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// Prologue: Dreams of the Sea 
// Story: A Ship-of-the-Line 
// by KonceptKarma 
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	The clacking of small hooves hurried down the streets of the small port town of Caballito towards the harbor. The ringing of the harbor master's bell signaled one thing and one thing only, the arrival of the navy. The young colt Gallant Topsail knew that all too well. He hurried toward the harbor with curiosity flaring through his energetic young mind. His friend Flareluck, and his younger brother Royal Topsail were in tow. 
'What kind of ship will it be this time," Gallant called out to his companions, "will it be a schooner, a trade galleon, maybe even a war frigate?" 
"You're dreaming if you think it's something as big as a frigate!" Flareluck taunted.
Royal was confused, "What's a frigate?"
Gallant ignored his brother's question, "Could you imagine Flare, a Royal Navy Warship in our harbor, in Caballito?"
Caballito was a small town that dotted one of the many islands throughout the Eternal Strait. As such, it was a busy port and trade post where many a tired and weary sailor would stop for rest on their voyages from Equestria to Ciervias, or perhaps even as far reaching as the Griffin Empire, or Zebrica. The thoughts of venturing out into the endless blue expanse, discover new worlds, and braving the rough ocean; this was what Gallant always dreamed of doing. 
The three colts pushed their way through the busy streets, longing to catch site of the navy ship entering the harbor. A stack of boxes caught the Gallant's eye, leading him to climb to the rooftops, he'd give anything to see that harbor in full bloom. As he pulled his friends up, three towering masts caught his attention. 
"No, it couldn't be," He yelled out in excitement, "there's only one type of ship out there whose masts would reach this tall, it has to be a..." 
Gallant couldn't finish his sentence, sitting there in the harbor of their small town, was a gigantic ship-of-the-line. Flying atop the main mast was the flag of the Equestrian Empire. 
"I never thought I'd see one in person." Flareluck gawked.
Royal pointed at the warship, "That's a big boat."
"Ship, Royal," Gallant placed a hoof on his brother's shoulder, "that is a ship." 
Royal arched a brow in curiosity, "What's the difference?"
"Well, a boat is something you sail on in the water, right?" Gallant questioned. His brother nodded in response to him. "Well a ship is like a boat, but on a much grander scale." Gallant threw his arms out to express his point.
His brother only scratched his head, "But when does a boat become a ship?" 
Gallant smiled at his brother, "I'll let you decide that one," Gallant looked back at the warship, "I've decided something too." The two other colts looked at him with curiosity. "I'm going to enlist in the navy."
"What," Flareluck yelled out, "you're gonna join the navy?" Gallant didn't respond, he kept staring at the ship-of-the-line moored in the harbor. "Well fine then, so am I."
Gallant could only smile at his friend's brash thinking, "Then it's settled, we'll enlist together. It may still be some time from now until we come of age, but I'll keep my promise if you will." He held his hoof out to his friend. Flareluck didn't say a word in response, he bumped Gallant's hoof, and the deal was sealed.