Today I went on my first real adventure with Fox and his crew....
I would like to spend my time gushing about the sea and it’s beauty... But, unfortunately things are never turn out exactly how you want them to.
First of all, sailing is quite different than I had once believed it to be. The amount of preparation required before you even leave land behind is astonishing. The rigging is quite impressive to watch. I hope that one day I might be able to assist in it. For now, Captain has me doing more basic jobs. I help count the cargo, assist the chef in the galley, tidy everything, and do whatever else that pops up. Of course, most of my time is spent watching over the crew and taking notes. I’ve nearly half a book on just maintenance! Everyone keeps telling me that I am picking things up quickly and that I am not in the way. I wish I could believe them...
The evening before we set sail.... A new face wandered in. He was escorted to us with some fancy letter of recommendation. Fox and this new kid -- Kalsier, they had some big discussion that I didn’t understand. The slang of sea goers is quite odd yet I find myself drawn to learn it. This pale headed blonde man looked a bit nervous. Perhaps he bit off more than he could chew. Something about working with merchant ships before... In the end, he was granted a trial to see if he would be able to join the crew. He claimed to be some kind of navigator, which is good, because Fox and I were talking previously and he said that he was the navigator. The man is blind.. I adore him but I don’t think I trust his navigational skills in the middle of the dark sea.
Fox was a bit nervous about this trade.. But, work is work. We set sail in the morning and everything seemed to be going well. The crew was working so smooth like butter. Kal seemed to be fitting in decently as he did... whatever he did. He was kind and tried to explain but maps are not my strong point.
Unfortunately, luck was not on our side. As we rounded the straight at the top of the Highlands... We were taken by surprise by Brashtide Raiders. They had four ships to our three but The Revenge ripped their lead frigate apart. I will admit that I never thought something so destructive could be so beautiful at the same time. The other three ships were a bit faster... We couldn’t get solid shots on them. Fox made some quick decisions... He called out some fancy orders. Something about The Cry coming in tight and The Hawk dropping behind? I don’t know... I think someone said the goal was to lure one of the ships off.
Thankfully, it worked! The Hawk took down the slower one leaving us with only two ships. It was quite a fight... The Cry and The Revenge were just a constant stream of movement as the crew worked together in battle. I did my best to keep up while also staying out of the way... I’ve never been one for swords or guns. I’m a dagger and poison type of girl, after all. But, now? I’m going to start training hard during any free time that I might have. I refuse to be dead weight on this crew!
One of the enemy ships hit the rocks and some of our crew took care of them. The other ship, sadly, slipped away and got away. I’m so angry that they didn’t pay for their attack.... I want to hunt them down and destroy them. But, that isn’t my call. Plus, The Cry took quite a bit of damage... She will need some repairs before we can sail at full capacity again.
We made it to our destination with little excitement after that... The Goblins attempted to give Fox a bit of a hard time. But, he isn’t the Captain for nothing! Our delivery was completed as it was expected and they are funding the repairs to our ship.
The return homeward was quiet and uneventful.... Far too quiet, to be honest. The crews spirit was low... We lost two of ‘em in battle. Quite a few were injured as well. I’ve not got the full count yet... But, I heard there were at least five -- maybe up to ten that were badly injured. Pretty much all of us have some minor injuries.. Captain was shot in the side. You’d think..... You’d think I was used to this by now. With my past as an assassin and all of the mercenary work? Injury and death have surrounded me. But, I’m not. My heart breaks for this crew and the family our dearly departed have left behind. I can’t help but blame myself... I was a loose end. An under educated and unskilled body. If I wasn’t there... Would they have survived? The Captain tells me that they knew the risk.. That this, as sad as it is, happens. He claims that I was useful and that I put up a good fight.. I can only hope he is not lying to me.
Fox shared with me some words that his father once told him... They are words I will hold close to my heart forever.
“Don’t you forget how this feels. Because, the moment you stop feeling bad about losing crew is the moment you should walk the fuck away from the sea and never look back. A good crewmate hurts and it hurts hard when they lose a brother or sister. If it doesn’t? You don’t deserve to have them at all.”
Tonight we mourn them. Tomorrow we remember them. And we keep sailing because that is what they damn well wanted us to do.
