ã€ŠPomegranates for Persephoneã€‹


 Helgi

    ¡°Get some rest, they said. What a laugh!¡±

    Jamie grumbled to himself where he was hung, his limbs draping lackadaisically over the sides of his hammock. There would be no rest for him, besides the relief from gravity that was now afforded to his aching muscles and raw feet. Cold water dripped and spilled through the cracks of the floor above, while many-a hurried thumping footsteps traveled to-and-fro, and heavy waves crashed mercilessly upon the hull beside where he now lay. All in all, not exactly picturesque conditions for a weary slumber.

    In truth, the irritation exhibited by this young tan skinned and dark-haired orphan lad, who knew not even his own age of fifteen, emanated more from his anxiety than any true feelings of anger. Though this was not by any stretch the first storm that The Persephone had encountered on this voyage, it was by and far the most massive. And as young Jamie had scurried about the deck on crouching feet, or on all-fours to avoid the swinging arms and bodies of his fellow sailors in their struggles, he had been witness to more than one titanous waves, ones so large that they threatened to swallow the vessel whole like how Fenrir would swallow the King of the Gods, or so his crewmate Helgi from the Northlands told him.

    How was a young man supposed to sleep, regardless of the toil upon his famished body, when at any moment his only place he had ever known could be vanished beneath the sea, and the bed where he now hung would become his salty tomb?

    ¡°Hold on!¡± He distinctly heard over the thunder and rain and the crashing waves, a voice loud and authoritative that only their Captain, Voyagan, could wield.

    A violent force struck the far hull, and The Persephone was thrown into a tip so deep that Jamie fell to the wall that was now the floor! An icy panic even colder than the precipitation around him ran through his spine as he scrambled up to his feet, one upon the wall and the other upon the floor as the corner of the room was now directly south beneath him.

    Finally, mercifully, he felt the bottom of the boat slowly begin to tip back away from its near-capsize. For several seconds the young Cabin Boy felt a strange feeling in his guts like he was falling, before the keel slammed against the water once again and righted the ship with a force so violent that he heard the very spine of the vessel groan loudly, like The Persephone herself was crying out in anguish, and he himself was thrown sprawling to the floor again!

    It took a moment for him to regain his wind, for his chest had struck the wooden planks painfully, and he gasped for air and coughed! Rising to his knees, Jamie scurried desperately over to the worn leather satchel where he kept what little he owned, rummaging inside it until he retrieved the item that he had sought: a most peculiar and unsettling bauble. It was a head, the head of a man, but one much too small, dried and malformed. Its lips were stitched together with string, and its eyes shut tight, and a tuft of long, stringy black hair stuck out of its scalp. It hung from a long leather band that protruded from either of its temples so that it could be worn as some sort of barbaric necklace. Despite its grotesque appearance, Jamie clung tight to the thing, holding it close to his chest and wrapping himself around it in a fetal way in his hammock, his eyes shut tight as he shook with terror. To do this he knew from grim experience would give him awful dreams, but whatever he was shown now he thought would be better than his current state. And no sooner had he returned to his uncomfortable bedding did he finally drift off into a deep slumber.

    If one were to ask him to recall his dream after the fact, Jamie might have some trouble putting it into words, or even placing the events that he had seen into the order at which they had properly occurred but for the ending. To awaken from this, these dreams that felt as real as the real, was to see his memory muffled by a heavy and obscuring fog. In the moment, however, it would always seem as if he was walking beside a companion, they would always match his gait so that he could follow along despite their differences in stature. Whoever it was would never acknowledge him, however. They would never look his way even once, nor would they respond to his voice. It felt not unlike that he was a ghost. This time it was Helgi. He knew it at once for she was the only female of the crew, and the only one with hair that shone like gold. Like usual, it was tied up into a tight bun on the back of her skull, mostly to keep it out of her eyes, but also to keep it close from those who might try to cut it and steal it to sell. She was shorter than all of the rest of the crew, save for Jamie who was not yet grown out of his adolescence, but she was just as well-muscled as any of the other men on the crew. Her skin was pale as a sheet, and did not brown on the hotter days but reddened and itched. And her eyes were blue like sapphires, her traits were that of Royal Blood from her homeland, or so she liked to say. Her grandfather had been a claimant for their throne, but he had been defeated, cast out and exiled. Surely another of her many and tall tales that she enjoyed to exposit when sat at a tavern or was resting with the men in her own cot.

    Jamie looked about as they walked. Around them was the familiar and bustling wharf of the port city of Basti¨®n, the city from which he had been born. Many-a swarthy deckhands were busy at work tugging and tying, lifting and hauling, chafing under a smoldering sun.

    When Jamie peered back at Helgi¡¯s face, he was surprised to see her nervous countenance that was so uncommon for the usually jovial young woman. Her jaw was set and her teeth were clenched, and a bead of sweat was beginning to form on her temple. Several times her eyes would dart about from side-to-side as if for someone following her, or watching from afar, and when they were not, then they would cast down upon her feet so as not to make contact with any of the other laborers¡¯.

    Finally, after a short jog up a flight of wooden-plank stairs, they had arrived at the Wharfmaster¡¯s Office, where Helgi rapped upon the old wooden door with her finger knuckles. Once, then a pause, then twice more, then another pause, and then three more in rapid succession.

    ¡°Come in.¡± Came a scratchy voice from inside, followed by a distinct click of a lock.

    Helgi peered over her shoulder with a peculiar paranoia, shoving through the door without opening it fully, and shutting it just as quickly behind herself with both hands. Jamie could not have possibly followed her through as she had done this, but after a blink he found himself stood inside the musty office as well right beside her.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Croaked the Wharfmaster, his back still turned away from his new guest as he was busy scribbling down notes onto old vellum.

    Helgi took in a deep breath, as well as a quick look about the dark musty room, as if she suspected ears in the very walls, before she spoke. ¡°It is done.¡±

    No sooner had those heavily-accented words left her lips than did the sounds of scratching-scribbling cease, as the Wharfmaster turned on his heels to face her. He was a short, wide man, with the countenance of a toad, a large head with a large mouth and a portly, hairy body. He lifted up an arm and slapped the parchment down upon a table, before marching swiftly over to the Northwoman until she was distinctly aware of his moldy sour breath.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    ¡°It¡¯s done?¡± He demanded, as if she had not already just confirmed it from her own mouth, whatever ¡®it¡¯ was. He looked her up and down from head to toe, as if just now sizing her impressive physical specimen up for the first time. ¡°You and yours... really?¡± He asked again, a twinge of doubt in his tone.

    For once the anxious expression on Helgi¡¯s face was replaced with a furrowed brow and set jaw as indignation washed across her being. ¡°My men and I, we do not play.¡± She replied in a low, confident tone.

    ¡°Apparently...¡° The Wharfmaster murmured in reply. ¡°Bring ¡®er to me. I¡¯ll have to confirm-¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Helgi interrupted him.

    The short man shot a glare back up at her, one that led Jamie to think that his authority was one that was not challenged often. ¡°What did you say?¡± He growled incredulously, leaning in closer so that the two were now nearly chest-to-chest.

    Helgi raised two muscled arms and shoved the Wharfmaster¡¯s shoulders, sending him stumbling back away from her several steps!

    ¡°If one thing, one thing go bad, that is it for me and my crew! I will not risk whole operation to make low-rung nail like you feel important! You have your coin, tell your boss that he must come to collect package himself!¡±

    A moment of pause took up within the musty room, Helgi stared daggers down at the Wharfmaster, while he in turn folded his arms and huffed in a pout, though he yet appeared to be in some deep contemplation as well.

    ¡°Fine.¡± He finally relented. ¡°But you better not be talkin¡¯ out yer ass, or you an¡¯ yer lot will be beggin¡¯ for the hangman¡¯s noose!¡±

    ¡°Hrafnsbl¨®e.¡± Helgi cursed under her breath at him.

    ¡°-and he¡¯s not just gonna come down here to the docks on the words of promise of some low-born sailors, I hope you at least brought somethin¡¯ to pique his interest?¡±

    At that Helgi went pallid, and her eyes grew wide. She visibly gulped, and rolled her tongue within her mouth, as if she was preparing for some kind of unpleasant act. Silently she nodded to him, and then reached down into one of the satchels upon her worn leather belt and began to fumble about within. So curious was the ghostly Jamie then that he knelt down and stepped in so as to get a better look at whatever it was that the Norsewoman was retrieving, and which caused her so much anxiousness to produce. What she finally, daintily slipped out of her pouch appeared to be a... a Handkerchief! One of those frilly, decorative cloth pieces carried by Noblemen and women, and bearing one of those fancy Noble Crests to boot, though Jamie could not recognize one of those from any of the others. Its natural, soft-lavender hue was marred with some kind of stain, crusty and brown and stiff, which appeared to make it all the more difficult for Helgi to unfold as she was then forced to peel the sticky substance back. Finally she managed to lift the final layer, which revealed that tucked within was none other than a withered, roughly-hewn finger!

    Jamie, who had leaned in so close that the tip of his nose was but a hair¡¯s breadth from Helgi¡¯s calloused hand, leapt backwards and cried out in fright!

    Helgi¡¯s head snapped to the side, as if she had actually heard him even in this ethereal state, and Jamie could almost swear that her eyes had flashed with some faint blue glow!

    ¡°W-what is it?¡± Asked the Wharfmaster, following her gaze quizzically.

    Helgi did not reply, but slowly raised up her free hand, her outstretched fingers nearly making contact with Jamie¡¯s chest! As the young man was most unsure of what was real and what was not in a dream such as this, he panicked and stumbled back several steps! Slowly, Helgi began to take creeping steps towards him, her grasping hand outstretched as though feeling for him, invisible as he was! Jamie backed up more, until he collided with the wooden wall behind him with a thump! Helgi appeared to startle from this noise, though the Wharfmaster did not seem to register it himself. Jamie looked back in alarm. For some reason, he had been sure that in whatever poltergeistian-state he now embodied he would simply flow through the cracks in the boards and come out again on the other side. Helgi¡¯s gait quickened, and now she marched straight towards him, her grasping claw prepared to take hold of him around his throat!

    Jamie awoke with such a start from his hammock that he toppled out over the side, landing with a thud and rolling once or twice! He winced and rubbed the back of his head from the pain as he rose to a kneel from the floorboards. The rain and the waves had ceased, and sunlight now spilled freely through the cracks and little holes in the planks above.

    A familiar hearty laugh rang out in the bunkroom from the wooden steps that lead up to the deck. Leaning down from the top of the steps was Captain Voyagan himself, a handsome light-skinned man who looked to be about in his early thirties, with short-cut brown hair and a beard of stubble. His chin was cleft and his jaw as defined as the muscles upon his arms and chest. He wore a large grin, as he had watched Jamie tumble from his cot, of almost suspiciously white and well-maintained teeth.

    ¡°Well!¡± He called down from his perch at the top of the stairs. ¡°I suppose that¡¯s one way to come back to the world of the living!¡±

    Upon noticing the presence of his Captain, Jamie swiftly cupped his hands over the strange and eerie bauble that he had been clutching onto so vigorously before he had drifted to sleep.

    ¡°Is there something you need, Captain?¡± Jamie asked.

    Voyagan simply shook his head. ¡°Just checking in on you, lad. You worked double-hard last night, and the men who slept after you all rose before you as well!¡±

    Jamie looked about then, and indeed the bunkroom was empty as it had been when he had turned in.

    ¡°I was worried that you might have fallen sick. You worked double-hard through that awful storm. How are you feeling?¡± Voyagan asked, his face becoming concerned for his youngest crewmate.

    ¡°Ready to get to work, Captain!¡± Jamie replied dutifully, clambering to his feet.

