Beside the Rock and Cloud

by Pete Draper

  “I heard you liked a drink,” Lorix said.

  Carilyo shook his head; Lorix’ eyebrow raised.

  “I don’t drink anymore,” Carilyo said.

  “What a great time to be sober, eh?” Lorix balanced the spare bottle on the uneven stone, then took a sip from his own.

  The Levacians whooped when the ships were side by side. A load of them leaned over the side of the ship, holding onto the rigging with their free hands, the other arm had their gold weapons primed and ready to fire when the cloud passed over.

  “Lovely day isn’t it?” Lowell shouted over; every syllable sounded crisp and perfect, even while carrying between the two ships. The wind flicked his shiny hair until it was pointing upwards. “Shame about the cloud! But I don’t think it’ll last much longer!” He tapped the weapon against his chest. “Then you’ll get to see what this baby can do.” He gave Cassi a wicked grin.

  Cassi glared at him, then back ahead to Roxy, Drax and Settico, who were up on the bow and front mast, checking for the oncoming reefs.

  “It’s very exciting, wouldn’t you say?” Lowell grinned. “Together, we’ll be making history. I should thank you for being part of this really, while I still have the chance.”

  “Shut up!” Cassi yelled in reply. “That face of yours won’t be so handsome when it has been smashed against the rocks.”

  Lowell smirked, “You’re a feisty one Cassi, I’m looking forward to this.”

  Cassi saw the light peeling back towards them.

  “Turn portside!” Roxy shouted.

  Despite that being towards Lowell, Cassi had to do it.

  “Grab the spears,” She ordered.

  The crew armed themselves from the wide barrel in the middle of the deck, grabbing the worn handles. Too bad the weapons weren’t the sharpest.

  As the Howling Dragon neared RES Wrath, the spears began to fly. A couple thudded into the hull. One hit a man in the shoulder, he cried in agony, he was still stuck in the rigging though; pinned to the ship by the tip of the spear. Blood turned the white rigging pink, although some of the others tried to free him, it was difficult to retract the spear with one free hand.

  The man eventually bled out; his corpse flapped like a flag in the wind.

  The blue square shone on Lowell’s weapon. His eyes lit up, “My turn.”

  He swung his arm towards Cassi, who turned her eyes from Roxy to Lowell just in time. The blue missile screeched towards her head. She ducked. Some of the burning liquid singed the tips of her hair; the heat stung her scalp.

  Cassi sucked air between her teeth, the pain was unbearable.

  “Turn starboard!” Settico shouted from the side of the hull.

  Cassi jumped up, moving the Howling Dragon away from the reef. RES Wrath turned more port to avoid it.

  “See you again soon!” Lowell chortled.

  She heard the next shot. Instantly, she dropped to the floor and her life flashed before her eyes. The blue light smashed into the bulwark, sending wood clattering over her.

  Cassi blew dust from her dry lips. She couldn’t move for the huge panel which was wedged on top of her.

  “Turn port!” Roxy yelled.

  A few moments passed. Cassi’s weak arms attempted to lift it, but it wouldn’t budge

  “Did you hear me!? Turn port!”

  Cassi couldn’t move. Blue bolts smashed into the hull and across the ship, an explosion rocketed from inside her quarters. Wood was strewn across the deck, causing some of the crew to stumble. One of the younger deckhands cried in pain when a splinter the size of a dagger stabbed through his calf. He screamed even louder when Leon ripped it out. Blood sprayed all over the boards and the boy rolled around in agony.

  “Turn the ship!” Roxy screamed her lungs out.

  “I can’t move!” Cassi yelled. She tried desperately to free herself from the wooden panel, but it wouldn’t budge. She couldn’t even wriggle from under it, each breath only half-filled her lungs.

  Hermo and Murta appeared up the steps. With groans of difficulty, they managed to lift the panel, freeing Cassi. She wearily climbed to her feet, then towards the wheel.

  “Brace yourselves!” Roxy shouted.

  The boat rocked. Coral ground against the hull, shaving wood away from it. To add more misery, a few pot-shots blasted holes into the sail, splinters of the mast came tumbling down, crashing onto deck in an avalanche of wood and rope.

  “Spears! Hit them back!” Cassi ordered.

