backwards look and he slumped, shoulders bowed in defeat. Ever…   He didn’t dare look at Bickslow right now. Evergreen might be the more explosive of the two, but Bickslow could be far worse if you really got him going and deep down Freed had always known that those two would never agree to leave him behind. It didn’t make it any easier to accept, and it took him a couple of minutes to gather himself enough to turn back to the rest of his crew. Even if he couldn’t protect those two, surely, he could protect the others?“What…”“With all due respect, Captain.” Mirajane interrupted him, her blue eyes hard, no sign of her usual cheerful persona to be seen as she stared at him. “Not one person on board this ship is willing to even entertain the idea of abandoning this ship or you. You are our Captain, and this ship is our home, neither is something we’re willing to leave behind.” A tiny part of him was warmed by her words and relieved, but it paled in comparison to the desperation that washed over him as he saw several of the others nodding in agreement. Why? Why couldn’t they understand that this was the only way he could protect them? That he wouldn’t be able to keep them safe if they stayed?“But…”    This time it was a warm hand coming to settle on his shoulder that silenced him, and he glanced up stunned to see that Laxus had moved to stand beside him, meeting his gaze unflinchingly before his lips quirked up in a wry smile.“It would seem, Captain, that you have your crew.”“And you? The offer applies to you too,” Freed pointed out, wanting to make sure that Laxus understood that he was free if he wanted to be, startled by the bark of laughter that greeted his words, staring at the blond and silently demanding an explanation.“I’m not the type to run from a fight, and I have my own reasons for wanting to join this fight,” Laxus pointed out, reminding Freed of their discussion about their shared childhood and his expression darkened in understanding for a moment, but still…that wasn’t a good enough reason for Laxus to be risking his life in a battle that was unlikely to end well for their side. However, Laxus had continued before he could protest. “Besides, you made me a promise, and I intend to make sure you keep it.” There was a challenge in his words, a reminder that Freed had made him a promise and that he had been determined to prove him wrong about Pirates, and he sighed, growling under his breath.
Why wouldn’t they let him protect them?
“Laxus…” Slowly he turned his attention back to the crew that remained on deck, eyes scanning each and every face, searching for some hint of doubt, of hesitation. But they were all resolute and standing tall, even Wendy and Lucy who looked terrified whenever their gazes strayed towards their pursuers met his gaze without hesitation, and he shook his head. “You’re all idiots the lot of you, but thank you.” There was a brief second of silence before cheers broke out and he shook his head, unable to understand what he'd done to make them so determined to follow him into imminent death. Idiots…   He was pulled out of his thoughts when the cheers died down, and Bickslow moved to stand alongside him, expression unreadable, although the cold edge to his voice told Freed that he was more than displeased with him.“Orders, Captain?”   Freed hesitated for a moment, turning his gaze back to the approaching ship. He didn’t want to give the order, but with his crew’s decision made there was little else he could do.“Ready the ship for battle.” At least his voice didn’t show his turmoil, and the crew were quick to leap into action, the deck immediately descending into organised chaos and he had to raise his voice to be heard as he spotted Loke heading in the opposite direction. “Loke.” Loke immediately came back to him, and Freed was relieved to see Lucy and Wendy following, although now they were closer he could see that both girls were trembling, and he had to fight back a growl at the sigh. This was what he had wanted to prevent.“Captain?”“I want you to stay with Lucy and Wendy,” Freed ordered, noticing that Loke already had a hand wrapped around Lucy’s wrist with a pleased nod. He knew that any of the crew would have obeyed these orders, all of them knew what the pair had endured under Rufus, but Loke was more protective than most, and he knew that the ginger would go to any length to keep them safe and together. “Help them ready the infirmary, and if it comes down to it, I want you to make sure they got off this ship.” If they wouldn’t leave of their own free will, then all he could do was ensure that they still had an escape route, even if both of them promptly tried to protest against his order.“Captain…”“But…”“I made you a promise,” Freed reminded them gently, holding each of their gazes in turn. “I will not let him take you, so, please…let me do this much.” He made no effort to hide his pleading tone, and after a moment they both nodded reluctantly, Wendy darting forward to wrap her arms around him in a fierce hug and he didn’t comment when he felt the sob that rocked her, his hand coming down to rest on her head. “Shh, nothing is going to happen to you.” I promise…“It’s not me I’m worried about,” Wendy whispered, pulling back to peer up at him wide eyes, tears spilling down her cheeks. She was terrified, and yet he knew that she wasn’t lying, and that right now, he was the one that she was worried about. “Ca…Freed, please be careful.”“Of course,” he prayed that she wouldn’t hear the uncertainty, the lie in his words, holding her gaze as best he could and holding back a sigh of relief when she nodded and reluctantly released him. Lucy didn’t look as convinced, and neither did Loke, but thankfully neither of them said anything as they stepped forward and pulled Wendy after them.   Bickslow waited until they were gone before stepping up alongside him again and this time Freed made himself look at his First Mate, wincing at the anger in the crimson eyes and glancing away again sheepishly. He should have known better, and yet even now he wished that they had all decided to abandon ship, and he sighed, hand returning to the hilt of his sword. He had to protect them…“You’re going to have to apologise to Ever later,” Bickslow commented after a moment, sounding a little calmer than before and when Freed glanced at him again, some of the irritation had drained out of his expression, a wry smile playing on his lips. “And you’d better make it good.” Freed snorted softly at that, well aware that he would be crawling for weeks to make up for this. No one held a grudge like Evergreen did. The last time she had given him the silent treatment for nearly a month, and that had been for throwing himself in the way to shield her from an attack. He would be lucky if she spoke to him for the rest of the year after today.“If I make it out of this.”“Freed…” Bickslow clearly didn’t appreciate his answer, and he almost regretted letting it slip, almost… he had never lied to Bickslow, and he didn’t want to start now, and watching as his ship came to life, ready for what might be its final battle he couldn’t hide his uncertainty. However, there was no doubt in his expression or voice when he turned to face him.“This ends now.” He shifted his gaze to the pursuing ship, almost imaging that he could already make out Rufus stood at the helm, and his fingers tightened around the hilt. “Whatever else happens today, Lore will not walk away from this.” Even if it kills me…    Bickslow had clearly caught the unspoken words because his expression darkened, but he didn’t say anything, studying Freed for a moment before bowing his head. It wasn’t acceptance, but an acknowledgement of Freed’s decision and after a moment he turned away and stalked off to bellow orders at some of the newer recruits and once again Freed found himself shaking his head. He didn’t deserve this crew.“Are you sure about this?” He had almost forgotten that Laxus was there, starting at the sudden question before turning to look at the blond.“I should be the one asking you that,” he pointed out, hesitating for a moment before continuing in a softer tone. “This isn’t going to end well Laxus.” He didn’t know why but it was easier to voice his worries, his true feelings around the blond, and he jumped when warm fingers brushed his elbow for a moment as Laxus moved closer to him.“Maybe not,” Laxus admitted readily, with the ease of someone who had seen battle at its worse, and somehow that eased Freed’s guilt about the Rebel deciding to stay on board. “But I’m still not going anywhere unless you’re going to change your mind and flee with the rest of us?” It was clear that he already knew what Freed’s answer was going to be to that, the wry twist of his lips giving that away and Freed glared at him for a moment, marvelling at the fact that he could find humour even at a time like this, before shaking his head.“There is no other choice.”“Then you know my answer,” Laxus replied and Freed wanted to growl at him, but he reigned in the urge, instead feeling another feeling bubbling up as he leant against the Rebel for a moment. The man who had been his enemy, who hated pirates, felt like a pillar of strength right now as uncertainty swept over him, and he glanced up at him, offering him a tense smile.“Then let’s hope it doesn’t go badly, after all, I still have a promise to keep.” It wasn’t what he wanted to say, but it was the safest thing he could come up with at the moment, and he just hoped that Laxus could understand what he really wanted to say.
Thank you…
****
    ‘Captain Justine’s decision to allow his crew the option of an escape was unusual, not just amongst Pirates but amongst sailors in general in that age. It was considered dishonourable to abandon ship amongst the navy, and most Privateers or Pirates would fight until the last man. However, following the battle between The Raijinshuu and The Scarlet Minstrel, his decision was hailed amongst those ships that worked with the Rebels, and within time it became an unspoken rule on board those ships.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****  Rufus could feel his bloodlust rising as he watched the distance between them and The Raijinshuu closing, his scarred hand already resting on the hilt of his sword, a hungry expression in his eyes as he searched the other ship for a glimpse of the distinctive green hair. Freed Justine. He had been starting to lose hope when the other ship had come into sight, and now he was eager for the final stage of the hunt to begin.“Orga!”“Captain?” Orga was quick to reply, even as he kept his focus on the wheel, hands moving confidently as he coaxed the ship through the waves, eking out as much speed from the wind in their sails as he could, aware that his Captain was growing impatient.“Ready the guns,” Rufus ordered coldly, the crew immediately leaping into action, knowing better than to show any hesitance at this point and he paid them no mind, a cruel smiling crossing his lips as his gaze returned to his prey, imaging the ship going up in flames. It was a sight he had waited years to see, and finally, finally, he would get what he wanted. “We want to give her a warm greeting.”“And the crew?”“Do what you want with them, but the Captain and our little escapees are mine.” Rufus made sure that his voice carried clearly across the decks, he had deliberately trained his crew to be just as ruthless as he was and he knew that unless prewarned they would tear apart any in their path. Although if any of them were foolish enough to go after Freed Justine, he was sure the other Captain would take care of them for him. As much as he hated to admit it, Justine was probably the only man who had ever come close to matching him, and there was a dull ache in his hand as he glanced at it, fingers turning white as his grip tightened.That would change today.**   Freed hadn’t taken his eyes off the ship, trusting his crew to do their job as the Scarlet Minstrel drew closer and closer until he could make out every detail of her distinctive sails, his gaze easily drawn to the figure on the foredeck, a growl building in his throat at the sight of the feathered hat. Rufus…His fear and uncertainty were fading now, everything narrowing down to the battle to come, and he was glad for his vigilance when he spotted the guns being run out before the other ship veered to port.“Everyone down!” Freed roared as he saw the cannons firing, spinning and shoving Laxus down to the deck beneath him, any complaint he made lost in the roar of cannon fire and the sound of wood splintering around them, and he bit his lip at the sound of his ship taking the brunt of the damage. Still, he paid the damaged decking and rails little mind when he lifted his head, instead seeking out the rest of his crew, relieved to find that they had all survived the first salvo although a couple of them looked a little shell-shocked at the revelation. Leaving Laxus to fend for himself he rose to his feet, this time letting himself take in the damage. Relieved to realise that they had been lucky, nothing vital had been struck this time, but he knew that wouldn’t last.“Bickslow stay on the helm,” he ordered as he soon as his observations were done. “Bring us around, give Ever a target and then swing us around them.” What his ship lacked in speed she made up in manoeuvrability. It was a tactic they had used before, and he prayed that it would work today because it was the only thing they might have in their favour. “Keep us moving, if they catch us it’s over.” He knew that he didn’t need to say it, but he felt better for voicing it aloud, and thankfully Bickslow merely nodded, he just wished that he was going to take his next orders as calmly. “Bickslow…” He waited until his First Mate was looking at him. “If anything happens to me, make sure you get as many to safety as you can. The ship doesn’t matter, they do.”“Freed…”“That’s an order,” he snapped, refusing to be questioned on this and he saw the flinch that greeted his tone, and the pain before Bickslow gave a reluctant nod. Their conversation cut off by a fresh volley, and this time it was Laxus yanking him down to the ground, covering him with his bulk, their closeness letting him feel the tremor that worked its way through the blond. He could sympathise, remembering his terror during his first battle and once again he wished that the other man had accepted his offer to flee, but there was no time to comfort him because he could feel The Raijinshuu turning, the deck swaying beneath them and then the familiar retort of their own guns. “Get off me,” he muttered, pushing his way back to his feet and looking around, eyes widening when he spotted the Minstrel’s crew making preparations to board.“Elfman!” He shouted, looking to his own crew and spotting the larger man, tilting his head towards the preparations, relieved to see comprehension in Elfman’s expression before the man started shouting orders to the others. If they were planning on boarding, then that made them more dangerous as it meant they had a purpose and he grimaced, having a feeling that he wasn’t the only one with a target painted on his back and his gaze darted back to Rufus.    Fury erupted in his chest when their gazes met, the ships close enough now for him to make out the other man’s smirk and the mocking salute that followed, and he snarled. He knew that the act was intended to provoke him and that he was giving Rufus what he wanted, but he couldn’t bring himself to adopt his usual mask as the ship shuddered beneath him as another volley struck The Raijinshuu, the main mast letting out a pained groan.   Knowing that they were outgunned was one thing, witnessing it was another thing and he snarled, hand tight on his sword. He had to end this, that was the only option. Steadying himself as Bickslow swung them back onto a parallel course with the other ship, giving Ever the best target, he glanced back at his First Mate and took in his set expression as he wrestled with the wheel. They couldn’t take much more of this, and even though their cannons had done damage, it wasn’t enough. For a second his gaze strayed to Laxus, their gazes meeting for a moment and he knew that if he asked the Rebel would be at his side. But his promise still stood between them, and so he turned away, ignoring the flash of alarm in the blue eyes as he turned and bolted for the railing. Now was his only chance, the ships worryingly close to one another, and his heart was in his throat as he saw some of Rufus’s men swinging towards his ship, but he didn’t let himself falter, trusting Elfman and the others to repel them.“FREED!” Apparently, Bickslow had realised what he was doing, and he almost stopped at the raw panic in the other man’s voice…almost…because he knew that if he stopped now, they wouldn’t give him another chance to do what needed to be done. With a swift movement and a silent apology, he cut one of the ropes holding the sail in place, grabbing the end and swinging himself off the ship with Bickslow and Laxus’s voices raised in alarm behind him.
I’m sorry, please be safe.
****
   ‘As a rule, medical care on board Privateers and Pirate ships was dependent on knowledge picked up in ports and folk knowledge, it was rare for trained doctors to be found aboard these ships and those that were considered rare commodities and highly valued prisoners when captured. Wendy Marvell, had served as an ‘assistant’ to a trained doctor before her capture, and continued to develop those skills during her captivity and later onboard The Raijinshuu. She would later come under the tutelage of famed healer, Porlyusica, who served the community on the Isle, although she would never formally become a doctor or practice medicine.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

‘The battle between The Raijinshuu and The Scarlet Minstrel was the first time the conflict had come so close to the Isle, shattering the illusion of safety that the residents had been hiding behind for so long. It would also be the event, that signified the end of peace, with the events that followed thrusting the Isle and it’s people into the centre of the Rebel War.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
    For a terrifying moment Freed found himself suspended between the two ships, blue waters opening up between his feet, and he flinched as a cannonball shot passed a little too close for comfort, fighting the urge not to turn back and check on his ship as he heard the blast tear through the wood. Then his momentum carried him up and over the waters, and lunging forwards he released the rope and landed on the deck of the Scarlet Minstrel, staggering for a second as a fresh volley of cannon fire came from The Raijinshuu, Evergreen and her team hitting their mark with each one. It gave him hope that maybe they would pull through this, as long as he could hold up his end, and he straightened, drawing his blade just as there was a blur of movement in the corner of his eye.    Only a quick twist to the side saved him from being speared on the end of Rufus’ blade, and he wasn’t given a chance to recover, immediately finding himself on the defensive, as he parried the next blow and stepped back in a futile attempt to put distance between them. However, the other Captain followed, as dogged as a wolf that sensed its prey was almost in its jaws. The analogy did little to quiet the doubts simmering in the back of his mind, although he did the best to force them back. Instead, letting his gaze dart down to the hand gripping the blade that was searching for a weakness in his defences, taking in the heavy scarring, and the slight stiffness and hesitation that hadn’t been present the last time they’d fought. “That looks nasty,” he commented, glad that none of his doubts had bled through into his voice, pleased to see a flicker of fury in Rufus’ eyes as their gazes met.
Good, lose control, give me that edge…
“I’ve been waiting for this.” Rufus’ voice was a growl, but the fury was short-lived as he smirked and lunged to the side and Freed followed, realising a split second too late that it had been a feint and biting back a curse as the blade caught his shoulder and drew first blood. The cut was shallow, but blood was already seeping into the material of his shirt, and he grimaced. This was the reason he had been worried about this fight because as skilled as he was with a sword, the other man was just as good if not better. Not that it mattered, because this was a battle that he had to win, because everything he had left. The family he had made for himself. The home he had created. It all lay behind him, and he had to protect it.“I could say the same,” Freed matched Rufus’ tone as he straightened, hands and blade steady as certainty draped itself around his shoulders. “And this ends here.” One way or another, he added silently, hearing some of his crew shouting to him from the ship. No doubt pleading with him to come back, to let them fight with him, and he closed his ears to it, knowing that he could afford to be distracted even for a second as Rufus mirrored his stance, bloodthirst written all across his face. Although it was his words, rather than his expression that had a shiver running down his spine.“Only when I’ve taken everything from you, Justine.”**     Evergreen’s anger had dimmed somewhat as the ship shuddered around her, realising that this was what Freed had wanted to spare them from. It wasn’t enough to earn her forgiveness though, as he should have known that none of them was going to leave him behind. Idiot. Her movements were more forceful than necessary as she reloaded the cannon, but there was no hesitation or error as she sighted up her target, whispering a prayer that each cannonball would be the one that did the damage that would force the Scarlet Minstrel to retreat. Although she knew that as long as Rufus was captain, that would never happen, he had made it clear that his target was Freed, and that nothing was going to distract him from that target. Which means we have to be the one to stop him. Checking the line was ready, she lifted her voice above the noise and chaos.“Fire!” The noise was deafening as she pulled back, letting the cannon recoil backwards against the breech rope, noting that every shot had hit home this round, and not for the first time she thanked the gods for Bickslow. They had worked together often enough that he knew exactly how to manoeuvre the ship to give her the best targets, and he was the only one onboard who could give Freed a run for his money on the helm.    However, there was no time to focus on that though as the wood a few feet away from her splintered as the Scarlet Minstrel returned fire, and she cursed as it smashed through the breech rope of the next cannon. Leaving it rolling backwards until it slammed into an unfortunate crew member who had faltered as the cannonball had passed too close for comfort. The impact sent him flying, and then others were there, steading the cannon before it could crush him, and Evergreen cursed, knowing they couldn’t afford to lose a gun at this point. “Get it back into position!” She ordered, rushing to the downed crew member. “Keep moving,” she hissed, pulling them roughly back to their feet. “If we falter, the ship is lost.” If it’s not already, she thought, not wanting to think about what the damage below looked like and hoping the team she sent down earlier were able to keep ahead of it. We need to buy more time… Although she wasn’t sure what for, well aware that Freed had only considered giving them an out because he wasn’t sure that this was a battle that they could win.That he could win.     And this time there was a tremor in her hands as she moved to prepare for the next volley, knowing that if Bickslow was at the helm then Freed would be the doing something that only he could do and heading straight for Rufus Lore.
Freed, you better not get yourself killed.
**    Bickslow was cursing up a storm in the back of his mind as he clung to the wheel, the damaged mast, and the sail that had been ripped to shreds by another blast, making the ship slower to respond than usual, and he didn’t want to imagine what damage had been done below decks. The Scarlet Minstrel was relentless in her attacks, and while they were managing to avoid some due to the Raijinshuu’s greater mobility, it wasn’t enough, and he flinched as another cannonball tore through the railings in front of him, closing his eyes as splinters were flung towards his face. He hissed as a larger splinter sliced into his cheek, grimacing as blood trickled down his face, as he opened his eyes, frantically scanning the deck. As far as he could tell they hadn’t lost anyone yet, although there were a few people down clutching wounds that needed Wendy’s attention, but there was little time for relief, as the first boarders reached their decks. Right into the welcoming arms of Elfman and the others, and he felt a momentary surge of pride as he saw the attack falter, unprepared for the ferocious defence that greeted them, but he didn’t have time for more, doggedly swinging the wheel back in the other direction to offer Evergreen another target.    Movement behind him had him cursing and whirling, just managing to twist out of the path of the jagged scimitar that had been heading directly for his chest. It still scored a hit, leaving a blazing line of fire across his shoulder, but he dismissed it as he lunged forward, catching his assailant who had been banking on catching him off guard, around the midriff and flinging him back. It bought him enough room to draw his own blade, and parry the next blow, his lips pulled back in a snarl as he lunged into the next attack. Grateful for all the time Freed had put into training him to fight, as swordplay had never been his forte, as he blocked the frantic sideways sweep of the panicking pirate’s blade, before forcing his scimitar through the gap and upwards. Warmth sprayed his face, the man’s cry cutting off midway and Bickslow pulled back, already dismissing him from his thoughts as he turned back to the wheel as the Scarlet Minstrel began to turn, attempting to avoid their cannons.    You’re not getting away that easily, he thought grimly as he lunged for the wheel, throwing all his weight into the turn. Too much, he realised belatedly as the two ships which had been maintaining a minimum distance until now, moved in a collision course, and he could hear several voices shouting at him to turn to starboard. He didn’t have the breath to reply, swinging the wheel around as he tried to pull them out of the worst of the collision, already knowing that he wasn’t going to avoid it entirely as even The Raijinshuu couldn’t respond that quickly. “Brace yourselves!” He bellowed as the Scarlet Minstrel loomed at their head, spreading his feet and bracing himself as best he could as with a thunderous crash that seemed to reverberate in his very bones the two ships came together.    The impact nearly knocked him off his, and as it was, he wrenched his injured shoulder as he clung to the wheel, trying to bring the Raijinshuu away from the other ship, and trying not to imagine how much damage that collusion had just caused.
Come on girl, you can survive this…
**    The impact had caught Freed off guard as he had been unable to focus on anything but Rufus, as it was abundantly clear that the other man’s threat hadn’t been an empty one, as his attacks had been relentless and brutal. The dancing blade had already caught Freed a dozen times, not enough to render him unable to fight, but enough that every step, and blow and parry hurt. His jacket and shirt, clung to him, blood seeping into the material and he was sweating. Rufus hadn’t gone unscathed though, the snarl on his face, made bloody by a long gash that ran across the bridge of his nose and down one cheek, while another line of crimson marred his arm. However, Freed wasn’t naïve enough to think that it was enough, and then the deck shuddered violently beneath his feet, throwing him forward with a startled cry that became a strangled scream, as a sickening fire erupted in his side.    He wasn’t sure whether it was luck or skill, as Rufus appeared as unbalanced by the sudden collision as he was, and he supposed that it didn’t really matter as he glanced down through suddenly blurry eyes at the sword that was embedded in his side. The shock was just setting in, when Rufus pulled it free, the pain nearly enough to send Freed to his knees. Instead, he staggered back, sword outstretched in a weak attempt to stave off another attack even as he pressed a trembling hand against, he wound. He had been injured enough to know that it had missed anything vital, not that it made it any less dangerous, he thought swaying slightly, concerned by the blood that he could feel welling beneath his fingers.“Pitiful,” Rufus’ voice drew his attention away from the wound, and he swallowed, knowing that he couldn’t afford to focus on it now as the other man circled him. The word was mocking, but underlain with real anger, the same fury that glistened in his eyes as he met Freed’s gaze. “You’ve gone soft, Justine…or maybe you always were, and I allowed myself to believe there was something more to your steel.”“No,” Freed retorted, not liking how breathlessly it came out. “I’m just not a monster like you…” He almost missed the tensing of Rufus’ muscles, but instead, he moved, just managing to parry the next attack, not liking the sluggish response of his body as he moved, mirroring Rufus’ hungry circling, not missing the fact that the other man was slowly moving closer. Or that once he was in range, there was going to be little that Freed could do.“You wound me, and I was even going to offer mercy if you surrendered to me now.” They both heard the lie in the honeyed words, the smirk as Rufus’s eyes tracked between the bloodied patches on Freed’s body and the tremor in his sword hand. “Go to hell,” Freed snarled.    “Not yet,” Rufus laughed, and there was a manic edge to his voice as he attacked again. “And not without you!”  Freed felt the ship shuddering beneath his feet, and the terrifying grind of wood on wood a little too close behind him, but he had no choice but to retreat beneath the onslaught, even as he parried each blow, his blade nicking the arm that he had scarred before. That drew a howl of fury from the other Captain, and his next swing went wide and Freed lunged to take advantage of it, knowing that he couldn’t let this fight be drawn out much longer. His sword drew a deep gash across Rufus’ chest, but the other Captain barely seemed to notice, lashing out with his other fist, and Freed felt his lip split under the impact, and then there were fingers around his neck, squeezing tight and he cursed as he realised, he had let the other man get too close.**     Bickslow was about to take hold of the wheel again when he risked a glance across to the other ship, searching for his Captain, breath catching in his throat as he was finally rewarded with a glimpse of green. The brief flicker of relief, overwhelmed by a rush of terror as he realised that Freed was being forced towards the narrow gap between the ships, Rufus’ hand locked around his throat. If he falls now… There was no way he would survive that fall, even if he wasn’t already injured and Bickslow stomach was tying itself in knots as he realised just how badly wounded his captain was already. We knew this wasn’t going to be an easy fight, but…“LAXUS!” Bickslow roared, forcing himself to tear his gaze away from the awful sight, and frantically seeking out the Rebel. Laxus had just tossed one of Lore’s crew overboard and was in the process of grabbing another, but he turned at the shout, and Bickslow immediately jerked his head towards the other ship, not wanting to alert Rufus to the fact that help might be coming. “Please…” He didn’t want to trust this to the Rebel, for all that he had shown himself to be on their side for the time being at least, but he couldn’t leave the ship. Not least because of Freed’s order for him to protect the crew in his stead if anything happened to him, and as much as he wanted to ignore that command, as he had before when Freed had rushed headlong into danger, he knew that he couldn’t this time, because there was too much at stake.    Laxus had followed his gaze, his expression darkening as he saw what was happening, and the privateer he had been targeting found himself downed with a sharp blow to the temple, and then the Rebel was rushing forward. Mirroring Freed’s movements from earlier as he grasped one of the ropes that had come lose with the damage to the sail and swinging across the admittedly much narrower gap. Bickslow watched just long enough to make sure the Rebel had landed safely, before he grasped the wheel, and turned it hard to starboard, trying to pull the Raijinshuu away from the other ship, and gritting his teeth as she shuddered and groaned in protest.
Please.
**    There was a roaring sound in Freed’s ears that had nothing to do with the thunder of the cannons, or the groaning protests from the two ships as they were slowly pulled apart once more. No, it came from the tightening grip on his throat, a haze settling over his vision as he clawed at the hand holding him in place. However, it seemed to him that the other man had tipped over the edge into madness, and there was no freeing himself from the punishing grasp.    Then it was gone, and Freed was gasping and spluttering as he tried to draw in air, his vision taking a moment to settle. When it did, he realised that Rufus’ gaze was locked on the Raijinshuu, and warily, fearful of a trap Freed followed his gaze, keeping his blade levelled at the other man, although it shook so violently that he knew it wasn’t much of a deterrent. And it fell away completely, as he realised what had caught Rufus’ attention.    Amongst the chaos that had descended on the deck of the Raijinshuu, there was a flash of blue, and Freed froze, horror engulfing him as he realised Wendy was up on deck, moving between injured crew who were refusing or unable to leave their posts. And there was Lucy and Loke, moving with her, pulling her down as cannons and gunfire thundered overhead. “Orga!” Freed’s head whipped back to Rufus at the shout, the horror morphing into terror as he realised that the other man was smirking, the bloodthirst burning brighter than ever. However, the abrupt movement had his head ringing, nausea rising in the back of his throat and he had to look down, as he tried to ride it out.“Captain?!” “Please retrieve our strays,” Rufus ordered and Freed lifted his head as the words penetrated the haze had settled over him once more, heart hammering in his chest. No. The pain must’ve shown in his expression because Rufus laughed. “I want our guest to witness their punishment before I end this.”“Don’t you touch them,” Freed moved at that, snarling as he darted forwards, intending to place himself in Orga’s path. However, his legs were shaky at best, and his injuries had slowed his reactions, and his back arched, a piercing cry torn from his lips, as Rufus’ blade cleaved through the skin, leaving it alight with sickening fire. He staggered a couple of steps, barely holding on to conscious, and it took him a moment to register the enraged roar up ahead, as someone barrelled into Orga in his stead, forcing the green-haired man back away from the edge.“Freed!” He blinked, his mind sluggish as he realised that he recognised the voice, and it took a couple of firm blinks for his vision to clear enough. Laxus. Hope, stronger than he could have believed possible considering the situation and the state that he was in, blossomed in his chest as he saw the Rebel straighten and glare at Orga.  “I’ll handle this one. He won’t get near them.” Laxus knew, and understood, and Freed quivered at the realisation, the relief almost strong enough to let him cave there and then. But there was worry in the blue eyes as Laxus paused, taking a good look at him, and Freed gritted his teeth and straightened, knowing that neither of them could afford to be distracted right now.“I’m fine,” he called, knowing that it was far from convincing, as there was no way to mask his breathlessness or the pain that throbbed through him with each shaky breath. However, that didn’t detract from his resolve as he forced himself upright, back howling in protest, and turned back to Rufus who looked startled at the shift in his demeanour. “This isn’t a battle he will win.” Because it’s not one, I can afford to lose…****
    ‘The Red Queen, as well as being one of the first ships liberated to serve the Rebels, had been a flagship for the Fiorean Navy. A large, multi-deck Galleon it towered above The Raijinshuu in terms of size and firepower, although it couldn’t match the small ship for manoeuvrability. It primarily sailed in the waters around the Isle, ordered to serve as diversion where necessary to lead unwanted visitors away from the island or to fight if and when necessary. However, on that day when it sailed to intervene in the battle that scouts on the islands had signalled about, it marked its’ entry into the war effort proper.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
  ****    Loke cursed as he staggered back, pain blossoming in his shoulder and blood already soaking his shirt, his frantic retaliation catching his assailant by surprise, as she had clearly expected him to go down with that first shot. His blade raking across her shoulder, before she was being pushed backwards as Lucy lunged into the gap between them, her face set in a way that he hadn’t seen before as she used her momentum to force the other woman back against a crumbling piece of railing. There was a pause, and he saw the recognition in the woman’s eyes as she looked at Lucy, before she was falling, unable to catch herself as she disappeared out of sight and into the churning waters around the ship.“Lucy…” It was only just dawning on him that it wasn’t just Rufus Lore that they were facing, but the entire crew who knew who they were and what they had suffered, many of whom had contributed, and he stepped forward to grip her shoulder. Hoping that now he could convince her and Wendy to go back below decks, even though he knew the latter was desperately needed up here, which was why they had persuaded him in the first place.    Then Wendy was at their side, pulling him down behind one of the more intact railings, and beginning to pull his shirt away from the wound. “You should get below decks,” she declared after looking at it, already fumbling in the satchel she had claimed for her equipment, searching for a wad of bandage to press against it.“Not a chance,” he protested at once. “The Captain is already going to murder me for letting you two up on deck.” What he didn’t add, and didn’t need to as Lucy glanced at him, was that he was kicking himself for that decision anyway. “I’m not going anywhere without both of you.”“Loke…”     Loke had opened his mouth to silence her when his eyes caught sight of something, and he held up a hand to stop her as he staggered to his feet. He dashed a hand across his eyes and blinked slowly, wanting to make sure it wasn’t an illusion brought on by pain or shock, but the image didn’t falter, and something warm blossomed in his chest. Hope, he realised as he lifted a trembling hand to point the girls towards what he was looking, even as he twisted to look up towards Bickslow on the helm.“SHIP AHOY!” He roared, shoulder throbbing with unison with each word. “SHIP AHOY!”*     At the helm, Bickslow was trying to split his focus between steering the Raijinshuu to keep a safe distance between her and the Scarlet Minstrel knowing they couldn’t survive another collision and trying to keep an eye on the fighting both on their deck and across on the other ship. Which was why it took him a moment to register the shout, his heart in his mouth when the words registered, and he twisted towards the source. For a moment, he was caught by the realisation that Wendy and Lucy were up on deck despite Freed’s commands, but then he spotted Loke, visibly listing to the side and clinging to his shoulder, even as he pointed off to their starboard side.   The sight of sails and the large ship looming on the horizon had his heart sinking further until his sharp eyes glimpsed the flag that was flapping bravely against the blue sky. Even at this distance, he recognised the insignia of blades crossed over a pair of wings on a crimson background, and relief flooded through him at the sight.
The Red Queen…
   He hadn’t seen the ship for months, as she had been at sea the last time they’d docked at the Isle, but he remembered the first time he had seen her, dwarfing the Raijinshuu as they’d transferred supplies to her after she’d sailed to meet them and redirect them on a rescue mission. While in his own mind, Captain Scarlet couldn’t hold a flame to Freed, he had to admit that she was a terrifying woman, and right now he would have knelt down and sworn undying fealty as he saw the other ship unfurling its last sail, and his gaze flickered towards the Scarlet Minstrel.
Freed, hold on a little longer…
**    Freed was blind to these developments, and only distantly aware of the battle below him on the main deck as Laxus and Orga’s fight raged back and forth. His entire world had narrowed to the blade that was protruding from his chest, reaching for it with trembling fingers, as his own weapon clattered to the ground beside him. Before he could lay a finger on it though, Rufus had twisted it to the side, tearing another strangled noise from him and for a moment the world went white.“…. die here.” “I know,” Freed’s voice was soft, but composed, as the world came back to him in fits and starts as he staggered back to his feet, gripping the sword and holding it in place when Rufus moved as though to pull it through, refusing to let it go even as blood seeped between his clenched fingers. His legs wavered and threatened to cave beneath him, and he knew that he would only have one chance. Oddly that helped, honing his thoughts like a blade, his gaze locked on his opponent even as he weighed up his options, knowing that he didn’t have many and that Rufus wasn’t going to give him more. “I knew that even before I stepped onboard your ship.” His chest was burning, and he itched to remove the blade, but he knew if he did that then everything would be over, so he left it alone, vision blurring as he took a breath. “Yet, here I stand.” Just…“Why?” Rufus was prowling closer now that he had realised that Freed wasn’t going to let him pull the blade free, and there was an eagerness – not for an answer, but for the kill. A lust for death that Freed had never thought that he could match, until this moment, as he knew that if he failed this time, then Rufus would have a clear path to his ship and crew.“To protect them,” Freed whispered, the words like a prayer as he lunged forward before he could start to doubt himself. A strangled scream torn from his lips as he drove Rufus’ blade deeper into his own body, and somewhere above the white noise that had filled his head, he could hear someone shouting his name. It’s too late, I’m sorry, he thought as he wrapped his arms around the other Captain. He had no strength left, no plans or tricks up his sleeves, all he had was desperation and the promise he had made to protect his crew, and he flung his full weight against the other man and prayed.    They had been close to the edge, their positions reversed during the last skirmish before Freed had ended up on his knees, and now his momentum drove them closer towards where the ship’s railing leaned, heavily damaged by Evergreen’s efforts. It wasn’t strong enough to support their weight, splintering completely as they collided with it, and as the ship shuddered under another storm of cannon fire, he felt gravity grip them.
Please.
    Rufus was fighting him now, scarred hand clawing at his face, while he drove the elbow of his other arm into Freed’s broken ribs. Freed snarled around the agony that blossomed under the assault, refusing to let go, fingers biting into the material of Rufus’ clothes as finally, he felt them beginning to fall, the deck disappearing from beneath his feet. His vision was a blurry mess of colours and shapes, but at this distance, he couldn’t miss the realisation and fear that passed over the other man’s face, and for a second, he let his lips quirk into a smirk. I told you this was a battle you couldn’t win. Because there were things, you are too afraid to sacrifice, whereas I would give anything…    Rufus was still fighting, desperation to his movements now, although there was nowhere for either of them to go but into the churning waters between the ships. Lashing out he caught the hilt of his sword, and in a last defiant act of cruelty, as he realised there was no escape from this, he grasped it with scarred fingers and twisted. It tore, biting into flesh and Freed screamed before the world began to spiral down into darkness, and he was barely aware of them hitting the water in a tangled mess of limbs. He had no strength to pull away, let alone to strike out for the surface, and as the surface of the sea closed about him, he closed his eyes.
 Bickslow, Ever…Laxus…take care of them.
**** ‘It would later transpire that The Red Queen had already been heading for the route that The Raijinshuu used, under orders to find the other ship, or if unsuccessful to reach the mainland and procure supplies as the Isle’s supplies had reached a crisis level during the time that The Raijinshuu had been trapped in the doldrums.’
‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

‘While the majority of the population of the Isle consisted of civilians who had been forced to flee, or who had been imprisoned for ‘speaking or acting’ against the crown. Others had gone there of their own accord, refusing to support the current rule, but unwilling to add to the conflict gripping Fiore. Amongst them was Porlyusica, who had once held the position of court healer to the previous Royal family and was an old acquaintance of both Ivan and Makarov Dreyar and had supervised the birth of Laxus Dreyar before retiring from active duty. She had faded away into a small community outside the Royal City, still using her skills to help people, until an order to return to the court was issued after Ivan’s coup. Having received news of both Makarov’s imprisonment, and the actions that Ivan had already launched against his own people she disappeared before the order could be enforced.

