Freedom's Horizon (WLW) (Full Trilogy - Ongoing/Editing)

Book Two: Part Four: Chapter Sixteen

June 1747, Off the Coast of Marie-Galante Island

After sailing for several days toward the Islands of Guadeloupe for several days, stopping in Dominica for a resupply of fresh fruit and other local produce, the Ghost Crew were anchored off Marie-Galante Island. It hadn't taken them long to cross the Caribbean Sea, it never really had, and they decided to get some much needed rest after nearly nonstop sailing at Genny's behest. The closer she drew to Guadeloupe, the more her chest warmed that tether still as strong as ever, perhaps stronger, which navigated her path.

It helped the dagger began to illuminate the words at its hilt, though Genny worried what precisely that meant. It could have been due to the close proximity to the sacrificial window, but that was still another month away. Maybe it was something that had been there before and she just hadn't noticed before now, but that made even less sense as she'd examined it multiple times throughout the days she spent separate from Ines. No, Genny had an inkling of precisely why it was shining now when it hadn't a single time in the past.

Someone was leading them somewhere important. Perhaps into a trap. Maybe toward their ultimate salvation. Genny couldn't be sure where it precisely led, but she just had the sense she couldn't ignore it even if she tried and that she never attempted. As she sat in her perch within the crow's nest of the Midnight Scarlet II, she turned the blade over in the handkerchief resting atop her hands, wincing as her thumb grazed it and her skin sizzled. Suddenly, Genny felt a sharp pain in her side and hurriedly lifted her pullover, examining its source and finding nothing along her ribcage.

With a heavy heart, she gulped as her mind reeled over its actual source and shivered from head to toe. Ines was hurt. If it was as bad as it felt right now, then she would need to be submerged in ocean water at the same time as Genny and she quickly got to her feet. She descended the shrouds with great haste and ran to the starboard side of the ship which was about the same size as its predecessor, though manned with less people. She held onto the banister and swiveled her head from side to side as she glanced along the water, yet saw nothing.

Just as she worried it may have all been a trick her mind was playing, Genny turned her head to the left and saw a frigate sailing around the island not too far away. The Midnight Scarlet was silent aside from her own breathing and the waves rocking it, her crew having left to sleep on the beach nearby earlier that morning. Now as the sun crested higher in the sky and dazzled the sea, it was time for battle.

Once she dropped to the waters along the portside of the vessel, Genny waded her way over to the dinghy closeby and hoisted herself into it. Immediately following, she checked the coast again and saw not just one ship on the horizon now, but three. She gulped as she rowed with all she had toward the island and noticed where Esme lay under a cluster of trees closer to the rainforest.

"Captain! They found us!!" She called over the rushing wind. That didn't make any sense. The sky was clear just moment prior, however, as Genny raised her head to check it, she found clouds zooming in overhead. She peered back toward the beach and found many in her family sitting up, shaking themselves awake. Pulling up onto the beach with the aid of Felipe, Genny disembarked from the small boat and ran to Esme. "Sol's followers...!" She gasped through her winded breaths. "They have found us and something is wrong! Something is--"

Falling silent, Genny felt something soft within herself. Something almost demure, yet harboring ferocity like only one other. Genny spun around as the sensation grew and her breath stilled as she spotted a yacht sailing in front of the enemy ships through her looking glass. With a sensation of hope flourishing within her chest and brandishing its way around her entirety, she handed the spy glasses to Esme and ran to the shore.