If I Tell Thee A Tale
Prologue
The storm was finally picking up, clouds piled over one another, and stirring up a restless metallic wind. A ship, tiny by the comparison of the sea it swam in, rocked back and fourth steadily, even as the storm moved. The air felt electrical as Haruka stepped out of her Captain's Cabin to gauge the weather herself, heavy jacket and strips of worn cloth fluttered out behind her as the wind turned.
Behind her, the crew continued their work, few below decks as they slept before their shift took over. Men dumped barrels overboard, full of rotted meat and damp, mold infested bread. But even before it hit the water, the wind picked up the scent moving it back over Haruka's nose. Wincing, she pulled away from the railing, The captain sighed uneasily, watching food and water dwindle day by day. Fortunately the ale was still in high supply.
"We're not sleeping out under the stars tonight," said a heavy voice behind her. Haruka turned around to face the second in command, and man that could strangely play as her double, even right down to her lithe figure and pale hair... Ouranös.
"Nope," she replied back. "I don't think it'll be too severe of a storm tonight—not as bad as what we have been through before anyway."
They continued their separate rounds, Haruka moving to the door that would enter her into the decks below the Sloop. The decks below mostly contained the quarters of the crew and carried what few supplies they needed. The ship only carried about fifty, and even if it was small in size, it still required a high amount of maintenance.
Few of the muscled men that weren't above, or sleeping, were taking care of the leaks that occasionally sprung through the thick wood of the ship. Between the fingers of a bandannaed man, was a thick, white tack that they used to seal leaks. She paused for a moment, and bent over to grab a handful of the stuff herself, finding it sandy until she worked with it between the palms of her hands. Randy glanced over, acknowledging her presence, and continued, while she managed a leak above his head, using her tall height to her advantage.
When she was finished, she moved on. "Thank-you Captain," Randy muttered.
The narrow passageway opened up to the main quarters of the crew. Hanging from the low, beamed ceiling were hammocks, and on the floor, scattered here and there were sleeping sacks. Damp blankets scattered the place. As she moved passed, she could hear the faint muffled sounds of snoring as ten of her crew continued to sleep. Ticking could be heard evenly as pocket watches measured the time, along with larger metal clocks that would ring out an alarm for when the shift was to begin.
Another door led still farther downwards, leading to their food and drink supply, two of her men already down there when she reached the bottom of the creaky stairs.
"How are the tallies coming up?" she asked, her voice firm.
"We need to stop soon and pick up more food. Half of our supply was contaminated and we had to throw it overboard—" Proteus replied, pondering out loud. Haruka raised her hand, stopping him mid sentence. She had already seen all of that, so he continued to other business. "The water has to be thrown over soon as well... Tenoh."
Most of her crew referred to her by her last name, still used to the respect that she commanded when she first came aboard and took the lead. She nodded her head, taking the scrap of parchment that he was using to tally up the goods. She sighed, closing her eyes—that would be just enough food, if rationed correctly, to last another three days. Landfall would be on the fourth. Good.
Handing him back the parchment scrap, she launched herself up the large crates, her boot grabbing steady balance on a crate's edge—until she could reach into the upper most one, finding a round object wrapped in a cloth.
"Carry on," she said, as she moved up the unsteady stairs, moving towards the upper deck. When she finally passed the quarters and onto the upper floor, just when it began to rain, only then did she unwrap the object—and frowned. A once brilliant green apple, now shown large spots of brown and gray With a sneer, she threw it over the railing, letting it roll from her finger tips, and watched it as it was gobbled up by restless, hungry waves.
Making do with going hungry, she moved to the Captain's Quarters, but not before nodding her head towards Ouranös, relieving herself of the day's duties. On deck, already her crew were lighting the lamps, the cloudy skies causing an early nightfall. Hanging from poles, raised from the railing, they were alight by oil, and inclosed by glass, so that the water would not burn them out. There were only about fourteen of them total, casting small, bright orbs of light onto the deck, while the crew continued to work hard, preparing for the storm ahead.
Haruka's quarters were small, made that way from the shelves that lined the polished walls. The shelves were loaded with the gold-printed spines of books and maps that were inked carefully with vibrant colors and black inks, rolled up and held together by leather thongs. A heavy oak desk lined itself in front of the large glass window that overlooked the restless seas. The top of the desk was covered with more thick parchment, as well as a globe gilded with golden arms so that it could spin freely.