It is unclear how she reached the Isle, and she never spoke of the journey or her reasons for arriving. However, she was made welcome, and was the reason that so many wounded refugees survived the trip to the sanctuary, and while not a visible figure beyond the community on the Isle, she would become as well-known as those who fought in the Rebel War.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

****
   It had been a long time since Laxus had been so evenly matched in battle, Freed had outstripped him the few times they had danced around each other, but this man was meeting him with equal force and skill, and there was a thrill in the fight even if he didn’t want to admit it. Still, he couldn’t keep the wild grin off his face as he twisted, slamming his elbow into Orga’s nose as he ducked the other man’s blow, feeling bone give way beneath the force of the impact before Orga grunted and pulled back. Blood was streaming down his face when they circled each other again, but he seemed unfazed by the wound, although there was a curious glint in his eyes as he studied Laxus now, and a hint of respect, unlike the dismissive expression that had first greeted him.“Why are you fighting for them? You’re no pirate,” Orga demanded.“No, I’m not,” Laxus agreed easily enough, and it was easier to say it here. On this hated ship, against these pirates, but there was still an odd pang as he thought about Freed and his crew who had welcomed him, resisting the urge to glance towards Freed, knowing that he could only be in one place at once. “But you came after…us, and you and your Captain have already taken something from me. I won’t let you take anything else.” He had hesitated over including himself, but he knew that the moment he had refused to leave, to seize the escape that Freed would have allowed him, that he had made that choice. If he’d doubted it before, the fact that he had followed Freed here confirmed it. And there was no lie in his words, anger building as he remembered the conversation they’d had, the past he had tried to forget, and he straightened. “Especially those girls.”“A pity.” Despite his words, Orga didn’t look surprised or disappointed as he mirrored Laxus’ stance, cracking his knuckles. “You could have been useful.”  They moved at the same time, unmovable object meeting unmovable objects as they exchanged blows that would have downed a weaker man, Laxus stumbling back as fist split his eyebrow open, eye already beginning to swell shut. Orga gasping as Laxus broke his ribs with a flurry of fists, before just ducking out of the way of a cannon blast that tore through the main mast.   Somewhere in the back of his mind as he collided with the ship’s rail, his back protesting the impact, he heard people shouting, the words taking a moment to penetrate through the battle-haze that had descended over him. SHIP AHOY. It took him a second and ducking under another blow that came perilously close to his nose, for him to register the meaning of the words, a quick uppercut forcing Orga back enough for him to glance around and spy the other ship sailing directly towards them. For a split second, he panicked, knowing that they were barely holding up against their current opponent, but then he took note of the relief in the shouts and the fact that the Raijinshuu was already shifting around to match the newcomer, and box in Lore’s ship.
Help.
    Relief hit him, and he whirled, ducking another blow, to let Freed know that help was coming. That they had held out long enough to protect everyone. Only to feel as though he had been doused in the sea that surrounded them, as he realised that Freed was barely standing, blood staining his front and Rufus was far too close, his sword bloodied and they were talking, words that Laxus couldn’t hear from where he was. But he didn’t need to, because it was written across Freed’s face – in grief and determination, and he was already moving, lunging away Orga with a shout as Freed dove towards Rufus and more terrifyingly Rufus’ sword, and he doubted that he would ever forget the noise that Freed made at that moment.    It didn’t seem to be enough to stop him though, because he was still barrelling forwards, now taking Rufus with him, and Laxus faltered, horror clawing at him as he realised how close they were to the edge, and what Freed intended.“Freed! FREED!” He bellowed, shaking off his shock and charging forward, barely aware of Orga chasing him – whether to stop him or to protect his own Captain he wasn’t sure, and he didn’t care. The world narrowing down to the fight in front of him as Rufus began to fight against Freed’s hold on him, but it wasn’t enough, Freed wasn’t faltering even as pain clouded as his features, and then they were gone, toppling over the edge and into the water below. “Freed!” Laxus was cursing, having seen the peaceful expression that had appeared in the wake of the pain, realising that he wasn’t expecting to survive this.    Fingers caught his shoulder trying to yank him back, and he stumbled as Orga punched him, tasting blood in his mouth as he was flung to the side and he snarled as he twisted to greet the danger. Before he had been lost in the thrill of the fight, but that feeling was gone, replaced by desperation that threw off his blows, making him reckless. Two more punches had him staggering, blood trickling down his chin as he spat out a mouthful of blood, his vision blurring for a second. Freed. All he could see was the other man falling, that cursed peaceful expression on his, and with a roar, he jerked his head forward and slammed it into Orga’s already broken nose. His head rang, but Orga collapsed in a broken heap with a gurgling cry. Laxus barely spared him a second glance before he was moving again, paying no mind to the cannon blasts now assailing the ship from two sides, or the voices shouting for him.Shouting for their Captain.     Reaching the shattered rail, he didn’t bother wasting his time scanning the surface. Instead, sucking in a large breath before he dived into the churning waters below, with nothing but a hope and a prayer that he wasn’t too late.
Freed…
****    Bickslow had no time to check on Freed and Laxus, attempting to bring the Raijinshuu around to trap the Scarlet Minstrel between them and Erza’s rapidly approaching ship, while trying to fend off two borders who had made it up to the wheel. Snarling he released the wheel just in time to avoid the cutlass that gashed the wood where his hand had been seconds ago, wincing reflexively as he imagined how much that would have hurt if he’d hit, before being distracted by very real pain as he moved into the path of the other’s sword. A cursory glance reassured him that while it was deep, and already staining his shirt red, it hadn’t torn into anything vital, although it burned as he raised his hand to smash his fist into the first assailant’s eye, buying enough time to draw his own blade.“You’re going to die here,” he promised them, parrying a second swipe, before twisting and driving the blade into the second man’s chest, the gurgling noise at the end of his shout telling him that he had hit something vital. He could imagine Freed and Evergreen rolling their eyes at his words, no matter how much he had meant them, and he grinned – not a pleasant smile as he let the man fall, crimson eyes turning back to the other man who had stumbled back grasping his face. “You can’t say that I didn’t warn you.” He stepped back, hissing as he caught his injured arm as he grabbed the wheel one-handed and spun it, narrowly preventing the ship from clipping into the front of the Scarlet Minstrel, not sure she could take the impact at the moment. It bought him the precious time he needed, as he sidestepped the cutlass once more, feeling it whistle a little too close to his back, before he spun his own blade, ramming it backwards and into the man’s gut.  Pulling it flee, he wiped it on the man’s clothes as he toppled backwards, sheathing it, before he turned and gripped the wheel firmly once more, trying to ignore the way his heart was pounding in his chest.    Despite the damage she had taken, and was still taking, he amended with a wince as another blast saw another chunk of the railing disappear into the sea, his crewmates barely making it out of the way in time, the ship was responsive. Maybe, she was as keen to see an end to the battle as he was, catching the wind properly now as he brought her in a broad arc around to the other side of The Scarlet Minstrel, risking a glance towards The Red Queen. Mercifully the other Captain had caught onto what he was doing, and the ship was turning, moving to mirror his position and he bared his teeth in a vicious grin, what had been hope blooming into triumph as they were moments away from having Rufus trapped between them.“Prepare for a Broadside!” He roared in both command and warning, knowing that they would be vulnerable here too, although not as much as the Scarlet Minstrel who was already sitting lower in the water he realised with delight as he studied the once-threatening ship. Evergreen and her crew might have been outgunned, but they had held their own, and Bickslow made a note to say as much once this was over as his gaze swept over the deck, searching for Freed and Laxus. He had no doubt that Freed would have noticed Erza’s arrival, but whether he could act on that… He spied Laxus dashing across the deck, his opponent hot on his heels, although the Rebel seemed fixated on some other point, and the certainty began to bleed away, fearful uncertainty seeping in. “LAXUS! FREED!” He shouted, not sure if he were voice would be heard as both The Raijinshuu and The Red Queen had moved into position and opened fire, lighting up the enemy ship and filling the air with deafening thunder.    The Scarlet Minstrel didn’t stand a chance, but Bickslow was blind to the sight of the ship that had stalked them for so long being torn asunder under their fire, his eyes feverishly searching for a flash of green amongst the chaos. Freed… Laxus was fighting again, his opponent catching up to him and Bickslow cursed as the blond nearly went down, but there was a wildness to Laxus’ movements that couldn’t be matched, and then he was moving again.  Darting towards the edge and diving into the water without hesitation, and as he disappeared beneath the surface a sickening realisation hit Bickslow, and his hands fell slack against the wheel.
No…
**    Evergreen whooped as she peered through the closest gunport to study the damage they had inflicted on the Scarlet Minstrel, noting that the other ship was beginning to lean and sitting lower in the water. Usually, she would mourn the loss of another ship to the depths, knowing how they would feel if it was the Raijinshuu, but not today. Not after seeing Freed so ready to admit defeat, and although she was still furious at him for even thinking for a moment that they would leave him and the ship behind, she knew that she had already forgiven him. They had survived, that was all that mattered, and while she was looking forward to setting foot on land and having a rest after this voyage, she knew that she would follow him back out onto the sea soon enough, and even as her crew continued to fire, she straightened and took a deep breath.“Get a crew below decks, patch up what you can and start bailing out,” she called across to Elfman who had just finished lugging across the last of their ammunition ready to reload the guns. “We’ve still got to limp our way to port after all this.” Those were words that she had honestly thought she was never going to get to say, and a small smile spread across her lips.“But we’re going to be made it?”“I believe so.” Those were words that she had honestly thought she was never going to get to say, and a small smile spread across her lips, before scowling as a matching one spread across his face. He immediately snapped to attention and hurried off to follow her orders, and she shook her head, unable to stop the smile reappearing as she turned around, only to pause as she realised that the ship wasn’t turning to maintain their line of sight. The other ship was still returning fire, albeit more sluggishly than before, and several of the gunports had been destroyed, but she was still a threat, and Bickslow was usually on point when it came to giving her the best target. “Ready the guns, but hold fire,” she snapped at her gun crew, before turning and bolting for the stairs as an uneasy feeling bubbled up in the put it of her stomach.*     The fighting on deck was mostly over when she reached topside, the last of the borders having realised where things were heading and having thrown down their weapons, and she could see Mira and some of the others rounding them up and keeping them under heavy guard. Up here, the damage the Raijinshuu had taken was more evident, and she winced, knowing that it would take a while to recover from this. But we’re alive, and we’re going to survive this, and that’s all that matters, she reminded herself. Glancing across to where The Red Queen was already turning to take another run at the Scarlet Minstrel who was foundering now, her mainmast leaning at an impossible angle, and from the groaning noise, it wouldn’t be upright much longer. It made Bickslow’s hesitation much more worrying because there was blood in the water and she turned, searching for him and coming up short as he realised that he wasn’t even at the wheel, Lucy clinging to it, face pale but determined.    Instead, Bickslow was leaning over the railing with a bloodied Loke at his side and Wendy between them as they searched the waters below. Ignoring the sinking feeling she charged across to them, skirting bodies, and the deep gouges that had been torn into the deck by cannon fire until she reached them, panting slightly, and more than a little irritated as the Red Queen opened fire on the other ship once more.“Bickslow, what is….?” She trailed off as down below Laxus’ head broke the surface for a second, barely hearing Bickslow’s cursing and what sounded like a muffled sob from Wendy, before the Rebel ducked back under the surface. “Freed…? Bickslow, where is Freed?” She demanded, voice rising when there was no reply, and immediately wishing that she hadn’t asked as Bickslow finally met her gaze.“We don’t know.”****‘… Ivan visited today. It is a cruel and unusual form of torture, to see one’s child and be unable to feel any joy or comfort at that sight. I cannot hate him, I have tried more times than I can count. Yet, nor can I forgive what he has done – not for he has done to me, because as much as he rages and claims to hate me, he has yet to truly harm me. But for what he has done to my old friends, to our family… to my Grandson. It is Laxus’ fate that scares me the most because I haven’t heard a whisper about what has happened to him. Not even those servants who will speak to me and bring me snippets of news of the outside wall seem to know anything, or maybe they do and think it a kindness to leave me with hope. It isn’t. I survive because there is a chance that he is alive and that I might see him again if he is gone….’
       ‘The above abstract was taken from one of the many journals kept by Makarov Dreyar during his imprisonment, which was loaned to me in order to complete this work, and which will then be stored in the Royal Archives.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****    It had been a long time since Laxus had been in the water, and even longer since those distant days at the beach when he had learned to swim under his mother and grandfather’s watchful eyes, and he had a feeling that neither of them would ever have envisaged him being in a situation like this. The first impact had been a shock, almost driving the breath he’d been holding out of him, and he’d floundered for a moment, stinging from the impact and his vision still a little hazy from the fight. However, there was no sign of Freed or Rufus on the surface and trying not to think about the ships passing much too close for comfort he dove under the surface.    The salt stung his eyes as he forced them open, peering through the churning waters, praying that Freed would be right there. There was no green against the blue and grey around him, and he dove deeper, narrowly dodging a piece of wreckage that floated into his path. Freed, where the hell are you? He thought as he groped half-blind through the water, waiting to feel cloth or skin, or just something under his searching fingers, but there was nothing.    It wasn’t long enough before his lungs were burning in his chest, demanding air, and desperately he kicked, pushing his way back to the surface. Begrudging his own need for air, as he surfaced empty-handed, blinking and sucking in air as he glanced up. The Scarlet Minstrel was going down he realised with a curse, while The Raijinshuu was drifting nearby, faces peering down at him from the railing, but between the haziness and the water he couldn’t make out their features and he didn’t have time to concern himself with them. Whispering a prayer, trying not to imagine what was going to happen if the ship sank above them, he sucked in a breath and dove under the surface once more.    At any other time, he might have been able to appreciate the beauty of the ocean and its raw power, the water slowing his efforts, but right now the world had narrowed down to finding Freed. His efforts becoming more frantic as the seconds ticked by, and again he was forced to surface for air, before diving once more. Everything ached at this point, his chest burning as he pushed himself deeper and deeper, his injuries stinging from the seawater, and he knew that he was rapidly running out energy and that if he weren’t careful, he would be joining Freed in needing rescuing. He didn’t stop. He tried to tell himself that it was because Freed was his only guarantee about getting returned to the mainland, if and when this nightmare was over. If pushed, he would admit that Freed had gained his respect – through meeting him as an equal, and the way that he had treated his crew. He refused to consider that it might be something more, even as he pushed himself to the limit and beyond.     He was being forced to the surface again, his vision greying now, despair breaking through the determination now when something brushed against his arm. Unable to see clearly, and not having any other choice he twisted and latched onto it, feeling cloth beneath his fingers, and then something softer, and he grabbed it and kicked.
Please. Please. Please.
     The weight of what he was holding made it harder to move, exhaustion dogging his heels, and as he looked upwards, it seemed as though the surface was a million miles away. Please. The cloth was slipping, threatening to escape his hold and forgetting himself he cursed as he tried to grasp it more firmly, immediately realising his error as water flooded his mouth, a different burn assaulting him now. No. He wasn’t going to die here. He wasn’t going to let Freed…and gods let it be Freed that he had hold of… die here, and it was sheer desperation that propelled him upwards.Air.Beautiful air.    Laxus was coughing and spluttering as he surfaced, splashing wildly with one arm, even as he hauled what he had been carrying up alongside him. Green hair splaying across the surface of the water, as Freed’s head lolled to the side, granting him a glimpse of pale, still features. Forgetting about catching his breath, Laxus twisted, moving to support Freed and keep his head above the surface, trying not to focus on how limp the other man was in his grip, unable to do anything but keep them both afloat.“F-Freed,” he managed to choke out, unsurprised but disappointed by the lack of response, his grip tightening as a wave slammed into them, threatening to send them into the death throes of the ship behind them. He could feel the currents shifting, the Scarlet Minstrel threatening to pull them with her, as she settled deeper and deeper into the water, her stern at a worrying angle now, and he began to kick as he tried to move them clear. It felt like he was pushing through tar, exhaustion and Freed’s deadweight slowing him, and he had barely made it a few feet before he found himself drifting to a halt, unable to keep going unless he let go of Freed which wasn’t going to happen.    Before despair could claim him, something brushed his arm, and he jolted upright, half expecting to see Freed moving. Instead, he blinked, waiting for the rope to disappear, sure that he had to be imagining it before there was a shout from above.“Laxus!”  The Raijinshuu was cautiously drifting closer, mindful of the sinking ship, and there above was the faces he had seen earlier, only now he could make them out easier, something relaxing in his chest as he spied Bickslow…and, more importantly, the flash of blue at his side. Wendy. On autopilot more than anything he grabbed hold of the rope, wrapping it around his arm as best he could, refusing to risk letting go of Freed to tie it in place, before pulling Freed firmly into his chest and holding on tightly.“Haul us in!” It was fainter and hoarser than he’d wanted, and he wasn’t sure they could even hear him, but there was a pause, and then the rope went taut. Laxus hissed, feeling the rope burning against his skin, biting in as they were slowly towed towards the one ship, he was happy to see at the moment. “Hold on,” he whispered to Freed, focusing on him rather than the pain that was growing with each tug, especially as the waves threatened to push them back.    His arm was red and raw, blood trickling from under the rope by the time he finally felt wood against him, and he almost bit through his lower lip as Bickslow and the others began to haul them upwards. There was a moment when the water seemed reluctant to let go of its prize, and more than once as they were slowly pulled free of the foam, he felt Freed threatening to slip through his grasp, and at this point, it was only desperation that allowed him to hold onto the other man. Trying to distract himself from the pain, and the feeling that Freed’s weight was almost dragging his arm out of the socket, he glanced behind them, eyes widening as he realised that the Scarlet Minstrel was well and truly scuttled, the thunder of the cannons having finally died away. In the distance, he could make out the other ship moving to a safe distance from the sinking vessel, and distantly he was aware that the Raijinshuu was also beginning to turn away, bearing him and Freed away from the danger. It’s over?    It didn’t feel like it, not with Freed hanging by a thread. Almost a literal thread, as his grip constantly threatened to slip, and he had to drag his focus back to what he was doing, unable to hold back a gasp as the rope slipped, cutting further into his arm. Please… He needed this to be over, for the weight to be gone from his arm.     Yet when he finally felt other arms reaching for them, trying to take Freed from his grasp, he found himself snarling at them, grip tightening even as he realised that they were trying to help. It was only when he felt the deck beneath them that his hold loosened slightly as he slumped, letting his head fall back against the wood as he sucked in desperate breaths.“Laxus. Laxus!” Someone was calling him, and he blinked, turning sluggishly towards the sound and taking a second to realise that it was Wendy who was crouched beside him. Her face twisted with terror, and he blinked again, before realising she was trying to move his arm aside to get to Freed, and that expression was for her Captain, and numb he let his arm fall aside, allowing her in with a ragged plea.“Help him…”“Freed? Freed!” Wendy didn’t waste her breath on replying to him, instead lightly tapping Freed’s cheek, before she lost all colour. “Lucy help me!” Laxus was pushed aside, Bickslow crouching and easing him out of the way as Wendy got to work, all of them able to see the way her hands were trembling as she began to press on their Captain’s chest.“Wendy…?” Bickslow trailed off realising that now was the time to distract her, only vaguely aware of Loke moving away to replace Lucy at the wheel so that she could come and help. While her skills lay in navigation, she had spent enough time working with Wendy to know what was needed, even as she looked ready to throw up as the younger girl pulled wet clothes out of the way to give herself better access, revealing the true extent of Freed’s injuries. And Bickslow wasn’t the only one to curse at the sight, and Laxus who had started to struggle, fighting against being pushed backwards froze at the sight, a leaden feeling settling over him as he realised, he had been the closest and yet unable to stop this from happening.     His brain latched onto that thought because it was easier than focusing on the sight in front of them as Wendy and Lucy worked on Freed, not fighting the arm that Bickslow had slung around his shoulders to support him. However, now that he was no longer focused on getting Freed to the surface and then to safety, it was harder to ignore the burn of his own injuries, and as the seconds crept into minutes, he began to slump, leaning more and more into the First Mate. He was exhausted and hurting, but he couldn’t rest, and couldn’t look away until he knew for sure.     It felt like a lifetime or more before Freed finally moved, weakly starting to cough up water as Lucy eased him onto his side, and the silence relaxed a little for all of a second before they took in the reddish tint to the water, and the pain creasing his face. However, as the coughing eased away to tiny, pained noises and ragged breathing, they were rewarded by the tiniest glimmer of turquoise, although it was clear that he didn’t see any of them before he went still once more, and his eyes slid shut. “Is he?” Bickslow demanded, jolting forward in alarm, muttering an apology to Laxus who had been unprepared for the movement and unable to hold back a noise of discomfort as it caught his injuries, although his attention was on Wendy and Freed.“He’s alive, but…” Wendy whispered after frantically checking on Freed, mirroring Bickslow’s panic, although unlike his which eased at her reassurance, she didn’t seem to draw much comfort from her own words. Pausing for a moment as she dashed at the tears on her cheeks, smearing blood and dirt across them before she shook her head.  “It’s bad, he’s hurt badly, and I can’t…” She cut herself off abruptly, blind to the way the faces around her had grown shuttered at her words. “We need to get him below decks so I can deal with his injuries, but I…I don’t have enough…I’m sorry.” She broke off on a sob, pulling away when Lucy reached out to try and offer comfort, her hands fisting against her legs as she leant over Freed, wishing that there was more that she could do – knowing that he had been fighting for them, for her. I’m so sorry…“It’s okay,” Evergreen was the first to find her voice, although her expression belied the comfort she was trying to offer.  “We’re nearly at the Isle, Porlyusica can…” She trailed off, unable to maintain the act of confidence as she glanced at Freed. I hope, she added in the privacy of her own mind, hating herself for doubting both the Isle’s main healer and her own Captain, and yet the doubts wouldn’t be silenced, because Freed looked terrible. Her thoughts were reflected on everyone’s expressions, and her gaze lingered on their Captain even as she moved to take Bickslow’s place supporting Laxus as the Rebel staggered to his feet, freeing Bickslow to move across and carefully life Freed under Wendy’s tense supervision.
Damn it, Freed, don’t you leave us behind….
****‘… The Privateer Ship ‘The Scarlet Minstrel’ under Captain Rufus Lore, and serving the will of HRH Ivan Dreyar in the pursuit of The Raijinshuu following its assault on Galuna Island, and the subsequent escape of the Rebel Laxus Dreyar, was reported sunk with all hands either lost or captured following the discovery of wreckage. A search was conducted, but no further sign of the ship was discovered. It is believed that The Raijinshuu and her Captain Freed Justine were responsible for this loss, and the King has declared that all involved guilty of Treason – with a kill on sight order issued, while the bounty that pre-existed this latest crime has been doubled.’
‘The above abstract was taken from the records in the Court Archives. At the time, the royal council who previously were the only ones who could declare an accusation of Treason had been dissolved, reverting all power back to the monarch. Prior to this, Ivan Dreyar had maintained a certain distance from the Privateers that served his bidding, but this ruling was a declaration of his support for those who served him, over and above the Navy. In the following months, this would see clashes between the Navy and the Privateers, actually destabilising his control over the sea.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****     A bloodied arm rose out of the water, scrambling at the edge of a large piece of wood that had drifted away from where the bow of The Scarlet Minstrel was beginning to slip beneath the surface. For a moment it slipped, threatening to sink back beneath the water, but then the fingers bit into the wood before two heads broke the surface. Bleeding heavily, Orga heaved himself onto the wood, holding his breath as it dipped under his weight before stabilising and then carefully hauled the second person up alongside him, almost gentle as he pulled Rufus clear of the water and laid him out on the wood. The ragged rise and fall of the man’s chest reassuring him that his Captain was still alive, albeit injured, and despite the loss of their ship and the burn of his own wounds Orga smirked as he lifted his head. Tracking the two ships that were still visible on the horizon, oblivious to their survival and his hungry gaze.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The following account comes from my own journals from during the war.

‘… The messenger arrived a little after midday. I would have missed the arrival; had I not been accompanying the chief Archivist who had been summoned to show the King the most recent Fiorean maps. Someone or something has led him towards the idea that the Rebels are hiding offshore – I have already sent warnings to Gajeel and the others, in the hope that word will reach the right ears in time. If it doesn’t… No, I can’t think like that. I know that if I do, then I would betray myself and I would be in a cell before I could say a word. Although with the way the King’s madness spreads, perhaps that is inevitable and his expression today when the messenger spoke…Gods, I never want to have that look turned on me. The messenger can’t have been that much older than me, and yet he stood tall and proud, even though he was ragged in exhaustion…and what did he get for his trouble?

He was killed.

The King took his head the moment he had finished telling him that The Scarlet Minstrel had been sunk with all hands…I feel as though the blood is all over me, even though I was too far away. I’m useless here. All I can do here is watch and listen, and hope that someone stronger can change things, and I hate it.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
   Laxus rubbed absently at the bandages around his arm as he gazed out of the window, watching as a small group of children laughed and played in the shallows that lay a stone’s throw from the building that was being used for an infirmary. It was a far cry from the quiet, frightened faces that had greeted them a few days before when the Raijinshuu had limped into port, and he knew that part of it had been the sight of the damaged ship and it’s battered, crew. But it had been a deeper silence, a more deep-seated fear, and it was only when he’d heard the relieved whispers when Loke had appeared to direct the unloading of what few supplies had survived the long trip and battle, that he really understood that for these people this was their only lifeline. Not that it had really sunk in at the time, as by that point he had barely been standing under his own power, and more focused on getting Freed to this healer who had been enough to put hope on the other’s faces.    It was easier to understand now, especially as he watched the children laughing and playing, and his hands clenched. I see why you wanted me to see this, but… He shook his head, gaze lingering a moment longer, and he realised that he envied them a little. It felt like a lifetime since he had been that young and carefree. Before it had been torn away from him…from them, he amended, slowly dragging his gaze away and turning to look at the room’s other occupant, heart sinking as it did every time, he found that little had changed since they’d hauled Freed ashore.    Through the haze of pain and exhaustion that had settled on him, Laxus was distantly amused by the relief that engulfed him as the ship limped its way into port, guided carefully to rest against the dock. It wasn’t just the promise of dry land, that was so close now, although his eyes did linger on the island for a moment, drinking in the sight of it. No, he was honest enough to admit to himself at least that he had come to appreciate the ship; besides, Freed had fought to protect the ship and the thought of it slipping beneath the waters…
   He shook his head, unable to stop his eyes from drifting across to where Freed was laid out on a pallet on the deck, ready to be lowered ashore as soon as possible. If they lost the ship, then they would lose him, It was a certainty in his mind, and he shivered, reaching out to rest a hand against the shattered rail of the ship, tracing the wood.

Please…

The ship was docked with ruthless efficiency, the entire crew, not one of them uninjured as even Wendy had suffered scrapes and bruises during the barrage of cannon fire, focused on getting their Captain to the one person who could help him. Eyes drifting towards his heavily bandaged form, and to Wendy who was crouched beside him, clinging to one of his hands, her voice a constant but low whisper as she pleaded with him to hold on just a little longer. It was a plea they were all echoing in their own minds. Laxus just as much, if not more than the others, remembering the terror that had gripped him when Wendy had fully stripped Freed down to his underclothes and revealed the wounds that Lore had inflicted. Injuries that would have killed most men.

Wounds that might still kill Freed.

Because Wendy had done everything she could, had exhausted her already stretched supplies to keep Freed with them until now, and they all knew just from looking at her hunched shoulders and the tears that hadn’t stopped falling, that it wasn’t enough. That he was slipping away.

I shouldn’t care, Laxus told himself savagely, but that was a lie. One that left a foul taste in his mouth, because he did care. There was an ache in his chest, a sinking sense of failure that he hadn’t felt since he’d been forced to flee, leaving his grandfather to face Ivan’s madness, and it grew with each breath, a leaden weight that he couldn’t escape as he found himself moving towards Freed. Eyes locked on the unsteady rise and fall of Freed’s chest.

Don’t die on me.

*

It was Bickslow and Loke who carefully carried Freed down onto the dock as soon as the gangplank was put in place, Wendy hovering anxiously behind them and Evergreen, her expression more dangerous than he’d ever seen it leading the way, hands on her weapons. Laxus trailed after them, like a moth drawn helplessly to light, the thought of Freed being out of sight reminding him of those terrifying moments in the water when he had frantically been searching for the Captain.

However, even with half his attention riveted on Freed, he wasn’t blind to the group approaching them along the deck, and he saw the moment they spied him because there was a ripple of urgent whispers. Fear chasing in its wake, and he might have frozen if Lucy hadn’t come up behind him and pushed him forward. “He wanted you here,” she whispered, barely audible and when he glanced at her, she was focused on Freed once more, and all he could do was nod and allow her to herd him forward, trying to appear as unthreatening as possible. Helped by the way he could feel himself listing to the side, stubbornness more than anything keeping him upright at this point.

“We are glad to see you.” A short woman, almost child-like in appearance stepped forward, and Laxus’ eyes narrowed as he saw the deference in the eyes of the people around them, stiffening as her gaze met his. Green eyes that were far too knowing, and he glanced down, missing the small smile that flickered across her face before her attention shifted towards the others, and there was grief… but also grim acceptance. “I just wish it was under better circumstances, as I’m sure that you...”

“Don’t speak so soon.” Another voice interrupted, and the group parted as an older woman strode forward, her eyes locked on Freed and even though the others didn’t react, even seeming to be relieved at the sight of her, Laxus found himself moving. Stepping forward to protect Freed, even though he was unarmed and barely upright, only to find himself freezing as crimson eyes met his for a moment.

He knew those eyes.

“Please, help him.” Before he could ask anything or try to chase the memory lurking at the edge of his thoughts, Wendy had moved forward to greet the woman, and he bit his tongue as he saw the hope on her face. The belief that was reflected across the other faces around him. This is the healer they were looking for? He blinked, studying her more carefully now, the recognition itching beneath his skin although he still had no memory to put to her face.

“Bring him inside.” The woman ordered after a moment, voice harsh, although there was a slight softening in the hard eyes as she looked at Wendy. Although her gaze was stern once more as she glanced up at Laxus, taking in the rough bandages that had been wrapped around the arm that had been torn and shredded by the rope that had saved their lives, and the dried blood on the shirt that he hadn’t had chance to change.   “And that one too.” Normally Laxus would have bristled at the look she shot at him, unnerved by the flicker of recognition that disappeared as soon as he spotted it. But he was too exhausted to fight right now, and if this woman had the power to bring Freed back from the edge, he was teetering on then, he wouldn’t say a word.

When did he come to mean so much to me?
    He was still asking himself that question. Three days had passed. Three days of waiting and praying, not daring to stray too far, even though he had already been given strict instructions to take it easy. Porlyusica, it transpired was a force of nature that could put Evergreen and Bickslow combined to shame, and he’d found himself unable to argue as she’d carefully cleaned and wrapped his wounds, explaining each step she took what she was doing as Wendy hung on her every word. However, it had been clear that the girl was distracted, that they were all distracted. It had been Bickslow who had insisted he share the room with Freed. A sign of trust that Laxus still wasn’t sure that he’d earned, but hadn’t been about to turn down, because the question had niggled at him, the fear of Freed slipping away beneath the surface once more lingering.“Laxus.” Laxus swung around at the quiet voice, still on edge, even though he knew that there was no one on the island that would hurt him. Or at least that was what Mavis Vermillion, who had been the opposite of everything he’d imagined when Freed and the crew had mentioned them, had promised him, and strangely enough, he found himself believing her. However, with Freed still hovering halfway between life and death, and dead to the world around him, he wasn’t taking any chances. Only to find himself relaxing as Bickslow stepped inside, the other man looking exhausted from his efforts to watch over the injured crew, start the repairs and watch over his Captain, his own bandages still visible. However, there was a trace of a grin on his face at Laxus’ action, and with an approving nod, he tilted his head towards Laxus’ bandaged arm that was out of the sling he had been ordered to wear. “How is the arm?”“It will heal,” Laxus shrugged off the injury, wincing a little, as the movement jostled his other wound. Orga had been one hell of an opponent, and he was still feeling the fight, dark bruises spread across his torso. He’d been lucky. It had been Evergreen, her voice low, as though to spare Freed from her words as she’d sat beside him, holding his hand, trying to anchor her Captain, her friend with them – who had told him about their last battle. About crushed bones. About a first mate, who had just as much blood if not more on his hands than his Captain did. We lost good people at his hand. It soothes that loss to know that he’s sleeping with the fishes now, she had added fiercely at the end, and Laxus had nodded, not knowing what else to do or how to explain the strange prickle of uneasiness that ran down his spine at her words.               “Freed?” Bickslow’s voice drew him back to the present, and he was unsurprised to find that the other man’s attention had shifted to Freed.“That healer woman says he’s holding his own, which is more than she could have promised us when we arrived,” Laxus murmured, eyes returning to the still figure on the bed. I can give you no promises, she had told them that first night, and there had been a shadow in her eyes that had scared him, but it was fading. However, despite that and her more encouraging words, he still didn’t dare let himself hope. The last time he had done that… He shook his head, refusing to let the past intrude right now, before adding quietly. “But…”“It’s not reassuring,” Bickslow finished for him, and Laxus nodded before slowly moving across to stand beside Freed’s bed and studying the man who was the reason he was here. The reason for the questions and uncertainties constantly swirling in his thoughts. Freed. He wasn’t as pale as before, he realised now as he studied the other man close, nor was it the unnatural colour that had threatened that first night, but one that spoke of healing. Bickslow and Loke between them had cleaned him up, washing away the stains of the battle, and it had left him looking disturbingly young, and looking at him now. Still, and pale, green hair fanned out around him, and dressed in a loose tunic to provide easy access to his injuries, it was hard to see the man he had first met.“Laxus...?”“Yeah?” He blinked, colouring slightly as he realised that while he had been studying Freed, he had been subject to similar scrutiny from the First Mate, not sure what to make of the expression on Bickslow’s face. Serious, but not threatening, and there was still a trace of his grin…something that had only reappeared as Porlyusica’s words had turned a little more hopeful.“I wanted to thank you.”“Thank me?”“For going to help him,” Bickslow murmured, and there was the undercurrent in his voice. The same one he had heard from every crew member who had come to see Freed as they waited and Laxus knew that every single one of them had come. Family. It left an uncomfortable feeling under Laxus’ skin, and he was almost relieved when Bickslow continued, almost… “And for diving in after him.”“Don’t mention it…” Laxus muttered glancing away, even as he remembered the awful, clenching dread as he’d watched Freed fall. He hadn’t hesitated, and that scared him, because this… this arrangement, his promise to behave and visit the Isle so that he could be returned safely to the mainland as soon as this was over, had been everything. And now it felt like it was nothing, and he didn’t know where that left him. “I had to make sure he kept his promise,” he forced the words out, but they fell flat, the lie audible to both of them and when he glanced up, there was a wry grin on Bickslow’s expression.“I suppose we can go with that, but…” Bickslow trailed off, eyes wide as he glanced at the bed and without thinking Laxus followed his gaze, not once thinking it could have been a trick, even though not long ago it would have been his first thought. It didn’t take long to spy what had caught Bickslow’s attention, as Freed’s expression had shifted for the first time in days, a furrow forming between his eyes. Discomfort flickering across his face, a low noise, a little too close to a whine for comfort rose in the back of his throat.“Freed,” Laxus was the first to move, the other man’s name almost like a prayer on his lips, and he was caught by surprise when Bickslow’s arm shot out to stop him. “What?”“Careful…”“Careful?” Laxus realised why a moment later, as Freed came awake, fighting and snarling. There was no real awareness in his eyes, just wild desperation and Laxus realised at once that he was caught in the past. Trapped in the memory of what had been happening before he had fallen, and he was moving again, rushing to try and stop him before he could reopen his wounds, but Bickslow was already there, dropping down and reaching for Freed’s arms.“Freed! FREED!” Bickslow called, and Laxus noted the lack of title and understood – being called Captain would only remind him of what had happened, and for a second Freed seemed to hesitate, but then Bickslow’s touch registered and his expression shuttered. That was the face of the man that he had faced when he’d first come onboard, and rather than relief, Laxus felt dread at the side. However, Bickslow didn’t falter, grip tightening as he fought to hold Freed down against the bed, and for a moment he seemed to be winning, Freed’s injuries weakening his efforts. That wasn’t enough to stop him, the side of Freed that had allowed him to keep fighting while seriously injured, and that had propelled him over the edge in a final desperate attempt to protect his crew, rearing its head, and there was the sound of flesh against flesh as he freed a hand and lashed out against Bickslow.   The single blow seemed to exhaust him though because Freed crumpled, like a puppet that had just had all its strings cut, and for a brief second, turquoise eyes met his, and there was a flicker of something that could have been recognition before his expression went lax. Bickslow caught him, gently easing him back down onto the bed, and laying his limbs out straight, mindful of his wounds, before sitting on the edge of the bed and glancing up at Laxus.“And that is why we don’t leave weapons within reach,” Bickslow panted out with a half-laugh that held no humour, before rubbing ruefully at his chin, reddened from where Freed had struck. “Damn, but he can pack a punch when he wants to.” Laxus could attest to that and was almost glad that Bickslow had held him back. However, he was more focused on the fact that Freed had woken up, albeit not in the way that he had expected, and he couldn’t stop the hope that bled into his voice as he asked.“It’s a good sign though?”“It’s a good sign.” This time the grin on Bickslow’s face was warmer, touching his eyes as he glanced down at Freed who had settled once more, although the furrow remained. “I’ll fetch Wendy and Porlyusica, and I had better let Evergreen know, or she’ll never forgive me. You’ll watch him?” There it was, the same trust, that still baffled Laxus, but he nodded as he glanced at Freed. He woke up, he thought, something easing in his chest.“I will.”   ****
Extract from the Captain’s log, from the Soaring Siren.

“…Just after dawn today, First Mate Bora spied the debris in the water off our port bow. We followed the trail in search of any cargo that could be salvaged, anything that would bolster our own cargo after this disappointing run. Anything that will stave off the inevitable mutiny when the crew realises that we haven’t enough to pay their shares.

It will be the end of this ship.
   However, rather than cargo, we found survivors. It is clear that whatever happened here was long over, whatever ship they belonged to lost beneath the waves. But they were alive. One grievously injured, and the other barely conscious, but alive. We scarcely have enough food to fill our own mouths, but I couldn’t leave them adrift. We have brought them onboard, and the ship’s doctor is doing what he can for them, although it is doubtful that the wounded one will survive. We have yet to learn what happened, but we are returning to the mainland at full speed, as we do not carry the firepower to survive any kind of attack, and I only hope that this act of mercy will not bring our demise.”
‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****    Evergreen scowled as she studied the Raijinshuu.  The ship was already beginning to look better, the entire crew pitching in despite their injuries, wanting to make sure that she was back to her usual self for when…if…their Captain was ready to step onboard. However, she was still a far cry from her usual self, and as her eyes moved between the scorch-rimmed holes in the sides, Evergreen knew that they had been lucky to even make it to port. We nearly lost this time. Freed had warned them. He had known that they were outmatched and had tried to protect them, and even though she was still angry that he had wanted to send them away – even to keep them safe – she wanted him to recover so that she could apologise.“Are you hoping to scowl the ship into submission?” Evergreen jumped at the sudden voice, glancing to her side to find that the Captain of the Red Queen had appeared while she was distracted, watching her with a half-smile. In the past she had butted heads with Erza, and the smile would have brought sharp words to the tip of her tongue, and she still bristled a little, but then she sighed. The fight going out of her, as she glanced back towards the ship.“Just thinking.”“I hear that he woke up,” Erza’s voice was softer now, a note of understanding in her voice and Evergreen nodded.“Briefly,” Evergreen’s lips quirked up. It was good news, although she wished that she had been there to see it, although the darkening bruise on Bickslow’s chin told its own story. However, the smile was short lived as she added softly. “He’s not out of the woods yet.”“He’ll live,” Erza was confident, and her gaze was clear as she met Evergreen’s, and it drew another smile and a small nod from her.“He better.”“Tell him, that I will visit him when we return.”“You’re sailing out again already?” Evergreen demanded surprised, knowing that everyone on the Isle had been a little on edge ever since the news of their pursuit and how close the Scarlet Minstrel had sailed to this precious sanctuary.“Just for a patrol,” Erza replied, tilting her head towards the Raijinshuu. “Mavis worries that someone else might have followed you or Lore, and we can’t be too careful.”“I’m sorry.”“For what?” Erza demanded, lifting an eyebrow. “For risking your lives to bring us supplies. For destroying a ship that has threatened you, and us many times in the past? The war was always going to reach here eventually, and you stopped it from touching our shores.”“This time,” Evergreen muttered, hearing the truth in Erza’s words. However, it didn’t make it any easier to know that they had almost lead Rufus right here, and she knew it was a thought that would plague Freed’s thoughts if or rather when, because she refused to accept the other outcome, he woke.“This time,” Erza agreed easily, too easily and Evergreen turned to face her. Not sure what to make of the expression on the other woman’s expression. Understanding. Apprehension. A touch of pity… no, not pity…but compassion. After all, the Red Queen’s crew shared a similar bond to the Raijinshuu’s crew and would have been in the same position if Erza or any of their crew were laid low, and it stopped the sharp words that Evergreen could feel bubbling up. “He will sail again, and this time the waters will be safer. Until then, we will keep watch.” There was no doubt in her words, and Evergreen took a deep breath, letting the words sink in, although she knew that she wouldn’t fully trust it until she saw for herself that Freed was on the mend.“Thank you.”****
“…In the first month after the declaration that Captain Freed Justine and The Raijinshuu were declared traitors against the crown. Ten ships were sunk in the search for the guilty party. Of these, only two were unregistered ships although it is unclear whether they were Pirate ships or merely fishing or merchant ships that worked between the boundaries of law and piracy. In both cases, all hands were lost, and their cargo burnt in the hopes of depriving ‘Rebel forces of key supplies.’ The other eight ships were either Privateers or Navy ships, most lost in clashes between the two forces as they vied for the King’s approval.”

