Chapter one
I had long ago proved to the world and myself what I was capable of and what I was not. There is little in my field of work that I am not capable of handling myself. Nonetheless, I never completely wiped away the gawking views of those whom I am just meeting or am striding past. They take a fleeting glance at the walking stick - a simple dark wooded cane – but their eyes always slightly bug when they see the left side of my face, which is not smooth like my right, but marked with a brownish red hue that sits in a tight and rough disfigured pattern. The men and women who have been around longer recover more quickly, but those who are just starting out gape for whole minutes before they finally attempt at some sense of dignity.
I cannot blame them. To this day I find it is difficult to look into anything reflective less I catch a glimpse of myself. But I have had these scars for many years and have learned to accept them and move forward with what I want to accomplish. It was difficult, for these scars extend to my arms and hands and left leg, some parts worse than others. They created limits, a sore spot, for in my profession, limits were deadly. Although over time I was able to break through those limits with practice and perseverance, there is still a select few obstacles I will never destroy.
I attempted to focus on the captain in front of me as he spoke about the insight he received on a future raiding. I tried not to turn and stare coldly at the sailors who had followed him on board ship. It was difficult. This group, consisting of the visiting captain and his three men along with myself and my captain, Sean, had been in the maps room for nearly an hour now and the men, thinking that because I was looking at their captain, had taken every opportunity to stare at my scars. Their captain seemed well enough, but he certainly needed to build on his crews’ etiquette.
“Captain Tillman,” Sean spoke up when there was pause, “you said it was hinted that the pirates will be around that peninsula? My ship has received orders to sail close by there.” The peninsula Sean pointed to was part of a large mass of land formally named Corbett and was well known for its many large ports and trading cities, the most popular being the city named Harrisman. Our orders had been to sail pass the peninsula to another city, Torgota, which was east of Harrisman.
Captain Tillman smiled, “Exactly. Your ship will have to pass many ports before you reach Torgota. Am I right in leaving this investigation up to you and your men?”
“Absolutely, Captain Tillman.” Sean responded. Not long after, Captain Tillman and his three sailors left for their own ship anchored nearby. It had been a surprisingly long visit for such a small request by a senior Captain. Sean and I had escorted them up to the main deck, speaking little now that what needed to be said had been spoken. All the while I felt the eyes of the sailors on me, and once or twice Captain Tillman’s as we walked down the narrow halls and up the stairs to the deck. Sean and I stood by to watch the four row themselves back to their own ship. I was glad to see them leave.
When the boat was close enough to the other ship, Sean turned around while saying, “Well, I’m hungry. Why don’t you and I see what the cook has ready?” We headed down to the kitchen on the last level of the Adimpleo, where it was easier for the room to stay warmer. Most of our sailors were seen hanging about here on their down time, but Sean and I spent most of our time in the maps room or in one of our cabins discussing future plans or playing chess. The only reason for Sean or me to stay in the kitchen was if we had orders to express, for this was the fastest way the command would travel.
I balanced my tray of bread, dry meats, and an orange in my right hand as I walked over to an empty table in the center of the kitchen. Sean sat across from me, immediately ripping his bread in half to let some of the heat release. The table was large enough to seat a dozen men – as were all of the tables in the spacious kitchen – but it was not quite noon, so many of our men had not come down yet to eat. I ate my bread and meats in silence, realizing that I had become hungry from the visit with Captain Tillman. I ate my orange last; quietly savoring the sweetness, for it was a treat to have oranges on board.
