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	Still hope for Hempt. Trusting Jaik.
	Squrhad didn't hide his shame from Lord Hempt. That, or he was failing miserably to do so. "But there is one survivor?" Hempt offered as comfrot. Gossamer had gound the rogues that had dared steal from him, but it had cost the brave Captain his life. Hempt hurt for that, more than anything else. It was as if a part of his brain had been stolen from him. He thought this, and got angrier. "First mate of 'Vindicta'. Slurk, I think. A ship is giving him passage from Blimsee as we speak." The frail main scratched his grey beard. "How dare they steal this from me, too! There must be a conspiracy, no respect for the Lord that wisely governs this land! We'll have them found! And hung!" Hempt cried. "Yes, Sir." Squrhad agreed. Dutifully. "Are the guards in place? We must have the manor secured. Just because there are vagabonds and brigands conspiring at sea, does not excuse the fact that there could be assassins on land." Hempt paced the room, mind whirring frantically. "We have all of the guards at every entrance. Not even a mouse can enter here without being noticed. There are also patrols on the grounds." His loyal advisor assured him. "What of my son?" Hempt stopped, heart nearly in his throat. "Jaik is fine, I - " "Jaik is here, Father." A tall, broad-shouldered bulky man entered the room. He was quite the opposite of his father. His dark brown hair fell limply to his shoulders. His jaw was well defined despite the tenderness to his face, and he had glittering but hazy, in a way, green eyes. "Oh Jaik, thank goodness. What has become of me? I hate this, and I hate those damned pirates!" Hempt fiercely embraced his son, who was a head and shoulders above his father. "It'll be fine - it is just pirates, after all. I could find them. My crew is more than capable. We've brought down several arrogant pirates and their ships. 'The Duchess' is a truly strong, beautiful vessel." Jaik looked down at his father, who looked back up hopefully. "Gossamer was so sure, too, son. It could be a trap! Destroy everything close to me, and drive me into madness before they even have to bother trying to assassinate me!" Hempt held Jaik's arm in a tight grip. Jaik brushed him off like dust, eyebrow raised. "Perhaps Gossamer was too sure. He is just a trader, but I am more than able in battle, Father. We cannot hide in the manor, swamped with these half-wits you name guards. That will surely be what drives you crazy." "Losing you is what will push me over that fine line, Jaik. I lost Gossamer, and - " "You are sure? Did Slurk see his Captain die?" Countered Jaik in his deep voice. "Well, no…" "Then there is still hope, Father." Jaik leant against the window. It was sunset, and probably windy outside. The leaves shook and flapped as boughs swayed softly. Jaik seemed distant in mind, focusing on something else. "Jaik, how will you know how to find them?" Asked Squrhad quietly, as if he knew the answer. Hempt walked over to his son. "They came for the charts. They knew of the charts before they got here. Where did we sail from? Hort. The port where pirates and honest sailors mingle. I've lost many men because of that port. I know that the charts marked the Lokli Sea. We'll sail there. And if not, surely you're not insisting that Slurk had no idea of the pirate Captain's plan?" Jaik concluded, sounding confident enough, but he really wasn't sure. "Jaik…" Hempt begged. "You are intelligent, that much is clear," Observed Squrhad. He looked at Hempt. "My Lord?" Hempt sighed, and fiddled anxiously with his red sleeve whilst staring distractedly into the flickering fire. "I will do this." Jaik finished, patting Squrhad on the shoulder. The old man quailed and nearly fell from his chair. "Father, I will be back." Hempt met his son's determined gaze, knowing that his son was just as strong-willed as his mother had been. There was no dissuading him. Jauk had obviously recognised the look on his father's face. "You understand, don't you?" Hempt sighed again. He nodded sadly. "I promise I will return. Farewell!" He left the room. Squrhad seemed momentarily shocked at his abrupt departure. Hempt just fell back into his armchair, more tired than he ever had been. "What is happening to me? I hate this." He admitted for the second time that evening. Squrhad went to Hempt's side, and confidently patted the Lord's shoulder. "My Lord, I think we should trust Jaik." He said earnestly.
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