Above the Storm

by JMD Reid

  “Now we’re proper marines,” chuckled Guts as they strode into the mess hall.

  None of the sailors, the bulk of the recruits crowding the hall, cared that the marines of Detachment One strutted armed with blades carved from the thigh bone of a bristleback boar. They were too busy eating.

  “Not the reaction I hoped for,” sighed Grech.

  Ahneil shook her head. “None of the women were going to kiss you anyways. Your face scares them away. I’ve seen prettier flounders.”

  “Do you have the same problem?” Grech snapped back. “Is that why none of the guys will kiss you?”

  Ahneil raised her eyebrows. She seized and kissed a passing sailor with dark skin and red hair, a half-Vaarckthian like Chaylene. Grech gaped at them while Guts laughed. A foolish grin spread on the sailor’s face, his tray tipping precariously and almost dumping his food without him noticing.

  “Thanks,” the dumbfounded sailor said before stumbling to join his friends.

  Ahneil shot Grech a pointed look. “I don’t seem to have any troubles with that.”

  “Bah, he’s half-Vaarck,” Grech muttered. “We all know they’re blinded by the hot blood pumping through their veins.”

  Ary opened his mouth, anger flaring, but Chaylene’s words cut him off.

  “I’d watch you, Grech, because you are standing on a crumbling cliff!” She marched up, hands planted on her hips, Zori at her side. Ary’s wife no longer shied away from snide comments about her blood. He smiled at witnessing her strength shine out of her. The Navy had shaped her, shaving off the outside wood to expose the core, carving her into confidence with all the skill of a master carpenter.

  Grech turned and flushed. “Sorry, Missus Jayne. I wasn’t talking about you.”

  She gave a sharp nod.

  “Hey, Lena.” Ary shifted so his left side with his hanging sabre faced her.

  “Hi, dear.” She smiled, leaning up to give him a peck on the lips.

  Every one of her kisses since the fire were precious to Ary. And every time he saw the workers clearing out the rubble, he thanked the Goddess Above Chaylene had survived.

  “How was your day?” she asked.

  “Oh, fine. Nothing special.” He shifted again, the leather scabbard of his bone sabre wagging on his hip. “You?”

  “This Skyday should be fun.” She leaned in and whispered, “Breston says we’ll be joint-training with the marines. What a nice way to end the week.”

  “Can’t wait,” Ary grinned at her. In two days, he’d get to ride her pegasus like he wanted. The Navy trained marines with Minor Wind to assault positions by falling from pegasi. He, Guts, and two marines from Detachment 2 had practiced jumping from a watchtower and floating to the ground like feathers.

  “What a big sword you have,” cooed Zori after she gave Guts a kiss. The big man grinned as her fingers stroked the hilt. “You need to show me how to use it tonight while we watch the stars.”

  Chaylene laughed while Ary’s cheeks burned at Zori’s forwardness.

  “I’m very skilled with it,” Guts boasted. “I’ll show you all the ins and outs.”

  “I bet you will, big man,” she grinned.

  Ary let his sword hilt nudge his wife’s side.

  “I like your sword, Ary,” Chaylene said, an amused smile playing on her lips. “You’re very dashing, but you could try to be a little less obvious about it.”

  They ate a thick stew made up of only Riasruo knew what species of fish and vegetables for supper. The meal had stewed all day, thickening while the fish and vegetables disintegrated into a mush. Ary loved it. It was hot and hearty, filling his belly as he scooped it up with a hunk of coarse barley bread.

  Sitting with a sword was far more awkward than he had expected. People kept tripping over the end as it stuck out behind his trestle. The wooden hilt, bound in leather, kept jabbing into his ribs. But he felt a strange sense of accomplishment carrying the weapon. His childhood dream of wearing the red coat of an Autonomy Marine, a bone sabre hanging at his side, had been fulfilled.

  Let there be no wars or Cyclones for the next four years, he prayed, fingers forming the sun. Let me and Chaylene make it through intact.

  “Mail call,” boomed a loud, screeching voice.

