by Pete Draper
A scream of pain was followed by several whimpers as the mangled skin and flesh leaked more blood, fuelling the sharks.
Cassi tore her eyes away. Even though he’d nearly killed her, this sort of torture was too much. ‘Get it over with quickly. Slit their throats.’ Her papa would have said. Still, she had to keep Taylan happy. He sure had a beaming grin watching his new pets take a bite from the pirate’s waist.
“Your brother,” Barolos said, trying to avert his eyes. With an arm wrapped around Cassi, he stroked her shoulder like her papa used to. “He’s always had a big heart.”
“I know. Too bad his brain is not in proportion to it.” Cassi nodded, looking across at the scarred deck and broken handrails and snapped posts of the bulwarks, the glass grenade had blasted a hole in the deck. How did Carilyo manage to sleep through that? Cassi felt something strange in her ribs. “How are we to get those two all the way to Argosa without being caught? We’ll all be breaking rocks in Coratta labour camps if one of those frigates of theirs gets anywhere near us.”
She looked at the mother playing with her daughter on deck. Varleo was dancing in a circle with the little girl. When the pirate was cut loose, Taylan looked at them shadily, then checked the woman out as he stepped behind her.
“He’ll find a way. He always does.” Barolos’ breath was fresh, a leaf of mint stuck to his tongue.
“I know,” Cassi said.
She sighed deeply, a strange feeling of guilt crossed her mind.
“The crew don’t seem so happy about it,” said Cassi, “Taylan is more uneasy than ever.” She nodded towards him, the Trakian walked like he had a rod up his ass. He was having a hushed conversation with Luco and a couple of others, their eyes flickered from the slaves up to Cassi and Barolos.
Barolos deep eyes glanced at Taylan, who looked away sharply. “Never mind. You and Carilyo are captains, what Taylan dinks and says matters less dan an empty vessel.”
Taylan gave Samia a leery look, he licked his lips, watching her body intently when her swaying hips turned around.
“What if they desert?” Cassi saw a look in Taylan’s eye she had not seen before, it rippled through her insides. She had to look away; nobody had ever broken Cassi’s stare. “Or worse.”
“They would not dare; I shall keep dem in check.” Barolos’ huge hand stroked her arm, soothing her a little. His scent was sweet, like honey.
“I wish he’d stay sober, even just for a few days,” Cassi looked out to sea.
Barolos shook his head, “He’s too far gone now. He relies on it as much as a fish relies on water. Dere’s no coming back from it, he’s got it too severe. I’ve seen a few like him, once they stop…” Barolos dropped a stone into the sea. “It isn’t long before they sink into the abyss.”
Cassi looked away, almost tearful.
A while later Carilyo lumbered onto deck. After stumbling on the deep gash left behind by the hooks, his bare feet slapped up each step in instalments. His skinny face was greyer than ever, his creased cheeks looked like deflated sacks. A dejected look filled his pink eyes, one of them struggled to open due to the heavy purple bruise.
“It’s getting dark Carilyo,” Barolos said. Cassi peered at the clouds and the fading sun.
“So fucking what? Are you afraid of the dark?” Carilyo curled up his bitter lip. “What do you need me for?” He wiped a bogey from his nose and flung it overboard. “You might as well have left me back there; I’d have lost my cock, but you’d be able to get on with your lives easier.”
Barolos and Cassi exchanged uncomfortable glances. What is one supposed to say to that?
Barolos spoke, “We cannot sail through de Passage of Corsov, dere are plenty of sharp rocks around dese parts.” His usually comforting eyes narrowed to sharp slits, his voice shortened to abrupt, staccato stabs. “You know how important you are to this crew. Nobody can do what you can.” Barolos walked over to Carilyo and gave him a shove towards the stairs. “Now stop being a child and steer de ship before I slap some sense into you.”
“Puh.” Carilyo waddled like a penguin, his rum bottle hanging from his wrist by the rope. “Give me the wheel then.” He snatched the handle from Cassi.
“Careful you fucking prick!” Cassi yelled.
“Fucking ejotto!” Carilyo screamed, rolling the wheel furiously. A wave slapped against the hull, spraying water over the entire deck. It leaked through the crater like it was a plughole. Everyone was soaked; Cassi’s straight hair and expensive clothes were drenched.
