The Blue Moon - 6. Chapter 6

Zdain

Because Zdain was so tired, it was a struggle to try to look enthusiastic. But being stuck in the cabin was boring, so the stories Josel told while sitting beside the bed were a welcome distraction. Besides, he was a delight to watch. Zdain pulled himself up on the bed to a better position, and put an expression of interest he had momentarily lost back on his face.

"Can you imagine, those towers were at least this tall!" Josel explained, spreading his arms in an attempt to express the dizzying height of the buildings in Maidor.

Zdain could well have imagined it, for he thought he had seen even taller buildings when he had visited Dimalos. Moreover, he had seen numerous paintings of the undeniably impressive towers of Maidor. But he did not bother to mention it, because he did not want to upset Josel, whose mood could change very quickly from sunshine to thunderstorms.

In fact, it was surprising how happy Josel had been in the almost two days that Zdain had been awake. The grumpiness and mocking remarks were gone, replaced by cheerfulness and kindness. Josel had brought Zdain a tray of food and had lingered in their now shared cabin to make sure everything was all right.

Others had come to visit as well. While Ragart had joked about Zdain's health, Melgy had forced her patient to drink a foul-tasting liquid that she claimed was medicine. Marl, on the other hand, had done nothing but grunt a greeting as he carried Zdain into Josel's cabin.

When Josel told Zdain that Marl had taken his turn sleeping in Melgy's cabin, Zdain's earlier suspicions about their relationship were confirmed. It was easy to guess why he had been asked to leave in such a hurry.

The captain of the ship had also come to visit. The man seemed strange, but Zdain had taken an instant liking to him. Especially the captain's comments about Josel, whom he called Charmer, had been amusing. Zdain decided he would tease Josel about his new nickname.

When Zdain had recovered sufficiently, Zal had come to talk to him, asking all sorts of questions about the situation in Paidos, their encounter with the dreader and the possible whereabouts of Zdain's parents. Josel had advised Zdain not to hide anything from the old man, so he had answered the questions honestly, if cautiously.

Zdain did not know whether he should have been surprised to wake up on the same ship as Zal's party. From what Josel had told him, they had concluded together that Zaltarim Fizol was an important person whose influence extended from one end of Andiol to the other. The old man also held a considerable amount of knowledge: of the faceless, the fallen, the Darkness... Zdain had heard something from his father, but Zal had clearly gone much deeper into the subject than Dareis Monteilon.

Zal was also in contact with the Blue Moon - as an enemy or a friend, Josel had not found out. Because of Andreuz Sandkan and Zdain's own parents, they were both interested and horrified by this. Zal was an enigma, and Zdain wasn't entirely sure he could be trusted. But the old man's favour was the only guarantee of their safety, so it made sense to be on good terms with the mysterious group.

The connection between Izaskar Ksellendor and Zal was equally puzzling. Zdain's tutor had referred to the Lord of the Rose Quartz Fortress as "the Mad Lord of Maidor". Izaskar Ksellendor was said to have ruled his tiny kingdom for ages, even a lifetime. How old is he? Zdain wondered, until Josel's chatter brought him back to the present.

"...then I got to ride the elevator! How did they know how to build such a machine? That Izaskar may be a headcase, but he is really a genius," Josel enthused, his cheeks glowing, and Zdain did not have the heart to reveal that he himself had ridden an elevator to the point of boredom at the Imperial Tourist Hotel in Dimalos a couple of years earlier.

Although Zdain liked Josel's sunny disposition, he wondered how the boy's attitude had changed so much. Why had Josel suddenly become so open in Zdain's presence? He spoke to Zdain like a good mate, as if the two of them were really becoming friends.

Then Zdain remembered something. "Zal mentioned something about an encounter with the Shadow Cross outside Marta's house. Why didn't you tell me?"

A cheerful smile vanished from Josel's face. "I don't care to remember," he said after a moment, his voice strained.

"Why not?" Zdain asked, puzzled. He wanted to know what was bothering Josel.

Josel looked at Zdain with a pained expression, but finally snorted: "Very well! We ran into Jolanda... I mean Jolanda Vargan... in front of the house. I'm sure you can understand why I haven't felt like talking about it."

