Atreyu’s Return to the Sea
A few days after the Black Hawk’s
return, Atreyu managed to get some time alone with Captain Jackson. Well,
except for the two newest members of the family, born eight and nine months
after Jackson
had left. “Near Father?”
“Yes, son?”
“I want to sail with Black Hawk when she leaves next.”
Jackson looked at him. “Why? You are a well respected member of the tribe. One of their best bowyers, best hunter, and all the maidens wish you for their husband. You have done well and thrived here.”
“I don’t want to marry like Swift Foot and Far Seer do. There are plenty of hunters for the tribe, and yes, I’m one of the best, but not the only best bowyer. I want to sail the sea. A dugout and the river are too tame. Besides, I am a grown man, I can decide for myself now.”
“I see, and what weapons, besides snares, a skinning knife, and a bow can you use?”
Atreyu looked at his Near Father puzzled. “What more weapons do I need to know? Those work well for me.”
Jonas nodded. “Yes, they do.” He pauses a heartbeat, "on land. The sea is another thing.”
Atreyu scowled. “How so? Imagine a handful of sailors with bows and rags wrapped around an arrow coated in something burnable. Say the pitch that seals the seams of the ship. Then imagine those rags burning while the sailors shoot them at target ships, setting sail and wood alight.”
Captain Jackson’s jaw dropped at first, then slowly a thoughtful look appeared on his face. “That just might work. I’ve never seen it done before.” He’d grown excited about the idea, but then suddenly sobered. “But a bow is no good for hand-to-hand combat. Will you use your skinny knife against an enemy with a sword? They’d laugh, just before they skewered you.”
Atreyu snorted. “Perhaps, or maybe I’ll gut them as they laugh…” He sighs. “I know the bow is weak when it hits something. If I knew how to melt metals, I might be able to reinforce the weak points, but no one in the village knows how, or even knows how to make iron.” He looked frustrated at the observation.
Jackson was intrigued with this idea of his adopted son. The boy came up with the darnedest ideas, even stranger, more of them worked than failed. “Talk to Hastings, he does the ship’s weapon repair. He could probably teach you.” He watched as Atreyu grew excited and smiled briefly. “But, in order for you to become a crew member of Black Hawk, you need to know how to use a sword without killing yourself, or a crewmate. For that you will see Billings. Once he deems you competent, I will agree to let you join as a crew member.”
Atreyu went form elated and excited over the possibility of learning metal, to dejected and depressed at having to have Billings’ approval. “That man hates me and will never give me approval.”
Jonas knew this too, but he was the best weapon’s master, and Jonas wanted Atreyu trained by the best available. Though he hadn’t been entirely honest, Jackson would keep an eye on Atreyu’s training as well. Rarely did Billings let his personal opinions get in the way his job, but where Atreyu was concerned, the man had an irrational dislike of the boy that the Captain couldn’t figure out the cause of. “Never-the-less, you want to sail, you train with Billings in the use of a sword. Have him take you to the Black Hawk to find a suitable sword for yourself.”
For the next year and a half, Atreyu trained under Billings and Hastings, Billings more so. Atreyu swore the man was trying to kill him with all the constant training and little sleep. Only during the times that Hastings decided to tell Billings that he’d need Atreyu’s help for several days, did Atreyu get a chance to catch up on his sleep. Since Hastings never needed him for more then a day or two in actuality. Hastings was amazed that the lad refused to go to the Captain with Billings’ harsh training. The lad was a man though, and Hastings respected his choice.
Hastings wasn’t the only one to notice Billings’ treatment of Atreyu, and it wasn’t long before the whole Black Hawk crew knew. They never had understood Billings’ burning hatred for Atreyu, anymore than their Captain did. Just because the boy had been a thief once, many still remembered when Captain Jackson had first brought the boy here, and how he’d used his thief skills to help them in battles. One or two, maybe even three, actually owed their lives to those same thief skills, and besides, the boy had never stole from them, or the village, in all these years. So, many of the crew, like Hastings, would periodically, from time to time, claim to need Atreyu for something as well, just so he could have a rest. They all had a system worked out between them.
Jackson was very aware of what was going on all the way around. He was pleased to see the crew rallying to try to help Atreyu. It meant they’d accept him on ship without any problems. Billings was the only one who didn’t like Atreyu, but then Billings didn’t really like most everyone.
