by Tamara Moss
Avalon held out his hands for the silver squirrel to scamper down from his shoulder. ‘I am a boy.’
Eire raised her eyebrows. ‘We will find out when you meet sirens, yes?’
‘What’s going on?’
They turned as Captain Shafira came down the stairs. She took in the three of them and said, ‘Eire, Lintang – there’s no need for you to be here.’
Eire gave Lintang a dirty look. ‘Girl was snooping.’
‘I thought someone had snuck on board,’ Lintang said quickly.
Eire started to argue, but Captain Shafira held up her hand for silence. ‘Go, Eire. Lintang, we need to talk.’
Eire stalked away, in the wake of Yamini.
‘I didn’t –’ Lintang started, but Captain Shafira wandered over to Avalon and said, ‘So now you’ve met the best carpenter to sail the five seas. He did Hewan’s peg leg, you know. Expert piece of craftship.’ She clapped his shoulder. He ducked his head, embarrassed.
‘But …’ Lintang said, looking from him to Captain Shafira. ‘You … I mean … He … and … the sirens …’
‘It’s a risk, but we need him,’ Captain Shafira said. ‘Why do you think we have the cage?’
‘But Eire …’
Captain Shafira raised her eyebrows. ‘I already told you she likes to stir up trouble.’
Lintang put her arm against Avalon’s so that her brown skin stood out against his seafoam white. He was definitely warm, and definitely real, and definitely not a mythie.
‘Avalon comes from a country where skin like his is normal,’ Captain Shafira said.
The silver creature on Avalon’s shoulder chirruped.
‘Who’s your friend?’ Lintang said.
‘This is Twip.’ Avalon used his index finger to stroke Twip’s nose. ‘He’s from my home.’
‘Where’s that?’
‘A long way away.’
Captain Shafira opened the wooden chest. ‘While we’re here, Avalon, can Lintang try on some of your old clothes? She’ll need something warmer than sarongs as we head north.’
‘I guess,’ Avalon said hesitantly.
‘Thank you. Lintang, come here. See if there’s anything you like.’
Lintang hurried over. The chest was filled with clothes that seemed almost small enough to fit her.
‘These are from when Avalon was younger,’ Captain Shafira said. ‘He’s too sentimental to throw them away, and they’re going to waste sitting here.’
‘They might be useful as rags later,’ Avalon said.
‘Sure, sure,’ said Captain Shafira. ‘In the meantime, at least let them go to good use.’
Lintang pawed through the clothes. There were pants and shirts, well-worn but clean, and … dresses? She looked at Avalon again.
‘What?’ he said, sounding defensive.
She shook her head. ‘Nothing.’
‘You think I’m strange.’
Lintang dug deeper in the chest. ‘Not really. Dee’s mother is a clam shell.’
‘Fair point.’
Her fingers touched leather, and with a gasp she pulled out a pair of boots. They were lined with creases like an old woman’s face, but they were sturdy, and the fur lining was soft.
‘Try them on,’ Captain Shafira said.
Lintang wriggled into them. They were a touch too big, but they were better than her woven shoes, and she could clomp around in them like a pirate. She rummaged through the rest of the things. When she couldn’t find any other clothes that looked like the captain’s, she picked out a dress of rainforest green.
‘It’s made from velvet,’ Avalon said as Lintang trailed her fingers along the fabric. She’d never heard of velvet.
‘Here’s a skivvy to go beneath it.’ Captain Shafira held up a grey top with a high neck. Lintang also found black, stretchy pants like the ones Dee wore. Tights, Captain Shafira called them.
Lintang changed into the clothes and held her arms out for a proper inspection.
‘Much better,’ Captain Shafira said. ‘Thanks, Avalon.’
Avalon grunted, but the corner of his lips twitched as Lintang twirled around the room in her new clothes. She’d never owned anything so lovely before.
* * *
THE MYTHIE GUIDEBOOK
ENTRY #81: Sea Guardian (Twin Islands)
The sea guardian (Nyasamdra) is a sea mythie and the largest humanoid, appearing as a giantess in a green dress. She’s considered the guardian of the Twin Islands. Humans born in her territory have a fish scale on the back of their neck to mark them as hers.
