The Dragon

11

Chapter 1

Thor stood, shirtless, leaning on the rail of The Alexandria. The wind filled the sails, gently caressing his face and tanned, toned body. His long auburn hair—tied at the back of his neck—streamed out behind him. Thor breathed deeply and took in the salty aroma of the sea. The swells caused the ship to rise and fall as the wind propelled it through the waves. Whitecaps could be seen in the distance. With such a fair breeze they would make good time.

He laughed to himself. How different from his first days aboard the ship. Then he had stood at the rail, not to take in the beauty of the ocean, but to relieve himself of the contents of his stomach. The three years he had been at sea had brought about many changes. He had come aboard as a gangly sixteen year old—assigned as cabin boy to serve the needs of Captain Allison. Now he was a seaman. His body, while still that of a youth, was filled out and toned by the hard task of working in the rigging. While still wiry, his muscular arms, chest, and flat rippled stomach were those of a man.

As the ship ploughed its way through the rolling waters, he thought back to the day he found out a life at sea was to be his destiny.

* * * *

Theodore sat alone in the hallway outside the dark oak double doors that led to the headmaster’s office. He remembered sitting in that chair many times, waiting for those doors to open, and to be invited in. He remembered, too, a time when, as he sat on the tall backed chairs, his feet did not touch the floor, and he had swung them idly back and forth to pass the time as he waited. That day, however, his feet were touching the discolored, old carpet. He was grown.

As he sat, watching the dust float in the shafts of pale sunlight that came through the dirty windows, framed with their heavy, faded, forest green velvet drapes, he knew why he was there. Two days before he had had his sixteenth birthday—well, the date that had been chosen as his birthday. He did not know when his actual birthday was. Few of the orphans at the home knew the true date of their appearance in the world. His birthday had become the day he had been delivered to St. Bartholomew’s Home for Orphaned Boys by a justice of the peace, wrapped in a dirty blanket.

He sat in the chair, now of age. A little more than a year earlier, his closest friend, Seth, had come of age. Seth had been called to the headmaster’s office. Two days later he had left the home, having been secured a situation with a textile merchant as an apprentice. Theodore was then on his own: Seth had been his only close friend. He had missed Seth terribly—missed the time spent together discussing the world outside the walls of the home, and what they would do when they were beyond them. He had missed the times of special closeness the two had spent in the dark of night when they thought the other boys were asleep.

Soon the doors to the headmaster’s study would open, and he would discover where he would go to begin life as an adult. He wondered what situation had been procured for him. He hoped it would be something similar to that which had been found for Seth, perhaps even in the same workplace. He often allowed himself to imagine what it would be like to be reunited with the lad with whom he had discovered the pleasures a boy’s body could experience. Even now, years later, he still enjoyed those thoughts, although he knew that the chances of ever seeing Seth again were well-nigh impossible.

Seth had told Theodore to trust he would stay in contact after he left. Then Theodore might have been able to find him when it came his turn. However, Seth had never written. That had disappointed Theodore. They had been close, very close. Theodore shut his mind to that hurt.

When the doors opened, a shudder of apprehension swept through Theodore’s body. He stood.

Come in, Theodore. The kind voice of Reverend Perkins came through the dusty air. I have some exciting plans to discuss with you.

Theodore walked toward the tall man who had taken care of him since the day of his arrival at the home. As he passed through the doors, he stopped and looked up into the man’s face. He searched the eyes of the headmaster to see if there were any hint of sadness that this day had come. He found only the gentleness that had always been there.

Reverend Perkins closed the massive doors. Placing his arm around Theodore’s shoulders, he led him to a small settee on the wall beside his desk where the two sat.

Reverend Perkins smiled, placed his hand affectionately on the lad’s knee and said, Are you ready?

Yes, I think so, Theodore replied, although in reality he was not sure he was.

Good. I suppose you are wondering where it is you will be going to begin your life in the wide world, eh?

Yes, sir, I am.

"Well, I will not keep you guessing then. Tomorrow you will begin your job as cabin boy to Captain Allison aboard the merchant ship The Alexandria."

Cabin boy? Aboard a ship? He was surprised, even shocked. He had never in his wildest imagination even considered the sea would be his destiny.

Yes. It is not easy to find positions for our boys these days. I was fortunate to secure this one for you. And it does seem appropriate as, if you will remember, I told you that as a baby you were found by a sailor abandoned on the London docks.

Theodore did not know what to think or say. A life at sea? He could not imagine what that would be like. Yet, he trusted Reverend Perkins and would accept, without hesitation, the wise man’s decision.

He took a deep breath, squared his shoulders and said, Thank you. I am sure it will be a fine opportunity for me.

Good lad, Reverend Perkins said reassuringly, clapping Theodore on the shoulder.

