#rescuemiriam

She takes the orb carefully from him. "My thanks. Would you also give me your name?" She is still tense, as if she cannot quite trust that there's not another shoe to drop.

"Hyddwn Stagborn, Prince of House Gwydion. Why have you asked me for my name? Answer true."

"That I might hope to remember it, and know whom to honor for the retrieval of this treasure, beyond calling you 'the Lost One.'" Truth.

"You would try to remember my name to bring me honor," He considers "Yes, your lord is fortunate. You asked for nothing beyond what you came for , nothing for yourself. What would you ask for yourself? not because you hoped to win it, but because I should repay all debts."

"That all those who journey on this quest should return from it safely, whether they started with us or joined along the way. If that is in your power to grant, Your Highness, then that is what I would ask."

"Because you have asked what you have asked, not just for yourself, but for all, and because of other matters you do not know, I will grant what balm I can."

"Turn, go, take your prize and leave..." the Prince twists away, "Already my memories bend to what i would have them be, and you maybe bent with them. Go. No, best I send you."

And their world spins.

Frank feels his wife in his arms as she has stumbled back. He feels wobbly himself. Brekke has the orb in her hands, and the crew, ALL the crew, stands on the Kestrel

Frank holds on. Just for a moment.

Brekke, startled, focuses on not dropping the orb, staring at the treasure in her hands...and feeling the faint rocking of the beached ship under her feet. She looks up to Frank, then around the crew. "Are we...we are all here?"

"Mom! Dad" A bundle of wilder

Nyles is tapping himself, "yes. I think we are."

"Careful!"

She cautiously holds the orb in one hand while pulling her daughter into an embrace with the other arm.

He shifts to take the bulk of the impact, and includes Siv in the embrace.

"Siv. You are safe." Relief and confirmation of a truth.

Pepper blushes, " Iwas all fucking grown"

A breath, then she pulls back from the embrace. "We must set sail, try to...to find the Wave Maiden, if she still sails in quest, though they may be home many years ago. Ready ship!" Not one to waste time, Brekke moves to enter the "quarters" to stow the treasure away.

The treasure is stowed and they find themselves sailing away. None the worse for wear or so it seems.

After they're underway, Brekke takes Nyles aside. "What did you agree with him? Speak true."

"Best you do not know," He says

"Nyles." He rumbles.

A sigh, "You two are as bad as Clem."

"Worse." He promises.

"Much worse."

Nyles looks up at their eyes "Okay, Worse. But, she's gaining on you. " He sighs, "I told him that a balance might be called for. That I would pay that balance. Oh, and by the by, don't try to undo it. I can't. And the only being that can is now lost in memory in his tower again, and I doubt we'd do so well a second time. It's done. Let it be."

"Nyles...." He rumbles, eyes darkening.

"Ask your wife, I just spoke the truth"

And he did

"That. Does Not. Help."

Brekke glares. "That was not your price to pay. That was not your task. We were prepared, should it have come to that...." She looks to Frank.

"We were prepared." He confirms.

"Well," he shrugs "Now you don't have to be. It's done. And, I admit, having a bit of choice was..refreshing. May I return to my duties now?"

Frank looks over to Brekke. "Keel haul now, or later?"

Dodger walks by, and smacks Nyles on the head solidly but not too heavily "You don't call the plays on this field."

Nyles blinks "What the... oh sweet Odin in drag"

Brekke glowers at the younger troll. "He may speak sideways, but he speaks well. You are not the Captain here, Nyles. You jumped the chain of command. Others might praise you for such a thing. I will not. I recognize your sacrifice...but not your right to make it." She turns from him, clearly angry.

"I.." he lowers his head, "I apologize. I am not sure I'd do differently but, I have always known a dark fate awaited me. I thought perhaps I had less to lose."

Frank takes Siv with him as he, also, turns away and follows Brekke.

Siv follows, "I don't understand... is everyone okay? I miss everything."

"We'll fill you in." He grins a little. "Your mom's a hero. Again."

"Right now, we are well," Brekke assures Siv.

Then she gives Frank a look. "Hardly the only hero in that venture, My Heart."

"Well, I hate being stuck behind. Can we not do that again? Grenda and I Cleaned this ship 3 times"

He chuckles. "No promises, but .... I would like to be able to say yes."

A grin. "The ship sparkles. Even the ropes."

"Glad you noticed," Siv says "Apparently that's the sea cow milk mixed in the bucket water.... 'brings out the shine, yungun' " Siv does a Grenda impersonation

"There may be other times where it is necessary to have you stay...but it will not happen often."

"Sea cow milk. Interesting. And perhaps a bit disturbing."