02.28.08
15: Hands On Deck
The forecastle was deserted. Jace slipped over the railing and crept up to look out over the deck of the ship. The coast seemed to be as clear as it was going to get. He could see two men, and he assumed they were the ones he’d heard. They weren’t looking his way, though, but leaning on the railing and looking out over the port side of the ship.
Actually, it looked like at least one of them was relieving himself over the port side. That made it as good a time as any to down and try to make his way towards the stern. It made sense to him that the valuable captive would be locked in a cabin, not stashed below deck where any common sailor could get his hands on her.
The ship was unfortunately clear of clutter that would provide good cover, so Jace ducked down and padded as quickly and lightly across the deck as fast as he could on all fours. Thin and agile, he was a better horizontal runner than most, and he made less noise that way. He bore left and made it to midship without being seen. He stopped there, hidden behind the mizzen mast, and cocked his ears.
He heard the sound of booted feet hitting wood as one of the sailors and then the other let go of the deck rail and fell back onto the solid planking. Jace listened. It sounded as though they were headed back up towards the prow of the ship. He slipped around the mast to keep it between him and them, peering around to watch them heading up into the forecastle.
He got down on all fours and raced towards the rear of the ship. There was a flickering light visible in a cabin window and he focused on reaching it as quickly and quietly as he could.
So focused was he on that target that he completely missed the significance of the gaping shadow on the deck right in front of him, the shadow that was in fact an open cargo hatch.
Jae said,
February 28, 2008 at 11:44 pm
to climb down?
I wonder how quietly Jace can fall, and if one level is enough time for him to react and make a safe landing…
jes said,
February 28, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Jace is so cute in his naivety. Thank you!
“He heard the sound of booted feat hitting wood”
feet?
tatteredreverie said,
February 29, 2008 at 12:49 am
He could see two men, and he assumed they were the one’s he’d heard.
Oh, I hope Jace isn’t in for it!
Frelance said,
February 29, 2008 at 3:27 am
Sailors, meaning men that worked with sail in classic times, not modern Navy enlisted men, generally worked without shoes, let alone boots. Footwear like that was relatively expensive, broke down in the salt exposure, and wasn’t particularly advantageous moving in the rigging. And that’s just with fully human feet!
Maybe he heard their feet slapping on the planks?
Gudy said,
February 29, 2008 at 4:14 am
I was also unaware that feats come in a booted variety. Good to know, though.
Renshan said,
February 29, 2008 at 4:36 am
Or maybe the two there were not sailors but passengers, or guards who might wear boots.
Xanni said,
February 29, 2008 at 6:46 am
“the one’s he’d heard” - greengrocer’s apostrophe! “Ones” should be plural, not possessive.
M said,
February 29, 2008 at 8:26 am
Awesome update! Keep em coming!
Carl Jeffries said,
February 29, 2008 at 8:52 am
One thing I love about The 3 Seas is how well you’ve plotted it. Nice work!
And I’m glad you’re getting enough readers for this now that I don’t have to be the one pointing out the typographical errors.
QnMidnight said,
February 29, 2008 at 9:58 am
That made it as good a time as any to down and try to make his way towards the stern.
Kitabare said,
March 2, 2008 at 4:27 am
@ Frelance
You must be new. AE has already stated that she doesn’t know much about sailing, and nor does she care. It’s called artistic license. That, and this is a fictional world. Maybe these particular sailors never venture into the rigging itself. Or perhaps it is a more modern time. We have no idea when this was set. I’m sure it’s not supposed to be historically accurate anyway as I’m fairly certain there are no such things as seal-boys or feathered princesses in our world.