Diet: Unknown.
Habitat: The seas around the Twin Islands.
Frequency: Single entity.
Behaviour: The sea guardian allows people to enter her waters, but only lets them leave if they have her mark. If they try to escape without giving her the proper tribute*, she will drown the ship.
Eradication: Unknown.
Did you know? There are three hundred and forty-five rules when dealing with the sea guardian. Please refer to The Sea Guardian’s Guidebook for a comprehensive list.
Danger level: 4 for non-Islanders.
2 for Islanders.
* The sea guardian’s tribute: ‘I am ______ (insert name) of ______ (insert birthplace), son/daughter of ____ (insert mother’s name) and _____ (insert father’s name), child of Nyasamdra. Please allow us to pass.’ (Head must be bowed low.)
* * *
Nyasamdra
A few afternoons later the waves calmed to ripples, the wind died, and the sky became grey and drizzly. The talrosses that had been following the ship flew away.
The entire crew – even Avalon – stood on the deck looking out to sea in a hush. Lintang edged behind Zazi’s massive form. It was as if everyone’s voices had vanished with the waves.
From the upper basket Mei cried out, shattering the silence. As soon as she did, the wind picked up, catching the black sails. Captain Shafira raced to the bridge to take control of the helm.
Lintang hurried to help with the ropes but Mei was still yelling, and the crew looked to where she was pointing. Lintang shielded her eyes against the drizzle. Water churned in the distance in a glowing green whirlpool. Her breath choked. She had to grip the railing from a sudden rush of shivers.
It was Nyasamdra.
‘I didn’t reckon her to appear this soon,’ Quahah said, taking off her woolly octopus hat and squinting at the whirlpool.
The swell grew. Lintang wrapped her whole arm around the railing so she wouldn’t get jolted overboard. ‘She doesn’t always show up in the same place. No one knows when they’re going to come across her.’ Her voice was breathy. Her stomach churned as violently as the sea. If she threw up in front of Nyasamdra, she’d never forgive herself.
A dark bulge rose from the swirling green, growing larger and larger, until a smooth part appeared, glistening, then eyebrows, eyes, a nose –
‘It’s just her face,’ Avalon said, gaping. ‘How big is this thing?’
Nyasamdra’s head was as high as the mast of the ship. She stood taller and taller, looming like a mountain before them. Water cascaded down her hair and sparkling dress – a dress that was green like Lintang’s new velvet one …
‘Oh no,’ Lintang whispered.
She couldn’t move, couldn’t hide, not with the giant woman peering down at them.
The ocean sloshed about Nyasamdra’s thighs as though she were merely wading through a stream. She examined the crew one by one, her smile expectant. Even without looking, Lintang could sense the stillness of those around her. Only Captain Shafira moved, struggling to keep the ship on course.
‘Leaving?’ said Nyasamdra pleasantly. Her voice boomed around them, as powerful as the waves. But she didn’t speak Vierse – she spoke in Lintang’s native tongue, which meant no one else knew what she was saying.
Nyasamdra tilted her head. ‘Have you one of mine?’
Lintang couldn’t answer. Like the night she had met Captain Shafira, her to
ngue felt sticky.
‘Lintang,’ Eire said sharply.
Lintang didn’t speak. When the silence stretched on, Nyasamdra frowned. ‘Have you one of mine or haven’t you?’
‘Lintang!’ Eire said again. When Lintang didn’t answer, Eire spoke to Nyasamdra herself, using Vierse. ‘We have Islander. Let us pass.’
Lintang sucked in a breath so fast it was painful. Who would dare speak to Nyasamdra that way? If she understood, she would take offence and drown them all.
But Nyasamdra blinked slowly and didn’t answer.
Eire gestured to Lintang. ‘This is Islan–’
‘No!’ Lintang lunged to shove her arm down. The rest of the crew spun to them. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said. She spoke loud enough for Captain Shafira to hear, but used Vierse so Nyasamdra didn’t understand. ‘I’m sorry, I made a mistake, a stupid mistake.’
‘What do you mean?’ Xiang said.
Lintang pointed to her velvet dress, which was now soaked through. ‘I’m not supposed to wear green. I can’t believe I forgot. She has very particular rules, and this is one of them.’
