The long-anticipated day of departure had finally arrived. Bennet, Hugo, and their mother wore cloaks, their appearances blending seamlessly with the Al-Nujama warriors who would accompany them. The cloaks served as a disguise, concealing their identities and ensuring they could move unnoticed.
Mansoor had taken an extra precaution by hiring mercenaries who bore a resemblance in size and stature to Hugo and Bennet. With a few strategic words of advice, he directed these mercenaries to make their way toward the ship of the Watchers, further obscuring the true identities of the family and their allies.
The scene was one of careful planning and coordinated efforts, as each member of the group played their part in ensuring a smooth and inconspicuous departure.
Upon boarding General Mustafa's ship, the family received an immediate order: they were tasked with transporting food into the cabin where the general was located. Aware that there might be eyes watching them from a distance, they understood the importance of making their movements appear seamless, as if they were an ordinary crew member.
"Please, just place the food on my table, and then the three of you can enter the room over there," the kind general instructed, his words laced with warmth and concern.
"There are three beds in the room, but there are no windows. We have to make sure no one sees you," General Mustafa added, his kind smile offering reassurance.
"Thank you, General," Martha expressed her gratitude before proceeding to place the food as instructed.
As the family of three made their way toward the room, General Mustafa appeared to recall something important.
"Ah, Hugo and Bennet, is it?" he inquired.
"Yes, sir?" Bennet responded, while Hugo gazed at the general with a friendly smile.
"Would you care to have a chat with a bored old man?" General Mustafa proposed, extending an invitation for conversation.
"Gladly," Bennet readily agreed, his willingness to engage evident in his response.
Their mother smiled warmly at her sons before proceeding into the room to take care of their luggage.
General Mustafa's gaze shifted between the two brothers, his astute observation showing in his words. "You don't have the features of your father, but I can sense his aura in you," he noted, addressing Bennet. His words carried a sense of insight and curiosity.
Turning his attention to Hugo, the general continued, "But as for you, forgive me, but you don't seem to resemble your father or your mother." His gaze held a gentle inquisitiveness.
"I'm adopted, sir," Hugo revealed with a friendly smile.
"Adopted," General Mustafa confirmed, acknowledging Hugo's explanation with a nod.
He chuckled softly at the mention of Albert's tendency to take people under his wing. "Albert truly had a knack for it," he remarked, his laughter tinged with fond memories.
Intrigued by the mention of his father, Bennet couldn't help but inquire about how General Mustafa had met Albert.
The general met Bennet's query with a thoughtful look, considering where to begin.
He shared that, initially, he had harbored a deep hatred for Albert. Mustafa and his men had suffered great losses in their country, with casualties including his own brothers, uncles, and even his two sons, all due to Albert and his actions.
His words conveyed the harsh reality that had defined his life to this day.
"I have no more living relatives," the general revealed, his voice tinged with a mixture of grief and resignation.
The weight of his words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of the profound losses he had endured throughout his journey.
Bennet found himself at a loss for words, grappling with a complex mix of emotions as he absorbed General Mustafa's painful revelation.
He couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt and responsibility for the actions of his father, realizing that if there was anyone with the right to seek vengeance, it was the general himself.
"I'm so sorry," Bennet offered, his words laden with genuine remorse as he sought to convey his understanding of the pain that Mustafa had endured.
"The sins of the father shouldn't be passed to the child," he explained, his words carrying a sense of wisdom and forgiveness.
General Mustafa went on to share that his hatred for Albert had long since dissipated. He recounted how Albert had made the decision to become a merchant in an effort to help the very country that had been affected by their past actions. Despite Albert's noble intentions, many individuals still harbored deep-seated resentment toward him.
He confessed that he had, at one point, made Albert's life as a merchant a living hell. He had engaged in a campaign to disrupt Albert's trade, confiscating his goods, orchestrating thefts of his items, and unjustly imprisoning him multiple times without valid reasons.
"But the truth is," General Mustafa continued, his voice carrying a sense of admiration, "if Albert had wanted to, he could have easily ended all of us. He possessed incredible strength as a warrior."
He went on, reflecting on their past encounters with Albert.
"Yet, despite everything, he extended an apology when I spat at him, he bowed in humility when I tormented him, and he showed us kindness despite the adversities we put him through."
"The final straw for me," Mustafa recounted, "was when I discovered where he went after a successful trade. It was a house filled with children, orphans who had been left destitute by the very war we were a part of."
The gravity of this discovery weighed on Mustafa's heart. It became clear to him that Albert was tirelessly working for the betterment of these orphaned children, channeling his efforts into providing them with hope and support.
