the-firehearted

[the-firehearted]

[the-firehearted]

[the-firehearted]

“You’ve been missing for almost a year.”

The news hits like a gut punch. I feel my knees hit the wooden deck of the airship below me, but I don’t remember falling. Almost an entire year passed while we were in the fey wild galivanting around making deals with the bloody Weeping Matron and being hosted in a magical tree by a fraudster of an arch fey. Almost an entire year passed that we could have been using to track down more weapons, more strength, more allies. Almost an entire year passed that we could have used to study our foes and begin taking them down. Instead, they were left to their own devices to do who knows what. Maybe we got lucky and someone else took one or two of them down, but I don’t even think my brain can come up with such a positive outlook right now.

A year. No wonder the crew all look at me like they’re seeing a ghost…

Takoni. I bet he thinks we abandoned him. Or we’re all dead at the bottom of a chasm somewhere never to be seen or heard from again. Gods above and below, he probably thinks I’m dead… We have to get word to him. We have the sending scroll from the Matron.

Despite the fleeting moment of a hopeful thought, my knees remain against the solid surface of the planks like they’re the only thing keeping me tethered to myself. I can’t move. I don’t know if it’s shock or terror or anxiety or all of them. I don’t know what to think, what to do, how to react. How do you come back from this like nothing happened? How do you just move on?

Did he move on? I mean, if he thinks I’m dead, of course he would have, right?

No, no, now’s not the time, I tell myself. And yet the fear persists and gnaws at my stomach like a disease.

Every inch of my being tells me to run, just like I did the last time I was truly lost. Run until you find yourself again and the world feels a little lighter when it’s sitting on your shoulders. Sometimes life is easier on a stolen ship with broken promises and lies behind you. It’s simpler to think your fate is in your own hands and that the world isn’t going to break out into some catastrophic, apocalyptic war between the gods.

But the last time that I ran, I felt empty. Until I found my friends. This group that I’ve come to love despite their quirks. The people who I think have come to love me in return, despite all of my flaws. That much hasn’t changed. A year has passed here, but not for me. What was true when we went into that temple in Doom’s End, what was true when we ventured into the fey wild... it’s all still true now.

I can feel a tear slipping down my cheek as Keon approaches. I hear the same revelation delivered to him, and then feel the weight of his hand as he grips my shoulder. I don’t know if it’s to support me, or to support him. In this moment, I think it may be both.

What did we miss in a year? The end of the world? The fall of civilization?

What’s scarier, though. The thought that we missed everything, or the thought that we missed nothing?

[the-firehearted]

before the night

by Denny Bitte

[the-firehearted]

It’s hard sometimes not to feel completely and utterly worn down by the constant chaos encircling us. To carry on day in and day out like some kind of storybook hero - to put aside personal goals and wants and, sometimes, needs. A year ago, I was pillaging merchant ships and sailing the seas like nothing in the world could stop me. I'm fooling myself if I think that anyone will look at me as someone to be admired. No, we're just a bunch of assholes trying not to die. Even if we succeed, there's a chance we won't live to see the fruits of our labors. Truthfully, I don't want to die. It was never something I thought of before. I never really cared one way or another. Now? Now I have a spark of hope in my chest. Whispers of an unexpected, but exciting, future blooming in front of me. The thought of having the chance of happiness being ripped from my fingers is a pain I couldn't have ever imagined, but one I'm faced with every day now. Takoni's promise to me plays through my mind every day, my own promise to him lingers on my lips. Come back to me. When I shut my eyes, I can still see that fight. I still see him fall, still hear myself cry out for him, still feel Pizzaz grip my wrist. But he was allowed to live, and he was taken off to complete his trials. And he pledged himself to me with the promise to return to us- to me- when he had completed his trials. We never talked about a future together, not truly. There was never time, and before that fight, there hadn't been any reason to. I hope one day that there is time to do so. That hope keeps me fighting. Even as I stare down my death over and over and over again. Admittedly, the temptation to tear myself away from it all lingers in the darkest recesses of my subconscious, making itself known in the quiet moments when I have a chance to reflect on the matter at hand. If the world's going to end, who am I to stop it? Some bastard pirate? But no, I couldn't do that. Not anymore. Not to my friends, for that is what they've all become over these last months. Friends. Accomplices. Trusted companions. Loved ones. They're counting on me, even if the rest of the world couldn't give a shit. My gaze settles on Pizzaz and Enna as we sit in this seedy little bar, preparing to venture into Doom's End to chase whispers of gaveled weapons. The smiles on their faces, the trusting look in their eyes as they look to me. I think of Inka, who has saved my ass more than I care to admit. Keon, who has taught me about this weird sliver of magic I now seem to have a hold on and helped us all keep level heads. My mind wanders to Takoni, pushing through his trials with a promise to keep. Even if the rest of the world couldn't give a shit, these ragtag shit heads do. And I won't let them down.

