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Stories / Stories / Crissy Gottberg / Text 1 of 6 / Grass Harp (chapter 4)

"Grass Harp (chapter 4)" by Crissy Gottberg

SF&F Picture 1 out of 6 by Crissy Gottberg

Greeted with new friends, Serindela settles in on her voyage, and is met with a storm on the horizon. Short chapter.

Sweat ran down Serindela's arms as she swung the sword around at the slight man before her. Galdrid ducked letting the sword curve just over his head then sprung up to launch his own attack. It never landed, instead meeting with the dagger in Serindela's other hand.

The sword and dagger blades slid passed one another meeting at the hilts and Serindela heaved Galdrid back and readied the sword once more.

Galdrid stood, ready again, and watched the girl with weary eyes.

"She's cheating again Raphel. One blade not two," Galdrid complained.

Raphel bellowed from the sidelines. "Who said that, I'd like to know. Not me. I fenced with her yesterday and she used that same trick on me. Course I was prepared for it. You think a robber is going to stick with one blade when they can use two? No! They will use anything and everything including a tree limb if it is handy."

Galdrid sighed and stood up straight, dropping the sword. "Enough for now. I need a drink." Serindela did not relax her guard until he had slid his blade home.

Raphel had tried that trick on her the first time they had sparred. It was one she had been familiar with among the boys of her village but had not expected from an experienced adventurer.

She had easily avoided his leg sweep and returned with a kick. The man had a speed she would not have though possible for such a big man and had been able to grab her foot and spill her on to the deck in seconds. It was a lesson she learned well from the bruises she nursed that night.

"You want something, Serindela?" Galdrid asked, bringing her back to the present.

"Yes, I think I might get something." She turned to Raphel to retrieve her cloak.

"What are you wearing this useless cloak for, girl?" he asked, handing over.

She threw it over her shoulders and fastened the gold clasp at her throat. "It was a gift from my mother. She was told it would be cold in the southern lands and she bought it just in case."

"That won't protect you from the cold. Its just to keep off the rain, nothing more."

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Here, girl," he took the light jacket off his shoulders. "I've a thinker one in my cabin. You're so slight this will cover you well. I'm sure it will keep you warm."

Serindela accepted the gift with a smile.

It was not long before the group of five mercenaries and Serindela sat round the bow of the ship, each sipping from a mug of thick ale.

"What you planin' on doin in Harbes Serin," one of the men asked.

"What else, adventure. I heard there is plenty to be had there."

They laughed heartily. "That there is," Raphel said, "but it is only the foolish who go out into the brush passed Harbes without company."

"Or the brave," she sent back tipping her ale in his direction.

The others laughed or moaned in turn, some openly others behind their hands. A week had been enough to teach each of the warriors before her that she was someone to be reckoned with.

"Yes, the brave," he smiled back at her, "but was it not said that the brave are only fools who succeed?"

"True, yet there are plenty of fools to go around that one might be the brave one."

"Why Harbes?" Galdrid asked, cutting in.

"There were travelers through our villages who sat round the fire to pay their way with tales of their deeds. A bard once came through. He had such marvelous songs, some new, some old. There was one I truly enjoyed, that of a sword split into pieces and hidden about the world...." Her eyes grew distant for a moment recalling the melody the bard had sung, the words flowing silkily past his lips. "Anyway, he told of the things he had seen beyond Harbes, treasures and trolls, warriors and wizards. They were grand tales and I thought I might add my own to it."

"You want glory then?" he asked.

"No, not glory. In my tribe we sing tales of those who did great deeds, and some of those who were quite the fool so that we will remember their mistakes. I suppose I would like to be remembered but it is not so important to me. It is the adventure, the hunt that I crave."

"And you must go far from home to get it," another put in.

She smiled at the hardened warrior, certain he knew far better than any other what she spoke of. Galdrid was young, inexperienced as she was, and adventure called him as well, but she had the feeling that he did not understand the call of his blood, the wanderlust. "Mustn't we all," she finally said gesturing around the circle.

They drank long into the night, several collapsing where they sat, others wandering away to their beds.

