by Pete Draper
Carilyo’s head turned, looked like he didn’t want to talk about it. The bags beneath his eyes were darker than the depths of the sea. Despite the blanket wrapped around him, he was shaking.
“You looked like you were enjoying yourself earlier,” Carilyo said. “I never knew you liked children.”
Cassi smiled and waved at Doriya when Samia took her off to bed. “She’s a sweet girl, she deserves a better life than the one she had.”
Carilyo nodded. “At least she still has her mama.” He took a drink of water, patting his sandals on deck as though he had a tune in his head. “Do you think you’ll have some of your own someday?”
“Maybe.” Cassi looked off in half a daydream. She’d always been so busy, she’d never really thought about it. “But not yet.”
“One day, I’m going to have a little girl of my own. When I find the right woman to marry.” Carilyo drank the water again, spilling some on deck due to the shake in his hand.
“When was the last time you drank water?” Cassi asked, her hands looked so bare without all her rings, the skin felt strange. We both must make sacrifices, I suppose.
“I am making some changes,” he said through the vibrations of his clattering teeth. “I can’t be someone’s papa if I’m drunk all the time.” He wiped the rim on his sleeve, then offered her the bottle.
Cassi took it. “You don’t have to wipe it you know, I’m your sister.” She took a drink. She lifted one of the beads in his hair and made it clack into another, they shared a laugh as she jokingly squinted her eyes at him.
“Do that again.” Carilyo’s face wore a threatening grin. “And I’ll tickle you ‘til you cry.”
Cassi grabbed another bead, launching it much harder into another one this time.
Carilyo’s trembling hands reached under her armpits through the jacket.
“No!” Cassi screeched, sliding away down the bench, but he had hold of her now. He climbed over her, tickling her relentlessly. She couldn’t help laughing, she tried flailing at him with her useless arms and legs, but she was wrapped tightly in Murta’s blanket of a coat. There was nothing she could do; he was too heavy and too strong.
After a while he got up, sitting on the bench beside her.
When she’d finished laughing, Cassi spoke again, “Now how do we get our ship back? Supposing we can find it?”
“They will be in Levac City,” Carilyo said with confidence. “Taylan can’t turn down an opportunity to make some money. They won’t make more on the lager anywhere but there.”
“I can’t wait ‘til we find him,” Cassi said.
Carilyo held her wrist. His hand juddered, but the grip was firm. “He’s mine. Barolos too.” For the first time in her life, Carilyo had broken her stare.
“What did we do so wrong?” Cassi looked out to sea. “To turn Barolos against us. Papa would have trusted him with anything.”
“Taylan is powerful,” Carilyo said. “Puh! I want to look in that eye when I kill him. I’m going to rip his black heart out and watch the life fade from him as he transcends to the Complex Plane. I shall make Barolos suffer more. When I’m done with him, he’ll walk the Hall of Ancestors with no eyes to see, no ears to hear, and no tongue to speak.”
Cassi shuddered at the thought of it. He had a serious, deadly look she’d never seen before. Rigid soberness glared out from his eyes.
“What’s the plan?” Cassi asked, interested to see how that brain worked now the alcohol was draining from it.
“What do you mean?” His insipid eyes returned, he looked thoroughly exhausted.
“Well you’re going to kill Taylan, that is obvious, but, what’s the plan?”
“I shall get a sword. Then I’ll stab him in the heart. Then I’ll cut out Barolos’ tongue, eyes and ears.”
“And the rest of the crew will all stand still while you do it?” Cassi smiled, suppressing the laughter inside. She felt like slapping herself in the face for thinking he might have some intelligence that had been missing before.
Carilyo scratched his head, his eyes were half-closed.
“Clearly I need to be in charge here, we need a plan,” Cassi said. “We need to recruit.”
“I’ll join you.” Roxy strolled over. She looked the fighting type, but wasn’t the tallest or broadest. She was armed at least. Though her small sword didn’t look the deadliest. The girl looked like she’d seen a few fights from the broken nose and scratches on her arms.
“Excellent,” Carilyo said. Cassi didn’t look too impressed. Her brother tilted his head. “It’s a start.”
