Voyage of the Lanternfish

by C S Boyack

  "They're going to sting the crap out of you," Dan said.

  Serang reached up to her hat and pulled a pin. The cloth cover fell down from the brim and protected her entire upper body in the gauzy material.

  "What about your legs?" Fala asked.

  "Power of mind," Serang said. "Slow movements and the proper attitude will help."

  James offered her a match. "That honey belongs to someone, you know?"

  "Yes, but I am a pirate. It is in my nature to help myself." She lit the wad of grass, then blew the flame out when it started smoldering. She approached the first skep and blew across the grass, making the smoke flow into the opening.

  When she was satisfied, she leaned the heavy skep back, breaking the wax seal the bees had made atop the table. She puffed more smoke across the combs until she found the ones with honey, then broke off a large piece. Bees swarmed about her, and landed on the fabric of her veil, but they did not sting her.

  She walked the honeycomb over to Mal, then put the hive back in place.

  Fala and Dan swatted at the residual bees as Don Velasco got moving again.

  "Swatting at them makes them angry," Serang said. "They are more likely to sting you."

  "Can't help it," Dan said. "Dirty buggers." He flapped his hat at them. The anvil bird flew forward and landed on the horse.

  They rounded a bend and acres of the woven skeps came into view. Don Velasco said, "I heard from the tavern maid there is supposed to be a meadery out here somewhere. Perhaps we are getting close."

  "We should find it," James said. "Maybe they have food and can sell us a few cases for the ship."

  "Aye aye, Capitan," Don Velasco said.

  Mal broke apart the honeycomb and passed pieces to his mates. Serang put the cover back in place on her hat.

  "Honey good," Trouble said. He licked his arms and fingers clean.

  The meadery was down a long driveway to the left. Skeps flanked the road along both sides, only flowers grew underneath them instead of grapes.

  Workers unloaded cases of glass balloon shaped bottles from a wagon then carried them into a large outbuilding. The meadery had a store type office, but no restaurant.

  Mal and Serang walked to a table placed under the shade of a large tree. It was covered by a thick red-checkered tablecloth. The monsters hid in the grass. The others went inside to see what was available.

  James came back out and placed two bottles of mead on the table, along with some clay cups. "They don't offer food, but since we're buying so much, they're going to bring us something." He uncorked the first bottle then poured his friends a round.

  Mal nodded his thanks, and took a sip. The smile on his face the only revelation of what he thought.

  Serang looked at hers tentatively, then sniffed it.

  "Time to broaden your horizons," James said. "I insist."

  "As you wish, my Captain." She took a sip. "It is very nice, and nothing like the rum the others drink. It's nearly as complex as huangjiu."

  A grey-haired woman brought them a platter of sliced cured meats, cheeses, and a dish of green olives. She made a second trip then placed out pickled eggs and pickled pigs feet.

  The others joined them at the table. "We're having an entire wagon load delivered to the ship," Fala said. "It'll be nice with supper on the open sea."

  "Nice right now," Mal said, refilling his cup. He grabbed a pig's foot and dug in.

  Dan filled up on meats, cheeses, and three glasses of mead. He moved to the grass, placed his hat over his eyes, and tried to nap.

  "Bet those Hollishmen don't get mead aboard their ship," Fala said.

  "You will only find such things aboard a pirate ship," Don Velasco said. "There is a certain freedom about our lives they do not enjoy. They eat rice, beans, and oatmeal. Then they are beaten to make them work faster. There is no lash aboard Lanternfish."

  "I intend to keep it that way," James said. "If someone doesn't want to be aboard, they can leave any time. If they want their share, they can work for it."

  "Pretty nice country here," Dan mumbled from under his hat. "Might keep it in mind for after we rescue Bonnie."

  "I could be happy here," Fala said. "What would we do though?"

  "Don't know. Maybe they need oyster trawlers."

  "Maybe you'll be so rich you don't need to work," James said.

  "Need one of them treasure ships, Don Velasco talks about," Dan said.

  "The important thing is not to piss everyone off as we go along our voyage," James said. "Leave the Prelonians alone. Saphish too."

