What I Sail The Sea For
Prologue - - - - - -
"Aye, away!" Joseph announced proudly as the Crowbird slowly drifted away from the pier to another month-long ship ride. He leaned over the edge and watched as the shoreline disappeared as another journey began. Not just any journey, but a brave life-threatening trip to deliver outports of tea across the sea. Okay, so maybe it wasn't as daring as they had hoped for, but even though, the thrill of sailing was enough to keep the crew contained.
Nicholas scooted up next to him bringing up an oil lantern. The sun was already dropping behind the horizon which cast an orange glow across the sky.
"Are you ready?" he asked as he hung the lantern over the railing and leaned over to catch the breeze rolling through his curls.
"For what?" Jospeph raised a brow.
"To introduce the new crew, remember?" his brother reminded as he nodded down the deck towards a group of girls struggling to light a couple of lanterns.
"They're all ladies," he pointed out with a sigh. "We need more manly men on this ship, you know?"
"Blame Paul," Nicholas shrugged. "Besides, they're not that bad," he watched as the group of girls finally managed to get the oil working and began attatching up the lanterns on the posts. "With a little work, they'll be as good as you, and maybe even me."
Joseph rolled his eyes. "It doesn't take skill at all to be like you, Nicholas.
+ + +
"Stay low," Zahra whispered as she hid behind a barrel with a dying candle in her hand, looking across to find Rachielle who was motioning her to follow. Crounched down, Rachielle quickly manuervered across the deck and into a trap door with Zahra tagging behind her.
Zahra closed the trap door behind her and tried to feel around the area for a lantern through the dim light. After managing to grasp onto what appeared to be one, she swung the candle over it which completely lit up the basement they were in.
"Are you okay?" she asked as she glanced over at her partner who was wiping the sweat off her forehead.
"I'm fine," Rachielle muttered. "Besides, it's you that's bleeding."
Zahra looked down at her palms which were cut up and bloody which stained her sleeves.
Rachielle tore off a piece of her vest. "Here."
"Thanks," she grumbled as she wrapped it around her hands. It stung, but it was nothing she couldn't handle.
Rachielle nodded and held the lantern out to reveal bags filled with pounds of jewelry which were literally overflowing the shelves. A smile lit up on her face as she reached out to grab one of the bags.
"Bingo," Zahra tried to stand up victoriously, but cringed from the pain pumping from her palms instead.
