Voyage of the Lanternfish

by C S Boyack

  "How big you want em?"

  She held her fingers apart. "Man's heart is this deep. Make the blades stout and I will cut the sticks."

  "Take me a few weeks. Got other duties right now."

  "That will be fine." She dropped the monster on the deck. He growled at her, but she stopped him with a glance.

  They wandered over to Stuttering Lewis who was busy sewing up the Hollish uniforms. He had some mates washing out the blood, before he sewed up the bullet holes.

  Serang pushed the wash crew aside then undraped her toga. She washed it until it ran blood free. She wrung it out and placed it over the rail of the ship. Then she removed the cover from her hat and did the same thing.

  "We can get you one of those Hollish greatcoats you know," James said. "You'll have to wear a uniform before we get to Cheng Shi Hua anyway."

  "I shall wait, my Captain. It is time to wash, and I can hang these near the caravan stove so they will not freeze."

  "After you," he gestured toward the lower decks. "I want to check on McCormack and see how the repairs are coming."

  The caravan had a hole completely through the bow top. It was roughly the size of an eight pound cannonball. James stared at it and mumbled something.

  McCormack looked up from his ledger. "Best we can figure, it came through one of the gun ports. There's no hole that matches up with it, and those eight pounders aren't likely to penetrate a ship like this anyway. Found the shot, and we can reuse it."

  "How are the supplies and the take?"

  "If your new plan works, we really don't have fifty crates of muskets. Those will go to the emperor. We captured a bunch of lead ingots, and can pour all the musket balls we need. You left the Hollish half the fresh water, so we could use more of that. Most of the haul was personal purses, officer's items, and the like. Never expected cargo on a navy ship anyway."

  "If nothing else, they agreed to pay us, in gold, for the muskets. That's a good haul, even if we can't see it today."

  "True, if you pull this off. All we have to do is pass for the Hollish Navy, stay long enough to exchange muskets for gold, then take delivery of the cannon. During that time, we have to hope nobody sees a root monster, a witch doctor, a couple of navy women, or questions why we have a pirate sculpture holding up the poopdeck."

  "It's all about confidence, Mister McCormack. That's no pirate. It pays honor to the brave Hollish sailors who died in battle before us; fighting on from the afterlife in spirit."

  "Sounds good, in theory. Aside from that, we need more shells for the mortars, and we probably won't have shot for the new guns either."

  "We'll have to work on the fly. Maybe gold from the muskets can buy shell and shot. I'm counting on you to help here."

  "I'll do everything I can, sir."

  James wandered back to the galley, and everything seemed well supplied there.

  "Them Hollish had a big rooster with em. He's usually the first one we eat, but now that we mixed the flock, all them hens are laying like crazy. Figure we ought to keep em laying as long as possible. Might even bake ye a quiche."

  "Sounds wonderful," James said.

  When he got back up to the officer's quarters, Mal stood outside his door in his typical one-legged stance. This always meant he wanted to talk.

  "You don't need for me to acknowledge you. If you want something come find me. What is it?" James asked.

  "Dan burns."

  James pushed around the old man to the surgery. Sweat beaded across Dan's forehead, and his shirt was soaked. He placed a hand across his friend's forehead to confirm his suspicions. "He has the fever. We need to cool him off somehow."

  "I'm so cold, I been shivering," Dan said.

  "That's how it works. It lies to you so you slowly burn up."

  "The spirits lie," Mal said. "I try to drive them out."

  James opened the window. A cold blast filled the room. "Until this fever breaks, we need to keep him cool."

  "The smoke will go out," Mal said.

  "Yes, and it will take the fever with it. I hope. And take his blanket away."

  James bounded from the surgery, and into his cabin. He found his telescope then went to the forecastle. Slightly north of their path he spotted a small iceberg. It didn't amount to much, but they'd been seeing small bits of ice on the sea for days. He ran to the wheel to to give orders to Don Velasco.

  "Get us within range of that iceberg. We're dropping the longboats and sending them over."

