Chapter XXV
Swells Over Still Waters, Part 3: Bending (+Audiobook)
24th Day in the 4th of Ründ’s Months, Dry Season, in the First Year of King Feyaz’s Reign, 126th Reckoned Year
Death lives a long life.
She watches with unblinking eye,
the slow passing of all time.
Yet, it passes not for Her.
She is what was here before.
Darkness. Eternity.
She is what gives Life worth.
A long life, Death lives.
Life dies a long death.
He claws at the edges of existence,
seeking to scrape back the seconds.
Yet, He is dragged down all the same.
He is that which begins and ends.
Loss. Suffering.
He is every prolonged moment of pain.
A long death, dies Life.
From ‘Musings of the Hollow Trees’, Composed by Oyo-Po-No-Poyo, Hollow Tree, in the 90th Reckoned Year
For the first day since being brought aboard the King’s Haul, Chapel and Petsune are allotted some leisure time. They are both leaning over the bow, looking out southwest toward the stern of the Lady. The horizon is jagged and bumpy with the shadows of the approaching Floating Forest. From this distance, it resembles an encroaching Mass. Chapel hops up onto the railing and turns around to lay back on the bowsprit. Petsune chuckles. “Why are you always falling asleep? It seems like every time I talk to you, you're lying down or nodding off.”
Chapel makes an obnoxious snoring noise and Petsune rolls his eyes. “Well, most nights on the Lady, I’m piloting the ship through the night.”
“Oh, really? Why do you do that?”
“Partly for security, partly so we can get around faster, but mostly because I like it at night. It’s quiet. Like a whole different world.”
“I see.” Petsune says, though really, he doesn’t.
As they approach the Floating Forest, Petsune can begin to see that they will not be passing through it, but rather beside it. Now that they are close enough to make out the details, Pet can see why they aren’t sailing through. The floating Forest is thick and dense, with no clear pathway through in something so large as a ship. Ahead of them, the Lady veers slightly to the portside, toward the Forest. It appears that Mavis will be taking the Lady just inside the Forest, where the trees aren’t so densely clumped together. The King’s Haul is larger than the Lady, so the helmsman doesn’t follow. The Haul continues to follow its trajectory of passing just outside the Floating Forest, meaning the trees will pass by on the portside. Petsune has been watching the Lady and failed to notice Chapel shuffle around and begin messing with something. When he looks back he sees Chapel tying something. “What are you doing, Chapel?”
“Hmm? Oh nothing. We probably won’t even need this.”
Petsune raises an eyebrow but doesn’t comment. If he asked about every cryptic thing the Captain said, he’d go mad.
The first tree approaches and Petsune marvels at how similar it is to the Lady’s masts. The only difference is that there are thick green leaves and luscious fruits growing from every inch of the branches. The roots seem to spider out from the trunk in a beautiful sun-like pattern, stretching as wide as the branches before growing downward. There are thick salt deposits clustered around the ends of the roots, but to Pet it looks like they widen as they plunge deeper. He stares at the beautiful green tree as it passes by the ship, a mere tower or two away. Meanwhile the Lady is ahead of them, expertly navigating the outer confines of trees. Mavis appears to rely on the root appendages that sprout from the Lady’s deck to push away some of the trees that are closer. Pet watches as one tree is pushed aside, then as the Lady passes, the tree seems to slowly pull itself back to where it was.
Chapel notices Petsune staring with a confused expression. “Think of each tree as a stem of seaweed. The trunk actually extends straight down to the bottom, the top blooms open to resemble a tree, but really this is just the tip of the plant. That’s why Floating Forests never move.”
Petsune is amazed at this. “I had no idea… I assumed that they were floating, because of the name.”
“Nope, just a very tall weed.”
Petsune glances over at Chapel, but the Captain bears a worried expression. “What’s wrong?”
“Well, Mavis was right to try to avoid this route. The Haul is too wide to go through the Forest. Those salt deposits on the roots will cut open a hull as easily as coral. But that means we’re unprotected from the pull of the Flower.”
“I find it hard to believe the whirlpool can reach this far. We can’t even see it from here.”
“There are strong and deceptive currents below the water here, even stronger because it is almost the rainy season. The Flower grows with the weather.”
Petsune looks back to the Painful Lady as it navigates the trees. “That’s why Mavis chose to steer into the Forest, isn’t it? He’s using the trees to keep the Lady on course.”