Instead of a bed nailed to the floorboards, she had a hammock just like the rest of her crew hanging comfortably in the middle of the room. Before settling herself in it, Haruka moved towards her desk, picking up a roll of fresh parchment, as well as other writing implements. Hanging from the wall behind the hammock was her own lamp, and she twisted the key at its side, a small flame growing from the center.
Seconds later, she was settled comfortably from the hammock, feeling it swing softly from side to side from the motions of the waves below. Haruka rearranged her pillows and blankets so that she could sit upright, settling the ink jar steadily wedged between her elbow and the fabric of the hammock With her other hand, she unscrewed the lid, dipping the quill in it, skimming off the access ink against the edge of the the jar. While the quill was between her teeth, she unrolled the pliant parchment and used her free elbow and hand to keep it in place against her knees. She began to write.
Haruka began to scribble something that resembled a letter. Her handwriting, because of the surface she was writing on, was crooked, wobbly, and had ink blots here and there as it followed the pattern of her legs. To make the process less tedious, she wrote mostly in shorthand. Every so often, she paused to read what she had written so far, before continuing the letter. Though she got a page in, she crumpled the paper, and threw it overboard, and started anew. She stretched her writing hand, and dipped the quill into the small jar, then wiped it along the rim so it wouldn't drip.
The nerve wracking thing about the whole ordeal was that she wasn't sure whether to write it as a letter, or a story. Should she embellish it or tell the whole truth? Should she simplify it?
Some time later, she found that she was satisfied that the letter was long enough. Her hand was cramped, and her thumb was twitching from so much writing. She looked back over the completed pages, the handwriting small and cramped, words crossed out here and there, but there it was; her first letter. Eyes blinking heavily, Haruka shifted around uneasily, digging into her pockets for her own pocket watch.
Finding that it was already late into the night, she pushed the small watch back into place, and screwed the lid back onto the small ink container, before swinging out of her hammock, putting everything back onto the desk. She looked out of the window as she shrugged off her jacket, seeing lightening skirting the ocean from a distance. Most of the decorations, and jewelry came off, either hung on hooks or hidden in unassuming boxes. Her boots, she placed bedside, in case of emergencies—but, as she woefully glanced at the window once more, she would feel it before someone awoke her.
Easily, Haruka launched herself into the hammock, a contented moan escaping her lips, as pillows and cloth fabric enveloped her.
Night was clear and black, stars peaking through, while below it a placid mirror reflected it's brilliance. A small island, three miles in radius, floated gently on the surface of the sea's momentarily glassy surface. Store keeps moved about their property, lighting the street lamps around them, orange stars springing up all over the place. Even if nightfall had taken place, the island was still alive, even more so; ships still making landfall, people still trading coins for supplies and beer.
A familiar sloop docked by one of the shorter piers, the name Iphis printed proudly on its shallow hull. Crew jumped over its deck, the men springing to life for the first time in weeks, stiff after the long voyage. Haruka's boots clicked evenly along the wood of the pier, as she made her way into the island.
Even if it was counted as an island, there were two peculiar things about the place. Number one, was that the island was so small and known to so few (such as pirates and the like), it was not marked on any normal maps. The second was that it was not made out of normal land-like materials. Instead it was made up of things that the earth had spit up, and humans decided to pick it back up and reuse.
There were theories here and there left by scientists that passed by the curious island: it was built mostly atop a coral reef, hardened as it died. Though this had never been seen long enough to be proved. Whatever was on the lower floors was enough to hold up layers and layers of stone and wood, built layer upon layer as time passed. It also helped that the ocean was shallow at this point as if meant for an island to go there anyway.
The small island was built up so much and so chaotically, that its structure seemed secure enough. And it was also the perfect hang out for any pirate. There were few laws that held the loose society together, enough to keep everyone in line, but few enough to keep the outlaws from being hung from outside offenses—unless some crime was committed directly on the tiny land. That rarely happened.
It was fondly named Elysia: if anywhere else felt like hell to the harrowed pirate, then this was a Haven and the place to be. No wonder it was like a second home to Haruka.
