War and Ruin

Hourglass

Ireland, the Emerald Isle has never seen such joy in its borders. For the next three years, Evie and her new parents have been growing close and creating familial memories. The O'Rileys have worked hard to catch Evie up on the formative education she missed while she was an orphan on the streets of London. Evie often attends the university classes of her father and tends to spend her free time in university archives with her mother.

The summer of 1911 starts and O'Riley beckons the crew towards the ship to load merchandise to sell along the coast of Northern Africa stopping in Morocco, Algeria, and Egypt. "Evie, you ready for the routes this summer?"

"As ever!" Evie rushes down the stairs with her trunk full of her things needed for the voyage. "I can't wait to get behind the helm with the crew with you!"

"Almost, little one."

"Wait..." Evie stopped dead in her tracks. "What?"

"I think its time for you to be the Captain." O'Riley gives the compass he's been carrying with him as Captain of the Immortal Voyager for several years. "This compass, while old-"

"Dated back to the 18th century." Evie interrupts, proud of herself.

"Right on ya!" O'Riley high-fives Evie. "But in all seriousness, you've grown so much over the years. You practically run the ship for me anyhow. Besides, Collins will go with ya and he'll be there for any additional guidance you may need."

Evie takes the compass and admires it as she turns it over in her hands 'Adventure comes to those who are brave enough to take it. -AD'  "AD? Who's AD?"

"I never found out. This ship showed up in the ports off the coast of Cork and I never questioned it, really. I found the ship with much of the Captain's Quarters still full of belongings as if time stopped in the 1700's."

Evie looked up and scrunched her face, "Aren't you an actual historian...wouldn't solving it be your job?" Evie mocked as a sly smile crept up her face. 

"Aye, cheeky toss at me indeed." O'Riley pulled the front of her hat down over her eyes. "I never questioned it, she sailed into my life and ever since, I've never had a bad trade." O'Riley shrugged.  "Lee! Darling she's about to take off."

"But, Papa, why are you making me Captain?"

"Because..." O'Riley stared out of the windows, "Because I need to focus on a few things at Trinity."

'That's odd.' Evie didn't want to press, but she became worried. "Is something wrong, Papa?"

O'Riley waves the issue off as if its nothing, "Nah. Let's get you settled into the Captain's Quarters."  He throws his arm over her shoulder and walks Evie out of the house.

"Evie! Evie!" Rapid footsteps grinding against the gravel can be heard as Eileen rushes down the front pathway. "Not yet!" She panics, "Not yet!"  

Eileen rushes towards Evie and flings her arms around her. Evie smiles and returns the embrace, "I know. I'll miss you too, mom." Eileen's eyes fill with tears as she holds her daughter close.

"You will write as soon as you dock in Morocco!" Eileen cups Evie's face in her hands. "Promise me!"

'I'm so glad you're the mom I got.' Evie smiled, "I promise, mom. I'd never forget." Eileen rubbed noses and the two shared a small laugh and smile. 

"Alright, Captain." O'Riley beckoned from the helm of the ship. "Come aboard!" Evie rushed to the docks and boarded the ship. 

"I promise I'll make you proud." Evie hugged O'Riley with slight shamefulness. "I will-"

"I know ya will, Evie." O'Riley leaned his head against hers and winked. "I tip the hat to ya, Captain." And once more, he tipped down the hat on Evie's head to cover her eyes as he chuckles while walking down the steps. "You've always made me proud, Evie." Without another word he turns and steps off the ship and joins his wife, Eileen.

Evie stands at the helm, smiling with tears in her eyes. The idea of a loving family seemed like an impossible dream just a few years ago. Now, standing in clothes made for her, with knowledge taught to her, and a photograph with her and a new family secured in her pocket...she knew this was the blessing she had always read about. One she did not consider possible. The only twinge in her spirit was the absence of a young boy who used to trail behind her along the streets of London. It seemed like someone turned the hourglass over and flashed a few years ahead to a life she never thought could belong to her.