"You coming girl?" Raphel asked as he got to his feet.

Serindela leaned up against the rail feeling the warmth of the ale inside her and the cool of the night on her skin. She gazed up at the stars for a moment before replying. "I think I will sleep under the stars this night, Raphel."

Raphel snorted. "Suit yourself. That was one custom of the tribes I never cared for."

She smiled up at him. "You keep your soft beds and hard walls, plains man. I will keep the stars."

He nodded amicably and turned away.

She lay back against the deck and placed her cloak over her. For a while she watched the stars, searching out the familiar constellations, the dragon, the twins, Alzet the demon god. They were a comforting sight. She watched them weaving through the few clouds that had gathered as the liquor worked its way into her blood and, finally, her eyes closed.

A clap of thunder woke Serindela. Night was just lifting and the sun was struggling to break through thick clouds on the horizon. The glow produced an eerie scene for the girl to look upon. Sailors were in the rigging lowering all but three sails, outlined in stark contrast at every flash of lighting. The rest of the ship was lit by the weak efforts of the over powered sun giving only dim images of crewmen lashing down the few loose items on deck. All was in a pale red light unlike any she had seen before.

Serindela heaved herself up and immediately grabbed for the leather jacket Raphel had given her. The bite of the wind had grown stronger, nearly seeping into her bones. Hurriedly she threw it on and walked to the captain at the helm.

"Is it to be a bad blow, Captain?" she asked gazing out over the waves that now frothed with white peaks.

The captain seemed to appraise her a moment. "Serindela, this is no normal storm. There is magic in them clouds. I can't read this 'un like a normal storm."

"Magic? How do you know?"

"The wind blows north yet we go south and it is far too cold for this time of year. Nothing normal could be doing this." He gazed out at the waves that seemed to be growing even as they watched. "Thas an angry sea out there lass, and I don't like it one bit. We'll end in the ice flows we go much farther. It would crush the ship. Not even a squall could do this, too strange."

"But who could create a storm like this?"

"Only the sky keepers. Only they have this much power."

"But why?"

"I know not," he said before turning to shout at a sailor in the rigging. "Get ye below, girl. Wake Raphel and his men. Tell him what's to be seen."

Serindela nodded. Turning away she caught a glimpse of the dwarf by the rail, his knuckles white from gripping it so hard. "What about that one?"

The captain chuckled. "Have you ever tried to move a dwarf? Their will is as strong as the mountains they mine. I've tried to talk sense into that one but he refuses to let go the rail. All he says is wood floats."

"What an odd fellow."

Raphel was not pleased to be roused from his slumbers and he made it perfectly clear to the person standing over him before realizing it was Serindela. Then he noticed the worry lines on her face. "What's wrong little one?" he asked, but Serindela could see he knew long before the words were out. The rocking of the ship had grown much stronger. A clap of thunder, though muffled by the hull's timber, still seemed deafening.