    ¡°Well get some food in you first, lad. We still need you to grow a bit taller yet, so that you can reach all of the ropes on the mast!¡± Voyagan laughed as he disappeared back above deck.

    Jamie groaned as he anticipated yet another meal of pickled eggs and cucumbers. At this point the weevils that floated up as he dipped his hardtack seemed to him to be almost more appealing and edible in comparison.

    Then the Cabin Boy looked down at his clasped hands, contemplating the nightmare that he had just experienced. What a strange thing it had been, it had almost felt... real. He wondered how he would face Helgi when he saw her, he was afraid he might act suspicious and odd for what he had just experienced. The grip of his fingers cracked open and he looked within at that shrunken head. But when he did his dark eyes grew wide, and a cold flush washed over his whole being, for its ever-shut eyes had inexplicably lifted, revealing the yellowing sclera beneath, while the corners of its sewn mouth were lifted into what appeared to be a mischievous grin! And when he looked upon this unnatural omen, his mind¡¯s eye flashed with the sight of that roughly-hewn finger.

 Santiago

    ¡°What is it? Not hungry?¡±

    The familiar and thick accent of Helgi brought Jamie back to his senses. She had, most unfortunately, fell down to a seat next to him on the deck so close that they two of them were rubbing elbows. She had smashed and spread a pickled egg upon a piece of tack like jam, and tore into it now vigorously with teeth much tougher and stronger than any muscle or bone in his own body! Jamie, meanwhile, nibbled at a piece of saltpork. An uncharacteristic choice of meal for the young Cabin Boy, all of the crew knew how he despised the stuff, but the thought of vinegar currently sickened the boy to his stomach.

    They ate silently there for a moment, but Jamie¡¯s quick and prodding glances over to his companion swiftly brought on her irritation.

    ¡°What?¡± she finally demanded of him. ¡°Is there problem?¡±

    ¡°N-no! None at all!¡± Jamie replied immediately, putting up his hands between them. ¡°I was just... where did you go at the port a few weeks back?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Helgi asked confusedly. ¡°Why are you asking this now?¡±

    ¡°Curious is all. After all, I never get to leave the ship!¡±

    Helgi narrowed her eyes at the young lad, but she acquiesced nonetheless. ¡°I had a meeting... with the Wharfmaster.¡±

    A flush of shock washed over him, though he did his best to maintain what little composure he had presented himself with to this point in the conversation. ¡°W-whatabouts, if I may ask?¡±

    Helgi paused briefly before she spoke again, perhaps choosing her words carefully. ¡°I had to talk to him about... delivery.¡±

    ¡°Like a package or a parcel, or..?¡±

    Helgi furrowed her brow in frustration, rising to her feet suddenly. ¡°Why you ask me this?¡± She demanded again, this time with anger in her voice.

    Jamie was shocked for a moment, so much that his mouth hung open briefly before he caught his bearings again. ¡°Just b-bored is all!¡± He hung his head down and looked at the floor to avoid her gaze.

    Helgi stared down at him for a while longer in silence, then she let out a weary sigh and rubbed her forehead. ¡°I¡¯m going to get some grog.¡± And then she marched away, leaving Jamie alone again.

    Jamie watched her go with a sullen expression. He was sorry to have offended her, for she was one of his favorites among the crew, especially her tall tales she liked to tell from her childhood and her homeland. He just had to know the truth behind his night¡¯s dream. But then, as she made her way down the steps to below-deck, something briefly caught his eye, and caused his breath to catch in his throat: as she leaned forward to descend below the planks, the bottom of the rightmost pouch on her belt bore a crusty brown stain, as if some ichor had leaked and seeped into the material.

    <hr>

    That night, after most of the day crew had climbed into their own bunks, where they now draped over the sides and snored loudly, Jamie sat there awake listening to the gentle waves against the sides of the ship. Aloft he held the Head by its string before him, staring into its tight-shut eyes. No longer did it grin like it had in the morning once he had awoken from that dream, nightmare or vision whatever it might¡¯ve been. His throat crooked as he swallowed, and his stomach swam with nerves. Finally, he huffed out through his nostrils in a determined way as he made his decision, bringing the leather band up and around his neck.

    He fell back into the flimsy threadbare cushion of his hammock, the one piece of comfort that he owned, and no sooner had his head laid back than did he begin to detect a seemingly unnatural drowsiness begin to creep up from the corner of his vision, threatening to pull him into full slumber with a worrying speed!

    Even guarded as he was now, he risked a simple blink of the eyes and found himself once again in a place that was not where he was. This time, however, he found himself looking down, far down! Hundreds of feet above the shores of a dark-blue sea! He cried out soundlessly, thrashing his limbs in a panic, before he came to the shaky determination that he would not plummet to his doom. Taking a long breath to steady his heart, as it thumped painfully in his throat now from the fright, he peered down and around, attempting to gain a better idea of his current predicament.

    Below him he saw the city of a port, one which travelled up a long and meandering incline that began at the sandy beaches by its docks. The time appeared to be just after the sun had set, and so the white-stone buildings with their torches and lamps glowed like gold against the surrounding amethyst night.

    Suddenly, Jamie felt himself tugged harshly, as if he were a fish attached to a hook! He flew so quickly in a single moment that he barely even had the time to comprehend it before he had been brought to just as sudden of a halt! Whatever this powerful force was that commanded the young man now held him aloft above a dimly lit cobbled-stone street. From his elevated position several meters above the earth, the ghostly Jamie could see that just a street away sat the massive, opulent palace that he had spied from on high to be the centerpoint of the city. And just beneath him now, so crouched and hidden in the low light that it took Jamie several minutes to spy him, was another familiar face.

    He was a man with copper-colored skin, wavy long black hair that looked finer now than it usually did as it was free of oil or dirt, and a goatee which came to a sharp point below his chin beneath a sprouting mustache. His current clothes and his cloak were currently shades of dark so as to blend in with the night, as his usual sunny and colorful attire would not be suited for such a task, while the normally jovial expression which Jamie knew him for was currently amasked with an expression most serious and furrowed. This was the boatswain Santiago, slinking through the streets of his home of the port city of Forteleza, which lay North and a gulf past Basti¨®n, where Jamie¡¯s dream of the night before had taken place.

    Santiago stared like a cat down the darkened alley, watching as a man clad in a bronze helmet and scale armor yawned into his free hand, while in the other he held a burning torch aloft. The guardsman looked right and then looked left, causing Santiago to press lower against the tall stone wall beside him, but the soldier appeared mostly lackadaisical in his duties and likely couldn¡¯t see much further than a couple of feet before him in any direction, and soon he turned on his heel and began to march back up the street from whence he came, allowing Santiago to let out a sigh of relief, and then continue on his way up the road unobserved, except for by the ghostly visage of Jamie who trailed along behind him all of the way.

    Doing his best to balance a quickened pace with a silent gait, the Boatswain kept himself low and close to the wall as he turned the corner and then darted swiftly to the other side of the street, before continuing up the way and closer towards that large and opulent palace.

    As the sleuth came upon the corner at the end of the long street, which turned off to the left and away from the palace fence to the right, he peeked oh-so-carefully around so that only his nose would stick out. The guardsman had come upon another, and the two were currently chattering and laughing in order to pass the time. Seeing that the sentinels had busied themselves with other matters, Santiago turned and dashed across the way, and with his running start he managed to leap up to the top of the black iron fence of the palace. He scrambled for a moment so as not to fall, made more difficult and uncomfortable by the sharpened spires which topped each individual bar of the fence, likely in order to prevent an intrusion such as this, and then finally he was able to wrench most of his body over and onto the other side without any issue or injury. Landing with a thud onto the grass upon his feet and hands, Santiago winced noticeably as he reached to the joint of his hip, and when he retrieved it once again he looked upon his palm and saw a smear of red from where one of the sharp spires had dug into his shirt and sliced him painfully! He said nothing, but growled through his teeth in frustration. Swiftly he shed his black cloak from his collar, and tore a sizable portion from the end of the cape with which he haphazardly bandaged his wound. Then he shed the rest of his dark clothes, beneath which was his more recognizable, colorful attire.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    What is he going to do..? Jamie wondered to himself as he watched his Crewmate begin to march across the grass and then up the stone steps towards the entrance of the Palace, for he was not even trying to stay out of sight as he had been before.

    As he came to the open double-doors which led inside, the two guardsmen at either end of the portcullis noticed him coming, and looked to him with surprised expressions.

    Santiago put on a confident smile, and he raised up a hand in greeting. ¡°I am a guest of La Senescal, just popped out for a walk. I shall now be returning to my Lady.¡±

    The two armored men exchanged troubled looks, for they did not recognize this man, but as the Palace was currently closed to guests, they thought that he must have been allowed access if he was already this far within. The soldier on the left simply nodded wordlessly to him, a gesture which Santiago returned with a smile before striding on past them. But no sooner had he rounded the next corner than did he stumble and prop himself against the wall with a hand, while with his other he clutched at his injured side! Sucking in air through his teeth, he looked down at himself to discover a small stain of red was now beginning to seep through his white cloth blouse!

    ¡°I guess I am on a limited time¡­¡± Jamie heard the man chuckle to himself, before he righted his posture and continued on his way further down the corridor.

    I wonder what he means to do here? Jamie wondered as he was pulled along behind. I saw him asleep as I turned in this night, so I know that he is alive now, but I am unaware if this is a recollection of the past, or a portent of the future, so he very well may not survive this endeavor!

    The two continued on for what felt like a terribly long expanse of time. Every time Santiago came upon a doorway he would try the knob, and if it was unlocked he would crack it open to peer inside at its contents, before shutting it again, and every time he passed a guard he would put on the same confident demeanor as he had worn at the gate, giving the impression that he was indeed supposed to be there, though now he would stand at an angle as he did so, and cover his reddening patch with his arm.

    Finally, the Boatswain creaked open a door and let out a small noise of approval. Shutting the door just behind his ghostly follower, who was pulled within just in the nick of time, he had no sooner clicked shut the lock than did he dash over towards the large wooden desk at the center of the room and begin to rummage through it!

    ¡°Come on! Come on!¡± He grumbled with a desperate air as he tore through old musty parchments, folded notes, and rolled vellum, with such haste that many utensils tools began to spill out and clatter the the floor around him. Then, his ears perked up, as the sounds of footsteps began to draw near! Santiago froze where he stood and did not move a muscle. The footsteps drew closer¡­ closer...

    Clack...

    Clack...

    Clack...

    Stopped. Just in front of the door, as if whoever they belonged to, something had caught their attention just now! Santiago barely breathed, letting out but a ragged little whine when the pain in his lungs grew too great! There was a long, long pause that felt like an eternity. Jamie turned his head slowly from the doorway to observe Santiago, whose hand was very slowly travelling towards something on the back of his belt.

    But then, finally, mercifully, the footsteps resumed, continuing on their way and disappearing into silence once more. Santiago was so frightened and on-edge that he still did not move nor breath until the footfalls of whoever that had been could no longer be heard, and when he did suck in a long and painful breath he weakened to the point that he fell upon the desk with his hands to steady his shaking arms and quaking legs!

    ¡°...Too close!¡± Santiago chuckled aloud, before he once again resumed his destructive search.

    ¡°Damn it, I don¡¯t think that it¡¯s here!¡± He complained under his breath after a couple of minutes, doing his best to stuff everything back into the cupboards and containers as they had been before he had arrived, though to minimal success.

    Suddenly, once again the two heard the distinct sound of booted footfalls upon the marble floor just outside, and coming nearer! Santiago froze up again, attempting to recreate his success from the previous episode, but this time when the person outside reached the doorway, Jamie was horrified when he heard several clicks as, whoever they were, the owner began to jiggle the handle of the locked door!

