paint drips slowly

7/27/2019 Paint Drips Slowly

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Part 1.

Prologue

This is why they never fed new sailors lunch.

Because Fredrich had already painted the side of the S.S. Hellgate once this yearand the paint had finally finished drying when our freshest, dark-skinned recruit spilled

his stomach off the hull of the ship. There was a sudden outburst of laughter as his two

fellow shipmates split wildly into laughter, hitting him playfully on the back in anattempt to dislodge any leftover chunks of food.

This was always the most glorious moment for Laertes. The first day of the

newbies on board. If there was any sort of christening into the bastard career of shipment

freighting, this was it. Because as far as Fredrich, Laertes, and Captain Merrith wereconcerned, that man was moving one step closer to enjoying the worst possible

employment of his life.

The smell of the vomit wafted itself lovingly over Laretes as he drew in a lungful

of minced carrots, regurgitated fish, and other assorted vile and bile.He felt the flimsy aluminum rail in front of him strain harder and glanced around

him.And he saw Janitor Fredrich Malcom. Fredrich Malcolm was heavy-set in the

most politically correct way, and his beard of rusted thread was far from resembling

anything that could be considered kempt. Of course, out in the middle of the ocean,being politically correct never got you very far. There was always a distinctive diction

out on the seas that could only be practiced amongst the waves and whatever crass,

unfortunate souls that sailed upon them. For example:

Laertes gagged at the sight of Malcom, Shit, Fred, could ya get any larger? Imean, Im all fine with locking up a pissy bugbear when it needs shipping to Kharadin,

but if ya get any larger, I might just be coming yer way with a lock and key. He smirkedand glanced over the boat into the murky depths. They were approaching land.You sure bout that? he retorted as he grabbed Laertes by the scruff of his soot-

stained doublet, squirming half-heartedly, and dangled him lightly over the aluminum

bar. When messing with Fredrich, you could always expect him to retort with force. Itwas something that he could certainly do better than anyone else.

Laertes rolled his head around on his shoulders. He still could hear the sound of

the recruit pouring himself over the starboard bow and he laughed a little. The job may

suck, but at least it can be interesting at times.Are you sure? Fredrich repeated, Because as long as I can still hold Little

Laertes like the young pup he is, I think Im in pretty fucking good shape.

Laertes wasnt young. He was going on 32 years with a wife and a child.Fred had never disclosed his age, but from his apparent seniority onboard, Laertes

assumed he was somewhere around his mid-forties.

Well, if anything, I say I could use a little more weight, laughed Laertes. Hehad taken to holding onto the series of bars beneath him for some feigned comfort.

Malcolm dragged him back over onto the boat and released his grip. Laertes slid

to his feet awkwardly, clutching the railing to support himself. He coughed faintly and he


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was suddenly reminded of the vomiting sailor grabbing at his own chest. Laertes certainly

did not want to share his fate, and fought it back.

But Ive gotta make sure to watch myself. I dont want to end up behind somelogistical clerks desk because I had some fucking heart attack in the middle of a

shipment. Laertes moved to sit down and coiled his legs out in front of him.

There was a slight breeze and the sound and scent of puke had ceased, filling theair with an almost soft breeze.

Fredrich patted his soft keg of a belly, Yeah, that would suck. He lowered

himself down to Laertes level, feeling the manufactured iron underneath him. And theysat there. All alone and together. Watching the wiry, baby-faced recruits sling around

bull-shit as if they had been on board for years and were veterans of sea travel, trying to

impart some sort of wisdom upon each other. It was cute, almost.

This was the S.S. Hellgate, shipping freighter class 1 of the Vandermeer build.Nonsensically enough, this was its 457th voyage to boot. Laertes had always wondered if

ships of its quality were meant to last that long. It was only when its maintenance janitor,

Fredrich, had put so much effort into maintaining it, that if he had pack its lunch and

send it off to school in the safest, cleanest city in Musanas, he would personallyintimidate each one of the bad students with a P-32 class flintlock. And of course, hed

leave a little slip of parchment in the S.S. Hellgates lunch that reminded the ship of howmuch he loved it.

Sure, Laertes thought it was an unhealthy relationship, but that was one of the

reasons why you went out to sea to begin with. Because either the land-dwellers didntcut it for you, or because you had some heavy judgment set against you. From the outside

looking in, there wasnt much romanticism in the business. It was never something that

University graduates, or even Basic school graduates looked forward to.

You get to sail around in a smoggy ship for months and months at a time,surrounded frequently by some of the crassest men, and receive shitty pay. Sure, much

physical effort isnt needed to run the ship, but that counts for very little as far as

redeeming factors are concerned. Especially nowadays, Steam technology has madeship crews lazier than a deflated feline in the nascence of the warm sun.

Of course, you learn sooner rather than later the reason why so many people stay

in the business for so long. It usually takes the average newly baptized, seafaring manroughly 3 trips in order to really get knee deep into shipping packages as a career; and

just as any delivery-man worth his salt will tell you, it has nothing to do with the career.

Laertes smirked at the pair across the ship and Fredrich followed his grin.

You remember when you were that fresh? Fredrich nodded towards the trio, Icertainly do

The trio of newbies seemed fine now, slinging methods of smoking an illegal

narcotic back and forth while chipping away at the encroaching rust stains with theirmatte brown, leather boots.

I was only eighteen when I began work here, remember? Laertes smirked, I

was even younger than these pups. And look at how they sport the latest beards likeprissy fashion models.

Well, if I recall, you still werent much different than they are. Seasick, lovesick,

and homesick. Wondering why the hell you decided to become an engineer instead of

attending a University with the rest of your class. Fredrich shrugged, And you have


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potential too. 3rd highest in Advanced Steam Mechanics as asophmore is not an easy task

anyway you look at it.

Malcolm rubbed his beady eyes and overly-shaven face as he looked at him. Istill wonder from time to time why you decided to come aboard with us.

Laertes glanced up at him from the swaying iron shell they rode on, rusted bolts

and all. This mustve been the 4th

time that hed popped the question. Still, this was goingto be the 4th time that Laertes had to shut him down.

Malcolm looked deflated a bit when he saw his expression.

its not because I dont trust you, Laertes quipped. because you know that I do.Its just a long story

He stood up slowly, his back cracking in all the wrong places. A sharp pain flew

through his back and into his spine. Frederich chuckled as he used the bar to lift himself

up, still groaning like the old man that he was. Innovative bastard.Dont worry bout it. I get it. Its personal, he clasped Laertes on the shoulder,

Ill just force it out of ya one day. Strap you up to a brazen, barnacled ship and beat it

out o ya.

