B.M.R. Year 6 Chapter 02 Stowaway

  • The fishing vessel, the ‘Stone Hammer’ had been at sea for a whole day and night while it made its way slowly through the deep waters off the coast of Dagon Fel. On deck the three crew members and their captain were hard at work lowering nets and various markers in the waters where the current was too strong for the dreugh to interfere with their fishing operation. If they moved too far towards the shore, the dreugh would hack apart the fisherman’s nets with their lobster like pincers so they could feed upon the trapped slaughterfish. Nothing tasted sweeter than an easy meal.

     

    Dreugh weren’t the only problem they had when it came to an easy meal. The ships cook had prepared an apple pie early the evening before and was fully intending to serve it along with a fish supper but one of the crew had stolen it from the galley. All that was left was an empty plate.

     

    This bothered the Orc captain, Orag more so than usual. He would expect petty squabbles but he had sailed with the same crew for years and knew the antics of each and every member of them. He knew who would eat what and more so when but they never stole from each other or steal food. If they were hungry all they had to do was ask. A hungry crew were a sullen crew and such a crew were worthless.

     

    The answer to the theft, and the odd crumb from the shortbread pastry topping, was hidden in an old and rather large coil of rope on the aft of the deck. Inside the ‘nest’, Sotek lay fast asleep. He had been fishing under the cover of darkness and hid various fish which he had caught, in three buckets under an old disused sail that happened to be piled in a heap nearby.

     

    Sotek kept out of sight during the daytime which, due to winter, were rather short. It was night time when he foraged for food and swam the waters to fish for himself. It was during this time that the crew were busy chasing a shoal of Slaughterfish. Captain Orag yelled at the helmsman who was at the ships wheel as he saw they were drifting off course.

    “Watch where you’re going damn you! What’s wrong with you tonight? Too much grog?”

     

    As he turned towards the helmsman once more he noticed the man was indeed struggling to keep the boat in a straight line. His feet seemed fixed to the floor though. This simple fact told him that the bizarre act wasn’t down to the man’s drinking.

     

    He looked forwards towards the bow of the vessel and noticed that the starboard side was slightly dipped which explained why the ship was pulling to his right.
    “Are we snagged?”

     

    The Helmsman shook his head as he instinctively knew their speed was still quite high for such a fishing boat.

    “No Capt’n. We’re being dragged away from the port side. It’s like we’ve lowered anchor although not the usual one”.

     

    Orag yelled back as he called the crew to the starboard side.

    “I can see that damn it. You lot get that net up”.

     

    One of the crew came over towards him and scratched his head.

    “Capt’n! We haven’t released any nets this side yet”.

     

    Captain Orag rested his hand on a thick rope which trailed over the starboard side and disappeared in the sea. It was held taught against the current and seemed to resist as he yanked on it.

    “Then what the blazes is this? Raise it up. Move yourselves”.

     

    The ships main sail was lowered cutting the sails ability to catch the wind, slowing the vessel down. Once the tension decreased in the rope, three members of the ship’s crew pulled it up while the captain held aloft a large glowing lantern.

     

    In the moonlight and the warm glow of the lamp, a small Argonian was pulled out of the water. He had the rope tied around his waist and in his hands he tightly held onto a small net which was brisling and wriggling alive with fish.

     

    The Captain looked on with astonishment as he scratched his head.

    “Well I’ll be... What an ugly specimen, and he’s too small... What the devil are you doing here lad? Stowaway on my vessel will you?” He turned towards the ships cook and rapped out his orders. “Cook him up we’ll have him for supper”.

     

    Upon hearing this, Sotek reacted the only way he knew how. He threw the net at the captain, smothering his face with live Slaughterfish which bit out at him causing him to yell angrily. Sotek yanked on an end of the rope and immediately fell free to land on the deck. He was on his feet in seconds but the crew moved towards the edge of the boat so he couldn’t jump overboard without giving them a chance to capture him. A net was passed along the line greatly decreasing his chances at escape so he jumped up at the mast and climbed it faster than what his pursuers could as they tried to follow him.

     

    All the while the captain was pulling off and stamping on various fish who were still trying to bite anything in an attempt to extract revenge for being caught in the net and being snatched out of the water.

     

    Once the captain was free of his ‘attackers’ he turned his attention towards the young Argonian who had now climbed higher than what the fishermen would dare.

