"Hey Val, cast the anchor ropes. Stow the barrels to the underdecks and make sure everything lie in place. We leave at first light." These were the final words of a young man whose greatest desire was to sail across the uncharted waters go the unknown lands known as the Midlands
As his desire to explore the Midlands grew stronger, he talked to anyone interested about his plans of setting sail to the far lands. No one could talk him out of it, no even his dearest mother nor his fiance. He meticulously prepared for the challenging journey ahead, Aware of the dangers that lay in his path, he spent months researching navigation techniques, studying maps, and consulting seasoned sailors who recommended trustworthy sailor and possible safe routes to get past the crooked path, a series of stormfilled area nearing the end of the charted paths. He purchased a very sturdy vessel, though old The Ocean Voyager still stood strong with his colors high. It's mast stands decorated with garlands from sailor's seeking to appease the saints before setting sails. Finally he assembled a skilled crew experienced in long-distance voyages and who knows the dangers of the high seas particularly men who had experienced the period of the uncharted waters, men who had either killed or bears the mark of a bloodied fight commonly seen on the high seas. Additionally, he invested in essential supplies, including food, water, medical provisions, and navigational instruments, to ensure a safe and successful expedition, to top it all he bought enough cannonballs for the ship cannon's, a great deal of gunpowders for the muskets and about a few hundred harpoons and some hatchets in case things went haywire.
....
Two men sat around a table fully set with varieties of food, ranging from mutton to beef, steaks, breads grapes and the rest. A look at the table shows the fact that a full course meal is about to take place. A look at the room indicates a fairly large bust of activities had taken place when the light of the day was pouring over the lands.
"So tell me how did the day go?" The bearded one of the two figure asked while pouring himself a drink from the sliver jar before him.
"Well it was a hectic day today at work, everything is nearly in place. Maybe in two days time at most, we will set sail." the second of the two replied munching on a pie of grape and reaching out for a loaf of bread.
"Well that's interesting, so what plans do you have concerning your family?. Your betroth and your mother?"
"I think they'll have to bear it, I am making this journey because of them. Besides they can take care of themselves, till I return."
"And when do you intend coming back when you?"
"The Midland's is still far away, i haven't even set sail, so right now am not even thinking of coming back. So when we will get to the river then we know."
The rest of the night was spent in little or no talk except for gestures signaling each other as the two ate in silence, while a maidservant walked to and from replenishing the wine jar and bringing in more food if needed.
Very slowly the bearded figure rose to his feet, while leaning on his extricate carved walking stick. The light from the maids lantern fell across his face, revealing him to be a much older man, maybe in his eighties and above.
"Thanks for the meal boy, we'll be seeing more of you tomorrow morning huh?" The old man asked with a concerned look.
"Sure Mr Bernard, I'll come at first light. We have some things to tall about before I leave."
"Then I'll take that as a goodnight." The old man said while picking up his hat as the maid help him with his coat.
"See you tomorrow boy."
The boy nodded as the old man walked through the door with his hat in his hands, once outside. The hat went to his head as he buttoned up his coat, the cold night winds blowing rashly sending chills down to the spine. The old man shrugged before turning east heading inland. Here and there windows were been shut close as the wind became wilder, threatening to pull off slates from roofs and windows from their hinges. Not withstanding the old man trudge ahead, his walking stick tapping incessantly in rythmn with his steps.
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The early morning sun rays filtered through the slightly opened window curtains, the light rays from the window nearest to the bed fell on a man's face, shrugging and squinting his eyes. He shielded his eyes with his right palm, sitting up he threw his legs off the bed, dragging himself up and heading towards a small door at one end of the room.
Pulling the door open, he went inside closing the door behind him.
The door opened again few minutes later to reveal a freshly shaved man, shimmering drops of water dripping shows he just took a bath after the shave. Walking into the dressing room he emerged a few moments later dressed in a brown trousers and a woolen shirt, topped up with a coat, a hat and a handkerchief tied to the neck to aid in braving the early morning cold.
Stepping out into the cold morning, the man glanced around as he took in the sight before him. debris from the last night gale littered the streets, shops where opening, maidservant and menservants hurried through and from. hauling bales of clothes, wooden buckets and barrels of wine, horse drawn carts carrying hays and farming equipments galloped back and forth.
Everywhere and everyone was as busy as a bee, pulling his coat tight he walked inland not without taking a glance behind at the horizon, the sea splashed at the seashore as a couple of whaling ships had already set sail while a few others preparing to sail.
One ship remained in the harbor, though activities where going on on it. There were no sign of setting sail.
Walking farther inside, straight on a mansion loomed ahead getting nearer with each step. A couple of servants tended the garden in front of the house, walking past them he pushed open the door, stepping inside he pushed the door close behind him.