A long day of sailing saw the wind weaken just a tad, slowing their progress just enough to cause Light lieutenant Wil-kait some anxiety as he wearily paced the deck.
The man who was called Lieutenant Lord Paralton leaned against the stern rail, one leg bent, his boot resting on a cleat, looking unconsciously magnetic with his black hair tossed in the wind, his shirt open. His legs were still thin, the faded cast-off jacket he’d borrowed loose on his almost skeletal frame, but the men cast frequent looks in his direction. Par was a survivor, and such men were considered good luck to have aboard.
Though he had only recently begun to feel more than mere hints of the man he was supposed to be, the Late Lord Par's memories were coming in a steady stream now, aided and abetted by the AIA “Mind” in Jake/Pars golem brain. Perhaps it was the soothing feel of wind and sea, but once accessed, those dim memories from a dead man were coming to him like a leak from some distant canvas bag seeping rainwater. As they came to him, the new Par’s eyes occasionally flickered wide as he began to get a glimpse of just how enormous a task his mission was, and just how different the culture of Cerule was. Occupied, as he was by memories not his own, or by the silent conversations he was having with “Mind”, he almost missed when Wil-kait stumbled on his way back up the slanting deck.
Par held out a hand to brace the man and said, ‘Go below. Get some rest. I’ll watch over our course. If we site sail, I will send a man to fetch you.”
Wil-kait looked into Par’s eyes and nodded, gratefully. “It seems I am more fatigued than I should be, Sir. Thankyou. I’ll take a short one.”
Par didn’t argue about shortness or rest but watched the officer stagger to the helm and announce, “His Lordship has the ship.”
With a last bleary-eyed look at Par, Wil-kait left the aft deck, going below.
Par gave a cursory glance at the helm binnacle to check the course before moving back to the railing and returning to his relaxed pose. He knew well from years of command experience in space, that crews liked to see their officers relaxed but alert.
The sun had set, and the rich blues of dusk was settling over the sea when Wil-kait appeared again carrying two cups of tea.
Par took his cup and sipped, enjoying the rich taste. He was still getting used to the difference between on world natural tase in food and drink. that, even in just a tea, seemed so rich. and the spaceship fair he'd taken for granted for so many years.
“The cook is preparing some supper below for us,” Wil Kait said. “I ah, hope you don’t mind sharing my cabin, my Lord. I, ah, of course will take chair my consort supplied me with …”
Par shook his head quickly, squeezing the handsome Light Lieutenant’s shoulder. “Not at all. We can share the bunk. I promise you, that as thin as I am I will hardly take up any space at all.” Par said with a laugh. Even with the dusks he caught the flash of smile and the flush on Wil-kait’s cheeks.
“Besides, I suspect neither of us will get much sleep.” The moment that sentences left Par’s mouth, he regretted it as he saw the abashed look on Wil-kaits face, hearing him murmur “Oh, my Lord.”
Par pretended not to notice that reaction and instead looked astern and said, “I cannot say why I feel it, but I can’t help suspecting that the enemy ship plaguing you in the Islets back there, may be tight on our tail, just out of sight. We may even see her sail by dawn.”
Wil-kait glanced astern, clearing his throat. “Ah yes sir. Your likely right. And we are also likely to run into an Imperial ship pretending they are not all but blockading he Nor Coast, particularly all approaches to Nor Bay entrance.”
"Really testing our resolve not to go to war, aren't they?"
"After taking down the Waverlie in sight of our shores, they are brazen enough." Wil-kait agreed.
“Well, perhaps we should refrain from lighting any lanterns, partake of that supper you mentioned while it's not yet pitch dark, and then spell each other and your sailing maser through the night.” Par/Jake opined, quietly.
“Aye. We should be off Nor by tomorrow evening. With luck we can spot a friendly ship and keep close escort into the bay.” Wil-kait said but then he invited. "Come, I have Midshipmen’s Kyle- Lee and Ruthe-rite joining us for dinner supper. Mr. Moss, our senior Mid, will manage the ship, won’t you Mr. Moss.