  Everyone turned to look at Petty Officer Chuven, a stocky, ebony-skinned woman who served as the quartermaster’s assistant. Captain Dhar had promoted several recruits to the lowest-ranked of the non-commissioned officers on the Dauntless. Since her promotion a few weeks ago, she’d handed out the mail.

  She worked her way through the boisterous room, dropping letters before recruits. Ary perked up, seeing to whom she delivered. The recruits all came from the southeastern skylands, like Vesche. His sister sent him letters all the time. Her last one brimmed with descriptions of all the ostrich chicks that had hatched. And sure enough, Chuven passed his table, dropping a letter before Estan from his sister then one in front of Ary.

  Only it wasn’t from his sister or brother. It was from his ma.

  He stared at it like someone had served him a rotten fish. Chaylene gave him a curious look, then her eyes widened. Her hand took his. He didn’t know what to do. His fingers itched to rip it to pieces and toss it in the trash. Ary was done with her. He had no ma. But his stomach wrapped itself in knots with worry.

  “Why did she write me?” Ary said, half beneath his breath.

  “Does it matter?” Chaylene asked. “Just rip it up. She only wants to hurt you.”

  Ary hesitated. What if was important? But, no, his weekly letters from Gretla would bring any news. His free hand grabbed it, the other still clutched in Chaylene’s. His thumb ran across the parchment. It would be so easy to rip it apart.

  What if she’s writing to apologize? he wondered. Doesn’t she deserve to be heard out?

  No! The denial roared out of his soul. The years of anguish he’d suffered beneath her madness said otherwise. Anger snorted from his nostrils, the hairs on the back of his neck bristling.

  He owed her nothing.

  The entire dining room went quiet. Chaylene’s hand bore down hard on his. He winced, dragged out of his pain. Her gray eyes were open wide, lips pale. She stared at the entrance along with everyone else. He glanced and his blood chilled.

  Zzuki Gezitziz stood at the dining hall’s entrance. They ducked to fit through the door. Their scales were various shades of blue, with wide belly scales ranging from green to yellow. All stood tall. Even the shortest of the five towered over any of the Humans. They made Guts look like a scrawny kid. Each wore only a loose band of leather hanging about their loins and nothing else. Their heads darted about, forked tongues flicking.

  The Zzuk Auxiliaries had arrived.

  Disappointment struck Ary. None of the Zzuki wore armor made of the hides of the enemies they’d slain like Jondheth Pegleg had always claimed back home. Had the veteran lied when he’d boasted about fighting the Gezitziz in the war?

  The Gezitziz walked to his table. Chaylene’s hand trembled. Their kind had killed her father, crushing him beneath the massive clubs they wielded. Ary forgot his ma’s letter as the hulks towered over them, looking down with cold, black eyes at the marines.

  “I am Warleader Nskuapz nsk Zthug,” one rumbled, his voice hissing. “I am honored to fight and die at your side.”

  “For glory and honor,” hissed the others. “Blood to pay for blood.”

  No Human answered.

  The Zzuki strode to the food line, heads swiveling to watch them and each taking two bowls of the stew. None of the cooks complained. The hulks found an empty table, the trestles creaking beneath their bulk. They ate their stew by licking it out of the bowls with their slender tongues.

  “They will all be from the same tribe,” Estan said, voice breathy. “The Zthug tribe, to be specific.”

  “What?” Ahneil asked, her face ivory.

  “The Zzuk Auxiliaries. They always come from the same tribe when they form warbands. The same clutch of eggs, in
fact. The tribes are always squabbling and fighting, vying for leadership of their Federation. From the moment those five hatched, they trained to fight together.”

  “Before they even got their Blessings?” asked Guts. “How’d they know who should be trained as what?”

  “Zzuki warriors fight with clubs and javelins. They eschew the use of engines in warfare like the thunderbuss or the pressure rifle. They’ll have their Blessings, but that won’t change who fights and who doesn’t.”

  “They’re monsters,” Chaylene hissed. “I’ve lost my appetite.”

