piratejournal | Prayer 1- Voice

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Prayer 1- Voice

The voice is a little wavering and unsteady, but quiet and reverent all the same.

Are you there, Heavenly Father?

It's me, Kevin.

I know I've done the unthinkable, abandoning Elder Cunningham in Uganda and breaking rule seventy-two- and I understand that it's Your righteous judgement that I've not done enough to be forgiven. I thought at first that- well, that's not important. He clears his throat. I should never have questioned You, and this is my punishment-

No, not my punishment. This is the opportunity that You've granted me to redeem myself.

I read the words on the fountain, thanks to the guide You placed in my path. 'What once was whole, now 'tis shattered'- I understand! Now, his voice steadies. It's been my mission all along, to do something so incredible- to gather together these tortured souls that have been shattered from beneath Your sight and make them whole again. Make all of us whole again.

'It's power is great, true depths untold'- it's the power inside of me. I understand now.

So, Lord- if You could see fit to put a patient, forgiving crew in my path as well, I would really appreciate it- I understand You help those who help themselves, but growing up in Utah didn't really prepare me for sailing- not that I'm complaining, mind you, it's just an observation.

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[He snorts.]

No, no. The captain is in charge. I'm the captain. It's my ship and I recruited Vyse.

Kevin is starting to see circles.

But... you're fourteen.

Yep, I am. I'm fourteen and I'm the one who knows how to sail on this crew, so if we're going to get anywhere, it's through my doing. I navigate and I operate the ship.

[He sighs softly.]

I've been sailing since I was a little kid, it's safe, really. I placed third in the big race. Next time I'll win, you can count on that.

If you're worried about me bossing you around, don't be. I'm not really the kinda guy who does it like that. Not my style. I want people to follow me because they want to. I want to earn their loyalty.

No- Kevin is starting to sound a little frustrated. It's none of that, I'm sure you're more than fair with your... crew. You seem like quite a level-headed kid, and talented too, but...

He heaves a sigh.

If you were an adult, I'm sure you would understand.

[Sinbad sounds like he's getting annoyed.]

There's no difference between me and an adult. I'm not really sure what your problem is, but you might as well tell me. I'm sure I've heard worse.

No- I don't have a problem, you don't understand. But when I was fourteen, I felt the same way- that I was just as mature as an adult, that I could do all the same things, why couldn't I go on my mission already- But if I had done it then, I never would have been able to handle the things I can now. And even now- there's so many things in this world that a child shouldn't see, no matter how adult they think they are. Things even an adult shouldn't see- but they would destroy a child.

He falls quiet for a long moment.

If you were an adult, you would understand that you aren't one.

To think you would presume to know anything about me is really insulting you know.

[He exhales. Sinbad sounds annoyed, but not angry.]

You know what I've seen? I've seen a country damned, Parthevia is the kind of country that's dying a quick, steady death. There is no saving it, the Emperor cares nothing for his people. The citizens are led the slaughter at his command, and there is no choice because if a man refuses to fight, he'll be put to death instead. The people, the wonderful people, have given every last cent, every piece of property to the war efforts and they are then spat upon, taken and sent off to die like cattle to slaughter.

To say I'm not man is insulting. Not only have I been the sole income for my family for a long time, but the Parthevian army have already come to give me my marching orders. They were going to send me into that dungeon to die. What they didn't know was that I am stronger than they ever imagined. Not only did I save the general, a man the same age as I, but I conquered the dungeon. I alone took the power that would help one become king and I took it for myself.

You can imagine how the Emperor reacted to some peasant kid, a fisherman from some backwater town taking his gold and his power. I gave nothing back, I will give nothing back. I need this power to change the world. I will make people listen to me and I will make things become better. I can assure you that the Emperor is trying to have me killed. His chief assassin is my first mate!

To his credit, Kevin listens quietly. When he answers, his tone is quiet and even. Mostly just sad. But there is an edge of steel beneath it.

