MagentaCooly

(This week's prompt: An unexpected visitor.) Captain Harrison bid the night watchman good evening and closed the door to his cabin behind him. It had been a good day, all things considered. The sails were full all hours of the morning, every shipmate had executed their duties to a t keeping them on schedule, and the usual supply run was beyond successful. The men had feasted that evening leaving them full and singing songs all the way to bed. Harrison lit an oil lamp as he marveled at his current place in life. Once, only a skinny cabin boy, had soon become a first mate after saving the Captain’s life, and now the Captain himself. The boys would be glad to know that tomorrow, after morning prayers, they’d be heading for home. “Excited for shore leave, Captain?” The voice was raspy like the night wind and just as unforgiving. Captain Harrison whirled in surprise. At first all he could see was darkness outside the light of the lantern, then he noticed a pair of boots propped up on