The revelation served as a turning point in Mustafa's perception of Albert, demonstrating the man's genuine compassion and dedication to making amends for the past.
"Mansoor, Mehboob, and the other children he took under his wing," he explained, "became the pillars of our country."
"I, the old man who had no relatives left," he shared, "became a father to more children than I can count." His words painted a picture, he found a new purpose and people to call family.
"To be fair," he admitted, "back then, I held strong biases against those who didn't share our religion."
"But through Albert," Mustafa explained, "I came to realize that God uses people to manifest His love and kindness, regardless of their religion."
Bennet and Hugo recognized that the wisdom Mustafa had acquired over the years was a precious gift, and they felt fortunate to be in the presence of someone who had undergone such profound transformation and had so much to teach about life and compassion.
"Did that answer your question?" Mustafa asked.
"Certainly, thank you for sharing that with us. We never knew that side of our father," Bennet replied with a newfound understanding.
Mustafa offered a final, profound insight. "Genuinely humble people," he said, "They don't brag about their acts of kindness. They don't need applause or recognition for doing good deeds."
"Now, can I ask you children a question?" General Mustafa inquired, his eyes gentle and curious.
Bennet and Hugo, eager to engage in this exchange of wisdom, readily agreed.
"Since I am old," Mustafa continued, "I'm not sure how much longer I will live. So, I'd like to know, what are your aspirations?"
The room fell silent as the young men contemplated their responses, each with a unique vision for their future.
Hugo, with a sense of determination in his voice, was the first to share his aspirations.
"I want to be like my biological father," he began. "I want to become a warrior who will defend people and help as much as I can."
His words conveyed a deep desire to follow in his father's footsteps, to become a protector.
"I can certainly see your bravery and commitment," he responded, his eyes reflecting admiration for the young man's determination.
Hugo's dedication to becoming a warrior and defender of the people resonated with the general's own values of courage and selflessness.
General Mustafa turned his gaze toward Bennet, his eyes filled with anticipation.
"How about you?" he inquired, curious to hear Bennet's aspirations.
Bennet hesitated for a moment, his thoughts grappling with the recent events that had shaken his perspective.
Just a week ago, he had looked up to Captain Orion as a figure of respect, but in a matter of days, that perception had been shattered when the same captain had betrayed and killed his father. It was a moment of deep reflection for him.
Bennet chose honesty in his response, not wishing to conceal his true feelings from the general.
"To be honest," he began, "for years, I've wanted to become a pirate. Not a bad one, but a pirate who roams free and protects people around the world."
He paused, the weight of recent events evident in his words. "But the person I've been looking up to... He betrayed my father," Bennet admitted, his voice tinged with a mix of disillusionment and disappointment.
General Mustafa, in his wisdom, offered reassurance and insight to Bennet.
"The intention behind your aspirations is what truly matters," he affirmed, his words carrying a comforting reassurance.
"I, too, was once a rebel," he began, his voice carrying the weight of past experiences. "I fought against a government that oppressed my people, believing that rebellion was the only path to justice."
He paused, reflecting on the turning point in his own life.
"But over time, I came to realize that working alongside the government, flawed as it may be, could bring more benefit to my people than continuing a protracted conflict. Sometimes, the path to change is not always straightforward, and the choices we make can have far-reaching consequences."
"Thank you, General, for your wisdom and guidance," he said sincerely. "I appreciate your words, and I'll take them to heart."
"At this moment, I must admit that I don't have a clear and direct path ahead of me. But I'm willing to take the time to think deeply about my future and the choices I'll make." he continued.
"That is a wise approach, Bennet," General Mustafa offered a warm and understanding smile.
"Life often presents us with complex decisions, and finding your path may require patience and introspection. Trust in your heart, and let your faith guide you. You have a bright future ahead of you, young one."
Bennet doesn't understand why but his conversation with General Mustafa gave him a sense of relief. He found it somewhat perplexing, as though the general had a way of understanding his concerns without Bennet sharing too much details
In response to his unspoken thoughts, Mustafa offered a kind and knowing smile.
"The ocean has a unique way of fostering genuine conversations," he said "Its vastness and tranquility can bring clarity to our thoughts and emotions when we allow it to."
Bennet nodded in agreement, realizing that the peaceful surroundings of the sea had indeed played a role in the sincerity of their conversation.
Sometimes, the natural world has a way of opening up our hearts and minds, allowing us to connect with others and find clarity in unexpected places.