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

Book Two: Part Four: Chapter Twenty-Two

August 1747, Lamanai, Orange Walk, Belize

"The number of us Ghosts may have lessened over the years, but our one true goal is still just as pure." Ines stood next to Gen as they listened to Esme. After traveling the small distance to their destination, they stood outside of the village along the wooded area and gathered the supplies needed to finish their plan. Remaining with the ship with the children was only one and Ines feared their number within the village might be too small, though by Esme's description, it was all that was needed. "I know we are small in number, but this can work, my friends. This will work and when it does, we will finally all be free. Genny, have you all finished towing the gunpowder into the temple? And on all three tiers?"

"Yes'm." Gen took Ines hand and she glanced up at her tired features, noting it was a growing theme amongst the ghosts. Curious, she fanned her eyes over the area and gulped as she spotted the validity of the crew waning. Unsure of their strength depletion's origin, she reached into her pocket and turned over the vile hidden inside. Late into the night when she'd awoken with nightmares on the cusp of possible freedom for the first time in her dull life, Ines had been given a dark liquid from Gen and was told to use it if necessary, though she wasn't even sure what precisely it was ultimately. Still, if it helped her achieve her paramount goal, she would use it and keep her family safe. It wasn't just her life at risk anymore. Now, the entire crew was under fire from multiple enemies, but one rang out more than all others. One whom had been orchestrating things from behind who she deemed her greatest adversary and still bore secrets of his real aspirations. Just why was Francisco Senior back now? After faking his death, he could have gone anywhere, done anything, yet he plotted to end the ghosts for some master still not discernible. "We only need to attach the main fuse."

"Good." Esme took Aimee's hand as she came to stand beside her and ran her eyes over her family, stopping on Ines. "We will save you. We have lost...so much, but we will not lose you or any more of those standing here." She turned her gaze toward Felipe, placing a hand on his shoulder after getting closer. "And your family will be whole once more, dear brother. You and Colel...and the little ones. I will not rest until it is sated. Do you hear me?"

Felipe nodded and Ines grew curious about something other than their current predicament, finally using the opportunity to have a burning question of an entire year leave her lips. "Captain." Esme glanced over at her and her eyebrows raised with tentative expectancy. "May I inquire about something?"

"Of course, Ines. You are family and thus can ask anything you wish."

"You speak differently to your crew." Ines stepped forward and peered around the others, noting the various features gazing back at her and how different each came across. Margaret was an extremely blonde woman with fair skin as if it was pampered before her days with the crew and stood a great deal taller than most of the women. Felipe had the strangest accent she could call to mind and bore deep scars that had come long before their meeting, perhaps even prior to him joining Esme. Ines turned her view to the captain and found features she'd never even seen on any others, surmising just how far she must have journeyed to be where she was today. "All of you have lived for many years, decades... In your case, captain, possibly centuries. When did your perilous journey truly begin?"

"I was born in ten-seventy-nine, so your deductions are correct. I have been around for centuries." Ines felt her eyebrows involuntarily rise and her eyes bulged. Esme chuckled and pointed at Margaret. "Despite what we were originally led to believe, Margaret is the next oldest out of us, then Felipe..." She turned her finger toward Gen and sent her a wink. "And lastly, Genny is the next oldest. From that point on, I stopped caring about age as much and cannot truly tell you exactly who came from what time. Perhaps a late introduction is necessary, crew."