Friend or Foe

Joseph wasn't much of a lucky guy. He and his buddy Hamian had spent all their life savings to dedicate themselves to voyaging and exploring the vast world.

At first they were lucky, the ship navigated through the calmer waters with ease and they visited two separate islands where they restocked on equipment by smuggling. However, when they entered the sea with rabid waves, they had realized they were not properly equipped nor qualified to voyage around the world. This was evident to them when a large wave crashed upon their ship, tearing it apart and leaving them stranded in a red sea of sand.

Joseph and Hamian eventually woke, then they came across a forest with trees after walking a good distance. They chopped down a few of the trees and hauled the lumber back to the desert where they built themselves some homes. Soon they realized they had crashed into the land of Sweeten, known for its strange colors and mystical plantation.

*******

Joseph stared at the two people. One older and built like a fortress, and the other was a young boy with strange blue hair who looked to be about 10 or 11. Then a smirk appeared on his face as he eyed the piece of jewelry that was strapped to the boy's wrist. He licked his lips, recognizing the former king's bracelet that could create whatever with just imagination. It just seemed too good to be true and it was right in front of him.

"So you guys must be the survivors of Sweeten."

Doan nodded, with a slight frown. He explained how he was a Sugar Knight for the monarch of the kingdom, King Dulcee. He retold the story about how he met the boy and got him to join the village and live there for a while. He also told about the carnival and the massive warship that overshadowed the entirety of Sweeten.

Art looked at the two men when Doan retold the story. The one who seemed to be the boss or leader looked unfazed by the details, but the other one had a worried look and was sweating slightly.

"Well, there's nothing to worry about." The leader of the two said. He then extended his arm out to Doan and introduced himself. "My name is Joseph and the one behind me is Hamian."

Doan shook hands with Joseph, giving a polite nod of acknowledgement to Hamian.

"I'm Doan, and the boy's name is Art. His little pet is a Girby that goes by the name 3."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, why don't you all come inside?" Joseph suggested with a polite smile.

With that, Joseph led the two companions and the Girby into one of the wooden huts they had built as Hamian followed behind them. Upon entering they weren't very impressed with the interior. On the left corner was two benches with a small table in the center between them, and the floor, was made with long tiles from the stick-like plants of the desert.

To the right was a small wall with a few spare weapons hanging. These were the weapons that Joseph and Hamian had gathered from stealing from the islands they had visited.

"Sit down, why don't you all make yourselves comfortable while I prepare a meal?" Joseph suggested, as he left the hut and entered the one beside it.

Joseph had one thing in mind: To win over the two with kindness to gain their trust and then attack them and take the jewel from the boy. He continued making his meal, combining some fruits and pieces of strange meat on a large wooden tray compressed down by a rock. The mouthwatering aroma slowly spread as it reached the ones who were still in the first hut.

"So, you were a Sugar Knight?" Hamian chuckled nervously as the awkward silence in the room had gone for too long. It didn't help that the home was only one big room that made them cramped up.

Doan nodded, remembering his days working under the King. "That's correct, I served under King Dulcee from a very young age. I only relinquished my duties because something rather interesting had come up.

Before Hamian could ask what that was Art spoke up.

"How old are you?"

Hamian was slightly surprised at the question but answered nonetheless. "I'm 25, why?"

Art simply laughed. "You just look old!"

Hamian was hurt by that statement. He didn't like kids in the first place, and it didn't help that kids were brutally honest. He scowled at the blue-haired boy, feeling insulted. "You little brat, I'm not even middle-aged yet!"

Art kept on laughing and 3 joined in making short repetitive squeals similar to laughter. Soon after, Joseph entered with the large wooden tray and brought it to the table. He set the tray down, and distributed his makeshift utensils he had made using the stick plants from the desert and his plated he had copied by making the same wooden tray from earlier but smaller in size.

There were some chopped purple fruits and a side of what looked to be vegetables because they were green, along with a big chunk of charred, smoky, grayish-black meat.

Joseph smiled, sitting down across from Doan. "Alright everyone let's eat!" He clasped his hands together and then grabbed his utensils, cutting a thin slice of meat and putting it on his plate. Then he took a portion of the greens and the chopped fruits and without waiting for anyone else, he began to eat.

Doan simply inspected the meal, but fixed himself a portion either way. Art had made a slight face or disgust and pushed the tray toward Hamian. Pressing his candy energy dispenser, and handing the pink energy pebbles over to 3 as he sat on his lap.

Joseph however, noticed this and did not appreciate the ungrateful gesture that had been shown by the boy and he frowned midway of chewing. "You know kid, when an older man gives you food, you should say thank you and eat. Not show distaste and decline."

Art just shook his head and poked the black-grayish meat with his wooden utensil. "I don't like how this meat looks."

Doan chuckled and gave an apologetic look at Joseph. "You'll have to excuse my young companion here, he's rather, ah, close-minded and a bit stubborn."

Joseph them curled his lips upward into a sky smile, and said "Well kids do tend to not trust a lot of grown ups."

Doan didn't think much of his words and Art continued feeding 3 his candy energy. Joseph noticed this, licking his lips and smiling.

"So kid, how'd you get that item there?" Joseph pointed to the bracelet that was on the boy's wrist.

Art just smiled down at the bracelet, and remembered King Dulcee and his attempt to save his kingdom and his people. He was a good king. "The king gave it to me as a gift. He said one day I could be a sugar knight too!" He yelled out in excitement.

"Oh my, that's wonderful!" Joseph said, feigning interest. "Would you mind if I see it?"

Art didn't think much of it since the man and his friend Hamian had helped him and Doan, so he nodded. As he started sliding the bracelet off his wrist, Doan stopped him, giving Joseph a serious look.

"I'm afraid the lad can't share that jewel with anyone but himself, it was King Dulcee's last request and memento. We have only met you both briefly so I hope you can understand where I'm coming from."

Joseph just laughed and stood up, stabbing his utensil into the bitten piece of meat he had left.

"I'm afraid you don't understand your situation Doan. You both have entered my home. I have given you hospitality and a meal to eat, the least you can do as payback is to let me inspect the item yes?"

"You see, I'm something of a jeweler and weaponsmith so I just want to understand the functions of the bracelet for some inspiration!" Joseph smiled kindly, lying through his teeth easily.

With that, the silence grew in the home and Doan got up from his seat, pushing his chair back, and grabbing Art, forcing him to get up as well. "Well, I thank you Joseph for your kind hospitality, but I'm afraid we must be on our way now. Lad, let's go."

Art nodded and followed his older friend out the door, with his pet Girby skipping right behind him.

"Oh please, Stay for dessert. I insist! I have the greatest dish planned out for dessert." Joseph raised his arms out in a welcoming and friendly gesture and started following them. He grabbed on to Art's arm and pulled him slightly back to the hut.

"Come on kid, don't you want some sweets?."

Art shook his head with a polite smile and slid his arm out of the man's grasp and continued walking.

Joseph didn't follow them as they continued walking, now exiting the fence. Joseph grit his teeth and clenched his fists in anger. He had no choice, and picked up a dagger he had hanging on the right corner of his home. Then he started sprinting after them, and had his blade facing forward as he continued running, his target being the boy. "Die!" He yelled out, thrusting the dagger at the kid's back.

Metal clashed against the blade and when Joseph looked, it was Doan with one arm blocking his dagger with his own blade.