Before Winter (10)

Seven: At Sea

“When will we get to Paphos?” 

“Eh?” The captain cupped his hand to his ear, and Timothy repeated his question, shouting into the wind.

“Oh, I’d say in a couple more days, if this wind holds.” He bawled out the words over the whistling wind and clapping sails. 

The ship had already stopped at two ports as it made its way down the coast of Asia Minor, unloading its cargo and giving the sailors a chance to enjoy themselves on shore. Paphos was the last stop, and after over a week at sea, Timothy was anxious for the voyage to be over. 

“We’ll be tacking to starboard presently—you’d best get below young feller.” The captain considered anyone who could not haul on a rope to be practically a child, and he continued to address Timothy as such, despite the several days growth of beard that now graced his cheek. 

As he was tired of clutching at the rail to avoid falling every time the ship rolled, Timothy was glad to follow this advice, and he inched his way back along the side of the ship to the hatch leading down to his cabin.