A mother's plea and a fiancee's farewell

As the days drew nearer for Eric to set sail, his mother's grew heavier with a mixture of fear and anxiety, she couldn't bear the thought of her only son venturing into unknown waters, a world filled with dangers and dangerous creature's.

Her heartfelt plea's to Eric were a desperate attempt to change his mind from embarking on the voyage, who knows what might happen in the unknown?, Who will take care of him if something should happen to him?, All this thoughts tumbled themselves through his mother's mind, but Eric's mind is already made up.

"Eric my son," she began, her voice inlaid with emotions and fear. "You have to think about this. Forget about this journey, besides there is so much peril at the high waters. So much could happen to you"

But Eric's mind had already been made up, he had long yearned for an adventure and with the burning curiosity in his mind; He stood firm. Though the fact that his mother's concerns were genuinely well founded, he couldn't through away the fact that he also need to follow his own path; a path to better his life and his family's own. As he stood listening to the his mother's pleas, a battle of thoughts began troubling his mind. A battle between family duty and a desire to explore the far beyond.

"You know I cannot bear the thought of losing you my son" his mother continued with tears dripping down her eyes. "I cannot bear the thought of losing you at this age, your father left me at such a young time. Do you want to leave me too Eric. Promise me you will come back to me safe and sound, you know you are my only son, promise me that my son"

Tears dripped down Eric's cheek barely avoiding the cute dimple's on his face, he held his mother's trembling hands as his heart tore between his love for his family and a desire to travel beyond his limits.

"Mother," he began as gently as ever. "I really understand your worries but I promise you and gonna be fine, besides I must follow my heart's just as you have always taught me to do."

"I have dreamed of this journey for years now, ever since the news of the Midlands being a better place came to my ears, I can't give up this opportunity and you know that mother. I promise you am going to stay safe and I will come back to you."

Soon a shadow fell across his face as he looked up to see another person he had wished not to see before he set sail. But then here she is, body and soul standing before him.

"Anne!" He whispered gently drawing her closer to himself while letting go of his mother.

Anne was his childhood friend and betrothed since childhood and their love had cemented into an inseparable bond over the years, but still farewell had to be said. With tears filled eyes their hearts were laid and lots of promises made and exchanged.

"Promise me Eric,my love." Anne whispered with emotion ladened voice. "Promise me you will come back to me no matter what. Remember we have a lot of ambitions, both in the future and now. Our future is intertwined and I can't afford to lose you."

Raising her face met his eyes, his stare melting her unwavering determination to make him not to leave.

"My love," he began, his voice full of conviction and certainty. "This journey I am making is just not for me and you know that. Its for us, for me you and our family in general. It is a pathway towards achieving our dreams, and all the adventures we plan to have in the future. We will over everything that might stand in the way okay."

Sincerely Anne knew she couldn't stop him from leaving, all she could do now is to give him all the support he needs to be able to make it home not withstanding the fact that she is also afraid if her her own self too. Though she has her own quota of fear and anxieties, she had to remind him that true love knows no bond and not even the distance nor condition can withstand or break their love.

Eric slowly disengaged from the midst of the hugs and he bade them farewell, handing his mother over to the care of his fiancee. With his locket containing a photo of his fiancee and his mother, he carried their hopes, fear and love in his heart.

The journey will not be an easy one, but he is out and ready go face the challenges and head on. With full confidence that he has the support of his family and his beloved Anne.

Immediately he walked the gangway in the deck, he shouted out orders to the crew as bustle of activities began to take place, ropes were casted off, riggings fitted and anchor's aweigh.

The boatswain sounded his pipe and the crew began to man the capstan-bars. Eric might have been weary from his dealing for the past night yet he would not have leave the deck, all was solacing to his ears; the brief commands, the shrill note of the whistle, the men bustling to their places in the glimmer of the sun rays as the ship set sail amidst an avalanche of hats which went into the air at once.

"Now, Stanger tip us a stave," cried one voice loudly

"The old one," another voice cried out yoo."

"Aye, aye, mates," said the boatswain, who was standing by, with his pipe handing by a line in his neck. His shrill voice broke out in the air and words of an old pirate song he knew so well rang through the air;

"Fifteen men on the dead man's chest —"

Almost immediately the whole crew echoed the chorus

"Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!"

And at the third "Ho!" they drove the bars before them with a will, soon the anchor was short up, soon it was hanging dripping at the bows; the sails began to draw, and the land and shipping to flit by on either side and before I could turn around to take a look the Ocean Voyager had set full course and begun her voyage to the Midlands.

Eric's adventure has begun, his heart filed with determination to succeed, while haunted by the mother's pleading and his fiancees promises. A new world awaits and to embrace it even in the face of uncertainty, he must be determined and ready.

The songs from the brought him back to reality as a slight smile played on his lips, turning on his heels he walked towards the steering for he had works to do other than idling away daydreaming.