The Sea is Never Gentle

Running to the hold of the ship, Owen's feet stepped into water. Looking around frantically he noticed his crew was running back and forth between the giant hole in the wall which was rushing buckets and buckets of water by the second and running to get wood planks to cover the hole. About three men were running back and forth with planks while two were hammering away. As they got one plank on to reduce the water gushing in, another spot would start leaking. The water was too rough for them to travel any longer. Every hit of the waves was causing more and more damage to the haul. It was so strong the water would start wearing away at the wood or start chipping away at some parts, so water would leak through. At some point, a wave hit so perfectly that it blasted a hole in the bottom of the ship.

Running towards his men, Owen made sure to bring the cage up closer to his head to make sure the small dragon didn't drown or get too wet. As he looked down to make sure his feet weren't hitting anything to hinder his movement, he noticed the water was now closer to two feet high and the small dragon was flying to the top of the cage clinging to the top making sure he didn't get wet, but he couldn't worry about that now.

One of the men grabbed his arm to get his attention. "Captain! We gave to abandon ship!"

Looking over at the crewmate like he was crazy Owen raised his voice. "Of course not! We will not give up on our girl. She has brought us across this sea more times then we can count. Patch up those leaks and get back to the deck!"

Even Brorym looked at him like he was crazy, the crew continuing with their work as instructed.

"Let me out!" Growling down at the young Dragon, he ignored the yelling and ran towards his crew. The water was rushing in causing more and more wood to chip away with the waves and the water rose higher and higher, now up to three feet. Owen did not want to give up on his only way back to the market, and his meal ticket, but he also couldn't let his crew drown. What was more important? He technically could buy more crewmates for a cheaper price than a whole new ship...but he couldn't afford the reputation of a cruel Ship captain who lets his crew drown. He wanted to so badly let these bastard, money-grubbing, unloyal men risk their life...he just couldn't afford it right now. He was so close.

"Abandon ship!" he yelled out to all the men helping him. All looked at him like he was crazy, but were not going to pass up on a chance to survive. All men under the deck scrambled out like rata running from a cat, a few almost knocking Owen down to the ground. Once his balance was recaptured, he followed behind.

"Abandon ship!" he announced to the rest of the crew. "She's going down and there is no saving her!" his second mate looked over at him blinking a few times. He was trying to process the announcement Owen made. "You heard me! Go!"

With a stutter, the second hand yelled out to make the command official. "You heard your Captain! Abandon ship!"

All the men dropped everything in their hands scrabbling towards the edge as fast as their feet would travel. It was like watching chickens run from a farmer with an ax. All knew this was their only chance at life, although deep down Most knew this last action could also lead to their own deaths. The God of the sea was not a merciless person. He adored to drag unknowing men down to the depths to take their life and add to his collection.

Owen stayed back by the entrance to the bottom of the ship. He watched as most men grabbed their valuables as if they could save them then ran. They would either splash or dive into the deep praying their lives would be spared. Two or three men just couldn't do it. They ran past Owen causing him to stumble to the side as they chose their luck with the bottom of the ship. Either to succumb to their watery deaths from fear or dedication. Owen just knew suicide by ship was not his plan.

He finally looked down at the small dragon who was drenched from head to toe. Draygon looked back with fear and uncertainty. If Owen left him in the cage he would certainly die. If the Captain decided to dive down with his crew the half-breed's life would be left up to the human. Being a creature of brimstone and fire, he did not do so well in water.

Looking back both Owen and Brorym could see the water creeping up the stairs, pooling out on the deck. The ship was going down, and it did not care who it took. "Alright small one. Looks like you get your wish."Quickly and without much thought the human reached into the golden birdcage. The door swung open, almost being ripped off from the wind.

Brorym's eyes went wide. The wind whistled through the bars making a squealing sound when it rushed through the now open cage door. His ears flapping against his head to protect himself from going deaf. Approaching him was the second scariest thing he has witnessed in his life. The human's calloused and rough hand wrapped around his body prohibiting any type of moment or struggle. It easily wrapped around the back of his body and pinned his arms to his side, but did not wrap all the way around because of his wings. He knew logically he should not succumb to his instincts. He knew biting and fighting would only make this worse. Logically he should just let the human do what he needs to do, just pushing that to the front of his mind was the hardest thing for him to do. He usually wasn't afraid of Owen. Just this feeling of he was the only creature who decided his fate was...just not comforting. He didn't know the human enough, and he was already stubborn with their interactions.

With the small one in hand, Owen tossed the cage overboard. He looked at his prize taking a deep breath. This decision was going to be the death of him. He knew this. A Captain always goes down with his ship, but that was never his plan. That was one thing he would never do. He had to get back to his world. Holding Brorym close to his body the Captain took a running start. He told himself he just had to aim for the water. It's all around them. The easiest target in the world. He just had to make sure he didn't drown. Getting closer to the railing, he prepared his body for the hard-hit of the water and jumped.