    “You little scamp. Come down here damn it so I can flay you”.

     

    Sotek defiantly yelled back down at him while his tail wrapped around a rope so he couldn’t fall off.

    “That’s not much of an incentive for me to come down! Why don’t you come up here?”

     

    The captain’s mate, a fellow Orc albeit a female one who seemed slightly older than her captain, gave him a shove in his back.

    “That’s enough, you’re scaring the little tyke. Well no you’re not, but you’re not getting him down either. Come down you little runt... Let’s feed that belly of yours”.

     

    Sotek slipped down the rope and hung upside down by his tail as he stared into the orc’s eyes. His arms were folded giving him an intense look about him.

    “On what? Argonian scales?”

     

    The orc laughed as she pulled him off the rope.

    “Did you see any Argonian scales when you stole that pie from my galley? What you doing onboard anyways?” She placed him on the deck then walked over to where Sotek was staring, the old sail. She yanked it aside to find several buckets of fish. “Capt’n...”

     

     The captain tapped a bucket of fish then stared long and hard at the Argonian hatchling. He nodded to himself then bellowed out his orders.

    “Feed it, then set it to work”. He walked up to Sotek and poked him hard in the chest. We hit port in three days. Until then you belong to me. Steal from me or my crew again and I’ll cut your tail off... Do you hear me boy?”

     

    Sotek gulped but something inside him wouldn’t back down. Before he could stop himself he sarcastically answered the Orc.

    “With what?”

     

    Orag paused for a second then pulled out a evil looking fishing knife. It was long and needle like with a bone handle.

    “With this”. He grinned at Sotek as he waved it at the boys face. He knew he was scaring the Hatchling but he was impressed that the boy never showed it or backed away.

     

    Sotek couldn’t help but find himself transfixed by the lethal looking blade. Once it returned to the Orc’s belt however, Sotek’s character came back as quickly as it went.

    “What if it was that knife that I stole, then what would you use?”

     

    Orag, who had thought he acquired victory over the boy stopped in his tracks and once again found himself playing mind games. He pulled out a dagger and dug the tip into the top of a barrel that was standing close by while the other members of his crew looked on.

    “I’ll use this and gut you like a fish...”

     

    Sotek’s face screwed up which seemed to the Orc as if he was snarling.

    “And if I stole that as well? Then what would you use?”

     

    The captain pointed to the side of the boat and threatened him once more.

    “Then I’ll do this...” He grabbed Sotek’s torso, wrenched him up in the air and literally threw him overboard.

     

    He hit the water in a big splash and the crew all ran to the side to see if they could make him out in the waters squall. The captain was the first to call out to the others as he scanned the water’s surface.

    “Can anyone see him?”

     

    The cook called back more franticly as she feared for the stowaway. If the truth were to be told, Sotek’s brazen attitude impressed her.

    “You stupid bastard. There’s no sign of him you foul smelling rock... The fish will kill him”

     

    Orag scowled back as he bellowed at an Argonian who was tending to the sails.

    “The fish won’t eat him you daft ogre. He’s been catching them with a bloody net. Hey, get that tail of yours over here. Dive in and find him...”

     

    As the Argonian peered over the side, movement from the stern caught his attention. He saw Sotek slowly climb up the netting and pointed him out to the captain.
    “He’s climbing back on board capt’n. What are your orders?”

     

    Orag stomped across the deck and grabbed Sotek by a bone spike. He started wriggling as he tried to break free but he was quickly cast onto the wooden decking.

    “I’m the captain and I’ll stand for no back chat from the likes of stowaways. Stowaways find themselves sealed in barrels... Is that to be your fate boy?”

     

    Sotek hissed back defiantly but the other Orc held a finger to her lips telling him to be quiet. Sotek cast a quick look at the water’s edge and he knew the coast was too far away. Now that it was around midday, he also was painfully aware that he had no heading to swim towards either. It would be hours until he even knew which direction to swim in. By then he could be anywhere.

     

    He slowly shook his head as he backed off.

    “No...”

     

    The next instant he was shoved towards the cook who grasped his hand and pulled him towards the lower deck before he had a chance to say anything else. As he disappeared below he heard the captain bellow out at him.

    “Feed the runt then we’ll put him to use. Everyone works here boy...”

     

    Once they entered the galley, he was sat in a chair and given a plate of freshly boiled Yam along with some slaughterfish scales. He was also warned about his attitude.

