by Robin Roseau
"It seems like someone could get tangled in the line."
"They could if we weren't careful. We are careful."
Glora considered it. "You are asking me to give you permission to risk my daughter's life."
"There is no risk."
"There is risk," Glora said. "Of course there is risk. The rope could become untied. Any number of pieces of equipment could break."
"The equipment in question has been inspected by the first mate herself."
"When?"
"Yesterday before we invited Rani into the rigging. Everything is doubly-secured. The drop rope is new. The brake is well tended and there is a backup, although it is jarring when required. I have not had a backup brake required since I became able to inspect them, and Radha can say the same thing. But we test it anyway."
"If she were your daughter, would you drop her?"
"Yes."
"They do not need to drop her, Glora," Rani said. "But she may feel cheated."
"Knowing my daughter, she will feel very cheated," Glora said. She studied Rani. "I know you wouldn't allow undue risk to her. What do you say?"
"We aren't going to fool her," I said. "I say drop her. It was fun the second time. Scary, and my heart was pounding out of my chest." She turned to me. "I don't believe I will ever be brave enough to jump, but I hope you keep dropping me."
I laughed. "Do you want warning?"
"Yes. The anticipation is half the fun. If my heart isn't already pounding before you drop me, it barely has enough time to start."
I laughed again. Glora was smiling, but looking worried.
"This is a difficult decision. I am going to be terrified the entire time you are aloft, knowing what happens at the end. I do not want you staying up very long."
"An hour?"
"Oh god," Glora said. "All right. You may drop her. I will scream."
* * * *
Rani Karden
Minori wasn't at all fooled by the subterfuge. I could see it in her eyes. But she was ecstatic to climb the lines. The captain sent me ahead with Radha to watch me, then Radha descended to assist with Minori. I watched. My niece didn't need any help once she got started. She followed behind Radha, much faster than I had ascended.
Radha joined me in the crow's nest, then she assisted Minori. Minori hugged me immediately, but the ship swayed, and she clutched at me. I helped her find a place to hang on.
As soon as Sorri joined us, the little platform was cozy, but there was room for the four of us, squished together.
We were shaded by the awning, although it was still warm. Radha produced another floppy had and plopped it over Minori's head. We taught her how to scan.
"Captain, you didn't tell me what to say if I spot a kraken," I said. "I thought I saw one, but then it descended. Maybe it was something else, though. I saw tentacles."
Sorri grinned at me, hiding the expression when Minori turned to her. "What's a kraken?"
"It's a sea beast," Sorri said immediately. She and Radha began telling wild tales.
Minori interrupted. "Auntie Rani, did you fall for their tall tales?"
"Some of them," I said.
Her hand found mine, and she clutched it. "Was this your idea?"
"I asked about it, but they've been planning to get you up here or they wouldn't have agreed so readily."
"We wanted an excuse to erect the awning, anyway," Radha said. "The captain and I won't burn from the sun, but it does get warm."
"Why is it so much hotter here?" Minori asked. "I thought we were going to Candora, but maybe you took us somewhere else. I thought Candora was directly across the sea from us, so shouldn't it be just as hot as home?"
"Perhaps," Sorri said. "But most of southern Candora is a dry desert, and that seems to matter. I won't comment on our location, however. Please do not ask, Minori."
"Auntie Rani knows where we are, anyway," Minori said. "Why can't I know?"
"I did know," I said, squeezing her hand. "But the captain stopped telling me several days ago, and we have made significant course changes since then."
Minori glanced at me. "Oh," she said. "I thought you were helping with navigation."
"I was learning navigation, but they don't want me to know where we are, either. We're somewhere off Candora, but I do not know where."
I could however, have figured out where we were if I looked at the charts. The captain had locked them away from me, and I thought perhaps I wouldn't be seeing them again on this voyage.
We stayed up for a half hour is all. "I think I am burning," Minori said.
"Me too," I agreed.
"We have soothing cream if you need it," Sorri said. "Time to go?"
"I'd rather stay," Minori said. "Am I obligated to scream?"
"Why would you scream?" Sorri asked. "You heard your mother. We're not allowed to drop you. But we do have to tie a safety line. Getting out of the crow's nest is harder than getting in."
Minori sighed but held her hands out of the way while the captain tied the rope into a harness around her.
"Do I have to do anything in particular?" she asked.
"It is traditional to scream," Radha said.
Minori offered a droll look.
They picked her up and lifted her over the edge.
"Captain," I said, suddenly scared. "Maybe this isn't a good idea. What if something goes wrong?"
"Yes, Captain," Minori said in a dry voice. "Please don't drop me. No, no, please don't drop me." She didn't even try to sound convincing.
They dropped her.
Minori screamed, but then she came to a gentle stop, her feet just touching the deck, and I heard her laughing.
"Pull me up!" she yelled. "Do it again!"
"Damn it," said the captain. "She could at least pretend to be scared."
"I think it was a real scream," Radha said.
"I think so too, but perhaps she thought you would let me beg not to drop her a little longer," I replied. "She was probably surprised is all."
