by Tamara Moss
‘If this keeps up, the Winda’s going to sink,’ Yamini said.
Lintang swiped a hand over her drenched face. The Winda was supposed to be unsinkable, but was that still true without the lightning bird? Already the lanterns were starting to swing sideways. The room was tilting. They were overbalanced.
Mei and Kona rushed down the stairs. Over the thunder of water, Mei began to sing in Kanekonese. The tune was sweet and simple, like a nursery rhyme, and when it was done she repeated it. Kona joined in.
Pelita and Bayani ventured down hesitantly behind them. They watched as the flow from the drowning man’s mouth start to slow, until it was just a small stream.
Mei and Kona sang the song so many times that Pelita was able to hum the tune, and even try a few words. Mei smiled encouragingly. Pelita sang louder. Bayani joined in.
Lintang tried to sing along too. She mixed up the words at first, but the more she repeated it, the better she got. Yamini and Xiang joined in, and at last the water from the drowning man’s mouth became a trickle, then dried up altogether.
The drowning man burst apart in a glow of light, and they stopped singing. Xiang caught the Kanekonese man before he sank into the water.
Mei grinned. ‘Just a little trick we Kanekonese have been keeping from the Vierzans about how to stop the uzo.’
‘Clever,’ said Bayani. ‘What was the song about?’
‘A frog who goes into the rain without an umbrella.’
‘Hil-ar-i-ous,’ Pelita said.
Yamini and Lintang exchanged glances. There was a lot they needed to talk about, but they wouldn’t get the chance yet. For the time being, they had bigger things to worry about.
Marjin’s day was tomorrow.
Eire and Mei rowed the ex-mythie to the shore while everyone else bailed water from the carpentry room. It was a gruelling job that took most of the night. Lintang felt like she’d barely slept at all before the dawn bell was ringing. She staggered to the top deck to meet the others, snug in her blue coat. Dee gave out warm hard-boiled eggs and cheese scones.
‘Some of you will have to remain with the ship,’ Captain Shafira said when the crew was assembled. ‘The climb to the mountains will be difficult. If you don’t feel up to the challenge, stay behind.’
Zazi, Hewan, Dee, Farah-the-clam-shell and Avalon opted to stay. Captain Shafira ran her gaze over who was left.
‘Captain,’ Mei said quietly.
‘Not again, Mei.’
‘But Captain –’
‘Mei,’ Captain Shafira said. ‘We’ve been over this. I’m going.’
Mei closed her mouth, but she looked upset.
It felt surreal to think it was the day of the prophecy. Here they were, eating breakfast in the pale light of dawn, and somehow Captain Shafira was supposed to die? She seemed as powerful and alive as ever. It was impossible to think she could be defeated.
‘I don’t see why Pelita has to come,’ Yamini said, breaking the tense silence. ‘Or Bayani. They’ll just slow us down.’
‘Where I go, they go,’ Lintang said.
Pelita yawned loudly in response and slumped her head against Bayani’s shoulder.
‘They’re coming,’ Captain Shafira said. ‘No arguments.’
Everyone loaded satchels with supplies and Curall onto three of the four rowboats, then the nine of them left Sunsunwun Cove among furling dawn mist, their fingers warm from breakfast but their faces freezing. Soon they were following the coast towards the port. Lintang slipped her hands inside her coat sleeves and gazed at the passing landscape. White-capped mountains stood in the distance. Lintang had seen snow once before, and while it appeared pretty from here, she knew it would be stupidly cold up there.
‘Oooooooo,’ said Pelita, who had finally started to wake up. She pointed to a slender four-legged creature with delicate horns and soft brown fur. It watched them pass, chewing lazily at the grass. Pelita half-stood to wave at it. ‘Hello!’
‘Shh.’ Captain Shafira released an oar to shove her back down. Bayani clung to the sides as the boat rocked violently.
‘Why do you insist on bringing her everywhere?’ Yamini said. She and Lintang were in a boat with Xiang.
‘She’s a valuable crew member,’ Lintang said.
Yamini stared at Pelita, unimpressed. ‘I don’t like her.’
‘Everyone likes me,’ Pelita said.
