Jack and Gertrude huddled together in the darkened cell brow deck, awaiting any sign of land. Jack's was extremely worried as the Isle of Sablethorn drew nearer. He knew, somehow, that Anya was in danger. This wasn't the voyage he'd imagined when he'd first offered to help Blackbeard find the sirens' treasure. He'd thought he could simply guide them, keep an eye out for Anya, and slip away with her before things got messy. But now, each passing wave seemed to be carrying them closer to disaster.
Gertrude, sensing Jack's tension, laid a hand on his shoulder. "You realise Blackbeard will betray you once he gets what he wants,
don't you?" Her voice was barely a whisper.
Jack sighed, running a hand through his unkempt hair. "I'm very much aware of that, Gertrude. That's why we need to get out of here. I can't let him get to Anya."
Gertrude tilted her head. "Then let's create a diversion. If we time it right, we might just slip away." She leaned forward, glancing around
to ensure no guards were eavesdropping. "There's a guard who paces outside our
cell every fifteen minutes. If we manage to distract him, we could break free, make it to the rowboats, and get to shore before Blackbeard realises we're gone."
Jack's eyes brightened with a glimmer of hope. "What are you thinking?"
Gertrude gave a sly smile. "I know a few ways to create a ruckus. Let me handle the guard."
When the guard finally rounded the corner, Gertrude screamed, pressing her hand to her stomach and collapsing onto the floor. She
wailed, drawing the guard's attention.
"What's going on in there?" he barked, fumbling with the keys.
Jack knelt beside Gertrude, feigning alarm. "Help! She's been poisoned! She said it was something in her food!" His voice cracked with urgency.
The guard, unsure but alarmed, opened the cell door and crouched beside Gertrude to assess her condition. That was when Jack struck, slamming his elbow into the guard's head, knocking him unconscious. Together,
they wasted no time securing the guard inside the cell and seizing his key. They
locked the door behind them, and quietly began making their way toward the rowboat.
Meanwhile, on Anya's ship, it was beginning to get dark as she and Nereus sat on the deck finishing a simple meal of roasted fish. Anya
still couldn't shake the memory of the creature from the underground cave.
"I don't know what that thing was," she said in a low tone. "It was almost like it was placed there as a guard. But by who? And why? To
guard that strange word that doesn't even make sense?" She looked at Nereus,
studying his composed expression. "You didn't even flinch. How do you stay so
calm?"
Nereus shrugged, but a small smile played on his lips. "I was terrified, too," he admitted. "But if I panicked, we'd both be stuck down
there." His eyes softened. "By the way, my English is getting good. I'm afraid it might even get better than yours and you're the English girl." Nereus joked and they both laughed.
"For what it's worth, I'm glad you are here," she murmured, then added, "I don't know if I could've gotten us out alone."
They sat in silence for a moment, both lost in thought. Then, Anya took out the old, weathered map she had stolen. She traced her finger over the crescent symbol marking the Isle of Sablethorn, her mind drifting back to the strange word they'd seen carved into the cave wall: "Aelystran."
"I can't shake this word out my head. It has to mean something.. I mean, for that monster to be guarding it, it definitely has to
mean something."
"On second thought, the word sounds familiar. Like something I've heard before. It's like some kind of ancient word, a remnant of the old mer-languages, maybe."
"Do you think it has to do with the treasure?" Anya's voice held a note of excitement, as if she were on the brink of some grand
revelation. "I keep thinking it's a clue. Maybe it points to something bigger than just the treasure itself."
Nereus looked thoughtful, considering the implications. "It could be a warning. Or even a secret phrase. It could lead us to… well,
something that holds power. In mer-folklore, there are always stories about symbols and ancient words tied to powerful artefacts."
"What if this is something more than just a map to treasure?" she whispered. "What if it's… I don't know. A message, or a test?"
Nereus nodded, his gaze meeting hers. "Then we'll have to be careful. Whatever 'Aelystran' means, it's bound to come with its own dangers."
Anya's mind raced, turning over possibilities. She tried to recall every detail from the cave, every symbol or marking that might provide a
clue. She knew they were treading dangerous waters—both literally and figuratively—but she couldn't shake the feeling that her father was still out there, urging her onward.
Suddenly, a faint shape appeared on the horizon, nearly blending into the dusky sea. A small rowboat bobbed toward them, carrying someone who Anya femmes familiar. The person waved frantically as they drew closer.
Anya scrambled to the edge of the deck, lowering ropes to help the man onboard.
"Anya, you're not sure if this man why are you helping him?" Nereus asked sternly.
"He looks familiar. Besides, I wasn't sure about you. In fact, I didn't even believe in your kind, still I helped you." Anya retorted.
"Anya, I understand but that was your luck. This could be
any body. You can't risk it most especially because you aren't even sure about
this person." Nereus tried to explain, blocking Anya's path.
"Get out of my way, Nereus." Anya demanded sternly.
"Anya." Nereus called out desperately one last time, hoping he could change her mind.
"I can't believe you're stoping me from helping my kind even after I helped you!"
"I helped you too!" Nereus emphasised but Anya pushed him aside to reel in the poor man that waved for help. Anya was indeed surprised to see who the person she had helped turned out to be.
"Anya?" The man called out in shock.
"Uncle Bobby?" She gasped.