Beside the Rock and Cloud

by Pete Draper

  “What’s with you?” She smiled innocently.

  “Shh.” Carilyo hugged her again, crying with happiness.

  The New World

  Those awful square bulwarks had been replaced with nice shiny, rounded ones. That new triangular sail made the Howling Dragon much quicker, though everyone had to look out for the boom when they were on deck. Cassi found it hilarious when Leon was knocked overboard by it one day. He’d flapped at the bulwark while he tumbled over it, then his fat belly wobbled when he fell. It wasn’t so funny when she was hit in the side of the head and knocked out by it. According to Carilyo, it took a few minutes for her to wake up; she could feel the lump on her forehead for days.

  Cassi shielded her eyes from the dying embers of sunlight glowing across the horizon. The crew relaxed, it was the right time of year to make their way to the New World. Tonight was a celebration and remembrance for those lost in the hunt.

  Cragg and Perry pulled on the pulley, bringing a few barrels up from the cargo hold. When the barrels were stood beside the steps to the quarterdeck, Lorix nodded to his cronies. With the pulley, they dragged up a crate.

  “A gift…” Lorix held out a hand, “Call it payment, for the journey. Tell your crew to help themselves. The crate at the back is Storr-el-Stark.”

  Carilyo’s eyes perked up at the last sentence, “Why are you doing this?”

  “Well, I know you all think I’m a bit of a prick.”

  “You have that right,” Cassi narrowed her eyes.

  “That said, it’s an eight week journey to Argosa, six weeks back. I’d rather we got on during that time.” Lorix lit his pipe. Despite the ocean air, his clothes still reeked like he’d been standing beside a bonfire all night.

  “Be careful with that thing,” Cassi warned, eyes widening at the sight of the lit pipe.

  “Oh this?” Lorix grinned, tipping the ashes on deck. “Don’t worry, I won’t light the place up.”

  Soon nearly everyone had a glass or bottle in their hand. Carilyo declined to partake, although he couldn’t help but stare and take in the smell of it. He still had the shakes from time to time, though his eyes didn’t look as dark as they had.

  Hermo didn’t take any either, his face was bitter as a lemon since they left Coalville.

  “It was nothing personal big man,” Lorix said, tapping Hermo on the back.

  “Because it wasn’t personal to you, doesn’t mean it wasn’t personal.” Hermo turned his back, facing Cassi, but he wouldn’t look her in the eye either.

  “You can’t please everyone.” Lorix snatched up a bottle of the strong stuff, strolling over to his posse.

  “I’m sorry about Settico,” Cassi said. “He was too young for the Hall of Ancestors.”

  Hermo sighed through his nose, “I’ve known him since we were children, without him, I’m lost.”

  Cassi stroked his arm, “It is difficult, to lose someone close to you.”

  “We were supposed to join the Levacian Foreign Company together.” Hermo looked out at the ocean with a grim face, “I’m not sure I can do it alone.”

  “There will always be a place for you on the Howling Dragon, if you want to stay here.”

  “I appreciate it Cassi, you have been good to me.”

  Over the next few weeks, they admired the ocean, cursed the storms, and were eventually sick of the sight of it. Carilyo kept himself busy talking to Samia, Cassi often played with Doriya, and Hermo from time to time.

  Lorix and his men awaited the dock eagerly. They took up a position in front of everyone.

  “When I return…” Lorix watched the approaching dock under the night sky, feeling the chill of the mist, then turned his eyes back to Carilyo. “No questions, remember?”

  Carilyo nodded. Something rolled and clicked along deck. Cragg and Perry wheeled the chest behind Lorix.

  “What do you need that for?” Carilyo mumbled.

  “What have I just said?” Lorix shook his head, sighing in frustration. “I ask the questions, remember?”

  “You got it,” Carilyo replied with a raised eyebrow.