“What did you do that for!?”
She saw the rock out of the port side. It didn’t look much, but it was sharp, and no doubt much larger beneath the water.
“Why didn’t you feel it Carilyo?” Cassi asked.
“In case you haven’t noticed…” Carilyo massaged his temple. “I’m a little fucking drunk!”
“Then use your fucking eyes next time!”
Carilyo’s eyes scanned the deck, seeing the hole and the scrapes which looked like a great sea monster had clawed at deck.
“What the fuck happened to the ship?” Carilyo demanded, his eyes widened from the shock and anger.
“Pirates. If you’d been up here like you should’ve been, you could’ve helped,” Cassi was unable to contain the fury in her voice.
“Stop squabbling.” Barolos snapped, his face scrunched in anger, his bushy hair had frizzed. “I should bang both your heads together.”
With a mean look on his face, Taylan climbed the steps to the quarterdeck. “What was that? I’m soaked, it’s not my desire to pass through the holiest of places dressed like this.” He pulled at the drenched shirt, wringing water from it.
“Fuck off Taylan, now’s not the time,” Cassi said.
Taylan turned around, staring dead ahead. His lip began to move.
“Not again,” Cassi grumbled.
Taylan spoke anyway, “With one mighty swing, Corsov unleashed the might of Rockland, breaking the mountain, and merging the seas. From across the Arrizean, Complessa felt new vibrations in the sea, all following the same pattern. On that day, the number C was discovered, along with it, new revelations in mathematics.”
“We’re near the Passage,” Cassi said, pointing at another rock out starboard, “It’s the rock with the sword hilt.”
Taylan continued, “Many people, particularly in Rockland and Levac, think the C stands for Corsov, since he broke the mountain. It is a common misconception, which should be challenged at every instance. The C symbolises Complessa, her genius discovery led to multiple inventions, particularly in navigation and shipbuilding. Corsov was a drunkard with a hammer, he did nothing for mathematics, all he was good for was destruction.”
Carilyo tried to block out Taylan, he stroked his chin in thought. “The rock with the sword hilt,” his voice sounded puzzled. Each strand of soggy hair dripped.
“Fucking Rocklander morons,” Taylan grumbled. “They wouldn’t know culture if it pissed in their lager.”
“Shut up Taylan,” Carilyo snapped. “I can’t remember what it was about the sword hilt.”
“What is it Carilyo?” Barolos asked.
“I don’t know, something about that rock.” Carilyo scratched behind his ear as though it would unlock a memory. His eyebrow raised, but the bruised eye still didn’t open fully. “Maybe it was something papa told me about it. One of his stories.”
“I do not remember anything memorable happening here.” Barolos’ eyes looked up into his head, as though he was flicking through memories like a book.
“Isn’t this where Taylan shat himself?” Cassi whispered to Barolos.
“Ha ha,” Barolos broke into a wheezy laugh. “How did you know about that? Nobody is allowed to talk about it.”
“Papa told me, one night when he was drunk.”
“What are you talking about?” Taylan demanded.
“Nothing.” Cassi chuckled.
“He never told me that,” Carilyo said with a stricken, left out look on
his face. “Now Shhhh.” He held up his index finger, as though he was pressing it to the lips of the Merged Seas. “I’m trying to think.”
Puffing out a long exhaled breath, he stared blankly. It sounded like steam leaving a pipe as it scraped between his teeth. “Never mind,” Carilyo said. “It couldn’t have been so important if I’ve forgotten so easily. We’re not far from it now.”
As the snow-tipped mountains grew larger on either side of the Passage, an eery green glow lit the night sky. A huge lighthouse glared down from one edge of the mountains, lighting the ship up brighter than if it was on fire. Carilyo tried to cover his eyes, but the light was so intense.
“What is that?” Cassi asked. “That wasn’t there the last time we came through here.”
“I don’t know.” Carilyo tilted the wheel. He had never seen anything like that green light, it was like something out of the book: Death Of The Immortals. It seeped through the sky like smoke. “If it was here last time, I would know what it is. Would you like me to sail up to the rocks and smash into them? Maybe I can get a closer look.”
