SINCE WHEN??????
Ah well, that suits me!
I was just writing something here... Tell me what you think?
Maybe you might want a summary... Here:
Laya Inae works in a bar, and lives with her grandmother. She thought her job as a barmaid wouldn't get any better, until one day she encounters Freyen Stark, a young man who might be more than just a travelling merchant.
As she embarks on the Mirasean Queen, Freyen's ship, Laya is far from imagining that she is about to find out more about the world and its inhabitants, in closer detail than she would have wished.
An insight into an adventure world, with fun characters and some humor.
GENRES: Adventure/action, romance, humor (only a bit...?)
Warnings: ALL characters belong to me (for a change) and thw rold they're set in as well.
Suggestive at times. Perhaps some cursing here or there.
RULER OF SEAS
Part 1: ?There?s something out there calling me, and it won?t stop!?
?Laya, bring your lazy person over here, and make it quick!?
The young woman turned, her long ponytail swinging in the wind. She dusted off her barmaid outfit, and re-entered the smoky club, glancing one last time at the wide blue sea out there, beyond the wooden docks and the bustling town.
?What is it?? She tiredly asked her employer, who was wiping mugs with a dirty rag.
?Get working! I?m not paying you to doze off! I have enough of one son for that!?
?Sure,? she sighed, glancing at the young man who was half drinking, half sleeping at a nearby table. In turn, the man winked drunkenly at her.
Her eyes rolled and oriented themselves on the newly arrived men.
?How may I help you, sirs??
They didn?t answer, and Laya noticed they were armed with swords.
Well, if they didn?t want to deal with her, fine.
Shrugging, she made her way to behind the counter, nudging the barman and indicating them with her chin.
?They don?t like ladies.?
Her employer rolled his eyes and chose to leave the cleaning to her.
Hours rolled by, leaving Laya the only awake person in the bar. Her boss had long since gone, and his son was passed out underneath a table.
She grabbed her coat from beside the fireplace, an old woollen drape, and placed it upon her shoulders, letting the feeling of warmth envelop her with a sigh.
Her barmaid outfit wasn?t really made for comfort. The thin, low cut shirt had a large, defined collar, and she rolled its sleeves high. The corset on top of that, and the short dark brown leather skirt finished the set.
She hated it.
Why did she have to wear something so? degrading for her job? No wonder the barman?s son eyed her, no, ogled at her like that.
She hated it.
Walking out into the brisk air, she was shocked to realize the air was actually warm for an early spring night. She let the blanket loosely fall off her shoulders, catching it before it touched the ground.
?Hey, Laya?? A voice slurred behind her. ?Where ya goin???
Laya half-turned to the young son of her employer.
?Knock it off, Troutman.?
Salm Troutman grinned sloppily and placed a heavy arm to her shoulder.
?Relax, honey. I ain?t mean.?
Laya scowled when she smelled the alcohol off his clothes.
?You stink, Troutman. Get off.?
He grinned, showing off his yellow teeth. She turned away, avoiding his breath with a sour face.
?Honey, you should give me a chance,? he said sloppily.
She rolled her eyes and shrugged his arm off, walking away and not turning back.
She hated it all!
*::*::*
?Laya, wake up, dear!?
Laya didn?t pay any heed to the call, and instead focused her eyes on the horizon. The door to her room creaked open, and an elder woman peeked in, surprised to see her on the windowsill, clad only in her nightgown.
?Laya! Don?t show off in sleepwear!?
The young woman turned to her, a gentle smile etched on her features.
?Grandma. I?m not. But have you seen this horizon? I never really noticed before.?
Her grandmother let herself in the small room, and walked over to where Laya was sitting, gazing outside at the sea and the bright sunlight.
?You?re right, dear. It?s quite a sight. But you should be up and about at this very moment. I told you we had to work hard to keep this place clean.?
Laya pushed a loose strand of hair back behind her ear and nodded.
?I know. But honestly, Grandma, it can wait.?
The elderly woman hit her arm without force.
?Up! Get dressed! I want you to fetch some things for me!?
Laya sighed, stood, and walked to her closet, under her grandma?s watchful glare. As she searched for something to wear, the old woman?s eyes softened.
?You?re not happy, are you, Laya??
Laya walked behind the moveable wall and changed hurriedly.
