by Pete Draper
Cassi breathed through her nose, she could smell tomatoes and herbs. It was something she’d eaten before, but it had been so long she couldn’t remember what it was. Down onto deck, Roxy smiled at her, as did Hermo. Gunnar and Doriya were playing together, tossing Gunnar’s mini mob-ball to each other.
“Come play with us Cassi,” Doriya said after she caught the ball.
“I will later Doriya, I promise.” Cassi smiled at her.
“I love your dungarees,” Doriya said with a huge grin on her tiny face. “I’m getting some just like them when we get to Coalville.”
“I can’t wait to see them.”
She took the ramp towards her brother with the present behind her back. Carilyo sprinkled herbs and garlic into the pot, then closed his eyes to take in the smell. The red stew bubbled away happily.
“Good afternoon,” Carilyo smirked. His bruised face was still a little purple with a splash of yellow behind. The lump on his scalp had shrunk a little. “You’re up at last.”
“Guess I needed it,” Cassi said. She closed her eyes to smell the contents of the pot. “You haven’t cooked your famous Katalian fish stew for so long; it smells so good.”
“I hope I’ve not forgotten how to make it, I got the ingredients in Levac City,” Carilyo said. “Here,” he offered her the ladle, “Hopefully, it won’t poison you.”
She dipped the ladle in, making sure to scoop up a big piece of the flaky fish. Carilyo held out a wooden bowl for her to pour it into. She blew it, watching the steam rise, then scooped the fish up with her spoon. Carilyo watched in anticipation as Cassi placed the spoon in her mouth.
Cassi closed her eyes, savouring the mix of creamy tomato and juicy fish. “Magnificent.” She couldn’t wait to eat some more, scooping another spoonful up and pouring it into her mouth.
She gulped the soup down, then offered him the gift she got in Levac City. “I got you a bit of something.”
Carilyo’s eyes widened, his jaw dropped. The oval shaped black hat had a yellow plume which curved around diagonally. “I love it.” He grabbed it, immediately putting it on.
“Don’t get stew on it.” Cassi smiled. “It took me a long time to find.”
“I will treasure it forever,” Carilyo said, stroking the rim of his new hat. “I hope you don’t mind us stopping here, there’s nothing in Port Alissa, but it’s a week’s journey to Coalville. Papa always said to grab a hot meal whenever you can.”
Cassi wanted to agree with him, but her mouth was full of fish.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” Carilyo grinned. “I just thought maybe it would be nice to cook again, I haven’t enjoyed doing it for a while. Besides,” He nodded at the crew with a smirk, “I don’t want this lot doing their talent show this evening on an empty stomach.”
Cassi giggled. “It will be good to have a laugh; I’m looking forward to it.”
“Since I don’t expect any of my crew to do anything I wouldn’t do myself. I shall start you off,” Carilyo said.
His guitar was out of tune; his singing had improved at least, though the Levacians and Rocklanders aboard didn’t know the words to Sail with Me. The chorus was spoilt by the lack of Barolos’ baritone, the old man had slunk below deck the moment Carilyo started.
“You will learn this song with time,” Carilyo said. “It is the song of the Howling Dragon.”
The Levacian who had bragged the other day wasn’t as good as he made out. After a couple of minutes of cringing, his song was finally over. He bowed low, like he’d just been the headline act at the Royal Theatre in Cathis, then blew kisses to the crowd. They clapped him on like he was amazing.
“What’s your talent?” Cassi asked Hermo.
“I am not sure.” Hermo shrugged, trying to keep the confident grin plastered on his wide face.
“You’d better think of something,” said Carilyo, “You’re up next.” He shoved Hermo into the middle of deck. The big man took a couple of steps, then looked around uncomfortably. He had an awkward smile on his face, it was fading fast, his eyes shrivelled. Cassi stood beside Carilyo, giggling to herself. Carilyo smirked.
“Here, try this.” Cassi offered him the juggling balls, four of them in a variety of colours. Taylan used to be good with them, even with one eye.
Hermo however, was beyond useless. He could barely catch one of them, when he tried two or three, the balls went flying everywhere. He came close to toppling over trying to retrieve them. Cassi nearly wet herself laughing. Perfect. He looks such a fool.
