Chapter 39: The End of an Old Life

Morning had come but the celebrations didn't end. After Ronan and his friends had received more seafood than they could possibly eat, the four were led outside by Ilia. She took them down a path coated in seashells as rough as cobblestone, and down towards the beaches at the end of the cliffside.

Ike and Clove were wobbling from the rum, and clinging onto each and laughing.

Ronan and Maritza hadn't had as much to drink, and when bottles were passed to them, they mostly only held onto them for show. The two felt something toxic surging in the air, and knew they would need their wits about them.

But, in a silent agreement, they both also knew that after all their treacherous traveling, they were in much need of rest.

Besides, once Illia had gotten the Seahorses riled up on the topic of Black Blade revenge, she had shut the discussion down just as fast as she'd brought it up.

"Today," she said over and over again, "is a day to forget all our troubles and enjoy ourselves. Without s