Episode 7: Family Ties (Part 1 of 8)

Episode 7: Family Ties

With the events of the many days of trials and tribulations now behind them, Locke and Lilanei finally step onto the land that is Illias Upon The Sea. After a long trip back from the island of Fukai, our Heroes now stand in the harbour as many merchants and sailors walk past them – some with goods that are being imported and exported from the island, while some are merely travelers carrying their suitcases. Our Heroes themselves both carry their ruck sacks and their weapons – Lilanei acquiring a new staff after her ordeal with Lucio, which is now viewed as a strange souvenir of their deadly encounter. Lilanei is conspicuously without her regular attire as she is still dressed in her servant's clothing that Lucio had her dressed in over the last few days. This fact hasn't gone unnoticed by the many red blooded sailors in the harbour, much to Locke's irritation – whose protectiveness of his friend has really shone through over the last few days since he lost her.

"Damn sailors," Locke mutters. "While I agree with what they're saying, they just need to leave you the heck alone!"

"Hmph. Well, you know, they're not acting very much different than you do when you see a scantily clad woman," Lilanei notes mockingly.

"Yeah, yeah," Locke replies. "I suppose I'm just getting testy because of everything I had to do to find you again. I don't need any repeats of Ike and the Black Crest Tavern!" The rogue points out.

"Well! I'm sorry if I have been such a burden to you!" She says as she purses her lips and looks away.

"I didn't mean it like that," Locke answers. "I just don't want anymore kidnapping episodes. After all, with Akorrin gone, I'd have nobody to help me come and get you again. . ."

Lil's eyes suddenly travel to the floor as she mutters, "Akorrin. . . I wonder if he's okay."

"Me too," Locke agrees. "Despite getting out of Fukai alive, I still have this nagging feeling in my head. I didn't sleep a wink on the boat last night, really. I just kept thinking about him. I'm wondering if we should put our quest on hold and go and look for him, although I wouldn't know where to begin since he's not on Fukai anymore."

"Well, I think the best thing for us to do is to press on. Maybe in our travels we can find clues as to where he may be, or even if he's okay," Lil suggests, to which Locke thinks.

"Hm. . . But where would he have gone?"

"I don't know, but on the other hand, where has Lucio gone? Both of them have just disappeared, as if they were never on the island in the first place," Lilanei points out.

"Lucio can go straight back to whatever hell he came from!" Locke cries in anger. "I don't care about him. I just want Akorrin back."

"Calm down. . . I was only saying," Lilanei announces as she raises her hands in a calming gesture. "I'm sure you can imagine how much I hate that despicable buffoon as well. But, I still have this scary thought that he may be out there and will find us one day."

"If he is, good," Locke replies, clenching his fist. "Because if and when we see him, I'll make him tell us where Akorrin has gone."

"Indeed. But from here, we must decide what we can do," Lilanei notes.

"Well, first thing's first, I suppose," Locke says. "I know your mother is desperate to see you."

A slightly anxious look gathers on Lil's face as she hesitantly agrees, "Hm, I suppose you're right."

Locke begins to crack a grin as he looks at Lilanei in silence for a few moments; Lilanei blinks before awkwardly turning away and crying, "What? Is there something on my face?"

"No," Locke answers. "It's what's on your body that's getting me. . ."

Lilanei turns suddenly with a look of annoyance as she cries once again, "You sexist buffoon! Is that all you ever think about?"

"Well, most of the time," Locke laughs. "But what I meant was, you're going to go home and see your mother dressed in those clothes?"

The anxious look returns to her face as Lil blushes slightly and she withdraws the fist she was about to pump into Locke's face, as she mutters, "Erm. You've got a point. Although. . . she's always told me I should dress a bit less conservatively."

"Was that her way of trying to get you to make me notice?" Locke asks with a smirk.

Lil frowns as she utters, "No! Why ever would you think that? You're not the only man in town, you know."

"Nope, I'm not," Locke chortles as he flexes his biceps in a comical manner. "I'm just the best."

". . . The best at completely embarrassing himself and acting a complete buffoon. I say you've got the art of idiocy down to a 'T!'"

