"Fire at will!"
"Take him down!" Many similar orders were shouted by the captain of the ship as fire rained down from all directions. Some may wonder how fire might be a problem in the middle of the ocean. Well, there is but one answer: a dragon. It's cage had not been locked properly and now an entire ship was doomed to sink if the dragon wasn't contained in the next five minutes.
"Shoot the net cannon!" The captain, a tall and muscular man who's scowl frightened anyone and no one dared to step out of line unless they had a death wish. A series of yes sirs were heard.
The wooden contraption was loaded and a net was shot in the direct path of the rogue dragon.
Unfortunately the dragon couldn't move fast enough and was caught in the net in an instant and fell from the sky. It landed on the deck in an inglorious heap of rope and attempted to claw its way out. The soldier nearest to the dragon shot an arrow covered in a green substance and the dragon went limp after the arrow made contact with its neck.
No one yelled in triumph over the capture like one would expect. Instead a deathly silence followed as everyone looked up to their captain who's expression was one of disapproval. He was already in a terrible mood, this just added to it.
Some shared nervous glances while waiting for him to speak. Having a dragon escape was not a serious offense, but the punishment was one that left scars- not just emotional ones.
The captain's gaze fell on a young man in his early twenties towards the back of the crowd. He shrunk when all eyes were turned to him and visibly gulped.
Two guards had appeared at his sides. Each grabbed an arm of the boy and began leading him to the trap doors that led to the lower floors of the ship. He tried to apologize and anyone could see how terrified he truly was. Some of the crewman felt sorry for the young man, as it had only been his second week on the ship. But the rest wore somber expressions and went back to work.
Even if he was new, there was no room for error in the dragon hunting business. One mistake - such as forgetting to check a lock on a dragon cage- could have dire consequences. The man would have to learn this the hard way unfortunately. When he came back, he will remember triple check everything that's for sure.
The captain retreated to his office now that everything was under control. He'd barely taken a seat when someone knocked on the door.
He sighed harshly. "Enter. " Whoever that was better have a good reason for knocking.
It was one of the crewman and he held a terrible terror by the scruff of its neck.
"A terror message just arrived Ryker sir. " the man informed briskly. Ryker glanced at the right leg of the dragon and sure enough there was a little scroll tucked into the holster. He hummed and plucked the scroll out of the leather cylinder.
"You're dismissed. " Ryker said, wanting to read the scroll without prying eyes. Especially if it was about two people who'd recently joined his crew
The crewman bowed and left to find a cage to put the small dragon into.
Once alone, the scroll was opened and Ryker read the contents eagerly. By the time he was done, his foul mood had all but disappeared. A rare smile even formed on his lips though the sinister glint in his eyes made it less friendly.
He chuckled darkly. His leader's best scout had been the one to send this letter. It confirmed that there were a group of dragon riders that had recently created a base on an island within their ocean borders. And they have an artifact that rightfully belongs to the hunters.
Now that Ryker has this information, he can move forward with a plan to get it back.
By force if necessary. He'll do whatever it takes.

It was a bright and sunny day at one of the many Dragon Hunters Port. The docks were crowded as Ryker's fleet replenished their supplies for the next hunt.
The man himself watched the swarm of people from the ramp, looking for someone. His eyes spotted a head of curly red hair, a stark contrast in a sea of brown, black, and blondes. Ryker kept his features neutral as slender girl of 17 made eye contact and hurried her steps in the direction of the ship.
Ryker took in her appearance as she marched up the ramp. She wore better made clothes than the rest of the humters, tailored to fit her lean body. The dark fabrics made her porcelain skin appear almost white, save for the slightly darker skin underneath the eyes, similar to Rykers.
The girl stopped a few feet in front of Ryker and bowed her head to show her respect for the man. She waited for Ryker to speak first.
"Took you long enough to get here. " He said, his way of greeting his newest recruit in his armada.
"My apologies, sir." The girl replied, shifting one of the satchels she had slung on her shoulders while avoiding eye contact with her superior. She mentally scolded herself for taking to long to get here.
"For that, you will work a double shift preparing the dragon stalls for our next hunt. Understood?"
"Yes sir." She said without complaint. She knew better than to argue with Ryker, and felt it was a fair and deserved punishment. There was no room for tardiness in the dragon hunting game.
Pleased with her compliance, he motioned for her to follow him while they talked some more. "We'll be departing at sunrise and head for the northern territories. Let's hope you can handle the cooler weather."
"I'm prepared for anything. " the girl said with determination, but Ryker wasn't convinced.
"We'll see about that. Your father may think you're ready, but I'm not."
"Then I guess I'll have to work extra hard to prove that I am." The girl would do whatever it takes.
"You'll be sharing a cabin with another young woman who's formed an alliance with us along with her brother. Your father requested that I keep you separate from the rest of the crew."
"Very well. I can show myself there so you can go back to work. Time is money as I understand."
"Up the stairs, third door down the hallway. I want you to get to work in fifteen minutes."
After confirming she would, the girl speed walked to her cabin. She knew the layout of the massive ship inside and out, so it was no trouble finding her new living quarters.
She heard some movement coming from the inside.
Must be my roommate.
The girl would rather she had a cabin to herself, but of course would never complain. She knocked and the door was opened a moment later. A girl with raven black hair and green eyes answered. She looked a little flustered.
"Hello, I'm supposed to be sharing this cabin with you I believe."
"Oh, right. I forgot that Ryker said you'd be here today. " she walked into the small room and saw a hammock hanging on the left and right walls respectively. "You can have the one on the right. "
"Perfect." Two satchels were deposited onto the floor beneath the hammock, and the new girl rolled her shoulders that were relieved of the heavy weight.
"I don't think Ryker told me your name." A hand was stuck out for the other to shake. "I'm Heather." The girl shook Heather's hand firmly while replying.
"I'm Ember."