Prompt: Every sight of you is worth keeping.
A Thorny Thursday contribution.
Gerrit and Dirk savored their ales in the Karpershoek, observing the chatter among the taverns regulars. Their crew was a small number, and so they hoped to find another wayward soul looking for purpose. Or a restless soul seeking justice. Whatever motivation bred the best skyrates would do for them.
Dirk observed the wainscoting interior when he suddenly spotted a woman sitting in the opposite corner of the tavern. She was veiled in a black and red scarf. An Oportan scarf.
“What do you see, captain?”
“A friend…Or a ghost. I won’t be long.” He assured, rising from his seat.
As he approached the woman’s table, a whisper of doubt filled his thoughts. After all, the people of Oporto traveled to Frisia often. Perhaps he was about to make a fool of himself to an innocent woman.
Then her hazel-green eyes met his, silencing his doubt.
“You know that scarf of yours makes you more conspicuous?”
Moving past her surprise, she offered him a smirk.
“Not enough, apparently.”
She studied Dirk before nodding in approval.
“You look well,” She said while gesturing him to take a seat. He accepted, and took a moment to savor the sight of her. Her headscarf only drew attention to her best features - her eyes contrasting her dark eyebrows. Her linen blouse and red skirt were otherwise plain.
She broke the silence.
“I assumed you stayed in Anglia since that day.”
“I did, for some time. I found myself a new ship to sail - my own, in fact.”
“Is that so? And who agreed to make you captain?” She playfully asked.
He let out an audible but amused laugh.
“I did.”
The Oportan scrutinized his answer. As she sipped her ale, he noted its delicate froth resting on edge of her lips.
“How large is your crew?” She asked in a more hushed tone.
“We are a few, but we are looking for more. Are you ready to leave The Utrecht?”
She stared into her glass.
“As a matter of fact, it was ransacked by skyrates a month ago. I managed to escape on a small boat. As far as I know, I am the only survivor.”
Dirk was taken aback by the news. Their old captain was confident that the ship was indestructible. Whoever attacked his ship knew its weak points.
“What will you do now?” He asked with concern.
“I could return to Oporto, perhaps find another trading ship to work on. And you know about the Sisters who raised me. They would not hesitate to take me in again.”
The tavern chatter led him into deep reflection. After a moment passed, he took her hand and locked eyes with her.
“If you wish to keep voyaging the skies, meet me at the docks when the moon is at its widest. My ship will carry a black flag of two swords.”
They exchanged a knowing glance before Dirk arose from his seat. She watched him walk away.
Once he was back in his seat, he looked back to find that she had disappeared.
“Well, captain?”
Dirk was fixated on her table.
“We now have a carpenter.”
Every sight of Leonor Ferreira was worth keeping.
Thank you for reading! This short story takes place within my “Skyrates” universe, and like its counterparts, inspired by one of radicaledward’s writing prompts.
I originally had this prompt planned for another couple within this world, but it seemed more appropriate for Captain Dirk’s underlying bleeding heart. I mean, come on, how can you see that prompt and NOT think of romance!
Ohh, I’m loving this! Hope you write more on this one.
Yeah yeah great story and all im just happy skyrates is canon 😂😂😂