Voyage of the Lanternfish

by C S Boyack

  Mal held up the can. "This?"

  "It is a mixture of eight different herbs. All of them fight infection, and two will help with pain. I make it myself, and will leave it with you."

  "So you're saying Mal's medicine is no good then?"

  "Never said that. Dan should be dead ten days ago, so something helped." Chu rummaged around the room until he found a cup. "Drink two cups, this big. Time to wake."

  They forced two cups of the hot liquid down his throat, then let him go back to sleep. Chu placed the kettle in the window to cool. "When cool, bathe leg in tea. When dry, come for me. Have more medicine."

  Chu stepped out, and Mal led him across the hall to the surgery. They spent the next hour looking at Mal's herbs, bugs, and fishy concoctions. Mal explained about driving out the evil spirits and trying to attract helpful ones.

  "This is exactly what you must do. Here, we call them demons, but they are the same I think."

  Fala walked in on them. "He's still sleeping, but everything is dry now."

  "Come," Chu gestured at the door. "There is more work." After returning to Dan's side, he examined the leg once more. He opened the latch on the jar he brought, then used a perforated ladle to catch small leeches from it. The leeches went on Dan's leg about two inches above the wound.

  Chu opened one of his boxes. This one contained a crumbly white mealy substance that he dabbed all the way across the scab. "Now we wait." The white meal started moving.

  "Is that it then?" Fala asked.

  "For now. He rests, pain is hidden, temperature is dropping already. Leech is taking poisoned blood away. Maggot will eat dead flesh. Air is fresh, and bird is happy spirit."

  "Maggots?"

  "Yes. Only eat dead flesh. Keep infection from spreading. You find me when maggot is this long." Chu held his fingers apart approximately half an inch. Then he got up and went back to the surgery.

  Mal and Chu talked shop for over an hour. Chu stayed for supper, then slept in Mal's bed while Mal slept on the surgical table.

  James returned to the ship in the late afternoon. He received his update from Chappy and the Boss, who were watching everything.

  "What happened to Miss Serang?" Chappy asked.

  "She went to visit her uncle again, and wanted to look at some things while we're here. The cannon are coming, but it might take a couple of days to get them loaded. They will take back some of the muskets on the return trips. As soon as the next group comes back, find someone to relieve you and spend some time ashore."

  "Thank ye, Captain. I'd like to see this place."

  James went to check on Dan, and admitted his color looked better. Fala was still nervous, but healing was beyond her skill.

  James met Doctor Chu just before they replaced the maggots and leeches on Dan's leg. The doctors went to town together while the creatures continued their work.

  The first shipment of cannon arrived at the end of the day. The Imperial Army escorted the wagon. Their dress was similar to uniforms closer to James' home. Short flat caps, stiff upright vertical collars, and cravats. They carried older, matchlock style muskets. A rag-tag group of laborers tailed behind to do the heavy lifting.

  The officer saluted from the end of the dock, then James invited him aboard.

  "His Imperial Majesty is pleased to deliver your first wagon of cannon. We are looking forward to exchanging this cargo for the muskets you are providing."

  James tried his best to act like a haughty naval officer. "My king is honored by this exchange, and hopes we can conclude our work rapidly."

  "There will be another wagon tomorrow. As you know, cannon are heavy and difficult to move."

  James walked past and checked the wagon. Ten wooden boxes filled the back. "Very well. Let's get them stowed. We have a place on the second deck. I'll have my men bring up some of the rifle crates."

  The exchange began, and James stood in stiff observance from the poop deck.

  Johnny approached him and whispered. "There ain't no carriages on those guns. They're just barrels."

  "I just figured that out myself. We can't make a scene, because we didn't arrange this deal. Just carry on as if this is what we expected. They're only bringing one wagon too. At this rate it will take over two weeks to get them all loaded." He turned toward the fort and stared.

  "What're you going to do about it?"

  "I'm working on it. Give a man some–" A shadowy figure cloaked in black caught his eye behind the harbor master's shack. It might have been his imagination, but it disappeared before he was sure.

