Captain's Will

22. Last Stop

"Nostalgic, ain't it?"

Hongjoong stood at the railing of the Grief and oversaw his crew carrying all their exchangeable goods down to the bustling docks of the volcanic island. Jongho had appeared by his side during his brief break from lugging the heaviest cargo. The broad musician stood with his arms crossed and legs spread, a pillar of reassurance in any storm.

Hongjoong's eyes searched the lush coast, the spot where Yunho was buried. He would visit it later; he had promised that. Though he feared deeply to return next time with yet another mate to bury.

"I did nay expect to come back 'ere fer yet another attempt at the kraken. I been sure this would become a place o' such sufferin' that I would avoid it like a curse," Hongjoong confessed. His eyes skimmed the familiar coastline and the slope of the mountain they had scaled together. Seonghwa's wristband was from here. As was the place where Hongjoong had tried to leave him because his heart got too involved with Seonghwa to risk his life.

What a blind fool he had been. He had saved his sworn enemy and still sacrificed Yunho for his selfish gains. In the end, he had lost everything. His pride, his will, Yunho.

"Perhaps the tides will turn this time. I reckon we kill that kraken jolly an' make this island one fer triumph. Yunho be watchin' us from 'ere." Jongho beckoned his chin at the island and then dropped his imposing stance. When his hand landed on the captain's shoulder, its weight seemed to drag him to the ocean floor. The captain gulped, careful to peer at his mate.

"Let's finish this smartly, Cap'n. I want to be 'ome before the leaves fall."

Hongjoong grimaced. The burden of bringing his mates back to where they belonged in one piece lasted heavily on him. He only borrowed their lives. The regret if he wasted them would drive him into madness.

"Aye, matey."

Jongho left the ship to help recruit hands for the upcoming battle and trade their goods. While Hongjoong fetched his hat and coat, his trembling fingers held his pipe. Smoke wafted after him in an uncertain mist.

Since they didn't want to provoke the navy, they hid both ships around the island at the beach. Hongjoong was careful not to show his face. As was Seonghwa. By the time Hongjoong finally struggled his way down on land and swayed on its oddly still ground, the navy captain trudged through the sand with his boots in his hands. His head was lowered to look at his toes as they savoured the feeling of the sand and the sea shells beneath them.

The sinking sun broke around his figure and cast his shadow in pink and orange hues. Since he looked to be deep in thought, Hongjoong didn't bother him. He searched the Grief for Mingi and found the man in the bilge where he had been reinforcing the hull against future kraken attacks. When his captain showed up in the doorway, he let the nails sink and looked up with his darkness-trained eye.

"Want to visit Yunho with me?"

Wordlessly, Mingi stood. They left the ship together and their feet left trails in the sand as they made for the forest. Behind them, the Grief and the Dungeness laid in harmony side by side. Sisters in their souls, yet so different for who they served.

"Winged Yunho left earlier. 'Omesickness must 'ave 'it 'im," Mingi said in his rumbling voice as they scaled the mountain to the hill they had buried Yunho on. His grave wasn't marked but they had never forgotten. In his hand, Hongjoong carried a bottle of expensive alcohol, not the watery rum they drank all day to ease the grime of pirate life.

"I wonder if 'e'll join our battle. Ain't a jolly place fer a parrot," Hongjoong replied. He brushed past low-hanging palm leaves as his boots securely found purchase on the sandy rocks leading up the mountain. Mingi supported himself on the trees, sending vibrations through them that startled the birds away in a flurry.