Yamini rolled her eyes, and Eire muttered something to herself.
The mist began to lift and the sun warmed them, just slightly. Orange streaked across the sky. The trees along the shore had white and silver trunks, and gold blossoms. There was a sweet fragrance on the breeze. Lintang caught Mei breathing it in with her eyes closed. Flying creatures with furry wings darted about, snapping up large buzzing insects. Lintang stretched out her fingers to touch an overhanging tree and found the leaves to be as soft as the velvet dress she had worn on her first trip aboard the Winda.
They rounded a corner to find a small port. Fishing boats sailed in with their morning catch, just like Mei had said.
Those with bounties on their heads kept their hoods up as they rowed into the bay. Bells clanged. Boots thundered over rickety jetties. Old buildings lined the wharf with broken timber signs creaking over their entrances and chimneys exhaling grey curls. Inns, fishing supplies, seafood shops, boat repairs.
Someone gave a shrill whistle. Another whistler responded. Chatter bubbled as people unloaded their hauls. It smelled of brine and smoke. The place was surprisingly cheerful considering they lived so close to a category ten mythie.
Vierzans stalked through the crowds, either in purple coats or the grey uniform of the vigil. Wherever they went, the laughter faded.
The crew rowed to a quieter jetty further from the bustle and climbed out. A talross perched on a nearby tethering post watched them beadily. It was bigger than Lintang was used to, with darker colourings than the ones from home. When she neared it, it let out a squawk and flew away.
Behind the town, hills stretched all the way to the mountain range. Lintang could see how the middle mountain had caved in on one side of the peak.
Mount Railin.
‘We have a long trek ahead of us,’ Captain Shafira said as they stepped off the jetty and onto the concrete wharf. She tipped a collection of gemstones into Mei’s hand. ‘Bring us some extra food, and have a chat to your contact. Lintang, go with her.’
Lintang followed Mei away from the others.
‘See that building over there? It’s a hish bar,’ Mei said. ‘The owner is a member of the Scorpalla.’
Lintang was pleased to have a chance to see the inside of a Kanekonese shop, as well as to get out of the brisk air. As soon as they walked through the door, the chill melted away. A fire was set in the wall to their left, roaring and warm. Crates hung above them, holding plants that reached down with their leafy green tendrils. Candles dripped wax in holders behind the counter, on the empty round wooden tables and along the mantle. Every surface was covered in trinkets.
There were lanterns too, with blue spheres inside that radiated heat. The place had a faint floral scent, but it was overpowered by tantalising aromas of soups, spices, and warm apple cider. Lintang’s mouth watered. It was so hot she had to lower her hood.
‘Good hour,’ said the woman behind the counter. Her voice was heavy with a Kanekonese accent. Strands of hair wisped from her bun, and stains splashed her beetle-silver apron. She had colourful flowers tattooed on her neck and arms. ‘Please take a seat.’
‘Yilut, it’s me,’ Mei said.
Yilut blinked several times then let out a roar of delight, making Lintang jump. ‘Pippit, I do not believe it!’ She hurried out from behind the counter to wrap Mei in a hug. ‘Oh, I am being happy to see you. It has been four, five years?’
‘I’m sorry, Yilut. I didn’t have a chance to send a message before I left the country. I’m working on a ship now.’
Yilut kissed Mei on the forehead. ‘No talking yet. You are here f
or food. Come, sit down. Your friend too.’
‘This is Lintang,’ Mei said, climbing onto the stool as Yilut bustled into the back, where there was a kitchen. ‘We’re going to need enough for nine people.’
Yilut roared again, this time with laughter. ‘You always are having a big appetite.’ She poked her head out and grinned at Lintang. ‘She is living with me before circus take her. Even when she is young child, she is eating, eating.’
‘Yilut took care of me after my parents died,’ Mei said as Lintang sat beside her. She drummed her slender fingers on the counter. Rings of liquid had stained the black wood. The runner, cluttered with bowls of scented ash, coloured stones and various good luck charms, was covered in globs of dried sauce. ‘They lived in a temple in the mountains as priest and priestess. It was attacked during the war.’
‘Do you think we can visit the temple on the way?’ Lintang said.