Moss Davring Moss, Jake had met earlier in the day, a solid stockily built man in his mid to late twenties.
“Mind, what is the average life span of a Cerulean?” Par asked the AIA.
“Depending on what you call average, the life span varies widely”
Well, that’s informative.” Par shot back, dryly.
“A high possibility of inaccuracy by virtue of your namesake’s memories which are hazy on the subject, ancestral hybrid Adar / human blood produced humans with lifespans that approached four centuries with a few legendary figures living into a fifth century. There are beings on this planet who, with great skill, live to be far older, possibly as old as human’s have existed on this planet. The Emperor Zor is said to be immortal.”
“Leave out immortals and ancient hybrids.” Par instructed.
“Then you have an average that may be between a century and two centuries of life. Almost constant conflict by sea as well as land make any further accuracy impossible.”
Par understood that a Cerulean year was shorter than Earth or Space standard, which was counted as ten months long, and 360 days. A Cerulean year was almost exactly 300 days and had just ten months. Therefore, a century here was equal in time to about the age of seventy-eight or so.
“Sir, M-Lord, supper is set.” Bits told us, appearing on the aft deck to relay the information.
We went below, passing the two young Mid’s on the way into the small dining cabin.
Supper had been laid out with four places; the table set on gimbals locked at an angle to allow us to eat on a relatively level plain.
The fair was simple, a plump fish called Calli on a bed of seaweed and rice, the flavor enhanced by a spice Lord Par’s memories found familiar, and Jake/ Par found very different but delightful. There were salty hard biscuits on the side with a pat of butter.
The Mids waited for their betters to eat first. Though Wil-kait held command, he insisted Par sit at the head of the table. Par gave in and wasted no time eating. “Starved as I’ve been, gentlemen, I am not wasting a moment.”
Three men smiled, and one of the mids, the brown-haired Mr. Kye-Lee, offered, “You seem to be gaining strength quickly, my lord. No longer so much barely walking skeleton we brought aboard.”
“Hydration will do wonders, I am told. I had not had water in days.”
There was a pause before Ruthe-rit asked with great diffidence, “Sir, can you tell us anything of the Waverly? My, my uncle was first officer aboard her. Loyd – rite, my Lord.”
Jake swiftly searched the fragmentary memories and came up with a handsome swarthy man whom the deceased Par had respected. The mast that had fallen and taken him with it, drifting free of the ship as it continued onward.
“Your uncle is a brave man whom I respected very highly. I was floating among the wreckage of the mast that fell with me and knocked me out with its spars. To my knowledge the ship fought on and I cannot tell you whom, if anyone survived. No one, other than myself reached the Bram Isles where you found me, at least not that I know of. Perhaps he has been taken prisoner.”
The young man nodded, “Thank you, My Lord.”
Wil-kait offered, “It was reported by those who watched from Haillasher Cliffs that the Waverlee fought on with her Pulters firing long after she’d been dis masted, Mr. Rite. She was a wreck, but still afloat when she struck her colors. We will pray to the All-Star Father, that your uncle survived.”
“Aye, Sir, thank you, Sir.”
Par asked, “Were any other small ships sent out to look for survivors?”
Wil-kait, nodded, “Aye, the Light Brig Leverage, the Cutter Mischief under my cousin Resh, a very fine fellow, and The Heavy Battle Brig Knife under Light Commander Thager- Lee. Commander Lee ordered us to split up. We were tasked to head South which we did, and I only thought to head to the Bram Islets and Isle where we found you when that damnable Imperial Brig caught sight of us and gave chase. I only hope the others haven’t run afoul of any trouble.”
