Voyage of the Lanternfish

by C S Boyack

  "If we can sneak in from the north, we have a better chance of getting to Grandelor intact. Pieces are in play now. The Hollish Navy has a price on our heads, and they're going to be out in force."

  "Yeah, but they're looking to fight with Prelonia."

  "Exactly. The seas between here and Grandelor are like sailing into the devil's den right now, but if we sneak in from the north we might get past all of them."

  "But to go around, don't we have to go past Saphelon? That's where the war actually is."

  "The land war, yes. All the more reason to get the lay of things. If the Saphish hold on, their own navy might keep their waters safe."

  "What about making a wide loop, far to sea, and still coming in from the north?"

  James placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Always good to have a backup plan, and that one's workable."

  Over the weeks, the storms diminished and the weather warmed. James took to leaving his windows open all the time, but placed weights upon his desk to keep the charts from blowing about.

  Serang made the men practice and drill, and root monsters told their stories.

  Mal watered the pot and made sure it got plenty of sun. He harvested the two new monsters, but left the wounded monster in the ground longer than before. The remaining root managed to put up a huge cluster of leaves, and even flowered.

  The entire group of monsters were present for his harvest. Mal plucked him from the ground. He was taller and more woody than before. His lower half was thicker, almost like bark, and left a dramatic line where the thicker part overlapped his torso. Small tendrils of roots grew from his lower half and moved in the breeze.

  The monster wobbled on shaky legs that didn't move as fast as before. The other monsters laughed.

  "Knock it off, you lot," Dan said. "I know what it's like to have a terrible wound, and things'll never be the same. Don't mean he ain't a valid crew member, he just might need new duties."

  "I agree," James said.

  Boss stepped forward then placed his arm around the repaired monster. He looked up at James and waited.

  "He was brave, you say?"

  "I I I I."

  "And names are badges of honor?"

  "I I I I."

  "Hmm." James stroked his beard. "Pants. His name is Pants."

  The monsters all cheered.

  "And give him back his hat."

  The monsters moved to the main deck. Pants was forced to attend some kind of orientation with the new monsters, even though he'd been present for all of it. He sat through stories of firing the belching mortars and capturing Lanternfish, Serang's dogs, and all the others.

  Any monster that wasn't on duty gathered when it was time for the story of Old Hogar. Those in the crows nest even looked down. There was no cheering for the bite Old Hogar gave Pants. They all seemed to look at Pants with a degree of respect afterward.

  No ships appeared on their horizon, since they were moving between the shipping lanes. Johnny had to maneuver the ship around one of the whale trawlers, but it was nowhere near the size of Big Boogah.

  A fog bank appeared on the horizon, and Johnny sent a monster for the captain.

  Army entered James' cabin. "I I I I," he saluted.

  "Yes. What is it?"

  "Man say, fog. Tell head man fog."

  James dropped his hat on his head then started out the door. "Let's go take a look."

  Johnny had the wheel. "Maybe we ought to go around it. We might never see one of them jellyfish inside all that. We'd get stuck for weeks."

  "Understood. Reduce sail, post some observers up front and hold your course," James said.

  "You mean to go through it?"

  "We're nearly at our destination. The island might be uncharted, because everyone goes around the fog bank."

  "In that case, there could be rocks, shoals, reefs, and all kinds of problems."

  "Agreed. Put young eyes out as observers, and tell the monsters up above. Maybe we ought to light the lanterns too."

  "Aye aye, Captain." Johnny gave orders to Army to gather the required men.

  James headed for the forecastle as they entered the fog.

  Serang hung by her legs from the bowsprit and lit the lantern on the figurehead. "I heard a whale spout, so it isn't completely shallow ahead."

  "Good to know," James said. "Keep your ears open though."

  The occasional sound of whales breathing started off the starboard bow, but they moved past it. The last time they heard one it was behind them.

  "I heard something like a bird cry," Serang said.

  "I never heard a thing, but that's a good sign," James said. "Birds roost on land, and we're a long way from any known land."

