Episode 11: Cona Island

Three weeks at sea passed. The broad waves rammed into the ship with a harsh push. Malakai continued to remain more in his head than hold a coherent conversation. No one from the crew for weeks got to know the Diborn. Hell, the Diborn himself didn’t know who he was still. Just a single day before he became a Diborn was his earliest memory. Malakai held firm to his beliefs and mission. Martinez and Malakai both would meet in the captain's quarters throughout the day and plan for the next coming months.

Martinez bent over the table dragging his pointer finger across an old dusty world map. The map of Eurafalia and its nine continents in the realm.

“See we are here. It would take nearly a year for us to reach the far west of Grand Bay.” Martinez warned. “Us searching the entire realm for Shardbearers is not a single exposition.”

“Hmph.” Malakai sat behind Martinez with his arms crossed. Rhea entered the room holding three cups of brew for the long day ahead. “So, you say sail back to Edindale?”

“Ah, thank you, Ms. Silva.”

Martinez took a sip from his cup before returning to the map. “We are in the southern east seas of the world. If what you say is true and you plan to destroy the Shardbearers. Then the two of you should start from your home in Edindale. Many bearers grace those lands. It would make sense.”

The three sat in silence after the thought began to be processed by everyone. Rhea leaned over to the shoulder of Malakai offering him his cup. “Perhaps we should talk more of this later, okay?”

“Drop the anchor!” A crewmate screeched from the main deck.

“Perhaps you are right madam. Talk more later Malakai?” Martinez patted the two on their backs and walked to the door.

“Sure.”

Malakai and Rhea followed Martinez off the ship to a small harbor with a couple of local fishermen there to greet the notorious buccaneers. It became more clear Martinez had good relations with all types of ferrymen and people in the trade market. Martinez shook the hands of the fisherman and brought them in with a hug like they were family. Rhea and Malakai left their weapons on board and followed awkwardly behind Martinez.

“The child, good? Yeah?” Martinez and a nodding fisherman spoke for some time while Malakai got closer.

“Malakai. Rhea. Welcome to Cona Island. The top trade market between the Pale and Edindale.” Martinez generously gestured.

Cona Island was compact but everything about the island itself was beautiful. From the first moment, the two laid their eyes upon it, both shared a vision of a place they could retire together. The red sandy beaches were followed by the market that stretched from the harbor to the other side of the island. A place small enough to be remote, but well known to be another vibrant community.

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Houses were neatly knitted together between the smashed boulders and tropical trees to create exciting, flourished homes with the environment. Malakai could see kids who lived in the homes inside the cleared boulders watch excitedly at the arrival of new guests. The people of the tropical trees above the market ran through the manmade stairs to other trees or climbed down vines to bring their baskets of goods.

Rhea held a soft smile across her face. The excitement within her was palpable and she felt the urge to share it with Malakai. She held his hand gently, as he held hers.

“Amazing, isn’t it?” She asked. “Reminds me of the markets back on the coast.”

“It is quite interesting. You aren’t becoming an old lady now of sorts are you?” Malakai asked following Martinez’s lead to the market.

“Ah, and the one who has memory loss come to me.” Rhea joked. “Who would have thought?”

Martinez and some of his crew made headway with supplies in the market. Buy stations with loads of wares were thoroughly available through even the beaches. Hundreds of stores were scattered throughout the island. The island was only big enough for maybe five buccaneer crews the size of Martinez’s to live here. Everything was in sight. So no one was devalued or overvalued.

Rhea and Malakai quietly followed Martinez throughout the supermarket. “I wouldn’t be truthful if I said this mission to destroy all the Shardbearers didn’t bring concern.”

“Whatever do you mean?” Curious Malakai opened up to the superstitions Rhea began to have. If it was Martinez or someone else, likely the Diborn would care not of what they had to say about his mission. “Are you saying it is foolish?”

“To destroy all the Shardbearers, quite frankly, yes. Once upon a time, you wanted to become King of Legends. Now, it is like you are only focused on some deep hatred. A vengeance.”

The two stopped by an ancient trinket store where they examined lockets and jewelry while they were talking.

“That is untrue. But maybe it is true. If those bearers are out there. No child can dream of being Legend King. If the bearers were to fall, the world would be free from an ambitious war again.”

Rhea sighed. “But going at this alone? Martinez already stated he wouldn’t help since he has his own goals.”

“If I have you, that is all I need then.” Malakai winked.

Rhea smiled and silently chuckled with a faint blush at his sarcasm. “You fancy to charm. Yet, it seems you have been out of practice since I last saw you. I can tell you haven't shown affection to another.”

“I am a loyal man you see. But I am also very serious about my promises.” Malakai held both his arms around Rhea, as she did the same around him.

The two smirked as they looked closer to one another and their faces flushed. Both their eyes reflected the others, as time felt as though it stood still. For many years, they had been apart but their feelings remained the same.

“Ahem. You two want to make love right in public. Sheesh.” Martinez laughed, as the two turned to him with the same gesture.

“Maybe you visit this island so much because you have a secret lover we know not of?” Rhea laughed.

“I think not. My taste in another is quite peculiar.” Martinez yawned. Right after his statement, a thunder shook the ground. “Keep up. We have to haul some things back to the ship before this gets worse.”

The three moved deeper into the island to continue to gather supplies. A thundercloud of darkness formed above the island in an instant. Rain dropped like musket rounds onto the ground. Everyone in a calm panic packed up their supplies. The waves came crashing towards the beachside, crashing on Martinez’s ship. People hurried quickly into the markets inside the island and set up their tiny shops on the grounds.

Martinez, Malakai, and Rhea joined everyone inside, while most of the crew stayed on board the ship. The crew continued to tie up all of the ship sails from being torn to pieces by the storm. Every crash of waves that hit the ship would tear off pieces of wood like termites.