The crew glanced at Nyasamdra’s sparkling outfit. Eire muttered something in her own language, then staggered with everyone else as the ship lurched.
Nyasamdra had grown bored with them, and was swirling the water as if they were a toy.
The ship lurched again and began to spin in a circle. Captain Shafira strained with the wheel, but it was useless.
‘Tell her anyway,’ Eire said, stumbling to the foremast to keep herself steady.
‘Nothing makes her angrier than one of her children wearing her colour. Trust me.’ Lintang grabbed the same mast. She briefly considered pulling her dress off and tossing it overboard, but the deck was too rocky, and she didn’t want to draw Nyasamdra’s attention. ‘Last generation a Vierzan ship took an Islander wearing green and Nyasamdra drowned them all.’
‘Then you are useless!’ Eire roared.
Lintang squeezed her eyes shut as the ship spun faster. She hadn’t thought about Nyasamdra’s rules since putting on the dress. She’d been taken in by the softness, by the pretty colour. She’d felt special. She shouldn’t have felt special – she should have remembered the most obvious reason she’d never worn green before.
Eire raised her hand. ‘You stupid –’
A shriek pierced the sky, and a flash of black swooped between them. Eire staggered back.
Keelee the bird soared up between the sails and into the clouds. Eire watched it, hissing, but they had a new problem now. Nyasamdra had cupped her hands over the ship. A film of water appeared from her palms, surrounding them. All the rushing noise from the ocean disappeared. The wind stopped. The black sails drooped.
They were inside a bubble.
Nyasamdra picked them up and let them float in the air. She watched them swirl inside the bubble, her face childlike with curiosity.
Lintang leaned over the side. Some of the ocean water whooshed in the bubble with them, but below that the sea was getting further away.
Dee clung to the railing. Raindrops spattered on her shaved head. ‘This is not good,’ she said with a moan.
Xiang snagged a knife from her boot and threw it at the bubble. The knife simply bounced off.
‘This is not good,’ Farah-the-clam-shell said from Dee’s belt.
Keelee soared over Nyasamdra, who batted at it.
‘Keelee!’ Lintang cried.
But the bird darted past Nyasamdra’s fingers and pecked the bubble. There was a pop, and everyone had to hold on as the ship plummeted back into the waves. Lintang’s stomach felt as though it had left her body. They hit the water with a painful jolt.
Keelee disappeared into the clouds again, which flashed with brilliant white light. Lintang straightened, her legs trembling so hard they threatened to fall out beneath her. She slotted the pieces together.
Keelee was the lightning bird.
‘Did you just call our protector Keelee?’ Xiang said.
‘I thought it was an ordinary bird!’ Lintang said. She spun to Captain Shafira on the bridge. ‘I didn’t know – I’m sorry!’
‘You mean you’ve met it before?’ Quahah asked. ‘You actually saw it up close?’
Captain Shafira laughed. ‘You doubt me now, Eire?’
Nyasamdra scowled down at the Winda. She seemed angry that she’d lost her toy. She lifted her hand to squash them.
Lintang covered her head uselessly. Nyasamdra’s palm was as big as the ship – they would be smashed to pieces.
‘What’s that?’ Avalon cried.
Lintang jerked up. A familiar ball of light sped out from below deck. Pelita, the pixie. Which meant –
Bayani sprinted after her, past the staggering crew and an open-mouthed Eire. He dived to his knees at the bow of the ship.
‘I am Bayani of Desa, village on the island of Tolus, son of Devina and Saam, child of Nyasamdra.’ He spoke in their native tongue, with his head bowed so low the shiny scale on the back of his neck was visible. ‘Please,’ he said, ‘allow us to pass.’
Nyasamdra paused. Bayani kept his head down. He struggled to stay steady as the ship rocked and swirled with the unsettled waters.
Lintang stared at him, heart pounding. Now she really felt as if she were going to be sick. It was over. He was out in the open for everyone to see.
The crew were silent. Above them, lightning illuminated the clouds once more.
At last Nyasamdra lowered her hand and returned Bayani’s bow. ‘Safe passage is granted.’
Then she sank into the water, vanishing with the same slow, smooth movement she had arrived. Only when her dark mass of hair had disappeared did Lintang dare to breathe properly.