  "Some fly miles to sea."

  "We could be miles from the island, or it could be dead ahead of us."

  The fog grew thicker, so James positioned a man every five feet around the forecastle. More monsters climbed to the top of the forward mainsail to watch.

  A huge shipwreck appeared on their port side. Corals scraped Lanternfish's belly. The strange fishing lizards lined the broken yardarms of the wreck and watched them pass by just beyond their reach. The ship looked exactly like Lanternfish, and a tattered Saphelon flag hung limp above the reptiles.

  "Reduce sail!" James yelled. "Forward mainsail, jibs, and spanker only. Let's slow down in here."

  Sailors scrambled aloft to carry out the orders.

  Passing over the reef helped slow them down. Rock pillars jutted out, attempting to add another shipwreck to their collection. Johnny managed to move the ship around them. Nesting sea birds made a din they had to shout over as they moved between the rocks.

  The sound of waves crashing came from ahead of them. "What do you make of that?" James asked.

  "Only that it is not the sound of gentle waves lapping against sand, my Captain."

  James turned back and yelled to Johnny. "Use your ears. Don't get too close to those crashing waves. Turn to starboard as we get close. Maybe we can find a beach somewhere."

  Johnny wasn't visible through the fog, but he answered, "Aye aye."

  The fog thinned to a degree. The tiny goat horn sounded from the crow's nest.

  "What do you see?" James asked.

  "Cliffs," the monster said.

  James turned back toward the wheel, but the motion under his feet told him Johnny was already turning. "Are you above the fog?" James yelled aloft.

  "Ya ya," the monster said. The sound of a monster slapping him echoed back.

  "Say, I I I I."

  "I I I I."

  James cocked a thumb aloft at Serang. She nodded then climbed to the top, above the crows nest.

  "I can see the cliffs, and jungle beyond," She yelled down. "If we stay this course, the cliffs end and there could be a beach."

  James looked back and made out Johnny's form through the fog. Johnny waved that he heard what Serang said.

  They held course for another thirty minutes and the fog thinned a bit more. James made out the fin of a black shark hunting for any fishing lizards on their way back to the island.

  "We can move closer, my Captain. I suggest twenty degrees to port."

  "Do it," James yelled back. Johnny saluted then turned the ship.

  Serang directed them to a lagoon where they dropped anchor. The entire ship breathed a collective sigh of relief, and James ordered an extra rum ration for everyone.

  James took his rum to the rail and leaned against it. Dan approached then asked, "What now?"

  "Obviously, we've found it. Now we have to go ashore and see if anyone's here."

  "All so you can talk to an old man."

  "Old people can be great sources of information. Maybe he wants to join the crew. I'm sure he's a better navigator than I am."

  "And maybe he's a skeleton too. You don't know."

  "That could be, but I intend to find out. Are you coming with me?"

  "Don't know if I can get across that sand with this leg."

&nbs
p; "Only one way to find out. It will be like old times, exploring in the woods."

  "Or a jungle in this case, but I'll try it. If I get stuck I may have to go back to the longboat."

  "Good man. You're first officer, what kind of team should we take?"

  "A bunch of people might make him nervous. I'd say us, take Johnny with his fancy rifle, and Serang, because she's Serang, and because it was her uncle what knowed him. Leave those monsters behind."

  "And the ship?"

  "Don Velasco can keep them in line. Confine everyone else to the ship until we get back."

  "Sounds like a good plan. I'm taking Mal too. He's from a wild island and might be helpful. I think our boys can go ashore if they stay on the beach. Biscuit Bill might want some of them to fish for him. We'll take a landing party with us, in case there are natives of some kind. They can return with the longboat if everything looks safe."

  "That sounds like a better plan. Least I was close."

  "Your plan was perfectly acceptable. If you become captain, it's completely workable. If we get jumped at the jungle I want a swarm of root monsters in addition to the swivel guns to cover me."

  "I'll get the longboat set up."

  "Make sure our oarsmen have muskets too."