Chapel nods and then looks off to the starboard side. “If you look close enough, you can see a slight dip in the horizon — just there.” Chapel points to an empty section of horizon.
“I don’t… wait, yes. I think I see it.”
“That’s the Flower.”
Pet’s eyes widen, realizing just how close they are to the massive whirlpool. Suddenly it’s as though he can feel the ship being pulled in by the long-reaching arms of the Flower. Now he understands why Mavis was apparently so hesitant to travel this way. Petsune looks straight ahead, south, down the length of endless trees. Mavis pilots the Painful Lady with expert precision. The salient blue color of the sails becomes partially obfuscated as they disappear and reappear from behind trees. Seeing the Lady tucked into the forest has made Pet realize that Chapel’s plan to hide here was well thought out. The only thing that is immediately noticeable about the ship is its bright blue sails, otherwise it blends in well.
Petsune becomes transfixed by the sight of the Forest wall endlessly expanding southward. He speaks to the air as he watches the Forest. “It’s much bigger than I thought. And thicker. The maps simply don’t do it justice.”
When he looks around for Chapel however, he is nowhere to be seen. Pet looks around himself, then leans over the railing to see if Chapel climbed down somewhere. When he looks downward, he notices something disconcerting: there is a thin wake stretching about 10 feet ahead of the ship and off to the portside. With a sickening feeling, Pet realizes they are being pulled ever so slightly toward the starboard side. It is only a slight amount, easily counteracted by steering slightly to port, yet it worries Petsune all the same. He has never seen the Flower before, few people do, and now he can’t help but picture it. An unfathomably large swirl of churning waters, all racing to pour down into an ancient chasm. He wonders if it would be loud.
At almost the same time, Pet hears a familiar voice speak. “Tell ‘em Mavis is watchin’ but we’re stuck sailin’ in the trees now.”
Petsune looks around for Sprig, half expecting him to have snuck over here somehow. Instead, Pet looks up to see a large round bird sitting in the rigging. Sprig’s prattlebeak is wearing a strange collar around its extremely short neck. The bird inexplicably looks as though it is sneering. Petsune is about to speak when he hears Chapel’s voice, spotting him up on the mizzenmast. “Tell him we’re okay for now, but we’re drifting.”
The bird refuses to move or repeat anything, until Chapel pulls something from his pocket. The bird squawks and eats the proffered food, then repeats the message in Chapel’s voice. “Tell him we’re okay for now, but we’re drifting.”
Chapel pats the bird's stout head and says, “Perfect.” then watches it fly off. Chapel climbs easily down to where Pet stands. Petsune inquires, “Where’d you run off to?”
“Oh, just tying up some loose ends.”
Petsune doesn’t bother fishing for more information, instead commenting on the bird. “I see Sprig’s bird is learning quick.”
“Oh yeah, it’s actually coming in handy already.”
“Was it wearing a scarf?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure what it’s supposed to be. Something to set it apart somehow.”
Chapel glances down at the bow of the ship, watching the thin wake that streaks away in the wrong direction. “Mavis was right, we shouldn’t have chanced this route. The Flower was bound to be stronger this close to the rainy season.”
“What will we do? If it pulls us in, I mean.”
Chapel looks up and over to the Painful Lady sailing through the outer edge of the Forest. “I hope it won’t come to that, but if it does, I have some ideas. In the meantime, we have a day free of scrubbing to enjoy.”
Chapel finds his spot on the bowsprit and gets comfortable again. He closes his eyes and speaks to the open sky. “Tell me a story, Pet.”
“What? Now? I’m as nervous as a lardfee in pin whale pod.”
“Then telling me a story would be good for you. Tell ya what, you tell me a story and I’ll tell you a story.”
Petsube considers for a moment. “Does it have to be true, or can it be anything?”
“Hmm… anything. Doesn’t matter.”
“Alright, let me think a moment.”
Petsune stares out at the forest wall, but he is focused on thinking of a good story. The first thing that jumps into his mind is the history of the world, as told in the Church of the Deep. He guesses it isn’t what Chapel had in mind. Instead, Pet thinks back to his time copying out texts in the Sanctum of Saints. There were stories in the Musings of the Hollow Trees book, but Chapel’s own mother had written it, so he no doubt knew them.
