…
… How can I be surrounded by so many friendly faces…
… Yet, still feel so hopelessly alone…
… Tony…
… Where did they take you?...
… Where could you have gone to where even the Grand Navy can’t track you…
…
… I…
… I swear I’ll find you…
… I don’t know how, but…
… With the help of my new friends…
… Maybe… just maybe there’s still hope…
… Maybe only goes so far though…
… Tony… where are you?...
I was brought back to my senses with a splash in the face. I blinked a couple times, torn out of my headspace. The aroma of Monoah’s feast was only overshadowed by the smell of the island’s ale dripping down my face.
“I’M AWAKE, I’M AWAKE!” I shouted, startled.
“Mornin’, Amena, the next round of drinks is here!” Helen giggled, holding the now empty mug.
“Aye lass, don’t go sleepin’ with the fishes on us yet!” Caria laughed.
“Oh! Sweet!” I exclaimed.
I shook my head to get the ale out of my eyes and hair. It’s been a couple weeks now at Shell Island. Damon was right, this place is peaceful. Good drinks, great food, and unforgettable folks. The only thing missing is the love of my life. Still though I’m gonna have to tip Damon extra next time I grab a beer from the lodge. If it weren’t for Helen and Caria, I don’t know if I’d have made it to where I am right now.
Still though, I can’t shake it. Where is he? Every moment of uncertainty, my heart aches just that much more. A twisting agony that grows harder to ignore. What I would do to just see him once more, to know that he’s still alive… I gotta get my mind off things, hopefully this mug of mead will do the trick.
“Cheers to the last day of Oktoberfest!” Helen raised her mug.
“Aye!” Caria cheered.
“Cheers to *hic* that!” I added.
The whole table clinked their mugs together in celebration for the end of the festivities. Over two weeks of celebration. All the folks of the Monoah Tribe celebrated into the night…
The sun rose heralding the dawn of a new day, a warm glow cascaded onto the island reflecting off of the water. A soft warm breeze blew rustling the leaves of the trees and creating small waves on the coast. The song of the birds could be heard all over the island calling to awaken the folks of the village.
Helen and Caria had me up early for my practice with the Sailors Fist technique. How they were able to get up so early after the drinks last night is beyond me, my head is just pounding. I’ve got to focus though, I can’t waste this opportunity… No matter how badly this headache is beating my ass. I’ve been working on this for the entire time Oktoberfest was happening, I can’t let this opportunity pass up. I was just practicing my skills on Helen when I heard a familiar voice.
“Hah! A fine display, a far cry from the timid lass with the gun back then.”
I turned around to see someone I hadn’t seen since the prison. Armored from the neck down in steel with a blue cape of the navy. He had short blonde hair and a long beard, he had a muscular build of the Keraxi people. It was Stanford.
“Oh! Stanford? What are you doing here?” I asked, surprised to see him.
“Stanford? Is that your buddy’s name?” Helen asked me, confused at who this was.
“Shit, right! Helen, Caria, this is Stanford. He saved me back at…” my sentence trailed off.
“Stanford Magnusson, nice to meet you two.” Stanford stepped in for me.
“Nice to meet ya, I’m Helen Sparrow.” Helen extended a fist, to which Stanford fist bumped.
“And I’m Caria, matey.” Caria introduced herself.
“Would you happen to be Pirate Lady Caria?” Stanford asked. “The lady with the War Seas wealth in their prime?”
“Aye, ye remember?” she asked.
“The tales of your exploits and robberies were logged in Silverhold, they’ve presumed you dead.” he explained, he then smiled and added. “You seem to have rebuilt yourself though, so I see little point in correcting that information to them.”
Caria nodded in appreciation.
I stared at Caria in bewilderment, The Pirate Lady Caria?!?! She told me about her journey and some stories of her time on the sea, but she never mentioned that! Caria turned to me.
“Aye Amena, c'mon lass. What did ye expect? I told ye I was a scallywag.” Caria laughed.
Can’t argue with that.