  When Lorix and his cronies were gone, the crew disembarked, stepping onto dry land for the first time in eight weeks. Carilyo took Samia’s hand, carefully helping her off the ship; Cassi helped Doriya down. Everyone looked around in amazement at the city.

  The buildings in the city of Argosa sure looked strange, most were made of sheets of metal. Puffs of smoke whizzed from the sides of some of them. The cone-shaped heads of towers climbed over one another to get a good look at the sea.

  “Let’s find my brother Jan,” Samia said. “He will pay you.”

  Through the paved streets they went, past the streetlights and buildings with their corrugated rooftops; nearly everything was made of metal.

  They found Jan’s round building with chimney pipes spewing smoke at different angles from up near the roof. The glass windows opened inwards; their metal frames were a little rusted, as were the sheets wrapped around the building.

  “What does Jan do?” Carilyo asked, looking at the strange structure. It stood on a square stone platform; the dark building widened out towards the roof. The slate tiles protruded over the edge.

  “Something to do with energy.” Samia’s thin eyebrows lowered, her voice sounded unsure; or unwilling to talk about it.

  The door creaked open. Inside was a large room with stairs spiralling around it, doors stood at all sorts of angles around the outside. A round fur rug was placed perfectly in the centre of the brown carpet.

  “Samia?” Jan cried as they embraced, Doriya ran up and hugged him too.

  Cassi and Carilyo stood by the door. “Maybe we should leave them a while,” Cassi suggested.

  “Good idea.” Carilyo turned to leave.

  “This is Cassi and Carilyo,” Samia shouted across the room. “Without them, we would still be the property of House Otep.”

  Cassi and Carilyo turned back to face them. The two of them stood awkwardly.

  “I am forever in your debt,” Jan tapped a hand on his heart a couple of times. He turned to Samia, pointing at a green door about halfway up the stairs. “Take Doriya upstairs, I have a room prepared for you both.”

  Samia took Doriya by the hand.

  “Auntie Cassi.” Doriya tugged on her sleeve.

  “Don’t call me that,” Cassi said politely, leaning down to her level. “I’m just Cassi, remember.”

  “You’re not leaving, are you?” Doriya looked at Cassi with a worried expression.

  Cassi shook her head and smiled. “Of course not, I couldn’t leave you without saying goodbye, I shall see you again tomorrow.” Cassi gave her a goodnight kiss on the forehead.

  “Let’s show you your new room,” Samia said.

  When his sister was gone, Jan spoke, “I am a man of my word; I shall get your payment.” He turned towards a wooden bureau beneath the stairs, placing a key inside, he unlocked it and lifted the top half of it. Inside was a steel safe.

  “Thanks,” Cassi took a step forward. “But that won’t be necessary.”

  Jan raised an eyebrow, his hand slid away from the safe.

  “My papa always said, ‘you should not be paid, just for doing the right thing.’”

  “A good man,” Jan said.

  “Give the money to Samia,” Carilyo said. “But wait until our ship has left, she will not take it otherwise.”

  “Of course,” Jan smiled, placing a hand on his heart. “You are good people. Thank you for everything you have done.” He gave Carilyo a firm hug, then kissed Cassi on the cheek. “We are forever in your debt.”

  “No, you are not,” Carilyo said. “There is no debt for doing the right thing.”

  Jan nodded with teary eyes. “Well, if you are ever in Argosa again, please drop by.”

  “We will,” Cassi said. “I don’t want to miss Doriya growing up. We’ll let you and Samia do some catching up, we’ll be back tomorrow before we leave.”

  They passed a
blue-haired man, a man with a face full of metal and a blonde girl with a purple streak in her hair on the way to the nearest inn. The crew were already inside, some were on their third or fourth drink.

  Cassi sat beside Murta, who hadn’t finished his first pint. He looked deep in contemplation, staring harshly at the froth bubbling in the glass in front of him.

  “Everything alright?” Cassi asked.

  Murta nodded. She’d never seen him look more tired.

