Dawn's Dusk on the High Seas
Chapter 11

“So, how was your time with Laura?” Jack asked after the stars had risen with the moon.

The crews worked tiredly as they adjusted course to Carina and kept the ships functioning.

“It was… eventful,” Colton replied modestly.

“You had her weeping for you to continue. That was quite eventful,” Jack responded dully.

“How did you?” Colton gaped, but Jack leered with shadows in his eyes.

“I can see and hear through shadows. And your room was full of them. Don’t worry. Your secret is safe, but if she becomes ill or pregnant, I can help. Just ask. Or… I can replace out on my own,” Jack informed.

Nodding at the offer, Colton quickly looked to the gleaming star of Carina as they sailed on calm seas towards it.

“How are they?” Colton began quietly.

“Alice and the kids? They’re sleeping soundly. I’m going to start training Vivian and Christopher how to fight tomorrow morning. They each have their own swords, but they don’t get to use them yet. They need to master fighting with their bodies before they can use weapons,” Jack laughed.

“How long do you think it’ll be? To get to the island,” Colton questioned.

“I don’t know. Days, weeks, maybe even months. We could be out here for a long while,” Jack replied, shrugging his shoulders.

Colton let out a sigh.

“Should we take shifts staying awake?” he asked.

“Sure. Let’s also let the first half of the crews regain their strength as well.” Jack agreed, before giving the order to a rather awake crewmate to gather the ones that had been up the longest on all three ships and have them go below to rest."

He nodded silently to Jack before darting off.

“Queen or cross? Winner gets to sleep first,” he added, producing a small gold coin from one of the folds in his robes.

“Queen,” Colton yawned.

“Cross,” Jack said after flipping the coin.

“See you in six hours,” he chuckled before walking off to his own bed.

Colton grumbled as he watched him go. As six, boring, uneventful hours passed, he felt sleep tugging at him like a small child pulling on his sleeve. When the moon had indicated that it was at last time for him to rest, Colton swung over to The Jackal after wrapping some rope around his waist so that, should he fall, he wouldn’t land in the seas. Reaching the deck without trouble, he walked quietly up the doors and knocked a whisper of noise.

“Mnn. Jack? Who’s at the door at this hour?” Alice mumbled as Colton’s knocks permeated the room.

“Go back to sleep Alice. I’m changing shifts with Colton. Close your eyes,” he whispered after standing.

“Good night,” she breathily yawned before turning over and returning to the land of dreams.

Easing the door open, Jack slipped out into the gloom to replace Colton waiting.

“Want to head back to your room, I’m guessing?” Jack muttered, attempting some humor.

With a hint of effort, the shadows around them converged on Colton, and he started, but soon found himself to be standing in his own room as they melted away. Nothing felt strange. He just appeared. Looking to his sleeping love, Laura was curled up under the covers, attempting to soak up every ounce of warmth they offered. The irony of it made him smile. Earlier, she was begging for him to quench the fire within her. Now, she was trying to gather warmth back into her body. His scent on the bed sheets had become overpowered by hers, but both had been dampened after the fresh air met with them. He could only smell her scent when he had joined her in bed, after removing his garments until his shirt and trousers. If she was still cold, he would share his own warmth with her. Pulling Laura close, she shivered before relaxing from his warmth and beginning to smile slightly. Closing his eyes, he quickly fell asleep.

Opening his eyes, Colton found himself back in his tailoring shop. Threading buttons onto a coat on his workbench until he looked around. Everything looked just as it had before… Calling out for Samantha, a woman strode gleaming through the doorway. A modest brown dress that hugged her curves flowed as she strode towards him. Then, he noticed that it was Laura. Everything about her looked like Samantha on that day… Except her face. A man entered quietly through the door and offered to take Samantha for a sum of gold. Colton readily declined. The man sneered as he continued to try and bargain, his temper starting to rise. Until eventually, he drew his sword and angled it at Colton. Drawing his own blade, it was an old and basic rapier, but still deadly sharp. They clashed, the clang of metal on metal echoing. The man shoved Colton back and went for the killing lunge. But, the Samantha-Laura threw herself in between them and gasped as the cold steel dug through her clothing and into her flesh. She fell back and onto the floor with blood already seeping into her dress. Colton, tears streaming down his cheeks, kicked the blade out of the man’s hand, stained with her blood that slightly dripped from it, and drove his sword up to the hilt through the man’s neck. Shoving him to the ground, his life already gone, Colton turned and dropped to his knees beside his wife-lover. Raising her in his arms, he began to beg her to stay with him. To hold on. She tremblingly raised a blood stained hand to his cheek and smiled before mouthing “I love you.” and closing her eyes. Her head lolled, and her hand dropped limply. And with it, her heart beat it’s last. Colton shakingly glided a hand along her cheek before beginning to scream and howl in loss. A small troop of soldiers rushed in and gasped as they took in the scene. One demanded to know if Colton had killed the man. He shook his head. They aimed their rifles at him, but Colton took the necklace that was around his love’s throat and placed a final kiss on her lips before resting her on the floor. He rose, and threw cloth at the men before running. He ran and ran as the shouting of the soldiers followed after, along with their thundering footsteps. Darting around one corner and the next, the soldiers followed until he reached a dead end. They arrived and shouted for him to surrender. Lowering himself to his knees, the chain in his hand glistened in the sun, and the insurmountable rage that came roaring up to the surface exploded. His power came in a blinding flash brighter than the sun before he leapt up and beat the soldiers to death. He’d been ready to accept his fate. To be with his love again. But instead, he had done this. Returning to his shop, Samantha-Laura’s body laid untouched from where he left it. Kneeling next to it, he began to weep anew. But, with a horribly monstrous rasp, his love cackled and sat up. Her eyes milky white and her skin gray. She told him that he didn’t deserve her. That she’d died for nothing. That he deserved to burn in torment.

“No!” Colton screamed, bolting upright, covered in cold sweat.

Laura was up with worry and alarm on her face as she whipped her gaze about the room for anything that could harm. Colton was sitting with his head in his hands, panting.

“What’s wrong?” Laura began, placing her hands delicately on his shoulders and bringing her face near to his, her features now lined with concern.

“My-my past wife. And-and you were killed. Right in front of me. I-I felt you die. Then, you came back from death and said that you died for nothing. Th-that you were disgusted by me and wished for me to burn in Hell forever,” he gasped, recalling his dead wife’s face as she spat hatred at him.

Laura was silent for a minute as she took in what he’d said and tried to piece what he’d seen together. When realization dawned on her, she attempted to soothe and comfort him.

“It was just a dream. I’m here. I’m safe. I’m alive. And I’m with you,” she murmured before kissing his cheek.

Colton took several long breaths before calming his racing nerves. Looking to Laura, she wore a true loving smile on her face, showing that all she wanted was for him to be happy. Returning the smile, Colton gave her a modest kiss before lying down with her. She raised a hand to glide along his cheek while he did the same, and they pulled each other close.

“I love you. And I’ll always be with you. Even if the black angel should take me first, I’ll be with you forever,” she whispered.

“It’ll take an army of angels to get to you as long as I stand in their way,” he replied.

Their smiles turned to yawns before they both began to dream again.