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Part 2! 😀 😀

 

Robbin threw back his head and laughed. “You’re quick, even when you are half drunk.”

The next day, I looked up at the white sails that reached for the clouds, towering above me. The battered hull, and stern. She was worn, but loved, you could tell. The Avalla, pride of her captain. Or so he told me.
“Aye, she’s been through more’n a storm or two.”
I looked at a patched up hole in her side and smiled. Storms, sure…
The older man paused, looked up and straightened his hat. “But I love ‘er, she’s never failed and I don’t believe that she’s ever gonna! We’re always lookin’ fer fine, upstandin’ sailors ta bring aboard ‘er.” The man’s eye twitched under his knit cap.
“Tell me,” I said, folding my arms. “Do you ever catch sight of pirates or corsairs out there upon the ocean?”
“My, indeed we do lad.” He beamed a smile. “more’n a few have we met through our years of traveling.”
“Gotten up close and personal with them?” I stepped closer and looked him in the eye.
He paused, taking his time before answering me. “Yer a smart one, ain’t ya? And yer still lookin’ to sign on?”
My eyes ran over the ship from her port to her stern. “She is a beautiful ship, but I’ve got something else I want you to do.”

It was two days later when I knocked on the door of Moira’s house. She opened the door.
“Moira…” I said when I saw her eyes, surrounded by dark circles, and her uncombed hair.
“Sylas!” She said, a frantic tone to her voice.
“What’s wrong?” I’d never seen her look so troubled.
“Bjorn is gone. He disappeared two nights ago, leaving nothing but a letter. A letter that makes no sense, not right after-”
“He’s gone?” I said shaking my head. “But why?”
“Here,” She thrust a piece of paper at me.

My Dear Moira,

It grieves me, more than you know, to do this. But I cannot remain deaf to the call of adventure any longer. I have been offered a job as a sailor upon the ship Avalla. I could not bring myself to tell you this, for I doubt I shall ever return to our small village. I love you, but staying here for you would only cause unhappiness for us both.

May you find every happiness,
Bjorn

I heaved a sigh when I finished. “You know he was a restless boy,” I said gently.
“He was.” She pursed her lip. “And probably will be forever, but he would never do this! I can’t understand! He was happy! If he was going to leave why, why would propose and then leave?”
“I’m sorry Moira.”
“I don’t know what, but there was another reason he left. Something must have happened.” She looked at me. A mixture of anger and sadness were clearly pictured in her eyes.
I nodded, not arguing with her. She would need time, time to recover from her loss and from Bjorn’s influence. I would wait.
I hesitated before giving her a hug, offering more of my most sincerest sounding sympathies. with her auburn head against my chest, I smiled to myself.
I’ve begun to capture the prize you stole from me, Bjorn.

