ROSE OF SKANDIA

•|•|•|•|Chapter Five|•|•|•|•

I made myself comfortable on one of the rowing benches. My hands gripped tightly on the ship's edge. Waves were constantly breaking over the bow -due to the strong wind- splashing the crew and I. The Herons seemed completely oblivious to the water, but I couldn't say the same for Keith, Easton, and I.

"Isn't this amazing!" Easton yelled. He sat a bench behind me with a slightly queezy looking Keith.

Scratch that, Easton is absolutely fine with being pelted by water twenty-four seven. If anything, I'd say he's enjoying himself.

"If by amazing, you mean absolutely miserable, then yes," I snapped. The warm summer weather wasn't enough to keep the chill from the water away.

"You lot look like a pack of molerats!" Stig shouted. The big Skandian came over and plopped down beside me.

"You want to try to steer this thing? Hal said he'd let you have a go!" Stig asked.

I was about to reply, but a splash of water hit me directly in the face.

I sputtered and pointed to Easton. "He'd love too," I managed to say. I quickly returned my hand to it place on the railing and prayed we'd get to land soon.

...

It was nearly dark, the horrendous wind had calmed, and we were making smooth sailing, Keith had taken up position as lookout, we had entered a part of the sea where pirates were common found.

Easton hadn't left Hal's side since earlier today, much to Stig's annoyance. And mine, because the first mate was now glued to my side.

"You gonna eat that?" Stig asked. I glared at him as his hand moved toward my biscuit.

"No." I swatted his hand and saved the biscuit from the evil predator.

"She hit me!" Stig yelled.

A collective sigh of annoyance went around the Herons. "Then hit her back!" Jesper replied.

"That's not very gentlemanly," Ingvar admonished. The big Skandian was sitting on a rowing bench, eating supper with Lydia.

I sat on the deck with most of the Herons. Other than Hal and Easton, who were still at the tiller.

"Besides, Keith would throw you overboard," I warned.

Stig and a few others laughed at the thought. "I'd like to see him try!"

Just like that, Keith appeared, standing behind Stig.

"Oh?" The Ranger said, his voice dangerously low.

Stig screamed. Actually screamed and rolled away into the rowing well.

"Stop bullying my apprentice!" Keith yelled after him. Then he plopped down beside me and stole my biscuit.

"You gotta learn to stand up for yourself more, kid," Keith said, a humorous light in his eyes.

I pulled my sax from my side and leveled it at Keith.

"I see you understand, good," Keith said. He slowly raised his arms in surrender, but as I reached for my biscuit he quickly stuffed the whole thing in his mouth.

I sighed in defeat. "I hope you choke."

Rook handed me his canteen. I took it and unscrewed the lid to smell the wonderful aroma of coffee.

"You've been holding out on me," I complained.

"Does every Ranger that exists like coffee?" Edvin asked.

I shook my head. "We love it."

(A/N: It's kinda short, but hey, I'll probably update tomorrow, too.)