Between Two Ships
Nam Cal Liang watched from a clear glass window in the inn's lobby as Yun Val Daiyu's entourage left. His pale blue eyes, deep and clouded with multiple thoughts, scanned the scene with a calculating gaze.
"My Lord, it seems the young girl paid the proprietress for cabins on a ship called 'Eating Fish' yet also sent a guard to the docks to secure lodging on 'The Sailing Serpent'," Whisp reported, his voice soft and deferential, as he stood beside Liang.
Liang hummed softly, his mind processing the information. The young girl's caution impressed him. The web she weaved for their escape was not foolproof, but it was more thorough than he or their pursuers would have expected. He pondered the source of her unexpected wealth. Had she acquired these funds from the Master she encountered during her travels, or had she saved money during their years of imprisonment at the monastery?
"Send someone to Xagmos. I wish to know everything about their existence during these past few years," Liang commanded, his voice laced with authority. "We will depart for the harbor in two hours, and make sure the carriages are ready."
With his instructions given, Liang turned away from the window, his steps taking him back up the broad stone stairs. As he ascended, his thoughts drifted back to the events of the previous night.
After bathing, he had stepped onto the balcony of room six, allowing the darkness of the night to envelop him. The lantern remained unlit as he savored a cup of wine, watching the rain cascade down. In that moment, he had caught sight of her emerging from her room, her eyes fixed on the pond and the heavy rain, completely unaware of his presence. Liang marveled at her swift movements, a testament to her agility. Despite their injuries, the siblings had arrived here several hours before him and his entourage, navigating the treacherous forest alone. He couldn't help but wonder if he would have fared as well at her age. If given the opportunity to grow up, she would undoubtedly become a formidable force.
Her gaze held a vacant emptiness as it wandered into the distance, and Liang found himself captivated by her strong side profile. However, his fascination was interrupted when he noticed the first tear escape her eyes. Startled, he sat up straight, leaning forward, drawn to the shimmering tear as it traced a path down her cheek. Soon, more tears followed, as if a cascade of grief had consumed her frail, malnourished body.
Without knowing when he found himself at the edge of his balcony, a large open space yawned between the two people due to a viewing balcony separating her hall of the inn from his. Yet, he could still see her clearly and hear her subdued sobs that resonated with anguish, pain, and anger, reaching the depths of his soul.
"Nothing... nothing can be done. I just need to cry. It will be better when I do," she whispered hoarsely, her voice trembling and breaking amidst her sobs. The weight of her words hung in the air, echoing with a raw vulnerability. Yet, as her personal storm raged on, slowly but surely, its ferocity subsided. Like a tigress worn out from battle, she deflated, her once fierce demeanor dissipating into that of a delicate, lost kitten.
With trembling legs, she rose from her spot, her movements unsteady and hesitant. Liang watched as she retreated back into her room, her figure gradually fading from his view. The veil of mystery shrouded her once more.
Liang remained on the balcony, his hands clenching and unclenching as the memory of her anguished voice replayed in his mind. When the silence finally settled, he had entered the young boy's room and found her resting carelessly beside her sibling. In that moment, he could have ended both of their lives. Instead, his fingers almost tenderly brushed a strand of loose hair from her face.
The question lingered in his mind. Why did he care? Initially, he had attributed his reaction to her assistance and her unwavering determination. He had admired her strength, resilience, and resourcefulness. But now, with their identities known and their connection to him established, how would it affect his future plans? Had they intentionally sought him out? Were they using him as a shield? Would they be an asset or a hindrance? Should he eliminate them to prevent any interference with his plans?
As quickly as the questions came, so did a few answers. First, the boy had genuinely not known his identity, though he may have guessed they were connected in some way. The girl probably got the information from the assassins she killed. She was the type to integrate them and plan around her knowledge. So she had been genuine when helping him as an unknown solitary hermit. His heart jumped a bit at the thought that she would go so far for a strange man she didn't know, his eyebrows coming down in frustration, his knuckles turning white as his fists clenched tighter.
"My lord, they are loading the carriages now; we will be ready to depart shortly." Whisp's disembodied voice brought him back from his multitude of questions. He had time; he would find answers, and he could test his speculations.
***
They made a grand spectacle, loading empty crates and chests aboard the majestic vessel known as the 'Eating Fish.' The bustling dock was a flurry of activity, as small rowboats swiftly shuttled cargo and people to and from the three ships with remarkable speed. As the carriage came to a halt, Daiyu gracefully stepped out, her eyes immediately drawn to a man with fiery orange hair who blocked her path. The guards surrounding her instantly sprung into action, their hands instinctively reaching for their sword hilts. Sensing the tension, Daiyu raised her hand, signaling them to stand down.
