Drifter - Part 2

The coins in Luke's pocket jingled in his pocket with every step. He followed the path that twisted through the trees to the small clearing where a large cabin sat nestled in the brush. Luke whistled a hearty sailor's tune and his feet were lighter with every step, but even as he drew closer to his home, he kept an eye scanning the surrounding trees.

“Luke is home!” a voice squealed. Daisy flew out the front door, her mop of curls flying out behind her. Luke embraced his little sister, perhaps the only person who made coming home worthwhile. “Guess what?” Daisy's eyes danced with excitement. “Mama says you have to share your room for awhile.”

“What do you mean?” Luke playfully poked her freckled nose.

“There's a boy, and he's come to stay with us!”

“It's true.” Luke looked up to see Amelia standing just behind Daisy. “Your Father brought him in just a few minutes ago.”

Luke stared at her, speechless. They had captured the Drifters early this afternoon. Could it be? The boy had made it to land?

“Well, what are you waiting for? I'll introduce him to you.” Daisy skipped ahead of them.

Amelia walked beside Luke. She linked her arm with his, despite the fact he hadn't offered it yet. A soft rosy smell drifted from her clothes, and it was just then that Luke noticed Amelia was wearing the hair pin he'd given her for her birthday. Well, in all honesty, it was his mother who had given the pin to him to give to her.

“Your mother invited me to dinner tonight.” Amelia's voice was sing-songy and expectant.

But Luke didn't know what to say. “That's nice.” He tried to sound sincere. She'd eaten with them last time he'd been home. And the time before last.

“That's nice? That's it?” Amelia stopped and swiveled around to face him, a teasing grin on her face. 

“I thought you'd be excited to see me after your long day at sea.”

Luke smiled, but said nothing. He didn't like this, her continual fishing for affection and appreciation. He liked the old Amelia better. The one who used to punch his belly and yank his hair and climb trees with him. But she'd changed ever since that day their parents had announced they had planned since their births for them to marry someday.

Luke sighed, and Amelia frowned. “Is something wrong?” She back into step beside him.

“No, just a long day at work.” Luke avoided her gaze.

Amelia was eying him closely. “Was it really so bad? What's this?” She snatched the bulging satchel out of Luke's pocket. She stopped and spilled part of the contents into her palm. Her eyes widened at the glistening gold. “Luke, this is King's gold! What in all Amoz did you do to earn this?”

Luke grinned, but his words were cut off by Daisy's voice. “Luke, hurry up!”

“I'll tell you over supper.” Luke bent over and kissed her forehead before darting through the doorway.

It took a moment for Luke's eyes to adjust to the dim interior. Amelia stepped in behind him, the satchel still in hand. Papa sat with his arms crossed, scowling at the opposite wall. He stood when he saw Luke and Amelia enter. Luke's elder sister Leah was placing dishes on the table, while Mama stood beside the table, her hands resting on a boy's shoulders. Luke frowned. This boy was definitely not the one he'd let escape off the ship. Sandy hair fell to the boy's chin, and his dark eyes surveyed Luke's muscular sailor build.

Daisy grabbed Luke's hand. “Timothy, this is my brother Luke. Luke this is Timothy. His parents died so he's going to live with us now.”

Timothy stood and extended his hand. Luke shook it. An awkward silence fell across the room.

Mama cleared her throat. “Luke, why don't you show Timothy your room?”

Luke nodded and motioned for Timothy to follow. He led the boy to the other side of the room and pulled down the ladder to the loft. Luke scrambled up, still trying to swallow his disappointment. How on earth was he going to share the little loft anyways?

“Well, this is it,” Luke said when Timothy had made it over the top. “It's small, but we'll figure out how to make room for another cot and your things.”

“I don't have any things,” Timothy mumbled.

Luke glanced at him, waiting for an explanation. When none came, he cleared his throat. “How come?”

“They took it all.”

“Who?”

Timothy opened his mouth to say something, but Papa's voice yelled from the bottom of the ladder. “Luke, I need to have a word with you.”

“Yes, Sir,” Luke replied. He glanced back at Timothy but the boy turned away. Oh well, he'd find out later.

Papa had pulled Luke outside to the back of the house. A dark shadow seemed to hang over his mood, and Luke could tell this was serious.

