Abandoned, Book One of the Reluctant Heroes Series

Chapter Two: Hefen

As The Artemis landed on Hefen, Jaquin could feel her heart sink. No one was entirely sure why Jaquin hated Hefen so much, and honestly, Jaquin didn't really know why either. All she knew was that she didn't like it.

They were to land about half a mile from what, in the pirating community, was known as a good area to rob. It had been a military compound back in the day, though it had been closed down a while ago. Nonetheless, the community around the previous base was still very militaristic.

"Alright, Ninate is going to list off all the things we'll be needing from this raid," Illia announced on the main deck, "so pay attention."

As her mother droned on about what was to be highest priority to find, Jaquin zoned out. She knew Pollus, however distracted she looked, would know exactly what was being said (though Jaquin had been told Pollus used to be the worst one to go to for information). Finally Ninate's spiel was over, and everyone was getting ready to get off the ship while Grannie G, who kept watch over The Artemis with Hades by her side while the crew went out, was trying to get them to eat something before they all left. Raiding was hard work, after all, and hard work was hungry work. The captain, however, was walking towards her daughter.

"I'm guessing you didn't listen to a single word your mother said," Illia said, "again." Jaquin smirked. Her mother knew her so well.

"You know it," she answered with a grin. Illia sighed as the crew bustled around them.

"Alright, just," Illia paused, "just stick close to me this time, okay?" Now she had Jaquin's attention. Illia hadn't asked her daughter to stick by her during a raid since, well, before Jaquin was officially her daughter.

"Oh yeah," Jaquin questioned, "and why's that? Is this because this is supposed to be a punishment?"

"C'mon now." Illia jokingly punched her daughter's shoulder. "You know I'm great fun on these. But no, this isn't for punishment." Now Illia was quiet, looking out from the main deck's window to Hefen's heavy forest. Jaquin tried not to look like she was staring at her mom, but Illia could tell she was all the same.

"It's my shoulder." As if to further her point, Illia rubbed her right shoulder. "Feels like something bad's going to happen."

Jaquin nodded; she'd heard the story plenty of times, it was a well known fact for the crew, after all. Her mom had gotten her shoulder seriously, to put it simply, fucked up when she was a little younger than Jaquin. Ever since, Illia always had a painful shoulder, supposedly whenever something bad was about to happen. Jaquin never particularly believed it, but if it made her mother feel better, she'd try her best to stay close to her.

Soon enough, the crew of The Artemis was descending from their ship and heading towards the base that would soon be very short on supplies. Jaquin was near her mom, as promised, and Pollus was walking next to her.

"So Captain wants you to team up with her for this?" Pollus asked. Jaquin shrugged.

"I guess," she said, "though you know you're more than welcome to join us."

"No, I think." Pollus kicked a rock forward as she spoke. "I think I'm going to go with Thana and her group." Jaquin stopped in her tracks.

"What?" she asked, a tad too loud, "But you hate Thana!" Pollus lightly elbowed her, trying to get Jaquin to quiet down.

"Yeah but," Pollus explained, "I wanna try to be... friendly with her. I don't want to like, cause tension on the ship or anything, y'know?" Jaquin supposed she understood, though she still didn't like Thana.