Dark waters

1. Valkyrie

Pressing his back against the stone wall, he shut his eyes and held his breath.
The sound of heavy boot steps marched right pass his hiding spot and continued down the cobbled alleyway.
Cole exhaled and slumped a bit.

Opening his eyes, he looked at the drying laundry that probably just saved him.
His gaze stopped at a pair of pants. They were about his size. He stepped closer and pulled them down. Leaving his own clothes on the line would be an upgrade for the person owning the simple clothes. His were made of the finest material and brand new.
The thought made his decision easier.

Wearing the black pants with a tear on one knee felt strange. He had never worn tattered clothes before, but at least they were clean.
He ruffled his short hair to get rid of the back slick he had been forced to wear for most of his life. The hair and his new attire should make people look twice before they recognized him.
Hopefully he would make it out of the city before anyone figured out where he had gone.
To be extra sure, he pulled up the hood on the short-sleeved sweater he had taken from the clothesline.

An idea sparked in his head. He picked up his pace and walked down to the docks.
If he hid on one of the ships leaving Lendro he should be able to escape. What happened next was up to the gods.

Cole had no idea if the place was a port or a harbor. He didn't know the difference, but it was full of ships.
He wondered how the people working on the ships got their jobs. Did they simply walk on board and ask?
In all of his twenty-four years, he had never learned how to apply for a job.

He stepped to the side to let two burly trolls pass with a barrel under each arm. They looked menacing with their glaring eyes and scarred arms. He would probably be dead if they wanted a fight.

Cole quickly walked further down the pier, glancing at the ships he passed.
Bronze Brier, Seablaze and Song of the Wales ... The ships had interesting names. Nothing that gave him the courage to try to get onboard, though. He didn't know what each of the ships did, either. Transport, probably, but he assumed they transported different things.
Hopefully at least one of them could use an extra pair of hands. They would have to teach him everything about being on a ship, but he would do his best to learn.

Something bumped in to him. He tumbled backwards, fell over a crate and landed on his back.
"Watch it, piss-ant!"
Cole stared at the big Taur bull in front of him, towering over him like a mountain of muscles. His nose was pointy and the full lower lip made him look pouty. The horns reminded him of the big ox at the farm near his home.
The bull had almost dropped the crate he was carrying.
"Watch where you're going before I break you in half!" he snapped while getting a better grip.
"Easy there, my friend. No harm done."
The annoyed bull looked over his shoulder and froze for a second.
Cole looked pass the bull and froze too.
The bull behind the angry one was the opposite of the one Cole had bumped in to. He looked well-dressed and had curled horns like a ram. Not as tall and more slender than the angry bull, but still elegant and confident.
"My apologies, captain. I lost my temper."
The big bull gave the younger one a small bowe.
"No harm done. Carry on."
"Of course, captain."
The bigger bull bowed again and walked off.

Cole met the gaze of the younger bull. The eyes of the blond bull had the color of polished topaz, and his amused smirk made Cole's heart flutter.
"Are you okay?"
Cole nodded.
"Yeah. I'm fine."
The young bull offered him a hand and Cole took it.
"Were you looking for something in particular?" the bull asked when Cole got on his feet.
Cole cleared his throat and nodded.
"I would like a job on one of the ships, but I don't know where I should ask."
He gave Song of the Wales a glance.
"Really? What sort of job are you looking for?"
Cole met the young bull's gaze.
"Honestly, I don't know."
The bull smiled.
"What can you do then?"
"Anything I guess."
"So sailor, navigator, cook, or cabin boy?"
Cole cleared his throat again.
"I don't know."
"Hmm ... Personally, I'm looking for a cabin boy. Would that be of any interest?"
Cole nodded quickly.
"Yes, sir... Captain."
"The name is Tanryn Dravas, but most people call me Tan."
The bull reached out his hand.
"Cole."
Tan smiled as they shook hands.
"Well. Come this way, Mr. Cole."
Cole quickly got his feet moving and followed Tan.
"It's Colter Roan, captain. But you can call me Cole."
Tan nodded.
"Noted."