  A flurry of missiles floated weakly to the Levacians; they were out of range.

  One of the Levacian weapons whistled past Murta’s head, singing his ear. He placed a hand over the burning skin.

  “Are you alright?” Cassi asked. Murta nodded, though his usually calm face wore a grimace.

  Most of the shooters had turned their attention to the bow. They wanted to eliminate the navigators and have the reefs do the damage, after seeing what the last one did.

  More booms echoed through the air. One sailed towards Roxy.

  “Watch out!” Cassi screamed, watching the light soar towards her. She swung down but was too slow. It blasted against the rope, sending Roxy tumbling towards deck, motionless.

  “Roxy!” Cassi screamed. She couldn’t see her through the hail of spears.

  “Aim for the men at the bow, the navigators!” Cassi commanded.

  “Turn portside!” Settico yelled. As he turned to shout to Cassi, a blue light filled the air around him. His eyes widened in terror. The liquid splashed over his bald head, his skin melted and he burst into flames. The impact sent him shooting through the air, he didn’t stop screaming until he was beneath the water.

  Cassi cringed. Hermo’s eyes turned sore and red as he ran over.

  The liquid splashed all over the bow, charring the wood and rigging. A rope snapped as the strands burned away, sending more wood hurtling towards deck with a crash as they smashed through the boards. The rest of the rigging groaned as it picked up the slack.

  “How are you doing Drax!?” Cassi shouted over.

  “I burned my arm, but I’ll be fine! Turn port!”

  “Shit, brace yourselves for impact!” Murta yelled.

  “No!” Cassi overruled. “This is our chance.” She steered towards the Levacians. Lowell’s eyes lit up. “Hit their navigators, make sure you don’t miss!”

  “You got it Cap’in.” Murta hurried towards the spear barrel, they were running low.

  With a low rumbling growl, Murta launched the spear so hard it looked like he threw his shoulder out. It careered through the air magically, sailing towards one of the Levacian reef-watchers. The unfortunate man turned his head when the spear was inches from it. It crunched right through his forehead, then poked out of the back of his skull. The dead head dropped back, caught in the rigging, the body jumped around whenever the ship bobbed up and down.

  More spears were stuck in the hull, the corpse of the man who’d bled out earlier was gone, all that remained was the spear and a thick piece of flesh clinging to it

  “Come back for some more have you?” Lowell taunted before he took the cork out of a vial with his teeth, spitting it out into the Green Sea. He sat back on the ship and poured it into his weapon. “A shame really!”

  “What is?” Cassi called.

  “Well, you have such a pretty face! Too bad I’ll have to melt it off!” Lowell’s smug cheeks rose.

  When they were in range, the volley of spears launched into the Levacian’s bow, bringing down a bunch of soldiers who were hanging from the rigging. One split a rope in half and a couple more came tumbling to deck.

  A second volley cleared them out completely. Launched with a furious scream, Hermo’s spear went right through a man’s leg. The Levacian writhed in agony after hitting the deck. Blood sprayed from below his knee, while someone tried to tie a tourniquet around it.

  “I have no eyes up here!” The Levacian Lieutenant shouted from the quarterdeck, gripping the lever tight.

  �
��Turn starboard!” Drax yelled. The Howling Dragon moved slightly; out of spear range, but it was still in range of Lowell’s weapon.

  When he was done with the vial, Lowell tossed the bottle away. He leaned back over the side as far as he could, raising the gold weapon on his arm. A glint of light rolled around the rim. “Goodnight sweetheart!” His teeth sparkled in the light.

  Cassi closed her eyes, tilting the wheel anticlockwise. “You may want to watch out for that reef.”

  The Commander looked back, then shook his head with a frustrated grin. “I can’t believe I fell for that one!”

  As he raised the weapon again, the boat jumped and he shot up, losing his grip on the rope. He shot into the air, his shocked crew watched him fumble for the rope, he must have tried to grab it with his weapon hand too, as the gold weapon scraped the hull on its way down.

  With a small splash, he landed flat on his back in the water. After a few seconds, he emerged, looking like a drowned rat.

  “I warned you, Commander!” Cassi offered her prettiest grin.