She breathed in the warm salty air, tinged with food cooking on open coals, and the smell of drinks made of exotic fruit. Each time the ship made landfall, the captain made sure that it made anchor somewhere different. Other than the main structure of wood plank and the similar style of lanterns that dotted the place, no store, inn, bar, ec cetera, was the same. Elysia revealed something new each time, though kept the same feeling of home, no matter where she set foot. The island was constantly changing; constantly shifting and growing with some new treat.
Randy, as he passed, threw her a small sack, snapping her out of her reverie. She caught it just as he tipped his hat, and suddenly the next moment he was swallowed up into the depths of the island city. The weight was reassuring in Haruka's hand, and she found that it was a small pouch of coins, her cut of the loot.
Sighing at the failure of the last voyage, she shook her head, tossing the pouch upwards a few times, as she moved deeper into the wooden land maze. It was a party everywhere, and even though the payoff wasn't much, it was still no reason to not have fun. For the moment she was left alone to her own devices, her first in command probably already humping some wench. The thought seemed humorous because her blond twin was proper in every way. Still, everyone had carnal urges and Ouranös was no different. Randy, however, probably went off to gamble to make more of his own meager cut of the profits.
The time alone was welcomed. Even if her small crew of fifty was like a family to her, it was still the small things that they knew to push her buttons that made her glad of any solitude. Eventually they all got on one another's nerves.
She passed by building after building, lined with lanterns to easily light her way, making her way up some stairs to the upper levels. Many sat outside, enjoying the peaceful, warm weather, playing cards and trading tales of heroic courage. An old storyteller sang epic poetry, a few crowding around to hear him. Haruka almost paused, tempted to hear one version or another of stories that she grew up hearing. The sounds of voices, yelling, laughing, shrieking, wafted out of inns and bars, the sound of glasses being clinked together, liquid being spilled, coins being dropped.
Captain Tenoh paused by an inn that struck her fancy; the Ariel. It was a busy place, cramped and warm, atmosphere brimming with life. Booths lined to the right of the entrance, fading off into the back where it was more secluded, and a second floor above them. To her left was the main counters where the barkeeps took charge, and worn, round tables spotted the center. Somewhere in the second level played live music from a fiddle and accordion.
When one of the barkeeps greeted her, he asked if she would be staying the night somewhere in the second and third floors; we have plenty of openings on either floor. His gray eyes shown as he dried a heavy glass mug with a worn rag. He was a large, older man, and seemed friendly despite the piercing eyes. Haruka considered, then placed a few silver coins on the table, putting in enough extra for a mug of their best ale.
"Yes I would," she replied easily, with a relaxed grin.
The barkeep filled her mug to brimming, handing her a heavy, bronze key as well. She nodded her thanks, then took a sip as she moved towards one of the back, secluded booths. The Captain heavily leaned back, resting her long legs on the table, her mug comfortably in her lap. She let the exhaustion finally take over, closing her eyes. A few more sips, and the smooth burning washed over her limbs to the very tips of her fingers and toes.
"Excuse me, sir?" called a voice to her right. Haruka's deep blue eyes snapped open, after what felt like hours, to face one of the barmaids. "Do you need seconds on your mug?" She raised her own half-full pitcher to indicate a refill. "There was a man who ordered rounds on the whole house upstairs," she explained, aqua eyes unblinking.
Haruka blinked several times, blaming the sudden awkwardness on the slow stupor that was beginning to take over her whole body slowly, nodding her head. "I'm sorry, normally I'm more the life of the party," she said, with a crooked grin on her face.
The bar maiden looked surprised for a moment, though Haruka couldn't seem to read why. The aqua-eyed woman looked down as a blush rose to her cheeks, hoping that it was before Haruka could realize that she had been staring for too long.
It was funny how simple that meeting was, leading into something far more complicated; and far more frustrating for the Captain of the Iphis.
Morning came, the sun shown through the thick glass. Haruka's eyes slowly opened, seeing the shards of light make it passed the desk to show on the thick carpet. The light flickered as a figure sat at her desk shuffled parchment around every once in a while. The captain turned back over as soon as she realized that it was Ouranös.
"You slept through the night well," commented the first in command.
