Heart of the Kraken (Tales from Darjee)

by Exley, A. W.

  Regulators peered over the railing of the airship. They hovered close enough that Reis heard Shame shout commands and their canon changed focus. They tried to aim straight down, at the monster tugging on their anchor. Their on board winch screamed of metal grinding on metal as they threw it in reverse and tried to haul the dead weight back up. The kraken kept hold of its balloon and swam toward the sea wall and the open ocean.

  Reis chuckled as the Imprudent was dragged backward. Then they fired the canon. The boom shot across the harbour like the crack of thunder. The shot missed the creature directly under their belly and fortunately, missed the Razor's Edge. The balls splashed into the shallow water and sent up plumes of steam and sand. The canon were cranked around as the airship drifted further away. Repel lines appeared over the sides and soon brown and maroon clad Regulators clipped to the lines and dropped over, before they were swept too far from the pirate vessel.

  One in particular caught his attention, the man with the maroon fringe on his shoulders flapping in the light breeze. Shame.

  Reis laughed, good humour rippled through his body and spread out to his men. It had been months since their last decent fight and the Regulators were renowned for their skill with sword and pistol. He smacked his hands together and rubbed them in anticipation of the battle about to unfold. He drew his sabre and waited for his opponent to touch the deck. Shame's arrogance condemned him. Once again, he made the opening hostile move, strictly forbidden under the rules of Lusions. He wouldn't want an enraged ore-mancer on his arse, the man could end up with a mechanical cock that whistled.

  Shame swung on his rope to angle over to the pirate ship. He released himself at the high point of his swing and landed on the deck with the soft grace of a cat jumping from a tree. He drew his sword and pointed the tip at Reis.

  "You will hand over the mermaid," he said.

  Reis laughed and raised his weapon. "Only if you wrap those velvet lips around my shaft first."

  Shame lunged and Reis parried his blow and then danced to the side. "Bit clumsy for you, Shame. Feeling impatient?"

  "I have a reputation to maintain and wish this over quickly." The two captains circled one another.

  The next time steel clashed, he found Shame immoveable and nearly overbalanced. The Regulator captain might dress like a dandy, but he fought like a warrior. They traded blows, each delivered faster and harder as their dance took form. Reis would lead, pushing Shame to the railing only for Shame to spin, duck, and appear behind him. The younger man would snatch the lead and dictate the next round with the point of his sword.

  Reis couldn't stop the smile from taking over his face. Shame was a worthy opponent, his arm strong and his skill with the blade excellent. For the first time in over a year, he faced a combatant who equalled him. Adrenaline flooded his body and catapulted him into a good mood, plus the Regulator had a smack down coming from Nancy once he caught wind of the fight. There wasn't much that could improve the day further unless the kraken split open the Imprudent's hull and gold rained on those below.

  Around him, his crew took on the Regulator men who were hopelessly outnumbered. One by one, they were pushed to the sides and disarmed. The Razor's Edge pirates could obey some rules and they had no intention of killing the lawmen and risk losing their privileges to visit the Fancy Garter.

  Part of Reis' mind registered Nancy rushing to the end of the pier. His blue and green patterned tunic swirling between his legs with each hurried stride. He stopped at the end and raised his fist and shook it at the on-board melee. Then he raised both arms and Reis turned back to parrying Shame's latest blow.

  Lightning from a cloudless sky flashed across the harbour. Over the roar of the kraken tugging on the anchor rope came another scream. Higher in pitch, the harsh tone seemed mechanical in origin, not natural. A shadow swooped over the corner of his vision.

  He swung at Shame and turned a fraction enough to see the ocean boil as another colossus rose up to challenge his kraken. This monster was nothing natural, but a gigantic mechanical snake. The creature soared straight up toward the sky for over a hundred foot and then it dove and struck out. The long, tubular steel body was segmented like a crazy brass wyrm with long sensor wires jutting out like a toilet brush bristles. It had red eyes and the head end swung back and forth to an unseen command. It wrapped around the kraken's neck and squeezed. Everyone froze, their own battle forgotten as they watched the new one unfold.

