The months went by as Tommy and the crew sailed across the seas towards the myriad of destinations on their way to the final stop—Helsara, Tommy’s home and the departure place of their first journey aboard the World-End-Cruise!
It had been seven years since Tommy gathered his crew on the port of Helsara, and four years since the last time they sat foot on the city. They lost many good friends and allies in their endeavor, they nearly lost their lives, and now they return home as changed men and women, from both the good and the bad on their adventure.
The World-End-Cruise sailed the seas towards the far north, stopping by the cities and islands in which other friends and allies reside, a promise by the crew to meet them after their journey came to an end. As they departed from the final village, their last voyage began toward Helsara after seven years of happiness and sadness, through mud and blood, through rags and riches. Yet at last, it all comes to an end.
However, the ship seemed to be no less joyful than it was so many years ago. All the crew members gathered on deck, chatting and laughing, drinking and singing, at times reminiscing and giggling about their memories together at sea. At that moment, Tommy gathered four crates together and stood atop them with a tankard in his hand.
“My friends, your attention, please!” He said before everyone was silent. “I have something to tell you all…”
His words brought unease and anticipation in the hearts of his comrades as they saw his face shift into a serious expression before it morphed into a wide, toothy grin as he began:
“Yoho, yoho, yoho!”
In unison, all thirty-five crew members broke into laughter before following Tommy’s lead and signing the lyrics to their beloved, and original, sea shanty.
Yoho yoho yoho!
Hear me lads who go,
Sailing the seas to and fro,
Beware the monsters, down below!
There’s fog, waves, and foes!
Will we live, who knows?
It’s in our blood, to oppose,
All the shite, that life throws!
We’re far from our goal,
And instead of gold there’s coal!
In our ship’s a mighty hole,
The water’s leaking, and we’re cold!
But many a merits wait,
Gold worth in our weight!
So raise the sails, and head straight
We’ll come back and we’ll be great!
We risk our lives with our mates,
If we die, that is fate!
We journey on a trip,
Aboard the galleon ship!
But all we wish is to drink in peace
To hold our pints and rest at ease!
All we want is to live in peace
We’ve had enough, we’ve said our piece!
The song ended and they erupted into cheers and claps. For them, nothing was quite like sharing a song together while sailing, and today was no different. Tommy gulped his drink to the last drop and stepped down from the crates, joining his friends in the celebration again.
The party continued all day and until the evening. As nighttime shrouded the sea in darkness, it was a custom for three crew members to keep watch over the course and for threats. But just for today, for it was the last day at sea, Tommy took it upon himself to take the night watch as his friends slept in peace.
The crew slept downstairs, in their shared quarters, while Adrian was sleeping on his own, at a cozy little corner in a small bed in the navigation quarters, under the steering wheel. The little boy enjoyed his time aboard the ship, albeit getting seasick at times. He befriended most of the crew and celebrated with them with candy and sweets to boost his mood. Though he understood the value of this final voyage, he couldn’t quite understand what the adults were thinking. He knew that they should feel sad, but most seemed to be happy, some even overjoyed. His doubts began to stir over the bond the crew had for each other, that is until night.
Tommy was on his own, keeping watch over the ship and the course as he sat on the bowsprit. He gazed above at the moon, at the stars, his mind drifting to years long gone. Although he was cheerful during the day, the weight of this trip only got to him at night as he gazed melancholically at the sea. He chuckled to himself for a moment, then began to hum a tune that occupied an important part of his heart.
When suddenly…
“You couldn’t sleep, I suppose?” He said, aware of the crew members watching him. All thirty-five of them stood together, gazing at him in silence. Though no words were uttered, the feelings were much the same in every single one of them, including Tommy.
“How could we?” Nathan wondered, “Many of us wanted the night shift just to reminisce in peace.”
“So we all thought the same thing?” Tommy asked, turning to face his crew. And much to his amusement, they all nodded in agreement. “Well, what a coincidence.”
Then it all went silent. None dared to utter a word, though all felt the heavy lump in their throats, the weight in their shoulders, the burning in their chest. Everyone felt and thought the same, courtesy of their many years together. And just as some wanted to give up and go back to sleep, Tommy spoke.
“My friends, can we share one last song? At dawn, we’ll be docking at Helsara and we might not meet again, all of us, to share that moment. So…” He paused, smiling as he gazed at his crew. “Shall we?”