‘The above abstract was taken from the court’s records. This was only the beginning of the cost of the King’s command, and by the end of the war, the conflict between the Navy and the Privateers’ would claim numerous lives and ships. To the point where the naval forces were decimated to the point where in the wake of the war, it was the ships on the wrong side of the law. The pirates that had been so desperately hunted, that offered Fiore protection.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****    It felt to Freed as though he was still beneath the surface of the water, a weight pressing down on him, fighting against his desperate attempts to kick his way back up. It was exhausting, and the pressure on his chest seemed to increase with each desperate, ragged breath he took. It’s over. I’m sorry. He thought again, beginning to sink lower, to stop fighting.
I’m sorry…
    There was warmth then, something wrapped around his wrist…no his hand… he wasn’t sure, his body feeling both a thousand times larger, and smaller than normal, leaving him feeling as though he was adrift within his own body. It terrified him, and as the hand around his tightened, he found himself clinging back, although his grip felt as light as air to him. Help me.  He wanted to say, trying to use the sensation to ground himself, but he was being pulled down, deeper and deeper…water rushing into his nose and mouth. Arms tightening around him, fingers cruelly digging into the wound on his chest, forcing a cry from his lips, and his breath was gone…
He was sinking.

Dying.
“…eed! Freed!” Somewhere over the roaring that filled his ears, and the terror gripping him as the weight on his chest grew heavier and heavier, he heard his name being called. His name… He blinked, a slow awareness creeping through the panic and the noise. He shouldn’t be able to hear. He hadn’t been able to hear back then. Even the sounds of cannon fire and the cries of his crew…his family… had faded away, swallowed by the water that had closed of his head, and yet the voice was still there. Loud and desperate, but oh so real. “Freed? Freed can you hear me? You’re okay, you’re okay… I just need you to breathe for me.”
Breathe...?
       He couldn’t breathe. The weight on his chest wasn’t shifting, the terror wasn’t easing up, even though he wanted to trust the voice, and believe the words the speaker was saying. He was shaking. Shaking his head in denial. Shaking in fear. I can’t breathe.“Yes, you can.” Had he spoken aloud? He didn’t feel as though he had spoken, couldn’t imagine forcing words past the weight in his chest, and yet they had replied. Everything was burning now, his chest, his throat, his eyes as tears built in the corners of his eyes. I can’t. I can’t… There was a hand on his chest now, and for a moment his terror soared to new heights.   He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t hear. But he could see. He could see the blood clouding the water around him, flowing from his wounds that stung and burned beneath the embrace of the salt water… and he could see Rufus. The scarred hand falling away from the wound in his chest, as the grip holding him tight began to loosen, and he could see the burning hatred in the other man’s eyes giving way to terror as he was ripped away…“FREED!” The voice burst through the roaring in his ears, and belatedly he realised that the hand wasn’t hurting him. Just resting lightly against his chest, rising and falling with the movement of his chest, but carefully avoiding the area where pain throbbed dully…the wound he realised belatedly, pulsing in time with each breath. His breath. “That’s it, in and out…in and out.” It was slow, but he could feel the weight on his chest beginning to ease, finding a pattern, and feeling his chest rise and fall as the roaring in his ears began to quiet. “That’s it.” Quiet encouragement greeted his efforts, and he found himself tilting his head towards the sound, not quite ready to start the battle of opening his eyes just yet but wanting to show that he was there.That he was listening.   He heard the murmuring of voices, the words going over his head and then movement. Someone leaving the cabin…room… he wasn’t sure where he was anymore, but the hand tangled with his was still there, and the one resting against his chest lingered for a minute, before moving up to brush against his cheeks. As though the burning tears had actually fallen, although he couldn’t feel them on his cheeks, but the touch, so gentle and stark against his last memories was welcome. It made him want to open his eyes, to see who it was. To reassure himself, that he was safe because the terror though eased was still simmering beneath his skin, the memory of Rufus’ touch and burning gaze still too close.    It was a fight, every bit as difficult as the one against Rufus to coax his eyes open. The first time, he had a fleeting glimpse of wooden walls and a high ceiling before they closed once more. Not the ship then, because he knew every inch of her, and the terror rose and swelled as he wondered about what fate had befallen The Raijinshuu. It was harder to open his eyes a second time, but he had to see. He had to know what had happened. Please, let them be safe… He couldn’t be alive without them; he wouldn’t be alive without them. The effort left him gasping and shaking, his eyes barely at half-mast and his vision was blurring and unfocused, but even like that he could see enough, making out blonde and blue amongst the shadowy blurs and his lips quirked weakly.“…Laxus…”****
    “I have seen many things at sea, things that I wish I could forget and others that I pray that I will see again, although I doubt I ever will. Tonight, I have witnessed a man survive through nothing but anger and hatred. When we pulled him from the water, I thought for sure that he would die. It has been a long time since I’d seen wounds so grievous, and while I treated them, I thought for sure that it wouldn’t be enough, and for a time that seemed it would be true. He was slipping. Sliding back into the shadows, and I was readying to cast him back into the sea that we stole him from… and then tonight he woke, a fire in his eyes.

“Freed Justine…” They were the only words he spoke, and I have never heard a name spoken with such hatred. Such fury. As though the words themselves had held the power to kill. He will survive, I am sure of that, although not without cost. And all I can do is hope and pray that whoever this Freed Justine is, that he is prepared for the demon that pursues him, because I will not stand in this stranger’s path.’

‘The above extract was taken from the journal of the Ship’s Doctor onboard the Soaring Siren. It was found in the wake of his murder when the ship reached port, the man that he spoken of disappearing from the ship along with the companion who had been rescued before the body was discovered.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

‘…it is unclear from the scattered records of the Isle, how or when Mavis Vermillion discovered the island of Tenroujima that would come to play such a significant role in the Rebellion, and in saving the lives of countless people who had stood against the Kings. Even less was known about the woman herself, and even years later and after numerous interviews and discussions, little is known about Mavis. However, despite this secrecy, she played a pivotal role in both the lives of those who found sanctuary on the Isle – both as a leader, and as the heart of the community that grew around her, and in the eventual restoration of Fiore.

From a personal standpoint, her name had become synonymous with hope during the darkest years of Ivan Dreyar’s rule, and at times it was only the knowledge that she was out there, providing refuge that allowed me to keep going.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
 ****       Laxus had been talking with Bickslow when Freed woke next. The First Mate having come to fill Freed in on the details of the Raijinshuu’s slow but steady return to life, not caring that their Captain might not be able to hear the words. Laxus had been surprised to find how relieved he had felt to know that the ship would be seaworthy again soon enough, even as his stomach churned at the thought of being back on the water. Not that he had he was sure that he would be going anywhere, still unsure of what would happen to him if Freed didn’t recover, and undecided about what he wanted, and what he was going to do if Freed did.    He wasn’t sure when he had taken hold of Freed’s hand, only realising that he had when he felt the calloused fingers curl weakly around his, ending the conversation as Bickslow had seen his expression before they’d both turned towards Freed in time to see his brow furrow. Hope had flooded him, followed by concern that Freed was in pain.The panic had caught him off guard.    He’d been prepared for Freed to come awake swinging like he had the last time, but not for the way the pale features had crumpled, terror the first real expression to cross his face since being brought to the island. “Freed?” He was already leaning forward. Even before he’d registered the strained breathing, and realised that Freed was struggling to draw in a breath, and in an instant, he’d understood. He’d not had a single night since that day, that he hadn’t dreamed about the water closing over their heads, and he’d known that they were safe. Freed didn’t have that, and he squeezed the hand he was holding, trying to anchor the other man in the present as Bickslow called to his Captain, trying to get him to realise that he wasn’t in the water.“Freed! Freed!”      Freed blinked, rewarding them with a brief glimpse of his eyes. His gaze unseeing, eyes glazed with panic, and there was a whistling noise as he fought to breathe, eyes closing as he slipped back, trapped in the memory. “Freed?” Laxus raised his voice, leaning in closer. “Freed, can you hear me?” There was no sign that Freed even knew that he was there despite the weak grip on his hands, but he pushed on desperately. “You’re okay, you’re okay…I just need you to breathe for me.” Please… He couldn’t lose him now, and he squeezed Freed’s hand over and over in time with his own breathing, trying to give Freed something to follow.     Freed shook his head, just a tiny movement, but enough to be discernible. He was trembling all over now, falling further into his terror… “I…can’t breathe…” It was soft, barely audible over the ragged breathing and after days of silence, but it was music to Laxus’ ears because it meant that he was still there, that he was fighting despite everything.“Yes, you can,” he replied, soft but firm as studied Freed, seeing the tears building beneath the flickering lashes and taking a deep breath before reaching out and laying his hand on Freed’s chest. Not putting any pressure on him and letting it rise and fall with the motion of the other’s breathing.“What are you doing?” Bickslow hissed.“Showing him that he can breathe,” Laxus explained. Remembering how his Grandfather had once done the same for him. It had been a couple of weeks after the Pirate attack, and a loud noise had sent him flashing back to that day. He’d been safe, surrounded by everything familiar and yet it had been so vivid, so real, that it had overwhelmed everything and he hadn’t been able to breathe. Until Makarov had gathered him close, pressing a hand to his chest, and talking to him softly as he proved that Laxus could breathe. That he wasn’t alone. That he was safe.    Freed tensed at the added weight, just as he had at first, and he shifted, trying to pull away from it as he thrashed. “Freed!” Laxus didn’t want to pull away, knowing that they needed to bring Freed back to himself as soon as possible to stop him from hurting himself, but as the terror in the pale features deepened, he wondered if he was going to have a choice.    The change when it came was gradual, some of the fear easing away as Freed registered the fact that Laxus wasn’t hurting him, but letting him breathe, mindful of the bandages. “That’s it, in and out,” he encouraged when he felt that it was safe to do so. “…in and out.” Freed was listening, following his orders as his breathing slowly began to settle into an easier pattern. “That’s it,” Laxus murmured, releasing a breath that he hadn’t realised he’d been holding as Freed tilted his head towards him, showing that he was with them, even though his eyes remained closed.“I’m going to fetch Porlyusica, are you all right with him?” Bickslow asked after a moment, and Laxus nodded.“I’ve got him.”     He waited until Bickslow had rushed out of the room to fetch the healer, before letting his eyes close for a moment. I helped. It had been terrifying to see Freed like that, to know that right then he had been the only thing anchoring him, and he let his hand linger for a moment longer, watching as Freed breathed in and out, finding the rhythm once more. Some of the tears had managed to fall he realised, and trusting Freed to keep breathing, he lifted his hand and brushed them away from the other man’s cheeks with a tenderness he hadn’t known he still possessed, thinking it lost with Makarov’s imprisonment.     The touch appeared to rouse Freed, his forehead furrowing as he fought to open his eyes. Succeeding for a moment, before they slipped shut again, and it seemed even harder for him to reopen them, trembling from the effort to get them back to half-mast. The sharp gaze that Laxus had grown used to was hazy and unfocused, drifting towards him, as Freed’s lips quirked in a smile.“…Laxus…”     There were many things that Laxus wanted to say at that moment, but he didn’t have the words for them, as relief flooded him. “Welcome back,” he settled for saying, and Freed’s half-smile grew in reply, until he made the mistake of shifting, all colour draining from his face as he hissed in pain. “Stay still, you’re wounds are still healing,” Laxus ordered. Somehow unsurprised when Freed promptly tried to push himself up to get a look at himself, managing to stop him with the hand not caught in the Pirate’s, gentle as he pushed him back against the pillows, as he tried to adopt the stern tone that seemed to work so well for Bickslow and Evergreen. “I said, stay still.” He wasn’t sure whether it was his tone, the hand he kept on Freed’s shoulder, or the pain, but Freed subsided, breathing heavily and blinking slowly as though he was fighting not to fall asleep again.“…what happened?” He whispered after a moment, and Laxus grimaced, not sure that he was the best one to explain what had happened.    Mercifully he was spared from having to answer immediately as the door burst open and Porlyusica bustled inside with Wendy and Bickslow on her heels. The noise had startled Freed, and Laxus felt the flinch and the way Freed’s fingers tightened on his, while his other hand reached out for a weapon that wasn’t there, as he glowered at them. Bickslow grimaced and muttered an apology, but Porlyusica merely met his glower with her own, before moving to Freed’s bedside. “It’s about time that you woke up,” she informed him tartly, and Laxus opened his mouth to protest. It wasn’t as though Freed had done this intentionally, but before he could say a word, Freed laughed. A raw, painful sound, but real, lightening his face, even as he winced.“It is good to see you too, Porlyusica.”****
‘Extract from the personal journal of Porlyusica, former Court Physician and chief Healer for the Isle.

Life has a strange way of coming full circle, even during the war. I had not thought to see Laxus Dreyar ever again, having expected to see out the rest of my life on the Isle. At the time the Rebellion had been holding its ground but making little inroads on restoring Fiore to the country it had been in my roof, and as defeats, supporters and supplies diminished, I will admit that I had lost hope. Makarov had always scolded me for being so pessimistic, telling me that it was the wrong attitude for a doctor, although he had never stopped asking for me.

Seeing Laxus amongst the crew of the Raijinshuu had been a shock. It had been like looking at Makarov all over again, the resemblance between them, especially the eyes, were striking. I wasn’t sure at the time if he had recognised me, after all, he had been relatively young when I had left, and I wasn’t sure whether it was prudent to share the connection we’d shared, even as he remembered the day that he was born, and Makarov’s joy. Still, I knew that seeing him was an omen of sorts, after all, the Dreyars had always been a catalyst for change both within my own life, and the country at large. However, at the time, I could never have imagined the man who had grown from the babe I had delivered would be the one that would set the world on its axis.’
 
‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

****
   Laxus had been reluctant to step aside, even though he’d known that Porlyusica and Wendy needed to examine Freed. Not helped by the fact that it had been a fight to untangle his fingers from the other’s man, as Freed had clung to him like a drowning man afraid to be swept back out to see. It had only been when he had met the wild gaze and held it, promising quietly that he wouldn’t leave the room that Freed had finally relented and allowed him to step back to give the healers room to watch. Bickslow had taken in the interaction with curious eyes and a knowing expression that had Laxus’ stomach tying itself in nervous knots although he wasn’t sure why, while Wendy had smiled at him as Porlyusica huffed and warned him not to get in her way. He ignored them all, stepping back to lean against the wall and trying to stay in Freed’s line of sight.
He’s awake.
    Porlyusica was thorough with her examine, having missed the last time he’d woken up, and Freed did his best to keep up with her quickfire questions, but it didn’t take long for him to start flagging, his answers becoming shorter and shorter. He didn’t fight her as she insisted on checking all his injuries, although Laxus could see the tightness around his eyes – part pain, and part reluctance to be taken care of, the same expression that he had worn when they had been becalmed. Beneath it though was a trace of the earlier panic, and his gaze would frequently dart towards Laxus, as though just his presence was an anchor now.    He made sure to meet the anxious gaze each time, even as he edged closer to watch as Porlyusica worked. It wasn’t the first time that he had seen the injuries that Freed had sustained and even to his untrained eye he could tell that they were starting to heal, but it was a stark reminder how close it had been. Freed had noticed his attention, losing what little of his colour remained as he glanced down as Porlyusica removed the bandage to examine the deepest wound down his chest, realisation flickering across his face.“…Lore?” It wasn’t quite fear that coloured his voice, but it wasn’t the sound of someone who had come out of a fight victorious. “Dead,” Bickslow was the one to reply, quiet voice cutting easily through the silence that had followed Freed’s question, and he made no effort to hide his satisfaction at the other man’s demise. Privately Laxus agreed, but he kept his expression carefully blank as Bickslow continued, watching for Freed’s reaction to the news. “The Scarlet Minstrel is no more, and she took all hands down with her.”    Freed was quiet, seemingly trying to digest the news, unresisting as Porlyusica replaced the bandages, but Laxus could see the covers were caught in clenched fists, and he was somehow unsurprised when Freed lifted his head to look at Bickslow. “Are you sure?” There was an urgency to those words, hope and dread mingled together as he stared at Bickslow.“Freed?”“…he’s not a man to go down that easily. If there’s even a chance…”   Laxus growled at that, stepping forward before Bickslow had a chance to reply. Easily? He scowled. Freed had warned him, had advised all of them that the odds were stacked against them, and they had seen for themselves what it had cost to achieve this victory. “I saw him go under, and with the injuries, he’d suffered there is no way he could have survived,” he said, trying not to let the frustration seep into his voice as he caught and held Freed’s gaze. “He’s gone, and he very nearly took you with him.” Maybe that wasn’t the most delicate thing to say, especially as Freed was far from recovered, but he didn’t want the Captain to harbour any doubts about his victory. “There was nothing easy about taking him down, so believe me when I say that it's over. Rufus Lore is dead, his ship and reputation along with him.”    There was a tense silence, as they all waited for Freed’s reaction. Even Porlyusica had paused for a moment, glowering at Laxus and Bickslow, clearly unhappy with the path the conversation had taken even if Freed had been the first to ask. Finally, Freed bowed his head, not quite acceptance as Laxus could see the doubt lingering in his expression, but close enough, and the Rebel huffed a sigh of relief.“Now that has been cleared up,” Porlyusica injected tartly, drawing herself up to her full height. “Freed needs to rest, and I won’t have any of you disturbing him, so you can all come back later.”“But…”“Don’t you ‘but’ me Laxus Dreyar,” Porlyusica snapped, and belatedly Laxus spied the way that Bickslow was frantically shaking his head and making shushing motions, hands falling as he realised that it was too late. “I don’t care who you are, or that he is the Captain. Right now, he is my patient, and that means you will do as I say, now out!”    Bickslow was already retreating, the man who had defied his Captain and followed him headfirst into danger nowhere to be seen as he made a hasty retreat. Wendy was the only one who didn’t look surprised or taken aback by the sharp words, leaning in to kiss Freed on the cheek. Her eyes suspiciously bright as she whispered something to him before promising to tell the others that he was on the mend before following the First Mate out of the door. Laxus lingered, hesitating as he remembered his earlier promise to not go anywhere, and apparently Freed had remembered too because he offered him a strained smile that didn’t come close to his eyes. “It’s all right, I do want to rest…” It would have sounded a lot more reassuring if it had been uttered in a strange, hollow tone. Still, Laxus sighed and nodded, seeing Porlyusica watching him closely, her foot tapping impatiently against the ground as she pointed at the door.“I will be back later,” he promised, shooting the woman a dark look before marching out of the room. Frowning when Porlyusica promptly closed it behind him, turning to stare at it with narrowed eyes. Was there something she wasn’t telling them?“I tried to warn you,” Bickslow had waited for him although Wendy had already disappeared, grimacing sympathetically. “I’m going to go and let Ever, and the others know that he’s woken up again, and I should probably try and cobble together some kind of order for visits. As I don’t think Porlyusica is going to be happy if the entire crew descends at once.” Laxus wince, easily able to imagine that happening, as the few times he had emerged from the room he had been mobbed by crew members desperate to know how their Captain was doing. It would probably do Freed the world of good though, he mused, not convinced by Freed’s ‘acceptance’ of the news of Lore’s death, and it took him a moment to realise that Bickslow was still taking. “…you should come too, get a break and stretch your legs.”“I’m going to stay here a little longer,” Laxus muttered. He might not be allowed in the room, although he was already weighing the costs of getting caught if he snuck back in once the healer left, but that didn’t mean he had to venture far. It wasn’t as though he really had anywhere else to be, not comfortable any other than here or around the Raijinshuu crew, as everyone else was still watching him warily, unwilling to let him too close until they knew where his loyalties lay, and he had a feeling he was going to need Freed for that.“Just try not to get in her way,” Bickslow warned with a sigh, before adding with a grin. “It would be a shame to lose you just as you’ve become part of the crew.” He chuckled as he waved and walked away, but there had been an edge to those words. A challenge. What path are you going to take now? And Laxus realised that while he had earned their trust with saving Freed, it didn’t change the fact that he still had a decision to make and soon now that Freed was back in the land of the living.
And I still have no idea…
*     It took longer than he’d expected for Porlyusica to emerge from the room, and it had taken everything he’d had not to try and eavesdrop, his restraint more from respect for the Pirate than the healer. And if that isn’t a sign of how much has changed, I don’t know what is, he thought sourly, as the door opened, and the woman stepped out. She didn’t seem too surprised to see him there, pressing her finger to her lip and silencing him with a glare when he went to speak, closing the door quietly behind her before gesturing for him to follow her down the corridor. With a lingering look at the door, he obeyed, relieved when she stopped at the end of the corridor so that it wasn’t out of sight.“Is he going to be all right?”“Somehow. That child must have liquid luck running through his veins, because any one of those wounds could have killed him,” Porlyusica replied, and Laxus wasn’t sure how the other man would take to being called a ‘child’ but deciding it wasn’t worth aggravating her over. “If he rests – which he won’t, because Freed Justine has never known when to stop – he will be up and about much quicker, but with time he should make a full recovery.” Something in Laxus’ chest that he had refused to acknowledge, eased at her words, and he managed a small, tight smile, and she studied him with narrowed eyes for a moment.“I’m not entirely sure what your plans are in coming here.” She held up a hand, silencing him. “I’m not particularly interested in the details, although part of me hopes that the Grandson of Makarov Dreyar would have at least some of his Grandfather’s heart. But, if you betray him or hurt him in any way, then the crew of the Raijinshuu will be the least of your worries because Freed had endured enough.”    Laxus stared at her, he’d been braced for being asked why he was here, still unsure of what his answer was going to be. Somehow sensing that the deal he had made with Freed when he’d first set foot on the Raijinshuu would be enough to get anyone’s trust. But she had derailed him by mentioning his Grandfather in a tone that could only be called fond – albeit tinged with the exasperation of someone who’d had to endure his antics for a while, let alone with the threat. For that was what it was, it was there in the way she met his gaze, holding it and all but daring him to challenge him. However, it was the warning in her words, the care for Freed that kept his attention.“I know a little of what he has endured, we had plenty of time to talk on the journey here,” he said eventually, fully aware that they had barely scratched the surface really. Freed had been willing to trust him to a certain extent, to welcome him on board and give him more freedom than he could have ever expected at their first meeting, but he was still an outsider, and he doubted that someone like Freed would ever open up completely to anyone. Even Bickslow and Evergreen, as close as they were, were kept at a careful distance at times. He’s endured enough… What else had Freed been through? What else had happened to shape the man who had steadily been eroding all of Laxus’ pre-existing conceptions of what it meant to be a pirate. He wanted to know, but he not from anyone other than Freed. “I might not know everything,” he added, seeing her opening her mouth to protest. “But I know enough, and I would not do anything to hurt him if I could avoid it.”    He wished that he could promise more, but the reason for his trip to the Isle and the agreement they had made was hovering over him. He knew that he cared about Freed, that the thought of losing him or coming close was not something he wanted to consider, but he knew himself. He still had his own plans, his personal goals, and as much as he had come to care for the young Captain, he wasn’t sure that he could give up on those for whatever reason Freed had brought him out there.     Porlyusica did not look entirely satisfied with his answer, but finally, she sighed and nodded. “I supposed that is enough for now, and Bickslow trusts you and I know that he would not let any harm come to him. Perhaps, if you stay here long enough, you will learn a little more.” There was something more to her words, a heaviness that he didn’t understand, and he wondered what could possibly lie here on the Isle.  And do I really want to know? The more he knew, the more invested he would become, and he couldn’t forget that there was more than the Raijinshuu and this Isle, more than Freed, and his eyes narrowed.“You knew my Grandfather?”“A long time ago,” Porlyusica paused and studied him. “Longer than I had realised. As the last time, I saw you, you were a young boy running around, causing Makarov to have kittens every time you found your way into mischief.” Laxus’ eyes widened, as the recognition that had bugged him the first time, he’d seen the woman returned with a vengeance, and with it came a long-forgotten memory.    He had been five or six at the times, and he had just discovered the delights of climbing, and the Palace was full of new places for him to scramble and explore. He’d already been told off a dozen times, and he was learning to make sure there was no guards or minders in the area before starting. Today his attention had been set on the old tower just beyond the stables, in the past, it had been guest quarters, but now it was used for little more than storage which meant that the adults wouldn’t be watching it. Even better it was built out of old bricks, unlike the smooth walls of the new buildings, and ivy had long since laid claim to it, which would make it easier to climb.
    Stood at the bottom, he had a brief moment of hesitation, remembering his Grandfather’s plea for him to keep his feet on the ground after his last escapade. But that had been weeks ago, and Makarov had long since forgiven him, and Laxus worried at his bottom lip, before deciding that he wouldn’t be in trouble for long even if he got caught red-handed. With the courage of a child, he launched himself upwards, scrambling up the first six feet, eyes eagerly searching for the next handhold, the next foothold, slowing as he started to get a little higher. Later, he wasn’t sure whether it was the wall or the ivy that had broken on him, at the time it didn’t matter, as suddenly rather than the vibrant green of the ivy he saw blue sky, and there was a swooping sensation in the pit of his stomach.

Belatedly he realised he was falling.

In fact, by the time he realised what was happening, the ground had rushed up to meet him. He didn’t remember the impact, or the panicked reaction as a passing servant screamed for help. His next memory, hazy with pain, was waking laid out on something soft with his Grandfather leaning over him for a moment, eyes and cheeks damp with tears before was pushed out of the way, and a woman with red eyes was leaning over him. “Stay still Laxus…”
“I do remember you…” He murmured, blinking at her. He had only been in her care that one time, as his usual escapades rarely resulted in anything that would require the attention of the Chief Court Physician, and he was ashamed to admit that he had no idea when she had left. Or been driven away, he thought with a scowl, having a feeling that Ivan would not have taken well to her brusque manner that showed little care for someone’s position. “I’m sorry…”“It has been a long time,” Porlyusica cut him off. “I was sorry to hear about your Grandfather’s imprisonment, he was…is a good friend, for all that I have not seen him years.”“He’d be glad to know that, friends are rather thin on the ground right now,” Laxus replied, before trailing off and looking down, his hands curling at his sides. It wasn’t that he had forgotten Makarov or his current situation. After all, it had consumed his thoughts up to and during his imprisonment on Galuna Island. However, in the face of being ‘rescued’, his agreement with Freed and time on the Raijinshuu, it had become muffled. Distant. Now, it was hitting him all over again, and he knew that it had made his decision about to do next all the harder because he couldn’t and wouldn’t forget again.
Gramps, what should I do?”
****
 ‘Something has happened. Ivan has visited me twice within a fortnight, unless I have completely lost track of time in here which is possible at this point. These four walls have become the world to me, and within them, time and all concept of freedom have lost all meaning. Sometimes I wish that I could break, and forget about the world beyond the prison, about the people that must be suffering because of my failures. About my Grandson…

I haven’t broken yet though, although my mind wanders more these days… to happier times, to dreams of a future, I am no longer sure will ever be possible. A future I don’t want if Laxus is gone. Laxus. I can’t help but wonder if he is the reason for these increased visits? He was never one to buckle down, and he had butted heads with Ivan long before my son tore our family and country apart, and I cannot see that changing. Is he fighting him? Is he the reason that Ivan has aged so much recently, losing traces of himself? Or maybe, that is just the weight of his crimes slowly coming to roost. I honestly don’t know which I would prefer, I just hope that wherever Laxus is and whatever he is doing in this changed world, that he is safe and that he is following his own path…”

‘The above abstract was taken from one of the many journals kept by Makarov Dreyar during his imprisonment, which was loaned to me in order to complete this work, and which will then be stored in the Royal Archives.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

‘…I am alive if you can even call it that. The ship’s doctor said that it was a miracle I survived, I wonder if he would say that if he could feel the pain that fills every inch of my body with each waking moment. Perhaps I should have asked him before Orga killed him. A necessity, because I will not have Freed Justine warned of my survival…

Justine…I will kill him with my own two hands if that is the last thing I do.’

*

‘It’s been weeks. I am gaining strength each day, but it is not fast enough, and I curse this ruined body for each day that it delays me. The King has awarded us a new ship – his fury burns bright, but not as deep as mine. I let him believe we are acting on his will, but I have no intention of delivering either Justine or the Rebel Dreyar to the King. Their punishment will be at my hands, and I well eke out every drop of blood in payment for what they have stolen from me.’

Excerpts taken from the journal of Rufus Lore, following his rescue by the Soaring Siren and his subsequent return to mainland Fiore. The journal was one of the only items found in his personal effects following the end of the war and was entrusted to the Royal Archives by Captain Freed Justine who discovered it.

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****    Laxus wasn’t sure how long he had been sat there outside Freed’s room, refusing to admit that he was guarding it before there were sounds from within. He was certainly no closer to unravelling the question about what he was going to do next, having run himself around in circles in the minutes, or was it hours that he had been waiting. It was an almost welcome distraction to hear that Freed was awake. At least until he heard a sharp grunt of pain, that had him immediately forgetting about the command to stay out of the room and let the other man rest, as he shot to his feet, and nearly bowled the door down in his rush to get inside.“What are you doing?” He demanded, coming to an abrupt halt as he found Freed not only awake but also out of bed. However, it looked debatable as to how long that would last as the other man was leaning heavily to the side, an arm wrapped around himself as he stood on unsteady legs. “You shouldn’t be out of bed yet.” Even as he said the words, he realised that he hadn’t expected any less, even without Porlyusica’s warning that Freed wouldn’t rest, but what he hadn’t expected was the overwhelming urge to go across and herd him back into bed. A protectiveness that he really didn’t want to look too deeply at the moment, because it would only complicate things further. As though jumping into the sea to save him during the battle hadn’t already done that, a small voice mocked him in the back of his mind.“I need to check on the crew, and the ship,” Freed did an admirable job of sounding like his usual self, pain tightly under control, although it was evident in the lines of his face and the complete and utter lack of colour in his skin as he tried to straighten and had to bite back a wince.“You need to get back into bed,” Laxus countered.“I’m fine.” How Freed could say that with a straight face was beyond the Rebel’s understanding, because free of the covers it was impossible to miss the extensive bandages covering Freed’s body, or the bruises and cuts that marred every flash of skin. “You said that it wasn’t easy to take down Lore, which means…”“Everyone is fine,” Laxus cut in, holding up a hand when Freed immediately tried to protest. “There were some other injuries, but they were minor. You were our main concern.” Our, he faltered realising how easily that had come, how naturally, and how close it had come to being ‘my’ at least in his own thoughts, and he swallowed thickly before continuing. “The ship was damaged, but Evergreen and Bickslow are already working on the repairs, so you’re only duty right now is to rest and recover.” If he’d hoped that hearing that his First Mate and best friends were in charge of the repairs would settle Freed, he was disappointed as Freed shook his head, mulish and pained as he took a faltering step forward.“I need to be there…” It wasn’t a lack of trust, Laxus had seen too much of how the crew worked together, especially the three of them to know that Freed didn’t trust them to care for the Raijinshuu. Was he just trying to avoid thinking about what had happened? Laxus wouldn’t blame him if that was the case, especially after his panic the last time he’d woken, and not missing the way Freed’s hand kept creeping towards his chest as though to check that he was still breathing. That was probably part of it, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more to it, especially as Freed avoided his gaze as he tried to move forward, and Laxus could tell that it was little more than sheer stubbornness keeping him upright and moving. As he approached, Laxus moved to plant himself firmly between Freed and the doorway, arms folded, and now Freed was forced to look at him. “Laxus…”“I am not letting you out of this room,” Laxus informed him. “Porlyusica said that you needed to rest, and I’m more afraid of her than I am of you.” That startled a slight smile out of Freed, before the Pirate’s eyes narrowed, an argument building and Laxus shook his head. “This isn’t up for debate, and right now, I don’t believe you could take me.” He hadn’t forgotten their fight when he had tried and failed to go after Freed, and he had a feeling that even in this state the other man could surprise him, regardless of what it might cost him to do so, but he stayed where he was, holding Freed’s gaze and daring him to try something.    The stalemate lasted for a couple of minutes and was finally broken when Freed staggered, his legs threatening to give way beneath him, Laxus lunging forward to stop him falling. The protest that greeted his help was weak at best, and he ignored it completely, shifting to help support Freed from the side. “Let’s get you back into the bed, before the healer from hell catches you out and about, okay?” Laxus asked, ready and willing to just lift the other man up if he kept fighting him, although he doubted that would be comfortable either considering Freed’s injuries. There was a pause, Freed taut against him before he sighed and sagged into Laxus’ support.“Fine…”“You make it sound as though I am torturing you,” Laxus said with a hint of amusement, as he guided Freed back to the bed.“You’ve met Porlyusica…” Freed retorted, but there was a weariness to his voice that made it fall flat, and Laxus’ chuckle was a little strained as he helped him into the bed. “She’s a dragon, and she worries too much…”“Strange, she warned me about you and your inability to rest which seems to have been on point so far,” Laxus retorted, pulling the covers back up, ignoring Freed’s attempts to bat at his hands, before settling on the edge of the bed. He wasn’t the right person to be doing this, he had never been good at offering comfort, and he had always been a terrible patient himself, and yet he needed to say something. “There’s nothing wrong with needing to rest, you know. Especially, considering how close…this was.” He couldn’t bring himself to say ‘to dying’ even though he knew that Freed had understood, the unspoken words hanging between them.“I…” Freed paused, looking down and swallowing at the reminder of his injuries. “I know, Bickslow and the others have told me often enough.” A glimmer of humour. Mired by the wince that followed as he shifted trying to find a more comfortable position and the exhaustion that was evident now that he had stopped trying to fight it, and Laxus knew that this discussion would soon be moot as Freed fought heavy eyes. “But, when I close my eyes, all I can see is the fight, and Rufus’…his face, and…”“You wanted to replace that image,” Laxus finished for him, understanding and Freed nodded, looking relieved even as he fought a yawn. “Tell you what, rest for now, and we will see what the dragon healer says when she comes back, and if she says it’s okay, I will take you to see the ship.” Hell, he would probably do it whether Porlyusica agreed or not, because Freed’s eyes had lit up at his words, looking alive despite the pain and exhaustion, and at that moment Laxus found himself wanting to see that expression again and again.“It’s a deal,” Freed murmured, and Laxus fought back a flinch. Unsuccessfully, because Freed’s gaze sharpened and focused on him. “Laxus?”“It’s nothing…”“Laxus…”“We’ll talk about it later,” Laxus said after a moment, realising that Freed wasn’t going to let it go otherwise, but as much as he wanted to ask what he was doing here. Why Freed had felt it so necessary for him to come to this island, and what he expected from him now, right this moment wasn’t the time to ask as Freed’s eyes closed and then opened a little slower than before. “For now, you should sleep.”“You’ll stay?” It was asked so quietly, that he would have missed it if the room hadn’t been silent apart from the sound of their breathing, and there was a hint of vulnerability to that question that took his breath away, and he nodded.“I’ll stay,” he promised, trying to feel as though he hadn’t just agreed to something more long-lasting and far-reaching with those words, and failing as Freed sighed and stopped fighting the pull of sleep. Asleep so quickly, that Laxus realised he had been closer to the edge of his strength than either of them realised. And for a moment he half regretted his promise about the ship, before remembering Freed’s reaction and growling at himself for being unable to shake the image of those turquoise brightening.
Gramps, what if…I can’t just walk away?

****
The following account comes from my own journals from during the war.
‘… there was an execution today. A group of twelve were arrested barely three days ago and accused of treason and rebellion. I didn’t recognise the names that I was forced to write down. Maybe they were fighting against Ivan and his rule, or perhaps they were just people trying to live their lives in this world, I don’t know, and the King doesn’t care. He sees enemies everywhere at the moment, and I fear to think how many innocent lives will be lost before this is over. Because while I believe in the rebellion and will do everything I can until it ends or I am caught, I know that not everyone can fight.
They shouldn’t have to.

Twelve lives ruined. Ten lost. Two were spared the execution, and I am not sure that it was a mercy. One was a child, and I don’t know where she has been sent, but Ivan is not known for his kindness to children – even his own. The other, a woman who couldn’t have been much older than me, was branded with the King’s crest and released as a sign of his mercy. I can’t get her scream out of my head, and I saw her eyes as she was led from the room, and it was like looking into the eyes of a ghost. I don’t know what will happen to her. I have sent word out as best I could, in the hopes that she will be found and helped, but it may already be too late.

