Sparrow on a Plank Chapter 11: From Surf to Turf

Once the ship hit the deep sea, Captain Taylor felt better. It’s not that he hated the towns, necessarily, it was more that it always felt like a compromise of some sort, and he hated compromise. In the port he was just another businessman, and was afforded the respect any other businessman was afforded. In most ports he was treated as a necessary evil, but in Coldport he was treated as a sign of times past, times that would be better forgotten.

But on the high seas…the pleasure of the wind and sea were his. Responsibility for the lives and fortunes of others kept him grounded, so that he listened to those under him as he would the ship itself. Too many people forget that respect is a two-way street; you’re only respected as long as you respect others. A captain worthy of the title remembers that you claim the responsibilities as well; the paradox of pleasure is that it only comes at the cost of pain, and the greater the pleasure the greater the pain. A sea captain knows that only far too well, that he must keep a certain distance between himself and his crew; he may be forced at any time to sacrifice a crew member in order to save the ship.

No one understands a ship better than her captain; no one stays with him longer. Captain and ship were as married as husbands and wives; crews may come and go, but no one stays with a captain longer than his ship. He smiled at the number of lovers he had had.

But that made him father to those under his command. That kid Hajime was interesting to him; he was already speaking like a sailor, and become the favorite of his crew. The sailors weren’t able to pass along their knowledge to their sons, sons left behind on dry land to become “better people” (whatever THAT meant), and so they frequently adopted younger sailors willing to learn. He smiled at it each time; it was always fun to see a man who would stab a man in the back and sell his wife for a small piece of gold be incredibly patient with some jerk kid when it came to teaching him about sailing.

Below decks, his first mate was entertaining another. He wasn’t about to deny his first mate the chance to be entertained or to entertain someone, as long as it didn’t interfere with his duties, and so far it hadn’t. He was making all of the meetings and meals, and he was still taking his duty hours at the wheel. If anything, he was starting to approve the first mate’s romance, especially as their sparring matches were not only good for his fencing, but for the morale of the crew as well.

A week later, they finally made port in Cyrill. They unpacked, dispersed the cargo (legal and otherwise), and were ready for more. Hajime and Sal had already disappeared. A few hours later, they would be all but forgotten. But that’s how it had to be: A crew celebrated the living by forgetting about them while hoping to see them again.

* * * * *

As Hajime wheeled down his lab, Sal walked to the edge of the wharf. One of the older boys playing marbles near the wharf separated from the group.

“Hey, you ‘Salmandra’?”

She smiled. “Yep. Who are you?”

He pressed an envelope into her hand. “Sorry for playing marbles.” He turned around. “Got to get back. Chicken at stake.”

Sal opened the envelope and read its contents. She put the paper back in its envelope and sidled up to Hajime. “It would appear that we are invited to dinner at Summer’s Phoenix tonight. Courtesy of Prince Ta.”

Hajime stopped. “Weird how he knew we were coming in today.” He scratched his head. “I would love to have his information network.” He sighed as something itched at the base of his skull.

She put the envelope into her pocket. “Yeah. Good thing it serves the crown. For now.” She walked off.

Hajime continued rolling his lab, forgetting whatever was making his brain itch as he ran to catch up with Sal.

* * * * *

Sal and Hajime checked into an inn, one with a hot bath and private rooms. Before they actually went to their rooms, they asked that a bath be drawn in the two rooms and be left to cool. That left them some time to do some quick shopping, which they did. Separately.

When Sal returned, she just shucked her clothes and tossed them on the bed. She sighed deeply. She slowly walked into her bath, inhaling the smell of lavender. She smiled; “Finally, some water that doesn’t move on its own.” She lit the cinnamon candle next to the bath and breathed in the fragrance. She took what seemed hours to just soak in the tub and let her body forget the last few weeks. When she felt that her body had forgotten enough she rose out of the bath and dabbed herself dry. She put on a the clothes that she had bought, a nice, sensible shirt/pants ensemble of cotton died various shades of yellow, with a brown vest. She brushed her hair, tying it back with a leather thong. She felt more human than she had been in weeks, and ready for dinner.