They didn’t nod, they didn’t speak. But their expression was enough, smiles of approval that masked the feelings deep within.
“Thank you, all of you. Now, let us finish our journey, with the first song I learned, with the first song I taught you.” He said, taking a deep breath before beginning to sing in a gentle, yet deeply emotional voice. “Oh, we were once told that our time would go…”
And the winds guiding us will cease to blow
(The years have passed, it’s long ago)
(And now it’s time to go back home)
‘Till we meet again, my friends!
(On a better sunrise, and before sunset)
And remember our time long ago
From all the risks we took, we almost died
(We journeyed through as the waves were high)
But we dawn upon the final goodbye
The time has come to go back home
‘Till we meet again, my friends!
(On a better sunrise, and before sunset)
And remember our time long ago
We’ve spent our lives by each others’ sides,
(Through thick and thin, through the tides we ride)
We laughed and with each other we cried,
(But now it’s time to go back home)
‘Till we meet again, my friends!
(On a better sunrise, and before sunset)
And remember our time long ago
The time has come, the sea is calm
(The sun is setting, it’s nearing dark)
Brace yourselves as we embark,
(For it’s time for us to go back home)
‘Till we meet again, my friends!
(On a better sunrise, and before sunset)
And remember our time long ago
Life’s too short when spent with you,
(But now it’s time for a life anew)
Forever we shall stay one crew
(And even the grief of death won’t do)
The sun is setting so very low,
(And the tears we shed are not for show)
Have you seen the sunset’s glow?
The time has come to go back home
‘Till we meet again, my friends!
(On a better sunrise, and before sunset)
And remember our time long ago
Be at peace, our world-end cruise!
(Farewell and be with the wind that blows)
May your scars forever serve as clues,
(Of our time together long ago)
‘Till we meet again, my friends!
(On a better sunrise, and before sunset)
And remember our time long ago
(‘Till we meet again, my friends!)
(Oh ‘Till we meet again, my friends!)
(On a better sunrise, and before sunset)
And remember our time long ago
By the time the song finished, even the most stoic of the crew was ugly-crying. Singing this song never felt right with them, it was a shanty written by Tommy in anticipation of the end of his journey far before he assembled them. They always dreaded the day they would sing it for the last time, they always hid their emotions towards it. But today was no more, they could only stockpile their feelings for so long before it all poured at once. Neila, Nathan, Jacob, and even Tommy were crying. This was not only the last journey, but this might also be the last time they all see each other, ever.
“My friends, my loyal crew!” He began, wiping the tears from his face as a smile formed on his lips. “I can never, and will never find a crew better than you. If it wasn’t for each and every single one of us, then none of us would do it. Rejoice, we did the impossible. Rejoice, for those in the world that don’t know the hardship we fought for them. Rejoice, you’re the greatest of all time, and time will stand witness to it! Thank you, all of you, for the memories we made, for the laughs we shared, and now for the tears we shed. I will never forget you, so I hope you will never forget me or each other. In sickness and health, through mud and blood, through rags and riches, we will always be the World-End-Cruise!”
Through tear-smeared faces, through the pain of the end of their journey, through the bittersweet feeling of the end of an era, they rejoiced. They cheered along with Tommy and cried harder than they ever did.
Adrian watched from his room, from the tiny window overlooking the deck. He couldn’t understand what they were thinking, why they laughed and cried, why they sang that song, and why they were so emotional about it. Yet, a strange feeling of respect and so of sadness overcame him as he saw Tommy and the crew in each other’s embraces, with tears welling up in their eyes. He was no stranger to emotional moments and strange sights, yet this one stuck with him, saved in a special corner of his mind and his heart. As if it were the end of an era, the ending of a story, a sunset descent.
Dawn had risen, and the galleon ship drifted towards the private port at Helsara. They sailed into a fjord, on the other side of the city, far away from prying eyes or passers-by. The port was nothing but a pier built on the coastline plain on one side of the fjord.
The ship halted, the anchor dropped, and a gangplank was stationed. Tommy leaned onto the rails near the ramp, and one by one hugged his crew members goodbye as each one walked down the ramp with bags of their belongings and the treasures they amassed during their adventures. One wouldn’t be exaggerating to say that the poorest of them were more than filthy rich.
Finally, the ship was empty, and none stood aboard except for Tommy and Adrian. In a swift movement, Tommy scooped the little boy into his arms and sat him between his shoulders before he walked out one last time from the World-End-Cruise.
