Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li - Brian Pratt [9]
Walking down the street toward the dock, James says, “I hope this Captain Caril wouldn’t have sailed without us.”
“I doubt it,” replies Jiron. “He’s doing it for Nate’s family, so I think he’d at least give us the courtesy of waiting a little bit.”
“How long do you think it’ll be before we’re back to Cardri?” asks Miko.
“She said probably a couple weeks,” James explains. “We’re not going straight there, but are hitching a ride as they go along their trade route.”
“Oh,” he says.
Sails can be seen on the horizon as they near the docks. Once there, they ask the Harbor Master which ship is Captain Caril’s and he points to a two masted vessel, further down.
“Thank you,” James says to him as they proceed down to the ship.
When they arrive at the Foam Breaker, James hollers up to the ship, “Permission to come aboard?”
A man, obviously the captain by his dress, comes to the gangplank and looks down at them standing there on the dock. “You James?” he asks.
He nods his head. “That’s me, and this is Miko and Jiron.” he says, indicating the others standing next to him.
“Come aboard,” the captain says before turning and moving back away from the gangplank.
As they start walking up the gangplank, he begins shouting orders to his crew and the lines are cast off. Once they’re on board, the gangplank is pulled in. The mainsail gets unfurled and the ship begins to move as the wind fills it. The helmsman turns the wheel and the ship pulls away from the dock on its way to open water.
“We appreciate you taking us on,” James says to the captain.
“You’re welcome,” he replies in between barking out orders. Turning his attention back to them, he says, “There’s a room at the stern you can use while you’re aboard. There are some goods stored there, sorry about that, but it’s used as an auxiliary storage compartment.”
“Thank you,” James says. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
Nodding, the captain adds, “Just stay out of the crews way and we’ll get you where you need to go.”
“Which ways the stern,” Miko asks.
The captain points to the rear of the ship.
They head in that direction and come to a door leading into the raised portion at the end of the ship. Opening the door, they find a small room, half filled with boxes and bolts of colored cloth. “They must keep this stuff here so it won’t be ruined by the rain,” suggests James.
“Probably,” Jiron says as they enter the room. Within, they find three hammocks slung one above the other, between the walls. Miko eyes them suspiciously when James informs him, “They’re for sleeping.”
Miko goes over to them and says incredulously, “You’re kidding!” He takes a hold of the bottom one and pushes it. He just stares at it as it swings back and forth.
“No, seriously,” he says as he sits down on the middle one and proceeds to lie down. “In tight quarters such as are on a ship, this is the only way to maximize space for the crew and still have plenty of space for the cargo.”
Eyeing them dubiously, he sets his pack down in the corner. He comes over to the lowest one and opens it up, sitting down on it. Attempting to lie down, he suddenly flips over and lands on the floor.
Jiron bursts out laughing at the sight.
James flashes him an annoyed look and he soon stops. Turning his attention back to Miko who had gotten up from the floor red faced, he says, “It takes some practice.” Hopping down from his hammock, he holds Miko’s open for him and says, “Here, sit down then lift one leg over.”
Miko hesitates a moment, but then comes over and does as James says. Once he’s straddling the hammock, James says, “Now, lie back and nestle in between the sides. Once you’re secure, bring your feet up together so you remain balanced.”
Nervous about hitting the floor again, Miko takes it slow and lies back until he’s nestled in the hammock. James keeps a firm hold of it while he’s getting in. Then, lifting his feet, he brings them into the hammock until he’s completely settled within it.
James lets the hammock go and it