It was dark out. “This is good”, Thomas thought, “it will afford me the cover I need.” Thomas had raced through back-alleys in his baggy, stolen clothes. He’d managed to collect a few of his own personal belongings. There were things that he would miss, but knew he wouldn’t need them where he was going – wherever that was. So long as it was away from his parents – he didn’t care. He’d gathered his journal, which he coveted, and a vial of ink, and a feather pen. He stowed them away in his pouch. He had his chain shirt on underneath his baggy tunic. He’d taken it from a servant that his family had. It was just a basic pant and tunic, and the servant was a bit taller than he was, but it would work for the time being. His hair, now a cropped mess, he’d cut with his favorite rapier, a weapon of great quality, which his father purchased for his last birthday. He couldn’t have his noble locks giving him away, or arousing suspicion. There weren’t many blades in Hampton’s Gate as fine as this one, and Thomas knew it. Thomas was also sure to gather up his main gauche. It was also a fine blade, and of masterwork quality. Having it was crucial to the Assydian fighting style Thomas had learned. It was a deadly two-weapon style that Thomas mastered easily. He’d never killed a man with it, though, and for him, it was only a sport, a hobby perhaps. Would he be able to kill people if he needed to? He didn’t want to think about it. His parents would be looking for him come first light. He needed to be on a boat by then, and well inland by the next day if he was to hope to be able to flee.
“Good sir”, Thomas said to the sailor, “I need passage to Innismere this night. I can pay.” Thomas couldn’t believe he’d referred to the sailor as sir. I’m never going to be believable as a commoner if I can’t shake this noble’s tongue.”
“Boy, it’s well past mid-night! Shouldn’t you be home, with your family? You can’t be more than 12, 13 tops.” The sailor shot back.
“15, if you please!”, Thomas said standing up straight, lowering his voice as well as he could, though slouchy immediately when he’d realized how he’d just addressed the sailor again. “I mean, I’m 15, and I’d like to speak to your superior about securing passage to Innismere. I can pay. It’s urgent that I get to Innismere.”
“Well, if it’s that important to you, I’m not here to stop you. The Captain makes those decisions. You can find him on the ship. Ask at the end of the pier to see Captain Gulles, the others will show you the way.”
And without a word, Thomas was off. His heart racing at the adventure that might lie ahead for him. He’d never been away from his family. Would he miss them? He’s certain he would. His sisters, and his brother – the family parties, and social events. These things were not important to Thomas now.
Thomas knew this area well. His family owned several ships in the area, and he knew which ships were reputable, and which ships had shady origins. Thomas knew that most reputable ships didn’t leave port in the middle of the night, and another wouldn’t for 3 more days. This was Thomas’ only shot off the island unless he wanted to risk leaving with a corsair ship. That would just be too risky, especially given who I am, Thomas thought.
Thomas easily found a group of men at the end of the pier. “Good sirs…” Thomas stopped, and shook his head in disbelief. The sailors stopped their conversation and turned to Thomas. Thomas continued, lowering his voice a bit, “Sorry… if you could point me to your captain, Gulles. Where would I find him?” To Thomas’ surprise, one man, an older man with a thick moustache answered, “I’m Captain Gulles, boy. What do you need?” Caught off guard, Thomas straightened his shoulders. “Oh! I mean, oh”, Thomas said, careful to lower his voice the second time, “I seek passage aboard your ship for Innismere. I understand this vessel is leaving tonight.”
“Boy, come here.”, Captain Gulles replied. A little unsure, and quite a bit nervous, Thomas approached. Had he recognized him, Thomas wondered? Would his whole plan come crashing down right here, right now? Thomas’ thoughts were interrupted, “Let me see your hands, boy.” Thomas, unsure, but not wanting to cause any trouble handed the man his hand, palm downwards. Gulles grabbed his hand, while the three others standing there spit some tobacco into the water. Gulles turned his palm over, harrumphed, and said, “These hands haven’t worked a day in their life, life on the sea is hard, you’ll – “. “Sorry,” Thomas interrupted, “I wasn’t clear. I don’t seek employment. I simply seek passage to Innismere. It’s important that I leave tonight.”
Gulles looked at Thomas closely up and down. “Boy, shouldn’t you be in bed? You can’t be more than 13 years old.” “15 sir!”, Thomas shot back. Gulles turned his back on Thomas, “No” Gulles said bluntly. Thomas felt his whole world crumbling beneath him, but shouted back quickly, “But… I can pay. I can pay for passage.” Gulles looked back briefly, and then turned to pick up a barrel. The others stopped standing around, and decided picked up barrels as well. Just as the others begin heading up the ramp, Gulles laughed a bit, and said, “Very well. 100 gold coins!”, provoking a chuckle from the other sailors, chuckles which were instantly silenced with Thomas’ quick reply. “Ok.” Gulles stopped, and turned around, and walked over to Thomas with the barrel still on his shoulder. “Wait. Did you say ok?” “Yes”, Thomas replied. “I will happily pay you 100 gold crowns for passage. I know such a fare is exorbitant, but I don’t have a lot of bargaining position here”. Gulles, a bit stymied by this turn of events narrows his eyes and looks down at Thomas. “Why do you need to get to Innismere so badly. “That’s not important”, Thomas replied. Gulles paused for a moment, “Who are you? What’s your name, boy?” Thomas paused for an uncomfortable moment, winced at how stupid he was for not coming up with a name. “Um… Thomas”, he replied stiffly, holding out a bag of 100 gold coins. “Well, um-Thomas” you’ve just bought yourself passage to Innismere. If you want to help us load these barrels, we can leave sooner.” Thomas brightened, and smiled at the man. “Indeed”, Thomas shot back, scurrying over to a barrel. With everything he had, he could barely lift it up to his chest, but it was too much, and set it back down again on another barrel. The sailors and Gulles laughed. “Boy, get on the ship before you injure yourself!”
