Chapter 14
Sunset. Weatherby Swann stands in front of the headstone that overlooks the ocean. It's the headstone of his daughter Elizabeth and her fiance, William Turner. He visits here nightly, for it's all he has left of her. A small tear runs down his cheek as he places flowers on top of the fresh grave. The shadows are growing long, but he doesn't care, he wants to stay just a little bit longer. He stands and listens to the cricket's chirp and the frogs beginning their nightly serenade, the evenings first stars appearing in the sky directly above him. It's a clear night, and in the fading light he reads the engraving on the headstone.
Elizabeth Swann Turner
William Turner
Freedom awaits those who are willing to pay the price!
Together for eternity.
The governor gives a small smile, then notices two tiny lights hovering above the marker.
"Fireflies!" he says aloud. He watches as they flash and he remembers the stories his dear wife used to tell Elizabeth about fireflies. Now, Elizabeth has learned to fly. The two insects lift off and head towards the beach. Elizabeth's father follows, not exactly sure why and finds that they lead him to a small mound of rocks. Leading up to them are two sets of footprints and lying on the ground is a flask. He picks up the flask and looks in. Empty. Replacing the cork he tosses it to the ground, then looks out to sea and a ship appears just on the horizon and only for a fleeting moment. Then, it's gone. He looks back to the footprints and figures it out.
"Probably young lovers leaving each other notes." he thinks. He likes the thought of this, he's a romantic at heart. The hour grows late so he turns and makes his way back home.
On the horizon a ship sails, captained by a man so in love that he would move heaven and earth to ensure the freedom of the woman he holds in his arms. Together, they are finally free.