The Black Sail Of The Storm Hawks (Pirate AU)

Chapter Thirty Three - Exodus

After what transpired on Wren's farm, Aerrow and Dove buried Wren near the farm. At Wren's grave, Dove dropped to her knees and began to weep for her grandfather. As Dove wept, Aerrow placed his hand on Dove's shoulder, feeling responsible for Wren's death at the hands of Carver. Radarr chirped sadly for Wren while perched on Aerrow. 

Aerrow: Aye, mate. He deserved better. 

Dove: Aerrow, that man knew you. Who was he? 

As Dove asked Aerrow that, the young Irish pirate found himself in a difficult position. He had no idea how Dove would react if she learned that he and Carver had a history. Despite his own worries, Aerrow felt Dove was entitled to the truth. 

Aerrow: The...the man who killed your colleague was a pirate captain named Carver. He was someone I fought with. 

Dove: You mean...you are a pirate?

Aerrow: Aye. Things got...sour between Carver and I. He's the reason I ended up on this island. He turned my crew against me and sent me out to sea. I found this island by chance. I guess my crew turned on Carver and gave him the same punishment he dealt me. 

Upon hearing this, a surge of emotions took hold of Dove as she took the time to process this. After a moment of tense silence, Aerrow spoke. 

Aerrow: I'm...I'm sorry about Wren. He didn't deserve what he got. He was a good man. If I could go back and change things, I would. 

For a moment, Dove was consumed by rage. But before she could lash out at Aerrow, she thought about how kind Wren was to Aerrow. She thought that if she was the one who died instead of her grandfather, Wren would forgive Aerrow. 

Dove: I forgive you. I'm never going to forget. My grandpapa always believed in helping others. You have been nothing but kind to him. He promised you a way to leave this place. I will honor my grandfather's promise. 

Aerrow: Thank you, Dove. You honor me with your kindness. 

Dove: I will honor my grandpapa's promise on one condition. You will take me with you wherever you go. There is nothing left for me here. Fulfil this promise and I will help you finish the boat. 

In that days that followed, Dove helped Aerrow work on the boat that Aerrow and Wren had been working on. During that time, Aerrow revealed his past to Dove as well as his hunt for Captain Arygyn's treasure. She also told him of his encounters with the Cyclonian Armada. However, Aerrow didn't reveal Wren's past as a pirate to her out of respect of Wren's wishes. The last thing he wanted was to reveal to Dove that her grandfather was a notorious pirate who had killed countless people. Soon enough, the boat was complete. 

Aerrow: This ought to sail the seas without much trouble.

Dove: I've honored my end of the bargain. Will you honor yours?

Aerrow: Aye. I'm a man of my word. But are you sure you want to leave, Dove? The seas are a treacherous place. The world outside this island is nothing like your farm. It's a hard world that will show no mercy to a kind soul. 

Dove: I fully understand that. My father told me stories about mankind and it's woes. But he always told me that there are good people in this world. Perhaps that was my grandpapa's way of sheltering me from the harshness of the world, but I wish to see the world nonetheless. I don't know who my grandpapa was before he came here. I don't know who my parents were before they came here. But what I know is that I don't want to spend my life living in isolation from the world. I want to see the world that my grandpapa lived in. I want to see the world that my parents lived in. 

As Dove said that, Aerrow was taken aback by Dove's determination. Aerrow didn't know if Wren would approve of this. He knew how much Wren cared for Dove. But at the same time, Aerrow was a man of his word. 

Aerrow: All right, Dove. I am a man of my word. I'll let you come with me on this journey. There's some things I need to take care of. 

Dove: You mean your crew?

Upon hearing this, Aerrow was silent for a moment. Though it was clear the Piper and the others had betrayed Carver, he was still unsure of their loyalty. But even with that, the Condor still had Arygyn's journal and without it, the search for Captain Arygyn's treasure was over. 

Aerrow: Aye. My crew has something I need. I don't know whether I can still call them my crew. In any case, I have to get that journal back. I've gone too far to give up now. 

Dove: Do you have any idea where they might be?

Aerrow: The seas's a vast place. There's about a thousand places in the world where they could be. But I know a good place to start. Havana. One my crewmates has a sister who's the governor. That's about as good a place to start as any. 

Aerrow then checked the weather conditions. 

Aerrow: The sky's clear and the wind is strong. Let's get going. 

With that, Aerrow and Radarr along with Dove pushed the boat into the water and got on. As the wind began to blow the sails, Aerrow and Dove began to sail for Havana. As Dove took one last look at the island that was her home, her life was forever changed.