An Unlikely Hero

Writers: Ainsley, Devin
Date Posted: 23rd February 2009

Characters: Jerroll, Loki, Vyncenzio
Description: Jerroll catches Loki in a good deed for once.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 1, day 20 of Turn 5

Soaking wet and sporting a split lip Loki made his way back to the ship. Even when he had the best intentions, he seemed to land himself in a mess. Ah well, at least he'd had a bit of an adventure. Captain Lerra and Jerroll had a meeting with a prospective client and he was certain Edele would be busy in the galley so if he slipped back aboard avoiding notice and cleaned up no one need know he'd even left. Hopefully he still had time to finish the lessons Raina had set him.

"Ah, there you are," a deep voice stated stopping the boy in his tracks.

Shells! How had the man found him?

A gentleman with graying hair and a full mustache eyed Loki with a smirk. "I asked around and it was suggested I might find you here when you disappeared so quickly earlier. I wanted to speak to your father."

Loki swallowed hard. Crackdust! There they stood right beside the Silver Sails. "Well, um ya see sir, thet ain't likely possible," the boy started, thinking quickly of the best way to rid himself of the man.

"Oh? And why might that be?" the man wanted to know.

Jerroll neared the ship and saw Loki _off_ of it, where he was not supposed to be. The boy was wet, which probably didn't mean anything good, and talking with an older man, which was even less likely to be good. "Are you bothering this gentleman?" he asked carefully.

"No, no, quite the contrary," the man replied with a smile while Loki adamantly shook his curly head. "This fine young fellow has been quite the help and hero today. I was in fact hoping to find his parents so that I might express my gratitude for having raised such an upstanding lad."

"An' I 'as jest tellin' 'im thet it weren't likely," Loki supplied giving no indication that Jerroll was anymore than a concerned passerby. If Jerroll just went ahead and boarded the Silver Sails, Loki was certain he would be able to rid himself of the man. Of course he supposed it would take quite a bit more talking to get himself out of trouble for leaving the ship without permission.

"Well, yes," Jerroll looked down at Loki, then over at the man. "His father was lost at sea, and his mother put him in my care. I suppose I can take a bit of credit for raising him."

Loki's eyes darted from Jerroll to the man and back, showing no emotion, though he had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from smirking.

"Ah, I see. Well you then ,sir, are the one I want to commend," the older gentleman said holding out his hand to Jerroll, "My name is Vyncenzio."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Jerroll, and this is Loki."

Loki obligingly bobbed his head.

"Loki," the man said with a smile as the boy had not given his name earlier, "Once again you have my thanks.."

"Weren't really nuthin'" the boy answered rather red-faced.

"It most certainly was," Vyncenzio replied, turning his eyes back to Jerroll to explain. "I made the dire error of bringing my granddaughters along to do some business this morning. The little mischief makers slipped away from me and were put upon by some bullies as I understand it. Young Loki here took their part, and when a scuffled scared my youngest granddaughter into misstepping right off the dock, he went in after and pulled her out. You have reason to be very proud of the lad."

Jerroll's eyebrow went up. "You rescued a girl?"

The blush on Loki's face extended down his neck and he shrugged. Why couldn't the guy have left well enough alone? "It was jest right off tha dock an' tha other girl's hollerin' brought people quick nuf ta help lift 'er up an' out."

"That's a very good thing you did," Jerroll said.

A shy smile and a shrug was Loki's only outward response, but inside he felt as if he we alight on dragon's wings at the praise from the First Mate.

"Yes, and good deeds should be rewarded," Vyncenzio stated taking a leather pouch from his belt, "I'll give these to you," he explained handing the marks to Jerroll, "To hold onto for the lad, as I know that boys with too many marks in their hand can find far too much trouble. If you should ever need anything, please do not hesitate to contact me," he did not have to openly state that he carried influence here as his dress and demeanor made it evident that he was someone of some importance. "The harbor master will know how to reach me."

"Thank you. Thank you very much." Jerroll took the pouch a little hesitantly, hoping to give the impression he didn't know if he should take it at all.

"I should be the one thanking you, " Vyncenzio said with a nod. "And you, Loki." He gave the boy one final nod before turning and heading out on his way.

Loki watched the man go, wondering at the type of man that would track him down to give him a reward. Speaking of the reward, he turned his eyes to Jerroll, wondering if he would get to keep the marks the man had given away so freely. "I didn't mean ta bring no a'tention ta us. Didn't 'ave it in mind ta leave the ship neither, jest saw them fellas a ways off down the dock follow'n those girls an' well...." It occurred to Loki a bit late in his explanation that had he been doing his lessons as he was supposed to he would never have seen anything. Still he had actually done something right this time so he hoped that would count for something.

"So you left the ship _because_ you saw the girls getting picked on?" If that was true, Jerroll might need to save the lecture he was planning for another time.

"Well, I saw them fellers followin' tha girls fer some ways an' knew they weren't up ta no good. So I thought I'd best go check an' turns out I 'as right."

Jerroll sighed. "All right. You had good reason, then. C'mon, let's go see how generous your new friend is." He jingled the pouch of marks and walked up the gangplank. "And you probably have some interrupted lessons to get back to."

Last updated on the February 24th 2009

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An Unlikely Hero