Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Eight - Smooth Sailing

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Eight - Smooth Sailing

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Eight - Smooth Sailing

I tugged my hat down to keep it on as a heavy gust of wind blew across the deck and set my skirts to flapping. Id need to invest in some stockings, the air at our altitude was a bit past chilly. I might have been a proper cold-blooded Canadian, but that didnt mean I didnt enjoy keeping warm when I could.

Port foresail to half! Clive called out across the deck.

I was the nearest to the fore of the ship, so I jogged over to the railing and dropped to one knee next to them. The foresails were controlled with a set of cranks hidden under a plank that could be slid aside like a drawer. There were marks etched around the crank to show where each position would be, so all I had to do was twist it around a few times.

Still, I stuck my head over the side of the Beaver to see how well the sail had retracted. It gave me a gorgeous view of the ocean of clouds below. Past those, through the raggedy gaps left in the white sea, I could see the grey mountains of the Nesting Kingdom slowly giving way to sparse woodlands and some marshland.

Clive! I called back. Have we passed the Nesting Kingdom already? I resettled the lid over the sail controls and dusted off my skirts as I stood up. The Beaver was shifting a little underfoot, but I was able to shift with it. It was like standing up atop a raft in choppy waters, but with less swaying to it.

Clive hung onto the wheel and looked to his side where a compass stood atop a little pillar. Aye, its possible, captain, he said. We should be following the Eastern Wall all the way to the Bracklands. Were hitting a lot of wind though, more than I rightly expected.

I nodded and hopped my way over towards the middle of the deck. Steve and Gordon were chatting amiably while coiling up some rope, and Bastion was on the starboard deck, swinging his sheathed sword around.

There wasnt too much work to do now that we were underway. Wed need to replace Clive at the wheel eventually, the poor harpy had been at it for five hours, ever since we left Fort Sylphrot that morning.

Maybe I could take a turn at it? The wind was a bit strong, but we had time and fuel and such to spare if we were a bit off course. It would be a good opportunity to practice for later!

Hows it going? I asked Bastion as I landed a couple of meters away from him. The last thing I wanted was a whap on the ears for being too close to a swing of his sword.

The sylph paused for a bit and ran the back of an arm across his forehead. Im alright, he said. It seems to be smooth sailing so far.

Yeah! I agreed. The Beavers doing a good job.

That he is, Bastion agreed. He shifted his shoulders a bit and then eyed me up and down. Do you fight, Captain Bunch?

Not too much, I said. And not that well.

Well, your level suggests that youve been in a tussle or two in the past, he said. But maybe thats normal for a life of adventure.

I shrugged a shoulder, then, because hed obviously done it to me, I used a bit of Insight on him too.

A Paladin of the Just Path, Level ??

Did that mean that he was past level twenty in his main class? Or was that more? He didnt feel stronger than someone like, say, Abraham, but then maybe that was normal. Maybe we can spar a bit? I could definitely learn a lot more about fighting my way out of trouble. And it wouldnt hurt to get a few new skills.

You have some open slots? he asked.

Yup! My class evolution was just a week or so ago.

His eyebrows rose at that. Well then, do you have a weapon of choice?

Not really. I have a Makeshift Weapons Proficiency. I tend to use a spade. Do you think I should use that now?

A spade? I... certainly. Ive never fought anyone using a shovel as a weapon before. It will be interesting practice, Bastion said.

I grinned at him, then hopped back towards the port side of the ship and towards the cabins. On the way, I brought up Mister Menu and took a look at my stats and such. It had been a while since I looked at my skills.

Name Broccoli Bunch Race Bun (Riftwalker) First Class Cinnamon Bun Bun First Class Level

10

Second Class Wonderlander Second Class Level

2

Age

16

Health Stamina Mana Resilience Flexibility Magic Skills Rank Cinnamon Bun Skills Cleaning A - 35% Way of the Mystic Bun E - 49% Gardening D - 24% Adorable D - 100% Dancing D - 98% Wonderlander Skills Tea Making D - 91% Mad Millinery F - 87% General Skills Insight C - 82% Makeshift Weapon Proficiency D - 100% Archeology F - 63% Friendmaking C - 49% Matchmaking F - 47% Cinnamon Bun Skill Points Wonderlander Skill Points General Skill Points First Class Slots Second Class Slots General Skill Slots

Awa, are you sure? We put in a lot already.

Of course. Look at how dark it is there. I think its supposed to be brown, not black, and salt should lighten it. Or maybe we need milk?

I was almost in the kitchen when I heard Awen gasp and Amaryllis mutter something in a hurry. By the time I arrived they were both standing, facing me and with their backs to something that was smoking.

Uh, hi? I tried. My friends were acting really suspicious. Also, the air smelled like burnt veggies.

Hello, Amaryllis said. What are you doing here?

I... live here? I tried. With both of you?

Well, yes, thats obvious. You idiot, Amaryllis said.

Uh-huh. What are you guys doing?

Awa, nothing!

I raised an eyebrow at that. Nothing?

N-nothing, she agreed.

Whats that burning behind you? I asked. Things that were on fire was something of a concern aboard an airship. And why does it smell weird in here?

Awen passed gas, Amaryllis said.

Awa! Awen exclaimed, her face turning all sorts of interesting shades. Thats not, thats.... Amaryllis poked her. Yes. thats what happened. We should open a window.

Neither of them moved towards either one of the porthole windows.

The thing behind them continued to smoke.

You guys know that you can tell me anything, right? I asked.

Awen and Amaryllis looked at each other, and I think some sort of understanding passed between each other.

We know, Amaryllis said. Now get back to work, you lazy idiot.

O...kay? I said. Uh, by the way, well need to cook dinner soon.

Both of them blushed a bit at that.

I can probably have Steve or Gordon come down to cook. They seem very handy.

Amaryllis looked away. That makes sense. Cooking is a menial, peasant-y task.

Uh huh, I agreed doubtfully. Your nothing is on fire, by the way.

Both girls spun around to take in the big pot behind them that was, in fact, on fire. I could make out some sort of chopped up meat on the table, and some veggies cut into... shapes that might have been cubes if I squinted really hard.

I decided that it might be best to leave them to whatever they were doing. It seemed like something that would drain away a lot of sanity.

Ill be on deck with Bastion, I said. If you need anything, like, uh, cooking advice, you just need to ask.

We need no such thing, Amaryllis said. Then she started batting at some grease that had caught fire with a towel.

Sure, I agreed as I left them to it.

***