Part 4: Redemption
As soon as Bell was ready, Ryan placed his hand in hers and led the way to the others.
When they went on deck, he saw Angelica, Aleksandar, Eragon and Vivian at the table.
No one was speaking while Femur was serving them.
When they came closer, the Skeleton pulled out two chairs for them to sit on.
Bell sat down and greeted them with a smile.
Everyone at the table greeted them, but there were no smiles.
After Femur brought them breakfast, Ryan realised how hungry he was.
When they finished their breakfast at the quiet table, Aleksandar put his wineglass down and looked at Ryan.
"Ryan. It wasn't your intention, but you have uncovered a very large secret. Until today, we did not know that there were changelings in this world."
When Aleksandar finished, Ryan spoke.
"Do you know what it wanted?"
To his surprise, Aleksandar was quiet for a moment.
"I do not know."
He stood up and walked to Angelica and bowed to her.
"Angelica, I know you have been through much, but I have a request. Would you protect Vivian while she investigates the damage the changeling did?"
Ryan saw a look of surprise flash over her face.
She then looked down and started wringing her hands.
"What? Why me?"
Vivian smiled at her.
"You helped to discover their plot, and you could use some downtime."
Angelica was quiet and looked down.
Bell smiled at her and spoke.
"You'll do great."
To Ryan's surprise, a small smile formed on Angelica's lips.
Aleksandar went back to his seat and turned his attention to Ryan.
"You may reject this request I am about to make. I need you for a secret mission."
Ryan frowned.
"What kind of secret mission?"
Aleksandar was quiet for a moment.
"I can't give you the details at the moment, but it involves finding someone."
The information made Ryan's head spin.
In his confusion, he could only utter one word.
"Alone?"
Aleksandar smiled.
"No. I requested that Grizzly and Eragon accompany you on this mission."
Ryan felt Bell squeeze his hand.
Aleksandar looked at Bell.
"The mission for Ryan is extremely dangerous. I ask that you come with us back to the Blood Rose."
Ryan felt her hand squeeze his harder as she spoke.
"How dangerous?"
Aleksandar went back to his seat.
"Extremely. That is why you must go home."
He squeezed her hand in return as he spoke.
"When do we leave?"
Aleksandar smiled at Ryan.
"I do not wish to separate the two of you immediately. You will go back to the Blood Rose and rendezvous with Grizzly there. Your deadline is three days."
Ryan let out a sigh of relief as he sat back.
Aleksandar stood up, bowed and made his way to Angelica and Vivian.
"Please follow me. I shall escort you to the Sisterhood."
He turned his head to Ryan.
"I wish to speak with you in private when I return."
For a moment, there was silence at the table until Eragon broke the silence.
"How was the mission? What is their guild like?"
Ryan smiled.
He was glad that Eragon didn't want to make things awkward.
Bell took the lead and very animatedly told Eragon about how the mission went.
Ryan laughed at the story of Eragon stowing away and how he was almost immediately found out.
After about an hour of catching up, Ryan noticed Femur standing next to him.
The Skeleton saluted.
"The Baron wishes to meet with you."
Ryan nodded and stood up.
Before he followed, he looked back at the girl of his dreams and his best friend.
Femur slowly led Ryan below deck.
Before they entered Aleksandar's office, he spoke.
"Ryan, you have proven yourself to be a fine young man."
Ryan frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Femur placed a bony hand on Ryan's shoulder.
"I spoke with Angelica last night. She wishes to be better, and she could do that because of your actions."
Before Ryan could reply, Femur opened the door and escorted him inside.
Aleksandar stood up as he entered.
"Please, sit down."
As Ryan sat down, Femur left and closed the door.
Ryan's throat felt dry as he sat across from the Vampire.
To his surprise, Aleksandar sighed.
"If I could send anyone else, I would."
He went quiet as if searching for the right words.
Ryan's anxiety grew as the Vampire pondered.
"Ryan, you need not be so nervous. The mission I am sending you on is peculiar, and I am searching for the right words."
This did not soothe his fears.
"I need you to find a very special man. He is a prisoner of his people, the elves. He is the only elf we know the location of, and he can lead us to them."
Ryan frowned.
"Why do I have to do this?"
Aleksandar sighed again.
"You are half-elven, and you may be able to persuade him and the elves to help us. With their knowledge of magic, the changelings can be revealed."
After he finished, Ryan realised he held onto the armrests so hard that his hands were cramping.
"How can you be sure a prisoner will help us?"
Aleksandar didn't move or blink for a moment after the question.
"I am not. I can see no other solution to our dilemma than to ask you to go."
Ryan sighed and slumped back in his chair.
"After I learned what Reina was, I thought back to Goldhaven. They were there from the beginning. What do you think their goal is?"
Aleksandar stood up and walked to the door.
"Their goal is either escape or conquest. Either way, we must be prepared."
He opened the door and bowed to Ryan.
"Thank you for your help. Now go, spend what little time you have with your people."
As Ryan left, the thought of the mission faded away as he made his way to Eragon and Bell.
No matter what would happen in the future, he would enjoy the next three days.
He chuckled as he saw them bicker and play-fight.
He knew he would miss her.