Two men stood on the edge of the pier, congratulating and welcoming the crew members one by one until they eyed Tommy. One of the men, a ginger with slicked-back hair, was draped in an expensive suit of white and black (a member of the royalty or nobility) with a rapier mounted on his waist. He looked to be more than a few years younger than Tommy as he eyed him with a smirk on his face.
The other was quite old, older than both men and far into the later years of his midlife, and shorter than both. He had a slightly bushy beard, and the hairs on his head were a mix of gray strands and brown ones. He was dressed in a white cotton shirt, navy blue pants, a blue coat over his shoulders, and a gray scarf around his neck. He appeared powerful with an aura surrounding him that imposed respect, yet his weary body and gentle gaze radiated kindness instead.
“The man of the moment.” The old man said, stepping towards Tommy. “It all began fifteen years ago, now look at you now. The man that changed the world.”
“Mr. Fredrick…” Tommy began as he lifted Adrian off his shoulders and sat him down. “It’s been a long time.”
“Indeed it has.”
The two men looked at each other in a moment of dead silence before Tommy wrapped Fredrick in a bear hug, a giggle of childish glee erupting from him as he embraced the man as a child would with his father.
“It’s so good to see you again, Fredrick!”
“My dear boy, I couldn’t be happier myself.” The man smiled, “And you’ve gotten quite strong in the passing years.”
“Who else would I owe it to other than you?” Tommy said, “And, quite the guest you brought with you.”
Tommy glanced at the ginger man, then eyed him with a smirk as he approached him. The former stood a few centimeters taller, facing the ginger with a nasty grimace as the latter rolled his eyes in irritated annoyance.
“I’m still taller than you, Elydias.”
“Oh, great.” Elydias breathed a sigh, “You’re still the same prick that you were all those years ago.”
“My, where’s the respect? Is that how you treat someone older and taller than you?” Tommy said, pretending to be upset. “And to think I taught you everything you know, oh the humanity!”
“The only humanity I’ll be showing you is when you die, you bastard.”
As the pair continued their petty squabble (though for Tommy it was an amusing pass-time), Fredrick spotted the young boy gazing back at the ship and looking around him in a mix of confusion and wonder.
“Well, what do we have here?” Fredrick wondered, kneeling towards Adrian. “And who are you, little gentleman?”
“I’m Adrian.”
“Adrian? What a beautiful name, befitting a gentlemen such as yourself.” Fredrick smiled, patting the boy’s head. “Tommy, would you kindly explain why Adrian is with you?”
“Of course, but I rather we go to another place and rest before I begin explaining.”
“Well, of course. Elydias, would you kindly lead the way?”
“Surely, Mr. Fredrick. But, could I have a moment?” He stepped towards the galleon ship docked at the pier, and gazed at it with respect and astonishment as if it were a relic of ancient times, a treasure of unspeakable value, or a marker of legends. “If it isn’t the historic World-End-Cruise… I can’t believe that this is the first time I’ve seen it, in its final journey. And I can’t believe it’s not destroyed after all that it’s been through.”
“I know, she’s a miracle, a thing of beauty that I have never seen the likes of before,” Tommy said, brushing his hand over the hull, savoring the feeling for one final time. “I can’t believe I’m letting it go, my beautiful ship.”
“Are you just going to leave it here?” Elydias wondered.
“Of course, not. Though this is my final goodbye to it, I can’t bear looking at it again even if it’s to dock it at a better place. I’m sure you’ll handle that, will you?”
“Of course, it’s an honor greater than I could describe.”
“Thank you, I’ll be entrusting you with it,” Tommy said, shifting his gaze towards the ship. A bittersweet feeling overcame him, and the only thing he mustered the courage to utter was: “Goodbye, World-End-Cruise.”
Elydias , Fredrick, Tommy, and Adrian rode in a luxurious carriage decorated with gold on its wheels and handles. With two drivers up-front, they drove towards a palace built on the utmost highest point in Helsara if not the whole country—A flat mountain top amongst jagged mountains and high peaks, as if the summit of the said mountain was cut by a sword. The Razed Mountain, it was called.
The road was long and crooked, and the ride was hours long. As they finally reached the mountain peak, Tommy was greeted by a magnificent palace, a masterpiece of architecture. It was vast, and it could house one hundred people with comfort and more.
