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What happened was a nightmare… but the event was a memory nonetheless. The vessel creaked as the waves crashed below them as it swayed with the ocean current. It’s sails rolled against the wind along with the proud Athenia flag flapping, pulling them in the direction in which they wanted to go, and Adrestus took a deep breath, relaxing as his shoulders eased themselves. Ever since Tim had left for home, things had been different. It wasn’t the three of them, it was two- and Sokari was right beside him. Adrestus had tried to suggest that Sokari go home as well, knowing he himself had family but for some reason his friend refused to leave. Adre was in his mind when he felt a hand on his shoulder, and he turned quickly. “Yes sir.” Adre had always wanted his own ship, and he knew he was close, he just needed one more… “The seas are crowded today.” Adrestus narrowed his eyes at the captain in disbelief and gestured to the open seas. “Do you see something I don’t? This day is perfect.” The captain stayed silent, his brown dreary eyes shifting away from Adrestus. The Captain’s broad shoulders became stiff, and he nervously tightened his hat around his head. “I have gotten word. You had best stay alert,” And with that the Captain turned his heel, and Adrestus heart felt like it had sank to the bottom of the ocean. Adrestus stood there quietly for a moment, shook his head and went to help the other crew with the ropes on the mast. What could have the captain meant? It was a bit troubling, but work on the ship seemed to distract him. Soon enough he was making sure they had smooth sailing, as well as a clean ship. No, Adrestus didn’t shy from work when he had no choice but to. When they were finished, though, he set himself off to the side, in order to take in the evening atmosphere of sailing on the seas. This is where he wanted to be, forever. Adrestus had to admit it was nice to have Sokari around on the ship, and he was relieved to have someone he could trust so close. He gripped the railing on near the bow, his hair wild with the wind in his face. He loved the taste of sea air, and the sky was clear as Helios set the sun to rest, and it began to set. The sky was painted with all sorts of colors, and Adrestus gave a soft smile. “Sokari.” He called out, moving his head to look behind him. The other man moved towards him and Adrestus weaved his arm around Sokari’s torso. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” The waves were only slightly rough, the wind was cooperating, and the sky was one big blanket of color. To make it better, Sokari was there to keep him feeling on top of the world. Tag: Lukos
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The Aceton cut through the water, returning from a slave run in Athenia. They’d unloaded all of their slaves at the market, which satisfied her captain. He sat balanced on the railing, braiding long, sinuous fibers into small ropes that would later be worked into a much thicker rope. His dark eyes were focused on his rough hands when the call from the mast reached him. Looking up, he shaded his eyes against the red setting sun to watch the shadowed figure of Apollos pointing out to the horizon.
Lukos let the small piles of rope drop off his lap as he slid to the deck. Because he could not see much from here, that meant there wasn’t a ship imminent. As a result, his steps were not hurried as he drummed down the stairs and onto the mid-deck where the mast stood. Bracing one hand against the smooth wood, he took off his boots and began to scale the mast with the ease of someone having done this all his life. Once at the beam, to which the curled up sail was fastened, Lukos slid along it, his legs dangling to either side.
Apollos pointed again in the direction he had before. “Out there, captain. Looks to be a merchant vessel of some kind. Athenian, by the shape but can’t be terribly sure.”
Lukos smiled to himself and watched the black, oblong dot. “It’s a bit too late to say hello this evening,” he said. “Perhaps we’ll drop in at first light.”
“Aye, captain,” Apollos’s eyes stayed on the ship nestled against the setting sun on the horizon.
Lukos climbed down, hitting the deck intentionally hard on his heels. “Arktos!” he barked.
“Aye!” a booming voice bellowed back from the depths of the ship.
“Get up here, you lazy sack of meat!” Lukos snapped, frowning as a bald, brawny, giant emerged. Arktos was stripped to the waist and wet to the knee from rowing. His entire torso, from chest, to back, to shoulders, was covered in a dark layer of wiry hair, which had earned him the nickname Bear. The big man stumped along to the captain and put his enormous hands on his hips.
“Yeah?”
Pointing to the horizon, Lukos smirked at his first mate. “How do you feel about a little ship sinking, come morning?” Arktos grinned.
“Mighty good, captain.”
“I want the men to sleep now. We’ll row hard in the morning to catch up. And then she and her cargo will be ours.” Lukos watched in satisfaction as Arktos’s voice slapped across the ship, ordering the immediate tidying up and shutting down of the ship in preparation for the morning’s activities. The captain went down to his cabin to prepare for sleep. Tomorrow would be taxing and he wanted to be as energized as possible for the massacre he was going to enjoy.
The Aceton cut through the waters before the sun rose. Its oars moved in perfect unison to the drum beat being pounded out for the rowers. Lukos stood at the prow, only glancing back occasionally at the man standing at the tiller. The other ship was within view, sitting perfect and lovely, ready to be plowed into on its broadside.
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