Lilanei's statement is compounded as – from a pile of crates that are being loaded onto a boat – a merchant sailor cries, "Hey kid! Might wanna lift some crates and goods for a few years before you try impressing the ladies with a pose!"

Lilanei grins evilly as she watches Locke swiftly drop his arms and grumble; he turns around to where the merchant sailor is and cries, "Wanna say that again?"

Lil whispers in a sing song fashion, "I wouldn't do that. . ."

"Hey, I've gone through the evil forces of Lucio and come out just fine," Locke snaps. "Some half witted goon who's paid to push boxes around this harbour all day long doesn't scare me!"

Once again, our Heroes hear the voice of the merchant sailor shout from across the pier once again, "Kid, you come back and see me when you've all grown up, okay?"

With that, the sailor laughs and walks up to the deck of the boat he has finished loading, leaving Locke fuming besides Lil on the pier – who now laughs in a spiteful fashion.

"What's so funny?" Locke asks, his face now red with a blush across his nose and cheeks.

Lil snickers, flicking his blushing nose as she says, "It's just funny to finally see you being knocked down a peg."

"I'd have knocked his peg off if he wasn't such a coward," Locke mumbles.

"Sure," Lilanei says with a big smile as Locke crosses his arms indignantly.

"You and I both know that I'm braver than any half wit sailor," Locke announces as he looks away towards the boat. "I did save your life after all."

Lil, arms folded behind her back, now walks in front of Locke and peeks at his face as she says softly, with a slight smile, "Yes, and I did thank you for that. . . after all."

"Well yeah, you did say thank you," Locke begins. “But I didn't a get a Hero's thank you."

Lilanei narrows her eyes suspiciously as she mutters, "And what would that be?"

"A kiss fit for Hercules!" Locke replies. "If I recall right, I kissed you. Surely all my hard work deserves some kind of reward."

Lilanei blushes as she looks away suddenly and stammers, "Erm. . ."

"But you know," Locke then continues. "I guess there's nobody around who could give me a kiss fit for Hercules, right?"

Taking those words as a challenge, she stops stammering as her cheeks turn an even deeper red before Lil turns and very swiftly lurches forwards and gives Locke a peck on the lips, to which Locke grins.

"Now, who's the best?" Locke asks.

Lilanei's face red and hot, she once again turns away, exclaiming, "It's definitely not you!"

Locke snickers, "You like it, really. Anyway, we've been standing around here for so long, I feel like I'm going to get scurvy! Where should we go first?"

"Um," Lil stammers as she struggles to think of a good suggestion.

"Okay, you know what?" asks Locke. "I don't think I should take you home to your mother wearing that, even though it is particularly fetching. Let's go and get you some new clothes."

"Okay!" Lil finally exclaims anxiously.

From there, Locke and Lilanei head west towards the Merchant's Circle. Once there, our Heroes arrive at a row of stalls that specialize in clothing and armoured goods. They look over the wares of one stall which is owned by a friendly old woman that our Heroes have known since childhood – her items of clothing, while not fit for combat at all, are more suited to what Lilanei usually wears.

"Oh," Lil mutters as she observes the wares before her. "One of these might be good. . ."

"Hm? Yeah, okay," Locke answers. "You keep looking, and I'll be right back!"

On that note, Locke scurries across the busy path to a stall that is located directly opposite the Old Woman's clothing store. Meanwhile, Lilanei finally picks out a green skirt that would come down to her knees, the skirt having lighter green studs which are fixed on the dress. As she lifts it from the stall, she hears Locke returning as he tries to get her attention.

"Hey, look at this!" Locke cries to Lil as he holds up in one hand a black leather armour miniskirt that would only come to Lil's upper thighs, while in his other hand he holds a black cloth armoured tank top, which has no sleeves yet is not as risqué as the skirt. "I think these would do well."

Lilanei looks at the items in Locke's hands, her gaze falling upon the leather mini skirt as she purses her lips and grumbles, "Really? Seriously? Can you possibly imagine that on me?"

"When I need something to comfort me to sleep at night," Locke snickers.

Li's face turns a deep red as she cries, "Well, you can forget about it, buffoon!"

"Aw," Locke mutters as the arm holding the skirt drops down. "I was only trying to help. What about the top?"

