The Chelon Rose

Act 3: the Somnambulist

z z z z z z The Tales of Martin of Brune z z z z z z

Mafisto’s Reach

z z z z z z z z z z z z

Martin plucks his lute gently to the rocking of the ship. The air has the scent of sea salt and spice from the nearby kitchen. The Chelon Rose is partaking in a late night drink in the half moon light. Martin looks around at the quietly creaking vessel then says

‘You know what this reminds me of. Yeah you know. You must have heard of it. Old sea salts tell it often when the night grows late, the sea becomes still and the half moon sets, her mothers milk that had spilt in an arc across the waters grows ruddy and ill. For that is the hour when stories take a turn, the voices are lowered, the faces lean in and the heart beats a little faster.’

And that is exactly what happens. Martin deliberately lowers his voice. Just a whisker. Just so everyone has to lean in a bit, perhaps without realising. He pauses silent… waits for the moment… Yeah here it is

‘"We’re all gonna die!!! We’re all gonna die!!! Sea Sprites come run for your lives"’

Martin has suddenly sprung to his feat. Gesturing wildly. Pointing at the fading moon. Shouting at the top of his lungs. And jumping about excitedly. For a moment, some forget he is telling a story and jump as well, the look of horror on his face is so convincing.

But then he suddenly crouches back down, looking serious.

‘That’s when you know’ said matter-of-fact like ‘That’s when the weird shit has started. You’ve wandered into the devil’s zone. You’ve crossed the breach. When you first hear that sailor scream out a warning, the tremor in his voice. Then you know you’re in Mafisto’s Reach.’

‘You’ve heard this story, surely. The story is about that area right in the middle of the Mesoin sea they call Mafisto’s Reach, or the Devil’s Diamond. There are lots of stories of vanishing ships, ghost ships, sea serpents, acid fogs and the like. But this one is the most famous. The story of the Blackwater.’

‘’Twas ship not unlike this one. Captain Blackwater at its head. His crew. A midget. Hell, in Indigo its told with puppets and in Carsia with cut out paper figures behind a back-lit screen. The funny hunch back midget and the stern sea Captain. Its told as a child’s story. Captain Blackwater feels sorry for the poor hunchbacked midget so gives him a job as lookout in the ships crows nest. But the midget is superstitious and keeps waking the crew at dawn with wails and warnings of danger. Eventually the crew grow tired of him and throw him overboard. It’s a cruel story I warn you. But then so are many puppet shows. It told like a ‘boy who cried wolf’ story. A warning against superstition. But few know the full story. That’s right, few know the full facts. Yup, that’s what your gonna hear tonight. The full facts’

In a loud stage whisper martin begins the tale again.

‘"We’re all gonna die. A sea sprite comes run for your life!!!" That’s what the midget kept shouting every morning. Ringing the ship’s bell. Shouting at the top of his lungs from the top of the ship, up in the crow’s nest. The first time the crew hear this they stumble out of their hammocks up on board the deck. "What is it?" they shout up to the midget.’

‘"Tie yourselves down.

Before its too late.

A sea sprite comes to take you away!!!

It will sing its song and you will be gone!!!

No man can resist the song of a the twist!!!"’

‘The midget says pointing out to sea. They look to see a sea spout. Captain Blackwater in his reassuring tone says’

‘"Sure sea spouts can be dangerous to sails

but otherwise reason prevails.

Sailors see them on occasion

But hear no song of persuasion."’

‘The crew look relieved and wave their hands at the midget dismissively. But at dawn the very next morning they hear again’

‘"We’re all gonna die, We’re all gonna die

The death fog comes run for your lives

It will eat your flesh

Like acid or ants

And leave only bones

In your feet and your pants"’

‘The crew drag themselves out of bed again, but this time they are more sceptical. The midget points to a bank of fog that the Blackwater is approaching. Slightly worried they turn to the captain who says in his reassuring voice’

‘"It can not eat your flesh

it will not still your heart

It is but droplets afloat

In the morning’s start"’

‘And sure enough, once the ship enters the fog bank, the crew find that it is just ordinary fog. They yell cruel taunts at the one they have begun calling "Midge", due to what a pest he has become. Yet sure enough, at first light the next morning Midge is shouting his warnings again.’

‘"We’re all gonna die, We’re all gonna die

A ghost ship comes, run for your lives.

Turn the wheel to port

a change in our corse

To avoid the ghosts who

on that ship surely walk."’

‘As the ship approaches, the crew are nervous. Maybe this time "Midge" is right. The strange ship’s sails are rattled and torn like they have been through a storm without being taken down for protection. There does not seem to be anyone on board. Captain Blackwater manoeuvrers his ship alongside the strange vessel in case there are people that need rescuing. They read the name written on its side "Alsabo". A Carsian merchant ship. They investigate but find it empty. This is when the audience of the puppet show begin to think that maybe Midge is right. Maybe it is a ghost ship. But the audience is suddenly relieved to hear the captain say’

"Pirates came with sword

threw the men overboard

They have torn the sails

and fled over the rails."

‘The attention of the crew then turned to Midge. In the puppet show they say in unison.’

"A foolish midget you are

For this you will scar.

No more we will dawn

To the sounds of your call."

‘They climb up to the crows nest and wrestle Midge down. They beat him and throw him overboard…’

Martin stops suddenly. Sits down and shrugs.

‘I told you it was a cruel story. But puppet shows are often cruel.’

z z z z z z z z z z z z

He picks up his lute and begins to pluck. But clearly the Chelon Rose think he has ended a bit abruptly. They ask if there is any more. Is that the full story they ask?

Martin looks at each of them with a glint in his eye.

"I’m not sure your ready for the full story. I’ve had second thoughts. I wouldn’t want to scare you."

The Chelon Rose just shrug and go back to drinking. Martin says hurriedly.

‘Alright I’ll tell you then. Most bards would end the story there it is true. But I am not most bards. I am Martin of Brune. And my friends, I know the full story.’

‘The full story ends some years later. Imagine, once again, somewhere near the centre of the Mesoin Sea, in the place they call Mafisto’s Reach or the Devil’s Diamond. There is a shout at dawn from on high in the crow’s nest.’

"Beware! Ghost ship approaches. Change course. Ghost ship approaches!!!."

‘The crew stumble out of their hammocks and up onto the deck. Sure enough there is a ship approaching. Its sails look rattled and torn. The Captain orders his ship to manoeuvre along side the strange ship, as there may be people in need of help. But the ship seems eerily empty.’

‘The Captain reads the name on the side of the strange ship "mmm. The Blackwater. It went missing a few years ago round these parts. And before that there was a Carsian merchant vessel that went missing. And before that…"’

created: 14 February 1998 | Last Updated: May 17, 2003

© Skabo