  Fury flashed over his face. Another flurry of shots fired at the Howling Dragon, punching more holes in the damaged hull. Cassi ducked as low as she could. They blasted over her head, punching holes in the sails and snapping the rigging, bringing the second sail toppling down like a felled tree. There was no way they’d make it back to shore first with the jib alone.

  “Man overboard!” The Levacian Lieutenant roared. “Prepare to turn around!”

  Cassi watched the Levacian ship wheel back around.

  “Don’t come back for me!” Lowell screamed in fury. “I can fucking swim! After them!”

  The ship continued to turn though. “We can’t leave you out here Commander!”

  Lowell splashed and screamed like a toddler in a tantrum, but it changed nothing.

  Win-Win

  The dark ring swayed. Its faint shadow looked sharp around the edge. The frayed rope looked like it would scrape at his neck more than the binds around his wrists.

  The noose swung gently. Carilyo watched the calm sea, praying Cassi returned first. He looked back at the noose hanging from the tree. He tried to look away, but it cast a long shadow on the ground ahead of him.

  “Can you see anything yet?” Carilyo asked.

  Lorix ignored him, staring with the spyglass.

  “What do you see?” Carilyo pressed.

  Lorix looked down at him with disgust, then pressed an eye to the spyglass. Carilyo tried to peer at the spot on the horizon, but he couldn’t make out what it was from this distance.

  After a few awkward minutes, Lorix shifted excitedly.

  “What is it?” Carilyo asked impatiently.

  “What have I told you about who asks the questions?” Lorix licked his lips.

  “Please, let me see,” Carilyo said. “My sister is out there; it is my life that is on the line here. Please.” Carilyo begged.

  “Not. A. Chance.” Lorix side-face showed a smirk. “You know, every time you say please, an orphan dies. It’s not a quick death either, usually they’re mangled by the oakum twister. They bleed to death with their arm hanging off.” His tongue waggled like an excited dog behind a sinister smile.

  “Have you ever seen the workhouses in Eastborough?” Lorix asked with an enthusiastically raised eyebrow.

  Carilyo shook his head, trying not to think about it.

  Lorix grinned at the chance to explain, “They’re rather unpleasant. The twister splits rope into oakum, much quicker than the spike used to, but rather than a few blisters and a brain numb from boredom, the little kiddies lose fingers, hands and limbs trying to free the rope from the twister’s monstrous claws.”

  “Please stop.” Carilyo wished he could place his hands over his ears. He wanted to shade his eyes too. The glow on the water made it tough to see the ships. After what seemed like forever, Carilyo finally saw it. The Howling Dragon; the gold flames glinted with fury. A smile filled his face.

  Then he saw the RES Wrath approaching in pursuit.

  “Shit!” Carilyo cursed at the sight of the missing sails. The Howling Dragon crept towards the dock of the shipyard like a wounded seal. Wounded and dead crew members propped up the deck in a pile of blood and scattered limbs.

  “Don’t worry,” Lorix said. “Our ship won’t open fire so close to our own warships.”

  Just then, the huge gold weapon lit up. With a boom, something spat out of it. The crew of the Howling Dragon braced themselves, clinging onto whatever they could. The orange ball zapped at the ship as it scraped down the side of the hull, leaving behind a huge gash. Water splashed into it.

  “I guess I was wrong.” Lorix watched the RES Wrath through his spyglass. “Doesn’t happen often.” He raised an eyebrow, then shrugged it off. “They’re too close now for the cannon, the pistols might get some use though.”

  The Howling Dragon was close now, but with every wave, it sank a little deeper from its scarred hull.

  “I can’t wait to see if it makes it.” Lorix rubbed his eager hands together, as though he had front row seats to a mob-ball game.

  The Levacians had nearly caught up. Carilyo saw the smaller weapons, blue lightning shot from them. Balls of light zapping with energy spat at the Howling Dragon, punching holes in the wood. Cassi ducked down on the quarterdeck. She’d survived the final onslaught.

  The Howling Dragon whisked in from the side. The crew tossed the ropes aside and they were tied to the dock.

  “Phew.” Carilyo sighed.

  Murta and Hermo helped a wounded Roxy down the ramp. Cassi approached Lorix with a vigorous stride.