    “Now don’t you go giving any more of your lip, you hear me? You do what you are told and when you are told. None of that backchat. You’ll be worked and worked hard but he always looks after his crew. Cut the lip or we’ll be feeding off that tail of yours. Now eat up then get yourself on deck”.

     

    Within ten minutes Sotek was back topside and true to the cook’s word, he was put straight to work. His tasks however were the sails rigging as he was nimble and a fast climber. He spent most of the afternoon in the rigging securing sails and fixing pulleys. At one point during a high wind he was up the top of the main sail securing a new wooden pulley when a rope on the fore topsail snapped. The sail started to buckle and collapse on the port side causing the ship to suddenly turn towards the rocks. Before the captain could even yell out any orders, Sotek leapt from the main mast and grabbed the end of the rope.

     

    He hung on desperately as the winds did their best to cast him over the side but his hands held on tightly. As his weight started to pull on the rope, the sail stopped collapsing which allowed the helmsman to regain control. This never helped Sotek though as he was in a stalemate. He couldn’t reach anything and if he let go then he would fall thirty feet and land on the decking. Due to the high winds he was unable to climb the rope. All he could do was hold on and wait for the others to reach him. Within a few hair raising minutes, the other Argonian dropped a rope down alongside Sotek so he could climb down but instead of that, he held onto both ropes until the fore top sail was secured.

     

    They spent the next twenty minutes securing the rigging and fitting a new rope before both Argonians returned to the deck. Orag grabbed Soteks arm and held it forcibly up so he could look at his palms. Both hands were red raw from the friction burns. Orag was surprised that Sotek clung on from the state of his hands and felt more surprise when he saw that Sotek was in pain and yet he tried to hide it.

    “There’s no hiding from this boy...” He turned towards the other Argonian and nodded to him. “Half and half...”

     

    The cook along with the Argonian sat Sotek on an old barrel which was full of salted fish. A bottle of brandy was bought up from the galley and poured into an old metal cup which was forced to Soteks lips. The cook nodded to the Argonian as she spoke.

    “Captain Orag’s special. Half and half. Half best brandy in the gut...” the Argonian held Sotek’s head back as the cook poured into his mouth the brandy making him choke on the burning liquid. Instantly the alcohol sent his head reeling from its intoxication. The Argonian then forced a leather strap into Sotek’s mouth and told him to bite down hard. Once he did what he was told, the cook carried out the ‘Second half’ of the treatment.

     

    “Half of best brandy on the wounds”. She then poured the brandy over Sotek’s palms automatically causing him to thrash about wildly on pure reflex from the pain.

     

    During all that time the two crew held him tightly as the alcohol did its work of sterilising the wound. After what seemed like an eternity, the captain rested his hand on Sotek’s shoulders.

     

    “We’ve no healers on board and wounds here quickly turn bad. Bandage his hands and let the boy rest”.

    Sotek’s only answer was to half heartedly spit out the leather strap then collapse in the cooks arms as he blacked out.

     

    Sotek awoke the next morning due to being shaken by a rough pair of giant green hands. Orag himself awoke him with a glass of water which was crudely thrust towards the hatchling.
    “Up! You’ve rested long enough! Drink this, it will help clear your head. On deck in ten minutes. Move yourself!”

     

    Sotek’s throat still burned and he felt groggy. He had alcohol before but nothing anywhere near that strong or that amount. His head span and he felt hot but the water quenched his thirst and quickly soothed his headache.

     

    He made his way on deck as fast as he could and to his surprise the captain set him on light duties meaning he was to help the cook in the galley. He was given a sharp knife to use and was taught how to prepare fish by gutting them and cleaning the fish for cooking. By the end of the day he knew how to prepare seven different types of fish and knew what parts could be cooked and even eaten raw if need be.

     

    The next day the Stone Hammer headed back towards Vos despite the fact that they hadn’t caught their fill. Sotek’s hands were somewhat better and he was given a pair of gloves which he wore constantly while he was on deck even though they were three sizes too big. He climbed up the main mast as high as he could so that he would be able to see Vos harbour. A large ‘cloud’ seemed to sweep through the water port side which told Sotek there was a school of fish just wanting to be caught.

    “Captain! Fish, port side!”

     

    Orag shook his head as he glanced at the sun. They had a few hours to make it back or Vos’s tidal waters would be too low for his hull to reach port.

