Spirit of the Sea

by Keith Walter

  “Don’t worry, love, Grace can handle it,” Leslie offered from behind. “Plus, it’s a little too late to go back.” Her hands had already moved to the shorter woman’s shoulders, trying to massage out days of built up tension.

  Serin kept her hands firmly attached to the steering wheel while glancing at the radar. A giant green blob began spreading across the lake as the storm began. “It’s not Grace I’m worried about,” she admitted.

  Leslie tried to soothe as best as she could. “At least it’s working,” she added pointing to the radar screen. The lake had begun to clear out as smaller ships raced for shore.

  “The Union wants us bad, the kind of bad that mobilizes an entire army for one little boat.” Serin took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “If they are willing to abandon the lake now, how bad must that storm be?”

  “Like the wrath of a god, I suspect,” Leslie said with a smile.

  ◆◆◆

  “The master of these waters is displeased. We have been fools to awaken such a monster,” Talmer spoke from the corner of the bridge. He had been moments from reaching the end of this despairing journey when he felt a stupendous magical energy building on the rear deck. He was sure they had been caught, and had charged from his room only to find a collapsed Charles and stoic Leslie staring into the water. When he’d demanded an explanation, he’d received arguably worse news than being under attack. He had no idea what to do, and found himself drawn to the bridge to assess the impending storm.

  “Did you have a better idea?” Serin shot back, clearly frustrated with the man on the bridge.

  Talmer couldn’t well tell her that, yes, he did have a better plan—not before it was complete at least. He sneered at the midget before realizing she couldn’t see it from her current vantage point. “One does not need a different idea in order to leave a titan alone.”

  “Grace doesn’t agree,” Serin retorted, rubbing salt in an open wound. “Maybe she’d like you better if you actually had a spine.”

  He’d taken a full step from his corner before he gained control of his body. That’s just what she wanted, to get him riled up, to have him pick a fight so she could play the victim when Grace came to her aid. He wouldn’t take the bait, certainly not when he was so close to gaining the upper hand. “Grace will see me for who I am soon enough,” he spoke firmly, adding, “and she will see you for precisely what you are, as well.”

  “And what am I, eighth son?” Serin growled through clenched teeth.

  “Would you two stop it for five damn minutes?” Leslie cut in. She shook the shorter woman by her shoulders softly just to bring the point home. “I’m tired of listening to the two of you bicker like children. We have far more important things to worry about right now.” Talmer said nothing, simply leaning farther into his corner.

  Serin huffed out a begrudging, “Fine.”

  Leslie took back one hand to rub her own temples. “Talmer, can you go make sure no one is still on the decks outside?” A stony face of defiance met her words, so she added, “Please.”

  He considered the giantess nearly as guilty as her bond, but at least she had some manners. He would be remiss to ignore such a sincere plea. He would make sure no one was outside, right after he made sure no one was still in the dining area.

  “Yes, I will see to it,” he replied a little too eagerly. He finally slinked from the darkness toward the closest doorway. Before he exited, he added with forced nonchalance, “I shall retire afterward, as well. It is clear I am not needed here.”

  “That would be wonderful,” Serin tossed after him.

  He turned to take in the sight of the despicable bonded one last time. The sharklike smile on the shorter woman’s face served only to bring a smirk to his own lips. The next time he saw these two, if he even had to see them again, it would surely be the last. “Safe sailing,” he breathed before disappearing out the door.

  “Do you think if I turned sharp enough right now, it might knock him overboard?” Serin asked her lover whimsically.

  “You wouldn’t,” Leslie stated. “Even if he might deserve it.”

  “I’m learning many new things about myself the last few days,” Serin admitted.

  “Things I already knew,” Leslie whispered confidently. “Like how even in the face of death you would never compromise your principles. You are every bit the leader your parents feared you could not be.” She kissed the the shorter woman. “Like how you have so much love for others that you sometimes forget to take care of yourself.” She took a step to her right, allowing just enough room to reach out and cup Serin’s chin in one hand. She tilted the shorter woman’s head back just as she lowered her own horizontally.