"No. Everyone screams the first time, even those who know about it ahead of time."
A couple of seamen untied Minori, then Radha clambered underneath the crows nest and did something. I watch the line begin to ascend.
"Do I get to go again?"
Sorri laughed. "Yes. But this is the last time today."
"It's a hot day, Captain. I wonder if people would care for a swim."
"Oh my god, Commander," the captain said as Radha slipped into the crow's nest, holding the end of the drop line. "We have created a monster."
"Well, it is hot. I wouldn't mind a swim myself."
"I haven't checked the charts today."
"We're following-" Then Radha stopped. "We could anchor."
"Are there sharks?" I asked.
"Yes. There are sharks everywhere. But they won't bother us."
"Why not?"
"Shark attacks are actually rare. And they don't come out of nowhere. We will set watch for them, and if we become uncomfortable, we will get everyone out of the water."
Then Sorri began to tie the rope into a harness around me. My heart began pounding the moment she touched me with the rope. I could tell I was grinning.
"She likes this way too much, Captain," Radha said.
"When we go swimming, may I dive from the quarterdeck?"
"No," Sorri said. They picked me up, lifted me over the railing on the quarterdeck, and then set me down so I sat on the railing, my feet dangling out over open space.
"I think I'd like a ride down, too," Sorri said. She climbed up next to me, grabbed the drop line from me, and yanked us both off the railing.
I screamed, more for her than for myself.
Sorri immediately wrapped her legs around me firmly, squeezing very tightly. I threw my arms around her, squeezing even more tightly, and then I felt us begin to slow down. At the bottom, Sorri released me, dropping lightly to the deck. I had screamed the entire way down.
I lost it. I began screaming a
t her, my words unintelligible, and beating on her chest with my fists. She was laughing, but then she stopped laughing.
I didn't see her, but suddenly Minori was behind me, her hand over my mouth. She spoke the word, and the gag slipped into my mouth, cutting off my words.
I didn't stop beating on Sorri's chest, but she eventually grabbed my hands and pulled me into a hug.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm safe. I'm perfectly safe. It's okay. Shhh. Shhh."
My heart continued to pound, but slowly I calmed down.
"Do I need to tie the laces?" Minori asked in my ear. "If you're going to need the gag for a while."
I shook my head. I was calming down. Finally I slumped into Sorri's arms.
She held me for another minute, then I pushed her away. With my teeth still clenched around the gag, the laces dangling down the side of my neck, I untied the harness. As soon as I released the rope, it began ascending. I looked up, and Radha was operating some sort of crank underneath the crow's nest.
I turned to Minori. She was watching me carefully. I grabbed her hand and pulled her into a hug, caressing her cheek.
"I love you too," she said, hugging me back.
Then I turned to Sorri and punched her in the arm as hard as I could.
"Ow!" she said, rubbing her arm. I shook my hand. She had hard arms. I turned my back on her and touched the gag while facing Minori. She stepped up, put her hand over the gag, and said the release word. It slipped from my mouth, and she put it away.
"Good reactions, Seaman," Sorri said to Minori.
"Does that mean I get to go again?" Minori asked immediately.
"Not today. Your aunt has negotiated something different." Sorri turned to me. "Still interested?"
"Yes," I croaked. The gag was working faster and faster on me. I'd worn it for a scant minute or two.
"Your body recognizes the intention of the gag and, more and more, cooperates," Sorri said. "It isn't dangerous."
I nodded.
Radha descended. "Commander, take a fresh sounding, and if conditions are right, I believe everyone would enjoy cooling off."
"Aye-aye, Captain," Radha said, beginning to give orders.
"Ensign," the captain said to me. "I have a duty for you." She pulled me to the side. "Even with this short delay, we will reach the island tonight. We will stay aboard ship tonight and disembark in the morning. That will take two or three hours. The quartermaster will then sail away, leaving most of us behind. She will be gone several days to collect fresh supplies and see if news has arrived in front of us."
I nodded. I knew this.
"It may be some of the passengers have special requests. I would like you to collect any such requests and will need them immediately after breakfast tomorrow."
"I could use a few more clothes," I said. "I would like proper shoes. I will need to access the money in my satchel."
"Do you wish fancy clothing?"
"No. Simple clothing suitable for aboard ship would be perfect."
"Then I will buy your clothing. I will also buy clothing for others with similar needs. But if anyone wants something more elaborate, she must pay for it herself."
"That is generous, Captain," I said.
"We have an obligation to attend to our guests."
"Hostages."
"Yes. Hostages. We have an obligation. Ensuring you have basics, such as clothing, falls under our obligations."
"I will not know how much money to collect from people to pay for the things you buy for them."
"Collect the most people are willing to pay; if the things we find are more than that, we will not buy them. If they are less, we will refund. Does everyone have money?"
"Probably not."
"We will accept promise notes, within reason," Sorri said. "We can collect when we return to Southgate."
"You are very trusting for kidnappers."
"There are rules. We follow them. Our guests follow them."
I nodded. "I will have the list. I'll tell people now. Will I be confined to the cabin after dinner? I already know we're traveling south. I can see the sun."