  The demon from the depths of the ocean battled a puppet operated by Nancy. His hand gestures made at the end of the pier, matched the weaving of his creation. The grey blotched hide of the cephalopod wrestled with the bright steel of the snake. The combatants sank into the water and raised a wave that nearly capsized the boat. The kraken's scream was cut off as the sinuous automaton wrapped around its fat neck. Unfeeling, it continued to choke even as the kraken tried to pull its narrow body from its own. A faint pink flush crept up the kraken's head as it lost its air supply.

  Nancy teetered on the edge of the pier, his toes hooked around the last plank. His eyes narrowed in concentration and his thin lips pursed and moved as he whispered unheard words. Then he drew his hands in an arc across the harbour. His creation obeyed and the steel wyrm dragged Reis' beast back through the water. Two tentacles still clung to the anchor line and it hauled the airship behind. The entire ensemble looked like an adult dragging a reluctant child away from a party while still clutching a balloon.

  Reis' aquatic monster made some internal decision and let the chain go. The airship shot up into the air before the crew could stabilise the sudden ascent. Then it turned all eight tentacles to the thing entwined around its neck. Men watched open mouthed as Nancy, like a puppet master, controlled his mechanical beast with hand movements. Once the kraken and giant wyrm were a distance from the pirate ship, he let his hands drop to his side. His creature unwound itself and disappeared beneath the waves. The kraken sank, its sides heaving as it drew air back into its lungs.

  A seagull circled the boat and took up a position in the rigging. Men elbowed each other and pointed. The bird was metallic, the sun a low glint over its tin feathers. It opened its beak and a harsh squawk emerged.

  "Recall the kraken, Reis," Nancy said, his voice relayed through the automaton seagull. "Or I unleash my creation on the Razor's Edge."

  Reis muttered and swore, but his finger flicked the switch on his gauntlet. The blue light sizzled over the water and shot through the kraken. It roared and sunk below the water.

  "Captain Shame," the seagull continued. "You broke my governing rule by attacking a ship enjoying the neutrality of my island. The Imprudent is no longer welcome at the Isle of Illusions, you will exit my harbour."

  Shame pulled back his lip in a snarl. "I follow the orders of the Lady Alise, not an exiled ore-mancer and I shall leave of my own accord."

  "Well," Reis said. "That's a bugger. I doubt the Lady Alise will be pleased to hear you failed in your assigned task. But I do have some sympathy for a fellow swordsman if you redeem the chit first, I will still hand you the mermaid."

  Shame returned his sword to the scabbard at his side. "Very well. There is an outpost two days sailing from here and not far from the Darjee channel. I will amass your reward and wait for you there."

  Reis spat into his palm and extended his hand. "A truce until one day after the deal is concluded." He wanted some reassurance Shame wouldn't hand over the gold and Sunshine, take the mermaid and then drop on them from above and retrieve the fortune.

  Shame nodded, bit down his disgust at the wad of spittle and then shook Reis' hand. "A gentleman's agreement then."

  Chapter Seventeen

  Fenton stood on the deck in the bright sunlight and seethed while around him a party erupted. Reis ordered a keg of rum tapped. Dinger pulled out his accordion and struck up a fast tune. Men laughed and swapped ideas on how to spend all their gold.

  They celebrated Ailin's forthcoming death. His muscles tensed and bunched under his ski
n and his frustration erupted as he slammed his fist into the side of the cabin. The stab of pain shot from knuckle up his arm and it was nothing compared to the agony awaiting Ailin when they carved out her heart while it still beat.

  Nancy's plan had failed, the two captains had argued all right while he was tied to the kraken and impotent. Then Reis and Shame had struck an agreement.

  "Careful, Mr Fenton, anyone would think you were upset to hear we'll be collecting our reward by week's end." Reis crept up behind him with the stealth of a cat.

  He stared at the splinter deep in his hand and pulled it out, relishing the tiny wave of fresh pain it sparked. "You know I cannot let you hand her over to Shame."