He, along with his companions, was greeted by rows of servants and house-workers, bowing in respect to the man of the moment. It all felt weird to him, royal and noble etiquette was never his liking, but he understood why they did it.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
As he was accompanied inside, his admiration of the palace grew ten-fold, for the decorations and furniture inside were worth the income of all of Dreya, he speculated. After all the formalities and tour, he was then introduced to the garden. A vast space, twice as large as the whole palace, decorated with trees, the entirety of the ground filled with green grass and flowers, and beyond the protective rails, the ledge overlooked the city of Helsara from a bird’s eye view.
As he gazed upon it, Tommy felt a bittersweet feeling of coming back home, but as a stranger. The city he once knew was no longer there, Helsara has become the biggest in the world, so incomprehensibly massive that it could be a country on its own, larger than the entirety of Dreya island. Helsara faced the sea, the farthest point inland towards the boundless extent of the Yornian Ocean. Surrounded by razor-sharp mountain peaks, a fjord behind it, and the ocean in front of it; the city stood as the greatest in the world and the most massive, a landmark in modern history, and a place that is no longer true to its old self in Tommy’s eyes.
The servants notified the men of a delay in lunch, and so the three sat together at a table in the middle of the garden, while Adrian was exhausting his childish glee and fascination by exploring the garden along with its plants and butterflies.
“Quite the place you made for me, I take it that it’s a gift?” Tommy wondered.
“It’s not just from us, it’s been built from donations across the city. Everyone wants to reward the hero of the seas, even if it’s by a few coins.” Elydias responded, “Don’t you like it?”
“Of course, I do. Though, how should I say it, it’s a little too much.” Tommy chuckled, “How should one man manage this entire house?”
“You have a lot of servants, remember?” Elydias raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, but my point remains. I’m not a lover of etiquette, I don’t like having servants or palaces, as greatly as I appreciate it.” Tommy said, “Unlike you, Mr. Nobility.”
“Did you mock me?”
“See? I didn’t mean anything by it, but you assumed I insulted you by calling you a nobility. Even you don’t like it!”
“No, it’s because I know you’re rotten nature you unfunny, no manner, no etiquette, scallywag!”
“Boys!” Fredrick interrupted, “There’ll be enough time for squabbles later.”
The old man took a sip of tea, savored the taste, and with a satisfied sigh spoke to the hero.
“Well then, Tommy, what’s the next part of your plan?” He asked, “You secretly landed in Helsara, but you realize a celebration must be held, right? Of course, all your friends will be there, and so must you.”
“I know.” Tommy sighed, “Not that I have an option if the people love me that much.”
“But it’s quite strange, why would you want to secretly land in Helsara, you’re not a stranger to parties and ceremonies?” Elydias interjected.
“Yes, but–” He pointed at Adrian, “I don’t want him to be intimidated by the large amounts of people. And, what would the people think if they saw Adrian with me?”
“That you slept around and it finally caught up with you?” Elydias added.
“At least then the competition between us would be fair, right, Elydias?” Tommy said, smiling smugly. “Or maybe not, I’d still have many wanting me even if I’m married.”
“You son of a-” Elydias said as he reached for his rapier, before calming himself down and chuckling. “Ah, you are one hell of a bastard, sir.”
“I know I am.” Tommy laughed, “In all seriousness, I don’t want to pose problems for Adrian. I don’t want the public eye to pry on him.”
“Speaking of,” Fredrick began, “Who is Adrian? And why is he with you?”
“Well, it’s a long story,” Tommy said, caught in deep contemplation. “Have you heard the news of my death at sea?”
“Of course, but I thought it was greatly exaggerated–” Elydias paused, interrupting himself, “Wait, was it true?”
The man nodded, drawing out widened eyes of shock and surprise from the two men.
Tommy explained his final journey towards the south, where the fleet determined to stop a certain ‘man’ was decimated at sea by an ambush. He spared no detail as he spoke of the Dreyans, Isaac, and Charlotte, and the months he spent living amongst the people. Though Elydias was more interested in the journey to the world’s end, Fredrick’s attention was caught by the gleam in Tommy’s eyes as he spoke of the Dreyans, of Adrian, of his parents. His heart clenched when he heard Tommy speak of the hardships he went through, for he knew that his death rumors weren’t all that unbelievable, but he felt a sense of relief when knowing he spent a great time with people who were no less hospitable and kind than Helsaraians, if not more.
“I see,” Elydias paused, “So, the attack force really was decimated? Only your ship remained?”
