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.

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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.