Eldovian Era 1710, 9th day of the 11th month

Rassa had never been on a small boat before, let alone a ship such as the one they were currently making their way towards. Despite working at the docks for a month, he hadn't actually been allowed to step foot on the ships. The cargo was usually removed and loaded by the crew of the ship. Rassa, Aegin and Ebony had been amongst those tasked with transporting the cargo from the docks to the warehouses and back again. Now, as he got used to the strange feeling of being afloat and the rocking motion that was constantly felt, he had to second guess himself.

Was a long period of time on a ship really the best choice? Rassa kicked the thought aside quickly. He'd been fine with flying, as if a ship could sway him.

While Rassa may not have been so easily conquered by the rocking, Ebony seemed to be an exception to the rule. To put it plainly, she'd been feeling unsettled since she got in the longboat, and as they drew closer to the ship anchored in the bay, couldn't help the sense of dread that washed over her. Were the ships always that big?

Jeremiah ignored the looks of his new recruits, instructing them in how to properly hold the oars and paddle. He'd have to get Midas to assign them some teachers or they'd become deadweight on the ship quickly.

Rassa was the fastest to pick it up, though he didn't feel obligated to explain that he would be fast at learning most things, his mind was hardwired to do so with its enhanced senses and greater capacity. Aegin wasn't all that far behind though. He was good with things that were physical, and the rhythmic pattern of was rowing was not all that hard to fall into.

After about ten minutes of rowing, the longboat finally came alongside the massive ship. The first rays of sunlight were appearing on the horizon, illuminating the massive merchant ship. Its hull was sunk half below the water, but it still towered over those seated in the longboat. The longboat itself seemed like it would fit a dozen full grown men, The Miranda was at least fifty times the size, probably more than that.

Despite it being a merchant ship, there seemed to be a row of port holes along the side for canons, upon spotting them, Rassa looked at Jeremiah questioningly.

"Pirates aren't all that picky about who they rob and pillage," was Jeremiah's reply to the unasked question.

Rassa just nodded in return, pulling his hood up over his head as his eyes caught the sunlight.

"Longboat Portside!" came a call from up on deck. The call was repeated before Rassa heard the voice of an authoritative man order the ropes to descend.

From over the side of the ship, two ropes, each at least as thick as Ebony's feminine wrists, descended into the water with a resounding smack, missing the longboat by inches. Jeremiah was unphased by the close call. He took the forward rope, or the rope near what Jeremiah referred to as the bow of the longboat.

"You take the Stern rope and follow what I do, tie nice and tight," Jeremiah instructed. The three looked at each other, unsure whom he referred to. After a few seconds pause, Aegin stood and wobbled to the back of the longboat, scooping up the other rope and following Jeremiah's movements as best he could in the lowlight. There was a metal ring attached to the inside of the keel, which was the beam that ran from the bow to the stern of the longboat, the 'spine' of a boat. The ropes were tied tightly to the rings attached at the bow and stern, then the longboat was hauled up out of the water, a jarring experience despite the trained men doing the hauling.

When the longboat was level with the main deck of The Miranda, Jeremiah ordered them all to transfer ships. A tall man with curly black hair and an imposing aura stood awaiting them.

"Captain on deck!" he called.

The sailors around all respectfully nodded their greetings to Jeremiah before getting back to work.

"Captain," the man said, his voice softer as he greeted Jeremiah.

Jeremiah nodded, "Midas, everything ready to go?"

"As always, Captain, awaiting your orders," Midas replied.

Jeremiah nodded, a satisfied smile on his face before he turned to face Rassa, Aegin and Ebony who were all looking around at the happenings of the ship in wonder.

"These three are our new recruits, Rassa, Aegin and Eb, see that they're assigned a teacher and a bunk each," Jeremiah instructed.

"Aye, Captain," Midas nodded, then Jeremiah made his way to the Stern of the ship where the Quarter Deck was situated. A large wheel at least two metres in diameter overlooked the rest of the ship from its front and centre, and Jeremiah made his way towards the man behind it.

"Right," said Midas, gaining the attention of the three new recruits, "Let's get you three settled quickly, the Captain will order us to set sail soon so best you get acquainted with your jobs real fast".

Midas didn't wait for them as he turned and headed towards a large square hold in the middle of the deck that had a staircase leading down, he just expected them to follow.

The three new recruits didn't disappoint, scurrying after him for fear of missing anything.

"My name is Midas, I'm the First Mate on board The Miranda," Midas stated, "I command the ship in the Captain's absence and oversee everyone doing their jobs. The Miranda is first and foremost a merchant vessel, it consists of five decks in total. The two bottom-most decks are for cargo to be transported only. The rear half of the third deck consists mainly of supplies for the crew, which whilst on board is strictly rationed by the cook. The bow of the third deck consists of the galley and the quarters for the cook, quartermaster and on-board physician".

Midas had descended into the hustle and bustle of the second deck as he spoke. The second deck seemed to consist almost entirely of one main room, only section off at the bow and stern. A large opening that situated in the centre of the ship, beside the staircase they'd just descended, was roped off and seemed to be open straight down to the lower decks, no doubt for when cargo was stowed or unloaded. As Aegin, Rassa and Ebony took in the stowed canons on either side of the second deck, ten on each side, as well as the hammocks that were tied close to the roof and out of the way, they couldn't believe the amount of efficiency the simple act of moving those items out of the way had created.

"This second deck is where the main crew sleep as you can see by the hammocks, they only descend at night and are tied up when the crew awakens at dawn. You'll noticed that there are small storage compartments above each hammock, these are for personal belongings".

Midas led them to the stern, pointing out two hammocks that were unoccupied on the left (portside) and one on the right (starboard).

"These three hammocks belong to the three of you, quickly put your things away so I can get you introduced to your mentors," Midas said.

The three looked at one another, deciding that Rassa would take the bunk on the starboard side whilst Aegin and Ebony would take those on the portside. They quickly stowed their belongings as asked, then turned to Midas who waited impatiently. It was clear that he wasn't annoyed with them, simply a busy man.

Midas looked over the three of them then seemed to nod to himself before getting them to follow along back up onto the main deck. He pointed to the elevated deck at the stern, specifically the door at the far end of the quarter deck that stood between two steep staircases leading to a small rearmost deck that seemed largely unoccupied.

"That's the Captain's quarters and office, best you leave it be unless ordered there, that deck is also the only access to the Quarter Mast," Midas instructed, then he pointed to the front of the ship where another elevated deck existed, the foredeck. Though this deck was only about a metre higher than the main deck. It wasn't boarded off like a room, instead it was wide open apart from the deck itself, and a total of 8 long boats rested beneath it, the eighth being slid into place.

"That's the foredeck, the only access to the foremast on the ship, the main mast on this deck is the tallest on the ship, and the crow's nest is at the top, which is where you will spend half of your time," said Midas as he pointed at Ebony.

Ebony, who was terrified of heights, visibly paled.