  "What were you going to say?"

  "We may have a problem. I can't send out the Boss' crew in front of these people. I think I just saw one of those cloaked assassins."

  "Like back in Airstony?"

  "The same. Clothes looked like the ones Mister Philson adopted. Has Serang checked back in yet?"

  "Haven't seen her."

  "Damn. The best we can do is observe and see to the loading. After these knuckleheads leave, I'll send someone to find him, and search for Serang. Just keep nodding and observing. I'm going to check on Mister Philson and hopefully talk to Fala."

  Dan sat propped up in his bed. Fala fed the anvil bird seeds, one at a time.

  "I'm feeling a bit better," Dan said. "Don't know what all they did, but it helped."

  "So glad to hear it. Do you think you could spare Fala for a bit?"

  "Sure. What's going on?"

  "He needs me right now. Can't you see that?" Fala said.

  "The guns don't have any carriages. We're taking them regardless, but we need to buy some wood right away. I'd like my quartermaster in charge of that."

  "What about the fake guns? They're mostly black painted logs. We could saw them off for wheels. They got carriages too."

  "Not good enough. The wheels maybe, but the carriages are just old crates. These are big guns, and they need solid carriages. We're talking about timbers here, not boards."

  "You should go," Dan said. "Get out and see something before we leave. I'm going to be fine, I promise. Mal can fix my pipe and make the tea. Might even wash the stump myself."

  Fala pursed her lips. "Fine. Send Johnny around when you see him. I need to know how big, how much, and where I might look. I assume he's been to town already."

  "He has. If nothing else, Doctor Chu might know where to shop when they get back. And I'm sending an escort with you. There may be one of those black assassins around. We aren't sure yet, but a few stout lads should accompany you."

  "That ain't the same as sending her for supplies," Dan said.

  "It kind of is. Every town has its lower element."

  "These days, we're the lower element. And if there is an assassin spying on us it doesn't bode well. Maybe you should send McCormack."

  "I would, but I have him shopping for cannonballs. We don't have eighteen pound ordinance, and we're about out of mortar shells. He's been very successful with gunpowder. It seems everyone makes gunpowder in Cheng Shi Hua." James removed his stolen hat and pushed his fingers through his hair. "She can go at first light. Tonight, I'm sending the monsters out to see if there's an assassin around."

  "Leeches. Leeches," the bird said.

  "Ugh." Fala groaned. "He hasn't learned a single thing from me."

  "I'm sure he will. Be thankful he doesn't hang out with Biscuit Bill."

  Other deliveries occurred throughout the day. Bags of flour, rope, lead ingots to make musket balls, and a dozen crates of huangjiu from Uncle Guang.

  James paced the deck, waiting for enough cover to send the root monsters out. He gathered them in his cabin as the sun set.

  "Boys, we need to find out if one of those black assassins is spying on us. Do you remember them?"

  "Ya ya," Boss said.

  "I want you to send out three teams. Work from the dock to the fort. That's where I expect him to be. Keep your eyes out for Miss Serang too. If you find her, send her to the ship."

  "Modders kill sassin?"

&n
bsp; James tugged at his beard. "Only if you're sure that's what he is, and only if you can do it without being seen. Otherwise, trail him then come get me."

  "Boss take team. Flattop take team. Headman give Trubba name, okay for him team?"

  "They're your men. Pick whoever you want."

  "I I I I." The monsters left, and James watched them scurry toward the city from his balcony.

  He paced about the ship most of the early evening. McCormack reported in. There was no ordinance available for them.

  "These are clever people. They're willing to sell the Hollish guns, but won't give them shot they could fire back at them," James said. "What about mortar shells?"

  "None of those either, sir."

  He dismissed McCormack, and was about to go visit Dan. Mal and Doctor Chu were coming down the dock, so he waited for them.

  They carried large sacks of goods up the ramp. "What have you two been up to?" James asked.

  "Medicine," Mal said. He patted his bag for emphasis.

  "Did you exchange any trade secrets?"

