Cerulean Tides

Chapter 2

The Galene and Thalia sailed side by side beneath the clear midday sky, the sunlight glinting off their polished wood and iron fixtures. Though they were twin galleons, each ship bore its captain's unmistakable marks. The Galene, Captain Harren's seasoned beauty, carried a cerulean stripe down her side and delicate silver inlays that glimmered like fish scales in the sunlight. Her sails, crisp white and carefully mended over the years, billowed steadily, giving her an air of quiet strength and precision. In contrast, the Thalia, commanded by Dax Rhodes, was a bolder sight—her beige sails patched in a way that seemed intentional, like a badge of honor. A rough gray stripe ran along her hull, and her tarnished brass accents gleamed in the sun, lending her a rugged charm.

Elise leaned over the Galene's railing, squinting against the glare bouncing off the waves. She was thirteen now, tall enough to move about on her own and observant enough to sense the subtle differences in the crew's mood. Today, the air held a rare calm. The waters sparkled beneath them, the midday sun warming the backs of the sailors, whose voices held the relaxed tone that came only in moments of respite.

Her attention shifted as she noticed a flurry of activity on the decks below. Flags were being raised on the Thalia, their bright colors catching the wind and relaying a coded message. Elise's brow furrowed in concentration as she watched, trying to piece together the signals. She knew enough of the code to understand the basics, though some combinations still puzzled her. This one, however, was unmistakable—Dax's request was clear as day.

"Seize the vessel," his flags said, fluttering boldly above the Thalia. Elise's heart skipped. She scanned the horizon and quickly spotted the reason for Dax's excitement—a sleek, opulent ship adorned with an elaborate banner flapping high above its deck. The sight of Lady Isolde's sigil, three silver coins on an emerald-green field, left little doubt as to who commanded it. Around her, murmurs rose from the crew, whispers about the wealth of Serpent's Bay, and the rumored silver cargo Lady Isolde's ship was likely carrying.

She watched Harren's face as he read Dax's flags. His expression was as steady as ever, though his brow creased slightly, the only sign that he considered Dax's brash suggestion with a hint of irritation. He turned to the signal crew on the Galene and nodded sharply. Moments later, his own flags were raised, his reply fluttering out in response to Dax's message.

"Maintain course," Harren's flags declared. His message was firm, unyielding.

Elise's eyes darted back to the Thalia, where Dax's figure stood at the helm, his stance tall and unmistakably defiant. His face wasn't visible, but the tense line of his shoulders told her he was far from pleased. Despite the distance, Elise could almost feel the silent argument stretching between the two ships. While Harren's flags continued to relay his intention to keep their course for Havenmoor, Dax's remained frozen in silence, hovering as if waiting for another chance to defy.

She watched from her hidden vantage, her mind racing. She'd heard tales of Lady Isolde from the crew—whispers about her connections, her wealth, and her sway in Serpent's Bay. The Galene's crew respected Harren's command, but there was no missing the curiosity in their faces, the glances they threw toward Lady Isolde's ship on the horizon.

From across the deck, Harren's calm presence held steady. Elise knew that he rarely let anything interfere with his plans. She had seen him act with a clear purpose, every decision measured, his leadership one of subtle control rather than force. Dax, however, was different—quicker to jump at opportunities, driven by his own bold ambition. This divide between the captains intrigued Elise, filling her with a growing sense of tension as she realized Dax might push harder to take advantage of Lady Isolde's passing ship.