“Pah.” Cassi stared closer at it. “I don’t like it; the Passage hasn’t been occupied for some time. If Rockland has set up an outpost here, we’re in trouble.”
Taylan squinted his eye at it. “It looks like evergreen to me, the everlasting light of Lecastor Cloudhaven.”
“A children’s myth, just like the immortals,” Cassi said.
A little more alcohol drained from Carilyo’s brain. “Shit, Donal.” He covered his stupid face with a hand.
“What is it?” Cassi asked.
“Donal told me in Corov.” Carilyo flinched, bracing himself for Cassi’s famous ire. “Rockland defeated the Shades in Coraltin. The Passage is theirs again.”
“De Green Sea will be crawling with frigates,” Barolos added.
Carilyo punched the steering wheel as hard as he could, which wasn’t very hard. It sure stung his knuckles though, grazing the skin between the lowest ones. The dragon in the middle of the wheel glared at him like it didn’t appreciate being punched in the nose.
“You didn’t think to tell me this sooner?” Cassi snapped, her eyes burning like a roaring fire. The hand placed on her hip was the most annoying sight his eyes had ever had to take in.
“I forgot!” Carilyo fired back, gripping the handles, twisting them despite his throbbing hand. “I wouldn’t be this drunk if everyone else wasn’t a… FUCKING DICK!”
“Portside!” Taylan yelled from below, pointing at the Rockland ship approaching. “You had better get us out of this Carilyo, else we’ll all be wearing the prisjagar’s chains on the way to Coratta.”
“Shit!” Carilyo snapped. “Shit!” He slapped the handle. “Shit!” He slapped it again. “Shit!”
“What if we turn around?” Cassi asked, looking at the clear seas and rocks behind. “Can you outrun it?”
One of his eyes bulged, the other was narrower than a closed book. His shivering, vibrating hand pointed at the oncoming ship, the crossbow up on the bow was larger than a shark’s head. “That, is a Rockland frigate.” Carilyo locked his teeth together, the words found a way to escape his mouth without any teeth moving. “You may as well be asking me to trisect an angle with a fucking straight edge and compass.”
“What about the slaves?” Taylan demanded; he was climbing to the quarterdeck. “If they find them, we’re fucked.” He leaned close, so that only Carilyo could hear. “We should throw them overboard, before they see. We’ll have to attach the ball and chain, so they sink quickly; the Rocklanders will see them if they are swimming around.
“A miserable way to transcend to the Complex Plane, but there are no other solutions for them, in the real world.” Taylan looked at the stars with hand on heart, as though he was addressing Complessa herself.
Carilyo considered it a moment, feeling the breeze as he swayed. “No.”
Taylan immediately turned his back with disappointment; his good eye was hidden. “You have condemned us all.” He tilted his head, whispering, “I shall torture your rotting corpse when we pass into the Complex Plane, exhausted from the backbreaking labour of Coratta.” The Trakian adjusted his black eyepatch.
With a face redder than a beetroot, he stomped down the steps.
“Get them back in the cargo hold,” Carilyo ordered Luco. “And lock the door.” Maybe there was a chance if he could keep the Rocklanders out of there.
Luco huffed, then took Samia and Doriya’s hands, guiding them below deck.
Carilyo pulled his hair back and wiped his cheeks clean, bracing himself for the oncoming Rocklanders. The frigate wasn’t the largest, but there were plenty more Rocklanders than there were sailors on the Howling Dragon. They were much better armed and armoured too. Maybe they’d take a look at the damaged ship and take pity on them. Not likely.
“Cassi.” He motioned her towards him with a couple of fingers as though she was a pet.
“What?” She hissed like a cat. Her hair was curled and kinked from the earlier splash; her black dress was drenched. The scent of her perfume had been washed off.
“I need you to do something, it will help. It may be the only way to get us out of this.” Carilyo peered at the frigate nervously.
“Prepare to be boarded! By order of the republic of Rockland!” Someone from the frigate shouted, a strange click separated some of the words.
“We don’t have long.” Carilyo placed a hand on each of her shoulders, staring into her eyes firmly. “I need you to flirt with their Captain, perhaps they’ll not search the cargo hold if he’s too busy talking to you.”
