"You have a hunting ship?" Ty asks Kai as they leave the inn and head back out into the bustling port city. "Yes I do, but I don't have supplies yet, or a crew, hence the recruiting post." Kai responds while leading Ty in the direction that he had seen a horse drawn carriage before. A few minutes later he arrives at a stable of sorts.
The driver of the horse-cart, an older, gruff-looking man with a face as lined as an old map, tied up the horses with practiced ease. He turned to Kai and spat a wad of chewing tobacco to the side before speaking. "Where to, lad?" His voice was gritty, like the sound of a ship's hull scraping against a rocky shore.
Kai squinted up at the sun, which still hung pretty high, sometime in the afternoon. "We need to find a place that sells food and supplies in bulk. The biggest and the best the town has to offer." He placed a hand on Ty's shoulder, his young protégé who looked up at him with wide eyes and a hopeful smile. Ty's freckled face was already smudged with dirt from the journey, and his too-large hat sat askew on his head.
The driver looked them both over, his gaze lingering on the rolled parchment tucked under Kai's arm. "Ah, I see. You're looking to stock up for a voyage, then."
"That's right," Kai said, his grip tightening around the parchment.
The driver nodded, his eyes lighting up with the prospect of a good commission. "Follow me, then. I'll take you to the best merchant in town."
The three of them… and the perpetually sleepy Levi, set off through the cobbled maze of streets, the wooden wheels of the carriage mingling with the shouts of merchants and the laughter of children playing. The scent of saltwater hung in the air, mingling with the aroma of baking bread and roasting meats that wafted from open windows. Colorful awnings fluttered above their heads, casting patches of shade onto the warm stones, Kai made small talk with the grizzled driver. He mentioned to the driver that he is looking for to buy vast quantities of foodstuff and
As they moved deeper into the town, the buildings grew closer together, leaning in like gossiping old women sharing secrets of the sea. Kai felt the excitement build in his chest with every step. This was the start of something big, something that would change his life forever. He could feel it in the way the wind tugged at his clothes and in the throb of anticipation that pulsed through his veins.
They passed by a group of sailors, their faces tanned and rough, their eyes hardened by years spent staring into the horizon. One of them, a burly man with a thick beard, called out to the driver. "Hey, old man, you got new customers for Mr. McGinty?"
The driver chuckled. "Aye, that I do. This here's Captain Kai." He nodded at Kai. "And this little rascal is Ty, his brother."
The sailors exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of awe and amusement.
The driver led them to a large, sturdy building with a sign that creaked in the salty breeze. 'McGinty's Maritime Emporium' was painted in bold letters across the wood, the paint chipped and faded from countless seasons. The door was open, revealing a dimly lit space filled with towering shelves of barrels and sacks. The smell of dried fruits, salted meats, and spices hit them like a wave.
Inside, they were met by the merchant, a round man with a bald head shiny as a polished cannonball. He wiped his hands on his apron and squinted at the trio, his eyes narrowing as he took in their ragged clothes. "What can I do for you?" he barked, his voice carrying the authority of a man who knew the value of his goods.
Kai stepped forward, his tricorn hat making him surge with confidence. "I'm Captain Kai Storms of the Stormrider. I'm looking to place a large order for food and supplies." He held out a piece of parchment, his heart racing as he gets another step closer to being able to sail his own ship. "I need enough to last a few weeks at sea, for a crew of about four hundred."
The merchant took the paper and unfurled it with a flourish, his eyes scanning the list. His expression grew thoughtful as he took in the sheer scale of the order. "Aye, I've got everything you need," he said, his voice containing a mix surprise, and pretentiousness. "But it won't come cheap. Also," the merchant adds, "I don't see any barrels of water on the list, won't you need water also, or do you plan on drinking the ocean water?" The merchant asked in a demeaning tone, obviously believing Kai to be too young and naïve to be a captain.
"I have that taken care of already. I won't be needing more." Kai says flatly, refusing to expound on the fact that his new "High-tech" ship comes with a magic water maker. The merchant looked somewhat put out with Kai's response as barreled water is his favorite commodity to sell because it's very easy to acquire but he can still charge a premium for the convenience.
The negotiation began, with Kai haggling over the price of salted meats, dried fruits, and supplies to repair the ship in case of damage like sheets and ingots of steel, and Corinth City's famous ebon lumber. The young Ty's eyes grew wider with every number thrown around. The air in the emporium grew thick with the scent of commerce and the promise of adventure.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the floor, a deal was struck. A total of 8,500 gold spent, most of which being for the supplies for the ship's maintenance and will not be a reoccurring purchase every time he needs to leave the dock… Hopefully.
Kai felt a sense of accomplishment settle in his chest, but he knew it was only the first step in a long and perilous journey. The merchant says the order will be ready in two days and that he'll have it delivered to the city docks.
With the order placed, the three of them climbed back into the horse-cart. The driver cracked his whip and the horses started forward, their hooves striking a rhythmic beat against the cobblestones. Kai leaned back, watching the town slip by. His thoughts drifted to the shipyard where the Stormrider awaited them, her sails folded like the wings of a sleeping bird.
…
Now back at the Mermaid's Lament just as the sun is setting, even before exiting the horse carriage, Kai's sights are filled with a large number of young men and women crowded around the entrance and spilling out into the cobbled stone streets. Kai pays the driver, adding a large tip and then he takes in a deep breath before making his way through the crowd to get inside.
