Born Star

The sun began to set, casting a warm orange hue in the sky. The ship came to a plain sailing in the twilight. Talia slowly regained consciousness. She grunted in pain as she tried to sit up. She had laid on her sides in a comfortable place on the ship muffled in a warm blanket.

Jack approached her cautiously. "You shouldn't move a muscle; you need rest to heal faster," he advised.

"I can't... Where is my baby?" Talia groaned, struggling to sit up. Her eyes were misty with concern.

"Right here." Jack gently tilted his arms and handed the baby to her. "You should hold him for a while, maybe feed him. He seems hungry," Jack suggested. The baby's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as he stretched his tiny arms toward Talia. She took her baby from Jack, cradling him in her arms.

The baby slid his hand down the side of her face, with his fingers caressing her cheek gently as his gaze searched her face. The warm touch aroused a tingling excitement in both mother and child.

Talia closed her eyes and formed an instant bond with her baby. She felt a deep connection, a shared soul, and a rush of cool magic surged through her. She conjured water from the sea, which gently flowed over the wooden deck where she sat. The water enveloped her, gliding across her skin, healing her injuries. As soon as the healing was complete, she opened her eyes and released the gathered magic. The water evaporated like steam, leaving her healed and whole.

Jack and his friends witnessed it and were amazed as her wounds healed completely.

"I will feed him now; he's getting sleepy," Talia replied to Jack, her gaze filled with warmth as she turned her attention to her baby. She gently slipped her dress off one shoulder, exposing her bare breast to allow the baby to suckle.

Jack, feeling slightly uncomfortable, quickly averted his gaze to give them privacy. The rest of the crew found themselves preoccupied, watching Talia with a mix of curiosity and admiration.

Talia was truly an extraordinary figure, with her tall and elegant elfin grace. She was in remarkable shape, with a toned body, a moderate yet plump bust, a tiny waist, and rounded hips that made her an object of admiration.

"She's grown a lot," Jack thought. He slipped away, giving Talia and her baby a lone moment. He felt tired and tried to get some rest. Jack collapsed at a corner on the deck leaning against a sail pole. Thoughts raced through his mind. He became struck by the sudden thought that he might have something in common with the child. His mind pondered what really happened the last night he met her on that island. The child has magic of his own, he wondered till he drifted off.

Meanwhile, Lucian fashioned a small cradle from available scraps for the baby. As Talia finished feeding her baby, she gently placed him in the cradle and began to rock him to sleep. Diana brought her a tray of food, ensuring that the young mother was cared for.

"You must be hungry. Here, eat something." Diana kindly offered her the food. She served her some loaves of bread with baked sardines and a jar of grape wine. Talia hesitated though hungry she stared sternly at the strange meal.

"Go on, it's nice. Let me help you with the baby," Lucian volunteered, taking the baby and gently rocking him. Talia accepted the bread, hesitating at first but then taking her first bite. The crispy, delicious flavor made her savor each mouthful.

As the night drew near, Ritz trimmed the sails, and the ship sailed smoothly with the wind. The rest of the crew settled down to sleep, but Jack remained awake, a natural night owl. The wind rustled the sails, and the soothing sound of the rolling waves filled the air. Jack stood by the edge, contemplating the peaceful, serene sea. Talia approached him quietly.

"Hi Jack, sorry, I don't mean to startle you. I couldn't sleep," she said with a shudder.

"Are you alright?" Jack asked, concerned.

"I don't think so," Talia replied.

"You could come stay with me here, you should feel better soon," Jack suggested, offering her a reassuring smile and a spot next to him.

They both stared at the water quietly for a moment. "My nightmare keeps haunting me. I was attacked by some vicious creatures. I can't really remember what happened vividly," Talia said, breaking the silence.

"It wasn't just in your dreams. You can't remember?" Jack asked. "Your island was rampaged by deadly goblins. I only heard stories about them until now. I believe these same creatures that attacked us must have attacked you too. We had to save you."

A memory suddenly flashed through Talia's mind, jolting her memory. She remembered a glimpse of what had happened.

"Oh no! They took my friends; the troll, fairies, and all they could find," she sobbed, her hands shooting to her cheeks. Then she added, "those minions, they are deadly and poisonous goblins from the underworld. They serve their Dark Lord, a bloody demonic beast that wants to have my baby. We must protect the baby at all costs; he can't have it, or the world will be in jeopardy."

She sobbed bitterly, and Jack comforted her, letting her rest her head on his shoulder. Jack didn't fully understand what she meant, but he was both concerned and speechless.

"Sorry, we couldn't save everything. But you are safe now. Nothing will happen to you nor the baby. I will protect him with my life," Jack assured her. She sighed in relief.

"How long do you intend to stay awake out here alone?" she asked.

"I guess pretty long. I enjoy staying awake late nights, especially while sailing across the vast ocean. I like the breeze, the ocean view, and the stars that light up the sky. A magnificent sight to behold," he responded. "There's a saying amongst my people that the stars up there are the eyes of the gods, staring from the skies and watching over us at night," Jack continued.