“How, by the All Father, does the Empire think it can claim all these seas a quarter of the way around the world from itself is beyond me.” Mid Kyle-Lee proclaimed with some fire, jabbing the air with his wooden spork, an implement halfway between a fork and a spoon that had round dowel handles that could be used like chop sticks when paired with another spork.
Par thought of his ancient Terran History, as well as so many strategies among star nations known to the Humana League. “It can, because it has the power, and because it thinks that acquiring more territory will appease the gaping maw of that power. Eventually, it might, but in the end, all such powers eventually dissolve and swallow themselves."
Par looked up to see all three young men staring at him.
“Of course, sad to say, that ending may be well beyond our lifetimes.” They looked at each other and chuckled sadly.
“But that isn’t to say men like us cannot do what we can to foil their plans and trip them up at every turn. If this experience has taught me anything, it is that if I didn’t quite take my life seriously before, I do now.” Par spoke from experience, if not Cerulean experience. “The Empire will work on many fronts, economic, trade, diplomatic, and intimidation through the domination of the seas until they have us so cowed we give in to their demands. No one wants war with a giant, and they know that even better than we do.”
“The Great Duchess won’t let them get away with it.” Ruthe-rit declared, quietly. “Beg pardon, my Lord, but your great, great Grand Maw, is one tough bitch of a Lady and we love her dearly.
The handsome young man was so fierce Par had to hold down a chuckle.
Wil-kait took the opportunity. “Well Mr. Rite, as you are junior, and the meal is ended, you know your duty.”
Ruthe-rite stiffened and seizing his glass he stood up. the others quickly rising as well for the toast.. “My Lord, Captain, brother Mid, To her Grand Grace, our Duchess and Monarch, Her Health. May she live forever!”
Wil-kait sent both Mids up to take the early watch and send the senior Mid down to supper with the sailing Master.
“You and I should find our sleep.” Wil-Kait said.
“I could stand a watch,” I said, but he waved a hand. “You need your rest, My Lord. You are still painfully thin and very weak. The Saw-bits Som Clothbit ordered me to take good care of you. Besides which, if we are to site any enemy it will be in some hours yet as we get nearer to the waters of the Nor.”
Well, the ship’s doctor, had mis-diagnosed, Par, a golem from a tech far in advance of anything on this world, but they could not know that. Par merely sighed and shrugged. “Your right.” He rose and let the Lightenant guide him astern into the great cabin, which was really not very large at all. Wil-kait escorted him to the captain’s cot, and after helping Par strip off the worn spare uniform he helped the naked Lieutenant into his bunk and soon joined him.
Par was greeted to the sight of not only a beautiful young man in Wil-kait, but a very fit young man with a generous endowment that rose to life as the young man moved onto the cot with him.
“This seems rather fast for a courtship,” Par said as the other’s lean body and round firm buttocks nestled back against him.
Wil-kait chuckled. “Perhaps, but I won’t take advantage if you won’t, and besides, once my head hits the pillow” the officer yawned spectacularly. “I won’t ever. Know…” Wil-kait’s voice drifted away and Par was greeted to a soft snore.
Par realized just how exhausted the young officer was by his drop into sleep. Par was not tired, at all, and after waiting a few minutes to ensure his naked cot mate was dead to the world, he slowly slipped out of contact with the young man.
Lightenant Wil-kait had a bookshelf screwed to the bulkhead by his desk with a number of books. One on Navigation, one on Seamanship, one on various sorts of ship rigging and the parts of, and a curious book called “The book of manners.”
Sitting at the desk, Par started in on Navigation, skimming the pages quickly, letting the AIA absorb the content of several charts, national economic zones, and laws of the various nations over their areas of influence at sea. He was struck by the fact that the book showed just how dominant the Empire of Zor was. Zor was a superpower, absolutely in control of the world’s largest Island continent, which stretched from cold temperate regions to the North to all the way down below Cerule’s equator. That continent was called in ancient times, Calliador. In present times it was simply called the Zorathian Continent.