Agitated, Lil now looks to the top, eyes roving it as she says, "Well. . . I don't know. . ."

"Aw, come on!" Locke cries frustrated. "My fashion sense isn't bad! You're looking at Illias' most sharp dressed man."

Lilanei frowns as she mutters, "Yeah. If patches and torn clothes were the new trend."

"Hey, they're just worn in," Locke replies defensively.

"Whatever you say, Romeo. In any case, I suppose the top isn't so bad."

At this point, the old woman standing at the stall Lil was browsing over suggests, "Lilanei, dear, why not try the skirt you're holding with the top Locke suggested? You can use my dressing room and see what you think."

"Go on," Locke seconds. "The man at the armory is a friend of mine. He'll let you try the top on."

Lil thinks for a moment, a stern look adorning her face, before nodding and taking the shirt from Locke's hand as well as the dress she now holds before she drapes them over her left arm.

"I suppose it couldn't hurt."

"Perhaps you could do with some foot wear, deary," the old woman suggests. "Your feet are beginning to look rather sore."

With a slightly embarrassed smile, Lil glances down at her feet, which she had forgotten until this moment were entirely bare as she exclaims, "Wow, I suppose you're right! I'll just take a pair of those black boots, and try it all on together."

On the final note, Lilanei takes a pair of boots in her free hand and scuttles over to a small tent the old woman has set up in order for her customers to try on her wares. As she changes, Locke reluctantly returns the leather skirt and purchases a brand new leather vest for himself. Locke then returns, his arms folded as he waits. After a few moments, the flaps forming the opening of the tent are swept open and Lil steps out, dressed in the green skirt which reaches just beyond her knees, black boots which barely reach the end of the skirt, as well the black top Locke had chosen for her. Over this top, she still wears Locke's old leather vest.

"Hey," Locke notes. "I don't remember the vest being part of the ensemble."

Lil frowns as she directs her gaze away from Locke and mutters, "Well, maybe I've grown attached to it."

"Lucky for you I just bought myself a new one, so I won't need it back," Locke replies with a smile. "Enjoy it."

"I will!" Lil exclaims as she sticks her tongue out at Locke. "I'll take all of this then."

Locke hands Lilanei a couple of gold pieces – all the while grumbling how the money is being taken out of the Locke Ale Fund – before he goes to the other stall and pays for Lil's new shirt, still mumbling about the ale money. Finally, the two meet in the middle of the street, Lil stuffing the servant's clothes into her bag as Locke looks her over.

"How's that?" Locke asks.

"Much better," Lilanei sighs in relief.

". . . Could I keep the servant's outfit?" Locke finally asks.

With a wide grin, Lil looks to Locke and says, "But Locky! They'll never fit you!"

"What? Erm, no!" Locke splutters as he scratches the back of his head. "I had. . . other plans for them, when I become the mighty Hero of this land. I'm sure some women wouldn't be against putting something like that on every now and then. Despite Lucio being evil, I have to admit, his style wasn't so bad."

Lilanei shakes her head as she hoists her ruck sack onto her back once more and states, "Well, whatever your reason, it's still a no. These may still come in handy one day."

"I like the sound of that!" Locke cries. "Anyway, where shall we go now? I was thinking maybe Akorrin might have returned the school."

Lil nods as she says, "Yes, that could be true, but we've also got to visit mother. I'm sure since you have seen her, she has been planning the many ways in which she'll tear you limb from limb if I do not return alive."

"Then let's go!" Locke announces, wasting no time on rushing forth.

Soon, our Heroes head further west, leaving the Merchant's Circle before quickly reaching Fae's General Store. Locke reaches for the door knob; however his black gloved right hand hovers over the handle as he hesitates, his hand shaking slightly. Suddenly, Lil places her hand over his and consequently presses it down onto the door knob which she turns. As it does so, she shoots Locke a bemused smile and the door easily swings open. All is quiet in the shop, except for the soft sounds of their boots stepping on the wooden floor. Our Heroes look to the counter and see that Faefindiel is currently absent from the front counter.

"Mother!" Lilanei exclaims before realizing the counter is unoccupied, "Huh. That's strange. Maybe she's in the back room."

