Voyage of the Lanternfish

by C S Boyack

  James and Mal walked down a sandy stretch of beach. Mal found a spiral shaped shell, shook the water out, then examined it. He stuck a small cork in the opening then dropped it in his bag. He repeated this action multiple times, even evicting a hermit crab to collect the shell.

  They approached a rocky stretch of beach and heard, "Kay Kay. Go."

  One of the root monsters broke from the rocks then laid on the sand. A solitary gull swooped down and carried him away. The rest of the monsters stuck their heads out of the rocks and watched.

  The gull caught the wind and swooped out toward the bay, climbing higher. Finally its head dipped and its wings sagged. It spiraled down toward the waves.

  "Yaaaay!" The monsters all cheered then shook their weapons in the air. The gull hit the ocean with a splat. "Ha ha ha ha!" They fell over the rocks in laughter. "Igo igo." Flattop ran out then laid on the sand.

  "Nobody is next," James said. "What the hell are you up to?"

  "Bird pickin," Boss said. "Modder fight back."

  "We need to leave. Storm's coming and we don't want to bust up the ship after we put all that work into her. Round up your men and let's go."

  The soaked monster washed up on the beach. "Monchala! Ookey, ookey, ookey," The monsters cheered. They lifted their companion on their shoulders and carried him to the rocks. The wet monster spat. "Awa, ca ca!" The monsters all laughed again then slapped their mate on the shoulder.

  James and Mal returned to the ship. The monsters scurried from cover to cover, but remained hidden from others for the most part.

  James gathered his officers for supper that night. Biscuit bill delivered a roasted bay frog. "That new woman caught enough for the whole crew. This one's done first." Bill placed the platter on the table then left.

  James opened his new glass window, and they dined to the sound of bay frogs croaking all over the harbor. An undertone of distant thunder prompted him to speak. "We have to take her out during the storm. My preference is to leave and stay ahead of it. Do we have everything we need?"

  "Everything but enough crew," Fala said. "We can make due without another bag of flour, or a roasting pig, but we need people."

  "After supper, take McCormack and make a recruiting tour. Tell them how much money they could make. Talk about how powerful our ship is. Do what you can. I want to set sail in the morning. Take all night if you have to. You can sleep after we're at sea."

  Fala took some biscuit scraps to her bird, then took McCormack to the first tavern. James and Dan stepped onto his newly refurbished deck then filled their pipes. The bosun's chair still hung down where Stuttering Lewis had worked on the skeleton. It swayed in the breeze, and wood chips blew across the deck.

  Chapter Seventeen

  James awoke to a din in the pre-dawn hours. He stepped out back, and a line of men gabbed on the dock. He dressed quickly then went outside. Fala and McCormack sat up a table beside the ship. Every recruit had to sign in and get assigned to a master.

  The ship rocked as the waves increased in size. They could get away from the dock and shallows, but might not get ahead of the storm. He hoped Mal's prediction was wrong, but had learned not to doubt him.

  Bill brought him some sliced frog, tea, and biscuits. James asked him to take tea to Fala and McCormack.

  He sat down to breakfast, then Flattop reported in. "Boss say, no rats, I I I I."

  "Good work, Flattop. Could you ask Bill for some butter?"

  "I I I I." Flattop ran out the door.

  James had a second cup of tea, then finally wiped his biscuit in frog drippings before choking it down.

  Flattop returned and saluted. "I I I I. Man say. Say, go way. Catch modder. Mash mash mash mash. Make pie." He stomped his feet to emphasize the mashing.

  "Did he, now? I'll have a word with him. You'd best see if Boss needs anything."

  "I I I I."

  James put on his hat then headed for the galley. The downpour had started, so he buttoned the top of his coat. "I sent Flattop for some butter."

  Biscuit Bill looked up from his stove. "That thing? I thought it wanted the butter for itself."

  James leaned against the door frame. "What if he did? I bought kegs of the stuff. He's a crew member just like you are."

  "I cook vegetables. I don't take orders from em."

