by Ryan Gilbert
Placing a hand on his friend’s shoulder, he said, “That’s a risk I’m willin’ to take to see that she’s safe. It’s her choice… not mine.”
Patting his captain on the back, Jack said, “Yer a better man than I, Riggs. I admire yer heart.”
By now, the longboat had been dropped into the calm waters of the ocean, waiting for its riders. The word quickly spread throughout the crew that Riggs was letting Julia go. Those who knew how much the girl meant to the Captain were actually a little sad. Julia had come to be like a friend to most of them. Because of the many days of her wandering the ship, they could almost not picture a Red Sky without her.
It was strange how their opinions could change.
The crew lined up to bid farewell to the girl who had helped alter their lives. As Riggs escorted her to the longboat, the crewmembers said their goodbyes.
“Have a good trip, m’ lady,” said Doc.
“Say hello to the Yorktown bigwigs fer us,” joked Petey.
“I guess I was wrong about you, Ms. Hamond. You are a decent pirate after all,” said Eli.
Ripper was too flustered to say anything. He was blubbering away like a little child who just lost his best friend.
“Glad to o’ sailed wit’ ye, Julia,” said Coral Jack.
Then, it came time for Clint to say something. At first, he could not even make eye contact with either Riggs or Julia.
Shrugging his shoulders, he said, “Oh, to hell with it, yer always welcome to come back to the crew any time, Julia… even if ye are a lady.”
“Thank you, Clint,” she responded.
Gesturing toward the longboat, Riggs said, “After you, love.”
“What in the blazes are they doing?”
Commodore Hamond was looking through his spyglass and saw Julia and Riggs rowing the longboat to a tiny island not that far from the two ships. It did not make any sense. The pirate ship could outrun the Navy ship, and they knew that the Magistrate was near. Why would they stall their escape to head to an island?
“Tell me what you see, Lieutenant,” he said, handing the spyglass to Travers.
After a couple seconds, the Lieutenant said, “Honestly, sir, I think they want to have a meeting of some sort. It’s only the captain of the ship and your daughter.”
“I don’t humor pirates.”
Handing the spyglass back to his superior, Travers asked, “Sir, I beg you reconsider.”
“Reconsider what? A meeting with that slippery weasel of a man? Not on my life.”
“But sir, there’s nowhere for him to run. If he wanted to run, he would’ve run.”
“And what makes you think that it is not a trap, Lieutenant?”
Trying his best to keep a level head, Travers responded, “Commodore, listen to me. There is no trap. Their ship is far too damaged for them to even chance attacking us.”
“But what if they try to attack us regardless? I am not risking the lives of all of the civilians on this ship based on a hunch of yours,” said the Commodore gruffly, turning around to walk away.
Travers grabbed him by the arm and stopped the Commodore. Hamond could not believe that his lieutenant would lay a hand on his superior officer.
“Travers, you had better unhand me right now. We need to get a strategic position so we can bring those pirates to justice.”
Not letting go, Travers said, “Commodore Hamond, listen to yourself. Take a break from your Navy duties and think.”
“Soldier, you dare question my judgment?”
“Yes… yes, I do.”
Hamond could not comprehend what was coming out of his officer’s mouth. He had never spoken back to anyone before.
“Commodore… Mr. Hamond, I’m speaking to you not as your lieutenant, but as Daniel. I’ve been a friend of your daughter for as long as I can remember, and right now, I’m begging you to rethink this. Take a look at that island again and tell me what you see.”
Still stunned, the Commodore took out the spyglass again and peered through it. There was nobody on the island except for Riggs and Julia. The Red Sky was sheltered on the other side, safe from the Navy’s cannons. Even more importantly, the Magistrate was safe from the pirates’ cannons.
As he looked, Hamond described what he saw, “It’s just Julia and the captain of those pirates. They’re… just standing there, relaxing.”
Reading the look on Hamond’s face, Travers said, “Do you still think that it’s a trap? From the looks of it, Captain Riggs wants to give something back.”
The hatred that had been clouding the Commodore’s judgment for weeks suddenly fell from his eyes, and he saw what he had become. He had become vengeful… maniacal… and despicable. He had become so consumed with his duties that he had forgotten to think about his family’s needs.
“I think your wife would like to see her daughter again, sir.”
“You’re right, Daniel… you’re right,” said Hamond, finally breaking his gruff demeanor.
“Shall we go then?”
Extending his hand to his lieutenant, the Commodore said, “Yes. I am ready now.”
With a smile on his face, Travers replied, “Thank God, sir. Let’s go and bring Julia back home.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Riggs and Julia stood in the sand, waiting for someone to arrive at the island. The sun was setting in the distance, covering the sky with beautiful colors. Not since before Isla de Dolor had they been able to look on a sunset without fearing what would come in the darkness. Now they did not have to.
“Are you sure ye don’t want to stay wit’ us?” asked Riggs.
With a sigh, Julia said, “It was a tough decision, Riggs. Please don’t make it any harder.”
“I’m not tryin’ to.”
Riggs took off his boots and let his toes sift through the sand. Julia followed his lead soon after. The sand was cool and soothing as they let their feet breathe.
