Rogier hadn't doubted Rory's abilities for a moment. However, that didn't take away his worries. The fact that he could handle himself didn't mean that everything would go according to his plan. Scias had proven to be a calculating man. Therefore, he raised his eyebrows in surprise when the boy sauntered nonchalantly up the quay, pushing a dagger to the man's back. A young man he had never seen before, walked beside him. That had to be Finn.

Rogier glanced aside. More men had gathered along the railing; North among them. His hands clasped around the railing and he leaned forward. Emotions sparked off his face. First of all, because he was seeing his lover again, but also because he saw his captor.

If the guy had taken someone from him, Rogier wouldn't let him leave alive either.

The boy did not cast a single glance at the ship; he almost walked past it.

"Hey Mouse!" the red-haired doctor and Rory's friend shouted. "We're here, mate!"

Only after Rory said something to him, the boy turned his head to the side. Skittishly, his gaze passed the men hanging over the railing, without anyone holding his attention. A heavy feeling settled in Rogier's chest. For someone who had just been freed, he did not look very happy. Had he misjudged the situation? Had the boy voluntarily left his crew and fled here? Had this voyage been for nothing?

Despite numerous questions buzzing through his head, Rogier forced himself not to seek answers yet. Rory would be here soon enough, then he would find out what was going on. The blonde already made his way to the plank. Meanwhile, Rogier kept an eye on the quay, but it looked like all Scias' men had gone to the burning greenhouses.

As soon as the three men crossed the plank, Rogier had to suppress the urge to pull Rory firmly against him. As long as he kept that weasel on the end of his dagger, he'd better not distract him.

Their eyes met very briefly, then Rory turned to his former captain. "He doesn't remember us. Not me, not the ship... not even you, I'm afraid."

North took a step forward, and Finn stepped back immediately. The captain of the Imo Gen certainly had a certain hardness over him, but at this moment he radiated a gentleness that Rogier suspected was very rare. 

"Is that true?" North's voice sounded hoarse. "Don't you remember who I am?"

Full of confusion, Finn looked at Scias. A cocky grin was drawn on his face.

"I told you. They are a bunch-"

Rogier was in no mood for his mocking. He grabbed the man by the collar and hit him so hard that he lost consciousness immediately. "Let's go," he said, ignoring Finn's indignant shout. He gestured two men to grab Scias. "Throw him in the cage."

Ideally, he would slit his throat, but that wouldn't help them gain Finn's trust. However, he was not going to let him leave either; then he would come after them anyway. With everyone busy putting out the fire, this was the ideal time to leave.

"Take him to my cabin," he told Rory, nodding at the panicking boy, who clearly wanted to get off the ship. "And let that redhead examine him." Rogier stepped further onto the deck. "Get the ship ready to leave!"



Rogier didn't bother to further engage with the boy. He had done as he was asked. There were plenty who cared about their former friend.

They had been sailing for a couple of hours when Rory showed up next to him. Misery was written all over his face—it had to be pretty shitty when a good friend suddenly didn't remember you.

"And?" he asked the boy, his hand firmly wrapped around the handle of the helm.

Rory sighed. "Lee thinks he's poisoned by an herb. The Dream Eater."

Rogier rubbed his face. That asshole. "Yeah, I've heard of the Dream Eather. He must have taken it from the Realm of Soul Thieves."

Hope shimmered in Rory's eyes. "Lee says there's an antidote, the Kiss of Death."

"Yeah, a deadly poison. If we're wrong and the Dream Eater is not in his blood, he will die after taking it."

Rory's shoulders slumped. "We can't take the risk."

"Fortunately, we have his captor in a cage. I'll get him to talk."

Rory sighed with relief. He stepped a little closer and also folded one hand around the handle of the helm. His shoulder brushed Rogier's arm and Rogier leaned slightly towards him, longing for his closeness—something he was still not comfortable with in public.

"The Realm of the Soul Thieves... Does it really exist then? I always thought it was a fable and no one knows its location."

"I know the location," Rogier replied. "But it's not a place I like to visit. Considering that the Dream Eater and the Death Kiss grow there, you can imagine what kind of area it is. Not to mention the Soul Thieves themselves"

Rory looked up at him, the corner of his mouth slightly raised. "But the infamous Skull Crusher won't let that stop him, right?"

Even when there were hundreds of dangers on that island, he couldn't deny the hopeful look in those brilliant grey eyes anything. 

"Of course not," he said with a smirk, even if there was an uneasy feeling settling in his stomach. "For no monster in the world will we give up your friend."

Rory put one foot against the helm and eased himself up, putting an arm around Rogier's shoulder so their faces were level. "Happy to hear that. I wouldn't have liked to say goodbye to you yet."

Rory's lips touched his and at that moment Rogier no longer cared who saw it. He wrapped one arm around Rory's waist and pulled him close while holding the helm in place with the other hand. He kissed him back.

A goodbye—he hoped that day wouldn't be there anytime soon.

Not at all, if it were up to him.