Mei shook her head. ‘It’s only ruins now. And it’s nowhere near Mount Railin.’
‘I cannot be hearing that name.’ Yilut set a steaming iron pot and two small cups before them. ‘Pippit, promise me you are not going to the lo fali-air.’
Mei poured the drinks rather than answer. It smelled familiar. Lintang remembered sitting in Governor Karnezis’s office in Parliament House as he offered her a sai blossom tea. Fresh from Kaneko Brown, he’d said. She’d refused it then.
This time, she accepted a cup. When she took a sip, the taste was floral, like the fragrance around them, and the warmth of it spread from her stomach to her fingers and toes.
‘It’s delicious,’ she said.
Yilut sliced a fresh loaf of bread. ‘I will fatten you up so you cannot climb the mountain.’
‘You can try,’ Mei teased.
Yilut hurried into the kitchen again. She seeemed upset.
‘It’s all right, Yilut,’ Mei called out.
‘It is not all right. You are not to be going up the mountain.’
Mei drained her tea. ‘I have friends with me.’
‘Friends? Even the Three Gods would not go up there.’ Yilut returned with two wooden bowls of thick soup. ‘You are not to be taking this young one with you, I hope.’
‘Lintang can look after herself. I need nine servings, Yilut.’
‘Yes, yes,’ Yilut said irritably, and stalked back into the kitchen. They listened to the bang of the ladle as they sipped their soup. Lintang had never tasted such interesting spices; such meaty broth. It filled the holes in her stomach.
‘Who is it?’ Mei said. ‘Do you know? Who’s the lo fali-air?’
Yilut moaned and came out with four secure flagons, setting them on the counter. ‘Our beloved Zinto.’
Mei sagged in her seat as Yilut stifled a sob and hurried back into the kitchen.
‘Who’s Zinto?’ Lintang said.
Mei ran her fingers through her thick, wavy hair. ‘A legendary Scorpalla. Most only know him as the Wandering Bird. But Jafir is his home town, and he has family here. I remember … he used to make ribbon dolls for the war orphans. I met him when I was in the circus. The things he’s done, the Kanekonese people he’s saved …’ She shook her head. ‘To think he’s being used to quash the very rebellion he was leading. It’s awful.’
Yilut returned with the three remaining flagons, this time slamming them onto the counter. ‘Yes. It is awful. It is all awful! Zinto, the lo fali-air, the children. You must leave while you are still being free!’
‘The children?’ Lintang said.
Mei frowned and leaned forward. ‘Yilut,’ she said, ‘what children?’
‘Apparently, some of the children are being punished for disrespecting their teachers,’ Mei said as the crew hurried deeper into town.
A tall tower stood in the very centre. It looked like it should’ve held a bell, but the top box was empty. At the base of the tower was a platform with seven rusted cages. Each cage held a child between six and ten years of age. They appeared hungry and dirty and cold, as if they had been there through the night.
Lintang thought of the way she’d spoken to Teacher Hixam and wondered whether the pointy woman would’ve put her in a cage if she’d had the chance.
Probably.
‘That’s despicable,’ Xiang said.
Kona frowned. ‘It’s excessive. Why would they do that to children?’
‘Considering they’re sending a mythie to devour the stars of rebels, it doesn’t really surprise me,’ Captain Shafira said.
Yamini let out a long sigh. ‘We’re going to save them, aren’t we?’
‘I advise against this,’ Eire said. ‘We should not let anyone know we are here. We should go around edge of town, like original plan.’
‘Am I really the sort of person to leave children in cages, Eire?’
‘No, Captain,’ Eire said. ‘Unfortunately.’ She touched her khwando. ‘But we are to make it quick.’
Captain Shafira sent her and Xiang off to cause a distraction. Lintang imagined whatever the distraction was going to be, it would involve bahatsi powder. Mei and Kona took Bayani and Pelita to the border of town, away from any impending chaos.
Yamini and Lintang followed Captain Shafira through the crowd of Kanekonese people. Lintang checked the hood of her coat still covered her face. She would stand out, otherwise, with her Islander features, as Captain Shafira would stand out with her black Allay skin. They tucked themselves away in a nook between a cobbler and a medic’s office to study the crowd near the platform.