"Storm," she said simply. "Did ja speak to the captain?" he asked heaving his bulk from the bunk. He knocked his head on the upper bunk as a swell heaved the boat up. Colorful swearing filled the small cabin bringing a tight smile to the girl's face. A few of his companions were roused by the noise and rolled over muttering. "Of course I did," she said once the curses died down. "Come out and speak with me a moment," she said before slipping out into the companionway. It was only a moment before Raphel entered the corridor gripping the walls for balance. Already the ship was heaving enough to turn the hardened warrior green. "What did he say?" "That this is a mage storm and we run the risk of hitting the ice flows. We are being driven south though the wind blows north and he believes the sky keepers are behind it." "Sky keepers? But what interest have they in a small ship?" "We do not know. I don't think it is because of the ship or anyone on it though. Perhaps it is something else and we are just in the wrong place at the wrong time." He nodded. "I want to see this storm," he said pushing passed her and up the stairs. He pulled the door open only to have water cascade down the stairs. Lighting struck and illuminated Raphel in the doorway before he was beyond and firmly shut the door behind him. Serindela waited, leaning up against the wall to keep her balance. Within moments the door swung open; however, it was not Raphel who strode through, but a crewman, his hair plastered to his skin by water. A merchant came fast on his heals pushing him along. Balorus nearly tripped down the stairs as the combination of merchant and heaving sea managed to upend him. "I swear if even one ampoule is broken I will have it out of your hide. I did not pay good gold to be aboard this vessel in the middle of a storm." "We could not have foreseen a storm Mr. Galtern. It isn't our fault." "Of course it is! Your captain guaranteed safe passage, he'll pay. I swear it." Serindela recoiled at the nasal voice of the tall, lanky merchant, as well as his garish appearance. He was dressed far worse than the dandy had been, but, the clashing colors he wore were spun from the finest silks and linins. "Balorus, what's going on up there?" she called to the deck hand. "Storm's in full swing Serindela, you may as well wait it out in your bunk. Best place for you actually. Then you won't get in the way of the crew." He said the last with a concealed look of disgust directed at the merchant. Mr. Galtern swatted Balorus on the back of the head. "Get to work, you ingrate. You're not paid to dawdle. Get below and check my cargo before I have you removed from the crew." Serindela's mouth dropped open before she caught herself. Balorus was a strong, and handsome man, one she had watched with admiration quite often as he worked the rigging. She was shocked to see him cowed by this pathetic example of the merchant class. Balorus pushed by her, the merchant on his tail, blabbering the whole way. "Need help?" she asked as an afterthought. "I'm just going down to check the hold. Maybe there's something you can help with," he said with a meaningful look at Mr. Galtern. He dodged another slap from the man as he went. "Captain asked me to take care of Mr. Galdred's cargo and see to the rest while I was at it." Serindela only glared at the back of the merchant's head as she followed them. They traversed the narrow corridor and entered the small hold. Crates of fruit, silks, pottery and ore lined the walls, tied with ropes and, in the case of a huge box, heavy chains. Apples rolled back and forth over the floor with each wave. More tumbled out of an open barrel as the ship pitched. "Damn, someone forgot to close the barrel," he exclaimed as he snapped up the lid. He thrust it down on the barrel, slamming a fist on it to secured it while Mr. Galtern looked over the seals on the crates. Another wave hit and sent Balorus barreling into the silk crates. A large umph was barely heard over the clash of thunder and pounding of waves. "What are you doing? This is my crate here. Make sure it's secure before you do anything else. Apples are not important; my perfumes are." "Are you okay?" Serindela asked rushing to help him to his feet. "Ya, just got the wind knocked out a me. Those waves are getting vicious." He turned to the crates. "I need to check this shipment of sand first," he said starting for the chained box. "Sand. Sand!" began Mr. Galtern. "You are passing up my perfumes for _sand_!" His voice rose with every word, indignation losing out to fury as he began to shake a finger in Balorus' face. "Sand is not important. Neither are apples nor any other thing that might be in this room. Check my cargo!" He fairly screamed the last, spit splattering Balorus' face. He turned away looking at the offending crate of sand. "I'll hold you responsible," he said turning on Balorus again. "Not just your captain, you personally. I shall have you flogged, beaten and keelhauled. How dare you defy me. And for what? SAND!" Balorus backed up out of his way, and tripped over an offending apple. He went tumbling over backward into the box of perfumes. A loud crack could be heard through the hold as his head met with