Tales of the Strange

Chapter 1 - Call of the Sea

The man they picked up at their last stop was a particularly outstanding one, not only because he could convince their stubborn captain to be let onto their ship, but also because he seemed to be able to pay up any sum their captain decided on.

But the strangeness did not stop there, not even close, this man was tall, the moment Jan set eyes on him, he was sure that this man was an enigma. He was tall, and elegant, from his appearance he wasn't surprised that he could pay the high price set for his passage.

His English was clear and sophisticated, from the few words he overheard from the conversation between him and the captain that was clear. He spoke some words which meant nothing to Jan, but their captain, Bay, seemed to handle that conversation with the same confidence as he always did, whether or not he actually understood what that strange, and impossibly tall man was talking about.

Later, as they were boarding the ship, he even heard the man inquire about tales of the sea, legends which were commonly spread among sailors. Jan knew their first mate to be a strangely secluded unsocial type, yet he seemed to hold that conversation with no sign of his signature disinterest.

As a simple mate, Jan was called to work quickly after that, he didn't get to see that strange man again until sunset.

He was unsure what called him away from bed, what made him stumble through the other mates on the ship, and nearly trip over from the unruliness of the sea.

On the deck, he searched for the man with his eyes, somehow knowing that he would see him, and he did, with a lit lantern, standing there leaned against the railing, seemingly unbothered by the swaying of the ship.

If Jan believed in those legends of the sea, he would have said that this man was swaying with the ocean itself, as if he himself was part of it.

Before he could have found himself back in reality, realising that he was up far past curfew, that strange man looked at him, and Jan felt a silent call, though the man spoke no word. He observed him, then gave into this silent invitation.

Leaning against the railing, his eyes were drawn to the sea, the water shadowed and deep.

"I be needin' to hit the sack again..." 

Jan mumbled, his voice soft and distracted, empty of any resolve towards such an action.

"The night calls us all for a purpose, you need not hurry so." 

The man said, his voice as calm as a summer breeze. 

Perhaps this was the first time that Jan noticed the perfection of this man, his skin, his smile, it was all perfect, and beautiful, though he found even that word ill-fitting.

"What be the point o' it fer ye then?"

The man's smile edged slightly upwards, his head slowly turning back towards the sea, his eyes looking somewhere far towards the horizon.

"Who knows. Perchance my very purpose here was to meet you."

Jan nodded, though he understood nothing of what this man was talking about, he felt like if he were to ask about it, he would get no straight answer. Instead, a different question came to him, something which he asked himself many times since he first laid eyes on this man, and it felt as if this was the only time he could ask this.

"Who be ye? Ye've got doubloons, yet here ye are askin' 'bout sea tales, chattin' with sea dogs like meself. What tides brought ye to these waters?"

The man laughed melodically, and if Jan listened closely enough, he could recognize something familiar in this man's laugh. Something so close to his own heart, yet so hard to decipher.