Sounds kinky, mate.Fredrich snorted loudly, You fucking wish.

Chapter 1

Laertes, Malcolm! came a booming voice form the lower core of their metal

ferry and carried itself into the air via a network of pipes running under the bulwark.Laertes, Malcolm! Front and center!

Laertes and Malcolm glanced over from their current conversation and stole a

peek at the group of recruits. Their mouths hung slack and their eyes were wide. Their

faces looked to be carved out of petrified wood and rock, with their mouth hanging on bythe loose threads of their jaws. Their thoughts ran silent from their limp tongues.

THATs the Captain?

The oldThe pair chuckled silently to themselves and exchanged a few whispered words.

They snapped to attention sharply, their steel tipped boots scraping loudly against the hull

and their hands slapping against their legs. Just loud enough to draw the freshmensstifled attention.

Sir, yes sir!

In perfect rank and file, they marched off down to the Captains quarter. The

freshmans eyes watching each painful boot thud against the ship with each clapmimicking a soft plea to be off the ship.

You didnt hire new recruits that couldnt hold their stomach under

pressure. And all 3 of them had failed the test sometime along the ride. It was a shame toreplace them, Laertes was beginning to like them, even if they were ridiculously skittish.

But just like he had mentioned earlier, you didnt get into the shipping business

because you were proficient throughout whatever states Basic Education system youwere born into, let alone barely passable. Normally, recruits came from somewhere along

the shady line of Basic Education drop-out and Southern Mefassis immigrant.

They tried to keep as many people in the business as possible, but gradually,

workers moved on. This was never thought of as a career for most and as intensely as the


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S.S. Hellgates original crew would adore passing along the sense of self-enlightenment

that comes with being out on sea for months upon months on end with little to no human

contact unless necessary for survival.The deepest communication comes without words.

They broke ranks as they reached the bottom and rapped half-heartedly on the

Captains flimsy tin door. The dull churn of the brass engine served as a sort-of ambientovertone to their casual meeting.

A black figure rose into view out of the knotted window as the door flung open. A

small figure in a sharp officers cap, laden with merits and rank, and flung its style downfrom his chest to his feet.Military formal jerkin and clean cut, slashed up trousers. His

scowl matched his attire and the quick frown of his ranks mimicked by his lips.

Laertes and Malcolm snapped to clean attention as the short figure stepped out of

his humming den. His officer cap clipped its tip out of the door and flung itself onto thefloor with an awkward scratch.

The pair lost any sort of discipline that they had previously reserved for the

Officer in a fit of spittle and laughter.

Quiet ye! croaked Captain Merrith as he stooped for his hat, Or Ill have thelot of the lot of ye cast ashore!

A second burst of laughter.Youll do what now? Laertes managed through tears.

Either youre a Pirate or an Officer of the Royal fuckin Navy, pick one!,

Malcolm blurted.Hell, in my suggestion, pick neither! Youre better a ships maiden. Should we

tie you up by your ovaries to the stern of the boat now?

A second pause. The engine churned.

Oh, captain my captain! Merrith proclaimed proudly as he reddened still, butreturned his hat to his head and stood a recruits parody of a salute before he burst into

laughter with the rest of them.

Seriously, asked Laertes, Why do you even wear that uniform still?Because, he began, It makes me feel accomplished that a man such of my

willpower made it that far into Officer Training School. That they would trust me so

much as give me a completely custom fitted uniform: cap, coat, and all.He shifted a bit over to his ranks and the glorious amount of medals and honors he

wore on his chest.

And these remind me of my ever-constant guile. Not the fact that this one means

that Ive bloodied my hands, he pointed to a stark white ribbon and brushed a fairamount of dust off of it.

Or this one, he indicated a blue and silver bar, normally laid upon Officers

when they die in the field of battle. Ironic isnt it? That when you take a bullet for loyalty, Hell, fealty almost.

Instead of rewarding the deceaseds loved ones with the price for the extravagant award,

they slip it onto your body when they cast you down amongst the beetles and roaches. Sothat at least worms and grave-robbers know you died for a cause not willing to put the

food on widows tables.

He breathed deeply before beginning again.But no, I stole all of these on my way

out. I figured if I was going down, I might as well looked damn sharp doing it.


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Laertes calmed a bit, stone faced in the grimness of it all. Aye, its a bit more

fetching than the blank slate of a chest. And ya seem to wear it better than those

skeletons.But dont worry about it, he put his arm around the pair, How go the new

recruits? How many of them have lost their stoma-

The ship lurched forward hard and let a guttural howl out from its port. Merrithgripped at the door as it fell out of his reach and swung off its hinges and into the file

cabinet. Klaxons wailed throughout the ship and cast a blood-glare onto its prison mates.

A chorus of cries tore the air above them.Merrith stumbled onto solid ground with a gashed thigh and broken leather, Get

to the top, boys!

Laertes and Malcolm didnt need to be told anything. They were already halfway

up the stairs when Merrith began.The dull light of the wasted harbor broke into their view as they ran out onto deck

and braced themselves against the final current. They threw a quick glance at the recruits,

who seemed to regard their arrival with an almost angelic portent. The young fashion

model in his pale blue uniform looked as if he was contemplating jumping overboard.And he mightve done it if it hadnt been for Laertes and Malcolm.

A sharp breeze cut across their faces as they gripped onto the iron again, and rangout a single-toned horn in the distance, sickeningly reminiscent of a jammed typewriter.

Their gaze flew to their opposing craft, clad in polished iron and a damp red, and

bearing a logo that looked easily like a simplistic, robotic interpretation of a jolly dog.The pair of the pups eyes gleamed a saturated red onto the hull of the S.S Hellgate.

There was no name on this vessel. Only a series of faded numbers.

Merrith blustered out from behind them and flung himself to the bow of the

Hellgate as he gripped at his O-cap. There were thick rumors that the S.S. Hellgate hadserved in The Great Pangeaical War during its birth months, but never had the crew

found anything that could be regarded war-like. Its closest attribute would have to be the

sturdy-built stabilization system built into its hull. This only served well against certainElectro-magnetic pulse (EMP) devices, much like those deployed by the Kharadin

warships.

And just like the older days when bombarded each others ship with a barrage ofcannons, EMP blast devices became the new gun that every bad boy with a ship had to

get. Merrith sure didnt put it past the Bloodhound National Shipping Company, and all

of its financial glory to outfit every stinkin ship with one.

The few opposing crew swathed in grey laughed uncontrollably when he sawMerriths discontent. Who said money couldnt buy some inflated bastards happiness?