  "I enjoy the islands," Don Velasco said. "This is a nice detour, but I could retire on Lagarto and be happy."

  "I like being a pirate," Serang said. "Does that seem so terrible?"

  "Not at all," Fala said. "We've had some fun along the way. Scary as hell, but fun." She moved over to Dan and joined him on the grass.

  "See many things," Mal said through a mouthful of pickled egg.

  The anvil bird flew over, and Serang handed him a small slice of ham. "Dirty buggers," he said. "You're welcome," she answered.

  The bird made sounds like Serang's flute.

  "He associates that with you," Fala said. "Guess that makes Dan the dirty bugger."

  "Fire!" The cry came from behind the buildings. "The apiary's on fire. Bring buckets."

  James pushed the food aside and grabbed the tablecloth, before charging toward the sound. Serang followed on his heels.

  Three hives were in flames. Bees swarmed those who tried to help. Serang lowered her veil once more then took a bucket from a fleeing worker. She pushed the worker to a pump handle and forced him to pump water.

  James attacked the flames with the tablecloth and made some headway. Workers joined in Serang's bucket brigade and handed her fresh buckets of water.

  Dan hobbled back to the wagon then pulled the animal away from the flames. He seemed to be a good horse, but fire could change that.

  "Put the water on the farthest ones," James commanded. "Keep it from spreading."

  Serang moved to the edge of the fire. Don Velasco joined her and poured water over the skeps closest to the ones burning.

  They contained the fire in about twenty minutes. Seven hives were damaged, and five more were a total loss. James dunked the tablecloth in Don Velasco's bucket and threw it over the last flaming skep.

  Fala and Mal stepped from the bucket line then brought their water to pour over the smoldering hives.

  James, Don Velasco, and Serang's legs were covered in bee stings.

  "We need to get out of here," Fala said. "The workers have protective gear. They can handle it from this point."

  "I agree," James said. They beat a hasty retreat.

  James tried to pay for the tablecloth, but the old woman wouldn't hear of it. She gave them a basketful of goodies for helping with the fire, and it contained two more bottles of mead.

  They lowered the tailgate to climb into the wagon. Trouble, Army, and three more monsters hid under the seats. They were covered with honey, soot, and bee's wings.

  "What?" Trouble asked defiantly.

  "Perhaps we do need a lash," Serang said. "A very small one."

  Serang made them stop beside the artesian spring. She waded out into the pool and dipped down, washing her face, arms, and rinsing her hair. "We all smell of fire and... burnt sugar. I must wash my clothing when we get back to the ship."

  "Oh no," James said. "We have a crew of volunteers to do the laundry. Very tiny volunteers."

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Trouble and his crew lined up before the mast. James paced before them. His entire face was covered with angry red welts, except for where the eye patch protected it.

  He turned and faced them. "Confined to the ship. You will not leave ship until the next port, and even that is dependent upon your actions. No sugar rations for thirty days. And you're going to do the laundry, not just ours, but the whole ship. Do you understand?"

  Trouble hung his head.
"I I I I."

  Serang came from below decks. She wore the high waisted pants of a Hollish artilleryman along with a white shirt they'd captured. She dropped a tin and her shorts in front of the monsters.

  "What's that?" James asked.

  Serang squatted down to face the monsters. "Saddle soap, and they'd better do a good job, that's my only pair of shorts." She tossed her short boots in front of the monsters. "It works on these too." She dropped a handful of silk wrappings in the laundry pile.

  "Perhaps we'd better keep you out of sight while you wear those clothes," James said. "The Hollish are watching us."

  "Good counsel, my Captain. I must ask Mal if he has something to soothe these bee stings."

  "I'll go with you."

  Mal was busy concocting some green paste with a mortar and pestle. When he turned around, he'd already dabbed bits of it to the stings on his own face and neck. "It helps. Will take time."

  James sat on the table, and Mal applied the concoction to his face. Nearly his whole face wound up painted green. His hair stuck out at odd angles in a ring around his head where Mal worked the salve down into those stings. Only the area protected by his hat was spared. His beard spiked up too, due to the stings underneath it. His eyes watered and he winced. "Smells kind of fishy."