“Unfortunately.” Tommy lowered his head, guilt and shame gnawing at him.
“May their souls rest in peace, they didn’t die for naught,” Fredrick said, “On that note, I’m happy you weren’t stranded alone at sea as a floating body, nor at Dreya.”
“Not at all. Isaac and Charlotte are angels, to say the least.” Tommy chuckled, “And, well, I can say you were there, in spirit, sir. That man, Isaac, was quite like you.”
“Is he a knight?”
“Fisherman, actually.”
“Hmm, quite respectable.”
“Funny, that’s what he told me about you as well.”
“Well, men of honor respect each other.”
“Men of honor who are soft on the inside, that is.”
“Mind your tone, pipsqueak. you’re still younger than me.”
“Of course, sir.” Tommy nodded but then remembered another piece of information that he hadn’t disclosed. “There’s another thing.”
He spoke of Isaac and Charlotte’s last request and Adrian’s disease which would snuff away his life after his coming of age. Only then did the clenching in Fredrick’s heart return as he felt sympathy for the boy, glancing at him as the sun shone above, and the butterflies surrounded him.
“And now you’ve become his caretaker?” Elydias wondered, “I understand your feelings on the matter, but that’s ridiculous. You’re an important man, Tommy. You can’t just take care of anyone’s son.”
“Elydias,” Tommy interrupted with a stern voice, “I chose to, and he’s Isaac’s son, and his name is Adrian.”
“But you don’t get it! You can’t just waste your life to take care of Adrian!”
“Elydias!” Fredrick interrupted, “That’s enough, mind your tone.”
“I apologize.” Elydias sat back, lowering his head in shame.
“Tommy, are you sure of your decision?” Fredrick asked, “Do you want to take care of Adrian, until his eventual death? Do you understand all the things you’ll sacrifice by doing so?”
“Obviously! He’s a boy who loves adventurers, reads about them, and fantasizes about going on his own, just like me. Life is unfair, and the only way I could balance that unfairness is by dedicating my life for the rest of his time on this earth. I’m aware of what I have to give up, of what I have to sacrifice. I can’t stay with my crew, I can’t get married, I can’t live in my hometown. But I will have all the fun I could ever possibly ask for if I go with Adrian, show him the beauty of this world, explore with him, and raise him. He is beautiful, such a kind and misfortunate soul. He reminds me of myself and my brothers. If anything, my debt to this life, to my brothers, to the people of Dreya, all of it is dependent on Adrian’s happiness. And I will make sure to make him the happiest soul to have ever walked to earth for the next years. He will be happy, you hear me! He will smile more than I ever did, and he will laugh louder than I ever did! If there’s one defeat I will gladly take in this world, it’s Adrian being better than me in any way possible, and I will see it through!”
The two men gazed at Tommy as he basked in the sunlight, gazing at the sky with his fists raised in determination. Elydias cracked a smile, his happiness overcoming his uncaring facade. However, Fredrick breathed a deep sigh in response, gazing at Adrian before his eyes shifted towards Tommy.
“Tommy,” Fredrick said, “I’m proud of you.”
“I know. You always are.” Tommy smiled back, “It’s my debt to you too, sir. It’s funny, didn’t you give up your dreams for my sake as well?”
“Well, I didn’t give it up willingly. But at least the younger you was a tolerable little pest compared to now. I slightly regret my decisions, but I guess…I guess now it makes perfect sense, I no longer do.”
“You know, I will take an apprentice to show you that I can raise a student better than you, Tommy.” Elydias said.
“Oh really? Remember your words, I’ll have him face Adrian in some years. If he wins, you’re going to give up that shitty personality, deal?” Tommy said, extending his hand.
“If he wins, you forfeit your life. Though I hope you’d already be dead by then.” Elydias replied as he shook Tommy’s hands, chuckling back at the man.
As the men spoke to each other, Adrian stood back, unbothered by their discussion. The sun bathed a warm, gleaming light over his innocent, beaming smile and twinkling eyes. He gazed at the flower in his hand, and at the butterfly floating elegantly around him before he turned his sight to the horizon. The garden overlooked Helsara and the ocean, and it mesmerized the little boy how vast the world was right before his eyes.
Seven days passed since the arrival of the World-End-Cruise, and in that time, Tommy enjoyed his time with Adrian and Fredrick, while also occasionally fighting duels against his great rival, Elydias.
