Currents

Chapter One

The sun peaked through the wood shutters into the dingy room of the inn, the barking of a nearby mutt causing Kip to stir. He felt warmth on his sun-kissed skin, a cool breeze giving a temporary relief to the heat. He let out a soft sigh, swinging his long legs over the edge of the bed and lifting himself to his feet. His blue eyes peered out the window, taking in the sights the small port town had to offer. The sand road in the center was lined on either side by stalls run by roaming merchants and stores offering the residents a permanent solution to whatever they needed, men riding horseback were trotting up and down the road, and beyond all that, the docks. With a Navy as big as the Empire's was, and the merchant and pirating ships out there, a coastal town was stupid not to invest in a large dock – and a tavern. No port town was complete without a tavern.

Kip dressed quickly in black boots, black trousers, and a white tunic, making his way down to the front of the inn to see if anyone from the crew was still hanging around. He spotted Ladonis asleep in a chair on the deck outside, leaning back on two legs against the wooden wall and snoring quietly. Kip approached quietly, gently kicking the front leg of the chair. It fell forward with a thud, settling on all four legs. Ladonis snapped awake, looking around worriedly. 

"Shit, Kip. Balath forbid you tap my shoulder or call my name, prick," Ladonis said, standing up and beginning his walk next to Kip towards the ship.

 Compared to Kip's height, Ladonis was almost a full pace taller, and he was a little heavier as well. But he was young, and Kip figured he'd lose it soon from all the labor he was forced to do in the hot sun.

Before long, both Kip and Ladonis were aboard the ship. It was fairly large – large enough to carry cargo, but not so large to sacrifice sufficient speed. They had a crew of 40 – men, women, currents, and humans who either loved the rush, or needed the money. Kip fit into both categories. As First Mate, however, Kip's duty was to make sure the ship was ready to leave when Gavin – the captain – was. Within moments, he began barking orders. He pointed, gestured, cursed, and overall directed the crew with the intensity he had on most days. Being as young as he was and being the First Mate meant that he had to make up for his lack of experience with an intense sense of intuition, cunning, and an admirable willingness to do what needed to be done.

A strong gust blew in from the West, bringing choppy waves with it. It was then that Gavin stepped aboard, and moments later Kip was shouting orders. Everyone scurried around like stray cats in an alley who have just seen a dog. As amusing as it was to Kip, it was also effective. Within minutes, the ship had left Natara's dock and was heading East, using the gusts that came in every so often to fly across the waves.

When the crew was in working order after finding their rhythm, Kip took his place on the upper deck next to Gavin. Gavin's long black hair fluttered wildly in the open seas air, but even his thick beard couldn't hide the obvious joy he got from the feeling. 

"Long night, Kip?" Gavin asked smugly, knowing full well that it was. Kip only had snippets of memories of Gavin shoving too much alcohol into his face. "Could've been longer had you been able to keep up," Kip quickly retorted, his grin mirroring Gavin's. Kip had been aboard the ship since he was kicked out at fifteen. Back then, he was shorter, scrawnier, and thought he knew everything. It had only taken a couple of brawls and beatings for him to learn how he needed to act aboard the ship. He'd filled out since then, though, gaining a full pace of height and some toned muscles.

"Where are we headed?" Kip asked, turning to Gavin after over an hour of sailing straight East. 

"Bortello. Intercepting a supply run. Crops, powder, weapons." Gavin responded, not taking his eyes off the horizon.