The docks were buzzing with life in the pre-dawn light as the fishermen returned with their nightly haul. Fishmongers lined up, each eager to get the fresh catch to sell once the town would wake and yells echoed throughout the busy pier once the bidding for the best and most significant of the haul was offered up.
A scrawny young boy stared out over the calm seas, the rush of wind blowing in from it flailing his flaxen hair around. The weight of the sack across his shoulders was forgotten as the wide open eyes shut and he breathed in deep of the salty sea-air and the rich stench of the fresh fish lining the harbor.
His dream-like state was interrupted and a curious gaze shot towards a group of men nearby that began to sing while sacks, barrels, and crates were carried off a ship that the boy had not seen in these docks before.
"Come all you young sailor men and listen to me.
I'll sing you a song of the fish in the sea; And it's..."
One of the men sung with a thick voice, the four others taking under for the next verse of the song.
"Windy weather, boys, stormy weather, boys.
When the wind blows, we're all together, boys;
Blow ye winds westerly, blow ye winds, blow."
The young boy grinned from ear to ear at the familiar tune, often heard around the waterfront on a good day when spirits were high or the flagons full. A favorite song among many that he knew and the rhythm aided with the work.
He couldn't help but take under as the group continued, his adolescence voice cracking as he tried to keep up with the tune; drowned out by the hustling around him.
"You there, boy!" A voice called from within the crowd, but the boy paid no heed, doubting that he was being called as there were many young men around his age, older and younger that worked the docks.
"Boy!" The voice called again, and the gilded haired, young man stirred to look around as he heard that the call had crept closer.
"Are you deaf?"
He turned with a jolt as he came face to face with a stocky man, his face squared and short chestnut brown hair poked out from underneath blue cloth that sat wrapped around the fat head.
"Sir?" The boy replied nervously "Yes, sir? I mean... No! No, sir." He added, forcing a deeper tone into his voice after an awkward high-pitched crack.
A crooked grin flashed underneath the thick beard that hadn't seen a cut for a good while, and a jolly chuckle jiggled the stranger's swollen, beer-belly.
"Good! Tell me, boy. You work here?" The man questioned, sweeping his arm to regard the pier.
The sharp green-gray eyes of the boy followed the gesture then darted back to the stranger, nodding hastily.
"Yes, sir."
"Are you gettin' good pay?"
"It pays for my meals, sir."
The stranger nodded in thought, turning to look across the sea. "Saw you ogling the blue mistress. Did you see something interesting?"
The young boy scratched the back of his head and looked back out over the ocean "Just a ship on the horizon, sir."
"What?" The man appeared surprised at the boy's words and turned to face the sea; a spy-glass brought from the coat pocket to peer out into the distance and a grin finding his thick chops "You have good peepers on you, boy. What's your name?"
"Arcadios, sir."
"Arcadios?" He repeated with a merry chuckle as the spy-glass was pocked again "Sounds like a dandy's name."
Insulted the boy glared up at the man but held his tongue as the man took to speaking again. "I'm captain Ivandur, that's my ship there." He nodded towards the ship where the singing group of men had been hauling from before. "And I happen to be needing a new cabin boy. Have you interest in heading out to sea, Dio?"
Arcadios paused at the question staring up at the captain wide-eyed, the new name given going over his head as the matter was brought up. "Me, sir?" He gazed towards the sea and back.
"Yes you, boy. The pay is thrice as much as anything you will make on these docks. If you think you can handle it and want the work, then be here by noon tomorrow and don't be slacking off. Late men get left behind." Ivandur did not wait for the boy to answer as he walked past, ruffling up the straw locks in passing.
Arcadios turned and watched the captain make his way to the waiting crew, well aware that he had been mentioned as the captain pointed over his shoulder in his direction followed with a few of the crew mens' eyes finding him.
Remembering himself and the work he was already doing Arcadios hurried into the flood of people, slipping past and taking the road to the market square where he got his pay for the delivery. Once he had used his salary to buy some bread and sausage, the boy headed back home where his grandfather waited for breakfast to arrive.
What followed through the day was a lengthy discussion about the work the captain had offered him. His grandfather had already lost one son to the sea and was not happy about sending his grandson out, but the offer had already sparked the wander-lust and unable to drown the flames his grandfather reluctantly agreed.
The two spent the evening packing a sack for Arcadios to take and through the night the boy was unable to sleep from the excitement that knotted his stomach.
It was before dawn when Arcadios said his farewells to his grandfather and headed back to the docks, waiting until he spotted Ivandur stumbling out of the pier-tavern.
"So you came then, boy? Good to see you again!" The captain greeted cheerfully with the palm of his thick hand striking the scrawny boy's back. "And so early. Good! You can help getting the merchandise onto the ship then report to the cook. He'll show you the ropes. Good to have you aboard, son!"
Arcadios smiled with large eyes staring up at the captain with a spark of awe "Good to be aboard, captain!" He answered with a cracked voice, dragging his hand across his nose, leaving a streak of salty snot.