The place I came from- the village where I was sent, on my mission- is in the middle of a warzone. The people who live there are living in fear of a warlord who terrorizes them, who forces them to mutilate their female children in a way that I won't describe to you. They're nearly all infected with a disease that will slowly kill them, and have no hope of treating it or understanding how to stop spreading it.

There are children there younger than you who run their households because their parents are too sick. But does that make them adults? No. It makes them children in the roles of adults. It means they have responsibilities they shouldn't have. And it's insulting to them to say that they aren't children, they shouldn't have childhoods, just because you think you needed less time to grow up.

...I'm sorry if that seems harsh.

[The description he's offered doesn't even phase him.]

No one ever thinks of the common man. [He scoffs in annoyance.] The ruler of that country is just as asleep at the helm as the Emperor in Parthevia. It's someone's job to look after people you know! To not let things get that bad!

[He sounds a little cooler at that.]

I'm all for protecting people's childhoods, but don't go telling me I'm still a child in the same breath. Maybe if people listened to people like me despite their age, maybe everything wouldn't be falling apart around them!

It doesn't matter if I needed less time to grow up or however you want to put it. In my country, I'm an adult. I'd also advise, should you meet or speak to Ja'far, not to call him a child either.

Well, if everything else is wrong in your country, why should just their age of adulthood be right?

Kevin takes in a breath, and sighs. He's actually arguing with a fourteen-year-old. This is ridiculous. He's the adult here, isn't he?

...It's obvious we're not going to agree here.

[Don't say he didn't warn you, Kevin.]

Probably not. That isn't a problem though. [He sounds less annoyed then he did a minute ago.] You can still join my crew, if you want to.

So... if that offer still stands?

Awkwaaarrrrd.

Offer is always open. Where are you?

I'm...

I don't know where I am.

Kevin sounds sheepish.

There's... a fountain here? With a poem inscribed on it?

Right. Okay, we'll swing by the island to pick you up. Meet us in the harbour in three days' time. There should be a shop there where you can get whatever you need.

Okay. I think I can find my way there.

He still sounds overwhelmed, but a little less so.

...Thank you.

[Three days later after he's docked the ship, he's no walking along the docks. He certainly doesn't look like he belongs in this world with his long purple hair and Persian-style clothing. In fact, for the weather he looks a little under dressed. He has a large curved sword on his hip.]

[Kevin certainly doesn't fit in either- a white button-down shirt and smart black tie, black slacks and trim brown hair. He's cradling a book in his hands, sitting on the side of a dock and looking into the water a little mournfully. He looks up at Sinbad's approach, and his eyes widen more than a little. There's no way this is who he's waiting for.]

...You can't be...?

[Compared to Kevin, Sinbad was awfully colourful. He realized how different Kevin looked from everyone else and he approached him with a smile.]

Hi, I'm Sinbad!

[Dear Heavenly Father, it was him. Kevin picked himself up from the dock awkwardly, then took his hand, shaking firmly. At least his grip was strong.]

Elder Kevin Price. You're... well, exactly what I expected.

[Sadly enough, it was true.]

[Sinbad offered him a jovial laugh.]

I don't get that a lot. You handle everything okay the last couple days?

[Hopefully Kevin is aware that Sinbad believes now he is responsible for him.]

Well... as okay as you could expect, I guess.

[Kevin shook his head, brow furrowed, looking around. He still couldn't get used to the idea of this all being real, and not just very clever set design. And no, the idea of a fourteen-year-old being responsible for him was not exactly sticking in his mind.]

So, where do we go from here?

Come on, we'll pick up some more food before we get out of here. You have everything you need too?

[Sinbad points back towards town.]

We'll be at sea for a long time, many days before we hit a new island.

[Kevin holds up his book.]

This is all I need.

A book? Really?

[Sinbad looks skeptical.]

You sure you don't need anything? Blankets, clothes, anything? I'll get it for you.

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[Action, if you're good with it!]

[Action it is!]

Excellent~

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