  "Good plan."

  The monsters clambered down into the longboat, and Boss stood on the very tip of the prow. James and Serang joined the oarsmen next.

  Dan stood at the rail, and kissed Fala. The crew lowered him using the boatswain's chair.

  The longboat skidded into the beach. Boss and his monsters leaped from the boat then charged ashore. The sand was packed hard enough so Dan could walk without sinking. Musketeers spread out to cover the landing party.

  James kept everyone near the boat until the monsters reported back. Fog rolled across the beach once more. James jumped when Army said, "I I I I," right under his feet.

  "Deliver your report."

  "Beach boring. No one home."

  "Monsters will secure the beach the entire time we're here. The men are allowed to forage and fish, with Don Velasco's approval. Be careful swimming. I saw a black shark on the way in."

  "Aye aye, Captain," old Chappie said. James failed to notice he was one of the musketeers.

  James led his group across the beach, each of them carrying an empty pack, except for Mal who had his bag.

  Mal picked up a small spiral shell. He rummaged through his bag then found a cork that would fit. Seeming pleased with his creation, he dropped it in his bag. He added other shells whenever one might make a small bottle.

  One shell proved to big for his corks. He reached down and snatched Trouble from the ground. The monster writhed and snapped his teeth. Mal shoved the shell atop Trouble's head and dropped him on the ground.

  Army, and the rest of Trouble's group went, "Oooooh." The monsters escorted them as far as the jungle's edge, then returned to the beach.

  Visibility was limited in the jungle, and worse because of the fog. A smell of mold and decay hung in the area.

  Serang moved to the front to protect the group. Dan and Mal fell back, but Johnny stayed close to them with his rifle. The tops of palm trees became visible as they climbed, and the fog thinned out.

  Mal stooped down to grab a feather, then found a large track bigger than his splayed fingers. He sniffed the feather.

  "What's that?" Dan asked.

  "Bird I know," Mal said. He moved his fingers toward his mouth. "Eat."

  "Good to know," Dan said. "Should have brought a blunderbuss."

  "No fly. Kill with stick."

  Creatures scurried away from them, unseen in the fog and thickets. Monkeys barked at them from the treetops. With more elevation, the fog grew patchy.

  Mal stopped beside a palmetto thicket then started gathering nuts.

  "Oi, what're those?" Dan asked.

  "Name, monkey nuts. Like coconut, but easier."

  Johnny snickered at the name, but didn't say anything.

  "Let's take a break, and try the local flora," James said.

  Mal used his knife to strike the shell of a nut. He tossed it in his palm, then struck it again, repeating the process. He plucked away the broken shell bits like peeling a boiled egg, then offered it to James.

  James took a bite. "It's like coconut, only toasted, or baked. I think they're better." He took another bite and juice from the hollow center ran down his beard.

  Mosquitos swarmed them as they foraged. Serang unpinned the veil on her hat, but it only protected her upper body.

  They added nuts to their bags, then pressed on. The fog became no more than tendrils across the ground, but never completely disappeared. The moldy scent dissipated, replaced by a slight floral smell. They stopped at a spring trickling from the rocks then drank.

  Mal walked to a thicket of bamboo alongside the trickle that flowed from the spring. He grabbed a stick that was about two inches thick. "This." He turned back to his friends.

  "You want the stick?" James asked.

  "Might find bird."

  Serang swung her glaive, cutting the bamboo near the ground. The giant grass towered above Mal's head.

  He held a palm down at about his own eye level. "This."

  Serang shortened the piece to what he was looking for.

  Mal held the bamboo with two hands, making a short downward strike. He nodded his approval. He froze on the way back to the trail, leaned against his stick, then squatted down.

  James approached. "What are you looking at?"

  "Not know this bird." A gigantic three-toed track appeared in the mud. Each toe was nearly four feet long.

  "We need to be more careful," James said. "I doubt even Johnny's rifle can bring that down."

