Chapter Five

Constellations:

Danica stood at the helm and a yawn escaped her lips as she steered the ship. She watched the stars dance across the ocean current. She sighed happily. She was always fascinated with sailing and the ocean. She remembers trying to sneak on each ship her father would take to go on a trades deal. One time she even got out of the harbor with them. A small smile crept on her lips as she thought of the memory. How angry her father was that he had to turn around because six year old her had gotten past everyone. She remembered when she could finally go on her first voyage with him and the excitement she felt. Her smile grew thinking of the memory.

Kaleb wandered up the stairs to the helm, most of the crew were asleep. He couldn't sleep. There were too many thoughts and what ifs running through his head. He stopped pausing on the upper deck. He found himself staring at Danica. Her long Raven black hair shimmered blue in the moonlight. The smile on her face was warming. His brows came together when he realized what he was doing. He shook his head at himself going to leave, he couldn't get involved like that he thought to himself.

“Kaleb.” Danica called to him, seeing him staring down the stairs. 

Kaleb froze his hand gripping the railing of the stairs. Could he just pretend he didn't hear her and continue? no you paused she knows now. He made a face at his thoughts.

“Kaleb.” Danica called to him again this time a little louder.

Kaleb sighed and looked over at her with a smile before turning around and heading back up the stairs to the upper deck and to the helm.

“Aye Miss?” Kaleb asked softly.

“I’m so glad someones awake. I was getting sleepy. Stay awhile and chat with me?” Danica asked with a sweet smile.

Crap he thought he couldn't have just gone and pretended to sleep. He responded by just nodding.

“So what do you want to chat about?” Kaleb asked her as he walked over to the rail of the upper deck and leaned against it. His arms folded across his chest.

“Oh I don't know anything...everything. Just something.” Danica said with a small laugh.

“Ok, um where did you learn to steer?” Kaleb asked with a small smile growing on his face.

“My father. I used to try so hard to sneak off with him when I was little. All the adventures and voyages he went on. He finally let me go with him when I was old enough and I set out to learn everything I could about the ship and what it took to run one.” Danica said her smile growing as she thought of her father and past memories.

“It sounds like you had a great childhood and good relationship with your father.” Kaleb said with a short smile as he began to think about his own overbearing father.

“What about you? What brings you on the ship?” Danica asked him, looking forward as she spoke.

“I am a little bit of a wanderer so when an opportunity comes up to see something new; I don't even think about it. I just go.” Kaleb said shrugging he wasn't lying that's how he did live his life. 

“What about your family? Don't you miss them?” Danica asked.

“Well my mother and brother aye but my father...Lets just say i am not his favorite son or person for that matter.” Kaleb chuckled.

“How come?” Danica asked curiously. 

Kaleb laughed out loud this time, this woman had no filter and said whatever she thought. 

“He doesn't agree with my decisions about my life. He owns a business and I personally have no interest in it. It makes him upset. He had this picture of his two sons conquering the world, being all powerful. I’m ruining that dream for him.” Kaleb shrugged. 

“Well he sounds like he needs someone to help him reevaluate his thinking. He needs to understand that he can't hold you to his dreams when you have your own. I’m sorry...that sounds tough.” Danica said with a sympathic look to him.

Kaleb was a bit taken back by the guiness of her statement.  Even the look she gave him wasn't pity but heartfelt. He wasn't sure what to say in response. He just nodded. He tried to think of something to change topics.

“My sister and I are very different. She is beautiful, smart, well spoken, mature, classy, and has a softness to her. Almost the perfect child. I am nothing like; that My father calls me his wild flower. Regardless of the headaches I caused because I  wasn't like Ari. They never stopped encouraging me to go for what I wanted. They accepted me for me. Your father needs to do that.” Danica said to him.

“Thank you.” Kaleb said almost speechless.

He never had anyone say anything like that to him. It was more Kaleb why do you keep doing this, Kaleb you're going to put your father into an early grave. He shook his head as he thought. He turned his focus onto the stars because he wasn't sure what to do with himself. 

“Do you know anything about them?” Danica asked him with a smile on her face as she looked up to the dark night sky.

“Bits and pieces, I know where the north star is.” Kaleb said his eyes were studying the sky.

