Loving the Dead

Chapter 30

With my quick welcome back, I wanted to catch a few hours of sleep before tomorrow. I told my Mother goodnight and gave Breccan a quick hug before running off, not wanting to be left alone with him.

I settled in my bed, pulling the covers close to my body. It felt good to be back in my old bed, even if it wasn't as luxurious as the British beds.

Even with tired eyes, I couldn't fall asleep. After much tossing and turning, I decided to get dressed and go for a walk along the beach.

The night was warm, so I dressed in a brown tank top, and kept my short black pajama pants on. No one was awake so there was no need to get fully dressed.

My hair, tied back in a long braid, swayed behind me as I walked along the beach, the warm sand sifting beneath my toes. The sea twinkled from the stars of the moonless night, and the water moved with a rhythmic pattern, making me drowsy. I sat down on the beach, hugging my knees close, and let my thoughts wander.

Without thinking, I began singing a song my Mother would sing to me when I was little to help me fall asleep.

The river flows right beside me.

Lights echo off the waves,

Shadows loom above,

Just men digging their own graves.

Water carrying life

Is the same that will kill;

The blood that keeps them breathing,

Is the same that will spill.

Look into their eyes,

See what no man has seen before,

See the depth of despair,

Eyes no one has loved before.

They will run away

From all their troubles and cares,

They will hide away

From all their terrors and despairs.

I've never really paid attention to the song before, I would only listen to the sweet voice of my Mother sing it to me. It seems to say what I feel perfectly.

I came to the beach to try to get away from these thoughts of pain, but in the end, only blood will be spilt.

Realizing the sun was just starting to rise, I trudged back to little cottage to get ready for the new day full of explaining and preparation.

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As I sat on my bed eating some fruit I found in my bag, I knew I needed to go out soon to say hello to my Father. I took my hair out and it fell in bright white waves around me. I wore a white long sleeve that tied up the front with black ribbon and tight brown pants that tucked into my tall tan boots.  

I walked out of my cottage to see the sun high up in the sky, the cool breeze of the air hitting my face. Other pirates bustled around, probably hearing the news of the attack from Zahara, moving around the docks of their ships to loading cargo on land.

As I walked through everyone, people stared at me and gave me quizzical looks. Since we were such a small group, everyone here knew everyone. I tried to walk faster with my head down so I could talk to my dad first.

I made in through the bustling crowd and finally made it to my parents cottage. My parents were talking to some other pirates who had large crates in their arms. They said something I could hear and pointed, and they ran off in that direction.