the immovable object. "Balorus!" Serindela called rushing to his side. His head lolled as he lay sprawled on the floor. "Are you all right?" she asked kneeling down at his feet. He blinked up at her, and ran a hand over his head. Blood seeped onto the floor. Serindela turned his head and inspected the gash. "Its okay, not very deep," she reassured him as she ripped a piece of cloth off a silk roll. Mr. Galtern turned on her as she was dabbing at the wound. He yanked her up by the arm and thrust a finger at her face. "How dare you interfere. You are only a passenger. I'll have your head as well. The guard will hear about this when we reach Harbes. You'll be thrown in prison as soon as we land." Serindela had had enough. She rounded on the merchant, thrust hands out to each side grabbing great handfuls of his heavily laden clothing and spun him around till he was against the bulkhead. "Shut up!" she commanded in as strong a voice as she had ever used. Once he was quiet she continued, speaking just above the squall outside. "I don't care who you are, or what you think you are doing. You are the loudest and most obnoxious person I have ever had the misfortune to meet. Now, if your bottles are so important you are free to check them yourself, but I am going to see to Balorus, and if you get in the way again I will see you and your bottles in the bottom of the ocean. I will not allow you to harm another member of this crew." As she spoke Mr. Galderds eyes grew wider, and his mouth opened and closed, biting down on the words that were surely seething on the tip of his tongue. She held him there for a moment, and then released him with a bit of a shake. He only stood there, staring, until his mouth turned into a snarl and his eyes squinted into slits. "I shall have you hung for this atrocity," he whispered before storming out the door. Serindela knelt beside Balorus, felt the growing knot on the back of his head and again dabbed at the gash. "He won't be back with any luck." "I'm glad I was here to see that," he whispered. "You don't look as though you are glad." "I'm just worried about you. He can do what he said very easily. That was Prince Darlek's Chief Procurement Officer." "His what?" "Don't ask me, they have long titles for everything in that land," he said as he got to his feet with a groan. "Those ampoules are for the Prince, but I still don't think they are worth our lives." "Neither do I. I don't care about any chief or prince, they are just men and the gods watch over all men as one. I would throw him out again if it came to that." "You may have to, now let's see to that sand." They began pulling on the chains of the huge crate. "Why are you hauling sand?" Serindela asked curiously. "It's for the glass works in Harbes. Haslet gets a shipment of colored sands in every year about this time. It can't be found near Harbes so we bring it to them." "Why would glass works need sand?" "I don't know. They keep it all very secretive. Only those apprenticed in the art are allowed to see how it's made." They tightened the last chain in place, a hook on a piece of timber that would need to be replaced soon. It was the best they could do so they turned to the other cargo. They pulled at each and every rope, testing to make sure each was secure. It took nearly twenty minutes without the merchant standing over them. Once finished, they made their way back up to the corridor to find Raphel waiting. "Where you been girl?" he asked as Balorus pushed by him up the stairs. She watched as he opened the door and rivulets of water again coursed down the stairs. "I was helping Balorus. He was being harassed by a merchant. We checked the cargo after I let the merchant know he was unwelcome." "Good, at least that is done. I've been up to talk to the captain. Nothing to be done but wait now." "How is it out there?" Raphel shook his head. "I've no words for it girl. It's worse than anything I ever saw. Those waves are bigger then the ship itself." "And it's still not as bad as its going to get is it?" "No, little one. It's going to get worse, that's for sure." Serindela leaned against the wall, bracing her feet. "And your men?" "They are in the cabin, cept for Galdrid. He insists on watching from the rail. He's soaked and his teeth are chattering. Teeth will break if he doesn't come in out of the cold." "Did you try and talk some sense into him?" "Aye, but there is no sense for someone like that. Fears got him. He wants to watch the monster swallow the ship from above." Fear coursed through Serindela at those words. She could feel the monster beneath them, the sea, washing its waves against the ship in an effort to claim the trespasser on its surface. She understood Galdrid's desire, in fact shared it. "What now?" she asked finally. "Wait, that's all we can do. Want to wait with us in the cabin. Ablec has some ale." She smiled weekly at the big man. "No, I think I will go keep Galdrid company for a while. I want to see the storm." Raphel shook his head. "Another for the monster's jaws." She smiled sweetly up at him. "Do not tell me you have never stared the monster in the face?" "Not this monster, but I will admit to staring others in the eyes before lopping off their