  "Icebergs are dangerous, Capitan. Most give them a wide berth."

  "I know, and we would too, but it's a matter of life and death today."

  "I can do this. We will cut sail as we approach, and I will order the longboats over personally."

  "Bring aboard as much ice as you possibly can. Hell, it floats, don't be afraid to tow some behind the boats too."

  "I'll see to it, Capitan." Don Velasco went about ordering the sails adjusted, then turned the ship toward the ice. A school of arctic rays piloted the ship in, porpoising ahead of the bow. Their white skins leaving small rainbows where the sun struck them.

  The rays broke off when they closed upon the iceberg. They scattered around it, and circled for some unseen food source.

  James organized the tools the men would need, and put Johnny in charge of the longboats.

  Johnny made them drag the longboats onto the ice, then anchor them in place with grapnels before he would allow any work to begin.

  Wood saws and boarding axes were poor tools for the job, but they managed to bring back two boats full of ice, and one large chunk nearly half the size of the caravan. Ice on the water was one thing, getting it on the deck was a different matter, and it took nearly half a day.

  When the first chunks were available, James ordered them to the surgery. He placed a hand on Chappy's shoulder. "Organize a crew, and find out which barrels Mister McCormack would like filled with ice. It's going to melt and he needs fresh water. Keep the chunks as big as possible so they'll take longer to melt."

  "I kin do that, sir. It's a kindness you're doing Mister Philson, and the men all see it. Not a lot of captains who'd work that hard for another pirate."

  "We're all working hard. I see it too, and it means a lot to me. It'll mean a lot to Mister Philson too one day." James grabbed a small piece of ice then went to the surgery. He left it on a barrel beside the door.

  "How's he doing?" He asked. Dan was surrounded by chunks of ice on the bed.

  "He's going to kick your ass after he gets out of this bed," Dan said.

  "Hush," Fala told him. "Temperature is dropping, but the fever is fighting back."

  "When was the last time his bandages were changed?"

  "One hour," Mal said. "It still weeps, and it stinks."

  "To be expected, I suppose. Are you eating?"

  "Ain't felt hungry," Dan said.

  "You need to keep eating. I'll get Bill to bring you some broth or something."

  James wound his way back to the galley and told Bill what he wanted.

  "I know just what he needs, but I gotta kill a chicken," Bill said.

  "Then do it. I don't think Mister Philson is quite up to ham and cheese for supper."

  He stopped by the caravan on his way out. "The sea is cold. If you store the ice at the lowest level, it will melt slower."

  "Makes sense," McCormack said. "I'll see to it, sir."

  He then went to check on the rigging and sail plan. He ordered a few adjustments before checking on the wheel and the course.

  A pair of hands grabbed his shoulders and spun him around. He looked into the eyes of Serang.

  "You are not our mother, yet you are running around and trying to control everything that happens today," she said.

  "I'm captain of a ship at sea. Everything that happens here is my responsibility."

  "I agree, but it is not your duty to carry out. You must see the big picture, like traveling to Cheng Shi Hua. You have others who will carry out your orders. We could meet anot
her ship, or another whale trawler, and you will be useless if you don't sleep."

  "But my best friend could be dying over there."

  "It is possible, but ordering where to place barrels will not change that. Give me a course, and I will take the wheel for you tonight. There are good people aboard this ship. At least two of them could be captains in their own right. They know how to rig a sail, and hold a course. You don't have to make the soup yourself." She spun him back around then marched him toward the officers' quarters.

  One of the root monsters slid across the deck, prostrated over a small piece of ice. "Aaaaggghhh!"

  James stopped, but Serang pushed him onward. "They are just playing. They harm no one." She grabbed the chunk of ice James left outside the surgery and carried it into the captain's cabin.

  She dropped the ice in a mug, then filled it with rum. "Drink this, then sleep."

  "But at two o'clock we have to turn north northeast."

  "It shall be done. You can check the course when you awake, but for now you must sleep."

