~The Tale of the Silhouette Ship ~

And they were arriving, the men aboard the ship tired and wary of their cargo. The journey had not been long, but the strain was beginning to take it's toll.

Leaving Naples had been the easy part. The Captain and the crew had heard the rumors, the island off the coast, called Rocca Sorrentina could be more forgiving when it came to cargo of questionable origins.

The Captain went below, checking the manifest once more and muttering under his breath, "If I would stay out of the damnable brothels and gambling dens I wouldn't have to make these types of deliveries."

Walking back on deck, the Captain closes his eyes and lets the warm sun touch his face. Turning around and looking onto the horizon, he sees the island of Rocca Sorrentina coming ever closer.

"Make ready for our arrival," says the Captain to his First Mate. "And here's hoping our stay be quick and without incident. Best be done with this and on our way as soon as the tides favor us."

The First Mate grimaces and answers him, "Aye Captain, I hope there aren't any brothels on this island to tempt us or games of chance to distract you this time around." Then the First Mate wanders off shouting orders to the rest of the small crew to make ready.

Watching the First Mate walk away, the Captain slips his hands into his pockets and sighs carefully, whispering, "I hope not, I certainly hope not. Damn my soul if there is."

(( Note, there's no brothel at Rocca. Just a little writing I did and thought I would post here on the Ning ))