  The captain chuckled, a soft noise like a caressing breeze. "And you know, you cannot stop me."

  "This is over. I will not serve on the Razor's Edge anymore. You will let me go." He met the other man's gaze and never looked away. His fear of the legendary pirate ebbed like a receding tide. His metamorphosis triggered days ago when he first lifted Ailin in his arms.

  He snorted. "I don't let anything of value go and you maintain your value, despite the softness in your head. I shall let the men have their celebration for a few hours, and then we are pulling up anchor to follow the Imprudent."

  Their supplies had arrived that morning and were now secure in the hold. They only lingered at Lusions to arrange handing over the prized mermaid and now Reis had forged his deal. The tingle in Fenton's hand turned into an itch to wrap his fingers around the hilt of his sword and plunge it into the captain. Only the appearance of Maynard halted his reach.

  "The men want to drink your health, captain," he said. His gaze glanced from captain to first mate.

  Reis slapped him on the back. "Of course, Mr Maynard. Mr Fenton, go check on our fish, perhaps you could impart the good news of its impending visit to Darjee as guest of honour at a grand banquet."

  He screwed up his eyes to shut out the captain's laughing face and clenched his fists until his short nails bit into his palms. Only when a fraction of calm returned could he cross the deck and rub shoulders with his celebrating crew mates. Yusuf guarded the hold and thrust a hand into the pouch hanging off his belt. He drew out a key and handed it to Fenton, who snatched the object and then tumbled down the hold stairs. It made sense to lock Ailin in the crate when the Regulators descended. Much harder to steal the entire container than the grab the mermaid from within. Of course that assumed you viewed her as a piece of cargo and not a fellow creature who was starved of her senses when the lid slammed shut.

  He undid the padlock and lifted the lid to find Ailin huddled in a corner, her tail drawn up against her chest and her arms wrapped underneath. Her head lay against the soft scales but she raised it and her eyelids fluttered open when he whispered her name. While she adapted to the flood of light, he walked to the small porthole and shoved padlock and key out the window. He should have tossed the lock days ago, not that it would take much effort to find a replacement one in the stores room.

  She unfurled and tried to stretch out her tail but banged against the sides of her prison. "What happened? There was shouting and Yusuf shoved me down and locked me in but wouldn't speak. Then all I heard was that horrible noise."

  He reached out and stroked her damp hair. "Regulators attacked but we pushed them off. Reis released the kraken to drag away their airship but Nancy had a mechanical beast large enough to subdue it."

  She inhaled sharply and her eyes widened. "Is he all right?"

  "Bruised but it lives still. Are you concerned about the beast?" Odd that she worried about the demon, others would condemn it to the darkest regions of hell.

  "He protected me from the sharks. I do not believe he is evil, like you, his actions are controlled by another." She took his hand and drew it to her chest. "What are you not telling me?"

  "Nancy's plan didn't work." He choked on the words, his shortcomings stuck in his caw. "I could not free you while they fought, Reis forced me to summon his pet fiend."

  Her fingers tightened around his, her pale blue nails biting into his flesh. "It does not matter," she whispered.

  "Yes it does." He couldn't meet her eyes, couldn't tell her she had less than a week to live because he had faltered. Again.

  "Go to Nancy now while there is still a little time. Listen to his counsel."

  He glanced up to find her wide eyes shimmering with tears. He caught one and held it on a fingertip. A brilliant gem more beautiful than a diamond for it contained her despair. He touched it to his lips and tasted salt laced with desolation.

  She tilted her face and he leaned down to kiss her like a desperate man about to lose the only thing in life he loved and craved. Then he did as she asked, at least he could manage one last trip on shore.

  For once the land-sickness didn't bubble up in his gut, the anger and frustration kept it under a tight rein as Fenton marched down the pier and up the main street. He put his shoulder to any man who stood in his way and even the enormous automaton bouncers stepped out of his way. He crossed the tavern floor and pulled the doors apart. Rage fizzed in his stomach and the kraken writhed on his back and threatened to split his skin open. Nancy sat at his desk and he kept his gaze on the old man who had condemned Ailin.