  “It appears I won,” Cassi said. Her eyes burned through Lorix as they had thousands of traders and officials.

  After defending Cassi’s gaze, Lorix’ face was still smug. “It appears so.”

  “So, what are you looking so happy about?” Cassi spat. “You lost.”

  Lorix’ cheeks lifted into a tight grin. “I never lose. I only play a game when it’s a win-win.”

  The crew of the RES Wrath appeared on shore; a red-faced Lowell steamed towards them.

  “Your Commander needs to learn how to read the sea,” Carilyo said as his hands were untied.

  Lowell marched towards them, his uniform was drenched, his miserable hair was frizzy; water dripped from his smooth chin. The fury turned his cheeks purple.

  “Hey!” Cassi shouted.

  Lowell kicked Carilyo to his knees, standing over him with the weapon inches from his forehead.

  “Hey!” Cassi shouted again. “We won. We are going to Argosa.” She turned to Lorix, “You promised.”

  Lorix held a hand to silence her, but her eyes stabbed through him. For a moment, Carilyo thought he saw Lorix’ eyes tremble. If they did, they recovered with a blink.

  “I could blow his head off,” Lowell said. “The girl can go, she’s earned it.”

  “No!” Cassi cried.

  Lorix looked Lowell up and down. “No. My word is all I have; I keep it close to my heart. They can go.” Lorix nodded at Carilyo, “As agreed.”

  Lowell huffed, stomping back towards the town. His wet boots squelched the whole way.

  “Well played Cassi D’Silva,” Lorix said. “You’ve provided some entertainment on an otherwise dull day.”

  Carilyo searched Lorix’ pale eyes, something about them was haunting. Lorix lit his pipe, strolling away, whistling merrily to the tune of Rocks in Coratta.

  He turned sharply, “I’ll have the shipwrights see to your ship immediately. Ready for our journey to Argosa.”

  “Our?” Carilyo glared at him.

  “Oh yes. Pardon my manners, I forgot.” Lorix grinned so wide it looked like he would burst out into his evil cackle. “Things worked out perfectly in the end you know. I need to get to Argosa, and you’re going there. Like I said, it was a win-win for me.”

  “No, no, no, no, no,” Carilyo waggled a finger. “You’re not coming with us.” His angry eyes narrowed.

&n
bsp; “You don’t have a choice in the matter, you need my shipwrights to fix your ship before it slumps to the bottom of the Green Sea,” Lorix said, he opened his pocket watch. “I’d say you have about ten minutes before it’s so full of water it’s beyond saving.”

  “Besides, you need the crew members too. There are a few salty seadogs in my employ; they’ll be coming along with us.” He continued his journey back to the town, leaning his head one way, then the other as he whistled.

  “Wait!” Cassi yelled sharply, Lorix turned his head ever so slowly.

  “You called?” He lowered his happy looking face towards her.

  “What about Samia and Doriya?” Cassi demanded.

  “Of course, how could I forget?” Lorix puffed smoke out of his pipe. “I’ll have them sent down immediately.”

  “Farewell Cassi.” He performed the fakest of bows. “I shall see you again soon.”

  When he was gone, Carilyo wrapped his arms around Cassi, who stood awkwardly with her arms by her sides; eventually she hugged him back. Her heartbeats had never been so fast.

  “You did it Cassi,” Carilyo cried. “I always knew you had it in you.”

  “It’s done,” Cassi said, picking up the bottle beside Carilyo. Her eyes looked exhausted. “I can’t wait to get out of this dog-hole of a country.” She chugged the ale, then winced at the foul-tasting Levacian brew.

  Carilyo looked at her in astonishment.

  “Don’t worry Carilyo, I’m not going to develop a drinking problem.” Cassi’s shoulders slumped a little after rolling her eyes, she looked ready to keel over at any moment.

  Lorix’ shipwrights hurried towards the ship, setting about fixing the hull quickly.

  “We need to get the contents of that chest back from Lorix,” Carilyo said. “That helmet is worth a fortune.”

  “Fuck it,” Cassi groaned, taking another drink of ale. “Let him keep it.”

  “But the money?” Carilyo looked more puzzled than ever.

  “There is more to life than money,” Cassi said.

  Carilyo nearly burst out crying. Hugging her again