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Chapter 31 - Rattlesnake's Return

After exiting Climber's Paradise, the Silver Expeditioners walk through Rattlesnake Canyon once more. They set up camp on a nearby cliff for the night.

March 13, 3009

Silva: Mornin' gang. How'd y'all sleep?

Salv: Not too shabby.

Silva: Is Isra not up yet?

Salv: Afraid not. 

Silva: Damn, it's almost ten thirty, we gotta get movin'. I'm antsy to find "The Top Master's" home!

Salv: (Laughs) Isra still has not fully adjusted to our sleep schedule. We should wake him though.

A faint sound comes from the east

Silva: Do you hear that?

Salv: No. What do you hear, Silva?

Silva crouches down slightly and listens closely.

Silva: It sounds like some sorta song…

The sound appears louder and louder until Salv finally notices.

Salv: Huh, now I can hear it. It's rather soothing…

Silva: Yeah it does-

Suddenly, Silva, Oro, and Salv start to doze off.

Salv: Apologies Silva, but I might take a quick nap.

Silva: (Yawns) Yeah, I dunno why I'm so tired all of a sudden.

Silva and Salv return to their tents for a late morning snooze. Fifteen minutes pass until Salv, Silva, and Oro all wake up to a hearing gusts of wind causing their tents to sway back and forth. They also hear footsteps approaching them. They leave their tents to investigate. The wind has calmed down but their campsite is a mess.

Silva: What the hell happened?

Salv: Not sure, but I do see a woman coming our way.

Mysterious Woman: (Yells) Help! Please, help me!

Silva, Salv, and Oro approach her.

Silva: What's wrong?

Mysterious Woman: I'm being chased by a pirate. I think I lost him though.

Salv: A pirate? Why would there be a pirate here?

Mysterious Woman: He is trying to take me back home. 

Silva: Where's home?

Salv: Before you answer that, what is your name, miss?

Mysterious Woman: My name is Alisah Luna. I am a traveler from Southern Instivale; the Forecast Islands to be specific. I believe he has lost his mind and is trying to bring me back for a large bounty.

Silva: A bounty?

Alisah: I am an escaped princess of the islands. I came to this nation to start my own life away from home.

Silva: Oh damn. Well, I'm Silva Belmonte and this is my dog, Oro.

Salv: My name is Salv Starrc.

Silva: We also have…

Salv: (Facepalms) Don't tell me that imbecile slept through the entire storm…

Isra unzips his tent.

Isra: Who're you calling an imbecile?

Salv: You just slept through a goddamn natural disaster, yet you somehow hear my remark!

Isra: Dunno about the storm but you're a very loud guy!

Silva: Guys, quit bickerin'. We have a guest here.

Silva turns to Alisah who is giggling a bit but instantly snaps back into a panicked state.

Salv: (Bows) Apologies milady.

Alisah: Don't worry about it.

Isra: Sorry, my name is Isra.

Alisah: I'm Alisah… Introductions are fine and all, but do you guys mind letting me accompany you for a bit till I feel safe enough? I promise I won't be a bother-

Silva: Of course.

Alisah: (Shocked) Are you sure? I know we just met and everything.

Silva: You need our help, that's all the reason for me.

Salv: Same here. (His face turns from stoic to intimidating) Just so you know, we are not the kind of people who are easy to deceive.

Alisah: (Nervously grinning but in an innocent manner) Noted.

Salv rubs his chin.

Salv: Wait a second… Alisah… Alisah… Ah!

Everyone else looks puzzled at Salv's realization.

Salv: If memory serves me correctly, that guy Raynn was a pirate and I believe he asked us if we knew an Alisah…

Silva: Oh shit.

Alisah: So you know him, then?

Silva: Yes.

Alisah cautiously backs away for a moment.

Salv: Wait, Alisah! He was our foe who we defeated twice a few weeks ago. 

Alisah: No way… You guys defeated him?

Silva: We got pretty lucky to be honest with ya.

Salv: Yes, both instances were very close calls. I would prefer not to fight him again.

Isra: Huh, so how long have you been hunted by this guy?

Alisah: For about a year and a half. When I turned twenty two, my inherited powers awoke and that is how I managed to escape my island. Six months later, he started stalking me. It's been mainly on and off but he keeps coming back. Last I saw him was an hour ago in this canyon.

Silva: That's rough, sorry to hear that this happened.

Isra: You're safe now, Alisah. We will protect you if he comes.

Salv: As long as you do not mind that we are heading to our destination, which is located at the highest elevation of the canyon.

Alisah: (Calms down) As long as you keep me away from that lunatic, I am fine with wherever we go. I love exploring anyways! Thank you guys. I appreciate the kindness to a stranger like me.

Salv: We shall be off on the road to this summer home once more!

Silva: Right-

Salv: Oh, wait! I almost forgot. First, we have to clean up this mess of a campsite.

Isra and Silva are disappointed by Isra being a buzzkill.

Alisah: Can I help?

Isra: Nah, it's our stuff. We can handle it.

Alisah: I guarantee you would like to see what I can do to help.

Silva: No work for me, that sounds awesome!

Salv: (Yells) SILVA! Where are your manners towards our guest?

Alisah pulls out a beautiful wooden flute with two painted leaf charms attached to it. She pulls the flute towards her mouth.

Alisah: (Laughs) Here's what my inherited power can do.