Mariner led them down the steps into his Cabin, the young sailor had managed to secure a cot and was hurrying to get it set up. The cabin was a mess, Mariner’s armour was scattered about, as were his plants. A collection of scrolls had burst from their storage and were floating in a thin pool of water clearly let in by the storm. The only thing that still seemed carefully placed was an Intricately carved wooden board. Covered with models of ships.
Mariner stalked over to his cache of ingredients, miraculously all were intact, however they were in such disarray it took him quite some time to locate the ones he required. He got to work mixing various elixirs and ointments. Unbidden, a memory rose to the surface.
The Child was but 13, too young to be named yet. Only 1 Halinth bothered to call him anything but child. It was to her he ran, only she could help. He found her by their home, tending to her plants in the garden pool. Her shell, blue as the summer sky, was splattered with clay and mud but as he ran to her she looked up at him and smiled. Her mandibles fluttered as she saw her child.
Even now, with the scene sharp in his mind, Mariner couldn’t remember her face, merely that logically she’d had one, and he knew that seeing it could make his troubles evaporate. He had been certain his mother would always be there, always ready to help him through his problems.
The Child ran up and embraced his mother, tears flowing freely down his face. He held out his left arm for her inspection, the shell on his forearm had been crushed, and split. The pain was unbearable, but even more than that he hated the vulnerability. “Sweet boy” His mother said, “What have you done this time?” Her tone was gentle, the clicks simply soft little pops to his ears.
“Fisher and I were playing down by the creek.” He began, taking large gasps of air between each sobbing word. “We heard a noise, and went to check it out. It was a Galdur mum, a big one.” The Child seemed to lose his voice for a time, rocking back and forth on his feet.
“Why did you go near it?” Her method of questioning honest, her son knew those creatures could be dangerous. She knew he wouldn’t have approached without good reason.
“It was hurt, I thought if I helped it, it wouldn’t attack us. I didn’t want to see it in pain.” The Child looked at his feet, certain he was going to be punished for his foolishness. Instead, his mother embraced him again, pulling him into a deep hug.
“All things act poorly when they’re hurt or scared my boy. Always keep yourself protected when dealing with them-” She looked him deep in the eyes, as she spoke the line that stuck with him through all his years. “-but never, let that stop you from doing the right thing.”
Mariner looked down at his mortar and pestle with sadness as he broke up pieces of dried starfish. He hadn’t looked back to see if any of the privateers had even followed him.
Instead he focused harder on his medicines, he remembered his mother teaching him the mixes. He remembered her explaining which ones had been passed down, and which ones she’d invented herself. He wished he could remember her name.
Caeseus nodded in acknowledgment. “Thank you. That means a lot.” He turned to go and get the crew back to work as the Privateers started making their way after Mariner.