"Let's find out," Locke suggests before he raises his voice in a bellow, right beside Lil's ear. "SHOP!"

Immediately, Lilanei elbows Locke in the side as she cries, "My mother isn't a servant, you know! She has a name!"

Suddenly, Locke and Lil hear a voice from the back room as footsteps echo from it as well.

"Yes, yes, yes," the voice of Faefindiel announces as her visage appears in the doorway of the back room; looking up from a bauble she now holds in her hands, she sees the two figures in the shop and exclaims, "Lilanei!"

Lilanei's eyes brighten as she smiles and exclaims, "Mother!" before she runs to the back of the shop and jumps into her mother's arms.

"I was so worried about you!" Fae cries as she squeezes Lilanei tightly in her arms. "Where have you been? How are you? Were you hurt? What did those evil people do to you? Did Locke look after you?"

Overwhelmed by her mother's questions, yet slightly used to it, Lil looks up to her with a big smile and says, "Everything is just fine. Locke made sure I came back safely."

"Once again, Locke the Brave has kept his word," Locke brags as he scuttles across the shop floor towards the reunion of mother and daughter. "I promised you your daughter, madame, and here she is – safe and sound. Just sign for her, please."

Fae now looks to Locke with narrowed eyes as she exclaims, "Boy, you are as cocky as ever! But you have kept your promise and for that I am truly grateful. . . Now tell me, you two! When can I expect to see the grandchildren? You two aren't going to be young forever! I'll be an old decrepit woman by the time you two decide to finally give up this silly game of adventure and settle down. So tell me, did you—"

Lil immediately interrupts Fae, crying as her face blushes, "Mother!"

"We haven't. . . That is, I, erm. . . Can I—" Locke mumbles as he also blushes uncharacteristically and looks away towards an item in the shop.

With a great smile, Fae takes her arms from around Lil and claps her hands together, interlocking her fingers as she holds her two hands against her chest and exclaims happily, "Oh! I knew it! I'm so happy! I've waited for this ever since I can recall – my sweet little girl has finally found true love! Sometimes I really wondered about you, Lil, but now I can see you've finally matured into a healthy young woman! And most importantly, I'm finally going to get my grandchildren!"

"Madame, while I truly love your daughter," Locke stammers, his blush not yet subsiding, "I wouldn't plan on grandchildren."

Looking down to her daughter, who shyly stares to the floor and shuffles her feet, Fae's gaze returns to Locke as a disappointed frown crosses her lips, "Oh. . . Well. . . I suppose I shouldn't have expected too much – after all, you are still a cocky little boy! Oh, I can't stand it! If less boys were like you, there would be so many less lonely and childless women out there! Really Lil, maybe you should look into finding yourself a more suitable man who would be more willing to bare you gorgeous children!"

"Hold on!" Locke cries in fury. "My manhood shouldn't be in question here! If more men were like me, there would be less evil in this world! I braved all kinds of horrors to rescue Lilanei and now here she is! If you want to see her bare children, then I will gladly—" Locke suddenly realizes what he is saying and blushes once more as he stops. "Erm, that is, if you want to see her bare children, perhaps you should be more patient, madame."

With a sideways glare, Fae purses her lips and whispers into Lil's ear, "He's such a cocky little boy, isn't he? You know what they say about men who are overly anxious to express their manliness. . ."

With an exasperated sigh, Lil steps back and cries, "Mother! We did not return so that you could verbally berate my closest friend, and the one who saved my life!"

Locke places his hands on Lil's shoulder and with a serious expression, he announces, "Madame, while you might question my manhood, there is a not a thing in this world that could harm your daughter while I live. There aren't many men, especially around here, that are brave enough to do that."

As Locke places his hands on her shoulders, Lilanei visibly shrinks and looks to the floor with red cheeks, while Locke then takes one hand off her shoulder and clenches it into a fist as he holds it in the air.

"I'll always protect her, and that's all you need to worry about. Especially when we continue on our journey together."

Fae's eyes travel from the obnoxious young man down to her daughter who now flushes shyly; the Elf woman's lips curl in a smile as she cups Lil's face in her hands and exclaims, "I suppose I can't truly argue with that! It's just that you're my pretty little girl, Lilly, and I want you to have what's best for you. If I have to wait a little longer to finally see you settle and bare me some grandchildren, I suppose I can do that – if it will make you happy."