“Now use these,” Carilyo tried handing him the rusty juggling knives. “Wait. We should sharpen them first.” He grinned, looking around for the sharpening steel.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Cassi shoved Carilyo aside, glaring at her brother. “Your turn is over Hermo. Thank you.”
Settico sat on a barrel, telling rude jokes which the Levacians approved of. Each rude word was met with raucous laughter.
“Why was the washing board laughing?” Settico asked.
“Why?” A rather drunk, red-faced Levacian asked.
“Because it was taking the piss out of the pants.”
The Levacians burst out laughing. Typical, they love a crude joke in Levac. It didn’t take long for the focus of Settico’s jokes to turn to sex.
One of the Levacians performed some magic tricks, his disappearing sword trick was pretty good. Carilyo couldn’t see how he’d done it. Eagerly, he looked around for the sword, but couldn’t find where it had gone.
“How’d you do that?” Carilyo asked.
The magician waggled a finger. “Now, now. A magician never reveals his secrets.”
“Gianlo would be proud of you Carilyo,” Barolos said, appearing behind him. The magician pulled a card from his sleeve to a round of applause.
“Do not talk about him.” Carilyo’s happy face turned sour. “You betrayed him when you betrayed us. I have not forgotten.”
Barolos lowered his head, sighing. “I hope dat you can forgive me one day.”
“You are forgiven,” Carilyo said. “But I shall never forget. You shall walk the Hall of Ancestors a traitor. All the other dead shall ignore you as though you do not exist.” Carilyo turned to face him. “I only took you back out of pity.”
Barolos’ head lowered.
“Where’s Cassi?” In a panic, Carilyo scanned the deck for his sister. His heart dropped at the thought of Hermo being in Cassi’s chambers with her, alone. There was a moment of relief when he caught sight of them chatting near the bow.
“I only took you back because it’s what Gianlo would have wanted. And you.” He stared at Luco. “You and Cassi grew up together, the two of you have so many memories.”
“I loved Cassi. But your father, he gave me a beating when he saw us kissing.” Luco glared back, he was a handsome boy, always had been. “I had a black eye, as well as a broken heart.”
Carilyo looked back, dumbstruck. “Well I guess he read you right in the end eh?” He cracked his damaged knuckle with a wince, eyes flicking from Hermo back to Luco, neither of them are good enough for Cassi. “I’d do the same if some little tramp kissed her.”
Carilyo looked down at Varleo, “You’d be in a slave factory in Cathis if it wasn’t for me and my sister.”
Varleo didn’t speak.
“Puh.”
Carilyo clapped as the magician bowed upon completion of his final trick.
“Murta!” Carilyo called across the deck. The Rocklander gave him a perplexed look.
“I’m not new,” Murta said.
“But you never had your initiation.” Carilyo strolled across. “Come, sing us one of your Rockland songs. Maybe I can get you started. Surely you know Fountains of Mjoed.”
Murta stood up, towering over Carilyo. “Fine, if yous’re going to make me do this, but someone better be able to play that guitar.”
“As long as this counts as my go as well.” Tumas said as he grabbed it, he plucked away at the strings. Reali
sing how badly out of tune they were, he started to turn the pegs, placing his ear next to the string.
“Play Fountains of Mjoed,” Carilyo suggested.
“Not that one,” Murta said with a frown. “It doesn’t suit my voice.”
“The RRRs?” Carilyo offered.
Murta shook his head, a little inspiration lit his eyes. “Rocks in Coratta is my song.”
“Good man,” Tumas clicked his finger. “I can play that.”
“Nobody likes that song.” Carilyo stomped his foot like an infant, then plodded off.
Cassi peeled her eyes away from Hermo for a moment, seeing Murta in the middle of deck. “Just a minute, I have to see this,” she interrupted the anecdote about being trapped by some bandits and fighting them off.
“Of course, Captain.” Hermo stepped aside.
Cassi joined the throng, wearing a look of anticipation.
Tumas strummed and plucked the guitar a few times, a solemn tune.
