Carry On My Son

Jack sets out

“You’re outta your Goddamn mind!” My Father spoke harshly.

It is at least understandable that he would feel this way. Afterall, it’s been a rough few years. 

“I’m not. This will change our fates! Think of Selene! She’s proof that these supernatural beings exist, we just need to find them.”

“Jack… this could be suicide.”

“You taught me everything I know. To doubt my abilities is to doubt your own!”

“Seriously? We’ve already lost Anto and Xavier is in Garrison trying to ease his own struggles and now Jack wants to chase a myth. God help me.”

“Does the good Captain’s reputation not precede itself? Why would a man like that lie? Does he not still make these claims on death row?”

He turns his head and begins to think. My heart races. What will he say next? So much anxiety in such a small moment in time. He stands and motions with his hand to have me follow him.  He seems to walk with a hunch as if to say how worried he truly is. I don’t believe my Father would think of me in that manner but at this point I wouldn’t truly blame him. He stops at a night stand in the hall and unlocks the small drawer. My curiosity is enlightened as I have always wondered what was inside. He pulls out a small leatherbound book.

“Allen and I once went on our own journey. This was years before the rumors started. We went down to the Moreau Straights to transport… an important man. We heard singing from a distance. We pulled our scopes and in the distance was a woman lying on some driftwood. We brought her up and the little harlot tried to attack us. She flopped out of the boat and soon we hit something massive, we looked down and all we could see was a large black eye below. It had to be as large as a house if not bigger. I know they’re out there, and I believe in you. I just don’t want to lose anyone else.”

He hugs me with an unmatched feeling of love and support. 

“I won’t let you down Father.”

“Beware though… pirates lurk in those waters.”

For a second I felt a chill run up my spine. It was a thought I had seldom considered. Blood thirsty swashbucklers, out on murderous rampages, pillaging and plundering everything in sight! I even heard it said that the Son of Captain De Reeves roams from port to port leaving a trail of bodies behind it. The Mare Liberum, holding fast to its slaughter! It’s terrifying and exciting mixed into one horrifying entity that makes me wish I had set sail weeks ago! My God I can see the title of the chapter in that portion of the story…TERROR AT SEA! The one man voyage is stopped short by the mighty vessel! He’s brought on board by the bucs who bring him directly to their Captain. All of them pointing swords and pistols, in their rum soaked glee. He looks up to see the sun worn face of the man responsible for such tyranny. Behind him waves proudly the colors of the Jolly Roger hanging high with its might!  I snap from my thoughts as my Father gently slaps my back. He hands me the book and I open it to reveal a map of the Moreau Straights with a small X signifying where they had seen the siren.

We told my Mother and Sisters some tall tales as to why I was setting out on my own. According to her I’ve taken a side occupation as a courier. Mother was slow to approval but eventually relented. I know her struggles and frustrations and I hope to ease those pains. It’s the night before I leave and friends and family are gathered  at our home to say goodbye. There’s Ale and fine wine everywhere and plenty of food. They bid me farewell and give me blessings and they donate supplies for my travels. They sing shanties and dance as the dark of the night becomes overwhelming and most return home. All that’s left now is my immediate family, My Mother and Father who seemed to have made up from their argument, My Sister Ellen and her two children, along with Murphy and Thomasita. My Mother plays a song on the violin while Murphy sings a familiar song.

“No line was cut, no whale was freed

The captain's mind was not of greed

And he belonged to the Whaleman's creed

She took that ship in tow 

Soon may the Wellerman come

To bring us sugar and tea and rum

One day, when the tonguing is done

We'll take our leave and go”

I clap along and mutter the lyrics that I do know. My Father pours himself another cup of ale and stands as the song ends.

“ My Son… I lift my glass high to you! May your venture bring prosperity to you and the family you shall make when the time comes. TO JACK!”

Everyone one then lifts their glasses and takes a drink. 

“Chelsea my love. Play A minor please.”

She then begins to play slowly and my Father sings.

“The sky was dark and the wind was fast

Her voice was heard and the spell was cast.

Skin was brown and her eyes were green

The man held fast and his mind was keen.