?No,? her voice declared from behind it, ?I?m not happy here.? She waved to the horizon out the window awkwardly. ?There?s something out there calling me, and it just won?t stop!?
?Then you should travel a bit.?
Laya looked up, startled at the suggestion.
?Grandma??
?So I?m offering you the opportunity to move around some! Go to the docks. They surely have some valuables that I need. I listed it all here, you just have to follow that list. And then get back!?
Laya blinked. Her grandmother smiled.
?Give your old ?ma a hug, will you??
Laya finally smiled. She walked from behind the wall and held her grandmother tightly. The old woman?s voice was muffled by Laya?s embrace when she spoke.
?If you ever have the opportunity to go travel some, I want you to simply say goodbye and have your share of travels.?
Laya looked into the woman?s wrinkled eyes.
?You?re serious? Just one goodbye? But who would take care of you??
The elderly woman frowned and placed her hands on her flimsy hips.
?Don?t give me that speech! I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself!?
Laya smiled, grabbing the list from her old hands.
?You?re right, grandma. I?m such an idiot to think that you would want someone to keep you company!? She took her small bag and went out the door. ?I?ll be back in a few hours!?
*::*::*
The market was on the docks. Merchandise from all over the world was sold there. The small stalls were colourful, attractive, the salesmen loud and amusing. There always was a crowd to animate the area.
Laya checked her list twice. She had all she needed, but wanted something more.
She wanted to offer her grandmother something for her upcoming eightieth summer. She was thinking of jewellery, since the old woman was quite fond of such things, but having not found anything worthwhile yet, she was starting to give up her search for today. A sudden shout flitted to her ear, and she paused in her tracks.
She was near a railing, and beyond there was a lower dock, made of stone, full of people. In the midst of the crowd, the voice was still heard.
Laya glanced off to the side of the railing, and glared at the young man who was there, making all the noise.
He was quite handsome, with his short hair and his bright eyes. He wasn?t what one would call muscled, but he seemed quite fit nonetheless. His white, light shirt was loosely tied, exposing his sun-touched skin at the neck. His trousers were loose, well worn, and made of comfortable light brown leather. He wore a soft band at the forehead, to keep sweat from the heat out of his eyes.
His voice, mellow and confident, rose to the people above and around.
?C?mon, ye all!! Come and check out my merchandise!! Silks from across the world, grains and spices from the farthest continents, they?re sure to bring ye straight to the skies!?
Laya suddenly noticed that he also sold jewellery.
Ah, well. Maybe then?
The young man glanced up, and she caught sight of the sharpest eyes she had seen in a long time.
?Ye! Young lady! Maybe ya want ta take a look!!?
She seemed hesitant, and the young man winked.
?I ain?t mean, lady! Show ?em the right example! My prices are lower than they should be, and to be quite honest, the whole stuff is practically given! I?m too nice!?
Laya rolled her eyes, but made her way down to the docks anyway, coming to his table. The cheerful young man held out a hand and presented himself.
? ?Ello, princess! My name is Freyen Stark, and I?m the smartest guy around, it seems!?
Laya nodded, but didn?t take his hand; she concentrated on the few pieces of fine jewellery that were displayed on the table.
Freyen seemed to quietly notice her interest, and grinned.
?Everyone!? He called out to the crowd who were watching from the corner of their eyes, ?This here lady is already set to buy my merchandise! C?mon you people! I ain?t gonna cheat because she?s got pretty eyes!!?
There were some bouts of laughter, but Laya looked up at him, and glared.
?I never said I?d buy anything,? she declared in a low voice.
Freyen winked.
?Then don?t spoil my chances at other customers, princess. If you?re publicity, then too bad for you. And besides, I feel generous. What piece on this table caught your pretty eyes??
Laya refrained from commenting on his sudden shift in language, and indicated a fine necklace, made of gold and blue sapphires.
Freyen seemed surprised. It wasn?t the prettiest piece, but it was still quite beautiful.
He leaned towards Laya, and confided.
?To be quite honest, I?m not even sure I should give you that. They call this necklace the Eye of the Ocean, and it?s cursed, they say.?
Laya smiled thinly, but her eyes were laughing.
?Perhaps, but until I know who ?they? are, I?d like to buy that one.?
Freyen looked hesitant, and glanced askance at a group of young children who were looking at the jewellery.
