The day was cold, unseasonably so. Bundled in her favorite morning coat, the captain of the Al Na"ir stood defiant against the autumnal climate, the too-bright sun kept from her eyes by the wide brim of her trademark black hat. That voice, full of passionate authority, cut plaintively through the wind and surf around her. Pale blue eyes spotted in the distance the familiar black stripes of the Eastern Point Lighthouse. A beacon: home is here. A warning: mind the rocks. So many things in her world felt like that.
"Let's bring her in, mates."
Her fierce gaze swept over the deck as everyone sprang into action. It had taken months, but things had begun to run like clockwork. She watched with a swell of pride as Ayrani's watch leapt into action, having learned well that particular way she seemed to communicate. Grey barked at his own watch accordingly, and Hayes even managed not to roll her eyes as she headed into the rigging.
The chilly spray from the choppy seas dotted her face, the taste of it familiar and comforting on her lips, a scent of home tickling long forgotten memories as it always did. Strange that bringing a ship in, for many like her, was a preparation to leave one's home. Maia noted that combination of relief and reluctance in the eyes of the veterans. The easy smile of Grey spoke volumes to her. How long would they be docked" When would they return to their true home again?
"Luff the topsails, ten degrees to tack"keep it easy."
In the course of a few months, five had become eleven and then blossomed to fifteen. Fifteen pockets to fill. Fifteen mouths to feed. Fifteen people looking to her, wondering what was next. She knew they could not tarry long. RhyDin proper had a peculiar way of making its denizens wounded, dead, or gone without a trace. It would not be fitting to replace half the crew because those unfamiliar with the treacherous city had wandered into the wrong alley after dark.
What was next' Another trade run" Piracy was out of the question, no matter how easy it would be for her to fall into old patterns. It was important to keep things on the level. Promises had been made. Maia reflected on those promises at length as she eyed the shoreline. Soon she would walk through the streets again, marking those places where much of the best and worst of her life had played out. It was the closest thing to home she may ever feel, and it pained her to look at it. She loved the city almost as much as she hated it.
"Diego, Jonson"keep an eye to those dockhands, never know what you are going to get out here."
After weeks at sea without pause, Maia felt the ship go still as she was pulled up snug against the fenders. Thankfully for the hands working dockside that day, they were a competent lot and tied things up to the satisfaction of the captain. The gangplank finally married ship and dock, and she found that she just wasn't ready to leave the Al Na"ir. Maybe she would never be?
"Let's bring her in, mates."
Her fierce gaze swept over the deck as everyone sprang into action. It had taken months, but things had begun to run like clockwork. She watched with a swell of pride as Ayrani's watch leapt into action, having learned well that particular way she seemed to communicate. Grey barked at his own watch accordingly, and Hayes even managed not to roll her eyes as she headed into the rigging.
The chilly spray from the choppy seas dotted her face, the taste of it familiar and comforting on her lips, a scent of home tickling long forgotten memories as it always did. Strange that bringing a ship in, for many like her, was a preparation to leave one's home. Maia noted that combination of relief and reluctance in the eyes of the veterans. The easy smile of Grey spoke volumes to her. How long would they be docked" When would they return to their true home again?
"Luff the topsails, ten degrees to tack"keep it easy."
In the course of a few months, five had become eleven and then blossomed to fifteen. Fifteen pockets to fill. Fifteen mouths to feed. Fifteen people looking to her, wondering what was next. She knew they could not tarry long. RhyDin proper had a peculiar way of making its denizens wounded, dead, or gone without a trace. It would not be fitting to replace half the crew because those unfamiliar with the treacherous city had wandered into the wrong alley after dark.
What was next' Another trade run" Piracy was out of the question, no matter how easy it would be for her to fall into old patterns. It was important to keep things on the level. Promises had been made. Maia reflected on those promises at length as she eyed the shoreline. Soon she would walk through the streets again, marking those places where much of the best and worst of her life had played out. It was the closest thing to home she may ever feel, and it pained her to look at it. She loved the city almost as much as she hated it.
"Diego, Jonson"keep an eye to those dockhands, never know what you are going to get out here."
After weeks at sea without pause, Maia felt the ship go still as she was pulled up snug against the fenders. Thankfully for the hands working dockside that day, they were a competent lot and tied things up to the satisfaction of the captain. The gangplank finally married ship and dock, and she found that she just wasn't ready to leave the Al Na"ir. Maybe she would never be?