Talia glanced up into the sky, then pondered what he said and asked him, "What do you think they do in the morning?"

Jack gave it a thought and replied, "maybe they'll sleep because if we men sleep in the night and they watch over us, then in the morning they too can sleep."

"Does that mean men watch over the gods in the morning?" Talia protested.

Jack became confused. "Gosh, I'm so lame. I should have thought of that. Okay, what do you think?"

Talia, observing the burning lamp close by, cited it. "There are lamps of the sky." She laughed heartily at Jack's face. Her smiles were alluring.

Jack, reconnecting to her in ecstasy, talked a lot, laughed, and even demonstrated, mimicking what they said. They adored each other's childlike playfulness until the morning before the day broke.

Jack was in love with her. It stunned him that he could still feel the same way he had felt for her from the very first moment he set eyes on her. He fell in love with her over again and was no longer resistant. He had to tell her how he felt. "I love you, Talia," he said, the words coming out huskily.

He paused, his eyes narrowing; he let his hands caress hers. His touch was electric, as though she had been hit by a bolt of lightning. She closed her eyes slowly, her pulse speeding up, and she felt a tingling sensation, relishing a quick arousal she couldn't control. Like molten magma, it erupted inside her.

Talia smiled, her face flushed with warmth. Yes, she loved him too. "You're such a brave man, Jack. I have this feeling, it's hard to explain, but when I'm around you, it feels like magic," she said.

"Hey, I think I do understand how you feel," Jack interrupted. He gazed at her. His mouth came down and kissed her lightly. He withdrew himself and studied her, his soft eyes lingering on her lips and lowering to the swells of her breast before he met her gaze again.

She felt a rush of emotions and kissed him back. The kiss deepened, quickening passion, and enveloping caress. Jack's arms slid around her waist, wrapping her tightly. She leaned into him, her breasts pressed against his chest, sending lightning and warmth through him.

They hugged each other, almost wishing the night would never end. The baby was awake and cried loudly, interrupting their mood. They both walked together to check on him.

As soon as the baby noticed them, he stopped crying. Jack picked him up and cradled him in his arms. The baby stared into the dark sky. Jack noticed, and he looked up too, seeing a collection of star arrangements in the sky. He turned towards Talia and asked, "Does he have a name yet?"

"No, and I can't think of any now," she replied to Jack's question.

"We could name him Aquila; son of the stars," he recommended.

"Yes, it's a nice name," she commented. The baby kept a tight grip on Jack's fingers, and Talia observed with a smile. "He likes you already," she told Jack.

"I can't wait to take you to my home and show you to my father and my people," Jack expressed.

"What's your home like now?" she asked.

"It's beautiful... you'll see, I'll show you around when we get there," he responded. That night was blissful, just the two of them.

After a few days of journeying across the vast ocean, Jack and his team returned home, arriving in the brightness of the morning. As their ship came into plain sight, drifting between the adjacent mountains, the watch keeper blew a large horn, alerting the city of Jack's return.

For a long time, the people of Valga had enjoyed abundance and peace in their new home. Their fertile soil allowed them to grow plenty of crops for food and clothing.

Talia admired the beauty of the city, and as the ship reached the harbor, the people warmly welcomed them. King Waldorf had eagerly awaited his son at the court of his castle. Upon arrival, Jack warmly hugged his father and formally introduced Talia. They exchanged pleasantries, and the king was delighted to meet her. It was evident that the king was already fond of her personality.

"I've heard so much about you. Nice to finally meet you," the king greeted her warmly. He then turned to the maidens who stood nearby, instructing them, "Kindly show our guests to their chambers. They should be well taken care of." With a final glance at Talia, he added, "Please make yourself feel at home."

Talia was led to her chambers, while Jack and his father remained.

"How was your journey, son?" his father asked keenly.

"The trip was smooth. We journeyed through the vast ocean to the island of doom. The island was ravaged by vicious goblins, wild and fierce creatures we've ever seen. They attacked us… We could only save her and the baby," Jack tried to narrate his tale. However, his father's mind had easily wandered off.

King Waldorf was preoccupied with thoughts of a perfect marriage for his son. After all, Jack had come of age, and he wanted him to settle down in his lifetime. His thoughts drifted away from Jack's adventures as he contemplated his son's future.

"So, son, when do we start preparations?" His father teased him.

"What preparations, father? I'm confused," Jack retorted.

"For your marriage, of course!" his father replied.

"Come on, Dad, we've talked about this over and over," Jack pleaded, not yet ready to embrace the idea of marriage.

"I'm not getting any younger, neither are you. I want to see you married before I die. I promised your mother," his father responded softly, his age showing in the strands of gray hair on his head.

"Okay, Dad," Jack sighed. "Let's go inside then, and I can tell you more about our adventure or maybe even change my mind, but I make no promises." They walked inside the castle together.