The Arrow That Killed Levac Cloudhaven
White waves curved over the top, no sign of erosion. A shadow of disdain, disapproval and distaste ringed around it; the narrowest glint of white showed. It was only small from this distance, but it sure was intimidating. The statue of Levac Cloudhaven stood watch over his city, he knelt on one knee, leaning on his sword Bane. It looked so real, like he was about to pick the sword up any second and lead those Levacians into battle.
“Welcome to Levac City,” Stogg announced. The hulking white walls of the castle were smug in the dying daylight, they glowed like a flaming backdrop. “Those docks look much better than they did after the battle with the Shades.” Stogg pointed at the south dock, too bad they were heading to the east.
A flock of seagulls surveyed overhead. One broke off from the pack, swooping down on an unwary traveller’s smoked fish. Those Levacian seagulls were bold, some had a wingspan longer than the height of a man. The yellow fish curled under its orange beak.
“Do you see your ship?” Stogg asked.
Cassi scanned both docks, there were hundreds of ships here with all manner of different coloured sails, but she couldn’t see the Howling Dragon anywhere.
“There.” Carilyo pointed starboard.
“Alright, well I’ll drop you nearby.”
The east dock had seen better days, it still bore the scars of the Battle of Levac City. The stone was chipped and cracked from where the Shades had landed. The buildings had been rebuilt, but poorly, most had only been patched up. Most of the old stone was gone, replaced by wood and steel.
“Perfect,” Carilyo said, his eyes lit with glee. “The guards rarely come to the east dock; it will be the perfect place to confront Taylan.”
When Carilyo had walked down to the dock, Stogg took Cassi by the arm, giving her a stern look. “Take good care of Roxy.”
Cassi’s stare doused the flame of his. “Of course.”
They waited while Roxy and Stogg said their goodbyes. A group of women walked by; Cassi frowned when she smelt the ladies’ perfume. Their outfits were so pretty. Cassi looked at her ruined silk shirt, it was torn and out of shape. She let out a heavy sigh.
“Don’t worry Cassi.” Carilyo placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “We will get everything back when we get the ship back. I’ll even buy you some new rings, shinier than ever.”
His eyes looked exhausted, like he hadn’t slept in weeks. The dark bags beneath them stuck out so far. But somehow, he kept going.
Cassi stroked her fingers, the skin where the rings had been tingled less now. “I don’t need them anymore. I just need our ship back, out of the hands of those filthy traitors. I can’t wait to see them hang from the mast. Taylan shall hang from the bow, from the flames of the Howling Dragon he betrayed.”
Roxy appeared behind them, with Murta, Samia and Doriya beside her. Samia took Doriya off to a safe place Roxy knew.
“Ready to break some skulls?” Roxy grinned, she sure had a mean smile, but they’d need more than that against Taylan. Murta’s face was hesitant, the creases looked like they’d been combed to a drooping frown.
“Not just yet,” said Cassi, “Four of us against a whole crew, those are not good odds, even with Murta. We need to recruit.”
“I know just the place.” Carilyo walked on ahead, looking past each ship that wasn’t theirs. “But first we find the ship.”
C
arilyo’s sandals clicked and clacked on the stone, they passed dozens of ships, each one looked the same to Cassi while she struggled to keep up.
“It’s here,” Carilyo said, pointing at the red figurehead with its bronze flames spraying from the mouth. “The Howling Dragon is as beautiful as ever.” He turned to his companions. “We have to get it back.”
“We will.” Cassi stared up on deck.
Varleo and Luco shared a laugh on her ship. Varleo was wearing Cassi’s underwear over his clothes; he also wore her fringe necklace, each of the sapphires sparkled when he turned. Cassi curled a hand into a fist, she thought about marching up there alone. “How are we supposed to recruit men when we don’t have a ship?” She asked through clenched teeth.
Her brother pressed a finger to his lips. “We don’t tell them that last part. Now, keep it down.”
“Where are we going to recruit?” Cassi demanded. Watching Varleo prance around in her bra was infuriating.
