Upper Deck, The Laurel, Open Water....
Salty sea air was in abundance as Alain and his father stood on the deck with Captain Davys who seemed to be taking in the clean air like it was in short supply for a few minutes. The old captain barked orders at the crew to set to work from their various positions and took a few moments to eye the inquisitive looking Alain. He found it odd that the young noble had not been in the least uncomfortable due to the rocking of the boat from the intense waves that beat against the hull. Alain didn't seem to mind the whispers that went on about him from the younger boys and the older sailors. He was possibly a sight to them, young and wealthy, not to mention the assumptions that came along with his current style of dress.
Truth be told, he had been more than prepared for this journey, as it was something he'd been looking forward to since he was a mere boy. He'd done the training and studying since he could go to school and extended his education to include anything pertaining to maps, ship, navigation, and the hardships of seafaring life.
While his mother could afford the best tutors and books were abound, there was nothing like first hand experience and nothing at all like being taught by old sailors whom had taken pity on a small boy so enthralled with the sea that they could hardly pass up a chance to see what he'd become when given proper instruction.
"Never seen one take to the sea as quickly as that lad." said Captain Davys getting a good look at Alain from the center of the deck. "Especially not one so accustomed to land living as him."
Alfred smirked recalling the assumptions and the subsequent shock sailors felt when he himself had started out on his first merchant vessel. It seemed no much had changed since then in terms of prejudice and assumption.
"My son's had his sea legs since he was three." replied Alfred standing quite still with his hands behind his back as he looked over at the last aspects of the port they just left while the ship made its way farther and farther out to sea. "It took some doing to get his land legs in order but the sea had always been something he was enthralled with as a child."
"He's curious one...I'll give you that." remarked Captain Davy, "Your boy is a fascinating guest."
"Indeed." agreed Alfred watching Alain adjust to sea life before his very eyes as well. "Still, we'll see how he fares in the coming days."
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The Guest Quarters, The Laurel, Open Sea (1762)...
Alain carefully put away his things as he claimed his "bunk" as it were. His father busied himself with moving about the ship not wishing to venture to the guest cabin until he was ready to turn in. It wasn't as if they were inside a luxury vessel but it would do for the upcoming journey. The creaking of the wooden boards that made up the ship as it was gently tossed about the water as their departure got underway, could be heard as Alain set up his journal and ink at a nearby small desk. It was a cramped little space but good enough for him to write and have decent lighting below deck if needed.
He had not known what to put in the journal so he decided to write to Noreen McCray as if she could read it from England as if she'd been able to accept the words via a letter in post. He was a long way from the shore by this point, but he couldn't get the last few images of his rather curious lover off of his mind.
To My Lovely Lass,
I am writing the first of many letter esque chapters in this journal to both chronicle my apparent adventure and to express my feelings for you as it were. We have officially set sail although I have ventured into the guest cabin before truly navigating how far we'd been off the coast, but I have every confidence that everything is well in hand. This is my first voyage in a long while I confess as Mother was not very fond of our seafaring journeys to and from Paris to meet with the rest of the family.
I am well by all accounts aside from the knowledge that I will not be privy to seeing your lovely face come morning as I have grown quite accustomed to doing so since the start of our....how shall we put it?....association?....Love affair?
Know that there is not a moment that goes by that I don't think of you. Even as the ship makes it's voyage across the untamed sea, I can't help but recall the softness of your kiss, the scent of lilac that lingers on your body when we are in close proximity, nor can I forget the sounds you make whenever we are in the throes of passion and your body clings to mine.
You are what sustains me, believe it or not. I've never known anything quite as intense as my feelings for you.
I shall endeavor to write again soon, for now...know that I am thinking of you.
Alain closed his journal and turned his attention back to the ship. The guest cabin wasn't so grand as it had been when he sailed with his mother but it was a good place to be when he wished to be alone or needed rest for the evening. Curiosity had gotten the better of him and he ventured back toward the deck of the ship his reflective gaze falling upon the various working crew members and the barking of orders from the gruff captain Davys rang out in his ears as he reached the top of the stairs.
The scent of salty sea air and water soaked wood hit his nostrils as he stood above deck, the sun's beaming light had not let up since before they set sail and the day was growing warmer by the hour. He found his father looking out over the open sea with his hands behind his back and poised like the general of note he'd always been.
Despite no longer being a boy of five the now sixteen year old Alain Remington had a similar line of thought that crossed his mind as it had when he'd been merely a boy that he did indeed wish to become every bit as poised and respected a seafaring General as his father was.