  "Mal teach, spirit world. Chu teach herbs," Mal said.

  "Very good. Stow your supplies and carry on. Dan is doing much better now thanks to you... To both of you."

  He paced back and forth across the poop deck. Trouble tugged at his pants. "I I I I."

  James flinched. "Sorry, I never saw you coming. What is it."

  "Trubba fast and quiet. Modders find oman."

  "Woman? Serang?"

  "I I I I."

  "Well where is she? Is she coming to the ship?"

  "No. Gone bongo. Lay in dark street. Try to hit Flattop with stick. Laugh at him. Drink juju."

  "I see. Can you take me to her?"

  "I I I I." Trouble turned and ran toward the ramp. James followed at an accelerated walk.

  They avoided the stone point with the stairs, then turned across the old stone bridge. The lazy waters flowed underneath in inky blackness.

  More commercial enterprises appeared at every wide spot and intersection. The smell of a distant smokehouse filled the air. Trouble stopped and pointed down a dark alley. "Oman in there."

  Serang sat in the darkness on a step. Her navy hat was cocked three-quarters to the side. She lifted the huangjiu jar to her lips by using the strap and tipping it over her wrist.

  James sat down next to her. "How are you doing?"

  She moved to a kneeling position and prostrated herself. "Things are bad here." She sat the jar aside. "I found the old temple."

  "That's nice, right?"

  "No. It's been looted and turned into a government office. It's full of postmen and money changers."

  "Money changers, you say? Can you tell me where it is?"

  "It's on the high ground above the canal district. Not worth seeing now."

  James looked at Trouble, whose team had gathered around them. He nodded in the general direction. "Clink clink."

  "I I I I." The monsters went to visit the money changers.

  James sneaked his hands along Serang's arms. "Let me help you back to the ship."

  Serang wobbled, but got to her feet. "They tore out the persimmon grove."

  "I'm so sorry. Perhaps we can buy some."

  "Those trees saved my life. The monks sent me to pick persimmons the day the soldiers came. I was able to hide, and escape because of those trees."

  "Come on. We'll take our time, but you shouldn't be out here alone."

  "Yes, my Captain." She leaned into his side, then dipped down for her half empty jar. "What happened to your eye patch?"

  "I, um, must have left in a hurry. I'll keep my head down and stick to the dark side of the street."

  "Wise counsel, my Captain."

  "Did Uncle Guang find the chart he spoke of?"

  "Yes and no." Serang produced a set of navigational dividers. "My uncle said this would reveal the cartomancer's location."

  "Doesn't seem to be much use," James said.

  Serang stopped abruptly. She slid off one of the burlwood covers on the divider leg. "Do these symbols mean something to you?"

  James held them near a paper lantern. "Those are coordinates." He slid the cover from the other leg. "This is outstanding, we just need to figure out which is which." He tucked the dividers in his jacket, put an arm around Serang then proceeded down the street.

  They wobbled the first block, until Serang caught a reasonable stride. They made it back to the ship in about two hours.

  James ushered Serang to her room, then pushed the door closed behind her. Two entire walls were covered with crates of huangjiu. He stayed up a few more hours, then turned in for the night. A second glass of rum helped him fall asleep.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Trouble found an empty huangjiu jar near where Serang had been drinking. He had his group bring it. They met up with Flattop's crew then all of them went to the old temple.

  The statues were all removed, and random desks were placed among the empty pedestals. Two guards with swords patrolled the open area.

  "Two modders go, make hide," Trouble said. He and one more ran to the nearest desk then ducked underneath. When the guard passed, he waved for two more.

  They moved, two at a time, until all of them were inside the temple. They spread out to search the building.

  One of the new roots from Flattop's team ran up to Trouble. "Flattop find clink clink. Look under door. Non crawl under. Door locky."

  Trouble rubbed his chin and paced in the shadows. "Key. Look desks."

  "Ya ya,"

  Trouble bashed him on the head. "No say ya ya. Say I I I I."

  "I I I I."

  "Say Flattop, bring jar to door. Trubba find key."

