In With the Tide

Writers: Noli
Date Posted: 12th September 2013

Characters: Korkary
Description: A new shipment has arrived, bringing more than the Hall expected
Location: Seacraft Hall
Date: month 2, day 16 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Relik, Aini

The air rang with shouts, carried far up the shoreline by the healthy breeze. In the background was the familiar clamor of construction: hammering, sawing, grunting from herdbeasts as they drug heavy loads, cheerful whistling and singing from craftsman as they went about their various tasks. Closer, he heard the sounds of the ships. Sails rustled happily in the wind, and rigging creaked merrily. The sea lapped against the hulls with dull thuds. Korkary grinned as he listened. It was music, pure music, the voices a melody against a many-instrument accompaniment.

"Got another load of timber coming down, Dockmaster!" Korkary turned towards the call, and his face split into a broad grin at the seaman's enthusiasm. These men had been on the sea for several days and appeared to be enjoying the unloading process. Korkary had yet to hear a cross word from either of the crews.

"Excellent!" He roared in response. "Make sure you check it in with Telly, so he can keep record of the grade and amount. We pay well for good timber here!" Everything was going smoothly, something Korkary was grateful for; he had planned the scheduled dockings carefully, but even with the temporary mooring, being off by a day or two could have resulted in frustrating delays and loss of efficiency. He apparently needn't have worried, though. The ships had come in with the tide as planned, and the unloading was progressing beautifully. He made a mental note to reward the apprentices who were scurrying around now, available to help when needed. Many of the seacraftsman stationed at the Hall had pitched in to expedite the docking and unloading process; the Hall was woefully short on dedicated docksmen, and so the crews who came in performed the brunt of the labor as a matter of courtesy, but everyone had pulled together beautifully.

As the first ship emptied its cargo hold-a menagerie of needed building supplies for the ongoing Hall construction-the second ship waited patiently for Korkary's inspection. This ship carried in its bowels not necessities, but a great wealth of luxuries-- rivergrain wine, colorful silks, beautiful wall hangings, even some specialty food items from the richer areas of the continent. Korkary had at first been loath to accept the ship. He had so many necessary loads coming in, it seemed woefully self-indulgent to waste precious time and space on frivolities. In the end, though, the decision was not his to make, and he had been mollified by Relik's offer of more men to handle the increased deliveries. And it would be good to get some of that wine in his belly, he thought ruefully.

His boots rang sharply against the gangplank as he mounted the waiting vessel. An apprentice trotted dutifully beside him, carrying a hide and quill to mark inventory as Korkary inspected the goods. As the Dockmaster, he was ultimately responsible for the shipments that arrived and departed from the Seacraft Hall. He intended to be extra thorough with this load, considering the worth of its contents.

"Greetings and fine weather, Dockmaster," the first mate saluted him heartily. Korkary chuckled at the formality. His new rank carried many perks, but he was still acclimating to the formal way visiting seamen had taken to addressing him. He returned the salute good-naturedly.

"To you as well, sir. I trust your voyage was fine?" In the season of storms, many ships underwent rough passages along these rocky coasts, but the vessel appeared to be wholly intact. It even boasted fresh paint, the blue standing proudly against the white, the dragon masthead a jaunty bronze. Korkary was pleased that such a lovely vessel had been chosen for this shipment. It belayed proper respect from the Holders for the station of the new Hall.

"Very fine, indeed! The winds were in our favor." Then the mate's face expression broke into an eager smile. "Shards, I won't lie, though. The men are eager to be ashore. We had only three candlemarks' leave between our last docking and the departure for your Hall. Just long enough to load up, and then we were off."

Korkary chuckled. "Well, we shall see to it that your fine men get some well-deserved rest, then. Just have your captain see Aini about your bunking assignments, and the Hallmaster or Second if you have any issues." The mate gave a response of affirmation, then stepped aside to allow Korkary and his apprentice assistant pass. As he crossed the deck, Korkary heard the mate break into an excited conversation with his one of his crewmen. The kitchens would be busy late into the night, if Korkary had to guess, and probably the bedchambers as well. Korkary didn't blame them; being at sea was a happy time, but he didn't know man who didn't appreciate a hot meal and a warm bed at the end of a voyage.

Advancing carefully down the steps of the ladder, Korkary was struck by the heavy scent of the ship's hold. Spices mingled with perfumes, and the musky scent of freshly cured furs. Moving carefully among the crates, he intoned their contents to be recorded. The apprentice's fingers flew over the hide as he struggled to keep up with his Master's vocalizations. The boy paused and frowned. "Sir? Did you just say four _hundred_ silk tunics? Whatever are those for?"

Korkary kept the annoyance out of his voice, and forced himself to speak lightly. "Apparently somebody wants the Hall to be well-dressed. Now no more questions. We want to finish quickly, and get this gal emptied so the crew can have their dinner." But the boy's words stuck with him. He made a mental note to review the records on who had requested this particular set of cargo later.

Finally it was done. Every crate had been accounted for and tagged, every barrel unloaded and stowed safely in its appointed place at the Hall. The air rang with real music now, as sailors who fancied themselves harpers drug out worn instruments and began to play. Korkary had to admit that though the tunes were clumsy in places, where fingers calloused by rope and ears unaccustomed to those tones not produced by a ship faltered, it was still a joyous sound. The dining hall was full that night. Everyone was in a good mood.

Korkary bounced his son on his knee, one massive hand around the baby's torso to keep him steady, the other clasped firmly around a wineskin. His wife and children chattered happily with another woman and her brood. He pulled a long drought from the skin and leaned back slightly, sighing with pleasure. For the first time, he felt content. It had been far too long since he had settled in one place for any length of time, but Korkary knew that this assignment was not like the others. This was not just a stop along the route, not a temporary docking for his family before they pulled up anchor and continued along the coast. This was it. This, the Seacraft Hall, was home.

Last updated on the September 13th 2013

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In With the Tide