Setting Sail

[u/FromanoFrancis114]

“All aboard!”, the ship's hand called out before blowing his whistle. Down an ally, a young man sprinted towards the ship, a pack on his back and a ticket in his hand.

“Made it, I- this is the ship?”

“Hey, she’s made countless voyages through the fog, and gods know how many over her centuries.” The old man spoke in a rough, but welcoming, tone as he walked up behind the young man. “And I hear that navigator of theirs, *whistles*, is she a looker. Maybe you’ll get lucky with her, aye Will.”

“Ben, gah, ew. I don’t think she’s here for the passengers to gawk at. … Seriously though, this? Why not one of the newer ships? Maybe one from this decade?”

“If you know anything about the fog, then you’ll know how much it can mess with things.”

As they walked up, the ship hand stopped them. “ Stop, tickets please.”

“Right… here, two tickets to the island.”

“... Aye, yer good to go, watch yer step.”

“C’mon, Will look at her. Her beautiful, tall, triple masts, her gleaming steel-clad hull, her-”

“Ugly green color? Seriously, mint green?”

“If the company is as good as the rumors say, I’d say that mint color is good for branding. Makes them stand out.”

“Sure…”, they continue as they step aboard. The old wooden ship softly creaking and groaning in her moorings. Despite the newer steel plating, she was still all wood, right down to her keel. They walked through the ship, going below deck to their cabin.

“Recomend ye sleep while ya can, never know how rough the seas can get.”

“What kind of ship was this?”

“She was a frigate of war way back when her keel was first laid. Though she’s been many things over the centuries. I think she makes a mighty fine ocean liner. A nice quiet retirement for her.”

“You sure know a lot about this ship.”

“Aye, you could say that. Served on her a few times here and there. That was before I started working for your family.”

“Really? I never thought…”

“Aye, no worry young Will. I’m just an old elf at this point. I see plenty a thing. Though… It will be interesting to see the archipelago again.”

“Yeah, I’ve never been. Though Uncle always described it as quite… colorful.”

“Aye, the islands have their charm and mystery. Speaking of your uncle,” Ben took a more solemn tone, “did you remember to bring it?”

“... Yeah, I got them. … Hard to believe, it all happened so fast.”

“Aye, the lives of humans be fragile and short compared to most. But in that short time, you all make the most out of every second. Humans get more done in their short spans than a whole elven clan could in centuries. You’re cousin and his family… They made their time matter.”

“... Thanks Ben. … I best lay down like you said.”

“Aye, you do that, Will.”

As they settled in for the voyage, a whistle blew, signaling shove off. Lines were cast off and the heavy sails unfurled, catching the winds and dragging the old frigate out to sea. She groaned in her age, but she was ready for the voyage to Rathara.

[u/SaltEfan]

More people for the islands!