Atreyu finally mastered the molding of wood and metal to strengthen the bow. It took him several months of trial and error, but he did finally work it out. Part of what helped, was Freemont started taking Atreyu over to the Black Hawk when he had work to do. Atreyu ended up learning Carpentry as well, those days he wasn’t so exhausted he was more hindrance then help.
Captain Jackson was amused, as the crew took to helping Atreyu with Billings, they’d use the pretense of teaching them their given trades, and Atreyu would learn whatever they’d teach him. At that rate, the lad would be able to run a ship all by himself. On the practical side of things, if Atreyu learned all the different jobs on ship, he’d make for one handy back up, or helper.
The day before the Black Hawk was to sail, Jonas pulled Billings aside from the loading of the ship with supplies. “So… Does Atreyu have what it takes to be a crewman?”
Billings shook his head. “No.”
The Captain waited a moment, but when Billings didn’t elaborate, he sighed and looked disappointed. “Johnathan, in all the years we’ve sailed together, you’ve never bald faced lied to me like you just did.” Billings at least had the grace to look embarrassed. “I’ve seen the lad beat you in sparing more often than not of late. Yet you stand there and tell me he’s not good enough?” Jackson studied him a moment before continuing. “You’re unfounded distrust and dislike for the lad and his past aside, why not?”
Billings blinked then looked down, his mind thinking furiously. But he couldn’t come up with a reason. The Captain’s right, the boy learned the sword quicker then most ever could, even with all the interruptions from the crew. Finally he sighed quietly. “Those are the only reasons.”
“I see.” Captain Jackson nodded, but before he walked off, “thank you, Johnathan, and thank you for training the lad.” Then he left.
The next day came and Atreyu still didn’t know if he’d be allowed to leave with the Black Hawk. At the urging of many of the crew though, he was packed and standing on deck with them awaiting the Captain’s arrival. They swore, come hell or high waters, he’d not be left behind this time. Billings glared at him, but Atreyu didn’t worry overly much. Instead, he was more worried over the Captain’s reaction.
“CAPTAIN ON DECK!”
The crew hastened to become presentable, the Quartermaster, Follett, had Atreyu stand just behind him center of the crew line up. When the Captain approached and their eyes met, Atreyu thought he’d seen the briefest flash of relief in them, but irritation was there so quickly, that Atreyu wasn’t sure.
Jackson’s eyes narrowed, but before he could say anything, Follett stepped forward and spoke to him as he stared straight ahead. “Sir, I speak for the crew.”
The Captian’s eyes widened momentarily, then grew thoughtful. “Aye? And what does the crew have to say?”
“The crew wishes for the one called Atreyu to be allowed to sail with us, as one of us.”
Jonas raised a brow, and then looked the crew over. Except Billings and Atreyu, everyone else had very determined looks on their faces. “And if I say no?”
Follett broke his formal stance and looked Jonas in the eye. “Then we’ll quit to a man, and leave you and Billings to crew the ship.”
There were two gasps, Atreyu and Billings. Even Captain Jackson looked at Follett startled. “That’s mutiny.”
Follett went back to his formal stance. “No, Sir. Mutiny’s killing you and taking over the ship. We’d just stay home.”
Captain Jackson nodded thoughtfully. “True, true. So, is she ready to sail then?” He walked off as if there was nothing unusual happening.
Follett started at the sudden change of subject and then he automatically fell in step with the Captain. “Yes, Sir. Black Hawk’s ready to sail.”
“Then let’s sail.” Captain Jackson walked to his cabin and disappeared inside.
Follett turned grinning. “Ye heard the Cap’n. Set sail. Raise the anchor.” The crew scrambled to set sail, Atreyu amongst them.
“SET SAIL!”
“RAISE THE ANCHOR!” The Black Hawk sailed off down river, and within the hour was back out on the open sea.
The first time Atreyu’s flaming arrow idea was used, it was a beautiful sight and it demoralized the other ship’s crew badly, making it an easy kill. Atreyu also had many opportunities to test and learn to use his metal reinforced bow in hand-to-hand battle, becoming as good with it as he was a sword. The only thing that worried Captain Jackson concerning Atreyu was that Billings not only taught him to be skilled with a sword, but to also be cold when fighting. It was a frightening sight sometimes to behold.
