The crew members faded to sleep one after the other, until the house was once more shrouded in a calm, reassuring silence. But the chatters of Tommy and Adrian resonated from the little boy’s room far after the crew was asleep, far after Charlotte herself was forced asleep from fatigue. Tommy, however injured he was, hadn’t lost a spec of the energy he had when recounting to Adrian his adventures and journeys throughout the world.
As dawn drew near, and the sky was painted a dark blue, the sound of thunder began fading, and the heavy rain became a drizzle that only lasted for so long. Tommy excused himself for a moment, doing another check-up on his friends, on Charlotte, around the house, and finally back to Adrian. However, this time, the little boy was fast asleep. Despite his sickness, he slept soundly—an angel in a cradle.
Tommy smiled and gently closed the door as he left the room. Now that he was alone, he began cleaning some parts of the house, including the kitchen, so as to not make Charlotte as fatigued tomorrow as she was tonight. And right as he cleaned the last bowl, a knock was heard on the door.
There was Isaac, accompanied by a doctor and a dozen nurses, equipped and immediately tending to the crew-mates as they entered the house. They checked their pulse, their injuries, their temperatures, and their eyes. Once the doctor was done, he spoke to Isaac:
“They need to go to the hospital. I can help them here, but it won’t matter much if they don’t have proper care and tending by my nurses.” The doctor said, checking his pocket watch. “I believe we can get them there, around noon or a bit earlier. However, you need to drive one of the carriages. I’ll have to operate on some of these people right as we’re going, or else their condition will get worse.”
“I’ll do it.” Tommy answered before gazing at Isaac, “I am eternally grateful to you, sir. But you need to sleep.”
“Son, you don’t know these roads better than me.” Isaac turned, going towards the doctor’s carriage. “Keep watch over my son and Charlotte. Tell them I’ll come back tomorrow.”
Tommy couldn’t argue. The stoic expression on the man’s face and his squinting glare spoke enough. Though he is undoubtedly tired, wet, cold, and most definitely sick with a fever; he is still standing, and determined to help until the crew-mates are safe in the hospital. He toured the world, but Tommy had rarely ever seen such bravado in the people he met across.
“I will. Thank you again, sir. I don’t know how I can repay you.”
“Don’t.” Isaac turned to the doctor, “Tell your nurses to get the men to the carriages, I will wait outside.”
Through exhaustion and drowsiness, Isaac led the carriages towards the town through the treacherous and dangerous roads in the forest and green plateaus and never parted the side of the doctor until each crew member was in his own bed, with nurses tending to them.
Much was the same for Tommy, who never slept a wink. He cooked a meal for Charlotte, who is yet to wake up; and for Adrian, whom he never left his side. He changed the cloth on his forehead, helped him eat, recited some of his stories, and drew a smile on his weary face whenever he could.
The days went by, and the days became weeks, and the weeks became months. Autumn had graced the island of Dreya, but no grace was greater than the one Tommy brought upon its people.
Stories never ceased, discussions and talks of the stoic fisherman—Isaac—helping the legendary adventurer—Tommy—from near death. And Tommy? He never denied it. In fact, no admirer of Isaac admired him more than Tommy, and no one spoke of the story as much as he did.
Whether he was helping the local baker in carrying ingredients, or the sailors in their fishing boats, playing games with the little boys and girls of Dreya, or visiting the hospital—which he did every day—he always spoke about Isaac, always about Charlotte, and their little boy Adrian.
He was dearly loved by doctors, patients, nurses, and visitors. He spoke to the sick and weak, helped the nurses, cheered the visitors, aided the doctors, and nursed back his friends into proper health. Whether it be by helping them eat, helping them drink, or helping with their bandages, he did all he could.
He bought gifts for the doctor who came with Isaac that day, along with his nurses. He was grateful, often bowing until his forehead kissed the ground, ever repeating his gratitude. But his gratefulness to them paled in comparison to the one which he had for Isaac and Charlotte.
He bought whatever he could for them. He helped Charlotte around the house, Adrian by cheering him up, and Isaac by giving him a hand. Though what made him perplexed and surprised, was the fisherman who returned to the shore every night.
