by Hrair Ansoub on March 26th, 2010, 10:20 am
24th Spring 510 AV
Hrair cast off his line and pulling on various ropes set the sail. The strong wind pushed him far out into the harbour. Fully restocked, Hrair would be able to stay at sea for many days before coming alongside once more. He had also managed to speak to several of the stevedores around the docks and by his reckoning it would take him no more than a few hours to reach what was rumoured to be some of the best fishing in Zeltiva.
He carefully plotted his course. The wind was perfect and the sea slight. Ideal fishing conditions.
He reached what he calculated to be the spot and cast his net into the water. He pulled the net along behind the boat for an hour or so before attemting to pull it in. It was heavy, too heavy for him to lift unaided. He made some alterations and tied the net to the pulley system which he had made on the back of the boat for such eventualities. He turned the the pulley and pulled in his net.
The first catch of the day was fantastic, almost his best ever catch. The stevedore had been right, this was good fishing. He had a net chock full of Sole and bass. He finished pulling in the net and tipped its contents onto the deck. He pulled in the sail and turned the boat ready for another line. He dropped the net back into the water and began another line. With the sail tied off and the net trawling away behind the boat Hrair set about gutting his catch. It took him several hours and he had not quite finished when he noticed the stern lifting out of the water. The net had become heavy and it was time to pull it in again. Hrair wheeled in the net, this was a big catch too. He emptied this on the deck and repeated the process. Sundown came and Hrair made his fifth line. This net was not so good and feeling tired Hrair decided to call it a night. He dropped anchor and drew in the sail. He crawled into his hammock and almost instantly fell asleep, exhausted from his hard days fishing.
27th Spring 510 AV
Hrair carefully steered the ship back into the harbour and approached his mooring. He waited patiently for a stevedore to come and catch his line. He thanked the stevedore and asked if the he would be prepared to help him unload. The boat was empty, and all the fish in barrels on the berth within a matter of hours. He thanked the stevedore and handed him some payment. Hrair maded his way to the dock office, and paid his dues. He then set off into town. It was not long before he found the merchant, busily selling his wares on the local market. He told the merchant about the catch and the merchant looked interested. He persuaded the merchant to come and look at the catch.
The merchant was impressed by the catch but did not show this. One did not make money by paying fair prices, one made money by getting what one could for as little as one could. Hrair and the merchant negotiated, the quick tempered Hrair almost coming to blows with the merchant before the deal was done.
Hrair then immediately set sail again, aiming for the same spot.
As Hrair sailed to the spot he noticed the weather was turning. The sea mecame moderate then became rough, the rain pelted down and the wind roared. Hrair cast his net but the wind was almost too strong. The boat whizzed along at a matter of knots and he quickly filled his net. He emptied the catch on the deck and cast the net for a second time.
The swell was getting worse and thunder rolled through the sky. No fisherman would be brave enough to stay out in this, but Hrair was out now. He contem[plated turning for port, but knowing he was likely to get a better price for his catch if the waeather was this bad, as no one would be insane enough to be out in this he decided to brave the elements.
The third catch was smalll so he cast the net in for a fourth. As he did so a huge wave came over the hull and kncked him clean into the freezing water. Hrair spluttered and coughed. He sank beneath the waves, the light fading as he took a lungful of water. Hrair surfaced again, he coughed. His survival instinct kicked in and he swam as hard as he could for the rope ladder than hung down off the port side of the small vessel. He narrowly managed to grab it and hauled himself up the side and onto the deck.
He laid for a while on the deck, amongst the fish, gasping and spluttering.
Eventually the world returned to normal, and Hrair decided he would try one more shoot before heading back to port.
Eventually Hrair had a full hold, and all the deck was taken up with fish. It was a huge haul. He made his way back into harbour and pulled alongside the berth once more.
He headed off into town to find a merchant. He had no trouble finding a merchant willing to take his fish. They were virtually fighting to have a shot at buying his haul. With the poor weather, all save Hrair had remianed in harbour.
Eventually Hrair was able to strike a lucrative deal up with Mr. Grayling, who owned a fish salting business. Grayling ordered some of his workers to help Hrair off load the fish and carry the heavy barrells to his salting sheds at the top of the port.
Hrair received his payment and thanked Mr. Grayling. It was a good wad, and some would even consider Hrair to be well off now. He had come a long way in a few days but Hrair knew there was only one thing he could do with the cash.
Hrair made his way to the university.
Let those who read this verse consider it profoundly,
Let the profane and the ignorant herd keep away:
And far away all Astrologers, Idiots and Barbarians,
May he who does otherwise be subject to the sacred rite.
Nostradamus Quatrains Century XI:100