"Master Se Mali, we have troubled you greatly," she spoke with a curtsy, acknowledging the now well-groomed man before her. Observing his less scruffy appearance, she could see the man was younger than she had first thought the previous night. Now he seemed closer to the age of Ba June and La Lei.
"I have arranged it just as you requested; everything has been prepared, Miss Yun," the man replied, bowing deeply and then dropping to his knees kowtowing twice and not rising in a heartfelt display of reverence. Daiyu's eyes widened in surprise at his fervent gesture.
"Miss Yun, this one humbly begs to be allowed to follow you. I will serve in any capacity you deem this lowly one worthy…." He began to ramble, and Daiyu sighed heavily to herself while letting a small smile show outwardly.
"Master Se Mali, please stand; let us discuss this. Why do you wish to serve me?" She asked, a mixture of curiosity and amusement dancing in her eyes. The man hurriedly returned to his feet, patting down his coarse dark green robes. His hand nervously moved to run the back of his neck as he began to stutter.
"This one had a lot on his mind last evening. After meeting you and the young Master, I felt our fates were entwined and that meeting you was the Maker's design…." She wasn't sure if she should laugh or cry at the man's attempts to justify his greed and desire to leave the backwater mining town. Instead, she pressed her lips in thought as the man talked about faith and loyalty. He had made himself presentable and did seem to have a renewed interest in life, perhaps there was some use she could find for him. After all, he had proven himself capable with the ship arrangements, presumably.
"I will meet you aboard 'The Sailing Serpent' for the evening meal tomorrow night. Until then, La Lei will provide you with one of his uniforms until I can have one tailored for you in the Capital," she decided, her voice carrying a firm resolve. The man's slightly round face lit up like a radiant moon, and she could sense his restraint in not physically embracing her.
Daiyu had meticulously instructed everyone on the plan. Balam, Ja Chin, Se Enan, and Na Binh would board 'The Sailing Serpent' directly. Meanwhile, she and the others would settle aboard 'Eating Fish.' As the middle watch approached, her party would discreetly disembark from 'Eating Fish' and make their way to 'The Sailing Serpent.'
With the plan in motion, the group strolled over an oak footbridge adorned with green-trimmed planks, offering a breathtaking view of the swiftly flowing water and the vibrant dock. The sun, casting a mesmerizing orange glow on the open horizon, seemed to set the water ablaze, as fish gracefully danced in the currents around them.
Balam was transported first, allowing Daiyu a moment before a small craft was ready to send her to her designated ship. Each small transport vessel could fit six occupants, including the rower. Even with five, it seemed cramped, but it did not take long for the experienced sailor to have her party at a small group of steps carved into the side of the 'Eating Fish.' A porter, not the ship's captain, greeted them without formal introduction and escorted her and the maid to the small cabin she was assigned and the guards towards the lover decks and crew accommodations.
"Oh, Miss. I am delighted we are not staying here; it's smaller than my grandmother's grain pantry." Ba Indu exclaimed, surveying the space that, with the door closed, left no room for the two women to stand side by side.
"Sit, for now, Ba Indu; we will wait for the evening meal, then prepare to depart," Daiyu instructed, motioning for the maid to take a seat on the chair beside a small table that doubled as a makeshift bedside table. Daiyu herself perched on the bed, gazing out of the small port window. Through its limited view, she caught sight of the larger vessel housing her brother. An uneasiness settled within her, urging her to swim across the waters and reunite with Balam immediately. Yet she knew, more than anyone, the importance of sticking to the plan, of prioritizing their safety above all else.
***
In the depths of the night, Nam Cal Liang sat alone at a long table aboard 'The Sailing Serpent.' A clay pot of sweet wine stood beside him, its intoxicating aroma mingling with the whispers of the ocean breeze. From his privileged vantage point, his sharp eyes traced the scene unfolding before him with keen interest.
A subtle movement had caught his attention as a small rope ladder slithered out of one of the cabin windows of 'Eating Fish,' beckoning forth two slender figures into the embrace of the swirling inky depths below. Their choice of attire, sleek black garments that clung to their forms, suggested an understanding of the importance of minimizing resistance in the water. Small packs, undoubtedly containing their belongings, were carried by these enigmatic travelers.
The smaller figures hesitated momentarily, treading water while gesturing for the other to swim towards 'The Sailing Serpent.' It was a fleeting hesitation, swiftly resolved as the second figure complied, their shared purpose propelling them forward. Moments later, two larger shadows materialized around the stern of the ship, their presence looming like silent sentinels.
Witnessing the approach of these mysterious figures, the first one among them intensified their efforts, swimming with determination towards 'The Sailing Serpent.' To an untrained eye, their sleek movements might have been mistaken for the playful dance of dolphins. The group, seemingly at one with the water, submerged beneath the surface, making the most of their journey between the ships in an aquatic realm hidden from prying eyes. Emerging briefly for precious gulps of air, the smaller one, a vision of grace and resilience, always led the way.