[the-firehearted]

Cannon Beach by Jordan Steranka

[the-firehearted]

//A PIRATE’S LIFE FOR ME//

[the-firehearted]

with ℒℴѵℯ

[the-firehearted]

The salt of the sea air feels comforting against my cracked skin as I stride across the deck of the Prometheus. It's good to have her whole again, to command her sails again. Her fiery spirit has always been a place to call home. But today, this journey, it is not about me or my crew or my ship. Far off in the distance, an island has appeared. To the untrained eye, it appears to be no more than a blip on the horizon. An illusion. A trick of the imagination. But I know better.

I let myself lean against the rail, keeping that lone island in my sights. “That’s it, then?”

My navigator shifts beside me, and I hear him more than see him nod his head hastily. “Yes, madam. That’s her.”

A muscular form looms up to my other side, his hands gripping the railing as if it were the only thing keeping him tethered to this ship. “You know this without a doubt?”

“Well, no other map has this island marked so I can’t say for sure that this specific island is-” he pauses, catching the dangerous expression that crosses my features. One that reminds him to choose his next words carefully. He swallows hard before continuing in a shaky voice. “It is definitely the location the map indicates. I can guarantee that much, sir.”

I nod and shoo him away. "Milo said that they'd be here for another six months or so. If this island isn't on any other maps, there's only one explanation. This has to be it."

Takoni returns his gaze back out towards that little speck on the horizon. That little speck of hope. “Home.” He turns to me, taking my hands. “Kailani, I,” he trails off, shaking his head. “Kailani…”

-

“Kailani. Kailani.”

I wake up to someone shaking my boot and hissing my name. I feel the hilt of my dagger against my palm before I even realize I've grabbed it. I blink once. Twice. The figure at my feet slowly comes into view.

“Takoni-”

“Easy there, killer,” he whispers into the still night, not wanting to wake Pizzaz or Enna in the nearby bunks. As my eyes adjust to the darkness, I see him put his hands up in a display of peace. “It’s just me. Come on.”

I slip my dagger back into it’s frog on my belt, looping the leather around my waist as I slip down from my hammock. There’s a heat in my cheeks that wasn’t there a moment ago when I remember his hands gripping mine in the dream he just woke me from. It’s just a coincidence, I tell myself, but it does little to cool my face.

What does cool my face, however, is emerging from below deck into the chill of the night air. It’s no salty sea, but I am grateful for the fresh air nonetheless. I follow him to the railing of the airship, taking in the sight of the city spreading out below us. For a few moments, we stand in silence, his arm so close to mine that I can feel the heat of his skin.

“I wanted to thank you. For the map. I was too caught up in emotions to properly say it when you first gave it to me. I've been thinking about it a lot lately. It means a lot to me.”

I nod, glancing up to him. He meets my gaze. For a second, the silence grows between us once more.

“If I asked you to go with me, would you?” There's almost a hesitancy in his voice as he asks the question, as if he's afraid to hear the answer.

“Of course. I promised you I’d get you home. No matter what happens.”

"And what if I asked you to stay?"

The heat creeps across my cheeks again. Warm and flush. Maybe he's not implying what I think he is. But maybe, just maybe, he is.

"I-I don't know. The sea. The sea has always been my home."

It's the truth. I don't know. Such a thing never even crossed my mind, never seemed like something he would want. All of these recent dreams of getting him home have always been just that- getting him home, making him happy. And the sea has been more of my home than any other. I can't lie to him. I won't do him such a disservice. Not in this moment, with emotions laid so plainly bare.

But my honesty doesn't seem to bother him as he nods and offers a small, knowing smile. 

And that's when he kisses me.

One arm wraps around my waist and gently pulls me against him, the other hand gingerly cupping my cheek. His lips taste of sea salt and mead. It's warm and comforting and tender.

I kiss him back.

I lose track of myself, lose track of time. I don't know how long we stand there wrapped in a deep embrace. I don't know, and I don't care. This long moment lets me forget about everything- the pit fight, Ashtin, my crew that surely thinks I've abandoned them by now, my stolen ship, the lower court, shadowglass. In this moment, none of it matters. 

When we finally pull away, a small smile curls the corners of my lips. I take a step back, fingers grazing against his until they drop from the distance. Each step I take is silent across the deck of the airship as I move towards the crow's nest. As I look over my shoulder, he lingers by the railing, watching me.

"What? Aren't you coming?"

A sly smirk finds his features as he follows me.

-

I awake in the morning to the sun peaking it's first rays of light over the horizon. Takoni woke before me, strong arms wrapped around my bare torso.