For all the time he spent in Dreya, never was there a night which he didn’t carry his lantern and take to the shore. For who knows, when will the next misfortunate soul come asking for help, stranded with no hope?
Tommy couldn’t respect it more than he already did, and he took it upon himself to accompany him to the shore every night. Though he never did much looking, since he was always busy with the ship. He emptied its contents, all that belonged to his friends was put in bags and waiting for their merry return; but for all the treasure that was there, every golden coin and jewelry, it all went to burlap sacks and hid somewhere only he knew.
After that, he began tearing it apart, taking it piece by piece to the port of the town. The sailors and builders were no late to help him as he was to them. As a collective, they began constructing the galleon back to a proper ship as it once was.
He was eternally grateful to each and every soul in Dreya, unaware that each person was equally grateful to him, especially Isaac and Charlotte. Ever since Adrian was born, he never smiled brighter as he did when Tommy spoke to him. And for the three months they spent together, joy seemed to be bubbling from the little boy.
In the days of autumn, when his crew mates were now in proper health but needing rest, Tommy stayed with the family nearly all day. The Reyo’s, their surname was. Only then did he get to know of the immense popularity that the father—Isaac—has amassed from the folks. And one day as he and Charlotte were sitting at the dinner table, Tommy came from the kitchen with three plates of freshly baked corvinas.
The smell was heavenly, the taste was delicious. Not a recipe that the Reyo’s were familiar with, but certainly one which they will repeat for many years to come. And Tommy, much delighted, joined them at the table.
“My, Tommy! How wonderful, when did you learn to make this?” Charlotte asked.
“From many parts of the world, I simply gathered them all and mixed them into my very own recipe.” He said, taking a bite.
“You’re quite something, Tommy.” Isaac interjected, “I have never seen the folks of Dreya take someone as their own faster than you. No wonder you toured the world, I take it others love you just as much?”
“Of course, not everyone! I wouldn’t have crashed into the shore after a battle if I did!” He laughed, “But, enough about me. What about you, sir? You’re very well respected in the town, I thought you were the mayor for a moment.”
“Mind your manners, I am.” Isaac replied, his humor dry and undetected.
“Oh, this husband-o-mine!” Charlotte laughed, “He’s joking, of course he isn’t.”
“I wouldn’t doubt it if you were, though.” Tommy asserted, “You’re not just a respectable man, sir. You’re a hero. You watch the shore day and night, you warn them of storms and tides, you help them fish, you help them hunt. I don’t think I can do what you did for so many years.”
“Says the man who did it in a few months.” Isaac retorted, “Lying bastard, I know you’re not trustworthy.”
“Oh, you caught me!” Tommy raised his hands, “I’m the evil ruler of the seas, spare me, Mister Mayor!”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“Pardoned, just cook some more fish for tomorrow.”
“Aye aye, sir!”
The couple and Tommy shared a laugh for a moment, though Isaac more or less chuckled with a stern expression (How can anyone tell he’s truly laughing?). As the laughing died down, a moment passed by before Tommy took a deep breath and spoke:
“Thank you so much, really. Even if I took an eternity to thank you, I wouldn’t get to you how truly thankfu-”
“Oh, shut up.” Isaac interrupted, “You say that all the time, we understand. You’re not the only man who’s grateful beyond repayment.”
Charlotte shot him a look of: ‘Mind your words, dear!’, not so much for the rude interrupting, but more so for who he was interrupting. As friendly as Tommy was, he was still the greatest adventurer in the world.
“Absolutely, sir. But I simply wanted to get my feelings to you one more time, before I’m off to the seas again.”
His words sent a shock into Charlotte’s mind, but much less visible in Isaac.
“You’re leaving?” Charlotte asked as if pleading with him to stay, “B-but your ship, are you sure it’s fixed? No holes in it? Are you sure your friends are okay? They surely might still be hurting and unable to move. You know, these silly adventurers, they always act tougher than they seem.”
“Charlotte,” Isaac said, imploring her to cease her pleas. “Tommy has a life of his own, and a duty to answer. I’m sure he has wasted enough time here as he has.”
“Not at all, not a second I spent here was wasted.” Tommy argued, “But…you certainly are right, sir. There’s a business I have to finish, which more or less will determine the course of the world upon its finishing.”