Just making sure you dont get too close to us! bellowed one of the gray suits as

he indicated the rust, Wouldnt want to catch anything shes got!Merriths heart skipped a beat. If the Hellgate was anything like a house to them,

it was Merriths soft, warm bath, beloved towel that he would use to wash his kiddies

with. That is, if he ever had any. It was the beating furnace of his chest, heaving againstthe thick liquid, stained from the blood of tyrants where the Hellgate floated through it

like a paper cut.

And she most certainly did not have any whore disease.


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In quick succession, Malcolm and Laertes flanked Merrith, arms drawn directly

at the crew as they flinched but a hair. Merrith quickly followed with a brace of iron-clad

pistols and both ships seemed frozen in time together, like partners in some nauticaldance.

In a matter of seconds, their dream was shattered by an obnoxious clattering of

parts, and that of a finely crafted engine. A quartet of an iron parody of a head perked outfrom single columns inside the center of the ship and met its gaze directly on the S.S.

Hellgates crew.

Like devils, their corpse of circuits rose from the depths of the ship and thuddedwith iron against iron and flesh. Simultaneously, their arms thrust into the air and slunked

aside to reveal a chamber akin to that of a sub-machine gun.

If the S.S. Hellgate was anything of a military vessel, then the

Bloodhounds were Deaths boat flowing down the river Styx, but instead of ferryingsouls for souls sake, they charged a price with strong arm robbery. And they certainly

had tools of negotiation on their side.

Weve got guns too, yknow, called a second gray suit across the rapids.

Merrith gritted his teeth against his lip as he slowly withdrew his pistol, but didntmove more than a second faster than his dead quartet robotic mimes could retreat.

They were called Warforged. The bastard children of man and machine. Theresult of human apathy and the desire for a culture more efficient and more ruthless than

it had ever been seen before. If a slaves body had to be buried deep inside Drunns

titanic wall during The Great War, it was considered an honor. Now, you could replacethe slaves with Warforged at double the cost, but half the human expense. Whenever they

malfunctioned or broke down, you could always melt it down and have it branded into

the wall. Just clockwork, you can always build another.

And just before the Bloodhounds sailed out of sight, their commander, fitted in ablood red long coat and brass cap gave off a vulgar salute to the company of the Hellgate.

It was returned swiftly by Malcolm who nearly fell overboard.

Laertes was quite sure that the recruits had wet themselves during the encounter.Feuds like this only occurred closer into the port. The Blood-pups didnt dare venturing

out as far as the other independent shipping companies did. Losing even a single dinghy

was rumored to incite hell from their masters. How did they adapt financially?They bribed closer states with a lower shipping fee if they directly used their

service, and even gave the state free credit if they allowed the Bloodhounds to open up a

franchise port on their soil. Of course, land by the overly chlorinated sea usually reeked

of rotted fish and yielded no crops that the land-serfs could harvest, so it was merely deadweight to their interests. Why not let some ambitious, profit-loving shipping company

infringe upon their land if it would yield them a profit?

The port grew closer into view, with the distinct murk fog covering Esther Bay.Water always swam thicker and greener along Esther Bay, as if the blood of tyrants had

been scrubbed clean by the heel soot of entrepreneurial benefits and CEO bonuses.

It wasnt always this way with Esther Bay. Last time Laertes checked, the nameEsther meant something more along the sense of Purity or Innocence. Not Smoke-

Stacks Air Pollution, or Warforged.

Warforged. What a ghastly name for an employee in such a peaceful

business.


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Laertes felt a gloved hand upon his shoulder. Fredrich.

Almost home, Laertes, he patted Laertes shoulder and pointed towards the

tallest building in the city. Smoke clouds circled its revolutionary 12 stories like awedding ring. Its pulsing red beacon jutting out of the roof did all the more to remind him

that this was his permanent motel encapsulated in an iron blanket.

Pack youre shit up so we can get out of here as soon as we touchdown. The lesstrouble we can run into with those Bloodpups, the better. God given them any amount of

favor and theyd own more than half the port by now.

Laertes spun around quickly and caught Malcolms hand and murmured softly, Ithink we can safely agree that no God has given them any ounce of favor that wasnt

given to us. They merely have a different expression of their favor

Malcolm stared deadlocked into Laertes eyes, before letting out a heavy sigh and

dropping his hand so that it hung limp by his side. Lets hope so.Merrith quickly cinched up his sack, slung it over his back and headed for the

boarding dock on the S.S. Hellgate. Ill meet you guys at the bar in an hour or so.

Besides, Im sure Laertes is gonna want to touch base with Cassi when he gets back to his

hab. He turned to face him. Tell the Missus I said Hi, will you?

Believe me, shell have more to say to you than just Hello.Merrith chuckled and grinned at the iron floor, They always do and, by the

way he turned to look at the trio who still took residence in that same corner that they

began in. They snapped to a pathetic excuse for military attention and shook down totheir boots from ice water. One of them attempted a salute but was foiled by his pair of

boisterous goggles.

Dont salute me, laughed Merrith, Im not an officer. I just like their fashion

sense. He laughed again, but you three got the job. If you want to follow up later, ournext run will take place in a week from today, 6 a.m. sharp.

The Hellgate slammed into Esther Bay and was greeted by the coarse yells of

dock servants and the dull smell of burning oil.And next time, Merrith finished, Dont bring your own food. We prefer fresh

fish to anything farmed in this shit-hole.


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Chapter 2

Cassi! Laertes called and thrust his backpack onto the floor. Silence. Asleep,

probably. He quietly shut the door behind him, but couldnt escape the faint dinging

that the bell attached to the door made whenever the handle was slightly moved. Laertesclenched his eyes and scowled when he heard it go off. He swore that hed told Cassi to

get it removed before he returned home. It reminded him too much of the large, brass bell

that always hung high above all of the ships at the port. Whenever a ship returned to port,it rang almost deafeningly to signal a crew to fetch the tying materials. And now, he had

a small, miniature version of it to always remind him of how much he hated the thing.

But almost on cue, a large mastiff leaped out from behind a defeated and shamed

excuse for a couch and pounced on top of Laertes. He cried out as he caught the dog inhis arms and swung him back and forth, the dogs tongue lapping up the beads of sweat

that fell from his brow. Laertes squeezed tighter on the pup before letting him go and he

scrambled to the ground.

I see Diamonds already found you, Cassi smiled as she ran her hand acrossDiamonds mottled fur, letting his tongue grace her hand.

