The air felt thick and heavy in their cabin, an oppressive weight that made Ravi’s heart race. He shifted nervously on the hard wooden chair, his hands clenched tightly in his lap. The chamber itself was dimly lit, illuminated by flickering lanterns. The scent of salt and wood mixed with something acrid, remnants of smoke from the ship’s galley, and it made Ravi’s stomach churn.

Beside him, Dana sat with her back straight while Bietka’s wide eyes darted around the room, taking in every detail as if trying to catalog their surroundings. Ravi admired his sister’s calm demeanor despite what had happened the day before, but the knot in his stomach tightened. The captain stood before them, a towering figure with a weathered face and piercing blue eyes.

“Again, I apologize for the misunderstanding,” the captain said, his voice deep and rumbling like distant thunder. “We believed you to be mutineers from another ship drifting in the ocean. My crew, they can be... overzealous.” He paced the room, each step echoing ominously against the wooden floor, his boots thudding like a drumbeat in Ravi’s ears.

Ravi swallowed hard, his throat dry and tight. He glanced at Dana, seeking reassurance. Her chin lifted slightly, and she shot him a quick, encouraging smile that warmed his insides, even if it did little to quell the fear gnawing at his thoughts. He hated feeling so helpless, so small, in this unfamiliar place.

“Where are we?” he finally managed to ask, his voice trembling slightly. The question hung in the air, heavy with uncertainty.

The captain paused, turning to face him. “You are aboard the Reckless Spirit, in the Indian Ocean, on our way to Madagascar.” The name rolled off his tongue. “We found you as we were leaving Lilliput-Blefuscu.”

“Lilliput-Blefuscu?” Bietka asked, her voice small but filled with wonder. “But that place is supposed to be secret.”

“Aye,” the captain nodded, his expression darkening. “But not all secrets remain buried. We sail in search of trade, and sometimes, there are... visitors who get to that place’s ports.” He glanced at his crew outside the cabin, a hint of tension rippling through him.

Ravi sensed the gravity of the situation. They had been taken hostage by pirates, and he could feel the fear creeping back in like shadows at dusk. He stole a glance at the crew, who moved with a mix of purpose and caution, their hands resting near weapons that glinted in the low light. The realization sent a chill down his spine.

“Please,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “We don’t want any trouble. We just want to go home.”

The captain’s gaze softened for a moment, and he sighed heavily. “I understand your fear. But know this: not all my crew are heartless. Some are sick, and I cannot afford to risk our journey any further. Young lad, you must know that some of them are very wary of you, especially after what your sister did.”

Ravi had been trained in healing Thaumaturgy, and this was his chance to prove himself. “I can help,” he blurted out, the words tumbling from his mouth before he could think twice. “If you let me, I can heal your crew.”

The captain’s brow furrowed; skepticism etched into his features. “You can heal?”

“Yes,” Ravi replied, his heart pounding. “I can mend wounds and ease sickness. Just give me a chance.” He felt an ebb of courage surge through him, fueled by the desperate need to protect his sister and Dana. They were counting on him.

After a moment's hesitation, the captain nodded slowly, his expression shifting to one of cautious consideration. “Very well. Show me what you can do, and I’ll see to it that you reach Lilliput-Blefuscu on our way back.”

Ravi’s heart soared, but a shadow of doubt lingered in the back of his mind. What if he failed? What if he could not heal them? The thought twisted in his gut, but he pushed it aside. He would not allow fear to dominate him—not now.

“Come,” the captain gestured, leading them out of the cabin, at the same time the several crewmembers guarding the corridor rushed above deck. The corridor was narrow, lined with ropes and wooden barrels, the atmosphere thick with the scent of brine and sweat. The sounds of the ocean crashing against the ship in the background.

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The salty breeze whipped through the sails of the Reckless Spirit, tugging at the frayed edges of Ravi’s clothing, and ruffling his already-unkempt hair. The sun hung high in the sky, scorching and bright, illuminating the deck with an intensity that made him squint. He stood at the edge of the ship, his heart fluttering like a trapped bird as he watched the waves crash against the hull.

Months had passed since Dana, Bietka, and he had been stranded on a deserted island to later drift aimlessly in their makeshift raft. Now they found themselves aboard this pirate ship, sailing on their way to Africa. The distant horizon shimmered with heat, a mirage that mocked him. Ravi could not shake the feeling that more danger lurked just beyond.

“Bietka!” Dana’s voice broke through his thoughts. She stood near the ship’s helm, her brow furrowed with concentration as she tried to make sense of the navigational charts spread before her by the captain.