At this rate, I fear that Ivan will make ghosts of us all before this is over.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

****    As it transpired, he didn’t have chance to worry about his promise for the time being, because Freed’s little venture out of bed had torn some of the stitches free, which Freed must’ve been aware of but chosen not to reveal to him. Laxus only discovering it when Freed had become increasingly restless in his sleep, eventually crying out, and half-rousing when he had shifted and put too much weight for it. The sight of blood on the sheets had, had Laxus shouting for help and a less than happy Porlyusica descending on them in all her wrath, as Laxus found himself banished once more, thankfully before Freed was fully awake and able to remember the promise.“He’s always been this way,” Bickslow said coming to find him where he’d taken refuge outside, leaning against the wall next to him and watching people bustle by, seemingly unaware of what was going inside. Although Laxus was the recipient of more than one suspicious glance.   “Stubborn?” Laxus asked.“That too,” Bickslow confirmed with a laugh. “But I meant pushing himself too hard. We’ve never been able to convince him that he doesn’t need to, and trying to work out if he’s injured or ill when he doesn’t want us to know is  a battle we’ve yet to win.”“Are you trying to tell me it’s not my fault?”“Clumsily,” Bickslow admitted. “He was trying to come and see us and the ship wasn’t he?” The answer must have been written across Laxus’ face because Bickslow sighed and shook his head. “It doesn’t matter what any of us say or do, he will end up back on the Raijinshuu sooner rather than later. This isn’t your fault, and you prevented him from collapsing en route which would have been even worse than this.”“I promised to take him down there as soon as possible,” Laxus said, carefully avoiding looking at the other man as he admitted that much, waiting for the recriminations. When it didn’t come, he lifted his head and found Bickslow studying him with a worryingly knowing expression. “What?”“You’re good for him, which is something I never thought I would be saying and would probably have Evergreen questioning my sanity more than usual, but you are.”    Laxus felt uncomfortable under that knowing gaze, and he shifted from foot to foot for a moment. It was one thing to be thanked for jumping in after Freed, especially as he hadn’t even thought about what he was doing, it was another to be told that he was good for him. “I’m going to go for a walk,” he said eventually, ignoring the part of him that protested at the thought of not being here to hear how Freed was doing, although he couldn’t stop himself from adding. “I won’t be gone long.”“I’ll let him know.” Laxus didn’t know what to make of the fact that Bickslow had just assumed that Freed would ask for him at some point. He was getting in too deep, and he grunted in acknowledgement before walking away, barely resisting the urge to break to into a run and put some distance between himself and the questions that he didn’t have answers too.*    He let his feet carry him where they would, because he didn’t know where to go or where he was allowed to go, and he didn’t want to get into trouble, as that would be more strain for Freed. It was pleasant here, he had to admit, a feeling of peace trying to creep over him and he kept it at bay by worrying at his thoughts, which wasn’t difficult as they simmered beneath the surface.
You’re good for him.
    He had spent so long being on the outskirts that he didn’t know what to do with the feeling of warmth and inclusion those words had given him, and he didn’t know what to make of Freed who had slipped through his barriers with barely any effort. He had shut himself off, refused to let himself care about anything or anyone other than finding and freeing his Grandfather, and Freed had torn through all that, and now that he was alone and away from prying eyes, Laxus could admit to himself at least that he did care for the Pirate. He just wasn’t sure he was ready to accept just how deep that ran through, or how it compared to how he felt about his Grandfather, but he knew that it was a topic he wasn’t going to be able to avoid forever, especially now they were here on the Isle. Their deal coming due.    He wasn’t aware that he wasn’t alone anymore, until bare feet entered his line of sight, and he lifted his head to find Mavis stood in front of him. She was smaller than he’d realised that their first meeting when he had been more focused on Freed, and nursing his own injuries, and there was a sense of power to her that he had picked up in her promise that he was safe on the island.“Laxus,” she greeted, and he nodded, oddly tongue-tied around her. “How are your injuries?”“They’ll heal,” Laxus replied. They ached something fierce,  but he wasn’t going to admit that to this woman that he had heard so much of but didn’t really know anything about, other than that Freed had wanted to bring him here to meet her and see what she was doing for the rebellion.“That’s good to hear, although you should let Porlyusica or Wendy keep checking them,” Mavis said, and he wondered how she knew that he hadn’t let anyone near them since they’d first been treated. Before he could find his voice to ask, she had taken a step forward, head tilted up to meet his gaze. “Would you walk with me?” It was voiced as a question, but there was a thread of steel in her voice that told Laxus that it wasn’t a request. In some ways, she reminded him of his Grandfather, and he found himself nodding and falling into step with her as she turned and lead him away down a narrow trail that ran the length of the settlement and out into the trees that surrounded it. They didn’t speak, and although he never caught her looking at him, he had a feeling that she was studying him, weighing up his presence and possible purpose here on Tenroujima. It was unsettling, and he bore it a few more minutes before finally breaking.“I’m not sure that I will have the answers you’re looking or, or any answers at all for that matter, but you’re better off just asking me.”    Of all the responses he had been expecting, it wasn’t the sound of her laughter, tinkling like the bells his mother had once kept in the garden as she darted ahead a few steps before finally turning to face him. Abruptly, he realised that being under her direct gaze wasn’t any easier, as, for all that she was smiling at him, there was a weight to her gaze that made him uneasy. “I can see why Freed likes you,” she told him, and he blinked, taken aback both the familiarity and fondness when she talked about the Pirate Captain, but by the unexpected start to the conversation. “It’s refreshing to talk to someone, so to the point. These days, every conversation and word has to be weighed carefully. Say too little, and it causes unrest or can be seen as culpability. Say too much, and people will panic. It’s a game that Freed is good at but prefers to avoid, and its one I am terrible at but find myself playing every day.”“Game?”“Politics, leadership, even the rebellion. Everything is a piece on a chessboard when you think about it,” Mavis replied.“No, they’re not,” Laxus snarled. That sounded too much like something his father would say. ‘You’ve got to learn how to play the game, know which pieces to sacrifice to achieve your desired end. It was an opinion he hadn’t expected to find here of all places, amongst people who had suffered and been forced to flee because of Ivan’s games, and for a wild moment, he wondered if Freed had been playing him all along. Had he escaped his father’s playing board, just to fall into someone else’s? No. He denied that as soon as it occurred to him, unable to forget Freed’s desperation to protect every single member of his crew, including Laxus. He saw them as individuals, knew their stories, their hopes and dreams, not as pieces to be moved at his whim. “None of this is a game and all of that? It is about people, about individuals…” He was echoing his Grandfather he realised belatedly, a roaring sound filling his ears. He wasn’t sure where he had heard those words, but he heard them in Makarov’s voice now. See Gramps, it turns out I do listen to you sometimes.“You’re right,” Mavis’ soft voice, derailed his thoughts and he focused on her once more, finding that all trace of humour was gone from her face and she was watching him with ancient eyes. “I apologise, but I needed to see who I had stood in front of me. The son of Ivan Dreyar, or the grandson of Makarov Dreyar, and I can hear Makarov in your words.”“You…” Laxus growled, but the bubble of anger was short-lived, although the frustration at being tested by this woman, by Porlyusica, by everyone he met apart from Freed lingered. “You know my Grandfather?” Just how much had he been unaware of? Had his Grandfather been involved with the rebellion before he was arrested? He had thought that he’d known everything about Makarov, but staring at her, and seeing the fondness as she spoke about him, he was beginning to question that. What were you up to old man?“Makarov was the one who saved me, and told me about this island,” Mavis replied, gesturing around them, before smiling at him as she motioned for him to follow. “Come, I think we have more to talk about than you may have thought.”    She led him deep into the trees, and he hoped that she had no intention of abandoning him out here because he was terrible at directions at the best of times, let alone somewhere new. Eventually guiding him into a wide clearing that was clearly used for meetings of some sort as there was a large fire pit in the centre, surrounded by rows and rows of tree stumps and fallen trees arranged to face the front. She settled on one of the larger tree trunks and patted the space beside her, and hoping that he wasn’t going to regret this he took the invitation and moved to sit beside her, maintaining a careful distance.“I was one of the first ‘rebels’ that your father…”“Ivan,” Laxus corrected, voice harsh. “I don’t… he’s not my father.” He wished that it was that simple, that his surname didn’t immediately connect him with the man, even if people hadn’t recognised him. There had been times when he had thought about getting rid of ‘Dreyar’ altogether, but that felt like he would be abandoning his Grandfather too, and he couldn’t bring himself to do that to the only family he had left.“That Ivan,” Mavis nodded understandingly. “Imprisoned during his early reign. I was naïve back then, and I thought that if I spoke out, then others would listen and speak up too. Some did, but not enough, and I was arrested and thrown into prison without even a trial.” Laxus winced at that. He had heard whispers about that long before he had broken away, but he’d never dared to really look into it until it was too late and he had lost the access he once had. “Even now, I’m not sure how long I was there. Long enough to start to doubt that I would ever see freedom again, and to realise that speaking up wasn’t enough as more and more people were brought in. Then one day, Makarov came down. He was furious but kind as he freed those of us that he could before the alarm was raised, and he showed us the way out and gave me a map with the location of this island on, with orders to find a ship and get away from Fiore as quickly as possible before going back to delay the guards…”  Gramps. He knew that Makarov had done something in direct defiance of Ivan just before he had been imprisoned. Still, Ivan had been careful to keep all information about it away from him, and knowing his Grandfather’s volatile relationship with Ivan, it could have been anything. He was being a hero. Laxus wanted to be furious at Makarov for taking such a risk, especially without reaching out to him first, while another part was proud. It also made his decision here much harder, because already he could see that Mavis was looking for traces of Makarov in him, and then there was Freed and the crew of the Raijinshuu. “I didn’t know.”“I heard about his imprisonment while we were in the dock. If there had been a way to go back and free him…”“He wouldn’t have wanted you to take that risk. He even forbade me from trying to stop them,” Laxus muttered, looking down, hands curled into fists into his lap. To this day, that was one of his biggest regrets, even if the logical part of his mind knew that he would have just ended up in prison with Makarov. As opposed to where I was on Galuna island, a small voice pointed out, and his hands clenched tighter, nails biting into his palms, and he jolted when a hand came to rest on top his.“I don’t believe there is a single person alive in this world that doesn’t have regrets Laxus,” Mavis murmured, and he laughed harshly.“Apart from Ivan…”“I’m sure he has them too,” Mavis disagreed, but the softness that she had used to talk to him had turned to steel as she added. “If not, then before the end of all this, we will make sure that he does.” She was watching him, and he realised it was another test he realised, waiting to see how he would react to a direct threat against his father, and he met her gaze.“Then I hope I live to see it.”     There was no apology this time, but she squeezed his hand before releasing him. “We had heard of you, of course. Information can be hard to come by, especially with us being based out here, and our network in Fiore is constantly at risk of collapse because Ivan is determined to crush us all, but we heard whispers, and then stories. But, I have to admit that I never thought that you would come to Tenroujima, as by all accounts you avoided any affiliation with any other groups or individuals, which makes me wonder why you are here.”“That’s a question that I am still asking myself if I’m honest,” Laxus admitted, seeing no reason to lie, and remembering that Freed had asked him to listen and give this a chance, although that conversation and deal felt as though it was a lifetime ago. “And I wouldn’t be here were it not for Freed.”“Freed?”“We had an agreement,” Laxus explained. “After they freed me from Galuna Island, and I tried to escape them, he offered me a deal. If I would come here to the Isle with him and meet yourself and the others who have been hurt by Ivan, to see the other side of the rebellion. Then if I chose, he would return me to the Fiorean mainland, and I would be free to go.”“And you accepted?”“At the time I didn’t have much choice,” Laxus said, remembering how angry he had been back then, so determined to cling to his hatred of Pirates and the man that was offering him a choice that hadn’t felt like a choice.“At the time?” Mavis asked, and he winced, he should have known that she would catch that and he was quiet for a few minutes, not sure what he wanted to say or how much he wanted to admit to this woman. However, when he lifted his gaze to meet hers, there was no judgement, just patient acceptance, ready to listen to what he had to say no matter how much or little he wanted to say. It reminded him of how Makarov had looked at him when he been reluctant to talk to the older man about how he was feeling, and just like then he broke.“Things have changed,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper, as though he expected the world to come crumbling down around him if he said the words aloud. “I don’t know how or why.” That wasn’t exactly true, he knew that, seeing Freed’s eyes brighten as he closed his eyes for a moment. “Or maybe I do, but I don’t what that means for me, for this… for my grandfather.” There was movement, and then warm hands framed his face and opening his eyes, he found Mavis stood in front of him, smiling at him although there was a fire in her eyes as she met his gaze again.“It means you’re not fighting alone anymore.”****‘…In discussion with Makarov Dreyar following his release, he confirmed that while Ivan had been threatening his arrest for some time due to his outspokenness against his son’s policies, it was his actions in freeing Mavis along with a dozen other prisoners, that eventually sure him imprisoned. To this day, he says it remains one of his proudest moments, and that his only regret was that he had waited so long to take direct action against Ivan…
… Tenroujima had once been an ancient site of pilgrimage, that Makarov had visited with his childhood friends long ago after learning about it in historical records. By the time they had visited, the island had long since become disused and overgrown, and by the time the rebellion required its shelter, it was forgotten beyond those old historical records. After the war, its status as a site of pilgrimage was reinstated.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

‘…sometimes it feels as though the world outside this room, the life I lived before, was nothing more than a fever dream. A small part of me wishes that it was so that eventually it would fade from memory because it is far crueller to be able to remember than it is to forget. To be able to close my eyes and trick myself for even a moment that I am free of these four walls…’

*

‘…Maybe it is old age, or maybe Ivan is finally winning, but those memories come more often these days, and each one cuts sharper than any blade that he could think to use against me. Not that he has lifted a finger against me since my imprisonment, perhaps even that is beyond him, or maybe he is waiting for the moment when I am ready to shatter… I fear the latter, and I fear that it is coming. I see the past more clearly than the present these days. I wake each morning and break a little more at the realisation that this is my reality now, and that those memories, so vivid and real in my mind are now little more than a dream…’

*

‘… The past. I only ever dream of the past. Not the future. Not that tiny, lingering hope that maybe I will get the chance to see Laxus once more before I die, to see the man that I hope he has become free of his father’s influence. Is that hope fading?

Has Ivan taken that from me too…?’

‘The above abstract was taken from one of the many journals kept by Makarov Dreyar during his imprisonment, which was loaned to me in order to complete this work, and which will then be stored in the Royal Archives.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

****

“It means you’re not fighting alone anymore.”
     Laxus hadn’t been able to get Mavis’ words out of his head. Their conversation had added a short while later, although somehow, he had found himself agreeing to attend the Isle’s council meeting in a couple of days as a guest before he’d even realised what she was asking. Definitely like his Grandfather in that regard, because Makarov had always known how to talk his grandson into doing things that he didn’t want to do without Laxus having any inkling of what he was doing until it was over and done with.    He couldn’t even be irritated with her, because she had given him answers to some of the questions he had harboured for a long time about Makarov’s imprisonment. Although knowing that the old man had made a choice to directly go against Ivan, despite always encouraging Laxus not to lash out or speak up against his father left him conflicted. On the one hand, he wanted to shake the older man and demand to know what he had been thinking, and why he hadn’t reached out to Laxus for help. Hadn’t he trusted him? On the other, there was pride in what Makarov had done because maybe it had started with Mavis and a handful of Prisoners, but the full picture of what his Grandfather had done was all around him. It was because of Makarov’s actions that the Isle existed, that the rebellion in its current form existed.It was because of Makarov that he no longer had to fight alone.    I want you to see this Gramps, he thought as he made his way back through the village. Mavis had led him back to the outskirts which was a relief because he had never been great with directions and he hadn’t fancied spending ages getting lost amongst the trees although eventually, he would have found the coast. Still, he wasn’t quite ready to go back to the infirmary and Freed just yet, if only because Mavis’ words had opened up a whole new world of possibility which along with his own thoughts unnerved him. Instead, he meandered through the houses, for the first time letting himself really focus on his surroundings. Seeing the work and love that had been put into this place, this sanctuary that Makarov had pointed them towards.    He could tell which had been the earliest buildings, built out of whatever materials they could scrape together when they’d first arrived, while the newer ones were made more securely of brick and wood. Now that he thought about it, he could vaguely remember his father raging when shipments of construction materials for one of his grand schemes had been stolen en-route. Had that been Freed? Or someone like him? He could remember being furious with the rebels at the time, as Ivan had lashed out, hurting anyone and everyone in his path, and how, that had cemented his decision to work alone. He wouldn’t be responsible for other people, his actions would be his own. Yet, now, as he wove through rough streets and listened to the chatter of life around him, children laughing and playing, men and women talking, he didn’t feel vindicated.He felt alone.     At least until his feet carried him into the harbour, where the Raijinshuu currently occupied one of the two moorings, still looking worse for wear as she rose and fell with the gentle swell of the waves. He had barely realised where he was before several of the crew were waving at him and calling out greetings with no trace of their previous reservations or wariness, as though he was one of them now. You’re not fighting alone anymore, Mavis’ words echoed as he found himself lifting a hand in greeting, as a small smile made it’s way to his face, growing as there was motion on deck and Evergreen appeared at the railing peering down at him.“Did that idiot send you to check on us?” She demanded, her tone doing nothing to hide her concern and his smile grew, knowing that there was only one person that could put that particular note of annoyance in her voice even as he shook his head.“Not this time, but I’m sure he’d be interested to know you’re calling him an idiot!” He retorted, and there were chuckles and snorts from the crew before they hastily turned back to their work as Evergreen scowled at them before she swung herself over the railing. Sliding down one of the rope ladders that had been attached to give them easier access for the repairs.    He’d half expected a punch for his cheek, and he was caught by surprise when seconds after she’d set foot on the deck, she’d lunged forward to wrap her arms around him. It was a brief hug, hard more than anything, and then she was pulling back and studying him. “You look like hell,” she informed him without preamble, and he lifted an eyebrow. “Don’t give me that look, I’ve had much worse from our Captain.” There it was again that ‘our’ that fit too easily, but this time Laxus didn’t flinch away from it, although he did roll his eyes at her.“I’m fine.” He wasn’t. He felt wrung out physically, mentally, emotionally, and he had a feeling that wasn’t going to fade anytime soon, but the words slipped out automatically. I’m fine, stay away, the old defences flaring to life once more, but they might as well have been lace because the look that Evergreen shot at him told him that she wasn’t fooled in the slightest.“Sure, you are,” Evergreen muttered, and he had a feeling that she was barely restraining herself from calling him an idiot or worse. “Come on, we were about to eat, and I’m not sending you back to Freed without a good meal.”“I…”“Yes, is the only acceptable answer.” Now that sounded a bit more like Evergreen, reminding him of how she had threatened him in the beginning. Although it was softened by the smile on her face, and gave with a put-on sigh, allowing her to wrap an arm around his back and pull him towards the gangplank as she shouted for the others to stop for food.    Perhaps, it was because there was no need to worry about their rations for the moment, especially as several of the crew including Lucy had been supplementing their supplies and the Isle’s by going out fishing in the morning. Or maybe it was because Laxus was changing, or had changed without him realising, but the meal, taken on the open deck surrounded by piles of ropes and planks and tools and amongst the lingering damage from the battle, was one of the most welcoming he’d had for years. He had never been one prone to laughter or smiling, not since losing his mother, but he found himself smiling as they laughed and chatted with each other and him, as easily as though he had always been one of them.“So Freed tore his stitches?” Evergreen asked, finally steering the topic away from repairs and some of the more sordid tales, and onto the subject that Laxus knew they had all been waiting for as the chatter immediately died away around them as all eyes turned to him. Usually, that would have made him uncomfortable, even growing up he had shied away from such focused attention, but today it was different, perhaps because he shared their concern. Or maybe, because he felt at home here, accepted as himself rather than the son of Ivan Dreyar or even the grandson of Makarov Dreyar, as someone who had sailed and fought with them and earned a place amongst them.“Yeah, he made an escape attempt, wanting to come and check that everything was okay here, and didn’t let on that he’d torn them,” Laxus replied, watching the reactions around him as the crew took in his words. There was a lot of muttering and eye-rolls, but while there was irritation, it was tinged with fondness and disapproval rather than anger. Once again reminding him that these people and Freed were nothing like the expectations he’d built up his head. “Bickslow warned me that he would try it…”“He’s an idiot,” Evergreen growled.“Which one?” Laxus asked, and she froze for a moment and stared at him before her head fell back as she laughed, and he heard some of the others chuckling as well.“Both of them,” she admitted once she had herself back under control, looking at him closely. “You’re quicker than you let on.”“I’m not sure that’s a compliment.”“Neither am I,” Evergreen retorted, and this time it was Laxus who laughed.     The rest of the meal passed pleasantly enough, as Laxus reassured them that Porlyusica had Freed well in hand now– noting the sympathetic winces and guessing they’d had their own run-ins with the woman at some point or another. When he finally rose, wanting to get back and check on Freed, and possibly get his own injuries looked at as he remembered what Mavis had said, he was given a list of messages to pass on to Freed. Most were variations on ‘stay in bed and rest’ and ‘get well soon’, as well as few quieter ‘thank yous’ and Laxus noted them all, knowing that it must be killing them to stay away and respect the strict visiting rules that Porlyusica had put in place.    Although considering how overwhelmed Freed had been about what had happened, he wasn’t entirely sure that was a bad thing, even though seeing them all would have reassured the other man and maybe persuaded him to rest a little longer. Probably not, he amended as he looked around the ship, trying to ignore the echo of cannon fire in the back of his mind as he took in the masts that were in states of partial repair, the shattered rails and scorch marks that spoke of how close it had been. Aware that Freed worried about the Raijinshuu as much as the people even if he had been willing to lose her to save them.    Evergreen followed him back down onto the deck. “I’ll come and see him later, so no need to pass on a message,” she said when Laxus looked her expectantly, and he nodded. Considering the fact that she probably had a rant prepared for their reckless Captain, he was glad that he was being spared the responsibility of passing it on, twitching a little as realised that he had just thought about Freed as his Captain for an instance, hands balling into fists at his side. You’re not fighting alone anymore.“I’ll let him know you’ll be coming,” he promised and turned away intending to leave, only for Evergreen to reach out and grip his arm. Not hard and threatening, but with a hesitance that had him lifting an eyebrow as he turned back to look at her. She was avoiding his gaze, frowning as she tried to gather her thoughts or work out how to say what she was thinking, and he wondered if maybe he was going to get warned off after all, but then she met his gaze again, and she was smiling. A little shaky and wary, whether from everything that had happened with Rufus and the Scarlet Minstrel, or because of their earlier relationship, but still smiling.“I never thought I would say this, but I’m glad that you’re here,” she paused, looking back up at the Raijinshuu where the crew were already back at work, the air flooded with the sounds of saws and hammers, and relieved chatter and laughter. “You’ve been good for all of us in a way, and you’re the reason we still have a Captain, and that is a debt we could never repay.” Laxus opened his mouth, about to say that there was no debt, especially when his actions that day hadn’t been for the crew, but before he could say a word, she held up a hand to silence him, holding his gaze again. “But you need to make a decision. You’re good for Freed, and there’s a place for you here, but if you take it and then leave…”“I know.” And he did know, but he didn’t have an answer for himself yet, let alone her. “I…I’m working it out,” he settled for saying, and Evergreen studied him intently for a moment, before nodding and letting him go and stepping back. Laxus all but fled, certain that he could feel her eyes on him all the way until he passed between the first buildings and out of sight of the ship, and even then her words chased him.
You need to make a decision…you’re not fighting alone anymore…
But what did that mean for him? ****
The following account comes from my own journals from during the war.

‘Something is going on. The Palace has been a hive of activity for the last couple of days, and no one is talking about what is going on. I have been allowed to attend very few of the meetings, and from brief conversations with the other scribes, they have been in a similar position. I did manage to overhear a brief conversation yesterday about ‘sourcing enough supplies to keep their forces compliant and ready…’ But what forces? And ready for what?

The military has been scatted for some time, Ivan wary of keeping too many together in case any of them decided to join the rebellion and rise against him, but if he is bringing them back together… Could he have found the Isle? Or one of the few other sanctuaries that we have? It’s terrible because I almost hope that he has, because if he hasn’t, and he’s planning some kind of action, then what will it do to what remains of our country? What will it do to the people? He won’t care if he’s targeting the wrong people, as long as it brings the rest of Fiore back into line with his policies.

How many more people have to die?

I’ve sent out messages, but unless I can find out more than they had nothing but whispers and suspicions to work on, and by then it might be too late. My job has always been to remain hidden, to watch and listen from afar, but if Ivan is planning something, then I need to find out what it is no matter the cost… There are whispers of another meeting tomorrow, and all servants have been ordered to stay out of the left wing of the Palace. With no scribes to be in attendance even though the old laws state that all such meetings must be recorded. Tomorrow… I need to be there, somehow, and hope that I don’t get myself killed…’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

****
    Freed was awake when he returned, and still in bed, although that might have had something to do with the scowling First Mate standing guard at the end of his bed. Bickslow had flashed Laxus a grin when he’d returned, telling him it was nothing more than an act to keep Freed in bed, although considering the colour or lack thereof in Freed’s face, Laxus doubted that the other man had any intention of bolting for freedom right then. At least, until Freed looked up at him, hope written across his face and Laxus bit back a curse as he remembered his promise, instead lifting an eyebrow.“Not a chance,” he informed Freed in a flat tone.“But…”“You didn’t tell me about your stitches,” Laxus cut across him, and Freed at least had the grace to look embarrassed as he ducked his head, looking just as he had when he’d collapsed on the ship. Idiot, he thought, finding himself agreeing with Evergreen, even though there was fondness in that thought, and respect, because he knew that it wasn’t just stubbornness. “But….” He added, deliberately softening his voice and pausing, waiting for Freed to meet his gaze again. “I do come bearing news and messages from the crew.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Bickslow looked surprised for a moment. Whether at the news that he had been too the ship, or that he had agreed to be the messenger before the First Mate’s expression settled into a satisfied grin which Laxus didn’t know what to make of and so chose to ignore.“Ever?”“She called you an idiot,” Laxus replied, focusing on Freed once more and snorting at the offended look that greeted his words, hearing Bickslow chuckling too. “And said that she would stop by later so I didn’t need to bring a message, so I would expect a lecture when she gets here.” Freed groaned at that news, lifting a hand and pinching the bridge of his nose, and Laxus couldn’t miss the way his arm and hand trembled with the effort, and how he slumped a little further into the pillows. Just how much damage did he do? He wanted to ask, but he had a feeling Freed would downplay it even with Bickslow there, and he wasn’t about to ask Bickslow in front of Freed, although his eyes flickered towards the First Mate who caught his gaze and grimaced and shrugged, which Laxus took to mean bad but not too serious.“You told her?” Freed had missed the byplay completely, which Laxus knew was another sign that he was flagging as he had learned the hard way that the younger man missed nothing usually. For a moment, he thought the question was aimed at him, before realising that Freed was scowling at Bickslow.“Of course,” Bickslow was unrepentant, even as Freed’s scowl deepened. “You’re the idiot that tried to get up too soon, I wasn’t going to face Evergreen’s ire if she found out from someone other than me. Besides, you know that Porlyusica or Wendy would have told her anyway.”“I was fine…” Freed looked towards Laxus as though expecting him to agree, and the Rebel merely folded his arms and stared back, not about to get pulled into that. There was an awkward silence for several minutes. Laxus was waiting for Freed to kick them both out. Or for him to fall asleep because even though he was still glaring at them and eying the door as though debating the possibility of escape, his eyes were growing heavy, and he made no attempt to go through with trying to rise, and finally his shoulders sank. “…you said that you had messages?” There was an odd note to his voice then, almost longing but not quite, and it was only when Laxus relented and closed the distance between them, moving to settle in his old chair and saw Freed relax a little further at the proximity that he realised what it was.Loneliness.   After so long surrounded by his crew, by his friends, this room must feel like a far cry from home even with him and Bickslow there. Even Laxus had felt it when he’d joined them for their meal, and before he could second guess himself, he reached out and rested a hand on Freed’s arm, mindful of the bandages. There was an odd noise behind him, and when he turned around, it was to find Bickslow inching towards the door and clearly fighting a grin as he did so.“Bickslow?”“I’ll let Laxus fill you, while I got and rescue the crew from Evergreen’s clutches,” Bickslow said smoothly, as though he wasn’t making an excuse, but Laxus could see his eyes flicking to where his hand was resting on Freed, and he had to fight the urge to snatch his hand away. He must’ve stiffened or something though, because Freed shot him a worried look, and he was scrambling for an excuse when Bickslow continued. “And no more escape attempts, Captain. Otherwise, I’m leaving you to Evergreen and Porlyusica’s tender mercies until you’re completely healed.” Even Laxus had to wince at that threat, and it had completely distracted Freed who opened and closed his mouth, unable to formulate a protest as he realised that Bickslow wasn’t joking, for all that he was grinning as he said.“One day, I will get you all to actually listen to me…” Freed muttered under his breath, but there was no heat to it, and Laxus released a breath.“Aye, Aye,” Bickslow flashed him a salute before slipping out of the room, closing the door behind him.“Some Captain I am…” Freed said, collapsing back against the pillows and closing his eyes, not asleep just yet but not far from it.“My…” Laxus hesitated for a moment, and Freed blinked his eyes open to look at him curiously. “My grandfather always said that you knew you were surrounded by the best people when they wouldn’t listen to you…” Makarov had said that after a particularly long meeting that Laxus had been caught eavesdropping on, back when he had been a curious child who thought that he was missing out on the whole world behind closed doors.    Rather than scolding him or sending him away, Makarov had pulled up a seat next to him, and let Laxus stay for the entire meeting. For the most part, it had been boring, debates about trade agreements and similar topics – enough to make Laxus decide there and then that he didn’t want to do that when he grew up. However, what had caught his attention was that no one was bowing or immediately agreeing with his Grandfather. Instead, they argued and disagreed, sometimes improving on his point, other times countering it, or just outright contradicting it and not once had Makarov lost his temper or even seemed frustrated. Afterwards, Laxus had asked why not, and Makarov had smiled and said:
‘If they all agreed with me, then some things would succeed or carry on as they had. But more would fail or run into problems. By arguing with me, and offering other solutions, you get to see a bigger picture of the world around you, and how to do the best to improve that world. Believe me, Laxus, when you’re in a position like mine you know that you’re surrounded by the best people when they don’t bow and scrape, and when they argue and refuse to listen to you without question…’
“He sounds like a wise man.”“He is,” Laxus agreed with a small smile. “Wiser than me for sure.”“I’m not sure about that…” Freed murmured. “But I hope I get the chance to meet him one day so I can see for myself.” Laxus had opened his mouth to argue, but when Freed continued, he found himself slowly closing it. There was a promise in those words, one that he could not make sense of, or wasn’t ready to. Yet, at the same, he found himself nodding.“I’d like that…”    The silence that followed was comfortable, in an uncomfortable way, and after a few minutes, Laxus sat up, although he didn’t pull his hand away. “Anyway, messages…” If it came out awkwardly, then Freed was kind enough not to mention, listening intently as Laxus dutifully recited the various messages that he had been given, smiling and frowning in places, and even shaking his head at a few.*    Freed had fallen asleep before he’d got through all the messages, dozing off with his head tilted towards Laxus and a smile on his lips, looking more like himself than he had since he had first woken up. Laxus trailed off, trying to remember where he had got to so that he could continue when Freed woke up but found himself distracted by watching the other man. He hadn’t meant to bring up Makarov’s words, but they had bubbled up in his mind, and it had been to say them aloud and to share with Freed. Freed’s agreement and acceptance of them, his use of ‘is’ rather than ‘was’ as so many people insisted on using when he was searching for information on his Grandfather had made it easier. As had his quiet desire to meet Makarov, the promise in those words and Laxus closed his eyes, as his fingers curled a little tighter around Freed’s wrist, tips lying on his pulse point, proof that he was there with him.
Gramps, you would already have made your decision, wouldn’t you?
    He could see Makarov now, sitting on his desk rather than in the chair behind it, wanting to be welcoming and equal to all who entered his office, his weathered face creased with laughter lines as he smiled at him. Could feel the weight of his arms around him, the last time they’d seen each other before his arrest.
“Don’t fight Ivan on this Laxus, this was my choice and my path. You will have to find your own path now.” It had been the first time he had truly felt the weight of his Grandfather’s age, as Makarov had broken the hug and instead stepped back and met his gaze for a long moment, even as they heard the rush of approaching soldiers and the alarmed cries from outside. “You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, even if you don’t always choose to use it. But it’s this…” Makarov’s hand had trembled slightly, the only sign betraying what lay beneath his calm, as he reached out to rest the palm of his hand over Laxus’ chest. “It’s your heart that will lead you down the right path, and Laxus… that might mean walking away from me.”
    Never! Laxus had said at the time, loud and angry…desperate, as he had watched Makarov being shackled and led away, and his Grandfather had just smiled at his denial. Now, though he could almost understand. Almost. Because, he knew that there was no way that he could just forget about the man who had all but raised him, who had taught him to be different from Ivan, and who had done so much for the fight that Laxus had convinced himself that he was fighting alone. He couldn’t give up his search, his chance at finding Makarov.But…
You’re not fighting alone anymore…
   Perhaps, it was time to take a different path towards that goal. To listen to his heart and his head for once, because even as he questioned and doubted everything, deep down, he knew that both parts of himself were in agreement. That his decision had been made long before he’d realised it, maybe even before he’d made that decision to dive into the sea after Freed that day.
I want to stay. I want to fight with them…

… with him.

****
‘
…There was pity as they fitted the artificial arm today. I saw it in their eyes. I heard the mocking whispers, the jokes that it should have been hook and not the curved blade I chose. Fools… I have no intention of living out my life with this useless limb of mine, but I will have Justine’s life first, and I will kill him with this arm that he has taken from me. I will bleed him dry with this blade, the finest that Ivan could provide for his pet Privateer. I wonder if he knows that it will kill him too if he gets the chance? Probably not, the man is the biggest fool of them all, but he will give me The Raijinshuu, her crew and her Captain and that is all that matters…

The arm is unwieldy, and it burns, the end of my original limb is still raw and healing. The healers ordered me to wait, but they do not understand the rage in my blood. The pain helps. Sharpens my focus, reminds me of why I am doing this.

The blade is fine though and well tested, as I silenced those mocking tongues once it was in place. Ivan will protest I’m sure, but label them Rebels and he will praise me. A simple game in the grand scheme of things, and it reminded Orga that I am Captain, not that I doubted his loyalty, but it is wise to make sure, especially now as I prepare to take my new ship and crew. Unbloodied no doubt, who will whisper and mock when they see me. I wonder how many we will lose before the rest bow to my will.

More blood to pave the path to Justine.

It will be worth it.’

Excerpts are taken from the journal of Rufus Lore, following his rescue by the Soaring Siren and his subsequent return to mainland Fiore. The journal was one of the only items found in his personal effects following the end of the war and was entrusted to the Royal Archives by Captain Freed Justine who discovered it.

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The following account comes from my own journals from during the war.

‘…today I finally heard back from Gajeel. The news wasn’t good. Preparations are being made to search for this rumoured ‘offshore hideout’ that is the heart of the rebellion – information that is far too close to the truth, and makes me wonder if we have a spy in our midst. It wouldn’t be the first time, but back then, we had more resources, better communications, and it was easy to root them out. Now though we have no time, and barely any resources and all I can do is hope that Tenroujima is as challenging to find as I have been led to believe and that the ships that are on our side are enough to keep it safe. Apparently, the King has brought more Privateers under his banner and commandeered other ships, and while Gajeel is doing what he can to find people to infiltrate those ships, he warns that it is most likely too little, too late.

That wasn’t his only warning.

As the ships are preparing to leave for the search, his network has informed him of shipments of weapons and men being unloaded. Apparently, they barely spend any time in the ports before being sent onwards, but while he was able to trace their path inland for a time, he has not been able to establish their end destination or the reason for their arrival.

Which means I have to get into that meeting later today because if we don’t get information soon then, this might be the end of everything we’ve been fighting for. Even if we do have the information, our numbers have dwindled, we’re scattered, weakened… and I’m afraid.

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

****
   As it transpired Evergreen’s lecture had been nowhere near as terrifying as either of them had expected, in part because she had taken one look at Freed half-awake and slumped in his pillows and rushed in to hug him. The lecture reduced to a ‘don’t do that again’, before she had all but smothered him, and while Freed’s answering smile had been soft, albeit edged with pain, there had been a glint to his eyes that told Laxus he was going to remember this for future injuries. Laxus bit back a snort, sharing an amused glance with Bickslow who had trailed in after Evergreen, no doubt there to act as a buffer if she really lost her temper. Amusement that became outright laughter, as Evergreen abruptly pulled back, too quickly for Freed to school his expression and her eyes narrowed.“This is a one-off,” she warned him loftily, including Laxus and Bickslow in her glare, and they both immediately held up their hands in surrender – Bickslow from long experience, and Laxus from the memory of her knife at his throat. Satisfied she turned her attention back to Freed as she settled on the edge of the bed, studying him critically, eyes lingering a little too long on his bandages. “How are you feeling? And if you say ‘fine’ I will hit you, and refuse to tell you about how the ship is doing…” She added as Freed immediately opened his mouth. He froze at the threat, weighing up his options and Laxus knew that Evergreen had won the moment she had mentioned The Raijinshuu. She knew it too, leaning back with a smirk as Freed slowly closed his mouth and scowled at her.“You do remember that I’m the Captain, right?” He muttered.“Of course,” Evergreen’s expression turned innocent and offended, fooling no one, but making Freed’s lips quirk upwards before he could stop them.“I should make you scrub the deck,” he retorted, too fond for any of them to take the threat seriously as he leaned back into the pillow with a sigh. “I’m fine,” he held up a hand, to silence the explosion he could see building on her face. “I’m sore, and I’m tired, but I’m fine. Porlyusica assures me that I will live.”“As long as you actually rest and stop trying to rush yourself into an early grave,” Bickslow interjected, earning a glower from his Captain, and grinning at him unrepentantly. “What? You think Ever didn’t know that anyway?”“I hate both of you,” Freed muttered without heat, before looking at Evergreen. “There, I told you how I felt, now tell me about the ship.”    So, Evergreen stayed perched on the edge of the bed and launched into a lengthy, detailed update that had Laxus’ head aching, despite Bickslow’s sometimes less than helpful interjections. However, Freed despite his apparent exhaustion was focused, and Laxus soon found that he was able to ignore the words. Deciding that when he made good on his promise to Freed to take him to The Raijinshuu, he would get the other man to explain what she was talking about – and instead focused on Freed. Here, surrounded by friends and he refused to get distracted by the fact that he could include himself in that group, and with no immediate danger looming, Freed was in his element. Also, some of the tension that Laxus had been aware of, but unable to alleviate was draining out of Freed as she reassured him that the repairs were well underway.    However, despite his best attempts to remain focused on the conversation, it didn’t take long for Freed to start flagging again just as he had when Laxus had been passing on the crews’ messages. Laxus was about to step forward and point this out, when Bickslow beat him to it, stepping forward and resting a hand on Evergreen’s shoulder, stopping her in the middle of an animated description of what they were doing with the mast. She immediately fell silent, and it was telling how long it took Freed to realise she had stopped, blinking and frowning at her. “We spoke to Porlyusica,” Bickslow said before Freed had a chance to say anything, and Freed blinked at him, tired and alarmed all at once, and Bickslow grinned at him. “She said that you should be up to visitors now, as long as you take it easy and stop trying to rush your recovery, so everyone will be dropping in at some point or another over the next few days.”    There was that smile again, the one that threatened to take Laxus’ breath away, and while still visibly exhausted Freed seemed to have come alive. “She said that?”“As long as you rest and tell Laxus or us if you pull your stitches or if something is bothering you,” Bickslow repeated, still grinning, but stern. Freed scowled and glanced at Laxus as though hoping for support, and Laxus was amused but didn’t let it show, merely lifting an eyebrow to show that he wasn’t going to get dragged into this, half expecting to find himself being booted out. However, Freed seemed to realise it was a lost cause, for the time being, either that or he was too tired to argue at the moment.“Fine.”“I knew you would see it our way,” Bickslow said.“I…”“… hate us, yes we know,” Evergreen finished for him with a chuckle, leaning in to hug him again, briefer this time before pulling away. “We’re doing okay, Freed. You know, that right?” She asked, voice soft and Freed blinked at her, before glancing at Bickslow whose grin had softened to a smile as he nodded, and then at Laxus who merely held his gaze.“I know,” he admitted before his fingers balled in the covers. “It doesn’t stop me wanting to come and see for myself, but I will wait.” For now. The words went unspoken, but they heard them all the same, and there was more than one exasperated sigh, and Evergreen wasn’t the only one to roll her eyes, although she hid it by leaning in and brushing a quick kiss to his cheek.“Good,” she stood up and stretched, glancing at the window, where it was already turning dark. “Now, get some rest, so you don’t fall asleep on people tomorrow.” Freed opened his mouth as though to argue that he wasn’t tired, only to be silenced by a yawn that had Bickslow laughing at him as he closed the distance, just enough to brush his fingers against his Captain’s arm.“We’ll see you tomorrow.” It was a promise and a lifeline, and it drew a genuine smile out of Freed as he nodded and let himself sink properly into the pillows. However, it didn’t ease the sudden tension around his eyes as he glanced towards Laxus, as though expecting him to say his farewells too. Laxus could feel the other two looking at him and decided to ignore the decidedly knowing smile on Evergreen’s face as he stepped forward, heading for the chair that he was coming to regard as a second home.“Don’t look at me like that,” he told Freed, as he dropped into it. “You're stuck with me for the time being.” It came out a little gruff but Freed immediately relaxed while Evergreen smothered a smile as she herded Bickslow towards the door, not that the other man needed much encouragement. Laxus decided it was safer to pretend that he hadn’t noticed Bickslow slipping her a coin. It was probably safer not to know what they had been betting on, or what he had just handed them.     It was also easier to focus on Freed, who reached out as the door closed behind them, lightly grasping his wrist and squeezing. Gratitude was written across his face, even as his eyes drooped, betraying the fact that he had been barely holding on to consciousness for their sake. Laxus hesitated for a moment, before moving, pulling his wrist out of the loose grip and instead tangling their fingers together. Freed’s expression which had started to crumple softened and smoothed out as he blinked sleepily at him and Laxus offered him a small smile, squeezing lightly. “Go to sleep, Freed. I’ll be here when you wake up.”****
‘… It’s finally coming together. In the space of a few weeks, I should finally see the collapse of this so-called rebellion against my rule – the last few pieces just have to be moved into place, and then we will be ready. Lore is like a man possessed. I would worry about that kind of rage and resolve in any of my other men, but he is utterly focused on Justine, perhaps they will even destroy one another, and that will be two problems dealt with at once. If not, there are other ways of dealing with men like Lore, and with the rebellion gone, I will have everything at my disposal.