Two years. Two entire years passed while Moira waited for word from Bjorn. She sent letters and questioned every ship that docked for word of The Avalla.
None came, to my relief. I had told the captain of The Avalla he could do what he wanted with Bjorn. Sell him as a slave or use him for the rest of his life on The Avalla. As long as he was certain never again to return to our village. I didn’t want to know what happened to him. I tried to erase all memory of him. I pushed all guilty thoughts to the very back corners of my mind, attempting to silence them whenever they would emerge.
After a year, Moira rejected my affection. And who could blame her, her wound was still fresh.
Today, perhaps her answer would be different. I whistled as I put my hands in the pockets of my trousers. Here, few young women could afford to not marry. Eventually Moira would realize that she had no other option. Her mother had died in these two years. Sooner or later her father would die as well, leaving her alone. She had to realize this.
“Moira’s on the porch,” her red-haired father grunted to me as I passed the door of the shop.
I looked up to see her silhouetted frame against the fading light of the day. The slight wind tossed the skirt of her dress around her.
“You’re here again.” She didn’t turn around as I came up behind her.
I stood beside her.
“You never give up, do you?” She turned to look at me, tears glistening on her face. Why wouldn’t she let me help her? I could make her happy if only she would let me.
I didn’t reply.
“I appreciate you being there for me after Bjorn left. I do, but I don’t love you. It is possible someday I could, perhaps someday I will be able to feel again. I want to be able to look at the sea without thinking of him.”
“Then you know he’s never coming back?” A spark of hope flickered in my heart.
She breathed a long staggered breath. “It gets harder and harder to believe. My memory of him fades a little every day. I remember how much I loved him. Sometimes it’s easier to not remember.”
A very large clatter came from inside the blacksmith shop. Moira’s father yelled something.
“Does your father often do this?” I asked.
Moira ran over to the other side of the porch. She stood there, frozen.
My brow furrowed as I walked to see what had happened. When I saw, it felt like someone had just punched me in the gut.
There Bjorn stood, grinning like an idiot.
With her mouth slightly open and her eyes starting to tear up again, Moira ran for the stairs. I grabbed her arm.
“Please don’t.” My face showed no expression.
She pulled away.
I followed her down the stairs, slowly calculating each step.
She stopped in front of Bjorn and touched his face. “Are you a vision?” She breathed.
He never stopped grinning. He wrapped his arms around her waist and spun her in a circle.
I clenched my fists.
“This isn’t possible.” I stepped forward.
Bjorn frowned and set Moira on the ground.
He stood tall and stared straight into my eyes. “I’m afraid it is.”
“Where did you go?” Moira demanded suddenly, stepping back. “How could you leave, right after…”
“Yes,” I interrupted, seeing the smallest hope. “You left her.” Moira looked at me, confusion in her grey eyes.
“Sylas knows exactly why.” His eyes were hard. “He hired corsairs to abduct me.”
Moira laughed. Her laughter died when she looked from my stern face to his. “That could not be true, why…”
“It is entirely true. I got the account from more than one sailor on The Avalla during my time there.”
“Pirates lie and embellish the truth.” My brow furrowed. I had to stay calm. All would be lost if I did not keep my head.
“I promise you,” Bjorn said, turning to Moira. “I know what happened. I was taken against my will that night, taken to The Avalla (a somewhat questionable ship that loots ships across the entire ocean) where I was forced to work for a year…”
“How did you get away?”
He grinned. “I blew a hole in the stern of the ship one night when they were attacking another vessel. The Avalla was boarded and taken by a merchant ship called The Reyoon. I worked there for six months, till I had enough to travel home.”
Moira’s eyes were shining, brimmed with tears.
“You’re lying.” I was desperate. He couldn’t be back! What had I done to deserve the torture of never gaining the prize that was rightly mine? I had loved her first.
“No he’s not,” Moira shook her head. “I should have seen it before. You planned it all. You knew.”
She was accusing me. As I looked into her hurting eyes, I could feel someone plunging a knife into my heart, tearing it apart. Bjorn. He was the cause of all of this.
Anger came boiling up from inside me. My fist met his face, making him stumble back.
`I walked away.

I walked and I walked, not knowing where I was going, not caring. The wind grew stronger as the night deepened. I could hear the waves out on the ocean, sounding as unhappy as I was. I walked to the beach, closer to the treacherous depths. I looked down and saw a rock. In an instant I grabbed it and threw it as far as I could into the water, yelling as I did, trying to release the anger in me.
It only boiled up stronger, overflowing and filling my body with heat, even on this cool night.
Eventually, my feet led me home and I fell into bed at what I’m sure was an unseemly hour in the morning.
The sun was already streaming in through the windows when I awoke the next morning. My head hurt and felt groggy. I stumbled out of bed, not bothering to dress and went straight to coffee.
I looked around at the small kitchen. Empty. Not a sound came from the entire house. Today, it was almost unbearable. Yet another reminder of my failure.
Not long after, there was a sound that broke the silence. A sound that had not been heard often in my small house.
A knocking on the door.
I walked slowly to the door, wondering who it was. Perhaps it was Bjorn, coming to threaten me again.
As I opened the door, I looked across the room to where I knew my weapon always lay, hidden behind a stew pot. Perhaps I should have grabbed it. It was too late now.
Outside, standing on my doorstep, looking as brawny as ever, was Robbin. His hair was longer hair than I had ever seen it, hanging loose about his face.
I stood there, stunned for a second.
“Didn’t think you’d see me again, now did ya?” He grinned.
He wore fine clothes, not fancy, but fine enough compared to the normal garb of our village. A maroon doublet, with black shirt underneath, brown pants and black leather boots. The clothes were worn, but not threadbare.
“You’ve obviously done well,” I said. I tried to smile. I was happy to see my friend again, but even his presence did nothing to lesson my pain.
“Aye!” He said, slapping my shoulder. “That’s what life brings to ya once you become first mate of a ship.” He laughed, obviously pleased with himself.
“That’s good to hear.”
He frowned. “Tell me you are not still brooding over that girl; same as you were when I left. There’s more than one woman in this world! You meet a few from port to port.”
My brow furrowed and I didn’t answer.
Robbin eyed me with suspicion.
Down the road, I saw a figure approaching. Wonderful. Who else wanted to see me? As they got closer, I could make out a small figure with long copper hair…
“What is she doing here?” I said, running my fingers through my hair.
Robbin turned around to see who I was talking about. He shook his head. “You need to get out of this old fishing village.”
I looked at my worn shirt and pants. Well, no time to change now.
“Good morn, Moira,” I said, once she was closer.
“Good morn,” she said, looking warily at both me and Robbin.
“This is my friend Robbin,” I explained.
“Good morn,” she said, nodding to him.
He nodded back.
“I have a request,” Moira crossed her arms in front of her.
“Indeed?” What request could she have?
“I know you care for me. I know you do! So I cannot understand what you did, or why. It’s just…” She groaned.
I pressed my lips together.
She sighed. “Please leave Bjorn alone. I’m asking you. I have seen good in you. The part that cares for others, and… I’m asking that part of you.”
“He was gone for two years. You think you can just pick up where you left off?”
“I don’t know, but we’re going to try. This is the first bit of happiness I’ve had in a long time. Please don’t ruin it.” She looked at me, her eyes wide with fear and hope.
“He can’t love you,” I said, turning away.
“But he does!” she threw up her hands. “How can you be so close-minded! Just let all of this,” she drew a big circle with her hands, “stuff you have bottled up inside go! You can live and be perfectly happy!”
I stood there in the doorway, neither outside nor in. I knew I had to decide. Could I give this up? Let Moira and Bjorn live, forget about them. Move on. I looked at her as she stood there, waiting expectantly for an answer. Thoughts rattled around in my brain, but I knew the answer. I couldn’t live without her. My shoulders sagged. I had rested my life on marrying her for so long. It was too late to go back.
“Does your ship carry passengers, Robbin?” I turned to him.
Moira and Robbin both looked at me with confused faces.