Lilanei's eyes travel up to her mother as she slightly smiles and says, "Yes. . . Just be patient for me. I would greatly appreciate it."

"Besides," Locke suddenly announces, “we haven't time to plan our life so far in advance right now. Our master's disappeared and we intend to find him! Isn't that right, Lil?"

As Lil nods in agreement, Fae takes her hands from Lil's face and places them on her waist as she looks to the pair with a quizzical expression and states, "You mean somebody snatched away that walking coin purse before I could have my way with him? What a shame. . ."

"We don't know what happened to him," Locke explains. "All we know is he stayed to fight the evil man who kept Lil prisoner while I escaped with her. We have found out since then that he's disappeared."

"Oh. . . How peculiar. I suppose on one hand it serves the lizard right for taking my daughter away from home! But then again, I wanted the pleasure of converting his scales to a decent little accessory for myself," Fae notes. "What will you two do now?"

"Find him," Locke replies. "While on the way righting any wrongs that may have been done. It's what Akorrin has taught us to do."

With a grin, Fae looks to Lil with raised brows as she utters, "Quite the little super hero, isn't he? Really Lil, you should truly consider. . ."

Lil leans her head back in frustration as she cries, "That's enough, mother! I think we've already established what you'd like me to do with my life. But right now, we have to concentrate on saving our master."

"Well, if that's you feel, then I shan't stop you," Fae announces before she turns and walks into the back of her shop. "However, before you go, I feel this would suit your new attire, Lilly – don't think I didn't notice your change of clothes!" She then reappears to our Heroes, holding a black silk cape in her arms as she notes the vest and then asks, "That was Locke's, was it not?"

Lil mutters, "Well. . . Yes, it was."

"I thought so!" Fae exclaims as she holds her covered arms out to Lil. "Take this, Lilly. If anything, it will protect you from the elements."

Lil's gaze travels up to the cape which her mother now holds before her; as she reaches out to take it, she asks, "What's this then?"

"It's a cape!" Fae exclaims. "An old mage traded it for a new pair of bracers. I didn't really think anybody in this town would buy it, but I thought you might like it."

Lil happily takes the cape as she drops her ruck sack and the staff on her back to the ground beside her. She then drapes the cape over her shoulders and ties it, turning slightly as she holds out her extended arms and observes how the cape looks on her.

"It looks good!" Locke exclaims. "Can I have one?"

Fae looks to Locke with narrowed eyes and says, "I've only got one! In any case, if you wanted one, you'd have to pay. . . That is, unless we could organize a trade," she says with a grin as her eyes direct over to Lil, who is too distracted to notice.

"A trade? Such as what?" Locke asks.

"Wow, you really as thick headed as Lil always says! Why, I'll be happy to trade you a cape. . . for my daughter's hand!" She exclaims happily as Lil looks to her with a shocked expression.

Locke blinks and after Fae's hint hits him, Locke takes Lil by the wrist, smiling before then announcing, "Wow, look at the time! It's been a real pleasure seeing you again, madame, but I fear our time is short! We've got to go now. Say bye to your mother, Lil."

Lil, taking her hand from Locke, rushes to her mother's side before giving her a quick peck on the cheek and running to the front door as she exclaims, "Bye mother! It was good seeing you again!"

Quickly, our Heroes then leave the shop; as they rush out of the front door and back into the busy town, they hear an echo from the doorway of Fae's shop as she cries, "Be careful, you two!" Pausing before continuing in a sing song fashion, "Don't come back until you bring me grandchildren!"


"I swear, Lil, your mother seems a bit mad!" Locke notes as they continue to jog away from the shop.

Hoisting her things back onto her back, Lilanei exclaims, "You're telling me! But I suppose she's better now than she used to be, when you and I didn't get along."

After a few moments longer, the pair slow down in the middle of town as Locke then looks to Lilanei and asks, "So, what do you want to do now? Is there anywhere here you want to go, or should we make haste in finding out our master's whereabouts?"

Lil glances about town in thought before finally saying, "Let's check Akorrin's Hall. It may be a long shot, but we have to start somewhere."