My only concern, if it can be called that is Laxus. He will likely be swept up in Lore’s rage if the rumours and reports are to be believed and he has foolishly aligned himself with those Pirates. It is not the fate I would want for him. He still has potential use, and with the rebellion gone, it would be time for me to prepare an heir… but Laxus will not listen. He has my father’s stubbornness and his mother’s foolish heart. Defeat may bring him to heel, but to mould him into what is needed will take time.

And my father… I have kept him alive thus far, because that was a weapon I could use against Laxus, against those rebels who look at him and see someone who could save them, even though he can’t even save himself. Perhaps, it is time for him to face the full punishment for his treachery, and without him, Laxus will have no recourse but to heed my words.

This throne was won with blood, perhaps it is only fitting that my rule is cemented with his.’

Excerpts are taken from King Ivan’s private records, which were discovered during the search and purge of the Palace. All sensitive information has been stored under lock and key in the archives, as there are still pockets of resistance that would pay dearly for that information. The rest is to be displayed to the public, to show them just who the man they followed was. For those of us who suffered under his rule, his words are a memory that will never be forgotten.

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****    As promised the next couple of days had been a constant string of visits in between naps, half of which had been inadvertent as despite his best efforts Freed would doze off mid conversations and sometimes mid-word, which Laxus found oddly endearing. While he wasn’t entirely convinced that Freed was well enough for all these visitors, a low fever hovering stubbornly, he couldn’t deny that it had the combined effect of distracting Freed from trying to escape and stopped him from worrying about his crew. Although, it wasn’t only the crew that visited those days. Laxus had been both surprised yet not completely, to realise that many of the people who now called the Isle their home also stopped by. They didn’t stay as long, but their visits clearly meant just as much to Freed, who when he was awake would greet each one by name, and ask them questions that betrayed that he knew a lot more about the Isle than he had let on before. Laxus was mesmerised and relieved that he hadn’t been asked to leave, even if he did get a few odd and almost suspicious looks, but the hold that Freed kept on him most of them meant that he had an excuse to stay.    Because, despite his obvious enjoyment of the visits, Freed was still on edge. It didn’t show in his expression, or his conversations, not even when he’d found himself caught in a tearful hug from Lucy when Loke had brought her to visit, but it occasionally surfaced in the quiet moments when it was just the two of them in the room. Sometimes it would just be a shift in the air, the comfortable silence that had settled over them suddenly feeling not quite awkward, but colder, as though something lay unspoken and unseen between them. Other times he would catch Freed running trembling fingers over his bandages, eyes distant, and in those moments Laxus knew he was reliving what had happened. He would move to the edge of the bed, pressed against Freed, the contact and warmth helping to anchor Freed in the present. Then there were the times when he would catch Freed staring out of the window towards the sea that was just visible from where they were. An expression that Laxus generously called pensive but was closer to fear lingering on his face, as though he was waiting for something or someone to show up on the horizon.   Then there were the nightmares, and if Laxus hadn’t already had a good idea of who Freed was worried about despite their reassurances that the man was dead and gone, the nightmares confirmed it. He couldn’t remember the last time either of them had managed to sleep through an entire night, often being roused more than once by Freed thrashing on the bed at risk of reopening his wounds, and crying out loud enough to rouse everyone in the building. It was a little easier during the day, and he knew that if Freed had his way, he would have survived of those inadvertent naps, and more than once he had tried to convince Laxus to sleep elsewhere so that he wouldn’t be disturbed. Laxus might have been more inclined to believe the offer, were it not for the fact that the one time he had gone to sleep elsewhere, accepting Porlyusica’s offer of one of the other rooms. He had woken to the distant sound of Freed’s voice and already been halfway out of bed when Bickslow who had taken over the watch that night – as they didn’t entirely trust Freed not to try and sneak out – had come to fetch him because Freed half-awake and panicking was asking for him.    He just wasn’t sure if it was just the memories that were haunting Freed, which was to be expected, as more than once Laxus had started awake from dreams of drowning and that battle, and he knew from listening to the others that they weren’t alone in that. Or, whether Freed still doubted their assurances that Lore was dead. He’d tried to ask, as had Evergreen and Bickslow, and even Wendy, her voice trembling as she said the man’s name, had tried, but whereas Freed was open about everything else, he refused point-blank to answer that question. It was infuriating and worrying, and Laxus almost wanted to hate how much it bothered him, how much he had come to care, but he couldn’t.And he could not fix this.****
Extract from the Captain’s log of Erza Scarlet, Captain of The Red Queen.

‘… While The Red Queen’s primary duty had always been to patrol the immediate waters around Tenroujima, in the days following our rescue and escort of The Raijinshuu, we had ventured out into deeper waters. There had been a time when these waters had been our home. Perhaps we had grown too comfortable with our role, and the proximity of the Isle because for the first time in years I felt fear when Natsu spied the first sail on the horizon… we were days out from the Isle, but still away from the main merchant lanes. Still, it hadn’t taken long to confirm that the ship was heading in our direction.

And that they weren’t alone.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****     Another couple of days passed, and while the nightmares and the lack of sleep they caused persisted, Freed was growing daily in strength and becoming increasingly fractious about being kept in bed. Even when Porlyusica had pointed out rather sharply that he was lucky to be alive and that he still had a fever. If anything that had seemed to frustrate him more, and Laxus – freed from his own bandages, albeit with strict instructions to keep applying the awful-smelling tincture she had given him, and to keep the wound clean and to go to her if there was any sign of infection – had stopped venturing too far. Sensing that rebellion wasn’t too far off. Evergreen and Bickslow were also around a bit more, the former trying to slow the inevitable with frequent progress reports now that Freed was more in a state to follow them and contribute, and who usually left with a list of things to do and a satisfied grin at having distracted him.    Still, Laxus wasn’t surprised when he returned to the room after being banished to get a breather and take a wash at Freed’s demand, to find Freed sat on the edge of the bed, dressed in fresh clothes and listing slightly to the side. The only thing that stopped Laxus immediately demanding to know what he was doing was that Porlyusica was there, scowling as she worked, but making no effort to make Freed lie down as she examined his wounds. So he held his peace, beyond lifting an eyebrow when Freed glanced at him briefly, not sure what to make of the expression on the other man’s face. There was the frustration that had become familiar and the relief that he was there that Laxus still wasn’t quite sure what to make of, but there was something else, not the fear that had been haunting Freed, but something softer and almost sad. It made him stay quiet, leaning against the doorframe and watching, and waiting.“You’re healing well,” Porlyusica said finally, and Laxus had to agree. Admittedly he hadn’t had the best view, and Freed’s injuries were still far from healed, but they no longer looked as raw or ready to steal him away from under their very nose. “I don’t like that fever though,” she added, studying him, and pointedly lingering on the flush that had remained for days now. “There’s no sign of infection, which is a blessing, but…”“I’m fine,” Freed interrupted and Laxus stiffened, unable to remember a time when Freed had interrupted the woman let alone in such a sharp tone. Apparently Freed realised it too because he tensed, and then his shoulders slumped a little. “I don’t feel dizzy, I can breathe just fine,” he added in a quieter voice. “And I promise that I will come straight back here, but Porlyusica…”“I know,” Porlyusica said, surprisingly soft, and she glanced at Laxus suddenly wary.“Should I leave?”“No,” Freed was the one to reply, the sharpness back again both in his tone and the look he sent at Porlyusica as she opened her mouth to speak. “This involves him too…” That didn’t seem to help, and Laxus glanced between them before moving across to the window and turning away from them, not leaving, because as much as Porlyusica scared him, he wasn’t going to deny Freed, but at least given them the illusion of privacy. Freed didn’t seem to appreciate the gesture making a low, frustrated noise in the back of his throat, but Laxus heard Porlyusica mutter something that could have been a ‘thank you’ before turning to say something to Freed that he tried not hear.    Laxus wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but his hearing had always been a little sharper than most people, and he couldn’t help but catch parts of the conversation. He missed the first bit, Freed’s voice too soft, and not just from tiredness, but Porlyusica’s voice was harder to miss as it rose in surprise.“Are you sure?” He couldn’t see her, but he could practically feel her gaze boring into the space between his shoulders for a moment, and he shifted uneasily despite himself, wondering if he should be running for the hills, as he waited for her to say something to him. Apparently, she had thought better of it, and he finally felt her gaze shift away from him as she focused on Freed once more and said something that he couldn’t quite make out, and tried his best to focus on the view from the window so they wouldn’t feel as though he was too focused on them. There was a low murmur of voices, and he smiled slightly as he recognised the stubbornness bleeding into Freed’s voice, recognising the tone after his protests, arguments and pleas to be allowed out of bed over the last few days. “Freed, she’s not improved since she last saw you, it’s not…” Porlyusica was saying now, but there was a defeated edge to her voice, that paled in comparison to the sheer weariness in Freed’s voice as he replied.“I know.” There was a pause then, and Laxus was itching to turn around and look to them. He wanted to know what had made Freed sound like that, and how he was involved, because he had thought that things were okay, and Freed had seemed pleased that he had already spoken to Mavis albeit disappointed that he hadn’t been able to be there too. So, what… “Laxus.” He knew that he had turned around too quickly at the sound of his name, betraying himself, and he winced as he caught Porlyusica’s glare, but he kept his attention on Freed, eyebrows rising as he realised Freed looked as though he was about to rise.“What are you doing?” He demanded, moving across, whether to stop him or support him, he wasn’t sure as he looked towards Porlyusica surprised that she wasn’t trying to prevent him from escaping. “Is he…?”“He is right here,” Freed interrupted.“Freed…”“There is someone else I want you to meet,” Freed continued, waving off the apology that was on the tip of Laxus’ tongue, meeting his gaze.“Who?” Laxus asked, derailed because he had already met Mavis – and hadn’t that been an experience? He was still reeling from what she’d said, and his own realisations, and he wasn’t sure that he was ready for a similar experience just yet. Although he had a feeling that this was completely different, there was none of the enthusiasm or hope that he’d seen when Freed had been trying to convince him to travel to the Isle; instead, the other man looked defeated and wary.“It would be easier to show you,” Freed said after a long, very pregnant pause and Laxus hesitated, studying him before nodding. He wanted to ask, but there was something very fragile about Freed at that moment that made him feel that if he pushed, something would break, and wasn’t sure that either of them could deal with that. Or if he even had the right to risk that. Bickslow or Evergreen would have pushed, he knew that but then again they probably already knew what this was about, and there was a plea in the eyes that met his for a long moment that had any resistance he had left crumbling.“If Porlyusica says it’s all right, and as long as you promise to rest afterwards.” That earned him a scowl, making Freed look a lot more like himself, but Laxus waited until he got a nod, from both of them although the healer’s was even more reluctant than Freed’s if that was even possible. “All right then,” he murmured, holding out a hand.    Freed made a face but took it, and considering it took both of them to get him upright and steady on his feet, he didn’t have any room for complaint. It didn’t stop him from trying to pull away as soon as he was upright, though.“I can walk.”“Will you stop being stubborn and let me help?” Laxus demanded, and he’d meant to sound irritated rather than fondly exasperated, and he could feel the colour creeping up his face as Freed just stared at him for a moment. Then, he seemed to decide to take pity of Laxus, as, without a word, he leant into the arm that Laxus had moved to wrap around his shoulders mindful of the bandages. “You’ll have to tell me where to go, though.”“I will lead the way.”“Porlyusica…”“She’s my patient, Freed,” Porlyusica silenced him, and Laxus frowned glancing between them. Trying not to be irritated when there was a brief glaring match, that had Freed leaning into him and Porlyusica quietly victorious as she led the way out of the door, with no explanation at all.*    Freed should not have been out of bed, it didn’t take long for that to be abundantly clear, but even though Porlyusica was clearly aware of that she didn’t say a word, so Laxus focused on keeping Freed upright and moving forward one unsteady step at a time. They wound their way through the small village, and more than one person stopped to greet them. Laxus could practically feel the mood rising at the sight of Freed out and about, and Freed roused enough to try and greet as many as possible, albeit without the enthusiasm he’d had during their visits. Laxus wasn’t sure whether they’d noticed and realised that Freed wasn’t up to so much excitement, or whether it had something to do with the whispers he saw being exchanged and Porlyusica guided them unerringly onto a narrow path that led out beyond the edge of the buildings. He had an uneasy feeling it was the latter, as the other people seemed to melt away at that moment, and Freed grew tense in his arms, practically quivering with it.“Freed…?”“We’re nearly there.” Was his only answer, and he had to bite his lip to stop himself from pointing out that, that wasn’t an answer at all.    That path wound through the trees, and for a moment he thought maybe they were heading for the spot that Mavis had taken him too, but then the trees thinned out to reveal a small building nestled in their shade, and surrounded by a small, somewhat messy garden. A home them. Laxus smiled a little at the sight of the garden, but it was short-lived because Freed had gone rigid against him, making a soft noise as there was movement up ahead and a woman appeared at the doorway.    No one could possibly miss the resemblance between her and Freed, not just the green hair, but it was there in their faces too, and in the turquoise eyes that landed on them, clearly startled at finding them there. There was a question on Laxus’ lips, several questions, but before he had a chance to try and find the words, the woman had straightened, eyes widening as she rushed forward, almost stumbling in her haste.     Freed moved too, gently shaking off Laxus’ supporting arm and stepping forward to meet her, still tense, and pale, and Laxus saw the pain in his face as she all but slammed into him. He expected her to wrap Freed up in a hug then, but instead, she paused, and reached up to his face, Freed immediately ducking his head to make it easier for her, and Laxus’ breath caught at the sheer longing in Freed’s expression right there. Distantly aware that Porlyusica had moved to stand beside him, reaching out to lay a restraining hand on Laxus’ arm.“Fredric, you came home…” She murmured, reaching up to cup Freed’s face between trembling hands as a tremulous smile spread across her face, making her look younger and more alive in that moment. “I was so worried…”  However, Laxus barely noticed, his attention riveted on Freed whose shoulders had slumped at the name, and looked as though he was a moment away from crumbling, although he maintained a smile as he nodded jerkily, eliciting a joyful noise from the woman.“What…?” Laxus started to ask before faltering, something tugging at his thoughts. Fredric… It took him a moment, by which point Freed had been pulled into a tight hug that was clearly hurting him in more than one way than one, when it came to him, as he remembered the other man showing him the sword etched with two precious names. Fredric. Freya. He froze, looking towards Porlyusica not sure that he wanted to ask anymore because the answer was impossible and painful, and there right in front of his eyes. The healer caught his eyes and grimaced, before stepping closer, her voice low although he doubted that either Freed or his…the woman would have noticed right then, locked up in their own world that screamed of anguish.“In all her time here, she has never once recognised him as Freed,” she murmured, and there was a wealth of meaning in those words that Laxus could barely begin to unravel, his questions quadrupling at that moment. Before he had a chance to even try to marshal his thoughts into any sense of order, let alone into any reasonable questions that he could voice, he heard Freed’s voice.“Laxus,” Freed sounded young at that moment, young and lost, and even though he was looking towards them when Laxus looked, he was carefully avoiding their gaze. Leaving Laxus with no choice but to look at the woman who was clinging to Freed’s arm now, as though afraid that he would disappear if she let go for even a moment.  “I would like you to meet my mother.”****
‘Extract from the personal journal of Porlyusica, former Court Physician and chief Healer for the Isle.

‘…I was there the day that Faith Justine arrived on the Isle. At the time no one had any idea how she had learned about the ship leaving for the Isle, or made her way on board with the other refugees, as she travelled alone and from all accounts remained separate and distant from those she sailed with. It was Mavis who welcomed her ashore, and got her name from her – making the connection before I could – and Mavis, who suggested to me later, that maybe some part of the mother in her had remembered that her child had been taken by the sea.

It is impossible to know. She rarely speaks, even on her better days, and when she does, it is clear that her heart and mind are trapped in the past. Over the years since she has joined us, I have tried everything in my power to find a way to ease her back into the present. However, save for a few moments here and there, I have been unsuccessful. She is hale and healthy in the body – as healthy as any of us can be when food and stress is increasingly an issue, although I am not sure how aware she is of the problems we face –I fear, that she will remain caught in the past forever.

Freed is aware of the truth. I had told him as much when we first shared her arrival with him, and it was the first time that I truly saw the heart beneath the Captain’s exterior and wished that I had more to give him. He is endlessly patient with her, even though she doesn’t seem him. Each time he returns I see the hope in his eyes that something might have changed, even some tiny, insignificant improvement, and sometimes I wonder how he does not sail off into the horizon when all I can do is tell him the same words over and over again.

There is nothing worse for a healer to be unable to help a patient, and it is even worse when your inability to help wounds others. But to see them together, to see Freed introduce his mother to Laxus as though everything was normal, was perhaps the most painful thing I have seen thus far.

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

‘Extract from the personal journal of Faith Justine, refugee and resident of the Isle. Her journals were gifted to the library following her death by her only living child, Captain Freed Justine.’

‘…My boy came home today. He’s grown so much, and I can’t remember it happening. I know that I am ill, that my mind betrays me. Porlyusica has told me that much, and I have no reason to doubt the woman who has helped me so much, but how could I have lost so much time? Yet when I try to remember, all I see is smoke and fire, and the children that I wasn’t able to save… Freya and Freed. I don’t even know what happened to Freed. I never got to know what happened to my own son, just that he was gone, and then his sister after him and now all I have is Fredric and I can’t remember so much of his life.

What kind of mother am I?

He was injured when he came home. I may not know much, but I know he was hurting inside and out, and I could do nothing but hold him close.

No. I did more. I screamed at him. Pleaded with him not to leave me, even as I saw in his eyes that he had to leave again. That part of him was already miles away.

That he wouldn’t listen to me.

I want to keep him here, keep him safe, but how can I protect him when I can’t remember so much of him?

My Fredric, my precious boy…

…I wish that I could keep you away from the world.

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

****
    Laxus wasn’t sure how he had found himself in this situation, sat on a wooden stool that he wasn’t convinced would be able to hold him up if he moved too much. Freed was next to him on an only slightly sturdier chair, with Porlyusica watching them with sharp eyes from the far side of the room as the woman…as Freed’s Mother bustled around making them drinks and pausing every few seconds to look at her son as though reassuring herself that he was really there, which might have been endearing if it wasn’t for the fact that in her eyes she was looking at a completely different son.
“I would like you to meet my mother.”

Despite himself, Laxus had flinched at the words. The relationship was plain, as was the pain in Freed’s expression, and there was a roaring sound in Laxus’ ears. He wasn’t sure whether it was because Freed hadn’t told him, had let him think that his entire family gone, or whether it was something closer to jealousy that Freed still had this when Laxus’ parents might as well both be dead and, in the ground, and his Grandfather was in danger the longer he was gone. No, he couldn’t be jealous of this, he realised, as Freed met his eyes for a moment, letting Laxus see the fear mixed in with everything else he was feeling, and he took a deep breath before holding out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you…” The woman looked startled and then wary, her gaze darting between him and her son, and Laxus could almost feel the blush creeping up the back of his neck as he saw her connecting the dots.

“Faith,” she said finally, reaching out to take his hand, her touch so fleeting and light that it felt like she could be blown away by the breeze at any moment. “Faith Justine, and you are?” There was a look he was familiar on her face now, the look of a parent trying to decide if you were worthy of their child. It was one Ivan had inflicted on everyone that Laxus had ever tried to befriend, but while it dredged up bad memories, he couldn’t bring himself to mind this time as he caught her glancing at Freed, worried and protective and proud all at once… even if it wasn’t Freed that she was seeing, and he smiled.

“Laxus D…”

“We should go inside,” Porlyusica interrupted with a sharp look, cutting him off. “Freed needs to be off his feet as much as possible.”

“Fredric,” Freed corrected, voice even despite the way he’d stiffened, glancing at his mother who was frowning at the healer who winced and quickly apologised.

“Of course, my apologies…”
     Laxus had so many questions, but even if he’d been willing to broach the topic right now in an atmosphere that felt as though it could shatter at a single wrong word, he didn’t know where to start. Any thoughts of jealousy or anger had been well and truly dampened when they’d stepped into the small house, and he’d found himself staring up at the two beautiful, hand-drawn pictures hanging on the wall above the small fireplace – both of children that bore a distinct resemblance to Faith, especially with the green tint she had given the hair. But it was the names written underneath that had felt like a punch to the gut, one from the night he’d learned more about the man who was his rescuer turned captor – Freya Justine, and the other that didn’t belong up there at all. Freed Justine. Freed had been carefully avoiding looking at them, and Laxus couldn’t blame him. What must it feel like to look up and see a memorial to yourself? To sit there and talk to the woman that thought you were dead? And refused or was unable to realise that it was a different son right in front of her eyes?“Thank you,” he murmured when she offered him a cup of tea. Handmade just like most of the ones he’d seen on the Isle, but intricately carved, and as he ran a thumb over it, he could make out a ship and had a feeling that it wasn’t just his imagination that it looked a little like The Raijinshuu. “Did you make this?” He asked her, feeling awkward and out of his depth, startled when she all but beamed at him.“I did,” she said, passing a cup to Freed and reaching out to brush her fingers against his cheek. “I make a new one whenever I see Fredric’s ship on the horizon, to mark him coming home.” Laxus didn’t need to look at Freed to feel his pain at her words, or to know that this wasn’t home, not really. How could it be? And despite his questions and a lingering undercurrent of something else, he wanted to reach out and pull Freed close and shield him from this. Wishing now that he’d given into Freed’s pleas to escape to visit the ship, and that they were on The Raijinshuu and facing Evergreen’s wrath, rather than sat here, watching fresh wounds being inflicted with each moment that passed.“That’s nice,” he forced out, realising she was waiting for a response and seeing Porlyusica frowning at him. Wondering why she had allowed this when it clearly was not doing any of them any good.   Well no, it was clear that Faith was delighted to have her son back as she fussed around him, chatting away about her life while he had been gone, and Freed was drinking it in, not happy – the smile he gave her whenever she looked at him not reaching his eyes, but taking what he was given. Treasuring it. Laxus was content to lapse into silence, drink his tea which he noted had a herbal undertone and listen to them talking, filing away the odd mention of Freed’s childhood, stories that he had a feeling Freed had probably tried to forget. Porlyusica appeared to do the same, as the minutes crept by, and Laxus started to relax.Which was why they were caught by surprise when there was a sudden shattering of pottery.“You’re leaving me again, aren’t you?” Faith’s voice rose as she loomed over her son, the front of her dress now soaked through from the cups that now lay shattered on the ground at her feet. She was trembling, hands clenching and unclenching at her side as she stared at him, and Freed looked like a rabbit staring up at a fox about to pounce on it.“Faith…” Porlyusica stepped forward, only to pause when Faith glared at her – and now Laxus could see where Freed had got that look from, and he held his breath.“Look at you,” Faith’s attention switched back to Freed who flinched. “You’re hurt, you’re always hurt when you come back to me, and one day you’re not going to come back! I’m going to lose you just like I lost Freya and Freed.”“Mother…”“I can’t lose you!” Faith cut across the soft protest. “I won’t!” There were tears on her cheeks now and then she was moving, and Laxus tensed as she all but flung herself at Freed, but there was no anger in her despite the volume her voice had grown to, and instead she wrapped Freed up in a smothering hug. It was clear that it hurt, Freed paling as she pressed against his wounds, but he made no effort to push her away. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her in turn, holding her close, a hand moving soothingly over her back as her shoulders shook. “You have to stay…” Her voice was lower now, the tears evident and Laxus saw the brief longing that flickered across Freed’s face before their eyes met, Freed closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.“I can’t,” he said softly. “There are still things I want to do.”    Want, or have to do? Laxus wondered. Hoping that it wasn’t Freed’s promise to return him to the mainland that was dragging him away this time, although he wasn’t sure about the status of their agreement anymore, as everything had changed since then. He wasn’t going to ask right now, because Faith had flinched at Freed’s worse and was struggling now, pulling free, and glaring down at her son and Laxus tensed.“Then go.” It was harsh, too harsh, a wounded person lashing out. “Leave.” She was turning away, missing the way that Freed’s expression had crumpled, leaving him looking hopelessly young and lost, stretching out a hand towards Faith but she was still moving. “I won’t watch you get yourself killed,” she added, before storming out of the small cottage, the door slamming shut behind her and there was an awkward silence for a moment.“I’m sorry,” Freed whispered, not looking at either of them. He was slumped in the chair now, head buried in his hands and Laxus was up and by his side before he’d decided what he was doing, reaching out to rest a soothing hand on Freed’s shoulder even as he glanced helplessly at Porlyusica. He was out of his depth here as he hadn’t expected any of this, and the healer sighed.“I will take care of her,” she murmured, moving towards the door. “Freed,” she stopped and looked at him, refusing to continue until he looked up at her. “This wasn’t your fault.” There was a weight to her words that told Laxus she wasn’t just referring to this outburst, but that was something else to discuss later as her attention swung to him. “Can you take him back and make sure that he takes it easy.”“Of course,” Laxus agreed, squeezing lightly mindful of Freed’s injuries when he saw the protest forming, although he already knew that they weren’t going back to the infirmary. He had a feeling that Porlyusica knew it too because her eyes narrowed, and she hesitated before shaking her head and marching out of the room with a muttered comment about stubborn patients who thought they knew better than their healers.   Silence settled over them after Porlyusica had left, not uncomfortable exactly, but expectant. Laxus waiting for Freed to try and persuade him not to take him back, and Freed waiting for the questions and demands.Laxus broke first.“Come on,” he murmured, keeping his voice as soft as possible. Freed still flinched, but he did look up at him, and there were shadows in his eyes, darker than before. “Let's get back to the ship.” Something flickered in Freed’s eyes at that, not a lightening exactly.“But…”“I promised to take you back, she didn’t specify where,” Laxus knew that he was dancing on a technicality and didn’t care as Freed blew out a shaky breath and nodded.“Let’s go back to the ship,” he echoed, sounding more defeated that Laxus had heard him. Even more alarming was the fact that he didn’t fight when Laxus insisted on helping him to stand, wrapping an arm around his shoulders as he guided him towards the door. They were nearly there when Freed faltered and turned to look back towards the pictures over the fire and Laxus paused too, waiting patiently. “Perhaps we should all be up there,” he whispered, and Laxus opened his mouth to protest, only to snap it shut as Freed turned away and walked on shaky legs, leaving Laxus to chase after him.    Outside, they could just make out Porlyusica and Faith down at the edge of the water and Freed paused to gaze down at his mother. “Let’s go,” he said after a moment, and Laxus silently wrapped an arm around his shoulders and led him away from the cottage, questions bubbling up, only to be forced back as Freed leant into him, soaking up his support, and instead he bit his lip.
Evergreen, Bickslow, I hope you know how to fix this…
****
Extract from the Captain’s log of Erza Scarlet, Captain of The Red Queen.

‘…it wouldn’t be until after the war, that we learned that The Mermaid’s Heel – the ship that bore down on us that day – had been the last refugee ship to set sail for The Isle. At the time, she was unknown to all of us – having been commandeered by one of Gajeel’s informants to bring us news of what the King was doing, and on that day we had believed her an enemy as no ship had been expected.

It was the ship behind her that we should have been more worried about. A Privateer ship – Territory – had opened fire just as we had swung to meet The Mermaid’s Heel, heavy guns tearing apart the smaller, poorly-armed vessel that had been seeking help.

It was the first time The Red Queen was unable to help.

It was the day I nearly lost everything.
 
‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****They didn’t make it back to the ship.    Freed had done well, doggedly keeping pace with Laxus – although the Rebel had slowed considerably – and focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. However, any remaining doubts that Laxus might have had that Freed shouldn’t be up and about were well and truly laid to rest, and he was the one who eventually called a halt as they approached the edge of the village. Guiding them both across to one of the logs scattered around for use as a bench, and settling Freed on it, the lack of protest telling him everything he needed to know. He remained standing, glancing toward the village and beyond to where he could just make out the masts of The Raijinshuu, weighing up his decision to try and take Freed back to the ship, and he started when a soft touch on his arm dragged him back to the present and looking down he found Freed studying him.    Any colour Freed had recovered seemed to have slipped away, and he was listing to the side, but his eyes were sharp and focused, and dark with painful memories.  “I’m sorry.” It wasn’t until he heard the words that Laxus realised two things, one that he had been expecting it, and two that he didn’t want to hear it.“Why are you apologising?”“I sprung that on you,” Freed replied. “I didn’t tell you, even when we talked about the past. I…”“I haven’t told you everything about my life either,” Laxus pointed out after a moment, and despite the situation, his lips quivered, threatening a smile as Freed sighed as though he was deliberately trying to avoid the point he was attempting to make. Maybe he was, and it was his turn to sigh as he moved to settle beside Freed on the log, quietly pressing up against his side, as much to keep him upright as offer comfort. “I…” He hesitated, weighing his words. “I was surprised,” he started cautiously, earning something that could have been a snort from the other man, and deciding that was as good a sign to continue as he was going to get. “I probably have more questions than either of us can deal with right now, and I wish that you had told me before… but I don’t blame you for not saying anything.” His feelings fell more or less into place as he spoke, and he realised that he meant it, whatever lingering irritation he’d felt had died a swift death in the face of Faith’s obvious worry and fear for Freed, and Freed’s pain at the state his mother was in.    Freed was staring at him, and Laxus would have been offended by the surprise that greeted his words, had he had any clue what he’d been going to say before he’d said it. Instead, he waited, holding Freed’s gaze and just breathing, listening to the sound of children playing somewhere in the village and the hustle and bustle of life that had been so absent from that hidden cottage by the beach. “I barely remember what she was like before all of this,” Freed said finally, and now he did look away, gazing out through the trees although Laxus would have bet anything that he didn’t see any of it. “She’s all that I have left.” Like Gramps, Laxus thought with a pang. Sure, his situation was different, his father still lived and breathed – unfortunately -but considering everything he might as well be dead, but Makarov was his family. His home. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to put himself in Freed’s shoes, to imagine what he would do if Makarov was ever in the state that Faith was in.If he ever forgot Laxus…   He couldn’t do it, his heart and mind baulking at the idea and his eyes flew open, to find Freed watching him again with a knowing expression. “It’s not something I would wish on my worst enemy.”“How do you bear it?” Laxus hadn’t meant to ask, but it slipped out before he could stop it.“I didn’t at first,” Freed whispered. “When I first learned that she was here, that she was alive, I thought that maybe everything I had endured and seen had been worth it. I’d thought that she was dead for so long, and to have her back.” His hands clenched in his lap, and Laxus found himself fighting the urge to reach out and take one of them as he saw the sheen of tears in Freed’s eyes. “I was nervous when I meant to meet her, wondering what she would make of what I had become, and the things I’ve done, but I was excited too. I even thought that maybe I would hand over the ship and stay here, make a life with her and reclaim some of the time that had been taken from us.” Freed’s eyes flickered up to Laxus’ face for a moment, and then away again. “I never told Evergreen or Bickslow that.” It was a plea for secrecy, and Laxus hummed an acknowledgement and tried to ignore the tiny spark of something that came at the realisation that he had just learned something that no one else knew.    There was a pause, as though Freed was gathering his thoughts or more likely steeling himself for the next bit, as his hands were now clenched so tightly that the knuckles had turned white. “Porlyusica tried to warn me, to tell me that my mother’s mind was muddled, that trauma had left her with memory issues amongst other things, but I was young, and all I could see was the promise of having my mother back. Then I went in there, and my mother lit up the moment she saw me, and just for a second everything felt right with the world, and I was a child again back before we were torn apart… and then she called me Fredric for the first time.” Laxus gave in to the urge to reach out, taking one of Freed’s hand in his and tangling their fingers together, and the tightness of the returning grip told him that it was the right decision.“You didn’t tell her?”“We tried,” Freed said. “I was so shocked that I just blurted out who I really was, and she slapped me and burst into tears, telling me off for telling such a ‘cruel joke’, and she refused to listen to Porlyusica or myself. We kept trying, but it agitated her, and her condition started to deteriorate, and eventually, it was just easier to bite my tongue and accept that in her eyes I will always be my little brother…”“It wasn’t easier for you,” Laxus countered. He could understand why Freed had done it, had seen how much Freed had needed her care and affection even if it had been misaimed, but he had also seen the pain, both in the cottage and now, a raw wound that refused to scab let alone heal.“No…” Freed agreed reluctantly. “There are times when I just want to scream and shout at her until she sees me for who I am. I…” His eyes flickered to Laxus, away and then back again. “I hate that she can’t see me for who I am, and after those first few encounters, I avoided her for a while. If we docked here, I never ventured onshore or at least never visited the cottage. But, I couldn’t forget, and I couldn’t sail away and never return, so I started going back…started to be ‘Fredric’ for the short amount of time that I’m here, and I hate it and I....”“Don’t say it,” Laxus interrupted. And I hate her, he could hear the words even though he’d stopped Freed from saying them. “I know how easy those words are too say, and that there are probably moments where you do feel like that…but I saw how you looked at her, and how you look now talking about her, and that is not the expression of someone who hates their mother.” He knew what it was to hate a parent, it was raw and ugly and painful, a necessary wrongness in his case, and just as Freed would not wish being forgotten and mistaken for someone else on anyone, he would not wish that kind of hatred on anyone, least of all Freed. And Faith Justine, who mourned her lost children – if not the right ones -, and who worried and cried and pleaded for her last son to stay with and stay safe, was as far from Ivan as anyone could get.   They lapsed into silence again, and this time it stretched on and on. “I don’t hate her…” Freed said eventually, voice low. “But…” He trailed off, searching for words that couldn’t be found and Laxus squeezed the hand that he was holding.“Yeah…”     Silence settled again, a little easier this time. Laxus still had more questions, but he was content to wait, and he had a moment of pained amusement as he thought about how surprised Makarov would be by this display of patience. The older man had spent much of Laxus’ childhood cautioning him to be more patient, to listen and observe before acting. Yet, it had taken a Pirate who had broken into one of the most heavily fortified prisons in Fiore, just for the chance of bringing Laxus onside, and with little notice, to teach him that patience wasn’t as terrible as it had seemed back then. He bit back a chuckle, although he must’ve made some kind of noise because it drew Freed away from his contemplation of a distance only he could see. “What?”“Just thinking about how much has changed.”“Because of this?” Freed asked.“Because of you,” Laxus countered, and Freed’s mouth opened and closed. “I’ll have more questions. Later,” he added hastily, as Freed tensed. “But, I’m glad that you trusted me with this.” Because that was this had been, Freed laying himself bare, and Laxus wasn’t sure whether it was because of their changing relationship, because of what had happened on The Scarlet Minstrel or something else. It hadn’t felt it at the time, but taking him there had been an act of trust, and Laxus took a deep breath. “There is one thing I need to know though.”“Anything.” Something had relaxed in Freed’s expression at his words, only to tense again at the last ones.“Would you stay here if it wasn’t for our agreement?” Laxus was almost afraid to ask, but Freed had trusted him, and it was a thought that refused to be silenced. Living here, dealing with Faith’s inability to recognise her own son wouldn’t be easy, but in a world that seemed determined to strip away everything that was precious to them, was it a gift that Freed could walk away from?“No,” Freed’s response was quick and more sure than anything he had said since he’d first woken after the fight with Rufus, and there was no hesitation this time as he met Laxus’ gaze. “Staying here with her was a child’s dream.”“But…”“The Raijinshuu is my home,” Freed cut across him with a slight smile, some of the shadows easing as his eyes turned towards the distant masts of his ship. “This Isle and my mother are a port in the storm, but I’m not looking to stay here.”“So, our deal means nothing?” Laxus joked, trying for levity, trying not to show the warmth and relief that had just expanded in his chest, but Fred twisted to face him, only a flicker in his expression betraying how much the movement had hurt.“It means everything.”****
‘…All things can be bought for a price.

Even death.

Ivan has given me a ship and a crew, I have this arm that has already tasted blood, and today I sought insurance to make sure that Freed Justine will die the next time we meet. The King is confident his plan will work, I intend to tear Justine apart one piece of a time – first his ship and crew, then the man that fought at his side, and finally flesh and blood, but as my current situation has demonstrated, his luck runs deep, and I will not take the chance of him slipping through my fingers again.

The apothecary took some persuading – blood and coin sealing the deal – after all, death is a dangerous business, whatever side you are on.

Two vials.

Liquid death. Fitting considering the Ocean almost killed me, and a small part of me hopes that I will get chance to use it, for as much as I long to tear him apart, the pain promised by this dark liquid is said to be torment. I had heard whispers of it, and I got to see for myself today as I tested it, blade glistening black on its edge…

The apothecary is dead. I could leave no witnesses, so there will be no more.

One chance.

One chance is all I will need.

Excerpts are taken from the journal of Rufus Lore, following his rescue by the Soaring Siren and his subsequent return to mainland Fiore. The journal was one of the only items found in his personal effects following the end of the war and was entrusted to the Royal Archives by Captain Freed Justine who discovered it.

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Extract from the personal journal of Mavis Vermillion,

“…Tenroujima has been our sanctuary for so long now, that I fear that too many of us have started to feel that the war and all that we were and are fighting for is a distant memory. There are moments of remembering when new people come to us seeking safety when the ships bring news and warnings when whispers reach us of new threats, new losses, but it is distant. Perhaps, I have even encouraged it. It is so easy to stand here on our island, to listen to the young ones laughing and playing, to see men and women making a life for themselves and forget.

There are days when I want to forget.

Maybe it was more than days because when the war inevitably came for us, we weren’t ready.

I wasn’t ready.