“Does this have to do with Timothy?” Luke asked.

“It has everything to do with Timothy.” Papa stroked his beard, as if trying to figure out how to word the news. “Timothy is my sister Sylvia's son.”

“Wait. You mean Sylvia and John? The ones who are Drifters?”

“Hush, not so loud,” his father put a finger to his lips and glanced around. “Yes, the Drifters.” He lowered his voice to a whisper.

“Then Timothy is our cousin?”

Papa nodded his head.

Luke shook his head in disbelief. “Does Daisy know this?”

“No, and you are not to tell her. All she must believe is that his parents are dead and we are doing a kind deed by taking him in.”

“Then Sylvia and John aren't dead?”

Papa shook his head. “But you cannot let Timothy know this. My sister and her husband were arrested in Portland and transferred to the Heartland dungeon. Their stay will not be short. It may end with their execution.”

“Then why are you doing this? Isn't it dangerous? What if Timothy causes trouble?”

“Years ago, I made a promise to my sister that if anything ever happened to her, I would take in her children.” His father paused and sighed. “Yesterday a strange fellow met me in the fields with a message from Sylvia, saying they had been caught and that her son was hiding with friends. She thought he would be safer with me here. So, I packed up this morning and headed to Portland to bring him home. If the boy believes his parents are dead, then perhaps all his ties to the Drifters will be more easily broken. If he causes trouble …” Papa's voice faded. “Luke, I need you to keep a careful watch on him whenever you are home. Your mother and Leah will keep an eye on him when you are gone.”

Luke nodded. His heart pounded.

“If he starts saying anything suspicious or stirring up any trouble, tell me immediately. If it weren't for my promise, I wouldn't have chosen to put you in this sort of danger.” Papa squeezed Luke's shoulder. “I am proud of you. You've proven yourself a noble young man thus far. Don't fail me now.”

Luke leaned against the cabin and watched as his father disappeared around the house. What sort of promise could be so important as to risk their lives? But then again, it wasn't much different than what he'd done this afternoon. Luke's eyes clouded over, deep in thought, until his Father popped back around the corner.

“Remember, Luke. You have a job to do.”

Drifter - Part 1

Here's a sneak peek at something I've worked on a bit the last few months. I may post a bit more, but most definitely not the whole thing. I need some help with this first scene though. If you have any suggestions on how to make it more realistic and accurate (I don't know much about ships), it would be much appreciated.

<><><>

When Luke had joined the apprenticeship of Captain Dye's merchant crew, he had never expected to take part in a battle. Sure, he'd been hoping for some excitement beyond dragging shipments on and off the ship, but this was different. This wasn't a Sunsdownian pirate ship or a Golden Sands barge. No, this was a King-ordered destruction of a private fishing boat which had annoyingly placed itself at the mouth of the Swiftish River.

A grizzly hand squeezed Luke's shoulder. “There she is,” Captain Dye said, his voice hushed. The fishing boat rocked on greenish waves where the water faded from murky brown to glassy blue as it spilled into the sea.

“Sir?” Luke looked up at his father's friend. “Have you ever seized a ship before?”

Dye grinned. “No, but there's always a first time, eh?” He thumped Luke's back. “Besides, this will be like stealing sweet things from a baby. They won't be expecting foul play from a merchant ship with only a few hands.”

Luke nodded, excitement swelling in his chest.

“Take the Drifters prisoners. Burn the cargo and the ship,” Dye barked at his crew.

The sailors scampered to their stations. To Luke's right, a man swung his grappling hook in readiness. Luke fiddled with the dagger at his waste as the distance between the two vessels closed. He could see people, at least a dozen, moving about on the boat. Peace lovers they called themselves. Luke wanted to snort every time he heard that reference. If anyone disturbed the peace of Amoz more, it was the Drifters.

Then they were upon them. The grappling hooks zipped through the air and landed with a mighty thuds in the unsuspecting ship. Adrenaline raced through Luke's veins. This was it. This was real. As the ropes drew the two ships together, Luke leaped over the side and onto the other deck. The boats thumped together, throwing him to his stomach. Luke pushed himself to his feet. People scattered. A balding man ran for the side, but Luke was faster. He grabbed the man's collar and shoved his dagger under his chin. “You are coming with us,” Luke grunted, dragging the man toward the boarding plank. A plank cracked against Luke's head. His knife clattered to the deck, and the old man stumbled toward the side again. Black crawled into Luke's vision. He ran his hands across the planks, searching for his weapon. A hand jerked him to his feet. “Slow down there, young man. You've got to wait for the rest of us.” Captain Dye shoved the knife back into his hands. Sailors now turned pirates swarmed the deck. Shouts pierced the air.