‘The cages have ordinary locks.’ Captain Shafira scanned the people. ‘One of the vigil should have a key.’
‘There,’ Yamini said, nodding towards a vigil standing by the platform. He was talking to a Kanekonese woman who looked distressed. Lintang suspected she was a mother of one of the children. A set of keys hung from the vigil’s belt.
‘Should we wait for Xiang and Eire’s distraction?’ Lintang said.
‘Oh no,’ Captain Shafira said. ‘This part’s easy. Yamini?’
Yamini smirked and stepped out from their nook. She melted into the crowd as if she’d always belonged.
Captain Shafira watched her. ‘When I found Yamini in Zaiben, she was in charge of an entire thieving ring. She’d set up a system of pickpockets and burglars who paid her commission in exchange for news, food and board. She would barter gemstones with innkeepers for information about where unsuspecting visitors to the city were going during the day, and send her thieves after them. Her leadership was extraordinary.’
Lintang made a face. Captain Shafira had called her extraordinary once, and it had felt like a compliment from the Gods. Hearing her speak of Yamini like that was like a gaya horn in her pride.
‘There,’ Captain Shafira said.
Yamini passed the vigil, pretended to fix the heel of her shoe, then continued on.
Lintang tried not to sulk. ‘She didn’t do anything.’
‘Didn’t she?’
Lintang checked the vigil’s belt. The keys were missing.
‘How …?’
‘She’s the best at what she does,’ Captain Shafira said with grim satisfaction as Yamini headed back to them.
Lintang found herself checking her necklace to make sure her sunstone was still inside its casing. She would have to be doubly – triply – careful from now on.
Yamini returned to their nook and dangled the keys in front of Captain Shafira. ‘Easy as having a lidao’s tongue.’
Captain Shafira took them. ‘Good. Now we just have to wait for –’
A boom rocked the air, thundering beneath their feet. The crowd screamed and ran for cover.
‘That,’ Captain Shafira said. ‘Stay here.’ She ran between the people, keeping the sea green hood of her cloak up as she headed for the cages. Vigil were blowing horns, trying to maintain order. No one was watching the imprisoned children.
‘It’s weird, isn’t it?’ Yamini said as chaos reigned before them. They were safely tucked away, apart from it all. ‘Displaying children
in cages like that.’
‘I guess they wanted to show everyone what would happen if they stood up for themselves,’ Lintang said.
‘Yes, but the Vierzans already have a star-swallowing God. Why would they do this too?’
Lintang frowned. Yamini had a point. And Kona had said something similar, about it being excessive.
She watched as Captain Shafira unlocked cage after cage. The frightened children climbed down the platform and ran into the crowd. The Kanekonese woman who’d been pleading with the vigil scooped the youngest child into her arms and dashed away.
From the west of the city came the sound of a bell much louder than the one on the docks. Its clang shuddered through Lintang’s lungs. There was a whomp of noise and smoke, and what Lintang thought had been an empty bell tower was now alight with blue flames.
It was a signal.
Lintang whirled to the platform as Captain Shafira opened the last cage.
‘Captain!’ Her scream was lost in the cries of the crowd. She started forward. ‘Captain, run! It’s a trap!’
‘Look!’ Yamini grabbed Lintang’s arm. Lintang turned to where Yamini was pointing and, in that moment, forgot everything else.
Beyond the rooftops, in the distance, a monster rose from the peak of Mount Railin.
Queen of the seas faces king of the earth.
Lintang understood now why the lo fali-air was considered king of the earth. Even from so far away, she could see it gallop down the mountain in a streak of darkness. Dread clutched her heart. The Disgraced God was coming for them.
‘Lintang!’ Kona, Mei, Bayani and Pelita were running towards them. Kona waved for Lintang. ‘We need to get out of here!’
Lintang ignored him and spun back to Captain Shafira, who was off the platform and halfway to her.
A voice lifted over the shouting. ‘Oh, Pirate Queen!’
It was the vigil who had held the keys, climbing onto the platform in front of the cages. He grinned wildly as Captain Shafira spun to face him. ‘You think we weren’t ready?’