    “No. We’re out of time. It’s a bad haul this time but it can’t be helped”.

     

    Sotek slid down the rope and approached the other Argonian. He tugged on a net as he laid out his plan.

    “We won’t need ten minutes. Bring the Hammer alongside the school and we’ll do the rest. All we need to do is open the net, wait for the fish to swim inside it then close it up”.

     

    Orag shook his head at Sotek’s suggestion. He had enough Slaughterfish bites for one trip and he could see the two Argonians getting cut to shreds.

    “No! We’re heading back. Hoist the main sails. Prepare to head back, we’re going home boys”

     

    Instead of the frantic yelling and running of his crew, he was met with silence. The Argonian rested his hand on Soteks shoulder and called back to the captain.

    “Let the boy try. What have we got to lose?”

     

    The captain glanced at them both then looked over the port side. True enough he could make out the shoal of fish and it was indeed a large one. Grunting in agreement he nodded his head.

    “You have five minutes. Get to work. Bring her about, we’re going fishing!”

     

    As one the crew cheered while Sotek and the older Argonian grabbed hold of a corner of netting. When the Stone Hammer was in place the two Argonians dived into the water and swam out away from the ship, spreading out the net in the process. The school of fish swam straight into the centre of the net pulling the two Argonians backwards.

     

    Sotek tried to fight against it but he couldn’t hold the net and it was yanked from his hand. The other Argonian swam towards the ship and threw up the end of the rope so his corner of the net could be secured. As the fish fought to get free, both Sotek and the Argonian struggled to tug the remaining corner to the ship but between them they managed to pass the rope to the remaining crew.

     

    With the net secured, they both climbed back onboard so they could all help with the raising of the net. As it started to lift out of the water, the boat began to list to the side while water escaped from the confines of the netting. It took everyone including the captain’s strength to pull the net in from the water but once it was over the catchment hull, the captain released the net. Tons of fish fell into the hull and spilled out along the decking, literally doubling their catch. Sotek fell forwards onto the deck as a heavy hand triumphantly slapped him on the back.

    “Well done lad. It’s a shame you stink of fish. Get this mess cleaned up else we’ll all be laying on the floor. Hoist the main sails, ready the riggings and clear the deck. Home we’re going and home we are bound”.

     

    Before Sotek could say anything, a mop was dropped at his feet. He sighed as he picked it up and swung it into a fish, knocking it into the hull as a mark of his protest. Within a few hours the Stone Hammer was berthing alongside the harbour of Vos.

     

    Sotek gulped loudly as he saw his mother waiting at the dockside and he quietly counted the tapping of her foot. It was slow and steady, that in itself meant that she had been standing there for hours. He felt more nervous than when he was captured by the captain...

     

    Orag seemed to notice her too but he wasn’t about to let Sotek go while there was work to be done. He set Sotek the task of hauling the netting of fish over the side along with the rest of the crew so the fish could be weighed and sorted.

     

    It took half an hour for the ship’s cargo of fish to be cleared but instead of sending Sotek off by himself, the captain walked him along the harbour’s walkway to Quentarii. They were joined by the cook who unceremoniously dropped a large fish by Quentarii’s feet then a fish knife was thrown into the walkway. It stuck in the wooden planking as the captain bellowed out his orders.

    “Gut it...”

     

    Sotek dropped to his knees and pulled out the knife. He set about his task while the cook gave him a few pointers and within a few minutes the fish was gutted and de scaled. The captain then presented the fish to Quentarii while the cook took back the knife and returned it to her leather roll of various knives.

    “I take it that this scamp belongs to you. We found him on our boat but he was undersized so we threw him overboard. He’s a lippy little devil, the bloody Slaughterfish threw him back... Don’t go too hard on the lad, one good thrashing should do it. Here you go boy. Three days work. I’ll leave the explaining to you”.

     

    He then dropped a pouch full of coins at Soteks feet and walked off leaving Sotek staring at the purse while Quentarii watched on speechless. Sotek gingerly picked up the pouch and gave it to his mother who secured it in her robes before she slung the fish over her shoulder.

     

    She looked down at him and rapped out her instructions leaving Sotek under no illusion that she was to be obeyed.

    “Wait here Little-Foot! Excuse me!! Captain?” She followed the captain and the cook who turned to meet her.