Laertes smiled as he made his way across the room and into her embrace, Just asI seem to have found you His damp sea-scruff rubbed up against her cheek as she

repelled from the hug a bit. If that bothered her, what did she think of his masculine

odor?It was hard for him not to imagine that she was off in her own head at times like

these. When she was forced to play the obligatory wife instead of voicing what was on

her mind. Albeit, the last thing Laertes wanted to hear when he returned home was how

his clothes smelt, he never returned letters, and how angry she was at Merrith for keepinghim away so long.

Its not like he actually enjoyed his job or anything; because as far as she

was concerned, Merrith was a complete despicable workhorse of a taskmaster. Whenevera job came up, she wouldve sworn that Merrith had insisted Laertes would accompany

him. And if he refused, Merrith would threaten him with his position and fire him.

The reality was that Merrith, Laertes, and Malcolm had simply been too much ofa team for far too long to operate without one another. They seemed to have an almost

spiritual connection together. It was like a package deal, three for the price of one.

Neither the bachelor Merrith nor the aged Malcolm had any sort of family ties to worry

about, so having to work around Cassi became a chore sometimes.She stepped back from the embrace and let out a wimpy smile. You should

shave

Ill get right on that now thanks. He half-assed a smile and scratched at hisfacial hair. It was getting pretty long. The least he could do for being gone months at a

time was get some use out of his razor every once in a while. He owed that to her, at

least.As he was about to turn to the bathroom, he froze mid-step and turned back to

Cassi and meeting her eyes. He stumbled for words.

So, hows the.. he gulped, hows the child? He held his breath for a reaction.


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And she smiled, wide and toothy. The greatest thing that hed seen all

month.

Laertes couldnt help but smile too. Really? he laughed, Shes alright!? ByKord, thats the best news Ive heard! he strutted around an into the bathroom,

Showing those doctors a thing or too, eh? Two months left to live my arse!

He reached into the closest drawer and drew out a razor fitted with a woodenhandle. Its response was clean and sharp to the touch as each flick of the blade on a

soaped up face cut away a clean layer of fur from his face.

Any daughter of mine wont go down that easily without a fight. Mark mywords, Cassi. That whenever the time comes that she meets death, be her 67 or 7 years

old, she wont go down without a kicking and screaming. He nicked himself a slice

while shaving and winced. Thats my girl!

Cassi entered into the bathroom and wrapped her frail hands around his waist andlocked them tight. I still havent been able to name her though she paused as he

stopped shaving and looked at his half-shaven face. Im sorry she whispered into his

shoulder blades, with tear lines seeping out her wounded mind.

She was rumored to be a still born before she emerged. The doctors had toldCassi that there would be a 50/50 chance that the child could be born dead into the world.

And it had already happened once, Cassi told him that she couldnt bear it again. Notanother one.

The last one was a boy.

But luckily, she had been born alive, screaming her little thumping heart out.Nearly every single bone in her body had been broken. There hadnt been any chance of a

stillborn. They were wrong. But the doctors had panicked during the birth and had

accidently treated her too roughly. Her ribs literally formed a spiny cage around her frail

heart, a single shift of any bone would puncture it and cause a non-repairable amount ofinternal bleeding.

Since then, shed been confined to a full body suit of flimsy tin to help her body

straighten itself out. It had been perfectly crafted by Laertes to fit a young girl her size,but he had to constantly re-forge it in order to avoid stunting growth to his creation, and it

was times like these that being an engineer was the single-handedly best career that he

couldve chosen. There wouldve been no way that he wouldve been able to trust asingle blacksmith, let alone any other man, to be able to craft such an important item for

him. To even begin to think of it hurt him. If she were to die young, he would be forced

to track the creator of her armor down and slay him in the most inhumane way

imaginable, even if it was clearly not his blame.Laertes couldnt ever continue living if both his hands were stained by others

blood.

On CassisBirth Bed, he had sworn to her that if she came out alive, Cassi wouldget to name her whatever she wanted.

That was exactly what shes been doing, even now. If you lose a nameless child,

it isnt as bad as losing a Sally, Sue, or Jill. But a Sue will always be a Sue if you call herone. From the moment of birth to the day of her death, and the least you can do for her is

hope that those two days distance themselves as far as possible.

Cassis tears sobbing down his back like two deep gashes spilling themselves onto

your average, every-day attire told him that she had no longer the courage to name her.


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That the faint smile on her face told more a story of internal warfare than one of longing

happiness. Laertes couldnt imagine Cassis tormented soul, the amount of bombs being

dropped inside her head.He quickly turned to face her, and buried her cheek against his soap laden one.

She slowly stopped crying and her black curls ceased to bob as he took her by the

shoulders.I think its time to name her, he smiled, but was met with no such compassion.

She turned one year old yesterday, and I think the greatest gift in the world would be to

give her the one thing she could call her own. He said as he tried to shake a smile out ofher, but it was all she could do to turn away and squeeze her eyes shut.

No, Laertes Not yet. Just a little longer, I promise She slunk away and

dropped her hands to her side as she slid into the colorless couch.

He came out of the bathroom and leaned himself against the door frame as hewatched her spill herself out into drab pillows and a shredded blanket and watched her.

Here, in this most glorious moment, a link in the chain had faltered and shed itself all

over its brand mates. Laertes thought that this much sincerity and humanity only came to

bear at sea, when surrounded by nothing else but uncompromising waves and everaccepting and listening waves.

Its alright, he began as he made his way over to a small rosemary in thewindow sill and plucked off choice leaves, Youll know when its the right time,

honey He wiped the remaining shaving soap off his beard and flicked the towel down

into the wash-bin, leaving him with an awkward sort of scruff.She stopped crying for merely a second and rose up from her tiny funeral of dust

bunnies and wool stitching, Whatre you doing..? she trailed off as she wiped the

beading tears from her eyes.

Making some tea for ya, he smiled and crushed some of the leaves into a near-boiling pot of water. He had invented crude form of a heating device using a diluted form

of the oil he used to fuel a ship, setting it on fire and making it dance under a flimsy

canopy of tin. This way, he could control exactly how much flame he wanted at anygiven time.

And it had only burnt the house down twice.

She smiled back at him and laughed a breath before straightening up the displacedblankets and pillows and attempting to dry off her tear stains.

I know that this probably isnt what you wanted to arrive after a long journey

too she paused and wiped her nose in only a way that Cassandra Rouskov could do

elegantly.You know what? Laertes began as he finally caused a smile to break her face,

As long as I have you and our little girl to come home to, Im fine. I promise.

A tiny, faint little cry came from the other side of the house that was unmistakablysomeone just woken up, angry, from their soft little nap.

Their laughter was angelic. Cassi turned back to Laertes with a grin

Should I bring her out to see her father for the first time again?Laertes smiled.