“Well that is one of the most important ones.” Danica smirked.

“I feel like you  want to teach me something.” Kaleb said, smirking.

“Aye! Can I tell you?” Danica laughed eagerly.

“Aye go ahead.” Kaleb said, watching her light up.

He watched her search the sky and then spotted something. She motioned for him to come stand next to her.

“Ok  so each part of the sky has constellations that stay in that section. In the northern section you can find Draco. See it here.” Danica said, running her fingers along the shape in the sky.

Kaleb nodded, waiting for her to continue.

“Draco is usually one of the easiest to find in the north part of the sky because he’s the biggest. Now Draco was said to be a Titan that warred with the gods for ten years. Until the goddess Minerva tossed him into the sky where he froze around the north pole.” Danica said grinning. 

Kaleb watched her face light up as she spoke his own smile following suit. He loved how she truly enjoyed everything she was telling him. It made him want to hear more and know more. 

“I’m sorry. I love this stuff.” She chuckled.

“No, don't say sorry, tell me more.” Kaleb said as his eyes went to the sky.

Her smile grew bigger if it was at all possible. She looked around the sky searching for one. She shifted herself so she was facing the south.

“So you see the very bright star in the sky over here. it's called Hadar and it's the brightest star in the southern sky. It's in the constellation Centaurus. Centaurus is for Chrion who tutor Hercules and they became great friends. Hercules accidentally took a sacred wine from Chiron home to his friend's home. Once the wine was opened the scent drew several centaurus to the home. A fight broke out and Hercules killed many centaurs. Chiron had came to stop the fight but sadly was struck by a poison arrow. Due to him being immortal he could not die but lived in agony and pain. One night he begged Zeus to let him end his life because the pain had become too much to stand. Zeus did and to honor him made the constellation Centaurus.” Danica said his eyes shifted from the horizon to the stars in the sky.

Kaleb watched the magic in her eyes as she told the story. He was taken back by her passion for it and that she knew so much. Most women were still taught to be seen not heard. Too cook and take care of their home and husband. She was different, she was...captivating he thought. She caught him looking at her odd and smiled.

“My father and mother love the stars as much as they love the sea. My oldest sister's name is Ariadne and my brother’s name is Orion which are both constellations. “ Danica smiled.

“And Danica means?” Kaleb asked curiously.

“ Danica means morning star. Danica was the sun's younger sister.” Danica smiled.

The sun began peeking up over the ocean, the sky going lighter as they sat in silence for a moment. Danica glanced at the sun as the tops of the water began to turn golden.

“You didn't sleep. You should probably go try before the crew is up and moving.” Danica said a small frown on her face.

“It’s fine, I'm used to not sleeping.” Kaleb said softly as his eyes went to the sky.

Behind them the first mate's cabin door opened and Jacob walked out. He wasn't the first mate on this ship but he was second in charge to Danica. He wasn't letting one of Gavin's daughters do this on their own. He stretched walking out the door. He frowned seeing that Danica had steered all night.

“Dani.” He said quietly approaching her.

Seeing Kaleb there he switched his tone from fatherly to respectful. 

“Captain, you should have called me. I would have taken over steering in the middle of the night for you.” Jaob said.

“It’s fine Jacob, I enjoyed it. I was too excited that I wouldn't have been able to sleep. Although sleep now sounds good. You can take the wheel.” Danica smiled.

Jacob smiled and stepped to her side allowing her to pass the wheel to him. Danica stretched as she stepped away from the wheel.

“Don't let me sleep too long. We should be going past Siren Gulley. Which from my fathers notes we will be taking the long way around it. I don't feel like tipping the ship to get through it.” Danica said, starting to walk away.

“Tipping the ship?” Kaleb said as she walked past him.

“Aye.” She laughed starting down the stairs.

Jacob watched Kaleb and how his eyes followed Danica down the stairs as she walked away. Was he out here all right with her? Who was he? Jacob thought becoming protective.

“You lad what's your name?” Jacob said to him his tone was almost threatening.

“Kaleb.” Kaleb answered with no expression in his voice, his eyes studying the man wondering if he was going to be trouble.

“Kaleb, go start waking the crew and then clean the cannons.” Jacob orders his eyes going from Kaleb to the horizon letting Kaleb know he was dismissed.