Distant Shores 2: Waves Of Time

It's Just Sea Sickness...Right?

The next day....

You're helping Charlie furl the sails out to catch more wind. You're climbing down the rigging to tie and secure the ropes; it's a task you've done hundreds of times, but this morning it was more difficult than usual due to the nausea that's been building in your stomach since you woke up. A massive cramp hits you and you grab your stomach, wincing. You double over as the cramp hits full force. The nausea intensifies and you run to the side of the ship to empty the contents of your stomach into the ocean. Charlie approaches you.

"Don't tell me you're getting sea sick now. You've been on this ship for weeks with no issue. Are you alright, love?"

You give her a sheepish smile.

"Sorry you had to see that. I guess breakfast didn't sit well with me."

Charlie barks out a laugh.

"Breakfast didn't sit well with you? Henry didn't even make it! You best get your iron gut back when we're on the Damnation and he's cooking again."

You let out a small chuckle, followed by a sigh.

"Charlie, please don't tell Edward I got sick. I don't want him to worry about me."

"No problem, love. My lips are sealed."

The rest of the day goes by more smoothly. Other than random cramps, and a mild headache, you're feeling a little better. Maybe it was just sea sickness. It's the most logical explanation, but Charlie had a point. You've never been sea sick before so why is it hitting you now? But if it's not sea sickness, what else could it be? You try to shrug it off, but you can't ignore the gut feeling you have that whatever this was, is way more serious than a bout of sea sickness...

Later that night, you're getting ready to meet everyone in the captain's cabin when you spot Oliver and Charlie at the stern of the ship, looking over the railing towards the peaceful dark blue ocean and star filled sky. They're standing close together, shoulders touching; they seem to be in a deep conversation, you can barely make out their voices.

"Last time I checked, you lost a parent as well. How are you truly feeling, Oliver?"

"I do not think I can adequately put my feelings into words. I mean, he was a power hungry monster, willing to hurt anyone who stood in his way. I am relieved that we stopped him, but I do not know how I truly feel. Part of me hates him and is ashamed that I admired him for so long, thinking he was an honorable man. The other part of me just hurts. The man who raised me and was always supposed to be there for me, lied to me about his ambitions and disowned me without a second thought. That part of me still loves him for the parent I thought he was. It is hard to fully hate him even though he deserves it, because at the end of the day, he was still my...

"Father."

Charlie finishes for him. She gives him a small, understanding smile. Oliver lets out a breath; like he's relived that someone else out there knows how it feels to have had a toxic man for a parent. Your heart breaks for both of them. You realize that everything has happened so fast, that yes even though you've been sailing together for weeks, Charlie and Oliver have never really openly grieved for their lost fathers. They still needed to sort out their feelings to get closure.

"Charlie, I am very sorry. My father has done so much to hurt you and your crew. I hope you can forgive me."

"I never blamed you, Oliver. I see it like this; the choices you make determine the kind of man you are. Your father made the choice to lie to you, hurt countless others, and even kill for power. You made the choice to turn your back on your family and the navy to help a band of pirates; a choice that might not have been the wisest if you think about it, but it was a choice that you made because you knew it was right. Following your heart made you a more honorable man than your father could have ever hoped to be."

Oliver is looking at her with admiration in his eyes. You can tell her words had a profound impact on him.

"Thank you, Charlie. You have no idea what it means to hear you say that."

"Well, it's the truth. Growing up, my father talked to me about honor quite a lot, and how I didn't fit into it since I was a bastard."

Oliver gives her a thoughtful smile.

"You are a remarkable woman, Charlie. You're strong, caring, smart, and one hell of a quartermaster. It's his loss if he couldn't see that."

She looks up at him and suddenly wraps him in a hug.

"I really needed to hear that. Thank you, Oliver."

An hour later you're all gathered in the captain's cabin, ready to hopefully find some answers in the mysterious book you found. You're nervous about what you might find; Edward senses your hesitation and carefully puts his hand over yours so you can open the book together. You pour over countless legends about sea serpents, mermaids, and the Flying Dutchman, until finally you find a chapter that catches your attention by mentioning the name you've been searching eight weeks for:

'The Tritons were a race of people that had special powers connecting them to the ocean. The most famous Triton was Magdalena Galdur, the daughter of the chief. This is the story about how she went from being a chief's daughter, to being the most powerful and notorious pirate queen that ever lived.'

"Holy shit... it's her! Guys, we found her!"