     

    The three of them talked for a good ten minutes while Sotek looked on nervously. When Quentarii walked back towards him, she stood over him and held out her hand.

    “Show me your hands Little-Foot”.

     

    Sotek timidly held out his palms which were still red from the rope burn. Quentarii knelt down and gently rested her palm against his. White light smothered him as she cast her healing spell which quickly helped regrow his scaly skin, healing his hands completely.

     

    She pulled herself up to her feet then headed back towards home with Sotek walking alongside her. He looked up at her and spoke softly.

    “How much trouble am I in?”

     

    She sighed as she glanced down at him.

    “No more than usual Little-Foot... No less than usual either I might add, but no more than usual...”

     

    Sotek sighed as he nodded.

    “Bed, no supper?”

     

    Quentarii shook her head sorrowfully while she ignored him.

     

    Once they arrived back at the camp Quentarii hung the fish on the rack while Sotek bathed to get the smell of fish off. When he entered the main tent though he knew he was in for trouble. His three sisters were sitting quietly together and never spoke a single word between them. This in itself told him all he needed to know.

     

    Quentarii, who had been stewing now for the last half hour finally let her anger and fear out. Sotek jumped from shock as Quentarii yelled at him.

    “What am I going to do with you? You can’t go off and stowaway on ships! Gods knows where you could have ended up! Vele’nara called you back and you ignored her! You could have been killed a dozen times over! What gives you the right to go off? Well?”

     

    Sotek’s breathing rapidly increased as he struggled to maintain control of his emotions. He snapped his head round to his sisters but they were just staring at him wide eyed. His gaze turned back to Quentarii and her tail which flapped around. His own tail coiled up forcing him to part his feet.

     

    Quentarii watched him for a few moments then pointed towards his tent and dismissed him.

    “Bed... Just go to bed Little-Foot”.

     

    Sotek slowly turned around and made his way to his own tent. He laid there for an hour or so just staring at the roof support canes while outside darkness slowly descended upon the land.

     

    He woke up when he felt the weight of someone sitting down next to him. Opening his eyes he saw Quentarii gazing down at him. Sotek whispered to her with a frail voice that only a child could have.

    “Am I going to be in your bad books all day?”

     

    She softly smiled as she stroked the side of his face with the edge of her finger before she pulled him into her and gave him a cuddle.

    “Sotek Hissing-Little-Foot, you’re always in my bad books for some reason or other. Go on, help your sisters set the table then we can all have supper. It’s New Life Festival tomorrow, not new arguments and family rows”.

     

    When they exited his tent, he found his sisters were all gathered in a small group discussing his fish which was cooking on a large metal grill over a bed of coals. Vele’nara commented on the size of it and she was obviously impressed.
    “Sotek caught that? It’s bigger than what he is...”

     

    Kut’ara chuckled as she poked Vele’nara in the ribs while she pointed out a basic fact.

    “Bigger than Sotek? Hell it’s bigger than you”.

     

    While Sotek beamed like a lighthouse, Kat’rini groaned at her sisters.

    “Oh rats... Sotek... He caught the biggest fish!”

     

     

Comments

7 Comments   |   Aela The Huntress likes this.
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  January 20, 2016
    Fixed the error. Thanks for pointing that out Ebonslayer.
    Sotek caught the biggest fish alright but he did have a boat to do it with.
  • Ebonslayer
    Ebonslayer   ·  January 20, 2016
    In paragraph 104 it looks like you split regrow into 2 words.

    Sotek caught the biggest fish. Lol.
  • Exuro
    Exuro   ·  December 23, 2015
    A little know fact is the UOTW is actually a autobiography of the author Sotek
  • ShyGuyWolf
    ShyGuyWolf   ·  December 23, 2015
    dang, what a great read. I got to know more about you. for example, that you use bandages to heal your wounds instead of magic and that you know how to skin animals as a child.
  • Exuro
    Exuro   ·  December 23, 2015
    I don't think Kodlak would've been able to handle little Sotek, haha. My favorite part was when the captain just up and threw him overboard.
  • Aela The Huntress
    Aela The Huntress   ·  December 23, 2015
    Sotek sighed as he nodded.
    “Bed, no supper?”
    I was going to say here that she can't send him to bed with no supper...
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  December 23, 2015
    A fun read. Boy, does that hatchling have lip. He's tempered somewhat with age. LOL