“I’ve got you some hot coffee. It’s cold this morning.” Cassian handed Marina a steaming mug. She put down the sail she was repairing and accepted the worn tin cup.  

“Thanks.” She could tell that in the weeks since their last argument, he’d been attempting to do better. Minerva knows that he still has a lot to learn.   

“Are you warm enough?” Cassian asked. The morning fog had yet to lift from its perch over the swells. Dolphins played around the bow as the ship moved through the water. Breath hung in clouds, and the chill stung any exposed skin.  

“For now.” She noted the hint of spiced rum underneath the coffee. He’s trying, she reminded herself. The silence felt awkward as the crew shift changed. Cassian bounced from one foot to the other, nodding.  

Marina didn’t bother trying to fill the silence with words. She instead drank her coffee and handed him back the empty mug. Cassian frowned and silently stalked back down to the galley.  

“He’s trying, lass. More than I thought.” Captain Aquilla crept up to examine her work with the sail.  

Marina sighed. “I know. But it still hurts that he thought he could treat me like a simple child. Like I was his to order around.“  

Captain Aquilla nodded as if acknowledging her point. “Still, give the boy some credit, eh? He’s catching on faster than most lads would.“ He gave her a helpless smile. With that, he headed toward the helm and left her to her work.  

Maybe I’m being too harsh on him. It’s been a few weeks. He did bring me breakfast in bed this morning. Marina folded the mended sail and headed to continue with her list of duties and chores for the day.  

A sea shanty rose up from the crew as the fog started to lift, making visibility and navigation easier. A pod of dolphins joined the bow of the ship, arching out of the water with each wave. Their clicks and whistles called out their own song in tandem with the sea shanty. Even the grizzled, peg-legged cook’s mood turned promising as sunlight broke through the cloud-covered sky.  

Around midday, Marina headed towards the helm to check on their course. She stared at the map, watching as teal–blue lines glowed in the direction of their travels. She traced the lines towards a mark on the map.  

A hurricane? Why would a hurricane be marked? Weather changes. Does it mean a possibility?  

“Captain, there’s a hurricane marked.” Marina pointed to a spot in the middle of the map. Captain Aquilla looked and saw nothing but open ocean.  

He traced his fingers across the surface, missing the lines entirely. “Ye sure, lass?” His brow furrowed as he studied her face.  

Marina nodded. The mark for the hurricane glowed brightly. He can’t see the marks. What in Neptune’s head is going on? Why am I able to see this?  

“I’m sure,” she said, confident. I can feel it pulsing. Like it’s trying to tell me something. 

“Then we mark a course around it. I’ll need your eyes up here to help guide us,” Captain Aquilla said, taking in his daughter-in-law. She matched his gaze with her own, eyes blazing in certainty.  

Wait! What if we’re supposed to go through it? “No. We can’t go around it.” Marina shocked herself with the force of how she spoke. “ There’s a reason that hurricane is here. I feel it.” She glanced at the surprised and curious expression on the older man’s face.  

It might be a test. If you can get through the hurricane, you must be worthy. It’s within reason that Neptune would test those seeking the treasure.   

“I just think that if we don’t try, we might miss it.“She felt helpless as she tried to find the words to explain her gut feelings but failed. Luckily, he didn’t press further, sparing her the embarrassment.  

“Aye, then that’s what we’ll do. Chart a course, lass.“ The trust he placed in her judgement was telling.  

Marina got to work setting headings and adjusting the ship to follow the ancient, invisible path towards their goal. If Cassian was jealous that Marina had been taking over what was usually one of his duties, he didn’t bring it to her. 

The sky turned ominous shades of gray and violet. Clouds swirled as the wind kicked up the sails. The thick hemp ropes slapped against the masts and deck. The sea tossed the ship like it was a mere toy. The man in the crow’s nest sounded the warning: “Hurricane’a commin!” 

Captain Aquilla ordered the crew to secure the ship so they could ride it out. Marina tied herself to the anchor point of the helm as a precaution.  

“Marina, come down below. You’ll be safer.” Cassian battled the ever-growing winds to reach her, his eyes glowing with concern.  

“No. I need to get us through this. Trust me.“ Although her eyes begged him to listen, her tone challenged him to defy her openly.   

The words hit their mark. Cassian gave her hand a squeeze and nodded. “Then be safe. I’ll find you after we’re through.” He let her go and returned to help secure the ship.   

Marina nodded at his response; the approaching hurricane gave no time for her to reflect on his show of trust.  

“Captain, turn her starboard.“She felt the hum of the magic that usually accompanied her manipulation of water. Only it felt different, stronger and more intense. It hummed like a heartbeat as she guided Captain Aquilla to steer directly into the storm.  

This is madness. So why does it feel right? I don’t know what’s going on, but I know I’m close to finding out answers. Neptune, please guide us through this.   

Starboard. Port. Port again. Then finally starboard. Marina directed the helm on instinct alone. She didn’t look at the maps or the course heading, just read the sea like it was its own map. Teal lines glowed over the fierce waves.  

One more starboard turn and the wind went still. The world quieted as they entered the eye of the hurricane. Captain Aquilla sighed audibly but said nothing as the crew themselves took the respite for what it was.  

The sky was finally clear and the sun was sparkling. The turquoise ocean calmed, and before them, a lush emerald island sparkled. Over on the horizon beyond the island, the other side of the hurricane raged, a reminder they were still in the middle of a storm. 

“Land ho!” cried the lookout from the crow’s nest.  

Marina finally allowed herself to breathe. Thank you, Neptune.  

Editor: Shannon Hensley