Petsune continues to think, and Chapel does not prod him. Finally, he settles on an old story that he heard long ago. He hasn’t forgotten it, despite its length and how long it’s been since he first heard it. “Alright, I think I’ve got one. But it’s a little lengthy, and I may accidentally change parts. It’s been a long time since I heard it.”
Chapel responds without opening his eyes. “Well, the best stories are often the oldest, and a little variation doesn’t hurt if the story’s heart remains the same.”
“I think it’s more of a parable, and when I first heard it there was a rhyme and measure to it. I can’t remember exactly how it went, but I remember some of the lines.”
Petsune climbs up onto the railing to sit, leaning back against the ratlines. He closes his eyes briefly and begins, telling the story more to himself than to Chapel:
“Once… there was a wise mountain.
“It towered over a valley where simple farmers lived and worked. To those that could reach the wise mountain’s summit, it would grant an answer. A farmer who lived in the valley below toiled endlessly in his fields, year after year. Until one day, he wished to know why he must toil endlessly.
“He left his farm to seek the mountain’s answer. Along the way he met a young man dressed in fine clothes. The farmer asked to where he was headed, and the young man replied in a rude voice, ‘The mountain.’
“The farmer asked what answer he would seek, but the fine young man merely replied, ‘What is it to an old farmer such as yourself?’
“The farmer became indignant, yet the two walked on together toward the mountain.
“After some time, the finely dressed man spoke without looking at the farmer, ‘I must know when I will die.’ The old farmer did not wish to anger the young man, and so kept silent. The finely dressed man continued, ‘I have inherited my father’s fortune, and wish to know if I should invest it or spend it.’ The old farmer explained what answer he sought from the mountain, but the young man laughed in his face. ‘We toil to become rich, and we become rich so that we may live easy lives. This is why I must know when I will die.’ The farmer wished he had not spoken, and the two walked on in silence.
“And so it happened that the old farmer and the finely dressed man passed a beggar bearing scars. The beggar pleaded to the old farmer, ‘Please sir, I have little and I am hungry.’ The old farmer gave the beggar some bread, for that was all he had. The scarred beggar then pleaded with the finely dressed man, ‘Please sir, I have no money and I see that you have much. Won’t you spare me a little?’
“The finely dressed man grew disdainful and spoke with anger, ‘Do not beg to freely receive what others have worked hard to acquire. If I spend my wealth, it will be on myself.’
“The finely dressed man walked ahead on his own, but the scarred beggar began walking with the old farmer. The farmer explained what answer he sought of the wise mountain. The beggar became thoughtful and said, ‘I would seek an answer. I wish to know how to change my lot in life.’ And so the two walked on to the base of the mountain.
“The old farmer became tired and made camp at the base. But the scarred beggar walked on, anxious to change his lot, he hastened his pace. In the morning, the old farmer rose and began his walk up the steep mountain path. When he was halfway up, he passed the finely dressed man hurriedly descending from the peak. He called after, but the finely dressed man didn’t slow or speak.
“The old farmer continued his walk up the steep mountain path. Just before the summit, he found the naked body of the finely dressed man. The farmer stared at the body and then he understood. The old farmer looked up at the peak so near, and he turned away from the summit, and he walked back down the mountain, shedding not a tear.”
When Petsune finishes the story, Chapel remains quiet. He stares up at the gray clouds and Petsune stares at the line of trees as they pass. After some time, Chapel speaks. “That was a good story,” he pauses for a moment before adding, “I don’t get it.”
Petsune chuckles. “No… I’m not sure I do either, though I have a few meanings I’ve landed on. I’ve tried locating the story before, looking for interpretations or explanations, but I never found it anywhere. I think… I think it is a Coldor story.”
“Well, that would explain why you can’t find it.”
“It would. I can’t recall where I heard it or who told it to me, but I like to believe it was something I overheard when I was very little. Like a small piece of the Cleave that I carry with me.”
The conversation stills a moment before Chapel speaks again. “Thanks for sharing it with me, Pet.”
Petsune pulls himself back from his memories of the past. “Right, well, I believe you owe me a story now, Captain.”
“Well, alright. But you owe me those explanations you have landed on, priest Petsune.”
Petsune makes a common Empty Hand gesture to show compliance and servitude: one hand palm up and one hand palm down, touching on the sides.
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