Captain Dye prodded Luke toward the other ship. “Go! Open the hatch. We'll stuff the prisoners in the hold with the cargo.”

Luke pounded up the boarding plank and rushed to the hatch. Sweat beaded on his brow. He could see flames shooting up from the fishing boat already. The last of the Drifters were being dragged aboard the Purple Knight. The hatch stood open, it's yawning mouth ready to receive it's extra cargo. Luke's superiors prodded protesting men into the dark hold below.

“You have no right!” A bearded man struggled against his bonds. “And neither does the King! We will not be his slaves nor will we let him corrupt our land with your merchandise.”

Captain Dye's eyes turned steely gray. He grabbed the man's beard. “Do you think I have a choice, Drifter? It's lice like you who want to keep families like mine from making a living in this world.” With a shove, Dye sent the man tumbling down the steps.

Luke smirked and shook his head. He examined the rest of the prisoners. Three more men were already being pushed toward the hatch, and a couple women huddled near the barrels as if hoping they were invisible. Not a chance. They were soon prodded too their feet.

The blazing ship faded in the distance, but Luke could still see the smoke. A sense of satisfaction swelled in his chest. Yes, he'd finally been a part of a great feat for his country. His father would be proud, and Amelia, well, she'd probably get that serious, worried look in her eyes. He could already hear here voice in his head. “You know, Luke, you could have been killed. How are we going to raise a family if you are dead?”

Luke chuckled. He liked it when she got all upset like that. Perhaps it wasn't so good for their future marriage, but he couldn't let this arranged marriage ruin his life could he? She would learn he needed his fun.

Luke jerked himself from his uneasy thoughts when a slight movement behind a crate caught his eye. He stepped closer, his hand on his dagger. Then he spotted him, hidden among the tackle, a raven-haired, blue-eyed boy with a look of sheer terror on his face. His mouth was gagged and his hands and feet were bound. His eyes widened when he spotted Luke, and he tried to wiggle farther away.

Luke's heart softened. The boy had to be only eleven or twelve. Really it probably wasn't the boy's fault he was here now, bound and gagged. His parents had probably dragged him along, teaching him against the king like the Drifters always taught their children. And then those wide eyes, they had sparked a hidden memory, something way down deep inside. He couldn't put a finger on it, but he knew he couldn't lock this boy up in the hold with the rest of them. How would he hide him? How could he get him off the ship? No matter, he'd figure out something. He crouched down and whispered, “Don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you.” He unsheathed his knife and cut the boy's bonds. Then he removed his gag and motioned for him to be silent.

The boy nodded, but he narrowed his eyes.

“I think I can smuggle you out in a crate or something. Just wait here until I tell you.”

The boy nodded again.

“Luke, I need you in my cabin!” Captain Dye's voice roared above the hustle of the sailors.

Luke motioned for the boy to stay. “Remember, don't move.” He crawled out from behind the crate and stood. “Aye, Captain, I'm on my way!” he shouted. Luke had just reached the cabin door when a splash hit the water.

“Man overboard!” a sailor yelled. “A prisoner's escaped.”

Luke's hands grew clammy. Captain Dye rushed out of his cabin. “What!? Who in all Amoz let that boy go? I didn't hire lazy bums for sailors, did I? Don't just stand there! Lower a boat.”

The man to Luke's right jumped to do the captain's bidding, but Luke didn't budge. “C-captain, he seems just to be a child. He'll probably drown by the time he reaches the shore,” Luke stammered.

Captain Dye grunted. Sailors were already lowering the lifeboat.

“Let him go,” Captain Dye huffed. “But don't tell of this to anyone.”

Luke sighed in relief, but watched the boy swim out of the corner of his eye. Would he make it? The boy was swimming to the east shore, which would not be too far from his father's farm. Luke made a point to go explore along the river as soon as possible this evening.