Captain Liam Jones looked up to The Jewel of the Realm with pride in his chest. He never got tired of looking upon the finest ship in the realms that he commanded. Which is why it pained him to know it suffered a few damages in their last battle. It was luckily not heavy damage, but it was enough for them to prioritize and dock in at the next port they could find.
"Is there an estimation on how long it would take for repairs?" He asked looking to the shipyard master. The elder man seemed to nod to himself before adjusting his spectacles as he made a few words to his apprentices.
"It shouldn't take long, a day and a half and you should be out on the open waters again Captain Jones."
"I'm glad to hear that." A voice said to Liam's other side as Killian Jones walked up alongside his older brother. Dressed in his naval uniform with hat under arm, his dark hair was left to blow in the wind and glisten in the sunlight, giving him the boyish look of a nineteen-year-old. Liam offered a wry smile and clapped him on the shoulder.
"As am I, little brother." Killian's face already marred into a disappointed frown.
"Younger brother Liam, please." He practically begged, making Liam laugh.
"It's only a jest Killian, all good fun."
"For you. You know it annoys me."
"Which is part of the jest. Now how about we explore around this seaport and leave the Jewel in the capable hands of the harbormaster." He looked over to the small shack where the harbormaster, a man in his late forties with peppered hair, stood with a ledger book in hand. "I'm itching to just stretch my legs and be on dry land for a bit."
"Sounds like an excellent plan." Killian nodded in agreement and the two brothers set off down the docks and to the village it led to.
The two brothers had endured a lot together. Having been abandoned by their father and sold off as indentured servants. It took several years before they could come across the money in hard earned wages to purchase their freedom and were able to obtain a naval commission at great cost. Being the elder Jones brother, Liam rose quickly in the officer ranks due to his leadership qualities and clever thinking. He was the pride of the navy when he was promoted to officer at only twenty-two and given The Jewel of the Realm as his vessel.
It was only natural that Killian Jones equal to him in looks and wit rose quickly as well and became one of the youngest lieutenants seen and was fortunately assigned to his brother's charge to work together on bringing pride to their kingdom. They were fierce and protective of each other, full of love that only two brothers could share.
"I believe we will be making our way east after this port." Liam declared to his brother.
"Should we take this opportunity to restock then? Our food stores will most likely last another month or so as it is."
"No, we will be stopping at a few other ports then. Make sure that word hasn't been left for us to receive more orders."
"Do you think we will be returning to our kingdom anytime soon?" Killian spared a glance to his brother, seeing the familiar twinkle of pride in his eyes. No one would dare question Liam's loyalty to their homeland and the eagerness he had to serve. While Killian was happy to sail around, being home at sea, Liam looked for opportunities of glory.
"I hope so. I can see us returning again in the near future and hopefully there will be something great to await us." The young captain grinned in anticipation.
"Oh, I wouldn't be too sure of that." A soft airy voice interrupted behind them. The two officers turned around and nearly jumped at the proximity a young girl was standing to them. A shawl was over top her head to conceal her hair and keep her skin protected from the harsh sunlight that would no doubt fry her skin from the ghostly pale demeanor. She tilted her head in confusion to the two, as if started from their reaction to her presence. "The future is a fickle thing. Humans shouldn't go around pretending that they know what it has in store."
"I beg your pardon miss." Killian practically spat. Not at all pleased of her forwardness and the fact she blatantly was eavesdropping on them.
"I have no need for pardon. But I was hoping for some assistance."
Killian opened his mouth as if to berate her again before Liam held up a hand to stop him from causing a scene.
"Then how may we help you miss?" She stared at him blankly, her icy blue eyes so cold they could almost be mistaken for silver before they directed over to Killian.
"It's actually something you can help me with." She answered, completely ignoring Liam.
"Me? What business do you have with me?" She smiled coyly before holding up a familiar golden spyglass that always hung from Killian's waist
"What an interesting tool, to make you see things that are far away. It's funny how you built something to improve your ability to view across distance but not foresight."
"Give me that." Killian reached to grab it, but she held it away past her shoulder, studying him closely.
"I won't keep it. But I find it ironic. You will use this eyeglass constantly yet will miss your future unfolding before you. It's a funny thing really." Her smile grew larger across her face, exposing perfect white teeth that made her look fierce. "At least to me."
"Alright enough!" Liam snapped, taking the spyglass from her hand. She didn't fight it and only blinked at him aloofly. "Have a good day then."
Then turned to walk away from her, while the girl skipped around them playfully. Her arms wrapped behind her as she walked backwards, dodging obstacles perfectly that she had no way of seeing.
"Are you sure you don't want to hear what I have to say?" Her eyes glittered mischievously.
"No, you are no doubt a common swindler trying to rob us."
"Please, you don't even have anything of value." She laughed. "But I have valuable things to say about you Captain Jones."