heads. This monster has no head though. It makes me uncomfortable." "I understand. Perhaps I will come back down before the monster gets us." "If only..." he stopped himself with a shake and turned. "I will see you in a bit little one." She watched him walk down the corridor and smiled briefly as he turned to nod reassuringly before vanishing beyond his door. It was only then, when he was gone from view, that she turned toward the outer hatch. Tiny rivulets of water managed to get beneath the door and lightning flashes could be seen through the cracks in the wood. Serindela returned for a moment to her own cabin, the memory of the dwarf in her mind. Wood floats. She quickly grabbed her pack and the few belongings, wrapping her oiled cloak around her spare clothing and stuffing it into the pack once more. Slinging the pack on her shoulder she turned her back on the room and started for the door again. Serindela looked north out at the sea. The sky and sea were a horrid gray erasing any memory of the rainbow splashed sunset of the night before. A sickly green seemed to seep out of the oceans' depths, bleeding into the sky above. Galdrid stood at the bow, watching as each wave crested, white froth overwhelming the deck of the ship for an instant, then receding over the sides once more. The wind lashed his long hair about leaving thin red welts on his soft cheeks. He did not see Serindela coming and nearly jumped when she laid a hand on his arm. "Where did you come from?" he yelled over the crash of waves. Serindela waited for another clap of thunder to reverberate over the ship before replying. "Raphel said you where out here. Ready to come in yet?" "No, I want to be here on deck if anything happens." "Why?" He turned to the sea watching the white caps, then looked up at the storm jib that was over filled with wind. "I want to stare the monster down as Raphel says." "Has the captain said anything yet?" "No. He won't either. He's like a father," he said, and the last few words were ripped from his mouth as another clap of thunder tore through the sky. "What?" she screamed, hoping she could be heard. Galdrid looked at her, a sad look in his eyes. "Captain Farlin was my da's best friend. When my da died the captain came over once a month just to make sure I was all right. He's a good man." Serindela was silent, unsure what could be said to something like that. She only laid a comforting hand on Galdrid's shoulder. "We'll be all right." The words were less reassuring having to be yelled over the clamor of wave and wind. They sat watching the waves for several moments before a tear screamed through the air. Serindela looked up in time to see the storm jib, strained passed breaking, rip into shreds as the hurricane force winds tore it away from the mast. Pieces sailed out into the water where they floated for a moment before being pulled under by the restless waters. They watched, rain pelting down on them and soaking through their clothing, as the crew climbed up the mast to remove what was left of the jib. "I'm surprised they left it so long." Galdrid yelled. Serindela only looked back at him, too unfamiliar with ships to comment. She only had the sinking feeling that the jib ripping was a very bad sign. Another wave broke over the ship and salty water worked its way into Serindela's mouth. She coughed as Galdrid pounded on her back trying to free her lungs. She was not spared as a second wave crashed over the rail and soaked her yet again. "Maybe you should go downstairs." Galdrid yelled. "No, I'll not leave you here alone." He nodded back to her, a halo of lightning framing him in the eerie light. They watched the storm in silence for a moment, Galdrid staring out to sea, unmoving even when the waters washed over him. When Serindela put her hand on his shoulder she could feel him shaking. She tried to comfort him yet it was impossible when she needed it as well. A bolt of lighting struck the water near port side and Serindela sprang to her feet ready to run for safety. It was only Galdrid's hand on her arm that saved her from being washed over the rail. She grabbed his arm and pulled as hard as she could. "We have to get below deck. If the lightning hits the boat we're dead." "No, don't you understand? When the lighting hits the boat will catch fire. We have to be here to put it out." His feet were planted firmly on the deck. "It won't matter. We could hear the thunder strike bellow deck and have enough time to get up here." Even over the wind and waves she could hear his teeth chattering. She had had enough of the rain, and the fear of what would happen next was working under her skin. She wanted to get below but could not abandon him. "But if we see it coming we have a better chance," he told her. He looked back at her for a moment. Serindela could see a wild look in his eyes and knew there was little hope of getting him to move. Fear and desperation had pushed him passed sanity. "We have to go below," she pleaded. "All this rain will make us sick." Galdrid turned back to the watch the hypnotic waves coming at them. She turned to look at the door, wondering for a moment if she should go get Raphel to drag Galdrid below. While she watched, the door