After the mutual parting of ways with my old mentor, I had not a clue where to travel first. By fate’s hand, I ventured a voyage on sea, to be that of a sea swindler.
The job was fun at first. The group I joined were quick with wit, and a good sort with which to drink. Acting as government inspectors, we would board ships with forged documents after they set sail. The lies varied, from looking for stowaways to random inspections of cargo, but they always seemed to work.
Word travels fast, however, even across the open sea. The real government began warning ships, and the wind was let out of our sails. The first time our bluff was called almost resulted in my wet demise, but one of my mates stepped in and decked the ship’s captain. We escaped by the skin of our teeth that day.
With our tactic ruined, we were pressed to head further out to sea, further away from the docks. Things got much bloodier. Goods and coin were taken by the forceful tip of a blade.
There we were, sea swindlers, but pirates by any other name. It was messy.
I grew weary of the risks of the job, and I realized I hated the constant ups and downs of sea life. The lack of land grew tiresome, and two of our crew had been killed in recent boardings. The next time we docked, I left my sea legs behind.
– Excerpt from Set Sail! by Thaydon Vorlance