Chapter 3-turbulence

A loud snore suddenly burst out from the corner of my room. The boy sailor serving coke and Paninis at the table looked at the large body which was twisted in a funny way in order to fit into a small couch with great fear.

‘Never mind about that.’ I waved my hand, suggesting the boy to leave.

Bracing myself with the best concentration, I dived into the map again. We have sailed for a week. According to the map and my measurement, we should have passed - or at least seen - an island called Ron However, not a single rock was sighted so far. Although we had enough supply for another three weeks, it was not a good sign to wander on the sea without a clear idea of the direction.

Another loud snore shooted out. I walked to the couch and shaked Cass.

‘Go back to your room.’

‘Oh, sorry, did I fall asleep again?’ He sat up, robbing his neck.

‘There’s nothing you can do by staying here. Go have some sleep. I will call you when I find something.’

Cass sighed. The tiny wrinkles at the end of his eyes became obvious.

‘We are definitely heading towards Castle Hall. It is a big island, we won’t miss it……’

While I was talking, some running and patting noise came from the deck.

‘Captain!! We see something!’

I grabbed my coat and rushed out of the room. A sailor passed me a monocular and pointed at some vague spot in the dark.

‘Looks like something floating there.’ The sailor said.

Through the monocular I saw a silver fang glowing in the black wave.

‘It’s silver horn. Turn the head to left. We go around it.’

A lot of squeaky noise sounded here and there because of the sudden operation of the devices. A sailor cried out from the bottom of the ship.

‘Captain, it is following us!.’

‘Ah, no good. Load the canon.’

The right side of the ship was turned to face the silver horn. Several sailors quickly rolled canon balls to the bottom of the ship guns.

‘Captain, canons are ready.’

The monster swam towards the ship so fast that every one now could see its shining back clearly from the deck.

‘It’s getting quite close.’ Cass frowned.

‘Just …… three metres more ….’ I squinted to get the best measurement.

‘Captain!’

‘A bit more…..NOW!’-said Arya

Powerful noise with strong gunpowder smell immediately filled up the air. The ship shaked violently because of the launch of canons. The water slapshed at the spot where canon balls landed, totally blocking the shade of the silver horn. Everyone waited patiently for the water to calm down. Then the silver fang glowed again in the dark, moving even more swiftly towards the ship.

‘Arya, you missed!’ Cass shouted.

‘Disgraceful. My sense must have gone dull after sitting in the office for ten years.’

‘What?!’

‘Boys, prepare the second assault. Lower the canons for half metre.’

The machenic noise was pounding again on the deck. Everyone could see the silver monster clearly with their eyes. The wave it stirred up constantly beated the ship. All of the sudden, a violent shock hit the ship. A high and sharp sound emerged from the silver horn.

‘It’s attacking us with its sonic ray. Lower the canon more!’-said Arya

Everthing was ready promptly, waiting for my next command. The sea monster raised its body, showing tentacles in its large mouth. The next sonic attack was on its way.

‘Fire!’

The ship shaked with great force again. A sharp and painful noise pierced into the air together with massive slashing water. Next moment there were bits and pieces of silver flesh scattered on the water.

Sailors were clapping and cheering happily. As for Cass, he looked at me with amazement as well as amusement.

‘Ten years? I thought you were running a sailing company.’-said Cass

‘I am. But you won’t take your precious customers and investors through unicorn whales’ playground. Actually, I spent more time doing accountancy than sailing ships.’

‘Sounds like a peaceful life.’-said Cass

‘Well, not 100% of my original plan.’

‘Yes, I know.’

I just realised I brought up an old wound.

‘Hmm, and what have you been doing? Wearing an apron and feeding the baby?’said Arya

‘Sort of. I also patrol for my village to keep robbers and bandits away. It’s easy to schedule my shifts so I can pick up Tinkie from school in the afternoon.’-said Cass

‘How convenient.’

‘This job is getting tough since last three year. Wild beasts somehow wandered into our village, and the most annoying is we began to have headhunters from the Elfs disguised as local farmers lingered around the area. They came from nowhere; once you pick a sign from their crooked behaviour, they disappear immediately.’

