17th of winter Syna was barely peaking over the horizeon, but already the docks were filled with activity. Heedless of the chill. The crews doing their bussines to get their ships either ready for departure or loading it of before going off on a well deserved shoreleave. Voss looked over the barrels with a critical eye. 'four, six, eight, ten.. that can't be right.' “Oi, phenelope!” he yelled. The first mate looked over the railing of the ship down at him. “What is it Voss?” she yelled back. “You sure the provisions are right? I'm counting ten barrels. That's to much food we're taking!” he yelled back. “The captain told me to take that much food and water with us. Think he said we were taking a longer trip this time around.” Voss gave her an odd look. “longer? How are we going to keep the fish fresh then?” Phenelope just shrugged. “Beats me. Just lug them aboard will you? ” Voss was still unsure about the entire thing. But if the captain told them. Well then he better do it then. He grabbed one of the barrels and with a grunt and a heave lifted it from the ground. Panting slightly as he lugged the heavy barrel towards the ship. It took him a while, and luckely when some of his crewmates finished their preparations they went to help him. But eventually they managed to get the food and water aboard. Now they just had to wait on their captain. A few chimes went by. “He's letting wait on him today?” Brick, an isur sailor who had been given the nickname because he was build like a brick house. “Maybe he's got something to negotiate with his boss.” Voss chimed in. “Something's odd this time around. Did you guy's know we were gone for five day's?” The majority of the crew looked at him weirdly. “Five day's? But won't the fish rot then?” Brick replied. The rest of the crew except for the first mate nodding and muttering agreement. “As a matter of fact.” phenelope cut in. “He has something to negotiate with the merchant. I don't know what but you know how it goes Who knows what they are cooking up.” Phenelope said as she shrugged. “We can't sail off till he is here and who knows how long he could be tied up.” The rest of the crew groaned as they walked of , a few went to doublecheck their work, one or two just sat down and took a nap. Huddeling in their coat. Brick however just looked at the cutlass voss had hanging at his hip. “So kiddo, can you handle that thing yet? Or are you just going to wave it any pirates. Hoping that they're a bunch of pansies?” Brick laughed patting his own sabre. “Or do you want a small lesson.” Voss laughed like the young boy he was as he jumped a few feet back. Unhooking the clasp that kept the scabbard on his belt and held out the blade in an akward manner. “Me a lesson? I'll school you. Old man.” The isur and phenelope laughed. The first mate just looked at the two with a smile on her face. “Go at it Brick. Teach that kid how to use that cutlass. Might come in usefull to have a decoy that can last longer then a chime if pirates jump aboard!” Now the entire crew, including voss, laughed. Pirates attacking a fishing ship. As if that would ever happen. The isur brandished his own weapon. Still sheated at the young sailor. “Well, this old man is going to let you take the first shot at him. Unless you're afraid?” “As if!” Voss said with a laugh as he crossed the distance between them and wildly swung his cuttlas at the isur with all he got. The isur didn't even bother raising his weapon and just took a quick step to the side. Voss overstretched himself, leaving him wide open. 'Petch.' before he could do anything else Brick kicked him in the leg and send him sprawling on the deck. “Well, now I'm afraid you're going to hurt yourself.” Brick laughed as he faced the downed boy. Waiting for him to get up. Voss quickly scrambled back to his feet and held his sheated cutlass in front of him. Cheeks burning with embarrasment. “If you want some advice, don't swing your weapon wildly like that. It'll only bring you off balance and leave you open.” the isur adviced the young boy before getting ready. Voss nodded at the advice and this time was a lot more carefull. Slowly getting closer to the isur before again striking as fast as he could. This time he was carefull to not put all his power into the swing. He still didn't get it right though. Once again the isur easily stept out the the way. This time going backwards. Once again he had overextened himself, but at least this time it wasn't as bad. Still before voss could get back on his feet and away from his opponent the isur lashed out with his sheated blade and lightly wacked him on top of his head. “I told you to keep your swings smaller didn't I?” The isur said. Voss just gave him a grumpy look as he rubbed the top of his head. Which was promptly rewarded with another smack. “Keep your guard up as well. In a fight they aren't gonig to be nice and give you time to catch your breath. “Guy's, the captain has arrived!” The first mate yelled. “Finally!” One of the napping sailors yelled out loudly as he got up. Brick hung his sword back at his belt. Voss following suit. “Lets see why the captain was late this time eh old man?” |