Swords Will

Chapter Twenty Three: Shattered

Three days had passed since the somber burial of Carlos, and while the grief still lingered, life was slowly returning to the group. The warm sunlight bathed the deck of the Golden Hare as they sailed back to Albion, and a sense of quiet camaraderie settled over them.

Hargrave and Astrid sat on a small set of barrels, enjoying a moment of respite. Astrid held a cup of tea in her hands, its steam curling upwards, carrying with it the comforting aroma of herbs and spices. Hargrave's gaze was thoughtful, his weathered face marked with the passage of time and the many adventures he had lived.

They spoke in hushed tones, their words a mix of reminiscence and contemplation. Astrid, though still grieving, found comfort in Hargrave's presence. He had taken on a paternal role in her life, a guiding figure in the absence of her own family.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the deck, Erlan and Arthur stood together, sharing a moment of connection as they leaned against the ship's rail. In their hands, they held cups of grog, a warm and somewhat bitter drink that had become a staple during their travels.

Erlan's gaze was fixed on the distant horizon, his mind filled with thoughts of the challenges that lay ahead. Arthur, who had seemingly regained his composure after Carlos's death, seemed determined to lead the group to their ultimate goal – the Sword of Divinity. His charismatic presence and confidence were a source of inspiration for the rest of the group.

The gentle sway of the ship, the soft murmur of the sea, and the camaraderie among the group members created a sense of unity and purpose. While they mourned the loss of Carlos, they understood that their journey was far from over. The golden puzzle pieces had led them to the island of divinity, and they were committed to fulfilling their quest, in honor of their fallen comrade and for the greater good of their world.

Hargrave chuckled heartily, setting his cup of tea aside, as the group sat around him, eager to hear another of his intriguing tales. "Well, I've got another one for you," he began, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "This one's about a lad named Guybrush Threepwood. Quite a character, he was."

Astrid raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "Guybrush Threepwood? That's certainly an unusual name."

Hargrave nodded, grinning. "Aye, it is. Guybrush fancied himself as a mighty pirate. But let me assure you, he didn't quite look the part. He had this disheveled look, with a mop of unruly hair and clothes that looked like they'd seen better days."

Erlan leaned in, intrigued. "So, what was Guybrush's grand quest, Captain?"

Hargrave's voice took on a tone of whimsy as he continued, "Guybrush's obsession was a place called Monkey Island. He believed it held great treasures and secrets. But here's the kicker, nobody could take a lad with the name 'Guybrush' too seriously."

A few chuckles rippled through the group, and Hargrave couldn't help but join in. "Exactly! You see, every time he introduced himself as Guybrush Threepwood, it was met with incredulous stares and laughter from the locals and fellow pirates."

Hargrave's eyes sparkled as he spun the tale. "Guybrush faced countless trials, met peculiar characters, and got himself into all sorts of absurd situations. But through sheer determination and a pinch of luck, he eventually reached Monkey Island."

Astrid's eyes glittered with amusement. "What happened on Monkey Island?"

Hargrave's voice held a note of mystery as he continued, "That, my friends, is where the real adventure began. On Monkey Island, Guybrush uncovered ancient secrets, battled ghost pirates, and, most notably, faced the infamous ghost pirate LeChuck."

Erlan leaned back, clearly engrossed in the tale. "LeChuck? Sounds like a formidable foe."

Hargrave nodded, his tone growing more serious. "LeChuck was indeed a fearsome adversary. But, to everyone's surprise, Guybrush managed to outwit him in the end. Through clever thinking and a dash of absurdity, he triumphed."