Epic Tale - Chapter 6 - Part 5

The repairs of the ship took three more days before Kalixa was sure the Sangue Padre could handle another storm. Neither Finn/Kaoniv, the witch doctor, nor anybody else of the tribe had shown up during this time.
Riddle had not tried to get more information out of Nemo. She was sure he would only avoid them. Speaking of avoiding things...
"Ohhh Laaady Riiiiddle!"
It was never a good sign when a honeyed voice called and it couldn't be a good sign if it was the bard calling.
Lady Riddle heard this voice behind her and turned around.
"Ohhh, Liiilt."', she copied him.
"You still owe me something.", the bard smiled.
"Aye. A dinner and a dance as far as I remember. I do hope there is no interest for this debt. Otherwise I would owe you two dances one day.", she joked and cursed herself in the next moment when Lilt said: "Of course there is."
"And you didn't do anything to remind me unless - suprise! I suddenly owe you a dinner, two dances, three new hats and the gods know what else.", Riddle laughed.
"I came to cash in early.", Lilt said and Riddle raised an eyebrow.
"Before I owe you my life and half of a kingdom? Lucky me then.", she laughed again.
Lilt smiled deviously.
"You already owe me a kingdom."
Riddle prenteded to ponder. "Hm... then I need find a desperate prince who will give it to me."
A devilish smile arose on Lilt's face.
"How about trading the kingdom for a kiss?"
"You are a shark, Lilt. Remind me to demand a written contract next time I owe you something. Otherwise I'll soon owe you two perfect dates." Riddle smiled.
"Next time you shouldn't play chess against someone who knows how to play it.", the bard grinned.
Lady Riddle shrugged her shoulders.
"Looks like I should start cheating then."
"I would love to see how you do that.", Lilt said and a familiar voice added: "Me as well."
Scratch had appeared behind Lilt. The bard turned around, a displeased look on his face.
"I can't remember you were invited.", he said.
"Oi, hothead, you're getting old and oblivious.", Scratch teased and Riddle wished for some popcorn.
"Do you dare to tell me again?", he hissed.
Scratch grinned. "I think you heard me, wrinkly."
"Maybe it's time to test a new spell I learned.", Lilt threatened.
"Oh, please go on and turn me into a frog. This would gave me a great excuse to kiss Riddy.", Scratch grinned. Lilt draw his dagger and began playing with it. "I wasn't thinking of a frog.", he said.
"Didn't your mommy tell you that little boys shouldn't play with knives?", the nightmare demon teased.
Lilt's eyes flickered and slowly turned gray again.
"Hello there, my darling.", Scratch greeted the other part of Lilt.
Lady Riddle was strongly reminded of two tomcats preparing to fight, when Sparky came running along.
"We will depart soon!", she exclaimed happily.
"So Kalixa is done?", Riddle asked and the thief nodded before saying: "The captain wants us all to get to the camp now." Then she darted away, probably spreading the news.

At the camp, Captain Chenbeard told the gathered crew about leaving the next morning and thus, the pirates were ordered to break the camp.
Even though it was normally easier to tear something down instead of building it up, the crew wasn't done until dusk.
The oracle must have watched the camp, since as soon as the last barrel was brought back on the ship, he came to the beach, accompanied by Finn and a lot of people from his tribe. They were carrying supplies with them. While Chenbeard talked to the witch doctor, the crew said good-bye to Kaoniv. Nemo took his chance, grabbed Riddle's arm and went away from the other pirates until they were alone in the jungle.

"Before we set sail and there is no chance for privacy, I need to know something.", Nemo began. Riddle lifted her hat and picked up the small black rat. She tapped softly on its forehead. "Get lost or this human will not hide you anymore.", she warned friendly before letting it go.
"I think we are ready.", she smiled at Nemo. "Now ask your question."
"And you will answer it in all honesty?"
"As honest as a trickster like me can be."
"That'll have to do. Now, what I want to know is: Would you help me to stop running away?"
"What do you mean?"
"Let me alter the question: would you help me returning home?"
"If I can, of course."
Nemo stared at her as if trying to read her mind.
"Even without knowing what happened?"
"If it's too worse, I think you would warn me in time."
"I am not welcome there."
"We're pirates. I doubt we'll wait for an invitation."
"I mean, my people... they want to kill me.", Nemo hissed. The smile vanished from Riddle's face.
"Does the captain know?"
"I had hoped to keep you out of this."
"Try, but you won't succeed. It's too late already."
Nemo showed a weak smile.
"Looks like Angel was right."
Lady Riddle tilted her head slightly.
"Right about what?"
"She told me you will get involved and so will she. Maybe the list is even longer."
Riddle laughed.
"Aye. So you better tell Chenbeard sooner than later about your home island and your situation.", Riddle smiles and dragged Nemo back to the other pirates at the beach.