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Chapter 3

Fredrich and Merrith were already waiting at the pub when Laertes arrived. Late,

as usual, he stumbled in with his water soaked coat and dark dripping hair marking hissignature arrival. It took only a passing glance and a sloppy wet step in order to perk

Fredrich and Merriths attention.

Fredrichs chair swiveled around to face the door, a pint of mead hanging looselyin his hand. Thankfully, Merrith had probably already watered it down for him. The big

slop didnt have the highest temperance in the world.

Nice of ya to show up, buddy. Dont worry about us, he patted Merrith Thismans eres been keeping me compny. Aint that right, Mer?

I still never wouldve put it past Fred to got wasted an hour into the night,

regardless of the alcohol content of whatever foul, piss filled beverage he was drinking.

Merrith didnt budge from his position at the counter, slowly stroking his barely-touched glass of mead. He glared at it deeply, his eyes seemingly tracing the little

bubbles as they floated from the bottom of the glass to the top again. Rinse and Repeat.

Merrith had always been like this late at night. In some sort of trance that required

his full, devoted attention. Worshipping the god of the stars and transcendence,seemingly inhibited by the loving god of inebriation. You just kinda gave him some time

and he worked himself out of it. Reborn anew with a scar burdening his heart.Laertes patted Merriths back and took the rosy red seat next to him. He waved

his hand at the bartender and flung him 3 fingers. Water with tonic, please. The bartender

had a handlebar moustache you could ride away into the night with the damsel in distresswhile the entire world exploded into flame behind you. Or at least some femme with too

much to drink. Laertes figured they were probably the same, and if Merrith was

conscious, he wouldve agreed too.

The water landed slid and he caught it with a single outstretched hand. Thebartender winked at him. If he was ever going to have a son, he was going to name it

after this pinnacle of a man. He looked to his companions, but found Fredrich making

love-y dove-y faces at a wooden pillar seeminglys aroused by it. Merrith continued hisusual stare. Every time it would be something new: the sea, ale, water, etc. As long as it

was a form of liquid, Merrith had to train his eyes on it, unblinking, for far more than an

average man should be able to hold his irises focused on a single target.Laertes nudged him, You doing alright ?

He jolted awake and rubbed his eyes in pain, Yeah yeah Im fine. He grunted

in his chair and stretched widely, accidently rubbing his hand up against Freds face and

feeling his damp, coarse facial hair. He recoiled fiercely and turned to Laertes withhesitation.

Thanks for doin that he stammered, Someone coulda walked up and nicked

my wallet or something he squinted at my drink, Youre next uh tonic water ison me.

He laughed at his pint, You know were at bar, right? As in, alcoholic beverages?

As in Youre fuckin surrounded by water almost 24/7 and you want more of it?Merrith leaned in closer and whispered to him, I mean, I love being at sea a hell

of a lot more than the next guy. Solely for the reason that they dont take what you and I

take from being out there. Theres never been any other place in the world Ive been so at

peace with not only myself, but with all my other mates in the world that insist upon


12/22

raising trouble. If only to get a reaction out of whatever soil loving mates that care to

listen. I admit I may have been born on land, so I still fall under those temptations, but

you better bet that I may not agree with it, but I accept it. I cant change it, so why shouldI bother? Id rather love the sea with all of my heart and worry about drowning in it than I

would living a false life on land. He pointed at the glass, And that, my friend, is not

the sea, but its purified, religious sister.Merrith smiled desperately. He sure had a hell of a lot floating through his

mind.

I get it you want me to buy a pint then, eh?Yeah, just a bit. Sorry, its not everyday that we have to retrun back home. He

took a deep swig, Might as well make it as painless as possible he trailed off as he

signaled the bartender to bring his wussy friend a rich pint.

Laertes sighed as he signaled the him to cancel the order. The bartender onlylaughed and complied. Finishing cleaning out another glass and replacing it onto the rack.

Thats right, Merrith continued, Youve got a child now. Youre a mature,

responsible adult. House, kids, the works. You cant avoid such frivolities now.

Laertes shot him a scowl. He continued, I understand, and hell, in 25 yearsyoull retire from sailing, and die happily with a little carbon copy of yourself to live on.

Good for you.Laertes pulled him close by the damp, flaxon hair that hung over his eyes.

Beneath it all, he could see the 27 year olds face, young, but blemished over by a series

of scars that could make a grown man think twice about starting something.Shut the hell up.

Merrith recoiled and swatted his hand away, returning to his drink. Black pools of

soot lined in his eyes and out of the corner of them, he could see Malcolm trying to

smooth talk a stool using exaggerated suggestive eyebrows.He chuckled a short and then turned back, Sorry about that He brushed his

hair out of his eyes and took a longer swig. Just a wee bit scared for my future I mean,

where do I have to go after this? Do I just sail around the world til I die? he chuckled,That sounds beautiful and all, but I cant help but want to dig my roots into this.. Pause.

Belch. This decrepit soil. And grow myself enough fruits to end my labors and if

those fetid Bloodhounds get there way, well all be owned by them before I get anywoman drunk enough to marry me!

Laertes smiled. This was the Merrith he knew and loved. Listen, youre way too

young to even be worrying about things like that! Im somewhere around 15 years older

than you, and thats a long time to make a decision. He threw his arm around Merrithsshoulder, Youll get there, lad. I promise. And when you do, the time will be right.

Theres no forcing that.

Lets hope I make it that far, he laughed grimly as he stole another sip from hispint, draining it.

The pair sat for a while in silence before Merrith spoke again.

Look off to your right, Merrith whispered under his breath, You see those 3Bloodpups over in the corner, there?

Laertes pretended to crane and scratch his neck to get a better view. 3 clean

shaven men, one with a stinkin eye patch and another with a cheek scar. They looked

oddly familiar.


13/22

Those are the guys from earlier, right? Yknow, the ones on the ship? Merrith

asked.

Thats where he had seen them before. Only this time they were minus theirWarforged babysitters.

What do you say we rough them up, eh? Show them what we can do without any

wimpy-ass robots.Laertes nodded as Merrith turned back to Fredrich and gave him a few slaps and a

pint of water. Fred looked like he was going to beat the tar out of Merrith for a second,

but then he pointed behind him and at the trio of grey suits behind him.Fredrich got this smile that looked like all hell unleashed. That this was finally

time to get back for all the times theyd defaced the Hellgate and scratched their rancid

symbol into her beautiful hull.

Fredrich drew out a small blade, no longer than the length of his wrist. Merrithhesitated for a moment, then asked him to put the blade away. Not here, not now. There

will be a time, Fredrich, I promise.