‘You mean they just vanish?’said Arya

‘Yes. Completely.’

‘Funny. Supposed only wizards are capable of doing it. Aren’t they a secret cult full of dark priests?’said Arya

‘I think they recruit members from all kinds of professions. The tide of news haven’t reached the east, but it is already causing serious worries at west borders. Lords and princes have sent several rescue teams, it is hard to find which island the children are accommodated though.’said Cass

‘Presumably on islands which don’t exist on the map.’said Arya

We talked in this way unil the sun rose from the the sea. The light spreaded across the blue water, creating countless sparkling reflections. The steam which caused by the morning heat gently wrapped everyone in its lightly salty coat.

‘Well,’ I stretched my arms and made a big yawn. ‘since we have passed ….uhh, missed Selina, we can expect Castle Hall now. New hope. I am going to have some sleep. Wake me up for lunch.’-said Arya

Wrapping myself in a blanket, I soon felt drowsy. I was just about to drift off, someone woke me up.

‘Captain, there’s a thunder storm in front of us. Should we avoid it or just go through?’

‘Let me have a look.’

At the end of skyline thick and dark cloud gathered; every now and then the lightning cracked the black surface. Judging from the direction of the wind, the storm should head towards east and well be gone by the time we reached there. I ordered sailors to carry on the planned route and went back to my compartment to continue my sleep.

Not long after that, I was waken up again.

‘I hope you are calling me for lunch this time……’ I felt slightly disturbed.

‘No, Captain. The storm is heading towards us.’ The boy looked scared. ‘It seems some kind of black smoke coming out of it too.’

The boy tried to add more words to support his description, which was utterly confusing to someone who was just interrupted from his sleep twice in an hour.

I crawled out of my room reluctantly. The noise of thunder echoed from afar. Chilled wind blew in the air. The black mass had blocked most of light. In about twenty minutes we would meet the thuderstorm.

‘Cover the canon and lower the sails.’ I cried out. ‘And you, go get my raincoat.’

On the deck sailors were running here and there. Sails were quickly rolled down. The ship floated on the water, raising up and down in accordance with the wave. Rain began to pour down, occasionally whirling around by the strong wind. With great difficulty, I tried to fix my eyes at the cloud for a while. It tumbled and transformed constantly. The colour seemed to be black but more like purple because of the reflection of the light. The whole block was moving so rapidly and in such an awkard way as if it was alive. But more to my bewilderment it seemed to be some black spots (or smoke?) popping out of the cloud every now and then.

I blinked my eyes few times to clear out the rain. A lock of shapeless smoke puffed out at the corner of the cloud and vanished immediately.

‘Captain, did you see that?’ The boy’s voice trembled.

‘Yes. But it shouldn’t concern us. Let’s hold out for the moment and wait for the storm to pass.’

I ordered the pilot to set a different course, hoping it would take us out of the storm quicker. Then I just realised Cass was nowhere to be found. I went down into the ship, knocking on his door.

‘Are you all right?’

‘Yes, maybe. Actually, I feel sick.’

‘I will tell the servant to bring you some tea.’

The door was opened. Cass looked a bit pale.

‘That’s why I don’t like sea. The whole world is spinning.’-said Cass

‘This storm is moving fast. Well, too fast. The sea will be clear in a few hours.’said Arya

I entered the room and closed the door behind me.

‘This storm doesn’t look natural.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I can’t tell. Did you encounter any strange weather on your way to my town?’said Arya

‘I came by road. Few raining days when I passed the basin of Pergia. But I didn’t notice anything unusual.’ Cass responded with a weak voice.

‘I see.’

I left the room and tried to switch on my sleepy brain to look for possible explanations. I went up to the deck and held myself against a pole. The rain again splashed onto my face and flowed into my back through the opening of my coat. The ship tilted to one side and another. The lightning shone across the dark sky, then deafened ears with loud thunder. Through the blurring vision I could see the dark cloud shifted its colour between black and purple. Next moment a very strong wind blew across the sea. A large wave of water flowed over the ship. As I just managed to find the balance, a gust of wind charged through again. Then again.

What a mechanical thunderstorm, I thought. There seemed to be a vague answer, yet I just couldn’t grasp it in my head.

