Art:AADM/Second round/Dream Delayed

The Short
= The Entry = "Doesn't it just figure," thought Varekai as she slogged through waist-deep bile and bits of discarded bulwark, scimitar held aloft, "we can map the seven seas, but no one's yet charted the fourth stomach of a kraken." The lithe woman shot a mutinous glance at her companion, who was covered in partially digested seaweed. “Next time I say we…” the words died on her lips as a rumble reverberated around them, the vibrations dispensing noxious bubbles into the already overwhelming stench.

Jaydin jumped as something hit the back of his head. “Daydreaming again, boy? The chores won’t finish themselves.” “Yes ma’am,” he sighed as he carefully rolled up the scrap piece of parchment he was writing on. It certainly wouldn’t do to let his current master know that not only could he read and write, but that he could do it well and that he dreamed of writing grand stories. He tucked the parchment inside his tunic as he stooped to retrieve the ladle that had found its way across the room, grateful the cook hadn’t chosen a different utensil. Dawn was just breaking through the morning mist and already it promised to be another hot day. Of course, in the kitchens at the governor’s mansion it was always a hot day. Beads of sweat collected on his forehead as he stoked the oven’s fire to prepare for the day’s baking, one of his many duties. He knew his routine by heart, none of his tasks really required much thought, and that was the way he liked it. Not that he was lazy, on the contrary, he worked quite diligently; people were often quietly amazed at the amount of work they got out of one of such small stature. Jaydin submitted his body to the menial labor so that his mind was free to soar.

In fact, it was his work ethic that got him where he was; true, if he let his secret be known he’d be in an even better position, but all things considered, this kitchen was not a bad place for the orphan he was and the fool he wasn’t. At twelve years old, if it was known that he was actually educated, he would most likely be serving in the governor’s navy instead of his house. Adventures on the high seas were fine for the heroes in his stories, but he preferred to keep his feet firmly planted on solid ground. The sea, with its many moods, made him vaguely uneasy, and he had heard enough tales of ships and souls lost at sea that he had no intention of testing the fates. Not that his life had been anything remarkable so far, but it was his life and he planned on living it as long as possible.

The night of his birth had been a strange one indeed. While his mother lay drenched in sweat in a dingy room in the servant’s quarters, upstairs in the finer rooms the lady of the house was also giving birth. Two boys were born that night, both appearing healthy and strong, but if the truth had been known at the time, the babies might have been swapped. Both bundles carried a secret within, one an extraordinary intellect, the other a deadly disease.

As the children grew, their differences became more evident, as did the master’s resentment. Shortly after Jaydin was heard talking in full sentences while Darian remained silent, Jaydin’s father disappeared. His body was found several days later, and though most suspected they knew what happened, not a word was spoken, his name never mentioned again.

The new widow often found herself as the recipient of the master’s advances, and though she was repulsed by the sight of him, she was bound by law to serve in his house. She was bound, but her son was not, and she was determined that he would not become a slave like herself. The law was clear on the matter, if she left then her son would not be a servant bound for 20 years, but a slave bound for life, as she was. Children of servants could only be attached to a household if they were still living there when they turned 10. If she had any kinfolk, she would have sent Jaydin to live with them, but as it was, she only needed to endure until he was old enough to survive on his own. This knowledge filled her with grief, ten years was not nearly enough time, most mothers had a lifetime to mold their sons into men of high character, but the burden was shared with the lady of the house – neither would see their son grow to manhood.

Although their situations were as different as their stations, the boys also developed a bond. The Master was angry and driven, but the Lady was not. She saw that Jaydin was one of the few people that could enter Darian’s silent world, and therefore encouraged their friendship. A tutor was hired presumably to work with Darian, but it was Jaydin who benefited. The gentlewoman had convinced her husband that the boy needed to attend because he could communicate with their son; in reality it was her way of atoning for the sins of her husband. An education wouldn’t bring his father back, but it would serve him.

Darian didn’t make it to his eighth birthday. He caught a fever and slipped away in his sleep, leaving the world as quietly as he had lived in it. His mother followed him a few weeks later, also in her sleep. The official report stated she died of a broken heart, full of grief over her son’s short life, but the cup from her bedside was buried with her, along with the secrets it contained.

Again the timing and circumstances in the household were noted but not spoken of as it became evident that Jaydin’s mother was expecting again. Seven months after Darian left the world, his little half-sister arrived. The journey was difficult and marked with sorrow; one soul taking their first breath, another taking their last. An attendant quietly slipped from the room, and found Jaydin anxiously waiting in the shadows. She urged him to follow her and they made their way to the servant’s entrance at the back of the house, keeping to the shadows the entire way. There she relayed the sad news, along with a warning. Realization stifled the cry of anguish that rose to his throat, he had to flee before the master was informed or his own life would be in danger. Without a word, he slipped out the door and ran off into the night.