"I have no interest in what you have to say about me. Good day miss." Liam declared and dodged around her, finally leaving her where she was standing in the middle of the road.
"Who said I meant you Captain Liam Jones? I was referring to the other Captain Jones."
That made the two brothers halt in their path. One out of eagerness for what she had to say, having dreamed of reaching a similar position alongside his brother. The other, concern for how the young maid seemed to know his name.
"I'm…not a Captain." Killian said slowly, cautiously.
The girl only cast a glance over her shoulder with a charming smile and a knowing twinkle in her eyes.
"Yet. My business with you is for my own reasons. Let's just say they are…recreational. But it is something you will benefit from, Lieutenant Killian Jones. Believe me when I say you'd be most interested in what I have to say." She cast a look to Liam before smirking at him. "You're welcome to come along to Captain Liam Jones."
She turned then and began walking down barely a few feet away from them and entering a white tent.
Killian stared after her, almost entranced before casting a contrite look to his older brother and proceeding to follow. Liam caught hold of his arm and yanked him back.
"What are you doing?"
"I want to hear what she meant. It's curious, isn't it?"
"Curious or crazy?"
"She might be a seer Liam! What she says might be true!"
"And most likely it's a con."
"She knew our names that can't be coincidence." Killian offered a roguish grin that often-dared trouble before removing his arm from his brother's grasp. "Besides, what ever happened to your sense of adventure. This just seems like something fun to do."
Liam let out a very loud, pronounced, and undignified groan as he followed his younger brother into the white tent. Inside the tent, they both were shocked at the amount of furnishing inside the small looking tent. Lanterns hung in small globes in the corners. Fabric draped across the background and the maid was standing at the far edge, slowly unraveling the shawl from over her head to allow long pale locks to fall down her back as a straight sheet of hair. She turned and sat herself atop a pile of cushions and looked up at the Jones brothers, a daring smile on her face.
"Come in, come in." She sang. "No harm will come to you here."
"Sure." Killian grinned, Liam couldn't discern if he believed the girl completely or if he believed it, was an honest joke. "Now what is it that you wanted to tell me."
She raised one eyebrow, studying the dark-haired lieutenant before she slowly withdrew a pair of strange golden scissors from her sleeve. From the case of everything in the tent and her poor state of dress, it was strange that she carried something that looked of high value.
"Such an interesting future for you Lieutenant Jones." The girl hummed, her fingers trailing over the tool. "So many interesting things I see are going to unfold for you."
"And what would those be?" Killian chuckled, nudging his brother.
"You don't believe me, do you?" Her voice soured.
"I think you are an excellent side hustler, trying to lure in a wayward sailor or shopper by pretending you know their futures."
She cocked her head to the side, opening the blades of her scissors to snap audibly together.
"I know many things. I see so many things of your past, tell me, when your father lit that candle for you in the dark did that help you more or was it him selling you both off into service?"
Both grew tense while she only just looked up at them beneath her eyelashes.
"But I am just pretending to know that, aren't I Lieutenant Jones."
"Come Killian, we should go." Liam hissed, grabbing hold of his brother's arm, trying to pull him away. The topic of their father was sensitive, and the protective side of him was reeling at the thought of this girl somehow digging into that past. But Killian's eyes were entirely focused on the young girl.
"How did you know that? How do you know that?" Killian's voice rose with his temper.
"That is a question of the past. I am more interested in the future." She grinned up at them with a small wink. "Ask me of the future. Go ahead. It has been such a long time since I answered the questions for someone so important."
"Important? Important how?" In answer she only held out her scissors, the sharpened glade glinting out before him, for his blue eyes to stare back at him.
"I will answer, but first I will require something."
"Payment no doubt?" Liam snorted, expecting her to request an outrageous sum for spinning lies.
"Not payment." She snarled. "I will need a drop of blood on these scissors."
The golden scissors glimmered in the light, alive at being mentioned.
"Only a drop of blood?" Killian snorted. "What good will that do?"
"More for me than it would for you." She grinned to him.
"Will it be used to harm him?" Liam asked. "If he gives it to you?"
"No. I can do nothing with it. I cannot give it away. You can wipe it clean of the blade yourself. I only wish to see a drop of his blood. It will help me read his destiny better than doing it blindly."
Killian pondered this for a moment. He typically didn't dabble in the magic, but there was something about this mystic eyed girl that made him want to hear what she had to say. Would it really hurt if she wasn't asking for coin from him?
"I'll do it." He nodded, holding out his hand. Liam caught onto his wrist and looked at him crossly.
"Are you sure this is wise Killian? We don't know what this could reveal."
"Wise words Captain Jones, but I promise I have only good things to tell." Her words were sweet, but her smile was wicked as she held the golden scissors out to Killian.
Killian gripped them tightly in his left hand, raising it to the thumb on his right, before she raised a palm up.