The air came out of Zdain's lungs, so surprised was he. At the same time, he was sorry he had brought it up. Clearly Josel hadn't recovered from his romance with Isendar Vargan's daughter, and Zdain didn't find it amusing to make the other feel uncomfortable. Nevertheless, he continued to torment his comrade with a few more probing questions.

After that, Josel's good spirit seemed to be on its way. He had turned his gaze to the floorboards and was picking at the fabric of his trousers, looking fed up.

Zdain decided to quickly change the subject. "What are you going to do when we get to Five Hills?" he asked, because it was the first thing that popped into his mind.

"Questions again. You are frickin' curious," Josel said, raising his head.

"Just answer. What will you do when you get there?"

"You mean, what am I going to do right after I get rid of you?" Josel chuckled, but the grin on his face was friendly, not malicious.

"I'm serious, Sandkan," Zdain insisted.

After a moment's thought, Josel replied earnestly: "I will find Dad and tell him about Curtus. Then I'll try to find a way to contact my friends."

"You must miss them."

"Don't you miss anyone?" Josel snapped back.

"Of course I do. My brother, for example," Zdain replied, for that was indeed the case. He missed Venr the most. Nowadays even more than Ade.

Josel seemed interested and asked: "Oh, your brother. What's he doing these days?"

"Venr joined the Imperial Army as an officer and is serving in Dimalos," Zdain replied with pride in his voice.

"The ever so brave Monteilons," Josel said, rolling his eyes.

"Are you trying to tease me?" Zdain asked indignantly. He didn't like it when someone made fun of Venr's choice of a military career - or their father's choice. Dareis Monteilon had decided that service in the army would be beneficial for Venr's future. Even if Venr had wished otherwise, there was nothing he could do about his father's will. In the Monteilon house, the governor's word was law even more strictly than elsewhere in Paidos.

"I was just trying to compliment your fine family," Josel said, feigning innocence.

"I'm going to kick your ass one day," Zdain grumbled, although he did not really feel like being angry. His head was starting to hurt again and he pressed it against the pillow. An involuntary yawn escaped his lips.

Josel laughed a little. Then he said: "You need to get some sleep. I'll come back later. Shall I bring you something?"

Coughing, Zdain replied that he did not need anything in particular. Josel cast one last reassuring glance at his companion before leaving the cabin. Zdain yawned again and closed his eyes. He would have time to ponder Josel's changed nature later. For now he just wanted to sleep.

* * *

Josel

It was the following afternoon when Josel found himself on the deck of Princess, sitting on a thick coil of rope and looking out over the landscape. The Frothy was quite narrow at this point and the scenery was nothing like what he was used to at the start of the voyage.

They were in the almost uninhabited highlands of the south-central Andiol. Gone were the lush riverine forests, the reeds teeming with birds, the gently rolling fields and flowering meadows. In their place were steep cliffs. Between those rocky walls the river meandered, so hidden that the sunlight did not always reach the water's edge. That's why the water looked so dark and ominous.

"These are dangerous waters, with treacherous rocks along the river's bends, where an inexperienced skipper can easily wreck his boat. That's why we spend the nights at anchor," Timos Soldeimon had told Josel earlier. The captain had added that if the ship were to be wrecked somewhere between the cliffs, there was no point in waiting for help. The area was mostly uninhabited, and the few people who dwelt there would certainly not be willing to help. "Foresters, escaped prisoners and much worse," the captain had said in a voice so sure he seemed to know what he was talking about.

Sometimes the cliffs revealed the dark spruce forest behind them and the looming mountains in the distance. According to Timos, the hollows of these peaks, known as the Gusty Mountains, contained vast deposits of minerals. You could even find gold there, if you knew where to look and had a pinch of luck.

As a child, Josel had heard stories of the gold seekers who had dug their mines into the folds of the great Gusty Mountains. In these stories, the miners were fearless heroes who conquered the dangers of the wilderness. Afterward, they were rewarded for their bravery with a bounty of gems and gold. Sometimes, as young boys, Josel and Franz had seriously considered becoming prospectors.

When Josel mentioned this to Ragart, he laughed. "You couldn't have made a poorer choice," the bald-headed merchant said. "There have never been more than a few nuggets of gold in the caches of the Gusty Mountains - only danger and misery instead. If you don't get a knife between your ribs or get attacked by a grizzly bear, brandy will send the unfortunate miner into the depths of the eternal sleep. I have visited these mountains and seen enough. Even the cockroaches in the sewers of Dimalos live sweeter than them."