Carry on, my beloved son

Stay away from a loaded gun.

Carry on my youngest child

Stay away from the fearless wild…”

The song he sings is one I've heard many times through the years, but only now do I hear the truth within it. Part of me now doesn’t want to leave him here to struggle. I love my Father and admire him greatly. But like the song says, I must carry on. As he finishes my Sister Ellen hands me a blue naval officer’s coat. 

“It was Anto’s. I’m sure he would want you to have it.”

I take it and feel something wrapped within. I open it to reveal the blade once held by Gabriel Cross and the trophy of my Grandfather Allen Slade, The Probitas. A finely crafted rapier that signified elder Cross’ honesty and good deeds, in fact my Grandfather never fought him for it, it was given to him as a sign they trusted each other, though I doubt he truly ever trusted any one of those creatures. My eyes water as I embrace my Father and my siblings.

“I will bring honor to this and all of you. Thank you so very much.”

The night ends and I fall asleep easily. I easily forget the dreams I have had as I awake to the breaking of morning. I proudly put on the coat that Anto once wore, and placed the Probitas blade at my side. I put my hair into a ponytail and head to the dock. My vessel is a Cutter called The King’s Wife that my Father taught me to sail on my own. It’s stocked to the brim with food, water and various supplies. I look into the horizon and smile as I begin to move forward. The wind catches my sail and I look into my map. The map says head west so I look at my compass and make sure it's on the proper course. The sun crosses the sky and sets just ahead of me. I will sail a few more hours before I rest for the night. Nothing eventful but the wind seems to pick up. I rest and wake again with the rising sun. The first few days are like this. Nothing but open ocean, the occasional bird flying overhead. It gets tedious but I carry on. The night again comes and I take this time to look upon the stars in the sky. I recognize each consolation and name them out loud , wishing I had someone to talk to. Just as I call out Orion, the wind begins to blow hard. My boat begins to rock as waves begin to hit the edge with some force. As I stand something hits my chest and I catch it. A hat? Not just any hat… a Captain’s hat. I remember Anto used to wear a similar one when he was around.  I wrap it and place it within my coat. Suddenly the wind hits me at full force and I hit the deck harshly though I manage to pick myself up. I look out and sure enough a dark cloud is beginning to cover the sky. I see strikes of lightning coming and I hoist my sails up. My heart begins to pound as it dawns on me that it’s much too late to run. The waves begin to spill water into the boat and I bring the sails down as quickly as possible. Now everything around me is shrouded in darkness other than the brief flashes of lightning. The rain begins to fall in a sudden burst and the boat is being tossed like a piece of paper in the wind. I try to tie myself to a lifeline but my fingers aren’t able to grip the rope and my fingers seem to be moving in slow motion. I shudder with every sound of thunder that claps. Then without warning a bolt hits the side of my boat, barely missing me. Now I feel water filling to my knees. The boat is sinking and I have nowhere to go. Another flash gives me enough light to see a large piece of the boat floating past. Quickly I jump onto which almost causes me to go under, but I am to hold on. I look back and see another flash and my Father’s boat is now gone, leaving only small pieces of debre. I hold on for dear life as the waves continue to throw me around. Hours have now passed and the storm refuses to let up, then I see the mother of all waves just moments ahead of me and my life flashes before my eyes. I close my eyes and hold on to my only hope of surviving. Goodbye my family. I wish this could have ended better. Suddenly I'm atop my deathbed of seawater and rain. Then I’m thrown down into the unforgiving sea. How deep am I? Which way is up? It seems like an eternity but then to my surprise, I feel what seems to be a woman’s hand pull me. Then I gasp for air and right in front of me is the piece of the boat I had been holding on to. I manage to find my way on top and hold on again. I look ahead of me and there I see right before my eyes… a siren! She looks at me as if she is making sure I am fine. I reach out to touch her face but she submerges herself and then I hear a large creak and just behind is a large ship of unknown origin. Someone throws a rope and pulls me to a ladder on the starboard side. I struggle to climb up as waves continue to strike me but I make it aboard and lie on the deck. I see a few silhouettes stand above as I lose consciousness. What have I done?