“But surprisingly, I didn't come here for the Pirate Lady of the Bronze Sea.” Stanford said, jokingly. “I came here looking for you, Amena.”
“Me? Why? What's up?” I asked, confused why he was here still.
“I heard a rumor that some familiar suspicious ships were sailing over towards the stepstones recently. Much akin to the ships from the prison.” He pulled out a piece of sailcloth from his pouch.
I froze. It was the sailcloth of the sailboat we used to flee that horrible place. The purple trim around the edge of the torn off cloth was burned into my head for so long, it was unmistakable. He continued.
“If this rumor leads to what I think it is, then this might be the first step to tracking them down.”
Tracking them down? Holy shit he's actually going after them! Thank god, it's not like the Navy has been much if any help in finding Tony. That still leaves one question though, why is he here? He followed up with.
“But considering what we know of these guys, I wanted someone to come along to try and find them. I was wondering if you'd come with me, Amena?”
What.
“H–huh? M-Me? Why?” I stammered, flabbergasted at the request.
Stanford took a deep breath and sighed regretfully. He then spoke in a conflicted tone.
“Because the rumor was also that some of the ships were of Ravennean make,” he stated.
What.
“I don't know many Ravenneans, nor many who were also involved with this type of scandal. To combine both leaves only one option, and I'd like someone with knowledge on Ravenna's people to assist me.” He explained, but I was barely paying attention.
I stood there baffled at what he just said, the ships were Ravennean? What is happening here?, and he wants me to go with him?! Did he not see what happened when I tried to help back in the prison? I fuckin missed a point blank shot! What good could I be to him on a journey like this?! I dont even know all that much about ships!
“I-I-I… I wish I could…” I started, but then another thought hit me.
Tony…
This… this could be the only chance I get towards ever seeing him again… but what if I'm in over my head? What if I get killed? Or worse… but still I… I…
“Oh, c'mon Amena!” Helen clapped her arm over my shoulder. “You got this! I mean look at our training so far, you've improved so much!”
“Ah! I… Um… yeah…?” I babbled out, I can't even speak coherently.
“Aye matey! Yer stronger than ye think lass, I've seen many a fighter and ye could best more than ya'd think.” Caria added.
“A rare compliment from the Pirate Lady Caria.” Stanford added. Helen giggled while Caria rolled her eyes.
I took a deep breath, they're right… I can't lose this chance. I can't let Tony down again, I can't lose him again.
“...All…Alright… I’ll… I'll join you…” I stammered. “But… but are you all sure I… What if, What if more of those hooded folks…”
“Gurl, just do to them what ya did to that tree a week back!” Helen added pointing to the toppled over tree, even managing to impress Stanford.
“Amena, you knocked that down?” Stanford asked me.
“Y-yeah… in a bit of an outburst though-” I started to say.
“Hahaha! Where was this back in confinement, lass! We could've used the firepower!” Stanford let out a hearty keraxi laugh, I almost felt more confident in myself impressing the one who saved me like that. “If you want, we could spar for a round. Put on a show for the Monoah folks here and you can show me what you can do.”
Well… well this seems like a great way to embarrass myself…
“That's a great idea! Helen chimed in before I could object.
“WHA!?” I started to protest.
“A village spar against our swabbie ye say? I can arrange that matey!” Caria added.
“Wait, don't I have to agree to this-” I tried to say.
“Cmon, Amena. It'll be fun!” Helen encouraged me.
Before I knew it, they were marking in the dirt the area we would be sparring in. A crowd started to form as Caria was letting the village know what was going down. Even old man Amos came to see the duel, at Helen's request of course. Above all else I was anxious. I’ve only been training for a couple of weeks, hell I hardly even have the technique they called Crash figured out. How do they expect me not to screw this up?
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I asked Helen as she was giving me the pep talk before the duel.
“Sure it is! You've got this, just remember your training!” Helen reassured me. “Now here's the plan. He looks kinda powerful but he also seems to be a nicer guy. Let's use that against him. He might let you throw some hits at him so make them count. Show off a couple of your blocks and moves, then when he let's his guard down knock him back with a Shockwave and blow him out of the arena with a Crash. This is your fight to win!”