    Santiago became white as a sheet, and more pallid still when he heard the jingle of keys being lifted from a pocket! With no time to spare, Santiago scurried over to the far wall on his hands and knees, so that he would be hidden behind the door when it was opened. Indeed, as the thing swung ajar, Santiago was obfuscated from view as the other person made their way inside!

    She was an older woman, middle-aged with similar copper-colored skin and black hair, which had been cut short at a tomboyish length. She was quite striking, wearing makeup on her eyes and lips, and dressed in a form fitting gold dress that sparkled. She was holding an unruly stack of papers, and seemed quite invested in her reading as she strode inside, so she did not immediately notice the state of disarray that the room was now in until several steps inside, taking in a sharp breath from the shock as she realized that something was wrong! Santiago was just now in the midst of creeping back out of the open door when she spun on her heel, intent on calling for a guard, and she fell upon him there!

    She was so surprised that she choked on her words, and Santiago moved like a flash, bringing a curved dagger up to her throat, covering her mouth with his hand and pushing the woman roughly against the far wall! With no one to hold it anymore, the door fell closed with a slam! They waited there in silence, staring into each other¡¯s eyes, waiting to hear if someone had heard the commotion, but after several long moments of silence, they both realized that nobody was coming.

    ¡°W-where is it?¡± Demanded Santiago shakily. The woman could only shake her head, unsure of what it was he was asking. Santiago pressed the blade further against the skin of her neck, drawing a droplet of blood and causing her to startle from the pain.

    He asked something, sharply and demanding, but in a language that Jamie did not recognize, and the woman¡¯s eyes grew at first wide, but then narrowed, and her brow furrowed. Again there was a long and silent exchange of glaring gazes between the two. But then, perhaps out of instinct or anxiety, and for the barest moment, the woman¡¯s eyes darted down towards the marble floor beneath the desk. Santiago slowly turned his head towards the very same place, and then just as slowly back at the woman. He gulped, as though he were preparing himself for some great effort.

    Then he carved in deep and drew cold steel across her neck!

    She attempted to scream from the pain and the shock, but all that came out was a ghastly gurgle, and all strength left her body! The poor woman toppled into a heap onto the marble floor, spasming as blood pooled out around her!

    Jamie screamed in horror, bringing his hands up instinctively to cover his face, though they would not protect him from the terrible sight that was now burned into his mind¡¯s eye!

    Santiago fell to his knees and began desperately prying at each and every facet of the stone floor, scraping with his fingers and nails until those nails cracked, and his fingertips became raw! Jamie knew not how long he watched him search, for he had gone light in the head from the shock, and his perception of time was hampered severely. Finally, however, the Boatswain found a small crack from which he wrested free a small panel of the decorative floor, a secret compartment beneath which lay what looked to be a decorative wooden box. Santiago retrieved the thing from its hiding place, and without another thought, he bolted from the room as fast as his legs could carry him!

    For once, Jamie was not pulled along with him, but simply remained in the room with the carcass that still bled and shivered where it lay. With great hesitation, Jamie turned to look down at that poor woman, only to find that, to his horror, her eyes were looking back at him now! Wide, and full of fear!

    Then he awoke.

 Cheshie

    "The Cabin boy has been acting strange lately.¡±

    Jamie froze like stone where he stood at the top of the steps which led down into the hold from the orlop deck of The Persephone. His eyes grew wide as he realized that it was Santiago, and that the Boatswain was currently referring to him!

    ¡°Do you think that he knows?¡± Replied Helgi in her own heavy accent. ¡°How could he have found out?¡±

    The two hissed back and forth to each other in lowered tones, doing their best to not be heard. It would be impossible for anyone to listen in to their current conversation unnoticed¡­ unless said person was relatively small in stature, and was crouched at the top of the steps beside them and was leaning in close just like how Jamie was doing now. The Cabin boy himself felt awash in a feeling of icy cold shock, as he realized that those two dream-like visions that he had experienced may not have been wholly separate events, but the work of some larger plot!

    ¡°Somebody must have told him! It¡¯s the only way.¡± Santiago suggested grimly.

    ¡°But who?¡± Helgi demanded, as if Santiago would know any more than she did. ¡°The boy will not even look me in my eyes anymore! And he¡¯s been asking¡­ things.¡± Helgi sounded conflicted, as if she did not want to completely reveal to her compatriot what it was she and Jamie had spoken about. Jamie felt a pang of guilt in his chest, for even now as she was caught up in whatever devious affair that she was currently she evidently still desired some amount of protection for him.

    ¡°What did he say?¡± Demanded Santiago, annoyed by her hesitation. There was a long beat of silence, and then the Boatswain sighed with exasperation.

    ¡°...he ask where I go the last time we make port.¡± Helgi said, most begrudgingly, and cloaked within a sigh of her own.

    ¡°But that was a fortnight ago!¡± Santiago exclaimed, after a moment wherein Jamie imagined he must have emoted in surprise like he was want to do during such conversations. ¡°Is that when you..?¡±

    ¡°Drop off ¡®package¡¯ to that Wharfmaster, yes.¡±

    ¡°Then somebody has definitely been taking out the dirty rags!¡±

    Jamie let slip a little gasp at that, and he clutched tightly upon the necklace, if such a thing could be called as such, which now hung around his neck beneath his blouse.

    Two weeks? He thought to himself with a start.

    Some part of the young lad had hoped, prayed, that these terrible things that he had seen had been isolated and long-since passed, but from these hushed whispers he was certain that whatever nefarious goings-on his dear friends were involved in, they are still now very much afoot!

    That is when he realized the conversation had come to a sudden halt. For a moment he wondered what could have happened, only to realize to his horror that they must have heard him, and that they were now staring up to the top of the stairs, just out of view to them, where he was currently crouched!

    At first Jamie thought to scurry away out of sight before they could approach, but the barest shift of his weight upon the top plank of the wooden stairs produced a noticeable creaking, and would confirm to the two of their suspicion that somebody had been listening in on their confidential conversation. And with in inclination as to how many co-conspirators they had upon the vessel, for they had referenced more than just the two of themselves alone, to discover him there now might be to damn him to a gruesome end some night in the coming days!

    So he waited, paralyzed, breath restrained within his painfully burning lungs so as not to risk a single more utterance that might be detected. Meanwhile, slow creeping footfalls steadily approached the stairway from below, as one of the two was now creeping ever nearer to peer up towards the deck!

    Clomp¡­ Clomp¡­

    But just as he began to see the pale skinned and blonde haired profile of Helgi peer around the bend, a voice called out from deeper inside the deck somewhere!

    ¡°Helgi!¡± Came the voice of their Captain. ¡°Come help me with this, quickly!¡±

    Jamie watched Helgi startle and turn away from him, and he took this gracious opportunity to disappear from view as quickly and quietly as he could, just as Santiago came bounding around the corner to glare up at where he had just been hidden, with a look of nervous anger etched into his countenance!

    <hr>

    Jamie did his best, for the next few days, to act the same towards his crewmates that he had three days prior, before he had ever delved within those gods-forsaken dreams. It was hard for him, less so for Helgi whom he had only witnessed take a minor role in some mysterious and grisly circumstance, but for Santiago he found it difficult to even maintain a look into his eyes for long. The image of this man whom he had once thought of as harmless and jovial, a joy to be around, painting a stone wall with the contents of a young woman¡¯s neck, floated in his mind like a sunspot would float upon your retina after staring up at the glare.

    However, now it was they who acted more strange than he had been as of late. For he would put on all of his strength and send them a grin or a nod of the head as they passed each other in their duties, but in reply he would receive only hard, prodding looks, as if they meant to press out a confession of guilt from him with every interaction, no matter how small.

    Jamie did not touch that shrunken head for the next several days. He wanted nothing to do with it, and whatever dark portents it might provide. He had already shaken his standing with two of the crewmates upon this vessel, a crew that was all of the family that he had ever known, and he would not bring any more instability into his life. His curiosity, he told himself, was quite sated, and he had no more intention of letting him get himself into some kind of mischief that he could not get out of.

    On the third such night since his ghostly visit into Santiago¡¯s past, Jamie came trotting down the steeper steps from the deck and into the crew¡¯s quarters, where most of the men who had worked throughout the day were now snoring loudly in their hammocks. His young body ached from his chores, and he stretched heartily as he stood before his own cot, just before a shrill voice accosted him from behind.

    ¡°Weird.¡± It said, causing the young lad to startle and turn on his heel at once!

    ¡°Why¡¯re you actin¡¯ so weird?¡± Cheshie demanded, turning over to a seat upon her hammock where she had until just now been laying, eyes open, seemingly waiting for him.

    She was a tiny thing. Only a bit less than a year older than him, and the second youngest of the crew after him. She had a short mess of dark brown hair, and yellow-gold colored skin. Her eyes were sharp, dark, and angled, denoting her origin from the Eastern continent across the ocean. And though the two were roughly the same age, she was much shorter than him and more thin of frame. Every time Jamie watched her at work he would imagine a large ant, for though she was so small she could lift and carry things that seemed too impossible for her small form to manage! But the most notable feature about her was her top lip, which had been split so gruesomely that it had healed in a maligned way that gave her the impression that she was always snarling, which admittedly fit her feisty personality quite well.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    She narrowed her eyes at him as he jolted and spun to face her, his hands held up beneath his chin instinctively as if he thought he would be struck.

    ¡°What¡¯s goin¡¯ on?¡± She asked again, with an accent more local and not indicative of her true heritage. ¡°--Between you an¡¯ Helgi, I mean.¡± She clarified as she rose to her feet. ¡°Cuz you an¡¯ her ¡®ave been bein¡¯ strange since the day before last or so, when before you were thick as thieves!¡±

    ¡°N-nothing¡¯s going on!¡± Jamie attempted to reassure her, taking a step back away from her as she rose.

    ¡°An¡¯ now Santiago¡¯s been actin¡¯ up as well! I¡¯ve seen ¡®im glarin¡¯ at you.¡± She marched up to him, jabbing a boney finger painfully into his sternum! ¡°What¡¯d you do, Jamie?¡± She demanded in a frustrated tone.

    ¡°Nothing happened!¡± Jamie replied in an exasperated tone. He wasn¡¯t exactly lying, or at least he didn¡¯t feel like he was. Nothing really had taken place between the three of them yet, and even if one was to count his portent dreams, the other two had no way of knowing what had transpired anyhow. ¡°I mean- a couple days back I asked Helgi what she did back in Basti¨®n, and she got all weird with me! That¡¯s all I can think of, honest!¡±

    Cheshie furrowed her brow and pursed her lips, obviously unsatisfied, but one of the sleeping men beside them rolled over and groaned out a small murmur, half awake, and she must have realized that this was not the right time or place to have such an interrogation. So she sighed out a frustrated sigh, and she fell back into her hammock, turning away from him as if she did not even want to look at him anymore.

    Jamie very slowly lowered himself into his own hammock, his eyes still locked on her back for a time, as if she were some large and wild cat that might decide to roll over and pounce upon him violently if he were to divert his attention. However as he lay there on his side, he swiftly felt his eyelids begin to droop as the exertion of the day finally took its toll. So tired was he, in fact, that he did not even notice when his arm, which now fell over the side of the hammock so that his fingers touched the floor, began to brush against his pack, and the particular rough leather band protruding from it¡­

    <hr>

    A small, hooded figure creeps carefully through musty and claustrophobic corridor-like alleyways. Many filthy, unhealthy-looking and downtrodden folk sat listlessly against the walls, or mumbled to each other within slouching huddles, their unfriendly eyes leering out to follow the individual as they passed, whose quickened gait drew much unwanted attention from passers-by despite their best attempts.