On the night before the Grand Celebration, the crew mates of the World-End-Cruise gathered one final time in Helsara and did what they do best, drink until they blackout. That was the case, of course, for all but Neila and Tommy. Strangely, but not so unexpectedly, the latter invited Neila to his palace for a private discussion. And as always, how could the vice-captain ignore her captain’s orders?
On that very night, the sky was clear and dotted with stars, and the moon was full and shining as brightly as it always did. Neila arrived by the carriage sent to her by Tommy, greeted and guided through the halls of the palace and its corridors by the servants towards the garden.
And there he was, leaning over the ledge, gazing at Helsara, the mountains, the sea, and the moon. The aura surrounding him along with the light of the moon that shone upon him made her heart skip a beat, she had never seen her captain in such a light.
As she approached him, she calmed herself and her breathing before chuckling and dropping a playful remark.
“I never thought you were as formal as the nobles, Tommy.” She smirked.
“What can I do? They forced me to stay at the palace when I could’ve done with a bungalow instead.” He smiled, “But, well, it’s not all that bad. Adrian loves it here, who am I to ruin his fun?”
“It’s good to see you’re still the same you, Captain.”
She joined the man on the ledge, leaning on the railing next to him as she gazed at the horizon. They sat there taking in the beauty of the city in a moment of peace and quiet before Neila began.
“So, seven years. It went by that fast, huh?”
“It sure has. What an unbelievable adventure, right?”
“So unbelievable that I’m afraid of writing poetry about it, else others will think I made it up.” She chuckled, “So, Tommy, what are your plans?”
“For what?”
“The future, obviously.”
“Well, Adrian comes first-”
“Yes, but-” She interrupted, “You can’t dedicate everything just to Adrian, can you? You must have other ambitions.”
“As weird as it may sound, but I’m a man of few ambitions. As much as I want to seem cool, I think I’ve done everything that I could ever dream of in our adventures together.”
“Sure, but,” She hesitated, “Don’t you want to start a family, write maps or stories? Maybe even rule Helsara?”
“None of that sounds like me. Well, starting a family was on my mind, for some time… But I realized that I’m not a family man. A love for adventure means constant adventuring and constant adventuring is not good for a family. People want peace and quiet, comfort, and to stay in one place and cultivate it.”
“I see.” She lowered her head.
“What about you? I’ve seen that you’ve been taking poetry seriously.”
“Oh, yes. I do.” She said, “I’m planning to become a poet, to write and publish to the world. I’ll probably write about our journeys most, since I’m not that creative, to be honest.”
“Speaking of our journeys.” He interrupted.
Then, the pair began to reminisce and bring up their past adventures. They laughed at their misfortune and at some of the ridiculous things they or their crew had done, and many more mishaps and good memories that they carry with them fondly. They shared a laugh, at the memories of their fiascos, then they once again paused in a moment of silence.
“That was seven years ago! Wow, how time flies.” Neila said.
“Indeed, as if it moves twice as fast when we grow up.” He remarked.
“Since it’s been seven years, how do you feel about Helsara?”
“Oh, this stupid old town? It stinks of piss in the streets, the sailors are rude, it’s too big to walk in, and I remember it when it was just a bunch of houses jumbled up together in an equally stupid village.” He laughed.
“Really? Is that how you feel about it? It’s not that bad, you know.”
“Of course, I know. My hometown isn’t the worst out there, obviously not. But there’s a sense of comfort, when I joke about it, similar to making fun of a very close friend or a loved one. Whatever happens, I truly don’t want to lose this place, not now or forever, but some things should happen for the greater good. And, well, as sad as it sounds, coming back here feels…different. The world I had when I left here for the first time is vastly different from the world that there is now, as if time had passed me far too far ahead for me to compensate. As though I no longer belong here.”
“I understand.” She lowered her head, a melancholic tone in her voice. “It’s weird, seeing the people’s happy faces and smiles as if not just some months ago that man nearly brought the world to its knees…as if a great war hadn’t been fought at the south. It’s as if they don’t know anything.”
“That’s the bittersweetness of being a hero. No one will know, but we do, isn’t that right?”
“We sure do, Captain.”
“Really, Neila.” Tommy turned towards her, a simple smile plastered on his face. “For all the years together, I could never truly voice my gratitude to you and to the others. But the only thing that I can muster up the courage to say right now is… Thank you, my vice-captain.”