The first figure paused momentarily, casting a watchful gaze over her team, ensuring their welfare before forging ahead, vanishing from sight. Nam Cal Liang, a connoisseur of intrigue, resisted the urge to rise from his seat and peer through another large window of the luxurious cabin. Instead, he savored the lingering taste of his wine, imagining a tantalizing image of the petite tigress drenched in the essence of the sea, her visage more akin to that of a drenched house cat. An amused smile curved his lips as his attendants prepared the bathing area, their movements accompanied by hushed whispers, signaling the forthcoming indulgence of his evening bath.
***
The group was greeted aboard their destined ship by a deep, melodic chuckle that echoed through the air as a woman's hand reached out from the ship to firmly grasp their small leader. With a gentle tug, Daiyu was hoisted onto a floating platform that led up a flight of stairs to the ship's main deck.
"This must be the mysteriouse Miss Yun! Greetings, Captain Ai Akina at your service. Allow me to escort you to your cabin. We will be setting sail in just a few hours, and a small warm bath has been prepared for each of you. Hot tea or wine awaits, as you prefer," the captain's voice resonated with warmth and vitality, guiding Daiyu and her companions aboard the ship.
Due to the underwater ground lava flows prevalent on the continent, Daiyu did not feel cold until she was well out of the water. Now the chill of the night finally began to seep into Daiyu's bones, a stark contrast to the underwater warmth they had experienced. A porter stepped forward and handed her and her team drying cloths that helped them staunch the shivers a bit. The burly muscled female captain escorted them to a set of covered stairs, nonplussed by their dripping on her deck like river rats.
They passed a double-doored space with the label 'luxury first class' moving down the stairs directly in front of a hallway. The guards were escorted by the porter to an area behind the stairs and near a kitchen, where they would continue into the belly of the vessel for the crew accommodations.
"The young master specifically requested that you occupy room two, while he resides in room three on the other side of the hall. As we have no other passengers on this voyage, if you require my presence, I shall be in the first-class cabin near the kitchen most evenings," the captain explained, unperturbed by Daiyu's silence and shivering. Though the lower deck offered some respite from the cold, the night air still held a chilling bite.
"Alright, I'll leave you to it; rest well!" She patted the girl on the shoulder before continuing further down the hall. Daiyu bowed in gratitude to Captain Akina.
"Very well, I appreciate your care, Captain," Daiyu responded sincerely, a soft smile gracing her lips. The captain acknowledged her with a nod and a small smile before turning away, waving farewell as she continued down the hall. Daiyu and her companions stepped fully into their final accommodations.
"Oh, Miss, this is much more comfortable! There's even a place for me to rest!" Ba Indu exclaimed with delight, despite her weariness and damp clothing. She twirled in the larger room, pointing out a soft purple fabric couch near the foot of a spacious curtain bed.
Dropping her wet pack and taking a seat at a long table that could accommodate five, Daiyu noticed warm tea and a selection of pastries thoughtfully laid out for their enjoyment. Her meager pack of belongings had been placed near a cleverly designed set of drawers built into the wall. Neatly stacked chairs indicated the availability of a portable tub, now replaced with a basin of cold water and a soft cloth.
Oh, Miss, let's get you warm!" Ba Indu exclaimed, clapping her hands excitedly at the sight of the warm water.
"I'll quickly rinse myself and then go check on Balam. Enjoy the bath with my blessings, Ba Indu," Daiyu said, causing the young girl to freeze in shock, her mouth agape like a fish out of water. Before she could regain her composure, her mistress swiftly washed away the salt from her body, rinsed her hair, and dressed herself, departing like a gust of winter wind. Ba Indu even thought she saw a leaf flutter in the now-empty space.
Daiyu found her brother reading a book nestled into a soft brown sofa. Na Binh sat on a stool near her new Master, embroidering a handkerchief with lotus flowers. Daiyu grinned at this quiet domestic scene, glad her brother was well cared for.
"Greetings, Miss Yun." Na Binh began to rise and greet her, yet the other woman waved her back to her position on the stool before turning her focus to her brother.
"Did the physician attend to you?" she inquired, gently lifting Balam's feet and placing them on her lap as she settled onto the couch.
"Yes, my leg was broken in three places, but the joints remain unharmed. The brace you fashioned for me has aided in the healing process. They provided me with tea to ward off infection, some herbs for pain relief, and a salve for my wounds," Balam explained. Daiyu reached over and patted his head affectionately, her heart filled with warmth.
"That is good, little turnip. Na Binh, ensure he does not stay awake too late. Can you assist him to bed alone?" Daiyu inquired of the maid, who had deftly lowered her head and reduced her presence when Daiyu had entered the room.
"Yes, Miss, I have ample experience with my own siblings. I shall be nearby should he require any aid during the night," Na Binh responded with a whimsical smile.
