Ashes

Chapter 5

Lyanna
The harbor was as crowded as ever. For the life of me, I could never understand how people could live right here by the docks.  This was where most of the thievery happened - probably because the thieves knew they could get away with it. The din, crowds and insane amount of alley ways made for a perfect getaway.
"Makes you miss the training life, huh?" Matthias said, smirking. "Remember when they would bring us out here and let us get lost?"
"If I remember, I was the one bringing you out here. Don't make me do it to you now," I threatened, half-joking.
He smiled wide. "You forget that I now know this place like the back of my hand!"
" You're absolutely sure?" I asked him. His smile faltered for a second and then came back in full force.
"I'm pretty sure!" He exclaimed with extra confidence.
"Mmm- hm."
I looked around for the ship Tristan described. It was a low-lying vessel that had speed over space. It would be new with a blue and gold sail. I spotted it near the end of the docks and headed in that direction.  With any luck, I would escort this Captain Verince back to the Circle, and full him in on what we know.
I looked behind me to see if Matthias was following, and seeing that he was, I barged through the crowd quickly, weaving in and out between the crowd.
Tristan knew very little about this captain, since Verince has been sent to the Lycan Isles by Caster Pradhan. Verince had been going from island to island, helping strengthen the Riders force that was already in place, which had evidently been worn thin because of Adorno.
I stopped at the plank boards connecting the ship to the dock. Hopefully I could catch the Captain when he came off.
"Did you purposely leave me?" I looked over my shoulder to see Matthias, huffing, with an annoyed look on his face.
"I thought you said you knew this place like the back of your hand," I retorted. He blinked, trying to think of a good answer, but quickly gave up. He came beside me, studying the ship. It was more embellished than I cared for, but still, it was a magnificent ship.
"So what does this Captain look like anyway?" Matthias asked.
I shrugged. "Tristan and I have never met him," I replied. All I knew was this Verince had been sent off years before I had joined the Riders. He had risen up the ranks at his current post, and the last person to speak to him in person was Caster Pradhan.
Looking around, I saw some barrels and crates by the lamppost, and a beggar hunched against the pile. No other people were in the direct vicinity. I glared at the ship. Groaning, I headed toward the gangplank.
"Stay here, Matthias," I ordered.
I didn't even bother looking back to see if he heard me. Stepping onto the deck, I peered about. Nothing stood out. Nothing but piles of ropes, lumber and a spare anchor lay on the damp boards. They had just gotten in for everything to be this organized, unless this Captain was always this spick'n'span.
"Do you make a habit of boarding ships that don't belong to you?"
I whirled, my sword and dagger out. A man stood there, about six foot, dressed in black leather trousers, a white shirt and an open matching black vest. His brown hair was swept to the right side, some strands falling in front of his hazel eyes which stared intently at me. His hand was on the hilt of his sword as he studied me. He finally smiled, and bent his head, gesturing to my uniform.
"Rider?" he asked, his voice almost mocking.
I straightened and sheathed my weapons. He evidently didn't see me as much of a threat if he hadn't even bothered to draw his sword.
"Who are you?"
He smirked, easing up, his eyes gleaming. "Verince. Captain of the ship you're standing on."
I looked him over, taking in the weathered tan of his arms and face, as well as the make of the band on his wrist. It looked like the band that was given to those who were given merit by the Caster. This was some Captain I was escorting.
"First Proctor," I said curtly, offering a nod in greeting.
"Wasn't expecting a guard."
"Escort."
"Same thing," he said, shrugging.
I glared, biting my tongue. "I'll leave you be then," I retorted. A guy with his attitude didn't need an escort. I turned and left the deck, seeing Matthias eyeing me from the bottom. He must have heard a part of what was said.
"Ummm..." he started.
"Shut it."
"So, what does he look like?"
I brushed past him, knocking his shoulder. One look at my face and he knew better than to continue. He nodded and fell behind me as I headed off the docks. I felt the eyes of the arse on the ship, but simply ignored him, leaving him to his own inventions. I just hoped Tristan would be understanding.