Part 24
Alone Upon the Mast
As evening fell, the girl finished her packing, when the short sailor entered.
“Oh, do you need something?” the girl asked.
“No, I thought to tell you things,” he said. “The man you faced, the one of chains, he awoke and the Marshal has discovered where the others he had chained be.”
“Oh, that’s good,” the girl said. “Thank you for telling me.”
“I was not bothered,” the short sailor said. “And I saw your performance earlier also. You did well”
“Oh! Um, Thank you.” the girl said caught off guard.
“No such words are needed,” the sailor said, before turning.
“But, Thank you,” the girl repeated. “Thanks for being there. If it had not turned out as it did… You have done a lot for me by watching over me.”
“I do what I must,” the short sailor said, “Such kind’s words have no place for me.”
“I hope we can meet again.” The girl said.
“The captain wishes this as well,” he said, finally leaving the room. Just outside, leaning against the door frame was Sworder. “Why are you not near her?” the short sailor asked as he stepped around Sworder.
“I am close enough.”
“You trust me then, yes?”
“I trust no one.”
“Even her, no?” the short sailor queried.
Sworder pushed off the wall rising to his full height. The short sailor was not of large stature but still stood above Sworder. “And what is that to you,” Sworder said.
“You could not win without her, no?” the short sailor said. “Even to the end?”
“What do you mean?”
“You seem quite familiar with the color black, no?” the short sailor said. “It sticks to you far too easily.”
“Your words mean nothing,” Sworder said.
“That man you stabbed. He was the Master of what he called Alysida, Shadow Chain; a Kazan which can manipulate a limited number of chains formed and strengthened by Darkness. How would that battle have gone if you had sunk that alley into the midnight sun rather then the star your Master called forth?”
“You misunderstood her action,” Sworder said.
“That may be so,” the short sailor said, patting Sworder on the head, before moving off down the corridor. “But that does not change the result, no?”
The short sailor quickly disappeared, leaving Sworder in silence. Sworder’s knuckles went white as his hands tightened into a fist, before staging as he slammed his fist into the wall in frustration. The Vassal of Lighting pulled his dagger out of the wall and turned to enter the room the girl was in.
“Oh, Sworder,” the girl said looking up. “Wait; is something wrong you’re not your normal self?”
“No, nothing is wrong,” the Vassal said curtly jamming his dagger into his belt.” I am sorry it could not be helped.”
“Hey, Sworder,” the girl said, moving up to him and taking his hands. “What is on your mind? Something is bothering you; I can tell.”
“They have not been together long but their connection is strong,” Namic said.
“I am not sure if that was only their connection through,” Ranin said.
“I wanted to say: you helped in the battle,” the Vassal said not making eye contact.
“Oh,” the girl said, also staring at the floor embarrassed. The Vassal turned to leave but was forestalled by the girl. “Wait; Sworder, Why this form?”
“What?” the Vassal said slightly irritated.
“Why did you choose this form?” the girl asked. “What made this form right?”
The Vassal of Lightning put his hand to his forehead brushing his long bangs out of his eyes, causing the girl to start giggling.
“What?” the Vassal said annoyed.
“In this form you look like you need a hair cut,” the girl said, breathing deeply in an attempt to control herself.
“If that is all,” the Vassal of Lightning said, beginning to turn again.
“Wait,” the girl said again. “You never answered my question; why this form.”
The Vassal leaned back putting his hands behind his head thinking for a moment. “It was like there was friction in my head,” the Vassal admitted. Then he looked at the girl. “Is that good enough?”
“Are you sure nothing’s bothering you?” the girl asked. “You’re acting funny.”
“I am fine,” the Vassal of Lightning said, quickly leaving the room.
The girl stood alone in the small room, seeming uncertain what to do next. “Maybe he needs some time?” she said worried. “But what happened, I wonder?”
“She reads him well,” Ranin said.
“Though I am not sure if leaving him be is the best option in this case,” Namic said.
“Stop being so depressing,” Ranin said. “I’m sure it will be fine. Let’s follow him!”
The Vassal stormed through the ship heading to the deck.
“He’s fast in this form,” Ranin said.
“Our old friend has many forms,” Namic said, “Each with their own weaknesses and strengths.”
The Vassal emerged onto the deck. The sailors, who had to remain on the ship, were lounging around, as they played dice or others talking about future activities.
The Vassal clamped his hand over his ears. “The noise,” he mumbled, before fleeing up the mast. It was not his first time up there, and when he swung into the crows nest it was empty. There he sat for a good while, and when he stood he looked out over the ocean at the now setting sun.
There was little sound beside the wind and the occasional cry of a lone sea bird, which had yet to move to warmer climates. The Vassal stood silently for long enough that Ranin yawned. Slowly, his head dropped to the railing of the nest. “What am I doing,” he muttered. “What is wrong with me? Why will she not let me protect her?”
“He is confused,” Namic said, “between his obedience to his Master and his need to protect her.”
The Vassal of Lightning smashed his hand against the rim of the crow’s nest. His grip tightened around his dagger so much that the edge began to dig into his skin, as tears fell onto his hands. “Why?” he whispered between clenched teeth.
