THE MOMENT
Richard watched the sun peek out from behind the ocean and sighed. The sky above was dark purple and the sea around him glowed with dim orange light. He sat on the deck and wondered how many more years he was going to waste chasing vague leads.
"You don't find Driftwood, Driftwood finds you," was what most people he asked had to say about it. Though a few helpful, drunk Captains added that the first time it found them, they were alone on the sea. It was a small detail that he managed to confirm with other Captains over the years. Enough that Richard decided to leave his crew behind and venture out on his own. He was so sure of his destiny, that he expected Driftwood to fall in his lap within six months. As he approached the end of his sixth year, he began to wonder if he had a seventh in him.
He began his search as a royal agent; but, over time he made the search his duty. He left his post to chase Driftwood alone; at the time he thought it would prove his loyalty further. But, it was long enough ago that he could not go back now. The Corsair he wanted to bring to justice was caught two years ago without his help; but Richard was determined to find the secret cove.
"Alright, Driftwood," Richard sighed. He stood up to start his day and his voice was the only company he had. "Stay hidden for all I care, I'm going home to live my li-," Richard began to hoist his anchor; but, movement on the water's surface caught his eye.
Up until that moment, the sea had been calm as crystal but now there were ripples. He scanned the sea and then saw definite movement. something with sea-green scales skimmed the surface, then dipped down again. It seemed to be moving, and he followed it. It surfaced again briefly and Richard got a better look. Just from the short glimpse he saw, Richard guessed it was an immense sea serpent. He looked around his boat and saw it surface in several places at once; it was large enough to surround his boat and then some. As if it knew it had Richard's attention, the beast dipped below the surface, and the sea fell still instantly.
Richard swiveled his head trying to see in all directions at once. He was starting to worry that he gave up his search one day too late. His nerves were taut; ready to leap into action.
"I hear you're looking for Driftwood," a woman's voice startled Richard. He dove into the sea in a panic; though, once the cold water hit he realized it was a bad place to be. He turned to try and climb back on his boat only to see a short, bronze-skinned woman with short, sea-blue hair looking down at him curiously.
"Help me up!" Richard begged as he reached the edge. "There's something down there!"
"Not anymore," the woman smiled at him. Before he could process what she meant, Richard felt something under him. He panicked for a brief moment until he realized whatever it was, was slowly lifting him out of the water. It felt like solid ground, and in minutes he was standing on a muddy beach next to his boat.
He spun around to take in the whole scene. He was on an island now and he could see trees and buildings further inland. The woman hopped off his boat and began walking towards the building. Each step she took dried the sand around her leaving an easy path to follow.
"You found it," she said. "Now what?"
"That was you? The sea serpent?" Richard asked as he caught up to her. It helped that he noticed a large tattoo on the back of her neck, just below the sea-blue edge of her hair. It was the Earth encircled by a giant aquamarine serpent that matched the one he saw moments ago. He wondered what the #37 on the serpent's body meant.
"Sea dragon," she corrected him.
"Driftwood is moved around by a sea dragon?" Richard asked in awe as they reached the tree line. They appeared to be heading towards a specific building, though there were several. The small town was constructed out of milky-green, glass blocks. Even from a distance, Richard could see they were opaque and held together with a dark green cement.
"Not anymore," she said. But, after a few moments, she didn't add anything more.
"What? Why not?" Richard asked.
"Because there's somewhere I have to be; so I'm giving Driftwood to someone else."
"Giving it away? You can do that? To who?" Richard asked. He followed her into the glass building. The sand ended and he stepped onto a solid glass floor. Dozens of wooden and glass chests, jars, and just plain piles of gold and jewels littered the single-room building. She walked straight to a golden chest that had a large green glass lock on it.
"Yes, giving it away," she said as she wrapped her hand around the lock. A pulse of golden energy passed from her hand to the lock, and it popped open. She opened the box and reached in. She pulled out a small, card-sized piece of transparent glass. "Yes, I can do that," she said. She held up the card in front of Richard. "And, it doesn't matter whom. The first person that asks," she said. Richard narrowed his eyes.
"You've spent decades building Driftwood's reputation... and you're just giving it away?" he asked. She nodded at him.
"I can do it again if I want. It's not a big deal."
"That's.. .a lifetime!" Richard said. She giggled and pointed at herself.
"Dragon, remember?" she asked. "It was a fun diversion; but, now I have to work."
"You sound like it's a real job," Richard chuckled. He stuck his hand out with a smile.
"I'm Richard, I'd like to take over Driftwood for you," then, he laughed some more and added an obnoxious edge to his voice. "What's your name and what do you do?" She smiled and played along.
"My name's Meredith, the Verdant Sea dragon. I'm a high school teacher."