  "Fish oil helps," Mal said.

  James got down then gestured for Serang. "Next."

  "I would prefer to remove my pants in my own quarters, if that is acceptable," Serang said.

  "Of course."

  Mal used a knife to scrape some of the salve onto a piece of parchment and handed it to her.

  "Doh je." She bowed then left them.

  James left the surgery. Dan jumped when he saw him. "What happened to your face?"

  "Mal has salve that seems to help with the stings."

  "I'll tell Fala. She's in there scratching up a storm." He cocked a thumb over his shoulder toward his own door.

  "Smells horrid."

  "Aye. I'm going to my quarters. Can you keep the watch today, and make sure that cluster of monsters does their work?"

  "Course I can. All the officers are about, and we can keep a ship at anchor without problems."

  James patted his shoulder as he passed. "You're a good man."

  There were no more big outings. People came and went using the harbor taxi. Their goods piled up on the main dock while their foundry order was being filled. James made arrangements to load everything right before they set sail.

  Serang purchased an extra pair of leather shorts, and had a cobbler make her an extra pair of boots. She also restocked her supply of silk wrappings.

  Don Velasco confined himself to the ship as long as his face was green, while Fala confined herself to her room for the same reason.

  Johnny Jump Up kept himself busy by turning an old knife into tiny glaives for the monsters. Serang provided the flexible food skewers from Cheng Shi Hua to serve as poles for the little weapons.

  Word came that the foundry order would be ready on the following day. Lanternfish made partial sail then moved to the main dock. They loaded provisions, fresh water, and livestock late into the evening.

  The following morning, they moved to the foundry dock. Loading went easier, because the foundry provided workers. The shot and shells were boxed to make movement and storage easier. McCormack directed the workers, and James met with the others in his quarters.

  He placed a bottle of mead on the table, then poured himself a glass. "We leave in the morning. I intend to follow all of the rules, so we won't open the gun ports even for fresh air. Once we clear the harbor we can do whatever we like. There are no reports of black assassins, but I don't trust they aren't around somewhere.

  "Everyone keep your eyes peeled for mirror activity like we saw in Cheng Shi Hua. I don't think the Hollish want to be banned from one of the best suppliers they have, but we could find a welcoming committee once we reach open water."

  "Maybe we ought to post someone to watch for lanterns flashing at night," Johnny said.

  "Not a bad idea," James said. "Can you see to it?"

  "Aye."

  The night watch reported no unusual lantern activity, and there were no mirrors flashing as they cleared the harbor. Once they reached open water, James allowed them to open the ports as needed for air. He handed the wheel off to Don Velasco.

  "Where shall we go, Capitan?"

  "South southwest for now. I'll take a reading tonight once the stars come out." He headed for his quarters when a ruckus broke out.

  A frightened man backed onto the main deck ahead of Boss and Flattop's crews. They threatened him with their new weapons. He backed into the forward mast then stopped. The monsters surrounded him. A crowd gathered.

  James went down to the main deck. "What's going on here?"

  Boss saluted. "I I I I. Flattop find man hide between boxes. Not our man."

  "Good work, mates. Stowaway, what are you doing on my ship?"

  The man stared into James' red eye, then looked away.

  "I asked you a question."

  "I, um, sir, I want to go to sea."

  "Plenty of ships around. Why didn't you just sign on to one? Why didn't you just ask me? We were in port for weeks."

  "It's the foundry. They'd beat me if they found out. I was afraid you'd say no."

  "I still might. Why choose a pirate ship? Every country in the world passes through Tusconi."

  "Well, sir, I figured I might get rich aboard a pirate vessel, but I could wind up in the war if I sign on with Hollish."

  "Do you think our cannonades are any different than ones under a king's banner?"

  "N, no, sir, but the payoff is likely better than beans and fish."

  "I find being a stowaway as a cowardly act. Why should I keep you around?"

  "Got a strong back. Loaded a bunch of them shells myself."