“Before I forget, I have somethin’ for you,” said Riggs.
“Oh? What is it?” asked Julia, a little surprised.
The pirate reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a tiny necklace. A ruby rested in the center, suspended by a little gold chain. The rock itself had been cut into the shape of a heart. The setting sun shined through it, causing it to sparkle red.
“It’s beautiful, Riggs.”
“Before you ask, it wasn’t glowin’ when I picked it out of the treasure. I don’t want to be bringin’ another mermaid back from the dead,” he laughed.
She giggled along with him.
Taking a more serious tone, he said, “If we never see each other again, I wanted somethin’ fer you to remember me.”
“You didn’t need to do that. How could I forget anything from this adventure?”
Without warning, Riggs wrapped his arms around her and hugged her. She welcomed it and returned the embrace. She felt a single tear run down her lover’s face as their cheeks touched.
“Are you sad, Robert?”
She ran her hand across his cheek, rubbing the dirt and grime off of his skin.
He grasped her hand and said, “A little… but I’m happier ‘n ever before. This time I’ve spent with you is what I’ve always wanted. I just wish it was for a little longer.”
He kissed her for one last time before she had to be taken back home.
The two had nothing about which to worry. There was no battle. There was no threat of death. There was no ancient magic.
But there was one magical feeling that was shared by Riggs and Julia. It was a magic that had been around since the beginning of time, never to disappear or die. It was a bond that could not be broken. There was no containing that magic, no matter how hard anyone could try. It flowed between them like the rivers flowed into the oceans. The magic had no explanation, nor did it need one. It was inside everyone, always prepared to flood the heart and mind once the opportunity arose. It was untamable, unpredictable, but most of all, wonderful.
That magic was true love.
“I love you, Julia.”
She smiled and said, “And I love you, Captain Riggs.”
Both of them watched the horizon as the sun set in the sky. It looked like it was falling directly into the sea. The sky was burning with red, orange, yellow, and even some dark blues and purples. It was the perfect sight to end a crazy day.
Once the tip of the sun disappeared, the little island was shrouded with darkness, except for the moonlight and the light of the torch that signaled the approach of a longboat from the Magistrate.
Riggs and Julia slipped their feet back into their boots and let each other free of their embrace.
Commodore Hamond stomped across the beach toward Riggs and Julia. He looked both confused and irritated, but at the same time, he looked humbled. By his side was Lieutenant Travers, simply observing the exchange.
“What is it that you want, Captain?” said the Commodore, not wanting to waste any time.
“First off, are ye the only two who came? I don’t want to jeopardizin’ me own safety, ye know,” said Riggs.
“I assure you, we are the only two to come here,” Hamond said, pointing to himself and the officer.
Observing the two Navy men, Riggs asked, “So yer wonderin’ what I want?”
“Exactly. What do you want in exchange for my daughter? She is the only thing that I care about right now. You and your ship can go free… for now… but just let me leave here with Julia.”
Julia looked to Riggs. She could almost see his mind racing.
“Me and my crew can go free?” he asked, as if to clarify what the Commodore had said.
“Yes. Just let Julia leave with me.”
“Commodore… that’s all I need. Even though she’s worth much more, she’ll be leavin’ this here island with you.”
The Commodore’s expression changed from irritation to a subdued joy. He stepped forward, but stopped himself.
“How do I know this is not a trap?” he asked the pirate.
Riggs said, “Commodore Hamond, I assure ye this ain’t a trap. Let me prove it to you.”
He took his pistol out of his belt and let it fall into the sand. Next, he pulled his sword and scabbard over his shoulder and let them drop to the ground. He was defenseless if the Commodore did decide to attack him. Taking Julia’s hand, Riggs stepped towards the Commodore and extended his hand, offering him back his daughter.
The two officers were awestruck.
With a hesitant look, Hamond reached out and gently took his daughter’s hand from Riggs. He breathed a sigh of relief. He had almost begun to think that this moment would never come. He could finally bring his daughter back home.
“You are free to go, Captain Riggs. No harm will come to you by me or my soldiers, but that offer stands for tonight only. I do not think I need to tell you what awaits you if we cross paths again.”
The Commodore turned to take Julia back to the longboat, but Riggs interjected once more.
“Your daughter is a very beautiful girl, Commodore.”
Her father stopped mid-step. Something about what the pirate was saying actually resonated with him. There was genuine care in his voice, a thing that Hamond had never heard from any of Julia’s past suitors.
Facing the Captain once more, Commodore Hamond said, “Riggs, do you even realize the gravity of your situation? I am bound by English law to pursue and destroy all enemies of the crown… pirates included.”
“Aye.”
“And you realize that if I encounter you again, I will bring you to justice without a second thought. Correct?”
“Aye.”
“Then why would you choose to get involved in my daughter’s life?”
Placing his hands in his coat pockets, Riggs answered, “Because I love her. I give you my word that that’s the truth.”
Commodore Hamond could not decide if he felt honored or flabbergasted. Standing in front of him was the first pirate with at least a little bit of honor, and he did not know what to make of it.
“By the way… you’re bringin’ home one o’ the finest members o’ me crew. It’s really hard to let her go.”