“Pah.” Cassi looked away, thinking for a witty retort as always. “Why don’t you flirt with the captain. Maybe you could suck his dick while you’re at it.” She poked her tongue out of her cheek, pretending she was shoving a cock in with her hand. “Perhaps you could get your shaved pubes out to show him, I’ve heard they like that sort of thing around here.”
“Not now Cassi!” Carilyo pinched her arms. “Just do it. It’s the only way. I shall do my part and keep the rest of his crew busy.”
“Pah.” Cassi stomped her leather shoe.
“Prepare to be boarded!” The frigate’s Captain called again.
“Drop anchors, let them aboard,” Carilyo ordered the crew, then faced the frigate. “Cast your ropes over, we shall receive you.”
“What should I do?” Cassi huffed. Hands on hips.
“I don’t know. Flutter those pretty eyelashes, flick your hair around, whatever girls do to make themselves look pretty. Compliment him. Suck his dick if you have to.” Carilyo shrugged, giving her the same cock-sucking gesture she’d performed earlier. “Just keep him away from that cargo hold.”
Cassi’s furious eyes burned. She smacked Carilyo in the arm, but the wishbone ring stabbed her finger.
The Rockland Captain marched towards them covered in steel; the square helmet covered his large head. Each step stomped on the deck. “Who’s in charge here?” His heavy jaw clicked with each syllable.
“I am,” Carilyo said. “Me and my sister Cassi. Together.” He slapped Cassi on the back, then massaged his sore arm. “Cassi will take care of everything you need.”
Carilyo walked down onto the deck, talking to some of the other Rocklanders.
“So, Cassi.” The Captain looked her up and down, her soggy dress still dripped. “An interesting name, Katalian?”
“Yes, we are Katalian, Cassi is short for…” Cassi thought for a moment. “Never mind, you wouldn’t be able to pronounce it.”
“Alas, I am terrible with names. If you told me I would forget anyway. What business do you have this side of the passage? And…” he judged the beat-up deck and the crater in the forecastle with eyes of suspicion. “What happened to your ship?”
“Pirates, they attacked earlier today.”
“Well, you got out with your life, so everything’s alright. And your business in the Green Sea?”
Cassi closed her
eyes; she was so embarrassed.
She tilted her head quickly, trying to flick her dark hair. It looked and felt awkward; the wet hair slapped across. “Well Captain…” she tried to sound flirty, but it came out as a weak, wet croak. He was attractive in a way, she supposed, handsome enough; his face was rugged and stubbly, he had the strongest jaw she’d ever seen. For an officer, he’d been in a few fights. His nose was broken, as was his jaw by the sounds of the clicking.
The Captain nudged the door to Carilyo’s quarters with a fingertip. “Mind if I… look around here?”
“Not at all.” Cassi lifted her lip into her prettiest little smile and leaned up against the door to her room.
“You were saying?” He asked, turning his nose up at the stale smell of rum and sweat.
“Oh yes, I’m so forgetful.” She hated acting so ditsy. When he turned again, she fluttered her eyelashes the best she could. “We are traders, heading for Argosa.”
The Captain tilted his head, nodding. He stepped to the door opposite.
“Those are my quarters.” Cassi stepped towards him until he was uncomfortably close, she stroked his sleeve, rubbing the arm down towards his hand. “I can show you around them if you like.” She raised an eyebrow, a confident smile painted on her lips. I hope he doesn’t want more than that when we get inside.
“That won’t be necessary.” The Captain turned. Pulling his arm away, he headed back to the deck.
Phew. Cassi felt like wiping her forehead with a sleeve.
“I want to see below deck.”
“Can’t you just trust us?” Cassi touched his arm again as he descended the steps.
“Don’t touch me.” The man snapped, turning and glaring at Cassi.
“I am sorry,” Cassi said.
“Now show me your cargo hold,” he demanded.
Cassi’s eyes widened at Carilyo.
Carilyo pressed his palms together, “Please, we are just humble merchants,” he said.
“That’s enough.” The captain reached for the hatch.
“Karoson?” Murta spoke up. “Is that yous?”