Pirate Chronicles

A month had passed by after the wedding. True to his word, we consummate our marriage not just at night. We were always almost together except for when he and Uncle Caleb trained Dylan. This was their last training. We ALL watched!

Uncle Caleb and the pirates built an obstacle course that Dylan needed to overcome. I could tell from where I sit that the course had several boobly traps and challenges. Dylan needed to use his swords, guns, wit, and intellect to pass it. But, at the end of the course Jacob stood ready for battle. 

Uncle Caleb gave Jacob a handicap. He has to battle Dylan with a blindfold. He stressed that it will also be good for Jacob as it is training for mind control defense and combat. Dylan needed to finish the course in half an hour or else he would fail.

Not a moment too soon, Dylan's final challenge began. I was amazed at how agile he had become. He was a mini-version of Jacob on the way he moves. I could not believe that the young boy I had met more than two years ago was now a teenager who COULD match his uncle's skills.

Dylan's targets were on point. He took them out mostly on first tries and if not twice. I looked at the hourglass. He's on time. When he reached the end of the course, Jacob was already waiting for him. Jacob did not attack first since he is not used to fighting with blindfold but I could tell his senses were heightened.

Dylan swung at him but he blocked it with the sheath of his sword. With regards to speed, Jacob was still faster. But looking at how Dylan moved and how he adjusted and adapted so he could counter his uncle's moves, though the latter was quicker, was enough proof that one day, he MIGHT surpass Jacob.

Meanwhile, though blindfolded, Jacob was giving Dylan a difficult time. He was on defense, but at the same time, that defense was just like an impregnable wall. Dylan could not break through!

"Let me pass," Dylan said forcefully as he attacked once more.

Jacob chuckled, "You think it would be that easy?"

Dylan grunted and ran to the right to find a gap for him to pass. Jacob was in front of him right away. Dylan groaned, "You're annoying, OLD MAN!"

"Now, you resort to insults. You are NOT getting through then," Jacob laughed and switched from defense to offense. 

Dylan was forced to be defensive. He was forced to take back steps and he hated that! His impatience as a teenager surfaced and he reached for his gun to fire at Jacob. My nerves got the better of me and I stood up anxiously.

"It will be alright," Uncle Caleb told me.

BANG! Dylan smirked, trusting his skills. He knew he hit Jacob's leg because his uncle fell on his knee. Dylan quickly ran forward but was surprised when Jacob stood up and delivered a blow to Dylan's stomach with the sheath of his sword. Dylan fell and failed his last test.

Uncle Caleb clapped his hands as Jacob took off his blindfold. He saw my worried face and winked at me. I shook my head.

Dylan stood up and checked on Jacob's leg immediately. He scratched his head, "I swore I aimed at your knee. With that distance, it should be a direct hit. But there's not even a scratch. How did you do that?"

Jacob smiled and pointed at the hilt of his sword. The bullet was stuck on the pommel, "This is the one you hit when I blocked."

Dylan sighed, "How fast are you?"

Jacob smirked at him in response, "Too fast for you," he teased.

"Dylan, you failed to pass through. However, your skills passed," Uncle Caleb interrupted them.

"But, I was NOT able to pass through Uncle's defense. He still outwitted me even if he was blindfolded. What more if he wasn't!" Dylan argued.

Jacob put his hand over Dylan's head and ruffled his hair, "You'll get there in time. I could feel your quickened steps and the adjustments you made when we were fighting. If you could do that at such a young age, then in time you MIGHT surpass me."

Dylan grinned, "Truly?"

Jacob smirked, "I said MIGHT. That is, if I STOPPED training."

Dylan frowned, "You're an annoying OLD MAN."

Jacob chuckled, "But, I think you're strong enough to be taken to Filiphin. We just need to train you on discipline and leadership," he said to make his nephew feel better.

"Jacob is correct," Uncle Caleb responded.

Dylan scratched his head, "You're really forfeiting your claim to the throne to me?"

Jacob nodded, "I'm a pirate, remember? But you… remember when I left you and you admired Governor Abel with his principles? You wanted to learn from and you did. That is your calling. You're called to lead just like Governor Abel but on a larger scale."

Dylan asked, "What if I couldn't do it?"

Uncle Caleb responded, "You are NOT doing it by yourself. Trust me, I will help you through it."

Dylan took a deep breath, "When are we leaving?" he asked.

Jacob looked at me. I knew right away that he's dreading his departure to leave me.

Uncle Caleb responded, "Tomorrow morning."

I smiled sadly and sighed. I turned to Paco who was right beside me, "Take care of my husband, Paco."

Paco chuckled, "Did you just see the way he fought? He won't be needing me," he teased.

I nodded, "True. But there might be beautiful women in Filiphin who would try to take his attention. That's what I meant."

"Don't you worry about that, Miss Darling," Laurel said right away. "Puma, Wabi, Tibet, Fifer, and I will take on those flirtatious looks. We will be Captain Jacob's shields." He motioned with his hands theatrically.

I giggled, "I'll hold you to that."

"You can count on us," Wabi responded with a wide grin while the other musicians gave me a thumbs up.