Loving the Dead

Epilogue

10 years later

I just landed back onto my island from a raid to find a legendary map and grab new supplies from Britain, and I was very tired. I walked off the deck of the ship and the breeze flew through my long white hair. I ran a hand through it, and it was slightly damp from the sea spray.

As I was unloading supplies off the ship, a child threw herself into my arms. I stumbled back in surprise as I held onto her. I laughed lightly as I realized it was Isadora.

"I missed you Mommy." She said as she wrapped her arms around my neck.

I squeezed her back and told her I missed her too. I saw Jacob come up behind her so I set her down and walked over to him.

"Hello love." He said, smiling at me. I kissed his smile, and he wrapped his hands around my waist. I loved coming back to him.

"Isadora, come over here!" I yelled to my daughter. She turned her head towards  us and left her picking through seashells to come over to me. Her brunette hair swung back and forth as her 9-year-old legs pumped towards us.

"Yes Mom?" She said, looking up at me with one brown and one blue eye. It was extremely rare for someone who didn't have powers to have two different eyes colors, and I absolutely adored everything about her. The brown eye was my original hair color and blue is Jacob's eyes. Freckles dotted across her nose and she was missing a few teeth in the front, which made her crooked smile even cuter.

"I just wanted you to come over here silly." I said, bending down to kiss her on the forehead.

"Can we play swords?" She asked eagerly, jumping up and down.

I looked over to Jacob, and he shrugged. "I don't see why not."

She pumped her hand into the hair and went and grabbed her new sword. Jacob and I were training her to become a pirate and sail the Seven Seas.

She came back from inside our hut and was dragging Jacob's sword behind her in the sand. Jacob ran up and took it from, relieving the heavy sword from her small arm. She then had her small wooden sword in her hand.

"Ready Mommy and Daddy?" asked Isadora, her body set in ready position.

Jacob and I looked at each other, laughing at how serious she looked.

"Isa, why are you so serious darling?" I asked.

"Well if I'm going to be the best pirate who ever sailed I better start right now. I'm going to defeat all those monsters out there and find amazing treasures." She responded, waving her sword through the air.

"You better be prepared then!" said Jacob, and he swung at her with his sword lightly. She sidestepped and held up her sword, blocking his swing.

"Have you been getting better since I was last here?" I said, smiling at her progress.

"Did you notice Mommy? I'm getting it down!' She said, bouncing up and down, her hair flying everywhere.

"I surely did." I said, scooping her up in my arms. "I think it's time we call it for tonight darling. I've had a busy trip."

"Mommyyy!" She said whining. "Daddy, can you help me out here?" She said looking over at Jacob.

He laughed. "I think we need to call it quits. Mommy has something's she needs to finish." He came over and kissed me softly on the cheek, taking Isadora from my arms. "Tell him I said hello." He whispered, making sure Isadora didn't hear him. I nodded, and saw him walk off towards our hut.

I took in a deep breath and walked the other way. Trees dotted around our island that we've been at for about ten years now. It's larger than the old and much nicer conditions. I was able to settle down with Jacob and Isadora.

I walked for a long time under the moonlight until I found the right spot. I stopped at the ocean's edge and placed my palm on the cool surface. A bright light appeared on the surface.

I stepped and a familiar image popped up out of the water.

Breccan.

"Hello Annora!" Breccan said cheerfully, his body in spirit form. He hadn't aged at all.

"Sorry I haven't talked to you for a little while, I busy on an adventure." I said.

"Well you're always off on some adventure. Always have to keep yourself busy. How Isa? and Jacob?" He asked.

"They're great. Isadora is getting better at her sword skills and Jacob is amazing at being her Father. I wish you could see her. I'm sorry I haven't shown her to you yet. It's just going to take time." I said, not looking up at him and dragging my foot through the sand around me.

"Annora, I don't mind. Everything is going to take time to mend. Besides, I have all the time in the world." He said, laughing, and I joined in.

"You're right. Well I should probably get back to everyone. I love you Breccan." I said.

"I love you too Annora." With a wave of my hand, he disappeared.

I walked back home slowly, a lot on my mind. I didn't just go on an adventure, I just  finished visiting the Island of the Dead, the island I burned to crisps ten years ago. I force myself to remember the horrible things I did so the people I hurt will never wisp away into nothing but a memory.

I got back my hut to find Isadora and Jacob fast asleep. I was completely drained so I kicked off my boots and changed into cooler clothes, and then snuggled into bed with them.

With Jacob and Isadora beside me, I knew the hard life I once lived, was forever gone.