The strong ocean breeze whipped Daniel's blonde hair into his eyes as he stood on the sand at the water's edge, the water playfully lapping at his feet, staring into the horizon for a sign of the fleet of ships that would be arriving at Sydney Cove any day now.
Daniel was aboard the Scarborough when it had arrived on the 28th of June 1790, as part of the Second Fleet. Cam, Roland, Arriane, Gabbe and Molly had all arrived on the Neptune, the day before he himself had arrived.
Far out on the horizon, tiny shapes appeared and Daniel impatiently pushed his hair out of his face so he could see clearly. There they were! The Third and final Fleet were almost here!
"There!" he said. "Do you see that?" he pointed at the horizon. A young marine came and stood next to him, shielding his eyes from the sun.
"Sir, I don't see anything. What's out there?"
"The fleet! They're almost here! I shall go and inform the Governor. You stay here and keep watch." Daniel pivoted on the spot and ran across the sand and up to the settlement. People moved out of his way as he ran for Governor Phillip.
Out of the corner of his eyes Daniel noticed two figures step out in front of him. Skidding to a stop, he stood in front of Cam and Molly.
"Going somewhere, Daniel?" sneered Molly. Daniel just raised an eyebrow and went to move around Molly but Molly just stepped in front of him and looked at him expectantly. Daniel sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"What do you two want?" he asked impatiently.
Cam chuckled and Daniel shot him a look that only made Cam smile. "Just trying to make friendly conversation, is all."
Daniel snorted. "What do you really want?" Cam only smiled more.
"The Outcasts have been scouting this area," Daniel's head shot up and Cam leaned in towards Daniel. "You know who they're looking for."
"I know. And she is not here. So, they're wasting their time." Daniel shoved past Cam and Molly and continued towards the Governor's quarters.
Outside the Governor's quarters, Daniel straightened himself up and knocked on the door.
"You may enter!" boomed a man's voice. Daniel grasped the door knob, twisted, pushed the door open and stepped inside. Sitting behind a large desk was the Governor himself: Arthur Phillip. Behind him stood Roland. Daniel nodded at Roland, who nodded back. Daniel saluted the Governor as he looked up.
"Ah, Daniel! What is it?" said the Governor, standing up and coming around to lean against the front of his desk.
"I have come to report that the Third Fleet has been sighted. They will be ashore within a few hours," Daniel said. "Would you like me to gather some troops and meet them at the shore?"
The Governor ran a hand across his jaw. Behind him, Daniel could see Roland waving to gain his attention. Making sure that the Governor was still thinking, Daniel turned his attention to Roland. Roland motioned for him to come over to him to talk quietly. As Daniel edged closer to Roland, he could feel a slight tugging between his shoulder blades: his wings wanted to come out, to be close to the other angel, but couldn't as there was a human in their presence. Daniel knew Roland's wings wanted to come out to as he could see Roland concentrate on keeping his wings restrained.
Before either angel could utter a single word to each other, the Governor spoke up,
"Gentlemen, I shall inform the troops to await the ships. I shall be back presently." And with that, the Governor walked out of his quarters, shutting the door quietly behind him. Both Daniel and Roland extended their wings and breathed sighs of relief.
"We can't stay here much longer." Roland said.
"Why not?" Daniel asked, a frown forming between his eyebrows.
"The marines are getting suspicious. They have noticed that we don't eat, how abnormally strong and fast we are. Some of the men have taken to following us at night. I fear that some of them might have discovered what we truly are, but aren't willing to believe what they see."
"You're right. Plus I have just been informed that some Outcasts have been scouting this area. Looking for her. We will talk-" Daniel broke off just as voices began growing louder. The Governor was coming back! The two angels quickly folded their wings away and went back to their original positions just as the Governor walked back in.
"Ah! Good! You're both still here. I have an important job for the both of you. I want you to row out to the ships and start bringing the convicts and their families to shore. You know the drill: women and children first. Now go." Daniel and Roland took that as a dismissal and left to go and prepare the boats. As Daniel reached the shoreline, a familiar shiver ran down his spine, causing the hairs on his arms to stand on end. Something was going to happen, he knew it. Just above and to the left of him hovered an announcer. He swatted it away and hopped into one of the boats and began rowing out to the first of the ships.
Once he had reached the ships, a rope ladder was lowered down for him to climb onboard. He reached up and grabbed ahold of the rope and began pulling himself up. Once onboard, a marine approached him, and led him to the captain's quarters. Inside, the captain was waiting for Daniel. He stood when Daniel walked in.
"What are the Governor's orders?" he asked.
"Women and children are to be brought to shore first. Then everyone else." Was all Daniel said. The captain nodded.
"Of course," the captain gestured to the door. "Shall we?" Daniel stepped back and opened the door, allowing the captain to exit first.
During their very brief conversation, the convicts and their families had been brought up to the deck. So, the deck was filled with people all waiting expectantly for their captain to tell them what was to happen. When the captain began speaking, Daniel made his way back to where he had come aboard, and waited their patiently for the women and children to begin queuing up for departure to dry land and to their new home. As he was passing through the crowd, again the shiver ran down his spine. He halted to a stop and did a quick scan of the crowd looking for that familiar face. When he couldn't find it he continued walking. When he reached his post, a line had already begun to form. He climbed down the rope ladder and back into the boat and began motioning for women and children to start their descent.