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

****
    Freed was finally resting, safely ensconced in his own cabin and being watched over by Wendy who had delivered a surprisingly blistering lecture when they’d climbed onboard before whisking her patient and Captain away with strict orders for him not to be disturbed. Which was why Laxus found himself on the gundeck, helping Bickslow to hold the ropes supporting one of the canons taught as Evergreen worked on the gunport that had been damaged during the fight, as he filled them in on what had been happening. If they were surprised that Freed had introduced him to his mother, they didn’t let it show, although it was clear that they had been aware of her presence, sharing a glance when he’d mentioned her outburst and he made a note to ask them about it later.“You realise Porlyusica is going to rip you a new one when she finds out you brought him here?” Bickslow asked once Laxus had admitted that he’d taken matters into his own hands with bringing Freed back to the ship. Rolling his eyes when Evergreen promptly ordered him to pay attention, even though he hadn’t shifted in the slightest.“I’ll just tell her Freed threatened to throw me in the brig again,” Laxus retorted.“I’ll put you there myself if either of you let go of those ropes,” Evergreen snapped as the canon shifted slightly, the ropes creaking ominously, and they shared a look and straightened, tightening their grip.    Laxus was quite happy to let them lapse into silence, because now that Freed was resting and he had a moment to catch his breath, his thoughts were wandering again. Not to whether Freed would want to stay on the island because any lingering doubts he might’ve had on that matter had been well and truly banished by the look on Freed’s face when he had first set sights on The Raijinshuu. The smile had been dimmed by pain and exhaustion, but it had brought his face to life in a way that Laxus hadn’t seen since before that fight, although he hadn’t missed the anger and steel beneath it as Freed had noted the damage still waiting to be repaired. Still, there was no doubt that this was where the other man wanted to be, which brought him back to the question of where he – Laxus wanted to be, and what they were supposed to do next.    It would be easy to let himself stop here. He hadn’t spent much time just experiencing Tenroujima, but from little he had seen of the way of life here, he could almost imagine himself making a life here. Almost. Because there was still the matter of his grandfather, and even though he could imagine what the older man would say if he knew how much Laxus was willing to risk just for the chance to see him again, let alone rescue him, he couldn’t just turn his back on that. Makarov was family, the only family that Laxus had left, at least that he was willing to acknowledge and that still had to count for something in this world of theirs.And Ivan…    Laxus had spent so long despising the man, both for what he was, and for not being what he could have been, that at some point it had become twisted around him until it was all he could see. He still hated him. That was as much a part of him now, as the memories of Makarov and the determination to save his grandfather, but before it had been purely personal. He had deliberately kept it that way, honing that hate into a weapon he could use, trying to keep the fight between them, because that way he couldn’t lose anything else. Freed had changed that, and Laxus still wasn’t entirely sure if that was a good or bad thing, but he also knew that it was the kind of change that there wasn’t any turning back from, even if he wanted to. Which he didn’t, but now he had more reasons to fight, but also more stakes in the rebellion, in the inevitable confrontation with Ivan, and that scared him, in a way that he hadn’t thought possible.“I can practically hear the cogs turning in your brain from over here,” Bickslow’s voice dragged him out of his thoughts, and Laxus blinked and looked up, startled to realise that Evergreen had finished her repairs and that they were both studying him. There was concern – some for Freed he knew, but for him as well, and it was that which stopped the automatic ‘I’m fine’ from passing his lips, and instead, he let go of the rope now that Ever wasn’t set to murder him and rolled his shoulders, trying for nonchalance.“I was thinking about what comes next…”“Has Freed said anything about that?” Evergreen asked.“He told me that he wasn’t planning on staying here,” Laxus doubted he was betraying any confidences by saying that, and neither of them looked surprised. However, there wasn’t the relief and happiness he might have expected either as they shared a look, and it was Bickslow who seemed to lose whatever silent conversation they were having as he asked cautiously.“Because of Lore?”“No,” Laxus replied. “In fact, he didn’t mention Lore once.” Although I doubt very much, he’s forgotten about it, he thought, realising that he wasn’t actually surprised that Freed hadn’t mentioned the other Captain. He was still learning to navigate Freed’s methods of dealing with things, but it was clear that he tried to keep the things that bothered him the most as buried as possible. It was a mechanism that Laxus knew all too well, although now that he was finding himself on the other end of it, he was starting to realise why it had irritated Makarov so much when he had done the same. I swear I’ll try and be more open with you Gramps, he promised, lips quirking a little as he imagined how surprised Makarov would be if and when that happened.“You think he wants to go and look for him?” Evergreen was scowling as she asked the question that none of them had wanted to put into words, but Bickslow shrugged and leaned back against the canon, ignoring her protest, as he weighed his words carefully. Laxus waited, he had a feeling that he already knew the answer to that question, but these two had the advantage of years spent with Freed, and a small part of him was hoping that he was wrong.“I think he wants to reassure himself that Lore is gone.”“We watched him go under!”“I know.”“We’ve got enough problems without chasing ghosts,” Evergreen muttered.“Ever…”“If he shows up, I’ll shoot him before he can look twice at Freed.” The hand on her holstered pistol reinforced the promise in her words, not that either of them had doubted it. In fact, Laxus would wager more than the bounty on his head, that there would be a queue of people waiting to do just the same, and that he would be at the front of it. “Until that time, I’m not going to waste my time thinking about someone who's probably rotting on the bottom of the ocean, and we should be encouraging Freed to forget about him, not go hunting down something that isn’t there to be found.”“I agree, but…”“No, no buts!”“Laxus?” Bickslow shot him a pleading look.“Don’t drag me into this,” Laxus protested, catching the glare Evergreen sent at him. He agreed with both to some extent, and he had a feeling that Evergreen knew that it was going to be a lost cause trying to stop Freed if this what he set his mind to. That didn’t mean he was going to say as much with her glowering at him, one hand still resting on her weapon, in a way that was eerily reminiscent of their earlier interactions. He doubted that she would use it now, but he wasn’t about to test that theory, especially when Porlyusica would probably refuse to heal him for his disobedience with Freed.“Coward,” Bickslow grumbled.“No offence, I’m more afraid of her than I am of you.”    Bickslow’s eyes narrowed and he glanced between them, wincing at the expression on Evergreen’s face before letting his shoulders fall. “Fair point.” Evergreen snarled at him, but there was a hint of a smile on her face, which became a proper smile when she looked back at Laxus.“Good, you’ve learned. It’s nice to know one of you isn’t a lost cause.”“Ever!”    Laxus didn’t mean to laugh, and it wasn’t even all that funny considering the previous conversation, but the chuckle burst out of him before he could stop it. Perhaps it was the taste of normality after everything, because he had come to respect the relationship between them, or maybe it was the feeling of belonging, that he was starting to realise spread beyond Freed and what the other man was coming to mean to him. Or, maybe he had just spent too much time around them, and their brand of madness was rubbing off on him. He didn’t know the answer, and he wasn’t entirely sure that he cared as he found himself doubling over with laughter, as Evergreen and Bickslow shared a look and the latter said drily. “I think you might’ve spoken too soon…”****
“…I have wished for many things over the years. I wished that my daughter-in-law had lived so that Laxus could have grown up knowing that at least one of his parents loved him above all else, although perhaps that is a cruel wish because I can’t help but believe Ivan’s madness would have risen whether she lived or died, and it would be cruel to sentence her to witness that alongside us.

Perhaps, I should go further back and wish that I could find that point at which things between myself and Ivan first started to go wrong. Maybe if I could find the right thing to say, or make a different choice I could save us all from this, and salvage some small part of that dark-haired boy that used to play in the garden and dream of being a knight, or a dragon-slayer or some grand mage…and not this tyrant that has killed those dreams for so many other children.

Sometimes, I wish that I had taken Laxus and run when I first started to see the truth of what Ivan was becoming because I can’t lie, I could see him changing in front of my eyes. I just didn’t want to admit it. I didn’t want to lose my son, or for Laxus to lose his father… and I failed. We both lost everything. But, if I had run sooner, how many others would have fallen into Ivan’s grasp? How many lives would my freedom have cost?

So many wishes, and yet most of them would cost so much. Perhaps, it is best that I am here, that I made the choices I did…

But, I can still wish and dream of a different life.

…and if I am honest, I do have one wish that I would give anything to make come true. I want to see Laxus again, I want to tell him that I love him, tell him to be free, and to forget about me. Because I know my grandson, I know his heart – the one that Ivan tried and failed to destroy, and I know he will try and come for me. That Ivan is counting on it, and that it could be the death of both of us.

Please Laxus…
 
       ‘The above abstract was taken from one of the many journals kept by Makarov Dreyar during his imprisonment, which was loaned to me in order to complete this work, and which will then be stored in the Royal Archives.’
 
‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

****
    There was a relief to waking in his own cabin and feeling the gentle rise and fall of The Raijinshuu beneath him, and it felt to Freed that he could breathe freely for the first time since the fight with The Scarlet Minstrel and Lore. It’s over, he thought as he lay there for a moment, just breathing and trying to lose himself in the sensation. So, why does it feel like I am waiting for something to happen? Even in the safety of his own thoughts, of his own cabin, he could feel the pressure of expectation, a chill that he couldn’t put a name to that had the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end.“Freed?”    Freed hadn’t realised that he wasn’t alone, and he bolted upright with a strangled noise of pain, reaching for a weapon that wasn’t in its usual place before he’d even recognised the voice. “Wendy…?” He blinked at the girl, slowly lowering his arm, guilt gnawing at him as he saw the brief flash of fear that she hadn’t been able to hide, even as she held up her hands to show that she wasn’t a threat. “I’m sorry…” he breathed, and Wendy shook her head and offered him a tentative smile.“I didn’t mean to startle you.”   Startle? Was that the word for it, Freed wondered, because for a moment it hadn’t been her voice that he’d heard, and it hadn’t been surprise but fear that gripped him. Lore. He swallowed and allowed himself to sag back against the pillow, which apparently was the sign Wendy had been waiting for as she got to her feet and moved to his side. He watched her approach, relieved to see that there was no lingering fear in her expression, and no hesitation as she reached for him. Still… “Wendy, you should get someone else to watch over me for the time being,” he said. Ideally, he’d rather there was no one watching over him. Not even Laxus? A small voice asked slyly in the back of his mind, which he ignored. However, he knew that none of his crew would be happy with that at the moment, and if he was honest, he knew that it was a bad idea, but at least the others were more prepared for if he did lash out in the throes of a nightmare of from being ‘startled.’“We all pitch in with everything, isn’t that one of your rules?” Wendy asked, already at work, pulling his shirt aside to check on the bandages beneath, tongue caught in the corner of her mouth as she focused.“That is different…”“Is it?” She glanced at him, meeting his gaze for a moment. “I’m not frightened of you Freed.”“But…”“You startled me,” she said firmly, emphasising the word and Freed almost wanted to laugh. He remembered a time when she had barely been able to say two words to him, and now here she was channelling more of him than he cared to admit. “And I startled you, so I think we’re even. But, I know that even if you’d managed to get to your sword that you would have stopped in time.”   How? How can you know that? Freed wanted to ask, but he couldn’t bring himself to voice the question or the one that trailed in its wake. Why don’t I trust that about myself? He had always known where his line was, especially with his crew. His rules. He has accepted a long time ago that this was his life, that he had become what he had been shaped into, but that didn’t mean that he had to be like the people that had shaped him. So, he had his rules, the boundaries that he would never cross no matter the cost to himself. Yet, right now, it felt as though even that had been stripped away from him, even though he knew that was nonsense. The only thing that had changed was that he was lucky to be alive, and Lore and his ship were gone. He knew that and yet he felt as though he had lost something beneath the waves that day, and he wasn’t sure how to get it back. “It doesn’t feel real does it?” Wendy’s quiet voice drew him back to the present, and he blinked realising that she was watching him with far too much understanding for his comfort, her eyes far older than they should have been.“What…?”“That he’s gone,” Wendy whispered, and it felt like Freed had been slapped in the face. How could he have forgotten? Without a care for his injuries or the pain that spiked as he moved, he leaned forward and drew her into a hug. The fact that she didn’t push him away and scold him about his wounds speaking volumes.“I’m so sorry,” he murmured, feeling her quiver and turn to wrap her arms around him, the gentleness betraying her awareness of his wounds, even as she sniffled.“W-Why are you apologising?” She asked, the words muffled from where she had her face buried against his shoulder. “We’re free because of you, really free… he can’t hunt us, or hurt us ever again.” Her voice cracked and broke, and she didn’t sound as though she quite believed what she was saying, and Freed was caught between relief that someone else felt like that, that he wasn’t alone with the ghost of Lore at his shoulder and dismay that she couldn’t believe it.“He…” He swallowed, mouth dry and for a moment he was back in the water and all he could taste was blood and water, and the promise of death circling around him.
   
Rufus was still fighting, desperation to his movements now, although there was nowhere for either of them to go but into the churning waters between the ships. Lashing out he caught the hilt of his sword, and in a last defiant act of cruelty, as he realised there was no escape from this, he grasped it with scarred fingers and twisted. It tore, biting into flesh and Freed screamed before the world began to spiral down into darkness, and he was barely aware of them hitting the water in a tangled mess of limbs. He had no strength to pull away, let alone to strike out for the surface, and as the surface of the sea closed about him, he closed his eyes.

He was sinking, choking on water and blood and he almost didn’t react when he felt hands claw at him again. Then he realised that he was being pushed down, a hand on his head, forcing him deeper into the ocean as whoever it was tried to push off from him, and something roared to life in his chest as his eyes flew open. The saltwater stung in his eyes, and his vision was blurred and fading, but it was impossible to miss Rufus as the man was right in front of him, trying to get free and reach for the surface, more than willing to drown him for a chance to survive.

It was also clear that he was flagging, the darkness in the water around them that Freed assumed was blood, not just coming from his own wounds. But there was terror in the twisted features, and Freed knew just what terror could drive a person to do and he couldn’t risk Rufus getting the chance to reach the surface.

The sword was still in his chest twisted in deep from Rufus last cruel attempt to destroy him, and Freed reached for it now, knowing that he was sentencing himself to death with what he planned. Panic was clawing at him now, chest burning from lack of air, and he moved, knowing that this was his only chance. Agony had him crying out again, swallowing ore water, speeding up his death and he could barely see as he pulled the blade free, but he didn’t need to. Lore’s hand was still there, pushing him down, and Freed with what force he could muster.

It wasn’t much, it didn’t need to be. He felt the resistance of flesh, the blade pressing in and then the hand was gone from his head, and a weight was dragging the blade from shaking fingers and he was drowning, and thrashing at the water, even as he twisted, just able to make out Lore sinking beneath him eyes boring into his, a wordless scream on his lips…
“…I saw him sinking into the depths,” Freed whispered, trembling worse than Wendy at the memory, and he could still taste salt and blood. It had been the last thing he’d seen, the last thing he’d thought that he’d ever see, and maybe that was why it felt as though maybe it had all been a dream, because he had been ready to die, had thought that was the only possible outcome and yet here he was. And if I could survive that… But, Wendy was clinging to him a little tighter, and there was a sob amongst the sniffles now and he let out a shaky breath. “He’s gone, Wendy. He’s really gone.” He felt like a liar, even though he knew that it was most likely the truth, just as Bickslow and the others had been trying to convince him since he’d woken up. “You and Lucy are safe now,” he added, rubbing her back, and realising that he needed to seek out his navigator and talk to her too, although he knew the others would have kept an eye on her for him, especially Loke.“I know,” Wendy whispered. “I know that, but…”“He’s been out there chasing us for so long, it’s hard to imagine that he’s really gone?” Freed asked, realising as he did so that he’d put his own fears into words. Wendy was nodding and pulling away, tears on her cheeks which she scrubbed at, even as she lifted her head to meet his gaze, and he knew that she’d been waiting for him to say that. “Wendy…”“I heard the others talking, and I heard you in your sleep,” Wendy was flushed now, but standing her ground, and there was a fresh glint in her eyes and Freed wondered if that was what being free of Lore had done. He hoped it was, something easing in his chest at the sight, even as he stiffened with worry at what he might have said in his sleep. “They’re worried, and they’re right to be.” Her expression stopped him from arguing, not that he’d had much of a foot to stand on anyway as his crew had proved over and over that they were going to worry about him even if he didn’t want them too. “But, they don’t understand, not really.” Freed opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but found that he couldn’t not really, because she wasn’t wrong. Sure, there were many of the crew that had been involved in their battles over the years and had worried about Lore because of that, but the bone-deep fear that Wendy and Lucy had carried for the man, and Freed’s certainty that it would only end with either him or Lore dead, had been unique to them.“No,” he admitted finally. “They don’t, not really… but I was so caught up in what had happened, and the memories.” He shivered, wondering if that reaction would ever fade, and for the first time wondering what it was going to be like out on the water again, with nothing but the ship between him and the deep, before wrenching his thoughts away from that question and the quiet, surging fear that he might not be able to go back to how he had been before despite his words to Laxus. They had time for that, time to work on that fear before he had to face the open waters. “That I didn’t stop to think…”“No, that’s…”“I know,” he cut her off and even managed a strained attempt at a smile for her sake. “I know you weren’t trying to blame me for that, but I should have remembered.”“I didn’t,” Wendy admitted. “I was working on you, helping Porlyusica and with the repairs and not letting myself think about it, and then Lucy came to me one night, unable to sleep and it was like everything hit me at once. She said that Mira and Loke had cornered her once we knew you were on the mend and that she was returning the favour, and it helped. It hurt,” she sniffled, wiping away fresh tears. “I think it might always hurt, at least a little, but it helped, and I realised that you needed this as well.”“I did,” Freed agreed, and it wasn’t quite as much of a lie as he’d thought it would be. There was still a part of him that wasn’t ready to believe that Lore was gone, a part that he couldn’t share with Wendy, a squirming tendril of fear that refused to relinquish its hold on him. He wasn’t sure if that would fade with time, or whether it was just another scar to grow accustomed to, a ghost to revisit late at night when his crew were asleep. But, there was a part of him that felt as though a weight had been lifted, as though he could breathe a little deeper, and when Wendy beamed at him, bright-eyed despite the tears still drying on her face, he thought that maybe it wouldn’t be a bad thing to focus on that part for a while. “Thank you, Wendy.”“You’re welcome,” Wendy smiled and then turned stern as she stood up and turned to face him, hands on her hips. “That doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten the fact that you were wandering around when you were supposed to be resting, or that you convinced Laxus to bring you back here rather the infirmary, or that I am going to protect you from Porlyusica when she tracks you down.” Freed was aware that he was staring wide-eyed at her, thinking that she was just missing the waggling finger to make him feel like a chastised child, and then he was chuckling and Wendy was blinking at him. “What?!”“I’m glad that I met you, Wendy Marvell.”    Wendy was definitely blushing now, but she smiled at him. “I’m glad, but you’re still staying in that bed until I say otherwise.” Freed deliberately pouted at her words, and Wendy giggled and shook her head. “Nope, don’t give me that look otherwise I’ll fetch Evergreen to stand guard until you’re well enough to be up and about.”“You wouldn’t!”“I would,” Wendy retorted, as she moved in again, still laughing and standing that little bit taller. “So, let me finish checking your bandages, and then I will see what Mira has for you to eat and then you can get some more sleep.”“Aye, Aye Captain,” Freed muttered without heat, and he didn’t argue as she leaned him back and resumed her earlier ministrations, answering her questions in a low voice, content, for now, to watch her work and reflect on the difference between the young, terrified girl who had first come on board with this confident healer who had given him something he hadn’t known that he needed.     He was almost asleep again by the time she had finished, barely managing to grunt an acknowledgement when she told him she was going to go and find them some food. However, she had barely reached the door, before the peace was shattered by a sudden shout from outside, followed by another and then dozens of raised voices, and the sound of running feet.“What’s going on?” Freed demanded, pushing himself upright, sleep all but forgotten as he caught the alarm and fear in the voices that were only getting louder.“I don’t know,” Wendy replied with a frown, tilting her head towards the noise and then looking at him, spying the hand that he had on the covers, ready to push them back. She tugged the covers out of his grip. “Stay here, I’ll go and find out for you.” She was gone before he could argue, only to pause in the doorway and turn a glare on him “I mean it, stay here.” Freed was really going to have to limit the time she spent around Porlyusica because there had been way too much of the older woman’s attitude in that command. And more than a little Ever, he had to admit, knowing that she would have said exactly the same and with a sigh, he leant back and raised his hands in surrender.“I’ll stay here,” he promised, and she shot him a grin before disappearing and he could hear her all but bolt along the gangway and towards the steps leading to the deck.   He’d had every intention of obeying her command, not least because he had to admit that the visit to his mother, the conversations and walk that had followed and this latest conversation had left him exhausted, but the noise wasn’t abated, and as the seconds crept into minutes, and the minutes stretched on, he heard fresh shouts and sobs. Sounds, that didn’t belong on Tenroujima of all places, and knowing that he would face Wendy’s wrath if she caught him or it turned out to be nothing, he pushed the covers aside and moved to stand. It hurt, almost enough to make him abandon his efforts, even with the progress he’d made with healing, and he grimaced and clung to the edge of the bed for a moment before stepping away cautiously. He didn’t fall, and he classed that as a win.    Retrieving a jacket, not his favourite which he had no doubt had been a lost cause after the fight and slipping it on against the chill he could feel pressing in on him and finding his boots that someone had foolishly left close to the bed, not even attempting to bend down and tie them, he followed after Wendy.    He encountered no one on his way above decks which was another worrying sign, as he knew that everyone had been working on the ship and had probably refused to go anywhere else once they’d heard he was on board. He wanted to take his time and just absorb the feeling of being back on The Raijinshuu and the comforting movement beneath his feet, carefully keeping his mind away from the depths and the memories that lurked beneath, but the noise from outside drove him forwards, and up the stairs onto the deck, the effort leaving him breathless and leaning heavily on the railing at the top. And for a moment, he did lose himself in the sight of the masts and rolled up sails above his head, closing his eyes, and listening to the creak of wood and rope in the light breeze.
Home.
    He shook his head and stumbled forward heading for the railing as he realised the commotion was on the dock and hating the small voice of relief that it wasn’t The Raijinshuu at the centre of whatever was happening. Especially, when he reached the top of the gangplank and saw the three rowboats that had been pulled up where the dock gave way to soft, golden sand. Each boat bore the signs of having been caught in a fight, and Freed frowned knowing that such small craft couldn’t have made it far, and then he spied the red-headed figure in the middle of the crowd, and it felt like the bottom had dropped out of his stomach as he saw Erza step aside, allowing some of his own crew to step forward and help lift the first of three cloth bound figures out of the central boat.    Freed turned, hoping against hope to see The Red Queen on the horizon or anchored just offshore, but there was nothing to be seen and he turned back and forced himself forward. The weight that Wendy had managed to banish descending once more, as he made his way down the gangplank and onto the dock and it was only his injuries that stopped him from breaking into a run, as he approached the gathered crowd. He heard whispers and murmurs as he reached them, and pushed through, but he didn’t hear the words, even as the weight became heavier as he moved forward. He found Loke and Lucy, the former cursing vehemently under his breath until he spied Freed, opening his mouth to say something before shaking his head and stepping aside to let Freed move forward. Lucy tried to protest, but Freed gently moved her aside and stepped past, finding himself at the front and coming up short as he took in the bedraggled, wounded crew of the Red Queen as they were being ushered out of the boats and up onto the shore, their attention on the cloth-bound figures.“Erza…” His voice was soft, but Erza heard it even with the commotion, turning to look at him, and his heart twisted at the rage and the grief in her expression. There was a pause, and he felt someone move to stand beside him, but he didn’t look away or flinch when she finally moved, reaching up to remove her hat, letting him see the tears in her eyes. “The Queen?” He forced himself to ask.“Gone,” Erza’s voice was iron and ice all at once. “We took the bastards with us, but…” Her eyes tracked to her crew, to the bodies, and he could see her buckle for a minute before catching herself. “We paid the price, and now the war is coming.”****
Extract from the Captain’s log of Erza Scarlet, Captain of The Red Queen.

“…I feel like that small helpless child clapped in irons again. We failed. I failed. Perhaps I had become complacent in these waters, sailing patrols without action, or maybe I had forgotten what the war was really like even with the memory of The Raijinshuu close at hand…

…Or maybe we were just outgunned.

Territory was a larger ship and heavily armed, and she bore down on us while the Mermaid’s Heel was still in her death throes and we were distracted with trying to rescue those in the water… those poor people who had set sail on the whispers of a dream, and would die so close to salvation. They weren’t the first, they probably won’t be the last, but we were right there and we couldn’t protect them.

We couldn’t protect ourselves.

The Red Queen. My crew. They fought valiantly, but we were outclassed and surprised, and Territory was relentless in her assault.

How many of my crew have I lost to the sea? How many more will succumb to their wounds?
It was Natsu who saved us, the one I had once called the most unreliable second mate in history, who turned our limited supply of black powder into a lethal weapon that took our enemy down to the depths along with The Red Queen… and all it cost was his life, as the rest of us fled into the rowboats.

His life.
At least we managed to bring him back, to give him a proper burial… him, and Simon and Macao… three out of who knows how many, I don’t know yet, I can’t let myself give them names yet, to face this loss, not until I know we’re safe.

Until I’ve passed on the warning and the one life from the Mermaid’s Heel that we managed to save.

Only then can I stop, only then I can I weep and scream and break… because I will have that time, because I am alive and I will heal, but those I’ve lost won’t…

…and that means war.

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Extract from the personal journal of Mavis Vermillion,

‘Politics, leadership, even the rebellion. Everything is a piece on a chessboard when you think about it.’

Those were the words that I said to Laxus the first time we spoke properly. At the time I was testing him, searching for a sign of the man who had saved me.

‘None of this is a game and all of that. It is about people, about individuals.…’

It was impossible not to think of his words, his challenge to my test as I watched the sanctuary that we had built on the Isle starting to crumble. I’d felt safe here, we all had, and now that was not just being threatened, it was going to be destroyed. There was no way Ivan would leave us be, and that meant I had to make choices, and now I find myself facing the chessboard again.
   Growing up, I always believed that strategy shouldn’t take into account emotion. Emotion makes you freeze, makes you doubt. Yet now, I’m afraid – for myself, for the people around me, and for what we’re going to have to do. But, for all that fear my mind was alive with thoughts and ideas. I was still able to look at what tools and people we had available to protect ourselves, to see everything as pieces on a chessboard. It’s how my mind works best, a blessing and a curse because I can see moves ahead. I can see where sacrifices are needed for victories. I see opportunities. I see losses. I see it, and yet this time there is little I can do but hope.
Hope, and ask others to do what I cannot, in the full knowledge that it might destroy us all if they fail...

…if I am wrong.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

****
    Freed had never been superstitious, not even in the way of experienced sailors, because he knew that humans were capable of far worse than some unseen forces, and he didn’t want to think that his path to piracy and everything that had been followed had been set by some greater force. Yet as he allowed Laxus to guide him into one of the chairs that had been set up in Mavis’ house so they could hold this meeting away from prying eyes, he couldn’t help but feel as though something was pressing in on him, not quite fate, but rather a feeling on inevitability. Perhaps it was just his imagination, heightened by the fear that lingered, fuelled by the haunting memory of water closing above his head, his breath catching in his chest. Or maybe it was the way that fear had settled across the island, as thick and creeping as sea fog or the way everyone had been watching them on the way here, searching for answers that he didn’t have.    He might not have a name for the feeling curling around him, and he might not know what was causing it, but he knew. As strongly as he knew every inch of The Raijinshuu, and with the same certainty that he knew that Bickslow and Evergreen would follow him to the ends of the earth, that war wasn’t just coming. It was already here, in the shattered, broken crew of The Red Queen and written in Erza’s grief, and that somehow, regardless of what he might want, he was going to be right in the middle of it and he shivered at the weight of that realisation.“Freed?” Laxus had noticed the shiver, having remained close, although he hadn’t sat down. He had been on edge ever since they’d heard what had happened, and Freed knew that his thoughts had turned to Fiore, and his father and grandfather even if he was doing a good job of masking it. It didn’t stop him from looking concerned as he turned to Freed though.“I’m fine,” Freed tried to smile, he really did, but he barely managed to twitch his lips and he was unsurprised when Laxus didn’t look convinced. “Just tired.” That much wasn’t a lie, he was exhausted and not just from his injuries, this was the kind of exhaustion that ran soul deep, and he knew that it would take time more than rest for that to ease, and he had a feeling that he wouldn’t have much of either. He wasn’t going to give voice to the pain that was building, his injuries still healing and protesting how far he was pushing himself.“You should still be resting,” Evergreen muttered, catching the end of the conversation and scowling. She had been the most vocal against him being dragged to this meeting and looked as though she was ready to restart that debate, and Freed shook his head.“I needed to be here,” he countered meeting her gaze, and lifting his eyebrow and challenging her to argue with him and she held his gaze for a moment before cursing under her breath and looking away. He didn’t take any offence, knowing that her frustration came more from the fact that she couldn’t argue with that statement than with him. And that with The Red Queen sunk, their ship was the only lifeline that the Isle had, and while she and Bickslow could speak for him and with his full support, it was his authority that was going to be needed. He was the one to look away now as the choking feeling of inevitability pressed ever close, and he found himself looking to Laxus, only to realise that there was no comfort to be found there for the moment.  Laxus was like a tightly drawn bowstring and had been ever since they’d first heard what had happened to The Red Queen and when he’d caught Erza’s softly spoken ‘war is coming’. And he knew that regardless of what the rest of them chose, Laxus’ path was already set in stone, and Freed had a promise to keep.     He was drawn out of his thoughts by the sound of the door opening, and they all turned at the sound, Bickslow and Evergreen immediately on alert, only to relax a little as Mavis entered with Erza, Porlyusica and a hooded figure in tow. “I can’t be here for long Mavis. Wendy and Mirajane are holding down the for at the infirmary, and we have islanders helping with the walking wounded, but…” Porlyusica was saying as they entered, and for once she sounded every bit her age, any annoyance dimmed by weariness, and Freed made a note to make sure Wendy and Mirajane rested as soon as they returned to the ship, knowing that they would have pushed themselves to the limit to keep up with the older woman.“I know, and I will try not to keep you hear long,” Mavis replied. “However, I wanted you here for this discussion as you’ve been on the island longer than most, and you know our people.” Porlyusica huffed at that, but nodded and settled into a chair on the other side of the room, her gaze landing on Freed, and narrowing as he carefully avoided meeting her eyes, knowing that she would see his pain and exhaustion, and not wanting to have that argument all over again. “Thank you all for coming,” Mavis continued looking around at them all, seemingly oblivious to the byplay although Freed knew better especially as her gaze lingered on him for a moment, but he was more than happy to nod in acknowledgement and focus on the discussion that he had a feeling none of them was ready for. Mavis offered him a small smile, before turning to look at Erza who had remained by the door, leaning against the wall away from everyone, arms folded, and shoulders hunched as though she could keep the world and its pain at bay. “Erza, I’m so sorry…”“Don’t,” Erza interrupted her, flinching at how harshly it had come out but unrepentant, and Freed couldn’t blame her. Apologies, especially from those who weren’t responsible, wouldn’t fix this, and there was a brittleness to Erza at the moment, as though she might shatter if someone said the wrong thing, a suspicion confirmed by her next words. “When this is over there will be time to mourn them, but for now…” Her voice caught and threatened to break before she took a steadying breath and tilted her head towards the hooded figure who was hovering nervously between them and her. “For now, let’s focus on what we’re going to do. We lost… a lot, but we managed to rescue one of the passengers from The Mermaid’s Heel who brings news from the mainland.” There was a flash of pain as she mentioned rescuing him, and Freed knew that she was questioning whether she could have saved more of her own if she hadn’t rescued him as two more of her crew had passed away since they’d reached the Isle.“You’re sure he’s not…”“…I know that you have no reason to trust me, especially considering how I ended up here.” Laxus’ abrupt question was interrupted by a quiet voice, as the hooded figure took a step forward, reaching up to lower the hood, to reveal youthful features, filthy hair and haunted eyes. “I know that, and I don’t have anything to convince you, just information…news…and none of it is good.”“Come and sit…” Mavis ordered, shooting a quelling look at Laxus as she patted the seat beside her.“My name is Hibiki,” the man supplied, hearing the unspoken question even as he moved to take the seat, wary as he eyed Laxus and the others, looking as though he was ready to bolt if he felt threatened. When none of them made a protest, more because of Mavis’ warning look than anything he took a breath and straightened in his seat. “I’m an informant, one of many – or at least there was more of us before Ivan started cracking down on us, but I believe that you’re aware of Gajeel Redfox?”“We know him, yes,” Freed confirmed as he shared a quick glance with the others, only Laxus looking confused as the name had only been mentioned briefly in his presence. That more than anything reassured them that the odds of Hibiki being on their side was high, as Gajeel had made a highly successful – and lucrative – career of making sure that very few people knew his real name, let alone what he did, and the chances of an outsider discovering that information, let alone knowing its significance to them was low. “His information has always been accurate and helpful, if in short supply.”“He’s the one that pointed us to you,” Bickslow added, seeing Laxus confusion and the rebel winced but nodded his understanding. “There are few people that know that name, although it’s not entirely impossible…”“I know,” Hibiki said, acknowledging their lingering suspicion with a pained expression. “But, whether you trust me or not, I have news.”“Tell us,” Mavis said, leaning forward.“Gajeel received information from a source within the Palace that Ivan’s attention had turned offshore in search of the rebel’s main hideout,” Hibiki explained, wringing his hands nervously as the tension in the air ratcheted up at his words. There had always been whispers, of course, it was impossible to avoid that when it was clear that ships like The Raijinshuu were clearly working on their behalf, but they’d always managed to deflect attention back to the mainland, but if Ivan now believed them to be more than rumours. “Gajeel immediately sent out word for us to watch the docks and main towns to verify this information, and it didn’t take long for us to confirm those suspicions as the ships and their crews were making little to no effort to hide their preparations or what they were going to be searching for.”“That makes no sense though, if they wanted to strike a death blow against us then keeping it secret and surprising us would have been a much better tactic,” Bickslow interjected. He had Evergreen had taken up protective positions behind Freed, but now he stepped forward. “We,” he indicated the three of them. “Know better than anyone how effective the element of surprise can be, as it was the only reason our assault on Galuna Prison was as successful as it was, and even that was close and they have less of an idea what our defences might be.”“He’s right,” Freed murmured. Unless someone knew a little more about us than we think, and although his gaze was on Hibiki again, it wasn’t the informant he saw, but the spectre of Rufus Lore. He was wise enough not to give voice to that thought though, knowing that would just spark off the old arguments. “Unless…”“…this is only one part of what Ivan has planned for us?” Mavis finished for him, and Hibiki winced and nodded.“While we were watching for the preparations to set sail for the Isle, we discovered that Ivan was also on the move within Fiore,” he replied, and Laxus growled under his breath. “We were able to trace shipments of weapons and men from the ports as they headed inland, although by the time I left we hadn’t been able to determine their final destination. Scouts that tried to follow them disappeared, and for all the noise about the search for this offshore hideout, there was little more than a rumour about what was happening in Fiore itself and when we reached out to the informant in the court, we had no reply.”“He always was a sneaky bastard,” Laxus muttered and Freed shot him a warning look. He knew that the other man had an incredibly short fuse when it came to the subject of his father, rather understandably, but right now they couldn’t afford to lose their temper. Laxus gave no indication that he’d seen the warning though, as he stiffened suddenly and turned to Hibiki who looked nervous under the intense focus. “Have you heard anything about what is happening at the Palace? Anything with the prisoners, especially…Makarov Dreyar?” The answer was there in the way Hibiki paled and shrank in on himself, looking like a messenger who thought they were about to be shot for what they were about to say.“Again, it’s just whispers, and without any word from our informant in the court, we can’t confirm anything…” Hibiki began, looking pleadingly at Mavis but she just nodded for him to continue, although she was watching Laxus closely. “…but they’re saying that Ivan is preparing to execute him, and…” He didn’t get the chance to finish what he was about to say because Laxus lunged forward and hauled him up by the front of his tunic, all but shaking him as he demanded.“When? WHERE?!”“Laxus!” Freed was on his feet, the room swaying for a moment although he didn’t let it slow him as he closed the distance between them and reached out to rest a hand on Laxus’ shoulder, hoping that he wasn’t about to take a fist to the face. “This isn’t the way.”“He…”“Will tell you what you need to know, but not like this,” Freed cut across him, fingers tightening just a little, and he shook his head as he saw Evergreen and Bickslow readying to intervene. He knew that they were worried about him overexerting himself, but he knew that if they got involved everything would spiral out of control, and with Laxus rigid beneath his touch that was something he wanted to avoid if possible. “I gave you my word,” he said, lowering his voice, the words meant just for Laxus although he knew that Hibiki was close enough to hear as well. Still, he wouldn’t understand the significance. “I will keep that promise, and we need what information we can get and you’re using up valuable time.” It wasn’t an entirely fair tactic, and he knew that, but after a moment Laxus slowly unfurled his fingers and set Hibiki down, and he didn’t fight as Freed pulled him back, although he didn’t look at him either.“I don’t know when or where,” Hibiki said after a moment when it became clear that Laxus wasn’t going to lunge at him again, holding up a hand to forestall any protest. “All we know is that he is still being held at the palace and that Ivan is planning a spectacle.”“He’s planning on trying to stamp out any and all traces of the rebellion with one final push,” Porlyusica said softly in the silence that followed. “Makarov would be his crowning triumph and would ensure that no one would think of rising up again if the ‘King’ was willing to kill his own flesh and blood.” The loathing in that title couldn’t be missed, nor could the pain as she spoke of the possibility of her old friend’s death and it was probably that more than anything that stopped Laxus erupting. It didn’t stop Erza from speaking up though her voice sharp.“And he’s going to trample on everyone in between. The people on that ship were innocent civilians, men, women and children who were just trying to find a safe haven. My crew…” She trailed off, and Hibiki nodded in the pause, lending weight to the accusation.  “Ivan doesn’t care about how many people he’s going to destroy, just so that he can claim that he’s stamped us all out.”“That sounds like him,” Laxus muttered and Freed glanced at him, well aware that Laxus was one of those caught in the middle. Did Ivan know that his son was with them? Did he care? Had he planned for that? Freed had a feeling that he knew the answer to those questions, and that he wouldn’t like it, and he kept them to himself. He knew there was about as much chance of keeping Laxus away from what was unfolding as there was that The Raijinshuu wouldn’t be in the middle of everything. “If he’s set on this course of action, then they’re going to be sending more ships if they haven’t already,” Laxus continued, sounding a little bit more like he was on an even keel, although his hands were clenched into fists at his side, and he still wasn’t looking at Freed.“That was what I was afraid of,” Mavis murmured. “We have some defences on the Isle, but nothing that could repel a fleet, or buy us more than a few days at most. And while we have some small boats, they’re not built for long periods at sea and they’re too few and with the Red Queen…” Mavis hesitated and glanced towards Erza.“…with the Queen gone, there isn’t any way for us to evacuate everyone,” Erza finished for her, the ice and steel in her voice and expression unable to mask her grief. “The Raijinshuu alone isn’t enough to evacuate everyone unless we want to start choosing who lives and dies.”“That is not a decision I’m willing to be a party to,” Porlyusica said. “The Isle has always treated everyone equally, and I will not see that destroyed now.”“Nor I,” Mavis agreed.“So, what do we do?” Evergreen was the one to ask the question that they were all circling around.   The question hung in the air, and Freed felt the feeling of inevitability press closer as he glanced at Laxus. The rebel met his gaze, and the question in his eyes was clear. Will you keep your promise? He had given him his word over and over, and now it was coming due. He lifted his head and met Mavis’ gaze, and saw the answer that he had already reached written there, and he took a deep breath, careful not to look at his own crew members as he spoke.“We draw them away, or at least as many as we can,” his voice was soft, almost lost to the weight of what he was suggesting, but it was clear in the silence that had followed Evergreen’s question. A silence that had just become charged as what he was saying settled.“You know what that might mean?” Mavis asked, and there was a low snarl from behind him even as Freed gave a tense nod. “Freed, I…We have no right to ask this of you…” she started.“You don’t need to,” Freed said just as softly, cutting off her words. He knew that she meant it, just as they both knew that this was likely their only choice. He could hear movement behind him, and he knew that he only had seconds before Evergreen or Bickslow, or probably both exploded, and he was firm this time. “The Raijinshuu will sail to the mainland, try and draw off what ships we can – at least make sure you’re facing less of them than you might be, and if we can survive that, then we can try and get Laxus to Ivan.” There was no guarantee they would even make the mainland, but there was a chance. The Raijinshuu was swift and well-armed, and The Scarlet Minstrel had been the only ship that could match or outstrip her, although it would depend on what numbers they faced. And if they could reach the mainland, he knew that Laxus would do everything he could to stop his father.“Freed you can’t be serious?” Evergreen was on her feet and in front of him before he had to chance to respond, and she was furious. “You’re still recovering, the ship is only just back on her feet and…”“What other choice do we have?” He asked, cutting her off before she could get fully into her stride, having learned from experience just how hard it was to stop her once that happened. Bickslow was stood behind her now, and while he looked just as unhappy as Evergreen did, he was silent, studying Freed with a frown.“We could stay here, protect the island…” Evergreen began. “You said you have defences, surely The Raijinshuu can help with that?” She turned to Mavis, searching for support for argument and the smaller woman frowned.“We have limited defences,” her gaze flickered to Hibiki, her first sign of wariness and that took some fight of Ever’s sail as she realised that even this wasn’t safe. “But, even with The Raijinshuu…”“How long would we be able to defend the Isle?” Freed demanded, lifting his voice just a little as he cut in. “We’re just one ship, and there is only so long we would be able to fight for.”“And if they reach the island, it will be a war of attrition and people would be trapped,” Bickslow continued and Freed blinked surprised by the support, although he could see what it was costing his First Mate to agree with him, and not just because of the dark look Evergreen shot at him.“Bickslow…”“He’s right Ever and you know it.” She did know it, Freed could see it in her clenched jaw and the way she shook her head, not a rebuttal, but more of an attempt to delay the inevitable.“There has to be another way…” She was pleading now, looking towards Mavis who was watching them with a conflicted expression. “You must have some other ideas.” Mavis flinched at the accusation and Freed felt for her at that moment, knowing that she had even more pressure on her shoulders than any of them, and more people looking to her for answers. Knew that he was one of them, as he looked to her, hoping against hope that she might have something that could stop the inevitability that was choking him now, but even before she spoke, voice soft he knew that it was a fool’s hope.“I’m sorry…”“Evergreen,” Freed murmured. “Perhaps if we had more time or more supplies…” Or more luck, he thought, fighting the urge to rub at his wounds. They’d already used up a lifetimes’ worth of luck to get this far, and it wasn’t fate he could feel now pressing close, but dread, although he didn’t allow it to bleed into his voice or expression as he met her gaze. “Then maybe there would be another choice, but right now, The Raijnshuu is the only option we have, and she can only do so much.”“If you’re doing this then I’m coming with you, and as many of my crew as you can fit on board,” Erza interjected as she straightened, and Mavis frowned and shook her head.“Erza…”“I know what you’re going to say, you need whatever fighters you can get for the defences,” Erza cut her off, and Mavis winced at being so easily read.  “But, my crew are better on the water than they are on land, and if there is a chance that we can commandeer another ship – whether at sea or in the port, then maybe we will have a chance to offer the Isle some protection or at least another option for evacuation if it comes to it.”“Time is against us,” Mavis said with a frown. “By the time you returned it might be too late.”“It is, and I know that,” Erza agreed. “But, it’s better than nothing, and if we stayed then all we’re doing is adding to the number of people trapped here.”
Trapped.
    Freed wasn’t the only one to flinch at her choice of words, because that was what this course would mean and he couldn’t stop his thoughts from turning to his mother. But, now more than ever he knew that he couldn’t take her with him, not when they were going to be sailing right into the jaws of the beast, and he wondered if her outburst the other day was more accurate than any of them had realised, because he knew that this was a gamble. A gamble that had very low chances of success.“Freed?” Mavis looked across at him.“Erza’s right, and it’s a good plan,” he said after a moment, forcing himself to focus on the here and now and what he could influence. Erza’s crew was just as experienced as his, and if they ran into trouble – or rather when they ran into trouble – that would be a blessing, and if they could get their hands on a second ship, or even a third, as with enough experience a small crew could get a ship back to the Isle, then the people they were leaving behind – trapped – would have an option to escape. Time was against them though, the same distance from the mainland that had kept the Isle safe for so long was now an enemy, and there was every chance that the enemy would get here long before they could return. But, if they stayed and waited, that was definitely going to happen, and everyone would die and Ivan would win, and Freed would be breaking his promise to Laxus.“It’s a terrible plan,” Evergreen snarled and Freed winced because really, she wasn’t wrong. It was a terrible plan. There was no guarantee that they were even going to make it to the mainland, let alone anything else, and worse they all knew that. But, he also knew that wasn’t the reason for her being so vehemently against it, as it was hardly the first time they’d had gone in with such a terrible basis for a plan, although the stakes had never been so high, and he was proven right by her next words.  “And you shouldn’t even but out of bed yet!”“They’re not going to wait around for me to heal,” Freed pointed out.  “Ever…”“It shouldn’t be you,” she spat, and now her ire was directed at the others. None of them said anything, because there was nothing to be said. They were backed into a corner any way that you looked at it, and it was a terrible plan, but there were no good plans for any of them. Evergreen cursed and spun on her heel, marching out of the small house without a backwards glance, and Freed sighed and looked to his first mate.“Bickslow…”“I’ll go after her, but you know that she’s not wrong.”“No, she’s not,” Freed agreed. “But…”“There is no other choice,” Bickslow finished for him, and Freed nodded, too tired in body and soul to be grateful at least one of them wasn’t fighting him. Although that relief faded with Bickslow’s next question, a stark reminder that not only was time against them, but this was going to put everything on the line.  “Should I gather the crew and prepare the ship?”“Please,” Freed looked at Mavis for a moment, and then back at Bickslow. “Also, let them know that this is different than the fight with The Scarlet Minstrel. I can’t offer them a chance to flee, but if they want to stay on the Isle I will understand.” He already knew that no one was going to take that offer, and not just because the odds were just as starkly stacked against the Isle as The Raijinshuu at this point, but there was a difference between sailing straight into danger and waiting it out in a defensible position that would be whittled away.“As long as you’re not asking me.”“I believe you and Ever made your thoughts on that matter clear,” Freed managed a weak smile. Even as angry as Evergreen was right now, he knew that she would be at his side. A loyalty that hurt with the knowledge of what he was going to be leading them into, but Bickslow nodded and reached out to clap a hand on his shoulder.“We will follow you, Captain,” he murmured before turning away. “… I just wish you didn’t have to lead us into this.” He clearly hadn’t meant for the words to be heard and Freed let him go, because he didn’t know what to say, and he was distracted by Hibiki who had fallen quiet, absorbed in the debate finally spoke up.“I want to come with you.”“We’re still not sure we can trust you,” Laxus had been quiet too, trying to calm down, but now he spoke up voice harsh.“I see no reason not to trust him,” Freed argued, looking at the informant searchingly. There were no guarantees, and for a moment he entertained the thought that Ivan might have sent them a spy, and look to Laxus. “Do you think Ivan would use a spy when he seems so determined to crush us?”“…No,” Laxus admitted after a moment.“You know that there’s no guarantee this will work?” Freed asked turning his attention back to Hibiki. “It’s likely that we’re sailing to our deaths?” It was even harder to put into words than he’d expected, and he was glad that Ever and Bickslow weren’t there at that moment, even as he felt the weight of Laxus’ gaze on him as he said it.“I know,” Hibiki’s voice was trembling, but there was a firmness to his gaze. “I left friends behind in Fiore, and they will be caught up in whatever Ivan is planning. If there is a way for me to be there, I will take it.”“Very well,” Freed said. “However, if it turns out you’ve led us astray in any way, I will be the one that comes for you.”“Understood.”“Erza?”“I will speak to my crew,” Erza said with a nod, rallying now that she had a purpose. “Some of them will have to remain, their injuries are too severe and there are a couple that have family here and will want to fight if Ivan’s forces reach here, but most will be with me.”“It might be tight quarters, but we will accept as many as you have,” Freed said. This was easier, logistics was something that he could focus on even as everything else pressed in on him, and he turned to look at the healer who frowned. “Porlyusica, can you ask Mirajane to find Erza, she will have the best idea of how to make this work.”“Of course,” she hesitated for a moment before asking. “Wendy…?”“The choice to stay is hers but…”“…she won’t stay,” Porlyusica finished with a grimace that Freed returned. If he a say in the matter Wendy would be miles away from this, especially with Rufus gone, but there were no safe havens right now, and he knew what Wendy would choose. “I will see what supplies I can send with her.”“No,” Freed countered. “You will need what you have available.”“But…”“Whatever we run into out there, there isn’t going to be an option for retreat or recovery,” Freed pointed out, meeting Erza’s gaze as he spoke, and she nodded. She had already lived it, and he could see the fear of it happening again, even as she stood tall.   “You stand a better chance of being able to defend from here, and you have the wounded crewmembers to worry about. We have supplies on board, and if we reach the mainland, we should be able to obtain more supplies.” If. Should. He hated using those words. Hated the uncertainty, but that was all they had right now.    Porlyusica gave a curt nod, before turning to Erza. “You’re as well coming with me; I need to speak to you about some of your crew and I can introduce you to Mirajane and save us all time.” Erza nodded, inclined her head to Freed and followed the older woman out of the house, pausing only long enough to gesture for Hibiki to join her, the informant scurrying after them as he glanced at Freed and Laxus.“Freed…” Mavis rose now and moved towards him. “I wish…”“…I know,” he met her gaze, before glancing towards Laxus. He knew that in some way this path had been set in motion when he had decided to go after Laxus and set in stone the moment he had the deal with the other man, although he doubted either of them had envisioned him keeping his word in this way. Turning back to her, he allowed some of his attempted calm to dissipate. “My mother…”“We will do everything we can to keep her safe.” For as long as we can. She had left the words unspoken, but they both heard them anyway and he nodded.“That’s all I can ask…”
****