Balam bit his lip thoughtfully before he looked up at his sister and waved his thin hand in the child's universal sign for 'secrets.' Daiyu leaned sideways, and the boy breathed in a soft whisper.
"Elder sister, must she stand guard outside all night? The passage can barely accommodate a single adult man, and it is terribly drafty," Balam's ears turned red as he struggled to articulate his concerns.
"Further or closer?" Daiyu responded in an equally hushed tone, her face adopting a mockingly solemn expression while Na Binh pretended not to notice their exchange.
"Not Further." He responded quickly, his whole face turning red with embarrassment. Daiyu decided to stop making him so flustered. He would not admit he was scared to be alone; he knew she could not stay close to him due to their current cover. After spending nearly every waking hour together since the assassination attempt, it was understandable that he would feel uncomfortable being alone in an unfamiliar place.
"Na Binh, there is too much wind in the passage; it may be too noisy for you to hear the young master properly. You will stay here on the sofa in case Balam has any issues resulting from his injuries." Daiyu instructed in her usual tone, winking at her brother as she rose from the couch.
"Very well, Miss Yun, any further instructions?" She inquired politely, her voice soft and warm.
"Not tonight, brother; sleep well. I will visit for the morning meal." She leaned over and kissed the boy's tiny head, causing him to flair red with embarrassment once more.
"Sleep well, turnip." She whispered before leaving, the boy speechless and the maid holding back a giggle. Closing the door, she turned right and walked across the hallway to her quarters.
Ba Indu had curled up on a plush, plum-colored sofa pushed to one side between a table and a window that offered a view of the ocean. Baiyu retrieved a spare blanket from the bed, and in an instant, the young maid was snuggled in, resembling a cozy squirrel preparing for winter.
The portable tub had been removed, replaced by a small basin of cold water and a soft cloth. Baiyu rinsed herself before tending to her wounds and changing into a fresh set of black and red robes. She draped a deep red, hooded cloak over herself. Satisfied with her preparations, she left the room, turning right and venturing down the narrow hallway until she reached an opening with a broad flight of stairs, covered by a canopy of clay tiles.
At the top of the stairs stood a set of double doors, leading to a cabin marked "Luxury First Class." On any other ship, these rooms would belong to the captain. But given the cost of these accommodations, Daiyu admired the captain's astute business sense.
If the captain herself was residing in a smaller first-class cabin, it meant that a high-priority guest was already occupying the suite. Daiyu bowed her head, then turned left and made her way to the ship's side, facing the open ocean and the glittering stars.
*Yun Val Daiyu, your mood seems very 'dark.' Is something troubling you?* Zalgras inquired, sensing the girl's somber demeanor as she gazed at the point where the stars vanished into the endless black water. From this vantage point, it felt as if she were peering through the observation window of a starship. The gentle rocking of the ship and the briny, salty wind kept her firmly grounded in the present as she contemplated the past.
*I have lived two lifetimes, Zalgras. Perhaps to an entity as ancient as you, our lifetimes may seem insignificant. But to me, the weight of time and memories can be burdensome in moments like these,* she replied, her words not fully addressing the concerns and worries that plagued her, as she had experienced the previous night. Zalgras remained silent, searching its limited knowledge for a way to delve deeper into her emotions.
*In my first life, my name was also Yun Val Daiyu. I lost all of my living kin before I was eight lunar years of age and was taken to an orphanage. It's ridiculous; all orphans are given the surname Yun. No matter if they had a name before they arrived, they were all changed to Yun. I often thought I should have known my fate since I was already born with such a name.* She shared, her deep blue eyes fixed on the point where stars disappeared into the dark waves.
*Even so, I was not truly alone. I had two very close friends; they were like brothers to me. We were drafted at the same time despite Shine being almost seven lunar years younger than myself and I a few lunar years younger than Vanu.* Her mind went through the pleasant memories of her childhood; there were not many, yet all of them featured Vanu and Shine.
Yun La Hui despised his name so much that he would become almost feral when others used it. Daiyu was the first to call him Shine, and she still remembered the smile that lit up his face when she gave him candy as a four-lunar-year-old child. He was incredibly fast and had an uncanny affinity for machines. It was as if he could communicate with them. He was so exceptional that he was drafted despite being below the standard age.
Yun Se Vanu was always so serious, calculating, and driven. He never wanted to be the best, just better than where he started, or so it had seemed. Looking back at how he had sheltered and protected her during her first hard months alone at the orphanage, she wondered why. Why had he picked her? Why did he get close? Was it all a lie? In the end, it didn't really matter, right? They were all dead somewhere in the future. Over a thousand lunar years from where she was in the dark under this ancient star-lit sky.
Zalgras remained silent, sensing the complexity of her emotions, and pondered the significance of her words as she continued to stare silently at the horizon.