Later that day, Ryan and Eragon were playing games in silence.
Eragon let out small roars that Ryan recognised as Draconian curses.
Ryan took a deep breath.
"Are you ok?"
Eragon put down his controller and didn't look at Ryan.
"No."
Ryan didn't move as he spoke.
"Grizzly told me about Olivia."
After a few seconds of silence, Eragon spoke.
"Grizzly took me in a few years after that happened. He would just sit at the dining room table and stare at the wall."
Ryan saw a faint glow around his neck.
"It took him years to be here; now he's going to be pulled back."
Ryan placed his hand on Eragon's shoulder.
"I understand, but I don't think Grizzly is weak enough to lose to the Knight."
Eragon stood up and turned off the game system.
"I'm going to get some air."
He left Ryan in the room without another word.
After Ryan put away the game system, he also went above deck.
Eragon was sitting on the railing of the bow.
Ryan wanted to talk to his friend, but something was holding him back.
What if Eragon needed to be alone?
That was the moment he heard a familiar voice.
"Sir. Your friends never let you dwell. It could be helpful if you did the same."
Ryan smiled and looked at the Skeleton.
He nodded and made his way to Eragon.
Ryan looked out in the same direction Eragon was.
He sat on the railing next to the Draconian.
"I accidentally deleted all your saves."
Eragon had a look of pure horror on his face.
"You what?"
Ryan started laughing.
"I am joking."
Eragon put his hand on his chest and let out a sigh.
"Why would you do that?"
Ryan smiled as he looked ahead.
"You were lost, I wanted to guide you back."
Eragon also kept looking ahead silently.
Ryan took a deep breath and spoke.
"I understand this is a tense situation. Why is this affecting you so badly?"
After a few seconds of silence, Eragon answered.
"Grizzly was the first guy who didn't treat me like a monster. He is like a dad…"
When Eragon's voice faded, Ryan saw Eragon on the verge of tears.
This prompted Ryan to put a hand on Eragon's shoulder.
"I will help you look after him, but you also need to remember one thing. Isabelle, Eena and I are also here."
Eragon smiled and got off the railing.
"Let's go see if you really deleted my saves."
Ryan followed him back to their room.
Just before he went below deck, he received a salute from Femur.
While Ryan spent time with Eragon, he couldn't stop thinking about Grizzly.
He kept those thoughts until the next morning.
When they sat and drank coffee the next morning, Grizzly placed a map of Ireland on the table.
He pointed to a spot on the western half of the island.
"We will be landing here. This tiny island is where he is. Any questions?"
Ryan thought for a moment.
"Why are we packed for camping? That island can't be that big."
Grizzly nodded and lit a cigarette.
"The prison is underground. There are tunnel systems, and it will take some time to find him."
Ryan nodded and sat back.
It was Eragon's turn to chime in.
"What if he runs?"
Grizzly's face went from neutral to a scowl for a moment.
"He won't."
Eragon sat on the edge of his seat.
"How can you be sure?"
Grizzly put out his cigarette on the table.
"Because I will break his legs if he does."
Eragon seemed satisfied as he changed the subject.
"You said this guy is underground, and Ryan is the key. How does that work?"
Grizzly sighed.
"To be honest, I don't know. Aleksandar gave me a map and a mission. He said the rest will work itself out."
Ryan thought for a moment.
"Did he tell you why this prisoner was underground?"
Grizzly shook his head.
"I guess we will find out as soon as we get there."
As Ryan nodded, Eragon had a question for Femur.
"When do we land?"
He took out a pocket watch from his suit pocket.
Femur spun and saluted.
"We will land this evening, just before dark, sir!"
Eragon shot up and returned the salute.
Grizzly lit another cigarette and spoke to them.
"You two should go enjoy yourselves. After we land, it's game time."
Eragon nodded and nudged Ryan.
As he left with Eragon, he glanced back at Grizzly.
The grumpy old man's face was hard, but there was a sadness in the way he stared into the distance.
Later in the afternoon, Ryan left Eragon for some air.
He looked out to the sea and took a deep breath.
He turned to Femur, almost expecting some advice, but the skeleton was silent.
With a half-smile, he made his way to Femur.
"Femur, I have never thanked you."
The Skeleton cocked his head.
"For what, sir?"
Ryan started laughing.
"You would always give me advice when I needed it most."
Femur was quiet for a moment.
"Advice means nothing if it is not used. Your bravery brought you to where you are."
Ryan rolled his eyes.
"A map is worthless without a compass. Thank you, Femur."
As he walked back to his room, he heard Femur chuckling.
Ryan and Eragon spent the next two hours playing games and laughing.
When they were in the middle of a very close game, there was a knock at the door.
It was Femur.
"We shall land in thirty minutes! You need to get ready."
Eragon let out a groan that was tinged by fire.
He looked at Ryan and spoke.
"I don't like this."
Ryan slapped him on the back.
"Neither do I, but we have to do this."
Eragon nodded as they picked up their backpacks.
They made their way to the deck in silence.
When they arrived, Grizzly was already waiting with a cigarette in his mouth.
Ryan was nervous as he walked up to the old man.
When they locked eyes, Grizzly spoke.
"Are you ready?"
The words were enough for Ryan to steel himself.
"Yes, I am ready."
Grizzly turned his attention to Eragon.
"What about you?"
"Hell no, but I'm here anyway."