Images of a grizzly bear gnashing its teeth, the slit throats of gold miners and filthy sewers swirled in Josel's mind. Meanwhile, the smile had faded from Ragart's broad face.

"Nobody gets anything out of the Gusty Mountains. No riches, just lung disease, believe me." the man continued. "With high hopes, many people travel to these mountains through the trackless wilderness. They may have heard the same hogwash as you. There are no jewels there, and the talk of a mother lode waiting to be discovered is just a story. The few who do return to civilization are too ashamed to open up about their experiences. Trust old Fox, those miners are no better off than the slaves who toil in the coal mines of the Camps."

"What slaves and in what camps?" Josel interrupted.

Ragart tugged nervously at his other earring. "I spoke out of turn, of course you don't know anything about the Camps. And hopefully you will never have to. It's a place you want to be even less than in the jaws of a snagost. Believe me, I've been there too." The merchant ended the conversation on a somewhat bitter note.

What did Ragart mean by that? Josel wanted to know more, but Ragart had already turned and started walking towards the stern of the ship.

Josel thought about running after the man, but decided not to. Ragart, Zal and the others still treated him like a little child who didn't need to be told anything. A visit to Izaskar had not changed that. In return, Josel would tell them no more about his affairs than he had to. Likewise, his trust had to be earned, and there was no one on this ship he trusted. Except... well, except Zdain, as funny as that still sounded in Josel's head.

Zdain's improving health meant a lot. Josel had tried to be considerate and cheer up the convalescent with his stories, as if in some kind of compensation for his earlier rudeness.

He had also found that he enjoyed Zdain's company. He liked the way the boy challenged him in conversation with witty remarks and the way he smiled amusedly at Josel's attempts to joke around. They were still getting used to each other, but they were making progress, or so it seemed to Josel.

Now that Zdain had had a few visits on deck - albeit accompanied by Melgy's nagging - Josel was starting to feel more comfortable on board. Ragart and Timos rarely had any time for him, so Zdain was a welcome change from watching the passing scenery. Perhaps they would become friends one day. Josel smiled; a week ago he would have laughed or been angry if anyone had even entertained the idea.

* * *

As he was returning to their cabin to see Zdain, Josel heard an unusual noise coming from the bow of the ship. Zdain can wait, he decided, and sneaked curiously towards the bow.

A large group of people had gathered there: some of the crew, Captain Soldeimon, First Mate Thombs and all of Zal's party. "Yes, Captain, this little scoundrel was found hiding in the back of the cargo hold. She had made herself a very nice nest there, like a ship rat. The cook had been wondering for a long time where the food from our stores was disappearing," Josel heard Thombs talking and crept closer.

Josel almost bit his tongue when he saw who was standing on deck in the firm grip of two burly sailors. Every pair of eyes was fixed on a small, white-haired, dark-skinned woman, whom Josel had imagined to be somewhere far away from the deck of Princess at that moment.

"Plinkinenkak!" he exclaimed in amazement, feeling that all eyes were on him.

Captain Soldeimon was the first to speak. "Do you know this stowaway?" he asked Josel.

"Of course... we were locked up in Marta's cellar at the same time."

The short woman looked a little annoyed, but made no gesture to indicate that she recognised Josel.

Zal, who had been watching the scene from the sidelines, took a few steps forward and spoke: "Plinkinenkak Tikienkuu, perhaps you should tell the truth about yourself.

Plinkinenkak's dark face twisted in contempt. "Well, look who's here. Your flock of birds was a sight to behold, old fool," she said, spitting on the deck.

"Were you surprised when you saw me in Ipalos and decided to follow us?" Zal asked.

"I for one am no longer surprised by anything," Josel heard Timos Soldeimon mutter.

Josel thought the same thing himself. In Zal's company, unexpected situations followed one after the other. How was it possible that these two people knew each other?

The old man took a moment. He looked Plinkinenkak over from head to toe. "So you don't speak. Then I will: Plinkinenkak Tikienkuu, a shade commando of the Shadow Cross."

"The dwarf is more like half a commando," Ragart remarked.

Plinkinenkak licked her lips and cut the air in front of her throat with her index finger.