It was dusk by the time The Shrieker was ready to launch. I smiled as I watched the sailors scramble across the ship, preparing to set out across the sea once again.
Robbin came up behind me and put a hand on my shoulder.
“Is she comfortable?” I asked.
He grunted. “As comfortable as she can be, as far as jail cells go. She wouldn’t stop screaming at us.”
I laughed, turning to look at the dock behind us. There had been no sign of Bjorn, but I had to be safe. We had not left yet. “She does have a temper.”
Robbin looked at me. He was judging me, I could tell. That was fine. What did I care for what he thought?
“No one could ever call me a moral man…” he paused before continuing. “But what you’re doing makes even me uneasy. You’re taking a girl from-”
“She’s strong.” I looked at him with cold eyes. I no longer felt remorse. I knew I was doing wrong. I knew it full well. But I no longer cared.
He shook his head. “You’ve become insane. I want nothing more to do with it.” He left, his head still shaking.
My mouth tightened.
Fine. I don’t need his help anyway. I have what I want. That’s all that matters.

Sleep refused to visit me that night. I lay there, as the ship gently tossed. The night was quiet, no one stirred as I lay there, my head full of thoughts.
On deck the night was just as quiet. I put my hands over the railing, looked out over the dark waves. There was nothing to be seen all around me but water, black as the sky above. The half moon in the sky above, clustered among the millions of stars gave a small amount of light.
I could not help but wish my soul could be as quiet as those waters were.
A slight noise made me turn around. Behind me, standing hand in hand, were Moira and Bjorn. They stood there with panicked expressions, frozen in place.
How could he be here, after all I’d done? Something in me snapped. A cold wave of determination splashed over me as I reached for the knife on my belt. I would win. No matter what I had to do.
I ran toward him, hand outstretched, ready to strike down my most bitter enemy.
He grabbed my hands as I brought the knife down upon him. We grappled, hand on hand.
Moira screamed something. Most likely a plea. My heart was racing, my vision flared with my hatred for Bjorn.
“You can’t do this,” was all he said.
“I can,” I grinned, trying to bring the knife down.
I was no weakling, but Bjorn was slightly taller and sturdier built than I was. But he had no weapon. The fool.
Bjorn half kicked, half tripped me, which was enough make me lose my grip slightly, allowing him to shove me backward.
Moira ran forward. She was carrying a simple two that she must have found somewhere. I smiled in spite of myself. Smart girl.
“Stop it,” she raised her voice, aiming the sword at me.
Bjorn stepped back, cautiously placing his hands over Moira’s to take the sword.
I smiled. “I’m doing this for you, my dear.”
Moira glowered back at me. “That’s a lie. You’re doing it for yourself.”
I took a step closer to Bjorn, knife in one hand. He stepped away from me. We slowly began to circle, anticipating what would happen next.
Bjorn’s ears were a bright red, his face only slightly less so. I knew the look on his face well. It was the one he always wore when he was determined to win a game or argument. Only this time, he was fighting for the girl he loved. This gives a person a fierce drive to survive. I smiled again. But I also had this drive.
With no warning I struck, lashing at his left side. He blocked my strike, our blades meeting. Our eyes met. I could see the determined anger in his eyes. A fire burned inside me. His anger could never compare to mine.
We continued, each step, each strike and parry calculated, knowing a wrong move could mean our death.
An image flashed before my eyes as I brought my sword down on to top of him as he blocked it.

