I have read many novels about voyage and naval warfare since my childhood, raising the scope, facing the sea breeze at the front of hull with a yataghan around the waist, sailing around the Caribbean as a pirate.
And the deep dark hull, golden Figurehead, also the cursed ship name Black Peal, Pandora…I was enchanted by all of these.
In Voyage Century (http://vc.igg.com ), I play a righteous Captain of the Royal Fleet, but I plan to start an alt as a gallant pirate who does whatever she wants.
As you know, I have a female character in the game…hoho
I plan to write my voyage stories and share them with you to memorialize those glorious days.
Chapter 1: Novice Jan, 16th in First year of Voyage Calendar
The mythology of the mysterious East was wide spread in Mediterranean. I had grown up in the port of Athens, and had heard scholars and scoundrels alike tell elaborate tales of the sights to be seen and the riches to be had. Today, I spoke to the barkeeper in the Athens Port, and we had a long and fascinating discussion about the mystic orient, which kindled my long-standing aspiration to go there. During that conversation, I made it the ultimate goal of my life to travel and explore there. There was something indescribable that connected me to that mystic continent.
I left the tavern and strolled across the busy city of Athens. By this time in the morning, businessmen had already gathered at the trading house and were busy buying and selling goods from all over the world. I met my old friend, the captain of the Mystic Fleet. He invited me back to his ship for a drink. In his office, I told him about my decision in the tavern and my plan to explore the Orient. At first, he was amazed, but he supported my plan to travel there. He told me many of the tales of the Orient that he had heard, and pulled out a voyage log from the bottom the bookcase. This book, he said, he had acquired in an African port while he was serving as First Mate on a navy frigate. He had purchased it for a few trinkets from some natives who didn’t know its value. It was filled with strange letters that, he told me, were the characters of the Chinese imperial court.
The Captain of the Mystic wrote a letter of recommendation for me and asked me to take it to the governor of Seville, in Spain. The governor, he said, was interested in information on sea routes to the Orient, and would be about to find investors for my journey.
I left the Mystic and returned to my ship, the Explorer. I had nearly forgotten to introduce her! She is a fine double-rigged sloop, a fine armed ship and designed and built by the Athens Shipyard. She is an elegant ship with graceful curve and majestic straight lines. Her prow was carved in the shape of a dolphin, the spirit and guide of the sea. The Captain of the Mystic had taken an interest in me two years ago, and had lent me the funds to finance the purchase her.
“Welcome back, sir. All preparations are complete, and we await your orders.” So the crew greeted me as I boarded the Explorer. My natural free spirit and a couple months aboard a navy patrol ship have made me dislike the hierarchical command structure aboard ship. Sailors make friends with sailors and officers with officers, but the captain must always be somewhat aloof, and that can make a long voyage a lonely endeavor. But, as the Captain of the Mystic says, the captain is the soul of the whole ship, and must command the ultimate authority and respect. It is always an effort for me to assume the captain’s persona, but it is a skill that I have developed deespite my inclinations. I squared my shoulder, said, “Thank you. Have the First Mate see me in my quarters.” After a while First Mate Hatelor came in and saluted. “Aye, captain, you called.” I squared my shoulder again, and answered him officially. “I have acquired by chance the ship’s log of an Oriental voyage, and I plan to begin a voyage of exploration to the Far East.” I had half expected that Hatelor, a worthy fellow whose experience was limited to the Eastern Mediterranean, would strongly advise against this ridiculous jaunt, but his reply surprised me. “I will give the news to the crew, Captain. If I may speak freely, many of the crew have been taken by the stories of the East that they have heard at the tavern, and have been disappointed that we’ve stayed in know waters. I expect that many will hear this as good news and be pleased to accept the task. Myself included, sir!” I knew there is some flattery in Hatelor’s words, but his support pleased me well.
“Tell the crew to prepare to sail to Seville in Spain,” I told him. “The Captain of the Mystic has offered to support me, and I plan to ask the King of Spain to fund our voyage.”
“Aye, sir,” he replied. “Among the great powers, Spain and Britain are the most likely to fund a voyage of discovery. And the Captain’s recommendation will carry some weight in the Spanish court.”
“Well, then,” I said, “what are we waiting for?”
“Take it easy, sir. I and the crew will buy some provisions and goods first. I heard from the local merchant that Spanish royals are very charmed by paintings, and we could pick up some extra money by bring a few with us.”
Hatelor always had a good head for business. “Okay, Hatelor. Take some crew and make the necessary purchases. And don’t forget to stock up on ammunition; the path between Athens and Spain passes Corsican waters. Tomorrow morning we set sail!”
“Aye, aye, sir!”
To be continued…