For the next seven years, whenever the Black Hawk sailed, Atreyu was part of the crew. Billings still treated him like dirt, but he wasn’t enough to keep Atreyu away.
“Yes, son?”
“I want to sail with Black Hawk when she leaves next.”
Jackson looked at him. “Why? You are a well respected member of the tribe. One of their best bowyers, best hunter, and all the maidens wish you for their husband. You have done well and thrived here.”
“I don’t want to marry like Swift Foot and Far Seer do. There are plenty of hunters for the tribe, and yes, I’m one of the best, but not the only best bowyer. I want to sail the sea. A dugout and the river are too tame. Besides, I am a grown man, I can decide for myself now.”
“I see, and what weapons, besides snares, a skinning knife, and a bow can you use?”
Atreyu looked at his Near Father puzzled. “What more weapons do I need to know? Those work well for me.”
Jonas nodded. “Yes, they do.” He pauses a heartbeat, "on land. The sea is another thing.”
Atreyu scowled. “How so? Imagine a handful of sailors with bows and rags wrapped around an arrow coated in something burnable. Say the pitch that seals the seams of the ship. Then imagine those rags burning while the sailors shoot them at target ships, setting sail and wood alight.”
Captain Jackson’s jaw dropped at first, then slowly a thoughtful look appeared on his face. “That just might work. I’ve never seen it done before.” He’d grown excited about the idea, but then suddenly sobered. “But a bow is no good for hand-to-hand combat. Will you use your skinny knife against an enemy with a sword? They’d laugh, just before they skewered you.”
Atreyu snorted. “Perhaps, or maybe I’ll gut them as they laugh…” He sighs. “I know the bow is weak when it hits something. If I knew how to melt metals, I might be able to reinforce the weak points, but no one in the village knows how, or even knows how to make iron.” He looked frustrated at the observation.
Jackson was intrigued with this idea of his adopted son. The boy came up with the darnedest ideas, even stranger, more of them worked than failed. “Talk to Hastings, he does the ship’s weapon repair. He could probably teach you.” He watched as Atreyu grew excited and smiled briefly. “But, in order for you to become a crew member of Black Hawk, you need to know how to use a sword without killing yourself, or a crewmate. For that you will see Billings. Once he deems you competent, I will agree to let you join as a crew member.”
Atreyu went form elated and excited over the possibility of learning metal, to dejected and depressed at having to have Billings’ approval. “That man hates me and will never give me approval.”
Jonas knew this too, but he was the best weapon’s master, and Jonas wanted Atreyu trained by the best available. Though he hadn’t been entirely honest, Jackson would keep an eye on Atreyu’s training as well. Rarely did Billings let his personal opinions get in the way his job, but where Atreyu was concerned, the man had an irrational dislike of the boy that the Captain couldn’t figure out the cause of. “Never-the-less, you want to sail, you train with Billings in the use of a sword. Have him take you to the Black Hawk to find a suitable sword for yourself.”
For the next year and a half, Atreyu trained under Billings and Hastings, Billings more so. Atreyu swore the man was trying to kill him with all the constant training and little sleep. Only during the times that Hastings decided to tell Billings that he’d need Atreyu’s help for several days, did Atreyu get a chance to catch up on his sleep. Since Hastings never needed him for more then a day or two in actuality. Hastings was amazed that the lad refused to go to the Captain with Billings’ harsh training. The lad was a man though, and Hastings respected his choice.
Hastings wasn’t the only one to notice Billings’ treatment of Atreyu, and it wasn’t long before the whole Black Hawk crew knew. They never had understood Billings’ burning hatred for Atreyu, anymore than their Captain did. Just because the boy had been a thief once, many still remembered when Captain Jackson had first brought the boy here, and how he’d used his thief skills to help them in battles. One or two, maybe even three, actually owed their lives to those same thief skills, and besides, the boy had never stole from them, or the village, in all these years. So, many of the crew, like Hastings, would periodically, from time to time, claim to need Atreyu for something as well, just so he could have a rest. They all had a system worked out between them.
Jackson was very aware of what was going on all the way around. He was pleased to see the crew rallying to try to help Atreyu. It meant they’d accept him on ship without any problems. Billings was the only one who didn’t like Atreyu, but then Billings didn’t really like most everyone.
