Distant Shores 2: Waves Of Time

You Can't Choose Your Family

You carefully close the book, looking up to see three pairs of eyes that were clearly affected by Magdalena's story as well. You're not surprised; her legend has resonated with all of them in some way. It almost hit a little too close to home for each of them; from being separated from your true love by time, to being disowned by your father, to running away from home and becoming a pirate because you had no other options.

You reach up and wipe a tear away. Edward pulls you into his arms and drops a kiss to the top of your head, as you focus on collecting your thoughts. You see Charlie's green eyes are glistening with tears; as she try to blink them away, Oliver gently takes her hand in his and gives it a reassuring squeeze. She smiles up at him and her tears slowly stop falling, as her eyes stay locked on his.

Once everyone has calmed down you begin to go over everything.

"Okay, let's start with the compass. Do you think it's the same one that belonged to Thomas? If it is, does that mean the ruby is the same one that Magdalena stole from the Fountain of Youth?"

Before anyone can say anything, you see two bright, flashing red glows coming from the shelf that has the mahogany box that Oliver hid the compass in. The flashing stops as you approach, and carefully take the compass out of its hiding place. You pop open the compartment and look at the ruby. Your friends don't seem to have noticed the ruby glowing; they're too busy discussing their theories. You have a ton of questions swirling around in your mind as well. You zone out momentarily, when Oliver's voice brings you back.

"If the compass only works for Coral, then she must be a descendant of Magdalena, right?"

The ruby quickly flashes for a moment then stops. Did the ruby just try to answer Oliver's question? You hear Edward continue the conversation.

"That would mean she has Triton blood in her, so she's the only one of us who would even have a chance at finding Atlantis and breaking the curse."

The ruby glows once again, and it's beginning to confirm your suspicions.

"Great, the ruby turned into a Magic 8 Ball."

You rejoin everyone at the desk and tell them about the ruby glowing as a way to answer your questions.

"The ruby glowed, indicating I was a descendant of Magdalena, and that I can break the curse. We just need to find Atlantis, return the ruby to the Fountain of Youth, and I'll be able to stay here permanently."

Edward gives you a hug, and you feel him relax at knowing there's a way to make you stay.

Charlie breaks the silence, bringing you out of your embrace.

"Your surname is Sinclaire, right love? Magdalena's daughter Marella married a man with that surname. I'm willing to bet that's where your family tie to Magdalena comes from."

The ruby glows on cue once again.

Oliver looks at it amazed.

"How can a gemstone be answering our questions?"

"After everything we've been through I wish I could say I'm surprised, but I'm really not."

Oliver chuckles in agreement before he continues.

"Also the legend said in order to break the curse two descendants must come together. If Coral is one, who is the other?"

Your mind is drawing a blank. You never thought about your family tree much, and the idea of shelling out $100.00 just to have a DNA test done never appealed to you. But now you wish you had. All of a sudden an idea hits you.

"Magdalena had twins, which is probably why the curse said two descendants were needed. If my side came from Marella's family, then the other descendant probably comes from Marcelline's. And Marcelline married a pirate, William Valdez."

The ruby glows once again, confirming that you are correct.

"Edward, have you heard of anyone with that name?"

Edward shakes his head.

"I'm sorry Coral, but no"

"What about you Oliver? Any issues with the navy and a 'Valdez'?"

"I wish I had information, but I've never heard of anyone with that surname. My father never mentioned it either."

Charlie is unusually quiet; you can tell something is weighing heavy on her mind. You're about to ask her, when she begins to speak.

"I've heard the name 'Valdez' once before. I didn't think anything of it at the time, because I wasn't sure it was even his real name; he always gave a generic one in ports. But after everything we've learned it's the only thing that makes sense. And I'm sorry to tell you this since it would make him your family too..."

She trails off, not sure how to break the news to you. You have a sinking feeling you know what she's about to say, but you need to make sure. Edward wraps an arm around your waist and you nod at Charlie to continue. You hold your breath as you wait for her to go on.

"It's Robert."

Fuck!