"Yes. You will all be confined beginning in about two hours."
"Then I will tell people now and collect requirements in the morning."
* * * *
Captain Sorri Westmere
Radha anchored us effectively. I loved having such an efficient first mate; I was so glad she didn't want her own ship. She got away with murder, not quite literally, but she was happy, for now. I wondered when she would plan her own assault on a vessel she wanted. For now, I had stayed ahead of her by capturing likely targets and selling them back to their old owners. I sighed at the thought of losing her.
Rani collected everyone on the deck of the ship and turned them over to me.
"Who can swim?" I asked. A very small number of hands went up. "All right. The water here is very deep. In a few minutes, the first mate will have us set up. I am also offering to let the crew swim in shifts, but they will swim off the starboard side. Those of you who wish should swim off the port side. We have life jackets for those who can't swim well. We will have longboats in the water, but they are not for hanging onto. However, if you grow tired and wish a life jacket, they will have spares. I will be in the water first, and anyone who wishes to swim without a jacket must prove to me an ability to do so."
"How will we do that?" Glora asked.
"You will be lowered with a longboat and jump in. You will then swim the length to the bow of the ship and swim back."
"Why can't we jump from the railing?" Minori asked.
"The danger of striking the ship on the way down is too high. However, once I am satisfied you can swim, we have other surprises you may enjoy."
"Oh. I can't swim."
"These surprises are not comfortable with a life jacket, Minori. I am sorry."
"Captain," I asked. "Are we required to swim quickly?"
"You must convince me you aren't going to drown," she said.
I eyed the distances to the bow. I could swim that, but I was slow. I basically knew how to doggy paddle, and I could swim on my back.
"What do we wear?" Minori asked.
"We have swim wear to fit most of you." She turned to me. "Even you. The quartermaster will pass it out now. You may go change and return here."
The quartermaster stepped forward. She had two seamen with her, each with a canvas tote. She went amongst the passengers, handing out clothing well-designed for swimming, all of it very different. She skipped me. Then she was done.
"Don't I get any?" I asked.
"I have yours already," Sorri said. "Let's go change."
In our cabin, the captain turned to me and grinned.
"What?"
She went to the closet, rummaged through one of the drawers, and then turned around, holding up two very small pieces of cloth.
"Please."
"You can't be serious."
"For me."
"I am not parading around in front of my nephew like that."
"Damn it," she said. "Damn it. Why don't I ever think of things like that? I wanted to see you in this."
"You see me naked every night."
"This is different, isn't it? Please?"
"Not happening."
"What if I make the boys swim with the seamen?"
"Oh for heaven's sake. Give it to me. And the lightest tunic you don't mind getting soaking wet."
"You can't swim effectively in a tunic," she said. "You will grow tired rapidly."
"I can jump in with it then leave it in the longboat. That's the offer. Or get me something more appropriate."
She grinned, but I made her turn around while I dressed. She dressed in her own suit. Discounting the difference in our sizes, hers held only a moderately greater amount of fabric than the one she had given me. I had to admit: she looked damned good in it.
"You may turn around," I said. When she did, her eyes bugged out, and I decided it was worth the effect
. I let her get a good look, then I pulled the tunic on. This one had buttons, so I buttoned just one to hold it closed across my chest. It fell to the top of my thighs. I felt sufficiently chaste to be seen by others.
By the time we arrived on deck, a few people were already milling about, ready to go. Sorri kissed my hand and moved to towards the railing. She stepped up onto the railing, balanced for a moment, then dived into the water. I ran to the edge in time to see her enter the water. It was beautiful.
She swam away from the ship for a moment, then turned around and swam back.
"Captain," I yelled down to her. "I am not a good swimmer, but I am good enough for this. May I please jump?"
"No."
"I did it yesterday."
"I know, but the ship was leaning to the side you jumped. It is not currently doing so. Do not argue, Ensign. I do not believe you are capable of diving in the way I just did, and until you are, you will descend in the longboat."
"Yes, Captain."
Radha was managing the derrick. She had one longboat full already. I had missed my first chance to ride down. Most of the passengers were in life jackets with only three without. There were four seamen also in the longboat. I watched as it was lifted from the deck, held over the water, and then gently descended. Several minutes later, the second longboat was ready for us, and I joined Glora's family for the ride to the water. Several passengers had declined the opportunity to swim, but I thought they were missing out.
"Commander," I said. "Will you be joining us?"
"Shortly," she said. "Take it up, lads!"
We were lifted into the air, swung out over the water, and lowered gently. The seamen unhooked us from the derrick, and we paddled a short distance from the ship.
"You go in off the stern," one of the seamen said. "We have a ladder when you decide to come back aboard."
One by one, we jumped over the back of the boat, the seamen providing a hand for our balance as we moved aft. They made me wait.
"You may go in once the captain is ready to watch you take your swimming test," one of them said.
Sorri was administering two swimming tests at once. I sat in the boat and watched everyone splash around. I grew warm, but then Sorri swam over to me. "I'm sorry you were last, but someone had to be, Rani."