No Standing On The Rail Unless You Can Fly

The low morning sun was almost blinding when Lavender emerged from below decks, and En had to shade her eyes with her hand to see the Captain where he was stood next to the wheel up on the quarterdeck, "Good Morning to you, En." Lavender climbed the steep steps up to the quarterdeck, and replied, "Good Morning, Captain. What's the current situation?"

[Chapter Illustration: tapas.io/episode/1461698]

"The wind started to drop as the skies lightened, and by the time the sun was past the horizon there wasn't so much as a breath of air to stir the sails". Lavender nodded, "What does George say?" The Captain chuckled, "I wasn't expecting you to be up and about so quickly, so he's still up in the crows nest making his assessment ".

The sun was now behind Lavender, so she had a clear view of the crows nest at the top of the main mast. It was the tallest access point of the ship, and George had climbed even higher, so he was precariously balanced with his feet resting on the narrow top rail, one skinny hand gripping the very top of the mast to stop him from falling. "Ah, the fearlessness of youth," the Captain sighed. Lavender snorted, "Even I have never been crazy enough to climb that high. He's lucky that there's no wind at the moment, the slightest gust would have him off that perch, and flying before he even knew about it".

As En and the Captain watched, George turned and jumped down into the crows nest; he opened the trapdoor, and started to climb agilely down the rope ladder. The Captain laughed, "Now you see why the crew has nicknamed him the Weather Monkey". Lavender scowled, "Even so, he's taking too many risks... It took Artimus two years to scour through every Port City, Harbour Town, Dockside, and Fishing Village along the Empire's coast, to find someone with a weather affinity like him".

"Captain, I checked, and double checked, but the wind is not likely to pick up again for the next three to four hours". George skidded to halt in his enthusiastic rush to report to the Captain, when he realised that En also stood before him, "C-Commander J-Jade". One equally skinny teenage arm flailed nervously, accidentally hitting himself in the nose with his hand in the process.

Lavender took a deep breath and held it, biting the inside of her lip to stop herself from laughing, "How cute, is he trying to salute?" She thought. However there were more serious concerns that must be raised. "Thank you for your report George, but there are a few things that I should mention".

"First, this is a ship of the Freedom Isles, although you are on duty, and making an official report, you do not need to salute, or bow to either of us, a respectful tone and manner is enough. A bow is only necessary towards clients from the Empire, and even then you are not their servant, if they should try to order you around more than necessary, then you should inform an officer, either of the ship's crew, or one of my team of mercenaries from the Guild".

"Second, surnames or clan names are rarely used, even in formal situations, as Islanders didn't have either before the Empire invaded, so if you need to refer to me in an official capacity, then you may call me Commander En, as I am not particularly fond of my full name, the Captain would be Captain Tomas, and so on".

"Third, as an official member of the Jade Crusaders Guild, you are also considered to have joined the Jade clan, and as such all the sailors and mercenaries aboard this ship are to be considered as your family, and when off duty they should be treated as such. For example, you may call me Sister En when we are off duty... Actually, considering that I am almost a decade older than you, maybe you should call me Auntie En... Ugh, no that's just too depressing, just simply call me En, everyone else does anyway".

"Lastly, as someone who considers themselves both your commanding officer and a member of your family... WHAT IN HELL'S NAME DO YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING STANDING ON THE RAIL ABOVE THE CROWS NEST, ARE YOU TRYING TO GET YOURSELF KILLED!! If I ever see you do that again, I swear that I will turn you over my knee, and paddle your backside until you can't sit down, and I won't care if you are sixteen, or twenty-six, do you hear me!!"

George's adams apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, "Y-Yes, Commander En". Lavender stared the youth hard in the eye, he was at that awkward stage between boy and man, but she really did not want to see reckless teenage arrogance cut short his life's journey, "Fine, dismissed". George didn't need telling twice, quickly scurrying back down to the main deck.

"We can't wait three or four hours for the wind to pick up En. Blakestaff will start demanding compensation if we don't get to port in time for him to take luncheon at his club. He really hasn't changed at all since your mother's time as Protector". Lavender nodded, "I'll go ask Leonora to work her magic, and get us under way again".

The Captain pulled out his prized pocket watch from his waistcoat, and pressed the button that opened the cover to look at the time, "It's a quarter to seven bells". Lavender winced, Leonora believed religiously that there was only one seven bells in a day, and that was in the eventide. The Captain chuckled at En's expression, and patted her on her shoulder, "May I suggest that you call in at the mess and get some food, for yourself, and Madame Leonora".

Lavender sighed, and rubbed the bridge of her nose, she could feel a tension headache forming, "It's always best to come baring gifts, I suppose…" As En reached the main deck, the Captain leaned over the quarterdeck railing and shouted, "Don't forget the coffee, lots and lots of coffee!!" and his laughter followed En as she made her way below deck to the mess.

Lavender looked around the room when she entered the mess, there were plenty of people sitting at the long tables; those eating sausage, bacon and eggs, had probably come off the night watch, whilst the day watch were tucking into thick creamy porridge with raisins, and fresh apples for dessert.

En noticed that George had also come down to grab some breakfast, as he was on the dawn watch, and was currently stood in line for food. As En came up behind him, she made him jump as she spoke, "You should go for the bacon and eggs rather than porridge today. We're due in port at high noon, so your shift is likely to run on as we unload, and Cook won't make lunch as most of the crew will be taking shore leave, and the skeleton crew can fend for themselves."

George nodded nervously, and asked for the cooked breakfast when it was his turn. En sighed, he was still so nervous around her, and when George was about to go sit down, she stopped him, "Wait... hold out your hand." George juggled the plate into his left hand, and held out his right hand to En, into which she placed a sweet smelling apple.

George opened his mouth to speak, and Lavender could guess what he was about to say, so she quickly interjected, "Put it in your waist pouch for later, it's going to be a long day." George hesitated before nodding firmly, and En was pleased to see him take his pouch out as soon as he sat down, placing the apple inside carefully, and then double tying the strings as if he was scared it would fall out, and then tucking the pouch back into his waist sash securely.

Satisfied En turned back to where the Cook was waiting, he grinned at her, "It's like watching someone trying to tame an alley cat with food." En rolled her eyes at the man; she'd known him for over a decade, since the current crew of The Sea Witch had come into being. "George is much cuter than any alley cat I've ever met; I kinda want to pat him on the head every time I talk to him."

George was the only newcomer to the crew, and this was his first solo voyage, since the previous weather sensitive Old Joe, had finally retired at the end of their last voyage to the Isles, and was probably at this very moment being woken up by his grand kids, at his small cottage in Black Pearl Village on Mother Island.

"I've got to go wake Madame Leonora up so she can work her magic, and get us moving again, so I need a tray with porridge and apples, enough for both of us, and a large pot of coffee." The Cook put everything on the tray, and pushed it towards En; she picked it up, and carefully made her way to Leonora's cabin.