“T-the world?” Charlotte gasped, “You silly boy, you will get yourself in danger! Can’t you just forget it?”
“Charlotte,” Isaac cleared his throat, a sign to her once again. “When will you go, Tommy?”
“This weekend. My friends will be discharged then, and in the weekend we’ll board our ship to the far south: To the end of the world.”
“I see.” Isaac replied.
The air was thick and an eerie, awkward silence shrouded the room for a moment.
“Will you come back?” Charlotte asked.
“Charlotte,” Isaac shook his head as if to alert her that her question was incorrect.
Tommy lowered his head at the gesture, feeling as though he might never see them again, knowing that the couple were as sure as he was of his death on this adventure and that he would never come back.
“When will you come back?” Isaac asked.
Tommy’s eyes shot up at the man. He was perplexed, yet only then did he understand. He had to come back. Isaac didn’t expect him, he demanded him.
“Probably three years. The journey should last for three years.” He replied with determination in his voice.
“Not good, make it two years.” Isaac retorted, “Not too long, not too short. But just right. You’re still not the greatest adventurer in my eyes, certainly not, until you do this in two years.”
And Tommy had no qualms or arguments, he nodded with determination, and a fiery look in his eyes. “Then I won’t die until I hear you say it.”
“Now that’s what a man would say.” Isaac agreed.
“Oh, you boys.” Charlotte chuckled.
A week had come to pass. Tommy and his friends were finally reunited in good health, and what good health it was. With the injuries healed and the weariness faded, the crew mates were only then seen in their true form: Powerful, robust, standing tall and proud. They were fierce, feisty, and full of energy and confidence.
He met them one by one with hugs and pats on the shoulders, laughing and cheering to their merry return while handing each one their bag of belongings he kept from the ship.
“It’s so good to see you, all of you! God, I’ve missed you all more than I can describe!” He said, “Now, off we go?”
“Yeah!” They cheered.
“Let’s beat that bastard’s ass!” One of the men shouted, flashing back to their previous battle.
“We won’t lose!” Tommy cheered, “And what else?”
“We won’t falter!” Another replied.
“And what else?!” Tommy asked again.
“We won’t give up!”
“And what else?!” He asked, louder!
“We will save the seas!”
“Louder!”
“We will save the seas!”
“Of course, we will!” Tommy cheered gleefully, “But, we still have one more important thing to do before we depart.”
As sunset shifted to dusk, a knock on the Reyo’s house was heard. Charlotte, alone with Adrian in the house, wondered who would greet their doorstep at this time. As she opened the door, she gasped with her hands covering her mouth, at the sight of 36 of the greatest adventurers in the world carrying bouquets of flowers, crates of food, and bags of gold and jewelry—the treasure once held in their ship.
The crew-mates bowed their heads in respect to Charlotte, while she couldn’t register what was happening. Tommy stood leading them, bowing in respect as well to the woman.
“Thank you, Charlotte. We will never forget the kindness you had for us.” He said, “We brought whatever we could, but nothing will be enough for what you did. Please, accept it, there is nothing more we could give.”
“Oh…oh, you silly boy.” Charlotte stuttered, choking back tears, yet failing in the end. “If only you stayed…if only you could stay with Adrian some more.”
“I will, in two years. You have my word.” He responded, “But, before I go, can I see him, one more time?”
Without another word she led him to the little boy’s room, and Tommy couldn’t help but invite all of his friends to come and see him.
A sick little’s boys room—a tiny room—held 36 of the world’s greatest that day. They were sympathetic upon the sight of the sickly little four-year-old.
“He’s brave, don’t feel sorry for him.” He told his crew, “He’s 4 but battling stronger than most in the world can dream of doing.”
“What made him this sick?” Neila, one of Tommy’s closest friends, asked.
“I don’t know. Me and my husband took him to the doctors in town, but no one knows what got him sick or why. He’s been like that for a year…my little boy can’t even move from his bed.” Charlotte answered, failing to hold back her tears.
“And ever since he was bedridden?” Neila asked, and Charlotte nodded.
