#tidebreaker

sailor.

he was born at sea. with waves underneath and a storm brewing overhead. his fate always belonged to the ocean.

tidebreaks were known for masteful ships, smooth sailing and loyalty to their kingdom. a family of born navigators, proud elves who stood to the test of time and war.

thallan was born of a human in a ship that had almost been wrecked and swallowed by the waves. that was how life came to him, that was the life he'd lead.

pirate.

sailing was his passion, the sea was the only place he cared to be. politics, manners, court. that was not his place. his features said as much--neither human, nor elf. his place was somewhere else, and he had all the certainty of youth to back that up.

a pirate was no different than a sailor, especially when it meant he could live off the sea for longer than he'd ever been allowed. where treasure could be reaped, where crews fell under his boot. it was no simple life, no easy life. and it did not come without scars, real ones, across his back, between his ribs, on his thighs. emotional ones, shipwrecks and deaths, oaths and old loyalties tested.

tidebreaks were not pirates, and he could not stain the family over capricious needs.

a plan was made. a ship was sunk. a pardon written and one sorry half-elf was dragged back home.

master of ships.

the title was honor, condition, prison and recognition. as his father faded, thallan the tidebreaker rose. the best navigator, the boldest sailor, the master of ships.

golden cages were still cages, but he was luckier than most. his service to the crown granted him freedom to be back at sea, to sail forth, to go far and then come back home. free of the sins of his past--though some ghosts could never be forgotten, and the cold currents of the sea remembered best of all.