But several heartbeats later, Mei yelled from the upper basket again. Lintang whirled to find the giant face behind the ship. Instead of attacking them, though, Nyasamdra puffed her cheeks and blew, so that their ship turned to point west once more. Her breath filled their sails and sent them speeding away, out of the waters of the Twin Islands.
It didn’t take long for the crew to return to their senses. Some raced to secure the ropes. Quahah snagged her woolly octopus cap, which had gotten tangled in the rigging.
Xiang and Eire lunged to grab Bayani. Pelita zipped angrily around them, but when Eire almost squashed her, she fluttered to hide in a collection of toppled barrels by the main mast.
Lintang’s legs were too shaky to move. She watched, helpless, as Eire and Xiang hauled Bayani to his feet.
‘I know this boy,’ Eire said crisply. ‘He –’
‘Requested to come with us.’ Captain Shafira stalked over to them. Zazi had taken the wheel, but there wasn’t much steering required, considering Nyasamdra had them directly on track. Captain Shafira stood before Bayani. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I have to go to Zaiben,’ Bayani said.
‘The sirens’ song will drive you mad,’ Xiang said, keeping a firm grip on his arm. ‘You’ll do anything to go to them, including putting us in danger.’
Bayani’s gaze fell to Avalon. ‘But you already have a boy here.’
‘Avalon and I have an agreement,’ Captain Shafira said. ‘I won’t make the same deal with you.’
Eire jolted Bayani. ‘We throw him overboard.’
‘No!’ Lintang hadn’t been able to stop her cry, and it drew the attention of everyone around her, including Captain Shafira.
‘Did you help him stow away?’ Captain Shafira said.
‘No,’ Lintang said. ‘No, I swear to the Gods, I had no idea he’d sneaked aboard, and when I found him I was so mad –’
Bayani shook his head frantically, and it was only then Lintang realised her mistake.
‘You knew he was aboard the ship?’ Captain Shafira’s voice turned cold. ‘How long?’
Lintang’s heart hammered in her throat, blocking her ability to answer. Behind Captain Shafira, Yamini raised her eyebrows.
‘How long, Lintang?’ The captain’s
voice was loud now. Fierce.
Heat flushed through Lintang’s cheeks. ‘Since the first day.’ She couldn’t look at anyone.
‘We toss them both overboard.’ Eire sounded triumphant.
‘No one’s going overboard,’ Captain Shafira said. ‘The boy saved our lives – the least we can do is spare his. He’ll be dealt with,’ she said over the cries of outrage. ‘But he can come with me first. I’d like a word in private.’
‘And the girl?’ Xiang said, speaking as though Lintang hadn’t been travelling with them all this time, as though they hadn’t eaten together, or practised fighting together, or even met each other before. ‘Remember your necklace, Captain.’
Captain Shafira stalked towards her cabin. Eire and Xiang followed with Bayani between them. ‘I’ll speak with her after I speak to the boy. Don’t worry. You can be sure she, too, will be punished.’
Cabin Girl
Lintang was enraged. She was enraged at the unfairness of it all, at the fact she had been stuck between loyalty to her best friend and loyalty to Captain Shafira, with no possible way to win. She was enraged at Bayani, who still wouldn’t tell her why he’d stowed away, even after she’d been demoted to cabin girl, even after she’d lost the friendship of the crew – and worse, the respect of Captain Shafira. She was especially enraged at Yamini, who was now her new boss.
Yamini was the worst boss in the world. She loved making Lintang do all the horrible chores, like cleaning the dirty rags and slop buckets. Lintang had no choice but to follow her orders, because Captain Shafira had made a promise to the rest of the crew that if Lintang disobeyed her superiors one more time she’d be off the Winda for good.
It was just like the legend of Princess Gree, who had been captured and forced into slavery. Lintang had to move out of her big cabin and into the smallest one at the end of the ship. It was bare except for one small grey blanket covering the simple, woven hammock. There weren’t even brackets on the wall – Lintang had to set her wooden sword in the corner. Yamini watched Lintang carry all her things without helping, hissing nasty names like ‘useless swill’ and ‘spineless jellyfish’.
