I cleaned the fresh spray of saltwater off my face as we passed through another wave.
"Well they got the 'grit' part right." I said inwardly as I watched another crew mate slide across the deck, saved from the sea by the series of ropes we tied around the ships chains.
It was our 3rd day in this storm, getting tossed around, bouncing through waves upon waves.
The crew, once full of energy and passion now shivered in their boots.
The sea could do that to people.
I looked at poor Nikolai, who had gotten seasick from the intense wobbling.
My father always told me you know the storm is bad when a sailor gets sick.
The lad seemed okay, gradually getting up and regaining composure.
Matter of fact, the sea was still.
A little bit too still...
My crew mates rejoiced, claiming that they had passed the storm, but my gut instincts told me better, and if there's a saying for a sailor that's ever true, it is to
always trust your gut.
I looked at the Captain, standing at the rudder, steering the ship through the worst of the waves.
He looked around too, surprised by the stillness.
Our eyes locked and he immediately understood, giving me the nod to find out what's happening.
I ran towards the mainmast and climbed to use my spy glass.
There were no waves, it looked like we were at a lake, no birds nor fishes too and then I saw it.
A sign of some current, a piece of rope probably dropped from our boat during one of our battering sessions from before being pulled along the sea.
I watched as it picked up speed, moving hastily...
Following its line, I saw other pieces of debris from different spots being pulled.
I increased my spyglass zoom and then I saw it.
I shouted to the celebrating crew. Immediately they ran to their stations, their harsh training by the sea not forgotten in times of turmoil.
I looked at the Captain expecting him to change course but he stood grinning like a fool.
Immediately he barked out orders to the crew.
Lower the sails, carry all valuables below deck.
Lock it airtight
Someone get me a bottle of brandy and some rope,
We're going for the ride of our lives.
I scrambled down and ran up to him.
What's the meaning of this Capt'n, surely you don't mean to sail through it.
He finished the bottle and threw it overboard, watching it flow before us to the impending doom.
Do you want them to get it first?
He asked, looking at me..
Look how beautiful the sea is, with all her storms and wonders.
She's a lovely lady, calm at times and nasty at others.
I won't allow our enemies to claim the Storm and silent it.
I was enthralled by his passion for the sea, yet I looked at the bottle, floating and bobbing as it moved quickly towards the impending doom.
You do know what this means though?
I asked him..
There are always 2 whirlpools flowing in tandem, one going in one direction and the other going counter.
Yes I know how a whirlpool works.
He says stretching his limbs and tying himself to the rudder.
The ship won't be able to handle it?
I explained.
Hahaharghh
He laughed,
She has handled way more disasters than a whirlpool.
If Old blue's drop couldn't sink her, two damned, oversized currents wouldn't.
I vividly remembered the vile whale and his more devilish droppings which were dragged onboard.
It was caught in our fishing net and caught in our nostrils for 3 days.
I shivered at the thought.
I also remembered how the whale followed our ship at a distance, taunting us as we cleaned his waste off our deck
What about the crew?
I asked, looking at the ragged bunch.
He looked at them too and smiled..
Don't you see the passion in their eyes? They've still got some bite left in them. Fishers and people of the sea, the whole lot of em, they won't let some damned military try to take our storms...
Would you boys?
They roared in agreement, while they carried about their duties sealing the doors and tying themselves to the mast.
Now what about you?
The captain asked me.
Are you with me Jake? Or have you lost your faith in the sea..
Immediately I looked at the sea, looked at the bottle slightly ahead of our boat, glinting in the sunlight, bobbing up and down in the sea.
I remembered the time I spent in the water, as a lad fishing with my dad in the summer, when the water was warm and welcoming.
I remember picking crabs with my mom from the beach in the fall, when the waves from the storms cover the sand and the crabs come out of their hiding holes.
Jake!!
Are you with me?
I laughed as I looked into my Captain's eyes, he's kind of a storm himself.
I'm with you Capt'n!!
I shouted, running to tie myself to the mast.
I looked at poor Nikolai, it was his first whirlpool, the lad was only 17, yet he looked forward with such determination.
We picked up speed as we entered the currents to the first whirlpool.
Capt'n hollered as he steered the ship to the right, sailing along the current.
We went in a full circle and here came the hard part.
With a great shout, the Captain strained against the wheels, trying to pull the rudder to the left to break off.
He couldn't.
We missed the first breaking point and I looked as the crew began to panic.
I untied myself and ran towards the captain. I reached the rudder and saw him trying to drag the wheel with one hand.
Jack!!! What are you doing here?
He asked whilst I quickly knotted a piece of rope round me and the anchor.
What happened to your hand?
I asked back.
I touched it and he dragged it back.
I dislocated my wrist while trying to steer left.
Take hold of the wheel for me.
He let go of the rudder while I took hold.
Feeling the strain of the battle between man and sea.
He grabbed his left wrist with his right hand and with a sickening crunch popped it back in.
Now that's gotta hurt.
I exclaimed
Like hell
He replied back.
We have to get out of this one, my wrist is sore, so I can't steer this alone.
Let's steer together?
I offered and he agreed.
We were approaching the turning point again and it was clear the current was faster.
With a great heave, we dragged the rudder left.
It groaned but followed our lead as the second whirlpool's current carried us out of the first.
Our crew shouted below and I smiled, we were half through.
We followed the edge current of this second whirlpool flowing left and we steered right at our turning point.
With a great bob our ship broke throughout the waves into clear open waters.
I and the Captain leaned against the rudder exhausted while our crew celebrated.
We looked ahead and saw the skies open up as the waves return normally.
Hey Jack, is that?
I heard the Captain call out to me. I removed my spyglass and checked.
Indeed the land with misty waves was right in front of us but there was something else, I zoomed in and saw to my suprise.
The bottle of brandy that floated before us to the whirlpool was bobbing on the waves.
With a great smile and happy heart I shouted.
