Pirate Nation

Chapter 13

Grayson

This late into the evening the streets in the backwater part of town are almost empty. Especially after last night's events.

I pull my coat tighter around me as I walk, warding off the biting breeze. With the cooler months ending, for me the warmer weather cannot come quick enough.

I stop in front of my destination. A small house squashed in between two larger buildings. Although, house is a generous word. Shack would be more accurate. With its wooden veranda slanting alarmingly to the left and ancient white paint peeling, it wasn't much to look at.

But it was home.

My real home. The one I was raised in.

Since I joined the ranks of the Aurellian Guard, I bunk at the barracks like all the others. But I try to get back whenever I can, and when I do, my mind inevitably casts back to the day I first laid eyes on the shack.

I am ten years old again, standing out the front with my younger sisters. Annabelle grips my left arm like she is frightened that if she lets go, I will vanish into smoke. And I hold Jemma with both hands, arms trembling from clutching her to my chest for most of the night as we ran. Barely a week old, she is tiny and frail, and I'm scared to hold her but even more afraid to put her down, should something happen to her.

I blink and the memory evaporates. I let out a breath, allowing the old emotions to wash away.

I step over a fresh hole in the veranda floor, the rot weakening the wood in places. I gently knock on the door.

"Gran?"

There's a patter of feet on the other side, and the door rattles as someone unlocks it. Hinges creaking, the door opens a sliver.

My youngest sister cautiously peers out. Her blue eyes light up at the sight of me, and she yanks the door open.

"Gray!" Jemma throws herself at me, her thin arms wrapping around my waist. "You're back!"

"It's good to see you too." I swing her up into my arms and carry her inside. "Have you been a good girl for Gran?"

Jemma nods, her blonde curls bouncing. "Of course."

"Kept up your schooling?"

"Yes!"

I set her down in the small living room. Jemma hops from one foot to the other as I reach into my pocket.

Gran rests in her armchair by the fireplace, a book in her lap, and watches with a smile as I pull out a small teddy bear, its fur dyed light blue. The black button eyes shine in the firelight.

Jemma squeals in delight, snatching the bear from my hand. "A teddy!"

I laugh at her excitement. "I'm glad you like it."

"Manners, Jemma," Gran says, sternly.

"Oh, yes." Jemma stands up on tiptoes and I bend down so she can plant a kiss on my cheek. "Thank you, Gray."

"That must have cost a pretty penny," Gran says.

I just nod. It did.

I watch Jemma patting the bear's head and smile. It was worth every silver piece for that look on her face.

"Where is Annabelle?" I crane my neck, trying to get a glimpse into the kitchen, looking for my other sister. "I have something for her too."

"She isn't here." Something flickers through Gran's eyes. She gestures for me to take a seat beside her.