Atreyu finally mastered the molding of wood and metal to strengthen the bow. It took him several months of trial and error, but he did finally work it out. Part of what helped, was Freemont started taking Atreyu over to the Black Hawk when he had work to do. Atreyu ended up learning Carpentry as well, those days he wasn’t so exhausted he was more hindrance then help.
Captain Jackson was amused, as the crew took to helping Atreyu with Billings, they’d use the pretense of teaching them their given trades, and Atreyu would learn whatever they’d teach him. At that rate, the lad would be able to run a ship all by himself. On the practical side of things, if Atreyu learned all the different jobs on ship, he’d make for one handy back up, or helper.
The day before the Black Hawk was to sail, Jonas pulled Billings aside from the loading of the ship with supplies. “So… Does Atreyu have what it takes to be a crewman?”
Billings shook his head. “No.”
The Captain waited a moment, but when Billings didn’t elaborate, he sighed and looked disappointed. “Johnathan, in all the years we’ve sailed together, you’ve never bald faced lied to me like you just did.” Billings at least had the grace to look embarrassed. “I’ve seen the lad beat you in sparing more often than not of late. Yet you stand there and tell me he’s not good enough?” Jackson studied him a moment before continuing. “You’re unfounded distrust and dislike for the lad and his past aside, why not?”
Billings blinked then looked down, his mind thinking furiously. But he couldn’t come up with a reason. The Captain’s right, the boy learned the sword quicker then most ever could, even with all the interruptions from the crew. Finally he sighed quietly. “Those are the only reasons.”
“I see.” Captain Jackson nodded, but before he walked off, “thank you, Johnathan, and thank you for training the lad.” Then he left.
The next day came and Atreyu still didn’t know if he’d be allowed to leave with the Black Hawk. At the urging of many of the crew though, he was packed and standing on deck with them awaiting the Captain’s arrival. They swore, come hell or high waters, he’d not be left behind this time. Billings glared at him, but Atreyu didn’t worry overly much. Instead, he was more worried over the Captain’s reaction.
“CAPTAIN ON DECK!”
The crew hastened to become presentable, the Quartermaster, Follett, had Atreyu stand just behind him center of the crew line up. When the Captain approached and their eyes met, Atreyu thought he’d seen the briefest flash of relief in them, but irritation was there so quickly, that Atreyu wasn’t sure.
Jackson’s eyes narrowed, but before he could say anything, Follett stepped forward and spoke to him as he stared straight ahead. “Sir, I speak for the crew.”
The Captian’s eyes widened momentarily, then grew thoughtful. “Aye? And what does the crew have to say?”
“The crew wishes for the one called Atreyu to be allowed to sail with us, as one of us.”
Jonas raised a brow, and then looked the crew over. Except Billings and Atreyu, everyone else had very determined looks on their faces. “And if I say no?”
Follett broke his formal stance and looked Jonas in the eye. “Then we’ll quit to a man, and leave you and Billings to crew the ship.”
There were two gasps, Atreyu and Billings. Even Captain Jackson looked at Follett startled. “That’s mutiny.”
Follett went back to his formal stance. “No, Sir. Mutiny’s killing you and taking over the ship. We’d just stay home.”
Captain Jackson nodded thoughtfully. “True, true. So, is she ready to sail then?” He walked off as if there was nothing unusual happening.
Follett started at the sudden change of subject and then he automatically fell in step with the Captain. “Yes, Sir. Black Hawk’s ready to sail.”
“Then let’s sail.” Captain Jackson walked to his cabin and disappeared inside.
Follett turned grinning. “Ye heard the Cap’n. Set sail. Raise the anchor.” The crew scrambled to set sail, Atreyu amongst them.
“SET SAIL!”
“RAISE THE ANCHOR!” The Black Hawk sailed off down river, and within the hour was back out on the open sea.
The first time Atreyu’s flaming arrow idea was used, it was a beautiful sight and it demoralized the other ship’s crew badly, making it an easy kill. Atreyu also had many opportunities to test and learn to use his metal reinforced bow in hand-to-hand battle, becoming as good with it as he was a sword. The only thing that worried Captain Jackson concerning Atreyu was that Billings not only taught him to be skilled with a sword, but to also be cold when fighting. It was a frightening sight sometimes to behold.
For the next seven years, whenever the Black Hawk sailed, Atreyu was part of the crew. Billings still treated him like dirt, but he wasn’t enough to keep Atreyu away.