“...Alright… Alright, let's do this.” I said, trying to compose myself.
The crowd chatted amongst themselves as Caria set down a large empty barrel. She then unholstered her flintlock and fired into the air to get everyone's attention.
“Ahoy landlubbers, Thank ye all for comin’ on such short notice! Hopefully the match today won't disappoint.” Caria announced, they're really getting into this. “On the left we have our newest swabbie o’ the village. Joined us just recently for the festivities and has been takin’ up our style of combat. Amena, step up to the plank!”
Timidly, I stepped forward into the circle. Caria smiled reassuringly at me.
“And on the right we have a mysterious traveller, and a matey of our swabbie. The wandering Stanford!” She announced, as Stanford stepped into the ring.
“Rules for the spar arr as follows. The skirmish shall continue until one of the two parties are either unable to continue, or is knocked from the marked out arena. The referees, Myself, Helen, and Amos may also call off the duel if we see fit. Are our swashbucklers ready?” Caria continued.
“Ready when you are, lass.” Stanford said, smiling encouragingly. “Show us what you've got.”
“....Ready.” I said, unsure of my own confirmation.
“Both parties are ready, let the spar commence!” Caria announced.
I stand there, holding up my guard. Anxiously awaiting the first move. Stanford lowers his stance.
“C'mon, Amena! Show me what you're made of!” He shouts, encouraging me to attack.
“Give ‘em hell!” Helen cheers.
I take a deep breath and run up to Stanford, throwing a heavy swing with my right arm. He dodges it to the left. I follow it up with a swing from the left, which he dodges in a similar fashion. To mix it up I throw a jab straight on which gets blocked by a metal barrier.
“Yowch!” I shouted, shaking my hand in pain. Three punches in and I've hurt myself more than I've hit him, great.
I go for a leg sweep that Helen taught me, Stanford jumps it and throws a Metal Blast back at me in response.
“Whoa!” I screamed, jumping back from the attack.
“Not a bad dodge.” Stanford says, “How about a few more though!”
He creates another burst of metal sending it my way, I notice though he has another magic circle and dodge as he casts a beam of metal. I look up and see the blast approaching me, almost instinctively I kick upward creating a ripple of seawater in the motions wake, destroying the attack. I didn't even injure myself this time! I didn't even think I could do that!
“Amena! Behind you!” I hear Helen warn me.
I turn around and see a wall of metal toppling over onto me.
“Oh fuck!” I yell startled, practically leaping out of the way of the attack and nearly catching a face full of dirt. After the leap I find myself close to Stanford.
“Now's your chance!” Helen called out. “Rip both cannons!”
I saw what she saw, and I went for it. I ran up, preparing a fist full of seawater energy seeing the water rippling around my arm. I threw it forward with all of my strength creating a forceful splash of a shockwave forward.
The force of the attack actually sent Stanford skidding back in the dirt on the ground nearly falling over. Was I actually going to win this?
“Knock ‘em outta the ring!” Helen cheered.
I nodded, and prepared what I've been working on. I channeled the power of the sea around me. Waves of the energy rippled around my feet. I felt the seawater flow around me as I readied the attack.
Then using the energy I pushed myself off my feet, launching myself forward in a summersault to crash into Stanford.
But I didn't hit Stanford, I looked up out of the attack and saw I was flying towards the Monoah Village waterfall.
“Oh SHIIIIITTTT!” I screamed, unable to stop myself as I hit the waterfall with a loud splash.
I tumbled a bit in the current, unable to grab onto anything, panicked. I swam up to the surface. Resurfacing I saw myself slowly approaching the cliffside where the waterfall fell a second time.
“H-*cough* Help!” I tried to shout despite all of the water,
The villagers were running around trying to figure out what to do.
Well if this is the end, at least Tony can have a good laugh at it. I closed my eyes and prepared to fall.