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Days later they spotted another ship. It was a junk style, with its curious ribbed sails. Not nearly as massive as Lanternfish, and appeared to be a merchant vessel.

  James ordered the Hollish flag raised once more, and the banner for the Earl of Grandelor. Then he ordered everyone into uniform. From this point on, they were the Hollish Navy.

  At a distance, even Mal and Fala passed for officers. Serang stood out, even from across the ship. Her high waisted pants, and the tails of her coat made her look even taller and thinner. She wore the fore and aft bicorn hat of a lieutenant, and with her hair pinned up, even her neck looked elegant.

  Don Velasco stood out for the wrong reasons. His port to starboard bicorn accentuated his broad face, and his jacket was a size too small. It was the standard uniform for a sailing master, so it had to stay that way.

  Johnny Jump Up wore a similar uniform better. He passed for an artillery commander if you didn't look too close.

  Within the hour, land came into view ahead.

  Serang approached the captain and tugged at his cravat. "You look most handsome, my Captain."

  "I should take this earring out. It's unusual for a navy captain to wear one."

  "You cannot. The men would be so disappointed. While unusual, it is not unheard of. It's that beard that will give you away."

  "Crap, I forgot about the beard. I need to shave."

  "No. You need it trimmed into a formal shape. Captains wear beards, and you will need your eyepatch."

  "Guess I've gotten too used to being a pirate."

  "Come, I will trim your whiskers, and retie your pony tail. It is a mess too."

  "We'll put a chair on deck. Let the men see me getting cleaned up, they'll be less likely to fuss. You need to deal with them too. No navy captain would let them get this out of hand. You get the chair, I'll get the scissors and my eye patch."

  Serang nodded then went to find a chair.

  James stopped by Dan's quarters along the way. He slept in his own bed now, but the fever ebbed and flowed.

  "Gettin kind of tired of soup," Dan said.

  "We have ham and beans now. Would you like some of that?" James asked.

  "It's a start. Leg hurts something fierce today."

  "I'll send Mal around." He handed the anvil bird some raisins.

  "Ha ha ha ha," the bird said.

  "I take it from your getup we're about to Chingy Ha?"

  "Yes, we'll make port this evening."

  "Don't know how you come up with this stuff. It's a crazy plan."

  "Yes, but it is a plan. We're all getting haircuts and beard trims. Would you like me to send Serang by when we're finished? Might make you feel better."

  "Don't want her anywhere near me with something sharp. Besides, Fala might not like it."

  "Perhaps she can help you spruce up then."

  "Don't see why. It's not like I'm leaving this room."

  "I'll mention it to her anyway. Now I'm off to find my eyepatch. Don't want to make enemies before we even get started."

  James retrieved his items then returned to the main deck. He winced as Serang pulled a comb through his hair.

  "That is why I wash and braid mine, my Captain."

  She trimmed his beard into a shorter version, suitable for a naval commander. After she tied his ponytail, she knocked the end off to even it up.

  James grabbed a sailor and wheeled him into the chair. "When you're done, take the nest and relieve the monsters. They have to go below decks now, and we need someone up there."

  James ordered everyone to take a turn. While there was some grumbling, his popularity with the crew brought compliance.

  More ships appeared, and the sea took on a grey coloration. The hills and cliffs came into view in beautiful shades of green, dotted by grey limestone outcrops. They were approached by a fast moving ketch.

  "Everyone look lively and hold our course," James ordered.

  The ketch moved alongside, dwarfed by the huge Lanternfish. The officer raised a megaphone to his lips. "Trim sail by half. We will lead you in."

  James saluted the man and gave the orders. He took the wheel himself and followed the ketch.

  They headed for a notch between a small island and the mainland. Cliffs towered over them, and atop the island stood a small temple of some kind.

  The ketch fell back again and ordered mainsails only. Don Velasco took down more canvas and Lanternfish slowed yet again.

  The ketch stayed alongside until they slowed. "Now man the yardarms."

  "What hell's he want that for?" Johnny asked.

