Knock on Wood

One of Cuvall's crewmen, a bald, pale, hulking man, scratched his head where a goose egg shone brilliant. "Leetle cat," he muttered to himself.

Minikin nodded, doing as she was asked. She had to get out of here, had to get back to the cotage, had to warn Lorrie...

Glen sighed, disgused. "Clar, if you would just hang on for a grand total of five minutes, I will help you with that. You don't need to haul this up the hill by yourself. It's bad for you."

Wincing at Glen, she sighed. "Fine."

She glanced down a Minkin. "Why don't you go ahead and take the groceries up?" Clara suggested, trying to get the girl out of there. "Just head out that back door. We'll be along in a few minutes."

Minikin glanced up at Clara, then nodded. "Okay," she said quietly, stepping around her to the back door. The groceries were held in one fist, and Tikkat was clutched under the other arm. Had to get out...

Charles looked Clara over. "Don't take offense, Marm, but you don't look like one to be on a ship, do you?"

Clara opened her mouth, but Glen, his back to her, interrupted.

"Clara? On a ship? Ohh, no. I'd lose my head before I let her set foot on a ship."

The dark-haired girl cast him a look that fell harmless on his back, and spoke, "No, I'm not the kind that really belongs on a ship, you'd think."

And that's all she said.

"Mm." Duvall nodded, casting a light eye over the wood. "Mind if I ask what you're needing all that wood for? Can't be for building; that's siding wood you're hefting there."

-----------

Minikin dashed through the streets, dodging around legs and merchant stalls, kitten clutched to her chest. Gotta get back... But which way was back?

"Oh, I have a project at home." she said, "A fixer-upper."

Her smile was pleasan when she addresse Glen, but her eyes spoke volumes. "If you're quite ready?"

He took the hint, and started collecting her wood.

Lost? She couldn't be lost. She was a pirate, like Lorrie always said, and pirates didn't get lost... right?
Spinning in a desperate circle, Minikin tried to find anything that she could remember. Anything...

Glen spoke to another man on the opposite side of the shop. "Hold down the fort for me. I'm taking Clara back up to her place."

Hauling the wood outside, he loaded up a horse-drawn carriage. Helping her up, she frowned. "What's the matter with you, Clar?"

Pirate or no, she was lost. And geting moreso by the second. "I am not lost, I am not lost," she muttered to herself.

Clara shook her head. "Those men aren't good news for my little friend..." she said, scanning the area for Minkin. "Speaking of which, keep a look out for her. I can't lose her."

{{Oh, no worries about that. She's already lost herself.}}

Fear was steadily rising in the back of Minikin's throat. Try as she might, she couldn't keep from thinking that she would be forever lost in this unfamiliar place, and Duvall's crew would find her, and they'd make her tell them where Captain Lorelei was, and--

Clara kept her eyes peeled for the telltale blonde head bobbing through the crowd, but no dice.

She grabbed Glen's arm. "Where is she...?"

Okay, the child told herself. Keep calm. Don't let your head carry you away. Don't panic. just keep an eye out for her, and you'll be fine-- Her thoughts were interrupted as she was bumped aside by someone rude. She stumbled back, blinking as the figure dashed away with a woman screeching behind.

"MY PURSE! STOP, THEIF!"

{{Haha, no. Not Flit.}}

"Clar, it's kinda hard to steer when you're puncturing my arm."

She scowled, but released him, "I'm just worried. I was responsible for her, and now she's gone!"

Minikin frowned after the theif, but noticed something through the wake the man made in the crowds of people.
It was a horse-drawn wagon.
And Clara was on it!

Moving as fast as her short legs could carry her, the child pushed past people as rudely as she dared, cat clutched in her arms.

Glen glanced sympathetically at his companion. "Look, she's probably fine. Any second now, she'll burst through the crowd and--"

He was cut short by the sight of a little blonde head pushing its way toward them.

Glen grinned. "If I had a rupee for every time I was right about anything..."

Taking one last burst of speed towards the cart and ducking around the horse, Minikin launched herself up beside Clara, panting. "Sorry," she said simply as her eyes poured relief.

Clara gasped, throwing her arms around the child. "Oh, my Din! I thought I'd lost you and Captain Tucker would never, ever forgive me and...oh, sweet merciful Nayru, are you hurt?"

Minikin shook her head 'no'. "I got lost," she said quietly. "I didn't get to the Captain."

"That's where we're headed." Clara said, holding onto Minkin to be extra-sure she didn't disappear again.

Glen cocked an eyebrow. "The captain?"

Seeming to notice Glen for the first time, Minikin blinked and fell silent. She nodded to acknowledge his question, but that was it.

Tikkat wiggled free of the double-pair of arms around him and sprang up onto the front of the cart.

Clara didn't say much until the cart had pulled up near her house.

"Thank you, Glen." she said, "I appreciate this."

"Not a problem." he nodded. "Lemme just unload it for you..."

Clara frowned, but knew it would be pointless to argue with the boy.

{{STUBBORN MEN! *shakesfist*}}

Minikin hopped off the cart and dashed into the house, skidding through the open door just as Rudy came to see what the noise was.

"Hey, they're ba---Hey, now! Watch where ye be jumpin' to, kiddo!" The bulky pirate was all but brushed aside as the child ran inside.

Lorelei stood, frowning. "What's the rush, lass? Is anything wrong?"

Glen single-handedly hefted a board and pulled it off the wagon, brushing aside all of Clara's attempts to help.

"It's not good for you." he said, to which she sighed loudly.

"Glen, you don't think anything is good for me."

He winked at her and carried the board away to start a pile in the grass.

Minikin caught her breath, before beckoning Lorrie closer. "Duvall," she whispered once the Captain had knelt closer. "And his crew. I saw them in town, at the carpenter's shop."

Captain Tucker's lips pressed into a thin line. "Did he recognize you?"

"Uh-uh." Shaking her head, the child gave the negative. "Miss Clara gave me her coat to wear."

Lorelei smiled out at Clara gratefully.