“I know just the pub,” Carilyo’s eyes scanned the buildings beside the dock.
“Will piss-heads really help?” Instinctively, Cassi placed a hand on her hip; removing it when she realised.
“It worked for Papa, that’s where you find sailors.” Carilyo’s cheeks rose a little, his eyes perked up slightly. “Papa always used to recruit in the bars in Puritudo.”
“And how has that worked out, a bunch of mutineers and brigands?” She sighed. “I trust you. I hope you’re right Carilyo, but how are we going to pay them?” Cassi rolled one of her rings around. “I’m running out of jewellery to pawn.”
“I can cover you.” Roxy took out a pouch filled with coins; a strange smile filled her tiny face. “Until you get your ship back.” She held it by the string.
“Thank you.” Cassi reached for the pouch.
“On one condition.” Roxy kept hold of it, looking intently in Cassi’s eyes.
“What?”
“Once you have your ship back and things are good again… I want you to come for a drink with me.”
“Sure.” Cassi sported a puzzled look as Roxy dropped the pouch into her hand.
They walked on towards the nearest pub. Murta stood beside Cassi, Carilyo was behind with Roxy.
“For someone who knows how to deal with people,” Murta smirked. “Yous sure were clueless back then.”
“What do you mean?” An innocent confusion covered her face.
Murta cackled, he laughed so much it took a while to compose himself. “Haven’t yous seen the way she looks at you.”
Cassi looked back at Roxy, who turned away when their eyes met. “She’s a strange girl.” She shrugged. “So what if she wants to have a drink?”
Murta laughed even louder, Cassi wanted to give him a slap.
“Yous tink she wants to just be friends?” Murta’s red face managed to talk between laughs.
Cassi felt the heat of embarrassment on her cheeks. She covered them with her hands, they must have been so red. “But I don’t like women.” She looked at Roxy, the girl was pretty in a way; the shaved hair suited her, as did the overlapping bars in the top of her ear.
“I know that.” Murta chuckled, slapping his thigh when he stopped for breath. “But you’d better not tell her nye. Yous took her money; yous’ll have to go on that date with her when we’re done. Make sure you give her a kiss goodnight at the end of it.”
Cassi punched his arm so hard he flinched. She was mortified, and he wouldn’t stop laughing.
“Don’t worry about it,” Murta managed to stop himself laughing. “Just go for some drinks, I’m sure it’ll be innocent enough.”
After walking a while, they saw a group of men standing outside a pub.
“What about him?” Cassi nodded at the handsome Katalian with his shiny blonde hair and perfect skin. He had impressive arms and a broad chest, with a half done up white shirt resting loosely on his tanned skin.
Carilyo looked him up and down, the man was flexing his bicep tight, trying to make it look like he wasn’t. “Look at him, he thinks he is the arrow that killed Levac Cloudhaven.”
“What’s the matter Carilyo?” Cassi smirked, stroking her brother’s shoulder. “Are you intimidated by a man taller and more handsome than you?”
“Of course not.” Of course I am.
“Pah.” Cassi waved the back of her hand at Carilyo. “We need every man we can get.”
“Provided they’re trustworthy,” Carilyo retorted.
“What is trust? Nobody is trustworthy, look at Taylan and Barolos. People are only trustworthy when you have something to give them. They are no longer trustworthy when there is something they can take.”
“Puh.” Carilyo shrugged his shoulders harshly. “Do it then.”
The pair approached the man; he was talking to a couple of other nicely-tanned Katalians with slick black hair.
“You there,” Cassi called out. “How would you like to join the crew of the Howling Dragon?”
The handsome man’s eyebrows wrinkled in confusion. A man with a shiny bald head spoke first, “Funny, someone else asked us the same question earlier today.”
“I think you must be mistaken,” Cassi said. “The Howling Dragon belongs to the D’Silva family.” She tilted her head to her brother. “Myself, and my brother Carilyo. It was our father’s, you may have heard of him, the legendary Gianlo D’Silva.”
