timestamp: 12 day of fall, 509 AV
The winds were calm and cool as the air did when the first winds of fall started to sweep in, and all around men and women moved about the deck of the ship each trying to finish their duties for the day. The sun was up in the air on this late afternoon day, but you would have thought it a beautiful day today because of the outcast nature of it. Of course, for a sailer this was something you enjoyed simply for the fact that the wind would be good most of the day as the storm winds would be rolling in.
True, there were dangers of sailing right before a storm, but as long as you were back and secured to the main ship there was little harm in being out there. Many sailors though had found themselves in trouble of the high seas for lack of keeping a eye on the storm clouds above.
Mark moved across the deck checking to make sure his lines were taught and firmly tied, and if not retiring them before he got off his shift. Mark wore a simple blue shirt that was a little baggy on his and open at the chest a bit letting the cool air keep him comfortable. His black pants were a little baggy as well giving him ease in jumping and moving about the ship, and today he decided to go barefoot as it wasn't to cold out side and it was just easier for him to work this way.
Stopping on the port side of the boat he watched as a few younger boys were trying their hands at sailing around the boat while a few older sailors watched them giving pointers where they saw fit. One boat caught Mark's eye it was called the SeaDragon and was one of Mark's personal favorite boats in the fleet. It was the boat he had been taught on by his mentor back when he was their age.
At the moment the boys were going through the act of tacking when they turned the bow into the wind sending the sails into a tormented fit of luffing back and forth whipping the sail and slowing the boat. Mark watched with a smile as he knew they had just entered irons and would have a bit trouble getting their sails refilled with wind, and memories of his.own training flooded his thoughts. The feeling of longing to be on the boat with the boys facing the challenge at hand was strong at the moment, and he almost felt as if he could launch himself into the water and over to them.
"Day dreaming again, I see" came the voice of a deep rough voice from behind Mark, and with a sigh the young man turned facing the speaker. The man was older and his face was stuffy with the looks of a new beard growing, he wore a black shirt much in the fashion of Mark's, and his hair danced in the wind as it was let down and hung at his shoulders. "I guess I can't blame you for that with this kind of weather" he laughed and walked over to Mark putting his hand on his shoulder.
Mark didn't say anything and the other man didn't either they just stood and watched the boats pull through the water. Mark and the man, who was his mentor Julian, shared a love for sailing and the ocean which wasn't odd for their people, but there was a connection between the two of them that the sea forged. It was a connection much like a father and son, but these two didn't share blood, but there adventures had drawn them closer.
"The storms coming quickly, boy" Julian said as he stared out into the mass of water "looks like it will be a good one too, watch yourself out there" the last statement was more then a warning it was a offer to Mark to go out and have some fun, and the young man didn't waste a moment waiting for a clearer offer. Jumping through the boat Mark made his way to where his mentor's boat was tied down.
The Costal Tide was a beautiful 30 foot boat with sturdy sails that were bigger then the normal set allowing them to catch more wind in their sails there for pulling the boat through the water at amazing speeds that many other boats couldn't match even on there best days. Quickly untiring the dock lines that held the boat next to the main ship Mark pushed off and opened the main sail letting it breath in the wind and start the Costal Tide off with a jerk.
