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"Blow the man down, bullies, blow the man down"
"Wey hey blow the man down"
"Blow him right back into Cera-Na town"
"Give me some time to blow the man down"
"It's starboard and larboard on deck they will sprawl (To me!)"
"Wey hey blow the man down"
"For kickin' Skekso commands the Crystal"
"Gimme some time to blow the man down"
"Lay aft now, ya lubbers, lay aft now I say (To me!)"
"Wey hey blow the man down"
"I'll none of yer dodges on my ship today"
"Gimme some time to blow the man down"
"Blow the man down, bullies, blow the man down"
"Wey hey blow the man down"
"Blow him right back into Cera-Na town"
"Give me some time to blow the man down"
"So I'll give you fair warning before we belay (To me!)"
"Wey hey blow the man down"
"Don't ever take heed of what chantymen say"
"Gimme some time to blow the man down"
"Blow the man, bullies, blow the man down"
"Wey hey blow the man down"
"Blow him right back into Cera-Na town"
"Give me some time to blow the man down"
The sound of thunderous roars and applause echoed throughout the fleshy innards of the Vassa. It was so extraordinary that it caused the beast to vibrate. All of this took place within an open area where a long massive table stretches out to each end. It is meant to accommodate every sifan in SkekSa's crew. Tonight is a time of feasting and on each side of the table were rows and rows of food as far as the eye could see. This was all prepared by the sifa clan's finest cooks in the Silver Sea, which even had a head chef whose experience came from catering to the royal family back in Ha'rar. It's tradition to begin every feast with a shanty or two and tonight seems like it's no different. But this night is very special for a different reason.
Today marks the 85th birthday of a former crewman named Colea.
Colea, a stonewood native, used to work side by side with the captain herself. During expeditions, Colea would often help his lord out of situations that were too tough for her to handle and it was in no small part due to his expertise in being a survivalist. His skills were a viable asset to the rest of the crew, especially when they too took part in the adventure. Like the Mariner, some would tell stories about his heroics and even though the captain wouldn't compare sifans against each other, she considered Colea to be one of her personal top shipmates. Even to the point to where SkekSa would nickname him as "Guardian".
Unfortunately, due to certain obligations, or so they say as the reason, Colea couldn't commit to being on the Vassa anymore and promptly left the crew behind when he was 76. However, it didn't mean that he left the clan entirely. Upon his exit, he personally decided to transfer himself to another ship where he was able to work at his own pace given his age.
And now, he has returned home, seeing faces, old and new, that want to do nothing more than to celebrate with the oldest living shipmate to ever aboard the Vassa. In a way, Colea couldn't be anymore happy.
However, something seems to trouble the old gelfling. Being away from his old crew gave him time to think about how drastically different everything is from the outside. Sure there were expeditions, singing, and feasting, but not to the extent of what SkekSa was doing. In fact, it feels like nothing has changed around here after he left. Even when looking at the Mariner, with her iconic hat, boots, and clothing, there doesn't seem to be any difference. Same can be said with her physical features as well. Even though skeksis biology is different from gelfling, it's not unknown for Colea to believe that they don't age the same way they do. Even the food hasn't really changed. Normally sifan cooks would accommodate for every gelfling that used to be a part of a certain clan. But here, everything is strictly sifan cuisine. Colea could see the differences of how the Vassa operates when compared to the ship he's recently a part of. The Vassa crew is constantly on the move, never staying in one spot, which made everything all the more spontaneous and exciting. But with the ship he's on, there was a little bit more leisure, albeit quiet, atmosphere to how things were run. Of course, while being on the move is common amongst the clan, they were not always this frequent. And while Colea had to leave due to obligations, that was only half true.
But before he could convey his thoughts, SkekSa stands up from her dining chair.
"Alright, alright. Settle down everyone. Settle down," she said, "......Oi!"
The noise immediately started to die down as they gave their attention to their captain.
SkekSa raises her glass of nectar wine and clears her throat.
"It's funny to think about how after so many trine, you see faces come and go. Very few are able to commit to such duties when something gets in the way. But to see someone like Colea, someone who is willing to return home despite everything that's happened, it goes to show how much loyalty you sifans have for your fellow captain. Am I right gents?"
