Blue

1

William sat at the dock, the soles of his boots grazing the ocean water. He watched as the Eden swayed in the ocean as waves crashed around it. His little rowboat was nothing compared to the looming giant. It sat perched on the horizon, trapped in time. It was large and glorious, with sails so big that if they opened, William wouldn't have been surprised if it wrapped around the sky. It was a shame that it had been anchored for so long. Nearly 20 years had passed since it's anchor last dropped and no one in the village could say they'd seen the captain of the ship and no one would dare try and look for her.

William had heard stories of a beautiful young woman who was as ruthless as any man. No one knew whether she was alive or dead, but they were certain she was still on deck.

Sighing, William climbed into his little boat, pulled off the tie and set off toward the looming ship. The water was gentle as he rowed but when he came up to the side of the ship his arms burned with exertion. He knew the only way he could get on board was to climb up the anchor ropes. With a groan, he reached up and wrapped his hands around the thick rope, heaving himself up. Looking down, he watched as his own boat rocked gently and knew that it was unlikely to be there for his return.

Nevertheless, he started to climb.

The second she heard footsteps outside of the cabin, she knew a stranger was on her deck.

Who would be that stupid?

She sat back in her large mahogany chair that sat behind her desk and waited, listening contently to the sound of scraping boots and irritated grunts. The sound of her men overpowering the intruder was like music, and as the door opened, she realised why it was such a quick struggle.

The boy the two men had standing between them was tall and well-built, but he held his body inward. He was frail and timid, clearly never having had to defend himself in his life. He looked young, his face soft and unmarked. He could have been the same age as her.

The woman sat back in her chair and placed her feet up onto the desk in front of her, watching quietly as the boy's eyes flitted around the room. His hair hung low over his brow, a dark mop of curls and he reminded her of a small rabbit.

With a smirk pulling up one side of her mouth, she ordered the men to leave, leaving the boy standing in the centre of the large room, arms at his side. The door closed behind him and the boy looked up at her with fear in his eyes. His hands shook with a light tremor and his body swayed with the ship as he struggled to stand straight. He tried however, and it showed the young woman that he had some dignity.

"Who are you?" she started. "And why are you on my ship?"

The boy looked as if he might throw up but maintained eye contact as he replied.

"I need your help," he said, his voice wavering just slightly.

The girl knew it was the idea of the men returning that scared him most, not the girl herself. She couldn't help but laugh at his words.

"What on earth makes you think I'd help you?" she shot back.

Without a word, the boy reached into his coat, causing the girl to reach for a large sword that sat against her desk.

"You'd want to pray that isn't anything dangerous," the girl growled.

The boy slowed his movements and didn't say a word as he drew a large scroll from the inside of his coat.

"I need you and your men to help me go here," he pleaded. "I know of no one else that can captain a crew as well as you."

The woman looked the boy up and down and smiled cruelly, her eyes twisting with a sneer.

"And what made you think I was even up here?"

"People in the town, they talk ma'am."

The boy looked so earnest and soulful.

The woman took the paper and unrolled it, straightening it over her desk. It was a map, as ordinary as any she'd seen.

"This will get you nothing," she said flatly. "There is no treasure, there is no gold. Your time would be wasted trying to find it."

The boy sputtered his pleas, and the woman raised a slender finger.

"What will I get out of this?" she asked.

"Treasure," the boy offered. "Mountains, if I'm right."

The woman gave the boy a curious look.

"And if there is no treasure?"

He looked as though he hadn't fully considered the possibility.

"You can have me," he said, his face filled with resolve. "I'll work to compensate; you can have me until my debt is paid."

The woman tilted her head and watched as the boys back straightened, his eyes hardening. She knew the air of truth that shadowed him.

"What is your name, boy?"

"William Bates, ma'am. Like my father before me."

The woman's face turned a curious shade of pink as the boy spoke. She knew of another William Bates, from another time. It was strange to her still, the way life continued without her.

"Well then, William," she started, her face returning to its cold, pale stare before the boy could question it. "You do understand that my crew has not worked a day for a long time?"

William nodded, running a nervous hand through his hair.

"I'm well-aware, ma'am. The ship hasn't left the dock since I was a boy, that's not something I'd soon forget."

"Yet you aren't asking the most obvious questions; how're we all still here?" the woman started. "Surely you're curious."

William shook his head.

"It's not my place to ask."

Stretching out, the woman looked at the young man and smiled.

"I will take you," she said, a small frown forming on her lips. "Not because I think that you can offer me anything like treasure. Or because I think that we will find anything worth my time. But because I am getting dreadfully bored, sitting up here with nothing to do. Besides, I'm curious to see where this leads you. And I suppose now, myself."

The young man smiled and hurriedly snapped up the map, tucking it gently into his coat.

"Thank you."

The woman nodded her mind appearing to be elsewhere as he headed for the door.

"Now, I don't mean to be a bother," the boy started. "But would I be able to borrow a boat?"

"A boat?"

"Yes, I need to head to shore to grab my things."

"What things?" the woman asked, her tone growing teasing.

"M-my clothes and books," the boy replied. "We'll be sailing for quite some time; I'd hate to not have anything to do."

The woman shook her head and sat forward in her seat, resting her chin in her palm, lazily.

"There's no time for that dear," she smiled. "I have books and clothes here."

The boy shook his head, not fully understanding.

"We leave now, or we don't leave at all."

William stood in shocked silence, making the woman laugh softly.

"Welcome aboard, William," she said, getting to her feet. She made her way over to the boy and wrapped an arm around his broad shoulders. She wouldn't have been able to reach of it wasn't for the excessive heel on her boots. "I think we'll get along nicely."