Chapter 117 A Ship called The Miranda (2/2)
”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 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 an elevated deck awaited him, a large wheel at least two metres in diameter overlooking the rest of the ship.
”Right,” said Midas, gaining the attention of the three new recruits, ”Lets 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 am in charge of ensuring everyone does 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 the third deck consists of 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 doctor”.
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, and with large openings that were roped off and descended to the lower decks, no doubt for when cargo was stowed or unloaded. As Aegin, Rassa and Ebony took in the stowed canons, ten on either side of the ship, 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 majority of the 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 right whilst Aegin and Ebony would take those on the left. 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 that that stood between the staircases on either side.
”That's the Captain's quarters and office, best you leave it be unless ordered there,” Midas instructed, then he pointed to the front of the ship where another elevated deck existed, though this one only about a metre higher. It wasn't boarded off like a room, stead it was wide open apart from the cover, and a total of ten long boats sat there, the tenth that had just been lifted from the water being slid into place.
”That's the foredeck, the only access to the foremast on the ship, the two main masts on this deck are the tallest on the ship, and the crows nest is atop the rearmost of the two, 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.