  Serin lost herself in the kiss. She’d hoped she never failed to appreciate this aspect of her love—the way Leslie always knew just what to say, just the right touch to make her melt. The tension eased from her body and she managed to pull one hand from the wheel to run her fingers through Leslie’s dark brown tresses, creating curtains around their kiss. She couldn’t tell how long they remained locked in that kiss, only that she felt breathless when Leslie finally pulled back. “Mmm,” she whispered softly, “I needed that.”

  “I know, my love,” Leslie whispered, leaning her forehead against the shorter woman’s hair.

  Flashes of light began to ping across the windows. The storm stretched as far as the eye could see, with dark clouds blackening the sky. Serin had promised Grace she would do her best, but without the strength of Leslie at her side, she was sure she would have run. “I should probably get ready,” Serin spoke up suddenly.

  “Yes, I suppose so,” Leslie answered. Kneeling down, she opened a small cupboard under the radar. She reached in and pull out a mass of tangled fabric strips and loops. She shook the mess until she found the shape she was looking for and began untangling. Seconds later, she held out a belt-like harness with two wide loops hanging down. “Step,” she ordered, and Serin lifted one leg then the other for Leslie to fit the loops under her feet. She gently pulled the loops tight around Serin’s thighs before asking, “How does that feel?”

  Uncomfortable is how it felt. The loops road up high and gave Serin the distinct premonition of a wedgie. “Fine,” she answered instead. “Maybe a little tighter.”

  “It should be tight enough to hold you, but not so tight it cuts off the blood to your legs,” Leslie offered, pulling only a little harder on the tightening straps.

  “It should be fine, then,” Serin stated, completely unconvinced that was true.

  Leslie picked up two spring-loaded metal clasps that now hung from her lover’s hips. She unscrewed and pulled back on the bottom of the clasp, allowing the left side of each clasp to open freely. She popped each clasp on a metal circle protruding from either side of the steering wheel. She released the spring-loaded nut and each clasp locked into place with a click, causing Serin to jump slightly. “All set,” Leslie added. Immediately, she began rummaging through the cupboard again, pulling out another rolled up mess.

  “What are you doing?” Serin asked as she noticed her bond untangling another ball of straps and metal.

  Leslie shook out the ball into another harness before replying, “You didn’t really think I was going to leave you alone up here, did you?” She stepped into the loops easily before pulling the harness up like shorts and tightening each strap to her liking.

  “I thought you were going to take care of everyone,” Serin demanded.

  As she clicked her own clasps into place around the radar dashboard, she reached out and placed her hand over Serin’s white knuckle on the wheel. “I am,” she replied, pausing for emphasis. “Grace is down below making sure we don’t break apart in the waves. Talmer, much of a jerk as he is, will make sure everybody is in a cabin. I’m no good to anyone holed up in our bed.” She tapped the radar monitor, adding, “I’ll take care of this, make sure we stay on track, and you take care of the waves. Together, we’ll take care of everybody.”

  Ser
in took a deep breath before letting out a long sigh. Her hands loosened on the wheel and her whole body seemed to relax ever so slightly. She breathed out, “I’m glad you’re with me.”

  “I know, my love,” Leslie agreed. “I am, too.”

  ◆◆◆

  “It’s starting,” Grace said, breaking the comfortable silence that had fallen. She stared through the ceiling to what by now must be heavy winds and rain.

  “I don’t feel anything,” Charles replied, setting his palms on the ground and searching for vibrations.

  “The storm outruns the seas.” She stared at her hands, adding, “I’m glad.”

  “Glad we’re about to get hit with the storm to end all storms?” he questioned.

  “No, I’m just glad it took some time.” At Charles’s quizzical look, she explained, “We fey are not the only ones in the lake. There are hundreds of human ships filled with men and women just doing their jobs or out for a bit of fun. Alignak does not discriminate, but her anger has mounted slowly. It’s given the humans, who have far less capability, a chance to get home or to safe harbor.”