  She stood up and threw her wooden spoon down into her half-full bowl, splattering the table. She strode to the door, bristling. Ary shook his head, clearing shock. Letter still clutched in hand, he hurried after her. Outside, Chaylene rushed towards their cottage. He jogged and caught up with her halfway to the nearby cottages.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “I’m fine,” she muttered. Then she rounded and pointed at the mess hall. “Why are they allowed to mingle with us? They’re murderous beasts! They should be kept in pens like pigs!”

  “Chaylene—”

  “They can’t be trusted! They’re probably plotting to kill us in our sleep. Those Zzuk Auxiliaries are all over the Navy. When the tribes attack again, they’ll be ready to strike.”

  “Really, Chaylene?”

  “Why aren’t you angry that they’re here?”

  “I—”

  “Those monsters killed my pa! They destroyed my family. Why are they allowed to mix with us decent folk instead of being chained up?”

  “You’re overreacting.”

  “Overreacting!” Her eyes grew wild and spittle flew. “Ma barely lived after my pa died defending the Autonomy from those scaly monsters! Those monsters ripped her heart out and left a husk behind! How am I overreacting?”

  “The wars been over for—”

  “So? Will that bring my pa back?”

  “No.” He put his arm on her shoulder. “But these Zzuki didn’t kill your pa. They were just babies during the war. Like us.”

  She knocked his hands away. “How can you take their side? I’m your wife!”

  “I’m not taking their side. I’m just trying to calm you down.”

  “Why? You should be as angry as I am! You’re my husband, so my pa’s yours now. And they killed him!”

  “Chaylene, please. I know it’s bad, but—”

  She jerked out of his grasp and stomped off towards their house. He groaned, striding after her. “I understand why you’re angry. I miss my pa, too. And it must be hard never knowing yours. But what good is being angry? They’re serving on our ship.”

  She worked her jaw but didn’t answer.

  “Come on, Lena, try and be reasonable.”

  Her nostrils flared. She shot him a harsh look.

  “Why are you angry with me? I’m just trying to talk some sense—”

  “I don’t need you to talk sense!” she shrieked. “I need you to be on my side.”

  “I am on your side!” She flinched at his raised voice. He didn’t mean to yell. He lowered it as he continued, “So stop taking it out on me.”

  “So you can get angry at me, but not at those murderous hulks? Huh, Briaris?”

  “I’m not angry at you. I’m frustrated. I haven’t done nothing wrong except try and talk to you. But you’re hissing at me like a lizard.”

  “Lizard? You think I’m one of those Theisseg-damned Zzuki?” She flicked out her tongue rapidly, a display that would be comical except for the anger smoldering in her eyes. “Is that what I am to you? Some cold-blooded beast?”

  “No. I said like a lizard. I didn’t say you were a lizard.”

  “Oh, I heard you. Your words were bright and sunny, Briaris.” She spun and stalked off again.

  He stared at her back; her shoulders were set, her stride long and her boots striking the ground hard. She reached their new cottage and opened the door. It crashed closed behind her. He took a few deep breaths, then calmly walked to the door. He was certain he did not slam it, no matter how loud it banged behind him or how much Chaylene flinched at the sound.

  “Listen, Lena. I don’t think you’re a lizard, but—” She pushed past him, walking back to the door. “Where are you going?”

  “For a walk,” she hissed. “Us lizards need the cold air.”

  “I didn’t call you a lizard. But you’re sure acting like a rampaging boar, swinging your tusks and not caring who you hit.”

  She slammed the door behind her.

  His anger howled for a moment, and then the guilt gusted through him. “Why did I say that?” He sank onto their bed, frame creaking, and ran his hand through his hair. Parchment crinkled. He still clutched his ma’s letter. He looked at the thick parchment. Anger stormed. “She can go jump off the skyland!”

  He threw the envelope on the floor. Then he kicked it. The parchment slid across the room and underneath the chest of drawers.

  Good. It can stay there and gather dust.

