Chapter XXIV
Swells Over Still Waters, Part 3: Bending (+Audiobook)
23rd Day in the 4th of Ründ’s Months, Dry Season, in the First Year of King Feyaz’s Reign, 126th Reckoned Year
23Bend shovels into spears. Change water into fire. Steal life from death.
From ‘The Book of Conflict’, Chapter 3 Verse 23, the Sanctum of Souls, Written by Saint Ründ in the Unreckoned Years
Petsune approaches the railing of the Haul and looks down at the longboat being mildly thrashed about below. Pet backs away and gestures Chapel forward. “After you,” then he adds sardonically, “first mate Chapel.”
Chapel smirks, then moves ahead and down into the longboat. As he climbs down, he calls up to Petsune. “What’s wrong, Pet? ‘Fraid you’ll get wet again?”
Petsune grumbles and carefully descends into the small boat. Behind them, Officer Wittkinson, climbs down and sits at the bench where the oars are positions. He motions toward the narrow bench, and Chapel and Petsune squeeze onto it.
Chapel unties the boat, and Wittkinson sets his hands to the oars to begin rowing them over to the Lady. Chapel speaks to Wittkinson. “I’m surprised you aren’t bringing any soldiers, Witt.”
The Officer glares at him and bites back a retort. “It’s not as if I have anything to fear from you two.”
Chapel leans back and lounges against the bow of the little boat. “No, but I figured you’d have someone row for you.”
Wittkinson makes the task of rowing appear easy. The oars seem to simply slide in and out of the water without resistance. Wittkinson doesn’t bother responding to Chapel. The further away from the King’s Haul they get, the more Petsune feels uneasy about being in the dinky boat. Chapel appears to be attempting a nap, and Wittkinson doesn’t seem to desire a conversation.
Pet tries not to think about the towers of water that are mere inches below his feet, tries not to think about the creatures that could be swimming there. After a minute, Petsune finds himself unable to resist the curiosity of looking over the side. He hesitantly peers over and sees something immense seem to swim just below them. Pet recoils and yells out. “There’s something below us!”, causing the entire boat to rock dangerously on its keel. Wittkinson steadies the boat and scolds Petsune. “Of course there is, priest, it’s the top of a tower vine. We’re in the Misty Shoals.” Petsune looks over the side again and sees Wittkinson is right.
Just below the surface there are the large bulbous fronds of tower vines, all stemming from one side of the plant. From the other side of the plant grows the thin wavy leaves that look like feathers drifting in the current. The water is extremely clear this far from any Mass, and Petsune can see at least a tower deep into the warm waters. The forest of vines is thick, at times growing right up to the surface and in other places not reaching as high. Wittkinson speaks again. “So, how does a Deepblood end up aboard a whaler?”
Petsune continues to watch the drifting forests below. He responds while watching the flitting shimmers of runnykit and fodderfee dart between vines. “Well, it was sort of an accident.”
Wittkinson just looks at him waiting for more of the story, but Pet is engrossed in the view over the side.
When you’re aboard a taller or faster ship, all you see is the near featureless horizon of ocean and sky. But when you slow down and get close to the surface, that’s when the world below becomes apparent. Right now, Pet feels as though he is floating eerily over a hidden world; like a passing windgull, flying over a Mass. There is so much down there that it almost frightens Petsune if he fixates on it. Wittkinson speaks a little louder than before. “Hello, priest?”
Petsune realizes with embarrassment that Officer Wittkinson is trying to speak to him. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“I asked if it was common to find a Deepblood on a whaling ship.”
“Oh, no, not that I’m aware of. They’re typically collecting dust in an archive or translating some old treatise.”
Wittkinson makes a grumbling noise. “You say they’re and not we’re, and I see you wear the belt of an Empty Hand. Are you not a Deepblood?”
Petsune stares down into the water, this time hearing the Officer. “To be honest, I don’t know what I am anymore. A few weeks ago, I would’ve said I was a Deepblood. Now… well, now I’m not so sure. I’m realizing that people are not so easily defined.”
Wittkinson continues rowing, drawing them closer to the Lady. “I think I would agree.”
Their longboat maneuvers between the roots of the Lady and then draws alongside. Chapel looks deep in thought, then suddenly says in a sure voice. “I need to get one of these.”
Petsune raises an eyebrow and says, “One of what?”
“A longboat. Very useful.”
Petsune rolls his eyes in amusement, then Cheese throws down a rope to Chapel and they pull themselves against the ship. Once aboard, Wittkinson finds his way to the quarter deck where Mavis is standing behind the ship wheel. Chapel follows, but Petsune decides to catch up with his friends while he is here. Without warning, Petsune is lifted easily off the ground and squeezed like a grapple. The Big Man hugs him tightly and then sets him down gently on the deck. “Little Pet! You are back! Aye, It is very good to see you. I never thought I would hug a priest.”
Shushilah and Cheese are standing behind Petsune.