Hajime bought a few things he missed during the voyage, such as apples and dates. He also bought some new quills and nibs, as well as some replacements for equipment broken on the trip, like those expensive alembics. When he finally bathed, it was with all of the ritual he could muster, starting with a quick wiping down followed by a long dip in the water, breathing in the steam. He hated the gaijin-style baths; there was just something wrong about being forced to bathe alone, almost a punishment. He would have to track down a communal bath tomorrow. He rolled his eyes as he sat in the water. He got out, wiping the water off and wrapping the towel around his waist. He brushed his hair and sat on the bed in a lotus position. Afterwards, he dressed in something fitting for the dinner, ending up in a white suit with tan boots.

They met in the inn’s foyer and gave bundles of dirty clothes to the innkeeper before leaving for dinner. Sal was amused by the Hajime’s garb, and he was duly impressed by hers. Invitation in hand, they walked to dinner.

* * * * *

Prince Ta was coiled at the table, picking through a tray of hors d’oeuvres. He looked up as they approached the table, smiling at Hajime’s bold choice of white in a city with considerable carriage traffic. He looked at Sal, nodding at her. Hajime did a polite bow before sitting down, resisting the urge to switch the chair around but settling. Sal did turn the chair before sitting down.

“It’s nice to know that the two of you can clean up rather well. Kudos especially to you, Salmandra.”

Sal allowed herself to beam a little. “Thank you, Prince.”

Hajime had already started picking at the tray himself. He looked up just long enough to answer. “Thanks, your excellency.” He grabbed a pepper popper.

“You’re popular in Coldport, for some reason. The report should make for an interesting read.” He grabbed a particularly tasty morsel. “However, I hope that you’re ready for something a little more challenging.”

Sal smirked. “It sort of makes me nervous when you say, ‘more challenging.’”

“Surely you exaggerate, my dear. I would never force you into something beyond your ability. You know I would never risk an asset.” He smile a little.

Sal sighed. “Thanks for that benevolence, Prince.”

Hajime took a break from stuffing his face with appetizers. “Your excellency, these are excellent. What are they?”

Prince Ta leaned over to Hajime, an eye cocked conspiratorially. “Takoyaki. The finest devilfish this side of the Lesser Pentacle money can buy, cooked into a fluffy pastry, deep fried in virgin oil and served with soy sauce. A bit rubbery, but otherwise very tasty.” Prince Ta leaned back.

“Nice. It’s so hard to find a decent octopus recipe.”

Sal turned a bit green. “I so need a mission further landside.”

“Sorry, my girl. Next time I’ll try the more vegetarian snacks.” Prince Ta shared a quick smile with Hajime. “However, your next mission involves a little more sea travel.” Sal slumped. “Sorry, couldn’t be helped.”

“Fine. Just give me time to hit an open herbalist this time.”

“Well, you do have until tomorrow. All I need is for you to retrieve a small book. The path is clear; all you need to do is show up and claim it.”

The waiter removed the remaining takoyaki and replaced it with several dishes. The fried rice was steaming, with egg, scallions, and carrots strewn throughout it. There was a bowl of shrimp and broccoli, mixed with just a hint of soy sauce. And, of course, there was a bowl of steaming mixed vegetables. Prince Ta was served first, with just enough to fill his plate. The waiter served Sal next, with Sal taking just enough to fill half her plate. Hajime motioned for the waiter to just leave the rice. The waiter disappeared. Hajime smiled as he filled his plate to over-flowing.

Sal grabbed the chopsticks near her plate and looked at Hajime. “Wood should be used for building not eating.” Hajime chuckled. “So, the way has been cleared….?”

“Of course. I would advise stepping lively, however. The locals don’t like strangers, and have been known to do some very not-nice things to them.”

Hajime was quickly between picking at his food and shoveling. “Great. Looks like another mission that can get can hot.”

Prince Ta’s grinned just a little as he put a shrimp tail down. “Oh, you have no idea.”

[The last chapter can be found here. The next chapter can be found here.]