He spent the next two years running, never staying in one place for more than a few months, until he had finally worked his way across the country to the coast. With the threat of attack and the danger of the sea, few would call the coastal region safe, but it was just those factors that would keep Jaydin out of harm’s reach, at least from his former master. He was tired of running, so when he came to the small city, he quietly inserted himself into bustle of the upper marketplace, where all the wealthy sent their servants to shop. He worked steadily at any task that presented itself, silently observing the customs of the city and the routines of its citizens, until he could anticipate their needs. So it came to pass when the governor’s head cook found herself in need of a kitchen boy, he was a natural choice.

Jaydin looked around with a satisfied smile, he’d gotten his chores done early, maybe he would get a little more writing time in before the evening onslaught of activity. Checking to make sure he still had his parchment, he headed toward his favorite quiet nook. He had just settled in when his attention was drawn by a sudden burst of activity out in the yard. He sighed at the sounds emanating from the kitchen, apparently the yard wasn’t the only suddenly busy place. Reluctantly, he gathered his things and went back inside.

In the eight months since his arrival, he had never seen the cook quite so flustered. His questions were soon answered when she announced that a guest had arrived… an unexpected guest… an important, unexpected guest. A chill traveled down his spine when she implied that it would be in everyone’s best interest not to displease this guest. The room grew silent for a moment before erupting into chaos as everyone set about their tasks with renewed vigor.

Dinner was an impressive display of blending in – no one wanted to draw undue attention to themselves. Jaydin, thankful that this mysterious guest was not his old master as he feared, was quietly clearing the dishes when his arm was grabbed in a vice-like grip. “I need a new cabin boy, the last one had an – unfortunate accident – and was lost at sea.” “Of course, of course,” the governor effused, “if he would be of use, of course you may take him. You know that all I have is at your disposal, Lord Kaine.”

Kaine nodded at one of his men, his grip never loosening until his first-mate had a secure hold on Jaydin’s other arm. No one said a word, or even looked in his direction, as he was led from the room and out to the stables. Escape was not an option as he rode with his captor down to the harbor, his arm aching from the tight hold upon him. They reached the docks and Jaydin had to practically run to keep up with the man’s long strides to avoid being dragged towards the ominous ship at the end of the pier. A greeting was called out, the gangplank lowered, and Jaydin was passed into another powerful pair of hands. “Cabin boy” was all that was said before the man wheeled about and headed back to his captain.

Amid raucous laughter, Jaydin was roughly ushered into a small, windowless, room. As he picked himself up off the floor, he heard the lock click soundly into place. When his eyes adjusted as much as possible to the darkness, he paced out the confines of the room, feeling along the wall for anything that may be of use. It was more of a closet than a room, for though he was small for his age, there was barely enough space for him to lie down. He found nothing useful in his search, the door did not even have a handle on this side. Resigned, he sat in the corner, drew his knees to his chest, and awaited his fate.

Jaydin awoke in the darkness, ears straining, trying to discern what had changed. He had grown accustomed to the gentle sway of the vessel at port but now the movements were more insistent. Suddenly the door flew open and a hand reached in and grabbed him, dragging him out into the blinding light of mid-afternoon. The drastic change took some adjusting for both his eyes and his equilibrium, but his fuzzy thoughts soon came into sharp focus as a searing pain lanced through his arm just below his left shoulder.

The water in the bucket hissed as Kaine thrust the hilt of his sword in to cool. The engraving left a distinct mark on the fleshy part of Jaydin’s arm, much the same as that borne by every other soul on board. “Your fate now lies with us, boy, and ye’d best be rememberin’ that before you decide to tell any tales,” Kaine growled, then stalked off towards his quarters. Jaydin was not sure what the captain had meant by his cryptic words, in fact, he really was not sure of anything. Weakly he allowed himself to be led to a crate to sit on while his fresh burn was tended. The first thing he realized, with dismay, was that there was no land in sight. Then he noticed that some men were taking down the Merchant’s flag and replacing it with another. His blood chilled as the newly raised flag unfurled and snapped in the wind – black with a white skull.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Jaydin was kept busy completing one chore after another, then was given a meager meal and returned to the locked closet for the night. As he sat staring in the darkness, he angrily brushed away the tears, and thought of his escape. The following days passed in much the same way – daylight filled with physical labor, a meal that fell short of satisfying, and darkness filled with thoughts and plans until exhaustion and nightmares took over.

One evening a commotion went up – a ship had been spotted. Jaydin’s hopes were crushed when he was grabbed and locked up again. Shortly afterwards, the boom of the cannons reverberated throughout the ship. Then came the shudder of the answering volley. Time passed to the sound of shouts and crashes, he had no idea of the state of either ship or their crews. He tried to avoid thinking that each moment could be his last, but his imagination insisted on conjuring up images of being drowned or worse, burned, in this little room. He fervently hoped the other ship would be victorious and that someone would come and rescue him, but it was not to be so.

Some time later the door was opened, not to the early morning light he was accustomed to but the flickering light of lanterns. The ship was in a rough state, but it was the wounded he would be tending to. His smaller hands were more useful in holding wounds together while they were stitched up. First they patched up the crew then they moved on to the prisoners – the dead were not valuable as hostages or for ransom, so they would be treated and kept alive whenever possible.