The following account comes from my own journals from during the war.

‘… We all knew the risks. All of us that worked for Gajeel did so knowing that there was an executioner’s blade hanging over us and that one wrong word or action might see us meet us. We knew that. I knew that. And yet, I was unprepared for what that moment would look like. I had covered my tracks, hidden myself amongst the stacks, done everything I had been told, and yet the day the guards burst into the library, all eyes locked on me, I realised that I’d never really understood what might await me…’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Even all these years later, I find myself looking back at that time unable to believe the events that happened. I lived through them. I survived them, and there are not as many people as there should be who can say that. I saw them with my own eyes or knew people who had. I have seen the scars – those that the people I have written about, friends and strangers who would later become friends, bear and those that Fiore bears even to this day, because no matter what they might say time does not heal all wounds.

But, it does give distance. It can make the worst events seem like a distant nightmare.

But it wasn’t.

Because a nightmare couldn’t have ended as the war did.

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

****
“Are you sure about this?” Laxus after a long moment. Mavis had left them with a promise that she would be there to see them off, the farewell heavy and unspoken in the air after the door closed behind her. Freed had sagged the moment it closed, sinking back into a chair. Everything hurt, inside and out, and not all of it was due to his wounds. His heart ached. He knew that even they managed to somehow claw out a desperate victory it wasn’t going to be without cost, and he was leading everyone he cared for right into the maelstrom without any guarantees.“Yes.” No. Part of him wanted someone to take the decision out of his hands, to tell him that he didn’t need to do this and mean it. Evergreen had tried, but he’d seen the look in her eyes, the realisation beneath the anger and worry, the knowledge that there was no other choice. Not this time. “There’s no other choice.”“There’s always a choice,” Laxus countered, hesitating for a moment before moving to crouch in front of Freed, forcing him to meet his gaze. “If this is because of our agreement…”“It’s not.” A raised eyebrow greeted his denial, and he sighed. “Well, not completely…”“I have to go back,” Laxus said. “Ivan is…he’s my responsibility to deal with, and this might be the last chance I have to get my Gramps out of his grasp. But, you could stay. Your mother is here, you’re injured and you’ve already done more than enough.” He reached out now, taking Freed’s hands in his and if he noticed the minute trembling he didn’t comment, squeezing lightly. “I’m releasing you from your promise.”“No,” Freed stared at their linked hands, a sign of just how far they’d come. A promise once made was something to be kept, it was one of the few truths he’d been able to cling to over the years, but even if he could accept Laxus’ absolution of their agreement he knew that it wouldn’t change anything. The feeling of inevitability was still there, hardened into resolve, and he knew there was no taking back the choice he’d made, even if he wanted to. “Staying here wouldn’t change anything.” Why did those words feel so much like an admission of defeat? He had no illusions about their chances of surviving, let alone a victory, but even as his wounds stretched and burned as he levered himself back to his feet, he had no intention of just bowing to his feet. He would fight one way or another, and yet… He met Laxus’ gaze and forced a half-smile. “I told you, that the Raijinshuu and being at sea is home. I want that at least one more time, and if this is all going to end then I would rather do it out there than bound to the land.”“Your mother…”“Won’t be any safer if I stay here,” Freed cut him off. “This is the way it has to be, and…I need you to be with me.” The last was a whisper, an admission that he was almost afraid to give voice to. It was amplified by what had happened with Rufus and the fact that Laxus had been the one constantly at his side while he started to recover, but the other man anchored him, and he needed that right now when he caught between the tide of what was about to happen and the maelstrom brewing with Evergreen and possibly Bickslow. They would follow him, but he knew there were more sharp words and arguments to follow, and for once he wasn’t braced for them.     Laxus was studying him again, searching him with an intensity that made Freed feels as though he had been stripped bare inside and out, but he didn’t move or look away. There was that inevitability again, a quivering that began in the pit of his stomach and worked its way up the line of his spine, fear and trepidation, and something softer, something warmer.Hope.But, hope for what? Agreement? Survival? Something more?    Laxus was moving, rising from his crouch and Freed was highly aware of their linked hands now, a burning point of contact. The quiver becoming a tremble, becoming a… warm lips pressed against his. It was tentative at first, a fleeting point of contact before Laxus paused, waiting for something. Waiting for him, Freed realised and something loosened in his chest, a knot he wasn’t aware of, but his voice wouldn’t work and all he could manage was a tiny nod. Permission and pleading all at once, but it was enough and Laxus was kissing him again, still soft, still cautious, although the grip on his hand was anything but, and as his hand burned Freed found his voice. “…Laxus.”
Please.
     Laxus released his hand, drawing him close instead, in a loose hug mindful of his injuries and kissed him again. Firmer this time, lingering, a searing warmth that for a moment at least seemed to drive everything else away. Holding it at bay, when he pulled back a moment later, leaning their foreheads together, shutting out everything but the two of them as he met Freed’s gaze.“I’m with you.”****
Extract from the personal journal of Mavis Vermillion,

‘I watched the Raijinshuu sail away from the Isle this morning. Our only escape sailing towards the horizon, carrying our one desperate hope. Many of the islanders joined me, as there was no way to keep the truth from them. The whispers of war and danger that we have been shielded from for so long, now an endless scream that no one can ignore. I could see their fear, their hope and their courage. This war has taken so much, destroyed so much, but it has not taken everything. Not yet at least, and I have to cling to that now as the sails disappear from sight because this isn’t a fight I can influence. This is a game of chess in which I am now just a spectator.

All I can do is pray.
’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

****
     The deck of the Raijinshuu and the surrounding deck was a hive of activity, as the news about what Freed and his crew were going to attempt spread like wildfire across the Isle. Evergreen and Bickslow had been the ones to tell the crew, knowing that Freed would talk to them too when he joined them, although he would be more focused on offering them a choice of following him, or choosing to remain here – not that either promised any safety anymore. Bickslow at least had some appreciation for how his Captain must be feeling as he saw the fear, and the dawning understanding on their crewmates faces, the realisation that the war had well and truly reached them now. He also knew that if Freed thought he could spare any of them, he would be disappointed, because in the wake of that realisation had come determination, not because they thought their Captain could pull a miracle out of his hat – although he knew that more than a few of them would harbour that hope, but because they knew their Captain would try to spare them and had no intention of leaving him now. He knew without a doubt that they wouldn’t be leaving anyone behind on the Isle, and that made him proud, as much as it hurt to know that this might well be the last time they sailed together.     Evergreen had disappeared the moment the order to ready the ship had been given, and he hadn’t seen her since, and while he knew that he should be helping the others, Bickslow knew that he couldn’t leave her temper to fester. For her sake, as well as Freed’s, because he didn’t have to be a mystic to know that another confrontation between the two was brewing, and while it might be bred from love, he knew that right now they didn’t have time for it and that it was the last thing Freed needed while he was still reeling from his injuries and what had happened with Rufus. Sometimes he wondered what he had done to become the peace envoy between the two of them, but he knew that he wouldn’t change it, or either of them, even if he sometimes wished they were both weren’t as stubborn as the other.     It wasn’t hard to find her. As angry as she was about what was happening, he knew that she would have been giving her all to ready the ship and make sure the Raijinshuu was as ready for battle as she could be in such limited time and with far fewer supplies than any of them liked. And sure enough, she was clattering around on the gundeck, a frazzled looking Elfman jumping to attention as she snapped orders at him, her tone informing Bickslow that she wasn’t any calmer than she had been when she had ranted the entire walk back to the ship.“Elfman, can you give us a minute? I’m sure they could use your help up on deck,” Bickslow said as he stepped inside, biting back a snort as Elfman looked as though he had just been offered divine salvation as he nodded and all but bolted. Evergreen clearly knew that he was there, having stiffened at his words, but she didn’t look at him as she slammed a crate of cannonballs into place. “Are you going to talk to me?” He asked mildly, unsurprised when she didn’t even grace him with a glance as she continued to work, deliberately keeping her back turned to him, her movements far more aggressive than they needed to be. He wondered if it was him or Freed that she was imaging as she slammed another crate down, before deciding that it was better if he didn’t know the answer to that question. “Ever?”“No.” Her voice was a low snarl, but at least he had cracked her silence, and he knew that it wouldn’t be long before she spoke now as he leant against a beam and folded his arms. The very picture of patience, which he knew would annoy her even more. “Damn you,” the curse came barely a moment later, and she finally turned to look at her, and he was wise enough not to comment on the fact that her eyes were red-rimmed. “Why?”“Why?”“Why didn’t you argue with him?” Evergreen demanded, and Bickslow sighed, hearing the unspoken accusation in her words – why didn’t you try to stop him? Don’t you care? Don’t you want to stop him? Part of him bristled, wanting to snap back, and maybe in the past he would have – they didn’t argue as much as she and Freed did, but there had been a time when their arguments had been far more explosive. However, they couldn’t afford that right now, and he saw the regret that flashed across her face and knew that she hadn’t meant it, at least not in the way it had sounded.“I wanted to.” That was as close as he was going to come to arguing with her. “But, I didn’t because even though I understand where you’re coming from, and what I want to say, I also know that he’s right.”“But…”“I’m not any happier about it than you are,” he added, cutting off the brewing argument. Apparently Evergreen wasn’t quite as ready for a peaceful discussion as he was. “Believe me, if there was another choice I would leap at it, and if there was a way to keep him here, or at least away from the worst of the fighting, then I would take it, but that’s not possible.”“He might have listened if we’d both said it,” Evergreen tried, but there was no fight in those words because they both knew that it wouldn’t have mattered if they’d both said it, or even if they’d roped in the rest of the crew to say it. Freed had made his decision. Hell, Bickslow had a feeling that choice had been made even before they’d heard what Hibiki had to say, remembering Freed’s odd mood on the way to the meeting.“No, he wouldn’t,” Bickslow murmured.“We should still have tried.”“And made it harder for him?”  He demanded, pleased when she recoiled a little. He understood where she was coming from, he really did, but he had also been watching Freed during that meeting and knew that it hadn’t been an easy choice to make. “There’s no decision any of us can make at this point that is going to keep everyone safe. Even Mavis didn’t have an option for that.” As arguments went that was pretty conclusive, because Mavis’ tactical mind was well known to everyone involved with the rebellion and more than once her ideas had changed the outcome from defeat to victory, and if she was coming up empty… He shook his head, not wanting to focus on that, knowing that if they embraced defeat before they even started then it was going to be a lost cause. “Besides if he remained here on the Isle and Ivan’s forces arrive, then there’s only so long he would be able to hold out. If the Raijinshuu runs into trouble on the way to Fiore then there’s only so much we can do, and if we reach Fiore…” He trailed off, still not sure what they were going to do if they even made it ashore in Fiore and not wanting to focus her anger once more. “Nowhere is safe, all we have is this one chance, and yes, it’s not much of a chance, but it’s something.”   I just wish it was more, he thought to himself. They had made a life out of doing the impossible, the Raijinshuu and their crew had survived far more than any of them had any right to, and sure there had been close calls – Freed’s fight with Rufus being the most recent – but they had managed to survive. It was foolish perhaps, but that had always been a source of courage and hope for the entire crew, and he knew that many of them were clinging to that even now. Even he was in a way because the alternative outcome was something he really wasn’t ready to confront just yet.“…he nearly died,” Evergreen’s voice was soft but fierce.“I know,” Bickslow’s quiet agreement seemed to take the wind out of her sails, and she grimaced. The closest she would come to an apology with her ire raised. “He shouldn’t be anywhere near the fight to come, but he will be because that’s who he is. That’s our Captain, and it’s why we’ve followed him through so much…and why we’ll follow him now.”“We follow him for more than that,” Evergreen countered.“We do.” It was a simple truth. Even if the rest of the crew had reacted like sensible people and voted to stay as far away from the fight to come as possible, the two of them would have gone, no matter how vehemently they were against it. There was no shared blood between them, but they were family in every way that mattered and would be until the end.    His words seemed to have taken the last of the fire out of Evergreen because she took a shuddering sigh and stepped forward, looking wearier than he had ever seen her, and he felt an answering exhaustion deep in his own soul. It was fear and defeat, and a feeling that they were sailing towards an inevitability that they could do nothing about, and without a word, he opened his arms. Evergreen took the invitation, stepping into the hug and returning it with her own, her grip bordering on painful, screaming her emotions louder than her words ever could have. They stood like that for a few minutes, just the two of them, listening to the activity above deck as the crew readied the Raijinshuu for what could well be her final voyage, drinking in the familiar creak of wood and rope as the ship rose and fell on quiet waves, stirring as though she too knew what was about to come.   It was almost peaceful if they could ignore the tension in the air, the fear they had been veering away from addressing, at least until Evergreen gave voice to it, in a voice that was almost less than a whisper. “I don’t think he expects to survive this.” Bickslow stiffened, feeling as though she had just punched him the gut, and yet he had no defence against the words, no argument against the fear and despair that welled in their wake.“No, I don’t think he does…”****
Extract from the Captain’s log of Erza Scarlet, Captain of The Red Queen.

‘The deck beneath my feet isn’t mine, the noises don’t soothe me as they did on the Queen. I am a stranger in another man’s land. But, I am on the sea again. Out here, with the wind on my face and the waves around me, I can see more clearly.

I’m not sure that’s a good thing.

I’m marching to war. I know that’s not my role. If this plan – if it can even be called that, and there was a time when I would not have sailed on such a half-baked notion – works then my job is to protect, to rescue. But, for now, as we head for Fiore I can at least pretend that we are going to war, that I will have a chance to avenge those of my crew that I lost. That I can claim revenge for those that chose to stay behind because the sea and the war had taken too much from them. ‘

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
****     The crew had been waiting for them when they’d arrived, and Freed knew that Evergreen and Bickslow had informed them of what was happening, could see it in each and every expression. It cut him to the core because he’d always done what he could to protect them from the war, while still being an integral part of the rebellion, but that distance had been stripped away now and there was no shying away from the fact that what they were about to attempt was about to thrust them right into the middle of everything. Ivan’s ire was aimed wide at the moment, targeting everything and anything remotely connected to those that apposed to him, if the Raijinshuu sailed into his sights, that ire would be solely focused on them, and as much as they despised the man, there was no denying that he had every advantage against them.    Any thoughts he might have had about appealing to them to think about their choices, not that they had any good ones at this point, but at least remaining on the Isle might buy them some time at the very least, was derailed by the way all activity ceased as he and Laxus stepped onto the deck. The rebel shifting closer, pressing against his side, the hand he had not released since that kiss and the promise that he was with him, crushed between them.     Evergreen and Bickslow emerged from below decks, no doubt having picked up on the sudden quiet and Freed glanced at them, relieved that Ever seemed at least a little calmer than before, although there was a visible weight on their shoulders and he had a feeling that whatever Bickslow had said to calm her hadn’t changed the fact that they weren’t happy about this. However, it was Wendy who caught his attention – partly because he’d hoped that she would still be busy with Porlyusica and Mira, so that he could try and get Lucy onboard to convince her to remain behind, and partly because she stepped forward, with a stern expression that was eerily reminiscent of the Isle’s healer.“You’re supposed to still be resting.”“Wendy…”“I can’t stop you from doing this.” Apparently, Porlyusica wasn’t the only one that Wendy had been taking inspiration from, because there was so much Evergreen in those words that his lips quirked despite himself, especially when he glanced towards Evergreen and Bickslow. The latter was also hiding a smile, while the former was blinking at Wendy. “But, you are going to rest for every possible moment until we run into trouble. And don’t you even think about suggesting that I stay behind.”“But…” Freed started, knowing that his expression had just confirmed what she had clearly been expecting because she folded her arms and glared up at him, fierce despite her small size, only her voice betraying the faintest hint of doubt.“You trust us with the Raijinshuu don’t you?”“I trust you with my life.” Freed knew he had stepped straight into the trap as her face lit up, but there was no way he could have let that question stand.“Then trust us with both now,” Wendy was right in front of him now, and it hurt because all he could think was that she should be miles away from all of this, let alone what they were heading towards. But, he also recognised the look in her eyes and the expression on her face, the same look that was reflected on the rest of the crews’ faces. They had already made their choice, much as he had, and if he couldn’t let them dissuade him from his decision, he knew he didn’t have the right to argue with them. He met Wendy’s gaze, and gave a small nod, feeling Laxus squeeze his hand, no doubt relieved by his agreement as they’d had a similar discussion about him resting after he’d nearly face-planted on the walk back. It was clearly the answer she’d wanted because all fierceness melted away and she rushed to hug him, forcing Laxus to take a step back to accommodate her although he didn’t drop Freed’s hand.“I’m blaming you for this,” Freed declared, looking at Evergreen, even as he wrapped his free arm around Wendy, ignoring the flash of pain that accompanied the movement, or the smug looks on the rest of the crews' expression as they finally turned away to resume their preparations.“I’m taking that as a compliment.” It wasn’t forgiveness, but it was an olive branch and Freed gladly took it as Evergreen offered him a strained smile, that grew a little warmer as she looked at Wendy. “I didn’t have anything to do with this though.”“We talked about it while we were working,” Wendy explained, releasing Freed and looking between them, before focusing on him. “We knew you would try and offer us a choice, even now, when there aren’t really any good choices. And I knew you would try and get me to stay behind, but this isn’t my home. I love the Isle, I really do, I feel safe here… but not as safe as I feel with you and on the Raijinshuu.”“But…”“I know that’s not going to be the case this time. I know how dangerous it is, we all do, but if you’re going then that’s where we’re going.”“I don’t deserve any of you,” Freed said, smiling at her, even though part of him wanted to either weep at the thought of what their loyalty might end up costing them, and another just wanted to curl up and sleep until everything was over.“I think that’s our line Captain,” Evergreen had closed the distance between them, and now Laxus did release him, turning him over into Evergreen’s hold as she wrapped an arm around them. Telling him without words that the argument was over. “Now, you’re going to rest and let us do our jobs – and no, that isn’t up for debate.” He wanted to argue, knowing that there was a lot to be done before they were ready and that time was against them, but he bit his tongue, seeing the worry beneath the sternness, and admitting to himself at least that resting sounded like a great idea right now.“Fine…” He acquiesced a moment later, wishing he sounded a bit more reluctant than he had. “But, only until we’re ready to leave.” He added steel into the last bit, knowing that if they could get away with it they would leave him to rest as long as necessary, and if this had been a normal voyage he would have let them, but this wasn’t and he had to be the Captain.“I’ll take it,” Evergreen was pulling him away, determined not to give him the chance to change his mind and he let, glancing back briefly at Laxus.“I’m going to help out,” Laxus answered the unspoken question, grinning – a strained edge to it, but a grin nonetheless – as he noticed Freed’s disappointment at the answer, but Freed didn’t argue as he was guided below deck by a persistent Evergreen.*    After she’d all but tucked him in, Freed had expected Evergreen to leave, knowing that she wouldn’t trust the preparation of the cannons and ammunition to anyone but herself or at least those under her direct supervision, but instead she’d taken a seat beside him.“Ever, I don’t want to argue…” It was one thing to bicker with her, and he’d lost track of how many hours they’d whiled away over the years with verbal sparring, usually until one of them had broken down in laughter and been unable to continue. Arguing was a different matter, and now that he was lying down, he could feel the pain and exhaustion tugging at him, and rest now sounded like the only idea in the world.“I’m not going to argue with you,” she said, although there was an edge to her voice that made him a little dubious about that claim, but he waited as she seemed to gather her thoughts. “I’m not going to lie and say I’m happy about any of this, but I don’t think you’re happy about it either, and we’re just going to go in circles if we try and argue about it, plus Bickslow would probably throw me in the brig if I kicked that off again.”“He’s too afraid of you to do that,” Freed pointed out, although it confirmed his suspicions that the two of them had talked about what was happening.“Maybe,” Evergreen allowed, expression softening a little. “But, that’s not what I wanted to talk about.”“What is it?” He asked, making to push himself back up, only to find her nudging him back down, hand lingering on his shoulder to hold him in place. At least that was what he thought, until he met her eyes, and saw the turbulent emotions. “Ever?” He prompted, reaching up to grasp her hand.“You’re going to fight aren’t you?”“Of course…” Freed was confused, as there was no way they were going to be able to do any part of this laughably titled ‘plan’ without fighting.“That’s not what I mean,” Evergreen had clearly realised where his thoughts had gone. “I… We saw your face when you told Mavis you’d do this, and even how you were on the way to the meeting, and it was almost like you’d already admitted defeat…as though you don’t expect to survive this.”
Oh.
    Freed blinked at her. There was a denial on the tip of his tongue, but the words wouldn’t come, as though hearing Evergreen put it into words had clarified the feeling that had been lingering at the edge of his thoughts since Mavis had summoned them. Do I think I’m going to die? He couldn’t stop the hand that strayed to his chest, and he distantly noted that Evergreen made no move to stop him as he pressed down on the bandages he was still swaddled in, feeling the rise and fall of his chest. I feel like I should already be dead, he thought, knowing that he was lucky not to be and that he wasn’t just testing that luck by sailing straight towards a fight but smashing it to pieces.“I…” He faltered, the reassurance ringing false in his ears before he’d even uttered a word. “I’m going to try my best to survive this,” he said after a moment. “I can’t help but think our luck has to run out at some point, and the odds aren’t in our favour…but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to try.”“Do you promise?”“I promise.” There was no way he could have ever denied her that promise, even if she hadn’t been pale, the hand holding him in place, trembling and betraying how much this was bothering her. Squeezing her hand, and holding her gaze. “I have plenty of reasons to keep fighting.”“Good.”     They were quiet for a moment, Evergreen pulling herself together and Freed focusing on the rise and fall of his chest under the hand not holding hers. I’m just not sure it’s a promise I’m going to be able to keep, he thought to himself, knowing that he could never say that aloud. Not around his crew, not around Laxus. It was a quiet doubt, a personal fear to be locked away with the lingering fear that Rufus might still be out there, that he might not have been the only one touched by a miracle that day. “I never thought this would be where we ended up,” Evergreen’s quiet voice drew him back to the present.“Me neither.” If he was honest that summed up far more of his life than he was entirely comfortable with, as it felt as though he had spent far too much time caught up in the currents, and unable to do anything but keep his head above the surface, and occasionally pull others to the edge of the maelstrom. It was enough. “But, I’m glad you’re here with me, you and Bickslow…and everyone.” He didn’t want to drag any of them into this, but he was wise enough to know that their best opportunity…their only opportunity to succeed in this crazy, last-ditch attempt to make a stand, was to stand together, with the people he knew had his back.“And Laxus…”  Evergreen was clearly trying for a teasing tone, and although she fell a little short, too strained at the edges, it made his lips twitch up in a smile.“And Laxus…” he agreed, knowing that he had admitted something more than he’d intended as a light went on in her eyes, and she finally released his shoulder with a predatory look.“I knew something had changed, tell me what happened!” It was a demand, and even though he knew that there were far more serious things pressing in on them and that time was slipping away like sand in the hourglass, he felt like he could breathe for the first time since that morning and he smiled.
I have more to fight for now.
****‘…I have never been a man of faith. Life and death is a matter of our own actions and the cold steel in our hands. But people whisper that I must have been saved by some higher power, and some treacherous part of my mind wonders if that is true.
It’s not.

I live, because of Orga. Because of the doctor on the ship that pulled us from the water. I live because of the vengeance in my blood.

However, I can feel that something is coming. My time is near. Maybe, it’s just my need for revenge eroding away my patience until it feels as though I couldn’t possibly have to wait any longer, maybe I am going mad with that need – I’ve heard the whisperers, silenced most of them, but it doesn’t stop me wondering. Or maybe it is some higher power telling me that the time is nigh…

…that Freed Justine will die by my hand, and soon.’

Excerpts are taken from the journal of Rufus Lore, following his rescue by the Soaring Siren and his subsequent return to mainland Fiore. The journal was one of the only items found in his personal effects following the end of the war and was entrusted to the Royal Archives by Captain Freed Justine who discovered it.

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Fiore is mine.

Soon this war will be over. My father – although it is laughable to call him that, for he has ever stood in my path and tried to thwart my goals will be dead. And my son – that traitorous child of mine will either have joined him or will be in jail. I am a benevolent father, I would rather he lived even if he can never take the throne.

Soon they will fall, and my rule will be secure. Then I must obtain a new heir. An heir that will follow in my footsteps, who will ensure this my rule is ever remembered.

Fiore is mine. It will always be mine.

‘The above extract was taken from the private documents of Ivan Dreyar which were recovered following the end of the Rebel War. ‘

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

****
   The Raijinshuu had set sail under clear blue skies, and a cloud of doubt. The send-off had been muted, even though nearly every islander had turned out to see them off. Mavis hadn’t tried to hide the truth from her people, and the whispers and the fear had been everywhere for the crew to see as they’d taken their leave. Freed had been at the helm as they’d sailed, Erza at his side, her hands white-knuckled fists as she’d stared out of the sea rather than at what they were leaving behind. Freed’s gaze had lingered on the Isle, searching for his mother but unsurprised that she wasn’t there, and he tried to silence the small voice that whispered that he wouldn’t see her again and that she would be alone.
I have plenty to live for.

*
   The crew still weren’t allowing him to do more than oversee them. Part of Freed railed at the cosseting, itching to help out, to keep his hands busy and his thoughts away from what might happen to them, but another part of him realised that he needed the time to gather his strength. His entire body ached, and exhaustion dogged his every waking moment, although despite Wendy’s best attempts to keep him in his cabin he refused to spend all his time resting. Instead, he drifted around his own ship, watching as his crew readied for the battle they all knew were coming, and he found himself in awe of their spirit as they laughed and chatted with him and one another, breaking into shanties when the quiet lasted too long, and if there were strained edges, and furtive glances at him, and whispered conversations, they all chose to ignore it because there was no turning back at this point.    Erza and her crew worked just as hard as the others, and the work and preparation seemed to help where words couldn’t, although when she thought no one was watching Freed would see the rage building behind the calm, and he almost pitied those they were going against when she reached them. Almost. Because right now they needed every advantage they could muster, and Erza Scarlet was definitely one of them, her martial and sailing skills more than matched with her tactical mind, and each evening was spent with the two of them working through every scenario they could imagine. Although they both knew any plan they concocted was likely to go up in smoke the instant they ran into Ivan’s forces, at least it was something.    Right now she was below decks with Evergreen and going over their ammunition, and Freed didn’t need his friend’s quiet to know they didn’t have enough. But, that was something beyond their control, and he had already been informed in no uncertain terms that he wasn’t to go down there and ‘help’, so instead he and Laxus were sat at the stern, leaning against the rail and looking out over the ship’s wake. Laxus had been helping as much, if not more than the others until the rest of the crew had chased him away to keep Freed company, and while they claimed it was just because he was most likely to be able to stop their Captain getting bored and ignoring their orders to rest, Freed had more than a sneaking suspicion that Ever or Bickslow had said something to the crew.    Laxus’ didn’t seem to mind, and hadn’t been shy about taking Freed’s hand when he’d joined him at the stern, even if their linked hands were largely hidden from sight. Not that it mattered as the only person nearby at the moment was Bickslow at the helm, and his first mate was tactfully not looking at them. Which allowed Freed to focus on Laxus and the fact that the other man had barely said two words beyond a warm greeting, his gaze fixated on some distant point. He might have ignored it, had Laxus not been quiet ever since they set sail, and Freed squeezed the other man’s fingers to get his attention.“You’ve been rather quiet,” he said softly when Laxus looked at him, and there was a flicker of something in the blue eyes before the rebel looked away.  “Laxus?”“It’s nothing terrible,” Laxus replied hearing the worry in Freed’s voice and looking back at him. “It’s just that I’ve spent so much time imagining what it would be like to face Ivan and end this. Hell, there have even been times that I’ve thought that it was never going to happen. But, I always thought that I would feel… anticipation? Different? I’m not sure.”“What do you feel?”“I’m not sure,” Laxus looked at their linked hands, curling his fingers tighter around Freed’s. “I’m worried.”“For your grandfather?”“Yes,” Laxus sighed. “It’s driving me mad that I don’t know if he’s still alive, let alone anything else, and I know that Ivan would use him against me in a heartbeat…and it scares me when I think about what I would do to rescue the old man.”“He’s family, no one could blame you for that.”“Maybe,” Laxus allowed. “Then there’s you…”“Me?”“I know that we made a deal and that you’re here by your own choice. I know that. But, the thought of losing you to end this war…”“I don’t intend on dying you know,” Freed said mildly, wondering whether Evergreen had been talking to Laxus, or if everyone on the Raijinshuu was worried that he had a death wish. Ignoring the shiver that went down his spine, Rufus’ ghost at his shoulder once more. “I’m not going to pretend that we’re not sailing straight into the dragon’s maw, or that we both might get ourselves killed trying to do this, but I don’t intend to go down without a fight. I’ve got plenty to fight for.”“I hope that I’m one of those things,” Laxus said quietly, sounding a little more like himself as he leaned in and Freed smiled slightly and met him halfway.“Yes,” he murmured, ignoring the pull on his injuries as Laxus kissed him. It was far too brief, both of them aware they were exposed out here, but there was a world of promise in that brief kiss and Freed was still smiling when they pulled apart. “You are.”“Then don’t forget that.”“I won’t.”       They sat in silence for a few minutes, listening to the waves brushing the side of the ship and the creaking of wood and rope and linen and chatter of the crew. A moment of calm before the storm come. It was Laxus who eventually broke the silence, pulling Freed’s hand up and pressing a kiss to the back of it. “What about you?”“Me?” Freed asked tilting his head.“How did you envision this war ending?” Laxus asked.“I’m not sure that I did,” Freed admitted after a moment, looking up and watching the sail ripple in the breeze, and a couple of seagulls circling the mast, smiling slightly as he heard Elfman bellow a protest as whatever he had been eating was stolen out of his hand, before turning serious once more as he considered the question. The end of the war? Had he ever really imagined a time when they weren’t fighting? He didn’t think so, too focused on surviving each fight and journey and keeping the lifeline for the Isle up and running, Rufus breathing down their necks. It had felt as though it would never end, and while he’d certainly hoped many times that he would be able to give his crew, especially those like Wendy and Lucy who had suffered so much, a better life, he had never seen himself out of the life he was living right now. “I’ve never had time to look beyond the here and now, and it’s been a long time since I’ve allowed myself to think about the future. At least for myself.”“What would you imagine for yourself now?”“I...” Freed trailed off. What could the future hold for me? It was so hard to imagine anything beyond the battle that lay ahead because as much as he meant to fight, he knew the odds weren’t with them. They all did. But, then again the odds had always been against them. Ivan had always held all the cards, he just hadn’t stacked them as well as he was right now, and they couldn’t match him, all they could do was hope. But, what if we survive? If we win? Because, he knew that if they survived but hadn’t won, then it would just be a slow defeat because there was no way Ivan would let them escape to continue the war, they would be hunted and hounded to the ends of the earth. “I…” He closed his eyes, and all he saw was water and Rufus’ face and he wrenched his eyes open with a gasp. “I don’t know, but ask me again afterwards and I will have an answer for you.”“Promise me.” It wasn’t a question, and the sheer intensity of the demand startled him, but Freed nodded. It was an easy promise to make, because if they had a chance to talk about it afterwards then it would mean they had done the impossible, and after that, the future had to fall at his feet. “Say it.”“I promise.”****
The following account comes from the journals of Wendy Marvel – ship’s doctor on the Raijinshuu.