?Fine, but it?s only because you?re a princess,? he said, catching the children?s attention. ?Here ye go. Given, because you?re so pretty. And since I feel GENEROUS today,? he risked a look towards the children, grinning slightly as he saw they went to tell their mothers of what they had witnessed, ?you can have it and ANOTHER THING FROM THIS TABLE.?
?You?ll ruin yourself,? Laya declared in a low tone.
?Perhaps, but that never happened before,? Freyen responded in the same low voice.
?You use children!?
?They do what they want, I only take what I want,? Freyen defended himself in a loud whisper.
They shortly glared at each other, until Freyen broke into a wide smile, attending the other women, who had decided to come at last.
Laya shook her head and left the docks, returning home with the fine jewellery in the palm of her hand.
*::*::*
Laya would be closing the bar later yet again tonight, and she felt relief. Salm Troutman was annoying as ever, but she felt a certain calm knowing that tonight she would have something to offer her grandmother. Something she had gotten for free, and that the young man? Freyen, he had called himself, had given her with a wide smile.
The Eye of the Ocean? A cursed piece, he?d said.
But how romantic can a legend get?
?And how handsome can a man get?? She caught herself wondering, before shaking her head clear of such thoughts. He was handsome, yes, and he had those clear, laughing eyes, full of adventure, but a merchant!
She had to clear her mind.
The door swung open, revealing the very object of her thoughts.
Well, handsome men seemed to pop out of nowhere nowadays? Lucky girl.
Freyen saluted an old man in a far corner. The man had come in a few hours ago, asked for a few drinks throughout the course of the night, but had otherwise kept to himself.
Now Laya was intrigued. What was a young man like Freyen doing, conversing with men triple his age? Unless he had very important matters, he wouldn?t have that serious air about his face.
The two were speaking in low tones, appearing very absorbed by the dialogue.
?Not for long,? Laya told herself with a small grin, contouring the counter and making her way with a small smile, one she kept for rich customers.
Well, exceptions could be made.
As she came within hearing range, Freyen looked up, risked a glance up and down her attire with surprise, and then let his eyes wander back up to her kindly smiling face.
?Mister Stark,? she started, but Freyen halted her.
?Freyen, simply that.?
A corner of Laya?s lips tilted upwards with his, and she allowed herself to end her sentence.
?Would you like something to drink??
Freyen seemed surprised that she worked there.
?How free are they?? He asked with a charming wink.
Laya shrugged.
?Not as free as that necklace. Sorry, but I?m not the one doing the prices.?
Freyen mocked hurt, but shook his head.
?Fine. Whiskey? I don?t know. Something strong??
Laya raised an eyebrow, but nodded. The older man in front of him nudged him.
?Frey, y?don?t stand strong stuff.?
Freyen bit his lip and risked an obvious meaningful look at the elder.
?Don?t mind him,? he told an amused Laya, though he was still glaring at the old one, ?Old men don?t remember these things. Orff, shuttup, you?re ruining the fun.?
Orff shrugged.
?Don?t talk. Yer just tryin? to prove yerself. And what?s this about necklaces??
Freyen turned to Laya, winked, then answered Orff.
?Just some being nice.?
Orff glared back at the young man.
?You?ve been givin? away to young lasses, weren?t ya? I told y?not to.?
Freyen shrugged.
?It?s just one necklace. And with the profits we were getting, I don?t see why you?re complaining.?
?So it was a good afternoon after all?? Laya inquired, grinning.
?As ever,? the young man boasted. ?You should have seen the stuff we got. Some good quality here!?
Orff kicked Freyen under the table. They glared at each other, and finally Freyen laughed.
?I mean, the money is nice here, better than in Asia? Isn?t it, Orff??
Orff glared, and nodded. Laya suddenly had an odd feeling about the two. She frowned.
?What are the two of you hiding??
And they both managed to look innocent. Ah well.
?So whiskey it is, I suppose??
?Yep. Bring it on!?
Laya rolled her eyes, and smirked as she walked away. If he wanted whiskey, hell, he?d get whiskey.
She found a clean mug and filled it with the strongest rum she could find. If Freyen hadn?t the use of strong alcohol, he wouldn?t make the difference.
?Strong stuff? I swear,? she muttered.
?A cognac, lady!?
Laya looked up, and stared at the aged man who had called upon entering. She nodded, and returned to filling up the mug, letting it foam at the top.
?There goes his ego,? she whispered, making her way to Freyen and Orff again.