    What few surroundings that could be seen by Jamie, as he was pulled along behind the creeping individual, were wholly unfamiliar to him, as was the temperature, which he could not truly feel, but was somehow aware of being humid and dry.

    The subject of this particular vision, whoever they were, kept their head on a constant swivel. Their eyes darted here and there, back-and-forth, not only were they on the lookout for evident danger or ambushes from the unfriendly locals, but Jamie quickly noticed how their vision would dart up to scrutinize any passing title or signage on the sides, front, or corner of any passing building which was not currently boarded up closed, as if they had a particular one in mind to search for.

    A large, hairy arm shot out from one a group of men, nearly wrapping around the little sneak-thief like a vice before they quickly beat upon it with their fists, and then slipped free from their attacker¡¯s grasp!

    ¡°Aw, come back!¡± Jeered the man, as his grisly, toothless fellows giggled along mischievously. ¡°We can ¡®ave a good time, you an¡¯ us!¡±

    ¡°Fack off!¡± The hooded figure replied, in a familiar and decidedly feminine tone, as she stumbled backwards a few steps so she could keep an eye on these goons, making sure they did not follow her, before she turned and continued on her way, leaving the group to cackle in the distance.

    Quickly rounding the next corner she made a worried sound under her breath, apparently what she saw before her was not what she had been expecting, and was unfamiliar to her. Crouching down beside the wall, she began to semi-verbally retrace her steps, emoting with her hands to take a better grasp of her surroundings. Jamie floated down to get a better look, but without knowing what she knew, or where they now were, he could take away little from their current scenario but that the girl was a tad bit lost. Finally she rose to her feet once more and spun on her heel and began walking swiftly to the other way. While the corner which she had first taken appeared to head towards a wider breach between the buildings where many more downtrodden folk congregated, the way she was headed towards now ended abruptly upon a tall and haphazardly-built wooden plank fence. The girls stopped and stared up at its spires briefly, as if readying herself, before taking a running leap up upon it! She scrambled for a time, like a rodent on a branch, but she lost her footing and came tumbling back onto the dusty dirt below!

    Not one to be deterred, the masked little individual swiftly stumbled back to her feet before launching herself again onto the fence, which groaned even beneath her marginal weight! Once again she fumbled around desperately at the top, but this time she was able to press her sternum over the top and tip like a pendulum, though the jagged peak of the fence seemed to dig painfully into her midsection as she did so. She grit her teeth and grunted from the exertion and the agony, but finally she toppled over to the other side, landing flat on her back with a thud which appeared to wind her severely, for she simply lay there for a time to catch her breath, before she rose once more, her hand gripping the painful scraped on her midsection beneath her clothes.

    But as she lifted her head to see what was in front of her, she let out a little breath which sounded like relief. Before her appeared to be an old warehouse, one that seemed mostly abandoned like many of the buildings that she had passed within this slum. But then Jamie looked down at the dirt beneath the front of the building, and spied many a footprint, hoofprint, and tracks, denoting the frequency of one or perhaps many carriages to the place. The girl shuffled forwards, and the ghostly Cabin boy was pulled along after, not unlike a kite in the wind, but just as she reached out her hand to place it upon the coming door-

    ¡°Jamie? Jamie!¡±

    An outside voice pierced through the illusion of the dream, which began to crumble to black around him! He kept his eyes shut tight, hoping that whoever it was would relent, let him rest in peace, to witness the rest of the vision.

    ¡°Oi, Jamie!¡±

    He felt a hand upon his shoulder now, shaking him a bit. He tried to speak, but could only mumble something barely coherent to whomever it was. He felt the hand retract, and he felt he could still fall back into his dream if he kept his eyes shut as they were now. But instead of resuming as it had been, what he received instead was a series of images, as if the dream was being played out in the timeframe of a single instant! The hooded figure stood in a dark room surrounded by boxes and crates and barrels, before her was a particularly large wooden container which she was attempting to wrench open with a knife. Then the image became a large thuggish figure, a guardsman perhaps grappling her from behind, his thick arms locked around her neck and one of her shoulder apiece, lifting her off of her feet, which kicked desperately. Finally, a shiv that she had made from shaving down a stick, a makeshift weapon she produced from the inside of her sleeve, which she drove repeatedly into the larger man¡¯s sternum, which spilled out red in reply! The wrapping around her nose and mouth had been pulled away during the struggle, revealing the grimacing face of Cheshie as she murdered the man dead! Finally, he saw a hand covered in ichor, using their bloody wooden tool to carve a checkmark into the upper corner of the box.

    Jamie shot up from where he lay, gasping in from shock, and nearly colliding his head with his compatriot, who had been leaning over his hammock looking down at him!

    ¡°Woah there, lad!¡± Cried out the man, taking a step back. ¡°Easy there!¡±

    Jamie was cold and drenched in sweat, and his head had gone white, and he felt like he had just run a mile! Those final images had come and gone so quickly that it took him a moment to even remember what he had seen, though he felt a thumping fear in his chest the entire time, even before his recollection.

    ¡°You were tossing and turning there, kid. Some kind of nightmare?¡± Asked Cook.

    As he liked to say, his name was his job, and his job was his name. Cook was a large, widely-framed man in his mid-forties, with a thick goatee, and a receding hairline with a pony-tail at the back, both the color of a pumpkin. He was in charge of all of the food within the vessel, as well as its dissemination to the rest of the crew. And as many of a Cabin boy¡¯s duties involved petty tasks, the peeling of potatoes and the cutting of ingredients being one of them, Cook was the closest to his direct superior upon the vessel.

    ¡°I had thought to let you sleep in a bit, lad. You¡¯ve been through a wringer lately. But it¡¯s already mid-day!¡±

    Instinctively, Jamie looked over at the hammock where Cheshie had lay last night, but by now she was gone, as were the rest of those who had slept through the night. The men occupying the bunks now were the few of the graveyard shift.

    ¡°Well whatever it was, don¡¯t mind it none!¡± Declared Cook with a jovial grin, grasping Jamie under the armpit and hoisting him to his feet with an immense strength! ¡°Let old Cook take your mind off of it, and let¡¯s go whip up a nice hot stew for the boys!¡±

    But as the much larger man began to drag him away, Jamie slipped free of him and scrambled down to collect his pack, as that damnable head had begun to roll free of from the tossing and turning of the waves!

    ¡°Coming!¡± He called after the man, turning to join him. But when he peered down at his sack in order to pull the drawstrings, he felt a wave of goosebumps wash over him, as he saw the shrunken head was wearing the expression of a putrid scowl.

 Cook

    Jamie sat in silence beside his mate, his head down and his shoulders slumped, while the much larger man lay back against the wall lackadaisical, humming a jaunty little tune to himself as he worked. With dulling knives they were busy whittling away the skin from potatoes. Already a great pile of naked ones was set off beside Jamie in a towering cauldron, yet still a great heap still remained to be trimmed, protruding out from an old smelly burlap sack that was set beside Cook.

    They heard the latch on the near door to the little cabin click, and the old wooden door creaked open upon its hinges, and inside crept the tall and handsome form of Captain Voyagan, who moved with a deliberated subtleness as if he felt that he were interrupting some kind of important meeting. Pulling over an empty chair, he fell wearily into it, and so cramped was the little cabin with the three of them together that Jamie felt their knees knock together.

    ¡°Evenin¡¯ Cap.¡± Said Cook in greetings, though he still maintained his lackadaisical leaning. Voyagan merely made a grumbling sound in reply, scooping up several potatoes of his own, as well as one of the little kitchen knives.

    Jamie stole little glances back and forth between the two men, feeling a bit out of place here beside two of the more important men in the crew. Voyagan was the Captain, of course, but Cook was just as much a leader and father-figure to the crew, not only preparing hearty meals to keep the men strong and morale high, but he would wander about and help where he was needed in other duties, or lend an ear to any who were going through a rough patch.

    ¡°Just had to dip out for a moment.¡± The Captain explained as he began to peel. ¡°There¡¯s already so much going on, I¡¯ve got thirty six men to keep track of at a given moment, and now Cheshie and Loggart are at each other¡¯s throats again!¡± And he exhaled in exasperation.

    ¡°Cheshie again?¡± Cook chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°Is there anybody that she gets along with on this vessel?¡±

    Voyagan grumbled again. ¡°She¡¯s still a kid, and she came from rough parts. She¡¯ll grow out of it. Still, she¡¯s just so¡­¡±

    Cook turned to address Jamie. ¡°Aren¡¯t the two of yis about the same age? Why don¡¯t you get along with her a bit better?¡±

    Jamie sat back and put up both of his hands, as if to physically halt the very notion. ¡°S-she jumped down my throat just last night! I thought she was gonna gut me!¡±

    Cook threw back his head and laughed, while Voyagan¡¯s handsome face became a grimace. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to her. She needs to learn how to make friends, real friends, if she¡¯s going to survive in this world.¡±

    ¡°So what¡¯d she get all salty with you about for?¡± Asked Cook, who obviously found the whole thing very entertaining.

    Jamie did not immediately reply, for he did not know how much he should reveal to them. He had half a mind to simply spill the whole thing, consequences be damned, but between the lack of proof for his claims, as well as the aspect of some kind of dark and shamanistic magic afoot, the young Cabin Boy worried he¡¯d be written off as a madman, and maybe even left ashore upon arrival at their coming destination. Still, he thought now, a little truth now might well play into his favor, especially if this conversation would end up disseminating amongst the rest of the crew.

    ¡°A couple days back I was askin¡¯ Helgi what she did on her last shore leave, but she got all stiff with me and she left. Then, I hear Helgi and Santiago being all hush-hush, whispering to each other. And I hear them mention my name.¡±

    ¡°So what¡¯s this gots to do with Cheshie?¡± Huffed Cook with some confusion.

    ¡°I dunno!¡± Replied Jamie. ¡°She just ambushed me when I was about to bed down last night. Says I was the one being weird, and that I should stop!¡±

    Voyagan and Cook exchanged glances through furrowed brows. ¡°Helgi and Santiago..?¡± Cook murmured to himself, before reaching out and patting Jamie on his shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it lad, I¡¯ll straighten this out. Ain¡¯t no reason fer them two adults to be acting this way.¡±

    Jamie smiled a bit, feeling more comforted now by his words than he ever had since he picked up that infernal necklace. ¡°Thanks boss.¡± He said, feeling grateful.

    Voyagan stood up from his seat, stretching his arms and legs and then cracking his neck. ¡°Well, I had better get back up to the deck, before another disaster occurs while I¡¯m not around.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t need to go, Cap¡¯n!¡± Cook called after him with feigned regret. ¡°There¡¯s many more potatoes need peeling!¡±

    ¡°No sir, I finished them off for you!¡± Voyagan called back over his shoulder, causing Cook¡¯s head to shoot down towards his burlap sack, which now lay empty and sad upon the wooden floor!

    Both Jamie and Cook looked over to Voyagan¡¯s pile, which already towered above whatever the other two men had been able to accomplish in the same amount of time!

    ¡°Oi! You little bastard!¡± Cook cried, sitting up and shaking his fist in anger towards the Captain. ¡°That was supposed to entertain me for a good while yet!¡±

    Voyagan did not reply, and he simply let the door fall shut behind him with a clatter and he vanished from view. Cook folded his arms and growled in frustration, and Jamie could not help but laugh at the display between the two, the first laugh he had enjoyed in a very long time now.

