Winterfall : An Open Invitation
#2 of Winterfall
"The Head Mistress must be mistaken if she thinks that I'll be bothered with such a runt." The statement wasn't quite unusual for Elric, as he was the youngest of the Briggsby boys. Without more than a few minutes of detailed inspection, the seasoned Admiral Hia'yel had already confirmed what he had thought of the last of the Briggsby legacy. "You should be ashamed, both Julius and Darien were able, both in mind and body...You however, cause even the newest of my deckhands doubt." The admiral spat as he continued toward his cabin.
"I had specific instructions from the Head Mistress to accompany you on your voyage to Nuridge. I'd highly suggest that you now di-." The lynx was cut short by the harsh glare of granite eyes. The canine in front of him couldn't be more than five years older than him, and yet his eyes seemed to cause him to look as if he was in his late fifties.
"I wonder, Briggsby, do you realise how far you are from shore? Tell me, what does it take for a child such as yourself to believe that he is above the punishment of the Timbural Corps?" The admiral had made himself quite clear, obey, or volunteer to become the ship's new anchor. "You know...if it weren't for me knowin' your father, I'm not quite sure that I'd be toleratin' your presence. Don't be over stayin' your welcome."
Elric stood in front of the admiral, his energy being spent solely on holding his tongue. "Understood admiral." While he never agreed with the say some of his superiors conducted their affairs, one fact remained the synonymous, the Alxian Core always provide exceptional results. His short time among he working class would be worth it in the end as long as he could continue his father's work. Taking a step out of the admiral's quarters, he walked down to the decks below, his footing being tilted off balance due to the constant surges of motion caused by the ever violently churning Illyuna Expanse. The tales of the denizens of the deep, and their insatiable hunger for carnage was renown even to the savage tribes of the Naeul. Elric scoffed at the thought of such afables, believe only in what hard scientific findings, and not spoken word hogwash.
The young lynx knew that he'd be a burden upon the crew above on the deck, so he slide past the work, and descended into the belly of the hull, where most of the bounty of stolen ships were held. His fascination for other cultures other than his own was only rivaled by that of his curiosity for the seeming mundane. "Even the simplest of things can yield the greatest of potentials." He whispered to himself as he busied himself with researching primitive tools found on a ship-wreck, found not far from his home of Timbural.
"Now why would the good Admiral, agree to lettin' such a cur onto t'is 'ere find vessel is beyond me. If anythin' 'e's doing it for 'is personal moral." The voice of crewman carried from around the corner. Elric lowered his ears, his lips slowly forming a deeper scowl. His mere presence had seemed to become the topic of much spite amongst the workers. "Hia'yel is a predator, how can you blame him? Such easy prey being shipped to some god forsaken place, in the midst of Naeul territory? My only hope is that Alxian didn't make our fair admiral into a turncoat!" Another, more wizen voice chimed in.
"If I ever made it to Nuridge, I'll be glad to rid myself of such low lying thoughts." Elric sighed softly, his eyes straining against dim candlelight. The expanse's motion had calmed down, and the heavily shifting ship released a painful groan as it's wooden supports and beams settled slightly. Small leaks began to form around the interior of the hull, left over foam slowly dripping down small crevices between warped wood. Time reaps all things, thought the lynx as he gathered his scrolls into a small leather pack. Walking to his assigned quarters, he placing his belongings on a small desk, he laid himself on his bed, his body weary from possible sea-sickness. He throw some loose woolen covers over his body, before closing his eyes, the days to come would be long, energy was a precious resource he simply couldn't afford to waste. The dark tendrils of sleep slowly enveloped him, rest was a welcomed visitor.
Outside of Elric's cabin, Admiral Hia'yel stood, his back against the wall opposite of the door. He gently placed his hand on the makeshift knob and pushed, the door swinging open without resistance. Walking in, he closed the door behind him, he let out a sigh, "Not even going to lock yer door? Well then, thanks for the open invitation." He chuckled to himself.