He seemed dejected a bit, frowned, but he sheathed it. And even though they had

restrained from using the blade and Fredrichs malicious grin had vanished, there wasstill that dark gleam uniform in every pair of eyes.

Revenge for all the times that the S.S. Hellgate had been worried about beingbought out by the Bloodpup Corporation and their prissy, tunic-wearing bosses that never

seemed to have enough cash for their bubble bath.

This night, was for them.

Chapter 3

Second thought. They decided to use the knife as more of a persuasion tool.People listen to you a lot easier when youve got a knife aimed and ready to gut them if

they dont follow your directions to the letter. Capitalize on that with a cocked pistol to

the back and you can just get about anything you want.Chik-chak.

The alleyway smelt like rotten fish barbequed on hot whiskey and cheap rubber.

One by one the grey suits poured out of the bar, followed by a member of the S.S.Hellgate.

Fredrich got the short, scrawny guy. Pinned him to the ground by his legs and

beat the shit out of him his bare fists. Didnt take him long to start bleeding through a

gash the size of a small fish from his lip. He had hair blonder than a fuckin lemon.They didnt take the grey trio outside to get into a fair fight. They were past that.

When a group of money-craving, suede loving bastards decide to give your little business

a run for its money and try to take all of its worldly possessions, you do everything youcan to stop it. And it wasnt about money, or the possessions.

For Laertes, it was about his child. Sweet, sweet whatever her name was

going to be. It was about taking the food off of her and Cassis plates. That his familywouldnt be able to eat anymore and they would have to go hungry until he could find

another job. And the way that the Bloodhounds seemed to be doing it, they were going

to be thorough. Anyone that looked like they had any knowledge of anything nautical that


14/22

could threaten to take a single dime from their golden-lined pockets was going to be

executed if they rose to power.

Laertes made sure to remember that as he punched a hole through his victimslovely little cheek. Their screams rang upon deaf ears of conviction and limelight.

Laertes had never witnessed blood soaked teeth so clearly in the damp gas-lamp fog-

light. During the beatings, he once thought if this was one-sided at all. That maybe he

was playing the role of the angered mother, armed with a wooden paddle and set loose

upon her misbehaving students. Maybe he was a town guard, trying to suppress arevolution or a riot. Him, the violent oppressor, and the grey suits squirming under his

grasp of iron. But he had to remind himself that it was the other way around.

That when he cleft him around the head with the base of his fist, Laertes

was the victim.But what had this singular man done to him? Sure, he had shown his crass

arrogance, coupled with a masculinity that came only with having an armed escort of four

Warforged, roughly the size of a man and a half. Punk-ass, clean shaven kid. Living on

nothing but testosterone and the desire built into his balls to fuck everything with a pussythat moved. He was barely a child, himself. It wasnt his fault. Hell, he probably only

used the cash he received from his job to get wasted inside of bars all over town. Better tothrow your life away now then when you have a family.

A Family.

He stopped mid-swing with the kid and dropped him to the ground. Fredrich andMerrith each dropped their men and stood up, fists laden with blood. Each of them

looked like some supernatural predator of the night, snarling and blinded by rage. Claws

dripping.

Each one of these kids had the potential to have a family. To have a wife and bescared to death to watch her give birth to a still born. They werent wrong because they

needed money. Fuck, everyone needed money, and it wasnt their fault that they went to

the Bloodhounds to do it.It was the Bloodhounds who needed to be taken down. The men at the top. The

head honchos needed to fall under the weight of the world. The world that refused to let

greed run rampart throughout their lives and take them like zombies into graveyards.These kids had the possibility to change and not become like their new masters.

All they needed was someone to set them right.

Laertes pulled his victim close to him, his flaxon hair falling to the ground like

feathers. His voice sounded coarse in the damp nightWhats your name? he whispered.

The kid stammered and reached for his cheek. He could feel his teeth through his

skin. Shock began to set in. His eyes began to dart from side to side, to Laertes again,then back to the sides.

Slap. That set him still and straight.

I said, with all clarity, What is your name?St-Steven.. his teeth chattered. Why are you doing this..?

Merrith and Fred had materialized behind me, their eyes droning onto infinity and

the dark expanse of bleeding gums.


15/22

I want you to quit your job. Today. It was hard to keep him from biting at his

cheek. I took out his wallet, pocketed his license and stuffed the warm leather in-between

his teeth.I dont care how late it is. I want you to go down to your masters headquarters,

demand an audience with someone and tell them that youre quitting. And if anyone

gives you as so much as an ounce of resistance, I want you to ask them to join you inquitting. Tell them that if they care about the lives of not only their family but their

neighbor family and their neighbors neighbor family.

Laertes shook him a bit and Steven didnt seem to quite get it.Do it, or well pluck your eyes out. Laertes made the snapping movement of a

crabs pinchers. Snip-snap. Plop.

He got it. Every muscle in Stevens face understood at one perfect moment.

Good. Laertes repeated, Glad were on the same page.He turned back around and met the cold, empty glares of Merrith and Fredrich.

Fredrichs loose face and slack jaw opened only slightly, allowing Laertes to enter the

mass of gaping jaw that seemed to be reason.

Lets get out of here. He coughed out, choking through words of bile.***

Everyone blew chunks after that. They were deciding whether or not to be mildlyappalled by what theyd done or be mildly proud that theyd made an ounce of a

difference. They all seemed to agree that something had happened to them back there.

Something supra-human. Like they seemed to be watching themselves fromabove the steam covered rooftops and balconies and made a dent in the whole scheme of

things around here and discovered something. Something more about the world around

them and how to deal with it. Simply put, cut Hoff the head of the snake and drink its

blood. Or in this case: a rebellious, imperial puppy.A thin voice cut through the night on the road back into the tenements of the

town. It was Merriths.

What the hell happened back there..? he turned to face Laertes, Especially withyou, Laertes. I turned to look at ya and I saw you going away at him like nothing Id ever

seen before. Demon possessed is an understatement.

Laertes hung his head. He wondered if he really was a beast. It wouldnt be toofar of a stretch at this point.

You seem transformed Hell, I think we all did. He turned back to Fredrich

who just continued to walk as if he was in some sort of trance. His feet carried him just

fine enough to get him home. He looked pretty beat up emotionally. Scarred and handedinto the mausoleum. Hell come out of it soon enough, probably. Hopefully.

I dont want to think about it, Laertes cut in, lifting his head, All I want to do

right now is get home to my kid He stole a look at Merrith, whose eyes lined thecobblestone beneath him, but the hint of jealousy still peeked through them. He took out

a tesp-stick, lit it with a match and blew a puff into the night.