But instead I just hit a wall. When I opened my eyes I saw a large wall of Copper blocking the end of the waterfall, I looked over and saw Stanford standing there casting a spell. Helen and Caria both ran over and dove in to help get me out. Before I knew it they both were lifting me over their shoulders.
“Don’ worry matey. Ye ain't walking the plank on our watch!” Caria said as the two dragged me to the shore.
“Th- *cough* thanks guys.” I said, still kind of gasping for air.
It didn't take long for them to get me to shore. When they got me to a bench, a couple of villagers with fire magic came over and created a camp fire to help warm me up.
“Oh… thanks guys…” I smiled, still shivering a bit.
“Are you alright?” Stanford asked. “That seemed like quite the tumble.”
“Yeah… yeah, I'm okay.” I assured him. “Surprisingly, I didn't hurt myself or lose anything. Just scared the fish, haha.”
“Dude, you did more than scare the fish!” Helen said excitedly. “You were doing incredible earlier!”
“Did… did I?” I was confused. I catapulted myself out of the ring and lost, hilariously.
“Okay, aside from that!” She laughed. “That shockwave you sent was your best one yet! We might need to start drawing up bigger arenas!”
“Aye, that was a mighty fine hit if I do say so myself.” Caria added.
“I agree, you've gotten a better grasp on fighting since the prison.” Stanford agreed. “Just need to work on the aim a bit. Something I could help you with.”
“Well, I'm glad to hear that. I'm still not sure how much help I'll be but I'd be happy to come with you.” I smiled at him.
“Thats the spirit!” Stanford said. “If you need to grab anything before you go, I'll give you a hand.”
“Thanks, but admittedly all I really need is a drink for the road!” I joked.
“Hah! Then I guess I'll be sailing!” Stanford joked back.
“Not before the feast!” Helen offered. “C'mon, I've never seen you around Shell Island, and the food here isn't something to miss out on!”
“Hmm…” Stanford thought to himself.
“Yeah dude! It's totally worth it!” I agreed.
“Well, I'm sure one night can’t hurt.” He said with a smile.
The rest of the night from that point on was spent enjoying the tropics of Shell Island. The food and drinks were top notch as per usual, and Stanford shared some stories from his time in the navy. It makes a girl wonder how he got taken by the order in the first place. Though considering my story, I'm unsure if it would be one he's willing to share.
The next day came, as I was loading Stanford's ship, now a caravel, I felt both a renewed sense of purpose… and a looming dread. I know what's coming, and the thought of walking into the gaping maw of the beast terrifies me. But if I ever want to find out what happened to Tony, then it's a step I must take.
“Hey, Amena!” I heard Helen shout. “We got a gift for ya!”
I looked up and saw Helen carrying a keg over her shoulder with one arm.
“Huh? What's that for?” I asked her.
“One whole keg of Monoah Mead for the road!” She answered. “Something to remember us by.”
I felt like I was gonna cry, that's the sweetest thing anyone's done for me since the prison.
“Helen… you guys don’t have to do that…” I said, overwhelmed with emotions.
“Duh! We want to!” She responded smiling ear to ear, as she placed the keg on the ship deck.
“Aye matey, havin’ ye around has been a joy. Hopefully we can help keep yer spirits up on the journey!” Caria agreed, having just placed a crate of cargo on the ship.
“...*sniff* You guys… you guys are the best…” I stammered out, as I then ran and gave them both a hug. “I'll be sure to visit when I come back, I promise!”
“Damn straight!” Helen agreed. “I'll start workin’ on your hut so it's ready when you come back!”
“Ye will always have a home here at Monoah, ‘Mena.” Caria smiled.
“...Thank you guys… *sniff* For everything…” I managed to make out, now full on bittersweet crying.
With that it was time to head out. I waved to them one last time as Stanford took the wheel. Helen, Caria, Amos and his wife Altea all came to see me off.
It was a blessing Damon sent me here. The sun shone through the storm these few weeks, I couldn't be more thankful. But now I had to weather the storm again, the emotional monsoon that's plagued my entire being ever since I lost him…
But this time, I'm ready…
… I hope…