Into the Shallows

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The aroma of victory hung thick in the air this night.

Captain Gareth Magnus had not expected less. He had his crew stalking the trade vessel for hours before making his move. Masking their black sails under the cover of darkness the moment the sun set over the horizon, he waited for it was clear their final watch had taken their post. These vessels were under significant guard these days, probably due to the actions of his peers on their trade routes. It was something Gareth had both anticipated and found nuisance.

This particular vessel was en route to Port Augustine. Though Gareth had his sites on taking that port, much like he had done with Ports Vale and Andmere, he had to be smart about it. Vale and Andmere were smaller ports on the outskirts of the Ossining, both significant in their own way, but neither could claim the title of "The Center of Trade". That belonged to Port Augustine, and that was why every single pirate that roamed these waters wanted to take it. It was why he had chosen to follow the trade vessel down its route – he did not intend to take the vessel today, only to ascertain the levels of security he would have to breach in order to take the port, and if his current fleet would be enough to do it.

There were a few things that determined a competence pirate captain in the Ossining, and two of those things were accomplishments that Gareth could boast: how many ports they conquered, and how many trade routes they overtook. Gold and riches were a fleeting fancy used to pay the crew and pay off anyone that needed to be silenced. The real wealth in the Ossning came form the ports, and the routes that connected them. If one fell, soon enough the rest would do so as well. With each port came a fleet of ships that the conquering pirate could helm, as each port swore fealty to the conqueror.

When Gareth was fourteen, his father had been the captain of his current vessel, The Kingsnake. During that time, he had learned all that he could to become the man and captain his father did not live long enough to be. The first lesson? Take as many ships as you can, but never lose the one that started the taking. Now after all these years, despite the many ships in his fleet, it was The Kingsnake people feared, and that was how it was meant to be.

Today, with his fleet spread out around the routes he had claimed on the way, Gareth sailed The Kingsnake down the route he intended to take to Port Augustine. Masked by the veil of night, he and his crew sailed behind the trading vessel until the lights of the enormous port began to shine along the horizon.

"We've made it," Gareth's first mate, Anton, breathed almost in disbelief.

"Not quite yet." Gareth murmured. "The seas were quiet, we should not expect the same the closer we to Augustine."

Anton frowned. "You do not intend to enter tonight?"

Gareth shook his head and stood to his full height. "Without the fleet, it would be a suicide mission. Right now, I mean to have eyes on the inside."

Catching onto his Captain's meaning, Anton turned back to the trade vessel ahead of them. "You mean for one of us to board?"

"Ideally tonight, yes."

"Which one of us?"

Gareth turned to observe the lingering crew members at work on deck. Any one of them would be able to do the job that he required of them, but only one of them would be able to blend into port society, a person who would know what to look for... Someone who came from such a society in a past life.

"Geoff!" He barked at the young man carrying a bucket across the deck. Startled, he nearly dropped it, but regained is footing quickly and handed it off to another crew member before rushing to attend to his captain. The son of the now-late Lord of Port Vale, Geoff Salazar had joined Gareth's crew not long after he'd taken Port Vale, fulfilling his wish to sail the Ossining instead of remaining on land. Though reticent to take on the formerly pampered young Lord, Gareth had decided to give the boy a chance, seeing some use in him for the future, and now he was glad he did. He was perfect for this mission.

"Aye, Captain."

"You're still a strong swimmer?"

"Aye, strong as ever, tides willing."

"Well, you're in luck, as the tides are in your favor tonight," Gareth ushered Geoff forward and Anton followed them. He pointed to the trading vessel ahead of them. "I need you to stow on that ship until it ports in Augustine."

Geoff looked hesitant. "You want me to swim to that ship, stow away on it, and disembark on Port Augustine?"

"Aye."

"And to what when I get there?"

"Espionage," Gareth replied simply. "Move around the port, open your ears to the goings on, anything we can use in order to take it."

"Should be simple enough for a lad like you," Anton smacked him on the back. "Son of the ports as you are."

"I... I suppose." Geoff gulped. "How do I get back?"

"Ascertain the departure of that same vessel," Gareth instructed. "Stow back on when it is set to disembark. We will take it for our fleet, and you can join us during what I anticipate to be a very brief scuffle."

Geoff nodded, the instructions seeping in slowly. Gareth could see the apprehension in the young man's eyes, it was natural, but he could dwell on it.

"Lad," Gareth forced Geoff to look at him, "tell me now if you are able to perform this task. I will not send someone who is only half qualified. This is too important."

Geoff shook his head quickly. "No, Captain, send me! I can do. I will see it done."

"Good lad," Gareth clapped him in the back. "Now, your pistol will be useless after you enter the water. Leave it behind, take whatever weapons you can find on board that vessel or in port. Anton," he turned to his first mate, "fetch some gold for the lad, a week's worth should do."

"A week, captain?" Geoff asked as Anton hurried away.

"Insurance," Gareth assured him. "Obviously we do not know when that vessel will disembark, best to be prepared." He pointed to the port once again. "Your priority will be to determine the state of Lord Aurelius' house. He might be powerful, but a man is only as powerful as he can keep his own home in order."

"His house..." Geoff nodded. "Got it."

"Compile as much information as you can before that trade vessel departs. Take nothing that does not need to be taken, steal nothing that does not need to be stolen. I am attempting to learn the status of the port's leadership, not cause premature turmoil, understood?"

"Aye, Captain."

Anton returned with a small bag of gold and placed it in Geoff's palm. "Don't be losing it."

Geoff quickly tucked it away and turned to face the railing, and the crushing waves below. If there was any one on board that knew the proper way to survive the fall long enough to make the swim to the vessel ahead, it was him. Port Vale had been known for its generation of expert divers and dredgers. Close to the Ossining Narrows, many ships had met their demise on Port Vale's reefs, and left many invaluable treasures in the depths. To take ultimate advantage of the treasure that lay at the ocean floor, Lord Salazar and generations before him had many trained in swimming, diving and dredging in order to salvage as much valuables as possible. Geoff had taken part in such trainings, and even though it would not gain them gold or jewels this time, he would still work in their favor.

"Here," Gareth handed him the dagger he had strapped to his boot. "Keep it where no one can see, it has my seal. Only use it if you must. Leave your colors here."

Geoff nodded, taking the dagger and than untying the band around his waist containing the black, grey, and gold of Gareth's colors. Now no one in port would know which Captain he sailed for, only that he was just another nobody amongst their populous. Better even that this far away from the Ossining Narrows, no one would recognize a Salazar.

"Godspeed, lad," Gareth whispered as Geoff saluted, took in a deep breath, and dove into the dark depths below. 

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Author's note: Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed! Be sure to leave a vote and comment, let me know how you liked it. I hope you enjoy the rest! :)

<3, Mila