Sailors' Tale (41)

Sert returned to the deck as I felt the engine pulse back to life under my feet. A round of cheers arose from the sailors slowly as they realized that the Leviathan lived again. Balthis patted Sert heartily on the back.

“Thank you for the assistance lad!” he stated happily. “But where is your lady companion?” he asked softer.

“Mekiliean decided to remain below deck to discuss with Lockey, sir.” Sert informed us.

“They are getting along?” Balthis remarked stunned.

“Other than a small incident with a dark earth crystal, she seemed happy having us around.” Sert returned quickly. “It was a minor mistake that we did not foresee happening.” he added to me.

“I should have warned Lockey about Meli's gifts.” I muttered to myself.

“Thinking that drinks are in order you old bird.” Balthis commented. “I am sure that girl can take care of herself.” he added. He ambled away screaming orders to his sailors.

“After the drinks, we can spar with some of the sailors.” I suggested to Sert. “A chance to learn a few mariners tricks.” I added with a shrug.

“It would be good since I would like to learn more about those rift beast Lockey spoke of.” he replied stone faced.

“They are not all vicious and nasty things.” I told him. We walked in Balthis' wake toward the stairs leading below deck. “Going to check on Meli first.” I added. Sert nodded to me as he walked at my side. I open the door to a strange sight.

“You help me with my engine, the least I can do is help you heal yourself.” Lockey stated.

“I can do this without help.” Meli responded softly.

“But it's easier with someone to help right?” Lockey returned quickly.

“Always better to have the extra hands when one's single handed.” I stated from the doorway.

“It is a simple thing to heal.” Meli whined. “Even if I only have the one hand.” she added calmer.

“Most healers hate having others work on them.” Sert commented from behind me. “Except if it is Her Holiness.” he remarked. “But I would let Lockey help me.” he continued easily. “How often do you get the chance to say a Lemurian helped heal you?” he added with a chuckle.

“Very true.” Lockey agreed quickly. Meli nodded grudgingly as she held out the bottle of ointment toward her. “Meanwhile we can discuss our little issue we had in private before presenting it to the captain.” she added quietly.

“The double notation that could have destroyed the ship?” Sert whispered. She nodded to him.

“The tablets are still sitting out.” she stated. “Verify the order in reverse from the one you have Melchia.” she told me. I took the first tablet and quickly ran through the procedures in reverse order from those listed in the one explaining the modifications. I remained silent as I spotted the extra entry. I went through the list on the second tablet noting once more an added entry.

“Both of these have an extra entry.” I remarked quietly. “And those extra two crystals would explain the engine failing when facing a node stone area.” I continued.

“So my thoughts were sound?” Lockey asked. She was slowly bandaging Meli's hand which had a thick layer of slave in the palm and fingertip areas. “Sabotage?” she suggested.

“It would seem so but who would have access to those tablets without being able to reach this one?” I hazarded slowly.

“Or the knowledge to make those changes knowing the consequences?” Meli remarked.

“No one on board ship that I know of.” Lockey replied. “And Balthis is the only person that would enter this room but never if I am not present.” she continued. “Could a rift being have the power to do this?” she added quietly.

“Possible but most are more direct in their destructive behaviours.” I replied.

“Speak with the crew about the man from the rift.” she returned softly. “I was not on deck when he appeared.” she explained. “I had been in the midst of stripping the crystals from the engine when that event happened.” she added.

“Seems our time at sea should be lengthened while you double check the engine for other possible issues.” I suggested. “I am sure Meli would be available to help.” I continued. She smiled as she nodded to me. “Sert and I will spar and gain the tale from the sailors while we sail by the wind back to Atlantis.” I added. A set of nodded agreements rounded the room.

“We can discuss with captain Balthis about this matter once we have verified all the possible angles?” Lockey returned. “Better for us to have answers than a mystery to hand him.” she added slowly.

“Let us be at it then.” I told Sert. We returned to the deck seeing many of the sailor looking at the water wake in confusion. “Could we have a few volunteers?” I asked out loud. Most of the sailors turned to face us. “My companion would love to learn mariners fighting tricks and I consider learning from rift beast hunters would be a great boon for him.” I explained.

“Aye!” half the sailors replied. I could feel the smile on my face and felt the same elation in my martially driven companion. I waved Sert forward as the sailors lined up to face off with him one at a time. I moved to stand with one of the older sailor that declined spar against Sert.

“I hear you had a man of sorts exit a rift.” I whispered softly. From the way Sert moved, I knew he was listening to hear about this oddity. I felt the sailor stiffen next to me.

