In Search of True Treasure

Chapter 1: A Ship and a Crew

Sky looked across the crowded bar, the smell of wood smoke and rum filled the air, much like it did in all these coastal rat holes. He was here on a mission, a crew, a crew and a ship. Though he had the map to boundless treasure he didn't mention that out loud, he liked his insides being just that, inside. Wrapped in his dark cloak he passed virtually unnoticed through the crowd, he sidled up to a portly man with a nose red from too many years of rum and easy living.

"I hear you're selling a ship" said Sky casually, the large man jolted in surprise, he hadn't noticed the dark figure approach, "thas' right" he said through a drunken slur, "she's a fine vess'l, fast, sturdy and packs a whollup if you's needin' that sorts of thing". Sky nodded, he had already examined the ship not eager to trust the word of a drunkard but he spoke true, the "Sea Wolf" was a top notch ship and would serve his needs well. Sky slammed down the gold on the table, the man's eyes widened. "Jus' like that?" he questioned.

"Indeed" said Sky already walking to the next person he'd come to meet. There was a large crowd at one side of the bar, voices were raised and there seemed to be some sort of commotion. A large brutish man was holding a small but nimble young man by the neck, Sky stood watching slightly amused with the display knowing already what was coming next, the young man still held by the giant of the man gave Sky a quick smile and a wink. Sky's stomach did a flip but he didn't show it.

Suddenly in the blink of an eye the young man twisted backwards out of the hold, and gave the man a hefty kick in his rear sending him sprawling across a table of drinks. As fast as his legs would carry him the young man sprinted from the bar not favouring his odds with the large man. As soon as he was a safe distance several streets away confident he wasn't followed he began to count the money he'd swiped from the man.

"Max, you're still up to the same tricks I see" said Sky from the shadows, Max gave a small jump and said back "You always were the only one that could sneak up on me, anyway I only steal from people who don't deserve their money, like that slave trading troglodyte back there".

Sky gave a small chuckle and then said "Now down to business, I have a map, it leads to some considerable wealth, while I have the ship I need a crew and you know the right people, are you in?" Max paused momentarily appreciating the shape of Sky's face and the emerald green in his eyes, no matter what he was doing Max would follow him.

"I got a crew for you, when do you set sail?" Sky smiled, there was nobody he'd rather have with him than Max, "We leave tomorrow afternoon, can you get this crew of yours together by then?" he asked. "That I can, it'll be a stretch but they'll be there" Max replied, "That's good to hear, I'll be seeing you tomorrow" said Sky giving Max a lingering look as he walked away.

Tomorrow afternoon came quickly and Sky felt himself eager to see Max again, little did Sky know but Max felt exactly the same. Looking down the wharf Sky spotted the "Sea Wolf" and could see Max busily directing sailors for the preparation of the ship, he had held his word they seemed like a fine crew, some looking a few hours shy of sober from last night but they were all hard workers. Sky approached Max watching him as he continued his work, Max turned around and upon seeing Sky he flashed a smile, Sky's stomach flipped but he didn't let it show. "All the preparations going as planned?" Sky asked Max, "half an hour ahead of schedule, I did tell you these men were good" he replied, Sky nodded in agreement.

Once all the food, rum (a considerable amount of it) and other provisions were stocked in the hold Sky boarded the ship, he felt the solidness of it rock in the water and the captains wheel felt like it was made for his hands. It was perfect, Sky couldn't think of a more perfect ship for his voyage. Max stood beside Sky beaming he loved the freedom of the open water, but more than that he was standing next to Sky and that was more than enough reason to smile.

They set off as soon as they could and sailed hard and with frequent references to his map Sky kept them towards the destination with the precision of an experienced ship captain. Throughout the day both Max and Sky noticed each other giving long looks towards the other and it soon became clear their feelings towards the other. Sky's mind was racing and his stomach was flipping, Max was more excited than he'd ever been but he was already formulating a plan of action on how things would go forward, he smiled to himself at the thought.