    <hr>

    It was hours afterwards that Jamie and Cook spent preparing supper. With some stock vegetables and some flour and time and effort, they transformed those stone-like roots into a hot and creamy stew. Then, Cook revealed to Jamie his secret weapon. Cackling like some kind of mad alchemist, the larger man reached around behind some barrels and crates that sat at the side of the room, before he withdrew his hand to reveal a large something that was wrapped in an old moist-looking beige cloth. With two fingers, he delicately paired away the edges of the cloth, revealing a thick chunk-block of cowsmilk cheese! Jamie stared glowingly down upon the food as if he were being shown a vein of gold ore hewn freshly from the stone, and his mouth began to water.

    Cook slowly began to lower his prize towards the bubbling stew, though as it was submerged he winced from a brief moment of regret stemming from his natural urge to simply bite into the thick wedge himself with his teeth. Dutifully, however, he packed down these feelings deep into his gut, ignoring his insurmountable hunger like all good cooks do.

    ¡°Ring the bell, lad!¡± He commanded to Jamie as he stirred the pot, and its contents began to grow distinctly more yellow. ¡°Send the boys in fer supper! And make sure they knows they¡¯re not gonna wanna miss this one!¡±

    Outside of the door and a little bit of a ways down the hall, Jamie pulled out a brass bell at the end of a wooden handle, and began to wrack the instrument back-and-forth with as much strength as he could! His ears rang painfully from the sound, and he shouted over it.

    ¡°Supper! Supper! Get¡¯cher stew!¡±

    Soon the sounds of clomping feet could be heard approaching from all over, as famished crewmen excitedly dashed towards the Mess. Once he had done a round through the middle deck, Jamie descended down the wooden stairs to the lower deck to do the same. Any who had not heard were now swiftly alerted that food was ready, and more excited men and woman clambered past him on his way. Even Cheshie, who looked up at him with a familiar look of distaste when he first arrived, had her eyes widen like a cat¡¯s at the sound of ¡°Stew¡±.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    Once the rest of the crew had departed for their meal, and he was left alone down in the depths of the vessel, Jamie found himself staring down in the the dark of the Hold, where what little light reached inside revealed many, many wooden boxes shut tight for transport. Jamie gulped, and his head began to buzz with an anxious wonder. It took a moment to gather the willpower to take the first step, and then he slowly began to make his way down the creaking wooden steps.

    Patting around in the dark for a moment, his hand finally found the hinges of an old oil lamp which he lit, illuminating more boxes and storage. He barely breathed as he crept through, as if there was anybody here to disturb. The only sound was the sea rushing by, and the waves clattering against the hull. His eyes were wide as he peered about, both curious and terrified to find what he suspected he might. At first the path was very narrow, barely big enough to fit himself through moving sideways. Gradually it grew wider however, until her could almost have fit two of himself standing shoulder-to-shoulder. Then, he came to a little small¡­clearing amongst the wooden bins, wherein one of the boxes in particular could be accessed. It was very large, almost up to Jamie¡¯s collarbone in height, and if he were to lay down beside it, he would find himself to be much shorter in height than it was wide. This deliberate clearing gave the young man the impression that the large container had been left out in order to be easily accessed, but hidden enough that it would only be found if one had come in to find it!

    Worst of all, however, and which made his blood run cold, was that when Jamie peered down at the base of the thing there appeared to be some light spattering of brown against the base. He drew his eye slowly across its surface until it reached the upper left-hand corner, upon which had been roughly etched a small ¡°X¡± into the wood!

    <hr>

    That had been the final straw for Jamie. It was one thing to witness such terrible acts within the realm of dreams, real as they might have felt, for they were still only just that, dreams. Even if what he was shown had truly been real acts, he knew not when or why they took place, and perhaps they were unrelated crimes from long ago, which the participants regretted and had long-since sought redemption for. But it was an entirely different story to see them huddled together, whispering in plot, and to find evidence that these horrid acts had been committed only recently, and were somehow connected!

    I will think no more of it! I will never touch that blasted bauble again! Jamie commanded himself desperately. The Captain and Mr. Cook will settle this, I shall act the same to Helgi as I always had, and everything will go back to normal!

    He desired nothing but, for this crew was all of the family he had ever known, but he was also a fellow of strong moral fiber. To witness his family commit such unspeakable evil felt like a wall of glass had been erected between them, and though he could still see them clearly as always, he could no longer interact with them like he was used to.

    In his first act under his new resolution, Jamie cleared his mind of all ails and took a seat on the deck which looked out into the blue-purple night above a calm sea, as he enjoyed a fine meal. He kicked his feet over the side as he enjoyed the sharp bold flavors of Cook¡¯s potato stew, as well as a mug of grog, and a few morsels of jerky that he had saved for such an occasion, when his spirits were low.

    After he had finished his pleasant meal, and then sat in peaceful silence for a few moments listening to the waves, he arose feeling quite refreshed. It felt as though a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders, and he smiled for the first time in a while.

    He strode down the length of the deck and gave chipper greetings to all of his crewmates as he passed them, including the Captain, who had one hand clasped upon the wheel of the ship while in the other he held up an old compass to direct him.

    I should go and help Cook clean up after the meal. He reminded himself, eager to finish with his duties so that he could turn in.

    He galloped down the stairs to the lower deck, squeezing through claustrophobic hallways as men crowded past him on their own way, and winding around several corners until he once again came upon the doorway which led into the little cabin where he and Cook peeled potatoes.

    ¡°You bleedin¡¯ morons!¡±

    A loud, shouting voice brought the young lad to a skidding halt just before he was about to turn into the little room. Jamie was appalled, for he had never hear Cook sound so upset before!

    Instinctively lowering himself to a crouch, Jamie crept up so that his eye could see around the hinges of the open doorway. Inside, Jamie could see Cook¡¯s back, the man was standing with an authoritative posture, his shoulders were squared, and hands resting upon his hips. Before him was Helgi, her shoulders were slouched sheepishly as she clutched her wrist, while Santiago was leaned against the counter behind her, grimacing and crossing his arms, resembling a petulant child as he was being scolded.

    ¡°I understand that this might not be your first time around the bend, you all might not be comfortable yet to this kind of dealing¡­ but fer Pete¡¯s sake!¡±

    ¡°I apologize¡­¡± Helgi replied, sounding regretful, while Santiago simply clicked his tongue in a displeased way. Cook sighed with exasperation, raising up a hand to rub his forehead as he began to pace.

    ¡°Unless I am mistaken, the boy simply asked what you did on shore. He¡¯s curious. He¡¯s just a boy. Lie to him or somethin¡¯!¡± Cook explained to them. ¡°Now the boy¡¯s grown suspicious. He got worried because the two of yis are all huddled and conspiring about him behind his back just fer askin¡¯ a single question! And he tells it to the Captain!¡± And the man threw his hands up in the air.

    There was a beat of silence where nobody replied. Cook huffed to himself in frustration, before he startled in realization. ¡°Where¡¯s Cheshie?¡± He demanded. ¡°I told her to be here!¡±

    Sebastian shrugged his shoulders, not turning his gaze from where it was set upon the wooden floorboards. ¡°You know Cheshie¡­¡±

    ¡°Fack!¡± Cook cursed to himself under his breath. ¡°Her only saving grace is that she¡¯s always a bitch to everyone.¡±

    Helgi peered up at him, holding her hands together with her fingers interlaced. ¡°Do you want me to go and get her?¡± She asked sheepishly.

    ¡°Nah, nah. I¡¯ll talk to ¡®er later.¡± Cook replied.

    Jamie had steadily begun leaning in closer to better hear the conversation, but his eyes shot open wide as he felt the floorboard beneath his foreleg creak loudly!

    Cook whirled about at the noise, and marched quickly over to the doorway! His head snapped around the corner and down at Jamie where he was crouched!

    But there was nobody there.

    Cook nursed a headache that was growing behind his sellion as he returned into the room. ¡°Now yer all makin¡¯ me just as paranoid as well!¡±

    <hr>

    Jamie stumbled back into the crew quarters with heaving breaths. Having learned from his first attempt at subterfuge, the moment he felt that a discernible noise had been made, the young lad no longer froze in fright, but dashed as quietly as he could from the spot and around the corner out of view! He kept on hustling away, lest Cook continue in his search, until he was safely far away that he could claim innocence if he were to be found.

    But his quickened heartbeat and breaths was not due solely to the pace in which he had escaped. Cook, a man who he admired and looked to for comfort and protection, perhaps the person whom he was closest to upon this vessel, he was a conspirator to Helgi and Santiago and Cheshie as well? Jamie¡¯s anxieties had warned him that this could have been the case, but to learn that this was in fact true was a betrayal worse than any that he had experienced thus far!

    Does that mean Captain Voyagan is as well..? He thought to himself in a panic. Am I the only one? What will they do to me if they learn that I have found out? Are there authorities who wished to see us hanged? What will happen to me if they are all caught?

    A thousand panicked voices rung his mind¡¯s eye painfully, a silent cacophony who clamored and pushed him to more and more dreadful conclusions, despite his best efforts to shut them out.

    Then his vision turned down towards his sack, wherein lay that infernal shrunken head. He lowered himself down to lift up the bag, and with a shaky, sweaty hand he reached inside to retrieve the ugly little bauble.

 Loggart

    For once, Jamie was not the least bit surprised. Disturbed, yes, but not surprised. He looked down upon a sickening display, as the hunchbacked Loggart crept up and split another man¡¯s skull with a hatchet, who tumbled down in an instant and made a splattering mess upon the near wall as he went! No sooner had the carcass landed than was the scruffy, balding thug digging through the pouches on its belt for loose coins, or anything else of worth. Finding little to nothing to show for his efforts, Loggart cursed under his breath, finally retrieving the ring of keys, which was his true target, before then waddling over to the nearby wrought-iron gate and fumbling with its lock.

    As this process went on for several minutes, wherein Loggart would try a key into the lock and tug on it to no avail, before spitting some foul curse and moving onto the next key in the ring, Jamie took a moment to take a good look at his surroundings. They appeared to be in some long and wide alleyway road, darkened by the night. Before them lay what appeared to be a side entrance to an opulent estate, which glowed in the dark like a great chandelier. Something caught his attention, and the floating ethereal cabin boy leaned down to peer quizzically at a decrepit parchment which had been affixed to the stone wall beside the fenced gate. Though much weathered now, and barely legible, Jamie still managed to procure some tidbits of useful information: the name Torre¨®n, and a reference that ¡°the spring has just arrived¡±.

    By now we are in the middle of the summer season, so this must have taken place months ago! Jamie thought to himself. Torre¨®n is a place that I¡¯ve only ever heard of, and it is an inland County, far from the ocean. Indeed, as this realization struck him, so too did another: that for the first time in his life he did not hear the subtle sound of waves or sea air in the background. Everything felt¡­ still, and unsettling to him.

    ¡°A-ha!¡± Loggart cried foolishly as the gate lock clicked and then released, swiftly the man brought two hands up to cover his mouth, and he waited for a moment before he determined that nobody had heard his little triumphant call.

    Jamie floated along after, not that he had any choice in it really, as the little hunchback crept along silently through the winding gardens and hedges which surrounded the estate. He evidently became lost more than once, coming upon dead-ends, or second guessing himself and returning back to forks in the path, but eventually the two of them came upon an exit which led up to the front entrance where a tall and dark carriage awaited. It was a menacing-looking carriage, blackened wood with silver decorations and spires around the top. Leashed to the front were four black horses, whose eyes appeared to glow faintly red in the torchlight, though surely, Jamie thought, that must be some trick of the light. Emblazoned on the side of the vehicle in silvergold was a familiar crest, the same in fact that he had seen sewn into that bloody handkerchief that Helgi had given to the Wharfmaster!