  "You could. I could assign you to the Boss' crew any time I like. Then you can take orders from him."

  "I–"

  James held up a finger to stop him. "I sent Flattop with a personal request. My requests get priority around here. You will treat my crew with respect, regardless of who or what they are. Are my orders clear?"

  "Yes, sir. Captain, sir."

  "Thank you. You're a good man, and a fabulous cook. They're good at what they do, too. Let's move on and have no more about it." He turned to leave, but looked back. "And for future reference, I like butter with my biscuits."

  "Aye, aye, Captain."

  By the time the conversation was over, all the new recruits were aboard. McCormack folded his table then took his ledger below to the caravan. Don Velasco directed the setting of the sails. Serang was high in the rigging tying knots and running lines. She moved through the highest portions of the rig like a monkey in the tree tops. Johnny Jump Up stood at the wheel. James put two fingers to his hat and saluted him. Johnny nodded back.

  James climbed up to the wheel.

  "Where we headed, Captain?" Johnny asked. Rain fell in buckets, and thunder rolled in the distance.

  "Get away from this storm, wherever that takes us. After we dodge it, we head for the shipping lanes. Storm seems to be heading northwest. If we head due east we might get around it. What do you think?"

  "Sounds good to me. I don't know anything about these tropical storms. I'm a coastal pirate, remember."

  "They can be nasty, and they can change directions. East sounds like a good risk."

  Johnny whistled to get Don Velasco's attention. He pointed to the starboard side of the ship. Don Velasco nodded then issued new instructions to his crew.

  James went back to his cabin to study charts. He watched two smaller ships leave the docks and anchor offshore, before pulling his exterior door shut against the wind.

  Hours passed. When he looked up, it was at a wall of water. Not panic worthy, but they were sailing down into a trough between huge waves. He put his hat on then went to check on the ship.

  Johnny Jump Up stood at the wheel alone, the decks were clear of men. "Ordered everyone else inside. There's a monster hiding underneath the mortar that can run for Don Velasco if I have need of him."

  "I need to check on everyone. Are you alright here for a while?"

  "Someone has to hold course as long as we can. Gets much worse we may have to take down sail and ride it out."

  "Agreed, veer twenty degrees north, but keep to an easterly direction. Do you need any thing?"

  "No, sir. Watch your step out there."

  James wound his way below decks, water pouring out the front of his hat. The men gathered around lamps, smoking, throwing dice, and telling tales.

  Serang sat alone on the side of her hammock. She lifted an oatmeal colored clay jar by a strap tied around its mouth and drank. The jar had a black painted kanji on the side.

  "Are you comfortable down here with–"

  "Best leave her be, Captain," Chappie cautioned. "She's a mean drunk. Broke a lad's nose about half an hour ago because he tried to sit with her."

  "Send a runner for the quartermaster. And help her get across the decks. She's not quite the sailor the rest of us are."

  "Aye aye, Captain," Chappie said. He went for Fala personally.

  Fala looked worse for wear. She politely covered her mouth as she burped.

  "I'll see if Bill has some bread or something for you," James said.

  "I couldn't eat anything..." she started to say.

  "You don't think so, but it will help. Some hard tack or something. Look, I don't honestly know what a woman is comfortab
le with. Perhaps Miss Serang could use some private quarters."

  "Got the forepeak. It's odd shaped, but it's empty right now."

  "It should be big enough to hold a hammock and some belongings." He turned back to the drunken woman. "Miss Serang?"

  She jumped to her feet and wobbled. "What would you have me do, my captain? Is there killing needs done?"

  "Nothing like that, um, thank you. Miss Fala is going to give you more private quarters. Bring your hammock and possessions."

  "Aye aye, my captain." She untied the hammock, corked the jar of alcohol, then reached for a crate of similar jars. She paused then handed her jar to James. She threaded her glaive through the rope handles of the crate, tossed the hammock over her shoulder and lifted the crate like a suitcase. She held out her free hand for the jar.

  James sniffed at the rim before handing it back to her. "What is this stuff?"

