Red as a Rose

Across the wide blue expanse that was the deep ocean of the East a lone ship sailed. It was very large and in the crow’s nest was a boy no more than sixteen. He had shoulder length black hair that was tied back in a ponytail beneath a red bandana, which was his signature item. The salty sea breeze was all he knew and he loved looking out over the wide blue expanse; this was heaven.1

Beneath the high basket connected to the main mast was the captain, at the wheel of course, and the eleven other crew members. The lookout’s best mate, Gawain (or Gavin as he liked to be called) and his sister Eir were part of the ship’s deck hands and Eir was a part-time cook. The twelve crew members aboard the IRIDESCENT RUBY were all tied to the sea, and Captain Rogers especially.2

“Alder, are you sleeping again?” asked Gavin as he jumped over the side of the crow’s nest. His friend Alder was indeed sleeping. “What’ll Rogers do when you smash us into an island?”3

Gavin punched his friend lightly in the ribs, laughing when he jolted awake. He always woke that way when Gavin found him, the kindness never changed. They had been friends since the beginning of Alder’s good memories.4

“Daydreaming, not sleeping.” Alder murmured.5

“Whatever. I came up here to get your head out of the clouds.”6

“And loose yourself in them in turn?” joked Alder as he play-shoved his friend.7

They both laughed and turned to look at the sun that was angled to be just above their straight vision. No other ships were in the RUBY’s vision and no other ship had been spotted for hours. The RUBY was headed to Reddale Arcadia, which was a rich trading post that Captain Rogers said they needed to visit. Reddale Arcadia was a day and a half’s journey from Stormlong, the large island that was barley known. Most of the island in uninhabited wilderness and most people say that an evil tribe lives in that wilderness and curses anyone who dares to settle out there. The five thousand or so civilized people changed the island’s name from Tituba’s Stormlong to just Stormlong because they believed that Tituba was the name of the evil witch who ruled the voodoo tribe. But as evil as a presence the belief poses, it is a popular place for merchants and their families to visit.8

They stood there, watching the waves crash on the ocean surface and feeling the motion of the ship move them all forward. Pretty soon a faint outline of mountain caught Alder’s eye.9

“Cap’n Rogers!” he shouted loudly, startling Gavin. Alder began to descend the rigging. “I see a mountainous outline on the horizon, cap’n. It’s very faint.”10

Captain Rogers shouted to the boy who was halfway down the rigging holding on with only a foot and hand. He had his other hand keeping his bandanna from flying off and there was a grin on his face wider than the ocean. Alder was never excited to hoist anchor and get off the ship, but he was always excited when there was a change in scenery. 11

“Good job, boy!” Rogers yelled back. “Now get back to your post!”12

“How far is it, Alder?” Eir called up to her brother’s friend.13

Eir had always fancied Alder but she never let herself go so much as to let him notice. She had long blond hair that was always tied back and reached down to her hips. Her eyes were jade green and sparkled with a sense of adventure.14

“By evening, maybe.” he replied. His attention had averted from her quickly.15

Alder climbed back into the basket and clapped Gavin on his shoulder. “Back to work. That’s Reddale Arcadia in the distance!”16

Gavin laughed. “I can’t see the darn island. You have eyes sharper than a hawk.”17

“I’m only human.” he replied.18

The next many hours that went by were very long and very boring. For everyone onboard the IRIDESCENT RUBY had always wanted to see Reddale Acadia’s riches for themselves. The island steadily got closer and closer but Alder fell asleep to pass the time. He trusted himself enough to know that he’d wake up when they landed on Reddale, not Stormlong.19

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