Murta began to sing. “They came in the day, to take me away. Taking me to hard labour bay.” He closed his eyes, lowering his voice for the last few words. His eyes looked sad.
“I’d stolen some bread, so me kids would be fed. There were no jobs… back in those days.”
The crew were mesmerised, Murta had such a sweet, deep singing voice. He’d hidden that well. Tumas was pretty good with the guitar too, it was nice to hear that thing in tune. He plucked the minor scales between each line.
“The kids kicked and screamed, the tears they streamed. I said take good care of your mother.”
“I had no time to cry, no chance for goodbyes. I was bound on a ship for Coratta.”
Tumas strummed harder and joined in for the chorus. “Whoa-oh-oh-oh. I’m breakin’ rocks in Coratta. The seas are so rough, the journey is tough. I’m breakin’ rocks in Coratta.” Each of the last three words were accompanied by a hard strum of the guitar.
“The seas were rockin’, so cold I was shakin’. I didn’t think that we’d make it.”
“As soon as you land, they put an axe in your hand. A ball and chain they make you wear it.”
“T’was a miserable place, just a freezing rock face. And a breeze which was much more than frisky.”
“I broke rocks ‘til I dropped; which no chance to stop. While the guards drank their fine whisky.”
Murta stared at a spot on the floor ahead of him, not making eye contact with anyone. His eyes watered, but the deep voice didn’t waver.
“Whoa-oh-oh-oh. I’m breakin’ rocks in Coratta. The wind chills my bones, while I search for stones. I’m breakin’ rocks in Coratta.”
“When I returned home, the kids were all grown. Worst of all, my wife had remarried.”
“Raising six on your own, with no wood for the stove. Too much weight alone, to be carried.”
“I couldn’t blame her; it was all a blur. I shouldn’t have gone out stealin’.”
“Now I drink alone, in what I call home. A lonely bedsit’s a sad place for dreamin’.”
“Whoa-oh-oh-oh. I’m breakin’ rocks in Coratta. ‘though I’m back home, my heart’s turned to stone. I’m breakin’ rocks in Coratta.”
Tumas plucked away at the strings some more before the song finished. When they were done, he tapped the big man on the arm.
“That was amazing Murta; you’re full of surprises.” Cassi walked over to him.
“Thanks Cap’in,” Murta said, wiping a tear from his eye. “I don’t offen sing, but that one’s close to me heart.”
“How come?”
“Me dad was sent off to the labour camps. Me and me brothers had to grow up pretty fast.”
“I know the feeling,” Cassi said. “Did he ever come back from Coratta?”
Murta nodded. “He was never the same, he was a broken man. My sister looked after him for a while, but his back was gone. He couldn’t help around the house, he used to just sit and drink. He didn’t even like the taste of whisky, I guess it dulled the pain.”
“A sad existence,” Cassi said. “That’s not living.”
“Me older brother Sulli got sent there tay.” Murta looked up at the stars with a tremble in his lip, “He never came home.” He looked down at Cassi, “Leaving that place might have been the only ting that saved me from the same fate.”
“But you’re such a nice man,” Cassi said. “You’d never break the law.”
“Even the nicest of men do tings they wouldn’t, when they’re desperate. Me dad was the nicest man yous could ever meet.” Murta thought for a second. “When he was sober anyway.”
“Well I’m glad the life you had led you here,” Cassi said. “We need a reliable man like you to keep this lot in check.”
More music started playing on deck, an accordion joined in with the guitar and banjo.
Someone grabbed Cassi. Drax linked their arms, dancing in a circle together. Cassi stared at him at first, but she was surrounded by a ring of clapping sailors. There was no choice but to join in. She linked the other arm and began dancing with him, looking for someone else to involve in the dance. As soon as she could, Cassi swung aside, hooking arms with someone else.
She had to admit, it was fun. Soon half the crew were linking arms, and she was hooked in again. After a few partners, she made her way back to Drax.
“You’re not getting away that easily.” Drax’ rough palm held hers. “A dance, Captain?”
Cassi turned aside with an embarrassed smile; her cheeks felt warm. She had to admit he was suave, despite the black mohawk and the bars in the top of his ears.
“If you insist, but I’m not the best dancer.”