  "Huangjiu, my captain." She turned to the other sailors. "And you sons of bitches better not touch it, or I'll cut your god damned heads off."

  Fala led her down to the forepeak.

  Chappie said, "Some of the lads sailed with her before. She's a good sailor, but drinks when there's nothing else to do."

  "We may all need a drink before this is over. Make sure Miss Fala makes it back to her quarters."

  "Aye aye, Captain."

  James went back to the galley, checking the gun ports were secure along the way. Water pooled on the lower deck as the ship listed.

  Biscuit Bill only had cold biscuits to offer, but assured James they were the perfect cure for a weak stomach. He tied half a dozen in a bundle then headed for Dan's quarters.

  The anvil bird's perch leaned against the glass, its chain adjusting for the list of the ship. He left the biscuits then returned to his quarters. An hour later he spelled Johnny at the helm.

  The storm didn't lessen during the night. It didn't get worse either, so veering north helped. Dan spelled him in the pre-dawn hours.

  "I added another five degrees north during the night," James said. "We seem to be going around the storm. Hold that course, but if we get by it, I'd like to head back south. Make changes by degrees though. These storms are huge, and it could take a week to get around it... if it doesn't change course."

  "Aye aye, and try to get some sleep. You look terrible."

  "Are my eyes red?"

  Dan paused.

  James slapped him on the back. "I'm joking with you. Wake me if there are any problems."

  "Sounds like you're in good humor at least."

  "Hand wringing doesn't seem to help."

  Dan elected to hold course. The ship climbed one mountain of water after another, ultimately cresting then diving into the valleys between waves. The rain beat down upon him all during his shift, but it lessened toward mid day.

  Occasional glimpses of blue sky and sunshine started to show up, and the rain lightened. Don Velasco brought out a skeleton crew to trim the sails, and the root monsters gathered on deck. They danced in the rain and said something about good awa.

  The ship skidded to a complete stop, like suddenly pulling the brake lever on the caravan.

  Dan fell and rolled across the poop deck. Serang was tossed from the mizen mast, but caught a line and swung onto the yard arm.

  James burst from his cabin with no coat or hat. He vaulted onto the main deck, swung over the side of the ship, then started climbing the rigging.

  He climbed into the crows nest for a look around. A fat root monster rolled across the nest repeatedly jabbering with his friend about the sudden stop.

  "Are you lot alright?" James asked.

  "I I I I," The skinny monster said with a salute.

  "Stand to, and let's figure out what happened."

  The sea underneath took on a rusty tone. The decks filled with men. They all looked up for answers from the captain.

  James cupped his hands over his eyes, but the rusty water was all he could see. "Go find First Officer Philson. Have him send up my telescope."

  "I I I I." The fat root monster clambered down the mast as fast as he could go.

  Motion below indicated the message was delivered. Serang ran to a rope, put the telescope case over her shoulder then climbed a rope using only her hands. The display of grace and power worthy of a pause to observe. She stepped into the crows nest and handed him the telescope.

  The copper color ended about a mile from the ship in every direction. James collapsed the scope, put it in the case, then handed it back to her. He turned to look at the distant black wall of the storm. "Damn! We outran the storm, and now we're stuck waiting for it to catch up."

  "Why did we stop," Serang asked.

  "Whale trawler, and a big one too. I make him at about two miles wide."

  She shook her head and raised her eyebrows.

  "A jellyfish. His arms are like long lines that scoop up anything he can eat, usually whales."

  "Ah. My people call him the dragon eater. I've heard of him, but never seen one."

  "I have, unfortunately. We see them in the shipping lanes. Usually you can sail around if you spot them in time."

  "Will he eat the ship?"

  "No. Wood doesn't appeal to him. Right now, he's the hammer, and that storm yonder is the anvil. If the surge picks up it could actually help us, but we're back to running from the storm's wrath." He leaned against the rail of the nest. "We have to wait him out. I'll address the crew and let them know what to expect."