"Tomorrow, Miguel, the boatswain of The Alexandria, will come to fetch you. He is Spanish, I think. A very interesting man, Reverend Perkins added, almost to himself. Then turning his attention back to Theodore, he said, I think you will enjoy his company. I know this is short notice, but the ship sails in two days’ time, and you will need to accustom yourself to your duties before you leave port."

Theodore nodded and waited for Reverend Perkins to continue.

It will give you some time to pack your things and say goodbye to your friends. The kindly old man smiled.

The boy returned the smile.

The next day, Theodore made his way from the dormitory back to the hallway that led to the headmaster’s study. He carried with him a small bundle. It contained all he had in the world: a clean shirt, stockings, underwear, a few trinkets, and coins. He had said goodbye to the boys in his wing of the orphanage, answered their questions as to where he had been found a situation, and assured them he would stay in touch with them. He knew then he would not, just as Seth had not.

He had also bid farewell to Cook, thanking her for the meals she had prepared. He did the same with Nurse, expressing gratitude for the care she had provided. He also said goodbye to Mr. Howard, the man who supervised the boys in their daily routine and watched over them at night. There were no thanks to that man. He had been severe and mean. Many’s the time Theodore had felt the sting of the man’s paddle or the denial of some privilege, even a meal, for a minor infraction of a rule that, Theodore was sure, Mr. Howard had just invented. Theodore would be glad to have that man in his past.

He felt no remorse at saying goodbye to any of them. The only persons he had cared about here were Seth and Reverend Perkins. Seth was already gone, and he had grieved for that loss earlier. His parting from Reverend Perkins was yet to come.

* * * *

Thor was pulled from his reverie by a screeching overhead. He looked up—gulls. He smiled for he knew that meant land was not far off. They could even be in port by the next day.

The gulls have come to welcome us, came a deep voice.

Thor turned as Miguel walked up and leaned on the rail, close enough so the black hair on the man’s muscular forearm brushed against Thor. He looked at Thor and smiled.

The physical contact and the smile brought an almost instant response in Thor’s groin. He returned both the smile and pressure, offering the handsome sailor an implied invitation.

Miguel smiled. I would like that. Come to my cabin after you come off watch tonight.

Thor! came a voice behind them.

The two men turned from the rail. Second Mate Brewster walked up to them. Brewster was not handsome, although Thor thought the man’s face pleasant. Thor liked him. He was fair with the men and, unlike First Mate Adams, who was often cruel, was well thought of by the crew. Adams’ liking for the lash was well-known among the men. Brewster was more moderate in his dealings with them.

The captain has sent for you. He wishes you to come to his cabin tonight at dinner time, the second mate announced.

Thor frowned. Sir, I am no longer his cabin boy. He has that new lad, the one we picked up in the colonies, Thor protested, keeping his voice respectful of the officer.

It seems Edgar is not to the captain’s liking. He is not willing to…or not able to satisfy all of Captain Allison’s needs. You are still the chosen one, I am afraid.

Thor nodded. I will see to it that I am present at the required time, sir.

Brewster returned Thor’s nod and walked away.

Thor sighed. As he and Miguel stood together side by side, Thor once again let his mind wander back to the day they had met and he had been brought to The Alexandria.

* * * *

Come in, Reverend Perkins said in response to Theodore’s knock.

Taking a deep breath, Theodore turned the handle, pushed the door open, and walked into the room. Reverend Perkins was sitting behind his huge, brown desk. There was also a man occupying the chair facing the headmaster. As Theodore came forward, the man stood and turned to face him; he smiled. Theodore held his breath. The visitor was the most handsome man Theodore had ever seen. He had black hair that fell in waves to his shoulders, his eyes were dark, his moustache drooped on either side of his mouth. The smile revealed a row of even teeth, one of them gold. He also had a gold ring in one ear.

"Theodore, this is Miguel. He is the boatswain of The Alexandria. He has come to take you to the ship."

Miguel walked forward and Thor took in the firm, manly stride, the broad shoulders, and the fringe of black hair that curled from the neckband of his striped, sailor’s shirt.

That day, back in the headmaster’s study, Miguel had placed his hands firmly on Theodore’s shoulders. "Welcome to the crew of The Alexandria, he had said. I know you will be happy to join us."

Well, Reverend Perkins said. I guess it is time to take your leave. Good luck, my boy. May God watch over you.

The headmaster had come around the desk. Theodore had hoped Reverend Perkins would give him a fatherly hug, but none was forthcoming: just a gentlemanly handshake and a pat on the back. His days at St. Bartholomew’s had come to an end.

* * * *

Smiling at the fond memories, Thor asked, Do you remember the day you came for me at the orphanage?

Indeed, Miguel responded, turning to lean his back against the rail.

In this position, Thor could observe the swell in the man’s tight pants, where his legs met his torso.

And how you decided I must have a new name?

Miguel’s chuckle was deep and throaty. Oh yes. I told you that sailors are a rough lot and that a name like Theodore would be taken as one of a weakling. You needed a strong name that would command respect.