The Sea Orb

CHAPTER 7

Renne sat down on the chair with a sigh. It all happened so suddenly.

Marin was alive and fine but she had suffered a lot. Johnathan had decided to follow Marin to become a pirate again. They both have moved on or at least tried to take a step.

While she was still stuck in the past. She could still remember those horrifying months when they had to hide from everyone like it was just yesterday. It was hard for her more than anyone else. Especially since she was pregnant back then and her husband was traveling with Capitan Neil's group. The last time she heard from him was when the ship was ready to depart.

They both were on the forecastle deck of Devil's snare. Renne could still remember the goofy smile on his face as he teased her.

"Gus I am worried. You sure you still wanna go with Capitan Neil?" Renne asked holding his hand.

"Wife! I ain't gonna get hurt ya' know. Capitan Neil never gets it wrong."

"You trust him too much," Renne spoke annoyed while Angus laughed at her.

"Of course the crew's gotta trust the Capitan. Now, now go eat some apples. I ain't coming back soon, lemme take care of you while I can." He spoke gently pulling her towards the low laying barrel and made her sit on it before going towards the Capitan's cabin.

She didn't know if he was alive or not. She was just 20 back then and Marin was just 13. Then after some months, there was the news of pirates being executed. That's when they decided to leave the place. For the whole 6 months, they were hiding.

When they were found, they took Marin away, she could do nothing about it as one of their crew members and her husband's friend Elijah dragged her by her arm towards safety.

After that, the remaining member's fled to Oakhelm. Johnathan gave her some money. A few gold coins and some silvers and asked her to go to a safe place and make a living of her own. She could still remember his voice hoarse from crying.

"Just stay alive and live happily, for us. For Marin." Johnathan spoke putting the small sack of money in her hands.

While Renne held it close to her heart as tears rolled down her cheeks.

With all that money she traveled all the way to Springfield and used it to buy a house. A small cottage and the rest of the money was spent on buying the food and post-delivery charges. She wasn't experienced in handling little kids.

It was hard for her to live while taking care of her child and earning money. After the money was used up, she had to work under a private doctor doing odd jobs and tending to wounds once in a while.

She didn't have much education to get a permanent job. But she gave up everything and worked hard for hopper. Although it wasn't enough she could make the ends meet.

It was after a few months that she heard of a rumor about a pirate ship returning from the sea. The people inside it were mercilessly killed by the knights. It is said that the pirates were confused by the sudden capturing and execution. She heard this when the injured knights at her workplace were talking. She couldn't believe it. She could never believe that her Angus was dead. She went to Oakhelm to see the ship for herself. She felt as if her most dreadful nightmare had come true.

Renne felt a tug on her hand. She looked down to see blonde hair and a blue-eyed boy wearing worn-out blue trousers and a brown shirt.

"Hopper, what is it?" She asked looking at the boy with a gentle gaze.

"Mom, do you know my savior?" He asked tilting his head to his left.

"Oh yes, and her name is Marin not savior." She spoke tapping his nose while Hopper frowned rubbing his nose.

"Marin?" Hopper blinked his eyes happily.

"Yes, and call her sister Marin." She spoke while Hopper pouted.

"Will Mari- Sister Marin and Uncle John come to visit us again?" He asked while Renne nodded her head.

"She and uncle John will come tomorrow morning." She spoke while Hopper jumped happily.

"Great!" He spoke clapping his hands before hitting his forehead.

"Mommm... Look what I got you." He spoke taking something from his pocket. He showed his hands to her.

Renne looked at the 4 silver coins in shock.

"Hopper, you stole money again." Renne sighed deeply. Although she was really in need of them but not that much that her kid goes on stealing money from people.

"Once a pirate always a pirate." She muttered under her breath before smiling at him.

"Hopper, you don't need to steal from someone." She spoke while Hopper pouted.

"Mom I like stealing and I don't like seeing you press your head. I heard from the neighborhood boys that we don't have money so that's why you are pressing your head." He spoke startling Renne.

She never thought that Hopper would try to solve her problems.

She definitely didn't want her 7-year-old kid going around stealing money when he should be learning to read or write.

She knew that there was only one way to do that. Maybe it's time for her to take a step too.

With that, she knew what to do.

~.~

Jonathan dragged a very unwilling Marin towards a diner. After finding a secluded spot near the corner he asked her to sit down to which Marin obliged huffing. Jonathan settled opposite to her. After a minute of silence, he spoke "Wanna talk?"

Marin looked at him with her red-rimmed eyes and gritted out angrily "Those fuckers how could they do that. Sole commander my foot... I was the one who fought in that battle... Who bloody led us to victory...."

Jonathan sighed "Listen kiddo, you going all angry hulk is not the solution. I know, they need to be taught a lesson. But... in our way." He ended with a grin.

Marin calmed down looking at him. Right! This was not the time to be angry. It was time to teach them a lesson. And just like uncle john said 'In their way'.

Knowing that she was alright now Jonathan moved to grab some food for them. He returned a while later and settled the food on the table. It was a simple meal with garlic bread and tomato soup. He settled on his seat and looked at her to find her still lost in thoughts.