Responses from "Here here" and "Well said" can be heard from across the table.
She continues, "Colea, my dear guardian, seeing you again has made me the happiest I've ever been that it was only appropriate to express my gratitude by creating a celebration in honor of your birth. I'll never forget the times when you saved me from danger. I'll never forget the influence that rubbed off on my crew. And I'll never forget those little moments...moments when you weren't just a shipmate...but also a friend. Let us toast to your 85 years of servitude! Praise be the Silver Sea!"
"PRAISE BE THE SILVER SEA!" they shouted.
As soon as the speech was over, everyone began to feast. Left and right, sifans were eating, drinking, laughing, and even telling stories, some of them being related to Colea. SkekSa watched as the gelfling filled their bellies with the finest cuisine the clan had to offer. It reminded her that when the crew is in good spirits, then so is she. The captain then turns her attention over Colea.
"I can see by your face that you seem rather content with yourself," she said.
Colea was smiling, but inside, he was still rather troubled by the whole thing. In reality, he didn't expect a party upon his return. He was hoping that his visit wouldn't cause much noise, but given how the news may have spread inside the Vassa, it was likely impossible for any gelfling to not let it go unnoticed. The only way Colea could confess to the captain is to let it out slowly. As such, he turns his attention over to SkekSa.
"Aye," he responded, "I also noticed that nothing has changed since me exit."
"Well of course! Why would ole' me need to change anything? Besides, the only thing that changed around here was your absence dear guardian. It's the least we can do to pay our respects."
"Well sure, but....," Colea paused, thinking about what he was going to say.
"Ye didn't need to do all of this."
SkekSa was taken back by the gelfling's statement. It was probably the first time that anyone ever told her that upfront.
"Why not?" SkekSa asked hesitantly.
"I was hoping that me birthday would be a little bit more...quiet. I mean surely these constant times of merriment are bound to be tiring for yer fellow mates, no?"
The captain didn't know what to think of his comments. Of course her mates aren't tired from all the partying, she thought. Celebrating one's birthday is seen as a grand gesture around here in the Vassa. Plus, it's not like Colea is a stranger when it comes to parties. One time, SkekSa saw him drank an entire wooden keg full of rum straight from the tap. He vomited like a sick nebrie, but it was worth it having to see the sifans cheer him on. Whatever happened to that Colea? The same one who was so lively those many years ago?
"I must admit," she said, "I'm surprised at you dear guardian. We've known each other for 85 trine, and now all of sudden you feel like this whole party is unnecessary. You used to be quite the enjoyer of these kinds of occasions. Why this sudden change of heart?"
Colea felt that SkekSa's statements were contradictory. If they truly knew each other for 85 years, then she would've known about how he feels. It's been 9 years since his exit and his birthday is the first time they've recently seen each other. Also, it seemed like the Mariner was a little bit offended by his comments. This is the Lord of the Silver Sea and the last thing he wanted to do was insult her. He's just telling her in the only way he knows how, as a friend. There are a lot of things that the captain doesn't know about, especially when it concerns his leave. This time, there is no turning back. Colea had to tell the truth.
"Me time away from the Vassa has giving this ole' guardian some time to think. Things like the future and the inevitably of what lies ahead. I've gained wisdom me captain, and seeing how other the ship operates under different sifans made me realized what I've been missing. Peace. Whether it's the calmness of the ocean as it hits against the starboard side or even the clear skies that guide through every turn, it was just what I needed after all me run-ins from danger. But that besides the point. Me dear captain....the thing is....I haven't been truthful with ye for the reason I left. The truth is.....I'm not the same guardian I used to be."
"What do you mean?" SkekSa asked.
"Captain....I've gotten old. Me bones can only take so much flogging before it gives over. It's why I brought a cane with me. I can't run, I can't fight, and I can't drink a lot of a rum like I used to. Being on a different ship was the only way to get away from it all."
SkekSa looked around to see if anyone else was paying attention to the conversation the two were having. Fortunately, they weren't as they were still eating away from their food. Some of them had even finished up early and are up and about dancing away to the music.
