The Sailor - Part 1

Chapter 1

Hurley's Bay

-Unknown-

In his minds eye Davin could see her. The tall woman with the fiery red hair, the long silky legs and the ample breasts. Indeed, this was one of his favorite dreams. The two of them were standing on the bow of a great ship with high sails stretched wide by the wind. His ship. She stood beside him, tucked beneath his arm, her fragrance mixing with the salty sea air, soothing and enticing. His woman. That's all he needed in the dream. A ship to call his own and a woman to love, a beautiful woman, of course. His simple mind turned to the wind. He thought he could feel it blowing his hair back. On the horizon, he could see the sun dissolving into an ocean of glimmering beauty. He loved the sea. He loved every ripple in every wave, and every single drop of moisture that entered his lungs when he took a breath. Davin stood motionless on the dreamy deck of his ship, relishing every moment.

Now he thought he could hear something. A voice. It called to him from the distance, perhaps from below decks. It grew louder and he grew more curious. Whose voice was this? He could hear it call his name.

"Davin," it called. He listened carefully, intently.

"DAVIN!" the voice was gruff. He listened.

"Dammit boy!" He awoke to a heavy slap to his face.

"Hooaa!" he cried out.

Davin squinted his eyes in the early sun. Raising his hand to rub the sleep from his face, he smacked himself with the wineskin that had stayed with him through the night. The very best of friends that wineskin. He looked up to see the tall figure of the Captain looking down at him on the floor. The Captain was a stout man of undisclosed origin, with a hide like salted leather and a head as bald as a baby's. From Davin's perspective on the floor he could see the way the sun reflected itself off of the captain's head and for a moment he just stared at it. The captain looked at him and shook his head disapprovingly.

"Damn lazy boy..." which wasn't true but such were the ways of the Captain, "Done gone drank yourself stupid and now it's middle of da day and we need supplies and here ya are sleepin like a fat'n princess, now get up!"

Davin clutched his head, the throbbing had begun and now he felt the merciless rays of the sun were going to cook him alive. He felt more than knew that today was going to be a hot day. But he stood up.

The Captain was still staring at him, watching him smack his mouth the way one does at these times. The Captain looked into his eyes and apparently didn't like what he saw there so he gave Davin another slap for good measure.

"Now yore wake! Come on I'll get da list."

Davin followed the Captain like a zombie in procession. Around the main deck and down to the captain's quarters. Now he was invaded by another sensation. Thirst. He smacked his lips. He needed water. Cool refreshing water. That was priority number one, water.

The Captain stepped down into his quarters and closed the door behind him. This was customary though so Davin just stood and waited. In his morning confusion he had forgotten about the wineskin which he had tucked into his belt after waking. He said a quick prayer to the gods and checked it for any last vestige of comfort. He was rewarded with two gulps of foul yet soothing hot wine so he thanked the gods for the small miracles that really count and tied the wineskin to his belt. The door opened and the Captain emerged with a scroll in his hand. He handed it over to Davin.