He waved a hand in front of her to break her trance. Marin looked at him with an evil smirk. Seeing that expression, Jonathan knew that she was back on track.

"Marin, what are you up to?" He asked curiously while pushing the plate and bowl to her.

"The banquet... It's in seven days right." Marin spoke smirking. Jonathan narrowed his eyes and spoke "So?"

"Uncle john... Is it possible to recruit all our men in seven days?" Marin asked as her eyebrows furrowed.

"It will be difficult but it can be done... Those fellas will come around eventually. They are all attached to the ship just like you." Jonathan spoke proudly.

Marin smiled and nodded.

"Alright then, I will arrange the gold needed for the ship." Marin declared.

Jonathan widened his eyes and spoke "What! But how?" He definitely knew it wasn't easy to buy back the ship. Especially a pirate ship.

"I know a way uncle John. It will take a few days but it will be done by the time we are ready." Marin spoke confidently. Now all the pieces were finally coming together. A plan was slowly forming in her mind. It was dangerous but worth it.

But before that, she had a few more things to do. Or better said few more people to pay back.

"I will be leaving for Northlyn tomorrow morning as we agreed." She spoke. Jonathan nodded in agreement, he knew he had to speed up things on his side to catch up to this kiddo. After that, they completed their dinner in silence.

Next morning.

Marin was the first to wake up. She was all jittery the whole night. By the time she was able to calm down to some extent, they were standing outside the same cottage they previously visited. This time both Marin and Jonathan were nervous. Before they ring the doorbell the door opened revealing Renne.

"Uncle John and Marin!" Renne spoke surprised as she hadn't heard the bell ring. Was the bell perhaps broken?

"Sorry I haven't heard the doorbell, maybe it just isn't working. Please come in." She spoke making way for them to enter.

Listening about the doorbell, Jonathan and Marin exchanged a nervous glance and walked in.

They entered the living room. Marin and Jonathan settled on the chairs while Renne sat on another chair nearby. Hopper was not visible.

Maybe he was outside like yesterday Marin thought looking around for the kid thief.

There was an awkward silence for a few seconds until Jonathan cleared his throat. "So?" He spoke anticipating.

Renne fisted the ends of dress gaining some confidence and muttered "Before telling my decision I want you guys to know something."

Marin looked at her while Jonathan nodded asking her to continue.

Renne took a deep breath "After Uncle John gave me the money I traveled to Springfield. At that time, it was safer than other places. I used half of the gold coins to buy this cottage. It was old and needed some repairing but with a baby on the way, It was the only choice I had. The remaining gold would only last me until my deliver so I needed to find a job. I started looking for people who would hire a doctor. But for that, a legitimate certificate was needed.

Without that, no one was ready to hire me. I had to look for other options. That was how I landed up as an assistant to a private doctor. An assistant who does odd jobs. The income was barely enough for two people but that was how we were living till now. Hopper is 7 now and at this age kids already know how to read and write. We don't have the money to hire someone neither do I have the time to teach him myself. I have been lying to myself all this while that everything would be fine. Even if it was hard now it will be good in the future. But I am tired. I don't want to get up every day to do odd jobs. I am a doctor and that is what I want to do. Treat people. Treat my family. I know going with you guys is like taking a greater risk."

"It's uncertain what would happen with the pirate execution order and all. But I don't want to live like a coward anymore. I am what I am. Whatever happens, I can't pretend away my true self. I am a pirate and that's what I want to be. So yes I will join you guys." Renne completed as a lone tear left her eyes.

It felt good to share all her worries to someone.

Marin got up from her place and hugged Renne tightly. She knew it was not easy to live behind everything and start again. Especially in these circumstances. But she was happy that Renne wanted to take this step. A step towards their dream.

What followed was Jonathan narrating their plan of recruiting others to Renne as they completed their breakfast.

Jonathan decided to leave for Oakhelm to talk to the others while Marin left for Northlyn. Renne stayed in Springfield making the final preparation for moving to Oakhelm.

~.~

It took Marin nearly three hours to reach Northlyn by carriage. She departed towards the inn she rested in the night after the incident with the king. The inn was busier than usual which made her remember about the banquet in 6 days.

She spotted the innkeeper and nodded at him in acknowledgment. Returning to her room she found a pair of clothes. The same pair the innkeeper brought for her that night. She quickly changed into those and left the inn.

Making her way through the familiar path, she finally reached the commander's quarters. She looked around for guards. Thankfully there were none. She entered inside but was surprised to see her belongings still intact.

Maybe they forgot to take them away with all these banquet preparations. She thought.

Still, she felt that there was something amiss. Her doubt got cleared after seeing a note lying on the desk near her sword. Her sword.

It read-

I knew you would come. I don't know what happened in the palace nor do I intend to know. What I know is that you are my commander no matter what others or even the king says. You are one of my best soldiers and no one can change this fact. I ordered them to not touch a single thing in this room. The sword on the table is yours. You have earned it.

From,

Your general.

Marin smiled while placing the note safely in her pocket. She held the sword for a moment before attaching it to her belt and then taking all the money and essentials, she left from there.