“This might end badly,” Ranin said concerned.
“Why!” he roared, before collapsing onto the rim of the crows nest. “Why!” he said, his voice broke as tears flowed anew, “Why? Why, am I never enough? Why can I not protect her? What am I doing wrong?” Even as he spoke he sunk into the crow’s nest.
“His emotions are unstable,” Ranin said.
“Such is known to happen to Kazans,” Namic said. “They are creatures without bodies and as such have none of the desires or needs which come with them, however, they are ruled entirely by the spirit yet unformed.”
“If he falls apart, do you think she can piece him back together?” Ranin asked.
“He will not fall apart just yet,” Namic said, “Something has shaken his mind, but it is merely temporary.”
“Well, I guess we’ll have to let this day pass,” Ranin said, and so it did.
It was early in morning, when Sworder shook the girl awake. She started up and looked around in the dim light of the cabin.
“It is about an hour before dawn,” Sworder said.
“Where’s Uncle Ben?” the girl asked, stretching her tired and stiff limbs.
“He has already gone above deck,” Sworder said.
The girl smiled as she rearranged her hair and grabbed a comb. “You seem in a better mood,” she said between brushes.
Sworder, however, said nothing. He wrapped his cloak around him and exited the room. In the silent room the girl quickly got ready and headed above deck. There Uncle Ben was talking to some of the sailors and Sworder was staring out over the Ocean.
“Are you looking for something?” the girl asked Sworder, as she leaned out over the side of the ship.
“No,” Sworder replied.
“Then what are you thinking about?” the girl said, turning her head to look at him.
“Nothing of importance,” he said.
“You know I trust you, Sworder,” the girl said. “So as long as we are together nothing can go wrong.”
“So she believes she can control him,” Namic said.
“Maybe she is right?” Ranin said.
“It is possible, but I think she has set herself up for disappointment,” Namic said.
“Must you be so depressing?” Ranin said.
Dawn broke and the black veil of night pulled away and a majestic purple lit the sky briefly before the cool rays of the sun’s light caused the stars and all the remnants of night to fade.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” the girl asked.
“I would not know,” Sworder said, quietly.
In silence the two sat as they watched the horizon become more and more defined, and slowly the world began to awaken.
“It’s time,” Uncle Ben said coming over to the two.
The Trapper was waiting for them on the docks. He was clean shaven and shouldered a large pack. He waved at the party as they approached.
“I hope you are ready for a long trek,” the Trapper said. “I want to cross the mountain as swiftly as possible. I would rather not be caught by an early snow.”
“How long will it take to get there?” Uncle Ben asked.
“I can make the journey in three days on my own, so likely a four day journey,” the Trapper said. “I have already selected which pass we will be taking through the mountains.”
“We are in your capable hands,” Uncle Ben said.
“I see it is just the two of you,” The Trapper said, turning to the girl. “It seems he trust me.”
“What?” the girl asked.
“It’s nothing,” the Trapper said, as he started off, followed by the two. They had traveled through most of the city, when the Trapper stopped. He had been glancing behind him, several times now, “That wee lad from the ship is following us,” he said.
“I have been tracking him too,” Sworder said, walking out from behind the group. “He is not a threat. Likely he has come to ensure we depart safely.”
“Well, if you trust him,” the Trapper said with a shrug, “But I dislike being followed.”
“Oh, Sworder,” the girl said, “Would you get him.”
“That is no need,” the short sailor said, approaching the group.
“Oh! Thank you for watching over us,” the girl said with a curtsy.
“This also has no need,” the short sailor said. “The captain is concerned for you so I took to seeing you off. But I also have something you forgot.” He then produced the knife the girl had been given by one of the sailors.
“Oh!” I must have forgotten it,” the girl said, taking it.
“One must take good care of one’s possessions,” the short sailor said. “But I too have something to give you.”
“Well,” Ranin said, relaxing comfortably, “He does seem quite dedicated. Do you think we will ever see him again?”
“Only time will show,” Namic said.
“True,” Ranin sighed.
The Short sailor withdrew a small medallion and handed it to the girl. It was carved having odd symbols on either side. “On this side is the symbol in my land used to mean ‘Beast,’” the short sailor said. “You have tamed a beast but be careful that it does not turn back on you and devour you. Well then, I will return now.”
“Thank you,” the girl said smiling warmly. She turned the medallion over and looked at a different symbol, “I wonder what this means?”
But the short sailor had already departed and the girl and her Uncle and the Trapper moved off towards the edge of town. Sworder, however stood, still watching the short sailor until losing sight of him. Shaking his head, Sworder sighed.
“What I would give know what he was thinking,” Ranin said.
“He probably does not trust that sailor,” Namic said. “Or, rather, dislikes how well he read the situation.”
Sworder looked back at the group, and saw the girl looking at him waving for him to follow. Picking up his pace followed them.
“What do you think?” Ranin asked. “Will anything happen over their journey.”
“If adventure does not find them,” Namic said, “I fear they will find adventure.”
“You have no faith in them,” Ranin laughed. “Well, I will keep an eye on them then. I will tell you if something happens.”
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