Alright.. he said, You want me to walk Fred home?But I dont think we should leave each other just yet.. Laertes said,

Something happened back there, and all three of us felt it.


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Fredrich was starting to come around. His eyes and his face regained color and he

walked with a gait that made him seem like he was more alive than his previous

zombification.What are you guys talkin bout? Fredrich repeated numbly, his lips seemingly

like icy bread, thawing out grain by grain.

Merrith sighed and took another short drag on his stick, I agree with you guys. Imean, hell, I dont think any of us have been that badly screwed up in a long time, let

alone that violent he stared off into the cobblestone matrix, Well, at least you

guysI think that this whole experience was just a message from someone, Fredrich

blurted out, his tongue slipping awkwardly in and out over his mouth and teeth. He was

still regaining consciousness, but seemed to making more sense with his realistic shots in

the dark.He was always searching for something spiritual in everything that happened

around him. It rubbed Merrith and Laertes the wrong way countless times, but maybe he

actually had a point this time.

There was a silence. Merrith and Laertes shot a glance at each other then back atFredrich.

What are you talking about, now? Merrith asked, blowing vapor into night.All Im saying, Fredrich continued in the same nonsensical tone that had lain

dormant until now. is that maybe theres more to this than weve thought about, and

maybe its even simpler than anything wed ever considered.What is it then? Some sort of God? Was Kord, Sheanine, or any of those other

phony explanations for how the world seems to turn magically on its own responsible for

any of this?

Malcolms breath stained the air as his voice quavered and shivered along withhis voice beat and his vibrations shook him.

No, its something More than that. You cant point to it like those stupid

theologists point to each of their favorite Gods and claim it to be their handi-work,shoving away anything that looks remotely negative to their God.

He paused and looked behind him in the direction of the bar.

I just get this feeling that we were supposed to have beaten the shit out of thoseguys, that we were supposed to learn something from it. Something important I mean,

was I the only person who felt some sort of out of body experience that whole time? he

cleared his throat. That I was above the world, or in the shoes of some Demi-god,

watching an act of atrocity take place?Laertes heart skipped a beat. Or standing above the gas-lamp, fog-lights on the

rooftops.

Well I can tell you what I personally felt, Merrith cut in, I wasnt sticking myheads up in the clouds as I was beating the shit out of that grey suit tool. I was in the

moment. I could feel his bone split beneath my fist, my knuckles breaking as it smashed

his nose into broken cartiledge.Merrith gave a dark smirk as he stood illuminated in the dark pale light of the

night.

As I drove my hand into his throat and heard it crackle and snap. It was beautiful

to have affected something so young in such a wrong way.


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Laertes seemed taken aback. He didnt just say that, did he?

Wait a second, you didnt kill him, did you..?

Merrith took another drag, this time his voice was laden with a somber tone Yep,I did. I thought about all of the shit that theyd done to us, and all the shit theyre

probably going to do in the future. I thought about it in foresight. That it was one last man

wed have to gut when Esther Port goes to hell.Laertes stood aghast.

You know that not only Esther Port is Esther Port going to tank, but so is this

whole goddamn country! And what does the duke seem to be doing about it? Nothing!Lavishing himself in the gracious bribes that the Bloodhounds send him in order to keep

him off their back! Shits going to go down, mark my word, and if anything itll start

right here in Esther!

How could you kill someone?! Laertes blurted out turning to Fredrichwho seemed to not be shocked at all by this recent set of news.

Because, Merrith began as he kicked his stick into the rocky ground and wiped

it out with his boot, This wasnt the first time Ive killed someone. And what they say is

true. It becomes easier every time you do it.Indeed he has, Fredrich agreed, Ive come close to killing one too. It just

happens in my line of work. People get into drunken stupors, think its funny to messwith the janitor and threaten him with a broken bottle. Only problem is, I usually crack

them over the head with the butt of a broom and knock em unconscious for a while.

Works nice regardless the size of the man.Violence is all around us, Merrith said, You can only run from it for so long.

Fredrich put his hand on Laertes shoulder and he flinched. His hands were

freezing and Laertes could feel it seeping through his coat.

Its not all bad, you know? It sucks, but thats just life. People live and die. SureIve never taken anyones life, but I figure that one day, I just might have to. Were all

going to Hell here, Laertes. Its only different degrees, now

There was a pause, a defining silence ringing through the air now. It passedthrough everyones mind like a bullet and reminded them of the air in the sky and dirt on

the earth.

Laertes finally broke the silence, Im sorry, I disagree with ya guys hepointed at Merrith, being youre senior by at least 10 years, I can tell you that youre as

wrong as you can be. Its about the choices you make in your life. You can avoid it if you

can.

Merrith smirked a slight.And Im going to demand that you tell me why you killed that man, Merrith. I

demand to know that before I step on any ship with you. He jabbed inquisitively at

Merrith, I trust you because you havent given me any reason not to yet, and Iunderstand that we all come from different backgrounds, and mine from a more sheltered

one than yours.

He glared back at Fredrich who only maintained a set of sad eyes and a singlefrown and then back to Merrith. His grin had faded and was replaced by a hint of a

regretful frown.


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Alright, he began, I understand. I killed a man and I deserve at least some

resentment for that along with some ability to explain. I can promise you, though, that the

man didnt do quite enough to deserve it I did quite lose my sanity when I killed him.Laertes took a gulp and then took his leave, Thanks for the honesty he

bumped Merriths shoulder harshly on the way out.

Dont worry about it, Merrith smiled, Dont forget that weve got a quick runto make in exactly 3 days from now! And I want you on board, 4:30 a.m. sharp!

Laertes smiled, at least Merrith didnt let this get him down.

Ill be there!And he raced off into the night. Ready to crawl in bed with Cassi and kiss his beautiful

little girl goodnight.


19/22

Chapter 4

Laertes thought that he had never seen anything more beautiful than her and her

drool stained cheek, baby blue eyes and blonde hair. Her look always remained everquestioning, that slight limp of her bottom lip and her baby-fat stuffed cheeks.

Albeit, that was the only part of her that was visible underneath her tin shell,

frozen into place by bad circumstance and medical mistreatment. The tin was the color ofbright metal, and just as flimsy.

But Laertes had a present for her today. Her very first birthday present.

He had bought and crafted a special, high-quality plas-tek suit out of the meagerprofits hed saved up from her birth, working on the S.S. Hellgate. Raw plas-tek came

from the processed swamplands of the south and combined with only the best ingredients

and components from the chemists in Musanas. Purchasing and shipping the ingredients

themselves were expensive, let alone finding a chemist and hiring him.So he figured that its more than possible to do it himself, crafted and made with

love, stamped with his fathers personal signature. It fit like a charm and Cassi couldnt

have been happier.