“I think not.” The bald man pointed behind Carilyo, right at the Howling Dragon. “They came off that ship there and went into the pub,” he pointed at The Prince’s Arms. “Two huge men, one Trakian, the other Katalian. I never forget a face, or a missing eye. Another bunch went in with ‘em. A rowdy crew they were, spitting and swearing across the dock.”
Cassi sighed. “They stole our papa’s ship.”
“Then I guess it’s their ship now,” the bald man smiled, showing a gold front tooth.
Why Should We Care?
They didn’t look like much, a bunch of Levacians sat around a large oval table. Plenty of empty glasses of different sizes were stacked in the middle, traces of frothy beer and sticky spirits stuck to the bottom. They’d been here a while. One was slumped over the table, snoring loudly. Another burped. The snoring man woke for half a second; his eyes wide open until they shut again. They were so drunk that nobody was talking.
The scent of alcohol perked Carilyo’s senses up.
“Are yous sure about this lot?” Murta nodded at them.
“They shall do,” Carilyo said. “Besides, alcohol dulls the pain in a fight.”
“I’ll take your word for it Cap’in.”
“I have a proposition for you.” Carilyo approached the table, speaking his clearest Levacian.
“Fuck off!” One with a flabby belly stood, looking Carilyo up and down. “I don’t want nuthin to do with Katalians.” His bright eyes glared at Murta. “Or Rocklanders, for that matter.”
“You don’t like Katalians eh?” Carilyo stepped closer.
“So whad if I don’? Whatcha gon’ do aboud it?” Fatty squared up to him. “You’re on my patch sunshine.”
Carilyo turned away, a smirk on his face. “You don’t like Katalians… maybe you’ll like my proposition.”
“Go on.” The Levacian sniffed. “I’m listening, but I don’ care much for your accent, or your pauper’s sandals.” He looked back at his friends for a laugh. After a moment, they must have clicked that the insult was funny; bawling laughter greeted it.
“You fuckin’ tramp,” another drunkard added.
“Funny, very funny.” Carilyo looked down at them, smiling, but that one hurt. He’d always liked these sandals, ever since he paid a sect for them in the market in Cathis. “You are a funny guy.”
“I know I am.” Chubby’s sweaty red face was smug. “Spid it out then.”
“Well. See, there are some Katalians in a bar down the street I… I don’t like very much. A few Trakians too, they tried to steal my ship.”
“You can’ find your own battles?�
� Chubster lifted his face threateningly, then smirked to himself. He looked back to his gang.
“Tell ‘im to piss off!” One shouted.
Fatty wasn’t finished yet, “So you need us to do it? Fuckin typical Katalian,” he emphasized each word. “You lot always wan’ someone else to bail you out. No wonder you can’ afford proper clothes.”
“Well, I could make it worth your while,” Carilyo said. “Anyone for a drink?”
“Why should we care?” Another man stood; tipping a glass on the floor. The clunk and smash woke the sleeping man, he looked shocked for a moment, then slumped back down, snoring again. “Why should we put our bodies on the line for some Katalian tramp? Even if he does get a round in.”
The two drunkards looked at one another, the first looked Levacian. The second’s tanned skin made him look Katalian, but he didn’t sound it. He must have been from one of Levac’s colonies in the Arrizean.
“Like I says to you before.” The fat Levacian shook his head, then looked back at Carilyo. “I don’ want nuthin to do with no…” his face turned bitter, like saying the words disgusted him, “Fucking Katalians.” He spat on the floor, rather close to Carilyo’s sandals. His fat face leaned forward. “Now fuck off, before I mek you.”
Carilyo’s shoulders slumped. For a second, he thought he had them.
Roxy had asked a few of the other drunkards; they agreed to help, but only to throw things from the mezzanines above. No fighting.
“What’re we going to do Murta?” Carilyo sat with his back to the wall outside the bar. It didn’t smell great; he was probably sat in dried piss. Not that it mattered, as the man said, Carilyo was nothing but a tramp.
Murta thought for a while, he looked a little more confident than he had recently.
“As long as there’s enough chaos goin’ on, the numbers might not matter tay much,” Murta said. “We need to drag as many as we can into the dogfest we’re about to open up.”
Kind Words Mean Nothing