The days passed into weeks and then stretched into months. Jaydin proved himself to be a hard worker and a quick study, and was always called upon when someone was sick or wounded. It became obvious that he was more valuable for his intelligence than his muscle; apprentice doctor was a more suitable title than cabin boy. He relished knowledge but it was clear that he had no love for the sea, nor the life that was thrust upon him. His work earned him respect and he was no longer locked up at night, although he was not allowed to go ashore when the ship was at a busy port. During battle he tended to the ship and the wounded when possible, mercifully being spared from ever having to take a life. Over the course of the next four years, every man aboard would place his life in Jaydin’s hands at least once.

After one particular battle when he was almost seventeen, he was doing his usual rounds when he stopped suddenly. He had seen many faces in the holding cells over the years, but none quite like this one. A fair-skinned pixie face covered with freckles framed by brilliant red hair. Two emerald eyes flashed and pinned his feet to the floor. He may have been struck speechless but she certainly wasn’t. She spoke as one comfortable with her authority and used to being obeyed. Jaydin shook his head to clear it before she convinced him to let her go. The bandage on her arm needed frequent changing, at least that is what he told himself when he visited her several times a day.

A week later the sea grew very rough and the sky ominously dark, the crew knew they were in for a terrible storm. Fortunately, they were near enough to land, although there were no ports on this side because the cliffs ran almost to the waters edge in most places, still it was a place to weather the storm. The ship couldn’t get close enough to port so they dropped anchor some distance out. As the weather worsened, Kaine gave the order to abandon ship for the duration, and everyone, including the captives, piled in the rowboats to get to shore and relative safety. They landed on a narrow beach and found some caves in the cliff-side that would provide some shelter. The storm crashed and raged about them for several days.

Jaydin was awoken early the third morning by a sharp blade at his back and a small hand slipped over his mouth. How she got the sword, he didn’t know, but he did know she wouldn’t be ignored. “Get up, we are going for a walk,” she whispered. Carefully he got up and slowly walked out past the guards. They nodded at him but didn’t see the girl hidden behind. The pair made their way to the edge of a small strand of trees, then he stopped when they were out of sight of the others.

“Are you insane? An uninhabited island is no place to try to escape!”

She raised one eyebrow and answered, “Are you coming with me or should I knock you out and leave you for your friends to find?” He looked back towards the camp, knowing it wouldn’t be long before it was discovered they were missing, shook his head, sighed, and pushed further into the woods. They followed the rock wall out to the water’s edge and had to swim around to the beach on the other side. It took the better part of an hour to get through the trees on this side, so much had been tossed about by the storm. When they finally reached the clearing, they couldn’t believe the site that met their eyes.

There amid the downed trees and debris, laying half in and half out of the water, was a monstrous beast blocking the entire beach. “A kraken!” they said in unison, then looked at each other in amazement. The nose was pressed up to the rock-face and the tentacles were waving about wildly in the water. It would not be an easy task going around the creature and they were quickly running out of time. As the sound of pursuit reached their ears, Jaydin grabbed her hand and ran in the unlikely direction – straight towards the creature. As they got closer she saw what he was aiming at, and it was her turn to ask if he was insane, for they were headed towards a gaping eight foot wound in the kraken’s side.

“Come on, the kraken is dead and they won’t think to search for us in here.” The look she gave him spoke volumes but he was right and she knew it. “I never thought I would willingly get this close to one of these beasts, but…” and with that she slipped inside, following his lead. They both stepped to the side and turned so they could look out without being seen. Within moments the first of the search party broke free of the woods. Without another word it was decided they needed to go further in.

They followed the tunnel-like passageway around several twists and ended up in a larger space. “So, um, Doc? How well do you know your kraken anatomy?” “Enough to know that there is more than one way out. If we keep walking we should get to one end or the other.” “Great, I don’t even know which end I’d prefer,” she grimaced. They continued walking, backtracking whenever they reached a dead end, which was often, and mostly keeping their thoughts to themselves.

"Doesn't it just figure," thought Varekai as she slogged through waist-deep bile and bits of discarded bulwark, scimitar held aloft, "we can map the seven seas, but no one's yet charted the fourth stomach of a kraken." The lithe woman shot a mutinous glance at her companion, who was covered in partially digested seaweed. “Next time I say we…” the words died on her lips as a rumble reverberated around them, the vibrations dispensing noxious bubbles into the already overwhelming stench.

Jaydin jumped as something hit the back of his head, and then the world went black. Slowly his eyes opened and focused on two emeralds staring at him, full of concern. “Are you okay? What happened?”

“I... I… I’m not sure… something hit me in the head and then I was remembering different things.”

“Your life flashed before your eyes?” she said incredulously. “Honestly, Jaydin! Couldn’t you be a bit more original than that?” Her show of exasperation was a thin veneer over her true feelings. One side of his mouth lifted in a sheepish grin, as he lifted himself off the timber he’d been draped over.

“Did I ever tell you how I came to be in Kaine’s service? That day is the main one I remembered, and you know what is weird? At one time all I wanted to do was write stories, in fact I was writing one that day. I had forgotten about that, and yet now that I think about it, I can remember every detail. It was a good story, you know? Maybe I will finish writing it one day.” Varekai laughed,

“Maybe you will, but how about we get out of here first?”