Even if the party wasnt grand, but the half feast was one of the best things andsuppers that he could have tasted.

It was roughly 2 weeks since he had returned and he would have to leave againsoon. As much as he loved the sea, he couldnt keep this much time away from his

family. They deserved it more than Merrith and Fredrich did.

Holding his daughter in-between his arms watching her smile as much as her facemuscles would allow, he made a promise.

Without so much as a break in his voice he turned to Cassi, Can I ask you

something?

Cassi looked up from a ratted up copy of the recent newspaper, and even though itwas 7:30 at night, it still proved to be interesting to her. She smiled, set her paper down,

and began tapping on her daughters nose and making her giggle with glee.

Sure. Whatre you thinking?Laertes continued, the words flowing out of his mouth like a bullet.

In 18 some odd years, I want to retire. But theres no way Im going to be able to

live without being on the ocean. I just cant manage to separate myself from it.She nodded her head.

I want to save up enough money in order to buy a boat for us, he smiled as he

wiped an ounce of drool off of his daughters cheek. That way, we can sail around the

world and go wherever we wantedCassi frowned a bit. She look afraid of losing her home and the rest of her

surroundings. She had just bought this place three years ago, the last thing she wanted to

do now was give it up.Dont worry, he said, reading her mind right off of the expressions on her

face.Weve still got 18 years left, remember? Thats all the time in the world!

The tiny, drooling, smiling mass of flesh in his arms yawned in exhaustion. Herleft hand rubbed up and down her face and then planted itself directly inside of her

gooey, dripping little mouth. Laertes laughed a quip and pulled it out, picking her up and

placing her inside of her blue dye stained wooden crib in the corner of the room and

tucking her in, but not without giving her a quick peck on the cheek.


20/22

Cassi looked up from the bed sullenly. What are we going to do about her

though?

Laertes shot her a quizzical look, What do you mean? 18 years and shell befine, he smiled. Shell be off to a university, whatever deity willing, and be making a

name for herself he paused after he realized what he said and turned back to her.

But what if something happens to her? she said through an almost teary faceand heart.

Dont think about it, Laertes smiled and crawled next to her in bed. Shell be

just fine.I dont believe you. She put bluntly, turning away from him.

He scowled, I know you dont. he said as he pulled himself beneath the covers

and she mimicked him.

If something does happen to her though she said as they both turned to eachother and met each others glance. I want to have another child

He took a good long look at her for a while, soaking in everything and he turned

and took a look at their lovely daughter, napping in the bed directly across from them.

Laertes met her eyes with steely resolve.Name her first, he pointed, so that she doesnt become forgotten in this

ruthless cycle. Name her first and then if something happens, I will consider it. But thatlittle crib in the corner of the room contains the most beautiful thing to ever exist on this

planet, so treat her so. You got that?

She nodded.He smiled slowly and kissed her on the forehead, causing a slight grin to break

her lips.

Get some sleep, I depart tomorrow at 4:30 and I want you to be there to wish me,

a safe trip like youve always done.Her smile was the last thing he saw before he drifted into sleep.


21/22

Chapter 5

A cannon sounded. The another. Then another and another.

Laertes stirred in his bed for a moment, rubbing his eyes and attempting to seeinto the darkness of his bedroom.

The only thing that even remotely registered in his senses were the cacophony of

black powder being fired along with the musky smell of chemical discharge.What were they doing putting on a parade at this time of night? Didnt they know

that this was most usually the time that everyone slept? Maybe the duke was in town. But

his lazy ass wouldve wanted to wait until morning so he couldve made the grandestspectacle of himself possible.

Another volley of cannons sounded.

He glanced over at Cassi, who still lay snuggled between her two sheets. Her

chest heaving with the weight of her heart.Another cannon sounded.

He smiled and laid back down, shutting his mind and his eyes.

An ear splitting scream rang through his head. It was a womans.

He flung himself out of bed as quickly as he could, and around him, he heard thesound of the volleys ringing into the night. A shiver ran through his spine and he threw

his eyes at Cassi.She was standing now, and they both shared a glance of horror and felt the weight

of the world tipping slowly upon their shoulders.

Next came the splintering of age-old wood. It bled into the night like a thousandbones snapping in unison, and with it came more screams and cries. Neighbors, co-

workers, and acquaintances wailed into the night like sirens, in repentance to their God.

The baby started crying. Cassi and Laertes knew that they had to get out of here

fast.Cassi ran to the crib to fetch the shrieking child, as Laertes made a dash for their

kitchen. He flung the rack of plates to the ground and ripped open a locked shut

cupboard.Their house shook beneath his feet. The very same house theyd bought 2 years

ago and had promised to live in their entire lives under its roof. All of the cupboards in

the house flew open and loosed its contents onto the wooden floor beneath him.He rummaged through the cabinet until he felt a cold metal device and a large

wooden pistol the size of his lower. It was the same pistol hed pulled on the

Bloodhounds out at sea 2 weeks ago, but he hadnt fired since he was a kid and it had

been given to him by his deceased father.He grabbed the pair of items along with a pouch of black powder and some iron

walls and made his way back to the bedroom.

The windows exploded around him.Glass stung into his skin as he winced in pain. He could feel the blood running

down the side of his leg and the smallest little bits that would take days to force out of his

skin. He threw open the door to find Cassi and their child clothed in however many layersthat they could wear and a backpack stuffed with food rations. She was attempting to

calm the baby, but there was no use at the moment. She was the one who needed calming

right now.


22/22

Laertes grunted as he flung the pair out the door and snagged his dark brown long

coat on his way out. He slammed the door behind him and entered a special brand of Hell

unique to his terror.There were hordes of unorganized citizenry swarming out from around him. They

fled into the street and down the boulevard. Women and children seemed to make up the

bulk of the forces heading south.He looked up, and he couldve sworn that he had been transported into Tiamats

lair for if only a single second. The smell of burning petroleum lit up the night sky as the

lead balls fired from cannons were now dipped in it and lit on fire. All around him,buildings lost their leg structure and fell down upon itself in a sickening tragedy of flame

and old wood.

Get out of here! cried a soot faced man in black and grey livery. A guardsman

of the state of Valin. Glad to see one inside Esther Port. At least this wasnt a militarytakeover.

Another one off to his right, Women and children, run south, theres a convoy

waiting to pick you up!. He paused, his voice laden and drowned out with water. Men

paint drips slowly

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