“That was no man!” he interjected. He spat on the deck as he shuddered. “I may have looked like a man but had eyes of pure blackness and that infernal red eyed hawk.” he continued.

“No rift creature I have seen or heard of was man-like.” I hazarded back.

“Best you start the tale from the start.” another sailor remarked. “Like having the ship running at half power while Lockey was modifying that engine of hers.” he added quickly.

“I would be interested to hear this tale.” I stated, “So would my Atlantian friend.” I added quickly. I signalled to Sert to join us gaining most of the free hands gathered around us on the deck.

“Aye!” the old sailor replied. “Lockey had been slowly changing sections of her engine over while we stood watch on deck.” he began.

“She could not be assured that we would detect a rift while she modified the engine so most of the sailors stood guard. The small rift opened to the port side of the ship tossing the man onto the deck. As he stood in his full crimson clothing, that hawk flew through the rift and landed on his shoulder. The rift sealed after that. He looked around letting us see those black orb-eyes while sneering.

'I think we made it my pet.” he said in a guttural voice. 'Best start looking for those we seek.' it added with a dark chuckle. He lifted from the deck as this partially see-through red hued globe surrounded him. The men moved to stop him but it was too late. He rocketed away from the ship knocking them aside like they were nothing.

That globe moved away too quickly for us to follow and we still had to reach Circe's (he spat on the deck) to collect your trio. Lockey must have completed the changes since the ship lurched then died in the water.”

“A man in crimson only?” Sert asked softly.

“One with much power also.” I remarked pensively. “And the hawk's eyes were crimson like the man wore?” I verified.

“Aye!” the gathered sailors exclaimed.

“Any words of wisdom to an old sea dog?” the old sailor stated to me.

“Nothing that comes to mind.” I replied. Sert glanced at me knowing from my face as I read it from his mind that he thought I knew something about this man in crimson. “The oddness of something man-like coming from a rift has me baffled as much as you.” I stated slowly. I attempted showing concern and confusion as I spoke. “Best you return to your training Sert.” I added quickly.

“As you see fit sir.” he returned easily. The sailors remained standing around us tightly packed.

“I will speak with the captain and Lockey about this mystical rift man.” I told the sailors. “I am sure if we put our heads together, we will gain greater insight on the matter.” I explain to them. “That and discuss where the others that escaped Circe's are disembarking.” I added softer. I move slowly toward the stairs while Sert return to sparring with the sailors. I spotted a younger sailor following me down but she did not stop me until we reached the bottom of the stairs.

“He was wrong.” she whispered to me. “I saw the man's eyes and face before that infernal hawk landed on his shoulder.” she stated quietly. “They were human.” she added.

“Explain please?” I whispered back. She looked around nervously.

“I was before him when he stood.” she answered softly. “He was smiling with relief and then the hawk landed on his shoulder.” she continued. “The moment that damnable hawk touched him, his elated smile turned into a contemptible sneer and his eyes turned into dull black orbs.” she explained. “I tell you on my honour that it was a man that was thrown out of that rift and the hawk is the unnaturalness upon him.” she concluded quickly.

“I will look into this.” I replied quietly. “I thank you on his behalf if he truly be a man.” I added with a nod. She sighed before rushing back to the deck. The warning bell that had rang in my mind hearing the tale now clanged like thunder in the darkest parts of my mind. I could see no path of this man in crimson but somewhere in my hidden mind, I knew of him. A thrill of thoughts and furtive movement drew my attention down the short corridor.

“Beware since it is you crimson hunts.” Circe's follower stated softly. A single touch to this preteen girl's mind told me she was a seer. I walked slowly to her side as she stood half hidden in one of the doorways.

“When will he come for me?” I asked softly.

“After the sun sets, it will come for you.” she told me. “Aim right or all you do is delay it.” she added.

“I thank you for showing me something I cannot see myself.” I returned softly. I walked on to the engine room to find Balthis present with Meli and Lockey. “Could you give us a few moments, Meli?” I asked from the doorway.

“Of course, sir.” she replied quickly. I watched as she passed me noting her one hand gloved in bandages. Once the door closed at my back, I moved slowly to stand with Balthis and Lockey by her precious engine.

“Your rift visitor will return after dusk for me.” I stated bluntly to them. “I want the deck cleared as the last rays of the sun touch it.” I ordered. Balthis nodded slowly toward me. I turned and left them to retrieve my bow-staff for this encounter.