Ninjago: Purpose and Meaning

15. The Pirate

"There they are", Tierney pointed at a dark silhouette on the horizon.

Nadine squinted in the direction he pointed, trying to determine if it was the ship he saw or if he let his eyes deceive him. But he seemed sure he was right and Nadine had to accept that Tierney had better eyesight than her.

"Are you sure?" She asked, staring out into the dark night.

"Definitely", the Master of Wind answered.

Nadine nodded, choosing to trust him before she turned toward the village, waiting for Nepenthe to notice the news. The Master of Minds had checked in on them every few minutes, awaiting the pirates' arrival.

Nadine and Tierney were separated from the rest of the Elemental Masters. She had decided that she and Tierney would keep watch at the edge of the bay while the others waited back by the village. That way, they would get another couple of minutes to prepare when the pirates attacked.

"Any news?" Nepenthe's voice appeared in her mind. She could almost hear the yawn in it.

"They are here", Nadine answered.

She waited another couple of seconds for an answer but quickly realized he must have gone to tell the others. 

They knew the plan, they didn't need Nadine to tell them what to do each step of the way. Nadine was just worrying for nothing.

In the silence after Nepenthe's words, she turned her eyes back to the ship's silhouette, quickly growing bigger as it came closer.

Nadine could now see Tierney had been right. The Destiny's Bounty was sailing across the sea, silently rising and falling on the small waves as it made its way toward the bay. She could almost make out the dragonhead at the prow of the ship.

Over the night, she had been nervous about the coming battle. The wait was the worst part. But, now that it was only minutes away, she felt calm. The situation was too familiar for her to be nervous. She had gone into countless battles over the years and had faced enemies far worse than a crew of pirates. She had no reason to be nervous.

A sudden thought struck her and she turned to her young companion. She watched his features closely, noting the slight tension on his face as he stubbornly stared toward Captain Soto's ship.

Nadine tilted her head to the side as she considered him. She had gone back into her role as the leader of the Elemental Masters she forgot that this was Tierney's first mission. There was no doubt, he must be nervous.

"How are you feeling?" She asked, breaking the silence and snapping him back to reality.

Tierney blinked quickly, looking around for a moment before he realized it was Nadine who talked. It took another moment for him to hear the question.

"I feel like I'm going to puke", he said honestly, letting out a low chuckle. "I'm starting to regret coming!"

Nadine stood there for a moment, astonished. She had asked him because she suspected he was nervous. She had intended to make sure he was okay. But, she realized, she had no experience in leading those who were new to this sort of life. She had become the Elemental Masters' leader after they all started to get used to it, so she had no idea how to help her friend.

Despite her sudden doubts, she stepped up beside Tierney, looking toward the horizon with him. They stood silently for a few moments, watching the dark ship coming closer and closer.

"This is always the worst part", she finally said, breaking the silence with a surprisingly calm and soothing voice. Tierney turned his eyes to her. "Waiting for it to start," she explained as she saw his confused look. "I've been doing this for a decade and still feel as nervous as that first time the First Spinjitzu Master brought me along on a mission."