  “Ah, right. I guess…I didn’t really think about them.” Charles frowned, a pang of guilt kicking him in the gut.

  “Nobles rarely do,” Grace admitted.

  “Now wait a second,” Charles cried indignantly. “I didn’t think about them because our own situation was so pressing.” He held his chin up as he stared into the green eyes of his companion. “I may have been born to a noble, but I’m nothing like them.”

  Grace broke eye contact, conceding, “No, you aren’t, that was unfair of me.” She took a breath before asking, “What about the Union ships?”

  Charles deflated, staring up at the ceiling in defeat. “I don’t actually want anyone to get hurt or die. But I’m also a soldier. If someone stands between me and what’s right, it’s in my nature to move them.” He stared, waiting for Grace to raise her head and meet his gaze. “I know you don’t feel the same, and I think any good soldier would prefer resolving conflicts without a fight, but sometimes there’s no other way.”

  Grace pondered his words before responding, “I’d like to think our cause is just, that what we do is right, but isn’t that what every side of a conflict feels? How can I be sure that those trying to stop us don’t have just as good of a reason? Certainly the soldiers on those boats haven’t made the Union do the things they’ve done. Do they deserve to die for following an order from people they’ve grown to respect and believe in?”

  “It’s not always about what we deserve,” Charles admitted. “I’ve done things I thought were right but now know were wrong. Hell, I’ve been carrying guilt for years that the captain thinks I’m a fool to feel guilty over.” He shook his head. “There’s no magic spell that can tell you right from wrong. All we can do is use what we know, at the time that we know it, to make the best decision we can.” He leaned forward, just enough to place his hand on the petite ankle touching his calf. “You’re more than willing to be a shield, to protect the people you care about with your life. Whether you like it or not, you’re deciding that our cause is worth someone dying over.”

  “That’s…a funny way of looking at it. I’m not deciding how much a life is worth.” Grace chewed her lower lip in thought.

  “You’re deciding your life is worth less than someone else’s. You can spin that how you like, but it’s still making a value judgment on people’s lives.” He sighed. “That’s not a judgment on you, by the way. Serin and Leslie, and probably their whole troupe, wouldn’t strike the finishing blow, either. But they wouldn’t say it’s because they aren’t placing a value on lives. It’s just that they value their principles more than their own life. I’m guessing you feel the same.”

  “I’d have to think about it,” Grace admitted, brows furrowed and mouth quirked in contemplation. She tapped her finger against her lips before shaking the thoughts from her head. “For now, I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

  “You and I, both,” Charles agreed, letting the discussion subside. He wasn’t prepared when the first wave hit and grabbed at the engine casing behind him when the ship shook abruptly. “I take it we’ve reached the end of our smooth sailing days.”

  “Yes, um, you might want to head to a cabin, I’ve added railings to hold on to as needed,” she replied as she stood. Offering a hand, she added, “Let me take you.”

  Charles took the proffered hand and pulled himself to his feet. Despite the vibrations through the floor, Grace stood still as a statue. “How are you doing that?” Charles asked suddenly.

  Grace looked to her feet before breaking into a smile. “I am one with the ship. I am connected like the roots of a tree with the soil.”

  “Well, that’s handy,” he offered, squeezing her hand tighter as an especially large wave rocked the ship. “And what’s your plan once you get me out of here?”

  “Well, I’m going to return here. If the seas are as bad as I expect, I’ll need to continuously reinforce the hull so we don’t break apart and sink. This is the best place to monitor the integrity while ensuring the engines don’t stall.” She began walking to the doorway, ethereally surefooted with each step.

  “Wait!” Charles cried, pulling his hand from her own. “You’re just going to sit down here alone the whole time?”

  Grace smiled and winked. “You should know it’s impossible for me to be alone with all of you aboard.”