"Colea....," SkekSa paused, "I don't know what to say."
"Understand me captain," said Colea, "I don't question yer commitment to yer crew. Ye take good care of them. But whenever I look at these young lads, I wonder if they know about their limitations, yes? Will they end up like me, so old and brittle? I....don't know, but I hope ye understand about their own mortality. Yer a skeksis lord, these sifans are not. They don't have the same eternal lifetime like ye do. I mean look at yer self. Ye have aged gracefully than I could ever dream of!"
While the Mariner appreciates the compliment, she was still trying to take in all the information that the sifan was giving her. True, she knows about the fact that she lives a longer than the rest of gelfling, but it's that constant reminder of ageing that gets to her. Very few ever return to the Vassa at an old age and Colea was the first time in a while. The last return of an old shipmate happened about 200 trine ago. How are the sifans supposed to keep up with their captain when they're both biologically different. It's like Colea said, she's a skeksis, but the gelfling are not.
He continues, "I know it's not wise to ask the all-knowing lords of the crystal about such matters but...where do ye truly see yer self decades from now? I used to think I was invincible, willing to do anything to protect me captain. I lived up to my own nickname as guardian. But now things have changed and all the things I did are in the past now. What do I need to prove at me age when I've done everything I could? I be remembered as a hero onboard the Vassa, but everywhere else, I be nothing more than a deck swabber.....and maybe that's not a bad thing after all. Please, be honest with me captain, would it be best for me last moments on this planet to be a time of peace and tranquility, or ye carrying me lifeless body out of any obstacle thrown at us?"
SkekSa and Colea only sat in silence as the sifans were playing their music. She never considered the possibility of living a quiet life. To her, living a life a serenity doesn't feel all the more exciting as it sounds. In fact, it feels more like stagnation. She would rather live and die by her title as Mariner rather than have her lasting legacy being nothing worthy of note. But the only thing that keeps SkekSa in such a state of perplexion is how direct Colea has been during the whole party. Most of her mates don't talk to her this way because it's done out of respect to their own captain. But then again, she did say that Colea is a friend. For him, however, he couldn't tell if he truly overstepped himself by talking to his captain like that. But either way, his true intentions were clear. Colea doesn't have much time left and his reasons for leaving are just a way to prevent more heartbreak. If dying in peace is the only way out, then it will be worth it in the end.
"Oi, Colea!"
The gelfling turns around to see a bunch of eager sifans.
"Why don't you come over here and tell us about that one time when you got into a tussle with a few gruenaks?" said the sifan.
Colea chuckled at the thought. It was a memory that he remembered all too well. But before he got out of his chair, he turned over to SkekSa, still trying to process the conversation they just had. Not wanting leave her out in the open, he concluded his talk with her with just a few words.
"...It's just something to think about," Colea whispered.
Afterwards, he turns his attention over to the sifans.
"So there I was, just carrying a bunch of 'cargo' that we plundered from an remote island when out of nowhere.."
It's been a few hours since the party had ended. Every sifan was fast asleep, tired from all the excitement from today. Some are even asleep, albeit passed out, from all the alcohol they ingested that night. The Mariner, however, was nowhere to be seen within her quarters.
SkekSa was up and about, laying on top the shell of the humongous beast and watching the three sisters illuminate the night sky. Ironically, many sifans see the three sisters as a representation of three important figures that had an impact on their culture, herself included. But SkekSa wasn't in the mood to think about such things. The conversation from earlier is still on the skeksis's mind and it's been keeping her awake at night.
Ye didn't need to do all of this
I'm not the same guardian I used to be
Captain....I've gotten old
Yer a skeksis lord, these sifans are not
Where do ye truly see yer self decades from now
These thoughts pester the Mariner like a school of hooyim poking at a corpse. It was annoying, tiresome, and had no necessary reason to keep going. And yet, those thoughts continue to linger. But what was it about what Colea said that makes it so profound? Are these parties nothing more than a way to show off the mass wealth she attained? What is she going to be decades from now? Will she ever be the same? What if this doesn't last forever? What if this entire thing is just trying to prove to her brethren that she wasn't worthless? That she had value?
