image [https://i.imgur.com/ZgOOj1G.png]

"Chip… Where did you get these?" Renna asked with a concerned tone in her voice.

"They're mine. I found them on an island once. Captain Clinks said I could hold onto them. They're so shiny, aren’t they? I keep them with me for good luck." I took a step away from the bars of the cell door before an idea came to me. I shoved my face between the bars once more. "You can have one! It'll bring you good luck, just like they did me!"

Renna was unsure for a moment whether to bring up the mysterious power contained within the ‘rocks’. After some deliberation, she determined that I should be aware of what I had been casually carrying around in my pouch this entire time.

"Chip, there’s something strange about these rocks-"

"I know! They’re the best you’ve seen, right? Rocks like those choose who finds them—that’s what Captain Clinks says! You know that one time I was almost eaten by a boar? The beast almost ripped out my throat; yes, it did. I thought I was done for, so I closed my eyes, expectin’ to be pig food! When I opened them again, the beast was gone."

"Chip, listen."

There was a harshness in her voice. Her frustration began to build before she reminded herself that she was dealing with a child.

"Sorry,” she continued after calming herself with a breath, “it’s just... Look, there’s some kind of strange magic in these rocks of yours. I’m a priest, or I was one anyway. I’ve dealt with spirits before, but I don’t know what kind of power is contained in these. What I am sure of is that these need to be examined by a professional."

I was silent for a time as I mulled over what Renna was saying. I didn’t like the idea of my special rocks being evil. I even thought that Renna might be playing a practical joke on me. At the end of all of this, the only thing I was certain of was that I was confused.

"I don’t get it."

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"I believe the young master here has not had any experience with such forces before,” Mr. Underbrook chimed in. “I, on the other hand, am well-versed with creatures of this sort."

I didn’t appreciate not being taken seriously, though. "Oi!” I shouted. “I know what spirits are! Don’t think I’m a baby; you’d be makin’ the same mistake those spirits did, and look how that ended for them. Killed them for a second time; yes, I did."

"My apologies. I only mean to say that whatever this spirit is might be a kind of danger that even a mighty pirate such as yourself would not be able to tackle single-handedly."

I fell silent. That was a good enough reason to me. Mr. Underbrook returned his attention to Renna.

He said, "If you are correct, this is a very powerful entity indeed. I did have a chance to examine the stones a few days ago before you arrived. Chip was ever so eager to share. I did not, however, feel the same forces that you speak of. For a spirit to mask itself so well... for such a spirit to begin to speak now... Well, I’m really not sure what that means."

Renna jumped in, saying, "I’m not so sure, honestly. Whatever this force is, I cannot say. All I can sense is a great power and a consciousness behind that. It doesn’t feel threatening, although it makes me very nervous."

"Renna!” I screamed, “You’re not thinkin’ to get rid of them, are you? Don’t you dare! They aren’t evil! Remember how they saved me from the boar? If you throw them out the window, I’ll kill you myself!"

"Chip! No!" Mr. Underbrook shouted at Chip in anger.

"Chip,” Renna replied softly. “It’s fine. I won’t do that. Do you mind if I hold onto them though? I would just hate if I gave them back to you and anything bad happened. You can trust me; I’m a priest, remember?"

She handled the situation well, but I must admit I didn’t give in so easily. “Actually,” I said, still angry, "I think I do mind. I don’t care about spirits or nothin’. Just care for my stones."

"Chip, listen to the lady. And apologise. Now," Mr. Underbrook told me. He spoke with a sternness that I hadn’t heard since my time on the ship. It was the tone of a guardian. Although a guardian who was quite displeased with his charge. He was taking the situation very seriously. He knew not to dismiss my threats as childish noise. At the time, I was dead serious.

I knew I was losing this battle, so I decided to apologise. "Alright, fine,” I said, “I’m sorry... But don’t do anything to them, okay?"

"I promise," said Renna calmly, “I’ll hold onto them just as long as I need to. Is that alright? Do we have a deal?"

The trio had been so wrapped up in their discussion that they failed to hear the sound of footsteps approaching. The doors of the jailhouse suddenly swung open, and the brim of a captain’s hat and a small, yet stocky silhouette could be seen in the doorway.