Freyen grinned again, coming out of his conversation with Orff. The old man seemed to get annoyed at the interruptions. Laya shot him an apologetic glance, and he nodded, seeing the glint in her eye.
?I like fireworks,? Laya declared. ?You??
The two watched as Freyen contemplated his mug. Laya finally grinned and let the bill on the table, walking away.
It wasn?t long before she heard a loud sputtering sound, followed by a bark of laughter, and she laughed aloud. Freyen shot an evil glare at her back, his eyes slightly watering, as she gave the previous man a cognac.
Orff slapped Freyen?s shoulder, his old eyes wrinkling at the corners with mirth.
?That young lass sure gotcha there,? he said, his voice gruff. ?I swear, ladies havn?t changed.?
Freyen stopped glaring, finally allowing a small smile.
?She?s interesting, it?s true.?
?Tis a fair lass. You should ask her ta follow ya.?
Freyen shook his head, letting his eyes fall back to the dissipating foam on the surface of his drink.
?She seems to be well here. I wouldn?t dare.?
Orff shrugged.
?Yer loss, Frey. Yer loss.?
*::*::*
Laya was tired as she helped a drunken old man out. The elder grasped her waist, and hung on her shoulder, his face too close to her chest for her liking.
She helped him a few paces forward, until she felt a brush against her behind.
She dropped the older man. He tumbled down, and looked up at her drunkenly.
?No touching, Sir. I?m sure you?ll find your way home from here.?
And she turned back, leaving the man on the street, her teeth clenched together.
?Laya, honey.?
What a happy day. Laya turned to Salm as he stumbled over to her. His drunken breath fanned on her, and she scowled. He grabbed her wrist, and she was about to twist out of his grasp, before he awfully tightened his grip.
?Ow, Troutman, that??
Salm was grinning, his yellow teeth near her ear.
?Honey, I ain?t gonna hurt yeh.?
?Too late,? Laya muttered, trying not to breathe in his stench.
Salm placed an arm around her waist and brought entirely too close to him for her comfort.
?Troutman,? she warned, her heart thumping in fear, ?let go, or I?ll hurt you bad.?
Salm Troutman seemed unfazed by her threat, knowing he had the upper hand in the whole thing.
?Honey,? he whispered drunkenly, ?I?m tired of bein? pushed ?way. Yeh?re gonna be a nice little girl and let me have my way, or you?re fired.?
Laya stopped fidgeting.
?You wouldn?t dare,? she hissed.
?Yep, Dad, Laya?s been givin? customers the eye, she?s been flirtin? and wastin? her time.?
Laya struggled harder.
?How would you know, you son of a bitch! You were asleep!!?
Salm held her flailing arms with one hand, and the other was snaking its way up her thigh.
?I ain?t stupid, honey. I saw yeh. Yeh were flirtin? with that merchant, and my eyes don?t lie.?
Laya struggled harder, her eyes widening in fear.
?Let me go, Troutman!!?
?So what if she was flirting with me?? A voice resonated form down the street.
Salm stopped feeling Laya?s legs and turned abruptly to the source of the call.
?Where are ya, eh? Where are ya?!?
Freyen was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed on his chest, and he was glaring straight at Salm.
?I?m here, and shuttup. You?re gonna wake the whole neighbourhood up.?
?I don?t care,? Salm spat. ?She?s mine, and you ain?t got nothin? to do ?bout it.?
Meanwhile, Laya was trying to run away, but Salm was too strong, and she found herself unable to escape him.
Freyen noticed her panicked state, and called to her, unmoving.
?Princess, you alright? Was he tryin? to rape you??
Laya looked up, and nodded fearfully. Salm slapped her.
?Shuttup, ya bitch! Ye don?t know what yer missin?!!?
Freyen suddenly laughed.
?I?m sure it?s isn?t that great. Hey, princess, whaddyou say I help you out??
Laya had never been happier in her life. She nodded, even as Salm was about to hit her in the face.
He never finished his hit, as he was on the pavement in a split second, clutching his family jewels, writhing in pain.
?I don?t know what was the lowest form of assault here tonight,? Freyen muttered as he turned to Laya. ?You alright??
Laya was half-crying, half-seething. Freyen took her elbow gently, and took her away form the drunken idiot.
They walked in silence down the poorly illuminated street, Laya hurriedly wiping her tears away.