“Can you help me with this?” the captain asked his sister.

Bietka and Ravi rushed to their side, heart racing. The deck felt alive beneath his feet, the wood creaking and groaning as the ship danced over the waves. “What do you need?” Bietka asked.

“Can you keep an eye on the horizon?” the captain asked, his gaze darting between the charts and the sea.

Bietka and Ravi nodded, forcing his gaze to the vast expanse of blue before them. The ocean rolled endlessly, a canvas of shifting patterns, and he felt as if he were staring into nothingness. “I’ll watch for any landmarks,” he promised, the words feeling weak against the swell of uncertainty in his chest.

“Boy,” the captain called. “I need you for something else.”

“What’s the matter?” Ravi asked, he turned and approached Dana and the captain again.

“I think we’re off course,” the captain said, scratching his chin, his eyes narrowing as he gazed out at the horizon. “Our navigator is with high fever. I need my navigator above deck as soon as possible.”

“Should I heal the navigator?” Ravi asked, his voice barely concealing the tremor of anxiety that rippled through him. The thought of using his healing Thaumaturgy on someone so crucial made his stomach twist in knots.

“If you do, you’ll get extra for dinner,” the captain grinned.

“More rations?” Ravi asked.

“Nah, hot food.” The promise of a warm meal after so many days of cold rations sparked something within Ravi.

“I will,” Ravi nodded, excitement bubbling up through the anxiety. He felt a surge of purpose, an urge to prove himself.

The captain gestured for him to follow as they descended the creaking staircase into the depths of the ship as the air grew thicker and cooler. Ravi’s heart raced, the rhythmic pounding echoing in his ears as they approached the navigator's cabin.

Once they reached the door, the captain paused and looked at Ravi, a mix of authority and concern etched on his face. With a firm hand, he opened the cabin’s door, revealing a cluttered room shrouded in darkness. Dust motes hung in the air, illuminated by slivers of light that streamed through the narrow gaps in the wood. Ravi stepped inside; his senses assaulted by the musty odor that filled the space.

The navigator, a woman dressed in the garb of a male buccaneer, lay sprawled across the bed, snoring and grunting as they approached. Her tousled hair spilled across the pillow, a tangled mass that looked as if it had been through a storm.

“Attention!” the captain yelled, his voice booming through the small cabin.

The woman stirred, grunting as she pushed herself up. With a raspy voice, she mumbled, “Aye, Cap. Not feeling well yet.” Her eyes fluttered open, revealing deep-set bags that spoke of sleepless nights. A patch covered her left eye and part of a gruesome scar.

“This young lad will patch you up,” the captain said, stepping aside to give Ravi room.

“Aye,” the navigator sneezed, the sound echoing in the cramped space. Ravi felt his heart race as he tried to gauge her condition.

He stepped closer, swallowing hard as he took in the sight of her flushed cheeks and the sheen of sweat that glistened on her forehead. The room felt claustrophobic, the air thick with the remnants of her illness. Ravi could feel his throat constricting, the fear of failure pressing down on him. What if he could not help her?

“I’ll return above deck,” the captain nodded at him.

“Aye, cap.” She coughed.

“Can you sit up, please?” he asked once the captain had left the cabin.

The navigator grunted again, pushing herself up with a groan. “I’ll try,” she muttered, her voice rough as gravel. She shifted slowly, her muscles stiff and reluctant, but she managed to prop herself against the wall, her eye squinting in the dim light.

Ravi took a deep breath, steadying himself. “I need you to focus on your breathing,” he instructed gently. “In through the nose, out through the mouth.” He demonstrated, drawing in a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill his lungs.

The navigator followed suit; her breaths shaky but determined. As Ravi closed his eyes, he felt the familiar warmth begin to flow through him, a gentle tide rising from the depths of his soul. He gathered his inner Aether, channeling it through his hands as he opened his eyes, focusing on the woman before him.

“Hold still,” he said, placing his hands on her forehead. The moment his fingers made contact, a pulse of warmth radiated from him, spreading through her skin, seeking out the source of her illness. He felt the weight of her fatigue, the heaviness of her fever, and he poured his Aether into her, letting it flow like a river.

The navigator gasped softly, her eye widening as a flicker of clarity broke through the haze of sickness. “What are you doing?” she asked, her voice tinged with both surprise and curiosity.

“I’m healing you,” Ravi replied, his voice firm. “Just relax. Let me help.”