"Be on thy moutain top and you shall gaze across the forever flowing ocean. Only then shall you find yourself."
The forever flowing ocean, you can see it from anywhere really. It is at the base of the west side of the moutain. All there is for miles and miles is ocean, nothing else but ocean to the West. But to the East, it is all but a different story. Even from the distance, one can still see the islands that are only a few miles away. One such as myself, with a telescope in hand and sitting on the roof of a village house. Gazing to the east, you can only do this near the end of the day.
That firey sun that rises in the East makes it impossible to view anything. When the sun is above the sea, the water reflects the sunlight, that reflected sunlight creates another sea. One of light instead of water, this water seems to be cursed. The salt water of the ocean lacks fish, fish can only be found in the fresh water springs. A fishless cursed Ocean around us, no one ever really leaves the island unless they are moving away. This island, the furthest one to the West is the poorest island.
Everyone here lives below poverty, to the east across the Ocean is our source of government. The elders like to pretend that the government is testing our strength and endurance. Even as a young child we knew the hard truth, they simply forgot about us. Lately there has been rumors among the merchants about another source of govern far to the North of our island. I wonder, would such rumors be true.
Slowly, I find myself up on my feet. There is only a few ways to find out, if the rumors reached this far to the west it must have originated from the east. Which simply means the best, these rumors must be meaning North East of here there are more islands. Slightly I take a turn to my left, the Northern wind blowing against my face. I wonder if I could get a boat together in order to explore these seas.
Before even bothering to look out at the surrounding islands, I bunch up the telescope. Why bother thinking something so impossible? Because I have a desire to get off this island, that is why I wish on things so impossible. In the distance I can see one of the merchant ships, the moon is now rising in the sky. The only marker that sets the merchant ship is the red orange glow of flames coming from the deck.
It is our usual trading ship, they bring news and exotic foods to trade with us. Usually they don't come so late in the evening, unless they bring really important news. Jumping off the roof I start to run towards the beaches, feeling the soft sand on my bare feet. They are still out aways and there is barely anyone outside at this time of night. Even the men who row out and trade, it is best if I use something to get out there. Looking around the docks I notice all the boats are tied up to the dock for the night.
I set the telescope down on the dock, along with my metal belt holding a few knives used to break open our island's fruits. Diving into the sea water I swim out towards the merchant ship, they notice soon enough of my arrival. A rope ladder is lowered for me to grab on, climbing up and staining the dry deck with the flowing sea water.
"And what is a young man such as yourself doing out so late? Surely you could have called one of the men from your village." One of the ship mates greets me. Handing me a makeshift blanket as I look up at them, my wet darkned blonde hair still dripping in my face.
"Ruin such a peaceful night to share dinner with your family? I would do no such thing for anyone in my village, plus I was the only one who noticed your ship." I answer, flicking my sea water stained hair out of my eyes.
"You still don't answer as to why you were out so late. These are dangerous waters at knife, giving to the recent activity to the east." The ship mate starts to lead me further on the deck to meet with the captain.
"I enjoy looking at the islands in the distance." Explaining my reason, I let my feet step on one of the raised floor nails. Quickly I jump back and forget the pain of the salt water entering a new open cut. "Dusk is the best time to look."
The ship mate just laughs and turns away from me a bit. "Surely your parents must worry."
"Both parents and my older brother were taken away by disease." I answer. "Don't pitty it though, I wish to know why you traveled here this evening."
"I would never pitty a poor islander. We bring news of sea going ships. They are stopping on every island late at night and stealing away young maidens. The reason is still unknown, warn your village." Another ship mate buds into the conversation. "The captain had a letter, but to see you so wet I wouldn't trust you to take it back."
"Silence." Ahead steps the captian. He has a sword on his belt and a letter in his hand. Throwing me a look of disapointment he then turns to one of his drunken ship mates, stealing a bottle of brandy out of his hand. "We have many ways to keep it safe."
He dumps the rest of the brandy out onto the ship deck and rolls the letter up. It is then shoved into the bottle and a cork is pulled out of the captain's pocket. Without another word he hands me the sealed bottle, the letter addressed to the mayor. Lowering my head a little I then hand the makeshift blanket back and turn towards the island.
"Child, might I ask of your name before you leave?" The captian questions before I can jump back into the ocean
Fleur De Chant Community Member 
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