The gentle sound of the sea on a clear day, a slight breeze whipping my clothes as I stood over Bjorn, bringing my stick down over his head. His dark curls were long and wild about his head.
“You shall never win, pirate!” I said.
“Sure I will,” he laughed, buckling under the weight of my larger stick against his. I accidentally dropped my stick, hitting him on the head.
You didn’t have to do that.” He rubbed his head as he gave me an injured expression.
“I’m sorry,” I said, wincing.

I shook my head, coming back to the present. Bjorn was the one looking down at me this time, even though I still held my weapon over his.
Was it really that long ago that we had played on the many shores, pretending we were corsairs or rich kings?
My strength gave way and he pushed my sword away. Before I could move I saw his sword move toward my chest, right to my heart. I felt the blade, the very tip against my skin. I gasped, my mouth open.
But the blade went no further. I looked to Bjorn. A tear was in his eye, his muscled in his arms tensed as he held the sword with both hands. He looked down at the sword.
“You’re a fool,” I said.
I plunged my knife into his side.
His eyes widened as he took a step back. The sword clattered to the floor. Moira shrieked, pushing me aside as she ran to him. My hand, holding my knife, now dripping with blood fell to my side.
Blood rushed to my head, a slight pounding started, drowning out Moira’s frantic prattling as she put her arms around Bjorn. She gently lowering him to the ground.
I stood there. Doing nothing, my body frozen. My limbs would not move. I could only watch.
I felt a rough hand on my shoulder. I jerked to see who was behind me.
Robbin stared into my eyes. I stared back, my mouth set into a hard line.
“I did what I had to,” I said.
Robbin shook his head.
“No you didn’t!” Moira screamed at me from where she kneeled on the floor, supporting Bjorn. “You’ve thought of nothing but yourself and I will die if I have to spend a moment with you. You will have to continue to keep my locked up forever if you want me to stay with you.” She was screaming at me, angry words coming from deep within her. Tears streamed down her face as she bent to kiss Bjorn.
As I watched them, Moira leaning over Bjorn as his breathing become more and more sparse, I realized. She would never love me now.
This hit me like a cold wave, harder than her angry words. A thought that had never come to me before was brought to the forefront of my mind.
She will never be mine.
She would be Bjorn’s to the very end.
Before I realized what I was doing, my feet moved as if on their own. Down to the cellar of the ship, down to the very depths of the ship. There was a lantern hanging by the sleeping quarters. I grabbed it off the hook.
My hands shook, my mind in a flurry. I knew I was not thinking clearly. I knew I should stop, to stop and consider what I was doing.
But I did not. If I could not have Moira, if she could never be mine, then there was nothing else I could do. I could no longer obtain what I had sought after for so many years.
I flung open the wooden door, breathing heavy.
I saw the rows and rows of barrels lining the room.
I walked to them, bringing up my hand holding the lantern as I did.
Don’t do this, what was left of my conscious told me.
I threw the lantern as hard as I could on the floor, in front of the first barrel.
The flames sputtered, already spreading out from their glass prison.

I ran through the ship, seeing the crew, most of them awake by now. I arrived back on deck, out of breath. I stopped in front of the three people on the deck.
Robbin was now kneeling over Bjorn. Moira crying and talking as fast as she could.
“What did you do?” She said. Her eyes widened when she saw me.
I panted, my hands on my knees.
Robbin rushed over to me and grabbed me by my shirt collar.
“Answer the question.” he grunted.
I didn’t need to.
The ship blew from under us, boards breaking, people screaming as the explosion engulfed us all.
This is where it ends.
I saw Moira, still clinging to Bjorn’s body that was now lifeless, as mine would soon be.
Why couldn’t I have let her go when I could have, years ago?
Why hadn’t I listened to my conscious?
I didn’t know. Now, at the end, I wished I would have.
I felt the heat, the eruption tearing me apart.
Tears fell from my face and I cried.