“…I believe we will meet again. I don’t know why, but I’m sure he will fight through it. He’s a strong boy, he’s courageous, he will definitely survive.” Tommy reassured with a smile on his face, gently holding the boy’s forehead. “Is Isaac on the shore?”
“Yes, it’s better you go see him now before dark.”
Tommy wasted no time, swiftly leading his crew on horseback towards the shore, just as the night descended. Isaac, much like yesterday, the day before, and years prior, was still wearing his leathery, hooded cape and holding a lantern in his hand.
By orders of Tommy, the crew-mates stood waiting on the dirt track while their leader greeted the fisherman alone. The latter didn’t turn his head and kept his eyes focused on the sea.
“Sir-” Tommy said.
“Why haven’t you departed already?”
“I came here to say goodbye, and thank you again, sincerely.”
“Goodbye? Why? Aren’t you coming back?”
“I am, I just figured I would-”
“Then say: ‘Till we meet again’, son. Goodbye is a bad omen, especially for sailors at sea.”
“I see. Then, ‘till we meet again, sir.”
“Of course we will, you promised,” Isaac responded, but he didn’t bat an eye.
Tommy figured it was impossible to extract any more emotions from the stern man as the ones he already had, and asking him to turn around was out of the question. Whomever and whatever it was, nothing could shift his focus from the sea when he was watching.
“Tommy…” Isaac called, right before the former could leave. “My boy…I never saw him happier than he was with you. I’m sure you won’t break his heart by leaving forever, no?”
“Then I wouldn’t deserve my title.” Tommy chuckled.
“Good boy, that’s the spirit.” He added, “I won’t turn around, I won’t see your face. I’m sure there’s no need to remember you if you will return in two years. Godspeed and god bless. We will be waiting. And if you’re in trouble, remember which shore to crash on, I will always be there to help.”
Tommy couldn’t deny the sentiments he felt. For the first time in what seemed to be forever, he felt saddened by a departure.
“Of course, how can I ever forget? ‘Till we meet again, Isaac.” Tommy said, one last time before he departed along with his crew, leaving the stoic fisherman alone at sea once again.
Dawn rose over the island of Dreya, and its townsfolk were up and early as per usual. But today was earlier since it was the beginning of the great hunt. The village was filled with fishermen and sailors, except for most women, weak elderly, and children. All fishermen, except Isaac, were people who departed to the sea for a grueling three weeks of the Great Hunt.
Every year before winter, Dreya’s folks gather all their most capable to bring about the resources of winter, enough fish and animals, enough vegetables and firewood, enough for sustenance, enough to keep them alive throughout the hellishly cold winter—in which the fish would disappear around the freezing waters, and the vegetables would refuse to grow on the wet soil.
And today was the beginning of the Great Hunt; and as per custom, everyone woke up early to either prepare for their departure, or for their families to to see them off. But for the townspeople, a surprise waited at their doorstep, a present from an unknown.
A bouquet, with long paragraphs inscribed on postcards laid on the flowers, in front of every door. The postcards were written lovingly to every single person who resided behind each of the doors, and on the back was written: “From Tommy, ‘till we meet again!” with grand bold letters.
Those closer to the port had their wonder at the gift subsided by a greater astonishment at the galleon ship that was departing from the port. To their surprise, they rushed out of their houses, some still in pajamas and with tousled hair, until they reached the edge of the pier.
“Thank you, everyone! I will see you again, take care of yourselves!” Tommy called out joyfully, waving his hands with a beaming smile on his face. “Thank you, I love you all!”
His crew were right behind him, waving goodbye as the ship slowly drifted away.
The townsfolk were waving and cheering, smiling and whistling, seeing their guests off with joy in their faces.
“Tommy, come back again!”
“You’re leaving too early, you son of a bitch!”
“Don’t forget to visit us next year!”
“We’ll miss you!”
“My wife doesn’t like flowers, get her gold next time!”
“He’s lying, Tommy! Don’t listen to him! We love you just as you are…and your hot muscular body!”
They waved and waved until their hands were sore and tired, but they didn’t stop waving just as Tommy hadn’t. They cheered and cherished the moment more and more, for longer and longer, until the ship disappeared into the horizon, into the vast greatness of the sea just as the sunlight arose.