Setting Anchor for Repairs
The cold northern wind blows the tops of the ocean’s waves into a white mist,
spraying onto the wooden decks as the large wooden war ships glide through the waves, their sails already pulled.
The waves chop against the hulls of the three ships while
sailors continue to oar the vessels sluggishly into deeper waters and against the headwind.
The sailors look as if they had been out at sea for some time, their unkept beards riddled with ice
Suddenly, the “Pull oars!” command is heard from a tall,
rough looking Adunian man, before being echoed along the deck by the other sailors.
“Now, ready anchor! Helmsman! Steady as she goes!” he bellows.
The helmsman replies quickly with an “Aye sir!” doing his best to keep the bow in the waves and wind, the ropes of the wheel taut.
As the ship slows, a sailor holding a rope over the icy gunwale leans over his shoulder to face the Adunian
“Captain Armas! She has slowed to one knot!”
The captain glances to the man, nodding before turning back to the crewmen who awaiting orders.
Captain Loric leans forward, his hands taking hold on the railing of the fly deck
“Steady! Loose anchor! Four shot o’chain!”
The crew’s heavy footsteps beat along the spruce deck to the bow of the ship,
hurrying to complete the given orders.
The rattling of heavy metal chains clanking against one another as the men attach the shots together can be heard,
followed by a shout from one of the mates “Anchor ready! Loose Anchor!”
The clanking once heard before silences briefly before starting again, but this time,
much louder and faster as the chain rushes over the side of the boat,
the weight of the chain and anchor pulling it along with great speed,
only controlled by the large gypsy head, sitting on the starboard bow.
A thundering SPLASH is heard as the anchor hits the icy cold waters of the north.
It does not take long for the large, cast iron anchor to hit the rocky bottom, finding hold amongst the boulders below.
The sailors let out the remaining chain, making sure to stop and lock the chain in place once the correct angle has been achieved. One of the mates turns back to the captain and shouts “Anchor holding sir!”
“Now! Begin repairs and restock supplies! Pull the sails for mending and pull the rudders for patching!"
"Tar the hull and repair what you can lads! We best be quick before a storm lands!”
his commanding voice cutting through the whistle of the wind and creaking of the hulls.
“Tonight and from this night on, skeleton crews shall be posted on lookout and prepare stern anchors.”
The sailors begin scrambling along the the wooden planks. Some men work their way up the masts as others make for the hatches leading to the lower decks, all of them appearing to be inspecting anything and everything on the boat.
Astern, the Vanir’s flags whip in the wind and Serpentstone lays beyond a sea of white foam and sharp waves, her stone walls firm against the growing sea. But between Loric and Serpentstone, a fleet of similar ships begin to drop their anchors as well. Each ship raising her own lantern atop the masts, marking their anchorage.
The helmsman, knowing that the ship has been safely moored, leaves the wheel to stand next to the captain.
“How long do you think it will take?”
With his eyes scanning across the crashing waves, watching the small bits of ice get tossed about, he simply replies
“Until we are done. Perhaps a month at best.”