“Excuse me?” asked the Commodore.
Tapping her father’s shoulder, Julia said, “Father… it’s true. I… guess I’m a pirate now.”
He did not know how to react. His hands became sweaty and clammy. Taking a handkerchief out of his coat, he wiped his brow as his mind raced.
His worst fears had come true, but he was not really afraid. The girl in front of him was still Julia, his daughter. The only thing different was how she presented herself. She was not a monster. He could not see her as one. It was impossible.
Catching the stunned look on Travers’ face, the Commodore ordered, “Not a word leaves this island.”
For the sake of his dear friend and her family, the Lieutenant said, “Sir, I won’t say a thing.”
Looking Riggs in the eyes, The Commodore said, “Though it’s against my beliefs… thank you. Thank you for returning my daughter to me.”
“I thought ye’d like her to be kept safe,” said Riggs, grinning a little.
As her father turned around to head back to the longboat, Julia said, “Goodbye, Riggs.”
Chuckling a little, Riggs said, “It’s never goodbye, love. I’ll come around when ye least expect it.”
He blew her a kiss and waved farewell as Julia, her father, and Travers walked back to their boat. He did not take his eyes off of her for as long as he could. When he saw her step into the longboat, he wept a little. Wiping the tears with his hand, he held his fingers in front of him and stared at them as they glistened in the moonlight.
“So this is what love feels like,” he said as a tiny grin worked its way across his face.
The Red Sky sailed back around the island, waiting for its captain to come back to it. Picking up his weapons, he started the walk back to his boat. He could tell that the short time that it took to get to the Red Sky would be the longest ride of his life.
All of the Navy sailors let out a cheer when the three occupants of the longboat climbed on board the HMS Magistrate. Everyone was patting the Commodore on the back, letting him know how happy they were for him. Endless praises were being thrown at him from every possible person.
For him, everything came with an uneasy feeling. Every time that someone mentioned pirates, he would immediately think of what Julia had told him on the island. He tried to just brush off everyone’s praises as nothing, but they still rubbed him the wrong way. Something just did not seem right. His views of pirates as a whole had been challenged, and he did not even know how to respond to it.
Once Julia was out of the longboat, she tried to get as far away from the crowd as possible, but they just followed her everywhere, especially the men. It seemed like everyone wanted to know what had happened to her. Had she been hurt? Did the pirates keep her in a cage? How did she get those clothes? All of the questions seemed to echo in her head like an annoying parrot.
Using the excuse that she needed some sleep, Julia locked herself in her father’s quarters. The moonlight shined through the windows, giving the room a very relaxing atmosphere.
However, something was missing.
There was no smell of rum coming from the chairs. There were no treasure maps adorning the tables. There was not a ragged blanket covering the bed. There was no mess.
It was going to take a while for Julia to readjust.
Removing her boots, she walked over to the gigantic window and looked out over the ocean. In the light of the moon, she could see the Red Sky sailing into the distance, away from the Magistrate, away from the island, and away from her.
As she watched the pirate ship sail away, she could not help but feel something strange, like someone was looking back at her. She knew that it was Riggs.
For as long as she felt that feeling, it was almost like she was back on board the Red Sky. There would be no more waking up in the morning to see those red sails flapping in the breeze.
There would be no teasing arguments about how rum tasted. There would be no pirate flag to raise with pride.
Bringing her hand to her lips, she blew a kiss to the Red Sky as it shrunk to a tiny dot on the horizon. Julia knew that Riggs could not see it, but she sensed that he felt it in his heart… his pirate heart.
Uneasiness had spread throughout the entire crew of the Red Sky. Once Riggs had returned from the island, he had gone to his cabin and disappeared for the night. Having to let Julia go was hard, and even the crew realized that they had grown to accept the girl as a comrade and as a friend.
Early in the morning, Ripper, Jack, Eli, Petey, Doc, and Clint all gathered on the deck. Each of them brought a bottle of rum. None of them had slept the night before. So much had happened and changed that it was nearly impossible to even shut their eyes. Riggs had still not left his cabin. The door had remained locked the entire night.
“What do you reckon is goin’ on with the Captain?” asked Jack.
“Mate, the man’s broken. Did ye see the look on his face when he came back from that island? Sheer sorrow it was,” said Clint, taking a gulp of rum.
“Does anybody else miss dat girl already?” asked Ripper.
“Aye,” said the entire group.
There was an awkward moment of silence when the pirates did not know how to continue. Eli then broke the drought.
“I just hope Riggs doesn’t turn into Richardson all over again. I won’t be able to stand being all careful.”
“Aye, that be true. These past couple o’ days actually made us feel like a force to be reckoned with,” Clint said.
“It felt like the good ol’ days,” said Doc.
Petey nodded his head, agreeing with his crewmate.
Slowly but surely, the rest of the crew started to appear on deck. However, none of them actually did anything. Everyone just formed a group on the main deck, waiting for their leader to appear.
The doors remained shut, but the crew still waited. Riggs would have to come out sooner or later. It was his duty as a captain to lead his crew, and he was not usually one to shirk that duty.