  “Yous’ll be needing some new crew when we return to the Merged Seas,” Murta said. He nodded at Leon, Drax and Hermo, who were dancing merrily in the middle of the inn. “Those tree are joining the Levacian Foreign Company.”

  Hermo looked happier lately and seemed to get on well with those two. Drax’ hand had healed as well is it was going to, a pink layer of skin covered it. Leon had taken his shirt off and was swinging it around over his head. Cassi turned up her nose and looked away when his fat rolls started to bounce, although she couldn’t help but look back and laugh.

  She turned back to the Rocklander, “At least we’ll still have you.” She placed a gentle hand on his wrist.

  Murta turned to face her, his eyes a little teary. “This will be my last journey tay. It’s time I retared, properly nye. I’m settling down in Petram when we get back.”

  “It is the right time,” Cassi agreed. Though it didn’t make it any easier, her heart jumped a couple of times. “We’ll have to find another Rocklander somewhere.”

  “Why’s that?” The wrinkles in Murta’s forehead rose.

  “I was told it’s good luck.” Cassi smiled. “Having you aboard certainly was. At least I’ll still have Roxy I suppose.”

  She got up, walking over to Roxy, who sat alone on a table.

  “How’s that leg of yours?” Cassi asked.

  “Well it’d hurt less if you kissed it better,” Roxy smirked.

  Cassi laughed, “We both know that’s never going to happen. Still, it was worth a try.” She gave Roxy a hug.

  “It’s healed enough to dance at least.” Roxy shot up, grabbing Cassi by the arm, dragging her to join Hermo and the others.

  The skyline of Argosa was filled with a variety of shapes; triangles, semicircles, cones, spheres and hemispheres. It was pretty but strange. Carilyo could see the roof of Jan’s building from the Howling Dragon, the coiled pipe above the tiles spewed grey smoke up into the night sky.

  He’d left Cassi in the inn, she looked like she was enjoying herself. Being around so many people drinking happily was tough to watch.

  “I thought I’d find you up here.” Samia approached Carilyo.

  “I don’t drink anymore,” Carilyo said. “I wanted some peace and quiet.”

  “It’s pretty, don’t you think?” Samia pointed at the jagged skyline of Argosa. A hemispherical building rotated above its cylindrical axis, Carilyo watched the windows, some were lit up, it was peaceful seeing it flicker from dark to light.

  “You know, you could stay here,” She offered. “It may be a fresh start; Doriya has grown fond of you and Cassi.” She leaned over his shoulder, stroking his ribs with a hand softer than silk. He could almost taste her honey-scented breath. “I’ve grown rather fond of you too.”

  Carilyo turned to face her, those beautiful eyes were mesmerising. Before he had time to think, her lips were brushing his. The deep kiss felt like they were sharing breaths. After a moment, Carilyo pulled his head back, opening his eyes.

  “Thank you for the offer Samia.” He thought for a while, her eyes were half-open like she was stuck in a trance. “I am fond of you too, you are such a sweet person, and the prettiest I have ever seen.” He frowned, “But me and Cassi have more work to do. I shall return though, to visit you and Doriya.”

  “You are good people, both of you.” Samia nodded, as though she was expecting it. “Please stop by when you return.”

  “Of course,” Carilyo said. “I don’t want to miss your daughter growing up, she’s like a little sister to me. I wish I could stay with you.” He stroked Samia’s hand.

  “Maybe when all of your work is finished, you can join me here.” She ran her hand across his back as she walked away.

  When she was gone, Carilyo sighed, “My work will never be finished.”

  Puffing and panting, Cragg and Perry heaved the chest up the ramp towards deck. After several shoves and heaves, it clicked and clacked to the top. Both red-faced men tilted their heads back, taking a deep breath. Cragg held his sore back.

  “Make sure your crew are careful with that,” Lorix commanded Cassi. It was wheeled towards the cargo hatch. “The contents are very… valuable.”

