Varian and the Seven Seas

Chapter Eight: The Choice

There was silence in the small boat as Nuru, Hugo, and Varian quietly rowed up behind the large, blood-red ship.

The stars were out, and Hugo motioned for them to stop rowing as he unwound a thick cord wrapped around his waist. At the end of rope was a mechanical hook shot with a lever on the side of it.

"You really like your hook shots, huh?" Varian whispered.

He grinned. "You're not still salty about what I did to the back of your ship, are you?"

"Focus," Nuru hissed.

Hugo made a face at her before securing the last foot of chord around his chest and locking it into place around his hips. "Wish me luck," he said before pulling down on the lever with his thumb.

The hook shot discharged, clamping onto the railing at the top of the ship. As soon as it did, Hugo went flying upward, his hand firmly grasping the railing when he reached it. Quietly pulling himself over, he disappeared from their view.

Several minutes passed by in silence, and Nuru and Varian waited patiently, never peeling their eyes off the railing.

"He's betrayed us," Nuru whispered finally. "I just know it."

"He'll be back," he replied despite his sweaty palms.

"What's going on with you two?" She folded her arms, turning towards him.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you've been spending a lot of time with him."

"Have I?" He rubbed the back of his neck, looking away.

"If he's blackmailed you into doing something—"

"It's not like that!" he said loudly, and she put a finger to her lips.

"As long as he isn't hurting you," she said quietly, "it's none of my business."

He considered her. "He's...important to me."

She gave him a surprised look, raising an eyebrow.

"Psst!"

They both looked up to see a rope dangling in front of their faces. An annoyed Hugo waited at the top of the railing, looking down at them while holding the end of it. He motioned for them to climb.

Varian went first, gripping the rope and placing his feet against the side of the ship. Quietly making his ascent, his stomach filled with butterflies and his head spun. He tried to calm his nerves with each step closer he took to his father's murderer. At the top, Hugo grasped his hand, helping him over the railing.

Hugo slipped something into his hand once Varian's boots touched the deck. The black-haired captain looked down at the red, heart-shaped necklace in his palm, then back up at the green eyes staring down at him.

"You got it!" Varian whispered.

He a small smile. "Of course. Only for my little bird." He turned back to the side, lowering the rope again for Nuru. "Ruby is still fast asleep," he continued. "I told you it was best for us to wait until sundown, didn't I?" He paused. "When you're ready, you can confront her in her room. It's through those obnoxious red doors just over there. You really can't miss 'em."

He glanced in the direction Hugo was pointing, seeing the massive, conspicuous doors he was talking about. "You're right. They are obnoxious."

Hugo's face was serious as he secured the rope Nuru was now climbing up. "Varian," he said quietly.

"Yes?"

A million thoughts seemed to wash over his face before he replied, "Good luck."

He grasped Nuru's hand, lifting her over then pulled something out of his pocket. It was a small mirror. He pointed it towards Varian's ship that was hidden from view behind a mass of boulders sticking out of the water.