Positioned a quarter of the way around the world from where the Skylark traversed the seas, the Zorian influence stretched far beyond to lands on the opposite side of the world.
The Duchy of Nor was a comparitively tiny horseshoe shaped land in comparison, no larger then ancient earth Ireland. Considering they were on their way there, Par took the time to study the Gre-Duchy of Nor in detail. Nor he saw was the result of an ancient Volcano, with a caldera rise poking up out of the middle of the Bay of Nor and a break in the ring that was the entrance to the bay. Just studying he map caused Par memories and visions to come back and connect.
It was a world of Monarchies of various sorts, and the old late Par’s memories informed Par that most lands outside of the Zorian influence were Constitutional Monarchies with Parliaments built on a political pyramid of ruling bodies. The Duchy of Nor had five Earldons, each with three to five Counties, each with three to five Baronies. Par’s mother ruled a barony, his sire having been killed at sea not that many years before.
Shifting at last from an overview of Nor and its navigation and maps and boundaries, Par opened the book called Lady Tellara-Lay’s book of Manners and discovered rules of etiquette and decorum in detail. It was a guide to anyone seeking to behave as a gentlemen or lady of grace.
Here, he saw laid out in detail the marriage and family structures of Cerule.
Since ancient times the world had struggled with a lack of the Y chromosome. The book of manners did not deal with the chromosomes, but simply stated that “As all here in have doubtless noted, the peculiar atmosphere that gives rise to extraordinary extra powers such as wielded by Magi, limits the birth rates of females. At the time of these writings, there is roughly one female to four males in the world.
Due to this inescapable fact, adoption is a time honored status for all. Females are expected to wed one male spouse, two male consorts by permission of and with the spouse, and to keep as many as four male concubinos as well as assorted paramounts. This arrangement does not mean the female of any family must be forced into a state of near constant pregnancy. Elaborate and extensive rules of courtship must apply if we are to prevent disruption and keep order and civility among members of any family.
Females must be protected, and the male Spouse is considered the military Head of House, though he may designate or delegate such tasks to any other male of the household as he sees fit.
The female is to be treasured, held up, protected, but also heeded for her many sacrifices, by the males of the family. Females past their child bearing years are excellent candidates to rule, though all such must be elected by the usual conclave of Parliaments or Families.
Due to the fact that most men may not find an available female of age to court, they may court one another of their own sex and set up family structures based upon the same formula of Spouse, Consort, Concubinos, and Paramounts. It is to be stressed that all such extra spousal linkages must be approved by both members of the marriage, before they may proceed.
Par skimmed though pages listing specific actions which were considered correct and those considered inappropriate or even scandalous. Some of it made him want to laugh. In particularly, he realized sleeping naked with someone not of his social strata, while not a scandal per say, it was something that could be less that appropriate by Par’s social peers or superiors.
He glanced through a book about the Government structures of Nor itself and found it fascinating. There no elections, only bottom up conclaves and votes of continuing confidence that if failed repeatedly, could cause the vacancy of a seat and a conclave to fill it. Even the Duchess had to face an annual vote of confidence, that if she failed, repeatedly, reduced her influence over her parliament. If she failed to the point she could break a tie in any parliamentary vote, she would have to retire and a conclave be held to replace her.
Par decided to study that more, later, but in the meantime, a slight wave of fatigue suggested he needed to conserve energy and that a nap where he at least meditated would be wise. His Golem body was physically near full strength, even if it didn’t look it, but there were as yet no reserves of energy.
Still naked, as the balmy summer climate was pleasant on his Golem body, he stepped back to the cott and slowly slipped in behind Wil-kait, trying not to think about how his cock felt nestled up against the other man’s firm buttocks and crack.
With just an hour left till dawn, he slid quietly into a dose that brought him gentle dreams full of extremely attractive men. Even in his dreams he found himself reeling from the focus on one sex over the other, and thinking that it was a good thing for him men so much outnumbered women on Cerule.