  “You know what I mean,” Charles replied. “What if you need something, help or whatever?”

  Grace tapped her lips. “Well, depending on what we run into, my focus will be rather narrowed. I might not be able to pay attention to everyone at once. But if I really needed, I could call, I suppose.”

  “Wouldn’t it just be easier if I stayed?” Charles asked, trying to stifle the excitement in his voice.

  “Hmm,” Grace considered. Charles watched her look away with a mischievous smile. “Do you want to stay?” she asked shyly.

  A broad grin broke out over Charles’s face. He took a step back and placed his hand on the engine casing. “Do you have to ask?” he riposted. Another wave shook the engine room and he tried to find something to wrap his hands around. “Uh, think you could give me something to hold on to?”

  “Sure.” Grace smiled and stepped up to the taller man. She slipped her left hand under his right elbow, and linked their arms. She saw heat rise up the man’s cheeks and giggled. “Better?” she managed to asked through the bubbling mirth.

  Charles stared ahead stoically. When another wave rocked the room, he clenched his arm around hers, bringing his left hand over to cover hers. “Yeah,” he replied, a smirk beginning to form on his lips, “much better.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN:

  Sleeping Monsters

  Are you humming?” Serin asked incredulously. “How can you be humming when we are about to die?”

  “We’re not about to die,” Leslie answered, cutting off the vibrant tune in her throat. As soon as she’d finished, she returned to her hum, mouthing words silently.

  “We very nearly capsized less than ten minutes ago,” the shorter fey reminded, “and the waves aren’t getting smaller.”

  “We’re getting off course,” the taller companion added, ignoring Serin’s remarks. “We need to go more…left,” she announced, realizing Serin had no reference for north or east.

  “Grace said to keep her nose pointed at the waves to break through. If I turn, that puts the waves on our side, which means we really will tip over.” Serin tightened her grip on the wheel.

  “I don’t mean a hard left, just fifteen degrees.” Seeing Serin’s concerned expression, she added, “We’ll be okay.”

  Serin relented, slowly inching the wheel left, her gut twisting as she felt Grace turn. Slowly, that’s what Grace had said. Always turn slow, give yourself the chance to correct before you overdo it. She saw a particularly large wave coming in, its crest higher than her line of sight, meaning it was probably as tall as Gra
ce herself. “This is going to hurt,” she announced.

  The hammering of the waves from the front was bad enough. Each good one would soak the windows with a bang that sounded like the whole bridge was breaking off. This one, at just the slight sideways angle, slammed into Grace like they’d run aground. The whole ship tilted awkwardly, Serin and Leslie found themselves knocked off their feet, thankfully kept from careening in the walls by their harnesses. Serin fared slightly better as she still held the steering wheel in both hands, twisting her torso to keep herself from pulling the wheel into an even sharper turn. Leslie had only one hand on the dash when the wave hit and found herself lifted off her feet and flailing backward. With their close proximity, Leslie found her shoulder and right leg lashing out against her bond. As the ship finally broke through, she pushed energy into the one wrist still connected to the dash and pulled herself wholly back into a standing position.

  Leslie stared at the monitor for the few seconds before the next wave hit. “That’s good enough, straighten us out now,” she half yelled.

  Serin pulled the wheel back before pulling herself forward and latching one hand on the dash behind the wheel. Even if this whole ship flipped, she wasn’t going to let go. “Brace yourself,” she yelled just as another giant swell was about to touch the ship. Both women held tight, but were pleasantly surprised to find not nearly as much tilt, the crash feeling more like a head-on break through the waves than the last world-shaking experience.

  “Attention helmsman and navigator,” a voice suddenly sounded from unseen speakers on the dashboard, “what the hell are you doing?”

  A black plastic walkie-talkie took form on the dash, with a twisting cord hanging off the bottom. Leslie snatched the com and squeezed the large talk button on the side. “We had to change course a little bit, but it seems all right now.”