Arrival in Basra

[Sinbad]

It was good to pace back and forth around the deck, shouting orders and looking to everything to make sure everything went according to plan and the Nomad didn´t get into trouble without any of the currets or sandbanks before Basra. It was routine, it felt familiar and it chased away gloomy thoughts, making him - at least for a moment - fully the captain again.

They were so close to Basra now that a good swimmer would have easily made it to the shore in some time. Close enough to see that at least from Sinbad´s point, the port looked still clear of danger. But that didn´t mean the captain was less wary. For now, however, only a few children and some dock workers in hope of a few coin for cargo transport were flocking the port.

[alex]

Bryn stepped out into the deck from below. She was right: they were near port. She looked around and spotted the captain. She smiled and walked up to him. "Anything you need me to do?"

[Sinbad]

Sinbad was just finishin tying one of the ropes. They had lowered the main sail to avoid making it into port at full speed. He stemmed his right boot against the knot to make sure it was tight enough, then straightened. "Nah." he said with a small smile when Bryn adressed him. "I made sure the younger ones make themselves useful this time, so they learn it."

[alex]

At that, Bryn smiled and chuckled. "Making the younger ones work. Good captain." She patted him on the back then looked out at the approaching port. "This would be an interesting visit," she whispered. Then looking back to Sinbad, she added "The cargo seemed in good condition when I last checked it."

[Sinbad]

Sinbad crooked a smirk at that. If the young ones didn´t work and learn things, they would never be able to captain their own ships after all. Not that all of them had the talents or the ambitions to do so with some of them just being after some good money to get them through or a littl bit of adventure.

"Good,thanks." he said. "I think we will be able to unload quickly, there are quite some helpers waiting already." he remarked, pointing at the small groups of youngsters that grouped around the harbour like it was case in nearly every bigger port. Trading vessels often meant a little money.

[Doubar]

Doubar took a deep breath when he stepped outside. The sun was shining brightly and the wind already carried the lovely scent of land. As he turned his head he was able to see that Bryn had already gone ahead and joined his little brother who, from what it looked like, was tightening some knot.
Silently the first mate closed the door and allowed himself to scan the deck before following the brunette one. Most of the crew were already carying out their duties, he noticed, as Sinbad obviously had the ship prepared for porting.
"Ahmed", he suddenly called one of the younger ones, gesturing towards the mast as he did so, "make sure that this rope there won't loosen." Immediately the boy turned around and nodded to him, before going to do as he was told. Doubar knew that, as they were only heading for port it wouldn't cause much trouble even if it did, but also was aware the fact that the lads had to learn to get their jobs done properly.
For a moment Doubar lingered where he stood and watched Ahmed tend to the rope, nodding contently at the result. Then, after observing the young one for another second, the first mate slowly strolled off to where Sinbad and Bryn stood, greeting them both with a smile and a cheerful: "Brilliant morning, isn't it?"

[alex]

Bryn nodded at her captain. Then she heard Doubar and turned her head in his direction. She watched him called the younger sailor and smiled. Then she noticed Doubar approaching them. Her smile widened at his statement. "Aye, it is."

She then looked for Rongar. But all she was the younger sailors and Firouz playing with his magnoscope. When she could not find Rongar, she turned to Sinbad and asked, "Where is Rongar?"

[Sinbad]

"I sent him off to sleep a while ago." the captain replied. "He took over one of the night shifts and I told him to get a few more hours of rest when I took over again."

[alex]

Bryn nodded. She looked up at the approaching port. "I guess I should let him sleep then. Who knows how much sleep he had. I will wake him later."

[Doubar]

"Good idea", Doubar added to what Bryn had said, "He won't mind having a decent nap after rall." If Rongar really had taken over the shift, the first mate thought, it would be only fair to grant gim as much sleep as possible. And besides: there were enough sailors on deck to stir the Nomad safely into the port.
Tilting his head a little, Doubar then got sight of the busy harbour, noticing the groups of young boys as he did so. A soft chuckle escaped his throat while he gently nudged his brother. "Seems familiar to me", he stated while nodding towards the youngsters who were eagerly waiting for the ship to finally arrive. He was aware that Bryn couldn't possibly know, but was sure Sinbad would get what he was aiming at. After all the two had once been among them...

[Sinbad]

Sinbad nodded in agreement to what Bryn said. Rongar, even though he had of course not admitted it directly to him, had looked tired. Waking him once they had anchored would be early enough.

A small, one sided smirk appeared on his lips and he chuckled slightly at Doubar´s comment. "Good old times." he said, that remark possibly bearing more than he meant to, like it was common with him these days.

[alex]

Bryn looked at both of them, smiled, and nodded. "So I guess I should wake him after we port."

[Sinbad]

For a moment, Sinbad had delved into his memories. For once, no memories related to the red headed Celt that had once more captured his mind these last few days after one year of neglect, but memories of his own childhood, the days when he had been standing just where some of these young lads were standing now. He had been younger than most of them ... He blinked the memory away when Bryn spoke again.

"That will be early enough, yes." he said with a nod, tossing a glance up at the main sail to see to his satisfaction that the sailors were working properly in a way that didn´t require him to yell orders just now.
"Do any of you have plans for our land visit?" he asked casually, remembering the conversation he had had with Sean earlier.

[Doubar]

"Only one", Doubar instantly beamed in response to his brother's question, "find myself a lovely tavern and enjoy the pleasures of a decent stay on land... together with you of course if you want." To make sure the two of his friends got it right, he gestured towards them while speaking, indicating that he was referring to both of them with that.

[alex]

Bryn looked at Doubar hearing his reply then smiled and chuckled. "I am sure you would enjoy that," she exclaimed raising her arm and patting him on the arm. She then added with a joyous tone, "especially if there is good food."