Chapter 2-The begining of a journey

Next morning Cass came to meet me outside my maison.My brother insisted to follow us to the harbour so he could carry my luggage until he sent me off.

Neighbours were surprised to see me walking with a warrior-looking person, but more astonished to see me wearing a Excavator robe.

‘Miss Arya, are you a Excavator?’

‘Yes I am.’

‘You never said a word about it!’

‘I prefer being known as a little and pretty girl.’

While I engaged in converstaions with various aquaintances, kids and young people gathered behind, whispering and pointing at the dark-haired warrior and his wizard robe.

‘This is my friend Cass.’ I turned around. ‘We are setting off to south to visit his family.’

‘A big customer! Miss Arya rarely sails for customers nowadays.’

‘Indeed. We have to go. Good day, folks.’

The board with large blue paint saying ‘Arya Sailing Services’ could be seen clearly before we entered the harbour area. Workers hurried to open the dock gate as soon as they saw me.

‘My lady, you look different today.’

‘Yes. I found this old clothes in my wardrobe yesterday.’

We descended to the lower level of the dockhouse. A ship with some marks of time appeared in front of us.

‘It is the ship you used ten years ago!!!’-said Cass

‘I don’t throw things away just because it is old.’-said Arya

Sailors who were assigned to board with us were busy with preparation work. After handing over my suitcase, Eragon began to cry.

‘Sister, you must come back.’

‘Brother, I will be fine. I am a well-trained Excavator.’

‘How do I know you are a real Excavator or just a Inicial Explorer? You can’t even run away from the dog which chases after you.’

‘I appreciate your concern ... and honesty. But I am not a stranger of wandering and dangerous life. I will come back in one piece.’ I patted his shoulder.

The ship was dragged out of dock. Sailors pulled up the anchor and raised the sail. Wind blew. The ship slowly slided out of its old place, heading towards the wider space. The figure of my brother with his waving arms became smaller. The view at front gradually expanded, while the town where I had been dwelling for the last ten years faded behind us.

The wind grew stronger and louder. The end of my Excavator robe flapped up and down. The ship was tossed into the sea. Suddenly, everything disappeared. The only thing left is the ultimate blue, the absolute freedom which  I can never give up.

My heart opened.

‘How do you know I am the same person as ten years ago? How can you trust me for such a dire adventure?’

‘Are you questioning me?’ Cass looked at me. ‘Or are you questioning yourself?’

‘Both. I have doubt.’ As if it was overfilled, words leaked out of my mouth non-stop. ‘Yes, you were my best friend and most trusted comrade, but that was ten years ago. We have departed from each other for our own affairs and it is normal we now look for our own best interests. How can you be sure I won’t let you down at the most crucial moment?’-said Arya

‘You regret to come with me?’-said Cass

‘No.’

‘Same here. I never regret asking for your help, even if you rejected me. And in fact,’ He lowered his eyes. ‘I was so sure you would turn me down, since I left our party without a word ten years ago.’-said Cass

‘I am glad you remember what you have done.’-said Arya

‘I apologise….things were not under my control at that time. I had to go back to my wife.’-said Cass

I stopped throwing words out. It was a painful blow to a young woman who thought she had lost his best friend forever at that time. Not a word, not a message, but only fading friendship. Davastated, she was unable to continue his adventure as a Excavator. she gave up her dual guns, putting all his gears away. she found a small town and set up a business using his most favourite nautic skills. Life was as plain as it could be. But somehow the old memory was never brushed away by the wave of time.

‘If that is your reason, I think I can trust my life to you again.’ -said Arya

‘Arya, if there is anything which has changed in me, that is I have become a responsible man. I am skilled that i was before, your brother rely on me. I can shoulder this burden. And now I will carry you as part of it too.’

It is a relief to hear that. But I didn’t say it. Cass did change, but everything between us was the same. After ten years we are still friends and comrades.

‘So, what’s your order now, captain?’ He grinned

‘Hmm, you can go down to the bottom deck and get me a glass of coke.’ I waved my arm and headed towards my compartment. ‘It should help me when I read the map’

TO BE CONTINUED