  At the summit, before dropping toward the western side of the island, they came to a fierce looking tiki carving. It was about four feet tall, with angry eyes and sharp teeth. It held a wooden sign that read, Buwaya.

  "Mal? James asked.

  Mal shrugged. He looked the face over from several sides, before touching the sign. "This?"

  "Says, buwaya," Dan said. "What's that mean?"

  "Man is a warning. Don't know buwaya." He slapped a mosquito on his forearm.

  "It's proof someone lives here," James said.

  "Or did at one time," Dan added.

  "Let's keep moving."

  The western slope left the fog behind. Small colorful birds and insects flitted among the flowers, and monkeys scattered at their approach.

  Johnny reached for a low hanging cluster of yellow bananas. They all erupted into a flight of birds. It turned out to be a roost of some kind, and not bananas at all. "This is a strange damned place," he said.

  They worked their way down the slope until they came to the beach once more. A beautiful blue lagoon spread before them, and on the opposite side was a small outrigger canoe.

  James ducked back into the jungle then squatted down.

  "There is also a house, my Captain," Serang said.

  "Where? What kind of house? Is it a hut, a proper house, a small fortress?" James asked.

  "Back in the trees," Serang said. "It does not appear to be a native type hut. There is a porch, and it has windows."

  "I see it too," Johnny said. "Maybe we can sneak up on them."

  "We're trying to make a friend here," James said. "We'll approach in plain sight. Let's not be stupid about it though. Stay close to the jungle, so we can jump for cover if he fires upon us."

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  They rounded the lagoon, but the lowering sun blinded them. Serang pushed her hat forward to give as much shade as it could in the event of a fight.

  A burly looking woman stepped onto the porch and lowered a blunderbuss at them. "That's far enough. What are you doing here?"

  "We, um, mean you no harm," James said. "We're looking for a great cartographer, one who used to be a cartomancer."

  "Nobody here, but me, so you might as well shove off."

  Serang pulled off he
r hat, so the woman could see her face. "My uncle, Guang, sent us to find him."

  The woman paused, looking her up and down. "Where are you from?"

  "Cheng Shi Hua, in Di Guo Qishi."

  "What does this uncle of yours do?"

  "He makes the finest huangjiu in all the world."

  "You don't say. Do you have any with you?"

  "I have one jar in my bag, and much more aboard our ship."

  "Come closer, so I can see you."

  They all started forward.

  "Just the girl. The rest of you stay put."

  Serang stepped closer, then gave a slight bow. The woman's skin was a pale shade of grey, deep wrinkles covered her face. Her hair was black, but greying. The woman looked her up and down.

  "Those are temple trappings. You're a long ways from any temples here."

  "There are no more temples. The Emperor killed all the priests and monks he could find. I was lucky to escape with my life."

  "Same thing happened to my husband. We were in Cheng Shi Hua when the Hollish attacked the Cartomancer's temple."

  "So it's true," James said. "He's here."

  "He's here."

  "Can we visit with him? I assure you we mean no harm."

  "And yet you're all carrying weapons."

  "It's a tough world. We're not accustomed to setting them aside until we know someone."

  "Well, me either. You can come inside, but your weapons stay on the porch. It's that, or you head back the way you came."

  "We accept, and thank you," James said.

  The woman pointed to the far corner of the porch, a place where they had to stand before a window to retrieve them. They piled their weapons and started for the door. The woman stopped them. "Sticks too."

  Mal dropped his stick. Serang paused. "Mine is but a flute."

  "Riiight. Your hands and feet are dangerous enough. Leave the flute too."

  Serang bowed, but complied.

  The house was made from grass mats, with palm fronds placed for a roof. Only one window had glass, the rest simply opened to the outside air. The interior walls were covered with maps and numeric tables.

  "My name's Halfrid. My husband is George. He's the one you're looking for. Wait here, and I'll get him."

  James studied the maps on the walls. A map of Cheng Shi Hua, showed every detail with remarkable precision, right down to the boards along the dock, and the placement of guns in the fort. He had no doubt the correct number of steps around the cliff were drawn on.