The Fall of Northpass

Chapter Two

The wind ran through his hair as he ran to the Blue Phoenix. He looked at the beauty, a seaworthy vessel, no splintered planks or anything bad for that matter. He want on the ship to see Captain Galen.
"Captain?" His called echoed through everything below decks.
A gray haired energetic man that had calloused hands emerged from the captains quarters.
"Rody Blackiron." He said in a flat tone "Back up front rower, bilge bailer."
That was not what he expected. Bilge bailing was a menial task that was smelly, cleaning out the pockets of water on the ship.
"Captain, I've been around crews since I was born, I have a lot of experience, I can do a lot of things."
"Yes, and one of them is bilge bailing."
"Captain,"
"I am your captain and you should not order your captain."
"But did you pick me just for bilge bailing?"
"Oh, no you'll also be lander."
He thought great now I have suicide missions too. On Northpass ships, every crew had one lander. When they found land, the lander had to go on, spend a night there and then use a series of signals to tell if it is safe or not. If he doesn't signal back, it's not safe. It was a hard job and most Landers die on unfamiliar ground, alone, and unburied.
He thanked Galen and left to his house.
He wondered how to break the bad news to his mom, but moms always know when something's up.
"Rody, what happened."
"Ma, I'm bilge bailer." He said hoping to avoid a confrontation.
"Rody, there's something else." His mom said sniffing out the problems.
"Yes Ma, I'm lander"
She was crestfallen.
"Rody, are you sure?"
"Yes Ma."
"Well you have to listen to your captain, ask Galen if he can set out."
"Yes Ma."
Rody left the house. The stench of regret was coming from his mom, and he decided it was best to leave her alone. Ma had her own way to cope with problems. It stopped snowing as he made his way to the boat yard again.
He remembered that Galen had a reputation for being heartless, so pleading wouldn't take it. Well he could ask the High Captain, he was a friend of his fathers, they raided together, at least his Ma told him that. As he approached the looming High Captain's quarters, a large two floor building he felt wind. And hoped for the best.

Authors note- the others part is on kishan_1020 this is a prequel and thank you for reading!