Talk of the Ship

He ate his stale bread on the top deck, gazing out at the dark sea. Little specks of light dotted the sky, offering him silent company. The atmosphere was tranquil and quiet, a sharp contrast to the lively celebration happening below for their safe journey. 

However, he had decided not to join the festivities.

Even if he wanted to, he doubted the supposed high class would appreciate his presence there. He wasn't alone in that thought, as all the poor people were now sleeping in their quarters. At least, they were given a single room.

That, at least, was a good thing.

The cold air made him shiver, but he kind of liked it.

"Look who's here? I was looking for you at the party. Seems like you really know your place, kid," he heard a very familiar and annoying voice. He wanted to punch him.

"Why, if it isn't the young master of Ravencor. Of course, young master, I know my place and my time. A lord should never share the same space with a commoner, lest I corrupt him with my filth," Morvain bowed towards Young Master Ravencor.

"You're lucky you helped me with that boy. Or else he would have been dinner for sharks and whales right about now." 

Young Master Ravencor patted Morvain on the back, and quickly wiped his hand on his friend's shirt.

Morvain didn't like a noble touching him. 'Maybe after I kill your entire clan, I will give you a decent burial.'

Even though Ravencor was one of the Eight great families of the Northern Kingdom, it was, by far, the most pitiful and poorest among them. Morvain had even heard that they were looked down upon by the other great families.

There were numerous discussions about replacing Ravencor from the ruling, but the royal family, the Flamehearts, had always supported Ravencor. Some speculated it was because having one more strong family could put pressure on the Imperial royal family, but others said that Ravencor possessed something that the Flamehearts wanted.

Whatever it was, Morvain was determined to slowly destroy everything on his path.

"Oh? I did not know that, my lord. I just smacked him because he was talking badly about the lords and ladies. How could a street urchin like him say something disrespectful about the prestigious lords and ladies? He's too ungrateful, my lord." 

Morvain assumed the expression and demeanor of a humble servant, as if he were beholding a god.

"I wish every lowborn was like you, understanding their true place in the grand scheme of things."

Young master Ravencor leaned on the rail, gazing at the horizon. Morvain wished he had the power to push the young noble overboard, but physical strength wasn't his forte. Even if he succeeded, there were likely many onboard willing to risk their lives to be in debt with the Ravencor Family, regardless of its current status.

"I like your attitude, commoner. I'm staying in room 1 on the first floor. Come to it if you need a job as a servant. I will surely hire you." Young master Ravencor waved and descended the stairs.

Morvain looked at the receding back of the boy, contemplating his offers. He didn't have any qualms about lowering his head, but he didn't have any reason to do so. Or did he? Perhaps getting close to this young master could provide him with valuable information.

"You didn't smash that plate onto that boy for that reason, did you?"

Morvain heard another voice from the side, husky and masculine. He looked over to see a large man with appropriately proportioned muscles for his body.

He heard another voice from the side. Husky and masculine. He looked over to see a large man with appropriately proportioned muscles for his body, an angular face, short brown hair, a short stubble, and green eyes. The man wore a black cloak with red lining and had a golden sword at his hip.

"Captain?" Morvain inquired.

"Ah, I'm glad you understand who I am. With so many highborns here, they tend to treat me like some ordinary man." The captain walked toward the railing and gazed at the dark sea, prompting a frown from Morvain.

'So why is everyone coming here? It's getting annoying.'

"So, why did you do that?" the captain asked.

"Do what?"

"Smash that plate on that poor lad. He seemed to be so fed up with the highborn bullshit." The captain turned around, leaning against the rail, and looked at Morvain with his green eyes.

"If I hadn't, he would be deep underwater, getting eaten by sharks as a snack."

There was no reason to lie. He didn't expect to encounter this man on any roads since he would always be at sea.

"Lying to someone as powerful as him could get you killed. If I just report this incident, you'd end up with the poor boy, deep in the sea," the captain warned.

"But you wouldn't, would you?" Morvain challenged. "You are the captain of the Royal fleet. You do not have any authority to meddle in the problems of other provinces. If anything, you'd just stand there and watch."

"Smart," the captain hummed.

"Say, is it true a Captain of the ship should be Enlightened?" Morvain inquired.

"Oh?" The captain raised an eyebrow. "It indeed is true. If not, every deckhand could've become a Captain, don't you think?"

Morvain nodded.

"What do you know about the ability users? No offense, but I have seen my fair share of oblivious people on this matter on the ship. You seem to be smart, so what is the extent of your knowledge... uh..."

"Mo--" Morvain stopped himself, feeling a strange mix of hesitation and determination. He looked straight at the captain and extended his arm. "Eldric."

His fingers trembled ever so slightly as he uttered the false name. It was a lie woven into the fabric of his uncertain identity, a narrative he was crafting for the days to come. Amidst this not-truth, he silently promised himself that soon he wouldn't be stuck in the shadows of feeling unimportant. He pledged to make his mark, to etch a name that would be heard in the paths of fate.

"Nice to meet you, Eldric. I'm Captain Orion, but you can call me Captain. Now, back to the topic, what do you know about the ability users?"