"Sleep," he murmurs, tracing a thumb along my cheek. "It was a long night, after all."

I don't need to open my eyes to know the smirk on his face matches the same one on mine as thoughts of last night play through our memories. But I won't say no to more sleep. It's been so long since I've gotten a restful night's sleep. I am more than happy to take advantage of a few extra hours. There are so many things to take care of, so many things he doesn't know, but for now they can wait.

I nestle myself back into the blankets we had brought up, content and happy.

When Takoni finally stands and prepares to descend down to the deck, I'm almost asleep again. But before he goes, he presses his forehead and the tip of his nose against mine. It's a gentle touch, and an intimate one. I offer one last smile before I succumb to sleep once more.

Jacksonville Beach, Florida | matt_bluejay

[the-firehearted]

I was always told that you were the one without fear.

[the-firehearted]

Being back in Wrin wasn’t as comforting as she had hoped it would be. The whole damn city seemed to be at war with itself. New thieves guilds wiping out the old, attacks on historians being reported throughout the city, a new guard taking control and ruling with an iron fist. Nothing seemed to be how they had left it only a few weeks ago. It was a relief to close the door to her room in the inn behind her and lock it firmly shut at the end of the night.

Kailani’s feet silently carried her to the wide window that overlooked the main road. Dim light filtered in ever so slightly from the street lamps down below, but her elven eyes picked it up well enough. She unlatched everything and pushed the panes open before boosting herself up into the windowsill. Lithe fingers brushed her hair back and then up into a messy bun as she leaned against the wall.

She was half asleep sitting there when a knock sounded on her door. A small groan escaped her lips as she pushed out of the window. She slipped her weapons belt around her waist before answering. Just a crack at first, and then she pulled the whole door open as her hand visibly dropped from the rapier at her hip.

Takoni stood in the doorway, a large tankard of ale in either hand. He held one out to Kailani. “Hello, I am Takoni, of the Tokau people. We’re not really as bloodthirsty as the world believes, but I think my cousin may have sabotaged my boat and left me for dead.”

The pirate lofted a brow upward, glancing towards the tankard. She took it and opened the door farther to let him into the room. “I am Kailani Meere. My birth name is Cerridywn Roderick. I’m the bastard child of Lady Aerona Roderick and Lord Theoden Kessemar. I have no ties to my family, and my home is the open sea.”

He let out a sharp breath and took a large draw of his drink before entering the room. “I was a bastard to you, Kailani. Back there, on the ship, after that fight with Ashtin. I have no excuse for my behaviour, only a promise that I will never turn away from you again. You can share what you will with me, and I will make no demands of you. I will only listen.”

The memory of fighting her former captain returned in a twisting pain in her stomach. She still bore a scar from the fight that had almost killed her. But it wasn't that fight that hurt the most. There had been plenty of things in her life that had tried to kill her, and so far she had beat them all. No, it was that Ashtin had revealed her secret to the group before she herself could. And it was the betrayal in Takoni's eyes, the lack of trust in her now, that had broken her the most.

She managed to prop herself back up in the windowsill again, managing not to spill her ale. She took a swig of it before talking. “You were trying to protect yourself,” she remarked plainly. “I can’t blame you for that. But I’m glad to hear that we won’t be at odds about it anymore.”

Late into the night they talked, speaking of histories that no one else knew and thoughts never before confessed. The torches below were burning themselves out by the time Kailani fell asleep leaning against him, lulled into the peaceful state by the steady beating of his heart- much akin to the crashing of the waves against the hull of her ship that so often played her to sleep at sea. He couldn’t help but chuckle as he gingerly scooped her up.

In the morning, she found herself waking beside him, fiery locks splayed in a halo about their heads. At some point in the night, their fingers had intertwined and remained so even now. It wasn’t much longer before Takoni stirred to consciousness as well.

“I should go,” he mused, voice still raspy with sleep. “The others might suspect something if I don’t go now.” She only nodded in response, stretching as he untangled himself from the blankets and exited the small room.

Kailani had just rolled over to get a little more sleep when a loud thud came from the hallway as Takoni ran into one of the benches outside of the doors. She flinched. And then she groaned as Enna’s voice came in a loud whisper, “are you alright,” only to be followed by Pizzaz’s inquisitive “do you have someone in your room?”

“Well,” she murmured to herself, a smirk finding her lips, “the others certainly might suspect something now.”

[the-firehearted]

[the-firehearted]

moodboard: pirates

“where there is a sea, there are pirates.”

[the-firehearted]

[the-firehearted]

[the-firehearted]

Skull and Bones - mood pieces by Kobe Sek

[the-firehearted]

The Wedge | ohdagyo