"The left hand. If you, please." She sang with a tilt of the head. The brothers only changed confused glances before Killian switched into another hand and quickly slashed his thumb. A trail of blood created an inch long cut on the pad of his finger.
The girl's demeanor changed entirely. While she seemed relaxed and playful, she abrupt straightened. Sitting up and leaning across the crate that she used as a table. Her eyes were dilated as she focused on the bleeding finger, and Liam could have sworn she licked her plush lips.
"Remarkable." She gasped.
"What?" The two brothers asked simultaneously.
She reached her hand out as if to grab Killian's wrist but thought better of it.
"Would you…let me taste it?"
"Taste his blood!" Liam was appalled at the idea.
"Oh!" She groaned. "Please! Let me taste it! Just what is on the blade is enough! I swear it will cause no harm!"
"What is so special about my blood?" Killian asked, looking from her to his older brother.
"I will tell all! I just want to taste it!"
"Taste what?" They both asked again. The girl rolled her eyes and strained again to catch the tool.
"Your blood carries ancient magic. You carry something that is stronger than any spell or any god. The most powerful thing in the world. Let me enjoy just a taste of it! I promise!"
Killian hesitated but handed over the scissors. The girl eagerly snatched it and held it up to the light, admiring the view of his blood before raising it to her lips. Her tongue ran up along the edge of the blade, catching any trace of his blood to wipe it clean. Miraculously, not even cutting herself on the edge.
She closed her eyes, relishing the taste, letting loose a sordid moan. Liam rolled his eyes at the exaggeration of her performance. Ridiculous.
"Get on with its witch." Liam hissed. "What is it?"
Her head tilted to the side once again before shooting him a cold look.
"Show some respect Captain Liam Jones. I am not a common witch." She turned her attention to Killian and smiled. "Lieutenant Killian Jones, your future is one filled with adventure. Your destiny is to sail the seas, freely and you will be known by every man, woman, and child as one of the greatest sea captains across the realms. Your name will live on for centuries. Your legacy will live on in stories for generations. Your will become legend!"
Killian's face lit up with pride, turning from the girl back over to Liam.
"Did you hear that Liam? It seems you won't be the only Captain Jones."
"Appears so." Liam added skeptically.
"But that isn't the most interesting thing you have Killian Jones. Your blood carries something far greater and far rarer than anything that can be seen across the centuries. Your soul carries something precious. Something that I haven't seen since the dawn of time. Your blood carries one half of a soul bond, that is destined to be the greatest thing this world has seen!"
"A soul bond?" Killian repeated, testing the words over his tongue. "What is that?"
"It is something that tethers you to your soul mate. Your perfect half. Your destined life partner. Someone who will understand you and belong to you transcending lifetimes. Yours carries great power because of the fame both you and she will bring. I can see that your soul mate will bring you immense joy, happiness, and love. She will fill you with life and passion, carrying on over years. She will help you."
"Help me? With what?"
"She will help you become the man you want to be. One of honor and goodness." She let out a small sigh and leaned forward, a look akin to sadness on her face. "You have struggled with wild tendencies in your past. You will have a difficult path before you Killian Jones. You will constantly be at battle with yourself until you find her. There is a darkness inside of you that is searching for permission to get out. Be cautious of it that it won't devour you and rob you of this precious gift."
"So, this girl…is destined to be my savior of sorts?"
A knowing grin spread across her face.
"Exactly."
"When will I find her? How will I even know her when I find her? Do you have her name? Will she feel the same way as I will for her?" Killian rambled off question after question. The girl only answered him with a shrug.
"I'm afraid that is all I can tell you on the subject. You and your brother have other business to address in this port before you leave. I won't hold you captive any longer."
"But you must tell me!" Killian slapped a hand on the crate, his temper rising before he gained control again. "Please, I don't want to miss out on this."
"I'm sorry. The future is a dangerous thing to be specific about. Since it is your future, I cannot tell you the precise moment nor hour." Her icy eyes went from the younger Jones over to Liam, who was standing aside and silently listening to everything they said. Her eyes twinkles in delight before looking back to the lieutenant. "Fear not Killian Jones. When you meet her, nothing will make you turn away from her. You will see."
She rose from her seat and turned away from them, giving the obvious sign of dismissal without even a goodbye. While Killian dejectedly straightened up, Liam clasped a hand to his back.
"Come little brother, the one thing she was definitely right about is that we have other places to be."
"I wouldn't order the stew at The Bell tonight, at least not until you see the barkeep get slapped. You will find the best way to carry your money, is by not carrying it at all. And please return to your ship before the rum is poured, you will find yourself thankful you did." The girl's voice cut them before they departed. Liam snorted and dragged Killian away. He didn't believe in any of this, she was a performer and gave vague predictions. He only felt sorry for the fools that believed her honeyed lies, one of which was his brother who was smiling pleasantly with the brightest hopeful glimmer in his eye.