Chapter 3
Solomon was still upset about the dream he had when he noticed them. They were the pirates from the docks.
“Oh, thank goodness” Stated the one who seemed to be the leader, “we thought you were dead”
“Aye, we were about to call the gravedigger to bury you!” said her female companion
“Really?! Cant ye tell the difference between a dead person and a sleeping man?” asked Solo surprised. All he got in return were blank looks on their faces. For the rest of the day they sat their sharing stories, he even found out they were planning on visiting Tia Dalma, the witchdoctor. She was just the person Solomon wanted to see.
***
The next day they were up early. They planned to visit Tia Dalma first thing. The skies were bright when Solo went outside. He took a walk down the beach, the leader of the other pirates accompanied him. The smell off salt water tinted the air, Solomon was surprised at how clear the water was. Eventually they returned to the tavern, the door creaked open as the other 2 pirates came out. They were all dressed in fine clothing, littered with jewellery, they were either very rich or very good pirates.
Solomon walked slowly, led by the male pirate, he still hadn’t learnt their names. “Excuse me, miss?” Solomon started “I still don’t know yer names, mine be Solomon O’shot Junior”
“Nice to meet you Solomon, may we call you Solo” she laughed as if it was a joke, “Me name be Estella Heartlight, this be me sister Paulette Heartlight and me friend Hector Blastspinner”
Solomon shook hands with each of them and continued on his way. The smell of rotting wood along with rotted carcasses assaulted Solomon as he entered the swamps. It was so pungent that it brought tears to his eyes. How could anybody live in here? he wondered.
Before long he spotted the cabin. It was on stilts to keep it out the water. It was dark in color and various artefacts hung on the porch, including a snake. Solo glanced up, he had no idea on how to scale the side of the building. Estella motioned toward a ladder that Solomon had missed during first observations. He quickly scaled the ladder. It threatened to break on each step. The creaks it made only made Solomon speed his pace up.
They emerged onto the porch, it was littered with a lot of voodoo items. Hector knocked upon the heavy wooden door. Light footsteps could be heard inside, the door creaked open. Tia Dalma was standing there, she was more beautiful than Solomon had imagined. She has dark almond colored skin that looks like it glowed. Her Hair was a series of complex braids that had various bones holding it together.
“Ahhh,” She said “Estella, and the Thirsty Souls, how be it with ye?” Before Stella could answer her eyes fell on Solo. “Who be this?” She asked as she peered at Solomon, “A new recruit perhaps?”
“Nay,” said Estella quickly, “I have yet to ask him to join, this be Solomon”
Tia
Hmphed and said “Solmon, I see destiny in you, choose wisely when she asks”
Every time Tia said Solomon’s name she would forget one O. It didn’t bother Solomon but he couldn’t help but notice.
“Tia,” Solomon said, “I have come for a special request” Tia’s eyes widened and she leaned close to Solomon. She smelt faintly of salt mixed with pine, it almost put Solomon in a trance. “Ye seek to be fully alive, don’t ye?” she asked. Solomon nodded briefly and then she demanded payment. Solomon searched his pockets but couldn’t find a thing worth giving. Solomon looked up, “I don’t ha-“
“Here, pay for him” said Estella quietly holding out a orb. The orb had swirling blue-ish mist in it but it glowed bright orange.
Tia took the orb, and walked out the room. Solomon tried catching Estella’s eye to thank her, but she seemed not to see him or chose to ignore him. Tia returned with a J]jar of blue dust. She opened the jar, took a handful and threw it at Solomon. The last thing Solomon remembered was lying on the floor in pure pain.