The Pier

John sat muttering, little noticing the silent tread of the youth wandering among the fishing vessels. In his hands he wrung a well-worn net: it was frayed in places, dark and heavy with the damp salty water, and completely empty, all of which could equally be said of John. He was, a fisherman, well suited to the vocation, that is his suit, the rags he put on as clothing, were of a quality not found outside the poorer ports in which our characters were about to meet. Clasping his sword to his side, the youth jumped into John’s boat.

“I must be out to sea,” said John, “or else the waves have come to visit me so long absent.”

The youth stared at the fisherman, who in turn wrestled on with his net, not sparing a glance up at his visitor. A rope tethered them to the pier, and drawing his sword, the youth swung its curved length against this anchoring cord. Slashing through the line, the swordsman slid his blade back into its sheath. Sitting down on a splintery plank, the youth wrapped his hands around the two oars. Without a word, he pushed off, rowing them out into the bay.

CHECK OUT THE OTHER PARTS:

By The Sword
Part   1: How it Began
Part   2: Questions
Part   3: The Blackness of the Sea
Part   4: Locks
Part   5: Out of Time
Part   6: Ariesland
Part   7: Shadow of the Sisyphus
Part   8: Swords
Part   9: The Eagle and the Lamb
Part 10: Confession
Part 11: Compiler’s Note
Part 12: Sermon on a Mount