Author: Sociable Hermit
Category: Reincarnation
Go to read content：https://thereadnovel.com/enlightened-empire/chapter-15
White on red on blue, the rugged, ice-covered cliffs along the Ostarian Coast resisted, with great bravery, the attempts at conquest from the Freezing Sea. Though in truth, the so-called ’sea’ would just be part of one giant ocean, according to what Laqhis had taught them. Still, the war between waves and land was a spectacle Atau never grew tired of.
"Aah crap. You feelin’ homesick again, footlicker?"
On the other hand, many things could could change in an instance, as he found out on this trip. Atau turned around and looked at old John, the deckhand who had spent so much time on this ship. In a way, the old man had been his mentor, had taken him in and shown him the ropes when he had started out as a sailor. Back then, John had only ever laughed and smiled his crooked smile as he taught Atau about all the quirks of the ship... and of course about all the superstitions any good sailor would need to know.
"Just looking out onto the waves, old John. You don’t think it’s impressive?"
Rather than answer, rather than show his smile and tell another tale of kobolds and gremlins hiding in the waters, the oldie simply spat past Atau, out into the sea, before he turned to return to his mates. Yes, some things truly changed. Once they were changed, they could never be brought back, lost irredeemably. With a frown, Atau looked at the men who had been his comrades before, at the men he had shared hardship with on four different trips before this one.
Since he had been picked as first mate to the captain, things had become dramatically different. No longer was he welcome in their quarters, no longer was he forced to drink along or be part of their songs. However, it wasn’t because the men hated the authority of the ship’s hierarchy. Rules were rules, and nowhere would rules be more important than at high seas. Even though he would only be first mate for this one trip, to prepare Atau for his own ship which would be waiting back home in Etra, the rest of the crew felt that he had used his connections to get ahead of them, and that he didn’t deserve his position. If he wanted to hold the crew together and finish his final journey with them in a peaceful manner, Atau needed to do something. Soon, they would reach the Cape of Tears, the most difficult part of their journey around the south coast of Arcavia.
Thus, he decided to move towards the men, try one last time to turn back the clock and sit with them like before. Pretending confidence, Atau walked over to the circle of sailors as they drank their weak beer. Over the stiff breeze being caught in the sails and the creaking ropes he could hear their talks.
"Guess that’s the great lords for ya. All they’ll do is use the good Lord Arcavus to keep us down." Polder, brave, hardworking and stupid, said before he took a swig of beer.