?It?s okay to cry, you know,? Freyen whispered, glancing at her worriedly.
?I don?t want my grandmother to see me like this,? Laya explained, her voice hitching. ?I want her to be happy, and not to worry about me. She?s getting too old for this kind of thing.?
The two were silent, until Freyen spoke up again.
?You live with your grandmother??
Laya nodded, a small smile coming to her lips.
?What?s your name??
Laya hesitated, but deemed she owed him as much, what with the free necklace, the help and all.
?Laya Inae.?
Freyen nodded thoughtfully, wondering what to say in order to keep her thoughts off what had just occurred. But he didn?t need to think too long, as they came close to the quieter side of town, where Laya lead them.
Coming to the small inn her grandmother and she owned, Laya gasped.
?Wait! Do I look okay?? She suddenly asked to Freyen, grasping his sleeve worriedly.
Freyen raised an eyebrow.
?What? Usually, right now, or always??
Laya glared at him.
?Right now, idiot.?
?You know my name, why call me that??
?Freyen Stark, am I presentable? Will my grandmother see what happened??
A sudden ray of light startled them. The elderly woman was in the doorway, watching them, her hands on her hips.
?Grandma!?
?Laya! You were late. I got worried. WHAT happened??
Laya gulped down her sudden fear. Freyen glanced at her, sighing and walking to the elderly woman. He bowed low, looking up at the furious old lady.
?Miss, my name is Freyen Stark, I?m a? traveller, and I wish to speak to you privately, while young miss? Inae gets a well-needed rest.?
The old lady slowly took her time in noticing the unusual mess Laya was. Her elderly eyes widened in worry, and she ushered the two young people in, pushing Laya up the stairs, and taking Freyen as quickly as she could to the small kitchen.
She sat him there, as he took his boots off, in case he dirtied the tidy place. The older lady sat across from him and gazed at him with an inquisitive look.
?What happened to Laya??
Freyen took his time in choosing his words.
?Madam, you know where your granddaughter works, do you not??
The elderly lady nodded.
?Why yes, she works at a seamstress? workshop, doesn?t she??
Freyen was startled, and cleared his throat to hide this.
?I? um? yes. Yes, she does.?
So that was why she didn?t want the old lady to know? No problem, her secret was well with him. He had managed to work around unexpected things before, this would be easy.
?But it is not about the job. It?s rather about what happened as she walked back home,? he carefully explained. ?You see, the streets at night are not safe for a young woman such as herself, and I think that? Well? Madam, she was almost raped by a drunken man.?
The old woman gasped, covering her mouth with her hands.
?Heavens! Laya! Poor dear! Is she alright?? I must go see her!?
Freyen stopped the elderly woman from standing with an arm.
?Madam, I suggest we let her rest. She was lucky I came by, I took care of the foolish idiot who attacked her, and she is mainly unharmed, however, I suggest that you keep watch over her carefully. She will need company and comfort for the next few days.?
The old lady nodded, grateful, and she took Freyen?s large hand in her two weak ones.
?Thank you very much, young man. How may I thank you??
?Don?t,? Freyen grinned. ?It?s my pleasure to help damsels in distress!?
The older woman nodded, but her eyes still asked him. Freyen shrugged.
?To be quite honest, madam, there is nothing this life hasn?t given me that I still wish for. I am perfectly content as I am, and wish not to burden you further. I have preparations to do for my departure tomorrow, which cannot wait.?
The woman nodded slowly, letting go of his hand, but she looked disappointed.
Freyen bowed to her, and silently exited the kitchen, as she sat in there, her mind elsewhere. Just before leaving, he eyed a small wooden box, opened it in a quick, silent movement, and took out two little things that he particularly liked, leaving only then, unseen by the owner of the place.
?Mr. Stark!? A whisper called him from atop the stairs.
Freyen turned swiftly, and found Laya standing there, in a light nightshift. His eyes widened, and he quickly averted his eyes politely, though he had trouble forgetting the sight.
Cruel girl.
?Miss Inae,? he muttered, his eyes diligently directed to the floor, as he let two fingers drift up to his forehead and flick sharply, saluting lazily, then shoved his hands into his pockets.
He walked out into the night under her gaze, and she watched him go quietly.
*::*::*
That's the first part. Check around for more!
oh this is a good one!!! plaese update it soon!!! i love this type of story!!! :razz: 
keep up the good work!