In Blows the Storm

Writers: Chelle, Len
Date Posted: 4th March 2015

Characters: L'fael, Relik
Description: Lafael asks Relik about cabin boy postings (and perhaps about just becoming an apprentice?)
Location: Seacraft Hall
Date: month 11, day 21 of Turn 7
Notes: Follows A New Wind Blows; Mentioned: Aini

The new Hall was every bit as loud and bustling as the forest had been quiet, except for the wind blowing. The last dragonlength or so a few rumbles of thunder had begun from within the black boiling mass in the sky, but even so Lafael hadn't been worried. He was going to make it into the Seacraft Hall in plenty of time. He may have been rather dopey about a lot of things but after a lifetime of being Holdless, he had learned to correctly gauge the weather.

The sun should have been up by now but the hurricane enveloped the entire sky just offshore. Lafael studied it as he walked down the newly paved road towards the group of buildings. There was time to go ask the Harbormaster about postings for cabin boys, and still get to the main Hall before the storm hit. There he hoped that someone would take pity on the bedraggled drudge and at least give him a spot of breakfast. The storm would last the day, and then he could set back off for the Hold tomorrow. No one would miss him today.

And a hopeful voice in his head wondered if perhaps he didn't need return at all. What if there was a ship ready to leave soon that needed a boy now? He sighed happily. That would be perfect. The nagging thought that he couldn't swim, not really, didn't detour him one bit.

Ducking around brawny men lifting heavy things and shouting to one another--why he found that strangely exciting was beyond him--Lafael stayed on the road until it led him to the harbor.

Now all he had to do was find the man in charge.

With the weather getting worse, Relik had already ordered that all vessels be battened down and secured. Men had been working since the night before after the news came in from the dolphins. The residents had all been ordered inside the buildings. Some of their guests had headed for home, some had stayed, and others had gone to the main Hold or Citrus Bay. Making sure everyone was comfortable was Aini's job. Making sure everyone was safe was Relik's. So the Hallmaster had been out checking everything all day. Some of the cotholds might not make it without damage so they'd have to make repairs. There was a real chance that the docks and some of the shipyard slips might be damaged as well. **Life in a tropical seahold** The Neratians didn't have to bother with such things. The wood cave was ready should they have need to take cover inside, but he didn't think it would be that bad. The stone walls of the Cargo Bay would hold.

Standing in the watchtower, he didn't see the lone boy approaching on the road. The seaman on duty did and put his head out of the opening. "You there! Take cover!"

Was that man yelling at him? Lafael screwed his face up and walked on, not stopping until he came to the man. "Sir, is the Hallmaster or the Harbourmaster here to talk to?"

"He's up here! We're getting ready for the hurricane. Is it an emergency?" The man spared a glance at Relik who was slightly curious. He was holding a farseer and watching the horizon.

"Well..." Lafael stared out at the hurricane, which was almost making landfall. He really only had less than half a candlemark until the rain would begin. And with that the full force of the hurricane wouldn't be far behind. "Can I come up?"

"Hurry about it. Everyone will be inside soon." The man had that voice that said it better be important or else. Everything in the watchtower that wasn't nailed down had already been secured. For the first time since setting up the Hall, there wouldn't be a seacrafter on duty in the tower. Everyone would be inside the Hall for the duration of the storm. Relik pulled his coat tight and did up the toggles. The seaman with him did the same and both of them donned hats that tied under their chins.

Lafael scrambled up the stairs, not wasting any time with useless words. When he got to the Hallmaster, he blurted out, "Are there any ships going out after the storm that need a cabin boy?"

That didn't sound like an emergency situation. "Don't know." That was something that was posted, but Relik didn't take a daily accounting. That was something the Master of Apprentices handled. "Why don't you go inside, boy and we'll talk about it once everyone's in? Get some food and wash up. You look like you've been on the road for a while." His eyes kept turning towards the skies.

"Y-you don't mind?" Lafael blinked at him, his face beaming at the thought that he wouldn't have to go find some damp porch to ride out the storm under. Being warm and dry,and clean with food in his belly, sounded like bliss to Lafael.

"No..now hurry. Don't want anyone out in this." Relik turned and began reading the reports coming in on the drums. Soon those messages would stop.

Last updated on the March 18th 2015

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In Blows the Storm