The North PacificBoard

The bone chilling wind blew through the sails. A downpour of what felt like snowmen's tears pounded the deck as freezing waves crashed against the hull. Uytim Ghonzago, Commander of the Sea Wolves, gazes upon a dark, cloud covered sky.

"Hey, Captain! You never finished telling me the story about your father. Take a break and come join us, Jarid's rambling is enough to make a man suicidal ", Varin Acardi hands over a half full bottle of beer and tries to reassure his friend "I'm sure they'll be here in the morning, no point in waiting all night."

Uytim stares into the distance, thinking of his men who were supposed to be here yesterday. He takes a deep breath and turns to his second in command, "Eh, why not?" Varin taps his captain's back and walks him towards the kitchen. A group of drunken crew members sit in a circle around a large, hairy old man with a curly long beard. Good old Jarid.

"And they never figured out who took their horses neither!",Jarid cackles. "Boys , looks like the big man's came for a story. Henric! Grab our captain a chair." The men arrange their seats to make room for Uytim and Varin. Uytim hangs his soaked fur coat around the chair and takes a seat. As Jarid Vecklehiemmer starts up another story of his troubled youth, Varin interrupts, "No no, I think you've bored the crew to death already. Let's hear a tale from the boss man." Jarid glares at Varin and sits back in his chair, sipping from his rum.

"None of you know much of anything about my father, other than he was a mercenary, as I am now. My family lived most of their lives on at sea. Mother was a kind, patient and hardworking woman with a warm heart. She was always a light in the darkness. Me and my brother looked to her for comfort every time our old man went to battle. My father was a courageous, stubborn, and intelligent man with a sense of honour, also taller than most. He was simply intimidating. His face usually looked as if he would kill someone for looking at him the wrong way. But, once you got to know him, you would see that deep down he was a very compassionate person. Before leaving the ship, my father would always tell us how much loved us. My mother was his crown jewel, me and my brother were his little warriors. The man wasn't one to sugarcoat though. Me and my brother learned from an early age of how cruel our world really was."

Uytim pauses for a drink and continues. "One day, my father was preparing for an important job. Once in a lifetime reward he told my mother before he left. But then, all of a sudden, he stopped and looked to the sky. It was a beautiful day, no cloud in sight. My father returned his gaze back to the ship, at us, with a look of determination. He rushed back, and grabbed me and brother, pulling us close for what would be our last hug. He pulled out a sword engraved with a language none of us spoke and gave it to my brother. Then he took his golden spear marked with runes off his back and handed it to me. I felt a shock, immediately dropping his spear. I could barely lift it back up, a spear heavy in weight and a feel of ancientness. He put his hands on our shoulders and told us "My sons, these are not just weapons. They are your shield to protect yourselves and others, your lifeline when in trouble. Let these remind you of who you are and what you stand for. Those you fight with and for! Do not ever let these be lost. I love you boys and your mother. Protect each other to the end." Our ship was ambushed at the docks shortly after. We did as our father told us, protecting each other to the end. My brother died fighting, as many did that day. The ship left to avoid being raided again, leaving my father behind. Eventually we returned, but with no sign of my father."

"Well . . . .that might be the most depressin steery told tonight, Cap."-Jarid drunkenly jokes, waving for another bottle. "After aher steery loike that,*burp*, I tink yous need er drink er two. Er 5"- Jarid says with a smile(Though he already looked to have had enough drinks when Uytim and Varin walked in.) The captain grabs his coat and puts his wet chair back at it's table while saying, "Boys, what you all really need is some sleep. We've got a big day tomorrow. Every man and woman must be rested and ready for the journey ahead."

Jarid does his best to stand up and salute without looking like a penguin who forgot how to walk. "Ov cyourse Cap! We'll be ready!"

TO BE CONTINUED