3. Friends

After awhile, Brinn had covered her hunting grounds and was headed back. She hadn't gotten too far when she heard someone call her name. She looked toward the water and saw a boy pulling his skiff ashore.

Pell was Brinn's age, skinny but with the tight muscles of a seafaring boy. " You want a ride back around to town?" he asked.

Brinn smiled. " I guess I've walked enough for one day," she called to her friend.

Pell was the best boy in Sea View when it came to sailing. It had always come naturally to him. Even as a small boy the toy sailboats he would make out of sticks and cloth would sail better than those of the other children. There was no doubt that he would head to Harborton this fall at shifting time. The only question being whether he would be sailing or building ships.

On the voyage back, the two friends talked about their upcoming shifts. "Are you excited?", "When can we visit?", and "What will our parents do without us?"

By the time Pell tied up at the dock, they had the whole world organized.

"Thanks for the trip," Briinn said.

"My pleasure," Pell replied with a bow. "I always offer pretty ladies a ride."

Brinn hurried home with a basket full of eggs and a happy heart.