The Black Sail Of The Storm Hawks (Pirate AU)

Chapter Thirty Two - Sins Of The Past

In the weeks after being taken in by Wren, Aerrow did his part by helping around the farm. He helped Dove with maintaining the farm, hunting for food and farming the land. When Aerrow first set off in search for Captain Arygyn's lost treasure, he didn't think that he would become a farmer. Despite this, Aerrow did whatever he could to pitch in while respecting Wren's wishes. At the same time, Wren was helping Aerrow built a boat that would help him and Radarr sail away from the island so that they would continue their search for Captain Arygyn's treasure. Wren attempts to sway Aerrow from the path he's on, but Aerrow remains stubborn. One night, the three were having dinner in the home. They had made a stew out of a deer that Aerrow had hunted along with various herbs that Dove had gathered. 

Aerrow: A fine stew you've cooked up. 

Wren: I never was much of a cook in my youth. Luckily, my son was able to impart some cooking skills onto me. 

Aerrow: It shows it with this stew. It's the best thing I've had in years!

Dove: If you don't mind me asking, what were you?

As Dove asked that, Aerrow glanced over to Wren. Remembering Wren's wishes, Aerrow decided to keep his own pirate past a secret. 

Aerrow: I'm a sailor, lass. I sail around the world, exploring it. 

Dove: Like Grandpapa?

Aerrow: Aye. Sailing the seas has it's moments, that I can tell. But the seas are no place for the easily frightened. As a wise man once told me, our time in this world is short. In the end, we all meet the same end one way or another.

As Aerrow repeated the words the late Harrier spoke to him, a part of Aerrow was starting to see the value of such words. As the three ate in peace, Radarr sensed something was wrong as he chirped to Aerrow. 

Aerrow: What's wrong Radarr? 

Radarr pointed frantically to the door. Suddenly, the door was kicked down by an unknown assailant. However, Aerrow was able to recognize him. 

Aerrow: Carver....

Carver: Edwards?! Of all the godforsaken islands and of all the godforsaken pirates, I had to be marooned here with you!

Aerrow: The hell happened to you?

Carver: That Spaniard whore stabbed me in the back and turned my own crew against me! I've been here for weeks! 

Upon hearing this, Aerrow couldn't help but smile to himself knowing that Carver suffered the same fate as he did. Without warning, Carver pulled out a Flintlock Pistol and aims it at Aerrow. 

Aerrow: Don't do this, Carver. We can still settle this like gentlemen. 

Carver: Ah. God I've got a bleeding headache on account of your jabbering. I'll stop nothing until you've paid me back in blood. You are the reason the Cyclonian Armada came to Atmosia! I warned you, Edwards! I warned you that your chase would you into the abyss with nothing left but a cursed name and a broken mind. Now you've gone and dragged me with you!

Aerrow: For God's sake, man! Stop this madness! 

Carver: Enough talk, Edwards! Because of you and your hunt for treasure, I have nothing left! 

It was at this point that Wren stepped in to try and calm the situation. Without warning, Carver fired the pistol, hitting Wren in the chest. 

Dove: GRANDPAPA!

As Dove ran to her wounded grandfather, Aerrow attacked Carver and the two began fight one another. 

Aerrow: Goddamn it, Carver! Goddamn you! 

Carver: This is your fault, Edwards! And I'll be damned if I let you drag me down with you in your fool's errand!

Aerrow: You've lost your goddamn mind, Carver! 

Carver then pulled out a knife and began to attack Aerrow with it. It was clear to Aerrow that Carver had descended to madness and blamed Aerrow for his ill fortune. As Carver continued to attack Aerrow, Aerrow gained the upper hand and took Carver's knife. 

Aerrow: Stop this madness, Carver!

Carver: Not until I carve out your heart and slit your throat! I'm not gonna sail again in a world cursed by your ugly mug!

Carver then lunged at Aerrow, but Aerrow was able to stab Carver in the abdomen with the knife, fatally wounding him. As Carver fell to his knees, Aerrow released his anger. 

Aerrow: You goddamn fucking knave, Carver!

Carver: Heh....

Aerrow: Fucking hell. Is this my reward for believing the best about men? For thinking that a bilge rat like you could muster up some fucking sense, once in a while! 

Carver: Says you, Edwards. I'll see you....in hell....

Carver soon succumbed to his wounds. Aerrow dropped to his knees, exhausted from the fight. He looked upon Carver's corpse with anger in his eyes as he spat on him. Meanwhile, Dove tried to help her grandfather, but the damage was done. 

Dove: Grandpapa! You're going to be all right!

Wren: Dove.....thank you.......for giving this old man........a reason to fight.......stay strong....

Wren closed his eyes and died in Dove's arms. Dove began to weep for her grandfather as Aerrow walked up to the grieving Dove. He was overcome with guilt, believing himself responsible for what happened to Wren. 

Aerrow: Dove. I'm...I'm sorry. 

In that moment, Dove wept for her grandfather. Aerrow placed a hand on Dove's shoulders in an attempt to comfort her. In that moment, the sins of the past had come to haunt Aerrow. In a cruel twist of fate, Carver's arrival had resulted in the death of Wren. Now Aerrow had to deal with the repercussions of this.