Shushilah looks fondly at Petsune. “Is true, Pet. It is very good to be seeing you. We were afraid they would be breaking your backs, I’m thinking.”
Petsune looks up toward Wittkinson. “We have been working hard, but it’s actually not so bad.”
Cheese grabs Pet’s hand and pokes the palm. “Looks like they been usin’ your skills for polishin’ the decks.” She says, dropping his hand.
“Oh, yes. A lot of that. The King’s Haul will shine brighter than the Saints sun by the time we arrive at Dintish Mass.”
“Hah!” Benefield laughs loudly, “no doubt, little Pet. No doubt. A fine trick you taught us there. Works right fine on butter and grease too, as Bor found out. He was in rather a good mood when his favorite pan came quite clean with it.”
Petsune nearly blushes at the praise.
Cheese gestures toward Mavis and Chapel with her thumb. “Any idea what Captain wants with the stiff fella?”
“Yes, we were wondering this. Is he letting you stay with us now?” Shushilah asks.
Petsune appears slightly crestfallen. “No, I’m afraid it isn’t that, though I do believe he is beginning to trust us. I believe Chapel and I will be aboard the King’s Haul until we arrive at the Royal Mass.”
Cheese makes a loud tsk sound. “Ain’t fair.”
“Aye,” Benefield chimes in, “we gave our word we wouldn’t be running off.”
“Well, it’s likely Wittkinson’s life on the line if we do, so I can’t say I blame him. I think Mavis wants to discuss the route we’re taking, or at least that’s what Wittkinson thinks. He seems to be a good man. I may have misjudged him. Besides, he has the prospect of war hanging over his head, poor man.”
Shushilah smiles and pats Petsune’s shoulder lightly. “You are a kind person, Petsune. And you are right, I’m thinking. Is not so easy knowing death is in the future.”
Cheese and Shushilah walk away, but Petsune stops The Big Man. “Hey, have you seen the General? I just wanted to see how he’s doing.”
“Aye, he’s helping Bor clean the rest of the pots, on account of your new trick.”
“Thanks,” Petsune begins walking away but turns back, “oh, and Benefield?”
“Aye, little Pet?”
“Don’t forget what I said before: I’d be honored to listen to anyone who wishes to talk.”
Petsune turns and walks toward the foredeck and The Big Man watches him walk away.
Chapel, Mavis and Wittkinson are standing at the stern of the Lady, looking back to the King's Haul. Mavis is speaking to Wittkinson. “I know that. I just don’t think we need be risky in our haste. The Flower is not to be taken lightly. Besides, it won’t add much time to the journey if we simply maintain a western heading, then go north toward Broadfell and sail across the Slick Sea.”
“It will add at least a day, likely more,” Wittkinson says, “and we do not have that time. We are at war, Captain Mavis.”
Chapel stifles a laugh as Mavis replies. “I understand. But sailing south now—”
“Would mean an earlier arrival time.” Wittkinson cuts in, “We sail south, around the Floating Forests, and into the Deadships, then we’ll have a shorter sail to the Royal Mass. We could shorten our travel time by a day or two.”
Mavis looks away from the Officer and out toward the South-West horizon. The barely visible silhouettes of the Forest darken the horizon in uneven bumps. Mavis speaks flatly and in a tired voice. “Many a Captain has underestimated the reach of The Flower. I don’t think it worth the risk to arrive two days sooner.”
“Consider your thoughts noted, Captain, but we will be sailing South from here.”
Wittkinson seems to size up Mavis, but Mavis only appears saddened by the Officer. “Very well. On your own head be it.”
Wittkinson becomes impossibly stiffer before speaking. “And I will be returning with your two crew mates. They have proven amenable to the tasks set them, and I need to ensure you don’t act on any cowardly impulses.”
Wittkinson turns on his heel and begins returning to the longboat.
Petsune is speaking with General Tar. “—the soldiers were even fighting each other at one point. You would’ve been ashamed to see it.”
“Hmm, is that so?” The General says, “not on my ship, no sir. When I was in the navy, you’d have been drawn and quartered for that type of —”
“We’re leaving, priest. Let’s be off.” Wittkinson cuts in.
“Oh, alright then. Well, it was good to talk again, General. I’ve missed you, all of you.”
“Hmm, and we’ve missed you.”
“Oh, and tell The Big Man to keep singing. We can hear him back on the King’s Haul and it’s been a taste of home.”
Petsune waves a hand, and the General does a swift solute with a light stamp of his boot. Wittkinson climbs down into the boat first, followed by Chapel and lastly Pet. Before Petsune mounts the ladder, he asks Chapel’s descending head, “So, what happened?”
But Chapel simply frowns. “Nothing good, unfortunately. But on the bright side, you'll finally be able to see the Floating Forests of Gar Hedron.”
(hey, thanks for reading. Appreciate you.)
Love the voice acting...
im struggling to work out that dice game, dude… lol