Haruka vaguely remembered the sound of thunder rumbling through the night, and the sound of rain pattering heavily across the glass and the ceiling above her. She pushed her head deeper into the pillow, wanting to fall back to sleep, but knowing that sleep wouldn't come.
"Then nothing happened last night, I take it?"
"Water logged decks, a broken lantern from one of the crew slipping and crashing into it. Other than that, all clear. We're still on course," he replied easily. The sound of papers being shuffled around fluttered in her alert ears. She could hear him stifling a yawn.
"You should be off to bed, shouldn't you?" Ouranös had more similarities to the tall blonde, one of them being insomnia. But then again, who would want to sleep through a night on a ship in the middle of the sea? Both captains could survive on six hours or less of sleep, and often their shifts ran together.
"Mmmm," he grunted. He smacked down the quill, and finally Haruka gave up the thought of sleep, turning back over to see him leaning back in the chair, hands behind his head. She noticed that his hair was stringy with last night's rain, and his own jacket still thick with moisture. "First time in the last few hours that I've been somewhere dry."
Haruka rolled her eyes as she shifted her weight into sitting position before standing up. Her deft fingers laced up her pants before she trailed around for her jacket, and a fresh pair of stockings. She was ready moments later, while Ouranös appeared to have fallen asleep at the chair. Smirking, the captain placed a wool blanket up to his shoulders, his own hammock laying empty at the opposite end of the room. She pulled a heavy rope at the side of the window, the heavy velvet curtains closing as she did, before making her way on deck.
In hand, she carried her letter, the many pages that had taken days to write, so that she could read it while making the first rounds of the day. The parchment glared white in the bright morning light, her eyes taking moments' to adjust to the outdoors. Around Haruka, her crew worked, or relaxed a bit. Few worked on getting the single sail out again, tugging the heavy ropes, turning the mast into place. Others sat around empty barrels playing dice, smoking what was left of the dry tobacco, as the sea around them shifted smoothly around them.
"Wind was in our favor Cap'in Tenoh," said one of the burly men at one of the games. Randy stood, making himself more noticeable to the young captain. "Cut at least a half days sailing."
When she nodded, he settled back down on his makeshift bench, and she continued down the deck. Haruka moved up the three stairs to the next level where the helm was, Randy guiding the ship gently on course. Behind him, two other crew sat on the floor, sharpening their private stash of weapons; small daggers, and a sword, the sound of metal ringing in the air. Another sat on the opposite corner cleaning his pistol, polish resting at his heel.
"Setting plans for our next course?" asked Randy, glancing over.
Haruka shook her head, snapping her thoughts back to the present. She smirked. "Hardly. Since when do I think that far ahead?"
"I get the feeling that you're always thinkin' ahead despite what you insist."
The captain chuckled. "No it's a letter." She paused a moment, and to her chagrin, she found another jumbled sentence that made little sense. "A letter that I was commanded to do."
"You can be commanded?" Two shook his head in mock disbelief. Then his eyes widened, and this time he gave his captain a long hard look. "Unless..."
"Keep your mouth shut. And that's an order."
Randy whistled.
Haruka doubled her efforts on focusing her attention on the thick pile of parchment, as she trailed down the stairs, Randy's laughter in the air. Unfortunately, her efforts were lost when a strong wind, the very same wind that gave them a head start, whipped the parchment like sails in her fingers. Few of the sheets torn between her nails, a few more stumbling off in the wind, before she had the chance to react. Stunned, her grip slackened, and few more escaped.
"Damn!" she found herself saying under her breath, the moment too surreal as her ticket to ecstasy was lost in the wind, soon to be swallowed up by the waters below. Then louder as it finally registered. "DAMN DAMN!"
Two sheets skittered along the deck, as the wind teased her. Members of her crew began to pick up on her plight, and reached out for them, crumpling them in the process. When she gathered up what was left in the chaos, Haruka looked down at her remaining pile. And her heart sank. Five sheets remained, torn and abused. Randy, who had come up behind her, began to laugh, the chuckle rumbling up from his throat.
"Too late to begin again?" he asked, following her to the edges of the deck.
As if in answer, her hand loosened on the remaining pages of her tale, the trickster wind licking them up and carrying them off into the distance, where the ocean reached up far into the horizon.