Call of Caldiria Chapter 7

Call of Caldiria Chapter 7.

              “So, what do you think?”  Telean showed Marike around the deck of the Canary’s Cry.  “Lovely ship, isn’t she?”

              Marike had to admit the ship was beautiful. With three massive sails and a long, sleek deck with gold trimmings, it was something to behold. “I can’t wait to fly on it. What exactly will I be doing, though?”

              Telean smiled.  “Whatever needs to be done.”  He patted her on the shoulder.  “See, girl, you have unique talents, being able to change in size in all.  In some areas, you can do the work of five of my men combined.  Not that you will be putting them out of a job.”  He laughed.  “But trust me, you will be a very valued crew member.  As long as you follow orders.”

              “Even if I don’t have much experience on a sky ship?”

              He laughed again.  “Then you will learn.  Do you think my trust piolet had the best experience when she joined?  Or my cook?  Girl, we all learned on the fly and are better for it.  I trust everyone here with my life, and I will do the same with you.  But we will also give you a helping hand to ensure you can pull your weight.”

              Ien walked up to them.  “And if you don’t, I will force you in line.”  She snorted.  “Understand?”

              Marike nodded her head.  “Yes.”

              Telean sighed.  “Ien, you can cut the girl some slack.”

              Ien pointed a dripping wet finger at Telean.  “Look, a sky ship isn’t a place for people to just slack off, and you know it.  Once we are in the sky I give the orders.  If this size-changing lass can’t handle it, she will answer to me.  The safety of the crew is my responsibility, and I won’t have someone getting hurt because she can’t do what is asked of her.”  Ien turned around.  “So, you better learn fast, newbie.  And I hope Telean is right, and you can help out with your changing in size stuff.”  She walked away.

              Telean sighed.  “Ien can come off a bit harsh, but she means well.”

              “I could be fooled.  Especially after her performance in the bar.”

              Telean laughed.  “Ien really doesn’t care for people who cross her or people who she feels have been wronged.”  He patted Marike on the back.  “But trust me when I say she means well and will take care of you.  She doesn’t want to see you or anyone else hurt.  Now, come on.  Before we take off, we are going to have a good old meal.  And trust me, the cook on this ship is fantastic.”

              Marike followed him below deck, the scent of cooked meat and fish filling the air.  “I don’t see what is so. . .”  As she entered the next room, her jaw dropped.  It had been a long time since she had seen food so. . . that looked so mouth-watering.  The fish was surrounded by leafy greens, and she could see just how juicy they were.  And that wasn’t getting into the roast, glistening with seasoning and surrounded by corn, what she assumed was a stew and wine.  “What is this?”  She noticed the other crewmates and a fifteen-foot-tall Petition.

              “It’s our mix of lunch and dinner.  You can thank Melrek.”  Telean pointed at the red-skinned Petition at the far end of the room.  “He is the genius cook and my second in command.”

              Ien crossed her arms as she sat down.  “Behind me when we are sailing.  You know that.”

              Telean laughed.  “Of course, mistress of the skies.”  Ien snorted.  “I bet you are wondering just how we get such good food, Marike.”  She nodded her head as she sat down.  “Well, being a ship runner for the governor, we are rewarded for our efforts.  I do feel a bit embarrassed for the pampering, but hey, it’s free food.”

              Ien snorted.  “It feels more like a bribe if you ask me.”

              Marike grabbed one of the plates of fish.  “What do you mean?”

              Ien toyed with her steaming hot roast.  “We get this sweet ship and great food as long as we abide by one rule.  The cargo that we ship we are not to examine.  No matter what is in it.  It’s been that way ever since Keel was elected as governor.”

              Telean sighed.  “Please not this again Ien.”

              She snorted.  “I don’t like it!  You know it!”  She slammed her hand down on the table.  “I told you before there is something shady going on here in Anchorhead.”  Ien looked as if she was about to say something but stayed silent as she inspected the room.  “I decided to join this to have the freedom to do what I want, sail where I want to go, and instead, I am stuck doing shipments like some delivery girl while being told not to look any further.  This is some Velork bullshit!”

              Marike suddenly found herself sympathizing with Ien. The Aquisien girl seemed to want nothing more than to have the freedom of flying as well. Marike had given up almost everything just to achieve her dream of flying, to experience her freedom sailing through the air. But now wasn’t the time to talk about that. She wasn’t sure if it would do much other than bring people’s ire onto herself.

              Telean sighed.  “So, what do you want to do, Ien?  Get us in trouble because you want to break our contract with Keel?  I know you don’t like it, but our hands are tied.”  He sighed.  “Look, let’s talk about it in my cabin.”  They stood up.  “I know something else is on your mind.”

              As the two of them walked out, Marike wondered what else was going on. She knew if she really wanted to know, she could shrink down and follow them, but with everyone watching her now, it wasn’t the best time, so she decided to continue eating her delicious meal.

              ***

              About a half hour later, the crew was finished eating, and it was time to set sail.  Marike found herself on the deck, still unsure of what she was supposed to do, but those doubts were quickly dashed as Ien shouted at her.  “Hey!  Sizeran girl!  Why don’t you get growing and help open the sails already!”

              Marike blushed.  No one had ever asked her to change in size before, so the comment caught her off guard.  But as Ien saw her just standing there, the Aquisien screamed at the top of her lungs.  “What are you deaf?  I said get growing!”

              Marike gulped, her body starting to change in size.  She could feel her clothing tightening against her skin, slowly ripping as she grew.  “Damnit why do they have to make these masts so big.  Please hold together.”  She wasn’t used to growing so big.  When she saved the man in the storm, she didn’t give a second thought to her appearance, but in front of everyone, she was going to change in size a lot.  She didn’t—

              Shrripp.  Her pants and tunic suddenly ripped apart, revealing her slender skin to the entire deck as she reached for the mast.  Her face turned bright red, her ass and the side of her breasts on display.  “Fucks sake.”

              As people started to stare, Ien spoke up.  “This isn’t a show.  Get to work.  If you can’t deal with our size-changing crewmate having a wardrobe malfunction, then you can stay on the shoreline.  Understood!”  Everyone’s eyes instantly left Marike’s mostly naked body.  She could now see what Telean meant by the young Aquisien taking care of her crew.  She didn’t have to defend Marike like that.  “I think I am really going to like it here.”

              She unfurled the sail as the other crewmates worked on the other sails.  Ien then called up to Marike.  “Okay, you don’t need to stand up there all day.  Shrink back down already.  I don’t need to see your giant ass as I sail the ship.”  Marike blushed.  “Start the engines, and let’s get this show on the road.”

              Marike pulled at her arm as she shrank back down.  “I am really doing it.  I am going to sail the skies.”  She smiled.  “I did it!”  She threw her arms about, forgetting that people were watching, before blushing.  “I think I should go get some fresh clothes from below deck.”