Chapter Text
“Wealwell, your family truly all went off the deep end when they Zood,” Dawderdale said, shaking her head. “I’ve worked for them for years, and never saw anything like that in my life.”
“That’s because you only worked for us.” Wealwell sighed. “I wasn’t terribly surprised. Max was a bit more, perhaps, but he knew their natures. Zood simply… brings out more from each of us, I suppose.”
“But you never had a chance to face any of them in single combat!” Freyja growled. “Surely you could have felled a brother with your powerful stances.”
Wealwell covered his mouth. “…I daresay I could have, if it didn’t make me so ill to witness. I… I was watching, though. If Maxwell had fallen, I would have leapt to his aid immediately.”
“It’s definitely the end of an adventure, but it’s the beginning as well,” Dawderdale said, looking up at the sky. “So many major powers are no longer looming.”
“The terrible Gotches,” Freyja agreed, glancing at Wealwell. “The queen of Zern and the Corrodi Primarchs. Comfrey Macleod.” She paused. “But now the queen is a young adventurer once more. And… Wealwell has two good brothers left.”
“I was truly devastated when I saw Samwell fall,” Wealwell murmured. “Mind you, there are still three brothers out there, but I plan to simply let them go.”
“They were never as bad as Hatwell,” Dawderdale said.
“No one is as bad as Hatwell,” Wealwell said flatly.
“So now the sky is clear for our adventure.” Freyja pounded the wall with her fist.
“Yes! Onwards, to Goldbeard’s Gold!” cheered Wealwell.
“It does feel like… this wasn’t really our adventure,” Dawderdale said. “It was just… practice. Now, maybe, we can have our own adventure.”
“This time, we are the ones who will be the main characters,” Freyja agreed. “They can stay on the ship!”
“It sounds like Olethra, Ludmilla… and perhaps some of the remaining Gotches… are already planning a trip to discover the next new world.” Dawderdale eyed Wealwell. “I know they won’t need a captain. You might have a place there if you want, though. Without so many of the older adventurers.”
“I have thought this as well,” Freyja said gravely. “I might like to go with them if I could have a true place on the crew. And I deeply wish to earn another promotion in battle. But I would not want to leave you behind.” She reached out and clasped Dawderdale’s arm firmly.
“Oh you’re not – you don’t have to –“
“This is my decision. Perhaps you and I will adventure together and grow stronger, and rejoin the others on a later mission. Or perhaps we will go with them to gain experience, then move on to our own adventure.”
“Oh.” Dawderdale blinked a few times. “That’s… I… I’d like that. Either way.”
“I’m considering it,” Wealwell said. “I’m sure I’ll have a chance to hunt for Goldbeard’s gold even if it’s not their goal. I’ve really enjoyed traveling with Maxwell… And I can’t imagine Samwell as a traveling adventurer, but he’s been wandering Zood for about fifteen years already. Seems he’s become a reasonable traveler.” He chuckled. “And I’d like to see him in action. You saw that we’re more powerful together.”
“You are far more powerful against each other,” Freyja corrected him.
“Well how was I supposed to know that Hatwell had been learning to use his head?” Wealwell threw up his hands in exasperation. “And Father never really thought much of most of us, but I never thought he’d get his own hands dirty. Not to mention, I always thought Samwell was his favorite! He truly didn’t care, even about his eldest son! He didn’t care when Hatwell died, he didn’t care about Maxwell, he…”
Freyja clasped his arm tightly, and Dawderdale put a hand on his shoulder. Wealwell shuddered and clasped a hand over his mouth.
“My family also only valued those who could be of use to them,” Freyja said darkly. “I had accepted that there would be no rescue and no mercy for me. But you have two good brothers who care for you, and you are surrounded by friends.”
“That’s right!” Dawderdale said. “The best of the Gotch family survives, and you can make your own life and your own adventures from now on.”
“And your own family, I think,” Freyja added. “It is very clear in the book, as Montgomery tells the story. Also clear in real life.”
Dawderdale nodded. “Even though they hadn’t seen each other in years… And you should have seen when they first met up again, they were immediately just… well yes, family is the word for it. More than friends, more than crew. Just… the ideal of a family.”
“It was beautiful to behold,” Wealwell agreed. “Not what I would call family, but… if you say so.”
“A shame about Professor Macleod,” Dawderdale murmured. They were all silent for a moment.
“She was… perhaps the most powerful woman I have met,” Freyja said. “All treated her with respect. Even after they confronted her about her reckless behavior that caused so much damage.”
“I… was surprised about that too. Especially Marya. Even Montgomery… He’s always so calm and rational, and he was so angry. They might not have come back from that. But they both opened the way for… forgiveness and growth and… a future relationship between them.”
“I would have thought it unrealistic, but the way they treat each other in the book reflects this.” She paused. “I am eager to begin reading the next book. Torse has read them all, and agrees with Mr. Gotch that the quality lessens after the first three.”
“Well of course Torse would agree with Maxwell.” Wealwell rolled his eyes.
Freyja turned to him. “I expected Mr. Gotch to perhaps follow him to Zern. They have grown very close.”
“Oh, he will eventually.” Wealwell waved vaguely. “On a future expedition. Perhaps by that time Zern will be a bit more hospitable. I’m not sure I need to accompany him there, it’s not very scenic there, is it? But perhaps he’ll find me some interesting scrap as a souvenir.”
“More swords?” suggested Dawderdale.
“I was thinking of a huge metal statue to put on the front lawn of the Gotch estate. Perhaps we could sculpt one if he can’t find one. I was thinking of taking up welding as a hobby.”
“Really?”
“Maybe.” He shrugged and took a sip of aioli.
“I… I was terrified at first, but I think now that I’ve had a real adventure… I’d love to go around exploring Zood,” Dawderdale said clenching her fists in barely-restrained excitement.
“Destroying our enemies,” Freyja added, gripping her sword.
“Making a name for ourselves!”
“Offering high-interest loans!”
“Mm.” Wealwell twirled his mustache. “Well I certainly want to journey farther. Eventually I’d like to settle down, though.”
“You?” Freyja asked in disbelief. “You want to settle down? You are so flighty and whimsical. What would you do settled down?”
Wealwell struck a pose and looked over his shoulder. “I should have thought that would be obvious. I will open the first school for standing in Zood.”
“That… that might actually take off,” Dawderdale said thoughtfully.
“Exactly! All that remains is what to name my fine institution. I’ve narrowed it down to Biffwell or Wealmore.”
Dawderdale and Freyja shared a look.
“Those are your final choices!?” Dawderdale asked. “What other options did you reject?”
“Wealmore is far superior, of course,” Freyja said, shaking her head. “It is more personal to you, and removes what ties you to your terrible brothers.”
“Now that’s the kind of comment I welcome.” He took her hand loosely, and made no move to stop her when she snatched it away. “I will certainly take your opinion into consideration. But until then… I think we three shall meet again someday.”
“…Well we’ve got our victory tour of Zood, so… I think it’s a little early for –“ Dawderdale began.
“Farewell!” Wealwell cried, turning away. “Until then, my dear friends.” He walked out the door with a spring in his step.
“I do not understand him,” Freyja muttered.
“I don’t think anyone does.” Dawderdale laughed. “Would you like to see if there are any pizookies left?”
“The chocolate chip olive is my favorite!”
“Mm, I actually prefer the Earl Grey arugula…”