    Something brought on a small panic in Loggart, who turned to one side and then another unsuredly, as if searching for something. Then, the hunchback¡¯s eyes locked onto something a little ways off. Jamie followed his gaze and found it resting upon a fellow several meters off, wearing a tall hat and a long cloth overcoat, who appeared to be urinating into the hostas.

    Thwack!

    Loggart sped over to the man with a gait as surprisingly swift as it was silent, and then with the flat back of his hatchet he struck the man mightily onto the side of his temple! Whoever he was, the person shouted out in alarm and toppled to his side, flailing as he attempted in vain to right his equilibrium! The hunchback did not immediately follow up with his strike, first retrieving his poor victim¡¯s tall hat, and peeling the overcoat from his shoulders, and only then did he turn the axe over and finish the job!

    With the man now dealt with, Loggart knelt down and rolled the poor sod until he was hidden beneath the tall plants of the garden, threw the coat over his hunched shoulders and the hat upon his head, and then finally he clambered up so that he was sitting at the driver¡¯s seat of the carriage. Just in the nick of time too, for no sooner had his buttocks touched the hard cushions, than did one of the large manor doors creak open! Out stepped several individuals, who appeared to be making polite conversation, but with the lights at their backs it was difficult to out any details of any one of them, at least until they drew nearer.

    Loggart tapped his foot against the wooden panel of the driver¡¯s seat, a nervous tick, praying that he would not be recognized, or more like that he would be, but only by his distinctive garb within this darkness.

    Finally, breaking into the light came a couple, a man and woman of an elder age, with graying hair and light-brown skin. They wore opulent clothing and adorned themselves with many jewels, and smiles that were equal parts pleasant and unreadable. They spoke quietly and they laughed, and then they turned to address their guest as she came into the light as well.

    She was a small woman, about a head shorter than Jamie¡¯s elder-adolescent self. Not much else of her could be noted, even with the light cast upon her, for she dressed in all black as if she had been attending a funeral, including a black hat and a veil mask which obscured the upper half of her face. What little could be seen of her was a most strange sigh as well, for while her pursed plump lips were a dark scarlet hue, the rest of the skin around it on her jaw and her neck were even paler than Helgi¡¯s skin, so pale she appeared to have skin the color of stone!

    ¡°-thank you, once again, for your most gracious hospitality.¡± The dark-garbed woman said to them with a little curtsey, and Jamie was again surprised, for her voice, while regal and demure, had the tone and pitch of a child!

    ¡°Oh, it was our pleasure Lady Tansyltania!¡± The Noblewoman chortled merrily.

    ¡°Indeed!¡± Her husband agreed, just as jolly. ¡°To have a woman of such repute visit our humble home, why, I fear it shall make us quite the earsores in the coming months to all of our colleagues!¡±

    This Lady of Tansyltania put out her hand expectantly, and suddenly from the darkness four figures appeared. They were tall men, well-muscled, and wearing military uniforms. The lead man put up his hand to take hers, which she used like a handle to pull herself up the few steps to the door of the carriage. Taking a seat, the small lady turned out to look upon her hosts one last time.

    ¡°Your hospitality was immaculate, I shall put in a good word for you to my father.¡±

    Both of the Nobles made polite comments and gestures which indicated that she need not do such an unnecessary thing, even as their obvious excitement betrayed their true feelings.

    Finally, the door was shut, and the uniformed men leapt up upon the backs of dark steeds similar to those hitched to the front of the carriage where Loggart now sat, and who seemed to appear out of the darkness as well just like their riders. Loggart felt a knock upon the wall of the carriage where his back rested, which caused him to startle for a moment, before he regained his composure, and he cracked the reins.

    ¡°Y-yah!¡± He called as he did so, though it lacked in the proper enthusiasm or confidence.

    The carriage jostled away down the lane, and the knights on behind it, while the Nobles waved their hands and watched it go. Jamie thought that he would be pulled along with it, as he usually was in these visions, however he simply hung there above these two, wondering if he was supposed to still be here.

    Then the Nobleman winced and gasped, clutching his forehead as he appeared to be in pain! The woman too then flinched, as if something had just struck her! The two of them shook their heads vigorously, as if suffering from some kind of ailment. Then the Nobleman looked to his wife and he asked her, ¡°What are we doing out here?¡± The woman looked back at her husband with a confused expression, as if she had no thoughts in her head to think. ¡°We were¡­what have we been doing today again, dear?¡±The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    Jamie¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. He turned over he shoulder to look at the back of that carriage which was now just about to leave the light of the manor for the darkness of the road. The shades of one of the windows had been drawn up by a hand, and a small gray figure leered out at them from it. And for some horrid reason, in his gut Jamie could swear that the person was looking right at him!

    <hr>

    ¡°Watch it!¡± Grumbled Loggart, even though it was he who had absent-mindedly checked Jamie¡¯s shoulder with his own as the two passed each other on the gangway.

    The sizable wooden crate that he had been carrying nearly tumbled out of his grip, if not for a large calloused hand which came around from behind him to catch it in an instant! Jamie looked back to see the familiar shape of Cook leaning over him, his normally jovial expression instead a mask of irritation as he leered over at the passing hunchback.

    ¡°Fack off, Loggart!¡± Cook shouted back at him, before looking down at Jamie.¡±Y¡¯alright, lad?¡±

    Jamie, in fact, did not look alright. He wore his best attempt at a pleasant smile, but it looked shaky and forced. He was sickly pale, perspiring worse than one would think his current task would require, and there were blotchy, purple bags under his eyes as if the young man had not slept in a fortnight.

    ¡°Cuz ya look terrible, lad.¡±

    Jamie shook his head in reply. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Cook.¡± He said, attempting to reassure his cohort in vain.

    The Cabin Boy squatted down low so that he may hike the crate that he was carrying back into a stable and carryable position, but the larger man simply tore it from his grasp, placing it upon one of his meaty shoulders like Atlas holding up the sky.

    ¡°Gimme that, lad. Now, where are we bringin¡¯ this?¡±

    Jamie sighed but relented, continuing down the gangway and pointing out the item¡¯s place. As each of the parcels that the ship had been carrying was destined for various recipients, mostly merchants or warehouses, each had to be stacked on its own marked destination upon the sprawling dockyards, an extra precaution in case the ink denoting their destination, which was printed on the side, had been damaged or otherwise during the journey.

    As the two fellows made their way all of the way down the long dock which connected their ship to the shore, they came upon a circle of men and women. Most of their crew were now huddled around Captain Voyagan, who clapped his hands to quiet the lot and take their attention once he saw Cook and Jamie arriving.

    ¡°Alright, alright listen up people!¡± He called in an authoritative manner. ¡°If you haven¡¯t heard, this is the largest delivery that ol¡¯ Persephone has ever had the privilege of delivering. We¡¯re moving up in the world, but that means that it¡¯s going to take longer to get all of this cargo out to all of their recipients. About a tenday or so, I would wager.¡±

    A round of surprised mumblings broke out amongst the crew at that, looking to each other with startled curiosity.

    ¡°That means that you all get the week or so on the shore! Another boon of this larger contract. Take a look around, feel the sand under your toes for once! This is the Capital City after all, enjoy what La Ciudadela has to offer, and I¡¯ll see you once this mess is all sorted out!

    There was a roar of excited approval from all of the men, so loud in fact that the other crews and workers across the docks stopped to peer over with a start from the noise. The circle swiftly dispersed, broken into several cliques, as each member hurried off into the waning sunset as if they thought that if they did not leave fast enough, that Captain Voyagan would change his mind and send them back to the ship!

    As Cook finally set the crate down onto its place at the top of the nearby stack, Voyagan hailed the two of them and approached.

    ¡°A week¡¯s break on the shore? Awful generous of ya, Cap!¡± Cook laughed in a jolly way. ¡°Ya sure yis don¡¯t need any of us to put this shite up on the carts?¡±

    Voyagan smiled and shook his head. ¡°The clients are to bring their own hands, I¡¯ll just be here making sure that the correct things go to the correct places.¡±

    Then the Captain looked over at Jamie and frowned, noting his unhealthy appearance. ¡°Cook, I want you to take young Jamie about town and show him the sights.¡±

    ¡°Eh?!¡± Jamie cried.

    Cook folded his arms, looking down at Jamie as well and nodding in approval. ¡°Aye, it¡¯ll be good fer him to lookabouts fer once.¡±

    Jamie was in shock. He had never been ashore for longer than a few hours at most, at least for as long as he could remember. The Persephone was his home, and he would much rather curl up within his bunk, as he always did, and enjoy the peace and quiet.

    A large hand clasped upon the hem of his shirt and nearly lifted him off of his feet, as Cook began all but dragging him off of the docks and towards the bend that led to the main thoroughfare.

    ¡°Come on, lad! I¡¯ll show ya the most comfortable Inn that this city has to offer, and then we¡¯ll get somethin¡¯ to eat!¡±

    Voyagan watched as the two disappeared into the bustling crowds in the distance, a small smile across his lips, at least until they were out of eyesight, and then it dropped into a look of concern. This extended leave was not simply a reward. Something was amiss amongst his crew. In his mind, the young Cabin Boy was an empath amongst his men. To see him in such a state of distress denoted a sickness running through their midst, a sickness of morals and morale alike.

    Voyagan marched back across the docks, double-checking that each item was in its correct place, before making his way back up the gangway and onto his ship. How eerie it was, to see it empty like this, he had always thought whenever they made it back to shore. Normally it was awash in clamoring crewmen, climbing and swinging, desperately checking and then double-checking knots and ropes, as their lives were indeed on the line. He walked across the deck and then down the wooden stairs which led into the crew quarters, when he caught wind of a distinctive sound below!

    A light, female voice that gasped in alarm at the sound of his approaching steps! Voyagan increased his gate, and whipped his head around the corner to find Cheshie, youngest of his crew after Jamie, and a wanton troublemaker! She was hunched upon all-fours as if rummaging within something that was out of his view, and she swiftly leapt back up to her feet when she spied him!

    ¡°C-Captain!¡± She cried.

    ¡°Cheshie¡­¡± He replied, narrowing his eyes. ¡°What¡¯re you up to this time?¡±

    Cheshie grimaced at the insinuation of his tone, her grip tightening on something which she now held behind her back, away from her Captain¡¯s view. ¡°I dunno what you mean, Captain.¡±

    Voyagan sighed in exasperation, and brought a hand up so that he could rub his temples, for she was so clearly up to no good again. ¡°Why weren¡¯t you at the all-hands meeting? Get off of the ship, girl. You¡¯re on shore leave until the week is up!¡±

    Cheshie¡¯s expression became one of surprise. She had been expecting another harsh scolding from her Captain, but not a reward at the end of it. ¡°...oh.¡± Was all that she said as an awkward reply.

    After a beat of silence, Cheshie slipped to the side, circling around her Captain, making sure to keep facing him until she reached the stairs behind him, at which point she clambered quickly up and out of sight of him. Once he no longer held sight of her, she brought out the small grey satchel which she had held behind her back, and untied it so that she could peer inside.

    <hr>

    ¡°What? That¡¯s outrageous!¡± Cried Cook, shoving a sausage-like finger towards the innkeeper, who in return folded his arms and set his jaw stubbornly. ¡°The lad is only four feet tall! There¡¯s no reason to charge eleven coppers!¡±

    ¡°I think I¡¯m actually average in height-¡± Jamie cut in from where he was stood behind the larger man.

    ¡°Shut up, Jamie.¡±

    The innkeeper lowered his eyebrows and huffed. ¡°He works on a ship, does he not? He is adult, and I charge him as adult, no?¡± He said with a heavy accent.

