Maps with Rum!

“In the end this is good for you and all of Swanport Jak. She was a demon… Evil. And, as your friend, I will make sure the courts understand that you had no idea the true nature of your landlord and business partner.”
He remembered not saying a word and grabbing the first horse he saw. He needed to get back to Swanport as fast as he could. He hoped it wasn’t too late. That was a few days ago.
Jak ignored the people’s yells as his horse as he bumped them aside. The crowded docks made it difficult for him to lead his horse to the Leather Feather, but he didn’t care. As he started to see the smoke billow over the rooftops of the fisheries and business that littered the waterfront of Swanport, he decided to dismount and run. It was faster by foot and he knew the shortcuts.
As he finally made his way to the familiar building, he called home, it was evident now where the smoke was coming from. The building was in shambles. It looked as if a fiery explosion occurred. The main structure stood, but most looked burnt or crumbed at the edges.
Jak stood for a few minutes, letting the sight sink in. Showing no emotion, he approached the entrance, which was currently being guarded by Fazal. Fazal was a local boy of the docks who joined the ranks of the Swanport guard. They grew up together and always had a mutual respect.
Jak stood in from of Fazal but did not look him in the eye. He just stood and waited. Fazal always felt for Jak’s situation, not having a family. He knew that Luna was the only family he had. And now?
Fazal stood slightly at attention, then looked to his right and left. Relaxing a bit, he looked away from Jak, as if not noticing him and took a step to the side. Jak gave a short nod and entered the building that housed all his childhood memories.
As he entered it was obvious that the city had confiscated everything of value. Swanport had been hurting after the war so of course they would seize anything they could to recoup their losses. Looking to the empty areas that once held the tables and chairs, to the empty bar that once filled the gullets of Swanport’ s lustiest, he came to the spot. With not a word he looked to the blackened spot on the floor where his friend… His family had been banished. Not killed… Banished!
Turning his head with still no emotion, Jak found a decent enough chair to sit on. Taking out his personal flask of rum, he sipped it with hopes it would jar a long-forgotten memory of this place. When nothing came, he sipped some more until finally a deep breath took him over with too many memories to keep back his tears.
Not letting himself billow with grief, he wiped his eyes with a sniff and looked to the bar. Of all the memories, the one of Luna’s secret Wine hold came to mind. He remembered how it was the only time she threatened him when he discovered it. So, out of respect for his health, he kept away. He knew only the good stuff was there.
Getting himself up and calmly walking to the remains of the bar, he looked for the board in the floor. It looked as if it had not been molested. So, he knelt and looked for the button that activated the small hatch. Finding it, he pushed, releasing the board, and relieving its contents. Two bottles… One was a brandy… Very old. The other though, it was empty. Of at least he thought it was. Picking it up he noticed there was what looked to be a map! Jak finally let a smile take his face as he thought about all the old pirating stories Luna would tell him as a younger man. This was classic Luna. A treasure map, in a bottle.
Jak took both bottles and walked back to the chair. Setting the rum to the floor, he opened the wax seal on the bottle with the parchment rolled up in it. Letting it slide to his hands he unrolled it and quickly recognized Luna’s handwriting.
 
Jak,
If you are reading upon the parchment, then you seek death by my hand, or I am dead. Or worse, banished from my home.
If You are reading this and I am still alive my sweet boy, please take a long drink of the run I have provided and remember it’s taste. For it will be your last.
If I am no longer here due to the discovery of my birthright, then you will need to know a few things. First, I leave all that is mine to you. Everything I have earned and built will be passed to you in hopes you will do the right thing. I will miss you Jak and I will yearn to see you in passing. Until then know that the coin and property the city will no doubt take from you is nothing compared to what I have saved for you. Follow the map below and it will lead you to what you will need to make your family whole again.
Remember Jak, I have only trusted you with my secrets. You are connected to me in ways others will never understand. Use that to inspire greatness with future choices you will make.
From the one who most adores you,
Lunazilannya
 
 
Looking up he examined the room again and for the first realized just how empty his world had become. Jak read the letter again, as if reading it would bring her back, he saw a map at the bottom of the letter and shook his head. His heart melted a bit at the thought of Luna leaving him a treasure map. But, just as the emptiness of it all was about to consume him, a realization hit him!
Looking at the letter again and again he smiled. This time it was not a smile of lost memories masking his sorrow. But a smile of discovery and purpose. Taking another drink from his flask he looked to the parchment again and whispered,
“Lunazilannya”.