swung open, and Raphel, as though summoned by her thoughts, appeared in the doorway. He took three strides across the slippery deck before the low moan reached her. Frantically she searched for the source of the sound and saw nothing, then realized it came from the hold. A crate had broken free and now the sound of it sliding along the boards came clearly to her ears. Crewmen raced for the door, trying to get below in time to stop it but she knew it was too late. The sand was the only thing large enough to make that much noise, and by this time it had gained too much momentum to be stopped. There was a splintering noise as something burst through the hull and the ship began to list. The violent movement of the deck through Raphel down, grasping for something to hold onto. "Raphel hold on!" she screamed, looking for something to help him with. Galdrid turned at the sound of her voice and saw Raphel lying prone. "Raphel!" he yelled and, in his insanity, ran to him. Serindela could not hold him back. He careened down the steep slope of the ship, slammed into Raphel, and pushed them both closer to the water. Serindela grabbed for a rope tied to the bow. Pulling at the wet knots her cold fingers slipped several times before she was able to get it free. The ship tilted again before she could throw it to them, pushing them a bit farther down the slope. She threw the rope down the steep deck screamed in frustration when it came up just short of Raphel's grasping fingers. "Come on, Raphel, you can make it," she yelled. "I'll not let this monster get me lass," he shouted back as he clawed at the deck. The ship twisted again as the sand slammed back across the hold. The sound of boards creaking in strain came to her and she silently prayed to the gods for protection. Raphel slowly made his way up the deck, Galdrid clinging to his boots and trying to help as much as he could. Though it was only a moment from the time he slipped to the deck and his questing fingers reached the rope it felt like ages. As she watched Raphel's hand grab onto the rope's end she heard a new roar, this one from out at sea. She turned to see a towering wave coming toward the ship. Fear and dread surged within her heart and she clutched harder at the railing in her hand. The wave crashed over the ship, water tearing at Serindela's body ripping her frozen and locked fingers from the railing. The horrific sound of a shattering mast filled her ears. Light blared through her eyelids as another lightning bolt hit nearby, then the water overpowered her. Sea water flooded Serindela's mouth. Frantically, she searched for Galdrid and Raphel or any sign of the ship. Ice cold, the water seeped into her already sodden clothing numbing her to the bone. There was no sign of either of them, and the waves towering over her gave her little hope of finding even the ship. Panic overwhelmed her. Another wave crushed her beneath the surface of the ocean for a moment before she was able to fight back toward air. She gasped it in greedily, fighting to stay afloat, grasping for timbers that slipped inches from her fingers. It was only after she managed to get a large piece under her arm that she realized she was clutching a chunk of the mast. With sinking dread she realized the ship must have sunk. The force of another wave bore her down beneath the surface. She struggled for the life giving air, yet her body fought against her. She was unable to feel her fingers, her arms becoming bogged down as they, too, began to feel the effects of the cold. Panic and fear had given her enough of a boost to get this far, but she could feel herself losing the battle. The cold leeched her body heat from her, drawing her deeper into its embrace. As she struggled up out from under another wave it was not panic that clutched at her heart but regret. Galdrid and Raphel were gone. The ship, its captain, all lost in the mage storm. Remorse and hatred for those who had created it kept her clinging to the mast though the ocean pulled at her, plunging her beneath the freezing brine. Hope seeped away from her with what little warmth she had. Another wave struck and this time her frozen fingers could no longer clutch at the slippery mast. She was whisked away from her preserver into the deep, struggling again to stay afloat. The cold was too much, though. Her battered body was slowing down and sleep beckoned. Her mind began to wander. She sputtered, coughed, remembered Galdrid slapping her on the back the last time she had choked on sea water. She remembered her mother, eyes full of tears, admonishing her to return as soon as possible. She saw the fear and panic in Raphel's eyes as his hand was torn free of the rope. "I'm coming mother," she whispered hoarsely though none would ever hear the words, "I'll be home soon." She fought until a final wave washed over her, pulling her beneath the dark waters and all went black.

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Date	Name	Comment
4 Dec 2006	Michelle	Loading... Omg! ~first comment dance~ this is my third comment dance today, well, i liked it, u should build upon it, i was really intrigued. What was that part where the writing got really small? O well, it was a good story.