On a Wine Dark Sea

A Trip to Soldier Port

On a Wine Dark Sea

The Pangolin makes good time that day. She surfs down long glassy waves with a following breeze, slightly heeled over to port. The cordage creaks and the mast groans. You've come to learn the ship's language. She's feeling happy and energetic, you can tell by how when she crests one of the two yard high waves she shakes her head a bit. The crew are alert but the rig needs no changing so they rest by the higher rail and chat. The off watch have come out from under the arch and a fiddle is produced. The sing and dance. During the long transit they have accepted you as one of their own. You chat and come out into the warm sun, the tilted deck no concern to your acquired 'sea legs'

A young man leans, with his back on the rail, watching the sailors sing and dance. He even makes an effort himself, picking up the choruses of the songs and joining. He does not, though, join in the dancing. He is wearing a pair of light trews and a light tunic. His fair hair is cropped quite short and he is clean shaven. His blue eyes are never still, alighting briefly on everything and everyone.

Haren too enjoys the singing and dancing, however he has no reservations about joining in. His short frame is solidly built and his dancing is as enthusiastic as the sailors, though some of the movements hint of a knowledge of more graceful and cultured dances. His dark hair, normally bound tightly at the nape of his neck, is wild and free. When still it falls past his shoulders, in the dance it whips about him as if it has a life of its own. In contrast to his hair his beard is neatly trimmed it frames an honest and open face, though at times his pale blue eyes show the toughness of diamond. He is dressed, as always, in high quality clothes that fit him well and show off his muscular body to it's best.

Haren pauses in his dancing to talk to the man leaning on the rail. "Not joining in? It's great to iron out the kinks in your muscles and expend some energy. Otherwise it's a cramped life on a boat. My name is Haren by the way."

The young man flashes a smile. "I just sing, dancing's not for me. I've two left feet and more often than not end up on me arse. I'm Gatrenus, pleased to meet you."

Redjack, the captain, and Orlfinn, the bosun, wander over. The crew don't go to attention or anything as life on the merchanters is more like a big family.

"I checked the rutter and I'd say we're a day out of I have the course right. We should look out for pirates though as these are strange waters to us."

An unhappy look develops on Haren's face. "I'm fine with keeping a lookout but you don't expect us to climb the mast, to do it, do you?" he shudders gracefully.

Orlfinn grins and looks aloft. Redjack says "oh no good friend, my crew will do this. You can keep a private watch if you like, I like to have as many eyes on the horizon as possible, but we should forewarned in plenty of time to prepare. When we get into shallow water we must be careful, armoured and armed. Many loathsome monsters lurk beneath the surface."

Tall and dark skinned Yahliz stood out from most of the crew and passengers, he lent against the rail and watched the crew cavort as the ship rose and fell with the waves. He smiled to himself before turning to Gatrenus and saying "We are making good time, I spoke with Ulfhedin and he tells me we expect to make port slightly earlier than expected as long as the wind hold true." He reaches up and makes a slight adjustment to the red turban he wear.

"Well that's good news at least. I'd better get my armour ready if we're to expect pirates though." Gatrenus says "So, where are you from? You don't see a great many hats like that where I come from."

A Trip to Soldier Port