    ¡°He¡¯s the Cabin Boy, cur!¡± Cook growled. ¡°Six copper, I ain¡¯t goin any higher!¡±

    The Innkeeper paused, looking back at Jamie as if studying him up and down, which made Jamie himself feel quite put out. ¡°Seven coppers.¡± He declared.

    ¡°Deal!¡± Cook said with a triumphant grin, and the two of them less shook hands than did they cross their paws together with the force of a thunderclap and wrestle for some sort of masculine superiority for a moment.

    Jamie rolled his eyes, realizing now that these two acquaintances likely have this same argument every time they see each other. Then he realized something, something that felt off. He reached down to his belt and felt around, and he discovered, to his surprise, that in all of the commotion he had forgotten his satchel aboard the ship!

 Jamie

    Sometimes, the Cabin Boy nearly toppled to his knees upon the cobbled roads. It was a strange ailment that Jamie had never felt before: an unsteadiness and unease while walking upon the solid earth, due to the fact that he had spent a majority of his life on the back of a ship upon the ocean, and so he was used to compensating for the tips and turns, the bibs and bobs of the waves. Jelly legged, Jamie carefully plodded up the slightly inclining city streets, preferring alleyways less-trodden by the common folk, for he felt he might be easily overwhelmed within a crowd. At the very least he was comforted that he could place a hand upon a wall to support himself, something that he found himself doing often as he journeyed.

    Finally, Jamie rounded the next corner which led onto the main streets. Jamie still kept a hand upon the wall as he continued up, less now to keep himself upright, but moreso to maintain an idea of where he was, for the density of the crowd and the noise intensified a hundredfold here. Still though, this had been his destination. The mission given to him by Cook: go down to the marketplace and bring him back a hot treat.

    Taking a deep breath, the young man finally pushed off of the wall as if he were swimming, and began to slip and slither through the crowd like an eel, using his small size and natural deftness to his own benefit, until he reached one of the nearby market stalls.

    Jamie¡¯s eyes grew wide with excitement, he had never seen such a place before! There were carts, counters, and tents all around that were selling all manner of vegetables, foods, or fancy crafts. Old women hawking handmade jewelry, loud men bellowing advertisements of their gambling games, where drunken fellows cussed and cried at each failed attempt, and cooks hard at work grilling or frying up aromatic delicacies!

    Suddenly, the Cabin Boy forgot all about his anxieties and his overwhelming, carefully plodding his way throughout so that he could gawk and dazzle at each passing product. He had no idea that the shore could hold such amazing experiences! Time flew by in a flash, though to him it only felt like a couple of minutes, as he laughed and played, the merchants were all more than happy to accommodate him, not having seen such wonder and enthusiasm in quite some time. It was only when the sun had begun to dip down towards the far off roofs and turn an orange-yellow that Jamie realized that he was still on an assignment! He hurried over to one stall counter in particular and pointed towards several grilled skewers of meat, covered in a sticky sauce.

    ¡°Two of those, please!¡± He called to the middle-aged woman behind the counter, who looked back over at him suspiciously.

    ¡°Ya gots any money, love?¡± She asked him.

    Jamie gulped nervously before he replied. ¡°H-He said, ¡®Put it on ol¡¯ Cook¡¯s tab!¡± Doing his best impression of his compatriot''s accent.

    The old woman laughed heartily from her belly. ¡°That is indeed ol¡¯ Cook!¡± She cried. ¡°Here, take these to him, and one more on the house!¡± And she leaned over to hand him three of the skewers.

    ¡°Th-thank you!¡± Jamie said, astonished. Gratefully he took the skewers with either hand.

    ¡°Did someone say ¡®ol Cook¡¯?¡± Came a pair of voices from behind.

    Jamie turned, and towering over him he saw two women, caked in makeup, and wearing scandalously tight and revealing dresses which showed off either of the bountiful cleavage! Surrounding him swiftly, one of the harlots placed a hand upon his shoulder and head each, whilst the other knelt down so that her bosom pressed against his shoulder, sending goosebumps all up the young lad¡¯s neck!

    ¡°Why, what a cute lil thing you are!¡± Jeered one of the ladies.

    The other one smiled and spoke very close into Jamie¡¯s ear, so that he could feel her breath upon his ear. ¡°You be sure to tell Cook that his favorite girls are waitin¡¯ for him at the bordello, now won¡¯t ya lad?¡± And Jamie nodded vigorously in response.

    ¡°You two leave that poor boy alone, ya skanks!¡± The stall worker shouted at them across the counter, waving a stirring spoon menacingly at them.

    ¡°Eh?!¡± One of the women cried. ¡°Who¡¯s this old broad?¡± The other sneered back at her, and all three began to argue loudly. Taking this opportunity, Jamie slipped out from beneath the two women¡¯s grasps and disappeared amongst the crowd.

    <hr>

    For the following several days, the young Cabin Boy enjoyed a variety of pleasures that of which he had been unaware that they even existed before. Good food, better liquor! Gambling games, wherein coin was wagered over contests of luck and skill, and which Jamie discovered he had a particular knack for, much to the chagrin of Cook and some of the other crewmates. One time, Cook showed him to a large building in the center of town, where beautiful women fed him drinks and fawned over him all night. Cook had slipped off somewhere with two other women for¡­ something, Jamie was not sure, but the shy lad found himself gradually coaxed from his shell. Perhaps it was the poison, but soon the young man found himself regaling the women, and several other guests as well, with various stories and tall tales from his voyages. Many were, in truth, straight from the mouth of Helgi, and outright embellished, but his audience was enraptured by the emotion and enthusiasm with which he pulled them along upon these adventures.

    They departed late, late into the night, Cook himself appearing strangely disheveled, Jamie thought, while the women who had kept the Cabin Boy company waved fondly after them with calls of ¡°Come back when you¡¯re a little older!¡± Whatever that was supposed to mean.

    It was on the fourth such day of relaxation that Jamie decided to take a challenge of courage. Alone, and with no direction but his own adventure, he set out onto the streets of La Ciudadela. He had much recovered since his first foray to the markets, and he felt that he was just now on the cusp of finding his land-legs. It had not even crossed his mind how much more well he was now in health after a few days¡¯ rest unperturbed by Dark Magics and malignant visions, as he hadn¡¯t seen a lick of that old shrunken head since he had been dragged off of the ship.

    Soon the lad was darting hither and yon amongst the bustle, gawking and wares and staring into windows, and getting himself truly lost in the process until he knew not even remotely of his bearings any longer. The sun set, oil lanterns began to glow, but the bustle did not wane in the slightest. In fact, it became denser and louder as the night dragged on as workshops closed and the workmen were freed to their own devices. Minstrels made music on street corners and people would dance before them, it was as if every night in this city an impromptu fair would spring out from amongst the populace, and Jamie was swept right along with it. The lands beyond the shore did not feel like such a foreign or alien place to him now as they had the week before.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    Alas, a full day of joyous cheer takes its toll. As the young man¡¯s head began to feel a bit heavy with exhaustion he ducked out of the crowd, around a corner into a dimly lit alleyway which appeared empty. The Cabin Boy leaned back against one of the walls to support himself.

    ¡°Now I¡¯ve got to find my way back to the Inn, I suppose.¡± He mused to himself through a hearty yawn.

    He stared up at the night¡¯s sky, rubbing his chin and clenching his teeth in a funny way as he tried his best to recall roughly where he would be now in comparison to other places that he had visited in the nights before.

    ¡°A left, and then a right¡­ and then, no no! It was straight! Ugh!¡± He grumbled to himself quietly. ¡°At this rate I¡¯ll have to walk all of the way to the docks just to get back on the right foot, and that¡¯s on the other side of the city!¡±

    Finally settling to take a look about first in case he recognized some part of the topography, Jamie slipped his hands into his pockets and began to saunter down the lonely corridor towards the next street down. It felt eerie to be so alone, at least so suddenly after having been nearly overwhelmed by so many around him just a few minutes prior. Something about it felt¡­ off, thought. There was a wriggling in his gut that made him look over his shoulder every now and again.

    Finally emerging from said alley, he found himself on a road lined by workshops and warehouses. No lanterns were lit, so it appeared quite a bit darker than the thoroughfare wherein the majority of the festivities were taking place.

    ¡°I think if I go through here, and then around to the left..?¡± He directed himself aloud, peering about nervously at the many shuttered doors and windows.

    The feeling of unease in his stomach grew worse as he continued. He couldn¡¯t help but keep a keen eye about at every little shrouded nook or cranny as he passed them, half expecting some wild-eyed thug to spring out at him and accost him with a jagged blade or a broken bottle. However as he reached the end of the block unhindered he breathed out an exhale of relief, the tension leaving him as he realized he had worried for nothing.

    ¡°What a silly notion-¡± He murmured to himself, absent-mindedly turning over his shoulder to look back at whence he came.

    He startled, eyes growing wide, as his gaze fell upon a lone silhouette standing some fifty meters back at the other end of the street. Though a bit small and lanky, it was a menacing sight nonetheless, not to mention their stance was rigid and firm, and their fists clenched at their sides, as if this fellow was preparing for something¡­ unpleasant.

    Jamie gulped. ¡°Perhaps I should just turn away, act like I haven¡¯t seen them?¡± He mumbled to himself. Unfortunately, however, he was too unsettled to turn his gaze off of this figure.

    Then, whoever they are, this person began to move. The marched forward dutifully, and with a quickened pace, heading directly for him! Jamie turned back and began to walk as well, his hands in his pockets and his shoulders hunched, matching their pace as to keep ahead of them. As he did so, however, he noticed that the clacking of their heels from behind him began to grow more hurried as to overtake his own, which in turn caused him to increase his speed even further! He looked back again, and to his horror he realized that they had entered into a run! He did so as well, dashing as fast as his legs would go! Desperately he wished for somewhere to return to the main street, with all of the crowds and the noise and the bright lights where someone might intervene, but at the end of every street he would find no more ways back! He was cut off!

    His lungs burned, he stumbled and tripped several times upon large stones or refuse, usually whenever he looked back over his shoulder, skinning his knees and his hands, and allowing his pursuer to gain even nearer to his back! He dared to peek back one more time, and a cold wave crashed over him as he spied the knife clenched in his persuer¡¯s grip! He wanted to scream and cry for help, but it took all of the wind he could muster just to stay even with this dark figure, lest he become breathless and unable to escape any longer!

    The coming street came to an end at a high wall, and split off to the left and to the right. Desperate for aid, Jamie slid and scampered around the left bend back towards the thoroughfare, only to come to another wall, as the left street was actually a zig-zag which continued on the same direction as the last!

    ¡°Damn it all!¡± Jamie cursed as he sprinted again for all he was worth.

    Then he saw it; About halfway up the next street, a narrow alleyway which would return him to the populated area, and where he could cry out for help before it was too late! With nary a thought in his mind, he made a sudden and drastic turn off to the left and into the dark!

    ¡°A fence?!¡± He cried horror, as he collided with the old, rickety vertical bars which rose up above his head into jagged points, which cut the alleyway in half! ¡°No!¡±

    He looked back in time to see the dark figure slide to a halt before the entrance to the alleyway, catching themselves upon one of the wall edges for support, lest they continue to slide with their momentum, before charging directly at him with their knife-hand raised high!¡±

    Jamie barked out a horrified cry and then threw himself up onto the old fence! He had but seconds to spare, and he recalled seeing Santiago do such a thing to an even taller and sharper barrier in one of his visions. With but seconds to spare, and no consideration for his comfort, Jamie groaned heavily with exertion as he pulled himself over the top and to the other side, his shirt, and the skin beneath it, tearing from one of the barbed tips, before he fell with a painful thud to the other side! It took him a beat to catch his wind again before he could scramble back to a stumbling jog to continue his escape. When he looked back, however, he watched with dismay as his pursuer refused to relent, and used their sprint to throw themselves clear over the top of the pikes, landing gracefully to their feet on the other side, and then continuing on after him without losing any stride! With the delays that he endured at the fence his pursuer was now barely more than an arm¡¯s length behind, but so too was the coming exit to the alleyway! If he could only just make it..!