  "Strong enough to swim home? It's a long ways."

  "I hope it won't come to that, sir."

  James turned to the crowd. "Anyone want to speak for him?"

  Johnny said, "A strong back might make for a good powder monkey."

  "Only valuable during a fight. What will you do with him until then?"

  "Deck hand, I reckon. Start him off helping Trouble with the laundry."

  "Agreed." James turned to the stowaway. "And you're fined your first take. You can watch the cashiering, but you get nothing from the first batch. Agreed?"

  "Yes, sir. Very fair of you."

  James nodded toward Johnny then returned to his cabin.

  The Cartomancers were said to be magic, but it's all bullshit. They were a tight knit guild like any other. They fed off the rumors and made their services more valuable. They even went so far as calling their central location a temple and holding meetings in secret. People started calling them rituals, and the Cartomancers didn't try to discourage them. Apprenticeships were tough to get, and tougher to keep. He plotted the coordinate again to verify his accuracy. I don't care what they were. I just want a route that will take me to Hollish unnoticed.

  He spent the afternoon with his thoughts. The ship tacked to port again, then he went out to get an update.

  Mal and Serang were on deck painting the mask Stuttering Lewis made. The mask had angular, furrowed brows, but more like the scutes of a fish. It bore two short horns as Serang directed, but the edges were covered with pieces of coral, not hair. Its mouth protruded and made a big circle shape with angular teeth carved into the wood.

  They finished painting the horns red, and Mal placed it over his face.

  "That doesn't look quite like the Daikijin you described. What's it supposed to be?"

  Flattop pointed. "Ooooh. Big fih."

  "Seriously? You think that looks like the moving reef?"

  "I I I I."

  "It makes a lovely mask," Serang said. "The reef is part of our culture, and makes more sense than something from Malatook or Di Guo Qishi."

  "Evil spirits here will be sea spirits," Mal said. "R
eef will scare."

  "Moving reef?" the stowaway said. "I don't understand."

  "Sit down," James said. "Tell him the story," he said to Flattop.

  Flattop zoomed below to the galley. He returned with a dried fishhead. "Big fih comin. Hungry. Lookin." He moved the fish head like a large puppet. "Hmm, manses fight...

  "What's his name again?" James asked Dan.

  "Dunno. Mostly we been calling him Stowaway. Seems to answer to it."

  Fala shook her head from side to side. "Do you ever wonder if our story gets out, that their stories will be the ones that get told?" She pointed to Flattop and his fish head.

  "I don't see anyone writing them down," James said.

  "Well, I hope so," Dan said. "They tell em so well."

  Flattop wiggled his fingers over the fish head. "Mal say. Say come help. Big fih, say oky doky..." He moved the fish jaws opened and closed since the moving reef now had dialog. "Swim under boat. Modders fallin, 'Oooohhh'." He stumbled to the side from the imaginary wave.

  "It's a sad day when their stories are the only thing we leave behind," Fala said.

  Dan placed an arm around her. "Relax, honey. We'll probably get blown to crap and leave nothing behind."

  Serang and Mal turned to Stuttering Lewis and asked him to glue some mussel shells and scallops to the forehead of the mask.

  "Enjoy tonight's theater," James said. "I'm going to take a turn behind the wheel."

  On the poopdeck, Don Velasco said, "We're still going against the wind. Heading south then coming back to the west might make a faster trip."

  "Makes some sense," James said. "We'll have different winds down there. Might catch a Hollish merchant after we turn west."

  "That would be bueno," Don Velasco said.

  "I'll hold her south tonight. Might not take as many tacks, until we clear this trade wind. Plenty of time to make adjustments after we get closer."

  James took the wheel then had his supper on deck again.

  They headed south for two weeks before adjusting the course to west northwest. By taking a slightly northern tack, the winds forced them further west. They held this course for a week before diving south once more.

  James stood on the forecastle and watched the monsters practicing with their new weapons. They blocked, spun, and thrust like Serang taught them. "Don't know that they're going to block a full sized cutlass with those," he told Serang.