Josel didn't know what to think. Could he never shake off the shadow walkers?

Then Zal continued: "You appear under different names and identities. As I recall, the last time we met, you were the emperor's Southlandern bastard. In informed circles, however, you are best known as Little Girl. A name you hate, don't you?"

Plinkinenkak's expression tightened for a moment, but otherwise she stood between Thombs and the other two sailors, looking as defiant as ever. "You like to pretend that you're the best shade commando in Andiol and that you've never been caught," Zal said. "But now you've been caught twice in the last few days. First, Faceless put you in a cage - probably without realising who you were - and now I have the honour of ending your career as a Shadow Cross minion. When we've snuffed you out, I promise to send your head to Morth Lefretz."

"I guess the question is whether this shadow dog will be executed on board or ashore," said Ragart.

Snuff out? Execute? It gave Josel the shudders. Were Zal and Ragart just trying to scare Plinkinenkak? They couldn't really mean...

Scared or not, Plinkinenkak was not swayed by it. "What an idiot! I'm no shadow walker!" she shouted at Ragart. "I work for whoever pays me the most. It's your own fault that you don't pay as well as Lefretz. Do you spend all your money on food, you lard-ass?"

Ragart took a fierce step forward, but Zal's waving hand stopped him.

"One more insult and I'll let Thombs discipline you," Zal said calmly.

Plinkinenkak did not obey, but said: "Will the respectable Grandpa Jackdaw descend to beat a lesser woman? Pathetic. Lick my clit, you old fart!"

Zal nodded his head, and Thombs immediately whacked his big club down on Plinkinenkak's stomach. She slumped to the deck with a painful moan.

Plinkinenkak held her stomach and gasped for breath. Josel hated to watch, but the others were stone-faced.

"I warned you," Zal pointed out as the small woman staggered back to her feet, cursing.

Then Captain Soldeimon stepped forward. "Zal, I don't like shadow walkers, and I like stowaways even less. What if she's been spying on all our conversations? I will not oppose your actions, whatever you decide," he said, brushing his moustache.

"Fine, let's do it," Ragart said. "Preferably with a sword. It's messier, but we won't waste a bullet. It's best to kill the shade commandos quickly, otherwise they'll run away again. Do you agree, Zal?" the merchant continued, turning to the old man.

The talk disgusted Josel. Why did Ragart, who liked to present himself as an easy-going man, speak so cruelly about another human being? The Shadow Cross was certainly dangerous, but merely serving it could not be a crime worthy of brutal execution.

Before Zal could answer Ragart's question, Josel decided to speak. "You can't just kill her! No one deserves that. Besides, she tried to help me and Zdain at Marta's house."

The eyes moved to Josel. Ragart was the first to speak. "Josel, don't interfere in things that don't concern you," he said rudely.

Josel was about to lash out when Captain Soldeimon opened his mouth. "Charmer, you are still a boy and therefore a tender soul. But understand that it's not wise to show mercy to the minions of the Shadow Cross, for mercy means nothing to them either."

Fuck you both, Josel wanted to yell. He glanced at Plinkinenkak, whose eyes twinkled as their gazes met. Then he turned his attention to Zal, who seemed to ultimately make all the decisions on the ship, regardless of the fact that Timos Soldeimon was the captain.

Zal frowned and seemed to be thinking. After what seemed an eternity, he adjusted his glasses and spoke. "It is true that the dwarf deserves to die for what she has done. But it is also true that this slimy creature, for one reason or another, tried to help Josel and Zdain during their captivity. For that reason, and that reason alone, I am willing to wait until we reach our destination. Let the shadow walker be a souvenir for those we meet in Five Hills. They may decide the dwarf's fate."

Ragart gritted his teeth but did not question Zal's decision. Plinkinenkak, on the other hand, did not look particularly relieved, but rather pensive.

Soon Zal continued: "Timos, take the prisoner below deck and arrange a guard. The dwarf is a sly little devil, make sure she is not left alone for a moment."

"Very well, Zal. But I want your comrades to be part of the guard. My own men are already grumbling about overlong shifts, and I don't want to cause any more discontent among the crew."

"So be it. Have Thombs draw up a list of watches, we will all take part, Zdain too when he is able... you too, Ragart," Zal added after seeing the merchant's sour expression.

* * *