    Suddenly, he felt the full weight of this stalker thrown against his back, their arms wrapping a tight grip across his chest, and the two of them were thrown together in a painful, somersaulting roll across the cobbled road! Jamie landed onto his back, and the pursuer atop him, and in the light of the street he looked up at what looked to be a young person about his age, all but their eyes covered with some towel or turban so that their identity was obscured! They glared down at him with a horrible fury through baggy, blotchy eyes of terrible bloodshot miosis! Jamie went to scream, but as he opened his mouth he found his voice caught in his throat! It felt as though time began to slow, and he could only watch has this person raised up their downward-pointed blade, ready to come down like a gavel upon his brow!

 And the Rest...

    Shrill screams split the night air as bystanders realised that they were about to be witness to a murder most foul. To Jamie there, laid out across the cobbled stone street, straddled by an assailant of unknown origin who readied a cruel dagger to drive down into his sternum or his throat, the calls for guards were all well and good, and greatly appreciated, but--

    Will somebody please help me?! Was the only coherent thought running through his mind currently.

    Desperately Jamie brought his left hand up to smother his attacker¡¯s right, holding onto their wrist with his arm outstretched so that they could not find a way down into his guts, while with the other hand he clasped onto the collar of their shirt for leverage! The two of them struggled back-and-forth for advantage for the briefest of eternities. Jamie wriggled and writhed like a worm to free himself from his lowered position against this would-be killer, thrusting them left or right in an attempt to roll them onto their back instead, but he consistently found his efforts foiled as his foe worked their way up to a kneel, before pinning one of his shoulders beneath their knee!

    The Cabin Boy clenched his teeth in effort, his eyes bulged as the fixated on the sharpened tip of the blade which steadily grew closer to them as his resistance began to weaken! His palm perspired so greatly now that he feared he would lose grip of his attacker¡¯s wrist, and then all would be lost!

    ¡°Just...die!¡± He heard the assassin growl through her teeth!

    Even buffeted as he was with the power of the adrenaline which coarse through his veins, Jamie began to feel his arms and shoulders weaken and fail! They trembled and shook with effort well past what they should be capable now, and the dagger grew ever closer to pressing into his chest and breaking his skin! His chest heaved up and down with all of his might! The weapon was directly over the center of his chest now, and his fingers were just about to slip!

    Whack!

    Suddenly his attacker was disappeared off of their seat upon his chest, sent rolling backwards back into the narrow alley in a shower of wood and splinters! Cook stepped forward and stood over Jamie now protectively, dropping what remained of the barstool which he had shattered upon the assailant¡¯s shoulders!

    ¡°Lad!¡± He cried. ¡°Stay behind me!¡±

    The masked figure quickly scrambled back to a lowered stance, holding their dagger high in order to drive it down like a pick into any would-be heroes that attempted to come near! There was a beat where nobody moved, nobody breathed. Slowly and deliberately, Cook reached back into his belt and retrieved a large meat cleaver, which he lofted above his head like an axe!

    ¡°Back! Back!¡± He cried, waving the blade about threateningly.

    Looking about now and seeing the commotion they had caused, and the crowd of onlookers who were now gathering, the assassin finally turned tail and dashed back into the darkness of the corridor beyond, clutching at the hem of their ruined shirt.

    No sooner had the assassin departed than did Cook come to a kneel by his side. ¡°Are ye alright, lad?¡± He asked worriedly.

    Jamie felt a sudden and heavy wave of exhaustion wash over him now as the adrenaline finally left him. His head fell back against the stones of the road, and his vision began to swim and darken.

    ¡°Lad? ... Lad..! ¡­¡±

    So quickly did he drift off into unconsciousness that he did not even realize or comprehend the sizable bauble which he tore from around the assailant¡¯s neck in the scuffle: an ugly, misshapen, shrunken head which hung upon a string!

    <hr>

    A large, dark carriage rattled its way down a less-trodden dirt path. To either side a thick forest of trees and brush which let through their leaves and their branches very little light, lending the experience of a great long and dark corridor. This carriage was familiar to Jamie, emblazoned with the distinctive Noble Crest upon its dark exterior, as was her hunch-backed driver.

    Loggart glanced back over the side of the vehicle at the Knights who rode along at its back, who had begun to look at their surroundings, and then over to him, with suspicious glares, cowing the dishonorable fellow back into his seat.

    ¡°Just a little more..!¡± Loggart mumbled to himself, almost in a pleading prayer, as he looked about the innumerable trees, obviously for something or someone, though Jamie knew not what or who. They rode along further still for a good deal of time, and Loggart appeared to grow more nervous and excited the longer they did so, soon breaking out into a nervous perspiration as he stared wide-eyed out at the seemingly never-ending road.

    Finally Loggart spied what he had been searching for: the deliberate beam and gleam of the sun upon polished metal, which struck his eyes with its glare from behind a particularly large and wide tree some thirty meters down the road! He let out a little grateful laugh, and then he pulled upon the reins and the carriage slowed to a halt!

    ¡°What¡¯s the holdup?¡± He heard one of the Knights call from the rear.

    Loggart did not answer, but instead leapt down from the driver¡¯s seat and scampered off into the woods, disappearing into the brush!This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    ¡°Hey!¡± Cried the Knight, but he was already gone. ¡°Ready yourselves!¡± The Knight said in a grim tone, drawing his sword from his belt as the others did the same.

    Then, from around that large tree crept the form of a large man, with receding orange hair, and a stringy beard. It was Cook, dressed in an unfamiliar attire of dark leathers and hides, and hefting up a heavy axe! Then came more from all around the carriage, what looked to be about thirty or so men dressed in similar garb, and armed just as well. From his ghostly vantage, Jamie came to the stomach-churning realization that he recognized most of these brigands, for they were his own crew! Helgi, Santiago, Cheshie, Loggart, and dozens more! There were men who had not returned from their previous shore leave, whom Jamie had thought must have simply absconded or retired, but now he was forced to suspect that they met their ends here on this dark path, at the hands of well-trained and furnished Knights!

    Then he, and all those around the carriage as well, detected a distinctive click as a lock came undone, and the door of the vehicle swung open so that its small and peculiar occupant could descend down the steps to join her surrounded soldiers.

    ¡°What is the meaning of this?¡± Demanded the woman in a voice that sounded at such a pitch as to almost be childlike.

    Cook stepped forward, wordlessly implying his role as leader of this misbegotten group. ¡°My apologies yer Ladyship, but we¡¯re going to have yis come with us.¡±

    Though mostly inscrutable beneath her dark veil, the lot of them could see that the small Noblewoman tilted up her head so that she may look down her nose at the brigands.

    ¡°Tell me then. Who is it that seeks my head this time?¡±

    Cook shook his head to dissuade the notion. ¡°Not yer head miss, but yer blood.¡±

    ¡°Ah.¡± Was all she said in reply, with a knowing tone to her voice.

    ¡°The King of Leades has promised a mountain of coins for anyone who can grant him life eternal.¡± He lifted up his cutlass and pointed it straight towards the Lady and her guards. ¡°Yer our best bet, sorry te say.¡±

    Her Knights moved in close to her, guarding her at all angles like a shell. ¡°Stay behind us, m¡¯Lady.¡± One of them requested. Instead, however, the Lady reached over to his belt, and she drew his shortsword from off of his hip!

    ¡°Lady, you can¡¯t! Not in this weakened state!¡± The Knight cried in protest, but she simply stepped past him, and Jamie could spy a coy little smile draw her lips.

    ¡°Come now, for what good would all of those fencing lessons I took if not now?¡±

    Her protectors put on grim expressions at that, feeling defeated simply to have allowed a situation as dangerous as this to befall their Liege, but they did not protest any further. Cook watched as the Lady took her blade and swiftly tore through the middle of her dress, freeing her legs for ease of movement, and he sighed with exasperation.

    ¡°I suppose yer not gonna go quietly, are yis?¡± He groaned with a hint of regret. He turned over his shoulder to look down at the rest of the crew. ¡°Take them.¡± He commanded, and no sooner did he than did the gathered force begin to close in on their surrounded quarry. All except for two.¡±

    As the sounds and screams of combat commenced, Helgi froze, pale-faced and perspiring with nervousness. Cook approached her, placing a hand upon her shoulder.

    ¡°S-Sorry¡­¡± She managed to gasp out from under her breath. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, lass.¡± Cook replied, though he sounded somewhat exasperated. ¡°But yer not gonna be takin¡¯ many thrones if just this is enough to quell yer hunger, no matter how much coin ya have.¡± Helgi gulped and she nodded, and Cook marched forward past her to where the Lady was just now finally being restrained.

    Cheshie growled in frustrated anger as she shoved the Noblewoman down onto her knees, wrenching her arm back painfully so that her bloodied blade was sent clattering away amongst the beaten bodies of her Knights, and what victims they took with them. Cheshie reached her hand up to her forehead, where a deep and bloody gash wept down across one of her eyes, and then she clenched her fist in anger and then belted the Noblewoman across the face, and her veil mask dislodged and fell from her face!

    ¡°Oi! Cheshie! That¡¯s enough!¡± Cook cried out angrily, grabbing the young woman by the shoulder and then forcing her stumbling backwards behind him.

    As two more crewmates swiftly bound her arms behind her back. Cook knelt down and lifted her face by her chin to peer down at her.

    A Monster..? The ghostly Cabin Boy thought with a start as he hung overhead.

    Along with her aforementioned pigmentation the color of stone, the woman sported a pair of peculiar eyes, wherein what should have been white was instead pitch-black, and her pupils were crimson in color! She was hairless upon her head and face alike, giving her somewhat of a resemblance to an egg, while her ears were twice as long as they should be, and pointed sharp! Then Cook brought his thumb across her jaw, putting it beneath her lip and pulling it aside to reveal her teeth, several of which were intimidating and needle-sharp!

    ¡°Yeh, that¡¯ll have to do then.¡± Said Cook in a grim way.

    The crew moved quickly and efficiently, setting the carriage alight as well as moving the dead off of the road. As Jamie gawked down at this horrible scene of bloody death, and this strange woman who his friends had waylaid, his blood ran cold. For he realized the strange Noblewoman was now staring up and back at him, and there was a little grin on her face!

    Jamie lurched up and awake!

    He was laying in a familiar bed in his lightless Inn room. Outside it was a pitched night. Jamie crept out of his bed most unsteadily, his throat painfully parched. With a creak he pulled open his door, allowing dim light from a far off lantern to spill weakly inside, and he slipped through into the hallway.

    He moved carefully down the way, walking on the tips of his toes so as not to disturb any of the other patrons sleeping in the passing rooms, and towards that distant dim light. The light sat over a corner staircase which led down to the eatery of the Inn, where Jamie could begin to hear some light conversation as he drew closer.

    Jamie was just about to push open the partially closed door to the common room, when a familiar voice from within gave him pause!

    ¡°What were you thinking, Cheshie?¡±

    And as Jamie snuck a glance through the crack in the door, he was witness to a meeting of familiar faces. Cook and Cheshie, Santiago and Helgi and Loggart and more. Cheshie in particular sported a new large and swelling bruise on her shoulder. She stepped over to Cook and glared up at him.

    ¡°This is about that Cabin Boy!¡± She growled back up at him. ¡°He knows!¡±