Emotions overwhelmed the former as she gazed at Tommy. She didn’t know how to respond, she fought the urge to shed tears as she saw the sincerity in Tommy’s voice and expression. She succeeded, she kept a stoic facade before she replied, shaking Tommy’s extended hand.
“Thank you, my dearest captain.”
They shook hands, gazed at each other, and then went back to gazing at the horizon while leaning on the railings once more. In the tranquility of the night, Tommy lovingly eyed Helsara, while Neila was stealing glances at him. Her heart fluttered, and the need to speak her mind was overwhelming as if a lump was caught in her throat.
“The moon is quite beautiful tonight, isn’t it?” She confessed.
Tommy smiled and gazed back at her, “Yes, it truly is.”
Later that night, Neila willingly headed back to Helsara to join her crewmates, while Tommy went back to sleep. On that very night, Fredrick, who was a heavy sleeper, unexpectedly woke up in the dead of night. It had never happened to him, nor did he know why for he slept as much as he usually did and at the same time.
Deciding to be productive, he decided to go and pour a glass of milk for himself and write until he fell asleep. However, an envelope greeted his room’s doorstep, that of a letter, with the label written: ‘To my father and first friend.’
He recognized the handwriting, and who would pull such a stunt. And although his body was much weaker than in his heydays, he hurried towards the palace’s gates based on intuition, and there he was greeted by a figure draped in a dark cloak, carrying an Adrian wrapped in blankets.
“Your senses are still frightening.” The cloaked figure—Tommy said, with a chuckle.
“I raised, Tommy. Did you really think you could outsmart me?”
“I sure hoped.” He said, gently placing Adrian on the back of the carriage before he turned towards Fredrick, removing the hood that covered his face. “I’m grounded, aren’t I?”
“Can I really do that anymore? You’re too persistent, you never listen.” Fredrick laughed, “But I knew your intentions ever since you walked down from that boat. You don’t want to stay in Helsara, do you?”
“Was I that obvious?”
“No, but I always know what you’re thinking.” Fredrick’s voice was overwhelmed by a bitter emotion, and a clutching in his heart. “You’re really leaving for good, aren’t you?”
“I don’t like to think so, I will try to visit of course.” He stuttered, “And, uh… yeah, I’ll have to make my way to the port of Helsara, not the secret one. It’s a long ride, and I’ll have to be silent about it. I’m glad you noticed the letter, though. All I wanted to say is written there, I just don’t really have the time to say it. So…‘till we meet again, sir Fredrick.”
Tommy awkwardly stretched his hand towards the man, expecting a handshake. What followed caught him off-guard, so much so that his unwavering smile broke, and tears trickled from his eyes as much as he tried to fight them back.
Fredrick wrapped Tommy in a hug, the latter having become weak in the knees, kneeling as he hugged back his father. The former was stolid, comforting his son although the clutching in his heart grew worse.
“I don’t need a letter to know what you want to say. I know it already, you’re my son.”
“Thank you, for everything, Dad. Thank you so much.” Tommy said, “I will never repay your debt.”
“Easy, my boy. You made me proud, that’s all the debt that you owe me.” Fredrick comforted, patting the man’s head before helping him back on his feet. “You’re the greatest adventurer in the world, and I’m sure you’ll be for that boy what I couldn’t even be for you. Go on, now. Take your leave, I give you my blessing and my pardoning. Enjoy the world, and make sure Adrian enjoys it as well. You’ve made me proud, Tommy. You’ve made me the happiest father on earth.”
“You can count on me, sir.” Tommy said, wiping the tears from his eyes. He then hopped onto the carriage’s driver’s seat and took a deep breath before facing Fredrick.
“You should learn to properly say goodbye, you pipsqueak.” Fredrick jokingly added.
“When it matters most.” Tommy said, “But, a wise man once told me that goodbyes are a bad omen for sailors at sea, so it’s better to say ‘till we meet again.”
“A wise man indeed. But you use neither.”
“I did say I’ll use it when it matters most. So for now…‘Till we meet again, dad.”
With a swing on the reins, the horses trotted forward as Tommy waved goodbye, while Fredrick did the same. Though the clutching at his heart had become unbearable, he felt at ease seeing his son happy as he journeyed away into another adventure.
In the late hours of the evening, Neila woke up in her room after a night of partying in the Eelhouse Inn where she resided along with the crew. She woke up with a lump in her throat as if an emotion threatened to burst out of her, and in a horrible mood since she slept until morning and woke up far past the afternoon.