Drax snapped his fingers at the musicians. “Play us something from Kataly. A slow dance.”
The one with the moustache called something to the others, then a violin appeared.
Drax gestured to Cassi with his hand when the music started, she knew the song, didn’t mean she could dance to it.
“Let your hips move.” Drax looked deep in her eyes, his hand was so gentle on hers. “You’ll enjoy it.” His feet moved so quickly, carrying hers with them.
Cassi felt stiff, but as she started to sway, she enjoyed it more. Her feet moved swifter than she imagined they could. Drax held her hips, lifting her. When he brought her down, he twirled her quicker than a lasso.
Leaning over Cassi, he kissed her lips. It felt good. She felt the air leave her lungs, coming up breathless. Then she saw Hermo’s surprised face, beside him Carilyo looked furious.
A Roving Eye
A deep warm glow, yet it felt empty. The red light shone through the stained glass windows. The walls were bare, all the ornaments were gone. All that sat on her chest of drawers was a white cloth, even that had seen better days. Cassi’s heart stopped when she scanned her room. It took a moment to register that it was all gone. They’d even smashed her mirror.
Rubbing her face, she thought how long it would be before she could replace a lifetime of work. She tried to think of something happier, last night was fun.
It was such a nice evening; everyone was enjoying themselves. A beaming smile filled Cassi’s face today. The dance and the kiss had been a pleasant surprise, even if she would have preferred it from Hermo. She got to hear Murta sing and talk about himself; two things he never did.
Cassi dressed and walked past Carilyo down to deck.
“Good morning Cassi,” Hermo said as he passed by. “You’re looking as lovely as ever.” From behind his back, he produced a red rose. “I got this for you, before we left Levac City.”
Cassi gasped in awe, taking it from his hand. “Thank you.” She smelled it, it didn’t have much of a scent, but it looked nice. “Such a sweet gift.”
Brushing his arm with her hand, she walked up to Carilyo on the quarterdeck. He took a sip of water whilst steering. The new hat suited him; the yellow plume lifted in the wind.
Cassi admired Hermo’s gift. She went to her chamber for a glass, filling it with water and placing the rose in it. The
chamber looked much more homely.
“I bet he gives one of those to all the girls,” Carilyo gave Hermo a scornful stare when Cassi returned. “I see the way he looks at you,” his bitter voice cut the air.
“What do you mean?” Cassi asked, feigning innocence. “It’s a nice present, he’s just being nice. Like I was when I got you that hat, it looks great on you by the way.”
“That one’s got a roving eye,” Carilyo wasn’t going to let her change the subject. He took another swig of water, gulping it down like he used to with the rum. His dark eyes didn’t meet Cassi’s. “He’s only being nice, to get what he wants.”
Cassi stared her brother down with eyes narrower than razors. “And what does he want?” She raised a fake surprised eyebrow. If he wants to have this argument, I’m going to give it to him.
“Don’t make me say it out loud.” Carilyo tilted the handle, glancing at Cassi, then back to sea. “Don’t be immature, you’re not a child anymore Cassi.”
“Then don’t treat me like one.” She took a step towards him, “So, what does he want?” She faked a cute smile, lifting her palms as though she was clueless.
Carilyo turned to face her, letting warm air out of his nose. He spoke through gritted teeth, “He only wants to get inside your underwear, then he’ll be done with you.” He turned away.
Cassi’s face soured, she poked his arm with her sharp fingernail as though it was a monster she could slay with a sword. “Did it ever occur to you, that maybe that’s all I want. You really think I’m that stupid? That I would fall in love with someone because they gave me a flower. Maybe you should stop being immature. I didn’t have a problem with you sleeping with that woman in Corov, not to mention whatever weird things you were getting up to.” Cassi gave him an intense stare, “Did she want more than getting in your underwear? Oh, yes, she did, that was a lovely scene, you chained to the ceiling, having your ass spanked. You looked like you were enjoying it.”
Despite the jab, Carilyo didn’t turn to face her, “Look, I’m only looking out for you, you’re my sister after all. I’d hate to see you get hurt, I know what his sort is like.” He let the next words out with a sigh, “It pains me whenever I see you cry.”