  "Standard practice in some countries. When a warship enters port, if everyone is standing aloft, they can't man the guns. We're going to have to do it."

  Men scrambled up the masts then lined up across the yardarms. Serang climbed the rope to the top of the main mast, standing alone on the highest part of the ship.

  They passed beyond the island and a densely packed city came into view. It spread as far as they could see. Some homes were built right onto the cliff faces, and others on the hills above. To the east was the lower part of the city, and it sprawled across a huge tidal flat. Canals wove their way back into this area and out of sight.

  Old men fished from long thin boats made of bamboo poles lashed together. They had reptiles resembling flightless pelicans, with long serpentine tails. These were leashed around the throats. The reptiles dove for fish, and the men emptied their bills into large baskets. The fishermen all wore hats similar to Serang's usual hat, but some were more rounded and even had domes on the top.

  The city smelled like most coastal cities. There was an underlying scent of salt water, one of wood smoke, and the stench of humanity. Over it all was a distinct floral scent, unusual to other places.

  The ketch led them toward a line of longboats. "Lower all sails and coast to a stop," the officer ordered.

  James followed his directions, and the longboats approached.

  "You are under the guns of the fortress now," the officer said. "Your crew can come down and help with the lines."

  The longboats offered lines which the crew made fast to Lanternfish. As they towed her to the docks, the boat in the middle provided a drumbeat for the other to keep time with.

  Lanternfish took up the place at the very end of the dock. This was presumably because it required deeper water, but it wasn't lost on James that the fortress guns still had a clear shot. He also noted they were pointed back toward the gap they came through if they had to leave quickly.

  Dockworkers and pirates in disguise worked side by side to secure the ship. The crew scattered to find what entertainment they could. James led his officer contingency ashore. Fala and Mal elected to stay behind with Dan.

  They checked in with the port master, who was curious about the muskets for his emperor. James confirmed they were aboard, and he needed to make his exchange.

  The port master info
rmed them it was too late in the day to find the authorities at the fort. Their best bet was to try in the morning. The soldiers watched them come in and knew of their presence.

  "Come, my Captain. Let me show you my city tonight. All of you." She motioned to Johnny, McCormack, and Don Velasco.

  "Lead the way," James said.

  They climbed to street level then wove among narrow streets covered with colorful tarps between the buildings. Vendors' tables occupied the street so tightly they had to turn sideways at one point to crowd through. The entire area smelled of food, wonderful food the likes of which none of them had tried before.

  Serang stopped at a window and said something to the young man working. He reappeared with five bamboo skewers, each holding six tiny fish that had been flash fried whole. She paid the man and said, "Doh je." She handed out the skewers. "These are the fish you saw the reptiles catching."

  The men looked at the fish. Serang popped one in her mouth whole and crunched. Her eyes rolled at the delicious flavor.

  Don Velasco said, "We have sardina where I am from. We eat those whole too." He popped one in his mouth and proclaimed it, "Delcioso."

  The others joined in, and while they didn't like the idea, they admitted the fish were wonderful.

  Serang tested the skewers for strength, and they did not easily break. She kept them, rather than drop them on the street.

  The next street was filled with flowers beyond imagination. The smell was almost overwhelming, but different than the food street had been. Serang told them Cheng Shi Hua means the city of flowers.

  They stopped at a square to watch a parade. The streets were starting to light up using brightly colored, spherical, paper lanterns. Firecrackers by the hundreds went off all around them, and the area smelled like sulfur. They watched a group of men lift a gigantic puppet and start walking. It was some kind of huge dragon turtle, and the leaders wove its head back and forth at people in the crowd. Children squealed as the monster looked their way.

  Serang stepped to the rear and looked at the street underfoot. James noticed and asked if they should move on.

  "Yes, my Captain." She led them to a narrow walkway that wrapped around a cliff. Ladders led up and down along the walk to houses anchored to the cliff face. The walkway rose over a hundred feet, then descended once more into the canal district.