No matter how many questions she asks herself, she's not going to give everything up. The Mariner title means everything to her. Without it, who is SkekSa? She's determined to keep everything the way it is because she deserves it. She's a lord. She's just as important as the rest of the court. It's all she knows.
But even if she tries to be positive about the circumstances, she cannot help but sigh at the whole prospect. Because if everything is kept the same, then so will the problems. Every sifan that's a part of her crew will still come and go, and many of those same gelfling won't come back. They'll still be thrown into danger just because their captain wants to fulfill her adrenaline rush. And some will likely die at her hands as a result. And no matter what, she'll still be obligated to the crystal palace.
Does any of this feel like freedom to her?
SkekSa continued to watch the sky as the three sisters glow above the Silver Sea. However, she hears something in the distance that made her perked up, but she couldn't make out of what it was. Obviously, everyone is asleep so that only brought her to one conclusion. It's UrSan. But why is she speaking to her at a far distance, she thought. Unless, this is what she's actually doing? But as UrSan draws closer, it starts to sound like a melody. The Mariner then puts all her focus on the Swimmer's voice and this is what she heard.
"Chuaigh me un aonaigh s dhiol me mo bho"
"Ar chuig phunta airgid s ar ghini bhui oir"
"Ma olaim an t-airgead is ma bhronnaim an t-or"
"O cad e sin don te sin nach mbaineann sin do?"
"Ma olaim an t-airgead is ma bhronnaim an t-or"
"O cad e sin don te sin nach mbaineann sin do?"
"Ma theim na choilleadh chraobhaigh cruinniu smeara no cno"
"A baint ullai do gheaga no a buachailleacht bo"
"Ma shinim seal uaire faoi chrann a dheanamh so"
"O cad e sin don te sin nach mbaineann sin do?"
"Ma shinim seal uaire faoi chrann a dheanamh so"
"O cad e sin don te sin nach mbaineann sin do?"
"Ma theimse chuig airneal s rince s sport"
"Chuig aonaigh no rasai, s gach cruinniu den tseoirt"
"Ma bhionn daoine sugach, s ma bhim sugach leo"
"O cad e sin don te sin nach mbaineann sin do?"
"Ma bhionn daoine sugach, s ma bhim sugach leo"
"O cad e sin don te sin nach mbaineann sin do?"
"Deir daoine go bhfuil me gan rath is gan doigh"
"Gan earrai, gan eadal, gan bolacht no stor"
"Ach ma ta mise sasta i mo chonai i gcro"
"O cad e sin don te sin nach mbaineann sin do?"
"Ach ma ta mise sasta i mo chonai i gcro"
"O cad e sin don te sin nach mbaineann sin do?"
SkekSa couldn't believe what she heard. It was so beautiful that it even surpassed her singing. True, she had a velvety voice herself, but even that couldn't compare to what she listened to a few minutes ago. What was she singing about, she wondered? It certainly wasn't a language that she ever heard of. It also wasn't the Mariner's native tongue since UrSan isn't a skeksis. What was it?
While pondered about the song, the Vassa immediately lowers itself in order let the Swimmer climb up aboard. Ironically, SkekSa didn't have her whistle with her. With all her might, UrSan hoisted her body up onto the shell while the Mariner did a little extra help by grabbing one of her arms. Once she got on the shell, the both of them had stared at each other for a few seconds.
"What was that?" SkekSa asked, breaking the silence.
"What was what?" said UrSan, being vague as possible.
"Don't play coy with me, just tell me what the song is about."
UrSan only responded with a smile.
"Oh come now, you're going to do that to your own skeksis? Just tell me!
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a secret," UrSan chuckled.
SkekSa sighed at the Swimmer's answer. She knows that she's always going to keep secrets from her, but this is the one time where she wanted to find out.
"Alright, alright," said the Mariner in frustration, "You win! I hate it when you do that."
UrSan chuckles at SkekSa's mood. She admits to herself that seeing her like this can be kind of cute.
And so they lay on the Vassa's shell, watching the three sisters in the night sky.