  They climbed back down, then James addressed the crew from the quarterdeck. "His head will fill with water, then he'll shoot it out like an octopus when he's ready to move on. He's so big life moves at a different pace for him. It could be days before he takes his next breath.

  "If that happens, we'll lower back into the sea, but his wave is dangerous. It could swamp the ship. We need to be ready for that. His long lines are deadly, but they won't reach up for us. He also has some kind of curtains that pull food into his mouth. We can sail through those, but it's like sailing through mud. When that happens we're going to need all hands.

  "The storm is also a problem. We nearly outran it, but every minute we wait the storm becomes a bigger threat. We were only on the fringe of it. Be ready for more waves. One of those could wash us free then we'll need to get moving in a hurry. If we get inside the heart of that storm, it could be the death of us."

  He turned back to speak to his officers. "Keep them busy. There's a lot to worry about here, and I don't want them making it worse than it is. Clean the guns, swab the decks, anything to keep them active. We can probably use the rain to top off our fresh water. Some of our jibs and staysails got torn, let's make repairs today. And take down all the sails. We have the storm surge going one direction, the whaler swimming a different direction, we don't need the wind giving us a third to deal with until we're free."

  "Some of them haven't eaten, due to the storm," Don Velasco said.

  "Slaughter one of the pigs. That will work a few of them, and give them a good meal. Even the clean up will take a few men. Repair things, don't care if they're menial jobs."

  "Could we drop a couple of mortar shells on him?" Johnny asked. "Might nudge him along."

  "I've seen entire broadsides fail. We have precious few shells available as it is. No."

  James returned to his quarters, and the crew went about their duties. He poured a glass of rum, filled his pipe, then went outside on his deck. The overhang that was held up by the statues kept the rain off of him.

  Stuttering Lewis lowered back down to work on the skeleton carving. "M, m, m, Mister, ffff, pffff, Mister Philson said–"

  "By all means, carry on. He's looking damned good. Fierce even."

  "Th, th, th..."

  James went back inside then closed the door.

  Fala shouldered her bird then went below to find McCormack. She placed the bird on the caravan's window sill, then they went over records.

  Root monsters pushed the wash basin under a drip that came from a
bove. They jabbered happily outside the window.

  The bird said, "I I I I."

  The monsters went silent.

  Fala stroked the bird's head. "What's that honey? Are you trying to talk to me?"

  The monsters said, "I I I I."

  The bird answered them, and the monsters fell about the floor laughing and pointing.

  The bird laughed, "Ha ha ha ha."

  "Ha ha ha ha."

  "Ha ha ha ha."

  "I I I I."

  "I I I I."

  Fala burst from the caravan with her blunderbuss. "Stop it! You're going to make him retarded or something."

  The monsters screamed and ran. "Aghhhhh!"

  "Aghhhhh!"

  Fala returned to the caravan.

  "We're you really going to shoot them?" McCormack asked.

  "I don't know. They're roots. I don't know if it hurts them or not, but they sure scrambled."

  They returned to accounting for the slaughtered pig, and worked out how many days of livestock they had.

  Serang knocked on the side of the wagon. She had a boat hook with a small pail over her shoulder. She gave a shallow bow. "May I have some hot water, please?"

  Fala took the kettle to the water barrel attached outside. "I'll have to heat some. It's no problem."

  "Serang washes every day."

  "Then we'll try to heat water every afternoon."

  Serang knelt on the deck and placed her palms on her thighs. She stared into space as she waited.

  When the water was hot enough for washing, Fala carried the kettle outside then filled the pail. "Are you willing to use sea water? We have to be careful with our fresh."

  "Sea water is fine, if it is also hot." She shouldered the pail, made a shallow bow, and said, "Doh je."

  "Doh je," the anvil bird repeated.

  Serang smiled and petted him under the bill. "Such a polite bird."

  McCormack watched as she left.

  "Be careful," Fala said. "She broke a man's nose the other night for pushing his luck."

  "Rumor has it she's a mean drunk. Looking ought to be safe enough."

  "Depends on how you look. An appreciative glance is one thing, a leering stare is different." She handed the bird a peanut.