  The doors hissed behind him as he stalked his prey over the expensive carpets. He slammed a hand on the desk. "Your game did not win, Shame and Reis have come to an agreement."

  The ink pot stood on its spindly legs and moved to hide behind a novel as Nancy laid down his pen and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "An unexpected development and they have not played by the rules. Rather like adding a snake to the board that eats the other pieces out of turn."

  "Now that you have banished the Imprudent, it is heading to a Darjee outpost to collect the reward. Reis prepares to weigh anchor to follow, and the men intend to swap the contents of their holds when they next meet. Ailin will be loaded onto the Imprudent and dead by week's end." He had to do something, anything, so for the second time that day he chose to slam his fist through a wall. He pulled his hand back out and plaster showered over the floor.

  Nancy rose from his desk and shuffled over to the sofa. He glanced at the mess of pulverised wall and sighed as he sat down in more comfort. "Calm yourself, lad. I still have one trick up my sleeve. There is a reason this is known as the Isle of Illusions. I believe a terrible storm is brewing that will keep the Razor's Edge in the harbour for a while yet."

  "We end this, now. I will not let her spend another night in that dammed crate." He punched his finger in the air as an exclamation point.

  "You will do whatever it takes?" Nancy asked.

  "Anything." He swallowed, for he would end it. The dam inside him burst and he knew the strength of holding a true course in his heart.

  Very well." Nancy picked up a cushion and played with the tassels while some of Fenton's anger ebbed with the flow of ocean under his feet. "By the way, how fares the kraken? I hope my mechanical wyrm was not too rough on his hide?"

  He rubbed a hand over his throat where a dark bruise encircled his neck as though the wyrm cut off his air flow. "Bruised is all. An interesting creature you have hiding in the bay."

  The broad smile returned to Nancy's face. "I used my ore-mancer gift to create the things that defend this island. I protect my friends and family."

  The peace of the room enveloped him and tugged at the rage and frustration, bit by bit the atmosphere pulled the strips from his psyche. Fenton let out a deep sigh as he let it all go and turned his mind to freeing Ailin with only a mad disgraced ore-mancer to help. Which made a question jump to the forefront of his mind, given he was entrusting this man with the life of the creature he loved.

  "Were you really banished from Darjee?"

  Nancy winked. "Oh yes. Stuck up in those high glass towers on the coast of Duo Uisage, the ore-mancers became disconnected from humanity. The goddess gave us our gift to help people, not to turn them into monstrosities for gold."

&n
bsp; Humanity; a small enough word but when people forgot its meaning they did terrible things. Like carving out a mermaid's heart to learn the secrets of men so they could be used against them. "What did you do?"

  "I created a rather impressive distraction for Weston who built the Curiosity." He smiled so wide, his eyes disappeared into the deep crinkles of his face. He chuckled at some long ago memory. "The Lady Alise was not impressed but banishment suits me. Here I can care for my people and think of their welfare and not the state of my treasury."

  He rose and went back to his desk. Papers were shuffled and pushed aside to reveal a small box made of blackened wood. The ore-mancer ran a hand over the top and muttered under his breath, as though he patted a favourite pet.

  Fenton arched a brow. "What's with the box?"

  The smile flowed back over the old man's face and he tapped the lid. "Reis has his gauntlet, I have my box. But now, I suggest you return to the Razor's Edge. The wind will soon be on the change."

  Chapter Eighteen

  Fenton left the study and as the doors closed behind him, Nancy opened the little box and a blue glow lit his face. For a moment, he wondered what magic it held and then he decided to concentrate on matters he could affect. Like Ailin.

  By the time he stepped out of the Fancy Garter, the air temperature had started to drop and a chill cut through his shirt. Women pressed hands to their heads to stop hats tumbling away as the breeze gathered momentum. Leaves scattered under his feet and birds screamed in the surrounding forest and sent a shiver down his spine as though the creatures hiding in the dense forest heralded the arrival of an unnatural storm and they laughed.