  "I I I I."

  Trouble gathered his men, and they were able to crawl up the inside of the desks to search for the key. He paused to lick the sugar crystals on the exterior of a dried persimmon in one drawer. The rest of the desk was a bust.

  He descended then waited in the shadows while his men finished searching the other desks. One by one, all failed to discover the key.

  On the last remaining desk, one of the monsters stepped briefly into the light and held an iron key with a golden tassel above his head.

  Trouble made a fist pump, then pointed down the darkened hall where Flattop waited. They scurried across the floor in pairs until they were all at the door.

  "Clink clink, big pile. Look under," Flattop said.

  Trouble peeked under the door, and the floor was covered with gold and silver coins.

  Flattop sent one of his men up the door to turn the lock. It was too tight and required a second monster, but the lock opened. Both crews teamed up to push the door open.

  Trouble picked up a silver coin. "Ooooo!"

  Flattop bashed him over the head. "Headman want this kind." He kicked a small rectangular gold ingot."

  "Kay kay. Load em up," Trouble said.

  They filled the clay jar with ingots, then Trouble headed for the door. He peeked both ways and waved.

  "Non," Flattop said. "Close door. Go window." He pointed to a small window protected by bars in the masonry.

  "I I I I," Trouble slammed the door. The key went flying and tinkled across the stone temple floor.

  "Fast, go fast," Flattop said. His men teamed up to carry the jar to the window.

  Trouble and the others ran to the wall.

  The door opened and one of the guards stuck a lantern inside.

  "Aaaaaggghh!" The monsters screamed.

  The guard drew his sword and rushed them.

  Flattop's men pushed the jar out the window. It dropped harmlessly into the bushes, but spilled ingots across the sand of a zen garden.

  Trouble and the rest climbed the masonry as fast as they could. The guard swung his sword, but missed. Trouble was the last monster out the window. He jumped and landed on Flattop.

  "Ha ha ha," the rest of the monsters pointed.

  "Get clink clink," Trouble ordered. They all scurried to clean up the sp
illed ingots and shove them in the cracked jar.

  Flattop singled out the monster with three arms. "You help jar."

  "Why me? I fight guard."

  "You big modder. Lotsa oba. Got extra arm, you lift."

  "I I I I." The monster teamed up with the other new monsters and hoisted the jar.

  They ran around the building, but the remaining guard was waiting.

  "Aaaaaggghh!" They bounded down the hill.

  The guard drew a pistol and shot, but missed. He drew his sword then gave pursuit.

  The monsters ran down the hill and into a street in the canal district. Trouble pointed, "Backa ship." They ran down the dark side of the street.

  The streets were quiet. The vendor carts remained, but nobody watched them. They turned a corner, and the second guard spotted them.

  The monsters hopped onto a boat filled with dried gourds. The guard followed them.

  They hopped from boat to boat, and both guards joined the chase.

  "Kill em?" Flattop asked.

  "No."

  "Kill em."

  "No."

  "Kill!"

  "No! Come back morrow. Next time too," Trouble said. "More clink clink even."

  They ran onto the far bank of the canal. The guard narrowly missed the next boat, and his leg went into the water. He righted himself then made the leap, but the monsters gained some ground.

  The guard pursued, but they were gone. He poked his sword in the weeds, then rummaged around the nearby boats. He rifled through some cabbages, then kicked a crate of ginseng root. Nothing.

  He met up with the other guard, and they decided to run ahead in hopes of finding the thieves.

  Flattop rolled over from inside the crate of ginseng root. "Whew!" He dug his hat out from underneath and placed it upon his head. "Okey dokey. Manses gone."

  The other monsters rolled over. All of them posing as ginseng roots. "Ha ha ha ha."

  The three armed monster heaved on the strap attached to the jar and pulled the gold out of the canal.

  Trouble tapped one of his crew on the shoulder then pointed ahead. "Make scout. Clear coast to ship."

  James awoke to the familiar tinkling sound. Boss stood on the table with the huangjiu jar. "These clink clink okay?" Boss asked.