She remembered her time last night with Tommy and the discussion they had. And with it, she had made up her mind about today’s plan. She wanted to confess to him, face to face, without any hints or remarks. She got dressed, and right as she opened the door to head downstairs and take her breakfast, she noticed an envelope lying in front of her doorstep. She inspected it with a perplexed look before she saw the label: ‘To my dearest vice-captain.’
She hurried downstairs, wishing for it all to be a dream, but her doubts were confirmed as she saw the crew mates, all thirty-four of them, holding and reading letters dedicated to them from Tommy. The letters addressed every single one of them individually, recounting memories, quirks, good times, things he liked about them, the potential he saw in them, and the prosperous and good future he wished for each one of them. But before she could inquire on the matter, she heard a commotion outside.
The crew mates barged out of the inn, their sights falling upon hoards upon hoards of people cramped into a mob that faced the port. The crew pushed and struggled their way through the crowd, especially Neila, in hopes that they could still stop what they feared had happened. But as they reached the edge of the port, their fears were beyond prevention.
Tommy sailed a sailboat away from the city, with Adrian on board and waving goodbye to the people on the port. As he heeded the calls for him, Tommy turned back to face the people, and with the widest smile to have ever graced his face, he waved at the people before addressing them in a booming voice.
“Everyone!” He began, “Thank you, all of you! I love you to eternity and beyond! May your future be prosperous and your life be happy! For I sure will be! ‘Till we meet again, on a better sunrise, and before sunset!”
Upon having said his final goodbyes, Tommy turned his back to Helsara and set sail towards the sunset with the widest smile his lips could manage. The people were a mix of emotions. Some were happy, some were angry, some were sad, but most were silent. Then it hit them, the feeling that this may be the last time they see him, and so they took the opportunity to wave their goodbyes and voice their well wishes through shock, happiness, and sadness.
All except for Neila, who was silent as she clutched the envelope, a crippling feeling of pain gnawing at her. The sensation was excruciating, she couldn’t bear to see the man she loved for seven long years leaving so simply and suddenly. She wanted to curse him, to shout at him, to cry in his embrace, but all she could do was hold onto his letter as she choked back tears—the same as before.
Suddenly, an overwhelming feeling to read the letter overcame her. She fidgeted and her hands twitched as she tried to quickly open it. She unfolded it and began to read the long and heartfelt paragraphs of their memories together, the same as all the previous letters he had written. However, as she neared the end, the tonality changed, and Neila began to read it slowly to take in every last letter put on the paper.
And for you, my dearest vice-captain, I left you for last, but not last in my thoughts. You were there at the very beginning when no one believed in me. You were the first in my crew when everyone avoided me. You were there in the happiest moments of my life and the saddest. Not letters nor words are enough to describe how indebted and grateful I am to you, for all the years of sacrifice and adventure.
I know full well what your heart yearns for and what your words are too shy to utter. Don’t let it discourage you, however, for I know you will be the greatest poet to grace the history books. That said, I share the same feelings, more or less, and I would have loved to live a long and prosperous life with you, through thick and thin, through rags and riches, through mud and blood, through happiness and sadness, ‘till death do us apart. But sadly, life doesn’t share the same feelings as I do, and Adrian is not the only reason why I’m saying goodbye. It had to come to an end, one moment or another, but at least now I have him along with me, so know that while I’m out there, I will be living the best life I can along with him.
Unfortunately, as beautiful as the moon I had along with me was, the night was still young, while my sunlight was fading out and setting beyond the horizon. Thank you, Neila, for everything.
Oh, and by the way… The sunset is really beautiful, isn’t it?
With love,
Tommy
She dreaded the moment ever since she first sailed aboard the World-End-Cruise. Her fears were now a reality, but a strange feeling overcame her. As much as she hated this much-anticipated goodbye, she felt at ease. It was worse than she ever imagined but at the same time happier than she thought.
For all the time that she held back her tears in front of the man, her hardened facade shattered like glass, and her tears trickled down in streams as she eyed the sailboat drifting towards the horizon, towards the setting sun behind the sea. The golden rays reflected off of the water, off of the clear orange sky, and off of the faces of the two boys aboard the boat. The final image she saw before the sailboat drifted from her sight was the smile of Tommy as the golden rays reflected off of him and shone a twinkle in the tears trickling down his face.
“Goodbye, Tommy. I will always love you.”