  ~ * * ~

  By the time Chaylene reached the perimeter fence, her anger had died to faint gusts. She leaned against the barrier, the wood rough through her clothing, and slid down into a crouch. She trembled, looking up at the sky. Both moons were pale slivers, the blue moon waxing and the red moon waning. The stars shone bright.

  She wished she could dance away on the moonbeams like Eyia. Ary would follow me, and we’d be free of this damn Navy.

  But he didn’t follow her when she’d stalked out of their cottage.

  “Lena?”

  She bolted up and whirled. Vel stood on the other side of the fence in the Adventurous’s section of camp. “What are you doing here?” she asked. “Why aren’t you in your own camp?”

  “I was coming to see you, Chaylene,” he said.

  “To leave more flowers?” she asked, pushing down the flattering warmth. “You have to stop doing that. I love Ary. I’m his wife.”

  “I came to talk.” He eyed her. An excited flush passed through her. “See, no flowers.” He held out his hands. “You said we were still friends. Is that true?”

  “Of course, Vel.” She smiled at him. “You’ll always be my friend.”

  “Even if I still . . . love you?”

  She nodded her head. “You can’t help how you feel. You just have to understand, I can’t help how I feel, either. I hoped ignoring you would let you move on, to find someone else.”

  “I can’t.” Pain flickered across his face. “But if I can’t have your love, I still need your friendship.”

  “Always.”

  He grinned. And then his brows furrowed. “But why are you out by the fence? I was hoping to catch your attention when you came out of the mess hall. What happened?”

  “Nothing,” she sighed.

  “Come on, Lena. You just said I’m your friend. So tell me what’s wrong. We used to talk.”

  “Yeah,” she sighed, leaning against the fence, gripping the slats. “Ary and I had a fight.”

  “Sorry,” he said, his fingers brushing her hand. “That couldn’t have been pleasant.”

  “He just wouldn’t listen.” Her anger gusted out of her as she spoke. “The Zzuk Auxiliaries arrived and . . .”

  “They killed your pa.” His hand gripped hers, comforting her. He understood.

  “Yes.” Emotion tightened her throat. “How can they expect me to serve with the same sort of brutes that killed him?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “My life was ruined because of them.” She looked Vel in the eyes, and he nodded. “They stole him from me and Ma. He never even got to hold me. And Ary . . .” Heat returned to her voice. “Ary just told me to be reasonable. How can I be reasonable? They killed him, Vel!”

  “I know. Who could expect that? It’s understandable.”

  “All I want to do is claw out their eyes and tear out their throats. And Ary just wants me to calm down. Like it’s easy. Why couldn’t he just listen, Vel?
”

  He shrugged, his fingers stroking her hand. “Ary’s stubborn. He doesn’t think things through. He forces things to be the way he wants. He doesn’t care about how you feel. If he did, he would have understood.”

  “I guess,” she whispered. Then a shudder wracked her body. “Vel, I’m gonna have to look at these monsters every day. How can I do that?”

  “You’re strong, Lena.” He spoke with such sincerity.

  “That’s what Ary says.”

  “Well, you are. I believe in you. You survived growing up without your pa, and you stayed strong when your ma died.”

  She sniffed and gave a soft smile. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. So what else did Ary say to send you out here?”

  “Nothing,” she sighed, some of her anger and hurt returning. “He just . . . called me a lizard.”

  “Really?” Vel asked, grinning at her. “I mean, has he looked at you?”

  His eyes grew hungry again, roaming her body. The flush of heat returned, burning through her blood. She swallowed. His hand felt so warm on hers. Her breath quickened as she drank in the perfect lines of his face, the naked desire in his eyes, those lips, and his strong chin.

  What if Vel kisses me now . . .?

  “Female lizards look like the males. But you, Lena, you definitely don’t look male.”

  She blushed, drinking in the caress of his fingers.

  “You should have your husband’s vision checked if he can’t tell the difference between you and a lizard.”

  “Thanks, Vel.” She gave him a smile. Just a compliment. Accepting it doesn’t make me a hussy.

  “I’m here for you, Lena.” His voice flowed smooth like warm cream. “Whenever you need someone to talk to, okay? I care about you.”