"Ahoy, lads and lasses!" Captain Kai's voice boomed through the Mermaid's Lament, a tavern that had seen better days but still held a certain allure. "Gather 'round and listen close, for I've got a tale to tell and positions to fill!"
A murmur rippled through the crowd, a mix of excitement and skepticism. Kai is very nervous, having been raised on the open sea by his grandfather, who had taught him the ropes of sailing and navigating, not the art of oratory. But the allure of adventure was a siren's call that could not be ignored. Utilizing all of his charisma points, Kai stills his heart and mind and decides to go all in. Besides, if he is too lead these people, he can't stay in a shell forever.
"My name's Kai, and I'm here to build the finest crew the seas have ever seen!" His eyes scanned the room, looking for that spark of curiosity, that glint of desire for something more than the mundane lives they were leading. "I've got a ship, a ship that'll make you all proud to serve on—the Stormrider! She's sturdy and fast, with a belly full of mystery and promise."
Kai's newly adopted brother Ty, watched from a nearby table, a mug of watered down ale in hand. Ty's eyes are widened with excitement as he saw the faces in the tavern lean in closer to the captain, eager for the adventures that lay ahead, as Levi still rested blissfully spread across Kai's shoulders without a care in the world.
The captain's words painted vivid images in the minds of those listening: the thrill of the hunt on vast, uncharted waters, the camaraderie of a tight-knit crew, and the promise of treasures beyond their wildest dreams. They were a motley bunch, each with their own reasons for seeking escape, but the promise of adventure and fortune was a universal language.
"We're looking for the best of the best," Kai continued, raising his voice to be heard over the growing din. "A helmsman with a steady hand and a sharp eye, a boatswain who knows the ropes like the back of his hand, and mages who can tame the very winds themselves!" His enthusiasm was infectious, along with having 12 points in charisma, and even the most hardened sailors couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement at the thought of such a voyage.
The air grew thick with anticipation as Kai listed off the various roles he needed to fill. Ty took a sip of his ale, feeling the warmth spread through him. This was it—the start of their grand adventure. He watched the crowd, his heart racing with excitement as they listened to his brother's every word.
"But let's not forget the unsung heroes," Kai said, his eyes landing on a young woman in the back with a steely gaze. "We need cooks who can turn a scrap of meat and a handful of spices into a feast fit for kings, and housekeepers who can keep our ship tidy in the face of Neptune's wrath!"
The woman's eyes lit up, and Ty couldn't help but smile. He knew she had the spirit they needed. As the captain called for those interested to step forward, Ty felt a swell of pride. This was their chance to carve their own destinies, to leave their mark on this vast, untamed world.
One by one, they approached the makeshift stage, each with their own story etched into their weathered faces. There were tall tales and tall orders, but Kai's unyielding belief in the potential of his new crew shone through. He had a knack for seeing the good in people, even when it was hidden beneath layers of doubt and fear.
As the night grew later and the ale flowed more freely, the tavern buzzed with the energy of new beginnings. The storm outside raged on, a fitting backdrop for the tempest of hope and ambition that was brewing within the Mermaid's Lament. Ty watched as his brother worked the room, his confidence growing with every handshake and promise made.
The recruitment had just begun, but already, the seeds of the Stormrider's legend were being sown. Each hopeful applicant brought their own unique blend of skills and stories to the table, and Kai listened intently to all of them, his mind racing with the possibilities. The scent of salt and sweat mixed with the warmth of the tavern's hearth, creating an atmosphere ripe for dreams of the sea.
A burly man with a beard as wild as the waves stepped forward, claiming to be the best helmsman on the coast. His grip was like a vise, and his gaze never wavered from Kai's. Behind him, a nimble lad no more than fifteen boasted of his nimbleness and ability to scale the rigging faster than a monkey. Kai studied them all, his mind racing with the potential dynamics of the crew they were assembling.
The room grew quieter as a hooded figure approached, the clink of their spurs echoing against the wooden floorboards. Beneath the hood, a pair of piercing eyes scanned the room before landing on Kai. The captain felt a chill run down his spine, not from the storm outside, but from the aura of power that radiated from this mysterious individual. They spoke in a low, raspy voice, offering their services as a mage—a rare and valuable asset on any ship.
"What say you, lad?" Kai asked Ty, raising an eyebrow at the mage's offer. Ty took a moment to consider, his eyes darting from the figure before them to the eager faces of the other recruits. "Could be a game-changer," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
With each addition to the crew, the storm outside seemed to match the intensity inside. The thunder rumbled like the beating of a giant's heart, and the rain pounded against the windows like the drums of war. Yet, the atmosphere in the tavern remained electric, fueled by the promise of adventure and the camaraderie that was forming before their very eyes.
As the night drew to a close, the chosen few remained, their faces alight with excitement and determination. The storm had passed, leaving in its wake a sense of renewal and purpose. The Mermaid's Lament had transformed from a simple tavern to the birthplace of the Stormrider's legacy.
Kai sat comfortably on his seat, sipping an ale while basking in his accomplishment. 137 people signed on, including a Helmsman a stout middle-aged man with a beard named Baron Cobin, a potential boatswain name Rika Stone who is a tall young man in his early 20's with blonde hair and a potty-mouth, along with some cooks, housekeepers, and not a small number of young sailors and general laborers.
"Cough Cough." The fizz of the Ale caught in his throat a little bit. Never having had any alcohol before arriving in Corinth, he still hasn't built up much tolerance, but the use and the warm feeling he gets is growing on him more and more.
I see why in the stories; the sailors and pirates drink a lot… I can get used to this.