‘…Grandine, I know that you will never see these. I don’t even know if you’re still alive – maybe if we survive this I can find you, I’m sure the Captain would help me.

But… I’m not sure we’re going to survive. And Grandine, I’m scared. I can’t say that to the others, I can’t show it when I’m out on the deck, because everyone is scared and there’s no turning back now, but I’m scared. I never thought that I would live this long, not with Rufus. But, I’m here and I have a life I love. I have friends. I have a family – different from you, but still family. And now I might be about to lose all that and that scares me, and I don’t know how to protect them. I’m a healer. I help people. But this is war, and I’m just one girl.

But, if I can save the Captain as he saved me I will.

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

****
    Makarov would be lying if he said that he hadn’t welled up when he was lead out of his cell for the first time in years. It wasn’t freedom. There were restraints on his wrists and ankles, and four guards posted around him, and some distant part of him wondered what they thought an old man was capable of doing. So, no, he wasn’t free and he knew the fact that he was being allowed out had to be a bad sign because Ivan had made it clear that he would be left to rot if his son had everything to say about it. But, to see more than the four stone walls that had been world for so long that he had started to feel as though the rest of the world had ceased to exist, brought tears to his eyes, and he made no effort to wipe them away as he was guided down several corridors and then outside.    The sob when it came took him by surprise, a soft broken thing that rose in his chest and threatened to choke him as he felt the warmth of the sun directly on his face for the first time in forever. He swallowed the next one, feeling it shake him as he lifted his face towards the warmth, weeping fully now as he stared up at the blue sky, birds wheeling in front of wisps of cloud. He had forgotten how beautiful it was, and at that moment he knew that whatever fate awaited him, he couldn’t go back in that room. He couldn’t live without the freedom of the sky again, what strength had kept him going this long was a well long run dry, and he was an old man who wanted nothing more than peace.“Move.” The shove was gentler than he would have expected of one of Ivan’s men, but he wasn’t taking his chances, reluctantly tearing his gaze away from the sky and allowing them to guide him forward. And now, he took the time to reach up, awkward with the restraints and wipe away the proof of his tears. It was a small defiance, to deny Ivan this sign of weakness, but it was all he had left.  Now, he began to take more notice of his surroundings. The palace was diminished he realised, not in terms of grandeur, and he could see places where Ivan’s vanity shone through as they passed a statue of his son, and flags of the richest material, embroidered with Ivan’s insignia whipped around in the breeze. But, the grounds were dull and lifeless, neglected, and he mourned the days when they had been green and vivid, a living, breathing playground for his growing grandson. Laxus…    It was the atmosphere that stood out the most though. There were guards everywhere, not just the four accompanying him, and despite the caution, they were taking with him, he doubted that the others were for his sake – Ivan should know better than anyone that force didn’t work on him. What are you doing Ivan? He wondered, and he prayed that whatever it was Laxus was far away from it. If this was going to be his end, then he wanted to at least have the comfort that his grandson was still out there and alive and hopefully finding a life of his own away from this mess. Deep down though, he knew that Laxus would fight Ivan to the end and that if Ivan killed him here today, then that would be oil on open flames, and there was nothing he could do about that and he bowed his head as he was led back inside through another heavily guarded door.   People scurried out of the way as he was marched through, servants scattering for the hills and that only increased his concern. He was well aware of how the gossip mill worked in the palace, so for them to flee rather than watch him walk to his fate told him there was more going on. However, he didn’t have long to dwell on that though, as he found himself in front of the doors leading to the throne room. One of his guards said something to the heavily armoured ones in front of the doors, gesturing at him, and then the doors were opening and he took a deep breath and stood as tall as he could. As worn as he was, he would not face his son on his knees. He wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. And I called Laxus stubborn,  he thought with weary amusement as he was herded forward with more force this time, as though Ivan’s very presence had possessed the guards.He ignored the changes that had been wrought in the room as best he could, although he couldn’t help but wonder what had become of Fiore as Ivan wasted far too much money on his own vanity. How did my son come to this? He wasn’t sure he would ever have an answer to that question, and he knew that it would haunt him into the afterlife and beyond. For now, though he only had eyes for his son. Ivan was sat on his throne, or rather lounging, looking as smug as a cat who had got the cream as he watched Makarov move forward. It wasn’t the smugness that worried Makarov though, that was an expression he had seen too often over the years to be fazed by, but it was the glint of madness in the dark eyes the scared him.“Kneel,” the guard on his left growled as he was brought to a halt in front of the throne. Makarov ignored him, staring up at his son, daring him to do something. Grunting as with a nod from his King, the guard lashed out with the flat of his sheathed sword, sending him crashing painfully to his knees and forcing him to catch himself, chains rattling as though to mock him.  Gritting his teeth Makarov steadied himself, knowing that he would be feeling this fall for weeks if he lived that long of course. He knew that the sensible thing to do would be to stay down, but Ivan was smirking, triumph trumping the madness for a moment, and it ignited a fire in him and slowly he pushed himself up. He saw the guard move as though to strike him again, and he raised a chained hand, somewhat pleased to the man actually hesitate although he didn’t let it show as he turned his attention back to his son.“Ivan…”
****

‘Extract from the personal journal of Faith Justine, refugee and resident of the Isle. Her journals were gifted to the library following her death by her only living child, Captain Freed Justine.’

‘…My Fredric is gone again. No one will tell me where he is gone, and yet when I ask they flinch and fall silent. I remember those reactions. It was how everyone reacted in the days after the attack that took my other babies from me, and it terrifies me.

I know that he is alive for now, I would feel it if he was gone from the world. I felt it when Freya and Freed died. A chasm in my heart that has never healed. A mother always knows. And now all I can do is sit here and wait for that feeling to return.

My son. My precious boy…

…I can’t lose you too.
 
‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

****
The days had crept by. It felt as though they would never have enough time to prepare for what was to come, and yet each hour crawled by. The only comfort they had was that they hadn’t been caught by the doldrums this time, instead, the weather seemed keen to push them towards their destination, a good wind allowing them to shave precious days off their travel time. The Raijinshuu cut through the waves as though eager for the battle ahead, and she was as ready for a fight as she had ever been and her Captain was catching up under Wendy’s care, although there was no way he would be fully healed in time. Wendy had reluctantly allowed him to cross blades with Erza, knowing that he needed to test his range of movement and watching anxiously the whole time. It proved he was far from back to normal, but that he was improving and with fate rushing towards them they had to take what they could have.With the Raijinshuu prepped for war, the mood turned pensive now that there was nothing to do but wait and Freed knew that it would get worse as the days crept by. But, he had no words of comfort for them, because he felt it himself, the weight of anticipation and dread. What progress he’d made with the nightmares was rapidly undone, as the growing dread brought Rufus’ ghost back to the surface, and more than once he’d woken Laxus who insisted on camping out in his cabin for just this reason. The rebel never complained, and considering Evergreen and Bickslow weren’t hounding him about it, he seemed to have kept it to himself, although Laxus watched him constantly and Freed knew that their conversation must be playing on his mind.
I’m worried.
  Laxus wasn’t the only one that was worried about what was to come. Freed knew that his crew would do anything they could to protect him, even as he was far from his usual level and he already knew that was a restriction he would have to work around when they ended up fighting because there was no way he would allow one of them to sacrifice themselves for him. Then the was the fire and fervour that he saw in Erza and her crew, and he knew that could throw off any plan they had, but there was little that could be done about that and he couldn’t blame them. If he had lost any of his crew or his ship then he hated to imagine what he would be capable of.Then there was Laxus.   The rebel had been preparing for this moment longer than any of them, and he had everything at stake in this battle. His grandfather. The promise Laxus had made with himself to bring down Ivan. And Freed himself. The weight of that worry was becoming more and more evident in Laxus’ expression each day, and even though they had talked, Laxus remained quiet, caught in his own thoughts. And it only made Freed worry more. Laxus’ fight with his father, and saving his grandfather all rested on them surviving long enough to reach the shore and to get to them, there was little the rebel could do by himself that work as part of the crew and pray. But, there were moments when he would catch Laxus watching him and there was something calculating in his eyes in those moments, and Freed had a feeling that the other man was trying to work out a way to keep him safe. The chances of it happening were low, but just the thought of being left behind had Freed itching to speak up, but it was just a suspicion at the moment and he didn’t want to give Laxus reason to lie to him.    Instead, he remained silent and stayed close and made his own plans. Because, he knew that as much as Ivan wanted to crush anyone that defied him, it was Laxus that would have the target painted on his back. But, if they could get him close. If Freed could give him the opportunity to take down the man that had caused the country so much pain, then he knew that Laxus would be the one to do it. He just has a feeling that the rebel wouldn’t like some of the ideas he had.“You’re planning something.” The quiet voice made him jump as he hadn’t realised anyone had approached, and he lifted his head to find Lucy studying him with a frown.“What makes you say that?” He asked, looking around for Laxus, but the other man had gone to chat with Bickslow at the helm and they were far enough that this conversation wouldn’t be heard unless Lucy raised her voice. For now, though she raised an eyebrow for a moment, before sighing and settling onto the barrel beside him, fidgeting with the edge of her shirt.“You always watch everything, but when you’re plotting your gaze turns distant,” she explained.“How long?”“You’ve always done it,” she smiled a little at his aggrieved tone. “We weren’t going to tell you as it was one of the only ways we could keep an eye on you.”“But, you’re saying it now…”“It feels as though if we don’t say things now, we might not get a chance.” There it was the topic that they had all been circling around, and he supposed he should have known that she would have been one of the ones to broach it. She had always been one of the ones to cut through the nonsense once she’d realised her voice wouldn’t be silenced on the Raijinshuu. “And you’re doing it more often.”“There’s a battle coming, one way or another and…”“I know you have plans for that, even beyond the ones you’ve made with Captain Scarlet and shared with us, it’s how you are,” she offered him a half-smile in apology for cutting him off. “It’s why we feel so safe following you into this, even though we know how it might end. But, that’s not what you’re planning right now is it?”    It was a direct question, and at any other time he would have admired her boldness but right now he wished that she hadn’t asked, because he couldn’t lie to her. “No, it isn’t.”“Then…”“I can’t say what it is Lucy.”“Because you know we’d try to stop you?” Lucy demanded.“That’s one reason,” he admitted, knowing that even if he didn’t confirm it she would believe it anyway.“What are the others?”“Lucy…” She met his gaze defiantly, demanding an answer and he sighed. Clearly, Evergreen was being a bad influence on all of his crew because there was too much of her in that look. “I don’t know what my plans are yet, so there is nothing for me to share. Not that I could even if I did have them… but…”“But?”“Whatever I do, please know that it was my choice. That I’ve walked into it with my eyes wide open, and…”“Captain…Freed, you’re scaring me now.”“I’m sorry,” Freed murmured. He shouldn’t have said anything, but Lucy had made an art out of seeing through lies in order to protect herself and Wendy, and he wouldn’t hurt her with lies now. “That wasn’t my intention, and I promise that I will be careful as I can be.”“I wish I could ask you to promise more. For your sake, for our sake… Wendy is terrified for you, although she’d never say as much, and Evergreen and Bickslow are on edge and I’ve seen how Laxus looks at you. None of us can afford to lose you Captain, but I know what we’re facing…”“You realise that I feel the same about every single one of you?” He asked.“I know,” her smile reached her eyes this time, as she leaned in to kiss his cheek. “That’s what scares us the most because we know what we would do to keep you safe…”“I…”“CAPTAIN! SHIP AHOY!” Freed’s reply was forgotten as Elfman who was on watch again in the crow’s nest raised the alarm, and both he and Lucy moved at the same time as he surged to his feet.“More than one,” Bickslow added as Freed rushed to join him and Laxus who had also turned at the shout, gesturing ahead and Freed cursed as he made out at least three masts on the horizon and came more into focus as he watched. They were too far from land, Fiore’s mainland just a smudge on the horizon and there was no way they were going to be able to sneak around these ships and as fast as the Raijinshuu was, he doubted that it would be enough to surge past the blockade in one piece.“Captain?”“What are your orders? What are we doing?”     Everyone was on the deck now, the cry having passed below decks. Erza surged to the rail to look out at the other ships, and there was no masking her anger now. Freed took a deep breath and looked around at his crew, seeing the fear, the determination and courage, and the eyes looking to him for guidance. He glanced at Lucy who grimaced but nodded and then turned his attention to Laxus. “Are you ready for this?” He knew that there were choices left to them, but he had to ask and when Laxus nodded grimly he raised his voice. “Ready the guns, and Bickslow set us on a course for the gap between the end two… we’ll have to fight, there’s no avoiding that.” There was a tremor in his hands as he spoke, his chest tightening and aching as Rufus’ ghost shifted in the periphery of his vision, but he pushed through it. “But, we’re going to run past them if we can, as Fiore is our goal. But, if we can take them down on the way we will.”If they don’t take us down first, he thought as the crew rushed to ready the Raijinshuu for battle.
****

‘Extract taken from the account of the battle of the blockade by Hibiki Lates, the informant that brought the Raijinshuu back to Fiore for the end of the war.’

‘…I had felt as though I had managed to become if not part of the crew, at least accepted in the days leading up to that fight. I was a poor sailor, but I helped where I could. But, when that cry went up to alert us to the approaching ships, I have never felt so much like an outsider. It was clear that everyone on that ship knew that we were facing overwhelming odds with very little chance of survival, let alone success – and I wished that I had stayed behind in that instant – but the faith, the sheer unwavering faith these people had in Captain Justine was a sight to behold.

I have helped Gajeel for years. I had seen how people looked to Mavis Vermillion on the Isle. They are leaders without a doubt, but this was something different. And stood among them, as an outsider looking in, I couldn’t understand…

…afterwards, I knew why they looked at him as they did.’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

‘
Extract from the Captain’s log of Erza Scarlet, Captain of The Red Queen and The Drowned Knave.

‘…vengeance on the high seas has ever been a dangerous goal. When you sail for revenge, it immediately turns everything into an enemy – the winds and waves that hold you back, the ship that fails you, the crew that tires. Then there is the fact that there is never any guarantee that you will find your prey, that you will be the one to lay them low – there is any number of fates awaiting a soul on the sea, and each may snatch a soul before the hunter can get them.

My vengeance was wider. I wanted to watch the world burn for Natsu, for my ship, for all that had been lost. I wanted to tear it down, for the people we had left afraid and defenceless on the Isle. I wanted to bleed it dry for my crew who followed me on what seemed like an impossible journey, and an even more impossible goal.

I blew it apart for the man that didn’t try to quell my fury. Who saw my rage and accepted it. I knew the moment Captain Justine…Freed, asked me to take that ship, that fate was diverging. That we might both be going to our deaths on different paths. I knew and I walked that path.

The ship was pathetically easy to take. As Freed had suspected it was a skeleton crew, just there to give the appearance of numbers – and I wondered how many others were like that. It was called the Drowned Knave – a ship that held nothing to my Queen, or even the Raijinshuu, but she was sturdy and leapt to our command once skilled fingers were at her helm. We could have turned, headed for Fiore and revenge, or back to the Isle to save who we could.

That was what my heart and my vengeance wanted.

Instead, we turned and stood our ground. A lone ship against many. A shield for the Raijinshuu.

We might not get to see the world burn, but we could give others the chance to light the kindling.

I hoped Natsu would approve…’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
 ****
Run with the wind. Fight with the swells.
   Freed couldn’t remember who had told him that. It felt like the words had always been there, so maybe it was something he had picked up in the carefree days of childhood when he had explored the docks and dreamt of adventure and treasure on the high seas, long before he knew the reality of life on the waves. Or maybe, they had been beaten into his skin long after that. Either way, they came back to him now as he stood, eyes locked on the horizon, feeling the Raijinshuu coming to life beneath his feet, wood creaking, as the crew raised every inch of canvas they had. The wind was fresh, teasing his hair in the direction they were heading, but he wished that it was stronger. It needed to be stronger, both to speed their desperate dash for Fiore and to give them the swells that would help protect them through the attempt.
Please.
     He had never learned the names of the many gods, spirits or monsters that so many sailors pleaded with when fate came for them. Now he wished that he had. Instead, all he had was the ghost of Rufus at his shoulder, a silent, unspoken whisper promising to see him soon. Not yet…“Captain…” Bickslow started.“I know.” He had already spotted the other masts and sails that were now coming into view. Captain. Bickslow was worried, a note of fear breaking into his first mate’s voice and he felt it settle into the cavernous pit that had opened in the pit of his stomach with the first shout. “We keep going.” If they turned back they would be chased down like a fox, and the Isle lay behind them. There was too much risk of leading these ships straight there, and even if they led them away, there was only so long they could run. Fighting would only end one way as they were outnumbered and outgunned in every possible way, and as good as they were, Freed knew that even his crew couldn’t win against those odds. They had one choice. One chance, and it wasn’t much of one. “I want every inch of sail we have up!” He shouted, lifting his voice, iron lining each word. Burying his fear. Donning the Captain’s mantle. “We have one shot at this.” A chorus of shouts and hurried movements greeted his command, even now his crew refused to falter, and his heart swelled and broke for what he might be about to lead them to.“If they catch us from both sides…” Bickslow muttered beside him, voicing one of the endless fathom of worries he carried.“I know,” Freed replied, lifting his eyeglass again and studying the two ships they were heading for, intensely aware of the other ships that were shifting and moving closer. Sharks beginning to circle. “Ivan must have emptied his docks for this blockade.” He heard footsteps approaching, recognising them at once and glancing away from the ships to glance at Laxus as the rebel joined them at the helm. Laxus was grim-faced, jaw clenched, and Freed wondered if he felt his chance to stop Ivan, to maybe save his grandfather slipping away with each wave that slipped beneath their bow. “It looks like Ivan was more worried about us getting close than we thought.”“More likely the coward just wanted to make sure we got nowhere close,” Laxus spat.“Maybe,” Freed allowed. “But, it speaks to his concern that he sent so many resources against us and the Isle. It might make getting to him easier.” Unless he has some other surprises waiting for us, he amended. He didn’t like this show of force, even if Ivan had been confident of crushing them and the Isle and wiping out all hope of the rebellion, it felt like too much, and the King didn’t strike him as someone who would leave himself vulnerable. He glanced at Laxus. Is it Makarov? Is that his leverage? Or does he have something else? A weapon we’re not prepared for… He didn’t want to voice those questions aloud, not after the rebel had shared his worries for his grandfather, although he knew without a doubt the same question would be going through the other man’s mind.    They were quiet for a moment, side by side, and once again Freed was struck by how far they had come from the moment they had met. It was why it couldn’t end here like this, no matter what odds and fate, and everything in between had planned for them.“We can’t get past them, can we?” He hadn’t expected Laxus to be the one to give voice to the question that he knew they were all thinking, although he was glad the other man had kept his voice to a near whisper, loud enough for him and Bickslow to hear but no one else.
No.
    Freed turned back to look through the eyeglass, sweeping his gaze over the two ships they were aiming for, searching for a prayer, a miracle. Expecting to see death staring back at him, and yet… his eye narrowed and he focused on the left-hand ship for a moment longer, a spark of something daring to rise in his chest.
Maybe.
“I don’t know.” Aside from Evergreen who had always been able to see through him, they were the only two he would allow himself to be entirely honest around. Not that there was much point in lying at this point. He saw Bickslow’s shoulders slump out of the corner of his eye, and the flash of defeat in blue eyes as Laxus bowed his head, and straightened, ignoring the mocking smirk he could imagine on Rufus’ ghosts face. “But, I intend to give it our best shot.”“You have a plan,” Laxus said, and it wasn’t a question.“A desperate one,” Freed allowed with a smile, that was little more than a twist of his mouth.“I’ll take it.”    Freed smiled despite himself and nodded, before glancing around. “Erza!” He called as he set eyes on the red-haired woman who was helping to hand out the weapons that Evergreen had hauled up for those who weren’t on the guns. She passed the task off to Elfman and climbed up the steps. Alone of all of them – her crew and his, she didn’t show any concern or hesitation, the fury and fervour burning brighter than ever. It was a powder keg that had concerned him, but now he was hoping it might swing the tide.“What do you need?” There was no preamble, her eyes resting on the ships that were rapidly approaching them, her hand inching down to the hilt of her blade.“You wanted a ship,” Freed tilted his head towards the ship on the end of the blockade. It was a little bigger than the Raijinshuu and sat squatter in the water. It couldn’t hope to match his ship for speed, especially now the wind had caught the extra canvas, but it was a solid vessel, and heavily armed – which could swing the battle – in either direction depending on if they could pull this or not.“You want to take one of their ships? Are you mad?” Laxus demanded while Bickslow choked. Freed ignored them both, eyes on Erza. She studied the ship, eagle-eyed, and he could see her picking out the strengths and weaknesses…and the same detail that he had noted.“It looks a little abandoned…”“Exactly.”“You’re going to deal with the other one?” Erza asked, both of them ignoring the choked noises from the other two as they realised what Freed was saying. Turning to stare at the end ship, and the lone figure currently visible on the helm, in comparison with the other ship whose deck was as heaving and chaotic as their own, and Freed saw the moment that their hope was rekindled.“We’ll do what we can, but it needs to be a straight run past. You’ll be on your own after that…” He didn’t need to say what she would be facing, her eyes sweeping over the rest of the ships in the loose blockade that was moving in on them. He waited to see her expression crumple or see some hint of doubt. Instead, her lips twisted in a feral grin.“Sounds like fun,” she turned serious. “You’ll be on your own too.”“I know.” There would be no second chance, no backup, and if they couldn’t make it to Fiore before any of the chasing ships caught them then it would all be over. It was always a desperate attempt, Freed thought, as though that might comfort him. After all, you couldn’t lose hope if you’d never had it, right? Yet it rang hollow and empty in his mind. Erza saw it all, he was sure of that, because as he met her gaze, he saw the same emotions, the same willingness to die if it gave them even a slightly better chance to succeed.“Then it’s on, I’ll ready my crew,” she said with a nod. A desperate chance. It was a promise and understanding all at once and Freed nodded back. “We’ll get you as close as we can.” Erza grinned again, the wildness back as she hurried away, bellowing for those of her crew who had come with her.“You’re sending them to their death,” Bickslow said softly, not accusing although Freed still flinched as though the words had burned.“Maybe, maybe not,” he murmured, moving forward, ignoring Laxus’ attempt to reach for him and lifting the spyglass once more as he added to himself. “Maybe…we’re all going to our death.” He missed Bickslow and Laxus exchanging a look, hearing the words he hadn’t said.
Maybe I’m going to my death…

*
    Time was a fickle mistress. The Raijinshuu was flying through the water now, and yet to Freed, it felt as though it took an age for the enemy to come close enough that he could abandon the spyglass. In that time the other ships had moved closer, and the nervous energy on the deck had reached a fever pitch although not one of his crew faltered, the ship as ready as he could be for what was about to come. Erza’s crew were gathered on the port side, armed as heavily as the Raijinshuu could provide, eyes on him and Erza. If they felt like they were on the precipice of death it didn’t show and Freed almost envied them as he felt the ghost at his shoulder as he stepped back, brushing briefly against Laxus who had stayed with him and Bickslow. They shared a lingering look, all they could allow themselves at that moment, and Freed almost buckled under the weight of the unspoken words that hung between them before he moved to the helm.“I’ll take her through,” he said softly, nudging Bickslow to one side. It was as much a plea as an order, and Bickslow’s mouth closed on a half-formed protest.“Yes, Captain.”“Ready the Starboard Guns! Ever, we need to hit hard and fast and aim for below the waterline. We cripple her now, or not at all,” Freed roared, lifting his voice so that it carried across nervous murmurs, creaking wood and canvas and the song of sea and wind. Evergreen had been on the deck waiting for the order, and he saw her sharp nod before she disappeared below deck, hearing the roar of her voice as she passed on his orders. “Loke, Elfman, clear a path for Erza and her crew.”“Yes, Captain.”     The ship’s wheel was an anchor beneath trembling fingers. One chance. Please… They were nearly there now, close enough to see faces on the crew on the ship off their starboard bow. Men and women who were about to kill them or be killed by them. What were they fighting for he wondered, were they loyal to Ivan and his cause, or were they in it for the money and the death and the glory? He wondered if they stared back at them and asked the same. Did it occur to them that they might be fighting for the wrong side? That they might be about to do immeasurable harm to all those who had already suffered so much under Ivan. I’m sorry, he thought, knowing that the words were empty. They wouldn’t care for them, and he wouldn’t and couldn’t hesitate with his crew on the line.     There was a muffled roar, thunder and lightning and smoke off the starboard bow. “Brace!” He roared his world and focus narrowing down to the wheel in his hands, the ship beneath his feet, and the space between the two ships. The cannon fire rocketed past them, narrowly missing the front of the Raijinshuu and he cursed as he realised one of the other ships had moved in close enough to fire at them. Although once they were between the two ships, she wouldn’t be able to fire without hitting her own.He wasn’t sure that would stop her.     He was counting now. Measuring the distance between their bow and the space between the other ships, blind and deaf to the chaos around them as more shots were fired, hearing Bickslow’s voice above the din and trusting his first mate to protect the crew. He was distantly aware of wood splintering, pain in his arm and cheek, smoke obscuring his vision, and Laxus’ warmth and weight against him as the rebel braced him. But his world had narrowed, as had the sea, and then they were breaching the space between the two ships. Enemies on both sides. Fate and death closing in.
One.

Two.

Three.
    He saw the first gun port on the ship to starboard out of the corner of his eye, and moved, turning the wheel and pulling the Raijinshuu to port. “FIRE!” He shouted, hearing Bickslow take up the cry. He had to trust Evergreen because his manoeuvre had the Raijinshuu scraping against the port-side ship, and he winced as he heard the scrape and scream of wood beneath the roar of the guns as all three ships – his own included- opened fire in a deafening cacophony of death, hatred and hope. “ERZA” He roared as he fought to hold the wheel in position. They couldn’t hold for long in this position. He was doing untold damage to both ships as the deck shuddered and shuck beneath his feet, partly from the collision with the left ship, and from the close proximity fire that was hitting them. Warm hands settled over his, Laxus lending him his strength.“You’re crazy you know that?”  Laxus breathed in his ear, the words carrying despite the din around them and Freed laughed.“So, I’ve been told… Erza?” He demanded, humour fading as the Rajinshuu jolted violently and he twisted his head just in time to see a length of the railing crumbling under the impact with the other ship, the damage buckling the edge of the deck as well. Sending several crew members skittering backwards. Laxus cursed and twisted.“She’s gone! Freed!” Laxus’ voice rose in alarm as another bit of railing broke away, and Freed grunted as he spun the wheel to starboard. The Raijinshuu groaned in protest as she tore herself away from the other ship, and he breathed shakily, hoping that he hadn’t just inflicted fatal wounds on his ship, noticing the sluggish response to his steering and hoping it was just from being caught in the wash of two ships and having to disentangle. He risked a glance at the other ship, taking in the damage the collision had caused -not enough to hinder her too badly…yet; and there was Erza, running her blade through the unfortunate soul who’d been at the hill, as her crew flooded down below decks and he prayed that they’d been right at the lack of people on the deck hadn’t been a trick.    He couldn’t linger on her situation though, as another battery of cannon fire reminded him of the fight on the other side, and he turned his head. They were almost out of the narrow strait between the two ships, one that would soon be in friendly hands, and one that had smoke rising and a half-destroyed mast from a shot that had gone higher than he had hoped for. Although it would slow any attempts at pursuit. There was also a slight list that gave him hope that Evergreen had hit something vital.Not that they were unharmed.   The deck was covered in debris, the captain’s cabin or what remained of it was a shell. But, the masts were untouched so far, although some of the debris had sliced through the canvas, and flames smouldered in places, although he could see Mira and some of the others already doing what they could do to put it out. They were limping and bloodied, but still alive. “As…” His throat was dry and raw as though he had been shouting and screaming more than he’d thought, and maybe he had. He had to dampen his lips and swallow hard before his voice would cooperate. “As we move free, switch to the bow guns! Discourage them from pursuing too closely!” He ordered, relieved when he heard the order being relayed behind him as he shifted his attention back to holding the line, not wanting to risk a second collision.Time diluted again. Thunder roaring in his ears, wood cracking, screams… distant, at least that was what he told himself. He felt rather than heard the Raijinshuu launch one last volley to starboard before the ship was nosing past the enemy ship and towards open water again and was distantly aware of a triumphant shout going up somewhere behind him.Then they were past the ships, the wind in the sails pushing them forward.
Fight with the swells.

Run with the wind.
“Now we run…”  ****‘The King sent a blockade.
He sent ships to claim what was mine.

I would kill him if I didn’t know he will fail. Ivan is many things, but he is not a sailor. He does not know the sea. He does not know Freed Justine. His attempt will fail. It will weaken him, an opportunity for later perhaps… but he will fail and the Raijinshuu and her captain will come…

I will accept no other outcome.

I will be the one to kill Freed Justine.’

Excerpts are taken from the journal of Rufus Lore, following his rescue by the Soaring Siren and his subsequent return to mainland Fiore. The journal was one of the only items found in his personal effects following the end of the war and was entrusted to the Royal Archives by Captain Freed Justine who discovered it.

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.
 ****      Bickslow eventually had to pull him away from the wheel, and it was only when his hands reluctantly left the spokes that he realised how much he had been relying on it to keep him upright, and he staggered and might have fallen if Laxus hadn’t been there to immediately brace him. The contact, and the sight of Bickslow assuming control of the helm, brought him back to the present and allowed him to take in what was going around him, glancing behind him in alarm as he heard muffled cannon fire. They were clear of the other ships, although he could see the frenzied efforts to bring them around, apparently, they hadn’t been expecting the Raijinshuu to bolt for it – and he could only hope that would buy them the precious distance they needed to get to Fiore.    The ship they had fired on was listing badly now, laying low and crippled and he doubted that she would be chasing anyone but the seabed. He felt a pang of sorrow at that. A pirate he might be, but he always mourned the thought of a good ship lost to the depths. The Scarlet Minstrel was the only one he didn’t mourn, not that Rufus’ ghost, still lingering by his shoulder would have let him, and he wondered if she would be waiting for him on the other side of the horizon. A ghost ship to chase him in the afterlife. Now wasn’t that a pleasant thought. Another volley of cannon fire brought him back to the present, and he realised it was coming from the ship that he had sent Erza to take, the larger vessel having turned passed the listing one, blockading the path of the one that had fired on them first, and firing on them and his eyes widened. There was still a Fiorean flag flying on the mast, but it was another pennant that caught his attention – fire red hair in the wind, and an echo of the feral grin she had given him crept onto his face as he watched her raise a fist to the sky.“Erza…”“Looks like your desperate plan is working,” Laxus murmured.“So far,” Freed replied, trying not to show his surprise. It truly had been a gamble. If there had been more crew hiding beneath the deck, or Erza’s crew hadn’t been able to take it, then he had split their forces for nothing, and the other ship might have taken them. He couldn’t even say that it was a victory now because the other ships were coming for them, and Erza was a lonely bulwark between them and that pursuit, and the Raijinshuu wasn’t unharmed, he could feel it in the way she sat in the water, the slight delay in her response to the crack of canvas and Bickslow’s steady hand on the wheel.“Is everyone okay?” He asked, rather than focusing on the ship.“Some minor injuries, but the ship took the worst of the damage,” Lucy replied as she joined them, covered in dust and dirt, and some nasty-looking scratches that would need cleaning. She didn’t seem to notice them though as she studied him, eyes narrowing before she paled at some she spotted.  “And you…”  She was pointing at him, and he heard Laxus curse beside him but was more distracted by Lucy raising her voice.  “WENDY!”“What are you…”  He started to demand, only to find himself being guided to a less damaged part of the deck and being pressed downwards by a suddenly insistent Laxus. “What…?” “Sit down.” It was a command, and he was so surprised by it that he obeyed. Frowning as he realised that the crew that had been working to try and clear some of the mess, and keep the ship in as much order as possible had paused, eyes locked on him.  Confused he glanced down at himself, he was as covered in dust and debris as the rest of them, the helm hadn’t shielded him from that, and it was only when he noticed the torn fabric on his right arm and the blood that was soaking through the material that he realised what had caught their attention.“I’m…”“If you say fine, I am going to hit you,” Bickslow informed him, before turning his attention to the crew. “Back to work, if we can’t keep ahead of those other ships there will be no time to tear strips of him later.” Freed opened his mouth to protest, or to remind them that he was captain, but Laxus clapped a gentle hand over his mouth to silence him.“You know they’re not going to listen to you, and there’s no point in scowling at me as I agree with them,” Laxus said, scolding even as he settled beside Freed on the deck on his uninjured side and pulling him in close. “Why is it always you?” The last bit was quiet and just meant for his ears, and Freed sighed.“I promise I don’t do it on purpose.”“Maybe not, but you’re glad that it was you and not anyone else,” Laxus retorted, and Freed couldn’t deny it, ducking his head and studying the deck, absorbing the deep sigh that followed his silence and the way that the rebel’s arm tightened around him.
I’m worried.

I know, and I’m sorry… it’s not going to stop here.
     Wendy appeared moments later with Evergreen in tow, the latter covered in gunpowder residue, cheeks run with streaks of it where sweat and powder had mixed. Wendy was scowling as she rushed towards him, but Freed’s eyes were on Ever. “How is she?”“Limping,” Evergreen knew what he was asking. “We’re taking on water, but I’ve got Elfman and Loke on the pumps and with luck, we should be able to stay ahead of it long enough to get to shore, but after that…” She trailed off, and he didn’t press her to finish. The Raijinshuu isn’t going to survive this. It broke his heart to admit it even to himself, but it also steeled his resolve and the idea in the back of his head. It was fitting that if he was going to go down, then it would be with the ship that had been his home and freedom.“Let Wendy look at you,” Laxus murmured, and he blinked startled to realise that Wendy was crouched in front of him and trying to lift his arm to examine it. He clenched it defensively against himself, reluctant to let her see. He couldn’t let them worry and fuss as they had been, even though the exhaustion dogging him told him that they had probably been right to.“I’m fine,” he muttered, and Bickslow and Evergreen growled in unison.“That wasn’t a request,” Wendy said, and somehow she sounded more terrifying than the two of them together, and despite himself, he found himself holding out his arm and wincing as he did so. “What happened?” She asked, and he opened his mouth only to realise two things, one that he didn’t know and two that she was looking to Laxus for an answer.“Shrapnel I think, from one of the shots that took out the railing,” Laxus replied before he could say anything. “I knew it had got his cheek.” Warm fingers brushed said cheek and Freed flinched as pain flared and he became aware of the tacky warmth of dried blood. “Didn’t realise it had hit him elsewhere, and I don’t think he realised either.”“My mind was on other things…” Freed admitted, deciding that he was too tired to be offended about them talking about him like he wasn’t there. Turning his attention back to Evergreen and trying to ignore the pain as Wendy peeled the material of his shirt away from the gash on his arm. “How are our ammunition supplies?”“Enough to let us keep the dogs at bay for now, but if you’re planning a protracted attack then we’re done for,” Evergreen replied, although the look she gave him told him that she knew he was just trying to distract himself and them from the fact he was hurt…again.“I wasn’t planning on it, we’re running now and that’s what we’re going to keep doing until we hit Fiore,” Freed replied. Her answer had been all that he had hoped for. They just needed to buy time and stop them from closing in on the Raijinshuu.“There’s no way they won’t pursue us, and we’re heading straight into the shark’s jaws.”“I know,” Freed agreed, taking a sip from the cup of water some – and he suspected Lucy or Wendy had pressed into his hand and then pausing to down half the cup as he realised just how thirsty he was. “But, if we can get to Fiore and get ashore, then we still have options. If they catch us on the water, then we’re screwed.” The words felt wrong on his tongue. Freed couldn’t remember the last time that the land had truly felt safer than the water, and part of him rebelled at the thought now. He wanted to fight on the sea, he knew the rules here and could use wind and waves to his advantage. On land he felt stripped of some part of himself that couldn’t be filled, but what choice did they have? They couldn’t sail the Raijinshuu ashore, and Ivan was never going to come and face them in the open himself. They would have to go to him.“I don’t think they’re going to just let us dock…” Bickslow said.“I never said anything about docking,” Freed said with a grin that didn’t touch his eyes, reaching out with one hand to pat the splintered deck beneath him, ignoring Wendy’s scolding as she was pulled along with the movement as she had been in the process of wrapping a bandage around his latest wound. “The Raijinshuu will get us where we need to go, and then we have to do the rest.” And then you will all be furious with me, he added, but he was careful to keep that thought to himself and hoped it hadn’t leaked into his expression.“Freed…” He wasn’t sure whether that was a protest to his words, to the fact he was still moving despite Wendy’s efforts to stop him as he rose to his feet, or against the plan he hadn’t put his voice to.“Get what rest you can,” he ordered, looking around at the crew. “We just need to keep The Raijinshuu ahead of those ships and get to Fiore.” He said it as confidently as he could, a simple two-step plan. Stay ahead. Get to their destination. They all knew it wasn’t as simple as that, not with water pooling beneath them and The Raijinshuu giving voice to her struggles as she swayed in the wind, or with their Captain bloodied and bandaged again, the exhaustion that he couldn’t hide lining his face. Let alone whatever waited for them at the other end of the voyage, and yet his command to rest, his care for them even now, with blood marking where he had been sat, and the steel in his voice was as strong as any shot of whiskey.“Yes, Captain!”**
This account comes from the currently unpublished manuscript of Lucy Heartfilia’s (the navigator of The Raijinshuu during the war) account of the war.

‘…We knew that something was wrong. We knew that our Captain had plans that he had not shared with us. At the time the hurt and the worry outweighed the understanding, it is only now, in retrospect that we can understand why he didn’t tell us because if he had there is no way we would have let him go. We would have turned the ship around and fled from Fiore’s shores…or maybe we wouldn’t have, because we all knew what was at stake and why he was pushing us and himself so hard.

Still, I wish we had stopped it. That we could have protected him, as he protected us so many times…’

‘History of the Rebel War’ by Levy McGarden, former informant and Court Historian.