  The crew attached the little crane to it, lowering it gently into the cargo hold. When it was down there, Lorix’ men rolled it into the back room which had been Samia and Doriya’s home. Lorix kept the only key.

  “Make sure you head north first, the jet stream will carry us home quicker,” Lorix said.

  “Don’t tell me how to fucking sail,” Cassi snapped.

  Lorix’ eyebrows trembled. He lit his pipe, then whistled a tune to himself as he walked.

  “So where are we heading when we’ve offloaded Lorix?” Cassi asked whilst glaring at their unwanted companion. They’d only been in Argosa a day, but she couldn’t wait to be back on the ocean. The Howling Dragon was her home. She took her place on the quarterdeck beside Carilyo.

  Carilyo placed the hat over his head, stroking the rim and the yellow plume.

  “After Levac, we go to Traki,” Carilyo said. “Let’s free some more slaves.”

  “Great idea.” Cassi took the wheel. “On the way, we have to visit someone, and put things right.”

  Epilogue

  Too Long

  The trickling patter relaxed the air, the waterfall was peaceful. The dazzling blue and white mosaic steps made for a pleasant, bright view. The sky was almost clear, but a little drizzle spat on the bridge, making the colours sparkle.

  Another quiet birthday, Gianetta sat on her rocking chair feeling the smooth silk against her skin. Mid-afternoon on a warm day used to be the perfect time for a drink. She stopped mid rock. Rising to her feet, she thought about the decanters in the corner, then shook her head with a solemn grin. She’d been sober one year today, ever since the last time Carilyo had visited. He looked so bad, his hair was dull, and his skin was grey.

  Has he forgotten?

  She twizzled the ring around her finger. The planished steel wedding ring was simple, they got married before Gianlo made his riches. She never felt like wearing the other jewellery anymore, it gathered dust in the box in her bedroom alongside the perfume and makeup.

  The dull, beaten metal reminded her of a time when things were simpler, when they were still a family, back when Carilyo was a little boy, and Cassi was still her baby. Gianetta missed her daughter so much; she was more likely to see Gianlo walking through her door than Cassi. Such a stupid argument.

  “I hope Carilyo is coming today,” Gianetta sighed to herself. If he didn’t show, she could always crack open the brandy. One glass won’t hurt, right?

  She lifted the lid, closing her eyes to savour the sweet smell.

  Before the door knocked, she felt it. He was here. She raced over to the door.

  “Carilyo!” She welcomed him with open arms. Her son kissed her on each cheek.

  “You look well,” Gianetta said. The glow had returned to his cheeks, they didn’t look so thin either. His face wore a beaming smile. “I love the hat.” His blonde hair dropped from beneath it.

  “Thank you, Cassi got it me.”

  “How is your sister?” Gianetta’s heart dropped at the thought of Cassi not wanting to join him. The realisation that she’d never see her again made her eyes tear.

  “Why don’t you ask her yourself?” Carilyo stepped aside.

  Gianetta gasped, placing a hand in front of her open mouth. Cassi didn’t look up; she just rolled her toe around on the floor shyly.

  “I’ll l
et you two catch up.” Carilyo headed inside.

  “I left tea and cakes on the table. It should still be warm.” Gianetta stroked his arm when he passed, but couldn’t take her eyes off Cassi.

  “You’ve grown so much,” Gianetta said.

  Cassi nodded, but didn’t lift her head, she held her arm awkwardly, like she used to when she was in trouble. Gianetta’s little girl had grown up so pretty, her hair was so thick and so dark. It was heart-warming to see her again, she looked so cute in that dungaree dress.

  “How long’s it been?” Gianetta asked.

  “Too long,” Cassi said. Her lip wobbled, and she burst out crying. “I’ve missed you, Mama.”

  Gianetta walked over and embraced her warmly. “You’ll always be my little girl, no matter how long it’s been.”

  The End