2 Chapter 2

I am 3 years old now. Manko and Gramps got me a pretty dress and shoes. I look down at the soft cream colour leather bands on my wrist and wonder what they say for the hundredth time.

Manko told me when I asked why I had to wear them and no one else on this island that " Oh, Lu, it just too dangerous for you. I promise you will meet your other half someday, and when their wrist starts to glow after you talk to them, then they can take it off themselves." She gently cupped my face with her hands and looked so tired. I felt my eyes go wide and didn't argue or ask any more questions.

When I asked gramps, he laughed and said, " You don't half to worry about that. Your soulmate will be a nice marine. You will be a good marine wife. Now go play in the backyard." I didn't ask again.

But, I learned to listen. I listen to the baker in the market grumble about taxes. I listen to the mayor shout to keep control when the yearly auction goes on. I listen to the ocean lapping at the bay. I listened to the wind whistling by my ears. Soon when I really listened, I would hear the birds whisper, The trees sing, The water roar and the wind hum. It was beautiful, and they told me stories, stories of brave adventures out at sea, stories of how demigods pulled islands out of the bottom of the ocean for these adventures.

They also told me simpler things like when the coffee beans are at their lowest price or when somebody is lying, or when something or someone is dangerous and has bad intentions.

So I gather my courage and ask when I get to take the bracelets off and meet my other half. The wind and ocean, for once in agreement, gently wraps around me and whisper almost as it is forbidden to hear. The one who carries the stories of times of old. The one who completes you will be here soon. You must be patient, and you must be strong. You must be brave, and You will never fail. For your WILL is powerful.

I don't really understand what it means, but I promise to be patient.

So when I wake up to the urgent and hopeful whispers of the bird, winds, trees and sea all telling me.

He is here. He is here. He is here.

I race to get dressed and run downstairs to the party bar.

I run outside, and now the market place the people chuckling as I go.

Until the call of pirates is shouted from the message by the docks.

The wind whispers Keep going. Don't let them stop you.

I ignore the voices telling me to stop and weave through the hands, trying to grab me and skid to a stop right as the boarding plank is thrown down.